Chapter 25: Rising Fame and Rivalries

[‘Mithril Tower Shield’ has been purchased.]

[‘Silver Dagger’ has been purchased.]

I bought two more pieces of mithril equipment after that.

A large tower shield that likely contained a lot of mithril, and a silver dagger, which was among the cheapest mithril equipment.

Disassembling them yielded—

[Mithril Fragment obtained.]

[Mithril Fragment obtained.]

[Mithril Fragment obtained.]

“It’s done!”

Finally, I obtained the five mithril fragments needed.

With this, I’ve gathered all the mithril required for the materials listed on the stone door in Area 1.

I spent a fortune on three pieces of mithril equipment, but it’s not bad at all.

From what I found online, other blacksmiths have such low disassembly efficiency that they’d need to disassemble even more equipment to get this much ore.

This is more than satisfactory.

While I was basking in the satisfaction of extracting all the mithril, a news report playing quietly on the TV caught my attention.

[This morning, the third-ranked Hunter, Berserker Park Kang-chul, successfully cleared the Level 5 Gate, Giant’s Canyon, solo, causing a stir.]

[Experts say the Giant’s Canyon was a Gate well-suited to Park Kang-chul’s abilities.]

[However, some experts claim that soloing a Level 5 Gate is a monumental event that could shake up Korea’s Hunter community.]

“He must’ve rushed to a Gate right after getting the Cloak.”

The news was about Park Kang-chul, the Hunter I made the Cloak for.

The thought that his success in clearing a Level 5 Gate might be thanks to my Cloak made me oddly proud.

It felt like I was the one on the news.

[Next, we’ll hear an interview with Hunter Park Kang-chul.]

The screen switched.

There was Park Kang-chul, emerging from the Gate, drenched in blood as usual—a perfect embodiment of his “Berserker” title.

The reporter seemed nervous but, with professional determination, approached Park Kang-chul and extended the microphone.

Park Kang-chul, who usually avoids interviews, surprisingly agreed to face the camera this time.

[Hunter Park Kang-chul! You’re the first in Korea to solo a Level 5 Gate! What’s the secret to your success?]

Park Kang-chul, known for charging toward the Blue House without caring about others’ opinions, made the reporter’s voice tremble.

Looking down at the reporter indifferently, Park Kang-chul grabbed the microphone.

Then, with blood dripping from his hand, he lifted the Cloak on his shoulder to show the camera and spoke with an excited grin.

[It was a masterpiece that I absolutely loved, Vulcanus.]

That day, Park Kang-chul’s Hunter ranking was updated to second place.

My lifestyle stayed the same for a while.

During the day, I crafted items and listed them on the Auction House.

At night, I entered the Mine to gather ore and thread.

Afterward, I disassembled materials and went to bed.

Oh, and of course, as my work became more intense, I made sure to eat well.

[Ye Brand Burger]

[King Donald Burger]

[Burger God Burger]

[Burger]

[Father Attack Burger]

Among them, today’s choice was—

The so-called “Ultimate Burger Showdown.”

I ordered the most expensive burgers from each famous burger brand.

The concept today was to pick the best burger, and that was my meal.

“Wow, Ye Brand has come a long way.”

I devoured one burger in no time.

“Father Attack’s fries are the best!”

Next, I ate the burger along with its Cajun fries.

Even though I ordered one from each brand, the portions were huge, but it didn’t take long to finish.

It’s an amount even a food vlogger would struggle with, but since awakening as a Hunter, I need to eat this much to feel full.

The concept was to pick the best burger, but the conclusion was the same as always.

They’re all delicious.

Well, I ordered the priciest burgers from each brand, so of course they’re tasty.

“Now, shall I get back to work?”

With a full stomach, it was time to head to the Mine.

My steps were now all too familiar.

Lately, I’ve been spending all four hours in the Mine in Area 1.

I needed a lot of materials to make the furnace.

[Your Level has increased.]

My level, steadily rising, was now at 20.

The level of items I could craft was nearing 40.

My growth rate was overwhelmingly faster than other blacksmiths.

As a result of tirelessly mining in Area 1 day and night—

Today, finally—

[Mana Stone]

[Blue Ore]

“It’s done!”

I gathered all the materials needed for the furnace.

Well, to be precise, all the materials except adamantium.

[Time limit has been reached.]

[Hephaestus’ Mine is closing.]

I was kicked out of the Mine, but I couldn’t have been prouder.

Now, if I could just get adamantium, I could open the stone door on the first floor.

I didn’t know what was behind it, but my gamer instincts told me—

There’s definitely something amazing in there!

A hidden piece for my SSS-grade ability!

Just in case, I checked the Auction House, but as expected, neither adamantium nor adamantium equipment was available.

“Should I send a message?”

I considered contacting the Mir Guild again but stopped myself.

It felt like I’d be nagging, and I didn’t want that.

The Mir Guild’s offer to find adamantium was just out of goodwill, not a contract or deal.

Idly, I opened the system to check my page.

“Wow… this is insane.”

Thousands of commission requests.

It’s all because Park Kang-chul mentioned my name on the news.

After he brought up Vulcanus and the seal on the Cloak was shown on the news, my page’s popularity skyrocketed.

Commission requests piled up, and my forge’s ranking shot into the top 100, still climbing.

“Should I pick a commission?”

I considered it but shook my head.

Most of the requests were for weapons or armor.

At my current level, taking on high-level Hunters’ weapon or armor requests would be tough.

There were plenty of accessory requests, probably because of the Ring of Red Blood, but none really caught my eye.

While browsing the system—

Ding-ding—

A message came from the place I’d been waiting for.

• This is the Mir Guild.

My heart raced.

With all the other materials gathered, adamantium was the last piece needed to make the furnace.

Wait a second.

I hadn’t thought about it since I had over 20 billion in my account, but how much would adamantium cost?

What if it’s more than 20 billion?

Even if it’s exactly 20 billion, how could I spend all that hard-earned money?

As my head spun, the messages continued.

• Unfortunately, we couldn’t find adamantium, but we did find a way to get it.

A way?

• Have you heard of Cheon-gung?

“I know. Cheon-gung, Cheon Seung-heon, the second-ranked Hunter.”

• Yes, that’s right. Though he’s been pushed to third place now, since Park Kang-chul took second.

The message continued in a chat-like format.

Hearing that Cheon-gung’s rank dropped made my spine tingle for some reason.

“Wait… is that because of me?”

• You could say that. The reason Park Kang-chul succeeded in soloing a Level 5 Gate is attributed to the ‘Ring of Red Blood’ and the ‘Blood Berserker’s Shroud’ you made.

Oh no.

Does that mean I’ve made an enemy of Cheon-gung?

Instinctively, I glanced at the balcony window and moved away from it.

What if an arrow came flying through the window?

Honestly, someone like Cheon-gung could probably shoot through the wall itself to assassinate me.

“So, what about Cheon-gung? Don’t tell me he’s holding a grudge…”

• No, quite the opposite.

“The opposite?”

• Cheon-gung has sent a commission request for item crafting.

“What? But we were talking about adamantium…”

• And the reward Cheon-gung is offering for the commission is adamantium.

“What?!”

• He wants you to make him an SSS-grade item like Park Kang-chul’s. In exchange, he’ll give you adamantium. That’s the condition from Cheon-gung’s side.

Second-ranked Hunter, Cheon-gung, Cheon Seung-heon.

No, now third-ranked after being pushed down, Cheon Seung-heon was watching the news with a sullen expression.

The face on the news was none other than Park Kang-chul, the former third-ranked Hunter who had now taken his second-place spot.

[Hunter Park Kang-chul! How does it feel to have recently soloed a Level 5 Gate and claimed the second rank?]

Park Kang-chul rarely gave interviews.

He usually ignored them, finding them bothersome.

So why was it?

Not long ago, he mentioned Vulcanus after clearing a Gate, and now he was willingly doing another interview.

[It’s only natural. One step left.]

With an extremely arrogant expression, he wasn’t satisfied with second place and was openly aiming for first.

The reporter threw in another question.

[You’ve surpassed your long-time rival, Cheon-gung. What do you think of him?]

Cheon-gung.

That referred to Cheon Seung-heon, watching the interview.

People were eager to hear what Park Kang-chul would say.

Soon, his response came.

Still with that arrogant expression, he pushed the microphone away as if annoyed.

[I have no interest in someone weaker than me.]

“Arghhh!”

Cheon Seung-heon couldn’t hold back and shouted.

“Weaker than him? That crazy dog who’s been below me all this time!”

It wasn’t the first time he’d heard such a question.

Back when he was second-ranked, reporters often asked him similar things.

Each time, Cheon Seung-heon would respond with a relaxed smile, saying, “He’s a good competitor. The more strong Hunters there are, the safer the public is, right?”

But now.

The moment Park Kang-chul reached the top, he declared he had no interest in Cheon Seung-heon.

No wonder the anger Cheon Seung-heon had been suppressing exploded.

“A socially inept loner who can’t even join a guild, getting a decent item and acting all high and mighty! Argh!”

He was furious.

Utterly furious.

If he’d been outdone by skill, he might not have been this angry.

He might’ve even accepted it coolly.

But this? This wasn’t right.

It wasn’t skill—it was just a better item that flipped the ranks!

As he fumed, someone quietly entered the room, bowed, and spoke.

“I’ve confirmed the information you requested.”

“Go on.”

Cheon Seung-heon was still scrolling through YouTube, checking people’s reactions, while the person, used to this, began reading the report.

“Vulcanus. A rookie blacksmith who’s recently risen to prominence. He crafted the SS-grade Ring of Red Blood that Park Kang-chul wears, and the Cloak—”

“What grade is it? That thing!”

“…It’s confirmed to be SSS-grade.”

“SSS-grade?”

Cheon Seung-heon’s expression turned to shock.

He’d thought it was SS-grade at best.

SSS-grade!

“Is that even possible? A rookie blacksmith? Even for the world’s top blacksmiths, crafting an SSS-grade item is difficult!”

“That’s true, but it’s rated as SSS-grade. It’s considered the key reason he was able to clear a Level 5 Gate.”

“Damn it, SSS-grade! That’s how he surpassed me! Argh!”

As expected.

Park Kang-chul’s rise to second wasn’t due to skill.

It was just the item.

His anger surged, but this wasn’t the time to just rage.

To beat an item advantage, he needed an item advantage of his own.

“Have you sent a commission to Vulcanus’ forge?”

“We did, but he’s become so popular lately, he’s not taking many commissions. Nothing is known about the blacksmith’s identity either.”

“Find him, no matter what!”

“We actually have something to report about that.”

“What is it?”

“There’s word that the Mir Guild is looking for adamantium.”

“The Mir Guild? Why are they suddenly involved?”

“We believe the Mir Guild is seeking adamantium because of Vulcanus.”

“The Mir Guild?”

“The first item Vulcanus put up for auction was bought by the Mir Guild. They were also his first client. The fact that they’re directly sourcing adamantium without going through a forge suggests a strong connection.”

Cheon Seung-heon’s gaze shifted from his phone to the man.

Adamantium.

Among the sudden Gates, monsters, and items, adamantium was one of the most highly valued ores.

They were looking for it?

Hearing this, Cheon Seung-heon smirked.

“Don’t we have one piece of adamantium?”

“Yes, but it’s already contracted to Kang Ho-deok’s forge, and soon—”

“Cancel it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Make excuses if you have to, or just say no. Paying a penalty is better. Honestly, if Kang Ho-deok won’t take it, we can go overseas.”

Cheon Seung-heon’s eyes turned to the system.

Vulcanus’ page was open in front of him.

A new S-grade item crafted by Vulcanus was listed there.

“The title of Korea’s top blacksmith seems to have already shifted to this guy.”

Cheon Seung-heon’s eyes gleamed.

“Contact the Mir Guild. Tell them to connect me with Vulcanus immediately. I want an SSS-grade item like that crazy dog’s. If he makes it, I’ll hand over the adamantium.”

“Cheon Seung-heon-nim, it’s not certain, but we suspect Vulcanus isn’t at a level to craft high-level items yet.”

“So what?”

“Even if he’s connected to the Mir Guild and can make SSS-grade items, is one piece of adamantium really worth—”

Cheon Seung-heon burst into laughter at the man’s concern.

“If I lose out, so what? It just means I owe him. He’s about to become Korea’s top blacksmith, so isn’t it better to get on his good side early?”