Chapter 14: The Dwarf Who Hears the Forge

“Gr-great success! This isn’t luck, right? It’s skill? Wow!”

Gobori’s mouth dropped open in shock.

“Wasn’t the repair chance just pure luck? You’re telling me you pulled this off with skill? Amazing!”

Rose couldn’t hide her admiration either.

‘Great success?’

‘Was this a rare occurrence?’

At their praise, Dulv twisted his body uneasily.

His face, covered in fur, flushed bright red like a radish.

“I’m embarrassed. I just did as I usually do. It was tough since things didn’t go as I wanted, but I’m getting the hang of it. I hope to be more helpful next time. I’m grateful to those who recommended me and to the user who chose me. It’s been an interesting experience. Thank you all.”

Dulv smiled while staring into space.

So the equipment’s performance changed depending on the repair results.

The favor Dulv showed me came back to benefit me in return.

“You’re truly amazing! Just by repairing, you boost performance! Incredible!”

I admired Dulv.

“Haha. Don’t praise me too much. It’s just… I hear voices. Just as our user listened to me, I also listened to the equipment. Thank you.”

Dulv answered shyly.

Hearing the voice of the equipment—

It was something out of a legend.

In my world, it felt like meeting the blacksmith I only ever dreamed about.

“Wow… This dwarf brother’s performance is beyond two-star level? Repair-limited five stars! Gobori gives a thumbs-up! Thumbs-up!”

“Wow. Our user’s not unlucky with summons! Let’s get some crafting done later! I’m curious what will come out! Really!”

Gobori and Rose excitedly praised him.

Dulv kept blushing repeatedly at their compliments.

[Repair Complete!]

[★★ Heater Shield] [Great Success!]

[★ Folding Knife]

I equipped the repaired gear.

[Repairable Equipment]

[★ Ragana Tomahawk] [-90 Gold]

[★ Paulownia Shield] [-40 Gold]

[Total 130 Gold will be spent.]

And I entrusted two more items.

It hadn’t been long since the last repair, but I wanted Dulv to gain experience.

“You’re bringing more again, user. Seems you like the old man’s skill.”

“Hehe, then I must meet expectations! But why not bring your sword, helmet, and armor? I’m most eager to handle your sword.”

Dulv asked, looking at the Uruk Slayer.

But I couldn’t hand it over.

I was planning to head to the next dungeon immediately.

“You’re not bringing it? Planning to go straight to the next dungeon, huh.”

“Hehe. Truly a diligent user. Then I must work hard too! Bring anything to me anytime. I’ll take full responsibility for the repairs!”

Dulv replied in a hearty voice, then returned to his workshop.

[Starting repair!]

[Estimated completion time] [2:27]

Clang! Clang!

The sound of hammer striking metal echoed again.

Seeing his determination gave me strength too.

I felt ashamed of how bored I was just moments ago.

[Lv. 29: Daejanggun Toralarask]

Thunk!

Back to the battlefield.

“Gurra! Marsh! Kaa!”

The dungeon started from the meadow where we just finished.

“Kaa!”

“Kaa!”

All the orcs raised their weapons and cheered.

There were thirty orcs in total.

Though small for a main force, I couldn’t lower my guard.

“Marsh! Kaa!”

“Kaa!”

But three orcs stepped forward first.

‘Were the others holding back?’

“Po! Maka! Krra!”

The general orc, wearing a horned helmet, shouted.

“Gra!”

“Kaa!”

The other orcs cheered in support.

Well, that worked in my favor.

I ignored the noise and faced the three.

As I approached, the three orcs charged at me.

“Don’t touch the first three. I’ll handle them alone.”

“Yes, of course! We’ll watch your back!”

Gobori answered my words.

[Lv. 28 Orc Veteran defeated.]

Crash!

I took the initiative with my sword.

The blade sliced through the neck, sending the orc’s head flying.

[Lv. 28 Orc Veteran defeated.]

[Lv. 28 Orc Veteran defeated.]

Crack! Thud!

The remaining two fell to the ground.

I kept a brisk pace so my sweat wouldn’t cool.

At this speed, I approached the general.

“Everyone, attack at once. No testing the waters.”

“Grra!”

“Kaa!”

The remaining orcs charged.

Yet the general orc didn’t move.

He stayed back, watching.

“Gobori! Cover me!”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

“Haste!”

[★★ Wandering Swordsman: Haste Skill!]

[★★ Wandering Swordsman’s attack speed and movement speed increased by 10% each!]

Whoosh!

I cut through the orcs in a whirlwind.

[Lv. 28 Orc Veteran defeated.]

[Lv. 28 Orc Veteran defeated.]

Crack! Thud!

I took down the charging orcs one by one.

The green grass was stained red with blood flowers.

[Lv. 28 Orc Veteran defeated.]

“Greeeak…”

When the last orc fell, Boom!

“Phew.”

The mixed scent of blood and sweat filled the air.

Something felt easier.

‘Were the orcs weaker?’

‘Or was I stronger?’

They seemed much weaker than the orcs I had faced before.

“Should I wait longer? Still not ready?”

I asked the still-sitting general.

“Grrr…”

The general’s eyes gleamed as he looked at me.

Then he grabbed his axe and rose.

The axe, as big as his body, looked capable of cleaving even a giant orc in half.

“You’re strange. Why don’t you attack with your subordinates from the start? Are you mocking me?”

“This is just for show, the drama. The boss waits behind and lets the minions fight first. A common cliché but it works. It builds tension and has a long tradition, yes.”

Gobori responded after hearing my explanation.

I still couldn’t fully understand it.

“Kraa!!!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The general orc roared and charged.

‘Hmm?’

But his body glowed yellow.

“Damage reflection?”

“No! It’s unstoppable! The damage lands but he doesn’t stop! Melee should dodge! At times like this, ranged is better! Gobori Powder Property!”

After speaking, Gobori fired his slingshot.

Bang!

But the orc didn’t stop.

He charged forward, smashing into the wooden palisade.

Bang! Bang!

The tall palisade crumbled to dust.

If I’d been hit, I’d have been crushed too.

“Graaa!!!”

The orc changed direction and roared.

His body shifted from yellow to red.

“Damage reflection, right?”

“Yes! Damage reflection! To the corner!”

I fled with Gobori.

“Graaaak!!!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The orc howled and ran after us.

I kept distance without greed.

The basic counter to damage reflection is damage cut.

Just avoid until a chance appears.

“Phew, phew…”

***

After rampaging for a while, the orc panted.

I attacked the orc without hesitation as all its ‘colors’ vanished.

Slash! Pierce! Crack! Thud!

“Gryaaah!”

The orc howled as it took my hits.

But it was sturdy.

It didn’t fall easily like the giant ratman before.

“Grrr…”

Suddenly, a strange aura rippled from the orc.

The surrounding air seemed to sharpen.

A strange killing intent distorted the area.

“Uh-oh… Threat! It’s a threat pattern! Scatter! Everyone disperse!”

Rose shouted, sensing something.

“Eek! Scatter fast! If we all get hit at once, it’s annihilation! Run run!”

Gobori realized the situation and fled too.

Rose, close to the orc, hurried into my helmet.

“Ah, whatever! I’ll borrow a spot!”

“What? What’s a threat anyway?”

“At this distance, we’re already doomed! Just hope I’m not the first target!”

Rose’s voice echoed inside the iron helmet.

“Grrr… Gryaaak!!!”

The general orc’s roar exploded.

Boom!

“Ugh!”

“Eek!”

The roar unleashed a storm-like force.

Dry grass and gravel turned to dust and flew everywhere.

[☆ Using Healing Potion to restore ★★ Wandering Swordsman.]

[☆ Using Healing Potion to restore ★★ Goblin Sentry.]

[☆ Using Healing Potion to restore ★★★★ Rose Fairy.]

“Ugh!”

“Ugh!”

The party recovered using potions.

“Aaah!”

Gobori, rushing to escape, was thrown off by the blast and tumbled.

[Severe threat has paralyzed ★★ Goblin Sentry!]

[Severe threat has paralyzed ★★★★ Rose Fairy!]

Weird characters appeared on the screen.

‘Gobori and Rose were paralyzed?’

Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Gryaak!”

The orc leapt fiercely into the air.

His target was Gobori, frozen on the ground.

He descended straight down.

Crash!

The solid ground shattered chaotically.

[★★ Goblin Sentry has fallen!]

Needless to say, Gobori below was done for.

“Damn! They all ganged up and paralyzed him! Our party’s first wipe!”

Rose shouted inside the helmet.

‘Threat pattern?’

‘Was the scream just now the threat?’

“Graaa!!!”

The orc that finished Gobori leapt again.

He seemed to aim to step on me as well.

“Eek! Sorry! I should’ve been more careful! I’m sorry!”

Ghostly Gobori blamed himself.

At the moment a deadly shadow approached,

No one knew this.

[★★ Wandering Swordsman: Stray Dog Hunter Effect!]

[Immune to threat effects below Lv. 34!]

I was still able to move.

“Hmph!”

I quickly rolled to dodge the orc’s foot.

Thunk!

The heavy figure crashed where I had been.

The ground overturned as rocks and dust shot up.

‘Good.’

Now, shrouded in dust, was the perfect chance.

I broke through the haze and charged the orc.

I stabbed the Uruk Slayer into its empty back.

Thud!

“Gryaak!”

The orc screamed, exposing its back.

Of course, I didn’t intend to finish it so easily.

Grasping my sword, I clung to the orc’s shoulder.

“Hup!”

Then I drew my dagger and stabbed its neck and shoulder.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

“Gryaak! Kyaaak!”

[★★ Stuh Helm has broken!]

Clang!

The helmet broke as the orc’s hand brushed it.

[★★ Half Plate Mail has broken!]

Kaang!

The orc tore apart the armor too.

‘Hup! Hmph!’

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Still, I didn’t stop.

I stabbed repeatedly until the orc fell.

“What? Why didn’t you get paralyzed? How are you moving?”

Rose, fallen with the helmet, shouted.

“Ah! It’s a trait! The big brother’s immune to threat! Stray Dog Hunter trait!”

“What? Another trait? Wasn’t the goblin a busted character?”

At Gobori’s words, Rose seemed to understand.

“Grrr…! Ugh!”

Thunk!

Finally, the mountainous orc kneeled.

Its health bar was completely depleted.

“Gurra… Sheaka…”

The panting orc spoke.

“What? What are you trying to say?”

I asked with slight curiosity.

“Moosh…”

[Lv. 29 Daejanggun Toralarask defeated.]

Thunk!

The orc collapsed after finishing its words.

[★★ Wandering Swordsman leveled up!]

[★★ Wandering Swordsman Lv. 35]

[★★ Goblin Sentry’s level…]

[★★ Goblin Sentry → Lv. 30]

[★★ Goblin Sentry → Lv. 31]

[★★★★ Rose Fairy’s level…]

[★★★★ Rose Fairy Lv. 31]

[★★★★ Rose Fairy → Lv. 32]

[★★★★ Rose Fairy Lv. 33]

[Mission Clear!]

[+500 Gold]

[Pet Bonus!] [+140 Gold]

[Pet Bonus!] [+90 Steel Shards]

[+5 Common Cards]

The orc’s main force was cleared as well.

Thunk!!

Returned to the stage.

If not for the ‘Stray Dog Hunter’ trait at the last moment, I might have fallen too.

I knew I wouldn’t die easily, but I still didn’t want to die.

“Oh, that was a magnificent fight! Like a seasoned stray hunting wild boars. The items you entrusted are perfect. The equipment was badly damaged, though. Not sure if you’ll leave me more this time.”

Dulv said, looking into space.

[Repair complete!]

[★★ Ragana Tomahawk] [Great Success!]

[★★ Paulownia Shield] [Great Success!]

All the entrusted equipment was a great success.

“Eek! Another great success? Both this time?”

“Wow. So skill really affects it? I thought this was a trash luck game but it’s actually a skill-based god game!”

Gobori and Rose couldn’t stop marveling at the gleaming gear.

Hah.

It shouldn’t go this well.

If I didn’t get great success soon, I’d feel a bit disappointed.

“Good work. You really are amazing.”

“Hehe, no. You all who fight in battle are even more amazing.”

Dulv wiped his nose and smiled.

I smiled back and checked the next area.

[Available Expedition Area]

[Lv. 30: Wasteland Tyrant]

The next battle was against the Wasteland Tyrant.

‘Was it the king of generals we just fought?’

Before heading out, I checked my gear.

If the opponent was stronger than the general, it would be risky to go without preparation.

[Repairable Equipment]

[★★★★ Uruk Slayer] [-2,670 Gold]

[★★ Half Plate Mail] [-740 Gold]

[★★ Stuh Helm] [-690 Gold]

[★ Folding Knife] [-220 Gold]

[Total 4,320 Gold will be spent.]

Yikes.

I felt sorry for them, but gold was short.

I only entrusted my gear, leaving Rose and Gobori’s untouched.

“Oh! Finally! You’re entrusting me with this sword! I’ll handle it with all my passion! Leave it to me!”

Dulv was delighted to see the sword.

[Starting repair!]

[Estimated completion time] [9:27]

“Wow! Our user is making a bold investment! Is this the moment for a 5-star weapon?”

“Eh? Why aren’t you fixing our gear? Raise our ranks too! We’ve worked hard!”

Gobori and Rose protested.

I felt sorry but couldn’t help it.

I’d fix theirs one by one when I had more gold.

‘Let’s see.’

Remaining gold: 420.

[Estimated completion time] [8:48]

There was still a long wait before repairs finished.

During this time, I decided to flip through the cards I had collected.

“Oh! Card flip! User’s flipping cards!”

“Dealer, come out! Or give me my item!”

Gobori and Rose were excited.

It was the time even heroes loved—the ‘card flip’ moment.