Chapter 45: Steel Gauntlets and Crimson Shadows

After settling his thoughts about the guild, Kang Juho began worrying about his sub-class.

“What’s the synergy bonus for my job combo?”

The synergy between Blacksmith and Guardian Warrior granted +20% to all resistances.

But Juho wasn’t just an ordinary Blacksmith—he was a Battle Blacksmith, a rare variant.

So there was a good chance the bonus wasn’t a flat 20%.

“As long as it’s not trash…”

He was more than satisfied with the Battle Blacksmith class and didn’t expect +20% resistances.

He just hoped the bonus wouldn’t be utterly useless.

Swoosh… THUD…

With one last blow, the final Dullahan collapsed.

“Let’s go.”

“Yep.”

Kang Juho and Kim Seokju began their return to Boredos.

Though ghouls and zombies blocked their path, they fell like dominoes under Juho’s hammer.

[Skill ‘Relentless’ has increased to Proficiency 5.]

[Skill ‘Hammer of Death’ has increased to Proficiency 4.]

Before leaving the Graveyard of Death, both skills had leveled up.

Opening his skill window, Juho checked the changes.

As expected, Hammer of Death now had a higher activation rate and applied to stronger monsters.

Relentless had extended from 7 seconds to 9 seconds.

“Nice. If I equip ‘Two Birds, One Stone,’ that’s 18 seconds of cooldown reduction per trigger.”

Grinning, he glanced through his skills… then frowned at one in particular: Hammer of Vitality.

[Hammer of Vitality] [Passive]

Proficiency: 2 (14%)

1. 15% chance to recover 1% HP per basic attack
2. 1% HP recovered on monster kill

“Would’ve been great if the recovery amount increased too…”

Though the skill leveled up, only the activation rate improved—not the healing.

“Well, yeah… healing scaling would’ve been OP.”

If recovery scaled by 1% per level, at level 10 he’d be healing 10% per attack.

Way too powerful for a regular class skill.

***

Arriving in Boredos, Juho headed to City Hall to complete quests.

“Even more crowded than during the day.”

Despite the late hour, City Hall was bustling with players.

“See you tomorrow.”

He exchanged farewells with Kim Seokju, then queued up.

[Quest ‘Dullahan’s Resentful Spirit’ completed.]
[You received 4 Hunting Reward Boxes.]

[Quest ‘Increasing Ghouls’ completed.]
[You received 3 Hunting Reward Boxes.]

[New Quest: ‘Goblins of Robar Plains’ available.]

[New Quest: ‘Blood of the Troll’ available.]

After collecting his next hunting quests for tomorrow, Juho left City Hall and walked toward the production district.

As he walked, he opened his inventory and eyed the boxes.

“Finally… a Special grade.”

Hunting Reward Box [Special] (Untradeable)
Opening grants hunting rewards. (Common – Special)

A smirk crossed his face.

The grade had jumped from Common to Special—though not all contents would be special, it was a huge improvement.

“Even one good pull would be amazing.”

He began opening boxes, praying for gear.

[You received 190 Gold.]
[You received 5x Mid-Grade Health Potions.]
[You received Steel Gauntlets.]

Then, he froze.

“Steel Gauntlets…?”

The drop rate for equipment was already low—and this was a gear piece he recognized.

He had previously worn common-grade Level 30 Steel Gauntlets, but same name didn’t mean same stats.

It could be Common, or Special grade, low-level or high-level.

He paused the opening process and inspected the item:

Steel Gauntlets [Special]

Requirements: Level 130, Strength 300
Durability: 100%
Physical Defense: 700
STR +50

“Nice!”

He silently pumped a fist.

“I was just wondering what to give up for upgrades…”

His current level was 180.

He’d planned to replace some gear, but his gold wasn’t enough for a full set.

Now he had one piece handled for free.

Juho immediately equipped the gauntlets and opened the rest of the boxes—but no more gear dropped.

“Still, even one piece is lucky.”

He brushed aside his disappointment.

After all, getting any usable special-grade item from just seven boxes was already a jackpot.

He headed into a general store to sell off materials and restock supplies.

“29,000 gold, huh…”

Doing the math, he figured he could afford five more gear pieces—estimating 6,000 gold per item.

“Which part should I give up…?”

He had six gear slots to replace: shield, helmet, chest, pants, boots, greaves.

Juho agonized.

He couldn’t skip the shield—it had too much impact in combat.

Even if it meant leaving another slot outdated, the shield was a priority.

He began process-of-elimination and eventually, only one piece was left:

“Guess I’ll skip the helmet.”

It was the highest-level requirement item anyway—so delaying it made sense.

Still, if gold ran short, he might have to give up another piece.

Juho headed to the blacksmith, eyeing shields on display.

Birchwood Shield [Special]

Requirements: Level 150, STR 100, AGI 100, VIT 300
Durability: 100%
Damage Reduction: 45%
P. ATK: 200
P. DEF: 700
+HP 2000
+STR 50

Iron Shield [Special]

Requirements: Level 120, STR 70, VIT 250
Durability: 100%
Damage Reduction: 53%
P. ATK: 350
P. DEF: 600
Movement Speed -10%
Attack Speed -10%
+STR 30

Juho frowned.

There were better shields than his current Shield of Valor, but none were quite right.

High defense came with low reduction, and vice versa—or had lackluster options.

“This one’s not bad…”

Iron Thorn Shield [Special]

Requirements: Level 170, STR 200, VIT 400
Durability: 100%
Damage Reduction: 58%
P. ATK: 500
P. DEF: 1000
Movement Speed -10%
🔸 30% chance to stun for 3 seconds on shield bash
+STR 100

His eyes lit up.

58% damage reduction—just shy of the 60% special-grade cap.

Excellent stats, and most importantly: that 30% stun on bash.

It was ideal for facing elite mobs or solo fighting tough bosses like ogres.

Juho had already decided:

“If nothing else works, I’m getting this.”

He checked one last shield but circled back to the Iron Thorn Shield, ready to buy.

***

Meanwhile…

“The orcs of the Debaru Plains are on the move?”

Romen scowled.

“Yes, and this isn’t just another scouting party. They’re planning to relocate their stronghold,” said Poeiras.

“Tch… and now of all times…”

Orc migrations weren’t unusual—they’d done it before.

Back then, a strike force was dispatched and wiped them out.

But this time, it was all of them.

The orcs of Debaru Plains weren’t weak.

If there were any towns or cities in their path, it would be total annihilation.

“What about a suppression force?”

“We could deploy one at full strength… but the casualties would be severe. And then there’s the chimera issue…”

Poeras trailed off.

They could stop the orcs—but only by going all-in.

And they couldn’t afford that.

The chimera threat from Mount Evador was worse.

The orcs were predictable.

The chimeras? Unknown. Possibly catastrophic.

“Damn it all…”

Romen groaned, his head aching.

Just handling the chimeras was bad enough—now orcs too?

Then, a knock at the door.

“My lord, His Majesty has sent a letter,” came the voice of chief butler Basta.

Romen’s eyes widened.

“Let him in!”

The door opened, and a sturdy man in polished armor entered, a crimson wyvern insignia on his chest.

“You came in person?”

The man bowed slightly.

He was Irophen, Vice-Captain of the Royal Knights.

“My respects, Marquis.”

He handed over the letter.

As Romen read, surprise flickered across his face—then relief, and finally… a smile.

“Basta, clean the entire guest manor. All three floors. We have important guests arriving.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Once Basta left, Romen turned to Irophen.

“To think you were the commander of the Crimson Shadows.”

Poeras stared wide-eyed at Irophen.

The Crimson Shadows—one of three elite units serving the royal family.

Specialized in assassination, intel, and shadow warfare.

And their leader had been right in front of them this whole time.