Chapter 49: The Golem Surge

“Team Leader, raid’s done.”

“Good work, everyone. After lunch, we’ll head to the next Gate.”

“Nice!”

Team 1 of Vulcanus Guild.

Led by Park Sang-hyun, they were now outside the city in a remote area.

The reason: Gate raids.

City Gates were heavily contested, but thanks to the Hunter Association partnership, Vulcanus Guild secured all outer-region Gates.

Other teams were assigned to different areas, diving into raids.

The deal benefited both the guild and the Association, clearing neglected Gates—a win-win.

Despite the relentless raid schedule, not one Team 1 member complained.

“Team Leader, what’s for lunch?”

“Anything you want?”

“This area’s famous for beef…”

“Let’s go!”

“Woohoo!”

First, welfare.

Vulcanus Guild was renowned for high salaries and great benefits.

My crafted gear was a given, and welfare cards let them choose meals freely.

The guild master’s rule: eat what you want, no limits.

Price didn’t matter—they ate to their hearts’ content.

Even so, tough raids could spark complaints.

“Rank 5 Gates feel doable, don’t they?”

“Honestly, I think we could handle Rank 4.”

“Right? With this gear, Rank 4 might be possible.”

“Hey, don’t jinx it. Levels are rising fast, so be patient.”

“True, we’re almost Level 40. Then we tackle Rank 4, right?”

“Yep, can’t wait.”

No signs of discontent.

Rank 5 Gates didn’t even feel tough.

The reason: my gear.

Most monster attacks barely scratched them, so their confidence was natural.

“Don’t get cocky. Next Gate raid’s up.”

Park Sang-hyun led as Team Leader, but he shared their sentiment.

With this gear, anything seemed possible.

Proof—

Roar!

Rank 6 Gate’s Lizardmen.

These so-called “lizard humans” fell miserably to his attacks.

Another battle ended.

Catching his breath, Park Sang-hyun wiped blood from his claws, lost in thought.

Could I have done this without Vulcanus Guild?

He shook his head.

No way.

Without Vulcanus, it’d be impossible.

Quality weapons would’ve been hard to get, and growth this fast? Unthinkable.

Even in a major guild.

Boom.

Soon after.

The Rank 6 Gate’s boss monster fell.

[Level Up.]

“Team Leader, congrats!”

“Finally Level 40!”

Level 40 achieved.

Incredible growth speed.

Thanks to gear EXP boosts and the Association’s Gate assignments.

Multiple factors enabled this rapid climb.

But—

The gear’s effectiveness is dropping.

A tinge of regret.

My gear was still great, but it was Level 1 gear.

As levels rose, it went from phenomenal to merely good.

Rank 5 Gates would be tough to dominate like this.

With that thought, he headed to guild headquarters.

“New shared gear from the Guild Master. Level 40 restriction, check and collect.”

New gear distributed.

Park Sang-hyun’s eyes sparkled.

He’d just hit Level 40.

He felt good, but not as ecstatic as when he got his exclusive claws.

Just decent gear for his level?

Then he checked it and was stunned.

“Exclusive gear…?”

Not his imagination.

Every piece was tailored for him.

Unlike previous gear boosting useless stats like wisdom, this focused on agility and speed—exactly what he needed.

“Oh… wow.”

Too overwhelmed to speak.

At that moment, Park Sang-hyun and others receiving exclusive gear pledged loyalty to Vulcanus Guild.

The team members watching—

“Not just weapons, but all gear customized? By Vulcanus…?”

Their ambition to rise in rank burned brighter.

“This should do it.”

[Vulcanus’ Rookie Armor]

Type: Armor

Grade: SS

Restriction: Level 1+, Hunter Association Member

Description: Armor crafted by Hephaestus’ descendant for his soldiers, modified for the Association.

Defense: 100

Abilities:

1. Rookie – All stats increase by 5.
   
2. Growth – EXP gain rate increases by 20%.
   
3. Volcano – Slightly increases defense; all stats rise with prolonged combat.
   
4. Vulcanus’ Member – Enhances abilities when wearing Vulcanus-named gear.
   

All guild members hit Level 40.

Gear was replaced, and old sets were collected for the Association.

Using my Repair skill, I swapped Vulcanus’ emblem for the Association’s and changed restrictions to Association members.

Repairs were quick, and I delivered the modified gear.

• Thank you.
  
• The Hunter Association looks forward to a close relationship with Vulcanus-nim…
  
• May Vulcanus Guild’s future shine…
  

A gratitude message arrived with payment and pleasantries.

The appraised price wasn’t thrilling, but as part of the deal, it wasn’t bad.

Selling over a hundred gear sets brought in a fortune anyway.

“At least I’m not in the red.”

Guild maintenance was costly.

But my earnings?

Maintaining the guild building, paying salaries, and covering welfare didn’t dent my growing wealth.

I considered expanding the guild.

“Nah, why bother?”

No reason or resources for that.

After checking my funds, I filled up on delivery food and started work.

Future-proofing with shared gear, handling commissions.

A mountain of tasks.

While hammering away—

[Level Up.]

[Ability ‘Hephaestus’ Descendant (SSS)’ activates.]

[New skill ‘Upgrade’ created.]

A level-up and a new skill.

Leveling up just sitting in my studio.

The joy of passive hunting.

I kept hammering, feeling great.

Buzz—

A reaction from the mine entrance.

The time limit was up.

As usual, Miner 1, Spinner 1, Lumberjack 1, and Tanner 1 were ejected.

“Good work—huh?”

Normally, they’d greet me confidently.

But now—

“Master…?”

Clank.

They were battered.

Work clothes torn, the iron pickaxe’s head shattered, leaving just the handle.

The axe had a broken blade, the tanning knife dulled.

They’d never returned injured.

What happened?

“You guys okay? Did a boss monster show up? Why’re you like this?”

A boss would make sense.

But something was off.

If a boss appeared in Zone 1, why were assistants from other zones hurt?

They only worked their zones, and a boss wouldn’t roam freely.

“It’s… golems.”

Miner 1, in better shape, spoke.

But the reason was odd.

Golems?

Weren’t golems the mine’s “small fry”?

Especially Zone 1’s, the weakest.

Yet all four assistants were beaten by them.

“Repair first.”

Their state was dire.

I’d never repaired assistants, but they’re equipment animated by my Blacksmith’s Soul, right?

It should work.

Activating the skill, points appeared on Miner 1.

Clang, clang, clang!

Frantic hammering.

[Repair of Miner 1 complete.]

Thankfully, Miner 1 recovered.

I pressed him.

“What was that about? Golems suddenly got stronger?”

“Yes.”

He nodded at my pointed question.

Suddenly stronger? What’s that mean?

Thankfully, he continued.

“They got stronger. Bigger, tougher.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes.”

“Explain.”

“Their size grew 1.5 times. Width doubled, making them sturdier, stronger.”

Zone 1 golems were my size or smaller.

More like ore dolls than golems.

Now twice as big?

And strong enough to overpower my assistants?

The others echoed this.

“Much faster, sharper. A fiber whip broke my blade.”

“Their gear and skills were stronger; my attacks didn’t work.”

“Their attacks were too sharp. Their hide was so tough my knife couldn’t cut.”

The golems got stronger.

Confirmed.

But why?

A theory emerged.

My rapid level-ups.

Like games, my level spike might’ve triggered a balance adjustment.

Since monsters appeared, this world felt game-like.

“I’ll have to check myself.”

No answers from pondering.

I needed to enter the mine and see this anomaly.

But fighting stronger golems was daunting.

Zone 1 golems had high defense, tough to chip away with ranged attacks.

So—

“Let’s upgrade first.”

Time to use Upgrade.