Clang—
The hammer strikes the iron.
Ka-ang—
A magical aura, like shimmering heat waves, blossomed around Yang Deok-su’s body.
“Now’s the time!”
Yang Deok-su, having reached Level 60, activated his Unique Skill, [Majojii].
The magic swirling around him condensed.
All gathered and focused at his fingertips.
Then it surged into the hammer.
Kaaaang—!
A clear, pure sound echoed from the forge.
The bright blue aura from earlier was sucked entirely into the blade atop the anvil.
Whooosh!
White light exploded from the edge of the blade.
Yang Deok-su lowered the hammer.
His whole body felt heavy, like waterlogged cotton.
He staggered to his feet but collapsed onto the floor.
With a bruised face, he muttered,
“I did it.”
He had done it, no matter what.
Look at the blade shining on the anvil.
This was undoubtedly a masterpiece that would never come from Yang Deok-su again.
“Hoo—huff—still, I should confirm, right?”
Struggling, Yang Deok-su got up and grabbed the dagger.
[Obsession Blade]
- A dagger infused with the stubborn spirit and grit of a master blacksmith. Thanks to perfect concentration, the quality surpasses ordinary craftsmanship. The blade is extremely sharp and durable.
- Item Grade: Rare
- Physical Attack: 250
- [Intermediate Severance Enhancement]
- Strength +5, Agility +10
- Durability: 290
“So I actually made something like this!”
A rare-grade item.
He had made rare-grade items before.
But back then, he combined rare-grade materials with high-grade materials to complete them.
This time was different.
“Only using high-grade materials!”
The condition for the wager.
“I finished it within the limitation of ‘only adding regular metal to Iron Turtle Carapace to craft sword-type items.’”
And yet, it turned out to be a ‘rare’ grade.
“Although it’s on the lower end of rare grades…”
Yang Deok-su was certain.
He didn’t care if the master blacksmith behind Suho was an alien or a hermit.
“This bet is mine. Whoever it is, they can’t ignore this and not show up after seeing it.”
The master blacksmith who forged the red sword would be shocked and reveal themselves.
The red sword might rival his own dagger, but still, Yang Deok-su felt optimistic.
“As long as there are material restrictions, no one will be able to make anything better than this.”
Dragging his tired body, Yang Deok-su got up.
From the cold storage corner of the workshop, the assistant brought him some cold watermelon juice, which he drank.
Energy flowed back into his body.
“Wait for me.”
Yang Deok-su prepared to leave, expecting the decisive match.
***
Suho sat in the coffee shop.
‘Nice that it’s close by.’
Today was the day to settle the outcome of the wager with Yang Deok-su.
He didn’t want to go far, but luckily the meeting spot was nearby.
Sluuurp.
The ice green tea latte was drawn up the straw and into his mouth.
“Why did you order only one drink? It says ‘one drink per person’ over there.”
“You’re invisible. Not a person.”
“That’s a matter of principle. I have a mouth to drink, a tongue to taste, and a palate to enjoy, after all.”
“Its not even chicken, and you’re trying to eat?”
“I’m a lost cause now. I’m telling you, from now on wherever you go, you have to order one for me too. Otherwise, I won’t cooperate.”
“Alright, alright.”
No matter how tired he got of chicken someday, he wouldn’t stop using Balryong.
Showing interest in other food too.
As Suho thought this and smiled, the coffee shop door opened.
Yang Deok-su entered, a smile playing on his lips, and sat in front of Suho.
“You’re here.”
“No need for formal greetings before the match.”
“Exactly.”
“Go ahead, bring out your item. Let’s see who’s superior and who’s inferior!”
“I have something to do first.”
“Why? Got cold feet now?”
Suho pointed to a large sign on the counter.
“Just one drink, sir. Go place your order first if you don’t want to get kicked out.”
Yang Deok-su headed to the counter, and shortly returned holding his coffee.
“Now we’re ready, let’s begin!”
“That’s right.”
Yang Deok-su pulled out the [Obsession Blade] and placed it on the table.
He carried himself with confidence.
“Feel free to examine it first.”
He was sure of himself.
That’s why he put out his item first.
‘After seeing this, you might not even want to take yours out. You’ll feel the sting of defeat.’
While Yang Deok-su indulged in this vain fantasy, Suho inspected the Obsession Blade.
‘Nicely made.’
It seemed to be a lower-tier rare grade.
The options were quite good.
‘I’ve heard of the ‘master blacksmith’ term before.’
Suho searched the Hunter App Board and the Crafting Community for Yang Deok-su.
Keywords like troublemaker, eccentric, crazy blacksmith popped up.
Most descriptions focused on his quirky personality rather than his skill.
‘Feels like his skill is underrated because of his personality.’
The thought crossed Suho’s mind because Yang Deok-su’s dagger was excellent.
Tap.
Suho put the Obsession Blade down on the table.
“Well made.”
“Yeah? Do you admit defeat?”
Yang Deok-su asked bluntly.
“I haven’t even shown mine yet.”
“Whether you show it or not, you can’t make anything better with just high-grade materials. Even if you tried again, you wouldn’t be confident. Unless you happen to find some alien materials somewhere, it’s impossible.”
“Not an alien, but a dwarf.”
Come to think of it, maybe he was an alien.
Suppressing a chuckle, Suho pulled an item from the dimensional pouch.
[Stone Petrifying Bidoz]
- A weapon shaped like a thin needle attached to the tip of a dagger. Worn on the forearm, the needle is connected to the weapon. Created passionately by a great master, it flies like a flicker of a firefly and instantly pierces the opponent’s neck.
- Item Grade: Rare
- Physical Attack: 360
- [Intermediate Projectile Speed Increase] [Lower Hit Rate Adjustment] [Automatic Retrieval]
- Agility +20
- Durability: 320
“Take a look.”
A flat metal bracelet made of metal.
At the end, a slender needle-like Bidoz hangs.
Whoa.
Yang Deok-su’s eyes widened.
As if hypnotized, he reached out.
“Th-this can’t be.”
Shock flooded Yang Deok-su’s face.
His hands trembled.
“This makes no sense! You really made this with just those materials?”
Yang Deok-su looked at Suho, filled with doubt.
“If you mix other materials, you’d notice right away, wouldn’t you? What do you think? Does it look like anything else was added?”
When setting up the wager, Yang Deok-su definitely said those words.
His thoughts hadn’t changed.
“There’s no trace of other materials. It’s clearly made only with Iron Turtle Carapace…”
Yang Deok-su clenched his teeth, gripping the [Stone Petrifying Bidoz] tightly.
Glancing sideways.
His gaze drifted to the [Obsession Blade].
The item he had proudly shown now looked cheap.
“How… how is such an item even possible…?”
Yang Deok-su repeated the same words several times and then stopped moving.
He trembled as if hit by the wind.
“Old man, are you okay?”
Suho asked as Yang Deok-su suddenly jumped up from the chair.
‘Why is he standing up? What’s this guy up to now?’
Just as Suho worried,
Thunk.
Yang Deok-su dropped to his knees under the chair.
Then grabbed Suho’s thigh with both hands.
“Look, I lost. I lost, but…”
All eyes around them immediately focused.
“Hey, look over there. That old man’s on his knees!”
“What’s going on? He’s grabbing the guy’s thigh? Wow, this is epic. Never seen men do this before.”
“The age gap’s huge too.”
“Y-yeah, wish you guys a lovely life.”
Whispers floated around.
Suho grit his teeth hard and whispered to Yang Deok-su.
“Why are you grabbing my thigh? And why kneel? Get up already.”
“Look, it’s a favor. Since you won, the Core of Regeneration is yours. It belongs to you. So please…”
“Talk while sitting down. Otherwise, I’m leaving right now.”
Only then did Yang Deok-su turn back to the chair.
“Please, I beg you, just one chance to duel the maker of that Bidoz.”
“That was the deal when I lost, right? I won, so no way.”
Yang Deok-su trembled again.
His pupils shook uncontrollably.
He looked ready to kneel again.
Suho shot a sharp warning.
“If you kneel one more time, I’m done talking with you.”
“Ah, alright. I won’t do it again. So please, just once, let me duel that person. I’d even sell my soul.”
Yang Deok-su pleaded.
Respect remained while offering the wager, but half of it was curiosity.
Now, it had completely changed.
‘He’s a craftsman far superior to me. So far ahead that I can’t even compare.’
He was impressed and accepted his defeat completely.
At the same time, he was sure.
‘The one who made that has to be the world’s greatest master blacksmith.’
Therefore, Yang Deok-su had only one thing to do.
‘No matter what, I have to meet them and ask for training.’
That’s why he was ready to kneel.
Shame was nothing.
Selling his soul was sincere.
Suho regarded the desperate Yang Deok-su with interest.
‘This might be how you get what you really need.’
***
“I can’t contact the Mystic Blacksmith directly. Instead, I have a proposal that will help the commander.”
“What is it?”
“That person only leaves items at my shop. Due to circumstances, they must hide their name. But hiding their name means they only release low-quality items. They can’t make the items they want.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“We attach your name to the items and sell them. If you accept, I’ll also do my best to help you. For example, if you bring in equipment, I can show it to them and relay advice.”
Yang Deok-su frowned.
“Attaching my name to their items? Wouldn’t that bother them? Also, as a craftsman, lending my name so casually doesn’t feel right.”
“That person doesn’t want their name revealed. But if some random person borrowed the name, the quality wouldn’t match their items, so it’d be meaningless. Only someone like you, commander, can lend the name.”
Praise can move mountains, they say.
Yang Deok-su’s heart softened.
“Are you sure my name will help them?”
“I’m serious. They’ll be very grateful and gladly give advice.”
“If it truly helps and I can get training… fine. Use my name.”
Nodding, Yang Deok-su agreed, and Suho added a few conditions.
“And if possible, help me gather some material items too. High-grade but rare and hard to process materials that don’t circulate well. Charge me a fair price.”
“Alright. Those are materials they use, right? I’ll do my best. Anything else?”
“You have to make the item. They’ll only advise after seeing the item.”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Yang Deok-su nodded enthusiastically and quietly added,
“But can I just meet once in person?”
“If you keep pushing that, I’ll cancel everything.”
Suho answered firmly.
“No, never again. I won’t pester you anymore, so don’t back down.”
Yang Deok-su desperately waved his hands.
Suho smiled slyly.
“Then go ahead and make the item. Only then will the Mystic Blacksmith evaluate you.”
“Yeah, no time to waste. I’ll hurry.”
Yang Deok-su dashed out of the shop.
“Not only making him gather materials but also borrowing his name. Nice move, Suho.”
“Right? Being advised by a dwarf is a bargain at that price.”
Besides material fees, he planned to get detailed advice on the techniques.
So it wasn’t a loss.
More like mutual benefit.
“Well, there are no craftsmen on the level of dwarves in this world anyway.”
Suho nodded, thinking.
He reopened the shop selling high-grade items.
He had the confidence to manage it but there was risk involved.
‘If I use the name Yang Deok-su, decent items will be trusted without question.’
Personality aside, Yang Deok-su’s skills were top class.
So suspicion about the shop’s item origins would be dispelled.
‘Neat and clean.’
Materials, items, even the name.
Yang Deok-su was truly a generous donation angel.
“Let’s go home. It’s almost dinner time. Dinner is half-and-half!”
“You’re never tired of three meals of chicken?”
“I used to be like that. But after 700 years, I realized the futility of life. Repetition isn’t always bad.”
“What nonsense is that?”
Teasing Balryong, Suho headed home.
‘Now that the shop was secure, next was… leveling up a bit more?’
With that thought, Suho opened the shop door and stepped inside.
“Model… don’t know…”
Suddenly, an eerie voice was heard.
“What’s that noise? It’s coming from behind the wall.”
The voice came from behind a spatial boundary wall.
Suho hurriedly passed through the wall.
Soon he understood the source of the voice.
Is that… Wilson’s voice?
Suho headed to the seventh-floor room.
Wilson was watching the screen installed in the shelter.
‘His expression is very serious. What is he doing?’
Wilson’s face was filled with determination.
One hand was held to his ear as if on a phone.
“I will find you. And…”
The voice played in the video.
At the exact same moment, Wilson hesitated.
The man on the screen said the exact same words.
“I will kill you.”
Is he mimicking a movie line?
＊He must be really bored…
Tears welled up in Suho’s eyes.