Chapter 73: Runes of Spirit

After interrogating the assassin, I checked Vulcanus Forge’s commission list.

The Black Guild’s request was there, with a hefty fee.

I crafted their gear, one by one.

– Good job, Spark.

– Yup!

Every piece was engraved with runes.

Tracking runes.

For their leader, Black Hand, I crafted an SSS-grade hood with extra care.

And today—

– Greetings, Vulcanus. This is Han Yura.

– As per your plan, we tracked and arrested The Black Guild’s leader, Black Hand.

– His right arm was severed during resistance, but he’s alive and secured.

– To prevent rumors, the Hunter Association is simultaneously apprehending other assassins.

– Arrest rate exceeds 80%, and we expect to capture the entire Black Assassins soon.

The Hunter Association moved to dismantle the assassin group.

Unaware their locations were exposed, they were caught by the Association.

The hidden ability in my items—“Item functions halt near a tracker”—prevented resistance.

The Association’s efficiency was impressive.

They arrested 100% of the hood-wearing assassins.

Some didn’t wear them, but the captured majority would lead to the rest.

– Shame we can’t execute them.

They targeted my life.

They’d taken many others.

But legally, execution wasn’t an option.

That’s the law.

Disappointing, but the Association planned a harsher punishment.

– Criminal hunters will wear a ‘collar.’

– Defying the Association triggers electric shocks, causing extreme pain or unconsciousness.

– Criminals are used for dangerous gate patrols or boss pattern analysis.

– Some are freed after a set period, but for the Black Assassins…

– They’ll likely wear collars for life, serving as the Association’s dogs.

The collar.

A Hunter Association item, made from gate materials and systems.

Already used to control criminals.

The Black Assassins would live as the Association’s hunting dogs, risking their lives.

– The Association’s ruthless.

Isn’t death kinder?

Some criminals, unable to endure, offer their heads to monsters.

– Vulcanus, we’ve handed over the assassin.

– Went quietly?

– Seemed terrified. Jeon Ji-min’s electric torture left an impression. The collar’s shocks will be worse.

The assassin targeting Guild Master 1.

Handed to the Association.

Jeon Ji-min’s terror worked—he went quietly.

I worried he’d complain about torture.

– No need to worry. The Association saw the scene and nodded at the assassination attempt.

– Good.

They turned a blind eye.

I’d helped take down a major underworld force.

A little “minor” illegality was overlooked.

– The Association will send a commendation plaque soon.

A plaque meant little.

What use was it?

But with my expanded room, I could display it.

Before, lack of space would’ve sent it to the warehouse.

– What about Fire Goblin?

– Thanks to Ahn Jun-young’s detailed records, we detained him.

– But are you sure about this?

– He targeted your life.

I formally reported Fire Goblin.

Clear evidence made it easy.

I’d hesitated.

He tried to kill me—would this suffice?

But—

– He’s been living like a corpse. Killing him changes nothing. Letting his remaining fame rot in detention will hurt more.

– True.

– He’ll likely work as a slave, hammering for hunter gear in prison for at least 20 years.

Fire Goblin clung to past glory.

That’s why he targeted me.

Rather than death, social burial was fitting.

As expected—

The news exploded.

– Breaking news!

– Sword Maiden Han Yura arrested the Black Assassins’ leader, Black Hand.

– The Hunter Association captured most members and vows to uproot the group.

– Vulcanus played a key role, helping track their locations.

– The Association will award Vulcanus a commendation…

– Next, Fire Goblin news.

– Once Korea’s top brand and Rank 2 blacksmith…

– He fell from grace after overworking staff.

– Today, he was arrested for commissioning Vulcanus’ assassination through the Black Assassins.

– Experts say Vulcanus used this to help the Association track the assassins…

The Black Assassins and Fire Goblin dominated the news.

I expected attention, but not this frenzy.

The system community buzzed with hunters’ posts.

[Black Assassins LOL]

– Finally caught. Lol

– But by Vulcanus?

– No way a blacksmith caught them. Fake news, right?

– The Association’s reaction is too big for that.

– They’re giving a commendation plaque.

– Vulcanus is everywhere these days. Lol

[Fire Goblin Too LOL]

– Knew he’d fall, acting all high and mighty. Serves him right!

– Karma. Lol

– Justice prevails.

– I was with Fire Goblin’s forge. So refreshing.

– Don’t lie. You’d need Rank 8 blacksmith skills for that. Lol

– Proof shot posted.

– Oof, roasted.

[What’s Vulcanus, Seriously?]

– Soon to hit Rank 1 forge, and their guild’s growing fast.

– Anyone messing with Vulcanus crashes and burns.

– Even rankers like Han Yura back them.

– Got a bigger backer?

– Rankers like Han Yura are the backer. Lol

– No, just an awesome blacksmith.

– Their gear shifts rankings. Who wouldn’t care?

Vulcanus’ name was everywhere.

If ears itched from gossip, mine would be scratched raw.

But never mind that.

I was imagining “what if.”

– If my identity was public…

The assassin would’ve come for me, not Guild Master 1.

I’d have prepared, but if they breached everything?

I’d be dead.

Even Black Hand infiltrated a Rank 9 hunter’s home, caught only by the Sword Maiden.

Such an assassin could overwhelm my defenses.

– My identity must stay hidden.

A wake-up call.

Keeping it secret was wise.

Public actions? Through Guild Master 1.

That’s enough.

If I showed myself, others besides Fire Goblin might target me.

Even An So-hee, the Poison King, resented me for dropping her rank before I made her mask.

Rank 6 and below hunters might hold grudges for my selective commissions.

– Should I take more?

The thought chilled me.

I checked the commission list.

It wouldn’t solve everything.

Making Rank 6 gear? Rank 7 would feel cheated.

Up to Rank 10? Rank 11 and beyond would complain.

Up to 50? Rank 51 would grumble.

But rankers’ hefty fees were hard to refuse.

As expected—

[Greeting, Vulcanus. Kim Nara, Rank 6 Hunter.]

– I have a commission for you.

– As a Spirit Master, I wield the four elemental spirits in combat.

– My weapon is a wand made from spirit stones.

– It’s not for combat—spirits handle that. The wand is for commands and support magic.

– Attack stats are irrelevant. I believe you’ll craft a wand surpassing any blacksmith.

– I beg you to take this.

– I’ll pay more than the top 5 rankers’ fees.

– I’ll provide the spirit stone. Please accept!

A desperate request from the Rank 6 Spirit Master.

A spirit wand needing no attack power.

Perfect for me.

Clients tailored requests to my known level and skills.

– Shall we?

The spirit stone was provided.

No reason to refuse.

[Commission accepted.]

A spirit stone appeared.

Rare, even among gate materials.

Never mined from my quarry.

This size rivaled adamantium’s value.

[Using Crafting Skill.]

– First time properly engraving runes on real gear?

I’d only engraved runes on my room’s walls, assistants’ gear, the dispel wand, and assassin-tracking hoods.

Never on dedicated equipment.

By chance, my first proper rune gear was for the Rank 6 Spirit Master.

– Let’s make it perfect, Spark.

– Yup!

Whoosh!

Spark’s blue flames etched runes onto the spirit stone.

The Bond rune.

Perfect for a Spirit Master wielding spirits.

Clang!

From that day, I took rankers’ commissions, reaping hefty fees.