Chapter 30: Watching The Fire Is The Most Fun (2)

Clang!

Bang!

A clear sound resonated.

It was coming from the forge. The people around were watching it as if enchanted.

"…"

Dwarves.

They are a clan of metallurgy.

From the moment of their birth, they receive knowledge related to it as if they were bestowed with divine wisdom.

They also have talent and interest.

Therefore, the entire dwarven race is crazy about metallurgy.

Although occasionally, like a mutation, a sword-obsessed tribe appears.

Still, dwarves realize their calling from the moment they are born.

That's why even a blacksmith who hasn't received care from his kin could understand the art of metallurgy.

The man before her presents her with an opportunity that will never come again.

'A fateful encounter.'

Witnessing it is a marvel in itself.

Yet, it's not without problems.

'But even then…'

She thinks destroying the workshop is too much.

She looked around.

The academy's officials came and cleared the debris with magic as if there had been a fire.

But do they know—?

That someone wrecked this place just trying to increase the firepower of the kiln?

'I guess not.'

She sighed, recalling the scene from moments ago.

"Can I borrow the forge?"

"Yes."

I scanned the surroundings as I spoke.

This place still doesn't meet my expectations.

'But the metalwork isn't bad.'

Their method of folding iron together with failed scraps was of high quality.

It's to be expected, after all.

This place is where the modern, martial arts, and magic worlds converge. In addition, there are territories in Russia where Druids live, lands in America occupied by gods, and places in Europe that dwelled with various things.

Since this is essentially a modern world, it's not difficult to obtain top-quality iron.

"Speaking of which, you said my goods were somewhat impressive, right?"

"Yes."

"You must have come from a place with the Iron Tribe?"

"Something like that."

I brought five decent-looking iron ingots.

"But, the Iron Tribe shouldn't exist on this Earth?"

"That might be something you don't know."

I don't know either.

Even if the Heavenly Demon is here, she must have carefully hidden herself somewhere.

'It's probably information I can't access yet.'

However, there is a concern.

I'm worried about the lifespan of the Duke of Extermination and the Heavenly Demon.

The Duke of Extermination didn't want to say her exact age, but she was well over 700 years old.

Even the Heavenly Demon is not bound by lifespan, but if it has been too long, she might have died.

I sat in front of the furnace.

"…I didn't say I'd lend it to you yet."

"Did you not hear that news?"

"What news?"

"About me asking the principal for a budget?"

"Even so, what…"

"I got about 5% of the entire academy's budget."

"What?!"

The Iron Tribe kid was shocked.

So were those listening nearby.

"Wa-wait a minute! You, you got 5% of the entire academy's budget?"

"Just because I'm here doesn't mean you can use informal speech."

"…How did you persuade the principal? The academy's budget exceeds a trillion per quarter."

Simply put, I was getting over 50 billion per quarter.

Somehow, she was hard to persuade.

'She even said it couldn't be used for personal purposes.'

So this is when I should splurge.

"So, you're getting 50 billion?"

"You want… support?"

"Yes, yes!"

The Iron Tribe kid nodded vigorously.

"But what are you going to make with that?"

Unlike Seon Woohyeon, she immediately used honorifics.

She seems to have good potential.

"Iron rings. And a sword."

"It looks like there's not enough? Should I get more from somewhere else?"

"It's okay. It will come soon."

Right after I said that, there was a sudden commotion near the door.

The door opened, and a person who looked like an employee spoke to the Iron Tribe child.

"Chief, there's a guest for you?"

"A guest?"

So she's not a noble.

"I called them."

"Then I'll bring them in!"

Shortly after, Abel entered.

"Oh my. You were doing something interesting here."

"I have arrived!"

"…"

Three more people joined us.

Abel, Yoo Eunchae, and Nam Hyerin.

This is timely.

"Here are the items you ordered. But in the future, such errands are a bit…"

"What about it?"

"Well, I'm actually quite a high-class talent, you know?"

"Sure you are."

Wearing a bright smile, Abel had brought the things I ordered.

"He looks incredibly weak, doesn't he?"

"Don't you know the Crimson Blaze Noble? He's somewhat famous as the principal's hunting dog."

"Him?"

Is it because she's a young Iron Tribe member?

This one really knows nothing.

'Well, that's just how the Iron Tribe is.'

They don't pay attention if it's not something that they're interested in, because that's just how they are.

"Where should I put the things you asked for?"

"Here."

As Abel unfolded something like a bundle, a black ingot fell out.

"It's dark metal!"

"Is it something to scream about?"

"It's quite a good item. While, there's the downside of being heavy, it's sturdy and flexible. And helps maintain one's center of gravity, so it's a popular material among heroes who use large weapons."

"You seem to know a lot?"

"It's basic knowledge. But what are you planning to make that you'd need so much dark metal?"

"Training maces."

The Iron Tribe kid talking with Yoo Eunchae came over to our side.

After saying that, she prepared for the work.

The first thing to do Is to increase the firepower.

"Increase the firepower?"

As the Iron Tribe kid asked, she began to increase the heat of the furnace.

The flames of the blazing furnace flickered.

"It's hotter than I thought."

Abel said that as he stepped back.

But I frowned.

"Is this all?"

"Is this all? With this level, it's an unparalleled workshop that you can't find anywhere else!"

"Nonsense."

This is not enough.

I pondered for a moment.

I had already spent 50 billion, but this forge looks even more expensive than that.

'Well, should I just roughly make a furnace?'

I'll take care of the rest in the next quarter.

With a smile, I employed telekinesis to bring over some nearby charcoal.

"…Excuse me?"

They looked at me with their voices trembling.

"Isn't that how it is?"

"The first secret of the Iron Tribe: The more flames, the better. Firepower knows no bounds."

"I've never heard such a thing before?!?!"

"Everyone, be careful."

"Wait, wait!!"

Everyone hurriedly did something.

From behind, all kinds of mana signatures of various colors flowed.

While it'd be enjoyable to see their response, I concentrated on the flames before me.

Tying up the little Iron Tribe kid with telekinesis, I directed all the charcoal into the furnace.

Kwaang─!!

In an instant, flames burst forth as if exploding.

'Well, I tried to ask.'

But the best way is to do it yourself.

As I infuse my mana into the flames, the firepower correspondingly increases according to my will.

And by infusing the flames of the Brilliant Blazing Fire, the flames begin to subside.

The Iron Tribe kid wears an amazed expression as she watches the scene.

'Anyway.'

It's hot.

My skin is searing in the flames.

The best way to protect my body is to use the Glacial Heavenly Moon.

But that wouldn't be good, since the Glacial Heavenly Moon freezes all flames except for Brilliant Blazing Fire.

Even if it's a tiny spark, the Glacial Heavenly Moon will try to reveal and eliminate it.

Well, it doesn't matter since I can protect myself with Brilliant Blazing Fire.

With the harmonious flames pushing back against the heat, the flames become completely encased within the furnace.

'This is just fine.'

Dark metal is heavy and dense. Under normal conditions, it would take hours to melt it.

So, the Iron Tribe resolved the issue by using tremendous firepower.

'But there's a small problem.'

You need to constantly monitor the temperature, because if it's exceeded for even one second, most metals become unusable and melt.

However,

'I'm an exception.'

My senses are sensitive.

In my second life, I was a Great Mage. In my third, a martial artist.

Momentarily burying those experiences, I recall myself as the blacksmith that I was in my third life.

With all the preparation done, the very first thing to make manifests in my mind.

'Of course, it's a sword.'

Nam Hyerin—I had to make a weapon that suited her.

Next is the iron ring.

'Swords are easy, but.'

Iron rings are difficult.

Simply increasing the weight is fine, but it must not be cumbersome to move in, and it must not disturb the body's balance.

'And above all.'

The students must writhe in pain.

Because that's how they'll get stronger.

The structure is already fully formed in my mind.

I inserted the dark metal into the flames using telekinesis.

Whooosh!

The ferocious flames melt the dark metal instantly, causing a liquid metal to flow.

I hold the melted dark metal in place with telekinesis.

Tick tock.

Time passes.

Trying to smith with just feeling isn't enough.

Among blacksmiths, using tools is preferred.

Even if one is exceptionally skilled, relying solely on one's instincts cannot achieve precise metallurgy.

But I have multiple proficiencies, the sense of a martial artist, a mage, and a craftsman.

I channel all of those experiences.

'Now.'

Using alchemy to extract the melted dark metal, I unveiled the red-glowing iron.

'It's done.'

I was half in doubt, since I didn't expect it to work on the first try.

'Lucky me.'

And so I struck down with the hammer.

"Ugh."

A groan escaped.

The source was Han Seojin.

Even for Han Seojin, working for hours near flames exceeding a thousand degrees was bound to be exhausting.

Forcing himself up, he looked around.

Fortunately(?), the forge was not damaged.

But, perhaps, that was the cost.

Most of those around were sprawled out, and the Iron Tribe kid had tried to endure but eventually passed out.

"You're amazing."

"I am quite something."

"I didn't know you were so good at blacksmithing."

Having both literary and martial talents, he has diligently mastered various skills as well.

For the record, he's also good at cooking.

Han Seojin breathed heavily as he entertained such thoughts.

"But…"

Yoo Eunchae's eyes sparkled in the direction of the dark-bladed sword, which felt as if it absorbed light.

She knew the moment she saw it that it is without a doubt, a top-notch item—.

A sword coveted not only by those obsessed with swords but even by those who know nothing about them.

Yoo Eunchae looked at Han Seojin with sparkling eyes.

"Are you going to give this to me?"

"Nam Hyerin."

"What?!"

Yoo Eunchae started to say something but stopped.

'If it's Nam Hyerin, well…'

She is worthy of wielding such a sword.

Her current nickname is Sword Monster.

And it won't be long before her Unique Traits fully bloom.

Namgoong's Sword.

As she abandons it in search of a new sword, she becomes,

Sword Empress.

It is the new nickname she will acquire.

When it came to just swords, even Seon Woohyeon could never beat her.

Her skills improve to the extent that she becomes unbeatable in the sword, and she becomes renowned as the most skilled swordsman.

Shifting her focus, Yoo Eunchae gazed at the black iron ring.

Inkshade Rings.

But they seem a bit unusual.

'It seems like more passion was poured into the rings than the sword.'

Really, what's so earnest about hanging it on an arm or a leg?

Yoo Eunchae examined the item information while looking at the Inkshade Rings.

[Unique Trait, All-Seeing Eyes activated.]

[Inkshade Rings]

An item made with passion and effort bya blacksmith blessed with a divine skill.However, its contents are incredibly vicious.User experiences double the perceived weight.Accelerates the user's physical growth.Limits the user's mana.

Yoo Eunchae smiled faintly.

So, this iron ring is for training.

The user perceives its weight twice as heavy.

And it restricts the user's mana?

'Should I run away?'

Yoo Eunchae started to ponder seriously.