The Orion: Memories of the Blacksmith

He let the sword fall to his side, staring at the dummy with a mix of frustration and disbelief. How could a training dummy be this tough? 

Yet, amidst his disappointment, something stirred within him—a flicker of determination. If ten strikes weren't enough, then he'd have to figure out another way. This world, he realized, was full of challenges. And he wasn't going to let a mere wooden dummy get the better of him. 

"Alright," he murmured under his breath, tightening his grip on the ebony sword once more.

"Let's try again later." 

"Ten hits and still less than half its durability gone," he muttered, inspecting the faint scratches on the hard wood.

"No wonder 2.5 billion people failed this challenge." Despite his complaint, determination flared in his eyes. This trial wasn't just about testing his skills—it was about proving his worth.

Without hesitation, he pushed forward, ignoring the burning ache in his arms. After unleashing forty more strikes, the task was finally complete.

[Congratulation]

[Strike the Wooden Dummy 30 Times - Completed.]

[You have received 10 silver coins.]

With steady steps, Hyun-soo left the training area. Ever since his meeting with Myoon Hoon the day before, he'd dedicated himself to learning everything about Orion's beginner zone. To him, these minor tasks were merely the first steps toward something greater.

---

The beginner zone might seem unremarkable to most, but Hyun-soo saw its hidden potential. For someone aspiring to craft the finest swords, access to high-quality materials and a proper forge was essential. Fortunately, while this zone lacked job advancement features, it did house a single blacksmith's forge.

However, access to the forge wasn't free. Hyun-soo had uncovered one critical fact: only Len, the resident blacksmith, could grant him permission. And earning Len's trust required completing a task that most newcomers dismissed as insignificant—gathering fifty rabbit pelts.

"The reward for this mission isn't worth the effort," many had said. But Hyun-soo didn't care. For him, it was a chance to take one more step toward his ultimate goal as a swordsmith.

---

At the forge, the rhythmic clanging of metal shattered the stillness of the morning.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

La Fort, a novice blacksmith, was immersed in his work. Yet frustration etched deep lines across his face.

"Damn it! Failed again…" he growled, flinging his hammer aside in irritation. The heated metal he had hoped to shape into a quality sword now lay before him, a useless chunk of misshapen steel.

La Fort wasn't just battling the stubbornness of molten metal—he was also grappling with the pressure of his position in the beginner zone. Instructors often brought their weapons to him for sharpening, only to complain about the steep fees he charged.

"A novice like you has no right to set such high prices," one instructor had criticized just days before, a statement that wounded La Fort's pride.

La Fort had fired back, his voice brimming with resolve. "If I can forge a sword better than yours, I want an apology—and a 30% increase in my sharpening fees!"

But no matter how many attempts he made, La Fort had yet to create a sword that exceeded the instructors' standards. He knew the core issue was the low-grade metal he had to work with, but he lacked the skill to make up for it.

---

As La Fort hovered on the edge of giving up, an unfamiliar voice broke through the heavy silence. "That's not the right way to do it."

La Fort turned sharply, his glare locking onto Hyun-soo, who stood at the forge's entrance. The stranger wasn't an instructor or a fellow blacksmith. To La Fort, he looked like just another newcomer.

"And who are you to tell me what to do?" La Fort snapped, irritation flaring in his voice. Before his frustration could escalate, however, Hyun-soo lowered his head in a respectful bow.

"I didn't mean any offense," he said calmly."

"I just thought… maybe I could help."

La Fort scoffed, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. Without a word, he tossed the hammer toward Hyun-soo, his expression a mix of skepticism and challenge. "Fine. Show me what you've got."

Hyun-soo stepped forward, gripping the hammer with his left hand. It felt foreign in his grasp, unfamiliar after years away from this craft. Yet as he approached the glowing metal, memories of his past as a weaponsmith began to stir within him, guiding his every move.

The forge's heat wrapped around him, and with each step, the weight of his former life grew heavier. But instead of shying away, Hyun-soo embraced it, the rhythm of creation pulsing in his veins like an old, familiar melody.

---

La Fort crossed his arms and watched intently as Hyun-soo positioned himself in front of the anvil. He moved with an odd confidence, one that belied his apparent status as a beginner. The hammer rose, then fell with a resounding clang, sending sparks flying into the air.

Hyun-soo worked steadily, his strikes precise and deliberate. Each movement seemed calculated, almost instinctive, as though he wasn't just shaping metal but breathing life into it. Len's frustration began to wane, replaced by curiosity and a grudging respect.

Minutes passed, and the raw metal started to transform. Its surface smoothed, its edges sharpened, until a blade began to take form—a blade that gleamed with potential far beyond anything Len had managed before.

Finally, Hyun-soo set the hammer down, stepping back to admire his work. He turned to Len, offering the newly forged blade with a small, almost sheepish smile.

"It's not perfect, but it should hold up better than what you've been working with."

Len took the blade, his hands trembling slightly as he examined it. The craftsmanship was evident, the balance impeccable. He tested its edge against a scrap of leather, and it sliced cleanly through with ease.

"This…" La Fort muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"This is incredible. How did you…?"

Hyun-soo shrugged, his expression modest yet tinged with a quiet pride. "Just a bit of experience, I guess."

La Fort stared at him, a newfound respect lighting up his eyes. "You're more than just some rookie, aren't you?"

Hyun-soo smiled faintly, his gaze steady. "Maybe. But for now, I need access to your forge. What do you say?"

La Fort hesitated for only a moment before nodding firmly. "You've earned it. Let's see what we can create together."