Chapter 68 – The Price of a True Blade

Kyung-min smirked beneath his mask. "That a problem?"

The blacksmith let out a rough chuckle, rolling his shoulders. "Not a problem, just a challenge. You rich types usually care about looks more than function."

"I don't care what they look like," Kyung-min said, his tone flat. "I just need them to kill faster."

Jang grinned, shaking his head. "Now that's a request I can respect."

He turned, setting the daggers down on a workbench covered in various blueprints and enchanted forging tools. He reached for a piece of chalk and started sketching rough designs over a thick slab of metal.

Kyung-min watched in silence.

"Shortened hilt, slightly curved edge… good for slashes and thrusts… reinforced spine for durability, but not too thick, or it loses speed…" Jang muttered to himself, lost in the details.

Then he glanced up. "You want an enchantment on them too?"

Kyung-min gave a slight nod. "Something lethal."

Jang smirked. "That's vague, but I like it."

The blacksmith pulled open a heavy drawer, grabbing a few enhancement runes. Before he began, he paused, giving Kyung-min a sideways glance. "You got materials? Runes aren't cheap, and reforging takes more than just metal."

Kyung-min pulled out his Dimensional Ring and casually dropped his loot onto the workbench.

A pile of mana crystals, glowing faintly.

Several undead essences, their dark energy swirling inside glass vials.

A lesser goblin core, pulsing with a dull green hue.

A poisonous goblin dagger, coated in a faintly shimmering toxin.

Jang whistled. "Not bad. You've been busy, huh?"

Kyung-min shrugged. "I need the best result in the shortest time."

Jang scratched his beard, inspecting the materials with a keen eye. "Well, I've seen better, but this ain't bad at all. Let's see…"

He picked up the poisonous goblin dagger and tapped the edge thoughtfully.

"This toxin… it's crude, but useful. I can refine it and weave it into the blade's structure. It won't be as strong as a high-tier poison, but it'll be enough to weaken most things you stab."

He then grabbed one of the mana crystals. "This'll enhance the blade's sharpness and durability. Good choice bringing these."

Finally, he held up the undead essence, his brows furrowing slightly. "Now this one's interesting… This kind of thing I have never used on gear, not weapons. But if you're fine with some… experimental modifications, I could try infusing the daggers with it."

Kyung-min's eyes gleamed. "What would that do?"

Jang rubbed his chin. "Hard to say. At best? It might give the weapons a slight life-drain effect—cut something, and it saps a bit of their energy. At worst? It does nothing and I waste good essence on your weapons."

Kyung-min didn't hesitate. "Do it."

Jang barked out a laugh. "You're reckless, kid. But I like that."

A Gift of Appreciation

Jang set everything into place, rolling his shoulders before picking up his hammer. Just as he was about to begin, he stopped—glancing toward a cluttered shelf in the back of his forge.

After a moment, he walked over, rummaging through a pile of old but well-maintained artifacts.

Finally, he pulled something out.

A small obsidian ring, etched with deep crimson runes.

"Here." Jang tossed it to Kyung-min.

Kyung-min caught it effortlessly. He turned it over in his palm, inspecting the strange carvings. "What's this?"

"A Ring of Fading Steps. Not exactly rare, but not common either." Jang leaned against his workbench, smirking. "It slightly muffles your footsteps, makes movement more silent. Figured it'd suit you."

Kyung-min's fingers tightened around the ring.

It was a simple item. Nothing overpowered. But it was… useful.

He met Jang's gaze. "Why give it to me?"

Jang snorted. "You're the first rich brat who didn't ask me to make something 'pretty.' You know what you want, and you don't waste time whining about it. I respect that."

Kyung-min was silent for a moment. Then—he slid the ring onto his finger.

"I appreciate it," he said, his voice quiet but firm.

Jang grinned. "Good. Now sit tight. I'll have your blades done in three hours."

A Blacksmith's Shock

Kyung-min pulled out a pouch of gold and placed it on the table.

Jang barely glanced at it. "I haven't told you the price yet."

Kyung-min didn't respond. He simply reached into his ring again—and dropped another stack of gold onto the workbench.

The coins clattered loudly, the sheer amount making even Jang pause.

"...This is way too much," the blacksmith muttered, scratching his head.

Before he could argue, the butler stepped forward. "My Young Master earned all of that himself. None of it comes from his family."

Jang's eyes widened slightly.

He turned back to Kyung-min, his sharp gaze studying him anew.

Then—he grinned.

"You're an interesting one, kid," he said. "Fine. I'll be your personal blacksmith. Bring me materials, and I'll make sure you always have the best damn weapons money can't buy."

Kyung-min smirked. "I'll hold you to that."

Jang Ho-seok chuckled, already picking up his hammer.

"Good. Now get out of my forge. I've got work to do."

Kyung-min leaned against the wall outside the forge, his thoughts already shifting toward the next step.

With new weapons on the way, and a reliable blacksmith secured, his preparations were coming together.

The rhythmic clang of metal against metal echoed from within the forge.

Kyung-min stood outside, arms crossed, his back resting against the worn stone wall. The scent of burning coals mixed with the faint tang of iron in the air.

Jang Ho-seok was a master at his craft, and though Kyung-min wasn't the sentimental type, he found himself looking forward to the results.

A proper weapon. Something truly his.

His fingers traced the smooth surface of the Ring of Fading Steps—Jang's unexpected gift.

A simple ring. But useful.

And utility was everything in battle.

The Butler's Observation

Kyung-min's butler stood beside him, silent as ever. But his sharp gaze occasionally flickered toward his Young Master, as if gauging something.

"You've gained much in a short time," the butler finally said. "Gold. Experience. Allies."

Kyung-min smirked beneath his mask. "Allies?"

The butler gave the barest hint of a shrug. "They seemed willing to work with you again."

"They were competent," Kyung-min admitted. "But unnecessary."

The butler chuckled softly. "Then why join them at all?"

Kyung-min exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "To see if I was missing something."

"And?"

A pause. Then—

"I wasn't."

The butler smiled slightly but said nothing more.

Reviewing His Next Steps

Kyung-min opened his Dimensional Ring, scanning through his remaining loot from the dungeon.

Gold Earned (After All Deductions & Trades)

🔹 Total Gold: 1200

Key Loot Remaining:

🔹 Mana Crystals (Common – Rare): 14 Crystals

🔹 Undead Essence (Mid-Tier): 4 Essences

🔹 Goblin Cores (Lesser – Common): 3 Cores

🔹 Cursed Accessories: 1 Ring, 1 Amulet

🔹 Bone Fragments & Crafting Materials: Various

He tapped his fingers against the Goblin Cores, thinking.

These weren't much individually, but if he gathered enough higher-quality monster cores, he could use them later—either for crafting or for trade.

Even a Necromancer needed proper equipment.

His gaze lingered on the Undead Essences.

If Jang was right, and his new daggers gained a life-drain effect, these might enhance that ability even further.

He filed the thought away for later.

The Reforging Is Complete

By the time they returned to the blacksmith, the forge was alive with heat and energy.

Jang Ho-seok stood at his workbench, a satisfied grin stretching across his face.

"Kid," he called out, lifting two newly forged daggers.

"Your blades are ready."

Kyung-min stepped forward, his gaze locked onto them.

Gone were the crude goblin-made daggers.

In their place—

Two sleek, deadly blades.

Refined. Sharpened. Balanced.

Jang flipped one in his grip, handing it over.

"Try it."

Kyung-min grasped the hilt.

Perfect weight. Perfect balance.

He gave a slow, approving nod. "Not bad."

Jang snorted. "Not bad? Kid, these are a masterpiece."

Kyung-min smirked. "We'll see about that."

Jang laughed, slapping the workbench. "Damn, I like you. Now, here's what I added."

Upgraded Weapons – Twin Daggers

🔹 Dagger Name: Requiem & Dirge (E+ Rank → D Rank)

🔹 Attack Type: High-Speed, Piercing

🔹 New Enhancements:

Lesser Life Drain: Absorbs a small portion of vitality on hit.Refined Poison Edge: Inflicts minor poison status (stackable).Enhanced Durability: Won't break easily in battle.

Kyung-min rotated the blades in his grip, testing their movement.

Fast. Deadly. Precise.

Exactly what he needed.

He reached into his Dimensional Ring and pulled out a pouch of gold, dropping it onto the table.

Jang raised a brow. "You already paid me, kid."

Kyung-min didn't respond.

Instead, the butler spoke.

"This is for the speed of your work," he said smoothly. "And for your honesty."

Jang blinked.

Then, as realization hit, he grinned.

"...I like you two," he said, shaking his head. "Fine. Anytime you need a blade, you come to me."

Kyung-min slid the daggers into their sheathes.

"I will."

Jang chuckled. "Then get outta here, kid. You've got work to do, don't you?"

Kyung-min smirked.

He did.

And soon—