The Genius Blacksmith's Game
The land of iron. (4)
[Based on its self-protection system, Ballon recognizes that the only way to avoid self-destruction is to serve you, and thus obeys.]
[You have become the owner of the Ballon d'Or.]
[You can check the Ballon's status window.]
(Ballon.)
Rank: Legendary.
Type: Weapon
Level: 599
Attack Power: 8,040
Defense: 7,905
Special Ability:
·Passive Skill: Legendary Roar.
· Passive Skill: Powerful Strike.
· Active Skill: Dragon Split.
Potential: None.
Description: This is the legendary weapon Balong, created by the combined efforts of the Dwarves of the Land of Iron, who had suffered a bitter defeat due to a previous success. Balong possesses immense strength capable of crushing even renowned monsters with its grip, as well as unbreakable, high defense.
[The Ballon's durability has currently dropped to 44%.]
[Ballon's overall stats decrease by more than 50%, and the levels of his skills drop immeasurably.]
[Ballon is special. As one of the few weapons capable of independent thought due to the excellence of the dwarves, we come to realize Ballon's specialness by glimpsing a fragment of his memory.]
These are the notifications that Hyunsu heard as Ballong obeyed.
Hyun-su was puzzled by the idea of glimpsing Ballon's memories.
At that moment, a hologram that only Hyunsu could see was emitted from both of Ballong's eyes.
In the hologram, a dwarf wearing a crown and other dwarves were visible.
“We cannot rely on the Ballon d'Or, who is nothing more than a legend, forever. We must somehow elevate the Ballon d'Or to a higher level.”
“I agree. The Ballon is guarding the path, but someday someone might break it and make their way here.”
Before that, our task will be to elevate the prestige of the Ballon d'Or even further.
The dwarves spent a long time searching for a way to make the Ballong an even more superior weapon. However, it was by no means an easy task.
[After years of hard work, they succeeded in creating the blueprint for the Transcendental Grade Ballon.]
“Look, this is the most perfect blueprint for the Ballon. With this, the Ballon will become even stronger than it is now and be able to protect us.”
“I see. The problem is that the materials needed to operate this strengthened Ballon are incredibly difficult to obtain, aren't they?”
“Ugh… that’s true.”
They needed excellent materials capable of operating a higher-class ballon.
[However, the material was not easy to obtain even for the dwarves, and as a result, the production of the higher-grade ballong ended up remaining unfinished.]
As the radiance emanating from Ballon's eyes faded, the scene created as a hologram also disappeared.
When I looked at Ballon's status window, I thought he wouldn't be able to grow any further because there was absolutely no potential section.
Why didn't I think of that?
Even if the weapon itself cannot grow, it can be elevated to a higher level by someone's hands.
That is how the current Ballon d'Or was.
Although, according to what I just confirmed, it was impossible due to that 'material'.
Therefore, Hyunsu fully understood Penny's desperate pleas.
A weapon that might become transcendent.
You might be able to step on failure through success.
So Hyun-su said.
How much do you want to buy it for?
It was only natural for Penny to feel wronged upon hearing that.
“The Ballon d'Or was originally ours. We poured our hearts and souls into creating it!”
But the Ballon d'Or chose me, didn't it?
“Th-that’s true, but… isn’t this robbery, just without a knife!?”
“……Seem to have forgotten that you’re holding a sword too?”
“…….”
flinch-
Hyunsu's eyes narrowed.
“Penny, think about it. You dragged us here to kill us. If we were ordinary people, we would have already met our deaths. In the process, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kenya and I tore you to pieces right then and there.”
“And you want the Ballon returned? Would you return it if it were you? Admit that you made it. It’s weakened? Even so, it’s my spoils of war, isn’t it? Don’t get the wrong idea; telling the dwarves to buy this right now is an act of mercy I’ve shown.”
“There is only one thing you must do right now. The Ballon can become a superior weapon, and if you want to reclaim it, you must bring the best that the dwarves can offer.”
Penny was speechless.
When I first met him at the crossroads, he was completely exhausted and looked visibly worn out.
However, the man I encountered within this passage was like a wild beast.
And now he was showing himself mercy.
To be honest, even if he had cut off his own head, looked at it, and thrown it before His Highness, the dwarves would have had nothing to say even if negotiations regarding the Ballon were to take place.
Yes, he saved his life.
Also, the reason Hyun-soo saved him was based on the judgment that things shouldn't escalate so dramatically with the dwarf.
Also, Hyun-su inwardly understood part of Penny and the dwarves' feelings.
“……I will report to Your Majesty. I will provide something befitting the value of a Ballon.”
It changed from informal to formal speech.
It meant that he acknowledged and respected Hyunsu's words to that extent.
“Let’s go. I will guide you to the Land of Iron. However, I will guide only you.”
Penny shook her head slightly as she looked at Kenya.
“I am fine. My mission was to guide Hyun-soo to the Land of Iron from the start. In fact, I felt it here.”
Kenya spoke sincerely.
“If I were to go to the Land of Iron alone instead of you, Hyun-soo, I would be unable to do anything and would not be able to achieve anything.”
Although Hyun-soo and Kenya's time together was short, she was convinced.
“Only you, Hyun-soo, will be able to achieve exchange with this new civilization. All I ask is that you tell me about it after you return. Oh, and please don't forget that I am a huge fan of yours.”
Kenya's words relieve some of Hyunsu's guilt.
Kenya bowed his head and walked back the way he had come on his own.
After she disappeared, Penny led Hyunsu to the path toward the real Land of Iron.
You really hid it away.
As Penny fumbled and pushed against a wall in this mine-like place, a huge iron gate appeared.
As I passed him, a dense forest appeared to my surprise.
In the dense forest, there were countless hyenas, leopards, and monkeys made of iron.
They detected an intruder and attempted to attack Hyunsu, but were stopped by Penny and turned back.
After passing the next bush, I entered the cave behind the cascading waterfall.
'… … What would have happened if I had killed Penny?'
Hyun-su was convinced as he walked following Penny.
The land of iron would never have been found.
Even within the passage, the road to the Land of Iron was like a very complex and difficult maze.
After passing the path behind the waterfall, a desert-like place appeared where centipedes 10 meters tall were running wild.
The sun was beating down maddeningly, and Hyunsu was on the verge of exhaustion, but Penny walked on as if she were used to it.
So this is how hard you struggled to preserve the species…
Hyun-su realized why they were so determined to elevate the Ballon d'Or to a higher level.
If that is not done, the land of iron will eventually disappear completely.
Because we currently have no power to handle the intruders.
Penny stopped in the middle of the desert.
And the moment he drew his hand in the air, something amazing happened.
Rrrrrrr-
Like an oasis created from a mirage, the oasis appeared.
A door appeared on one side of the oasis that formed a small river.
Let's go.
Penny entered first, and Hyunsu followed behind.
Darkness enveloped Hyunsu's vision, and soon a notification struck him first.
[You have discovered the Land of Iron, which has been hidden for a long time.]
[The road to the Land of Iron is far more rugged and difficult than anywhere else.]
[You are the first person to enter.]
[Experience and artifact drop rates will increase by double for one week.]
[Gain 1,000 Reputation.]
Hyunsu opened his eyes.
Buildings that were all built low compared to the human country appeared.
Hyunsu almost let out a sigh at the densely packed buildings, but upon closer inspection, he realized that most of them were rusty and unmaintained.
And the number of dwarves roaming around was not that large.
"human being……?"
"You're human, aren't you?"
“Humans look strange, just as I heard. Why are their limbs so long? Uselessly so.”
“A body that cannot use its strength properly.”
The dwarves walking along the road took an interest in Hyunsu.
Penny, who had stealthily approached the dwarves, said
“He is a famous hegemon in the human world, so watch your words.”
“Gasp…….”
"You mean the Overlord of the rumors?"
“You ate a dragon alive!?”
Penny nodded.
Upon hearing that, the dwarves hurriedly turned their attention away from Hyunsu.
“I am going straight to have an audience with His Highness Baragon. What would you like to do? Shall I escort you to the inn?”
“No, it’s fine. I want to see the Land of Iron.”
"……All right."
Penny agreed.
However, Hyun-su's expectations were much higher than Penny had anticipated.
Even if it has rusted, it does not lose its true value.
The low-rise buildings show a level of perfection far superior to that of the buildings in the country of Hyun.
In particular, the level of completion of the fortress walls appeared very high.
The country of Hyun needs to strengthen its walls and gain the strength to withstand anything.
Because city walls are the key to protecting the country.
Is that all?
Even the artifacts that appeared very occasionally looked far superior to those seen in the human world.
I will visit as soon as possible.
Penny disappeared.
Hyunsu began to explore the Land of Iron in earnest.
Of course, he, too, had bought basic information about the Land of Iron from Cavell and heard it from Penny.
"I heard that the Land of Iron was once the most prosperous nation compared to the living dwarves, but looking at its current state, that is not the case at all."
For one, the number of dwarves seemed much smaller than expected.
As far as I know, I heard that the scale of the Iron Country is very small.
In that case, considering they lived together in a limited space, their numbers were closer to a territory than a kingdom.
And naturally, the dwarves' vigilance against Hyunsu was high.
There were dwarves who slammed their doors shut while doing business with their doors open, or hurriedly held their children in their arms to protect them.
In a way, it was only natural.
It would be nice to increase my favorability with them, but how should I do it?
Right then.
Taaang-!
A sound was heard that ignited a fire in Hyunsu's heart.
'smithy……?'
Just as a sparrow cannot pass by a mill without stopping.
Hyunsu's footsteps headed toward the blacksmith's shop from which the sound was coming.
