The Genius Blacksmith's Game
Ballon d'Or. (4)
Baragon has been imagining.
The process of creating the transcendent weapon Ballong, which he and the dwarves designed together, when the mythical material known as the Heart of the Black Tortoise was placed in his hands.
It wasn't just something I had imagined.
Even though he was frustrated believing that the Iron Kingdom was over, Baragon alone rewrote the blueprint hundreds more times, hoping only for that day to come.
Ballon's arm.
Bang, bang, bang, click-!
It was designed to allow for free movement, and at times, the arms can rotate beyond human limits.
So that sometimes, the storm of the Black Tortoise, which was spewed by the heart of the Black Tortoise, can be spewed from the palm.
[Transcendent Grade. Ballon's Arm is completed.]
[It completely surpasses the stature of the existing Ballon d'Or.]
Even drenched in sweat, Baragon was happy and did not tire.
Ballon's legs.
It was designed and manufactured to sometimes withstand a weight of hundreds of tons and to jump explosively.
It was also designed to be able to rescue dwarves at any time when they were in danger due to its inherently high speed.
[Transcendent Grade. Ballon's Legs are completed.]
Bang!
Taaang-!
As time went on, Baragon gained confidence.
“His Highness Baragon is smiling!”
To think you are enjoying the production process just like me.
“……Your Highness Baragon!”
Baragon was bringing to life the moment we had all dreamed of.
[Transcendent Grade. The Heart of the Ballon d'Or is completed.]
[Completely surpassing the prestige of the existing Ballon d'Or… … ]
[Transcendent Grade. Ballon's body is completed.]
[We complete the ballon by newly recreating every part.]
[Attack and defense power will increase significantly compared to before, and you will be able to wield immense power at will.]
The fatigue accumulated from days of production is melting away.
At this moment, Baragon was completely transcending his limits.
Those sitting in the stands were surprised.
The sweat flowing from his body cooled quickly, and vitality returned to his tired complexion.
Also, it seemed as though a faint dark aura was flowing from him.
Also, a clear notification was heard by Hyunsu.
[The Dwarf King's spirit rises.]
[The spirit possessed only by the Dwarf King increases the probability of creating better artifacts by over 250% and imbues them with tireless power.]
“……The Dwarf King’s spirit?”
“How do you know about the Dwarf King’s aura, Hyun-soo? Hehe, as expected of a smart person. The Dwarf King’s aura is a power that only Dwarf Kings can wield. It is said to activate when all senses reach their highest level, and for the moment that power manifests, one can create artifacts of a new realm.”
“That’s amazing. I’m serious.”
As it was, Baragon's skills, which Hyun-su had witnessed, were formidable.
And he realized that the Dwarf King's audacity was merely a 'slice' of the story he had seen.
There will be dozens of powers related to crafting within him, and there will also be special powers that he does not possess.
To think I would admire the work of a blacksmith other than myself?
It's fun… I want to see you forever.
It makes Hyunsu's heart pound.
Baragon, exuding a faint dark aura, opened the box.
Clack-
“Ooooo… Is that the heart of the Black Tortoise?”
“It is so beautiful. Is that a mineral? Doesn’t it look like a beautiful gem nestled majestically in the lake?”
It might be an exaggeration, but it does seem that way.
The dwarves agreed.
The heart of Hyunmu, softly scattering a blue light, already looked like a gem rather than a mineral.
A higher temperature is needed.
Hyunsu squinted his eyes.
At that moment.
Biiiiii-!
Hyunsu and Baragon's thoughts matched exactly.
Baragon exponentially raised the temperature of the furnace and placed Hyunmu's heart inside it.
Rrrrrrr-
The blast furnace is spewing out a louder noise than ever before.
The noise is so loud that it makes you wonder if it really contains only a few kilograms of minerals.
Hyun-su also watched the process while breaking out in a cold sweat.
I, too, must craft what I need with the heart of the Black Tortoise.
It would be of great help to see what other masters are making before that.
Shhhhhh-
Crescent molten iron flows out through the open iron channel.
The faint chill spreading around it gave off an even more mysterious vibe.
Baragon refined the rapidly hardening substance with a concentration higher than ever before, extracting a high-purity Hyunmu heart.
The production of armor parts began by properly mixing them with other minerals and forging them.
Just then, as he kept knocking, a look of bewilderment appeared on Baragon's face.
'what……?'
It was a very slight change.
Only Baragon, who is currently creating it, can feel it.
The Heart of the Black Tortoise is the strongest material for 'Ice' or 'Defense'.
That sublime material, like an ice crystal, was slowly losing its power as if melting away.
“……!”
It is clear.
Baragon was convinced. He is gradually losing the power of the ice element.
In other words, that immense power residing in the Black Tortoise… to a mere dwarf…
Or, strength was draining away as if it would not be allowed to anyone.
There is no time… …
Baragon became anxious.
This power must be completed within a time frame where it is lost as little as possible.
You can do it.
Baragon's movements quickened.
Oh, Your Highness is picking up the pace.
“That’s a tremendous move! Not a moment’s hesitation.”
When someone sees the rapid hand movements of a craftsman, it is bound to appear amazing and wondrous.
Just now, that was Baragon's movement.
Even though they were both blacksmiths, there was a difference in class between Baragon and ordinary blacksmiths.
However, Hyun-su noticed something was wrong.
He got desperate.
Why?
When he did not understand, Baragon continued to build the armor by continuously increasing his speed for half a day.
At that moment, Baragon's movements slowed down drastically.
'Endure, please endure. Please! This damn body!'
Baragon screamed.
However, his body did not grant his wish.
His body trembled.
The hand holding the hammer began to convulse.
Baragon turned 450 this year.
In human terms, it was over 70 years old.
The fact that a master craftsman in a particular field has been doing that work for a long time means that he possesses a different perspective and expertise than anyone else.
However… the body was bound to go in the exact opposite direction.
“Your Highness Baragon, why don’t you rest before doing this?”
Your Majesty! Please take a rest!
The dwarves in the stands shouted out of concern for Baragon's health.
The same goes for the executives.
Baragon looked down at his hand.
'It's a failure… The Black Tortoise's heart wasn't a material I could handle on my own.'
Baragon's face was stained with despair.
We were able to continue production.
However, in that process, the power of the breath's 'coldness' completely disappeared, and it appeared that it would become a material with only high defense.
If that happens, this material will be reduced to something other than a myth.
Baragon looked at the dwarves with a dejected expression.
"majesty……?"
The dwarves, realizing the gravity of the situation, fell silent.
“The power of the Black Tortoise is draining away. If you cannot craft it within the given time, you will not be able to retain that power. You might be able to craft it if you take a long time, but then it will become the Black Tortoise’s empty heart.”
All the dwarves were shocked.
Just then, a brave dwarf approached the forge.
“Don’t give up!”
As if to reassure him not to worry, he grasped the clamp connected to Hyunmu's heart that Baragon had missed.
“I will assist. With an assistant, we can produce it within the time limit.……”
at that time.
Crunch crunch
The cold air extending through the pincers rapidly froze the dwarf's arm.
The dwarf screamed at what happened in an instant.
“Ugh, aaaaaaah!”
“Hurry up and take Randol away!”
The dwarf with the frozen arm rolled on the floor, and a pale Baragon recalled the 'limitation' of the Black Tortoise's heart.
“No one shall lay a hand on the Black Tortoise’s heart. I am the only one in this world qualified to craft it!”
The 'Master' restriction written in the description.
I never dreamed that something like this would happen if I violated that restriction.
If anyone other than a figure of Baragon's caliber touches it, they might die.
Shhhhh-
A noble blue aura emanated from Hyunmu's heart. His strength was draining away.
“From the start, the power of the Black Tortoise was like a mirage, something that dwarves like us could never possess. I am sorry for blinding myself with that mirage and causing this.……”
Tears welled up in Baragon's eyes, and he bowed his head toward the stands.
In the midst of a great silence, some dwarves burst into tears upon realizing that their efforts had been in vain.
“Sob, sob…….”
"majesty……."
“How… how… are you giving up!”
“Please complete the weapon of transcendence!”
“Please do not give up!”
As despair settles once again in the Land of Iron, Baragon’s shoulders shrink.
A noble blue aura spread more vastly, and its power spread white around the forge.
Hyunsu, the only human in that place, walked up.
Baragon and Hyunsu were meeting for the first time.
'A hammer… …? And a very impressive one at that?'
Baragon, having raised his head, was flustered.
It was because Hyunsu was holding a hammer in one hand.
With his other hand, he picked up the clamp connected to Hyunmu's heart.
"no!!!"
Baragon shouted.
Even the Overlord would be frozen.
however…….
'what?'
Nothing happened.
Rather… … .
The moment he raised the hammer, the faint blue aura that stretched across the entire Colosseum was drawn back into his heart at his command.
Whoosh!
[Hammer Musou is great.]
[I can manipulate all attributes at will!]
[Retains the power of Hyunmu's heart.]
The people on the spot were astonished by the strange phenomenon, and Hyun-su laughed awkwardly.
“……I’ve told you several times that I’m a blacksmith.”
A massive shock spread through the stadium. Those in the stands, startled, rose to their feet.
“You were right when you said you were a blacksmith!?”
“Wasn’t he the Overlord!?”
“Then you’re saying he’s a Hegemon and a great general!?”
Baragon also looked at Hyunsu with a bewildered expression.
Hyunsu said.
“Do you also have the power to use weapons without restrictions?”
“……Of course. What is there that I, the Dwarf King, cannot grasp?”
chuck-
Hyun-su handed over the Musang.
I will lend it to you.
Splat!
Baragon was surprised as he took the hammer. The moment he gripped it, he felt immense power.
It was a hammer that could make anything.
I will assist.
In that case, I'll lend it to you.
[Transcendental Grade. Borrows a Dwarf's Pincers.]
The two beings looked at each other.
It wasn't too late to greet them later.
Hyun-su secured it using the craftsman's tongs, and Baragon struck down with unstoppable force.
Taaang!
The two people work together in harmony.
Baragon struck while controlling the strength of the hand holding the sword.
Hyunsu accurately perceived the location where he intended to strike and adjusted the position of the tongs.
"shift."
Thump-!
They quickly took turns gripping the tongs and the sword.
It was to take turns when the hammer-wielder's strength was depleted.
Hyunsu, having received the Musang, strikes.
Taaaaaang!
This time, adjust the position of the pincers so that Baragon can hit the exact spot.
"immersion."
Hiss!
"minor."
Let's soak it.
Hissing
Back to the minor key.
Taaaaang-!
The human and dwarf masters were moving as if they had practiced together for a long time, and the people there were becoming captivated by it.
It was a rare sight that even dwarves could not see in their lifetime.
Production that flows seamlessly, as if meeting a long-time partner.
They combine the finished parts one by one or re-forge and join them together.
I finished smoothing and polishing it, and when the production was complete, a notification came.
[By confining the power that was scattering within the heart of Hyunmu, you utilized the power of the materials in the most perfect way.]
At that moment, the two masters instinctively knew.
The creation of the Transcendence grade, Ballon is a success.
No, it was more than that.
