The Genius Blacksmith's Game
The Heart of Hyunmu
“What kind of dagger do you want to make?”
“It’s a dagger that is useful for concealing from enemies, can cut quickly, and has high cutting power. Also, since I have sweaty hands and tend to drop things easily, I want to make a dagger that I won’t drop easily.”
"It's clear what you intend to create."
Ahem.
Neeson pointed at himself with his thumb.
He seems to take great pride in being a dwarf.
“Shall we get started? I’ll support you hard from behind.”
Assistant. Don't fall behind and make sure you follow closely!
I will definitely make a dagger that will allow me to receive approval from the elders.
Neeson was burning with passion.
Whoosh-
I lit the fire in the furnace.
As the fire heats up intensely, fierce flames boil up inside the furnace.
Black smoke rose from the forge, and just when he judged it to be appropriate, Listen tried to put in the iron ore.
at that time.
“Don’t be impatient; you have to wait patiently for the fire to melt the iron perfectly.”
Neeson tilted his head at the gentle tone.
Within my common sense, this is the best temperature right now.
But in Hyunsu's eyes, it's not.
“Don’t forget that improving the quality of any production starts with the basics.”
“Hehe, you’re just an assistant!”
Neeson, with his arms crossed, snorted cutely.
Listen to the sound.
“What are you talking about?”
It will be heard soon.
“???”
Doesn't the sound of a furnace come only as a rumbling?
I mean the sound of the hot flames swirling inside the furnace.
However, Neeson never ignored Hyunsu's words.
Whoosh… … .
The sound of small flames began to be heard.
It's true, isn't it?
As the sound of focusing solely on the furnace was heard, Neeson's chest swelled with heat.
Neeson put in the iron ore without missing the opportunity.
'Different… … the color of the fire, the movement of the fire, the way it melts… … .'
It is not the person he knew.
It is much smoother, softer, gentler, and stronger.
[It is the most perfect temperature!]
Hyunsu smiled with satisfaction.
“Don’t forget. You always start like this. Didn’t you learn the importance of melting point and time?”
“I learned it, but I didn’t realize how important it was. After all, most dwarves died or stopped crafting since the events of that day.”
Hyunsu smiled.
"Regardless of talent, it is truly sad that one cannot learn properly. It is not that I do not understand why the dwarves are now unwilling to train crafting dwarves."
Because their production ruined the land of iron.
Even so… … .
It would be a shame to miss out on such a passionate dwarf.
Listen was just like a younger brother.
Even though the species may be different.
Follow me closely. I will teach you a lot.
The molten iron that flowed down had a very clear crimson color.
Now, we 'refine' that hardened thing.
During the purification process, Hyun-su meticulously removed impurities as an assistant.
Neeson, who was watching him, was also meticulously eliminated.
Don't apply too much force. Just remove the impurities accurately.
“Uh-huh……!”
Before long, Neeson followed him and removed the impurities much more meticulously and carefully than usual.
As I started paying attention to things I usually didn't care about, the mere iron ore became much better than I knew.
That makes no sense…
If the iron you are extracting is 50% of its power, this is over 80%.
Smelting and refining are the most basic operations and are fundamental.
However, that foundation creates an unshakeable pillar.
[Neeson gains a new realization.]
[Your influence extends beyond your race to reach more places.]
Hyunsu now used tongs to assist in picking up the mineral.
Now it is Neeson's turn.
Taaang-!
Neeson's minor sound spreads out.
Relax.
"again."
Now is the time. Start soaking in water.
Hiss!
Hyunsu kept repeating "again" and made him repeat it.
Just when it seems to be taking shape, he says it again.
I say this when I think, "Isn't it done by now?"
By the time Neeson collapsed from exhaustion.
“Oh… it would be perfect to go to the battlefield in that state. It’s nice to look like a defeated soldier.”
"profit……!"
Neeson, stained red like a carrot, began to forget himself.
“Aargh! This is difficult! How can I make a dagger that doesn’t slip?”
“It’s simple. Just make a loop on the grip, attach it, and swing it. That way, the cutting power increases, and it never comes off.”
“Hiiik, genius!”
Neeson was not a dwarf living with feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.
I acknowledged what needed to be acknowledged and learned what needed to be learned.
Time passed to the point where I didn't even know how many days and nights had gone by.
And Hyunsu was surprised.
Is this a dwarf?
First of all, physical strength and energy do not drain away.
It does not tire easily, so there are no parts where it loses strength and creaks while monotonous, and I was convinced that if a human pulled one out in a week, a dwarf would pull out two.
Also, while Neeson may have been special, his understanding of iron was superior to common sense, and furthermore, his learning speed was more than twice that of a human.
Is this guy special, or is he a dwarf?
This part is both.
Neeson is special, and he is a dwarf.
Neeson was an extraordinary child with talent, tireless stamina, and passion, determined to become a great dwarf.
It was a stroke of luck.
The fact that we met each other.
Someday, Listen will say that he learned from Hyun-soo, and someday, Hyun-soo will be able to say that he was that kind of talent!
It is reaching the end.
Neeson's skills grew rapidly in a short period, and a magnificent dagger was being completed.
Neeson's chest swelled up greatly.
This is my finished product, you dwarf bastards!
Just as that was happening.
“Let’s start over, Neeson.”
“……You, you crazy human!? You know how much effort I put into making this, and you’re saying that!”
Because you didn't make it.
“……?”
Neeson looked at Hyunsu.
Submitting this is nothing more than you getting accepted by cheating. You are better now than you were a few days ago, and I think you can do it.
Neeson gazed at the nearly finished dagger. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded.
You're right, I can do it.
If Neeson had said he wouldn't do that, Hyun-su might have been disappointed.
Neeson started production again.
True to a dwarf with tireless stamina.
This time, Hyunsu didn't help with anything.
“Good, now I can hear the sound of the furnace. I think I know how to refine it too. So, I just have to hammer it like this!”
Neeson moves with a much more impressive performance than before. Notifications rained down along with a quickly crafted dagger.
[Neeson grows into a dwarf capable of creating even higher-grade artifacts, and his potential increases dramatically!]
As he overcomes his limitations, the possibility arises that he will one day aspire to a path beyond that of a master blacksmith and lead a portion of the blacksmiths.
[Dwarf Neeson will never forget this day.]
finally.
[As his divinity rises, the Blacksmith God's influence becomes much greater.]
[Gain 400 Reputation.]
[Gain 50 Dexterity.]
“I’m running out of time, I have to submit this in a hurry. Thank you. I will never forget your kindness!”
Hyun-su smiled with satisfaction as he watched Neeson run off excitedly like a child.
***
Artifacts crafted by dwarves who have just become adults, lined up in a row.
Baragon picked up a dagger with a noticeable level of craftsmanship even in that gap.
The dagger inscribed with "Neeson" was a curved blade bent like a crescent moon, reminiscent of an animal's claw.
There was a fairly large ring on the back of the handle, so it seemed like hooking the little finger would prevent it from slipping and dropping, and it also looked useful for hooking the index finger to use it in reverse.
(Karambit.)
Grade: Epic
Durability: 6000/6000
Attack Power: 196
Restriction: Dwarf.
Special Ability:
· Agility increased by 7%.
· Attack speed increased by 20%.
· Increases the chance of critical hit damage by 12%.
· Passive Skill: Hawk's Claws.
· Active Skill Pierce.
Description: This is a Karambit created by the newly adult dwarf Neeson to overcome his own limitations. Neeson compensated for his weakness of having sweaty hands by constructing a ring, and designed it to allow dwarves to subdue enemies more quickly.
“…….”
Baragon's eyes wavered.
“You mean this was made by Barina’s child?”
That is correct. We checked as well and were extremely surprised.
Barina.
He is one of the outstanding genius dwarves who once participated in the production of a successful work.
He was a leader of a significant number of dwarves and was exceptionally outstanding even among them.
However… … .
Barina died due to the success.
The death of Barina, who was a friend and colleague.
So Baragon felt relieved as he looked at Neeson.
Just an utterly ordinary dwarf.
I hoped that the kid would not walk the path of Barina.
No, I hoped that the dwarves would not walk that path anymore.
However, what is this dagger?
Although it was merely an Epic, all its performances were excellent.
An artifact is not determined solely by its grade.
I'm only 20 years old.
When I thought about the lives of dwarves who live up to 500 years, I still had many days left to grow.
“What are you going to do?”
Baragon was particularly cold toward Neeson. Although a very small number of good teachers remained, they did not help him teach.
Yes, he stood by and did nothing.
Knowing that he might have a hidden talent.
I'm sorry, Barina.
It was a desire not to go like a friend.
“What else can I do?”
However, a small change occurred in the king, who had long been preoccupied with hiding and fleeing.
“If this dagger doesn’t pass, who am I supposed to pass? Pass them. Again.”
In the end, Baragon put it down.
“I will raise Neeson to be a fine man. A man of potential to lead the dwarves in the future.”
A small change began.
Baragon did not know that the change originated from one human being.
[Quest: Help Dwarf Neeson Submit Artifact Completed.]
[It is a phenomenal achievement.]
[Intimacy increases significantly and reaches MAX.]
“……You did it.”
At the blacksmith, Hyunsu, who had logged out and come back in, wore a look of realization.
Then Penny appeared again.
“After consulting with Your Highness, I have decided what to give. Surprisingly, in this dwarf world, there exists a material imbued with divine power.”
“Ingredients imbued with divine power……?”
While Hyun-su was engulfed in immense curiosity, he was also seized by anticipation.
Does that mean they will give it to me willingly?
I think you can get it directly.
“You mean to earn it yourself? If I have to earn it rather than it being given to me, I don't think I would compare its value to the Ballon d'Or.”
Hyunsu was dumbfounded.
There seemed to be no reason for him to return the Ballon d'Or for such a trivial matter.
But Penny was firm.
No, it seems they will be comparable.
“Because that material is the heart of Hyunmu, one of the Four Divine Beasts.”
Hyunsu's face was filled with surprise, and he unconsciously placed his hand on his right chest.
As a hint of another divine beast appeared, a blacksmith named Hyun-su was in a state of turmoil.
