Chapter 84: 15th Floor. Heaven-Endowed Blacksmith (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 84: 15th Floor. Heaven-Endowed Blacksmith (5)
“You did it. I knew you had it in you.”
The blacksmith wasn’t surprised. If anything, his expression suggested he had expected this outcome all along. He flashed a wide, toothy grin.
“Fine. I shall grant you my true mastery for the first time. Consider it an honor.”
Finally.
Not a single player—no, not even the failures who came before the Tower’s creation—had ever managed to draw out the blacksmith’s full capabilities. Kang Jun-hyeok struggled to suppress his racing heart.
The blacksmith slammed his hammer down.
Clang!
“First, I can craft equipment for you. Bring me the materials, and I will forge gear worthy of them.”
Equipment created by the blacksmith’s true mastery, going far beyond mere sincerity. What would its value be? What kind of performance would it boast? Jun-hyeok couldn't even begin to guess. It was hard to hold back the smile threatening to break across his face.
“But first, a warning. Do not try to dictate terms to me. I will forge equipment that perfectly suits the materials provided, in whatever form I desire.”
In short, if Jun-hyeok handed over materials, it was entirely up to the blacksmith whether they became armor, a helmet, or a sword. It was an absurdly tyrannical demand.
“I understand.”
However, Kang Jun-hyeok accepted it without hesitation. In his past life, the blacksmith would simply forge whatever a player requested without much comment. Placing such a specific restriction on him now meant the blacksmith intended to pour his heart and soul into the work.
That alone was more than enough.
But the blacksmith wasn't finished.
“Next, I offer you the enhancement and transmutation of weapons.”
“Pardon?” Jun-hyeok’s eyes widened.
This was a function he had never heard of before. The blacksmith spoke nonchalantly.
“Simply forging equipment is something even a three-year-old could do. Even you, and you as well, Master of All Weapons—you could probably manage it. If you tinker with precious materials long enough, you’ll eventually make something, however trivial.”
Clang!
The hammer struck the anvil. The blacksmith continued.
“My true mastery is not something so common. It is the act of turning value into even greater value. Elevating a finished piece of equipment to a higher realm. That is my true power.”
Clang!
Along with the ring of the hammer, system windows appeared.
[You are now able to craft equipment through the Blacksmith.]
[You are now able to enhance equipment through the Blacksmith.]
[You are now able to transmute equipment through the Blacksmith.]
“…”
Jun-hyeok let out a low groan.
For an ordinary player, only one function was ever unlocked: Crafting. He had just unlocked two additional functions. After a brief silence, he asked, “How exactly does it work?”
“Enhancement is simple. If you give me a piece of equipment and the necessary materials, I will strengthen the functions of the gear itself. To put it simply, armor will have its defense increased, and weapons will have their attack power increased.”
It was similar to the enhancement systems found in typical games. The blacksmith went on.
“Transmutation is a bit different. If you bring me special materials, I can infuse the properties of those materials into your gear. For example… the Golem you faced this time possessed a Red Flame Jade and a Frost Jade, did it not?”
“Yes. Though I ended up breaking them because I lacked the skill to do otherwise.”
“If you had defeated it cleanly and brought me those gems, I would have served you as my master right then and there,” the blacksmith said with a smirk. “If you bring me a Red Flame Jade, I can imbue the flames within it into your equipment. That gear would then be able to emit flames on its own and grant you powerful fire resistance. It would be the opposite for a Frost Jade. Think of it as the granting and changing of properties.”
“…”
Jun-hyeok’s mind raced. Enhancement and Transmutation. How much of an impact would these two functions have?
The answer came instantly.
‘This is insane.’
A player could wear a total of ten pieces of equipment. This limit could never be bypassed, no matter the means. Because of this, no matter how good a piece of gear was, if something even slightly better appeared, one had to discard the old one with a heavy heart.
This applied to materials as well. No matter how many resources were invested into crafting gear, one would eventually find better equipment while climbing the Tower, rendering the old items obsolete. One could sell them to other players for Gold, but compared to the resources invested, it was a mere drop in the bucket.
But with Enhancement and Transmutation, the rules changed. It was possible to keep using a piece of equipment indefinitely by continuously strengthening it.
In terms of resource efficiency, he now held an overwhelming advantage. Having reached the end of the Tower once before, Jun-hyeok understood this value better than anyone.
But that wasn't all. The real core of the matter lay elsewhere. Jun-hyeok reached out and showed his gauntlet.
“Can you enhance or transmute this as well?”
“…The Master of All Weapons, is it?” the blacksmith said, sounding somewhat reluctant. “To think the day would come when I would have to hammer away at you. It feels quite strange.”
[That is the beauty of life, is it not?] the Master of All Weapons replied jovially.
From their exchange, Jun-hyeok realized the truth. The pinnacle items found in the Tower—unique equipment like the Holy Sword, Lemegeton, and the Master of All Weapons—the blacksmith could enhance and transmute even those.
Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh. This was the Heaven-Endowed Blacksmith. This was his true mastery.
* * *
After finally calming his excitement, Jun-hyeok asked, “What about becoming my vassal?”
“How arrogant. You think that just because you defeated a single Golem, you can go beyond my sincerity and possess me?” The blacksmith gave a short laugh. “You have only cleared the first condition. You cannot handle what comes next at your current level. I will let you know when the time is right.”
“Understood,” Jun-hyeok replied cheerfully. It seemed this would be a long-term quest. It didn't matter; he would reach the end eventually.
“The explanation is over. Now, show me the materials you have.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jun-hyeok dropped the piles of ore he had gathered from the mine. The blacksmith muttered as if seeing them for the first time.
“…No matter how many times I see it, that amount is absurd. Even in my youth, I would have struggled to gather that much.”
“That’s not all.”
Jun-hyeok pulled the Tears of Alfram from his inventory—the clear reward he had obtained from the 14th floor. Interest flickered in the blacksmith’s eyes.
“Tears of Life? You have something interesting. What do you want me to do with these?”
Jun-hyeok stepped out of the Master of All Weapons and handed the gauntlet over.
“Enhance the Master of All Weapons.”
The Master of All Weapons was Unique grade. It was a special piece of equipment that could manifest any weapon. In truth, he would likely use it until the very end. Rather than crafting some mediocre gear, enhancing the Master of All Weapons was far more beneficial.
“If there are enough materials left over, I’d also like you to craft a piece of equipment.”
“That shouldn't be difficult. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
[Handle me as you please. I, too, wish to see your true mastery again after all this time.]
The blacksmith received the Master of All Weapons with surprising politeness. From that point on, he moved with blinding speed. He threw the materials into the furnace and melted them down. He poured the molten ore into molds to harden them and then began to strike with his hammer.
Clang!
The sound of the hammer echoed, literally shaking the world. For a moment, even Jun-hyeok’s emotions were stirred by the resonance.
Clang!
Once more, the hammer struck down. With a face more serious than ever before, the blacksmith began to forge. Jun-hyeok watched in silent admiration at an expression he had never seen in his past life. The blacksmith was completely immersed in his craft.
Jun-hyeok, for his part, had nothing specific to do. As the player, he had provided the materials, and the blacksmith had begun his work. Since he had already cleared out the underground mine, there was nothing left to do but watch.
But he had no intention of wasting time. Jun-hyeok approached the blacksmith.
“May I help you?”
“You? Help me?” The blacksmith looked at him as if he were speaking nonsense. “Do you even have the skill?”
“I can help out to a reasonable degree.”
“Hah. Try it if you can.”
The blacksmith scoffed and made some space for him. Jun-hyeok gripped a hammer. He did possess blacksmithing skills; in his past life, he had picked up a hammer and crafted a few simple pieces of equipment. Of course, compared to the Heaven-Endowed Blacksmith, his skills were little more than child’s play. He would be lucky if he wasn't a hindrance.
However, Jun-hyeok watched the blacksmith’s movements—the way he handled the hammer and the anvil.
Observation.
That skill, which had reached C-rank, helped him understand the answers, the processes, and the profound principles of all things—even if those principles belonged to the Heaven-Endowed Blacksmith.
‘Is it something like this?’
After observing for a long time, Jun-hyeok swung his hammer. Surprise flashed in the blacksmith’s eyes, which had been watching him mockingly.
Clang.
In the way Jun-hyeok struck down, there was a trace of the blacksmith’s own profound principles. It wasn't even a fragment—more like a single grain of sand from a vast beach—but it was undeniably the same essence.
“How…?” The blacksmith, muttering in bewilderment, suddenly paused. “…A player’s skill.”
“You noticed.”
“Hah.” The heavenly principles he had dedicated his entire life to were being stolen just by someone watching him for a short while. This was the gift the Master of the Universe had bestowed upon the players. The blacksmith shook his head. “The Master of the Universe has granted a strange thing indeed. Fine. That, too, is your ability. Steal to your heart’s content.”
“Thank you.”
Jun-hyeok gave a thin smile.
Several days passed. Since the blacksmith was working with his full power, it wasn't a task that could be completed overnight. During that time, Jun-hyeok continued to study the blacksmith’s principles, and his efforts bore fruit.
[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Metallurgy.]
[Passive Skill: Mining has been integrated into Passive Skill: Metallurgy.]
[Passive Skill: Metallurgy]
• Rank: Low-Rank
• Proficiency: F
• Description: All techniques for handling ores and minerals. Allows you to handle them at a level close to an expert.
He had acquired the Low-rank passive, Metallurgy. This was a skill he hadn't even obtained in his past life. Jun-hyeok smiled with satisfaction.
And finally.
“It is finished.”
Jun-hyeok’s eyes gleamed. It was exactly the sixth day since he had entered the 15th floor.
‘Thank goodness.’
The second test was scheduled to begin in one day. He had been worried that he might have to proceed with the test without his gear, but fortunately, it was finished just in time.
“So, how did it turn out?”
Even though he had assisted, Jun-hyeok didn't know exactly what was being created. What he could perceive was only a fraction of the whole. The blacksmith grinned and handed the items over.
“Take them. And marvel. Gasp in awe and wonder, for this is my true mastery.”
Thud.
The blacksmith set a suit of armor and the Master of All Weapons down in front of Jun-hyeok. With a pounding heart, Jun-hyeok picked up the armor.