Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: The World Guarded by the Blacksmith God
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It's an era of exchanging with other worlds through Gates and encountering diverse civilizations and cultures.
People were truly starting to feel the vastness of the universe.
The idea that gods didn't exist even felt downright unnatural.
Jae-hyeok's thoughts weren't much different.
The 'god' spoken of by the Lion Statue and the 'god' described in Iyarugut's information.
He figured they had to exist, whoever they were.
'The God of Blacksmiths, huh.'
The Song family had produced blacksmiths for generations.
It made sense that the god they believed in took the form of a blacksmith.
But what was this world protected by the God of Blacksmiths?
And he had the qualifications to go there?
'Qualifications my father never had, but I do?'
The biggest difference between his father and him...
'First Skill.'
[Noble Knightly Virtue]
'If this skill proves my qualifications...'
Jae-hyeok recalled the moment he had awakened his First Skill.
The being known as Iris, Reinhardt's Third Imperial Princess, had reacted to it.
In other words.
'Reinhardt might not be unrelated to the world guarded by the God of Blacksmiths.'
He had obtained a precious clue.
It felt like his perception of the world had expanded in an instant.
This was information and insight that couldn't be bought even with hundreds of thousands of points on the community forums.
"I am truly grateful. As the master strikes the iron more times, I too shall be forged into a greater man and live up to your expectations."
Jae-hyeok carefully grasped the wrinkled hand of the Song family elder and reaffirmed his resolve.
The elder from the Song family felt a chill run down his spine as he faced the boy's solemn expression.
'He has glimpsed the abyss.'
He had momentarily forgotten, dazzled by those brilliantly shining eyes.
The boy before him had lived a harsh life.
He couldn't possibly be purely innocent.
The faint killing intent that flickered as he steeled his resolve was as sharp as the ominous presence of Iyarugut he had just witnessed.
'Yes, now I understand you, child.'
The relationship between a swordsmith and a swordsman is comparable to lifelong companions.
If they don't understand each other, it's bound to fall apart.
If the swordsmith doesn't know the swordsman, he can't forge a fitting blade, and if the swordsman doesn't know the swordsmith, he'll demand the unreasonable.
"I entrust the weapon I'll wield entirely to you, master."
Jae-hyeok already knew this.
He judged that trust was the best way to repay the Song family elder's kindness.
It was also essential for their newly beginning relationship.
Reading the depths of the boy's thoughts, the Song family elder gained a bolt of inspiration.
'He's different from that ghostly Daeguk.'
It suddenly felt regrettable that his days were numbered.
The time left to him felt far too short to satisfy this child.
Shaking off his regret, he changed the subject.
"The reason you wanted to meet me as soon as possible—was it because of Iyarugut's soul?"
"Yes. I want to know where its soul is."
Jae-hyeok had half-given up on expecting an answer.
Iyarugut had been missing for nearly 200 years, after all.
The Song family elder probably knew little about it, so getting the answer he wanted would be difficult.
But then.
"If the day truly comes when you reach the world guarded by the God of Blacksmiths, you will naturally encounter Iyarugut's soul."
Thanks to the oral traditions passed down through his family, the Song family elder knew the soul's whereabouts.
"But there's no guarantee that meeting the soul will be entirely beneficial for you. I've heard Iyarugut's soul is a devil."
"A devil? He must be quite wicked... no, somewhat ferocious, then."
Jae-hyeok's expression grew slightly uncomfortable.
Because his father's nickname was Yaksha, he couldn't hastily prejudge someone called a devil.
Seeing the boy show a cute, age-appropriate expression for the first time, the Song family elder chuckled heartily.
"It's not just a nickname—it's a real devil, it seems. In this vast universe, the existence of devils or angels wouldn't be so strange."
"......"
"In any case, I think it's best not to worry about Iyarugut's soul for the time being. What would help you right now is clarifying Iyarugut's 'image.'"
"Iyarugut's image...?"
"The process of the scabbard transforming into Iyarugut was a bit slow. As you know, an item's form change responds to the user's will. The clearer the image of Iyarugut etched in your mind, the faster the reflection of your will and the activation will be."
"Ah."
"Those who handle form-changing items usually use specific motions or command words to heighten the efficiency of image association. Since the red aura Iyarugut emits resembles a flower blooming, how about trying the command 'Bloom'?"
"Bloom."
Accepting the Song family elder's advice, Jae-hyeok murmured.
Shooooaaa......
It was definitely a big help.
The Iyarugut drawn from its sheath was already red and translucent, as if it had always been that way.
"Well done. Your concentration is remarkably high. Hmm, and I recommend searching for the whereabouts of [Geukgeomgeo]."
"Geukgeom... geo?"
"Heh heh, Geukgeomgeo. It's a scabbard. The hanja for 'geo' (鉅) means 'grand' or 'noble,' which is likely why it got that name."
Geukgeom was the moniker of House Kang's founder, signifying swordsmanship at its pinnacle.
The name Geukgeomgeo was probably intended to revere Geukgeom and his sword arts.
"Geukgeomgeo is the treasure passed down through generations to House Kang's family heads. Obtaining it will surely become a great power for you."
"Hmm..."
Jae-hyeok turned his gaze to Butler Hwang.
Butler Hwang wore a regretful expression.
"When we received the family head from the government, his possessions were just a single sword. We demanded the return of any other items, but we only got 'none exist' in response."
Crunch!
Veins bulged in Jae-hyeok's neck as he gritted his teeth.
How far would those damn bastards go to insult his father?
Suppressing the curses rising in his throat, he vowed to himself.
"Don't worry. I'll recover everything House Kang has lost."
* * *
"......"
On the way back to Lion's Castle after parting with Butler Hwang and the Song elder.
Jang Yeon-ju and No Jun-yeop stole glances at Jae-hyeok.
It was because his expression was colder than usual.
He seemed deep in thought, and their instincts told them interrupting might earn them his wrath.
'The kid's blood hasn't even dried on his head, but his aura is insane.'
As No Jun-yeop muttered very softly.
Halt.
Jae-hyeok stopped in his tracks and turned to the two.
"Hic!"
Startled, No Jun-yeop let out an involuntary hiccup.
In his words, he was terrified of a junior whose blood hadn't even dried.
Jae-hyeok's presence was that ferocious.
"Thank you."
Fortunately, Jae-hyeok had composed his emotions.
He bowed slightly to Jang Yeon-ju and No Jun-yeop, who were a bit tense.
"I've received great help from both of you."
If Jang Yeon-ju and No Jun-yeop hadn't been there.
Jae-hyeok wouldn't have met the Song craftsman this quickly.
He couldn't act directly, so he would have had to scout suitable clubs and place a request, which would have taken an enormous amount of time.
"I will definitely repay this favor."
"W-We just carried out the request. What favor? We got paid, so it's done."
Unexpectedly, No Jun-yeop showed humility.
In truth, this was his first time taking a request from a specific individual.
As a first-year, he had focused solely on training as the Archery Club's ace, and upon becoming a second-year, he immediately rose to club leader and handled only major incidents like guild dispatches.
Receiving gratitude from a client was a first, so it felt a bit awkward.
Jang Yeon-ju shot a pitiful glance at him as he scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, then pulled out the lollipop from her mouth and made her demand confidently.
"I want you to teach me archery, Jae-hyeok."
"Archery..."
Jae-hyeok's gaze brushed over Jang Yeon-ju's pale wrists and ankles.
He had heard from Butler Hwang what they had gone through in Grisi.
"It's not difficult. But as a condition, attend my evaluation tomorrow."
"...Attend a first-year evaluation?"
Jang Yeon-ju looked puzzled.
The first-year duel evaluation.
From a second-year's perspective, it held no value.
Even if the participant was Jae-hyeok, the opponents' level would be low, making it a waste of time.
But there must be some intent.
After a moment's thought, she nodded.
"Got it."
* * *
"Kang Jae-hyeok's up against A Class again."
"At this point, isn't the school holding a ritual to make sure he loses at least once?"
"But isn't that Senior Jang Yeon-ju...?"
"Yeah, it is? Why's a big shot like her here..."
On the first day of the first-year duel evaluations, countless outsiders had visited Lion's Castle.
But today, the atmosphere was very different.
There were almost no outsiders, and the audience seats were filled mostly with first-years.
Meaning the outsiders had roughly gauged the new students' overall levels on the first day.
Interest would likely rise again when big names like Silla Kyung or Loren were matched against top students.
"Tch."
Lee Seung-jun from A Class clicked his tongue at the sparsely filled audience seats.
"I wanted to announce my overwhelming victory to the world, but this kills the vibe."
Standing on stage facing Jae-hyeok, Lee Seung-jun taunted him.
"You've awakened a ducal house bloodline skill, but you're not getting any attention? Oh, right, House Kang isn't really a ducal house anymore, is it? This is why you gotta pick your opponents carefully. Oh!"
Lee Seung-jun's eyes widened.
He had spotted a sky-blue-haired beauty standing at the back of the audience seats with her arms crossed.
Second-year Jang Yeon-ju.
Most Koreans knew of her.
Especially Lee Seung-jun, who had long been interested in her.
'Granddaughter of the Bow Saint, but she awakened a combat-type First Skill.'
She was someone walking the same path as him.
'She must have heard the rumors about me being a fighter and come to watch.'
This duel evaluation was already a huge opportunity for Lee Seung-jun.
Overwhelmingly defeating Jae-hyeok, who had taken down Ha Kyung-su, could restore his reputation, which had plummeted because of that leech king.
And now Jang Yeon-ju was interested in him?
His motivation surged.
"One minute. I'll end it in one minute."
As Lee Seung-jun declared with an upright index finger, the audience seats heated up.
Most students predicted Lee Seung-jun's victory.
He was from A Class and a fighter, so Jae-hyeok was at a disadvantage in both skill matchup and type advantage.
Thud-!
As expected, Lee Seung-jun's movements were no joke.
He unleashed a sharp kick like a bee's sting.
It had the momentum to drop Jae-hyeok in one blow, let alone one minute.
But the result far exceeded everyone's expectations.
'Huh?'
A chill ran down Lee Seung-jun's spine.
No sooner had a heavy impact hit his ankle than his lower body floated up against his will.
There was no time to comprehend the situation.
His head had already slammed into the ground.
"Wha..."
Kwaaaaaaaaang!!
"......"
The vast gymnasium fell silent in an instant.
Jae-hyeok hadn't even drawn his sword or spear.
He had simply grabbed Lee Seung-jun's ankle barehanded, slung it over his shoulder, and slammed him down.
Timing, technique, stats.
A perfect grappling maneuver where all three elements harmonized flawlessly.
Jae-hyeok, whose expression hadn't changed even after folding the man in half, gazed steadily up at Jang Yeon-ju in the audience seats.
'Aren't you forgetting something important because you're obsessed with archery?'