Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Blacksmith God's Blessing
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"If it had been missing for nearly two hundred years... does that mean Iyargut's shape-shifting function isn't the work of the Song family?"
When he first acquired Iyargut.
Jae-hyeok had been realistically pondering where to get a new scabbard fitted.
But Iyargut naturally reverted to its sword form every time it meshed with a scabbard, and Jae-hyeok had assumed this convenient feature was the work of a Song family artisan.
The reality was different.
"It can't be. Iyargut changes shape not due to mechanical design, but because it responds to its owner's will. It's an ego sword, in a sense. At least, to my knowledge, the Song family lacks the technology to create ego weapons."
"But didn't you say Iyargut had lost its soul? How can it be an ego sword then?"
Ego literally meant self-awareness.
For Iyargut, which had lost its soul, to still possess self-awareness was contradictory.
"Perhaps the lingering resentment left after the soul departed formed the ego."
"Ah...."
Indeed, when Deodor first saw Iyargut, he had mentioned lingering resentment.
A sword that once housed a demon's soul, now reforged with resentment.
It was worthy of being called a cursed blade.
"Whose work could it be?"
"Who knows. But one thing is certain: it clearly concealed itself to prevent others from coveting it recklessly. Considering the prophecy handed down in our family for generations, personally, I suspect it's the blessing of the Blacksmith God."
***
"Concealed to prevent reckless coveting, huh."
Ever since meeting the elderly Song craftsman a few days ago.
Jae-hyeok had come to truly appreciate Iyargut's value.
The sword once wielded by the Sword Progenitor, one of Korea's three great heroes.
He couldn't even estimate how many vultures would swarm when it revealed itself to the world.
"The power I finally obtained is regrettably restricted."
Could he boldly use Iyargut in front of others?
No.
While outsiders were unlikely to recognize Iyargut, the discerning eyes of veterans who had experienced countless gates and quests couldn't be ignored.
"If only I'd acquired a bloodline skill, I could have passed Iyargut off as a skill."
When his eyes turned golden, no matter what he did, it raised no issues.
Even if he performed an unbelievable miracle, people would just accept it as "Something possible with the Ducal House's bloodline skill" and move on.
But Jae-hyeok's eyes were always black.
He had chosen Noble Knightly Virtue over a bloodline skill.
"Pointless thinking."
If he had awakened a bloodline skill, he wouldn't have obtained Iyargut.
The premise was flawed from the start.
"...Hold on."
Lost in thought while walking, Jae-hyeok suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He looked down at his shoes.
"Custom guy."
The custom artisan he met on the community forums.
The one who held the key to lifting Jae-hyeok's "restriction."
Of course, he had no intention of entrusting Iyargut to him.
Modifying the progenitor's cherished sword arbitrarily would earn him the scorn of being an insolent fool.
The solution Jae-hyeok came up with was...
"Lenses that adjust color with mana—something like that should exist, right?"
The rumor was already out that he had awakened a bloodline skill.
Wouldn't it be convenient in many ways to pretend he had?
"I should consult him."
Before logging into the community, there was a place he needed to visit.
***
-You've come. What story will you tell me today?
Whenever he had some free time, Jae-hyeok visited the Lion Statue.
Even before fulfilling the quest clear conditions, he had no particular business, but the statue's plight of being stuck in place indefinitely felt pitiful.
"Yeon-ju sunbae and No Jun-yeop accepted my commission, and then this and that happened..."
-A white tiger beastkin? What is that?
"You don't know beastkin? They're intelligent beings like us, but a mix of human and beast. For example, a face like yours—lion-like—but a body like mine, human."
-How crude.
"That's racial discrimination, you know. What era do you think this is... Anyway, were there no beastkin in the dimension you lived in?"
-I've heard tales of humans turning into beasts or monsters, or beings disguising themselves as humans, but I've never heard of a 'race' called beastkin. Ah, I vaguely recall something about similar creatures on the continent beyond the Azure Sea...
"What's the Azure Sea?"
-Don't ask for details. Even in my original world, I merely remained in the same spot.
Consistent communication with the Lion Statue had been quite helpful to Jae-hyeok.
A bit of consideration and goodwill toward each other gradually built up, allowing him to gather information, however imperfectly.
-Even if I knew much, it wouldn't provide you practical help. Just look at how this island has moved to your world—you can see my world has changed greatly too. But Deodor concerns me.
"Why Deodor all of a sudden?"
-That wastrel can't rest until he gets what he wants. For him to let you slip away and not obsess more would be abnormal. I worry he's plotting something from the shadows.
"You're worried about me."
-Of course. This body awaits the ritual you'll perform gathering the knights. At least stay safe until then.
"I thought you were worried because we're friends."
-Hmph, your ambitions are bold. How dare a mere human equate himself to the great lord of a dimension.
"You really are great?"
The question carried many layers of meaning.
-......
The Lion Statue fell silent. If it weren't stone, its eyes might have darted around.
-Hey, you damned mad human! You bashed my head with a scabbard on first meeting, now you insult me routinely, and you call us friends?!
"Asking if you're really great is an insult...?"
-Calling myself lord of a dimension, yet stuck in place, unable to eat, drink, or sleep—like some statue daring to claim greatness! Isn't that your mocking intent?!
"I-I didn't think that deeply..."
This guy can't sleep either.
Learning this new fact, Jae-hyeok felt pity.
A life without even dreams.
To Jae-hyeok, who had endured by dreaming, it was an unimaginable hell.
"Hup."
Jae-hyeok hopped up and landed atop the castle gate where the Lion Statue was embossed.
"Keep a good eye on me from now on."
-...Huh?
The boy's calloused hand stroked the Lion Statue's smooth head.
"At the very least, it won't be boring. Who knows, I might even become your dream."
-Truly a properly mad one.
The Lion Statue reacted with exasperation.
But its voice was quite gentle.
Whether it realized it or not.
Jae-hyeok chuckled and reassured the statue.
"Don't worry about Deodor. He seems to want me to grow stronger. Rather than some scheme, maybe he's deliberately giving me time."
-That's a fairly credible claim. However, time is on Deodor's side. Even now, he's regaining the power he lost.
"I'm getting stronger too."
-...I see.
The Lion Statue accepted it readily.
It was the lord of a dimension.
It wasn't so ignorant as to miss Jae-hyeok's extraordinary growth.
***
[Welcoming Player 'Kang Jae-hyeok.']
-You've finally logged in!
A whisper flew in the moment he connected.
The conscientious merchant's voice, ringing directly in his head like a clear conscience, startled Jae-hyeok.
'Staring at my friends list all day?'
No way.
Unless he was unemployed, it had to be coincidence.
-I have an item I absolutely must show you. Would you grant me the chance to meet and discuss? I won't disappoint you for making time.
'Time to respond.'
The conscientious merchant sent Jae-hyeok messages daily without fail.
Mostly checking on his well-being, but the intent was to pitch products.
His overt approach never particularly bothered Jae-hyeok.
After all, his activity name screamed merchant.
What was wrong with a merchant sticking to his trade?
'Better to be straightforward.'
Dealing with those hiding their intentions was far more exhausting.
Moreover, Jae-hyeok was fully intent on buying from the conscientious merchant.
Cursed items that couldn't fetch market price held tremendous value for him.
-Opening a chat room.
After notifying the conscientious merchant, he created a private chat room.
[Inviting 'Conscientious Merchant.']
"......"
Five minutes after creating the room and sending the invite.
['Conscientious Merchant' has entered.]
[Acquired 3,000 points.]
The conscientious merchant entered the chat room.
His feathered mask looked especially pale today.
"Got gout? From your speech, I thought you were young, but I guess I was wrong."
Jae-hyeok teased the trembling merchant.
"Poor diet management, and even twenties can get gout."
The merchant barely replied and sat across from Jae-hyeok.
'Crazy bastard charges an entry fee.'
Blake Bosses.
The conscientious merchant's real name.
An American S-rank player who had first cleared numerous high-grade gates, unearthed countless relics, and amassed insane wealth and fame.
In the anonymous community, he acted casually while hiding his identity, but in reality, he was a heavyweight who could impose his will.
This was the first time he had desperately clung for days to meet someone, or paid money to do so.
'Usually, it's the other way around.'
Jae-hyeok leaned back deeply into the sofa, staring at the man struggling to compose his expression.
"Is the merchant act just for the community?"
"Pardon?"
"You don't look like a merchant fussing over pride."
"Haha... misunderstanding. I was just flustered and at a loss for words briefly."
"People line up paying billions just to dine with me."
In the community, Jae-hyeok had to role-play as a transcendent being.
Eyes, expression, gestures, attitude, speech—everything.
He referenced his father's prime days from one to ten.
The effect was immense.
His voice, echoing like from a cave, pressed hard on the conscientious merchant.
"Yet you begrudge a mere 3,000 points instead of being grateful. Since you can't recognize the value of my time, the value of your wares is obvious too. Let's end the deal."
"I'm sorry. I failed to respect you and was rude."
The conscientious merchant snapped to attention and bowed politely.
"Due to anonymity, I unconsciously doubted you. Please give me one more chance."
People who pay billions for a meal with someone do exist.
The conscientious merchant knew well the world of such elites, unimaginable to ordinary folk.
'Yet he haggled over the entry fee.'
Frankly.
He had treated community activities half as a joke.
Sneering and ignoring those pretending to be big shots under anonymity.
That led to his mistake.
Despite the man before him likely being one of those he desperately sought, he had subtly disrespected him with doubt.
Eyes sharp with focus, he straightened up.
"First... as atonement, I'd like to offer a gift. I'd be delighted if you'd accept."
Shuaaa!
The conscientious merchant pulled out five items and spread them on the table.
They were defensive gear for the same body part, each afflicted with different curses.
His intent was to gauge which curses the other disliked or preferred based on his choice.
Turning crisis into opportunity.
Reading his intent, Jae-hyeok was instead satisfied.
'At least he's not an idiot.'
Now, which tune to dance to.
After scanning the info on each impressive item, Jae-hyeok soon reached out.
In that instant.
'What?'
The conscientious merchant's eyes widened in shock.