Chapter 113

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 113

Chapter Title: Artifact Creator

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"What the hell?"

A post from someone claiming to be SubsidyRiceEater himself.

SubsidyRiceEater hadn't shown up for a while, sure.

But suddenly turning into a fluid? The content was utterly baffling.

No gallers believed it yet.

I'd heard before that to join the Archmage Gallery, you needed a certain realm as an archmage.

If you slacked off and your mana capacity dropped below the realm cut, you'd get booted from the gallery.

The prevailing reaction was that this was some fluid pretending to be one who'd been booted and come back.

Normally, no one would bite on such petty aggro,

but since SubsidyRiceEater was actually missing, the gallers were reacting.

Just when it seemed like it'd fizzle out as a minor aggro incident,

this fluid turned out to be more persistent than expected.

"Is this for real?"

But the evidence this fluid was pulling out—every single piece was something only SubsidyRiceEater could know.

On top of that, he accurately described events from SubsidyRiceEater's time in our dimension.

Obviously, the only galler who crossed dimensions to the subjugation festival was SubsidyRiceEater.

No other galler would know about the Red incident.

Which meant this fluid really was SubsidyRiceEater.

But then why had a guy who'd returned fine ended up losing realm and dropping to fluid?

"Hmm..."

With SubsidyRiceEater verified, the gallery mood settled down.

Influencing another dimension gets you attacked by some unknown entity in proportion.

Even a highnick like SubsidyRiceEater got hit that hard,

so if I went to another dimension and influenced it, I'd probably get completely erased.

Using the orb with my power seems impossible anyway.

For now, this matter waits on SubsidyRiceEater's research.

"Can't just call him directly."

The plan to ask MechanicalMage directly for an artifact was off the table.

Sending an artifact across dimensions is definitely influencing another.

Had no choice but to ask ArcaneFist Workshop.

I went back to MechanicalMage's secret post and commented.

Back to square one with the dilemma.

Which of the six artifacts to choose?

All six were growth-type artifacts far beyond ordinary craftsmen—truly magnificent.

All so good it was hard to pick just one.

After agonizing, I made my choice.

The next day after getting the ultimate growth-type artifact blueprints from MechanicalMage,

I headed straight to ArcaneFist Workshop from morning.

ArcaneFist was in a remote spot away from major cities.

Isolated, but so famous the location was known.

But the terrain made it hard to access.

Probably to select clients.

Still, distance-wise, round trip from Merhen in a day.

No idea how rough the spot was, but

I could reach the nearby village by carriage.

After two or three hours of riding, I got off the carriage.

"Over there... I think..."

Looking at the map, I was a bit flustered.

The village was a seaside fishing hamlet.

The marked spot was near a massive coastal cliff.

"Good thing I brought the broomstick."

I mounted the broomstick I'd brought.

No clear path down the coastal cliff.

I flew up and scouted the cliff face.

The crashing waves eroding the cliff and the sea breeze felt refreshing.

Kigigigiking-

While scanning the huge sea wall, a noise pierced the waves from somewhere.

Following it, there was a hole in the sea wall.

An amazing sight.

A dizzying drop to the sea below at the sea wall's center,

and too high to climb up to ground level.

A hole smack in the middle of the sea wall.

Sparks and light burst from the entrance, with metal scent and dust.

Location aside, no barriers at the entrance.

I dismounted the broomstick and entered.

Inside was a massive workshop, literally.

A mix of magic and engineering—like something alien to this world.

"Hello...?"

I cautiously stepped inside.

A man in a protective mask was processing a magic stone.

Colors sparked everywhere as it was cut.

Different from regular gem polishing.

A bit different—making an artifact from the magic stone.

I dazedly watched the scene and waited.

Moments later, he finished, removed the mask, and turned to me.

Tanned skin, thick eyebrows and beard—intimidating look.

Suited the word "blacksmith."

"...Academy cadet?"

"Ah, yes. I came with this..."

I showed the [ArcaneFist Workshop One-Time Priority Reservation Voucher].

He snatched it with a clack, frowning.

"Vaguely remember issuing one of these..."

"Got it as top prize for beast subjugation. Want to commission an artifact using etherolite."

"Etherolite?"

I handed over the etherolite raw stone.

His eyes widened more.

Seemed surprised, but his rugged face made it look fiercer.

"Ah... I remember. Ages ago, academy bitched so much I tossed them this. Subjugation fest?"

"Yes, won it there."

"...Tch."

He clicked his tongue.

Then chucked the etherolite and voucher back at me.

"...?"

"Get lost. Don't know how a cadet got here alone, but this ain't a place for trash-tier artifacts."

"But you're the only craftsman who can handle etherolite, right?"

"Obviously. Rookies can't handle it. Even if they could, they'd fuck it up."

"But still?"

"Not about materials. Means I don't make artifacts for mere cadets. My clients are archmage dukes, tower lords—top mages. Think this is a toy shop?"

Saying that, he sat back at his workbench.

Didn't expect this.

"Wait, this is a reservation voucher? Didn't you issue it?"

"I did. But didn't say I'd make toys."

"What I'm commissioning ain't a toy."

"Cadet thinking's predictable. Even if I made high-grade, you couldn't use it."

"No, look at these blueprints. Not kid stuff."

"Don't be annoying—raise your realm first. Told academy: voucher ok, but only clients fitting my workshop's level."

He waved off MechanicalMage's blueprints without looking.

Troublesome guy.

I got it, sort of.

As top craftsman, he'd only make fitting artifacts.

Assumed a cadet would commission something lame.

This voucher going to a cadet was first in subjugation fest history.

No cadet ever took down a Rank 2 beast before.

Issued it back when academy nagged, but never meant to make toys.

Sure, usable later with higher realm,

but growth-type—needed now.

He wouldn't even glance at the blueprints.

"Looking at trash blueprints rots the eyes."

"No, these blueprints are beyond your level."

"Get out before I shred the voucher."

Real artisan pride, huh.

Hammering away in this cliff—stubborn as hell.

Tsk. What to do.

Actually, method was set. Blueprints were bound to be insane.

Time to use Elrim's technique.

"Ah~ what a lame workshop. Came 'cause it's the world's best, but guess not the craftsman for these blueprints."

"Hey punk. Don't wanna die? Scram nice. Wonder how academy teaches cadets to riot in workshops."

"Academy's fine. You just can't complete these blueprints, right? Knew you couldn't. No craftsman can make this. Sigh... this amazing artifact won't see the light."

"Wanna die?!"

Bang-

He hurled his tool and shot up.

As expected. Stubborn types scratch easy.

"Sure. You'd say you can't if you saw it. Better not look to protect that grand artisan pride."

"Hey punk. This ain't a workshop for cadets to riot. Last warning 'cause you're young. Wanna see how scary the world is? Keep going."

"Just stating facts. Honestly, you can't make this, right?"

Then I abruptly unfurled the blueprints—

right in his view, forcing his eyes on it.

"This little shit brings trash blueprints and..."

Assuming it was nothing, he'd grabbed his hammer,

but glimpsed part of the blueprint and froze mid-motion.

"Wasn't expecting much anyway. Knew from start you weren't the craftsman for this. Obviously couldn't make it. Whew..."

I threw one last taunt, rolled up the blueprints, pocketed them.

And turned to walk out.

He was still frozen in place.

Just as I mounted the broomstick like I was really leaving,

"...Hey punk. Wait."

Knew it.