The Metal Slave Skill Unlocks a New Path
Fafnir immediately opened his skill window.
[Metal Dominion] - Grade: Legendary - Type: Active - MP Cost: 10 per second, varies by metal type. - Cooldown: 3 minutes. - Duration: Until canceled. - Effect: Dominates normal-grade metal weighing 750g located outside. - Effect 2: Register consumed normal to magic-grade metal in slots for domination. Maximum weight per slot after registration is 250kg.
[Metal Slot 1] - Commanded Steel (Unregistered) - Metal Power: 63 (-30%) - Grade: Legendary (receiving soul cooperation) - Engraving: None - Trait: ??? - *Since unregistered, all stats reduced by 30%.
[Metal Slot 2: Empty] *To register metal in slots, the metal owner must approve. *When consuming metal, its mass reduces to one-tenth.
- Skill Level: 5 - Acquisition Condition: Metal Dampyr
Fafnir murmured to himself. “So this skill can be used in two ways.”
He could eat the metal and dominate it, or wield the dominated metal at will. Two abilities merged into one.
“Approving the metal’s owner lets me register it into the slot.”
Originally, even if he ate Karamit’s armor, it wouldn’t digest. But since Karamit’s soul was assisting, it seemed possible this way.
“Still, if this is digestion, how do I expel the consumed metal?”
Fafnir extended his finger.
A bluish metal began to form at its tip.
“So that’s it.”
Like the Spider-Man from the movies, expelling metal from the body.
It differed because he could expel it not only from his fingertips but from other parts of his body as well.
“Thank goodness I don’t have to puke or use the toilet.”
Fafnir exhaled in relief.
“What about the engraving?”
The skill window displayed an explanation.
*Engraving: Inscribe magical power onto registered metal to grant additional effects. For engraving, a blank skill book of the same grade as the metal is required. Like embedding a jewel into a weapon or adding extra enchants.
“Truly massive expense.”
High-grade skill books were even pricier than equipment items.
Legendary skill books cost several hundred million won.
Moreover, such items rarely appeared on the market.
Even for the same type of metal, adding more weight required removing the engraving and recarving it.
“So this is a job reserved for silver spoon heirs.”
Large guild masters, chaebol heirs, politicians… if someone like Fafnir, a complete nobody, had taken it, he would have gone bankrupt in a month.
“If I hadn’t remembered the hidden pieces from the novel, I would have been in big trouble.”
“How is it? Looks good.”
At that moment, Karamit’s voice rang out.
“It seems so. Thank you for that.”
“Yes. Yuben also consumed metal in that way. Once a week, I think. Back then I wondered what it was… I never imagined it was a vampire.”
Karamit reminisced about the past.
Suddenly, a new thought struck Fafnir, and he spoke.
“Karamit-nim.”
“Hm?”
“Could you please release the possession for just a small fragment?”
“I understand.”
“Thank you.”
“Also, this isn’t iron, is it?”
“What?”
“It’s not iron. It’s pure mithril. The finest armor crafted from it.”
“….”
Super Kan’s high-end watch or suit! He was being treated like an appreciative customer!
Somehow, Fafnir felt he understood a little more about Karamit.
“I see. Then releasing the mithril armor…”
“I’ll do it now.”
Karamit released the possession of the armor’s fragment.
At that instant, something rose in his throat.
“Ugh!”
Fafnir spat out the chunk of metal that rose into his mouth.
“So this is it! The piece of the dragon-scale armor I ate earlier!”
If he had released everything at once, his body would have become a kebab.
“The metal consumes mass, but is this the same?”
Perhaps because Karamit was bound by his soul, the mass-reduction effect hadn’t applied.
“Please stay in this state.”
“I will.”
Fortunately, expelling it by hand caused no problems.
Karamit asked Fafnir, who had sent the armor outward.
“Now that I can handle the abilities properly, right?”
“Yes.”
Karamit’s soul that returned to the armor spoke.
“Then, as this is a good opportunity, I’ll remind you once again. If you wish to save humanity in the Great War, I will aid you with my sword.”
I am emphasizing the contract once more.
The other party probably thought I might not believe it.
“I understand.”
“But there is a condition.”
Karamit had two reasons to help Fafnir.
To lend strength so humanity does not perish in the Great War.
And to exact thorough revenge on the villain who framed him and his descendants.
“All those who use that mark and the ones called the Apocalypse Cult will receive no forgiveness. Please do not hinder that.”
“Of course.”
Originally, the Apocalypse Cult was a villainous group created so players could easily attack them.
If Fafnir joined their forces, he would not know, but there was no need to refuse.
“Very well. I, Karamit, swear to follow you!”
“Karamit has entered as a subordinate.”
“Currently, summons are limited to the ethereal state.”
Without a proper body, I could not directly engage in battle.
“Sigh…”
Fafnir sighed after confirming the remaining option.
“Then I suppose I must handle this armor first.”
When he touched the armor, information appeared.
[Karamit’s Cursed Dark Mithril Armor] - Grade: Legendary - Type: Armor - Level Limit: 480 - Durability: 515/833 - Physical Defense: 415 - Magical Defense: 288 - Auto shield forms for +10% of maximum HP during combat. - Reduces damage from all magic attacks by 20%, physical attacks by 35%. - 25% chance to dispel abnormal status and curses. - When hit by darkness-attribute attacks, recovers 30% of damage as HP and MP. - Strength stat +130 - Health stat +30 - Melee attack power +20% - Light-attribute resistance +30 - No arrows stick. - Defense skill cooldown reduced by 15% - Defense skill cast time reduced by 5% - Decreases maximum HP by 0.3% per second - Decreases maximum MP by 0.3% per second - Decreases maximum stamina by 0.3% per second - Description: Exclusive armor of the ancient dragon knight Karamit. The highest dwarven and human technology was lavishly incorporated, refined into mithril, and filled with pure mana. Currently, due to the owner Karamit’s corruption, it has become a dark mithril armor filled with darkness mana.
Huge stats!
Legendary items had terrifying performance, but the following three conditions nullified them all.
“To wear this, I must become a troll.”
Wearing the full set would decrease 1.2% per second.
Normally, in battle, after 1 minute 30 seconds. Even if fought well, it would be hard to exceed 2 minutes.
“Karamit-nim, it seems difficult to wear or use this right away.”
It would have to be stored as equipment, since I lack the level to absorb it immediately!
“Is that so? A fine armor. It has been exposed to the depths of darkness too long.”
“Then, may I handle this myself?”
“Do as you like.”
Karamit readily agreed.
“I said I would lend my sword for the sake of humanity and grant revenge. As long as you don’t sell it to merchants, I do not mind.”
“Thank you.”
Even if melted and sold, it was worth hundreds of millions.
But that was only the minimum price when sold as material.
“I suppose I must find a blacksmith capable of properly processing the armor.”
After thinking, Fafnir asked.
“However, Karamit-nim.”
“Hm?”
“When I released the armor earlier… could you summon Karamit-nim by thinking about it and release it?”
Calling Karamit aloud felt subtly embarrassing, whether putting on or removing the armor.
“There is that. Since it’s possession, the thoughts can be shared as well.”
“…You.”
Karamit spoke quietly.
“You must have read too many novels.”
Fafnir became utterly speechless in an instant.
***
After escaping Mount Aeolos.
The first thing to do was complete the quest Guld had given.
“Since Master told me to hurry, I have no choice.”
[Search for the Traces of Lehleln] - Grade: Normal - Objective - Arrive in Aluin Wilderness (0/1) - Find a clue to know Lehleln’s traces (0/1) - Description: Lehleln, the legendary black mage, was called the Demon King for his power. Recently, news of his traces being discovered in the Aluin Wilderness has drawn the attention of black mages. - Reward: Experience, 1 silver
“Aluin Wilderness…”
A quick search through the Horizon web brought results.
“The appearing monsters are Shadowrock Mini Golems…”
Level 250, simple rock-type monsters the size of people that perform close-range attacks and stone throwing.
A warrior or knight might struggle, but with hammers or mages along, hunting would be possible.
“Having the Blood Sword, there won’t be a big problem.”
Aluin Wilderness was quite far.
I could have gone and returned directly, but passing without doing anything felt like a waste of time!
“On a whim, I should do the revival army promotion quest as well.”
Fafnir entered cities along the way.
The lords of the two cities greeted him immediately.
“I have heard of your exploits in Byron City. If you handle one small request, I will fulfill your wishes.”
The content of each request was eliminating dark mana-receiving dark kobold hordes and catman tribes.
Both had many numbers and multiple bases, making them ‘annoying’ tasks requiring much manpower and time.
“Easy.”
Compared to utilizing every dragon habit, it was as easy as hitting a child’s wrist.
“All gather! Charge for the glory of blood!”
“Kyakakaka! Kill them all!”
I sent the skeleton knight Louis and vampire Belle to infiltrate each tribe, disguising them as the mastermind.
Then, I arbitrarily caused a collision between the two monster tribes!
The territory soldiers did not move, and the location was remote, so the monster tribes fought with minimal caution.
Fafnir simply waited for the fight to simmer and then swept in!
- Quest ‘Dark Kobold Horde Extermination (Magic)’ completed. - Level up! - 2 gold obtained. - Brecht Baron’s favorability increased by 10. - Quest ‘Make the Cat’s Meow Stop! (Magic)’ completed. - 1 gold 50 silver obtained. - Wind Leather Boots obtained. - Reputation increased by 50.
After receiving the rewards for the extermination.
The lords asked.
“Would you like anything else?”
“If there is something you desire, I will grant it.”
Since rumors had spread, they already knew, but it was all part of the agreed play.
Fafnir played along.
“The Elizabeth Princess has a revival army in the southern part of the kingdom. If that revival army rebels, would you be able to provide supplies and troop support?”
“What will happen to the revival army’s executives?”
“Old man, Sharpier, and Count Blackheart.”
“It is somewhat unreliable… but with a person like you as a subordinate, I will entrust that point.”
- Quest ‘Revival Army Promotion (Magic)’ completion condition achieved. - Rewards can be received from Princess Elizabeth.
A quest to promote the kingdom’s revival army!
“Also, please push Count Blackheart out as soon as possible. He is a person not to keep close.”
“….”
Even plain nobles in the hinterlands had long heard rumors about Count Blackheart.
Fafnir nodded.
“I had already felt it while looking. I will move soon.”
“Very well.”
“Please do take care.”
The lords repeatedly urged.
At that moment.
Coo coo coo!
A pigeon with a letter tied to its foot flew toward Fafnir.
“This is…”
Fafnir accepted the letter and opened it.
The content appeared.
[To Fafnir
I have heard about your deeds in Byron City. As the leader of the revival army and as a royal of the kingdom, I offer my gratitude.]
Gratitude for the orc extermination and promotion of the revival army forces.
There was also news on the camp’s progress.
[Currently, the Aeolos Mountain base is completely stabilized, and through connections with surrounding lords, it is forming a sphere of influence. Since the unicorns are cooperative, they are also exterminating monsters around the mountain. However, it is a bit inconvenient that the archer I was with is still missing.]
As expected, the unicorn’s nature was such that there was no choice!
[Regardless, your merits are great, so I offer my gratitude once more. The reason I sent this letter is to assign one more task to you.]
“Task?”
Fafnir read the content.
[Although some stability has been achieved, in the larger picture, we still lack much. Among them, the largest vacancy is for people like you. The High Duke Gwyn has accepted adventurers as subordinates, so I cannot simply let us stay idle, in my opinion. If there is a promising adventurer, please award them a temporary title of Kingdom Baron and have them contribute to the kingdom’s revival.]
- Linked quest ‘Talent Recruitment (Magic)’ from Revival Army Promotion has been generated.
“Linked quest!”
A quest continuing after the revival army promotion.
“I can’t just leave them alone and assign more work!”
Like army or company work, once you finish one task, more endlessly come!
Fafnir sighed and pressed accept.
- Quest ‘Talent Recruitment (Magic)’ accepted.
“Although I invested a lot, I have no choice, but if this is all, I’ll be angry and can’t live!”
I will use everything I can!
“So then…”
Fafnir looked toward the southwest.
“I suppose I must go to the Aluin Wilderness first.”