Solid Connections and Spreading Rumors
Tak Woohyun's icy voice cut through the room like a blade. "Shut your mouth. Don't you dare step forward so arrogantly."
His expression, which had shown not a trace of tension moments earlier, had now hardened into a rigid mask. The secretary, thrown completely off balance by the sudden shift, stammered in confusion.
"I-I'm sorry, sir."
It was an incomprehensible situation. Certainly, Lee Hyunseung's abilities were exceptional. But no matter how you looked at it, he was still just an academy student. The very idea of a mere student making such one-sided demands to Tak Woohyun, president of the Blacksmith Association, struck the secretary, Pung Tae-ha, as absurd. He wore a look of clear resentment, yet one glance at Tak Woohyun's solemn, deadly serious face was enough to silence him. He didn't even attempt an excuse.
Ignoring his secretary entirely, Tak Woohyun lowered his head toward Lee Hyunseung.
"I showed you something unsightly. Please accept my apology."
It was an extraordinary sight. Tak Woohyun almost never bowed to anyone.
Seeing the man's attitude, Lee Hyunseung smiled faintly to himself. Tak Woohyun. He must have been incredibly curious about my crafting slots to come out like this.
Lee Hyunseung possessed two crafting slots. An ordinary blacksmith had only one, meaning they couldn't work on another weapon while one was already in production. But with two slots, he could create two items simultaneously. Or, if he wished, he could dedicate one to a long-term project while keeping the second free as a spare.
The double crafting slot was the dream of every blacksmith alive.
Tak Woohyun was convinced that with this ability, he could shatter the wall blocking his progress. Actually, breaking through wasn't even necessary. With it, he could craft Unique or even Legendary-grade weapons without burden. No matter how long one slot took, the other would remain available.
The only problem was that the sole person who knew about the double crafting slot was Lee Hyunseung himself.
Tak Woohyun had lived as a blacksmith for over fifteen years, yet he had never once witnessed anyone using double slots. So of course he was desperate. If not for Lee Hyunseung, he would have no opportunity to learn the method from anyone.
Lee Hyunseung thought, Double slots can only be used by Legendary-grade blacksmiths... but there's no need to tell him that right now.
The information that double slots became available upon reaching Legendary rank was incredibly valuable on its own. After all, the world still had virtually no data on Legendary-grade blacksmiths. If Tak Woohyun learned this, he would devote himself relentlessly to ascending to that rank. But the moment the information was shared, his curiosity would be satisfied. So it needed to be packaged more impressively.
With that in mind, Lee Hyunseung responded to the apology. "It wasn't your action, President Tak Woohyun. There's no need to apologize so deeply."
Tak Woohyun smiled with visible relief and extended his hand.
"Sorry for seeming like I was testing you earlier. I don't enjoy weighing every angle, so I'll speak plainly. If we agree to protect you, we stand to lose quite a lot."
"Lose?" Lee Hyunseung asked.
"During the F-class representative selection battle earlier, I looked into you. It appears you had a conflict with Yoo Heeyeon, daughter of the Artemis Guild leader."
Lee Hyunseung flinched inwardly but kept his face carefully neutral. He already dug up information on me? There wasn't much time for that.
Honestly, he had suspected Tak Woohyun might have grasped the situation with Yoo Heeyeon, but he hadn't expected the man to know every detail. The complex look on Tak Woohyun's face suggested he understood the full story.
Since it was already known, there was no point in hiding it. Lee Hyunseung answered directly. "It's true. Yoo Heeyeon pinned an unfair accusation on me. It may have begun as a misunderstanding, but even after it became clear there was a separate culprit, she still framed me as a stalker. I simply resisted to prove my innocence."
"...."
Tak Woohyun asked, "Are you not afraid of the Artemis Guild? Once they mark you, the pressure on a mere student could become unbearable. They probably won't resort to killing you while you're still enrolled, but if things go wrong, there's no telling what might happen."
"I'm not afraid. In time, I'll possess abilities that will ensure they can never treat me lightly again."
Tak Woohyun's expression showed he rather liked the intensity in Lee Hyunseung's eyes, but he soon shook his head. "Excessive confidence can sometimes invite disaster. I know that Jeong Eunseo beside you is the daughter of the Teore Guild leader. It's a bit awkward to say this directly, but even the Teore Guild wouldn't provide enough protection against Artemis. You can't solve everything simply by relying on the friend next to you."
"I know that," Lee Hyunseung said. "But if you stand with us, the story changes completely."
Tak Woohyun waved his hand as if troubled. "What power do we have? We're simply people who enjoy crafting equipment. In terms of raw military force alone, we cannot oppose the Artemis Guild."
Lee Hyunseung answered as though he'd been waiting for exactly those words. "In battle, military force isn't the only thing that matters."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. When fighting someone, power isn't the only factor you must consider. I understand the Blacksmith Association controls countless blacksmiths nationwide. Among them are weaponsmiths as well as those who create various artifacts and potions. And I know you, President Tak Woohyun, can command all of them."
"So what? That's all there is to it."
"No. That's not all. Supplies play the most critical role in war or battle. No matter how powerful a force may be, they cannot sustain combat without materials. The Artemis Guild is currently preparing for a large-scale Labyrinth expedition. They require an enormous volume of items—countless pieces of equipment and accessories, various recovery potions, status ailment recovery potions, all on a truly staggering scale. This particular expedition is drawing unprecedented national attention. It cannot be handled carelessly. But what would happen if you cut off their supply in this situation?"
Lee Hyunseung tapped the table sharply as he continued. "The Artemis Guild would enter the Labyrinth completely unprepared. That would mean not only massive losses in combat strength but also failure to achieve any meaningful exploration results. On top of that, they'd lose the chance to obtain valuable byproducts. They could lose everything—practical benefits, justification, and even their prestigious reputation. All because you restricted their supplies."
Tak Woohyun, who had been listening intently, responded with clear surprise. "Your words are true. Honestly, at this point the Artemis Guild cannot treat our Blacksmith Association lightly. They'll need substantial supplies to replenish their forces even after the expedition ends."
He then asked, "But how did you know the Artemis Guild was preparing an expedition? As far as I know, that information is limited to high-ranking national officials and a select few. We only learned of it because of a large order they placed with us recently. How exactly did you come across this information?"
He couldn't say because they launched the expedition around this time in the game, so he offered a suitable cover. "Jeong Eunseo told me."
"....?"
Jeong Eunseo looked at him with startled eyes, but Lee Hyunseung gave her a subtle signal to play along. She spoke awkwardly. "Y-yes, that's right. I told him. My father mentioned it—that the Artemis Guild would depart for a Labyrinth expedition soon."
Naturally, the Teore Guild leader had neither reason nor justification to share such information with his daughter. But since she claimed it was so, there was no basis for objection. Moreover, if that weren't the case, there would be no way for an ordinary student to know the Artemis Guild's confidential information. Tak Woohyun accepted the explanation.
"I see... Someone of the Teore Guild leader's stature might have learned of it in advance. Still, it's surprising he would tell his daughter..."
Tak Woohyun continued, sounding pleased. "To be honest, this is a deal where I stand to lose quite a bit. No matter how desperately the Artemis Guild needs supplies, it doesn't put us completely in the superior position. They can't openly disregard us, but still. However, I believe it's worth the investment. Originally I was considering it because of your double crafting slot, but now it's more than that."
Tak Woohyun extended his hand. "Information network, confidence, and the decisiveness to use them are not acquired—they're innate. You clearly look like someone who will create massive waves before long. Make this promise. In exchange for our protection, you will later teach me how to use the double crafting slot. Additionally, if you establish a guild or any other organization, you will maintain a friendly relationship with us."
Lee Hyunseung shook the offered hand firmly. "Of course. I will fulfill both conditions without fail."
With a curious expression, Tak Woohyun asked, "What do you plan to do from here? I'm curious whether you have a clear plan in mind."
Lee Hyunseung replied, "First, I need to return to the academy and make it known that the Blacksmith Association is backing me. If I don't advertise it, there will be no effect at all."
"Hmm... Expressing it too blatantly might produce the opposite result. It could come across as a declaration of war, so we must be careful. It would also be troublesome for us if it's perceived that way."
"Please don't worry. I'll make the association's support known naturally. So please grant my request. It won't be difficult."
"Go ahead, tell me."
"It's a list."
Lee Hyunseung slid a carefully prepared document across the table. It contained the names of roughly twenty students currently enrolled in F-class.
"These are individuals not affiliated with Yoo Heeyeon—the raw talents I intend to scout. Please craft weapons suited to the characteristics listed here. And don't forget to imprint the SIH logo representing the Blacksmith Association on every piece. Rare or Epic grade will be sufficient."
"What do you intend to do with these?"
"I'll show them. To those who will follow me, I'll demonstrate exactly what benefits they can gain by becoming my ally. Furthermore, by distributing these custom weapons engraved with the SIH logo to my future comrades and having them use them openly, the connection between you and me will spread naturally. It will echo far and wide without me needing to say a single word."
"Kwahahaha! You even prepared the list in advance, knowing it would come to this? You're far more cunning than I thought. Did you predict that I would come looking for you? What tremendous confidence. And the method is excellent—it doesn't feel like a declaration of war, yet it makes the point perfectly. I like it very much."
Tak Woohyun laughed heartily and clapped Lee Hyunseung on the back with enough force to make him stumble.
"I'll immediately recruit the highest-level blacksmiths to craft these weapons. Actually, since there are only about twenty, I'll make them myself."
"I would be grateful if you did."
The news that Lee Hyunseung had formed an alliance with the Blacksmith Association began to spread throughout the academy. Before long, that rumor reached Yoo Heeyeon's ears as well.