Masterpiece (2)

I swallowed hard and carefully pushed the iron lump into the forge.

Since I had already planned out the design for the gaju's sword, there shouldn't be any issues on the design side...

But the problem is that I've used up all the remaining iron, and the gaju's sword can't use any other materials besides iron, so if this fails, it's literally...

It's over.

So, I have to be extremely careful.

There's a line from a comic I like:

“Retreat means decline, fear means death.”

If I back down here because I'm shaking, there won't be any next chapter for me.

Among the countless moments I've experienced over 17 years of experience, this is by far the most nerve-wracking.

“Huu...”

“So-hyeop. Don't worry and relax. No one will blame you for it.”

As I took a deep breath, Bilyeong comforted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me from the side, telling me not to be tense.

Yeah. There's nothing good about being tense. I repeated deep breaths, releasing the tension in my body, and carefully took the iron out of the forge.

I hadn't backed down yet.

The iron was, as expected, different from ordinary iron in its reputation.

Even if the ordinary iron had been heated to this point, it would have backed down, but this iron didn't seem to back down at all.

It was firm, as if it was trying to maintain its own properties even in the hot fire.

I put the taken iron back in and slowly heated it again.

After repeating the process of putting it in and taking it out a few times, I finally saw it backing down.

I carefully placed the backed-down iron lump on the anvil and picked up the hammer.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

I hit the center and then hit the edges again.

Clang! Clang!

Twice.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three times again.

Every time the hammer fell, sparks flew everywhere.

Sweat poured down my face like rain, but I didn't care, and I focused all my nerves on the iron, continuing to hammer.

Continuing to hammer, I made the iron long and thin to create the shape of the sword blade, and then put it back in the forge to heat it again.

If the iron is hot, take it out and hammer it again. This seemingly simple task is actually not a simple one.

If you fail to control the temperature and overheat it, the iron will be ruined, and if the temperature is too low, the iron won't back down.

So, you repeat heating and hammering at the right intermediate point.

Clang! Clang!

The iron is flattening and lengthening, and the width is gradually narrowing.

It hadn't been straightened yet, but after repeating this task for about an hour, the iron lump finally began to take the shape of a sword.

I had to flip the sword blade in the middle and hammer both sides evenly.

Otherwise, the center of gravity that my father had always emphasized would become messed up.

After hammering countless times, I poured my 17 years of experience into it.

Since it's the most important task at this point, I can't afford to be careless with even one hammer strike.

“Huu... Has the shape been completed?”

“Is this... the end?”

“No. This is just the beginning.”

I slowly swept the entire sword blade one last time. Were there any bends? Was the weight balance off? I carefully checked multiple factors.

... Good.

With this much, I can move on to the next, the most difficult task.

I pushed the sword blade onto the whetstone and smoothed the rough surface.

This is the last task before sharpening the blade, and it's also a brief break before the difficult part.

“Huu...”

Now, just sharpen the blade one last time and it's done.

“Focus... focus... ugh...!”

Suddenly, my head spun. The dizziness hit me because I had been working in the high heat of the forge for a long time.

What... I won't be able to sharpen it properly like this... Should I rest and do it tomorrow?

No... The sense I have now is the most important. It will disappear over time.

How to...

Shua-

“So-hyeop. May I interrupt for a moment.”

At that moment, Bilyeong placed her hand on my shoulder and poured her internal energy into me.

Suddenly, the darkness in my head, as if a curtain had been drawn, brightened as if a light had been turned on.

The dizziness and nausea disappeared, and Bilyeong's internal energy brought my condition to the maximum.

“So-hyeop. I will do it together. Even if it's like this, I hope it helps...”

Bilyeong seemed to have been holding her breath while watching the process of making weapons from the side.

Since she didn't have knowledge of metallurgy, she was probably worried she couldn't help.

Her efforts to try to help in any way were admirable.

I smiled at Bilyeong and picked up the sword blade, taking it to the grinder.

If it was a normal grinder, it wouldn't even be able to grind the iron, but... an awakened person is an awakened person.

Since it had easily ground the ordinary iron and had the property of processing all minerals, this should be possible too.

I activated the grinder and carefully placed the sword blade against the rapidly spinning grinder.

The grinder met the sword blade with a fierce friction sound, sharpening the blunt blade of the sword blade.

Even a momentary mistake would make the sword blade not straight but twisted. So, I had to concentrate all my mind on those fingertips.

Kaka-gaga-

The grinder's blade and the iron sword blade collided, and blue flames shot out from the dark forge, illuminating it brightly.

Despite the intense friction making my hands tremble and sweat pouring, Bilyeong continued to transmit her internal energy, becoming my strength.

In the extremely accelerated thought process, even a single flying spark or iron dust seemed to move slowly.

The excellent materials, the blacksmith's soul, and Bilyeong's internal energy all condensed into one in the friction heat.

A perfect curve was created from the beginning to the end of the sword blade without any error.

My 17 years engraved on my fingertips intertwined with the precise rotation of the machine, smoothing the blade of the sword, and the sound of the iron was gradually changing to a clear and sharp sound.

Ki-i-ing-

At the moment the sword tip passed the grinder, using the recoil of the friction, I quickly flicked the sword into the air.

The transparent blue flames that had heated up disappeared in a curve, and the sharply forged silver sword blade emitted a splendid light in the forge's heat.

The sword blade that had been ground and forged hard absorbed the light of the entire world, sparkling, and was as smooth as if not a drop of water had stuck to it.

The sharply forged sword blade seemed able to cut anything in this world.

This sword blade touched the word “perfect” without any flaw in anyone's eyes.

Now, just add the last detail to finish this task.

I dug a groove in the handle that fits the size of the gem given by Bilyeong, and carefully inserted the gem.

The two blue gems embedded side by side in the handle were emitting clear light as if they were human eyes.

Now, just insert this and it's complete.

About 17 years. I've poured more than half of my life into this one sword.

I poured all of myself into every hammer strike, whetstone, and grinder process. No matter what result comes out, there is no regret.

“This... This sword blade is... I've seen countless swords in my life, but I've never seen a sword blade of this level.”

Bilyeong looked down at the completed sword blade and let out a sigh of admiration.

Even in the other world, this level is the first time, so perhaps this is the moment my first masterpiece is born.

...

Originally, the delicious thing should be eaten last. I have to complete the poison dragon great sword and Bilyeong's sword first.

First, the poison dragon great sword. I picked up one of the two sword blades, inserted the handle, and now just insert the last handle and it's done.

What grade will it be...

It can't be poor grade, normal grade...?

The materials used are superior to titanium.

It would be best if it's a masterpiece...

Carefully inserting the handle, my vision flashed, and blue text appeared.

Masterpiece... Dropped!

“Masterpiece!!”

“Aaaah!”

I shouted while looking at my status window, and Bilyeong jumped in surprise and let out a scream.

But who wouldn't shout when seeing this?

This is my first masterpiece ever made, and unlike normal grade, it has unique traits added.

Residual Shadow and Shatter Strong... If I use this, it would look pretty good, right?

And the comment is no longer subtly mocking like before, but one that genuinely acknowledges it.

Finally, the handle clicked into place, and my two-character name was engraved in hanja.

Seo Hwan. Haa... Seeing my name engraved like this makes me feel like a real master. It's really embarrassing.

Looking at this makes me want to complete the next sword even faster.

Of course... but before that, I need to take care of Bilyeong first. She fell because of me, and I can't ignore that...

I'm sorry for nothing.

“Aigoo... I'm sorry. I got too carried away and stopped...”

“Haha... It's fine. Seeing how much you like it makes me think a great sword has been made.”

“Of course! If I give it to Daeju-nim, he will be very happy!”

Bilyeong had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fallen and gotten a bruise on her butt, but hearing that a good result came out, she seemed pleased and took my hand, standing up with a bright smile.

“Now, the next one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is... my sword?”

“Yes. It will be a wonderful sword again this time.”

“Gulp...”

Bilyeong swallowed hard when her turn came and stared at my hand.

With this much expectation, I have to insert it quickly.

Inserting the handle into the sword blade, the status window popped up as expected.

Masterpiece again?!

“Is it a masterpiece again?!”

This time, Bilyeong was even more excited and asked me.

I wanted to tease her, but with her looking like this, if I messed up, I would just end up hated for no reason.

I don't particularly want to be hated...

“It is a masterpiece!”

“Waaah!”

Bilyeong's face had been full of shadows, but seeing her pure joy made me feel good too.

“Um... but wait a moment.”

“Huh? Is there a problem...?”

Problem... well, if it's a problem, it's a problem. If I put a weapon with such extreme poison into any sheath, the sheath would melt.

So, I have to make an appropriate sheath.

“It's nothing special. I have to make a sheath. Since the weapon itself has extreme poison, putting it in an average sheath would ruin the sheath first.”

“Ah~ so the sheath was the problem. Don't worry about that. Most weapons from the Dang family have poison properties, so the sheath is specially made.”

What? Did the sheath already exist? Then it's fortunate.

Because I poured all my energy into making the gaju's sword, I didn't have the stamina to make the sheath too.

I carefully picked up the sword and handed it to Bilyeong. Bilyeong smiled brightly and looked at the sword.

“Wow...”

Bilyeong swung the sword a few times as if cutting the air and let out a direct exclamation.

“Do you like it?”

“Of course! This is better than the sword my father used last time? It's lighter, the blade is sharper, and the poison in this sword... it's really...”

Bilyeong trailed off and sighed again.

Originally, if a person gets too happy suddenly, they can't speak properly.

“Thank you so much, So-hyeop... No, wait. From now on, I should call you Dae-hyeop! Thank you, Dae-hyeop!”

Wow, one sword changed the title from So-hyeop to Dae-hyeop. Anyway, it's better, right?

Still, seeing her like this makes me feel good too.

Looking at Bilyeong's happy face, I suddenly noticed the gaju's sword blade.

This is the last one. The previous two are masterpieces...

If this one is also a masterpiece, there's nothing more I can wish for.

But why do I feel like something is missing?

The sword blade was also perfectly smoothed, and the process of embedding the gem in the handle was flawless.

What exactly is lacking...

...

I see. It was lacking the soul.

“Young Miss. Can I put your internal energy into the gem here?”

“Into the gem?”

I don't know the principle of this internal energy thing, but if it can be put into an object, it would help my father wake up again.

“Yes! When my father was healthy, didn't he love you a lot?”

“Yes... he did. My father loved my mother and me dearly. Ah... no way.”

At my words, Bilyeong widened her eyes and soon bit her lip as if she had gained deep insight.

“I see... If I put my internal energy into this gem symbolizing my mother... my father can see it and wake up again.”

I'm glad I understood my intention correctly.

I just hope he can gain the strength to wake up again by recalling the past through the gem containing the traces of the beloved wife and daughter.

“Then, I'll try.”

Bilyeong placed her hand on the gem and closed her eyes tightly.

Then, quietly pouring her internal energy into the gem, the blue gem resonated and absorbed Bilyeong's emerald-green internal energy.

On the gem that emitted a mysterious light ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with blue and green mixed, the warmth of Bilyeong and her mother, and the fervent wish to revive the fallen gaju were perfectly engraved.

“Pretty...”

“Yeah...”

We looked at the gem for a moment, lost in emotion.

“Dae-hyeop... I don't know much about weapons, but I think this will definitely become a famous sword that will last in the murim world.”

Yeah... this one sword contains so much.

Definitely... it won't fail.

“Huu... I'll insert it.”

“Yes!”

I took a deep breath and slowly inserted the sword blade into the handle.

Click-

When the sword blade and handle became one, a brilliant light status window that I had never seen before appeared before my eyes.

Masterpiece...!

I didn't expect a masterpiece, but to have a real masterpiece appear...!

Just as I was about to let out a joyful scream, another text appeared before my eyes.

Equipment above Masterpiece grade can have a name attached. Please name the sword.

Hoo... I can name the sword...? This isn't something I should name.

“Young Miss?”

“Yes? Hoo... is the sword's level not high?”

“On the contrary. It is by far the best among the swords I have made. It is a masterpiece that no famous master in this world can compare to.”

“Really...!?”

Bilyeong's eyes shook.

“But... one last process remains.”

“A process remains...?”

“Yes. A famous sword only shines when it obtains a 'name' worthy of its value. Originally, I was going to name it, but... since this sword was given by the Young Miss, I think it would be better if you named it... haha.”

“A sword name...”

Bilyeong rested her chin for a moment, lost in deep thought.

And after a long time, Bilyeong cautiously opened her mouth.

“Cheongryeon... would this be okay?”

“Cheongryeon... a good name? What does it mean?”

“... I made it by incorporating the blue color of my mother's eye color, my father's heart that misses my mother, and my own feelings toward my father.”

Cheongryeon... the character for blue and the character for longing.

A good name.

If it's such a meaningful name, it would be perfect for decorating my first masterpiece.

“Good? Then, the name of this sword is decided to be Cheongryeon!”

With that thought, the name “Unnamed” was erased and “Cheongryeon” was engraved again.

Now, just give this sword to her and drive away the jealousy.

Please... I hope nothing happens.

At that moment, the status window in front of me disappeared and another status window appeared.

· By completing 2 masterpieces and 1 masterpiece, reputation is readjusted.

3rd class blacksmith → 1st class blacksmith

· By completing 2 masterpieces and 1 masterpiece, the next dimension is opened.

Current available dimensions

- Murim World

- ? (D-30)

- ?

- ?

* Requires 30 days of waiting time.

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What? 30 days of waiting time?