Balhut Cult (4)
In modern times, blacksmiths were seen less as mass producers and more as artisans crafting limited, meticulously made items. The reason was simple: metalworking and machinery had advanced so far that machine-stamped goods were far more cost-effective. Handcrafting couldn't compete with machines—it was simply too outdated for the era.
Yes, it had been outdated.
"Whew. It's fall, but this place is still stifling hot. If there were no AC here, it'd be deadly heat already."
"The forge has unlimited power supply. AC's cranked up full blast. All thanks to Lord Bahamut's blessing, right?"
But in South Korea, struck by the zombie apocalypse disaster, the blacksmith trade had reversed course entirely. The value of blacksmiths who could craft tools and weapons had skyrocketed. Demand surged so much that even artisans who'd quit for lack of profit picked up their hammers again.
Jeong Dong-gun, the Balhut Cult's military bureaucrat, relied heavily on Gyeongju's sole cult-operated ironworks to arm his troops with quality weapons and protective gear. Today, too, he met directly with the forge's master artisan.
"By the way, Commander Jeong. Didn't you say you were done for the day?"
"Ah, Choi. Something urgent came up."
The ironworks artisan, Choi, called Jeong Dong-gun "Commander Jeong" with easy familiarity, and Jeong returned the warmth by calling him "Choi." Their rapport was evident.
Smooth weapon procurement was essential for Jeong's duties. With major cult backing, he'd gathered Gyeongju's local blacksmiths to establish this professional forge. It produced not just weapons but processed scrap metal brought by cult members into materials for daily life and construction—making it Gyeongju's most vital industrial hub. In a way, Choi's ironworks was the frontline of Gyeongju's reconstruction.
"Is Yoo still around?"
"He's swamped with reconstruction."
"Well, thanks to Yoo, we got top priority on the best housing."
That drew frequent visits from Yoo Soo-seong, the construction bureaucrat sourcing building materials. Machines recovered by the Balhut Cult from local workshops ran nonstop. Local artisans and their apprentices sweated profusely, huddling near the AC's cool blasts to keep working. Of course, Choi Yu-na knew the facility's importance and funneled energy resources from Bahamut straight to it—among many supports.
"So, what's the cult need?"
"You could call it urgent. Lord Bahamut made new currency."
At "currency," Choi's eyes lit up. He'd expected the Balhut Cult to introduce tradeable coinage soon, but this was faster than imagined.
"Oh ho, currency. Figured they'd hand it to us. Commander Jeong, mind showing me?"
"Of course."
Anticipating the forge would mint it, Choi was surprised. Jeong pulled a solemn box from his pocket and set a freshly minted, pristine coin on the table. Choi examined it meticulously.
"Masterfully done. Perfect finishing... Hmm, maybe it's my imagination, but I swear I feel Lord Bahamut's mana emanating from it..."
It was exquisitely crafted. Choi marveled, praising the machine-like precision and flawless polish. But he also sensed an eerie energy—thanks to his awakener senses honed killing zombies. The coin pulsed with potent mana.
"Not imagination. It really has mana infused. Lord Bahamut's countermeasure against counterfeiting."
"Heh, what a talented Dragon God. Thought it was some grudge-cursed coin for a second."
Jeong explained, and Choi deflated, setting it down. He'd feared a vengeful artifact, but it was just anti-forgery magic.
This'll make fooling awakeners impossible. Downside... right, normals can't sense the mana. Better tighten up on my crew, just in case.
Choi inwardly noted the coin's ingenuity made precise fakes tough. He had no intent to counterfeit, but not every artisan here was pure-hearted. Time to reinforce internal discipline.
"Agreed. That's why following Lord Bahamut is worthwhile, no?"
"For me? He saved my family and apprentices. No more mutant zombies or starving."
Jeong replied, and Choi nodded fervently. To Bahamut, it was mere reconstruction aid. To Choi, salvation's light. Gyeongju teemed with zombies; the forge had no food stockpiles. He and his crew were starving near death. Then Bahamut descended, upending their fate. Honored for his skills, Choi secured a cult role. Now, no hunger or zombie threats for his people.
"...Yeah."
Jeong felt the same. He'd built a prominent survivor camp in Gyeongju, leveraging his officer experience. But inwardly, he dreaded how long it could last. Food and energy dwindled; the facade hid collapse. That's why he'd pledged to Bahamut without hesitation—salvaging his camp from ruin. No regrets. Saving lives under his command made it the right call.
"So, why show me?"
"Lord Bahamut said melt it down for weapons. Or plate runes on blades for special effects."
"Versatile coin, that one!"
Far more capable than expected. Korea's coins could melt into weapons, sure, but no special effects. Recognizing its true value, Choi handled it more gingerly. Jeong continued.
"Prototypes first: casings for bullets. Test as many rune types as possible."
"This amount? Ten rounds. Rest for blade engraving."
"Ten casings, then knives and greatswords engraved."
Not many for prototypes. Choi confirmed feasibility; Jeong nodded, here for testing anyway.
"Leave it to me. Hey, lads! Priority job!"
A task from the Balhut Cult's god Bahamut. Work halted; all hands turned to it. With the full crew, they swiftly produced ten casings, plus engraved knife and greatsword. As Jeong inspected the mana-infused knife, Choi explained.
"Per your specs: rune engravings for flame, lightning, water motifs. Or full plating. Varied for max testing."
"Thanks, Choi."
"No big deal."
Grateful for the quick work matching his requests, Jeong rose, ready to report to Lee Hyun-ah.
"Test time?"
"Range outside. Go wild."
Forges had testing grounds for quality checks. Jeong headed out familiarly; Choi followed, setting targets. Jeong loaded a 9×19mm prototype into his pistol and fired.
Bang.
The round flew true—
"What!?"
BOOM! A massive explosion rocked their ears.
"Wh-what is this!?"
Choi panicked at the shell-like blast. Jeong winced, checking the target. A mere rifle round shouldn't shatter it—yet the prototype incinerated it utterly, black smoke billowing like a mage's fireball. Jeong spoke.
"Guessing it imbues specific magic effects?"
"Something like—"
"Wh-what happened!? Explosion!?"
The roar reached outside; a startled guard awakener rushed in. Jeong soothed him, head throbbing.
"Nothing major. Testing cult's new weapon—glitch."
"New weapon?"
"Yeah. What we'll use from now on."
Technically currency, but weaponizable truth. Seeing the power, Jeong saw potential.
Not entirely off-base.
Choi, in the know, agreed—no lies there.
But the Dragon God plans this as money? Misuse could cause disasters...
Versatile indeed, but risky. Potent firepower: poison or cure? Vital against mutants. Jeong polled the guard.
"New weapon power—that burning target?"
"Yeah. Your take?"
"Incredible... A mutant zombie hit with that? Not a bone left."
"Right. Mutants aren't a big threat now, but future ones or zombie awakeners might come. Cult prep for that."
"Name of this new weapon?"
"Name...? Uh..."
Jeong faltered, glancing at Choi—who looked away. To boost morale and validate the coin, he'd framed it as "new weapon," but no name yet.
"Haha, prototype. No name. But Bahamut's mana-infused—Bahamut Bullet?"
"Th-this is Lord Bahamut's power!?"
Pure truth—deviously so.
"Precisely a fragment. Mass-produced? Even normals drop mutants. Thrilling, huh?"
"Thrilling! Can't wait to test on zombies!"
Forcing this cover-up feels like it'll blow up big.
Choi eyed Jeong coldly. But even to him, every word rang true—and that was the kicker.