Time for Some PR

p>Human bodies are truly fragile.

p>Just swinging a hammer makes my arms tremble.

p>Even using the [Extraction] skill on a C-grade mana stone drained my mana dry.

p>Plus, my [Extraction] skill wasn't high enough, so extracting pure mana had limits.

p>I needed it for crafting oil, too, instead of borax.

p>That's why I...

p>"Tsk."

p>I clicked my tongue.

p>I was holding on with will and raw willpower, but I could already feel my body's limits.

p>I should have leveled up my skill faster.

p>If I had just hammered a few times, I'd be done by now.

p>But with my crafting level still below C, I couldn't even make weapons that exceeded C-grade, let alone succeed.

p>Success rate was a pathetic 1%.

p>Plus, crafting weapons left me in extreme fatigue.

p>Meaning it was impossible to make the weapons needed for 30-floor tower raids within a week.

p>So the only answer was...

p>To make them myself.

p>Even though my body was just a weak human one.

p>My mind and soul were those of a dwarf who'd lived for hundreds of years in front of a hammer.

p>I couldn't let a mere human body defeat me.

p>That's what I'd thought as I tried it, but it looked like my judgment was wrong.

p>'Hold on!'

p>Every time I lifted my right arm, individual muscle cells screamed and tore.

p>I gritted my teeth while mentally promising myself to endure, but my body had already slipped out of control.

p>On top of that, sweat droplets running down my forehead blurred my vision.

p>Even through that hazy sight, I saw the sword edge on the anvil slowly cooling.

p>Swords cooling off.

p>It was a greater insult to me than death itself.

p"Haah!"

p>I grabbed my blurred consciousness with a yell.

p>Were you about to give up now!

p>Using every ounce of the strength I had left, even the milk I drank as a baby, I pushed through the forging.

p>- Ting!

p>[Trait, Indomitable Will (EX), has activated!]

p"Huh?"

p>I heard the system alert sound.

p>[Forces extreme physical fatigue and muscle pain to be suppressed.]

p>[All bodily control abilities temporarily enhanced.]

p>[Penalty: Crafting skills are completely disabled for 7 days after activation ends.]

p>Despite the sudden system message, a chill energy pierced my entire body.

p>The muscle pain that had invaded my body vanished instantly, and an absurdly heavy power surged through me.

p"Ah, it's been a while."

p>That cool, heavy sensation.

p>It was exactly the same as the armor energy that had protected my body back in the dwarf days.

p>It looked like my old comrades were protecting me.

p"Huu."

p>I breathed out briefly and gripped the hammer tighter.

p>Glaring at the cooling sword edge, I slammed the hammer down without hesitation.

p>- Gwang!

p[Impressive concentration!]

p[Direct forging breaks through bodily limits.]

p[The price of pure labor causes permanent bodily ability gains.]

p[Strength increased. (E+ → D)]

p[Vitality increased. (D → D+)]

p>Thanks to the stats rising in real time, I even felt like the hammer felt lighter with every swing.

p>- Gwang! Gwang! Gwang!

p>The rhythmic sound of the hammer striking the anvil filled the forge.

p>The heat that had filled the surroundings was all locked into the sword.

p>Good.

p>The warped sword edge had straightened smoothly, and the sword's shape was perfect.

p>At this point, the forging was complete.

p>All that was left was quenching and polishing.

p>Without a moment's hesitation, I plunged the sword edge straight into the special mana oil I'd prepared in advance.

p>- Chiiek!

p>The forge filled with steam, obscuring my vision, but my fingertips knew.

p>The sword was already complete.

p>- Srrrol.

p>My dry throat swallowed as I saw the sword's true form finally revealed.

p>After hurriedly finishing the polishing...

p>[Appraisal]

p>I used the skill without hesitation.

p>[Appraisal Result]

p>- Name: Greatsword Embodying Wyvern's Hellfire

p>- Grade: C+

p>- Type: Weapon

p>- Durability: 120/120

p>- Description: The result of the artisan's obsession and pure forging technique. It transcends C-grade limits and perfectly embodies Wyvern's explosive hellfire.

p>- Effects:

p>[Devour]: Permanently maintains sharpness by absorbing mana.

p>[Flame Eruption]: Hellfire energy accumulates on the sword edge during strikes or mana infusion. (Max 5 stacks)

p>[Maximum charge]: The next attack's hellfire fang is guaranteed to trigger.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

p>[Bound]: Binds to the owner.

p"Huu. It's a bit disappointing."

p>It wasn't an overwhelming weapon, but it was still usable in the other world.

p>It wasn't lacking for hunters to use.

p>I picked up the completed greatsword from the anvil and handed it to Park Taesu.

p>Here.

p>...

p>Park Taesu and the others looked like they had forgotten how to breathe, eyes wide open.

p>Why aren't you taking it?

p>Ah... ah! Thank you so much!

p>I received it on autopilot, but doubt still showed on his face.

p>What's wrong?

p>Do they really look at my weapon with such a doubtful expression?

p>Should I just toss it back in the furnace?

p>If you don't want it, give it back.

p>N-no. It's clearly been remade...

p>Looking like he was amazed, Park Taesu turned the sword over and over for a long time.

p>I feel no foreign sensation at all. No, it feels even more like it's made for my hands.

p>Hah. You're just amazed by that?

p>Fortunately, the doubtful expression meant surprise.

p>Of course it was.

p>If a blacksmith just thought he was making weapons, that was a huge mistake.

p>A true artisan first reads the skeleton and breathing of the person before hammering the steel.

p>Park Taesu's broad shoulders and arm length.

p>The slight twist in the wrist angle, and the worn spots on the shoe soles.

p>I had melted all that data into the weapon.

p>Plus, I fine-tuned it so the mana circuits wouldn't overload.

p>Even the sword edge's resonance was designed for 30-floor bosses.

p>In short.

p>This sword is a custom-made sword made for Park Taesu.

p>However.

p>Because of my body's and material's limits, I couldn't make it perfect, so that was a bit disappointing.

p>Then, after successfully conquering the 30 floors, don't forget the promise I made.

p>Looking at him blankly staring at the sword, I gave him a good-natured smile.

p>***

p>Park Taesu! Have you gone crazy?! What do you mean, go back in there again?

p>We've already died five times! Why are we talking about retrying!

p>In front of the steel tower.

p>The Steel Guild members were pointing at Park Taesu.

p>Only three days left until the 30-floor retry.

p>But after the last disastrous defeat, the guild members' minds were already shattered, and they were about to run away.

p>Trust me and dive in together this time. It will be different.

p>Park Taesu pleaded desperately.

p>The scared members coldly rejected his plea.

p>If you're going to die, go die by yourself!

p>In the end, only Park Taesu, the guild leader, and Kim Cheolho, gripping a massive shield, remained.

p>Cheolho swallowed dry saliva and murmured lowly.

p>Hyung. We two can't do it. Maybe contacting large guilds...

p>Park Taesu said nothing and grabbed the sword hilt at his waist.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

p>The weapon made by Lee Shinwoo.

p>With this sword.

p>A strange certainty shone in his eyes.

p>No. I can do it.

p>Even ten people couldn't clear it, but what can two people do?!

p>Cheolho.

p>Just this once, please watch my back.

p>Hah... I see. Now...

p>Under Taesu's momentum, Cheolho nodded while sighing.

p>They stepped back into the tower.

p>[You have entered the 30th floor.]

p>[Defeat the 30th floor boss monster.]

p>And once again facing the owner of the 30th floor.

p>The boss monster called the lamentation wall by hunters.

p>The Basilisk of steel scales roared and shook the earth.

p>- Kugugugung!

p>Hyung! I'll draw aggro!

p>Before Cheolho could lift his shield and shout, Park Taesu kicked off the ground and charged forward.

p>Hyung! Are you crazy?! You'll die alone!

p>Taesu's sword hadn't even left a scratch on the monster's steel scales.

p>In that state, a reckless charge without a tank's protection was suicide.

p>Cheolho screamed.

p>Taesu standing in front of the boss.

p>- Srrl.

p>Taesu drew his sword without a word.

p>Instantly.

p>The mana inside his body was sucked into the sword edge in an instant.

p>I felt the mana scattered around vanish.

p>- Ting!

p>What is this?

p>At the sudden alert sound, Taesu's eyes wavered.

p>System messages appeared in front of him.

p>[Special effect of equipped equipment, 'Flame Eruption', condition met.]

p[Mana accumulation complete: 5/5 stacks]

p>[* The next strike will definitely trigger 'Hellfang'.]

p>- Kuwooong!

p>With the message, the sword edge began spewing hellish red flames.

p>If this is the case...

p>The heat of the flames spread from my fingertips to my whole body.

p>If this is the case, I can tear it apart.

p>- Swaaak!

p>Park Taesu swung the sword recklessly.

p>Following the sword's path, the hellish red Wyvern howled and burst out.

p>- Kwaaaaang!

p>- Kueeeeeek!

p>Explosive sounds and screams rang out.

p>Soon a gray dust cloud spread, swallowing the noise.

p>An eerie silence enveloped the space.

p"Huu."

p>Soon the dust cleared, revealing Taesu, who had been holding his breath.

p>And on the ground lay the fallen boss.

p>The steel scales that had never been broken by any physical shock had been bitten off like an apple.

p>The hellfire was devouring the monster's flesh and bones.

p>...In one hit?

p>Just one strike.

p>In one strike, the boss monster's chest was completely burned away, and its massive body collapsed to the floor.

p>Cheolho, who had been chasing with the shield, gaped.

p>Hyung, what did you just do? The Basilisk's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scales burned? With that sword?

p>...

p>Behind Cheolho's shock, Park Taesu felt the overwhelming mana wave flowing through the sword edge and trembled.

p>Whenever he infused mana, the weapon amplified it perfectly, no, beyond.

p>What kind of absurd weapon is this.

p>But there was no time to be shocked.

p>The Basilisk's moan echoed from the ground.

p>Kkuu.

p>Let's end this.

p>The hellfire's influence had settled, and the flames on the sword edge had vanished.

p>But the sword edge still radiated an even sharper glow.

p>Park Taesu's sword struck the exposed neck of the Basilisk without hesitation.

p>- Suk.

p>With a terrifying slicing sound, the 30th floor's owner was erased.

p>[Notification: Defeated 30th floor boss monster.]

p[Dungeon cleared successfully.]

p[Clear time: 2 minutes 21 seconds]

p[Korean clear time record broken.]

p>The blue clear message filled the air, and only eerie silence remained inside the dungeon.

p>Cheolho, standing blankly, swallowed saliva and approached Park Taesu.

p>What kind of sword is that? Where did you get it from?

p>Among the flood of questions, Park Taesu slowly sheathed the sword.

p>Let's get out first.

p>***

p>While eating sundubu jjigae with Park Inho to ease the vicious fatigue near the forge...

p"Kya. It's refreshing."

p>The taste of jjigae after sweating a lot.

p>I wondered how long it had been since I'd tasted this spicy, thick, savory soup.

p>In the other world, it had just been thick rye bread and smelly meat soup.

p>Koreans had to boil their stomachs with this warm stone bowl soup.

p>- Breaking news. On-site...

p>At that moment.

p>I lifted my head at the commotion.

p>On the TV screen on the wall, a familiar face appeared.

p>Red subtitles scrolled rapidly underneath.

p>[Breaking News] Steel Guild breaks Korean record for 30th floor boss clear time!

p"Oh. You woke up."

p>Haha. It's good my nephew didn't arrive late.

p>Watching Park Taesu sweating among reporters in the screen, I munched on my kimchi.

p- Congratulating you on successfully clearing the 30th floor again. Please share your feelings!

p- Even the previous guilds gave up. What kind of strategy did you use?

p- Clear time 2 minutes 21 seconds, breaking the Korean record! Only two people entered, did you have some hidden class or secret card?

p>The reporter on screen kept thrusting the microphone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠forward with excitement.

p>Park Taesu sighed deeply and slowly drew the greatsword from his waist.

p>Many cameras zoomed in on the sword.

p- My clear secret is this very weapon.

p>Park Taesu's voice trembled slightly.

p- To be honest, without this weapon, I would have met the same fate as the previous guilds.

p>He raised the greatsword to chest height and looked straight at the camera.

p>Even beyond the screen, the red flush on the guy's face was clear.

p>Seeing that scene, I munched on my kimchi and muttered.

p>Embarrassing...

p>Apparently, it hit home hard when I did what I was told on national TV.

p>Hahaha. It's my destiny.

p>Park Inho, eating jjigae with me, burst into laughter.

p>And at that moment.

p>In the TV screen, Park Taesu bowed his waist and politely lowered his head to the camera.

p- Using this space, I would like to thank the person who saved our guild. Master Hammer 300 years old, thank you very much!

p>Good. You did it properly.

p"Heh heh. I guess that was the promise."

p>Of course. PR is important.

p>I cleaned my stone bowl completely and got up happily.