Dawn and Dusk: The Continental Adventurers' Union
The Continental Adventurers' Union of Dawn and Dusk—shortened to the Great Adventurers' Union, or GAU. Before that, it was the Continental Multinational Adventurers' Union, abbreviated as CMAU. Of course, hardly anyone actually calls the Adventurers' Union by those silly nicknames.
The Adventurers' Union isn't confined to a single nation; it's a transnational organization. Naturally, the massive information network spanning the continent wasn't built by adventurers themselves. Adventurers are even more individualistic than hunters. Previously, adventurers had only scattered guilds, but they began organizing on a continental scale thanks to the Empire's tacit approval and support.
Various commissions became quests ranked accordingly, with rewards and payouts meticulously managed. Adventurers were assigned ranks, and badges serving as identity cards were issued. Considering how adventurers were once synonymous with "dreaming layabouts" or "get-rich-quick gamblers," it's a stark change. Adventuring has become a legitimate profession.
The kingdom had its own branch: the Solion Impel Branch of the Continental Adventurers' Union. Fitting the kingdom's prosperity, it boasted multiple S-rank adventurers and one off-the-charts adventurer. One of the Eight Heroes of the kingdom was an irregular adventurer affiliated with the Union.
One of the missions posted at the Solion Impel branch was underway here in the "mountains."
Seven adventurers trudged through the peaks. Two A-rank adventurers and five B-ranks. Even without an S-rank, it was a high-caliber team—meaning the mission was no ordinary affair. At least A-rank or higher.
"Clear winds, sunny skies, treacherous alpine ridges."
One A-rank adventurer muttered.
"It's ridiculous that such a beautiful mountain range is called a demon realm. From a human perspective, maybe..."
He was a clear-eyed young man. Chatting so casually during the grueling climb made the other adventurers' expressions turn odd.
"Judgment, mountains are a dogshit place."
"Really? I think it's just beautiful."
The lanky young man with a slightly protruding chin and sunken cheeks snarked back.
"Judgment, you're from the eastern Empire, right? Never been to the mountains until you hit A-rank?"
With the Union spanning the continent, Judgment was an Imperial native.
"Looks like it. Jericho, how many times have you been here?"
"It's the closest demon realm to Solion Impel."
"I've only done plains and deserts. Both were hellish. This seems better by comparison."
"You'll change your mind once you meet wyverns and white ants."
The man called Jericho was the quest leader. He figured he could handle it solo, but the Union insisted on adding another A-rank, Judgment. Jericho was a grizzled veteran who'd earned his rank through hell and back. Judgment, on the other hand, was young and seemed downright dim. It grated on him.
"Oh, smoke."
Judgment pointed below. Jericho checked the map and nodded.
"We've reached Gray Hammer Village."
Like most demon realms, there wasn't a hard line where it suddenly became one. Monsters appeared frequently, but some areas allowed habitation. Gray Hammer Village sat near that boundary. Adventurers and hunters heading deeper resupplied there.
"The dwarves of Gray Hammer are greedy. They'll rip off visitors, so stay sharp."
Jericho said gravely. The others nodded seriously, but not Judgment. He just murmured quietly, "Dwarf beer... gonna get to drink some..."
Jericho clicked his tongue softly and kept walking. But as they neared the village, something felt off.
"Why's no one arou—"
Jericho quickly silenced the muttering adventurer. He slowly placed a hand on the weapon at his waist.
Gray Hammer Village was deserted. Always bustling with noise, this was unexpected. Any competent adventurer treats the unexpected with caution.
Only Judgment followed Jericho with a bored expression.
Clang—clang— In the deathly quiet village, only the sound of metal striking metal rang out. A blacksmith's noise in a dwarf village wasn't odd, but the total absence of other sounds was.
"Smells like fire."
Judgment broke the silence with a mutter. Jericho glared, frowning. Judgment gawked in admiration, oblivious.
"Isn't the air warm?"
"What nonsense is that?"
"Look, hot wind's blowing."
Hot wind. Surprisingly, Judgment was right. The noise came from the smithy. The air grew hotter as they approached. Heat around a forge was normal, but if it blanketed the whole village...
"Door's open."
A dwarf worked with the smithy door wide open. The reason was immediately clear: a scorching blast poured out. Lethal heat. Closing the door would've turned the smithy into a massive oven.
"Urk!"
The B-rank adventurers shielded their faces. Judgment and Jericho, however, stared intently.
Clang—clang!
The dwarf smith hammered glowing red metal. An elderly dwarf, soaked in his own sweat, arms and hair drenched. Astonishingly, he had only one arm. Yet his hammer strikes were ferocious. Sparks flew wildly with each blow, but he repeated the rhythm unflinchingly.
"...A Meister."
Judgment whispered faintly.
"A Meister forging a sword."
Not to hide, but fearing interruption, his tone was cautious. Jericho sensed it too. As a swordsman, witnessing a Meister craft a blade was rare. True swordsmiths were scarce even among dwarves; humans rarely saw the process.
Dwarf Meister Helmuth bent and hammered the heated metal repeatedly on the anvil. When it cooled, back into the furnace it went.
"Ah."
The source of the mad heat: violet flames danced in the forge. Tossing in the cooling metal whipped them into a frenzy—like a demon flicking its purple tongue. Then an terrifying heat surged out.
"...Beautiful."
Judgment murmured. Jericho's back was soaked too—not just from heat. They'd witnessed mastery firsthand. Like a grand mage's solo spell or a sword master's radiant aura blade. The aged dwarf forging a sword was that awe-inspiring.
The dwarf ignored his audience entirely. Devoting his soul to perfecting the blade's edge.
Judgment and Jericho lost track of time watching. The others had grown bored of the repetition and rested. Finally, the dwarf finished.
"Hoo..."
A longsword. It resembled a pre-made dagger—like siblings. Its black-gleaming blade was no ordinary metal.
Clap clap clap clap clap.
Judgment applauded.
"Beautiful. Truly beautiful!"
Helmuth emerged, wiping sweat with a towel. His skin was beet-red, limbs trembling from exertion. His throat was hoarse from inhaling hot air.
"Humans? Cough."
Judgment tried warmly. "May I ask the name of this great Meister?"
"If you'd interrupted even slightly, I'd have killed you all."
Dwarven smiths were grumpy, but a threat as an opener? Judgment didn't flinch.
"As if we'd be so rude!"
"You talk well."
"If it's not too presumptuous... that dagger and longsword pair. Do they already have an owner?"
Obviously priceless. Adventurers had coin, but not that much. Still, he had to ask.
"They do."
"Ah...!" Judgment's mouth gaped in regret.
"I'd love to speak with the owner, if they're nearby..."
"My turn for a question." Helmuth perched on a crate.
"Can you get along with monsters?"
"Pardon?"
Jericho blurted in disbelief.
"Humans fear monsters especially. Question is, can you get friendly if they talk?"
"Ah..."
"Especially snakes."
Jericho froze, but Judgment jumped in.
"Of course! If they talk, what's the issue? I've always wanted monster friends!"
"Good. Then talk."
"Oh, yes?"
"You wanted to meet the swords' owner."
Jericho thought the dwarf senile—then.
Thud. Cold pressure on his nape. Something heavy coiled around his neck and shoulders. When? Where? Instinct kicked in for the A-rank—
Shrrrrk. Scales rasped; chill on his throat. The snake was about to bite. One twitch, and death. Obvious from a venomous viper. Jericho's split-second halt showed his skill.
'Touch my sword and die.'
'Draw yours, still die.'
Judgment halted mid-draw, then burst laughing in astonishment.
"Incredible!"
* * *
A-rank adventurer, huh? Sounds cool. Wonder if monsters have ranks too.
Unfortunately, no. Shame—I'd love S-rank Monster, Apocalypse Serpent Ouroboros. Make the monster encyclopedia too.
Humans feared me but marveled at my writing. Judgment's cheek especially shone.
Kingdomer? No, Imperial, apparently.
"I'd like to buy the swords."
Calling them mine prompted that. Better than the shocked human beside him.
'How much?'
"500 Imperial Dawn gold coins for Dawn, 1,000 for Dusk. Deal?"
What a deal. I wrote 'Hmm...'
Dawn and Dusk: Yuncheol dagger and longsword. Helmuth forged siblings—one symbolizing faint dawn light, the other intense sunset glow. Storytelling in names confirmed his Meister status.
'Too cheap.'
"Guh... 2,000 for both?"
'Hmmm...'
Price jumped quick. Teased more, then stopped.
'Not for sale.'
I'm loaded anyway—no need. Custom Yuncheol blades from a Meister? No sale. Sorry Lania—lost Dawn Dagger Ashra, so I'll cherish these.
Judgment's offer stunned the others, though.
"That much cash?"
"Just throwing money?"
I heard whispers.
Poor adventurers' world. Tsk tsk, trying to snag a Meister's Celestium Sword set for 2,000 gold?
'Right?'
Kill that shameless human, snake!
Tempting! But I held off. Judgment's gaze pleased me: pure envy and admiration. No one had looked at me that way. Rozena and that Hairit Langrei eyed my scales, but not with envy.
Judgment's hot gaze? Thrilling.
"But snake sir has no hands, can't even wield a sword..."
That, I couldn't ignore.
'I wield swords great.'
"Nah, joking..."
Showtime? Transparent Hand lifted Dawn Dagger, spinning it mid-air.
"Huh...?"
'Thought it was a joke?'
Judgment fired up. He leaped, flipped mid-air, landed.
"Using my hometown saying."
He faced the floating dagger, drew his own.
"Care for a bout?"
Sure. Tail thwacked floor instead.
My dagger slashed air. His thrust sharply.
Heh. But my dagger arts aren't ordinary.
Perang Style Dagger Technique lv1
Sudden drop, then chin strike—terrifying unpredictability. As my dagger plunged—
Judgment's dropped too. Mirror image, same path. Blades clashed mid-air.
Clang!
His nicked—quality gap. But irrelevant. Techniques matched perfectly.
Judgment's voice trembled...
"...Fellow disciple?"
Did I unknowingly gain a master...?