Reliable Power is an Asset - 1
"...Pleased to meet you. What brings you here?"
The burly blacksmith eyed me with a gruff stare.
"Lee Seoyeonn sent me. I have a favor to ask."
"I got the message."
Heat radiated from the forge. A wild, primal fire roared within.
This must be... a hunter's workshop.
The place was built from monster byproducts. It wasn't sleek or modern like a factory.
"What do you want?"
He didn't seem keen on chatting. His voice lacked any warmth.
"I've got to supply something crucial to Mukseong Guild this time."
"I know that much."
"For that, I'd like some of your surplus materials."
"What exactly?"
"The metals you use to craft weapons and armor here."
The blacksmith's face twisted.
"Mana-infused stuff from gates? We don't have extras of that. Go home."
"No, not that."
I didn't need top-tier material anyway.
"Just ordinary metal."
"...Hoh?"
Hunter weapons were made two ways. The first: entirely from gate-sourced ores or monster horns and bones. In terms of mana affinity, these were priceless. Even from one monster, usable weapon-grade parts were rare.
Proper processing could yield top hunter blades, but Mukseong wouldn't hand those over to me, no matter how urgent.
"I need plain metal before mana enchanting. The kind made on Earth."
The second method: craft basic Earth weapons—practical swords, spears, axes—then enchant them. Far cheaper materials for decent gear, so most low-rank hunters used them.
This workshop made weapons and armor for those hunters.
"Hmm..."
"The guild master mentioned you're strict on quality control. Even same-grade steel gets meticulous sorting."
"That's true."
"There must be metal that barely misses the cut for weapons. I'd like that."
Finally getting it, the artisan nodded slowly.
"What for? Making your own weapon? Your business?"
"Sorry, can't say."
"Fair enough. But this is sensitive. If you commit a crime with it... and our workshop's metal or weapons get involved, we're liable."
"I understand."
Korea had solid public safety, but abroad, crime syndicates linked to rogue hunters cropped up. Arm them with real artisan blades instead of kitchen knives, and things escalated.
He wasn't overreacting. A few years back, news broke of a gang busted using leaked materials from some guild's workshop.
Still, I can't back down...
In ancient times, meteoric iron swords were divine gifts. Blades with master techniques were legendary.
Modern era differed. Without mana, even a genius smith hammering Earth steel couldn't beat factory precision and alloys.
Only hunter workshops enchanting mana weapons could surpass human science.
Frozenstorm Colony's tech is spotty...
Even so, their advancements clustered in core cities like Eternaras. A fledgling colony under Shatinbelle couldn't match Earth metals, no matter what.
"If you get it, then leave. Sorry I couldn't help."
"It's the guild master's request."
No retreating now. I met his gaze steadily.
"No idea what trouble this stirs? She trusts you that much?"
"Yes. She does."
Begging 'please trust me!' was pointless. No reason for him to.
"Did you explain to her? How you'd use the metal?"
"No explanation. Not easy to sum up."
"...No proof, no details. Just 'I'm guild master's pal,' and you drag me into risk."
"Regrettable."
The artisan paused, pondering. Then nodded.
"Fine. Wait here. My apprentices will list what you need. Meanwhile, I'll confirm with the guild master."
He had no choice but to trust. Not me—Lee Seoyeonn, the guild master. He couldn't ignore her faith in me.
"Thank you."
"Enough."
He waved it off.
Soon, I hauled away a hefty batch of 'scrap metal.'
Perfect...
Not artisan-grade, but treasure to me.
Same composition, same alloy ratio—good enough.
Sure, he might be pickier. This metal was pricey, but not as costly as the mana crystals it'd hold against in weapons. Hunters' lives? Priceless.
A tiny flaw could kill. Obsessive quality checks? Par for a master smith.
Not my concern.
This sufficed. Plain Earth metal for armor or weapons.
Time to properly fortify the colony.
"Unbelievable."
The dwarf artisan stared at the metal slab like it was a gem.
"That impressive? Hope so—I traded food rations for it."
Shatinbelle Silkraise gave him a bored glance.
"Ha, food? Governor, you're... hopelessly naive."
"Mind your manners, dwarf."
"Understand. I've tried being polite. Now imagine our positions reversed."
The dwarf was dead serious. Shatinbelle tilted her head.
"If your dwarves saw a burlap grain sack and yelled, 'This must be Joinkind finery!' wouldn't you laugh?"
She knew dwarves well—intellectually, at least. Not emotionally.
Empathy from a dwarf? Rare. They were stubborn artisans, always right, others wrong.
"What's wrong with this metal? You haven't even handled it."
"Prime stuff. Near-sacred, even."
The dwarf didn't glance away mid-talk. His eyes locked on the alloy ingot.
A gift from the mysterious trader beyond the Trading Post. Near-perfect metal.
"...You see that? I don't. It doesn't sing."
"This ingot's silent. Like a taciturn mute, holding its ground wordlessly."
No innate mana affinity. Both knew it.
"Can you rune it?"
"Technically, yes. But with my meager skill, runing this metal... pointless."
"Why?"
"It's perfect as-is."
His face was resolute.
"What rune? Sharpness? Durability? Wound? Balance? All meaningless."
To him, flawless. Visions already danced: swords from this metal, legendary blades.
"Perfectly balanced swords. Tougher than any I know. Runes from my crude hand? They'd ruin the harmony."
"I see..."
Shatinbelle didn't get it but nodded along.
"Better than rune- or magic-enhanced mud-iron."
"...Somewhat get it."
Infusing magic into crude blades had limits. This metal outclassed plain steel by that margin.
"Good. What do you need?"
"Quality wood for hilts. Plenty around here. And lots of forging fuel."
"What do we get?"
"Weapons. The best. Fit to present the queen upon your return to Eternaras."
"Hoh..."
"Arm every soldier in the colony with them."
"Overkill?"
"No. I'm a dwarf. I don't lie."
Shatinbelle smiled, nodding.
"That merchant delivered again."
"Terrifying, even. Warriors armed thus attacking? I'd avoid melee."
"Weak talk, dwarf?"
"Reverence for this metal. It'll birth worthy arms."
"Enough praise. Shame, but quality wood's impossible now."
"Why?"
"Scouts signaled. Mega-storm incoming."
Shatinbelle sighed deeply. Blissful days ending.
"Alert status. Build sturdy shelters, burn all fuel against the storm."
"Still need it. No fuel? We'll dig coal veins ourselves."
"That doesn't sound like a joke. Wait a bit. I'll ask Jeong Isu for quality fuel."
"If possible, more of this metal. Mention that."
The dwarf's eyes sparkled like a starstruck boy.
"Hear me? Storm coming, no fuel means death! Even smelting this needs more—"
Shatinbelle finally snapped. But the dwarf held firm.
"That precious. I'd fondle it sleepless for months."
"Drop the hobby! Think colony benefits!"
She thumped her chest. Frustrated by him, not the situation.
The trader beyond the screen guarded her colony.