Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Hephaistos Workshop
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"Even if your preferred weapon is a sword, it's still a good idea to carry one spear, one bow, and one blunt weapon each, depending on the reach or the monsters you're up against. In Korea, the constellations we mostly face are the Slaughter King, but there are dungeons with other monsters along the coasts or in different regions."
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, she began kindly sharing the knowledge she'd picked up at the academy.
It made me feel like some random student suddenly stuck in an online lecture, but hell, I'd heard this stuff off and on for nine whole years already!
"Of course, Uncle, you're not planning to go full-time as a hunter. You're just leveling up for 'self-cultivation' to get strong enough to protect yourself. Even so, you'll still need to carry at least three types of weapons."
"Three types, huh. But my class can't use ranged or thrown weapons."
"Then it's the classic spear, sword, and blunt weapon set, plus a shield. Oh, and you have to account for one-handed and two-handed versions, so that's 3 times 2, plus one shield—seven pieces total. There are lots of shield variations, but for now, something easy to use is best."
That many? This was new information to me.
Well, I'd probably heard it before but just couldn't remember.
Add in potions, tools, daily necessities, camping gear, items, and so on, and your loadout would balloon massively.
Of course, that was proof enough that being a hunter was no walk in the park.
"You only need to master one, but knowing how to use the others still helps."
"You're right. Spot on."
"So, which maker should we go with? Any favorites? My recommendation is definitely Hephaistos Workshop."
"Then let's do that. But didn't you like Beowulf Co.'s stuff earlier?"
"I was just checking out the new releases. Anyway, Hephaistos Workshop's shop is... let's see, eighth floor. Let's hurry!"
"Got it."
Hephaistos Workshop.
I'd assumed it was named after the Greek god of blacksmiths, but it was a place I knew well.
The apostles and craftsmen under Hephaistos—one of the Twelve Constellations of Olympus Guild—were still toiling away to craft even more powerful masterpiece weapons.
Even gear made by apprentice smiths there carried the blessings of a constellation, boasting top-tier performance and earning the workshop a reputation as one of the world's premier armament makers.
"Welcome! This is Hephaistos Workshop—no mass-produced junk here, only masterpieces. Weapons, armor, all one-of-a-kind. Find something that fits your hand and body perfectly. Ha ha hat! Oh? If it isn't Baekya's Ayoung!"
"Hello?"
A burly salesman with bronze skin that radiated heat emerged to introduce the workshop and greet Ayoung warmly.
Hm, they seemed pretty chummy, so she must be a regular. No wonder she recommended it.
"One-of-a-kind?"
"That's how Hephaistos Workshop rolls. Craftsmen under the constellation churn out whatever they feel like. But isn't that better? Whatever you pick becomes your personal weapon. It's got that romantic appeal!"
Fair point—the appeal of Hephaistos Workshop was that no matter what you chose, it felt uniquely yours.
It was marketing that perfectly tapped into the awakener psyche.
Not that competitors could easily copy it, and it made great business sense leveraging the Hephaistos brand.
"Got it? Sword, spear, blunt—one-handed and two-handed each, that's six total. One shield—seven!"
"Buying that many is gonna be pricey..."
"Ha ha hat, no worries. Anything short of Heroic or Legendary grade is cheaper than you think. Plus, some things you couldn't buy even if you had the money."
"What do you mean?"
"Our Heroic and Legendary gear from Hephaistos Workshop has all been vetted by the constellation himself. They choose their wielders. No qualifications? Your money's no good—they won't work for you."
So what's the point of selling them as a shop?
Who'd even buy such finicky weapons?
Or maybe not—flip it around, and you could strong-arm sales with 'The weapon has chosen you—buy it now!'
'Considering how self-absorbed some awakeners are by nature, it'd make their wallets fly open on their own.'
"Hm, looks like you're here for this gentleman's weapons. I half-expected Ayoung to be challenging for another Heroic-grade pick again. Ha hat."
"We'll do that too, actually? Might as well while we're here! Of course, Uncle's gonna give it a shot too! Hehet!"
Hold up—why drag me into that?
Though, fair enough—she probably wanted to test my superior capabilities.
For me, though, any rumor-spreading noise was a hard no. I had to shut this down.
Hephaistos Workshop was ultimately a subcontractor for Olympus Guild, after all. Snagging a Heroic or Legendary here would spread my name to all three major guilds in a heartbeat.
"Nah, I'll pass."
"Why? A great weapon is every awakener's dream!"
"Building skill without relying on gear comes first. Handing a Heroic or Legendary to someone about to tackle D-rank dungeons is overkill."
Not bad for improv—mature, fitting excuse to bail.
Plenty of clichés out there about getting carried away by OP gear and never building real strength.
Of course, the irony was I'd been rocking Legendary armor since F-rank dungeons—but that's not something you'd know.
"Aw~ It's just for fun. Who knows? Maybe a Legendary will choose you? And going through the ritual proves you're worthy of wielding it, right?"
"Ha ha hat, you seem like a true warrior with the right mindset for weapons, sir."
These two were tag-teaming me! When did she sign on with Olympus Guild?
Anyway, I'd made my stance clear—no more agonizing needed.
I headed to the regular gear section and started picking out weapons as she'd suggested.
"Hm... definitely leagues above a standard iron sword."
Grip, weight, edge sharpness—everything was overwhelmingly superior. I was impressed.
And like some home appliance, the product tags detailed added features down to the finest point.
Magic enhancements too? Sword auras like in wuxia novels would be a breeze now.
'I always figured you needed a skill for that, but now weapons come with it built-in. Soon we'll have lightsabers or some shit. Wait, probably already exist if I look. Hoo~'
I picked out promising ones one by one.
My criteria: durability first. My stats were already SS-rank, and they'd grow with levels, so it had to withstand my strength and agility.
Sure, Myeong's Knight Grandel's Martial Talent let me adjust, but life's unpredictable.
"Anyway, anything good? Hm?"
That's when I spotted a peculiar case floating in the corner.
A massive two-handed mace, long and huge like it was meant for monster-slaying.
Drawn by its unique look, I approached for a closer look.
"Oh? This one?"
About 1.7 meters long, hefty and sturdy-looking—a massive mace that evoked a flanged polearm with the blade swapped for blunt force. Something clicked the moment I saw it.
The split flanges for maximum crushing impact, the sheer toughness you could feel just looking, the menacing vibe perfect for breaking enemy morale.
Never thought it'd pull me in, but damn, I wanted to swing this thing.
"How do I get it out? Hm... just open and grab?"
"Sir! That's not for sale. You can't take it out!"
As I reached for the case, the salesman who'd been guiding Ayoung rushed over in a panic.
"Oh, my bad?"
"That's the (Legendary) Titan's Stake. A divine relic forged by Lord Hephaistos himself to bind the giant gods. More precisely, it's for chaining Titans and staking them to the earth. That's why it's made of divine steel—insanely tough and ridiculously heavy. Even S-rank Strength can barely lift it, and you need SS-rank to swing it properly..."
Legendary? Why the hell is something like that just sitting here?
No wonder they stuck it in that VIP room Ayoung eyed—SS-rank Strength requirement was insane.
No one would steal it anyway; no buyer even if you did.
'That was close!'
Strength requirement SS-rank. Not even among the world's S-rank 'heroes,' right?
Sure, item buffs or bursts could cheese it, but at that point, you'd pick something lighter and nimbler over this tank.
"Nothing to be done, then."
My Strength was conveniently SS-rank, perfect fit, but proving it by claiming it? Total idiot move.
And if I'd lifted it before this guy showed? Disaster.
Close call—I'd be more careful. I turned to browse other gear.
***
"Hmmmmm."
At Hephaistos Workshop's academy branch.
Manager Park Yongheon watched Yoo Seongwon's retreating back and the case holding the Titan's Stake, eyes flicking between them.
He too was a craftsman blessed by Constellation Hephaistos, still in training. He forged weapons in Olympus Guild's workshops and sold them here.
[…….]
"Feeling neglected, huh?"
Only craftsmen blessed by Hephaistos could see it: the weapon's appraisal.
The Titan's Stake had rejoiced at finding its wielder, then mourned his departure.
"Can't just leave it like that. Sir!"
"Hm?"
"Mind if we talk a bit? I've got a proposal."
Park Yongheon dashed after Yoo Seongwon, who'd been about to pick other weapons.
A weapon only mattered in its user's hands.
And this man knew the perils of strong weapons—he gauged his own strength accurately.
Which made it all the more crucial for a hero like him to wield a fitting blade. No, mace.
"A proposal?"
"Yes. Come to our VIP room—total privacy guaranteed. It's nothing bad for you, I promise."
"...Alright."
Yoo Seongwon seemed to pick up on the salesman's intent and nodded. Keeping it from even Shin Ayoung, he followed to the VIP room.
Five minutes later, as Yoo Seongwon waited in the room reserved for top-grade items and discreet deals, Park Yongheon entered carrying the very case from before.
"This? The one from earli—"
"Don't underestimate a Hephaistos-blessed craftsman's eye. We might not know everything about you, but weapons? We sense it like ghosts. This one wants you. Still, to be safe, just lift it over the case for now. Drop it, and it'll punch through to the basement below eighth floor—careful..."
"So the Legendary grade gave me away? Sigh~"
He could fool people, but not a weapon that had chosen him. Accepting it, Yoo Seongwon opened the case and hoisted the Titan's Stake.
The case's anti-grav hadn't let him feel the weight yet, but as he lifted, the immense mass hit.
"Hup!"
"Ooooooh!"
Park Yongheon watched in awe, like witnessing a myth unfold, as the multi-ton Titan's Stake slowly rose.