Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Blacksmith
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Dealing with the boar wasn't all that difficult.
Its massive size allowed it to shatter rocks with a single charge, making it a powerful beast, but it was full of openings if you just dodged the rush.
Of course, most attacks couldn't pierce its thick hide and muscles...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Opened Treasure Vault of Greed. [Sharpness] A spell developed by the Colorless Mage Tower that maximizes a weapon's sharpness by consuming mana. Coating mana over the Forgotten Hero's Sword—which already boosted attack power by 10% against monsters—meant even the boar's thick hide couldn't block Se-woon's blade.
In the end, the beast's heart was pierced, and it knelt before Se-woon.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Defeated the boss monster of Boar Hill, 'Boar Digging the Hill'. Personal contribution increased by 500 points. Acquired 'Giant Boar Tusk'. "A tusk, huh..."
Unlike the Gray Wolf Hide he wore like a cloak, this item was purely a crafting material.
It couldn't be used as-is without processing.
"Makes sense. I've got to maintain the sword and hide anyway."
Good gear was just as important as boosting stats.
If he'd sharpened the sword earlier, the boar fight would've been much easier.
The Gray Wolf Hide had felt fine at first, but constant wear without grooming made the rough fur irritate his skin.
And the loot didn't end there.
"Were you digging for this?"
The name "Boar Digging the Hill" wasn't given lightly.
The hill was riddled with pits the beast had dug, and in the center of the nearest one protruded a rough-surfaced stone fragment.
[Forgotten Hero's Tool] Classification: Material Grade: D- Description: A tool used by a long-forgotten hero from ages past to maintain his sword. Effect: - Any outsider would see it as just an ordinary rock.
But the moment Se-woon saw it, he knew its purpose.
'No way. Is this connected to the Forgotten Hero's Sword?'
With that thought flashing through his mind, Se-woon smirked faintly and pocketed the tool.
He then extended his hand toward the fallen boar, intending to use the Authority of Gluttony and return to camp.
But...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Failed to devour 'Boar Digging the Hill'. "Huh?"
True to Beelzebub's gluttonous nature, fangs that devoured corpses without hesitation failed to appear.
This was a first, leaving Se-woon baffled.
He'd expected drooling fangs waiting eagerly, like with the Wolf Guarding the Grave from the wolf forest.
As he pondered whether to leave the corpse behind—too wasteful—Beelzebub finally reacted.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' misses the crispy monkey meat and demands a new dish from you. "No way..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' drools over the image of succulent roast boar. Constellation 'Hungry Prince' declares he won't permit his authority unless you grill the meat. When he'd used the Authority of Gluttony on the charred monkeys earlier, the reaction had seemed overly enthusiastic. It looked like its tastes had gotten pickier.
'Cooking didn't seem to boost stats further anyway.'
This was tricky.
Grilling once now was fine, but if its palate refined further, it might demand every corpse be cooked.
Time for negotiations.
For now...
Whoosh!
Sizzle...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' wipes drool while eyeing the fat dripping from the boar meat. He started cooking to meet Beelzebub's demand first.
Anyone else might wonder why he was complying during negotiations, but a good deal required tempting offers to sway the opponent.
Soon, the golden-brown boar barbecue was ready, but Se-woon didn't use the Authority of Gluttony.
He just stared at the cooling meat.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' fidgets anxiously, warning the meat will go cold! Ignoring the repeated urgings, Se-woon stayed silent.
Only when Beelzebub's impatience turned to near-desperate pleas did he speak.
"I'll cook for you once a day. No more than that."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' nods vigorously and begs for the meat right away. "And no excessive demands or nagging from now on. You even refused the same food when you got bored of it—that's banned too."
Se-woon threw in every gripe he'd had so far.
Normally, Beelzebub might reject some, but before the perfectly grilled barbecue, its reason had flown out the window.
Only after securing agreement on all terms did Se-woon activate the Authority of Gluttony, handing the meat over.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Devoured 'Boar Digging the Hill'. Absorbed nutrients: Strength +5, Stamina +5. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' frantically devours the barbecue the moment it arrives. Constellation 'Raven with Bowed Head' shakes its head at the sight of the crooked dining table. The Gluttony Demon God, Beelzebub.
Easier to handle than expected.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Boss, you're back!"
"No issues?"
"Thanks to you torching those bastards, we wrapped up quick! Everyone's busy cleaning up monkey corpses now."
"Why aren't you helping?"
"I'm your right-hand man, aren't I? Always ready to assist you at a moment's..."
"If you don't want to burn with the next wave's monsters, get over there and help. Double the effort for slacking off."
"...Yes, sir!"
Park Jeong-pil. As expected, he wanted to lord over camp using Se-woon's prestige.
But Se-woon wouldn't let that slide. No matter how fawning, he knew the guy's true nature better than anyone.
He had no intent to torment based on past-life memories, but he wouldn't ignore it either.
'They're doing better than I thought.'
Under Yoo Seo-ah's command, everyone moved with enthusiasm.
A stark contrast to his past life.
Honestly, he'd figured it would take casualties and a real crisis to build proper tension—and several more days at least.
People were exceeding his expectations.
'That spot looks good.'
Se-woon claimed a suitable area, laying out the wolf hide, sword, tusk, and all materials acquired so far.
'Sword first.'
He picked up the Forgotten Hero's Tool from the boar hunt.
Running his hand over it revealed its rough texture.
A tool for a hero to maintain his sword. In other words, a whetstone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Opened Treasure Vault of Greed. [Black Rock Smithy's Introductory Manual] Secret techniques taught to novices at the smithy of the Black Rock tribe, dwarves renowned as the finest craftsmen. Shh, shhk—
Se-woon began sharpening the Forgotten Hero's Sword.
He'd wiped blood and oiled it as a regular player, but never whetted it himself. Yet now, he did so more steadily than any expert.
Standing, arms extended, using leg power to lightly shift his torso.
Rust flaked off bit by bit.
As the bothersome rust vanished and shine returned, a refreshing satisfaction washed over him.
Then.
"Oho, that's some fine skill."
A voice came from ahead.
Interrupted, Se-woon frowned and looked up, but the old man strode over unperturbed.
"These days, everyone uses grinders—no smiths sharpen blades by hand anymore. And yours is remarkably precise."
"You know whetstones?"
"Of course! I've eaten iron for decades."
Was there someone like this in camp?
Se-woon combed his past-life memories, but no one skilled in weapon maintenance came up.
Probably...
'Someone who died too early to remember.'
Likely fell to a monster before Se-woon could note them.
"Fine whetstone too. Where'd you find such quality in the wild?"
Most in camp feared Se-woon, but the old man seemed oblivious or too engrossed in the sword to care.
'Should I hand it over?'
No downside for Se-woon.
He could sharpen now, but ongoing maintenance and upgrades would waste too much time.
A camp member who could handle gear was more than welcome—proper smiths were unavailable until entering the tower.
"Mind taking over?"
"Oho! Really? I'm thrilled. Thought I'd never touch metal again here!"
Se-woon stepped aside, handing over the sword.
If unsatisfied, he'd resume himself, but observing was worthwhile.
The old man gasped in admiration upon taking it.
"Fine blade. Aged and rusted, but well-balanced, edge not too damaged."
He clearly knew swords.
Sitting naturally at the whetstone, he sharpened with bold confidence.
'Definitely masterful.'
Daring yet endlessly smooth and delicate.
Rust removed thoroughly, edge caressed meticulously. Even simple sharpening felt like artisan work.
Through the Black Rock manual's knowledge, no flaws stood out.
Soon after.
So absorbed, the old man wiped sweat and stood.
"Whew! Haven't focused like that in ages. Here, try it."
Se-woon took the sword.
Swish, swish!
A few swings revealed the difference.
Sharpened so keenly it whistled, slicing air.
Balance improved, motions smoother.
[Forgotten Hero's Sword] Classification: Longsword Grade: D+ Description: A sword honoring a long-forgotten hero from ages past. Restored to former sharpness by a master craftsman's touch. Effects: 1. Craftsman's Touch – Cutting power increased by 20%. 2. Hero's Trace – Attack power against monsters increased by 15%. The system acknowledged the man's work.
'Iron Poison' replaced by 'Craftsman's Touch'—20% cutting boost rivaled Se-woon's Sharpness on the hill.
'Hero's Trace' improved by 5% too.
"Nice."
"Right? Swords look simple, but they're the most sensitive things. Feels good to work metal again."
"Could you handle these too?"
"Oho, prime hide. And a tusk? Well-crafted, this'll make something solid."
Like with the sword, the old man's eyes gleamed at the hide and tusk.
Already immersed, he dove in without reply.
For Se-woon, saving time while expecting better results was ideal.
Then.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Soldier with Golden Crown' takes interest in Player 'Go Chang-seok'. Se-woon's eyes widened at the message floating over the old man's head.