Chapter 219
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 219
Chapter Title: Iron Grey
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While others were agonizing over which region to choose, Russell picked the Alvitz Kingdom without hesitation.
‘Mr. Ryu told me. No need to do anything else—just wait for Black Scythe in the Alvitz Kingdom.’
He had heard the 13th round strategy, but the Prophet said there was no need to do the quests.
As a blacksmith class, he could raise his reputation with the dwarves more easily than others.
‘He said he’d told Black Scythe the details. It’s something where his help is absolutely necessary.’
That was why he was waiting endlessly here.
For nearly an hour.
‘H-he’s not coming, is he?’
Just as anxiety about getting stood up started to creep in, a black object appeared in the sky.
“What’s that? Whoa!”
The thing flapping its wings like a demon landed lightly in front of Russell.
It was none other than Black Scythe.
“Russell Daniel?”
“Y-yes, that’s me. Are you Black Scythe?”
Thanks to the fantasy world’s mechanics, nicknames weren’t visible, but he could tell by feel that this was Black Scythe.
“Yeah. I’m Black Scythe.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Honor, my ass. The Prophet told me about you. Said you two are close, so I should look out for you.”
“The Prophet said that?”
Russell was inwardly touched when Black Scythe nodded.
‘Who knew Mr. Ryu thought of me that way... He really is a saint.’
Determined to do even better now that they’d met, Russell suddenly recalled Ryu Min’s words.
‘He said to prove my worth when I meet Black Scythe, right?’
Thinking it wouldn’t hurt to build a solid relationship with Black Scythe, Russell gathered his courage.
“I-I heard you could help me grow, Black Scythe.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“It might be presumptuous, but could you help me out? I want to grow faster.”
“Hmm...”
“In exchange, I’ll cast buffs that help with hunting! Just let me touch your weapon for a sec...”
Ryu Min frowned as Russell approached, miming handing over his weapon.
“You want me to hand over my weapon?”
“N-no, you don’t have to give it to me. Just let me touch it.”
When Ryu Min held out his scythe, Russell lightly placed his hand on it and chanted a skill.
An astonishing message appeared before Ryu Min’s eyes.
[Weapon attack power increased by 150% due to the effect of the ‘Weapon Polish’ skill.]
[The buff lasts until the end of this round.]
‘Attack power goes up by this much?’
He’d heard roughly about the blacksmith skills, but this was his first time experiencing the buff.
“Your weapon attack power went up, right?”
“Yeah. It increased more than I expected—I’m impressed.”
“Haha, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Mind if I touch your armor this time?”
Ryu Min nodded in permission, and Russell placed his hand on the armor.
An even more surprising message appeared.
[Armor options increased by 10% due to the effect of the ‘Equipment Polish’ skill.]
[The buff lasts until the end of this round.]
‘What? The options increased?’
Ryu Min pulled up the info window for the Thanatos Black Demon Armor he was wearing.
‘Defense 2,200, all stats +1.1 per level, 73.7% chance to evade on hit?’
The options had truly improved by 10%.
“The options went up, right? I can buff every equipment slot like this. Oh, excluding weapons and accessories.”
“Really?”
“Since we’re on the topic, let me do it all. This way.”
He buffed the helmet, gloves, and boots too, improving their options by 10%.
It wasn’t a huge boost, but the fact that it enhanced options was significant.
‘For probabilistic options like on this Black Demon Armor, it could push them close to 100% if done right?’
He hadn’t known blacksmiths had skills like this.
Russell grinned proudly at Ryu Min’s impressed expression.
“Surprised, huh? I didn’t realize the Equipment Polish skill I learned at level 60 was this efficient.”
“Repair, Weapon Polish, Equipment Polish... What else you got?”
“Oh, there’s Material Crafting, but it’s not a buff skill, so it’s not that great. It’s just for gathering junk items to make higher-grade materials.”
Ryu Min nodded in acknowledgment.
Materials could be bought with money, so he didn’t need it.
Russell might, though.
‘Still, Weapon Polish and Equipment Polish alone make it a helpful class.’
“How about it? Was that useful?”
“More than enough.”
Russell inwardly cheered at Ryu Min’s satisfied expression.
He’d solidly proven his worth.
“Let’s go. I’ll help you grow more.”
“Thank you. Um, where are we headed...?”
“According to the Prophet, we need to go to the Kargago Mountains. Find the dwarf city there.”
“You know the way?”
“Yeah. I’ve got some connections with the dwarves.”
Ryu Min smirked and switched his title to ‘Forerunner.’
Russell’s eyes widened at the text floating above his head.
“What’s that on your head?”
“First time seeing it, huh? It’s a title. Comes with various effects. The Prophet said you’ll get one too if you build a good relationship with the dwarves.”
“Oh.”
“No time to dawdle. Let’s move.”
“Um...”
Ryu Min’s tone sharpened as Russell spoke up again.
“What now.”
“W-well, are you going to fly like before? I-I have a fear of heights...”
“Don’t worry. We’re walking. The dwarf city’s underground.”
* * *
Near the Alvitz Kingdom lay the Kargago Mountains.
And beneath them was Iron Grey, the dwarf city that anyone who mattered knew about.
Clang—clang—!
The sound of metalworking echoed everywhere.
“Wow... So this is the dwarves’ city...”
“Shut your mouth. They’re staring.”
The dwarves glared at Russell, who was gawking curiously.
They actively traded with humans, so they didn’t bar entry, but humans were still outsiders.
No one would welcome them treating the city like a zoo.
Whether he knew that or not, Russell shamelessly eyed the dwarves’ work with fascination.
‘It’s not just curiosity—it’s like he’s overflowing with passion?’
Maybe because he’d found fellow smiths?
Russell’s enthusiasm was practically visible.
“Look at that. The hammer strikes are art. Perfect angle, no shake at all. Wow, check out that guy’s handiwork. The skill in handling iron is no joke. Making armor plates, huh? How does he get that finesse with those small, thick hands... Ooh, are all those standing in the back his own creations? I wanna touch one...”
“Russell. Snap out of it and come here.”
“S-sorry. Haha...”
Dragging Russell—who was like a cat in front of a fish market—they arrived at Iron Grey’s largest smithy, ‘Hammerfall.’
“Here. Go in.”
“W-wait a sec. Something popped up...”
Russell was staring into space.
Must be a subquest.
“A quest to work as an assistant at Hammerfall for 3 hours?”
“Rewards?”
“Reputation with dwarves becomes Very Friendly, and all skills improve by one level. But only for blacksmith class.”
Clear one quest to pass the round and upgrade skills.
‘No sweeter subquest than this. Only Russell can do it, though.’
Three hours of work wasn’t bad compared to others.
‘Others would need at least six hours for reputation grinding.’
That made Russell the de facto rank 2 for this round.
‘Assuming he gets hired, of course.’
Just walking into a smithy and asking to assist wouldn’t cut it.
Who’d trust a random human with no connections?
Lucky not to get kicked out.
‘But no worries. I’ve got this.’
Ryu Min opened the smithy door and beckoned Russell inside.
“Whoaaa...”
Russell kept gasping at the massive smithy that stretched beyond sight.
Then a young-looking dwarf approached with a prickly glare.
“What business do humans have here?”
But that changed in an instant.
The dwarf’s eyes widened upon seeing Ryu Min.
“Huh? Oh, aren’t you the Forerunner?”
Ryu Min nodded.
He wasn’t surprised anymore when random dwarves recognized him.
Just another testament to the greatness of the reputation system.
“I’m here to see Hammerfall’s blacksmith, Haimer.”
“Haimer? P-please wait a moment.”
The young dwarf dashed off and soon returned with a bushy-bearded one.
It was Haimer, the blacksmith he’d met in round 8.
“Ooh, Forerunner! To think you’d visit our Iron Grey! I’ve missed you!”
With ‘Very Friendly’ reputation, Haimer welcomed Ryu Min warmly.
“No sense standing here—this place is too noisy. Let’s go somewhere quiet.”
“Lead the way.”
Once in a relatively quiet break room following Haimer, Ryu Min introduced Russell.
“Let me introduce him. This is Russell Daniel, a close associate of mine.”
Russell panicked inwardly at ‘close associate’ but quickly played along.
“N-nice to meet you. Call me Russell.”
Too much height difference for a handshake, so they just nodded.
“Likewise. So, Forerunner, what brings you to our city?”
“Perfect timing—I was about to ask. Could you use this guy for a day? As an assistant. He’s dying to learn from the best dwarf smiths. Don’t let appearances fool you—he’s got real smithing chops.”
At ‘one of us,’ Haimer’s gaze fixed on Russell.
“Ever done smithing?”
“Y-yes, only six years experience, but I can handle the basics.”
“What’ve you made?”
“Uh, lots. Longswords, daggers, bracelets, shields, chairs, armor, you name it. Pretty much everything.”
“Hoo? That puts you past intermediate level.”
Haimer eyed Russell with surprise.
He liked what he heard.
‘Interview passed.’
No more worries about employment.
Sure enough.
“Very well. Since the Forerunner recommended you, I’ll hire you as an assistant for today—special exception.”
“Th-thank you!”
“But it’s late, so only three hours. That okay?”
“Yes, perfect!”
Russell beamed like a student eager to learn, and Haimer didn’t mind.
He seemed pleased by the enthusiasm, itching to get him started.
“Ready to work now?”
“Yes, yes!”
“And you, Forerunner?”
“My business is done. Time for me to head out.”
Russell hurried over and bowed Korean-style.
“Thank you for the help. Without you, Black Scythe, I’d never have gotten this chance.”
It was a quest impossible without Ryu Min’s high-reputation introduction.
“I’ll repay this favor. I really will.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Now Russell owed him one, so he’d view Black Scythe favorably.
“Oh, right—before I go, I’ve got business with Haimer.”
“With me? Need something?”
“Heard Iron Grey sells some special materials.”
“What materials?”
Ryu Min listed off the god-tier synthesis ingredients one by one.
Haimer’s expression shifted with each one.
“Ahem, where’d you hear that rumor...”
“I get around. You got them?”
“We do. We do, but...”
“Can you sell them to me?”
Haimer looked troubled for the first time, despite his usual friendliness.
“Well... We went through hell to get them. Can’t just hand them over...”
“I’m not asking for free. I’ll buy them all.”
“These are pricey materials...”
“No worries.”
Ryu Min grinned.
“If it’s gold, I’ve got plenty to spare.”