Chapter 53

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 53

Chapter Title: Dragon Knight (3)

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Scales were in short supply, making S-Rank a tough target, but I still wanted to use the best materials possible.

After much deliberation, I settled on darksteel-mithril alloy. Among the metals I could use right now, it was the priciest. Adding scales and claws on top should at least push it to A-Rank.

I pictured the item I wanted to create in my mind—its form and effects.

'Hmm... how should I go about making it?'

Alright, the design was set.

Activating the Sacred Gear Forging skill brought up the familiar translucent interface in front of me.

The first piece would be the horned helmet Il-ho wanted most.

I gathered darksteel-mithril ingots from the workbench, along with the drake heart I'd been saving. My own scales, and to mesh well with the materials, I picked steel drake hearts.

'These are the tastiest ones... but for Il-ho...!'

Maybe because I'm a gold dragon, but mana hearts tied to metals always tasted and performed better for me. That made them a great fit for the item synergy, too.

It hurt to part with them, but for Il-ho, I steeled my resolve.

I'd already settled on the helmet's shape: a full-face helmet that completely covered Il-ho's features while letting her see out clearly from inside. And at the spot for her horns, larger horns would protrude upward.

Not exactly like mine, but with the same forked structure as my horns.

Next, the breastplate—this one needed a special feature. Whenever Il-ho transformed into her lizard form, her clothes just vanished somewhere.

The issue was that even wearing armor wouldn't protect her in lizard state.

So, I decided to weave in a unique effect to the breastplate. Even if the physical armor vanished, as long ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as Il-ho had it equipped, the defensive effects would persist.

Third, greaves. Having seen Il-ho wield her tail freely, I wanted to incorporate that. They'd fully protect her lower body while segmenting the tail area into flexible joints for easy movement.

And at the tail's tip, I'd add a blade for both defense and offense.

The helmet, breastplate, and greaves all shared a common 'easy don/doff' structure. Il-ho was still young and clumsy with clothes, so as a parent, I had to think of these things.

Finally, the weapon. For little Il-ho, she'd need something with reach. But a full-length spear might be too unwieldy. Spears were easy to learn but lacked versatility in fights against the strong.

'Then a hybrid of sword and spear—a swordstaff it is.'

Length just a bit taller than Il-ho, with a non-slip grip, and I'd invest half my claw casings into the blade.

I placed all the materials on the workbench one by one and brought up the crafting screen.

Three stacks of craftable item types left. I'd invest two: one for the helmet, one for the armor.

Lucky that breastplate and greaves both fell under 'armor.' If they'd required separate footwear crafting, it'd eat up all three stacks just on that.

And the swordstaff counted as a sword-spear hybrid, craftable with sword or spear unlocked. Nice.

Before starting, I explained all the gear's features to Il-ho. What mattered most was if she liked them.

"...So that's how it'll be made, like this and this. You like it?"

Nod...!

Il-ho nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her face was blank as ever, but those eyes clearly brimmed with anticipation for the gear.

"You're not just nodding because I made it—you really like it?"

Nod nod!

I double-checked just in case, but this seemed solid enough to proceed.

As a set item, I laid out materials for all four pieces and hit the Sacred Gear Forging button simultaneously.

Squeeze!

Vrrr-!

A massive surge of mana drained from my body, and the materials before me blazed with fierce golden light. As the glow faded, four items gleamed on the workbench.

A sleek set of armor and swordstaff, jet-black base etched with golden patterns.

S-Rank and S-Grade items. All of them growth types, no less.

Growth types meant they'd grow stronger alongside Il-ho. Holding back on effects upfront turned out to be a masterstroke.

From here, Il-ho would awaken the abilities she needed as she grew.

The set effect 'Mass Shift' was spot-on, too. It overcame the limits of her small frame's weight, or lightened her body when agility was key. Perfect balance of offense and defense.

"Il-ho, come here and try it on."

At my call, Il-ho scampered over. I picked up the helmet first and fitted it over her head. Click—it locked perfectly, resizing to her head.

Next, breastplate and greaves. No help needed; as she brought them near, the pieces magnetized on, enveloping her body in seconds.

Finally, I handed her the swordstaff, completing the look.

Golden patterns flowing over jet-black armor. Two horns sprouting from her head, mirroring mine. A swordstaff dwarfing her tiny frame.

Small in stature, but otherwise the spitting image of a knight straight out of a game. A 'Dragon Knight,' perhaps.

"How's it feel? Like it?"

Il-ho nodded silently. The helmet's visor hid her eyes, but her bubbling excitement reached me clearly.

All that was left was real combat experience.

'Gotta send her into a dungeon...'

Couldn't let her go alone. B+ Rank or not, she had zero battle experience. I wanted to entrust her to a reliable guild for low-level dungeons, building up steadily...

Who to call? First name that popped up: Han No-eul, guild master.

She'd gladly take Il-ho in. Eager to impress me, she'd treat her well.

But I scrapped that thought immediately.

'...No way. Hand her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠over to that woman, and Il-ho's in danger.'

What Han No-eul had done to me was still fresh in my mind. Sending Il-ho would put my precious daughter's chastity at risk.

That left one option. A bit awkward, but trustworthy in this regard.

I scrolled through my contacts for the first time in ages and tapped a familiar name.

Ring-

The line picked up after a few rings, a calm voice answering.

"Yes, this is Lee Ji-young."

"Vice Guild Master, it's Lee Da-yoon."

"Ms. Lee Da-yoon! Long time no talk. What's up? New item maybe...?"

"No, nothing like that. Just one favor to ask."

I glanced down at the pint-sized dragon knight standing proudly beside me.

"Could you take my little sister into a dungeon with you?"

"...Pardon?"

"She's lacking confidence, so I thought some dungeon runs would help her build skills."