Chapter 556: Technological Revolution (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 556: Technological Revolution (3)
Clang—!
Clang, clang—!
A repetition of movement.
A repetition of sound.
With every swell of Roman Dmitry’s muscles as his hammer struck the steel, the world around him faded away, leaving nothing but himself and the metal. It was truly the State of Selflessness. It was a realm skilled artisans prayed to experience just once in their lifetimes, yet Roman Dmitry could isolate his consciousness the moment he willed it. Severing himself from the outside world, he plunged deeply into his work, focusing on a singular purpose.
Clang!
His current life and his past life.
Across both, he had swung a hammer countless times.
Roman Dmitry had concluded that the technological level of this current life was severely lacking, but he didn’t believe the gap stemmed from a difference in human capability. Take Hendrick, the Master Blacksmith of Dmitry, and Park Gwang-deok, hailed as the greatest artisan of the Korean Empire. The disparity between them wasn’t a matter of skill or effort. Both were outstanding artisans who had dedicated their lives to the hammer; yet, despite their incomparable dedication, a massive gap remained.
It was a difference in culture.
A difference in background.
In Hendrick’s world, refining steel was a top priority. In Park Gwang-deok’s world, it had been pushed to the wayside by the development of modern society. Crafting cold weapons from steel was deemed obsolete in an era of firearms. In a way, Park Gwang-deok’s resolve—refusing to let go of his hammer even before the Great Disaster struck, in a world that refused to recognize him—was incredibly remarkable.
But setting that aside, the true reason the gap had widened lay in their understanding of the very foundation of the world: mana.
The difference between understanding it, and being ignorant of it.
In his past life, they understood mana.
Aura and magic had flourished, and because a solid theoretical framework for mana had been established, all that knowledge was naturally infused into their swords. Blacksmiths didn’t view their creations merely as steel weapons, but as vessels meant to house mana. That technology, which had initially undergone countless trials and errors just like in this current life, eventually blossomed into a massive golden age by the time Dmitry rose to prominence.
Furthermore, unlike this current life, that world was rich in ambient mana.
Even if Dmitry’s artisans couldn’t actively wield mana themselves, it naturally seeped into their very actions.
‘The artisans of this current life live in a world where technology has stagnated. Because ambient mana is scarce, they must intentionally inject it during the crafting process to create mana weapons. And because they only manifest mana through the System, they completely lack an understanding of the concept itself. If hundreds of years were to pass like this, starting with pioneers like Park Gwang-deok, they might eventually reach a level of technology comparable to Dmitry’s. Their lack of prowess isn’t due to a lack of effort; it is simply the absolute limit allowed to them right now.’
Clang!
The Technological Revolution.
He would accelerate its arrival.
The technology that should have taken countless trials and errors to perfect—Roman Dmitry intended to force it to bloom in this current life.
For the revival of the Korean Empire?
That was part of it.
But the real reason lay with Dmitry.
‘I wish to rule this world. While my reign in the past was simply for the sake of reigning, the reign I desire now stems from a heart that refuses to allow even a single variable. Dmitry. I will not let a single variable interfere with the process of bringing that world here. I truly hope the powerhouses of this world and the existence known as the Absolute do not dare to obstruct my purpose.’
Clang—!
His will swelled.
His desire blazed.
Yet, in stark contrast to his violently boiling emotions, Roman Dmitry’s hammering continued with a calmness that bordered on tedious.
He followed the orthodox path.
Normally, he would manifest the Flame Divine Art and work far more explosively, but the technique he intended to show the artisans of this current life had to remain within a realm that ordinary people could emulate. He didn’t expect them to learn it just by watching him once. However, the sight they witnessed with their own eyes would serve as the bedrock of the Korean Empire. To build the powerful nation he envisioned for the future, Park Gwang-deok and the artisans needed to grow into a solid foundation.
Just as Dmitry had its blacksmiths.
The Korean Empire would have its artisans.
Roman Dmitry intentionally shifted his mana, demonstrating a new form of crafting technique perfectly suited for this current life.
Dozens, hundreds, thousands of hammer strikes.
One day, two days, three days—time flew by.
And when a full week had finally passed...
Sssss.
Roman Dmitry finally stopped his hammer.
* * *
Over the past week, Park Gwang-deok and the other artisans had shared a single thought:
‘Regardless of His Majesty Emperor Roman Dmitry’s proposal, I will absolutely decipher the principles of his technique by watching him work. It isn’t just for one day, but a whole week. For those of us who have lived our entire lives in the forge, that is more than enough time.’
They had steeled their resolve.
As Roman Dmitry began his work in earnest, they glared with fierce determination, intent on burning his every movement into their retinas.
And so.
Clang—!
The work began.
"Wow."
"Ah..."
Everyone gasped in admiration right from the start.
They had expected Roman Dmitry’s work to rely heavily on System skills, but he displayed a perfectly orthodox approach. This was the true realm of artisans. Instead of using a skill to instantly synthesize something, he poured in time and sweat, gradually shaping the steel through countless, rhythmic hammer strikes.
He looked completely different to them now.
Roman Dmitry wasn't just an Emperor.
He was an artisan, just like them.
They had held prejudices based on his youth and royal status, but he was demonstrating a method of working that was impossible for anyone who hadn’t truly walked the path of an artisan. With every strike of the hammer, they could feel the sheer weight of the years he had dedicated to the craft. The realization of how much Roman Dmitry had agonized and labored to forge a single sword washed over them like a suffocating tsunami of emotion.
They acknowledged him.
They had no choice but to.
From that moment on, the artisans stopped trying to dissect and learn his technique; they were completely mesmerized by the scene itself.
Whoosh.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Amidst the dancing flames, a strange sight caught the artisans’ eyes.
The red-hot mana rising from the forge was being sucked directly into the steel. Whenever Roman Dmitry struck the metal, the mana would erupt violently before being seamlessly drawn back inside.
Repeated hammer strikes.
Repeated explosions of mana.
Park Gwang-deok’s eyes trembled.
The sight that had baffled him at first finally revealed its true meaning.
‘...To force the ambient mana of nature to permeate the steel with every strike of the hammer. This is it. He isn’t using a crafting skill, nor is he leaving any gaps in the physical forging process. This is the true way to craft a weapon that perfectly accepts mana while remaining structurally flawless! Because the steel naturally absorbs the mana during its creation, His Majesty Emperor Roman Dmitry’s sword allows both physical strength and magical power to perfectly coexist.’
He was in absolute awe.
But at the same time, a deep sense of helplessness washed over him.
While it sounded like a simple theory in words, the ability to freely manipulate ambient mana without relying on a System skill was an impossible realm for them. The people of this current life only manipulated mana through skills. Rather than truly understanding and controlling it, they relied on a System where mana simply accompanied the activation of a skill.
It was baffling.
How on earth was this even possible?
The other artisans were having the exact same reaction as Park Gwang-deok.
"...W-what is this?"
"This is art. It’s the realm of art."
"Ah..."
They were completely captivated, entirely forgetting their original purpose. Rather than trying to steal the technique, they simply yearned to capture Roman Dmitry’s majestic figure in their eyes for even a second longer.
Only then did they realize Roman Dmitry’s true intention.
His work wasn’t something that could be learned simply by watching. The technique of manipulating ambient mana was merely a single step in the process. Even after that, countless more steps had to be taken to complete the sword. For artisans who didn’t fundamentally understand mana, it was impossible to even mimic his actions without first mastering the foundation.
The sun set, and the sun rose again.
The artisans did their utmost not to move an inch from their spots.
A technological revolution was unfolding right before their eyes. Knowing that a new era was dawning by Roman Dmitry’s hands, they burned this historic moment into their minds.
And so, a week passed.
When the hammering finally ceased...
Sssss.
"Your Majesty. Please accept us."
"Your Majesty. Please accept us."
"Your Majesty. Please accept us."
Led by Park Gwang-deok, the artisans bowed their heads in unison, crying out their oaths of loyalty.
* * *
Park Gwang-deok spoke up, his voice trembling with emotion.
"I realized it while watching Your Majesty work. The way we have been forging mana weapons all this time was nothing but a half-measure. Even though we knew that relying on skills was an incomplete method, we turned a blind eye to reality because humanity was in immediate danger. Please, teach us. The artisans of the Artisan Association, myself included, desperately yearn to learn the technique that cannot be grasped simply by watching. If you open this new path for us, we will gladly dedicate our lives to the Korean Empire and to Your Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry."
"Please accept us."
"Please accept us."
Their yearning spread like wildfire.
The artisans looked up at Roman Dmitry with absolute reverence.
The moment they acknowledged him not just as the Emperor of the Korean Empire, but as a peerless master artisan, they knew that dedicating their everything to him would not be in vain.
They were citizens of the Korean Empire.
And they were artisans who had dedicated their entire lives to the forge.
To them, Roman Dmitry was the ultimate existence.
Meeting their intense yearning, Roman Dmitry finally spoke.
"I know exactly how crucial the role of a weapon-crafting artisan is. No matter how outstanding a warrior’s swordsmanship may be, if they hold a blade that cannot pierce a monster’s hide, that swordsmanship is worthless. In this new era, in this chaotic world, you possess a value far greater than you realize. I, Roman Dmitry, will elevate the standing of all artisans. I will prove your worth to the world."
Dmitry.
The Korean Empire.
He was forging a link of destiny between them.
Just as Dmitry had established its unshakeable foundation through its crafting technology, he intended for these artisans to become the bedrock of the Korean Empire.
Park Gwang-deok and the artisans were moved to tears.
They had been respected as artisans before, but no one in this world had ever championed their intrinsic value the way Roman Dmitry just did.
People who made weapons.
That was all they were to the rest of the world.
But Roman Dmitry was different. Because he had lived through his past life, he knew intimately just how vital the existence of true artisans was.
As emotion welled up within their chests and they looked up at him, Roman Dmitry spoke of a new future.
"The beginning will be one month from now. We will host a Technology Exhibition and invite every nation in the world. Just as you are doing right now, people will look up at the technology of the Korean Empire in awe, yet they won't dare to even dream of copying it. That will mark the start of the Technological Revolution. I will build a stage where you are the protagonists, and this country will face a new turning point."
A brilliant future.
He was offering them the spotlight.
Overwhelmed by emotions beyond words, Park Gwang-deok and the artisans shared a single thought:
No matter how much time passed, they would never, ever forget this moment—the moment their existence was truly recognized.
* * *
While the Korean Empire was undergoing this massive upheaval, Wang Wiryong was deeply immersed in his training.
Ever since his crushing defeat at the hands of the white-clad mage—who had since changed his name from Park Min-woo to Kim Pan-seok—he had spent far more time tempering himself than focusing on politics. Today was no different. After swinging his sword until he was drenched in sweat, he wiped his face with a towel handed to him by a subordinate and glanced at Xiao Long, who was waiting quietly to the side.
"What is it?"
"I have something to report."
"Speak."
He took a canteen. As he drank, Xiao Long's voice reached his ears.
"There was a minor incident in the Korean Empire. A man named Park Cheol-min, a member of the Incheon Government's Directly Controlled Unit, visited Miracle, a repair center in Seoul, to have his sword maintained. The issue is that the sword Park Cheol-min received as a standard-issue supply was of such absurdly high quality that it stirred up the entire Artisan Association of the Korean Empire. It turned out to be a sword personally crafted by His Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry. Following this revelation, an unusual atmosphere has been flowing between the Korean Empire's government and the Artisan Association."
"...A sword personally crafted by His Majesty?"
"Yes."
Freeze.
Wang Wiryong stopped dead in his tracks.
The only reason he had his subordinates keeping such a close eye on the Korean Empire's movements was due to his absolute loyalty to Roman Dmitry. He wanted to be ready to rush to his side at a moment's notice if anything were to happen. As a descendant of the Heavenly Demon Cult, he possessed a burning desire to prove his loyalty on his own initiative, even if Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk hadn't issued any special orders.
And now, he had just learned about this incident with the Artisan Association.
It was a story others might easily dismiss as trivial, but in that moment, Wang Wiryong felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
‘The Heavenly Demon’s Sword.’
His eyes shook violently.
His father. Whenever his father recounted the legends passed down through generations of their ancestors, there was one story in particular that had left a profound impression on him.
"Lord Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk was an existence who had reached the absolute pinnacle of mastery, even as an artisan. Whenever he faced a decisive battle, he would personally forge a sword perfectly suited to his current self. The thirty-nine blades born in this manner were known as the Heavenly Demon's Swords, praised as the greatest treasures in all of Murim. Although they are all believed to be lost to time, my greatest dream was to one day hold one of Lord Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk's swords and perform the Heavenly Demon Sword Technique."
A violent shiver ran down his spine.
His father's dream!
And the intense yearning he himself had harbored in his heart every time he listened to that story!
He had forgotten it for a moment. Because Roman Dmitry's return had been so sudden and overwhelming, he hadn't had the luxury of thinking about the Heavenly Demon's Sword recently. But Xiao Long's report forcefully revived the memory.
At the same time, a potent mixture of anger and jealousy boiled up inside him. Wielding a Heavenly Demon's Sword was his lifelong dream! Yet some nobody named Park Cheol-min from a Directly Controlled Unit had been casually bestowed one, completely ignorant of its immense value!
Intense greed surged within him.
A standard-issue supply. Others might look down on its value simply because it was distributed as a mass-produced good, but Wang Wiryong didn't think that way at all.
There was exactly one month left before the Technology Exhibition.
"Prepare a teleportation magic circle to the Korean Empire immediately. I must meet Park Cheol-min myself."
His trip to Korea—an event destined to throw the Technology Exhibition into chaos—was officially decided.