Dangerous Metallurgy 2
“Learn metallurgy. I'll even tell you how I knew and reveal the identity you're so curious about.”
As my deliberations deepened, Kim Seok-jung urged me on, and I sensed it was time to make a decision.
The situation is worse than I thought.
It seemed far more serious than what Hespera had told me. The fact that they'd only managed to take down four monsters before pulling out was already a grave sign. Even with the NPC Class enhancements, it was impossible not to feel uneasy. Especially if it meant they couldn't craft SS-rank gear like they could with leatherworking—it made things even more dangerous.
No choice but to give it a shot. If we're going to raid an SSS-rank dungeon.
In the end, I decided to learn Kim Seok-jung's metallurgy.
“I'll learn it.”
“Good. From now on, call me Master.”
All I'd wanted was to learn metallurgy, and suddenly I had a master. I hadn't anticipated this, so it caught me off guard a bit, but backing out now wasn't an option. All I could do was hope his metallurgy would prove effective.
“Alright, as promised, I'll start by revealing my identity. You know about Mana Machine, right?”
“Yes, Master. I do.”
Of course I did. Extracting electrical energy from mana stones required specialized equipment called mana engines, and Mana Machine was the only company on Earth that produced them. No need for a long explanation—anyone could sense what kind of company it was.
At this point, it was obvious Kim Seok-jung was connected to Mana Machine, probably in a high position.
“I'm the chairman of Mana Machine.”
I froze solid. I'd figured it was a high seat, but chairman?
“Kailut forced me into the role, so I don't really do much—just eat and loaf around. That idiot's still holed up in his lab. I only learned about that business earlier because Kailut came bragging. His dimwitted disciple is some guy named Zeke, and the raid team he runs went into an SSS-rank dungeon and wouldn't shut up about it.”
Now I understood why he was really teaching me. If Kailut hadn't shown up boasting, Kim Seok-jung never would've accepted Lee Musin's request. It felt like a full-on butterfly effect.
If I hadn't entered the leather armor contest, I never would've met Hespera or given her the armor. Then she still wouldn't have cleared the SSS-rank dungeon, and Zeke's Agon raid team wouldn't have hunted SSS-rank monsters. No bragging from Kailut, and Kim Seok-jung would've turned down Lee Musin.
Is this fate too?
“Curiosity satisfied? Ask if there's more.”
“Master, is leatherworking different between ancient techniques and now?”
I took his invitation to ask and probed about leatherworking on a whim.
“No. Leatherworking's the same then and now.”
Was this a relief or a disappointment? Either way, no difference there.
“No more questions, so let's dive into metallurgy. Today, we'll start with the basics of it all: igniting a mana flame.”
The real metallurgy lesson was finally underway.
“We'll begin with a C-rank mana stone cut into 1/16ths. Even if it blows, it won't kill you or sever a hand.”
Kim Seok-jung casually dropped a terrifying opener. Was he trying to reassure me or scare me?
“Watch closely. I'll demonstrate.”
He sprinkled ignition potion on a C-rank mana stone fragment and gripped it.
“First, feel the mana in the stone. Infuse your mana, and you'll sense it react—like water boiling, the stone's mana starts churning. Stop there, then use Ignition to infuse more mana. Like this.”
A faint silver flame rose from the C-rank mana stone fragment in Kim Seok-jung's hand.
“Once the mana flame ignites, toss it straight into the forge. If you want to keep both hands, that is.”
Before his words finished, he hurled the flaming stone into the forge. It popped with a bang, the mana flame roaring fiercely, as he began explaining precautions.
“Key thing to watch: infusing mana. Use Ignition too early before it boils, and the skill's mana might backflow. Keep pouring after it boils without noticing, and boom—the stone explodes.”
This was insane. I felt it bone-deep why Kailut had invented a new method. If I didn't know about SSS-rank monsters, I'd probably have learned this old-school metallurgy too.
But the bigger issue? This wasn't the end.
“A C-rank mana flame melts C-rank ore completely but can't properly smelt B-rank. To melt SS-rank ore, you need an SS-rank mana flame. But...”
His explanation clicked easily—it mirrored butchering monsters. Higher-grade mana stones had wilder mana flows, making the boil harder to detect.
“Mess up an SS-rank mana flame, and you'll wipe out the whole Hunter Management Bureau. Be careful.”
Insane. Not just ancient metallurgy—Kim Seok-jung was insane too. This wasn't metallurgy; it was suicide bombing. Terrorism.
My thoughts must've shown on my face, because he burst out laughing.
“What, already looking like you're doomed? As if you could even infuse an SS-rank stone with your power. You think I'd tell you to ignite one without precautions? That while Kailut researches, I've just been slacking?”
His confident grin told me he had countermeasures. And not just anyone could turn an SS-rank mana stone into a bomb. You needed mana strong enough to match—world top-ten hunter level. Weaker hunters trying would suffer backlash, injuring or killing themselves.
Top-tens wouldn't suicide anyway, but contingencies existed, so stones were strictly controlled. S-rank and above? Hunter Management Bureau managed them on acquisition, reported to the World Hunter Association. No personal use without clear purpose, ID verification, and approval.
“SS-rank is far off, so let's ignite a C-rank fragment first.”
S-rank maybe, but SS-rank? Even I wasn't sure. With his precautions and NPC effects, S-rank didn't scare me, so I focused on the C-rank stone before me.
The instant I gripped the C-rank fragment Kim Seok-jung handed me, I realized my worries were pointless.
It works.
Whoa.
Honestly, I'd been a little anxious. Feeling the stone's mana precisely for timing Ignition was crucial.
The moment I heard it, Residual Mana Detection popped into my head. But would it work on mana stones? Monster corpses and ores felt like materials, but mana stones were different.
Luckily, it dispelled my doubts instantly, lightening my mind.
“Feel the mana, then infuse slowly. You'll sense the reaction. Start tiny—minimal amounts.”
With Residual Mana Detection active, his worries were moot, but I played it cool and infused mana.
Then, the awaited alert appeared.
NPC Class effect activated.
Skill acquired: Mana Flame
Creates a flame fueled by mana from mana stones.
Nothing new—I'd seen this before—so I stayed calm, infusing mana and waiting for the boil.
The stone's mana surged wildly. I cut off, activating Mana Flame.
Whoosh.
A faint silver mana flame rose, just like Kim Seok-jung's.
“Not bad. Musin was right—you've got talent.”
Success on first try earned a impressed look as he handed another fragment.
“This one's C-rank, 1/8th.”
With the skill, no hesitation. Infuse, ignite. The tiny mana boiled fast; total time under five seconds. Felt instant.
His eyes gleamed.
“Skip steps and go full C-rank?”
“Yes. No problem.”
C-rank was nothing—even SS-rank would've been fine. But he didn't know that.
Wait... how do I get SS-rank mana stones? Ask the Chief?
S-rank needed national approval then World Hunter Association report; SS-rank required Association first.
While pondering, he passed a full C-rank. Ignited instantly.
“Hmm... Musin wasn't overselling. World-top talent? You're the real deal.”
This time, genuine surprise. But he had no idea—this was just the start.
“Be careful from B-rank. Unlike C, it can kill hunters. I made gear to monitor reactions, but it's in the US—two days to fetch.”
Countermeasures indeed. Others could learn this too.
But I wasn't ordinary.
“It's fine. Don't need it. Let's do B-rank.”
His brow furrowed.
“I get the confidence, but B-rank can really kill you.”
“Seriously, it's okay. If I die here, that's fate.”
My reckless vibe flushed his face red. He handed a B-rank stone and a scroll.
“Memorize this. To save your neck, ditch the stone and rip this the instant it feels off.”
No need, but it was thoughtful—I took it. Soon, mana flame rose from the B-rank.
He was truly stunned.
“In-incredible. Have you studied metallurgy before?”
“No. First time.”
“R-right.”
“Master, let's try A-rank next.”
A-rank mention jolted him.
“No. Even world-top talent can't handle A-rank. Dimensional leap in mana. Absolutely not.”
Tone shifted from annoyed caution to real worry.
But my persistence won; he relented. A-rank ignited flawlessly—he stammered hard.
“H-how? A-rank on first try? You sure you've never learned this? How?!”
Startled repeat. I asked again.
“Master, got any S- or SS-rank?”
Via Lee Musin, sure—but maybe he had some.
Pale-faced, he yelled desperately.
“Ab-absolutely not! I know you're no ordinary hunter, but S-plus is impossible. This forge couldn't handle it!”
His firm panic forced me to postpone S/SS-rank flames.
To be continued in the next chapter...
The Hunter Who Awakened as an NPC