NPC Metallurgy 3

As expected from my worst fears, it came true without fail. Not only the cast, but even the weapons I made myself now had equip restrictions.

Can't be helped.

I gave up quickly. After all, there was nothing I could do about it. I was dumbfounded by the sudden equip restrictions, but it wasn't like they were completely unusable, and since they were stat-based limits, it wasn't a huge issue.

Though I'd mentally let it go, my lingering reluctance must have shown on my face.

As I came back down to the forge, Kim Seok-jung spoke up.

"Something wrong?"

There was no point hiding it, nor any reason to, so I answered honestly.

"Looks like the gear I made has stat restrictions."

I figured he'd be shocked again, but Kim Seok-jung was nonchalantly unsurprised, as if mocking my reaction.

"Isn't that obvious?"

"Pardon?"

What was this now? I'd never heard of gear with stat restrictions before.

And yet, he called it obvious.

"Did you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠really think there'd be no restrictions at all? You still don't fully grasp what you've made. In simple terms, what you created is a mana stone. An artificial mana stone."

"Ah!"

"Of course, it's not a real mana stone. But if it has the same properties as one, then just like a mana stone rejects mana based on a hunter's level, your gear rejecting mana based on their level is only natural."

I'd just chalked it up to some NPC effect, but after hearing Kim Seok-jung's explanation, I realized there might be a real reason for the restrictions.

That thought didn't last long, though. No point dwelling on it now.

Knowing the reason changes nothing anyway.

I had no intention of wasting mental energy on pointless worries, and right on cue, Kim Seok-jung moved on.

"Alright, now let's polish the blade and learn mana coating."

Having done it once before, sharpening the blade went surprisingly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smoothly this time. It felt so natural that I wondered if polishing was the easiest step in metallurgy. I finished it in no time.

"Now, time for mana coating. This protects the blade—or more precisely, absorbs the shock inflicted on the sword."

Kim Seok-jung finally began explaining the final step in weapon crafting.

"The initial coating is done with the blacksmith's mana, but afterward, the sword's own mana maintains it. The coated mana absorbs shock from attacks or blocks, and you can reinforce it by adding your own mana as a hunter."

With that, he picked up the first sword we'd made and started the mana coating process.

"First, infuse mana into the sword to connect it to the sword's mana, then push the mana from inside out so it settles on the surface—that's when you activate the coating skill. Like this."

I could feel mana wrapping around Kim Seok-jung's sword.

"Remember, you must connect it to the sword's mana for automatic recoating if it wears off. Now, you try."

After hearing the precautions, it was my turn.

I wonder how the coating skill will manifest.

Grasping ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the sword with anticipation, the NPC effect didn't disappoint.

The NPC's mana coating didn't just absorb damage—it reflected some too. It didn't specify the amounts, but as an NPC ability, it was worth high expectations.

With the skill ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠acquired, I followed Kim Seok-jung's instructions without hesitation. The coating process was straightforward, and I wrapped it up easily.

"All done. The process is the same for other weapons. But your hammering skills are lacking, so you'll need more practice."

* * *

It took a full two days to finally complete the sword. Skipping sleep for a day or two wasn't an issue, but with the assault team due back any moment, I decided to pause and rest.

Kim Seok-jung, back in Korea after ages, had personal errands and vanished after saying we'd meet in two days.

"Whew. And this was just one A-rank longsword. I'm already wiped. How am I gonna keep this up..."

Thinking of all the gear ahead made my head throb.

"At least I have the casts. Without them... ugh."

The casts lightened my load a bit, like a ray of salvation. Sure, they had limits, and I still had tons to make, but without them, I'd have burned out before starting.

"Wonder how the performance turned out?"

My head aching from future gear thoughts, I shifted to something else: the equipment's stats.

All other issues were secondary. What mattered most was performance.

I hadn't even tested if I could make SS-rank gear yet, let alone what its restrictions might be. The restrictions suggested I could, but only trying would tell.

"It won't be ridiculously high, right?"

A horrifying scenario flashed in my mind, sending chills. I shook my head vigorously.

And then, the call I'd been waiting for arrived.

"Guild master, we did it. We finally cleared the SS-rank dungeon."

lol lol

The assault team that conquered the SS-rank dungeon had gathered, their faces beaming with pride.

Korea was now the 15th country worldwide to clear an SS-rank dungeon. In Asia, third after China and India.

The news had already broken via media, and on their way here, the team endured a barrage of reporter interviews.

Thanks to the guild being inside the Hunter Management Bureau, the press couldn't get in. Instead, they swarmed outside, numbers growing by the minute.

"Everyone, great job. And congratulations from the heart."

I offered my thanks to the team.

"No, it's all thanks to you, guild master. Without you, SS-rank clears would've been a pipe dream."

"Exactly. We couldn't have dreamed of clearing it without you."

Having become slaves to NPC goods, they rushed to credit me instead.

"You're probably exhausted from the clear, so let's get to the point. SSS-rank dungeons are on another level from SS-rank. That's why we can't keep running assault teams like this. As you've heard from Raid Leader Bang Taegeuk, we're shifting to a guild structure for SSS-rank."

The word had spread via Bang Taegeuk, so no surprises. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Especially the former Cheonmang Guild members, shattered after Heo Jinhyuk vanished—they looked downright desperate.

"If guild restrictions or special conditions tie anyone down, contact me separately, and I'll handle it. Take your time, and by this weekend, let Raid Leader Bang Taegeuk or me know your intent."

"I'll say it now. I'm joining."

No sooner had I finished than Choi Taesu spoke up. For his personality, jumping in immediately was par for the course—no shock there.

But right after Choi Taesu, a flood of applications erupted.

"Me too."

"Count me in. Right now."

"I'll fill out the application immediately."

This much I'd half-expected. Bang Taegeuk had tipped me off that the team wanted in.

But this one? Total surprise.

"I'll join too."

Kang Tae-hoon.

I'd even allowed him raid participation without joining. Why guild up now? Baffling.

The room fell silent, other members stunned by Kang Tae-hoon's words.

"My previous promise still stands."

I reminded him of our deal.

But Kang Tae-hoon didn't budge.

"Doesn't matter. I want to join the guild... Gahk!"

Kang Tae-hoon was no ordinary guy either.

Park Chan-yeol, caught off-guard by the unscripted bombshell, intervened.

Staring blankly at first, Park Chan-yeol chopped Kang Tae-hoon's neck as he opened his mouth again. A clean neck slice.

"Have you lost your mind?"

Park Chan-yeol eyed him incredulously, but Kang Tae-hoon was unfazed.

"What? You can join the guild, but I can't? Better I join and hand you the guild master spot. Take good care of it from now on."

"Got it. As the new guild master, I'll disband it and join Support Guild myself."

Kang Tae-hoon's bomb drew a counter from Park Chan-yeol, and Kang Tae-hoon's voice rose.

"You mad? You dare disband Elision Guild? After all I built it into?"

"Then just keep being guild master."

"But I can't use armor and potions normally."

"You're handing over guild master for potions?"

As their voices escalated, lightning crackled between Kang Tae-hoon and Park Chan-yeol.

Bzzt.

Startled, they jumped back, and Choi Taesu's voice followed.

"Save personal drama for later."

His word settled it instantly.

Not that Kang Tae-hoon feared Choi Taesu. No matter how strong, Kang Tae-hoon didn't bow to power.

Rather, as Choi Taesu implied, their bickering had halted the meeting.

With order restored, I continued.

"After the meeting, Guild Master Kang Tae-hoon and Vice Guild Master Park Chan-yeol, stick around for a chat. And one more thing for everyone."

I brought up the blacksmith topic.

I couldn't craft weapons on the spot, but I needed to know what gear they used.

"We've intel on the SSS-rank dungeon: your current weapons won't cut it. So, we're issuing all-new weapons and armor."

Sudden new gear talk filled their faces with confusion.

One raised a hand.

"Guild master, my sword's from America's Iron Forge. Even this won't work?"

I didn't know the Iron Forge, but the others' shock showed its fame.

With Zeke's weapons shattering, some obscure forge's wouldn't either.

"No. For reference, Zeke van Drake's weapons barely worked."

Zeke's name dropped a bomb of horror.

"N-No way. If the world's top blacksmith's gear fails, how the hell do we kill it?"

"Means SSS-rank is impossible right now."

As confusion spread, Choi Taesu asked curiously.

"If the best blacksmith's weapons flop, whose are you giving us?"

His sharp question shifted the mood.

Weird, yeah. Knowing top gear failed, yet promising new stuff? Didn't add up.

I hit them with the real shock.

"Who else? Mine, obviously."

To be continued in the next chapter...

<The Hunter Who Awakened as an NPC>