The Singing Holy Steel Mill
Kim Hwang-je and the hunter rode their bulldog toward the steel mill.
The steel mill they had seen in the dream was a corroded, shattered wreck. The factory that had once teemed with workers and thrummed with vigorous life was gone. In its place, they were greeted by grim piles of rusting weapons and skeletal metal structures.
“What should we do about the wraiths inside, Your Majesty?”
The hunter scanned the facility with his mind’s eye.
“We’ll talk to them. Just warn me if anything looks dangerous.”
Kim Hwang-je examined the heaped rusting weapons and the dump trucks. As they stepped inside the mill, a massive blast furnace and its surrounding machinery came into view. It resembled the majestic smelting furnace that always appeared on television during New Year’s broadcasts. Once running, it would surely pour out an incredible volume of molten iron.
Kim Hwang-je approached and rapped on the furnace.
“Well, damn…”
A dull thud answered him.
“This thing’s useless in its current state.”
“Is it that bad?”
“The molten iron solidified completely while it was still full. They must have been in too much of a hurry to evacuate.”
Without a working furnace there would be no holy sword, and without the holy sword, liberating the port would be nearly impossible. If the port remained trapped, the rear gate of Kim Hwang-je’s own body would be in danger. His worries deepened.
Perhaps it was the knock. A figure cautiously poked its head out from inside.
“Aigoo, you scared me!”
Kim Hwang-je jumped back. The other party seemed equally startled; only their eyes peeked out, trembling as they studied him.
“Wh-who are you, sir? Are you a hunter?”
Only then did Kim Hwang-je take a proper look at them. Several middle-aged men wearing hard hats were hiding inside the blast furnace. Normally it would have been impossible to enter, but because they were spiritual bodies, they had slipped inside without resistance.
It was somehow heartbreaking. After dying every single day, the place they had fled to in hopes of survival was the inside of a furnace.
And it wasn’t only the furnace. Countless wraiths were trembling in every dark corner of the steel mill. A few of them slowly crept out and approached Kim Hwang-je. Eventually, most of the staff had gathered.
Their numbers were smaller than expected. The mill had been highly automated, so it seemed there hadn’t been many employees to begin with.
“…Are you the one who killed the serpent?”
They should have died long ago, yet here they were, still alive. Even though the moon hung high in the sky, they remained free. Moreover, they had witnessed someone fighting Manta. Perhaps today they could finally be liberated? The hope in their eyes was vivid and raw.
Kim Hwang-je addressed them all.
“Yes. I killed Manta. You are all free now.”
“Ahhh! At last!”
“Waaaaah!”
Cheers and cries of joy erupted from every direction. The wraiths who had still been hiding poured out in a rush.
“Then… what happens to us now?”
The question came from the oldest-looking man among them.
Kim Hwang-je hesitated. He had sent the other wraiths to the royal castle under the justification of saving them from their torment. But even after dealing with Manta, was it right to send these people there as well?
At that moment, a frail voice emerged from the talisman around his neck.
“Emperor of another world… I beg you to show mercy…”
It was the voice of the holy knight Benedict, whose soul had entered the talisman earlier. The wraiths who received the gentle light closed their eyes and savored the warmth.
“This warmth… it has been so long.”
“It feels like we’re truly alive…”
“Sob… sob…”
The area dissolved into a sea of tears. Several wraiths approached the talisman, basking in its light as they covered their faces with their hands.
“What should I do?”
Kim Hwang-je genuinely wanted to help them.
“Do not abandon them… or throw them into the furnace… If left alone they will become malevolent spirits… My lord… those who entered Your Majesty’s world… I implore you to liberate them as well…”
So Benedict had known everything. Of course he had—he had been embedded in Manta’s head the entire time, witnessing it all.
“Don’t worry about that. I never intended to keep them bound forever anyway. Let’s liberate both these people and those in the royal castle.”
Even to Kim Hwang-je, it was clear how painful it must have been to exist in human form only to be forced into machines. His original plan had been to build the Magic Tower and magically transfer them into golems that looked human. But if Benedict was willing to help them, it was better to entrust the task to him.
“Thank you… You are a merciful lord indeed… If only the emperor of our continent had been like you… Gather the people before me…”
Following the warm light flowing from the talisman, many stepped forward. Soon the talisman rose into the air and showered them with a gentle radiance. Even after having their strength drained by Manta for so long, Benedict still used his power to save these souls. Kim Hwang-je couldn’t help but feel genuine admiration.
"Peace… peace at last… Walk into the light…"
⟨ Requiem of Release ⟩
The light gently embraced the wraiths. They slowly faded into peace, choosing a natural death instead of becoming malevolent spirits.
Yet a few of them stepped forward from within the light.
“But I cannot go like this.”
“Neither can I.”
“Please give us a chance to repay your kindness.”
“Allow us to take revenge alongside you.”
Kim Hwang-je’s eyes widened. Benedict’s voice trembled.
“You have endured unbearable torment for far too long… Would it not be better to find rest…?”
“It wasn’t only us who suffered. Did you think we wouldn’t know? You protected us.”
The foreman grinned.
“And yet you yourself remain in that talisman instead of departing. You must still have work to do. Please let us help with anything.”
When Benedict hesitated, another spoke up.
“If there is a path to revenge against those monster bastards, include us. We want to help establish justice.”
Those words struck Benedict’s heart.
“Justice… Then speak to him… He is the Emperor… Heaven’s mandate rests upon him…”
“Your Majesty. Will you accept us? Extracting iron and repairing machinery is our specialty.”
Seeing the determination burning in their eyes, Kim Hwang-je extended his hand. For him, this was an unexpected blessing.
“Thank you.”
In that instant—
The power of light I have been granted and your sacrifices now become one… They shall transform you… Accept it…
As their hands met, a powerful light burst from the talisman once more. The foreman and the ten employees who had stepped forward were bathed in brilliant radiance. The wicked demonic energy Manta had left behind vanished from their bodies, and their forms began turning golden.
Within that light, they transformed into Celestials—spirits of light. Their height shrank to that of young children. Their aged appearances became those of beautiful youths. They had lost all their hair, and their skin had turned to pure gold.
Reincarnated as golden Doctor Manhattan?
They had gained much, but they had also lost much.
“Ooh! It is His Majesty’s grace! Long live the Emperor!”
The hunter shouted in celebration as he watched. Kim Hwang-je didn’t bother to stop him. He had no desire to ruin the warm, joyful atmosphere.
The foreman and workers touched their warm new skin and wept.
“Ah, how long has it been since I felt this warmth!”
“The bone-chilling cold is finally over… We are alive right now!”
“…Whenever the day comes that your labors are complete… tell me without burden… The path of rest will always be open to you…”
“Then, Your Majesty. How may we be of service?”
“Repair this facility. We’ll recycle it for use in the kingdom.”
“We shall begin at once!”
They scattered in every direction and began tending to the machines they had operated their entire lives. Astonishingly, they had become something like house spirits. At their touch, the dead machines regained vitality. When needed, they slipped their reflective bodies between the gears to inspect them directly.
This is incredible.
They didn’t need stethoscopes or any special tools. Being able to see and touch the machines directly reduced the workload dramatically. It felt like witnessing a miracle.
“Your Majesty… Once the gates are opened… I shall also return those trapped within the kingdom’s machines…”
“Please do.”
Kim Hwang-je used Manpower Input (Lv. 3) on the golden light flowing from the talisman. Tribute Trade could even bestow the power of light upon the royal castle.
As dawn-like radiance shone upon the heavy machinery filled with wraiths, Manta’s lingering demonic energy was rapidly purified. Many souls found peace and departed. Yet some among them chose to remain. They too became Celestials—spirits now bound to the heavy equipment.
The heavy machines, now powered by Celestial energy instead of Manta’s wickedness, moved with a sound like harp strings as they pushed over trees.
“…I remain under a curse… I shall sleep for a while… When I awaken once more… there will be much to speak of…”
Benedict fell silent. Then a quest window appeared.
Restore Benedict's Power!
Benedict, known as the last holy knight, was a hero who slew countless lords of evil. After he departed to seal the rift and subsequently went missing, countless people fell into despair.
Collect as many holy relics as possible!
Restore Benedict's power and uncover the secrets of the rift!
🎁 Reward: Benedict's Teachings
Recovery: 0 / 100
He disappeared after leaving to close the rift? Then this so-called expulsion must have been the work of those who created the rift.
“I’ll need to obtain holy relics.”
With that thought, Kim Hwang-je used World Observation to look at the rear of the royal castle. The Celestial Bulldozer was pushing away trees and boulders behind the castle walls. Every time a rock or tree was cleared, brilliant light exploded forth, clearly demonstrating its holy impact.
Rumble—!
Finally, the last tree fell. The clearing was complete.
“Good. We’re ready.”
Kim Hwang-je sent the steel mill—disassembled into several sections—behind the royal castle using Tribute Trade. He was careful to minimize impact on the machinery.
After several trips, the separated sections of the steel mill rose behind the castle. The building was as large as Dave’s royal castle, yet its construction of pure iron and metal looked completely out of place beside it.
Gemini stood with her hands clasped over her chest, eyes sparkling as she gazed at the castle. Beside her, Dave swallowed nervously, his face tense.
Next, Kim Hwang-je activated Manpower Input (Lv. 3). The Celestials, who had been awaiting only his command, were drawn toward his lower abdomen. Their wave flowed into the kingdom within his stomach, becoming a golden tide above the steel mill.
A circular cloud formed, and soon beams of light rained down upon the factory.
Flash!
Golden light slowly spread through the dead steel mill.
Rumble!
Suddenly the sound of machinery roared to life. It sounded like the song of many voices. And it truly was singing. The souls of the former workers sang with vigor, and the steel mill came alive.
Sparks flew from inside the dead blast furnace. Crackling flames leaped up, followed by an explosive burst of silver-white fire. The iron and coke that had solidified inside melted under the Celestials’ sacred flames and erupted with a powerful boom!
“Ooh!”
The pouring molten iron and fragments of coke shot into the sky like celebratory fireworks.
Kim Hwang-je clapped his hands.
The Holy Steel Mill.
It was ten times more beautiful than the cursed mill it had once been.
The Singing Holy Steel Mill acquired!
Your Majesty, you continue to solve the kingdom's problems in the most extraordinary ways!
Ride this momentum and build a beautiful world. Thrash about in the pouring rewards and thank me!
And please continue to help The Kingdom Inside My Body grow!
◈ The kingdom can now produce GrimGold.
◈ Current daily production: 1 (0 / 500)
◈ GrimGold is a primary material for powerful magic and advanced technology.
◈ Can also be used to activate monster skills and non-citizen skills.
◈ Kingdom internal affairs and military caps increased: Internal Affairs 100→120, Military 100→120
◈ Auto-battle efficiency slightly increased!
◈ Ministers' reports have improved!
◈ Gemini has begun forging the holy sword!
Resources 25/100 → 40/100
* Internal iron can now be reprocessed.
* Metal-type monsters can now be processed directly in the castle.
* The blast furnace operates on a hybrid of magic power and fossil fuels.
* Magic power insufficient! Production efficiency at 17%.
The steel mill's maintenance costs are devouring the kingdom's finances! Bankruptcy is imminent!
Raise finances to 50/100 immediately.
“What?”
Kim Hwang-je read the last line several times.
Bankruptcy? The royal castle was going bankrupt? And they explained it so cheerfully?
Where the hell was the finance minister? Ah. He had run away. With internal affairs at 12/100, it made sense.
“This damn… No, no… We can’t go bankrupt…”
Kim Hwang-je pressed hard on the word Bankruptcy that glowed ominously in red.
Your Majesty.
You weren’t thinking of working people without paying them, were you?
A massive facility like a steel mill naturally requires maintenance costs. The spirits need resources supplied or they’ll break down.
If you don’t even pay minimum wage, you’re a bad person.
Now, allow me to explain what happens next.
If the kingdom goes bankrupt, the soldiers’ flour will be mixed with dirt and sand, and wages will stop. The soldiers chewing on rock-hard bread will naturally flee with their empty pay sacks, right?
When the army disbands, the castle walls become defenseless. The undefended gates will be destroyed… and then Your Majesty will… sob sob.
Even emotionless tears are clearly visible through text.
This guy really has no blood, no tears, no nothing.
He knows I’ll somehow pull through, so there are no brakes.
Come to think of it, hadn’t Dave once said that if they took all the ogre corpses the kingdom might go bankrupt? They had been frugally holding on, but no one expected the steel mill’s maintenance costs to be this high.
Construct one of the following buildings!
Strengthen the royal castle!
[Potion Workshop] [Magic Tower] [Druid Grove] [Gem Polishing Shop] [Carpentry Workshop] [Leather Factory] [Mystical Creature Exchange] [Rare Mineral Exchange]
“Get lost…!”
Kim Hwang-je shoved away the status window that was urging him to build yet another expensive building.
Cut, paste, cut again. He’d do it twice. It was important, so he’d make a note of it.
Oblivious to Kim Hwang-je’s feelings, the sound of hammers striking swords rang out.
Clang—! Clang—!
The royal castle’s metallurgists and Celestial workers had begun forging Dave’s holy sword in the blast furnace’s flames. Once that holy sword was complete, Dave would take it up and march out to slaughter orcs.
That’s right. When a game is about to go under, sometimes you have to survive on plunder economics. Maybe they could raid the orcs and the port they occupied to refill the kingdom’s coffers.
Go, Dave! Go earn us some money!
But the system wasn’t entirely evil. It gave another reward.
“Take a look at this. There’s a cave beneath this land filled with black slimes. Never use fire magic on them. They explode.”
His phone alarm rang. It was a text message.
“Aah, thank you, Jung Da-yeon!”
Even if the sky falls, there’s always a hole to crawl out through. The time had come to sell the Scarab Champion and Ogre Lord corpses and turn them into money.
That’s right! He didn’t know exactly how the kingdom’s finances worked, but if it came down to it, he could just let it go bankrupt and supply food and money himself!
And while he was at it, he’d buy some holy relics too!
Kim Hwang-je rose energetically from his seat. Where the steel mill had stood, only an empty clearing remained. A heavy silence like snow had settled over the city that had seen countless deaths.
Before leaving for Seoul, Kim Hwang-je stood on the hill one last time, gazing at the city in silent prayer. He prayed that neither the royal castle, nor himself, nor Seoul would ever meet such an end. Especially not one where bankruptcy led to the destruction of the gates.
When the silent prayer was over, Kim Hwang-je opened his eyes.
“And, hunter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Go release the dogs and collect all the gold coins I used on Manta.”
“Yessir…”
The slightly delayed response was probably just his imagination.
Sorry, you ten children. Your father is working hard to feed you all. I’ll make sure you get a share later.
Kim Hwang-je wept for the children in his heart. The guilt inside him finally began to ease.