The Dwarves' Hidden Refuge
“...That’s utterly impossible. Their decayed technology couldn’t pull it off.”
Firnen de Artua flatly denied it, her distrust of the dwarves crystal clear.
“I’ll take full responsibility for the results. We don’t have any other options anyway, right? Or would you rather cover it with materials that ruin the aesthetics?”
“......”
Hit right in the bullseye, Firnen clamped her mouth shut. She furrowed her brow, lost in thought. After a moment, she gave her answer—with conditions.
“Fine. If it fails as expected, we’ll reclaim that golden bracelet. Of course, we’ll pay for the labor.”
“Understood. And while it’s being repaired, the dwarves will stay in the city. They’ll keep a low profile in that rundown building at the northern edge.”
“...Do it.”
Firnen nodded with a displeased look after hearing about the village’s state. This was more than enough of a win.
“I’ll take reports separately, but if you want to back out, feel free to drop by anytime. See you soon.”
With a light farewell, she vanished inside the walls. Jinook Artua, who’d been glaring the whole time, also led his group away.
Ding-
[You have completed Main Quest #5.]
[You received 200,000 gold.]
[Experience increased by 60,000.]
[5 stat points granted.]
[Progress has surged dramatically.]
[Main Quest #6: Survival]
You’ve repelled the first wave and succeeded in negotiations with the mayor.
Are the dwarves who evacuated underground okay?
Goal: Return to the village and confirm the dwarves’ survival.
Reward: None
*Current progress: 22%
The next Main Quest message followed right away. The progress jump was massive.
Whoosh-
Then, amid the dispersing subjugation team, someone turned around. A handsome brown-haired adventurer in his forties.
“That was impressive earlier. I didn’t expect an outsider adventurer to help this much. As a citizen of Ifrit, thank you.”
The adventurer extended his hand with a warm greeting. Kang Hanbit shook it lightly in return.
“No big deal. It was the right thing to do.”
“You’re surprisingly deep for someone so young. I’m Zenon, a B-rank adventurer. If you need anything, just say the word. I’ll help.”
“Black Dragon. If something comes up, I’ll definitely hit you up.”
The exchange, like swapping business cards, wrapped up quickly. For now, it was casual—but he’d be a huge help starting tomorrow.
‘Alright, now for that side.’
Left alone, Hanbit turned his gaze north. In the still-quiet village, faint shadows of short figures bustled about.
“Black Dragon!”
Then Avant-garde appeared through the breached wall.
“Where’d you go? I figured you’d join right up.”
“Scouted around the village. Had to check for any saboteurs.”
“Smart. Find anything?”
“Spotted two NPCs. Looked like the mayor’s plants.”
He nodded in satisfaction, saying he’d prepared for that. Hanbit had noticed early but didn’t bother mentioning it.
“Let’s head to the dwarf village then.”
“Yes!”
The two made their way to the northern wall outskirts. As they neared the village, a strange sound echoed.
“Damn it all!”
The voice belonged to dwarf prince Gorik. He frantically rummaged through the crushed village—even tossing aside his ever-present robe.
“Kudran! Rikenna! Jenobo! Where are you!”
Gorik’s calls for his people were desperate. Seeing it, Hanbit was inwardly surprised.
‘That’s a new level of reaction from him.’
Unlike past loops, he’d played the situation smart this time—working with others gave him breathing room. Maybe that’s why Gorik showed more raw emotion than remembered.
“Can’t you hear me! My voice...”
Edging deeper in, he froze at the village center, then dropped to his knees in despair.
-T_T
-They’re all dead. T_T
-Total wipe (not actually dead)
-Did he want to come back after all?
-That damn pride;
His gruff usual self nowhere in sight—it shocked everyone. Hanbit stepped forward slowly.
“No need to yell like that.”
“...!”
Recognizing the voice, Gorik whipped around. Eyes wide, he jumped up and stormed over.
“You bastard! What did you do to my subordinates... my people!”
“Do? What’re you talking about?”
“You told me to watch! That horrific sight of monsters overrunning the village!”
Gorik figured it was all Hanbit’s trap. Not entirely wrong, but Hanbit countered.
“I meant for you to see how the villagers really live. I risked my neck fighting from the start, didn’t I?”
“......”
Seeing the monster blood on Hanbit’s sleeve, Gorik shut up. It reminded him of his own helpless spectatorship.
“Come this way first.”
“...What?”
Hanbit headed toward the underground space. Gorik followed after a beat.
“Where the hell are you going! I asked where my people are!”
“I know. So see for yourself.”
“What nonsense is...”
They arrived at a collapsed building near the center. As Hanbit cleared debris, Gorik asked.
“What’re you doing?”
“Ah, hearing noises from below too.”
Thud-
Something stirred from underground. Moments later.
“We’re out!”
Someone emerged, shoving aside packed stones and dirt.
“Kudran?”
“...Your Highness?”
The dwarves locked eyes and called out simultaneously.
-Hey
-Welcome back.
-Ta-da, all survived~
Stunned stares met. Kudran’s reaction escalated.
“Your Highness? Is that really you?”
“No...”
Despite his subordinate’s urgency, Gorik couldn’t answer properly. His earlier desperation vanished.
“His Highness?”
“Highness?”
“What? For real!”
More dwarves poured out, spotting Gorik. The rush looked like a family reunion—at least on the surface.
“The prince?”
The elder emerged next, eyes bulging at Gorik.
“...As long as you’re safe.”
Gorik turned away sharply. Then he strode quickly toward the village outskirts.
“Your Highness! Wait...”
“I’ll go. Jaeha hyung, come with?”
“Me?”
Kim Jaeha stepped up puzzled. Anyway, he followed Hanbit after Gorik.
They stopped five minutes after leaving the village.
“How far you planning to go?”
“...This is far enough.”
Gorik leaned on the wall, answering. Relief and daze mixed on his face.
“When’d you dig that basement?”
“Right after a minor monster raid. Thought we needed a shelter.”
“I see.”
Gorik nodded at the clear answer. Glancing up, he asked quietly.
“Will the people stay in the village? They can’t hold against another monster attack.”
“No, we already negotiated with the mayor to bring them into the city. In exchange, we repair the wall.”
“The wall? You got them to do that? Without me?”
Anxiety poured from Gorik’s repeated question. He knew dwarven forging was essential.
“What’ll you do? If you don’t help, the villagers’ll suffer. Or if it’s awkward, just teach Jaeha first.”
“...You sly fox after all.”
Gorik clicked his tongue at the seamless flow. But no better option came to mind. He eyed Kim Jaeha.
“Guess I’m really teaching this guy. Got the grit? The training’s brutal.”
“I’ll stick it out to the end. Better than abandoning your people, right?”
“...Looks like I need to drill manners into you first.”
-lololol
-Jaeha’s lost it. lmao
-Gorik’s done for;
-They’ll 100% fight during training.
Kim Jaeha’s sharp jab was unexpected given his personality, but Hanbit half-expected it. Their senses of responsibility clashed hard—especially toward family-like folk left behind.
“Glad you’re hitting it off. Anyway, start training whenever convenient. Where to?”
“Not in the city. Village is ruins now—no visitors. Use the new basement.”
“Got it. Jaeha, hand it over.”
“...Ah.”
Kim Jaeha remembered at Hanbit’s words. He pulled a dog tag-shaped metal plate from inventory and gave it to Gorik.
“Here.”
“Right.”
Finally reclaiming the token, Gorik examined it quietly. Then he glanced up at Hanbit.
“Why do you need dwarven forging? Personal use?”
“That too, but protecting Ifrit comes first. A strong monster hit now would be disastrous.”
“Hm.”
Gorik eyed the broken wall and nodded. Silence fell briefly. Then, resolute, he continued.
“Truth is, this token alone can’t draw the blessing. Even teaching the craft won’t give its true power.”
“Because of the legacy?”
“...Heard from Kudran, huh.”
Gorik assumed it was from his people. With a short sigh, he explained.
“Need the token’s pair for the blessing. Retrieve the dwarven legacy stolen from the snowfields, and it’ll work properly.”
-The hammer, right?
-Lost it in the middle of all this;
-What a mess.
-Who took it?
-Quit whining, go get it. gg
Gorik spilled his secret. Hanbit knew it well. Viewers griped, but it was understandable—he’d been unconscious.
“Without the hammer, the craft’s worthless?”
Kim Jaeha rubbed his brow, confused. Gorik shook his head calmly.
“Craft’s the foundation. But infusing soul into it? That’s the huge gap. The legacy’s blessing makes it possible.”
Hanbit had done the whole process before. So he knew what awaited.
“Where’s the legacy? No putting it off—let’s go now.”
“I know the spot. But I recommend another way.”
“Huh? Why?”
Kim Jaeha questioned the rejection. Gripping the plate, Gorik answered.
“The dwarven legacy’s with the snowfields’ master—the Snow Drake.”