Odin's Shoutout and the Iron's Resonance
"Hey everyone. Let's get the stream started."
Back home, Kang Hanbit fired up the broadcast right away. Chat exploded the moment he did.
-Dragon!
-hi hi
-Saw that hidden zone clear?
-Pops up like a ghost the second a guide drops. lol
-fuck, even with the guide I can't do it;
-That's 'cause you're not pioneer material....
-You think Odin's a joke?
-But yeah, he earned that second clear. lol
-Second clear's gotta be Odin tho.
As expected, a clear's out.
Kang Hanbit nodded at the news he'd anticipated while scanning the chat. Mid-tier pioneer squad Odin. The name had been familiar for a while, so it wasn't much of a surprise.
But then.
-Saw Odin mention you?
An unexpected message caught his eye. Mention me?
Suddenly intrigued, Kang Hanbit pulled up the community tab beside the screen. The front page was buzzing with fresh updates on the hidden zone. He clicked the top trending post.
At 6:33 AM, Odin's pioneer squad conquered the hidden zone. Second after Black Dragon, and all 21 members of Guild Galaxy now qualify for entry.
Here's the full interview with Odin.
Reporter: Congratulations, Odin. You've finally cleared the hidden zone—what's your take on being the second?
Odin: Thank you. We gave it everything, but a solo clear was beyond us. Without Black Dragon's guide, who knows how long it would've taken. I want to take this chance to say thanks.
Reporter: Speaking of thanks, Black Dragon's the hottest player right now. Any thoughts? Does he threaten your pioneer spot?
Odin: "Threat" is the wrong word. I'm always glad to see skilled players show up. You learn from them, maybe even team up. In that sense, Black Dragon's a wake-up call for this stagnant RP world.
……
The interview radiated humility. He'd heard Odin was a talented pioneer, but there was no trace of the arrogance you'd expect—just a straightforward guy. And thanking him? No reason to dislike that.
"Good to see a clear. Hope everyone else pushes hard too."
With the second clear out so fast as predicted, his guide's credibility had skyrocketed. And with Odin himself name-dropping? Who'd dare pick a fight now.
Swoosh—
Logging out in the cabin basement, Kang Hanbit glanced around. The dwarves, deep in final prep, were hauling gear like mad.
"There you are!"
A voice boomed from the rear stairs. A dwarf climbed into view from below.
"Ah."
Gorik, emerging from the cabin basement instead of his forge. Unthinkable for the usual him, but two changes had stirred things up.
He's loosening up a bit.
Weapons for the monster wave defense, designs hashed out in heated debates between Gorik and the dwarves. The goal? Naturally mend prince and people along the way.
The other change gleamed in Gorik's hand.
"The sword's done."
He approached and handed over the blade, pale blue-green and sharp. The one left with Snow Drake's reverse scale. Complete at last.
"Already?"
"This is late. My edge has dulled too much."
Gorik hadn't honed his craft during the lost-legacy years either. He'd been scouring the mountains, after all.
"Take it. My best right now."
[Legendary Sword - Soul of Fluger Infused with Frigid Chill]
Rank: 5-rank
Grade: Saga
Equip Limit: Soulbound to Owner
Options:
- Durability 90
- Skill Efficiency 82
- Mana Conductivity 85
- Spirit Affinity 57
- Frigid Aura Enhancement 100
- Frigid Aura Resistance 100
- All Stats +10%
- Refined Growth Possible
- Rank & Grade Evolution Possible
Description: An unfinished sword into which blacksmith Fluger poured his all. Infused with wind spirit stones, demon ore, and even his precious stash of mithril. Special skills can unlock its true potential. Tempered sharper with Snow Drake reverse scale fragments melted in, it amplifies frigid aura and grants the owner resistance. One more growth stage needed to fully harness the reverse scale's power.
-??
-wtf why these options?
-That's with a scale scrap; imagine full power;
-Info) Reverse scale fragment was 6-rank Saga-grade.
-But how to grow it?
-Dwarf Metallurgy, duh?
-Needs materials tho?
Damn, it's this good.
Options leaping past expectations, lengthy description. The scale fragment's effects were naturally diluted—using mismatched materials, even from an endless source. But this result? Beyond imagination. The numbers hit harder.
"Thanks. Way better now."
"Want it stronger? Hunt high-grade mithril and adamantium. Spirit stones were used, so add more there too. Leave it with that guy; won't turn to junk."
Casual advice as he eyed the blade. "That guy" meant Kim Jaeha. Tech transfer nearing end, huh.
Spirit affinity's unchanged.
Everything else grew, but not that. Good materials can't touch spirit power easily. For that stat, top-tier spirit stones and the spirits within matter most.
"I'll put it to good use. Thanks."
"Not free. Ifrit's lives weigh on your shoulders."
His mindset had broadened from dwarf folk to all of Ifrit. Born from the humans' wave-defense efforts.
"I know. So, prep status?"
"Wrapping up. City wall bombs? Brilliant designs that'll shock you. See for yourself."
Whoosh—
Gorik turned with a confident grin and descended. He looked downright cheerful.
Isis... later. Check that first.
After a moment's thought, Kang Hanbit headed downstairs and sought Elder Ballon.
"You said there's somewhere to go together?"
"Yes. Traps in the dwarf village and outside the walls, right? I'd like a rundown while checking on the crew."
"If so... very well."
Ballon nodded and led him through the tunnels to the dwarf village. There, toward the underground workshop.
Creeeak—
Pushing the door yielded a grind and revealed the interior.
"Oh, you're here?"
Kim Jaeha looked up from clutching his head. His face was a storm of emotions.
"Bro, you okay?"
"Haa... Hell if I know."
Another sigh. Before him, an iron ingot—and Hanbit's gifted hammer beside it.
"Something left?"
"Final stage now. But... no clue."
He glared at the ingot, deep in thought. Kang Hanbit knew why.
"Listen to the iron's voice, right?"
"You knew!"
Kim Jaeha shot up and closed in. But shoulders slumped as he added,
"No, wait. Don't tell me. Gotta do this myself."
He shook his head with resolve. Expecting a hint from Hanbit.
But no such plan.
"I don't know?"
"...Huh?"
-?
-Mind blown?
-He doesn't know this one.
-Oh, not in the novel. lol
Everyone freaked at the bombshell.
"For real?"
"Yeah. Not up on blacksmithing."
Kang Hanbit shrugged calmly. The reaction was predictable—Black Dragon always dropped answers before.
Wish I could.
Two reasons for the white lie. One: the method too abstract to explain. Two: No outside meddling in Dwarf Metallurgy acquisition. Especially the latter—Gorik would spot it first.
"No idea at all?"
"None. Not a hint."
"Any family secrets?"
"Secrets?"
Kim Jaeha blinked. Kang Hanbit glanced around the workshop.
"You said generations of smiths. No clan techniques?"
"What, you think we're some artisan dynasty? No secrets like..."
His face shifted mid-rant, like something clicked.
"Hit on something?"
"...Grandpa mentioned something once. Sounded so vague, we just laughed it off."
His face lit with fond memory. A brief reminisce.
Then, eyes on the ingot, he gripped the hammer. Focused—and struck.
Clang!
A clear, resonant ring filled the workshop. No trace of doubt on his face.
Swoosh—
Kang Hanbit slipped out, quietly shutting the door. No unneeded help required.
"How's it look? Think the tech'll stick?"
The waiting elder eyed the basement.
Kim Jaeha as Gorik's disciple was public. No objections—who else reclaimed the legacy with them?
"It'll work. Three-generation smith family."
-Dynasty ㄷㄷ
-Jaeha ham hi thx
-Wasn't he a salaryman IRL?
-RP's life now. Wake up.
-RP's first hidden blacksmith GO.
As cheers rolled in, Kang Hanbit's gaze drifted beyond the village to the forest. Embers of change smoldering in some underground nest. Biggest turnout ever, naturally.
"Alright, the rundown?"
"Yes. Start here."
The elder began with nearby traps, explaining slowly. About ten minutes in, a message pinged.
「Kim Jaeha」
「Got it. Dwarf Metallurgy.」