149 The Anomalous Delay and Haemu's Wildcard Bid
“...?”
The sudden message caught him off guard. Hanbit immediately checked the follow-up.
[Hello. This is Record Project operations GM Guard. An unexpected issue has been discovered, delaying the perk distribution. We will normalize it as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.]
“Ah.”
The perk distribution message that had popped up after finishing the second episode. Unlike Edlen, this one was supposed to be instant. He'd been wondering about it inwardly, but he hadn't expected an actual problem.
“Black Dragon?”
While he was staring at the message, Luna approached from behind.
“You're early.”
“Well, my place is close by. But why were you spacing out?”
“Oh, they said the perk distribution's been postponed.”
Hanbit added that it was the first-title reward for the Ifrit episode. Luna tilted her head curiously.
“Postponed? Why?”
“Seems like some unexpected issue came up. It's a game, so stuff like this happens, right?”
“No. Not in RP—I've never heard of anything like this in other games, sure, but RP is different.”
Luna shook her head firmly. As a pioneer herself, her voice carried conviction as she continued.
“You've heard RP has never had a single update, right?”
“Yeah, viewers said it launched fully complete.”
“Exactly. In two years, not even a single bug fix notice or glitch report. And now a problem in that game? Doesn't that seem off?”
Her voice had a hint of excitement, unlike her usual tone. She must love digging into mysteries like this.
“...Yeah, it does sound weird.”
Now that she mentioned it, Hanbit felt the same. Especially considering the apostles moved by the Goddess's will.
Can't get a read on it.
RP had to have some divine influence. So was the issue from humans building the world? Had the Goddess just watched it happen?
Too little info either way.
“Guess we'll wait till the perk drops. Let's head to Jaeha-hyung first.”
“Sure. Let me know if anything comes up.”
With that request, the two headed to the blacksmithing district on Edlen's outskirts. Player workshops were set up there.
“Hey, isn't that Luna?”
“With Black Dragon again.”
“What's really up with those two?”
The players gathered on the street shot heated glances their way. Luna's presence drew that kind of attention.
“I'm about to start streaming—cool with that?”
“Go for it.”
She nodded readily after he asked. According to Yeonu, the video with Luna and Rapina had racked up huge views. Better safe than sorry.
“My channel's got edited clips going up—mind if I use your parts? If it's weird, I'll tell them to cut it.”
“We're just hanging out for fun, so it's fine. Use whatever.”
“Thanks. I'll pay appearance fees separately.”
“Skip the fees—if you've got more fun stuff, just loop me in. That's plenty.”
Luna grinned, all about the thrill. She'd helped him plenty too, so Hanbit was grateful she'd join.
“Got it. Will do.”
With that, Hanbit fired up the stream. The chat exploded with viewer messages.
-hey hey
-Dragon hi.
-Luna again?
-Luhi.
-Wtf are these two ;;
-lolol
-What's on tap today?
-Ep 3?
-Snow Drake first tho.
-Snow Drake's tomorrow, right?
-Yeah, prep today.
-Time to drop gold.
The chat flooded with topics. But first things first.
“Heading to Jaeha-hyung's first. Luna left her sword there.”
-Ah.
-OK
-Jaeha-ham... succeeded, right?
-[Kim Jaeha is logged out.]
-Run. lololol
Viewers just laughed, guessing at Kim Jaeha's success or failure. Hanbit had zero doubts.
“Let's go.”
They headed to the spacious central building in the blacksmith district, where players got personal workshops.
“Number 15... ah, there.”
Hanbit approached the workshop number Kim Jaeha had mentioned. As the guy ahead reached to knock—
Creak—
The door swung open, revealing Kim Jaeha.
“Come in.”
His face looked hollowed out, even in character. He'd probably pulled an all-nighter.
“Have fun with it?”
“How do you 'have fun' messing with a 6-rank weapon? I staked my life on this...”
Kim Jaeha looked utterly drained. But satisfaction lit his face.
“This it?”
Luna approached the pure white sword on the rack. Brighter and sharper than before, it almost looked holy.
“Did my best... not sure if it's to your liking. Honestly, maybe a pioneer blacksmith would've been better.”
He meant it. A 3-rank skill handling 6-rank gear and materials? Impossible without Dwarf Blacksmithing. Otherwise, total failure guaranteed.
“Normal blacksmith skills can only add basic effects. Luna, wanna check it?”
“Saying it like that makes me even more hyped.”
Luna reached for the sword on the rack and started scanning the new options.
“...?”
Her eyes widened as she scrolled. Whipping her head around, she stared at Kim Jaeha.
“How'd you pull this off? One ingot and it changes this much?”
-?
-What what.
-Show us too;
-He really nailed it?
-Luna, options plz...
Viewers wailed at the hidden stats. Luna fiddled with the system, then shared them.
“Here, look.”
[Frigid Sword]
Rank: 6
Grade: Unique
Wield Restriction: Owner-bound
Options:
-Durability 138
-Skill Efficiency 136
-Mana Conductivity 132
-Frost Attribute Boost 167
-Frost Bonus Damage +5%
-All Stats +5%
-Re-reforging Growth Possible
-Grade Evolution Possible
Description: A sword newly forged by blacksmith Kim Jaeha. The painstakingly melted Frigid Ingot vastly enhances overall performance and frost attributes. Scattered frigid frost inflicts bonus damage on enemies.
-6-rank Unique damn
-Jaeha-ham skyrockets.
-Knew it. T_T
-Options insane. lololol
-Frost attr, bonus dmg OP af?
-But Unique looks mid next to Black Dragon?
-Fr real, everything's narrative with him, brainrot.
-Take responsibility.
-Info: 6-rank Unique is god-tier.
-RP item farming sucks balls tho.
Consensus among viewers: Ignore Black Dragon as baseline. On that scale, this sword was top-notch.
“My original was 6-rank Hero grade. One ingot bumps the grade and jacks options by nearly 20 each? Plus frost attribute and bonus damage... honestly shocking.”
Luna didn't care about the peanut gallery. The change itself blew her away.
“Thanks. Now I've got a killer sword.”
“Nah, you gave me the shot—I'm grateful. Great experience.”
Luna thanked him; he thanked her right back. Win-win deal.
“The fee we discussed won't cut it now. Easier to just add more cash?”
“No need. Hit me up next time—that's enough. Working top gear pumps proficiency hard.”
Kim Jaeha waved off extra pay. Agreed fee: 5 million won. Way too much for a 3-rank smith normally.
This job'll be his break.
First time using Dwarf Blacksmithing on Luna's sword. With the stream reveal, his rep would solidify. Official commissions incoming—he'd be swamped soon.
“You got it. Good mats, you're first call.”
Luna nodded in understanding. Watching, Hanbit handed over his sword and spirit stone.
“Hyung, next job.”
-lololololol
-Work never ends.
-Gotta do what ya gotta.
-Jaeha-ham hwaiting
-Life skills be like this. No rest.
Back-to-back jobs, but Kim Jaeha nodded like it was natural. Black Dragon came first, always.
“Gimme a sec. Saw something at Waterdrop Forge—won't take long.”
“Sleep it off first, take your time. Not urgent.”
“Gotta finish this to crash easy. 30 minutes.”
Grinning, Kim Jaeha prepped. His enthusiasm was infectious—couldn't stop him.
“Cool. Back in 30.”
Hanbit stepped out. Outside, he turned to Luna.
“No prep needed for the subjugation? Even pioneers might struggle.”
“I'm good. Got gear and consumables for episode clears. Oh, gotta pick raid members soon.”
-Sign me up.
-Applied.
-Pioneer raid plz.
-Astra only~
Word spread fast that Luna posted a raid recruit on Astra. Black Dragon exclusive rewards—who'd bite?
Hanbit got curious.
“How many apps?”
“Just over 100. Got limits, so prioritizing.”
Leaning against the wall, Luna scanned seriously. Her head held all the intel—picking based on skill and reliability to boost the raid.
“Hm, not overwhelming, but solid firepower.”
She sifted through, hand moving steadily—then froze.
“...?”
She cocked her head, puzzled. Hanbit probed at the odd reaction.
“Something up?”
“...Got a weird applicant.”
“Weird one?”
-?
-Weird?
-Pioneers got weirdos galore...
-Rainzer maybe?
-Can't even access Astra.
Viewers speculated wildly. Meanwhile, Luna muttered.
“Heard of Haemu?”
“Haemu... that top pioneer?”
Avant-Garde mentioned him—Korea's flashiest, rank 601 standout.
“He applied?”
“Yeah. Powerhouse for sure, but... wondering if I should take him. Unpredictable as hell.”
Her assessment was harsh. Guy could bolt anywhere. A rank 601 loose cannon? Control nightmare.
“Hm.”
Tricky for raid comp. But passing that firepower? Dumb.
Hanbit decided quick.
“Take him. I'll handle the fallout.”