The Salaryman's Hammer
“Hello! I'm Kim Jaeha from Taeyul Corp!”
Kang Hanbit, waiting at the meeting spot, turned toward the booming voice. A human man stood there at rigid attention, bowing deeply.
“Hey. You work for the company, huh?”
“Yes, sir! Thanks to the opportunity you gave me, I get to meet you like this!”
-Sigh….
-Company guy?
-Lashten was bad enough, corps are the problem.
-Haven't done shit here yet lol
-But Taeyul rings a bell?
-Good names are all the same.
-There's a Taeyul Inc. too lol
The viewers' reactions weren't great, probably because he'd openly declared his corporate affiliation. The bad memories of Lashten were still fresh.
“Taeyul? I think I've heard that somewhere too…”
Juyeonu, working a bit off to the side, muttered to himself. He didn't know how famous the company was, but it didn't matter right now.
“What do you want to learn? Hands-on practice over theory, I bet.”
“Anything works for me!”
“Anything?”
Hanbit paused at the vague answer. Right now, practical training meant archery or swordsmanship. Most people wanted the hidden paths anyway, so swordsmanship it was.
“Swordsmanship, then. You learned magic from Julio?”
“Nah, skipped the magic!”
“Perfect. Let's head to a practice spot.”
“Yes, sir!”
With Kim Jaeha's enthusiastic reply, the three set off down the road. They reached their destination quickly.
“Bro, isn't this the general store? Thought we were doing sword training?”
Juyeonu stopped upon recognizing the familiar place—Atsbel's shop.
“Yeah.”
Hanbit nodded and pushed open the door. The shopkeeper was sorting goods on the display shelves.
“Atsbel.”
“Huh?”
The yellow-haired woman turned at her name. Spotting Hanbit, Atsbel gave a faint smile.
“Black Dragon? What's up?”
“Liora's not here yet, right?”
“Why Liora?”
Still clueless, Atsbel asked back curiously. Hanbit shook his head and pointed out the window.
“She'll come by later and explain. Anyway, mind if we use the back yard for a bit?”
“Back yard?”
“Need a training spot, and nowhere else fits. Sword stuff—no mess.”
“It's cramped with all the crates… Use it if you want. Just watch the boxes.”
“Thanks.”
With permission granted, Hanbit led Kim Jaeha to the back yard. It was packed with wooden crates, leaving little room to move freely.
“You've learned swordsmanship, right? Pull out any sword.”
“Yes, sir!”
Kim Jaeha, full of spirit, drew a sword from his inventory. It was decent quality—better than expected.
“What's your level?”
“52!”
“Not bad.”
“Aw, no way. For someone playing since launch day, it's pathetically low.”
-Launch day player?
-But 52?
-Forcing himself to play lol
-Arrest for RP abuse.
He waved it off with a shake of his head. Definitely low for an early player.
“One hour from now. Theory's in the guides—straight to live combat. Stance.”
“Yes, sir!”
Kim Jaeha gripped his sword two-handed and took position. But it looked sloppy—more awkward than most players.
“Sword's not your main weapon, is it?”
“Well… I use a hammer. Kinda a dream of mine…”
He scratched his head sheepishly. Whatever the dream, sword training wouldn't be easy.
“Hold it like this.”
Hanbit stepped close and adjusted his form personally. Once set, he backed off.
“Picked a tight space to limit movement. Move precisely—don't hit anything around you.”
“Got it!”
“Let's go.”
Thud! Hanbit kicked off lightly and closed in instantly. The speed felt even faster up close than on stream—Kim Jaeha's reaction lagged.
“Ugh!”
Before he could move, the attack was in his face. A beat late swinging his sword, Hanbit's blade tip was already at his throat.
“That's one death. Baldor's stats scale to players—he'd be faster. Read moves ahead.”
“…Understood.”
Kim Jaeha nodded and regripped his sword. He had pride from two years in RP. He never imagined himself this helpless.
“Again, please.”
“Sure. Right downward slash first.”
Thud! Kim Jaeha looked noticeably more serious now. Hanbit eased the pace bit by bit, then glanced inside the shop.
She's here.
Through the clear window, Liora's face. She'd come to relay the message to Atsbel and was peeking at the training.
Nothing special to others, but Hanbit had chosen this spot expecting it. The stronger her curiosity, the more this episode would diverge.
“Faster now.”
“…Yes!”
Ignoring her gaze, Hanbit continued. Kim Jaeha, focused on the onslaught, never noticed the sneaky spectator.
***
“……”
50 minutes later. Kim Jaeha dropped his sword and stared blankly at his hands. Out of hundreds of Black Dragon's attacks, he'd blocked zero. Literally zero.
Crunch.
His original business purpose had faded into the background. He hadn't checked chat in ages—probably mocking his “early player” title.
“You okay?”
“…It's nothing.”
At Black Dragon's question, he shook his head and crouched for his sword. Just before picking it up, words slipped out.
“Mind if I try my hammer?”
“Hammer? Hm.”
Black Dragon pondered briefly, then nodded. No big deal.
“Not a bad idea to use your familiar weapon for the rest. Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
He stowed the sword and pulled his main: a bronze hammer with a long handle, handmade with care.
“Duel mode okay?”
“Duel mode?”
-Oh.
-Hammerman's pissed lol
-Salaryman's rage.
-50 mins of nothing would flip anyone.
-Fr, show what early player means.
RP penalized PVP by default. Two ways around: let them strike first, or mutual duel mode.
“Fine. Sparring for the remainder.”
“Thank you.”
Ding!
[Kim Jaeha has challenged you to a duel.]
[Accept? (Yes/No)]
Hanbit hit Yes—opponent's name turned orange. He took stance leisurely.
“Come at me freely.”
“Then… excuse me!”
Thud! Kim Jaeha leaped high, biting down hard. He smashed the hammer with both hands.
Boom!
Hammer head slammed the ground with massive impact. But Black Dragon was gone.
Ching!
“……!”
A sword whipped from behind his head into view. Eyes wide, Kim Jaeha swung the hammer again.
Whoosh!
The arc sliced empty air. Black Dragon was back in front somehow.
“For fast foes with a hammer, change your grip. Use it as bait with an off-hand if you have one.”
“I'll prove my way!”
Thud! Kim Jaeha kicked off again. Yellow light gleamed on his hammer.
Vmmm!
Resonance hummed as he swung wide. The moment Hanbit retreated—
Bang!
Fierce strike cratered the spot. Rumble! Ground shook violently, shockwaves ripping outward.
Kaboom!
Crates shattered, collapsing the space. His ace active skill, pulled in desperation. No damage to Hanbit, sadly.
“Hm.”
Surveying the wreckage, Hanbit scratched his head. Time to voice his thought.
“Little combat experience? Or just not your thing…?”
“No, anyone would be the same!”
Kim Jaeha's aggrieved voice rose, full of frustration.
“Not criticizing—worried. Time's better spent efficiently. Combat aside, try something else?”
“From the start…”
Fists clenched, he trembled. Hanbit stepped closer as the words trailed off.
Kim Jaeha snapped his head up and wailed.
“I've been a blacksmith from the start!”
“…Pardon?”
-Huh?
-Oh.
-Blacksmith?
-Why not say so;
-Rough life lol
Viewers reeled at the bombshell. Blacksmithing—one of RP's key lifeskills. Hunting minimal; combat irrelevant.
“Should've said upfront. I went hard thinking early player.”
“I thought I'd manage… Frog in a well.”
Two lost years sank him deeper. As Hanbit debated comfort, an alarm pinged.
Ding!
[ExplainerGuy donated 1,000 won.]
[Info) Taeyul Corp first found the Dwarf Blacksmithing skill route. Failed like dogs to acquire it.]
-Oh yeah.
-That was Taeyul?
-Rings a bell now.
-Hidden, such a waste.
-Yep, no chance.
“Dwarf Blacksmithing?”
Hanbit knew the skill well—from recommendations, but unobtainable now.
“Oh, right—I remember. Pre-launch, communities were buzzing.”
Juyeonu nodded, chiming in.
“Route means they found the quest?”
“More like the achievement. Unlocking the hidden quest? Whole different beast. Competitors swarmed—nobody got it.”
“I see.”
Hanbit got the gist, old memories stirring. He eyed Kim Jaeha.
“You guys were hunting Dwarf Blacksmithing?”
“…Yes. Old news, though.”
No secret, he nodded. Face gloomier—sparked interest.
“As an employee, you were on it too?”
“Yeah. Actually, I found it first…”
“You?”
That word was gold. Dwarf Blacksmithing—high value, “first” a huge factor.
“Friend request incoming—accept.”
“Huh?”
“Corp guy? Networking's why you're here. Or need more one-on-one?”
“No, not that.”
Kim Jaeha shook his head firmly—refreshingly honest. Hanbit sent via nickname.
Ding!
Name added. Kim Jaeha stared blankly, disbelieving.
Liora's gone.
No Liora at the window. Instead, the owner stood with a cold smile.
“Oh.”
Eyeing the trashed yard, Hanbit sensed doom. He yanked the dazed Kim Jaeha inside.
“Sorry. He'll cover damages.”