Waterdrop Forge
[Experience increased by 8,800.]
Ding- After Trigger bit the dust, more experience rolled in.
-Whoa.
-They actually beat them for real;
-As expected from a hitman ㄷㄷ
-Did you see Trigger laughing at the end?
-What else could he do, laugh or cry?
-Fr lol
[Sword King donated 50,000 won.]
[Just Swordmaster;]
[YeahYeah donated 100,000 won.]
[CrazyGuyAppealCut.]
The viewers showered donations after the quick battle.
'They must've put in some real effort.'
Hanbit nodded in satisfaction as he inspected the dagger in his hand. He stowed it in his inventory and turned toward the last enemy.
But then.
"Hup!"
"Take this!"
For some reason, the fight was going smoothly.
"Ugh!"
A woman trading blows with him, stepping nimbly back and forth. The problem was Kim Jaeha's overwhelming strength, toughness, and stamina.
Boom-!
He tanked her attack with his body and slammed down his massive hammer.
Crackle-!
The ground vibrated, spitting electricity. It wasn't just a dumb swing either—she had no choice but to focus on dodging.
-Hammer master ㄷㄷ
-Info) It's a 4-rank skill.
-Solid.
-Roper's holding his own better than expected. lol
Whoosh-!
Kim Jaeha was strong, sure, but Juyeonu was the real surprise. He seemed to grasp combat positioning better than expected.
Of course, the skill gap was too wide for any solid hits.
Twang- Hanbit pulled an arrow from his inventory and nocked it.
The three were too locked in their exchanges to notice.
Boom-!
Kim Jaeha's hammer crashed into the ground again. At the same moment, Juyeonu's sword slashed out.
"Ugh!"
The woman leaped back to evade both attacks.
That instant.
Ping-!
An arrow streaked toward her at blinding speed. Aimed right between her eyes.
Thwack-!
Her eyes flew wide at the unexpected strike. The arrow pierced her vital spot perfectly, triggering an instant kill.
Fade-
Her form vanished without even a death cry. No loot like a weapon dropped, unfortunately.
Ding-
[Experience increased by 5,100.]
[Title: Neighborhood Watch added to list.]
[Achievement: Scream of the Murderer unlocked.]
-He got that title;
-PK reverse tour. lol
-Bow ending was clean.
-One-man show with just a bow? Easy.
-Sylph is crying.
-Wind OP.
-Fr, how do you even block wind slashes with a sword?
"Hyung! We won!"
Juyeonu came running over, beaming. Kim Jaeha followed, hammer over his shoulder, scanning the surroundings.
"Thanks for the help. We cleaned them up nice and neat."
"Nah, no big deal. I just swung my hammer around."
Hanbit thanked him, but Jaeha waved it off.
Still, Jaeha's skills were already etched firmly in Hanbit's mind.
Hanbit checked his title list.
[Neighborhood Watch]
All stats +10% when facing habitual PK players.
'That's amazing. Way better than I expected.'
Habitual PK players would be marked with the red tag, right?
"Why's it so quiet? They respawning or something?"
Hanbit voiced his question.
Juyeonu shook his head. "Habitual PKers go straight to jail after death. Probably out for a few days at least."
"Jail too?"
"Kinda like penalties for repeat offenders."
Even with game systems, the penalties felt weirdly realistic. Like they were trying hard to discourage PKing.
"Oh, but what if Nessto Guild sends more? They've gotta have elites up top."
Juyeonu suddenly voiced a worry.
Kim Jaeha answered. "Should be fine. Nessto's all individualists—no real camaraderie."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They take contracts solo. They form small teams like this sometimes, but that's it."
Hanbit nodded at the explanation. Even if those guys came back, it'd end the same.
By the time they got out, he'd have grown a ton anyway.
"Ugh... how'd you even pick this up?"
Crouched down, Juyeonu wrestled with the greatsword stuck in the ground.
-But fr, how DID he lift it?
-Wind spirit helped?
-Just GOAT
-You again......
The consensus formed without him, so Hanbit didn't bother answering. He eyed the scattered sword fragments on the ground.
'...Weapon first.'
No attachment to his junk starter sword. PK or not, he needed something good for the future.
"If you need a weapon, why not try the forge I know?"
Kim Jaeha tossed out the suggestion casually.
He was a blacksmith here, right?
"Not making it yourself?"
"All my materials are company property... Better to leave it to someone way better than me. NPC, but skills are top-notch. Best in Edlen, guaranteed."
He added it was the master who taught him smithing.
With that much confidence, worth checking out.
"Which forge?"
"Waterdrop Forge."
"Waterdrop Forge?"
Hanbit blinked in surprise at the name.
Pop-
He opened his inventory and pulled out a rolled parchment.
"Wait, isn't that from Atsbel?"
Juyeonu stood up, remembering.
The forge referral from after helping Atsbel's mom. Waterdrop Forge.
"What a coincidence... Crazy."
Even Kim Jaeha looked shocked at the overlap.
No coincidence—the owner was Edlen's top smith. Atsbel just knew it.
Shrrk-
Hanbit stowed the greatsword and turned. "Let's move."
***
The trio headed to the city outskirts. The air shifted as they entered the wide street.
Clang-!
Clang-!
The blacksmiths' district, aptly named. Metal rang out from the entrance.
"Always feels kinda... dingy here."
"Don't say that—the old guys'll cry."
"...Hits too close to home."
-ㅠㅠ
-Jaeha's a dad joke now.
-Don't bully the uncles......
Lots of artisans here. Burly builds, thug vibes. Intimidating auras, but surprisingly soft-hearted uncles.
"This way."
They followed Kim Jaeha deeper in.
Hanbit slipped into old memories en route to the end.
'Just like always.'
He was tight with the smiths. Atsbel's shop orders, combat gear needs.
Waterdrop Forge's master especially.
"Here."
Street's far end. Spotless sign gleaming.
Gazing at it, Juyeonu asked, "New place?"
"Nah, over 20 years old."
-Maintenance god ㄷㄷ
-Real man;
-Fr, a macho dude would smash the sign and still thrive.
-lol pretty boy parasite vibes.
Viewers spun wild guesses at the un-forge-like exterior.
Kim Jaeha chuckled like he'd seen it coming. "You'll like the face."
A bittersweet vibe, like old memories.
Soon clear why Jaeha reacted that way.
"Let's head in."
He opened the door.
Ding-
Ding-
Water drop chimes past the entrance. Spotless interior, no one visible.
Thud-
Vibration from downstairs stairs.
Moments later, the owner appeared.
"Who're you?"
"...Huh?"
Juyeonu froze, eyes locked.
Fierce face slashed by a long scar. Towering 2-meter frame, muscles like a grumpy bear.
-Why a bear tho;
-Don't hit us, bro.
-Peak inner strength outer tough;
-Seeing him irl? Bawling in 3 secs.
-Went there, chased out in 3.
[RealMan donated 5,000 won.]
[SorrySorrySorrySorry.]
Mocking viewers crumbled instantly. Some had visited—got booted, naturally.
"You bring 'em?"
Owner eyed Kim Jaeha.
He nodded casually, used to the glare. "Yeah. But no need to introduce—you're famous."
"What?"
Owner's brow furrowed slightly.
Hanbit stepped forward with the referral. "From Atsbel."
"Atsbel?"
Handed the parchment; owner snatched it roughly.
Read it, glanced away. "For her? Fine, I'll sell ya something. What ya need?"
"Not buying—custom order."
"Custom?"
Straight to the point, owner's brow twitched. Face darkened fast.
"Custom? Piss off if you're shopping. Buy or leave."
Turned away dismissively.
Expected that. Hanbit pulled a white gem from his pocket.
Spirit stone from the challenge dungeon.
"Make something with this?"
"Rookies bring the same junk. Swagger all ya want—ain't changin'."
Grumbled, sighed, glanced over.
Reaction flipped quick.
"...That's a spirit stone?"
Recognized it, interest piqued. Leaned in close, inspecting.
"Well?"
"Don't get cocky. Spirit stones are rare, but empty shells ain't..."
His face froze mid-sentence. Eyes widened seriously.
"Th-this...!"
Stared into the gem's core. Tiny green whirlwind inside.
Wind spirit's pure power.
Realizing it, owner bulged his eyes and bellowed.
"Please—let me forge a weapon with this!"