Chapter 18

Chapter 9

Unexpected Turn of Events

Two hours had passed since the item crafting competition began.

Just as the audience was starting to lose interest and feel bored, Yufemina had already moved on to crafting the hilt after completing the blade, while I hadn't even managed to shape the outline of the blade. I continued to forge the iron, refining it over and over again.

Clang! Clang!

Thanks to Kan, who held the hot iron with tongs and kept it steady, I could focus even more on hammering, and the forging process proceeded smoothly and satisfactorily.

[The effect of Legendary Blacksmith's Patience is activated. Concentration, stamina, and defense increase significantly for one hour.]

An alert window appeared while I was deeply focused.

At the same time, I could harness the rising energy and maintain an unwavering focus, and with the increased dexterity stat, I could hammer more powerfully and precisely.

Clang!

The cheering that had felt like noise gradually faded away.

I had forgotten that this was the central square of Winston, where tens of thousands of people had gathered. Even Kan's presence beside me helping me became faint.

It was quiet.

In this world, only I, the iron, and the fire existed.

Clang— Clang—

The hammer and I were no longer separate entities. We had perfectly merged. There was no resistance in the hammer's movement; it followed my will as if it were an extension of my hands and feet.

Clang!

The steel, which had taken on the shape of a blade, rang out clearly.

At that moment, an alert window appeared.

[Legendary Blacksmith's Breath amplifies the effects of the crafted item.]

“...!”

I suddenly came to my senses.

The world, which had been infinitely quiet, suddenly became chaotic.

“Erina! Erina! Erina!”

“Kan, keep it up!”

“I trust Grid!”

The audience's shouts.

The chirping of birds on the fence.

The ticking of the clock tower.

And the sound of Erina's hammering from the opposite side, where she was engrossed in crafting.

All kinds of noises were mingling.

“Ah...”

I had awakened from my own world, where only iron and fire existed, a place that felt like a utopia.

'I wish I could stay there a little longer.'

It was a pity.

I hadn't been this engrossed in crafting since I made the Yapha Arrow.

If I could stay in that world a little longer, I thought I could create an even better piece.

While feeling a wave of regret, Kan's trembling voice reached me.

“Is this what iron can become...?”

Only then did I face the completed blade.

And I saw it.

A small blade that was exquisitely crafted, more beautiful than any work of art!

The discerning eye of a legendary blacksmith craftsman shouted.

This is a better piece than the top-grade Yapha Arrow!

“Amazing... Incredible! I never thought I would have the honor of contributing to such a masterpiece in my life! I feel like I was born into a blacksmith family and became a blacksmith just for this day!”

Kan was incredibly excited and chattered away.

But I remained calm. I couldn't let my excitement ruin the remaining work.

“Inventory.”

I took out the Minotaur's horn from my inventory.

There was a reason I had spent a whopping 10 gold to prepare it before the competition.

I would use this horn to craft the scabbard and hilt.

The scabbard should be of appropriate weight and sturdiness, as it might be used as a defensive tool in certain situations. The hilt should be relatively soft to minimize the user's fatigue.

The Minotaur's horn is both heavy and sturdy but surprisingly not hard to the touch, with a feel similar to brass casting.

In other words, it is very suitable as material for the scabbard and hilt.

Swish, swish.

First, I designed the length, width, and shape of the scabbard based on the size of the blade, and the hilt based on the size of an adult male's hand.

Practicality was all that mattered.

The Minotaur's horn has a unique, antique pattern due to its structure, so it exudes artistic beauty without any special engraving.

After finishing the design, as I was focusing on the crafting, a tremendous cheer erupted from the audience.

Erina had completed her dagger before me.

The host, who had seen her dagger, was amazed.

“Wow, this is truly an incredible piece! To complete such a magnificent work in less than three hours is astounding! Alright!”

“What kind of piece could it be to make him so surprised?”

“Don’t keep it to yourself! Show it to us!”

The audience was in an uproar, eager to see the completed piece.

The host, confirming that their curiosity had reached its peak, focused the audience's attention on the large screen set up at the back of the stage.

“Alright! Let’s all take a look!”

Erina's dagger appeared on the screen.

It was a work of exceptional sharpness and perfect balance.

It would undoubtedly outperform any ordinary dagger in terms of offensive power. The handle, made of brass casting, was engraved with intricate patterns, making it a beautiful piece that could also serve as a decorative item.

“Wow!!”

“The dagger resembles its owner! I’ve never seen such a beautiful dagger! I want it!”

“Looks aside, it must perform incredibly well just by looking at it. I really want it.”

The audience was ecstatic. Now, even female players were showing favor towards Erina.

Then, the detailed information of the dagger appeared.

<Enchanting Dagger>

Grade: Epic

Durability: 60/60

Attack Power: 122~127

Attack Speed: +8%

*Has a chance to charm the enemy.

*Durability decreases rapidly when the attack is blocked by the enemy.

This dagger was crafted by an outstanding blacksmith, showcasing meticulous engraving skills and superior aesthetic sense.

It possesses a fatal beauty that occasionally steals the heart of the opponent.

The finely tempered blade exerts high lethality, but it has the drawback of lacking sturdiness.

Usage Requirements: Level 100 or higher, Agility 200 or higher, Intelligence 30 or higher, Intermediate Dagger Mastery.

Despite the drawback of rapidly decreasing durability, it is an exceptionally excellent dagger.

It possesses unmatched offensive power compared to common daggers and has the charm option.

Charm is a powerful skill that renders the target defenseless for 3 seconds. It is a weapon very suitable for assassins.

The players were convinced.

“The result is obvious! Erina will definitely win this competition!”

Even the residents of Winston showed a desperate reaction.

“Oh... That woman is also an outstanding blacksmith. Even though Grid is a blacksmith recognized by Master Kan, can he really create something better than her?”

Rabbit and other members of the Mero Guild also appeared confident, wearing smug expressions.

But I was not shaken.

Neither was Kan.

Kan chuckled.

“That girl also possesses remarkable skills at such a young age. She is on par with me. But she stands no chance against you, right?”

Just then, the scabbard and hilt were completed.

I nodded, combining the blade and the hilt.

“Of course. I represent the ugly ones in this world. I will not lose.”

Kan frowned.

“Represent the ugly ones? What do you mean? Weren’t you fighting for the blacksmith’s forge and to represent the blacksmiths?”

“...My apologies. I misspoke. Shall we go protect the blacksmith’s forge?”

The dagger was completed.

After confirming the alert window and the dagger's information, I was trembling and showed my dagger to the host.

The host, without properly examining my dagger, mocked the audience.

“This team took more time despite two people working together, compared to Erina. The result of the competition is too obvious!”

“Hahaha! Indeed! Two men against one woman, and they still ended up disgraced!”

The audience agreed.

I mocked them all.

“Be careful not to have a heart attack from the shock of seeing my work.”

At that moment,

Armed soldiers suddenly stormed the stage and confiscated my dagger before arresting me.

“What, what is this?”

Confused, I heard a heavily armed knight shout.

“Eight days ago, you were seen conversing with a terrorist who was caught trying to harm Winston. We need to interrogate you about this!”

“Froy?”

Froy, the one who took the quest “For the People of Winston,” that bastard? Did he fail the quest and get caught?

‘You’re in for it, you bastard. But... why am I being implicated with someone like him?’

I protested.

“What nonsense! Why am I being implicated with that guy! Let me go!”

As I resisted, the knight who drew his sword warned me.

“Don’t resist if you don’t want to lose your head.”

“Yes...”

This guy, if things go wrong, he really will kill me. He’s pointing his sword at my neck!

Unarmed, I had no choice but to comply, and the soldiers dragged me off the stage.

Kan tried to stop them.

“What are you doing! How can you falsely accuse someone!”

The knight and soldiers ignored Kan and walked past him.

Kan ran to where the Mero Guild officials were seated and shouted at a stout middle-aged man.

“Valmont! You coward! Knowing you can’t win the competition, you’re trying to end it this way! Aren’t you afraid of the people of Winston!”

No matter how loudly Kan shouted, it was in vain.

The middle-aged man called Valmont, as if a dog were barking, only covered his ears.

Thus, I was helplessly dragged to the castle.

***

‘How could this happen!’

Rabbit had been a merchant for 20 years. During that time, he had handled countless masterpieces, honing his discerning eye.

That’s why he was shocked when he saw the dagger Grid had made.

‘This is no ordinary item! It can’t be compared to Erina’s dagger! We... We lost! I never thought he had this level of skill!’

Valmont, sitting beside him, muttered in an angry voice.

“We lost.”

Valmont, like Rabbit, immediately understood the result of the competition upon seeing the dagger Grid had made. He, too, had a discerning eye for masterpieces, just like Rabbit.

Rabbit bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. I was too complacent.”

Valmont forgave his subordinate’s failure this time. He had no choice.

“It’s not your fault. The blacksmith you hired was impressive. But the opponent was just too strong. He’s not what he appears to be.”

Valmont had initially dismissed Grid as a mere boy, thinking he was just a low-level blacksmith. But the result was this.

This failure was not Rabbit’s fault. Grid was just an extraordinary individual.

“To disguise himself as a mediocre and trashy person and then display such skill... He’s no ordinary person. We need to handle this competition appropriately. We can’t accept this result.”

Valmont desperately wanted the blacksmith’s forge. As a merchant, he couldn’t afford to give it up and lose the profit just because he lost the competition.

Rabbit tried to persuade him.

“But we have already made a public promise. If we don’t accept the result of the competition, we will lose the people’s support to an extent that we can’t recover.”

Valmont raised his voice.

“Are you still talking about that in this situation! I can’t abandon the blacksmith’s forge just to gain the people’s support!”

Rabbit couldn’t stop Valmont any further. After all, he was the one who had caused this worst-case scenario. So he just observed.

At that moment, Valmont smiled wickedly.

“Besides, the audience doesn’t know the result of the competition yet, do they? They don’t have the discerning eye to judge the items. Unless we show them the details, they won’t be able to tell that Grid’s dagger is far superior to Erina’s. Sir Philips!”

Philips was a knight assigned to protect Valmont by Lord Low, the lord of Winston.

This alone shows how significant Valmont’s position is in Winston.

Valmont ordered Philips.

“Arrest that boy on the charge of being an accomplice to Froy, whom we recently captured. And you must confiscate the dagger he made. The information about that dagger must not be revealed to the people!”

“Understood.”

Philips, who received the order, led the soldiers to storm the stage and quickly confiscated Grid’s dagger and arrested him.

“What a despicable person. A mere blacksmith trying to beat me.”

Valmont, watching Grid being arrested with a smirk, said to Rabbit, who was standing silently.

“What do you think? By arresting him before the result of the competition was announced, we won’t lose the people’s support, right?”

“...Yes.”

Valmont’s handling of the situation was reasonable and the best for the Mero Guild.

If Rabbit were in his usual state, he would have handled it the same way as Valmont.

But he wasn’t feeling at ease.

‘That young man, Grid...’

He created such an outstanding piece in just three hours. With that level of blacksmithing skill, he might be the best in the entire continent.

To become the best in one’s field at such a young age?

He is truly a unique genius.

‘He has tremendous potential. If I could collaborate with this young man, I could accumulate wealth far beyond what I have now...’

Rabbit, a man who moves solely for profit, developed a significant interest and fondness for Grid through his merchant’s instinct.

Meanwhile, Yufemina on the stage was feeling relieved.

‘The obvious loss has been averted.’

The moment she crafted the Enchanting Dagger, she was confident that she would win the competition. The Enchanting Dagger was that outstanding.

But she soon realized it was a misconception.

The piece Grid created was, at first glance, far more impressive than hers.

The moment the information appeared on the screen, Yufemina knew she had lost and failed the quest.

But right then, Grid was arrested.

It was a perfect timing.

‘It’s a bit unsettling...’

Yufemina, who had come down from the stage, approached Rabbit and demanded.

“The situation has become unusual, and the actual result might have been different, but the audience was convinced of my victory. Even though the competition was interrupted, the audience is firmly convinced that I won. This alone should be enough for the Mero Guild to achieve the purpose of the competition, so I want my reward.”

Rabbit nodded.

“You’re right. I’ll keep my promise.”

[Quest Success!]

[You have obtained 1,500 gold.]

[You have obtained the title ‘Gambler’.]

[The stat ‘Fighting Spirit’ has been unlocked.]

[The stat ‘Luck’ has been unlocked.]

[The skill ‘Roll the Dice’ has been created.]

Relieved and pleased to receive the reward without any issues, Yufemina’s expression brightened.

She checked the detailed information of the newly created stats and skill.

<Fighting Spirit>

Your attack power and mental strength increase as your health decreases.

*The higher the value, the greater the effect.

*You cannot allocate stat points to this ability.

<Luck>

The likelihood of beneficial events increases.

*The higher the value, the greater the effect.

*You cannot allocate stat points to this ability.

<Roll the Dice>

Roll a six-sided die, and different phenomena occur based on the number that comes up.

*If the target is yourself or an ally: If the die shows a number 4 or higher, a beneficial effect occurs. If the die shows a number 3 or lower, a harmful effect occurs.

*If the target is an enemy: If the die shows a number 3 or lower, a beneficial effect occurs. If the die shows a number 4 or higher, a harmful effect occurs.

‘This is a completely random skill?!”

Fighting Spirit and Luck.

The effects of the two stats were very satisfying. The painful memory of failing the “Avenger’s Agent” quest was temporarily faded.

However, the Roll the Dice skill was not so great.

It would be good if the numbers came out well when using the skill, but what if they didn’t?

A terrifying worst-case scenario would occur.

‘But if I increase my Luck stat, the probability of getting good numbers will also increase. Maybe I can use it effectively when my Luck stat is high enough.’

Thinking positively and suppressing her disappointment, Yufemina asked Rabbit before parting ways.

“By the way, do you know why that rude and disrespectful man was arrested?”

“He was seen conversing with someone who tried to harm Winston.”

“So he’s suspected of being an accomplice?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm...”

Grid had picked a fight and used foul language. I wanted to teach him a lesson, but it’s a relief that he got arrested on his own.

‘Thanks to that, I completed the quest as well.’

It was really satisfying.

But on the other hand, I felt a bit disappointed.

‘I wanted to know his true identity...’

If he really was a unique-class job changer, it would have been beneficial to build a friendship with him.

‘No, no. It’s better not to associate with him.