Chapter 36

Chapter 8

What is this?

Kan welcomed me very warmly after I returned safely from Kesang Valley.

"Surviving the terrifying monsters of Kesang Valley! Indeed, you are remarkable! So, how was it? Did you master the Dance of Pagma's Sword?"

"Of course."

"Can you give me the opportunity to appreciate the great sword dance that thrilled my ancestors?"

"Sure. Since it's a bit cramped here, let's go to the backyard."

Kan's backyard.

In that place, where snow had piled up, I drew out the ideal dagger and activated the Dance of Pagma's Sword, then used the skill.

"Dance of Pagma's Sword, Wave (波)!"

As I danced, blue sword light rippled in all directions. Kan, captivated by the magnificent sight, was moved and cheered.

"Ooh! Amazing! It's beautiful and powerful!"

"Actually, there are four more sword dances, but let's end it here for today."

"Why? I want to see the rest of the sword dances."

I also wanted to show off to Kan, but my current mana was only 630!

After activating the Dance of Pagma's Sword and using Wave, I only had 260 mana left. With this much mana, I couldn't perform any other sword dance.

In the end, I had to be honest.

"I don't have enough mana to use them consecutively. I could take a mana potion, but it's too expensive to use carelessly."

"Huh, is that so? It's a pity, but there's nothing I can do. Come, follow me."

Kan led me into the forge. Then he took out Dainsleif, which he had displayed on the second floor, and handed it to me.

"It's the reward we agreed upon. I believe you, as a descendant of Pagma, can understand and utilize the value of Dainsleif better than anyone else."

[Obtained Dainsleif (Replica)]

[Quest completed!]

<Dainsleif (Replica)>

Grade: Unique

Durability: 500/500 Attack Power: 451~635 Attack Speed: -8%

*Additional damage equivalent to 10% of the target's current defense.

*Attack power increases as the number of enemies increases.

*Skill 'Golden Flash' created.

Before the era of Pagma, this was a work created by Albatino, the first blacksmith to earn the title of 'Master Blacksmith,' in an attempt to recreate the legendary weapon Dainsleif.

While it falls far short of the original Dainsleif, it successfully restored some of Dainsleif's features, making the replica itself an outstanding masterpiece.

It was even praised as the 'greatest masterpiece in human history' by the founder of the Etrnal Kingdom, the Northern Overlord Roland.

It is said that the legendary blacksmith Pagma himself was greatly inspired by this work.

Usage Requirements: Level 250 or higher. Strength 1,800 or higher. Advanced Sword Mastery.

Weight: 1,580

While the usage requirements are quite high, in terms of functionality alone, Dainsleif surpasses even the Sword of Enlightenment.

I believe that among all the weapons in Satisfy, Dainsleif is the top-tier, without a doubt.

'Among the top-ranked players, only a few can possess a weapon of this caliber.'

I was very pleased with Dainsleif. First, I liked that it was a greatsword, second, I liked its excellent performance, and third, I liked its appearance.

Dainsleif, which is 3.2 meters long, has an overwhelming appearance.

The blade, made of black iron, gleamed darkly, expressing both dignity and strength, while the handle, made of mithril, emitted a subtle silver light, creating a perfect and elegant harmony with the dark blade.

If I carried this on my back, everyone would surely look at me with envy.

'If I reinforce it, it will become even more impressive with the effect.'

While thrillingly imagining this, I shouted with enthusiasm.

"Great! Next is Valhalla!"

Kan had been waiting for someone who could appreciate and use Dainsleif and Valhalla well.

And that person is none other than me.

"Kan! What's next? What do I have to do to get Valhalla?"

Kan chuckled and patted my shoulder.

"First, take a good rest. You need to recover from the fatigue. I'm worried you might get sick if you overwork yourself."

Judging from Kan's reaction, it seems the conditions for the second-class quest have not been met yet.

I nodded at Kan, believing that the right time would come naturally.

***

The appearance of the eighth species!

All users of the Yatan Church will have a 20% increase in experience points for a certain period!

This led to an explosive increase in the number of new users joining the Yatan Church!

Ultimately, everything led to the growth of the Yatan Church!

The world showed great interest in how the growth of the Yatan Church, known as the most impure and evil force in Satisfy, would affect the future of Satisfy.

And most of the interpretations were negative.

"If the Yatan Church continues to grow smoothly, it will be difficult to maintain law and order in Satisfy. Even now, the number of NPCs suffering at the hands of the Yatan Church is increasing exponentially, leading to a noticeable decrease in population in some cities. Countless villages have disappeared. The Allied Nations must win the war against the Yatan Church and suppress the chaos with justice."

Some were wary of Yura's growth.

"The eighth species is definitely Yura. As a high-ranking officer of the Yatan Church, she will enjoy tremendous benefits as the Yatan Church becomes stronger. These benefits are beyond what ordinary users can even imagine! This will lead to a decline in fair and just competition among top players and turn the game into a one-sided affair!"

Numerous concerns are rampant, in addition to these.

But I have no interest in what's going on.

'Too busy making a living to care about such things. While it's painful to see Yura living well, she was always well-fed and well-off. It's ridiculous to feel jealous now.'

It has been three days since I returned from Kesang Valley.

During this time, I focused solely on item crafting.

However, in three days, I only managed to create two normal items and one rare item...

"The crafting success rate is really terrible. It's better to earn money by hunting. Damn, when will I earn enough money to pay off my debts? Sigh."

I want to rush to the northern snowfield. I want to hunt the frost orcs to level up and collect Sylph's scales at the same time.

'If I can collect 20 Sylph's scales and craft a hoodie, it would be great... I can level up and increase my intelligence at the same time.'

But the drop rate of Sylph's scales is the worst.

In five days, I need to pay the interest on my debt, so it's difficult to rely on a low drop rate.

'For the next five days, I'll focus on item crafting. I'll earn a stable income to pay the interest. If I don't pay the interest on time, the collateral will be seized again.'

"Is Mr. Grid here?"

When will I be able to escape from this miserable life of debt? I sighed deeply when two soldiers came to the forge.

"What is it?"

I asked rudely, already in a bad mood, and they immediately told me their business.

"The administrator urgently needs you."

"Oh...?"

It seems the time has come for the linked quest with the administrator.

'What will he ask me to make this time?'

Will I be able to make a lot of money again?

I went to the lord's castle with high hopes.

The administrator's office.

As soon as I entered, the administrator, as if waiting for me, stood up and handed me a scroll.

"Time is of the essence. Can you craft an item according to this recipe?"

"What is this?"

I unfolded the scroll.

<'Recipe for the Shield of Holiness'>

Acquisition Condition: Advanced Blacksmith Mastery Level 3 or higher.

*Shield of Holiness: A shield blessed by the Goddess of Light, Rebecca, which shows strong resistance to dark magic. Demons and followers of Yatan suffer just by facing this shield.

Usage Condition: Level 190 or higher.

"Wow..."

Could it be that he's going to teach me this valuable item's recipe?

Doubtful, the administrator cautiously asked me.

"Even you, can you understand and master this recipe?"

I shook my head.

"No, I can understand and master it."

"Ooh! Then, please master the recipe and craft the shield immediately!!"

It's a golden opportunity to learn the recipe for a Level 190 item for free. I have no reason to refuse. However, there was one concern.

"I can craft the shield according to the recipe, but I don't have the divine power to engrave the blessing of a god on the shield."

Items imbued with divine or magical power cannot be completed by a blacksmith alone. The help of a priest or mage is necessary.

And it seems the administrator was well aware of this.

"Don't worry. I've already brought in a priest."

The administrator turned his gaze to one side. Looking in that direction, I saw a man wearing white robes, symbolizing his service to the Goddess Rebecca.

'What, this creepy guy?'

Even though we were in the same room, I hadn't detected his presence at all until now.

He's a strange man whose presence I can't feel even now that we're looking at each other.

I felt an instinctive sense of discomfort.

The priest bowed to me, expressing caution.

"My name is Cassius. I serve the Goddess of Light, Rebecca. Please take care of me."

Cassius's name, floating above his head, was green,