Chapter 15: The Reincarnated One Completes It All

“Phewww…”

Iseun, feeling the fatigue throughout his body, slumped and looked at the result of his work.

Four dark bracelets lay on the workbench. All were of intermediate quality, and the desired performance was perfectly manifested.

‘The compatibility between the incantation symbols and the dark heavy rock was better than expected.’

The production process was shortened by more than half, and the effects exceeded what he had originally planned. However, what satisfied Iseun the most was something else.

Hummm—

The faint resonance caused by the dark prayer beads placed together.

It was just a slight ripple of mana, but in the context of crafting weapons, this resonance phenomenon was significant.

With a few improvements, these weapons could create a synergistic effect, known as a ‘set effect.’

‘There is a way to do it with my current body, but… maybe I should wait a bit longer.’

The effect of the dark prayer beads was already stronger than expected, and adding a set effect might make it too much for his current body to handle.

Just as Iseun decided to postpone it until his physical abilities improved or a suitable solution came to mind,

“…Resonance phenomenon?”

Ryu Eun-ha, who had just noticed the resonance of the dark prayer beads, widened her eyes and muttered.

“Yes. It’s not very strong, but if we do it well, we might be able to aim for a set effect.”

“…”

Unlike Iseun, who spoke casually, Ryu Eun-ha looked at the dark prayer beads with disbelief.

For weapons to resonate, the materials and crafting techniques must have commonalities, and the quality must be consistent.

This required the blacksmith's skills to be consistently high, and Iseun had already achieved this with four regression-grade weapons.

“Hmm…”

It felt like hearing that a chocolate meant to be savored is better when eaten in one bite.

Ryu Eun-ha, who had been staring at the dark prayer beads, closed her eyes tightly, calmed herself, and brought what she had received from Iseun to her mouth.

Crunch, crunch!

The fragments of the mold crumbled in Ryu Eun-ha’s mouth like a snack.

Iseun felt sorry for her, making the sound of swallowing, and had given her the fragments to freshen her mouth, but she was eating them as if to satisfy her hunger.

Squish.

Every time Ryu Eun-ha ate a fragment, her red hair faintly glowed, flickering like flames.

Iseun looked at her with a nostalgic expression, as if watching a familiar scene.

‘It’s been a while.’

The physical reaction to Ryu Eun-ha’s unique skill, ‘Dragon Soul Furnace (镕魂鑛爐),’ as the power of the consumed weapon was digested and manifested externally.

Compared to the scene he had seen before his regression, it was like a match.

‘Back then, even her hair was incredible.’

As Iseun recalled his pre-regression memories with a bitter smile, Ryu Eun-ha, noticing his gaze, met his eyes and cleared her throat.

“Ahem. I was a bit noisy. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m causing you trouble, and I can’t even give you proper weapons.”

According to what Iseun had heard before his regression, the taste and effects of weapons varied depending on the materials and grades, becoming more diverse and profound.

So, the roughly made mold fragments probably tasted like salted flour crumbs. Embarrassed, Iseun looked away, but Ryu Eun-ha shook her head.

“It’s fine. They’re quite edible.”

“Really?”

“Yes. To compare… they taste like the crumbs of a fried dish.”

Surprised by the unexpectedly good review, Iseun was puzzled.

No matter what, roughly made fragments shouldn’t taste that good. After some thought, he came up with a plausible reason.

‘Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to making things to suit Ryu Eun-ha.’

Just as people have different tastes, Ryu Eun-ha had a preference for the ‘taste’ of weapons.

While Iseun couldn’t feel it himself, he had adjusted based on her feedback and managed to get it somewhat right.

‘This might be a way to easily raise our affinity level beyond expectations.’

Pleased with this unexpected benefit, Iseun smiled and replied.

“I’m glad you like them.”

“Of course, it’s a bit disappointing to eat these things in front of me… Ah, by the way, when do you plan to process the Five-Color Flower and the Firethorn Grass?”

Ryu Eun-ha, perhaps more eager to eat after seeing the dark prayer beads, looked at Iseun with bright eyes. Iseun, unsure of what to do, decided to be honest.

“I don’t plan to sell them right now.”

“Really? Is it because the price is insufficient…?”

“No. I want to keep them for class preparation.”

Most classes use practice weapons, but some practical classes, like monster hunting, require personal equipment.

If he had to participate in such a class, he wanted to keep the Five-Color Flower and the Firethorn Grass, which were compatible with him.

‘And… it’s still a bit early.’

Although he had resolved not to dwell on the past, the memories were still unpleasant, making him hesitant to give Ryu Eun-ha properly made weapons.

It wasn’t ideal to keep delaying, but since their affinity was already established, a little more waiting wouldn’t hurt.

‘They say there’s no better seasoning than hunger.’

The higher Ryu Eun-ha’s expectations, the more dramatically the affinity level would rise when those expectations were met.

Of course, failing to meet them would only cause disappointment, but that was something Iseun would never allow.

“That’s understandable.”

Ryu Eun-ha nodded, seemingly convinced, but her eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment.

Seeing this, Iseun smiled and added a few words.

“I’ll let you know first when I have other equipment ready.”

“Ahem. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Satisfied, Ryu Eun-ha nodded and finished the remaining fragments, then looked at Iseun.

“Is the refining done now?”

“Yes, it’s all done.”

“Then let’s go. The staff will clean up, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Lucky me. I didn’t have the energy to clean up anyway.”

In the academy he attended before his regression, he had to do everything himself, so this was a welcome change.

As Iseun, satisfied, was about to get up, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

Exhaustion symptoms, which appeared when his stamina and mana were depleted. He had experienced this many times before his regression.

‘Did I push myself too hard?’

He thought he had been careful, but it seemed he had been barely holding on due to the tension. Just as he thought he might fall and hurt himself,

Thud.

A hand supported his back before he could fall.

Turning his head naturally, he saw Ryu Eun-ha looking down at him with concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes. I made a mistake in distributing my stamina. It’s just a light dizziness.”

Iseun, who had experienced this exhaustion countless times, felt nothing unusual, but Ryu Eun-ha’s gaze was different.

“…”

Her trembling body and ragged breath. If he was this exhausted, his bones should be aching, but he showed no signs of pain.

Her expression made her seem more insensitive than strong. After a moment, Ryu Eun-ha helped him up.

“It’s good to be diligent, but don’t overdo it. Rest well today.”

“Of course.”

“Really rest. Once you’re injured, it’s hard to recover.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I’m being serious.”

“…”

Iseun, finding her continued warnings odd, looked at her with a puzzled expression.

‘Did I eat something wrong?’

Why had she changed so much from the person who used to push him to make delicious weapons?

Realizing the cause, Iseun quickly understood.

‘Ah. It’s because I’m a student now.’

Before his regression, he was an active blacksmith, and she was a customer. As a department head now, her attitude had to be different.

‘It would be a waste to see a promising student get injured from overexertion.’

The situation was indeed much different from before his regression.

Iseun couldn’t help but chuckle, and Ryu Eun-ha’s eyes narrowed.

“You don’t seem to be taking me seriously.”

“No, that’s not it….”

“Never mind. I’ll support you to your dorm. Lean on me.”

Although he felt some strength returning and could walk on his own, Ryu Eun-ha firmly refused and continued to support him.

They walked out of the main building, and Ryu Eun-ha checked her body.

“This should be….”

Just right for a single leap. After calculating, she looked at Iseun.

“Do you have a fear of heights?”

“No… Huh?!”

Before he could finish his answer, Ryu Eun-ha lifted him by the waist.

Suddenly hanging by his neck, Iseun made a strange face, and the ends of Ryu Eun-ha’s red hair glowed crimson.

“I’m going.”

Rumble.

A heavy rumble echoed from within Ryu Eun-ha’s body, and as her feet lightly touched the ground,

Whoosh!

They soared high into the sky.

The scenery changed in the blink of an eye. Looking down at Borshifa from the dark night sky, Iseun’s eyes widened.

‘The fragments were this powerful?’

There had been no other weapons, so the fragments alone had produced this much power, more than twice what Iseun had expected.

‘The better the taste, the higher the output, it seems.’

Before his regression, he had attributed his improved skills to his own growth, but taste also seemed to play a significant role.

As Iseun marveled at the view of Borshifa, he noticed a familiar figure at the entrance of the refining department building.

‘Erika?’

He tried to look again, but as they descended, the figure was obscured by other buildings.

Shaking off the thought, Iseun concluded,

‘It can’t be Erika.’

She had already taken the boundary formation test and had no reason to chase after him and wait for hours in front of the main building.

Deciding he had seen wrong, Iseun quickly dismissed the figure from his mind as Ryu Eun-ha landed in front of the dormitory.

Whoosh.

A soft landing, unlike the height they had jumped from.

Her hair, which had glowed faintly crimson, returned to normal, and Ryu Eun-ha gently set Iseun down.

She then grabbed his shoulder again and spoke sternly.

“As I said before, rest well today….”

“…”

“…I see. I won’t say more.”

Noticing Iseun’s expression, Ryu Eun-ha cut her words short, released his shoulder, and said something else.

“Today’s refining was excellent.”

The praise brought back old memories, and Iseun smiled, hiding his bitterness.

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll be going.”

After bidding farewell, Ryu Eun-ha left, and Iseun, after a quick wash, threw himself onto his bed.

“Ouch….”

Even on the soft bed, his body ached.

Ryu Eun-ha had been right to make a fuss; he had clearly overestimated his body.

‘I really need to rest today.’

Half-asleep, Iseun stared at the ceiling.

Despite feeling exhausted, his mind became clear once he lay down. The memories from before his regression came to mind.

‘Maybe it’s because I met Ryu Eun-ha…’

Although he had spent the day locked in the workshop, Iseun knew more than the average person.

In his later years, he had been a key figure in the Human Union, and Bingjian Amir, who was well-informed, had often boasted about various things.

‘But most of what I heard from him were events far in the future.’

Of course, some events were still unfolding in secret, but dealing with them with only fragmented information was difficult.

‘I’ll start with what I can do within Babel for now.’

He had already decided what to do first. Taking out his phone, Iseun read the news he had looked up earlier.

[Intangible Cultural Heritage ‘Flame Wheel Flower Spear’ at Risk of Revocation. Current Head’s Qualifications Questioned.]

[Yanhuamen: “We Will Prove Ourselves Soon.” Will a Successor End the Vacuum Period?]

[Promising Talent to Lead South Korea. Who is Yanhuamen’s ‘Yan Chengxia’?]

The unfortunate headlines. Looking at the young and reckless figure, Iseun couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Just wait and see.’

This time, he would firmly establish discipline to prevent any reckless actions. With that resolve, Iseun closed his eyes.