Chapter 73: The Reincarnated One Does It All

How can an individual fight against a group?

The first method that came to Iseun's mind to answer this question was the strategy of Samgeon, whom he had often encountered and decided to help before his reincarnation.

"Train until you can win."

"Destroy one related place at a time, and they'll collapse on their own."

"Direct fighting is something only fools do. You eat them from the inside."

A crude, crazy, or troublesome method. Of course, Samgeon's methods had a good success rate, but Iseun boldly excluded them.

Such strategies were only possible because Samgeon was a powerful hero, a terrorist, or the leader of an intelligence organization. They didn't fit Iseun, a blacksmith.

Then, what method would suit him? Iseun quickly found the answer to this question.

"Can you help me bring down Barud?"

Just give me weapons and watch from behind.

"......"

When Iseun made this proposal, Kim Incheol had a blank look on his face.

He suddenly came to the workshop on a Sunday morning and said he wanted to bring down Barud?

Kim Incheol, thinking he might not have woken up fully, rubbed his eyes and asked again.

"Are you talking about Bier?"

"No, I mean the Barud family."

"So, you want to bring down the entire family?"

"Yes."

Iseun's immediate and unwavering response made Kim Incheol feel the sleepiness vanish, and he sat up straight.

"Tell me what happened first."

In response to Kim Incheol's question, Iseun briefly explained the events at the exchange meeting, including the conflict with Bier and Aria's proposal to mass-produce sword qi.

"To improve Barud's prototype on the spot and create a sword qi weapon without the help of a sword qi user... You really are... remarkable."

It's not that you lack talent, but that you're so outstanding it's worrying. Kim Incheol, finding the situation absurd, smiled bitterly as he pondered it.

"I understand the situation. Since you refused their recruitment and completely outperformed Barud's technology, they won't come out peacefully anymore."

Recalling the mischief Barud had caused in the Metallurgy Department, Kim Incheol frowned and sighed.

"But with the current situation, it's difficult to pressure them. There's no concrete evidence that Bier tried to attack you."

Any objections would be dismissed as flaws in the prototype or Bier's inexperience.

There were countless reasons to bring down Barud.

'Even if I was wronged, I can't do anything...'

This wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred, but Kim Incheol felt a stronger sense of powerlessness than before.

The talent that could bring about great changes in the era might collapse pointlessly due to his inadequacy. What a miserable situation.

'This time, I absolutely cannot just take it.'

Determined, Kim Incheol seriously considered the methods he could use.

"I don't plan to attack them that way."

Iseun continued calmly.

"I've already decided how to do it. I just need your help with the details."

"Already decided...?"

How can you attack a massive force like Barud so easily? Kim Incheol looked at Iseun in confusion, and Iseun smiled.

"What's so hard about a company going bankrupt? If their products don't sell, they go under."

"That's true, but..."

It's not as easy as it sounds.

Especially in the industries dominated by Barud, where the technology is several steps ahead, catching up is no easy task.

Just as Kim Incheol was about to say something about the unrealistic method,

Bang!

A pile of papers appeared on the table from Iseun's subspace pocket.

"......Blueprints?"

Kim Incheol, looking at the blueprints Iseun had taken out with a puzzled expression, picked up the top one and examined it.

A blueprint of a sword. It didn't look special at first glance, but as Kim Incheol studied it in detail, his eyes widened.

"Wait a minute. What is this...?"

The blueprint was detailed enough for immediate mass production.

Not only the level of completion but also the notes Iseun had written were what surprised Kim Incheol.

[This will be 20% more powerful and durable than Barud's current E-grade mass-produced longsword.

The material cost can be reduced by up to 30% if the manufacturing process is properly established.]

A perfect upgrade to Barud's mass-produced equipment. Kim Incheol quickly examined other blueprints.

Flip, flip

Various weapons, armor, and auxiliary devices—all the mass-produced equipment that Barud sold as their main products were accurately drawn as upgrades.

Kim Incheol, surprised by the content, read the blueprints several times to verify them.

'This is... real.'

Without even testing, a blacksmith's intuition built over decades can tell.

Realizing the blueprints were genuine, Kim Incheol couldn't take his eyes off them, and Iseun, watching from across, smiled confidently.

"What do you think?"

"What do I think?"

In response to Iseun's question, Kim Incheol put down the blueprints and laughed helplessly.

"I can't help but laugh."

Producing items of consistent quality in large quantities was already difficult, but it became even more challenging after the emergence of mana.

The basic smelting process now required considering the structure of mana circuits and the characteristics of materials, increasing the complexity by several times.

'Even one blueprint would take a research team years to develop... and he brings dozens of them.'

No matter how talented, this was an unusual situation.

Kim Incheol wondered if Iseun had any connection to the 'group' he belonged to in the past but quickly dismissed the idea.

'They would try to improve his skills, not hand over blueprints like this.'

Purely created by Iseun's talent. Kim Incheol, looking at the blueprints, organized his thoughts and asked.

"So, how do you plan to use these?"

"Select the manufacturers competing with Barud who are willing to fight to the end, and hand over the blueprints. I'll leave the minor negotiations like profit ratios to you."

"Is that okay? You could make much more money by setting up a workshop and selling directly."

"It would take too long. To shake such a large entity, we need to hit them all at once."

Setting up a workshop would make it a weak point, increasing the risk of getting involved in various troublesome matters.

Thus, Iseun chose the most convenient method, even if it meant giving up some money.

"If that's your intention, I can't do anything about it. But for this plan to work, two more things are needed."

Kim Incheol, looking at Iseun, had a serious expression.

"First, a way to guarantee the quality of the equipment to the public. Second, protection for the cooperating manufacturers from Barud."

While it's unlikely that all the cooperating parties would be wiped out suddenly, one manufacturer could 'accidentally' explode and disappear without a trace.

And a few years later, a similar incident could occur, and those who opposed Barud would vanish.

Without preparation for this, few would step forward. Iseun smiled at Kim Incheol's words.

"Of course, there's a way."

* * *

"Barud tried to kill me, so I want to bring them down first. Can you help me?"

"......"

In response to Iseun's straightforward statement, the red-haired woman, Ryu Eunha, bowed her head slightly and fell into thought.

Her expression was so blank that it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. After a long moment, her lips slowly parted.

"Do you mean physically?"

A determined expression. She looked ready to eat the equipment and turn Barud's main house to dust. Iseun quickly added,

"No, I mean to ruin their business. Not to destroy them completely."

While it might be convenient, it's best to avoid actions that could lead to a global manhunt, even before reincarnation.

Ryu Eunha, still with an unchanged expression, nodded.

"I see."

"Yes, so..."

"Would it be enough to destroy the factory at night?"

In response to Ryu Eunha's new solution, Iseun suppressed the urge to say "That's it" and shook his head.

"I'll do it legally. It would be meaningless if I were wanted."

"Hmm... I understand. How do you plan to proceed?"

Thanks to the hint about them trying to kill him, Ryu Eunha seemed more proactive in bringing down Barud. Iseun, satisfied, briefly explained his plan.

"......Impressive."

Ryu Eunha's eyes sparkled at the mention of dozens of blueprints. Feeling the energy in her usually expressionless face, Iseun smiled and continued.

"Professor, I'd like you to compare the equipment I designed with Barud's. Your reputation in this field is well-known."

If he or Kim Incheol did it, it could be dismissed as hostility towards Barud, but if Ryu Eunha guaranteed the performance, it would be different.

As the head of the Borsipa department and an S-rank hero, Weapon Eater, and known as a connoisseur in the equipment industry, even Barud couldn't ignore her influence.

"Is it just a comparison?"

"Yes. Oh, it should be recorded on video and posted online. After that, we'll handle everything, so you don't need to worry."

"I understand."

Ryu Eunha, accepting without hesitation, made Iseun feel both satisfied and oddly.

'She seems more cooperative than before reincarnation.'

Even then, she would do most things he asked, but this time, it felt like she would give him her liver and gallbladder if he asked.

Iseun, looking at her curiously, saw Ryu Eunha think for a moment before speaking again.

"If this doesn't work, and you really have no other options... please let me know."

"Professor?"

"Yes."

Ryu Eunha, nodding, spoke calmly.

"I'll try to handle it somehow."

Her tone was strangely cold. Iseun, certain he shouldn't ask her, nodded hesitantly.

"For now... I'll keep it in mind."

"Yes. I'll contact you when the preparations are complete."

With the plan set with Ryu Eunha, Iseun left the department office and headed straight to Akalup.

The remaining issue was how to protect the workshops that would produce the items. This was the most challenging part of the plan.

'There are many workshops to protect, and we don't know when or how they will attack.'

They could attack immediately after the announcement or months later.

Hiring security companies or heroes to protect the workshops during this uncertain period?

It was questionable whether they could be protected, and the cost would be inefficient.

'Ultimately, it's better to entrust it to one outstanding person.'

Someone who could protect dozens of workshops scattered around the world.

Thinking of the person he could only meet through an intermediary, Iseun organized his thoughts.

'Worth a try.'

It would be great if it worked, but if not, there was nothing he could do.

With his thoughts organized, Iseun knocked on the door of the Body Control Lecture Hall, located deep within the Combat Studies Department.

Knock, knock

"Come in."

A gruff voice from inside. Opening the door, Iseun saw Ma Gwangsu lying on the bed, looking disgruntled.

"Everyone else is anxious about not being able to rest on weekends, and you're wandering around in broad daylight... You must be very relaxed."

"Sorry. It's a bit urgent..."

"......Come in. What's the matter?"

In response to Ma Gwangsu's question, Iseun explained the situation briefly, as he had with the others. After hearing it all, Ma Gwangsu frowned.

"I'd call it delusional, but Barud has a lot of stories. They're capable of anything."

"Can you help me?"

"Hmm... I have a question first."

Ma Gwangsu, trailing off, looked at Iseun.

"Why do you think I can help? I'm just a washed-up old man."

A suspicious question. After all, there was no reason to ask Ma Gwangsu for help based on the surface situation.

'I know because I know what organization this guy belonged to before reincarnation.'

But he couldn't say that, so Iseun answered indirectly.

"Even if you're retired, you don't lose all your connections. I thought you might be the best person to help."

"What if I can't?"

"Then I'll have to find another way."

Iseun's calm response made Ma Gwangsu look at him for a moment before getting out of bed.

"Alright. I can do it. But not for free."

"Protection fees can be discussed..."

"No. I don't need money."

Cutting off Iseun, Ma Gwangsu picked up a stack of papers from one side of the lecture hall and threw them to Iseun.

Iseun, catching them, read the title on the top page.

[Twan Ver.12]

'He must have revised it a lot...'

Flipping through the pages, Iseun quickly realized what the stack was.

"The technique you said you'd teach me before."

The talent to steal an opponent's movements, which Ma Gwangsu had vaguely mentioned, and the technique to maximize it, which he had actually developed.

'He managed to systematize it this much in that short time.'

While impressed by Ma Gwangsu's ability, Iseun also felt a bit annoyed.

'If he could make it this well, why did he teach me those other techniques for free?'

It was a pre-reincarnation matter, so he usually let it go, but sometimes the annoyance resurfaced.

Vowing to get proper revenge someday, Iseun listened as Ma Gwangsu added calmly.

"If you learn this, I'll help you."

"Is that enough?"

"Yes. You need to do that much to justify helping you against those troublesome people."

If you can prove that it helps in finding dopplegangers, I'll help you. Iseun, understanding Ma Gwangsu's thoughts, nodded.

"Understood. Let's go then."

"I'll start tomorrow. Just look through it today."

Learning Twan requires specific equipment, so immediate practice was impossible.

But Iseun shook his head in response to Ma Gwangsu's answer.

"I don't mean to practice."

"......