Grace of Anvil (5)

-You finished a special experience of shaping the origins of others into the form of a single weapon. It is not something that can be attempted without a deep understanding of spiritual power and extreme skill in metallurgy.

You have succeeded in creating a custom weapon for only one existence. Its performance is astounding, but it will not allow any other user.

-Your proficiency with Metallurgy has greatly increased. Your Spiritual Power has grown from the experience of embracing others origins.

[Mirang Salt Tank]

[Cannot be measured]

[Special Ability: Sunseed, Blooded]

*Sunseed: Contains the purifying power of fire. It strengthens itself by absorbing the users flame. The details of the effect are unknown.

*Blooded: A blade trained with fire and blood. The more injured the user is, the harder and sharper it becomes when coming into contact with a strong flame.

Atop the anvil was a red two-handed sword. The blade was made entirely through processing Mirangs claws, and the length of the blade was two meters long. The handle was about 70cm, including the pommel and cross-guard, which used part of the snake he had caught. The red blade was radiating heat as if it was burning. If someone without flame resistance touched it, it wouldnt just be a minor burn.

-Vwoooooom

Kang Shin-hyuk could hear the first cries of the sword as he injected his spiritual power into it. He realized that, for the first time, he had created a masterpiece worthy of the name of Anvil, and at the same time, he recognized it was an object he could never make with his strength alone.

Complete is it done? Throughout his work, Mirang, who had kept the fire, saw that Kang Shin-hyuks hand had stopped and thus began to ask nervously. Shin-hyuk quietly nodded and handed the sword over to Mirang, who easily accepted it with one hand.

Amazing Anvil, you made such a nice sword. You were saying you were inferior, but youre not at all.

Its thanks to you, Mirang. Its a weapon that hides its potential, so its a little different than your source.

At the least, its the weapon you made. Mirang swung the sword several times before narrowing his eyes and smiling in satisfaction.

I think this sword will work well. Ill have to get used to it Ill stay here for a while and take care of you.

Thank you, Mirang. If it were Mirang, it wouldnt be difficult to deal with a sword that contained his source. He was embarrassed to say that he would protect Kang Shin-hyuk from Jormungand, though.

Then, call me if something happens, Anvil.

I know. Dont go too far.

Yes. Kang Shin-hyuk was grateful that he would be around. Being safe from Jormungand was one of the reasons, but he also served as a check against Tsukuyo, who had been sticking to him every day. Without Mirang, Shin-hyuk would be in quite a bit of danger. Whenever she looked at him, or their eyes suddenly met, he felt as if he were naked in front of her. If Shin Eunah revealed herself to Kang Shin-hyuk and leaned on him, Tsukuyo was a woman who understood everything about him and affirmed him unconditionally. Both were a burden, but Tsukuyo made him uneasy.

Is it finally my turn, Anvil?

Youre here. As soon as Mirang left, Tsukuyo appeared. It was like she was able to grasp where he was no matter the time.

Anvil, what are you doing?

He wondered why a great person like Tsukuyo was stuck to him, but when he asked the reason, he thought something annoying would happen again.

I thought you were pretty.

Ah! The effect was great.

Why, Anvil directly praised me! Tsukuyo was trembling; her usually pale cheeks were burning red, and tears were forming in her eyes to show that she was genuinely moved. Kang Shin-hyuk felt a sigh in his heart.

Then, lets make your item now. He reached a reluctant hand out to her as if he were a groom in an arranged marriage he did not want

Ill ask you, Anvil. Tsukuyo, on the other hand, grabbed it like a woman marrying the love of her life. It took him an entire week to make the iron fan Tsukuyo wanted.

***

To fulfill Tsukuyos request, he had to scavenge her source, which served to change his own. What that meant was, like with Mirang, all the stats that composed him were influenced by her to grow.

-Youve been in contact with the source of the one you cannot dare reach for a long time, and your fundamental understanding of spiritual power has increased.

-Youve learned from others how to deal with the energy that illuminates the body. Your understanding of Golden Dragon Fighter has increased.

Golden Dragon Fighter (SS+) skill proficiency has increased to S-rank! Your body has gradually changed into one suitable for all martial arts. Positive adjustments have been made to all body statuses. Agility has grown to SS-rank!

-Resist Fire (SS+) skill proficiency has increased to SS-rank! Your fundamental understanding of fire has increased.

At that point, he wondered if his spiritual power would increase to SS-rank before he was done. Mirangs sword was a recognizable object with two special abilities, but the finished iron fan was an unknown object he couldnt analyze. However, Tsukuyo accepted it with sincere surprise and delight.

Ah, now I have to leave you again.

With every meeting, there will be separation. Tsukuyo had stayed by his side even to receive the fan, but eventually had to leave as a being of her caliber regretfully couldnt leave her world empty for too long.

The balance of this world is a curse. Ah, my Anvil. Yet, I have no choice but to listen.

Why are there so many guardians of the balance in the Hero Universe?

I hope one day we meet again, and that well be closer when we do.

Tsukuyo left Kang Shin-hyuk uneasy until the end. After she completely disappeared, the administrator vowed to check the support system so that it would never happen again, but Kang Shin-hyuk felt he would face her frequently in the future.

-I will definitely create a quest to pursue and kill that fox.

Uh good luck, administrator. Even after making the iron fan, Kang Shin-hyuk continued to work hard. The wall had been completed more or less immediately, but in order to keep it, the soldiers needed to become stronger. Kang Shin-hyuk produced a wide variety of weapons and armor for the soldiers and, finally, siege weapons. It meant that Kang Shin-hyuk had to give up on forging and focusing on casting instead to meet the production demands.

Well, this is better than I thought?

-Because the skill of a blacksmith who has mastered metallurgy doesnt just end with pouring molten metal into a mold. 100,000HP bonus!

Administrator, if you thought I was going to ask why you gave a bonus, youve made a mistake.

150,000HP bonus!

-200,000HP bonus!

Three consecutive ones?! If an item were made by casting, it would inevitably be less complete than forging it. However, metallurgy had a tremendous effect on casting as well as forging to help create a special item. Moreover, Kang Shin-hyuks metallurgy was based on spiritual power. The liquid metal was poured, cooled, hardened, and refined with spiritual power imbuing it in each step so that the quality couldnt be bad. And, decisively, his trait would reinforce everything he made.

-Metallurgy skill proficiency has increased to S+ rank! All metallurgy-related actions have an additional 30% speed bonus!

After a tremendous amount of work, his metallurgy grew once more. Now that he received the S+ rank, his mass production work sped up immensely. After that, he returned to forging work and made items to sell on the Hero Universe, as well as some items he wanted to make personally. He had time to consider his other skills, especially Light Mastery. As a bonus, he had some time to study into a matter he wanted to investigate.

Okay, apparently, this is the best

Anvil, if the time is okay, I have a request for daily necessities Wait, is that alcohol?

Finally. Welcome, Zeke. Drink it and tell me your impressions.

?!

Did you say alcohol, Anvil?

?! So, a month and a half passed. Mirang remained for the month and a half as promised and left about thirty minutes before Kang Shin-hyuk did.

Anvil, I look forward to seeing you again. I will not forget the gift you gave me.

I really got a great one.

Its embarrassing to accept that sort of thing. Kang Shin-hyuk had made a sword in return for Mirangs support, but he still tried to pay him. Kang Shin-hyuk refused, and Mirang eventually gave up and instead handed him an item before running away. It was one of his fangs.

Itll be impossible for me to use this for the time being

-It seems stronger than the claws. No matter how much youve analyzed Mirang, youll need to understand fire better to work with this.

Thanks to Tsukuyo, my understanding of fire improved but its still impossible.

-Thats right. You have to deal with fire yourself, not just resisting it.

Fire mastery, too.

-But thats on hold for the time being.

Why?! Kang Shin-hyuk sighed and stowed the fang away. After organizing the workshop, he headed off to where he would spend his last thirty minutes in this world. It was the spire on top of the castle. Milia was waiting for him there.

In this land other monsters began to appear. Milia, wearing a dress now, said so as she observed the land beyond the wall. Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged.

Im sorry.

Its not your fault. She shook her head firmly.

Its because Ive been looking for water in this world again. She was correct. The day she had awakened her power, she filled the world with water using the water orb. The water from her power was filled with vitality and permeated the world, becoming rivers and seas. The earth had received that vitality-filled water and gained a new life. It had even started to rain again.

The territory of those monsters naturally decreased as the land didother monsters filled that empty spot. But its not just that. Land beasts will prosper again, so I dont regret it. I did what I had to.

Thats right.

I just wanted to say thank you. Milia finally said it out loud.

I was able to start a new world with the remnants of humanity because of you.

You give me too much credit.

I havent given you enough. She looked back at him with tears in her eyes, causing him to flinch away.

Im really grateful to you, Anvil. Even if you say you dont know.

Yes, you dont. How I feel every night She stopped herself and bit her lip before changing the topic.

Since the world has changed again, the time ratio with your world will soon readjust. I heard it from the administrator.

Yeah.

It means that there will be no seven years passing here while you spend only half a year.

Is that a good thing?

You! Milia tossed something at him. He caught it reactively before it could hit him, his eyes going wide as he realized what it was.

The water orb?

This world will never run out, so take it. We dont need it.

You have the trait to deal with water, no. Milia frowned and began to shout at his refusal.

If I have the water orb, I will only be a target for Jormungand, so you must take it.

Its a national treasure

Take it!

Yes. He had refused enough. Shin-hyuk quietly took it in his arms, causing Milia to smile.

Ive strengthened it with my trait, so its a good reward for this quest.

Youre proud of it.

Now go. Ive taken everything I can and gave everything I could, so theres no reason to stick around. I cant afford it.

No kiss this time?

Hmm youre asking yourself? Perhaps this time it wont end with a kiss. Milia swept her blonde hair to the side, her eyes narrowing.

Will you?

No, sorry. Ill head back.

Okay. Milia laughed.

Ill whisper to you once in a while.

Okay, when Im not busy.

Yes. Milias satisfied smile was rather cute despite her age.

Oh, yes. Before that heres a gift.

Well? Kang Shin-hyuk took out what he had made for her and handed it over. It was a trident made out of Brenite. It was light and sharp but also ridiculously sturdy. It was created with the materials of all sorts of underwater monsters he had purchased from the Hero Universe. It wasnt quite as good as the ones he made for Mirang and Tsukuyo, but it was SS-grade.

This

I originally thought it would go well with the water orb, but it should be strong by itself.

This, this is really more than I thought.

Hm?

Ah. Milia realized she had made a mistake in her speech. It had only been Mirang and Zeke around him lately

Didnt Zeke quit your escort?

Uh Milia avoided his gaze, but she couldnt stand him staring at her.

He quit as an escort, but as a royal advisor

Tell me more.

He gave me some advice about connecting me with you

Now it seemed that Zeke was playing matchmaker! He kept coming to his workshop, but Shin-hyuk thought it was because he was bored after quitting his job. No, he was spying!

Milia, you

Well, what do you mean? Youre already saying goodbye, you cruel man! Milias face reddened in anger, but he laughed.

Zeke is okay, so dont worry.

Why are you more worried about him than me?

You dont need to worry anymore. Youre a member of the Hero Universe.

Ugh

So, Ill go now. This time, with no regrets, Kang Shin-hyuk turned around.

This really doesnt make sense.

Bye. Milia was complaining, but she didnt chase after him. Kang Shin-hyuk waved her goodbye as the dimensional quest came to an end. The next moment, he was back in his My Room.

Its over.

-We were fortunate there was no further conflict with Jormungand.

Im sure itll be busy from now on. With this quest, Kang Shin-hyuk had a rough feeling about the relationship between the Hero Universe and Jormungand. As a member of the Hero Universe, he realized that it was unavoidable for Earth to collide with Jormungand.

Ive no choice but to struggle or be killed.

-Yes.

Kang Shin-hyuk smiled at the administrator. Soon, a whisper appeared.

Only

-Water Foxs whisper: I guess I havent told you about the way we propose yet.

-Water Foxs whisper: A woman first proposes to a man by giving them a gift, often an heirloom.

-Water Foxs whisper: If they refuse the gift, they refuse to marry you, but if they receive it, it means they will go to the womans house as a son-in-law.

-Water Foxs whisper: But when a man who received a womans gift gives a gift to her, it means he will bring her to live with him.

-Water Foxs whisper: How difficult. Youre a difficult man.

Kang Shin-hyuk smiled bitterly at the whispers arriving. From the time Zeke acted as a spy, he knew there must be some hidden meaning. But wasnt this approach cute compared to Tsukuyo? Kang Shin-hyuk thought that way as he laughed and told her he would see her next time.

-I have to kill her.

And he had to go through a lot of effort to stop the administrator.