Overgeared

Chapter 152

The smithy in Bairan Village was very good. Until Khan appeared, the blacksmith there was the best blacksmith in the north. But his disciple Smith wasn’t as talented. Smith was 66 this year. He had been working as a blacksmith for 50 years, but he was still a beginner blacksmith.

“Oh my, Mister Smith’s farm equipment breaks down so quickly?”

“I have to go to another village to buy farm equipment.”

“Uncle Smith should’ve become a miner instead.”

“Haha, right. He is just as good with a pickaxe as a miner.”

He lived in the area for a few decades, but people still gossiped about him behind his back. Then what about the travellers?

“Dammit, Bairan Village is good, but the blacksmith is rubbish. I can’t get anything decent from the smithy.”

“The hunting grounds here are for high levels, but why is the blacksmith so inferior? Damn!”

“But isn’t he good at making Jaffa Arrows? The price is also cheap. They aren’t bad for a fight.”

“Not bad is the problem.”

It was like this almost every day for decades. Smith was blamed for being incompetent. No matter how hard he tried, it was useless. He reminded himself of his mentor’s teachings and repeatedly trained in controlling the fire and iron every day, but his abilities didn’t increase. It felt like a witch had cursed him.

“I don’t want to give up now…”

Every young man in the village dreamed of being a miner, but avoided becoming a blacksmith. So he had no disciples. Furthermore, he was old. Sooner or later, the lord would make him retire.

Smith wanted to become an intermediate blacksmith before then. He wanted to prove his worth. He lived all his life with iron, but he was going to die as a beginner blacksmith? It was obvious that people would scoff and laugh every time they saw his grave. He didn’t want to be insulted even after death.

‘Try to remember.’

Smith closed his eyes in front of the anvil. He recalled the young man a few months who he had briefly taught. The young man’s name was Grid. His appearance was bad, but he managed to make the Special Jaffa Arrows.

‘How did he do it?’

Smith tried. He tried not to miss a single one of Grid’s movements when handling the fire and iron. Time flowed continuously. Before he knew it, the moon sank and it became dawn. The sky brightened.

Flash!

Finally, Smith opened his eyes.

Kaaang! Kaaang!

There were no wasted movements. He handled the fire and minerals in a more orderly manner than before.

Kaaang~!

Before he knew it, the sun had risen to the middle of the sky. But Smith was in a trance. He didn’t feel the passing time or even hunger. He didn’t even realize that people were screaming outside the smithy. With the fire and hammer, he just worked at smelting and tempering the mineral.

And.

“Oh…! Ohhhh!”

Someone spoke to him. Enlightenment suddenly came. It was true. Smith crossed the wall that had been blocking him for 50 years. He was so thrilled that tears poured out. He held the newly created ‘Special Jaffa Arrow’ and literally fell to the ground.

“Haha…! Hahaha! I’m glad… I’m glad…”

The aftereffect didn’t go away. Smith stroked the arrow like a cherished child as he kept crying. His last desperate effort had been rewarded. Then the door of the smithy opened.

“Infidel, you will be judged.”

“…?”

Someone suddenly stormed into the smithy. It was a believer of the Yatan Church. What was this? Smith questioned the sudden situation and looked outside through the open door of the smithy.

The village was filled with fire. The screams of people were constantly heard. Now Smith grasped the situation.

“The Yatan Church has invaded…”

Ddubeok. Ddubeok.

The follower slowly approached. Then he pointed his dagger at Smith.

“Die, Infidel.”

Smith laughed heartily, “Haha… Yes. I can die. I already have no one.”

He had finally overcome the limitations. If anyone found the arrow he left behind, they would know he was no longer a beginner blacksmith. Then Smith closed his eyes.

‘I can face Master.’

He felt the eerie anticipating of the dagger approaching his heart.

Puok!

There was a strange sound. A bloody mess spread quickly. But he didn’t feel any pain.

“…?”

eyes. Then he witnessed the follower coughing up blood after being stabbed in the heart with an arrow. There was a

been a long

“Why are you here…?”

The young man who gave him enlightenment appeared at this moment and saved his life? He thought he had no regrets about his life, but he couldn’t help feeling relieved. Tears poured

“Have you been well?”

filled with calluses. It was undoubtedly the hand of a blacksmith. Grid chuckled and pulled Smith to

you made wonderful

“Ah…!”

It was his first time in 66 years. It wasn’t an ordinary person, but a great blacksmith! Smith rose all

the next few years. Continue…

patted Smith’s shoulders. “Of course, you can work more.

Float.

in the air and gazed into Smith’s

I will protect

at

about the old blacksmith who overcame

Affection’

[Blacksmith’s Affection]

Difficulty: B

have Pagma’s humanitarian ideology of using ‘blacksmithing to benefit

an old blacksmith who passed his limit has inspired

heart is as hot as fire

Clear Conditions:

The lifespan of Smith will be extended

a late bloomer thanks to his effort. He has

Acceptance Reward: The skill ‘Blacksmith’s Affection’

Failure: Smith’s

[Blacksmith’s Affection]

the maximum affinity with an NPC blacksmith, you

received your teachings will be loyal to you for life and will share with

[Quest is in progress.]

“Wow.”

same manner and learned the skill Blacksmith’s Rage. He had come to deliver armor to Vantner, only to witness Smith’s plight. Saving him

different

bad guys received profits, while a

Then his high insight detected exactly 15 Yatan followers nearby. Grid wore Malacus’ Cloak and let them approach,

“Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Wave!”

an absolute dignity. The energy waves from Failure instantly

Affection’ has been

life will be

‘Good, good.’

expression and turned his attention to the center of the village. The Tzedakah Guild were facing the old man Neberius playing the flute and the demonkin Balak, whose body was bubbling up like lava.

Malacus raid. With their current power, won’t they just

gaze to the other side. Jishuka and Vantner were isolated in an area where

“This side is urgent.”

***

Damn!

The damage he suffered was so much that his

“Die!”

“Divine punishment!”

focus their attacks on Vantner. In the end, Jishuka made a

Kaaang!

defend Vantner’s side from the black knight’s attack, causing her to cough up blood. Vantner cried out, “What

have the

“Ugh…”

character a tanker. He was a damage dealer in L.T.S. so the guild members expressed concern. But Vantner was stubborn. He wanted to be in charge of a different position

weak attack and slow hunting speed didn’t suit him. In order to level up properly, he always had to hunt with a party. The

“Tanker? No.”

playing alone, Vantner started to put his stat points into strength. He forgot his original intentions of tanking for the guild

suit me? If Garcia had become our guild’s guardian knight as planned, we would’ve been

“…”

Jishuka and apologized while bowing his head. Jishuka smiled as Vantner was

been distributing as much stat points as possible into stamina. I

“Okay.”

appearing

“Jishuka?”

in front of them? Wasn’t it

out all the enemies here. You should recover as quickly as possible and join the

The rankings of the top players could fluctuate with just 1% of

her make

I will die

at the

you die then I won’t be able to escape by myself. Just

suffered

suffered 2,550

Your defense is reduced by 30% and your movement speed

by magic attacks. But she

Hwaruruk!