Overgeared

Song Juseop was very prideful. He had been practicing kendo from a young age and used to be the best in the country during middle school and high school. Even though he started focusing on his studies later than his peers, he graduated from a prestigious university. He turned his life around by realizing the potential of Grid’s skills during the First International Competition...

In many ways, he was not an ordinary person.

Even Song Juseop himself often wondered, ‘Could it be that I made some great contribution in my previous life and received a blessing from God?’

This was why he was a devout Christian, Catholic, and Buddhist.

...In any case, he was always full of confidence. He never felt intimidated when he had to prove himself in front of others.

But now it was different.

Failure was one of Grid’s first symbolic weapons. Juseop was very tense as he stood in front of the iron armor with a replica of Failure. He tried to control his breathing and concentrate, but he couldn’t calm down. Shin Youngwoo was standing right next to him. Youngwoo was just a young man wearing a simple tracksuit. He seemed ordinary at first glance, but was actually an extraordinary individual.

This was the person whom Song Juseop had longed to meet for so long. Could Song Juseop really talk in the same room as Grid? Swing a sword in front of Grid?

This was a dream come true. Juseop had always hoped for this day to come, but he never thought this would ever happen.

“......”

Youngwoo remained silent. He had become accustomed to others admiring him and was considerate of Song Juseop’s feelings. He knew why Song Juseop was nervous and didn’t offer him advice or encouragement. Youngwoo’s words could become a heavy burden for others.

‘It’s not like I have anything to say anyway.’

Song Juseop’s posture was flawless. It was a pity that his shoulder muscles were somewhat strained. His back and leg muscles weren’t relaxed either. However, this was a problem that could be solved if he relaxed a bit.

The problem was that he couldn’t relax...

‘Um.’

Even after a few minutes passed, Song Juseop’s trapezius muscle was still tense. Youngwoo couldn’t waste any more time. The more time passed, the more anxious Song Juseop felt. Youngwoo picked up a nearby broom, looked at Song Juseop and swung it.

"......!"

Song Juseop, who was trying to stop being tense and concentrate, trembled. Finally, he managed to focus. He captured a certain trajectory at the edge of his field of view. This was the perfect sword trajectory that Song Juseop had pursued for over twenty years.

He reacted reflexively.

He swung the greatsword in a straight line and struck the shining silver armor. A loud sound filled the room and vibrations traveled up Song Juseop’s arms. Pain flared in his muscles. Even though he wore gauntlets he himself had crafted, the tremendous shock passed through his fingertips, traveling all the way to his shoulders.

He frowned in pain and looked up in surprise. Youngwoo’s iron armor was intact except for a slight dent in the shoulder area. Just as expected. There was a reason the tremendous backlash had come close to shattering Song Juseop’s hands.

“Ha... Haha... Really... Really amazing.”

environment as him, using the same tools and materials. It had taken Youngwoo only nine hours to smelt iron, forge

his masterpiece—the imitation of Failure. However, his weapon didn’t stand a chance against the armor made by Youngwoo. Even after years of sharpening the blade every single day without exception, the most Song Juseop could do with his greatsword was scratch this piece of armor that had been crafted

Song Juseop was

was impressed with Youngwoo’s skills which resembled Grid’s in Satisfy, even though this was

be so great. All I can do

people were impressed by things they weren’t familiar with. The established theory was that the more one understood what they were looking at, the more blurred

a distance for many years. He was thrilled to finally meet his role model, but he was also worried that he might end up disappointed and

predictions had turned out wrong. Contrary to Song Juseop’s worries, Shin Youngwoo’s first piece of work was really well-made. Song Juseop had swung a greatsword that was over two meters long, but all

“...Grid?”

admiration and delight, was suddenly worried. Youngwoo looked gloomy as he examined the armor. He seemed disappointed. Song Juseop didn’t understand why, but it made

armor

Youngwoo had to take into consideration that it was made from mere iron. But it was really just armor. Could he withstand

revealed its disastrous appearance. The place where Juseop had struck with Failure was caved in and there were cracks

though I didn’t put leather on the inside of the

the armor. His collarbone would’ve cracked at the very least. Youngwoo was just human

learn Impenetrable Skin

had gotten rid of suddenly resurfaced. His brows furrowed as

a complicated process? I know this result isn’t satisfying your standards, but I think it’s good enough from a general point of

uncomfortable. Youngwoo smiled awkwardly and felt sorry when he realized the other man

satisfied with

had been perfected only thanks to Youngwoo’s high dexterity and his abundant experience. He had

so-called perfect armor

of the useless armor in front of

Slash!

"......!!"

hurt his hands from the impact because

You don’t strike with a sword. Stabbing or slashing the target is the best way to use a

“Ah...”

senses. That was why he had been unable to leave anything more than a dent

crafted wasn’t invincible. That

know...? I’ve never had to strike

to look Youngwoo in the eye. However, Youngwoo bowed

grateful and honored that you stepped foot in my smithy. Uhm... Grid, if you don’t mind, you can come and use this place anytime you want. I

first name instead of Grid, I’ll think about

right! I-I made

with you, boss.

are you

Juseop was only embarrassed, not happy. He probably needed more

shrugged and left Song’s Workshop. On the way home, he contacted a construction company he had worked with before.

tour

***