FWOOSH!
The moment the competition began, flames surged from the furnace in the workshop.
“Move, move! We’re mixing Thousand-Forged Steel and Low-Grade Cold Iron to make an alloy!”
“Yes!”
“Understood, Workshop Master!”
Watching the furnace flames rise, Jun-hwan bellowed loudly.
Everything he had was at stake in this competition, so it was only natural.
As he watched the artisans and apprentices move in perfect coordination, Jun-hwan glanced toward Se-jin and Shin-hyeok.
He may be impressive, but no matter how much help he gets from a brat who has never held a hammer, he will not be able to make anything decent. This competition is an easy win for me!
Watching Shin-hyeok hold a hammer in an awkward stance, Jun-hwan smiled maliciously to himself and shoved Thousand-Forged Steel and Low-Grade Cold Iron into the blazing furnace.
***
“Se-jin, are you really sure about this? I’ve never held a hammer before.”
“If you were not lying about what you said, it does not matter. You only need to assist me, Shin-hyeok.”
“Hmm, if you say so…….”
Having suddenly been made to hold a hammer, Shin-hyeok looked at Se-jin worriedly.
If they lost this competition, Se-jin would return to the hellish life of a slave once more.
But Se-jin nodded as though it did not concern him in the slightest.
“The artisans and apprentices in this workshop are certain to hinder me rather than help me. If that is the case, I would rather have help from someone as talented as you, even if you have never held a hammer before.”
“Ah.”
Shin-hyeok let out a quiet exclamation as he understood the reason.
Shinhwa Workshop was clearly Jun-hwan’s home ground.
In order to ensure Jun-hwan’s victory, the artisans and apprentices were certain to obstruct Se-jin rather than help him.
Having thought that far, Shin-hyeok rolled up his sleeves and began working in earnest.
“First, we’ll combine Consecrated Steel and White Lotus Steel to make an alloy. That way, we can get the most efficiency without using all the Consecrated Steel. You said your friend Su-a is a paladin and cleric Dual Class, right? Let’s use the remaining Consecrated Steel to make a weapon for her.”
“Was that why you did not choose a weapon at the department store from the beginning?”
“Yeah. She’s your friend, Shin-hyeok, so I should let her use the best weapon. Of course, what we’re making now will be the best.”
“The best…… I like that.”
Se-jin was looking not only at the competition before them, but at the future as well. Shin-hyeok could feel his certainty of victory, so he smiled and brought over the Consecrated Steel and White Lotus Steel.
“Consecrated Steel and White Lotus Steel have different melting points. So we’ll melt the White Lotus Steel first, then melt the Consecrated Steel and combine them immediately afterward. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand. Let’s begin right away.”
After that brief explanation, the two immediately got to work.
FWOOSH!
The White Lotus Steel went into the blazing furnace first.
SHHHHH—
The Consecrated Steel took the place of the White Lotus Steel, which had melted into a bright-red liquid and been poured out.
Once Se-jin confirmed that the Consecrated Steel had also turned into a bright-red molten liquid, he carefully mixed the two molten metals with a serious expression.
[You are assisting an outstanding artisan’s work.]
[Skill: Metallurgy is being created.]
[The Skill Grade will be determined by the completed result.]
At the messages that appeared, Shin-hyeok also focused on the work with an extremely serious expression.
The molten metal Se-jin had mixed perfectly was cooled for only a moment.
“Let’s make the mold.”
“This is clay infused with the energy of spirits.”
“Good. This will make an excellent mold.”
The two moved on to the next task without a moment’s rest.
Se-jin praised Shin-hyeok for bringing the spirit-infused clay needed to make the mold, then quickly began shaping it.
As Se-jin molded it with swift movements, the clay instantly took the shape of a sword mold.
Shin-hyeok was briefly amazed by the sight.
“We’ll remelt the cooled alloy and pour it into the mold. It will not be difficult, so you can try this part.”
“I’ll give it a try.”
Shin-hyeok received the remelted molten metal from Se-jin and carefully poured it into the mold.
[You are actively participating in the work.]
[Your participation will be included in the Grade evaluation.]
A message window appeared alongside the molten metal, which settled perfectly into the mold’s shape.
As Shin-hyeok smiled at it, Se-jin took out something.
WHOOOOOSH—
“It’s Mana Wind. It’s used in crafting. It can quickly harden metal, and the mana that seeps into it also increases the value of the item being made.”
“There are a lot of fascinating crafting items too.”
Mana Wind.
They quickly hardened the molten metal using a device that produced a cold wind made of mana.
“Take the hammer. This is where the real work begins.”
“……Whew, I’m ready.”
CLANG! CLINK! CLANG! CLINK! CLANG!
The real hammering began.
Even a perfect mold could not create a properly finished shape. It was a tedious process of hammering the blade until it perfectly matched the form Se-jin had envisioned.
Is this why he will later be called the Hand of God and reach the pinnacle of blacksmithing?
But rather than grow bored, Se-jin continued hammering diligently with a broad smile on his face.
Even Shin-hyeok, who was only assisting, grew tired from the work. Yet Se-jin hammered without rest for several hours.
“It’s finished.”
“……This is truly incredible.”
And the result was indeed extraordinary.
Of course—
[The quality of the item you participated in crafting is exceptional!]
[This will be included in the Skill Grade evaluation.]
[The Grade evaluation has been completed.]
[You have acquired Skill: Metallurgy [D].]
“I got a skill too. Metallurgy, Grade D.”
“D? That’s quite high from the start.”
“It said it was because the item we made was excellent, so it’s thanks to you.”
“Well, I only did the hammering.”
“That’s the most important part.”
“Thank you, even if you only mean it with words.”
There was hardly any need to say that Shin-hyeok had also received a substantial reward.
Metallurgy [D].
It was a skill he had not possessed before his regression, so he had received no adjustment bonus. Even so, it had started at Grade D, leaving Shin-hyeok satisfied as he thanked Se-jin.
Se-jin was not accustomed to praise. He blushed and waved his hands in denial, making Shin-hyeok smile.
“Both of you seem to be finished, so bring your work over for inspection.”
“Yes!”
“Yes.”
As Choi Cheol-ho’s low but weighty voice filled the workshop, Se-jin completely shed his bashful demeanor. He picked up the sword with a solemn expression and stood before Choi Cheol-ho.
Jun-hwan stood beside Se-jin and sneered.
“This is a masterpiece made with the entire Shinhwa Workshop pitching in. Do you really think you can beat this just because you worked alone?”
Jun-hwan held up a longsword that radiated a chill and taunted him. Se-jin stared at it for a moment before unexpectedly sneering.
“Yes. It is so crude that I believe I will win.”
“What?”
“You should reveal yours first. The protagonist always appears last.”
“……Ha, fine. Just do not get scared and give up before then.”
Se-jin had called Jun-hwan’s work crude and yielded the first reveal because he had called himself the protagonist. Jun-hwan ground his teeth and revealed his longsword.
[Cold Iron Sword Imbued with an Artisan’s Soul]
-Unique Grade
-Strength +33, Vitality +28
-Attack Power +558
“Hoho, the options attached to this Unique Grade item are impressive, and so is its Attack Power.”
It was only natural that the sword reached Unique Grade because it used Unique Grade materials, but its options were also formidable.
Strength +33 and Vitality +28.
On top of that, its Attack Power was in the middle range for a Unique Grade item, making Jun-hwan’s arrogant manner understandable.
Even Choi Cheol-ho expressed admiration, and Jun-hwan’s nose rose so high that it nearly reached the sky.
“You should not be impressed by only that, Grandfather.”
“……What?”
“Se-jin, show him. Show him our masterpiece.”
“Our masterpiece. Anyway, this is the sword we made. Take a look.”
At Shin-hyeok’s words, Choi Cheol-ho looked at Se-jin in astonishment.
Se-jin confidently met his gaze and placed his sword before Choi Cheol-ho.
[Bang Se-jin’s Well-Made Holy Sword]
-Unique+ Grade
-All Stats +38
-Attack Power +892
-Bound Equipment
-Grants the Holy Power stat to its bound owner
“……Huh.”
“……What!”
“T-That is impossible!”
Astonishment filled Shinhwa Workshop.
Se-jin’s victory was certain from the moment the sword’s grade was revealed as Unique+, but its following options could not even be compared to Jun-hwan’s sword.
The stat increase of 38 alone surpassed the previous sword, and it increased all stats.
Then there was its outrageous Attack Power of 892.
Finally, it was Bound Equipment that belonged to its user, while also granting the Holy Power stat.
Considering that Holy Power could ordinarily be acquired only by paladin- or cleric-type classes, it was unbelievable.
Everyone who checked Se-jin’s sword after Choi Cheol-ho could not hide their shock.
CLAP!
“It seems the outcome has been decided.”
“Yes. No matter whom we brought in, the winner would be the same.”
Shin-hyeok’s single clap dispelled the stunned silence in the workshop. Choi Cheol-ho calmly nodded at his words.
“N-No! This cannot be happening! Please, just once more! Give me just one more chance, Chairman!”
Jun-hwan, sensing his end, grabbed Choi Cheol-ho’s trouser hem and shamefully begged for another chance.
But Choi Cheol-ho was not a soft-hearted man.
“Name: Kim Jun-hwan. Age: forty-seven. You worked as an employee of Shinhwa Workshop before being promoted to Workshop Master. But you embezzled materials and accepted kickbacks from other guilds. As a result, equipment that should have gone to Shinhwa Guild was leaked outside on several occasions. As if molesting and harassing employees were not enough, you even registered items personally made by Mr. Bang Se-jin under your own name. Should I still give you another chance?”
“H-How did you know that?”
“Remember that Shinhwa’s eyes are everywhere. Do not feel too wronged. Even if you had won this competition, nothing would have changed much. Go quietly eat prison beans.”
“N-No! No! Chairman, please!”
“Take him away.”
“AAAAAAARGH!”
Choi Cheol-ho already knew every detail of Jun-hwan’s misconduct and crimes.
In other words, Jun-hwan’s fall into the abyss had been decided before the competition even began.
Jun-hwan realized that and screamed desperately, but at Choi Cheol-ho’s cold command, the security guards grabbed him and dragged him away.
The miserable downfall of the man who had been Workshop Master only moments before left everyone from the artisans to the apprentices of Shinhwa Workshop silent as clams.
“Now, the punishment is over, leaving only the reward. So, Shin-hyeok, what do you want?”
Only Choi Cheol-ho, unlike before, looked at Shin-hyeok with a benevolent smile and asked what he wanted.
At the question that rang out through the silence, Shin-hyeok gave the answer he had already decided upon.
“Please appoint my father as the President of Shinhwa Distribution.”
“So be it.”
And it immediately became reality.
Shinhwa Distribution.
The cornerstone for Shin-hyeok to swallow Shinhwa Group whole.