'The smelting furnace design is perfect, and the temperature control method is certain. I can do this.'
But failure could not be tolerated. If I made one mistake, there would be neither time nor materials left. I had to succeed perfectly from the beginning.
Footsteps sounded outside.
Rustle. Rustle.
They were cautious yet heavy steps crushing fallen leaves. It was probably Solid Rock.
"Chieftain, are you asleep?"
It was Solid Rock's voice.
Low and careful.
"I'm not asleep. Come in."
Solid Rock entered the pit house.
His face was dyed red by the campfire light.
Instead of his usual confident air, he wore a somehow cautious expression.
Even the way he hesitated briefly at the entrance before moving his feet was strangely careful.
"What is it?"
"I...."
Solid Rock dragged his words.
"There is something I wish to ask. But it may be a rude question."
"Say it."
I looked at Solid Rock. His face was serious.
"Chieftain, can you truly accomplish it within fifteen days?"
"Accomplish what?"
"Preparing to face fifty men. Can we truly fight those bastards?"
Solid Rock asked.
"Please tell me honestly."
It was a direct question.
I looked at Solid Rock.
I looked him straight in the eyes. What they held was not fear, but sincerity.
"I'll tell you honestly."
"Yes."
"It won't be easy."
I spoke calmly.
"But it's not impossible."
"What will you do?"
"Fifteen days is a short time."
I spoke while counting on my fingers.
"We need to make a smelting furnace, smelt bronze, and make weapons. If even one step fails, it's over."
"...."
Solid Rock fell silent.
"If I fail, everyone dies. I know that."
I spoke firmly.
"The Tiger Tribe has no mercy. They will kill the men, make the women slaves, and the children...."
"Yes, I know. I do not even want to think about it."
Solid Rock lowered his head. His fists trembled.
"Do you know why I asked this question?"
"Why?"
"I grew up with you, Chieftain."
Solid Rock spoke.
"I have served you since childhood."
"Yes, I know."
"I have been by your side since you were five years old, Chieftain."
Solid Rock continued.
"We ran and played together, learned to hunt together, and became warriors together."
"Then what are you suddenly trying to say?"
"But the Chieftain now...."
Solid Rock raised his head.
His eyes pierced into me.
"You are not the person I knew."
My heart lurched.
"What do you mean?"
"Until three days ago, Chieftain, you were...."
Solid Rock stopped speaking for a moment.
"May I truly say this?"
"Yes, say it."
"Ordinary."
Solid Rock spoke cautiously.
"You were brave, but reckless. Righteous, but lacking in wisdom."
"...."
I remained silent.
"You were truly brave and righteous, but this knowledge... you did not have it."
Solid Rock continued.
"You had never once spoken of bronze or alloys. Smelting furnace designs? Temperature control? Weak point attacks?"
Solid Rock's voice trembled.
"I have never heard you say such things."
I stayed silent.
What should I say?
I could not tell the truth. Possession? Reincarnation? There was no way he would believe such words.
"But in three days, you changed completely."
Solid Rock continued speaking.
"Your eyes, your way of speaking, the way you think. Your speech has become more precise, your gaze sharper, and your thoughts deeper."
"...."
"It is as though you have become another person."
Solid Rock looked straight at me.
I remained silent.
I could not deny it. Because in truth, I was another person.
Kim Do-hyun. A professor at Seoul National University. A man who died at forty-three.
And now, I was inside Black Panther's body.
"Ah, you do not have to answer."
Solid Rock waved his hand as he spoke.
"I do not need to know the truth. I do not want to know either."
"Then what do you want to know?"
"There is only one thing I wish to know."
"What is it?"
"Is the Chieftain now on our side?"
Solid Rock asked.
"Will you protect the Peregrine Tribe? Or will you abandon us?"
There was desperation in Solid Rock's eyes. They were earnest eyes.
This man knew his lord had changed, yet he was ready to follow. What mattered was not identity, but will.
"Of course. I am on the Peregrine Tribe's side."
I spoke firmly.
"I will protect it with my life on the line. Whether the Tiger Tribe brings fifty men or a hundred, I will protect this village."
"Those words are enough."
Solid Rock smiled. Relief spread across his face.
"I will think of you as someone sent by the ancestors. Whether the Chieftain's soul left and a new soul entered, or whether the ancestors gave you wisdom, it does not matter to me."
"Is that what you think?"
"Yes. What matters is that the Chieftain now will protect us."
"Thank you for thinking that."
"Not at all."
Solid Rock lowered his voice.
"In truth, the other warriors have sensed it too."
"Sensed what?"
"That you have changed, Chieftain."
"They have? What did they say?"
"They said it was not in a bad way. Rather, they said you had become stronger. They said anyone could tell just by seeing you kill the bear today."
Solid Rock continued.
"Running Deer said, 'The Chieftain has become a god,' and Fierce Eyes said, 'An ancestor has possessed him.' Old Man Hot Hands said, 'The Chieftain has finally attained enlightenment.'"
"That is a relief."
"We will follow you, Chieftain."
Solid Rock spoke seriously.
"Wherever you go, whatever you do. If you command it, Chieftain, I will leap even into fire."
"Thank you, Solid Rock."
I patted Solid Rock on the shoulder.
"It is reassuring to have a subordinate like you."
"Not at all. Then I will withdraw."
Solid Rock stood.
"Please rest well."
Solid Rock placed his fist against his chest and saluted.
Solid Rock left the pit house.
I let out a sigh. A deep sigh. The tension loosened.
'He really is sharp.'
But it was fortunate. At least I had gained the trust of my closest subordinate.
And if Solid Rock acknowledged me, the others would follow as well.
'I need to make bronze weapons within fifteen days.'
Building the smelting furnace, smelting the tin, alloying it with copper, making the weapon molds, and casting.
I had to do all of it without modern equipment.
There was no blast furnace, no thermometer, no precision scale. Everything had to be done by eye and experience.
'I can do it. No, I have to do it.'
If I failed, everyone would die. That absolutely could not happen.
I closed my eyes. Starting tomorrow, the real war began.
I woke as soon as dawn broke.
My body felt refreshed. Whether it was the effect of leveling up or not, my fatigue had vanished cleanly.
Even though I had stayed awake until late last night, I did not feel tired at all. Rather, strength overflowed within me.
I clenched and opened my hand. My muscles tightened solidly, and I could feel my strength. A Level 2 body was clearly different.
I went outside the pit house.
The village was still quiet. A thick morning fog had settled over everything. White mist covered the ground, so I could not see clearly even three meters ahead.
Pale fog flowed between the pit houses, and far away, the outline of the forest looked blurred. The trees appeared faintly like ghosts, and birdsong echoed within the fog.
The dawn air was cold, but refreshing. When I breathed in, my lungs cooled, and the scent of dew mixed with the smell of earth.
"You have risen early."
A voice came from behind me. It was Solid Rock.
He was already armed.
He held a spear, had a stone knife at his waist, and carried a waterskin on his back.
His face was full of resolve.
After last night's conversation, his expression was even more determined.
His gaze had changed. Sharper, and more loyal.
"Did you sleep well through the night?"
"Yeah, I slept well. You're early too."
"I must rise before you, Chieftain."
Solid Rock smiled.
"I am your guard warrior. Should I not always be one step ahead of you, Chieftain?"
He spoke proudly and stood with his chest out.
"Starting today, we will be busy."
I spoke firmly.
"Wake the people."
"Understood. Where should I gather them?"
"In the clearing behind the village."
I pointed in that direction as I spoke.
"We will make the smelting furnace there."
"A smelting furnace... What is that?"
Solid Rock tilted his head.
"A large hearth to hold fire. We need an extremely hot fire to melt metal."
"Will an ordinary fire not do?"
"No. It has to be hot enough to melt metal."
"Ah, I see."
Solid Rock nodded.
"I will wake the people at once. Should I gather all the young men?"
"Yes. Everyone who can use some strength."
Solid Rock went around the pit houses and woke the people.
"Wake up! It is the Chieftain's command! Gather before the sun rises!"
Solid Rock's voice split through the morning fog and spread out. It was a booming voice.
"Ngh... what is this, the sun isn't even up yet...."
A man grumbled as he came out of a pit house. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"Move quickly!"
Solid Rock shouted.
"Gather in the clearing behind the village! The Tiger Tribe will invade within fifteen days! We need to make weapons!"
At those words, the people started in surprise.
"Ah! That's right!"
"We need to get up quickly!"
Grumbling could be heard here and there. But soon, people began to gather one by one.
Rubbing their sleepy eyes, they threw on their clothes roughly and hurried out of the pit houses.
One man rushed out without even putting on his clothes properly, and another ran over without managing to wear his shoes properly.
An urgent atmosphere wrapped around the village.