Sprinkling finely ground Magic Stone over the bones.
And placing them inside the forge.
Those steps were the same as when I used the [Skill Guide].
‘Does the Magic Stone have a special effect?’
Normally, monster bones would become extremely weakened after being heated by fire.
I had never heard that finely ground Magic Stones possessed such an effect.
It had to be related to the beginner’s unique ability.
CREEEAK—
Minho opened the forge door and took out two bones dyed orange-red.
The bones were placed side by side on the anvil.
Holding an iron hammer, Minho raised his hand.
CLANG!
Then he struck the place where the bones had been joined.
‘Would that not weaken the connection?’
His unique ability protected the bones from weakening under heat.
However, it did not change the fundamental nature of bone as a material.
You only had to look at the Bone Sword made with the aid of the Skill Guide to know that.
Nam Jinwoo considered saying something, but stopped.
It was someone else’s business.
They had to experience it themselves to understand whether they were doing something pointless.
CLANG!
However.
CLANG!
The sound was different.
[Mana is evenly distributed.]
[The joined sections have fused.]
The system voice could not be heard by Nam Jinwoo.
Only the user could see the status window.
Even so.
To Nam Jinwoo, who had spent more than five years as an apprentice on Blacksmith’s Way, it felt as though he could hear the message.
‘That clear sound. He struck the exact point with the right amount of force.’
It was not something achieved by simply swinging a hammer however one pleased.
It was a sound produced only when striking the proper point.
With the proper timing.
And the proper amount of force.
A clear ring that first- or second-year apprentices might hear only once, if ever.
CLANG!
CLANG!
It rang repeatedly throughout the workshop.
‘Does that even make sense?’
If it had happened once or twice, he could have dismissed it as luck.
However, could striking the exact points and distributing his strength perfectly more than five times truly be a coincidence?
No.
It was impossible.
Nam Jinwoo could stake his five years as an apprentice on that certainty.
‘He understands the flow of Mana.’
His prediction was correct.
Spirit Sight.
A powerful ability Minho had obtained after receiving an S-rank result in the Rank Advancement Assessment!
While allowing the Skill Guide to move his body, Minho had observed Mana waves through Spirit Sight throughout the entire process.
The reason his fingers itched was because he had confidence.
The confidence that he could do better.
Nam Jinwoo’s curiosity did not end there.
‘Understanding the flow of Mana is a talent, but how is he adjusting his strength?’
No matter how good one’s instincts were.
If the force used in hammering was too strong or too weak, the Completion would fall.
Clearly.
Judging from the way he held the hammer, he was a beginner.
Yet that clear sound continued to ring.
That meant the force behind the hammer was appropriate.
Appropriate enough to impress even Nam Jinwoo, a fifth-year apprentice.
It was the effect of Minho’s abnormally high Craftsmanship stat for an E-rank Hunter.
The Heavenly Martial Physique.
Craftsmanship.
And Spirit Sight.
As all three elements worked together, Minho displayed skill comparable to that of a veteran artisan.
‘A beginner with greater skill than me.’
Heh.
Nam Jinwoo swallowed a hollow laugh.
When it came to the material of bone, he no longer felt confident that he could do better than Minho.
“Phew.”
After lengthening the bones, Minho let out a deep breath.
CLANG!
This time, he struck more forcefully and began shaping the weapon in earnest.
The bone gradually took on a form similar to the one created by the Skill Guide.
But to Nam Jinwoo, it looked different.
‘It is keener. Sharper.’
How could someone bring out such a blade from bone?
The special profession’s ability?
That certainly played a part, but it was not absolute.
Blacksmithing was an honest trade.
A person’s ability was laid bare in both the crafting process and the result.
SHHHHH!
The Bone Sword, still holding heat, went in and out of the oil container several times.
Finally, Minho refined its edge, stretched his back, and let out a long breath.
[Bone Sword crafting has succeeded.]
Nam Jinwoo unconsciously approached the Bone Sword.
“Excuse me, Customer.”
“Is my time up?”
“Ah. No, it is not. It is about the item you just made.”
Nam Jinwoo pointed at the Bone Sword with an excited face.
“If it is not too much to ask, may I check its performance?”
“Is there a reason for that?”
“I have never seen someone make a sword from bone before. It is so fascinating.”
Minho stared at him for a moment before holding out the sword.
“Go ahead and check it.”
“Thank you...”
“Before that. Let us make one promise.”
“Pardon?”
“Evaluate the weapon’s Completion coolly and honestly. What do you think?”
It was hardly necessary to ask.
Nam Jinwoo wanted to inspect the weapon because he wished to evaluate it.
Of course.
Normally, he would not offer a heartfelt evaluation to a customer renting the workshop.
But now, his desire to confirm the Bone Sword’s performance was stronger.
“Understood.”
After answering, Nam Jinwoo placed a hand on the Bone Sword.
He checked the item information.
[Sharply Honed Bone Sword]
Rank: Magic
Category: Blade
Durability: 137/140
A Bone Sword made by joining two Orc femurs. Its Durability increased because Mana was properly applied during the joining process.
The craftsmanship that honed the blade is rough, but the proper distribution of force has added keenness.
*Cutting Lv. 24
*Piercing Lv. 22
Nam Jinwoo let out a breathless gasp.
‘This is a weapon made by a beginner?’
He had seen Minho behave as though a Skill Guide had been activated, so it had to be true.
Yet even after witnessing the entire process with his own eyes, he could not believe it.
Let us compare it to the first result.
Common versus Magic.
That single-rank difference was not something to underestimate.
Artisans who wielded hammers sought every possible method to raise the rank of their weapons.
Furthermore, the penalty of Durability decreasing quickly had disappeared.
‘When it comes to handling bone, he is at the level of a certified apprentice.’
The condition for being recognized as an official apprentice on Blacksmith’s Way was simple.
Creating a Magic-rank item without anyone’s assistance!
On average, it took one year to rise from a daily worker to an official apprentice.
‘This person achieved it on his first attempt.’
An innate sense that recognized Mana waves.
Unusually outstanding Craftsmanship.
Finally.
A firm spirit without a trace of fear, even when using a forge for the first time.
If even one of those factors had been lacking, the result would not have been recognized as a Magic-rank item.
“Excuse me?”
“Ah. What am I thinking? It is a high-quality item even among Magic-rank equipment.”
“How good is high-quality?”
“The material is ordinary, so it has no special options. If even one option had been added, it would have received a Rare-rank evaluation.”
Even as he spoke, Nam Jinwoo felt regret for no reason.
If he had known Minho possessed such exceptional talent.
He would have recommended additional materials before Minho placed the bone in the forge.
‘What a waste. What a waste.’
Nam Jinwoo swallowed the rest of his thoughts.
“If you sell it, you will receive at least ten million won.”
That was the price for an urgent sale.
At an auction.
Or if supplied to a proper buyer, it was an item worth more than twenty million won.
After hearing the explanation, Minho smiled brightly.
“How is it? My skill is not bad either, is it?”
【It is much better than the sword you made at first.】
“It is worth ten million won. Ten million.”
【My lord. If you are swayed too much by greed for wealth, you cannot advance to higher realms.】
“Making your body and preparing your equipment all cost money.”
Nam Jinwoo could neither laugh nor cry at their back-and-forth as he glanced at the Bone Sword.
He could not easily imagine how great an impact the arrival of a bone-specialist artisan would have on the blacksmithing industry.
***
The Bone Sword had performed better than expected.
Since I had brought more materials.
I decided to try making armor while I was at it.
“Can I extend the rental?”
“Yeees.”
Phew.
Fortunately.
The feeling had truly come to me, and I would have been disappointed if I could not extend the rental.
CLANG!
CLANG!
[Bone Armor has been crafted.]
[Lightened Bone Armor]
Rank: Magic
Category: Armor
Durability: 322/322
Armor made by combining Orc and Kobold bones.
The gaps in the joints are somewhat wide, reducing its Durability.
It is light and minimizes interference with the wearer’s movement.
*Cutting Resistance Lv. 19
*Piercing Resistance Lv. 11
The first emotion I felt after checking the result was regret.
“It did not turn out exactly as I intended.”
Sir Isra’s body was a balanced type, possessing both Strength and Agility.
So as not to hinder its mobility.
I had given the connecting parts extra space, but that had made them loose.
Thanks to that, it could preserve agile movement.
However, it had suffered a considerable loss in damage-reduction options, the essence of armor.
“Considering that you made it without a blueprint, it is extremely well made.”
The part-time employee was having a hard time too.
He had to watch for accidents.
And also take care of the renter’s feelings.
I appreciated his consideration, so I responded politely.
“It is fine. I am not disappointed.”
After learning [Bone Metallurgy], the structures of several weapons had been engraved in my mind.
They were not anything grand.
They were blueprints at the basic level, like that of a Bone Sword.
Even the Bone Armor made specifically for Sir Isra was the result of modifying a blueprint as I pleased.
CLACK— CLACK—
Sir Isra, wearing the Bone Armor, moved its arms from side to side.
【It feels as though I am not wearing armor.】
“I designed it carefully so that it would not interfere with your movements.”
【It seems you sacrificed just as much defense as well.】
Hey.
Who told it to attack me with facts?
Sir Isra held the Bone Sword I had completed first and swung it lightly.
VWOOONG!
Perhaps because I had obtained the Heavenly Martial Physique and my senses had grown sharper.
It felt as though my flesh was being cut.
【Excellent.】
“Oh. That is a generous evaluation.”
【How could it not be remarkable? You made a weapon like this the first time you held a hammer.】
“It sounds like you are telling me to work harder and make better weapons.”
【I only mean to attend to you. I have no other intention.】
Thanks to the Bone Armaments.
Sir Isra’s combat power rose sharply.
At this level, could I not aim to clear a D-rank Gate alone?
【Then let us go clear one immediately.】
“Today is not the day.”
The sky had darkened.
I had become too engrossed in hammering.
I had overworked myself, so I needed to go home and rest.
What Gate clearing?
【It is a shame. We have new armaments.】
“Tomorrow exists too, so do not become too disappointed.”
I placed Sir Isra inside the pocket dimension.
Then I packed a few things and hurried out of the workshop.
At that moment.
“Customer! Wait a moment!”
The part-time employee who had evaluated the Bone Sword hurriedly blocked my way.
What was wrong?
I had paid the workshop rental fee by transfer.
I had even shown the account record, so there should not have been a problem.
“I was wondering whether you had a workshop in mind.”
“No. Not particularly.”
The part-time employee opened his mouth in an O shape, then placed something in my hand.
“It is my business card. Our workshop.”
[Hanil Forge — Nam Jinwoo, Chief Apprentice]
“Um, if you are thinking of joining a workshop...”
Ah.
Was he recruiting me to work at his forge?
The unexpected offer left me dumbfounded.
The artisans on Blacksmith’s Way were all highly skilled.
If someone was a Chief Apprentice in this area, they possessed more skill than most artisans affiliated with guilds.
And someone like that had suddenly handed me a business card.
Was my skill really that impressive?
“I will think about it.”
I firmly pushed down my inner joy and put the business card given by the part-time employee—no, the Chief Apprentice—into my pocket.