The Orc Grunt corpse trembled like an aspen.
[This is a new crafting method that does not exist in the records.]
[The output of the Spiritual Energy Circuits increases.]
[The connection is unstable.]
[The circuits are unstable relative to their high output.]
…….
Well, this was unexpected.
The Spiritual Energy within the Orc Grunt corpse surged violently through the circuits.
As though it might burst with a BANG at any moment.
It did not feel good.
【It looks dangerous.】
“I think so too.”
【Then tell me how you intend to deal with it.】
A solution?
As if I had one.
[The Spiritual Energy Circuits are overloaded.]
[If the problem is not resolved, the undead will explode.]
[Time limit — 00:01:00]
Now it had kindly displayed a timer as well.
It wanted me to improve the situation within a minute?
How generous of it.
【Do not worry. I shall become your shield.】
Sir Isra stepped forward.
I raised a hand to stop it.
“Nothing will happen.”
We had skills, after all.
If I put it in Death Space, no one would be harmed even if it exploded.
Hm.
Would it still explode in a space classified as separate?
Or would time stop while it was inside?
Either way, there was no need to worry about an explosion.
【As expected, you had a plan.】
As if.
I had not expected the undead I had just made to turn into a bomb.
“I should find the answer once I examine it.”
There was no need to worry too much about the risk of an explosion.
Feeling lighter, I approached the Orc Grunt corpse.
WHIIIIINE!
The Fragmented Soulstone embedded in its forehead emitted a brilliant yellow light.
【My lord!】
“No, it is fine.”
[Its form resembles the records contained within the soul.]
[The Spiritual Energy Circuits stabilize.]
The corpse, which had been rattling violently, abruptly stopped moving.
Then it rose to its feet.
[You have crafted an undead not recorded in the Akashic Records.]
[The crafting method is incomplete.]
[It has been supplemented with information remaining in the soul.]
[To register this as the user’s Great Feat, you must create it through a complete method.]
“Unbelievable.”
【Why are you so surprised?】
“It says it is a Great Feat.”
【Hm. It does not seem worth making such a fuss over.】
“You speak as though a System-recognized achievement is nothing.”
Less than 0.001% of Hunters had ever recorded a Great Feat.
That was how difficult it was.
And naturally.
The rewards were substantial as well.
Permanent stat increases were the bare minimum.
They could increase skill modifiers or grant special abilities. The effects were extraordinary.
【Hm. It does not sound bad.】
“You are taking this awfully calmly.”
There was something else just as astonishing.
“I had misunderstood Corpse Crafting.”
I had assumed I could create only the undead listed in the skill description.
Yet after modifying and raising it, I had created something other than a Zombie Warrior.
Thinking back, there had been clues.
When I revived a corpse with only bones remaining, it became a Skeleton.
When I revived one with an intact body, it became a Zombie.
As the skill rank had increased, I had gained four additional methods for crafting undead.
But those were merely crafting methods.
Corpse Crafting did not create whatever undead I wanted.
【That means you can craft a wide variety of undead.】
“And enhanced forms like this one.”
[Zombie Warrior — Modified Type (Temporary)]
⌎You may name this undead.
*Race: Undead
*Classification: Zombie
*Rank: D+
Strength: 431
Agility: 103
Vitality: 386
Toughness: 540
Mana: 194
*Skills
—Ulsidian Axe Technique [C]
—Herculean Strength [C]
—Heavy Armor Stance [C]
—Immortal Legion [D]
—Limited Intelligence [D]
Its specifications were truly absurd.
It considered the Bone Heavy Armor part of its body.
Its Spiritual Energy had surged, and its overall abilities had risen along with it.
【Its Strength is about four times greater than mine.】
“This one’s true strength is its defense.”
From a distance, it looked like a heavily armed knight.
Armor crafted from the sturdy bones of an Owlbeast.
Ordinary blades would not be able to cut through it.
Now I understood why it had received a D+ rank.
It would endure enemy attacks while delivering heavy blows with its axe.
It was an entirely different type from Sir Isra, who valued speed.
【One does not fight with attributes alone.】
Please.
Do not worry.
Once my proficiency rose, I would remodel Sir Isra to make it even stronger.
【What will you call it?】
“Hm? What name?”
【You are the first person to create this undead, are you not?】
Ah.
Now that it mentioned it.
The word [Temporary] had appeared in the system message.
I was the one who would name the undead……?
【It means it will be recorded in the world.】
It was a new kind of undead that had never existed before.
Therefore, the name I gave it would become a proper noun.
A concept that formed part of the world itself.
“Wow.”
That sounded rather significant.
【My swordsmanship is also recorded in the world.】
“Imperial Swordsmanship?”
【Hah. My name is plainly written within it!】
The Isra Form was the important part.
Was that why it had been so indifferent when Great Feats came up?
It had already done all this before.
Fine.
Complaining would only hurt me.
Hm.
I considered it for a moment.
Then something I had watched long ago came to mind.
“Armed Zombie Warrior.”
[The undead’s official name is Armed Zombie Warrior.]
[It will be recorded in the Akashic Records.]
[Once a complete crafting method has been created, it will be recognized as a Great Feat.]
There had been something I had missed during the crafting process.
But I now had an Armed Zombie Warrior completed with the help of the Fragmented Soulstone.
If I studied it, I would quickly get the hang of it.
“Kehehehehe!”
A Great Feat.
I would achieve it soon!
***
The Fragmented Soulstone’s new possibilities.
The hidden functions of Corpse Crafting.
And even a Great Feat.
I had thought I had gained quite a lot today.
“My eyes have truly had a feast today.”
“It would not do to send you away empty-handed. Take this, at least.”
“Now then. How can you offer our guest something so paltry? Here, how about this?”
But apparently, there was more to gain.
The artisans, apologizing for disturbing my work at the forge, had each brought something from their own workshops.
[Moonstone]
Rank: Rare
Classification: Mineral
Durability: 100/100
A stone imbued with moonlight. It contains water-aspected Mana, and processing it may yield special effects.
[Mind Stone]
Rank: Rare
Classification: Mineral
Durability: 50/50
A stone that clears the mind when carried.
[Misfortune-Warding Talisman]
Rank: Magic
Classification: Consumable
Durability: 8/10
A talisman that wards off misfortune in the user’s stead. It negates curses applied to the user.
Two Rare-rank minerals.
And even a consumable that blocked debuff skills?
Wow.
It was not even my birthday.
Minerals that had yet to undergo refinement were cheaper than their rank suggested.
Even so, each was worth tens of millions of won.
They were giving me far too much just because they had watched me work.
【Hahaha! These artisans recognize your true worth!】
Be quiet, will you?
Sir Isra.
Had no one ever told you that you were tactless?
“Please accept them without feeling burdened.”
“You little brat. Do not speak as though you represent us.”
“Master, I was the first to welcome this guest.”
“You are making such a show of it when you brought nothing?”
The Chief Apprentice from Hanil Forge and the blacksmiths were snapping at one another.
“Cough. I would appreciate it if you could visit Jingun Forge sometime.”
“You have the look of someone destined for greatness once you pick up a hammer.”
“If you come to Yongso Forge, I will make you an apprentice at once!”
Had I heard that correctly?
Some of Korea’s most renowned artisans were practically begging me.
Of course.
These were not the only artisans in the country.
There were more than ten forges on Blacksmith’s Way alone.
And three of them were approaching me……
Hm.
That was not a small number.
Maybe I really did have talent as a blacksmith.
Ahem.
Do not get conceited.
I was skilled at hammering bones partly because of the assistance of Bone Metallurgy.
There was no guarantee that refining metal would come just as easily.
It would be good to try it someday.
But I could not let the sight of proud artisans trying to win my favor go to my head.
I recalled why I had not revealed myself when I received an S-rank at the Tower of Ascension.
After suffering for five years, I had finally managed to advance.
I had decided to stay quiet until I could objectively assess my own value.
Of course.
“I will put these to good use. Thank you.”
I had no intention of refusing free gifts.
I would visit at least one of their forges when I learned hammerwork.
Even if it put a serious dent in their funds.
There was no reason to turn down something free.
***
After Minho left with his arms full of gifts, the blacksmiths glared at one another.
“Greed never ends well.”
“Haha. And you should talk, Old Man Song?”
“Mr. Jeong, you recently took on an apprentice yourself. Yet you are still being greedy.”
Minho was certainly a novice.
He had none of the habits developed by someone who had wielded a hammer for years.
An uncut gem!
No.
Calling him an uncut gem did not feel right when he already shone on his own.
‘If I secure that young man, it will not be a dream for Jingun Forge to become the best in the country.’
‘I want to teach him. I want to pass down my fifty years of expertise and call him my disciple!’
‘I would be far better for him than these old men.’
Objectively speaking, Minho’s skill had not yet reached the level of an apprentice.
The knack for controlling the forge’s temperature.
The way one held a hammer.
The timing for quenching.
Compared to a seasoned artisan, he was obviously a beginner.
But that was only when compared to apprentices who had wielded hammers for at least five years.
The areas mentioned above were experience that could be gained through repetition.
Minho possessed instincts that transcended experience and entered the realm of talent.
His ability to work with the special material known as bone was rare as well.
While the three artisans were each lost in their thoughts, Nam Jinwoo, who had first discovered Minho, was anxiously stamping his feet in his mind.
‘What should I do when Master has shut himself away?’
He had made such a fuss that the other artisans had discovered the talented newcomer as well.
The masters had become so excited that they had even given Minho gifts to make amends.
All Nam Jinwoo could do was hope that Minho saw their consideration favorably.
“Apprentice Nam. Has the Elder been well?”
Among the blacksmiths of Blacksmith’s Way, “the Elder” referred to one particular person.
Han Yohan.
Korea’s greatest blacksmith and the owner of Hanil Forge.
“I have not seen him for several days either.”
“It seems he has become absorbed in something again.”
“Is that not what the Elder always does?”
“I wonder what extraordinary thing he is trying to make this time.”
The artisans spoke without the slightest hint of jealousy.
It showed just how prominent Han Yohan was on Blacksmith’s Way.
“Indeed. Hahaha.”
Nam Jinwoo was smiling, but inside, he was burning with anxiety.
‘Before the other artisans snatch him away, I have to tell Master.’
His master hated having his concentration broken.
Once he began working, he would not leave the forge until he finished, even if it took days.
Please.
Let the work finish before another forge recruited Minho.
Nam Jinwoo prayed again and again.