Episode 219
219. Iron Gray
While others were worried about choosing a region, Russell chose Albitz Kingdom without hesitation.
‘Mr Liu said. There is no need to do anything else, just wait for Black Scythe in Albitz Kingdom.’
Although I heard the 13-round strategy, the prophet said there was no need to do the quest.
He said that as a blacksmith class, he would be able to raise his reputation more easily than others if he hung out with dwarves.
‘I said I told you the detailed method from Black Scythe. ‘Because I really need his help.’
That’s why I’m waiting here endlessly.
One hour has passed.
‘Seo, you’re sure he’s not coming, right?’
At a time when I was anxious that the wind would continue to blow like this, I saw a black object in the sky.
“what? omg!”
It flapped its wings like a devil and soon landed lightly in front of Russell.
It was none other than a black scythe.
“Russell Daniel?”
“Yes, that’s right. “By any chance, Black Scythe?”
Due to the nature of the fantasy world, I couldn’t see the nickname, but I could tell by feeling that the opponent was Black Scythe.
“okay. “I am the black scythe.”
“Ma, it’s an honor to meet you.”
“What is glory? I heard a story from a prophet. “You two are close friends, so please pay special attention to them.”
“Did the Prophet say that?”
When the black scythe nodded, Russell was deeply moved.
‘I never thought Mr. Ryu would think of me like that… … . There really is no saint.’
Russell, who thought he should do better when they met, suddenly remembered Ryu Min’s words.
‘I told you to prove your worth when you meet the black scythe, right?’
At this point, Russell gained courage by thinking that there would be no harm in strengthening his relationship with Black Scythe.
“Well, I heard that Black Scythe can help me grow.”
“They said so.”
“No shame, but could you help me? “I want to grow faster.”
“hmm… … .”
“Instead, I’ll give you a buff that will help you hunt! Just give me a weapon… … .”
When Russell approached and pretended to ask for a weapon, Ryumin frowned.
“Give up your weapons?”
“Oh, no. “You don’t have to give it to me, just let me touch it.”
When the scythe was raised, Russell lightly raised his hand and memorized the skill.
Then a surprising message appeared before Ryumin’s eyes.
[Weapon attack power increases by 150% due to the effect of skill ‘Weapon Polishing’.]
[The buff lasts until the end of the round.]
‘Attack power increases this much?’
I had vaguely heard of the blacksmith’s skills, but this was my first time receiving a buff.
“Your weapon attack power has increased, right?”
“Right. “I was surprised that it went up more than I expected.”
“Haha, it’s still too early to be surprised. “Can you please let me touch the armor this time?”
Ryumin nodded and allowed it, and Russell placed his hand on the armor.
Then, an even more surprising message than before appeared.
[The effect of the skill ‘Equipment Polishing’ increases armor options by 10%.]
[The buff lasts until the end of the round.]
‘what? ‘Increasing options?’
An information window appeared on the black barding of Thanatos that Ryumin was wearing.
‘Defense 2,200, all stats +1.1 per level, 73.7% chance to evade when attacked?’
Options have indeed improved by 10%.
“Your options have gone up, right? In this way, you can apply buffs to all areas. Oh, except for weapons and accessories.”
“Really?”
“Speaking of which, I will do it. Come this way.”
By applying buffs to the helmet, gloves, and shoes, the options improved by 10%.
Although it is not a large number, it was meaningful in that it could strengthen options.
‘If it’s an option with probability like black barding, you can make it close to 100% if you do it well, right?’
I had no idea that a blacksmith had this kind of skill.
When Ryumin made an expression of admiration, Russell smiled with pride.
“You were surprised, right? “I also never thought that the equipment polishing skills I learned at level 60 would be so effective.”
“Repair, weapon polishing, equipment polishing… … “What are the remaining skills?”
“Ah, it’s a skill called material production, but it’s not a buff skill so it’s not that good. “It’s literally a skill that collects miscellaneous items and creates high-level materials.”
Ryumin nodded and acknowledged.
You don’t need it yourself because you can buy the materials with money.
Russell might need it.
‘Well, it’s a job that’s helpful enough just by polishing weapons and equipment.’
“How is it? Was this helpful?”
“enough.”
Looking at Ryu Min’s satisfied expression, Russell internally cheered.
With this, he clearly showed his value.
“egg plant. “I will help you grow further.”
“thank you. Well, where are you going… … .”
“I heard from the prophet that we need to go to a place called the Kargago Mountains. “We need to find the dwarven city there.”
“Do you know the way?”
“know. “I have some friendships with dwarves.”
Ryu Min grinned and changed his title to ‘The One Who Leads’.
Russell’s eyes widened as a letter appeared above his head.
“What’s that on your head?”
“I guess it’s my first time seeing you. It’s a title. There are various effects attached. “The prophet told me that it would happen if you strengthen your relationship with the dwarves.”
“iced coffee.”
“There is no time to delay, so let’s go right away.”
“excuse me… … .”
When Russell spoke again, Ryu Min’s words did not come out smoothly either.
“Why again?”
“Ho, are you going to fly away like before? Well, I’m afraid of heights… … .”
“Don’t worry. I plan to go on foot. “Because the dwarven city is underground.”
* * *
Close to the Kingdom of Albitz is the Cargago Mountains.
And beneath it was Iron Gray, a city of dwarves that everyone knew about.
Land- Taaang-!
The sound of metal grinding is heard here and there.
“Wow… … This is the city of dwarves… … .”
“Shut your mouth. “You’re looking at me strangely.”
The dwarves are glaring at Russell, who is looking around curiously.
Since the dwarves were already actively interacting with humans, they did not stop them from coming in, but humans were still outsiders.
There is no way they would welcome people looking at their city as if it were a zoo.
Russell may or may not have known this fact, but he watched the dwarves’ work with curious eyes.
‘No, rather than a look of curiosity, do you think it’s a look full of passion?’
Is it because of the joy of meeting comrades who practice the same metallurgy?
You can almost see Russell’s motivation radiating from his whole body.
“Look at that. Hammering is an art. There is no shaking at all at a certain angle. Wow, look at how he moves his hands. The skill of handling iron is no joke. I guess they make plywood for armor. How can you do that kind of skill with those small, thick hands? … Oh, are all of those things standing behind you made yourself? I want to touch it once… … .”
“Russell. “Come to your senses and come here.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. haha… … .”
The place we took Russell, who was as distraught as a cat facing a fishmonger, was to ‘Hammerfall’, the largest blacksmith shop in Iron Gray.
“It’s here. “Let’s go in.”
“Oh, now, just a moment. Something appeared before my eyes… … .”
When I looked at Russell, his eyes were looking into space.
It looks like a subquest has appeared.
“A quest came up asking me to work as an assistant at Hammerfall for 3 hours?”
“What is the reward?”
“It is said that the relationship with the dwarves becomes very friendly and the overall skills improve by one level. However, it is said that only the blacksmith profession is available.”
If you complete just one quest, you can pass the round and upgrade your skills.
‘Among the sub-quests, there is no quest more enjoyable than this. Only Russell could do it, though.’
Although you have to work for 3 hours, it is shorter than other players.
‘It will take other people at least 6 hours to do the reputation work.’
In that respect, it was as if Russell had been decided to take second place in this round’s rankings.
‘It’s a prerequisite that you have to get a job.’
It’s no use just walking into a blacksmith shop and saying you want to work as an assistant.
How can you trust and entrust your work to a person who suddenly comes to you without any connection?
You’ll be lucky if you don’t get your butt kicked.
‘But there is nothing to worry about. ‘Because I’m there.’
Ryumin opened the door to the blacksmith shop and motioned for Russell to come in.
“Wow… … .”
Russell was constantly amazed as he looked at the huge blacksmith shop that was not visible at a glance.
At that time, a young-looking dwarf approached and asked with a harsh look in his eyes.
“What brings the humans here?”
But even for a moment.
The dwarf who was looking at Ryumin soon looked surprised.
“uh? Ah, aren’t you the one who goes ahead?”
Ryumin nodded.
The unknown dwarf pretended to know, but now it is not surprising.
I just felt the greatness of the reputation system.
“I came to meet Hamerfall’s Blacksmith, Hymer.”
“Haymer? Now, please wait a moment.”
The young dwarf ran in a huff and soon brought a dwarf with a bushy beard with him.
It was Blacksmith Hymer who made a face in the 8th round.
“Oh, I can’t believe that a leading man is visiting Iron Gray! “I missed you!”
Perhaps because of his ‘very friendly’ reputation, Hymer welcomed Ryumin warmly.
“Instead of doing this, I will take you to a quiet place. “It’s too noisy here.”
“Let’s do that.”
As soon as we followed Haimer to the quiet lounge, Ryumin introduced Russell.
“Let me introduce you. “This is my dear friend, Russell Daniel.”
Russell was embarrassed when he heard that he cared for him, but he quickly responded.
“Well, nice to meet you. “Please call me Russell.”
Because of the height difference, we didn’t even shake hands but just nodded to each other.
“Nice to meet you. By the way, you are ahead. “What brings you to our city?”
“I was just about to say that. “Would you please help this friend here?”
“You’re writing it?”
“I’m asking you to use me as an assistant just for today. He said he really wanted to learn blacksmithing from the best dwarves. “Contrary to what it looks like, this guy is very knowledgeable in metallurgy.”
Heimer’s eyes fell on Russell when he heard the word ‘comparable’.
“Have you tried blacksmithing?”
“Yes, I only have six years of experience, but I know how to do basic tasks.”
“What have you tried making?”
“Uh, there are many things. Long swords, daggers, bracelets, protective gear, chairs, armor, etc. Should I say that I have made just about everything?”
“Hoo? “I guess that puts you above the intermediate level?”
Hymer looked at Russell in amazement.
After reading your thoughts, it seems you like it.
‘I passed the interview.’
With this, you can ease your worries about finding a job.
just as expected.
“great. Since you were introduced to me by someone who is ahead of me, I will hire you as an assistant just for today.”
“Thank you!”
“It’s late, so I only have 3 hours. Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course!”
Russell liked it like a student with a burning desire to study, and Hymer didn’t dislike that reaction either.
On the contrary, he seemed to like his passion and wanted to take him with him as soon as possible.
“Do you want to go to work right now?”
“yes yes!”
“What will you do with those who are ahead?”
“I’m done with my business, so I have to leave now.”
At those words, Russell quickly approached and bowed his head in the Korean style.
“Thank you for your help. “If it weren’t for Black Scythe, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity.”
It would have been an impossible quest without the introduction of Ryu Min, who had a good reputation.
“I will definitely return the favor. “Really.”
“I will remember those words.”
Now that the debt has been left behind, Russell will also treat Black Scythe favorably.
“Oh, by the way, I have something to see with Haimer before I go.”
“To me? “Do you need anything?”
“I heard that they sell special ingredients here at Iron Gray.”
“What ingredients are you talking about?”
Ryumin listed to Haimer the material items needed for god level combinations.
Then, Haimer’s face changed momentarily as he listened to the ingredients.
“Hmm, where on earth did such a rumor come from… … .”
“I have wide feet. Do you have those ingredients?”
“You know. There is, but… … .”
“Can you hand it over to me?”
Haimer, who had always been friendly, looked troubled for the first time.
“that is… … It’s something we worked hard to obtain, so we can’t just give it away… … .”
“I didn’t just ask for it. “Let’s buy them all.”
“These are quite expensive materials… … .”
“Do not worry.”
Ryumin smiled.
“I have more than enough gold.”
