- Volume 4, Chapter 984. 16th Floor, Uduna, the One Who Forges Dreams (2) Blacksmith Hafran. Lee Tae-yeon had said he was gruff and rarely showed emotion. And that for her, that had been a great comfort.
The NPCs and Gods who saw her had sent gazes of contempt and scorn, but Hafran alone had not, seeing her merely as a trading partner. She had said he was one of the few sanctuaries in her difficult times.
“I am a blacksmith. You know what kind of job that is, don't you?”
Taesan nodded his head. Hafran continued to speak.
“The monsters here drop two things: Equipment and Material. There are a few ways to handle materials. One is to sell them to the Shop. Another is to use them as materials for equipment. Those are the main ways.”
Clang.
The sound of a hammer rang out.
Heat blazed.
“Bring me materials. Then I will make the equipment you want.”
This was precisely the reason to use a blacksmith. One could obtain equipment from monsters or Secret Rooms, but the type was random. There was no way of knowing whether a ring, a weapon, or a magic staff would appear.
The probability of getting the equipment one wanted was extremely low. But using a blacksmith changed the story. Since one could choose the desired equipment, the reliance on probability was reduced.
The equipment a blacksmith could make was of a lower rank compared to drops, but since it was still useful, Lee Tae-yeon had received much equipment from him.
“How much?”
“Since it's your first time, it's on the house. It's free.”
“Hoh.”
He was short on money anyway, so this wasn't bad. Hafran continued his explanation.
“If you plan to keep doing business with me, remember this. I don't care who I'm dealing with. Whether it's a Lowly One or a Guides of Sin, it makes no difference to me. What’s important to me are materials and equipment. If you have something to say about that, get out now.”
“Were there guys like that?”
“There were. Troublesome ones who were very loud about wanting me to be their exclusive smith.”
Hafran scowled.
He seemed to be talking about the Guides of Sin. The fact that he had overcome them meant that Hafran was not weak either.
“I have no such intention.”
“Then that's settled. What do you want?”
After a moment of thought, Taesan answered.
“Wrist Guards.”
Among the defensive gear Taesan was currently wearing, the Wrist Guards were of the lowest value. Hafran nodded his head.
“Hand over the materials.”
Taesan opened his Inventory and took out the materials. Countless pieces of leather, tooth fragments, and the like tumbled out.
“…That’s a lot.”
The Dwarf, looking slightly weary, glanced at Taesan and gathered the materials.
“Come back in thirty minutes.”
“That fast?”
Taesan, who had expected it to take at least a day, was quite surprised. Hafran spoke nonchalantly.
“They’re not materials from the Depths, just common stuff. No reason for it to take long.”
Thirty minutes.
Enough time to clear a floor and come back. Taesan left the room. Hafran took out the materials and said.
“Come back later.”
Click.
The door closed. Taesan began to clear the rooms. His pace was not particularly fast.
It would take 30 minutes. He intended to proceed at a leisurely pace, since he could finish in less than 10 minutes if he put his mind to it. But even considering that, his speed was absurd.
Thirty minutes for one floor. Kang Jun-hyeok, who took several days to clear one, would let out a hollow laugh if he saw it. He cleared a Secret Room and collected the reward.
[Sturdy Cross Shield] [Attack Power +5] [Defense Power +2] [A very sturdy shield. It seems it could even block a ballista.]
A shield wasn't very meaningful to him right now, but it would fetch a decent price if sold at the Shop. Alternatively, he could take it to Hafran. He had said he also reforged equipment, not just worked with materials.
After finishing the Secret Room, he dealt with the Boss. It was larger and darker in color than the other Wraiths. It was a monster that could even exert a little physical force, but it vanished after he fired a Frost Arrow.
[Hammer] [Makes it possible to repair equipment.]
[A hammer someone lost. To an artisan, their equipment is like their life. Then who could have lost this?]
“Does equipment have durability?”
[It does.]
“I didn't know.”
It was a fact that even Taesan, who had cleared the Labyrinth before, was learning for the first time. The equipment obtained here had always boasted unchanging durability.
[But it doesn't matter much. Weapons and armor are frequently changed, and their overall durability is so high that they are usually replaced before they even get a scratch.]
“I see.”
Still, he had found out about durability, something he hadn't known even in his past life. In Taesan's experience, no matter how useless information seemed, it always came in handy someday. Taesan also checked the Secret Reward.
[Ring Studded with Many Jewels] [Attack Power +8] [A ring that cannot be used for anything other than decoration. It seems it would hurt quite a bit if you hit someone with all the jewels studded on it.]
Normally, this would be an item close to a dud. Attack Power only applies to the part that strikes, so the Attack Power of a ring is often meaningless. The Secret Reward was probably meant to be sold at the Shop for capital.
However, for Taesan, who had Airak Martial Arts, it would be hard to find better equipment than this. If he removed the ring with 1 Attack Power that he was wearing, this was equivalent to a weapon with 7 Attack Power. Having finished the clear, Taesan returned to Hafran.
“Good timing. I just finished.”
Hafran handed him ankle guards made of leather.
[Wrist Guards made of Ogre Hide] [Defense Power +13] [Crafted by the hands of an artisan. It smells a little since it’s still new.]
“Ooh.”
It was quite high. 13 Defense Power using only Ogre Hide, without any other special materials. And it was made in just thirty minutes.
He was more than satisfied.
“From now on, I'm charging. The price will vary depending on the value of the item, so you know. I'll hold onto the materials for now.”
“As you wish.”
There was no point in Taesan holding onto the materials. It would just take up space in his Inventory, so it was more convenient for both of them if Hafran kept them and crafted items when Taesan came to visit. He was done with what he needed for now.
He had also confirmed the level of equipment Hafran could create.
“See you later.”
He planned to go down a few more floors and return with better materials and more money. The Dwarf nodded as well. As he was leaving, the Ghost stopped him.
[You can make something better than this, can't you?]
Hafran said calmly.
“I can. But I lack the materials and money.”
The best material Taesan had was Ogre Hide. To make anything better, he would need better materials first.
[Not that. You know what I'm trying to say, don't you?]
Hafran frowned.
The Ghost continued.
[Things that only you can make, and no one else. Equipment that holds special power. Items made from materials found in that place where only the permitted may enter.]
“…Hero.”
[I guarantee it. This guy can do it.]
“Hmm.”
Hafran stroked his chin. He opened his mouth.
“You know the value that place holds, don't you? And you know what that place means to me.”
[I know it better than anyone. You only told me about it.]
“You know that, and yet you say it so easily?”
Hafran’s eyes grew infinitely deep. The Hero immediately affirmed.
[He can do it. I'm saying it because I know.]
Hafran closed his mouth. As he was lost in thought, Taesan asked.
“What are you talking about?”
A permitted place. Equipment with special power. As he recalled, Lee Tae-yeon had never mentioned such things.
It was one of two things. She had either forgotten, or it hadn't been permitted to her.
[Do you remember why I came here?]
“You said your world was destroyed. You came to revive it.”
[It’s similar for him. The difference is, Hafran can return to his own world.]
After a long moment of contemplation, Hafran opened his mouth.
“I told only you about it. I never mentioned it to anyone else. Because they did not possess enough worth.”
Hafran spoke to the Hero with calm eyes.
“And you too failed to reach the end.”
[I did. But this guy can.]
His words were filled with conviction.
[Especially this guy, he can definitely do it.]
Hafran’s face crumpled into a frown.
“…I know he is strong, but he is a newcomer who hasn’t even reached the 20th Floor. It’s certainly amazing that he defeated a 20th Floor being with the body of a 13th Floor, but it’s not valuable enough for me to reveal my secrets…”
[30th Floor.]
“What?”
[This guy won against an adventurer from the 30th Floor.]
Hafran’s pupils widened. For the first time, a look of pure shock spread across his face.
“…Are you lying?”
[Have I ever lied to you?]
“But…”
Disbelief did not fade from Hafran’s eyes. Defeating a 20th Floor being at the 13th Floor was surprising, but not entirely impossible. Hafran had been here for a long time and had occasionally seen people overcome stats with talent and skills.
But it wasn't a common occurrence. Only those with talent that could be counted on one hand could win against those who had gone deeper, and even that had clear limits. No one had ever won against an enemy with a difference of more than 10 floors.
And yet, he had won against someone from the 30th Floor. After a long deliberation, Hafran spoke.
“I need confirmation.”
[Confirmation of what?]
“Confirmation that he won against a 30th Floor.”
Hafran said with a沉 downcast face. The Ghost apologized to Taesan, who was now unexpectedly being tested.
[Was that too sudden? Sorry. But I felt like if not now, it would be hard to find the right timing.]
“That doesn't matter.”
If there was a gain to be had, he could accept a trial of that level. There was only one thing Taesan was curious about.
“Is what you're talking about worth that much?”
[More than enough.]
The Ghost spoke with a voice full of conviction.
[If you can get Hafran's acknowledgment, you'll be able to become stronger in many ways.]
“Then that's all that matters.”
Being able to become stronger through means outside the Labyrinth was a benefit to him beyond just simple power. It meant that he might be able to discover a different path altogether. Perhaps he could even obtain a new skill.
[And you want to reach them, don't you?]
Taesan flinched at the Ghost’s soft murmur.
“You noticed?”
[How could I not?]
Immediately after meeting Maria, Taesan had shown not awe or fear, but a fighting spirit. The Ghost was not so inexperienced as to not read that.
[My, my. I wonder if you're aiming too high… but if that's what you want, this will be a pretty valuable experience.]
Having finished his preparations, Hafran appeared holding a scroll.
“A Summoning Scroll?”
At Taesan's words, Hafran's eyebrows twitched.
“You know of it? It’s an almost forgotten item now.”
“I’ve had dealings with it.”
Taesan had used one in the past as well. A Summoning Scroll. A scroll that summoned a sealed monster.
It was an item whose value skyrocketed depending on the class of the sealed monster.
“A Balrog is sealed in this one.”
[What?]
The Ghost was horrified. A demonic monster that barely appeared even in the Depths in Alone Mode. A being comparable to a Dragon.
Hafran shook his head.
“It has been degraded over and over, so it doesn't even possess a speck of its former self, so you don't need to worry.”
[You scared me. That was surprising.]
“Still, it's not weak. It's at least at the level of a late 20s floor Boss. Are you sure you want to accept?”
Taesan nodded his head. Hafran tore the scroll with a suspicious gaze.
“Kuaaaaargh!”
A cry echoed through the Labyrinth. A black monster with horns and wings appeared.
[A Sealed Balrog has appeared.]
The Balrog, suddenly released into the world, looked around in confusion. The Balrog's gaze locked onto Taesan, who had drawn his sword. Trapped for an immeasurable amount of time, its intelligence and Soul Rank had fallen to nothing, but its instincts had not faded.
The human before it was hostile. Kill the hostile one. The Balrog roared and rushed at Taesan.
The Ghost briefly moved away from Taesan and approached Hafran.
[Do you still doubt him?]
At the Ghost's words, Hafran was speechless. Though it was sealed, the Balrog was strong. Calling it late 20s was an understatement; considering its intimidating presence and special skills, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was at the 30th Floor level.
“Kuaargh!”
The Balrog screamed in pain. Against such a being, Taesan was overwhelming it. Leveling up through battle