"What kind of person is that blacksmith?"
The blacksmith's tent was located in the most secluded part of the hillside where the rogue market was held.
As I walked along the winding mountain path with Bok Man-chun, I asked about the blacksmith we were about to meet to pass the time.
"No one knows his real name; everyone just calls him Old Wei. Most blacksmiths are like that, but he has a bear-like build and a rather gruff demeanor. His stubbornness is something else," he replied.
"I hope his skills match his stubbornness," I said.
"They say his skills are beyond doubt. When he first appeared at the rogue market, everyone wondered who he was, but a few rogues, thinking they were being tricked, bought the swords he was selling..."
"What happened to those rogues?"
Bok Man-chun, having roamed around various places, seemed to have a knack for storytelling.
He paused at the most intriguing part, turned to me, and grinned.
"They saved their lives several times. They thought they were buying cheap swords, but those swords barely chipped even after dozens of battles."
"…So they were fine swords."
"The truly interesting part comes next. One of the rogues who survived thanks to that sword went to thank Old Wei, but do you know what Old Wei said?"
Bok Man-chun cleared his throat and mimicked a voice I had never heard before.
"That’s just a cheap sword I made, so you don’t need to pay me any more."
His voice was thick and rough, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"It seems his skills are indeed solid."
"Haha. Yes. From that moment on, Old Wei became famous in the rogue market. Rogues lined up to buy weapons from him. Oh, the path has suddenly grown dark."
As we moved further away from the center of the rogue market, the road quickly darkened.
Swish...
Bok Man-chun pulled out a firestarter from his pocket and lit it, illuminating our path as he spoke.
"Where was I... Ah, that was when Old Wei began taking commissions from the rogues."
"Commissions?"
"Yes. He boldly claimed that if they accepted his commission, he would make them fine swords."
"Oh..."
The mention of fine swords piqued my interest.
Among the countless blacksmiths in the world, very few could confidently claim they could forge fine swords.
In my past life, I had rarely encountered a blacksmith of such caliber.
If I had to name one, it would be the one who forged the Blood Demon Sword...
Bok Man-chun's excited voice brought me back to reality.
"A blacksmith who calls fine swords cheap! Can you imagine what kind of weapon he could create?"
"It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think he might offer to make a divine weapon."
"It doesn’t have to be a sword. He said he could make anything from a dagger, spear, staff, to armor, as long as it’s made of metal."
At this point, my curiosity was fully piqued.
"So what was the commission?"
"I don’t know."
"What?"
"All the rogues who accepted that commission are dead."
"…"
Is this man joking with me? As my gaze turned serious, Bok Man-chun hurriedly added, "Of course, there are those who didn’t die. But even they never spoke of the commission."
"…Did they swear to keep it a secret? It feels a bit strange to say this in front of you, General Bok, but I know rogues aren’t usually that tight-lipped..."
"That’s not it; they all went mad. Every single one who failed the commission."
At this point, it seemed reasonable to think that Bok Man-chun had brought me to a secluded place to kill me or drive me insane.
"Now you’re showing your true colors. Are you after my wealth?"
"Y-Young Master! Please listen to me until the end."
As I subtly clenched my fist, Bok Man-chun broke into a cold sweat and explained, "Old Wei doesn’t have to accept commissions to make weapons. He can make them for money too."
"…"
"Even if it’s not a divine weapon, he will surely create something that can be called a fine sword. Although I don’t know what kind of weapon you desire."
"You should have said that earlier."
With the misunderstanding cleared, I relaxed my fist.
Bok Man-chun let out a playful sigh of relief.
"Anyway, that’s the kind of old man he is. Stubborn, skilled, and tight-lipped, he seems to be the perfect blacksmith you’re looking for."
"I wonder why such a person is in the rogue market. With his skills, he could find work anywhere."
"It’s better not to ask that."
Bok Man-chun fiddled with the eye patch over his left eye and smiled faintly.
"There’s no one in this line of work without a story."
"At this point, it doesn’t sound cool at all."
"Tsk..."
We continued our conversation as we climbed the mountain.
After a while, we reached a tent near the top of the hillside.
A torch hung beside it, flickering, and two figures stood in front of it.
"Young Master, we’re almost there..."
Boom!
With a sound like a drum bursting, one of the men standing in front of the tent flew through the air, passing right by me.
"Ugh! Damn old man!"
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to be seriously hurt, as he quickly got up and shouted toward the tent, "What do you mean it’s not possible! You said you’d take my money!"
The man yelled at the tent with bloodshot eyes, his dark face oddly carrying a scent of herbs, making him look like he was addicted to drugs.
At that moment, the man who had struck him, still inside the tent, spoke.
"Get lost. I won’t sell you anything."
Although the light from the torch made it hard to see his face clearly, his gruff voice indicated he was an old man.
"Damn it! Do you think you can get away with this?"
"Do you want to get hit again?"
Lacking the courage to charge again, the man hurled a barrage of creative curses at the old man before turning to flee.
I whispered to Bok Man-chun, "Is that old man the blacksmith?"
"From the looks of it, it seems so."
"You didn’t mention he was strong."
"How would I know that?"
Just then, the old man, who had been standing silently in front of the tent, turned to look at us.
"Who are you?"
A man as solid as a rock that had endured for a thousand years.
That was the first thought that came to mind upon seeing Old Wei up close.
Having worked with metal for decades, his physique appeared tougher than any metal.
And somehow, his face looked familiar.
'That face seems familiar.'
Old Wei had several tattoos on his shoulders and arms, and among them, a red dragon on his left shoulder resembled one I knew well.
The moment I saw that tattoo, a name suddenly popped into my head.
'Could that tattoo be...'
As I stood there silently, Bok Man-chun sensed the moment and stepped forward, taking the lead.
"Old Wei! We have come from afar, having heard of your great reputation."
"Enough with the flattery. Just tell me what you want."
"…Ahem. We would like to commission a weapon."
"A weapon... It seems like this young man is the one who wants it."
Old Wei looked at me with a weary expression.
His gaze meticulously scanned my entire body.
Though his face appeared tired, his eyes were sharp like a finely honed blade.
At that moment, I was certain.
This old man was someone from my family.
I stepped past Bok Man-chun and approached the old man.
"Is that commission for making a divine weapon still valid?"
"Y-Young Master! That’s just..."
"Please be quiet."
"…"
I silenced Bok Man-chun with a cold voice.
After looking at me for a moment, Old Wei rubbed his tired eyes with the back of his hand and said, "Have you heard that story? All the rogues who accepted my commission are dead."
"I know. They either died or went mad."
"Yet you still wish to accept my commission?"
"Well, that is..."
Seeing the old man looking at me with a 'I thought so' expression, I scratched my cheek and said, "The commission itself isn’t the problem, but could we handle it a bit later? I have a big test coming up in a few days, so it might be difficult for me right now."
"…What? Hahaha!"
Old Wei burst into laughter at my words.
After a moment, he looked at me with a more serious gaze.
"Stand straight when you look at me."
Old Wei stared directly at me.
His gaze was different from before, fiery and intense, as if flames were about to burst from his eyes.
Every master in any field has an 'eye for quality.' Old Wei was evaluating me with the same discerning eye he would use to assess a sword.
I met his gaze without flinching.
After a moment, a glimmer of surprise flickered in his eyes.
"Interesting... very interesting. Huh."
Old Wei continued to observe me for a while longer before finally shaking his head.
"Go back. I will not entrust my commission to you."
"Do you not have confidence in me?"
Old Wei calmly nodded.
"You are still an incomplete sword. I cannot imagine what form you will take when you are complete... but for now, your strength and essence are lacking, and you could break at any moment."
That was quite a sharp observation.
True to his profession, Old Wei had compared me to a sword, meaning my martial arts were still lacking and my body was not yet complete.
However, there was something he could not see with his discerning eye.
"I am already quite a solid sword."
"Not in my eyes. I do not wish to break an incomplete sword with my own hands."
Shaking his head, Old Wei sighed and said, "As a reward for broadening your horizons, I will give you one of the fine swords I have made. When you believe you have completed yourself, come find me again. Then I will accept your commission."
That was a kindness directed at me, as well as a down payment for a future commission.
But even if I never returned to find him, Old Wei would not hold it against me or seek me out.
'A bit frustrating, but I like him.'
I found myself liking this old master.
At the same time, I knew that such a stubborn old man would not be swayed by persuasion or torture once he made up his mind, which was a bit vexing.
In the end, I could only nod in agreement.
"Understood. I will return soon."
"I look forward to it. Please wait here for a moment. I will bring you a sword."
In truth, I didn’t need a weapon made of refined metal right away.
Until my martial arts and position were sufficient...
Until then, this sword I received from Old Wei would be enough.
"This is called Moon Shadow. It should be quite usable," he said as he handed me the sword.
The scabbard was black with no patterns, and it didn’t even have the common tassel attached.
But the moment I held the sword, I could tell it was a fine blade.
Moon Shadow...
I liked the name as well.
"I will visit you again soon."
"Safe travels."
As I turned to leave after bidding farewell to Old Wei, I heard a voice shout from below the mountain.
"Old man! You said I would regret this!"
I saw dozens of torches approaching from the bottom of the mountain.
The owner of the fierce voice was the man who had been struck by Old Wei and chased away earlier.
"Go set fire to the tent and take everything inside! Surround that old man so he can’t escape!"
At the man’s command, the rogues holding torches scattered below and began to surround us as they climbed up.
There were at least dozens of them.
All of them had trained in martial arts, and their movements were swift.
"How dare they do this in the rogue market..."
Bok Man-chun emitted a killing intent from his entire body as he drew his sword.
Old Wei also emerged from the tent with a large sword, his face stern.
At that moment, I stopped both of them.
"Please stay here."
"What?"
"Why?"
I was feeling restless, having entered the rough world of rogues reminiscent of the Blood Cult days, and watching others fight stirred a strange thirst within me.
Swish.
As I drew the sword Old Wei had given me from its scabbard, a pleasing sound echoed.
'What a rare fine sword.'
I turned to Old Wei and smiled.
"Let me show you what kind of sword I am now."
"…You might break it."
"Not a chance."
I stepped forward to face the approaching rogues alone.