Episode 15
015. The Next-Generation Ace
Clark seemed perplexed by the current situation.
He couldn’t easily believe the claim that an outsider like Geumsom had solved the fundamental problem of the magical circuits.
“I am Geumsom. I’ve come seeking to learn Magical Engineering…”
“Ah, is that so! But… are you sure? You clearly look like a foreign-born blacksmith. It will be difficult.”
“It’s fine. I am prepared.”
With each sub-class acquired, the penalty that increased required experience by 50%.
Clark seemed to want to remind him of that fact once more.
But for the current Geumsom, it was a manageable level.
So, he answered decisively.
Clark nodded, looking satisfied.
“Good. Normally, there is a simple test… but your skill seems sufficient, so I’ll let it pass. What’s good is good, right? Then…”
Unlike other NPCs, Clark didn’t seem inclined to refuse someone who came seeking to become a Magical Engineer.
At that moment, a message appeared before Geumsom’s eyes.
[Would you like to acquire the sub-class ‘Magical Engineering’?]
‘Perfect.’
Though the situation had taken a strange turn, it seemed successful nonetheless.
Hearing there was no time-consuming test, Geumsom internally cheered and was about to accept the quest.
If only Ravi hadn’t suddenly intervened.
“Wait!”
Ravi pulled out a worn schematic and a box containing gears, screws, and other parts from within his robes.
“You’re a blacksmith? Do you want to take a test from me? Well, if you’re not confident, you don’t have to.”
At that moment, Geumsom’s eyes widened at the new message that appeared.
It was a message as rare as a hidden quest in Lepione.
[An Emergent Quest has occurred.]
[Accepting the Emergent Quest will enhance the rewards.]
[Failing the Emergent Quest will permanently prevent acquisition of this class.]
[TIP: There is no shame in abandoning an Emergent Quest.]
.
.
.
Geumsom’s eyes grew round at the words ‘Emergent Quest.’
It was natural that successfully completing an Emergent Quest would grant higher-level rewards than the standard ones.
But the risk one had to bear was too great to accept hastily just for the reward.
Moreover, the advisory TIP the messages occasionally provided.
It seemed to advise abandoning the Emergent Quest if possible.
‘If I fail… it’ll be a real headache.’
Failure meant the chance to become a Magical Engineer would be lost forever.
This could cause a major disruption to Geumsom’s plans.
Especially since he had essentially already acquired the Magical Engineering class from Clark.
Abandoning the Emergent Quest was undoubtedly the stable choice.
But.
‘If I only seek stability, I’ll meet my doom in a stable manner. Without creating any change.’
Geumsom gritted his teeth.
He recalled the powerlessness he felt at the final moment.
He didn’t want to experience that helplessness again.
Furthermore, information about Magical Engineering in Lepione was scarce.
Because only a handful had chosen it as a class, the revealed information was limited.
It was clear, seeing that there was no information about ‘Ravi,’ who seemed to hold a fairly high position.
‘It would be good to build a connection through this opportunity.’
It wasn’t just about the Emergent Quest reward.
He had become curious about the person ‘Ravi’ himself.
A person holding the title of Branch Head at a young age.
For such a person, there could only be three scenarios.
First, a case where one crushed the competition with skill and talent to seize the current Branch Head position.
Second, a case where one parachuted into the Branch Head position due to having an immensely powerful backer.
And finally.
‘A bully who possesses all three elements: skill, talent, and backing. That must be it.’
A parachute, but with overwhelming skill that silences any criticism from the surroundings.
That might be the case.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter to me.’
Whatever the case, it didn’t matter.
Building a connection with a high-ranking figure in Lepione would offer many advantages for his future activities.
That’s why he couldn’t help but be interested in the Emergent Quest.
Even though the system warned him with a TIP.
“A test… what is it?”
Geumsom showed curiosity at Ravi’s words.
Ravi grinned, showing his white teeth.
Geumsom’s bold attitude seemed to please him quite a bit.
“This is the schematic for the most basic ‘Gear-Walking Golem.’ It’s drawn very simply so even a blacksmith like you can understand it. Using the parts there, make an exact copy based on this. However, it must be perfect, without a single error. How about it, can you do it?”
“Branch Head Ravi! Isn’t that too harsh a test? He’s a newcomer who just came to become a Magical Engineer…”
“Ah! Be quiet! I have my reasons, so just stay quiet!”
It seemed to be a test so baffling that even Clark shook his head.
At that moment, a new message appeared.
Ravi’s tone was still cold, but a subtle sense of expectation was mixed within it.
Conscious of that gaze, Geumsom read the message that appeared again.
[Emergent Quest: Ravi’s First Test]
Content: The Magical Engineer Ravi wishes to test your aptitude. Prove your potential by perfectly crafting the ‘Gear-Walking Golem’ exactly according to the schematic Ravi provided.
Success Condition: Craft the Gear-Walking Golem (Completion 70% or higher)
Rewards:
Magical Engineering sub-class
Basic Magical Engineering skill
Magical Engineering High-Grade Tool Set
Seeing the test’s content, he understood why the system cautioned.
A quest demanding golem construction out of the blue, knowing nothing about Magical Engineering.
Conditions where an average player would surely fail.
Geumsom also let out a trembling sigh upon seeing the quest details.
‘I have absolutely no confidence in failing.’
Geumsom, who possessed the Sun’s Right Hand, Divine Dexterity, and of course the skill Resolute Intuition.
Who had not only unlocked the Precision stat but also had the experience of forcibly crafting golems by looking at players’ clumsy schematics.
That’s why he lacked confidence upon seeing the quest content.
He lacked the confidence to fail, that is.
“Alright, I accept.”
This time, Geumsom grinned confidently and accepted the quest.
The corner of Ravi’s mouth twitched upward slightly.
“You seem quite confident. But I won’t allow even a 0.1mm error! I’ll be watching.”
Ravi pressured him, laying down the law.
But despite the pressure, Geumsom was already sitting at the workbench, beginning his work.
Without a word, Geumsom picked up the schematic and parts box and spread them on the workbench.
As Ravi said, the schematic was truly simple.
But Geumsom’s eyes saw other things.
‘Resolute Intuition.’
As he activated the skill, red lines and dots began to appear over the seemingly ordinary schematic and parts.
Structural flaws in the schematic, microscopic cracks and wear on the parts.
And even the optimal sequence for assembling each part with maximum efficiency.
Everything became clear at a glance.
Moreover, his experience crafting golems in the Age of Ruin allowed him to clearly pinpoint the schematic’s limitations.
‘This schematic… has many structural problems. If made as is, it won’t last long and will collapse.’
For a moment, Geumsom considered modifying the schematic on the spot.
But he soon shook his head.
‘I should follow the quest content. It would be troublesome if I failed by arbitrarily modifying the schematic.’
It was a quest tied to a class.
Prioritizing Ravi’s requirements seemed best.
‘It might be good to make a modified Gear-Walking Golem separately later.’
While thinking about crafting his own version of the golem, Geumsom began the work following the schematic Ravi provided.
As he started assembling.
His hand movements, with the ‘Divine Dexterity’ skill activated, pushed the work speed to its extreme.
It wasn’t just fast.
The hand holding the screwdriver moved so fast it was a blur, and the gears found their places without a moment’s hesitation.
A precision without a shred of error.
It seemed the ‘Precision’ stat Geumsom had unlocked was showing its true effect.
Watching this, Clark, who had been observing with arms crossed beside him, began to open his mouth slightly.
Ravi also started to adopt a more serious expression.
“B-Branch Head Ravi, look at that! That decisiveness, those hand movements… and the precision that doesn’t damage the already worn-out parts…”
“I know, be quiet.”
“B-But…”
Clark seemed to want to say more, glancing between Geumsom and Ravi.
But under Ravi’s serious gaze fixed on Geumsom’s hand movements, he could only close his mouth.
This serious expression on Ravi’s face was something Clark hadn’t seen in a long time either.
Click-
Clack-
Creak, creak-
Geumsom’s nimble hand movements, without a hint of hesitation or waste.
With pleasant mechanical sounds, the parts found their places, forming a single shape.
Around the time of assembling the mana core that would become the golem’s heart.
‘Sun’s Right Hand.’
Geumsom focused strength into his right hand.
A faint heat emanating from his palm seeped into the core, burning away minute impurities in the mana circuits.
Click-
As the work finished and Geumsom inserted the final gear.
A blue light flashed in the golem’s eyes.
And a message appeared.
