Episode 34
034. Value Investment
Passing down a clan’s secret technique to another was not something decided upon lightly.
Especially in Lepione, where skills were transmitted through the closed relationship of master and disciple, it was an even rarer occurrence.
Moreover.
“An outsider? I never expected you to teach the skill to an outsider.”
Valerius seemed quite surprised.
But Tuban calmly recounted the events of that time.
“Some time ago, a young outsider came. He told me: without putting the maker’s soul into it, you cannot awaken the steel’s soul.”
“Soul? An outsider mentioned the soul first? That is… interesting.”
“Yes. At first, I wondered how much he could possibly do… but as you can see, the result turned out like this.”
Tuban looked relieved.
While praising Golden Hand, he didn’t forget to add one more thing.
“I had no choice but to acknowledge it. That the Soul Forging technique was something that friend should learn.”
For a moment, Valerius fell silent at Tuban’s words.
He quietly observed Tuban’s eyes.
There was not a trace of regret or disappointment within them.
So Valerius could only let out a sigh.
“I see… Your father said something similar when he refused the position of Royal Head Blacksmith and retired here. That he was just an old man hammering iron, and the one to inherit the true soul technique would be someone else.”
A faint smile touched Valerius’s lips.
He tapped Tuban’s shoulder and spoke.
“I thought that one was you, Tuban… chuckle, an outsider? It must have been hard to accept, but it’s a remarkable decision. That too is an important virtue of a master artisan. Entrusting the lineage of a technique to one who is more suited for it.”
Tuban nodded at Valerius’s words.
Valerius didn’t ask Tuban about anything else.
He only asked one thing.
“Are you satisfied?”
Tuban, after a moment of contemplation,
In a resolute voice.
“Yes.”
At that answer, Valerius chuckled softly.
Valerius nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Then it’s fine. Still, it’s a relief that someone is upholding the Soul legacy. Golden Hand, Golden Hand… Will our paths cross someday, I wonder?”
Valerius merely pictured the mysterious outsider named Golden Hand in his mind.
But that too was fleeting.
For now, he just thought of his old friend, Tuseon, and shared a drink with his son, Tuban.
The moment he saw Spear Ghost Yeom Tae-hoon, Golden Hand grew restless.
If nothing else, the possibility that Yeom Tae-hoon missed out on a skill because of him was quite problematic.
Therefore, Golden Hand couldn’t rashly approach Yeom Tae-hoon and observed his movements from a distance.
‘If, because I obtained Bark’s hidden skill, Yeom Tae-hoon lost his chance…’
A corner of his heart grew heavy.
In the era of ruin, Yeom Tae-hoon fought for humanity more steadfastly than anyone.
The thought that he might have hindered the growth of such a hero filled him with guilt.
‘First… I have no choice but to ask him directly.’
Golden Hand steeled his resolve and approached him.
Pretending nonchalance, he acted as if looking at the nearby quest board and struck up a conversation.
“Huh, there’s not a single decent quest to do. Do you happen to know of any good quests?”
Yeom Tae-hoon, without taking his eyes off the board, answered indifferently.
It seemed Yeom Tae-hoon didn’t recognize Golden Hand, who was now a celebrity on Repinet.
“I’m looking for one too.”
Hearing his voice after so long.
Though it sounded a bit more youthful compared to the era of ruin, it didn’t matter.
Golden Hand glanced at his profile and spoke.
“By any chance… did you come from Neman Village?”
When Golden Hand cautiously probed, Yeom Tae-hoon finally turned his head to look at him.
“How did you know?”
“Ah, well… you seem to use a spear. I heard there’s an instructor in Neman Village who teaches spear arts.”
At Golden Hand’s words, Yeom Tae-hoon’s face instantly contorted.
He clenched his fists tightly as if furious.
“That old geezer…! Just wait and see. I will pass that test.”
At his reaction, Golden Hand inwardly sighed in relief.
Fortunately, it seemed history hadn’t changed.
“A test… by any chance, is it hitting scarecrows?”
“That’s right. He said to hit it 1,000 times consecutively, damn it! I keep making mistakes around the 800th time. Is my spear the problem, or is my concentration lacking…?”
Yeom Tae-hoon looked genuinely frustrated.
Golden Hand could understand his feelings.
And simultaneously, it raised some questions.
“I heard Bark’s quest is considered a success if you just manage 100 times… but 800?”
“Ah, who said someone actually succeeded in 1,000? So what… you think I can’t do it? I’ll keep going until I succeed.”
“Ah, r-right.”
Most players give up even before reaching 100 attempts, let alone attempting 1,000, and seek other paths.
But Yeom Tae-hoon was different.
He was constantly testing his limits, striving to surpass them.
Moreover, regarding that ‘someone’ who succeeded in 1,000,
Other players dismissed it as impossible, wondered how it was done, or called it a cheat and gave up prematurely.
But Yeom Tae-hoon alone did not give up.
On the contrary, he was burning with competitive spirit towards Golden Hand, the one who had succeeded in the 1,000 strikes.
“So what brings you to Kratum…?”
“It’s because of the spear. My spear is too soft and ordinary. So I’ve come to commission the blacksmiths here to make a custom spear that fits my body perfectly, with an ideal weight distribution. I plan to challenge it again with that.”
Yeom Tae-hoon’s eyes were filled with conviction.
In that gaze, Golden Hand saw the future ‘Spear Ghost’ who would hold the front line even against tens of thousands of monsters.
‘This tenacity, this unbreakable will. Yes, this is the Spear Ghost. The Yeom Tae-hoon I know.’
Golden Hand smiled inwardly.
He had made a decision.
To help Yeom Tae-hoon’s beginning a little.
This wasn’t mere sympathy or goodwill.
It was the most certain investment for the future.
“By any chance… if it’s okay, could I make a spear for you?”
“Huh? You? Why me?”
Yeom Tae-hoon looked at Golden Hand up and down with suspicious eyes.
A peculiar player wearing heavy armor, though carrying a hammer.
He hardly looked like a blacksmith.
At that sight, Golden Hand smiled and spoke.
“I’m a bit more dexterous than I look. I also know a bit about blacksmithing work.”
Yeom Tae-hoon seemed to ponder for a moment, but soon nodded.
After all, he had nothing to lose.
“Alright. But I don’t have much money to give.”
“I don’t need money. In return, when I’m truly in need of help later, please grant me a request.”
At Golden Hand’s meaningful words, Yeom Tae-hoon tilted his head.
But he didn’t think deeply and nodded.
“Understood. I always keep my promises. Provided the spear is usable.”
“Good. Then follow me.”
Golden Hand led him towards the largest-looking forge nearby.
At the entrance, a giant dwarf stood with arms crossed, glaring at customers with fierce eyes.
“What is it, you lot! This is no place for greenhorns like you! Scram, now!”
At the dwarf’s booming voice, Yeom Tae-hoon hesitated.
But Golden Hand remained composed.
He took out the black card from his bosom and showed it to the dwarf.
[Kratum VIP Black Card]
The dwarf’s eyes widened into saucers upon seeing the card.
He instantly changed his attitude, his waist bending at a 90-degree angle.
“Oh my! I failed to recognize such an esteemed guest and have committed a grave discourtesy! ‘Quick Hands’ Dooling pays his respects! How may I assist you?”
At his masterful shift in demeanor, Yeom Tae-hoon’s jaw dropped.
It was a level of courtesy he had never seen from any dwarf he’d met so far.
Golden Hand spoke dismissively, as if it were nothing.
“I’d like to borrow the forge for a moment… would that be possible? Just a short while is enough.”
“Of course! This way, please! For the entire day, everything in this forge is yours!”
“No, I don’t need it for a whole day… just a moment is fine.”
Dooling quickly guided them to the innermost part of the forge, to a private workshop only he used.
Other players and NPCs working nearby began murmuring as they watched the scene.
“What’s that? Why is Dooling being so nice?”
“It’s Golden Hand, right? Just who is he? Is he really the GM’s son?”
“Golden Hand is one thing… but who’s the guy next to him?”
Ignoring their gazes, Golden Hand lit the forge fire.
And he asked Yeom Tae-hoon.
“Do you have a specific spear form in mind?”
At the question, Yeom Tae-hoon answered quickly.
He already had a concrete idea of the weapon he wanted.
“I want it to be light yet hard, with a sharp tip, and the weight balance precisely at the center.”
Yeom Tae-hoon’s demands were exacting but clear.
Golden Hand nodded and immediately set to work.
“Walker, help me!”
“Walker! Walkeeeeer!”
With Walker ready, Golden Hand too began the work in earnest.
‘Sun’s Right Hand!’
The heat blooming from his palm resonated with the forge flames, instantly raising the temperature to an optimal state.
Without hesitation, Golden Hand began alloying work, mixing a small amount of top-grade steel with mithril powder.
Thud-!
Clang-!
Light, rhythmic hammering sounds echoed through the forge.
Every movement of his was without superfluous motion.
Watching, Yeom Tae-hoon unconsciously held his breath.
In Yeom Tae-hoon’s eyes, this wasn’t mere labor.
Each delicate movement seemed to carry some indescribable depth.
