Chapter 34

It didn’t take long to reach the blacksmith since we’d only made a short detour earlier.

As expected of a dwarf’s workshop, all kinds of machines guarded the entrance.

“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen the top engineer’s place. It’s amazing.”

“What do you think? Can you understand dwarf technology?”

“Yes. It’s the most advanced tech I’ve seen.”

“But you made a robot more efficient than this.”

“True, but I didn’t have the resources or tools to make something like this. It’s really impressive.”

So the impressive part wasn’t the tech, but the tools and materials? Makes sense. His robot surprised even Lee Woo-jae with its efficiency. It would’ve been weirder if he was amazed by simpler tech.

“A kid more talented than a dwarf… amazing every time,” Lee Woo-jae said, agreeing.

“Actually, dwarves are bad with magic. That’s why they worked with elves and humans. That just shows how insanely talented Chris is.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

“Thank the boss. He’s the one who saved you, not me.”

“Thank you again, Mr. Namjoong!”

“No need to keep thanking me. You’ll be helping me from now on, so I’m the grateful one.”

“Mayor, are you here?”

A strange voice interrupted us mid-conversation. I looked around, but saw no one.

“Down here.”

“Oh.”

“You were just talking about dwarves. Shouldn’t you have thought to look down first? Why’d you bring such a dumb human?”

Wow, what a rude first impression.

My petty side kicked in.

Good thing I brought Chris instead of a real dwarf.

I replied, “I knew you were a dwarf, but I didn’t expect you to be this small. Are all dwarves this tiny?”

“Hmph. Dwarves are naturally small, so your comment doesn’t bother me.”

“Are you sure? You seem pretty irritated. Short height, short temper too?”

“At least I’m smarter than you.”

“Sorry, what? You’re too small, I can’t hear you over Chris.”

The dwarf’s shiny bald head turned red.

Chris whispered nervously, “Namjoong, are you sure this is okay? What if something goes wrong with our order?”

“He started it. I don’t mind injustice, but I hate being picked on. Of course, only if I’m safe.”

“Do you know how strong dwarves are?”

“Nope, but we’ve got Woo-jae with us.”

“Oh, right.”

Chris backed off, satisfied. The dwarf, hearing everything, got even angrier.

“So what if I’m short! Doesn’t mean I’m weak! This is why humans are hopeless!”

“You’re the one who picked the fight. And what’s this about humans being hopeless? Woo-jae’s right here.”

“The Mayor isn’t human — he’s a god! Don’t insult him, you disrespectful brat!”

The dwarf pulled a massive hammer from his robe. I instinctively stepped back.

“Hah! If you’re scared of a little hammer, you shouldn’t be handing me any commissions!”

“I was just blinded by the reflection off your shiny head.”

“….”

“Heheh.”

“Alright, enough,” Woo-jae stepped in before the dwarf exploded.

He introduced us.

“This is Kim Namjoong. And this is Chris, our new companion. This dwarf is Neg. Treat Namjoong with respect — he’s above me.”

“…Tch, fine. So, what do you need?”

“We brought some ore.”

Woo-jae showed him the Haemangseok (Dreamstone). Dimensional stone was even harder to work with, so this was more manageable for now.

Still, Neg was shocked.

“Where did you find this rare stuff? I guess if it’s you, Mayor…”

“Actually, the guy next to me got it.”

“Namjoong… found this? How?”

“That’s why I follow his lead.”

“…I misjudged you. Sorry — I’ve become a grumpy old man.”

“It’s okay.”

Why is he suddenly so nice?

Is he planning to smash my head with a hammer?

Chris whispered, “Dwarves love rare minerals. It’s instinctive. So if someone brings them rare ore, they warm up fast.”

“Ohh. Thanks, Chris. But… it’s not romantic love, right?”

“No way. Unless you were a girl.”

Wait… if I were a girl, he would be attracted to me? This guy’s totally a mineral freak.

I gave up trying to understand.

“So, what do you want made from this? A sword? Shield? Armor? It’s high-quality, so it’ll work well for anything.”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Honestly, I wasn’t lacking weapons. My gear was already top-tier — self-dodging armor, Tyrfing, dark-powered weapons…

“Hm… if you’ve got the skills, a sword would be best.”

“True. Swords can be used for both attack and defense. And since this stone absorbs magic and converts it to your own, it’s perfect for weapons.”

“But I already have Tyrfing.”

“That’s an emergency weapon. Don’t overuse it — it’s a magic sword.”

“Yeah, it’s crazy strong.”

Even with dark power, taking down three A-rank gates at once was absurd.

“What about other myth-grade swords?”

“Too much attention. Everyone will think you’re tied to Midas.”

“Even Kim Yuyeon would assume that.”

“Exactly. Normal weapons won’t stand out, but this one — a sword made from Haemangseok — would be the best choice.”

“So, a sword’s still best?”

“Anything made from this ore will be good. It’s just that weapons give the biggest return.”

“In short, since I don’t need anything, upgrading my weapon is the best choice?”

“Yep.”

I ran a hand through my hair, thinking.

A sword made the most sense… but it didn’t feel right.

Kind of like spending tens of millions just to raise your character’s attack stat in a game…

Or replacing a billion-won speaker system just for a slight sound improvement.

I wasn’t broke, but I wasn’t used to spending like this yet.

Chris, noticing my hesitation, asked Woo-jae, “This ore absorbs magic and turns it into your own power, right?”

“Right. All magic, if refined properly.”

“And Namjoong doesn’t really need a sword right now, does he? His gear’s already great.”

“Yeah. And his armor’s good too.”

“Then how about making a new kind of weapon?”

“A new weapon?”

Woo-jae shook his head.

“No can do. The ore has to touch what it connects to. That’s why staves and artifacts don’t work.”

Of course. Most special minerals work like that, especially ones tied to magic absorption.

But Chris still looked confident.

“I know. I’m not suggesting a staff or artifact.”

“Then what?”

“What about a ranged weapon? Like a gun? I saw lots of cool-looking guns outside the Tower.”

Wow — he noticed soldiers’ guns during his short time outside? Sharp kid.

It was possible. Bullets could carry the ore’s power, and it’d be something I didn’t already have.

But even I could tell the downsides.

Ranged weapons are consumables. If they miss, they’re pretty much wasted.

Even arrows made from this ore would be hard to recover. Bullets? Forget it.

Chris continued, seeing Woo-jae hesitate.

“I know it’s a problem if you miss, and it wastes rare materials. But…”

“But?”

“What if we made a gun that almost never misses?”

Everyone stared blankly.

Where would you even find a gun like that?

Even sniper rifles aren’t that accurate.

Neg stood up, furious.

“Where the hell did you find this idiot? I was being nice because the Mayor brought you, but seriously?”

“Wait, just hear him out…”

“Sorry, but I don’t waste time on fools! A gun that never misses? If that were possible, I’d have made it already!”

“You can’t make it?”

“…Urgh!”

Neg was stunned. Of course he wouldn’t admit there was something he couldn’t make.

Still, he calmed himself and said:

“Even if possible, it’s a huge waste of Haemangseok!”

“In what way?”

“Are you daft? The ore doesn’t just block magic — it lets the user absorb it! You’d be throwing that away with a bullet!”

He shouted so loud his small body trembled.

Then pointed outside.

“If you understand, get out! You’re only fit to work in a factory!”

“What if I can make it?”

“What?”

“A gun that barely misses, is reusable, uses minimal ore, and fully takes advantage of the ore’s traits. What if I can design that?”

“Do you even know what you’re saying? You trying to insult me?”

“I’m not.”

Chris walked past him, grabbed an old chalkboard, and wiped off the dust.

He started sketching.

“I don’t know the refining process yet, but… the barrel can be shaped like this… bullets can work like this…”

As the white chalk covered the board, everyone’s faces darkened — especially Neg’s.

“…Would this work?”

Silence filled the workshop.