episode_0008

A person who dreams for a long time eventually becomes like his dream. – André Malraux

A whole year has passed.

In spring, the warmth of the past sprouted fresh green shoots, and in summer, the hot sun beat down through the humid wind. In autumn, the fallen leaves had fallen, and only chicken-foot-like branches remained on the trees, and in winter, icicles formed on the roofs through the dry, cold wind.

While the four seasons were in full swing, Shihyuk’s life did not change much.

Armor, leg guards, spears, swords, shields, helmets, axes, etc… He spent his days constantly making various equipment, failing, struggling to find the cause, coming up with solutions, and trying again.

Still, there were some changes.

As always, Shi-hyeok pushed himself to the brink of death, squeezing himself with all his might, but unlike before, he never went one step further. … Perhaps because the previous incident had given him quite a shock, he no longer clung to the title of ‘as a blacksmith’ and let go of his obsession with an honorable death.

Although my body was subjected to the same harsh treatment, I tried to eat and drink regularly, even if it was just a small meal like energy bars, nutritional supplements, or sometimes cereal, and I went to bed at a set time without fail.

Other than that, Sihyuk seemed to be detached from everything else and just focused on his craftsmanship. He thought that this year was very valuable. He felt more at ease than when he was at [Daon Hammer], and he was able to devote himself solely to his work as a blacksmith.

Although I have no attachment to the secular world, I have not completely abandoned it either.

Although Shihyuk had a narrow network of connections and only a handful of relatives, he sometimes went to the city. The problem was that it was mostly to replenish the necessities that had run out.

As a result, there were a few hikers who greeted him as they passed by. Over the course of a year, Sihyuk had become a famous person to the local residents and hikers, whether they knew it or not.

[There is a strange man living in the mountain, and while practicing, he sometimes comes down when he runs out of food!]

This story spread little by little.

—

A repetition of days where I hit the hammer until my body reaches its limit, then when I get hungry, I stuff whatever I want into my mouth under the pretense of eating, then clean up my surroundings and fall asleep.

Shihyuk was drenched in sweat again today, holding onto the hammer and lying down. It was clear that today would be another day like any other.

It was supposed to be like that, but

It happened without warning, without anyone knowing.

“… … ?”

At some point, Shihyuk realized that he wasn’t having a hard time. Based on his experience, he usually had to be out of breath, his joints were creaking, and he was in severe pain after doing this much work. His hands, suffering from severe tendonitis, were already in pain and muscle cramps, and it was normal for him to drop the hammer.

Wasn’t that enough? Sweat would pour down like rain, and with exhaustion, you would feel dizzy and nauseous, and you would have to put strength into your toes to avoid falling over.

But now, he was calm and composed, without a single tremble. Like the sound of a hammer striking repeatedly evenly, he was in a state of peace both mentally and physically.

It was an incomprehensible phenomenon.

There is a limit to the growth of human physical strength that can be increased simply through repetition and mastery without any assistance. Even if it is the body of an awakened person, it is only a little wider and deeper, and if it goes through the same environment and process, it cannot go beyond the fixed limit. It is not the growth of abilities through the assistance of elixirs and skills, or experience.

And that was not the case for Sihyuk, who could not utilize the [Status Window] and [Skill Window]. Sihyuk was pushing his body to its limits every single day. He knew that fact better than anyone else.

And Shihyuk must have clearly reached his limit.

The second wind phenomenon that occurs after long hours of activity, and the runner’s high phenomenon that occurs when the brain automatically secretes endorphins when a person is in a situation of extreme stress, such as workers who push their bodies hard or veteran marathoners, had already been experienced and overcome long ago.

But how should I explain this situation now?

The pulse that should have been pounding throughout the entire upper body was regular, and the breathing that should have been panting with the jaw wide open was very even. The tired body was overflowing with energy, and instead of the urge to pull out the joints in excruciating pain, what was ringing in the head was a sense of inspiration.

‘… Anyway, it’s a good thing for me.’

Shihyuk paused for a moment to think about it, but he decided not to bother with this issue any longer. It is true that the current situation is awkward and questionable, but he decided to let it go, thinking that it is a good thing.

His priority was production, and if he was in good physical condition, he could put more effort into production.

Shihyuk continued working without realizing the passage of time. The amount of equipment he had made in one day was more than the amount he had made on the first day, when he had vowed to die.

At that time, something strange happened again.

-What am I doing now?

“…?!”

Suddenly, a question that came out from deep in his heart was enough to shake Si-hyuk. It was not something he had done intentionally, and it was very sudden, but at the same time, it was very natural and out of the blue.

In Shihyuk’s mind, which was as calm as a calm lake, that topic brought about big ripples like a stone thrown with all his might. It was so bad that Shihyuk even felt a slight sense of discomfort at the fact that his inner peace had been broken.

It was also very strange, like a physical change. It was completely different from the burnout symptoms he had experienced many times before. Although he was doing long hours of repetitive labor, Shihyuk’s mind was clear and sharp.

There was no gap between the head that gave orders and the body that carried them out, nor was the focus of the eyes split into two. There was no fog in the head, nor was there a state of helplessness and lethargy.

In a situation where I was absorbed in my craftsman’s work without any selfishness, something inside me suddenly asked me a question.

Shihyuk said it was hard to explain, but he somehow felt like it was a test.

As if he had been in the wilderness for 40 days, suffering and being tested,

Like someone who broke the wall and achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

The difference is that it is a test that comes from within yourself, not from the intervention of some evil being.

Shihyuk opened his mouth for a moment, then closed it. Then he resumed hammering and calmly responded to the inner whisper.

‘I’m doing the blacksmith’s work.’

-For what reason?

Shihyuk closed his eyes for a moment. He answered clearly, with an explosive flash of light like a firecracker exploding in front of his eyes.

‘Because I am a blacksmith.’

Yes, he was. He was shabby and far from outstanding, but he could confidently say that. Sihyuk was a blacksmith.

I have always dreamed of becoming a blacksmith since I was a runny nose. I looked up to my teacher Baek Hyun-man and admired him, and I was amazed by the process of creating works through his efforts and passion. I was thrilled by the pulsating and wonderful works of art and decided to live as a craftsman.

As a young boy, I dreamed of becoming a great blacksmith, even greater than my master’s big back. My dream was big, but I had nothing, so sometimes I was frustrated by the world’s gaze, and I struggled to be recognized by them. However, compared to my passion, my tangible growth was slow, and I experienced despair.

He blamed himself for his own shortcomings, envied his teacher’s end in an ugly way, and even did foolish things like wishing only to die as a craftsman.

But Sihyuk did not lose his dream.

The entire life of that terrible and shameful past was immersed in the path of a craftsman. Even if no one recognized him, even if someone slandered and laughed at him, he always had a hammer in his hand.

Because he is a blacksmith.

Only then did Shihyuk realize that he had already been a blacksmith for a long time.

The moment Shihyuk answered his inner whisper and realized that he was already a blacksmith, his hammering changed. It was a very small change that was hard to see on the outside, but the difference in the results was clear.

The dull sound that had been hitting the surface of the iron became clear and deep, as if it was resonating from within. It was as if the iron was responding to his hammering with the sound of a large bell, vibrating in joy.

-So what is your goal as a blacksmith?

Shihyuk’s inner self asked the question again. This time, Shihyuk thought about it for quite some time.

He dreamed of being a blacksmith. But he already knew that he was a blacksmith. So what was the continuation of his dream, what was his next goal?

Fame? No. Shihyuk has lived a life far from fame and glory.

[Many people rely on their ability to strike the hammer. However, I believe that you are the true blacksmith who walks the path of a craftsman with only your own intuition and passion.]

[Your efforts will never be in vain. The hard work and time you have accumulated will one day pay off. I believe in you, Sihyuk.]

There was only one person who understood Shihyuk, and no one else really knew him. But one person was enough. Those warm words that still lingered in his ears were enough. Even if he had become famous now, it would have been awkward.

Wealth? No. To Shihyuk, wealth was like water. It is certainly necessary for people to live, but if you try to fill it, it will be filled, and if you use it, it will disappear. That is all.

Sihyuk, who had already inherited his master’s legacy, had a large amount of money for an individual, and he could have lived a life of luxury whenever he wanted. However, Sihyuk felt that it was all useless. What he wanted was far from the sweet happiness that could be obtained from a leisurely life.

He had never felt a great desire for wealth. Shihyuk was satisfied with iron and a hammer as long as he could get his hands on them, and he was never greatly moved by things he put in his mouth or wore on his body.

So, what is the goal of the reform?

Suddenly, Shihyuk thought of his teacher, Baek Hyunman’s end. His teacher’s end, where he burned his soul and tried to create an ideal work of art using his life as fertilizer, was still vivid in his mind. At that time, Shihyuk was foolish and only tried to imitate Hyunman’s end, but now he could understand.

What his teacher was truly trying to show was,

That it was the majesty of a craftsman who, even with death in sight, broke down walls and challenged the legend in order to create a work of art. That it was truly the last teaching that the master wanted to show his beloved disciple.

If so, shouldn’t Shihyuk also follow those teachings and take on the challenge?

‘The best equipment.’

Even if no one recognizes you and you live a life unrelated to abundance.

‘A masterpiece that everyone can recall.’

Even if he dies and passes away, his works will be remembered forever and ever throughout the ages.

‘I want to make it with my own hands.’

That was the true goal that Shihyuk had achieved by answering his inner whisper.

-Then it will be as you wish.

The whisper was heard. It sounded not like a response to Shihyuk’s answer, but like a declaration for the world to hear.

The carp, sinking to the bottom of the dark lake and looking up at the blue sky, finally realized its ascension.

Over the years, I have spent my days filled with sweat, blood, passion, and tears called dreams, and I have finally become a dragon that plays in the clouds, using the Yeouiju as my guiding light.