episode_0068

Clang! Clang!

Amidst the tumultuous metallic sounds echoing deep underground,

In a place where the warmth of flames and passion had settled, a group of dwarves continued with their respective tasks.

“Huff… huff…”

Their bodies drenched in sweat from pain and heat, these artisans handled their crafts without a care, despite the discomfort.

With no thought of rest in mind, they wiped away their sweat and carried on working.

However, no matter how resolute like iron their spirits were, as beings with life, rest was necessary.

Once their work had settled into a rhythm, they momentarily set it aside to take a break.

“How’s the work coming along?”

“I’m not sure. I think I overindulged yesterday… making more mistakes than usual.”

“Ah, didn’t I tell you to drink in moderation? I always say it, but your problem is alcohol.”

“…Did you forget that I almost died after confessing? I couldn’t bear it without a drink.”

“Well… I guess that can’t be helped.”

Engaging in frivolous conversation to alleviate the fatigue of their muscles and minds, the dwarves.

As time passed amidst this cheerful atmosphere, they believed they had rested adequately and once again took up their tools.

“Now, shall we begin again!”

“Let’s finish quickly and go grab a beer! Steelhand, today I’ll definitely outdo you!”

“Inspiration, aren’t your dreams too grand? Today’s free drinks are on me, haha!”

“Enough chit-chat, let’s focus. If we slip up, we’ll have to start all over, you know that, right?”

Despite their hearty laughter, the dwarves returned to their work diligently.

Rumble –

At the moment they were about to start, some dwarves expressed concern at a slight vibration they felt.

“Did you guys feel that just now?”

“Not sure what you’re talking about. Was there something going on?”

“No, I felt a vibration. It felt familiar…”

“Well, it’s not like the Earth God gets angry every other day. Don’t worry, his wrath will pass soon.”

“No, that’s not it…”

Rumble –

As the worried dwarves opened their mouths, a strong vibration swept through the underground, noticeable to all the dwarves this time.

It was a sensation ingrained in their instincts to such an extent that it felt all too familiar.

However, despite their hardened expressions, the dwarves tried to deny reality.

The arrival of ‘that’ was so unbelievable that they refused to believe it.

“…No, it can’t be. Could that lunatic have returned?”

“There’s no way. He’s a guy with more pride than those lizard folks. How could he come back?”

“But still, just in case, let’s activate all defense systems! I don’t want to see that lunatic’s face again!”

“Silver Hand is right, let’s activate the defense systems first. With this level of vibration, we should even consider the possibility of a demon attack.”

Having reached a consensus, the dwarves moved awkwardly to activate the defense systems.

Click – Click –

And then, powerful magical engineering golems began revealing themselves one by one from their hidden positions.

The dwarves immediately input commands and dispatched the golems towards the direction where the vibration originated.

“Did we get rid of it?”

“Inspiration, are you crazy? Don’t speak of such ominous things.”

“It’s fine. It’s been a while since we sent the golems; nothing serious should happen.”

“But it doesn’t seem right…”

As time passed without feeling the vibrations, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, was it because someone among them had uttered a forbidden phrase?

Kwoong –

“Inspiration.”

“…?”

“Once the job’s done, remind me to massage my body with a stone. Can’t breathe properly without a good beating.”

…”

Soon, a massive vibration, embarrassingly larger than before, struck the workshop.

As the vibration was about to end, what caught the dwarves’ eyes was a wicked witch emitting a dark aura, holding the broken golem’s head in one hand.

—–

In the original work, there is hardly any mention of the Strohheim tribe. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that detailed information about Strohheim was not revealed. According to the author, detailed information about the Flame Dwarf tribe will be disclosed in future episodes.

But what’s the point? I was already possessed before getting to see the future episodes.

All I know is that the Flame Dwarves and their tribe are sincere about “romance.”

Confidently stating that apart from this fact, I knew nothing else, I asked Inspiration as we were on our way to meet his tribe.

I asked him to tell me more about his tribe.

“…Didn’t you know everything? If you know that they are passionate about romance, you should know almost everything else, right?”

“I don’t claim to know everything. It’s said that knowing your enemy is half the battle. The more you know about your opponent, the better. So, I would appreciate it if you could tell me.”

“Hmm.”

Inspiration seemed puzzled at first, but soon resigned himself and began to tell me about his tribe.

Starting with the items they mainly produce, all the way to how he ended up being expelled from the tribe.

Most of the content he shared was not in the original work, so I listened intently without realizing how time flew by. By the time Inspiration finished his story, we had already arrived in front of the twisted Flame Tribe’s dwelling.

“We’re almost there. Wait here for a moment. I need to unlock the door.”

I stepped back slightly in response to Inspiration’s words, nodding my head.

…It was closer than I thought, wasn’t it?

I had expected to camp for at least four days, maybe even ten days, but it had only taken me two days to get here.

Thinking about the abundance of ingredients piled up in the spatial storage, I felt like I had missed out on something…

Well, it’s all good, isn’t it? I can enjoy a hearty meal on the way back.

As I was trying to shift my mood with this change of thought, the sword-wielding figure standing in the distance quietly approached me and spoke.

“Did you have fun?”

“With what?”

“You seemed to be enjoying chatting with Inspiration. Your expression looked really pleased.”

“Oh, our Inspiration is quite the storyteller. He could become a bard after retiring, couldn’t he?”

I hadn’t expected much from Inspiration, who always talked about explosions and firepower, but his storytelling skills exceeded my imagination.

Wouldn’t he be able to captivate an audience even if he went to Earth and started broadcasting?

Anyway, his storytelling skills were top-notch, and I never found a dull moment while listening.

“But why did you do that? Did you have something to discuss with Inspiration? If so, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not like that. Oh, by the way, on the way back, shall I tell you some stories about our household? It’s quite…”

“Is it necessary?”

If there was something I didn’t know, it would be welcome, but I knew almost everything about this sword-wielding character.

After all, he’s the protagonist of the original work, isn’t he? It’s actually strange if I don’t know something.

He might think he’s hiding a lot, but…sorry, that’s all been revealed to the author a long time ago. I’m really not curious at all.

Shaking my head, I noticed the sword-wielder’s face stiffening.

Hmm, I’m starting to feel a little sorry now. Maybe I should have pretended to be interested, even if it was just empty words.

Feeling guilty for no reason, I distanced myself from the sword-wielder, and shortly after, a loud knock echoed from nearby.

Bang!

For a knock, it was quite a harsh sound.

Watching the dust rise in clumps, I asked Inspiration with a trembling voice,

“T-That, Inspiration? Is that knocking?”

“As you can see, yes. Knocking is usually a light check to see if the person on the other side of the door is alive.”

“Uh…is that so?”

Mumbling so confidently was quite absurd, but since Younggam’s words did make sense, I decided to let it slide.

Wasn’t it said that as long as you reach Seoul, you’re good no matter where you come from?

Anyway, I knocked, and after that, the door swung wide open, so it seemed appropriate to enter.

And so, I followed Younggam into the underground world.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve visited.”

Walking down the dimly lit path, Younggam spoke as if lost in memories.

Well, it’s strange not to be moved when returning to your hometown after decades.

Unintentionally, my eyes welled up with tears, and I gently patted Younggam’s back, prompting him to continue speaking in a moist voice.

“Oh… it’s still the same. The glowing stones densely embedded, and the winding paths. I used this place to get to the surface.”

“Are you okay, Younggam?”

“I still remember. The final path, where I planted bombs to give those old fogies a hard time. So, were we chased by the guardian golems?”

“…Younggam?”

“The sight of the fierce golems chasing us is still vivid in my mind… Wait, are those really charging at us? Damn it, everyone, prepare for battle!!!”

At Younggam’s urgent voice, the group immediately drew their weapons.

No, this crazy Younggam.

If something like that happened, he should have told us beforehand! Why does he blabber about irrelevant things and not mention the important stuff!

Thud! Bang! Thud! Bang!

Cursing inwardly, rough-looking golems soon approached us.

Rough in appearance, they seemed suitable for tearing intruders apart.

“…They’re not that intimidating.”

Perhaps due to experiencing much more terrifying things, they didn’t seem frightening.

Their appearance may be fierce, but compared to the disciples of evil gods and Ark Liches, they’re a piece of cake.

I could probably take them down barehanded, right?

So, I cautiously attempted.

Crack.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the dismembered head of the golem lay in my hand.

“What is this?”

Why is this so poorly made?

I began to doubt if I could trust them to build giant robots.