episode_0022

The race that excels at crafting items is the dwarves.

Why are dwarves so skilled at making items?

Is it because of their patience overflowing? Or because they find joy in crafting items?

None of these reasons were the answer.

The reason dwarves love and have fanatical belief in crafting items is because it was the only way to overcome their physical limitations.

-Why are dwarves so short?

-Why are chili peppers small?

-You son of a b*tch.

-You got roasted lol.

-What’s with the DPS exchange lol.

-Why do demons have horns, elves have long ears, and dark elves have dark skin?

-Why do giants have fur and look like bears… Why do people with so much money get involved in shady deals…

-That’s messed up.

-Hey.

-What if there’s no reason?

-For real lol stop looking for reasons.

-Just like how I’m unemployed for no reason, dwarves are short for no reason lol.

-Oh yeah, that’s right lol. My friends in the neighborhood already have stable jobs, got married, and have two kids each, while I’m just bumming around at home for no reason lol.

-I’ll smack you, stop it, it hurts, stop using bad words.

-I’m not even a dwarf, why am I short?

-Actually, what if I’m a dwarf?

-My parents are dwarves?

-That’s not true, right?

-What? Okay, I’ll go ask now.

-I kicked my shin and came back.

-Why are you asking that, you crazy person lol.

As well-known, dwarves were short in stature.

Using the traditional, systematic, and rational elven measurement system, they were about 55 inches tall.

(In the standards of other races, it was around 140cm.)

Even as adults, they were only at the level of other races’ children, burdened with unfavorable physical attributes.

Being short means their arms and legs are short as well.

The height difference in combat was critical, demanding an unreasonable penalty for dwarves.

As a result, the only thing they could trust in was weapons.

Only weapons!

To compensate for their short limbs, they created enchanted weapons and accessories.

Fortunately, their short stature boasted high density, making it easier to create equipment.

Where was the foundation of these dwarves’ lives?

Naturally, they became blacksmiths, crafting weapons and armor.

However, the problem lay in their position, tucked away in the bottom right corner.

The dwarven country, Terin, being a secluded area with many mines, was a flaw.

What’s the point of making many weapons?

To sell them, traders had to cross mountains upon mountains.

Even if they sold a lot, did they make a lot of money?

Not at all.

Due to high transportation costs, the money they made was barely enough for some pork fat and beer.

But the one who solved all these problems was none other than Judak.

“Cheers!!!!!”

A dwarf who chugged beer broke into a hearty smile.

For them, every day was a festival now!

After the auction opened, laughter never ceased.

The money they earned from selling weapons at the auction was incomparably more than before.

And the beer and snacks they could buy were much more expensive.

“Let’s drink until we die!”

The festival became so wild that dwarves who drank beer like water were dropping dead, but there was no one to stop the deathly beer party.

This stroke of luck that had come after so long. Are they going to endure it?

Gyaaaah. Gooah.

Most of the dwarves were chugging beer like water, but there were some dwarves pondering with their chin in hand.

“Is this design correct?”

“It is! Let’s try forging first–”

“No, how much does it cost to get in here? Are you trying to hammer it first?”

“No, sir. So, are we hoping that everything will go according to plan by putting meticulous crafting, engraving, and reinforcement on difficult materials in layers?”

“So, we gathered here to achieve that!”

“Is there anyone who understands?”

At his words, everyone else fell silent.

Even if they were crazy about equipment, if it wasn’t their specialty, their understanding would be lacking.

But when they gathered to make an item, it was impossible for opinions to align.

Imagining the result with everyone putting their skills to the maximum was thrilling, but designing the process was not enjoyable.

“It seems like it might break during the engraving process.”

“It won’t break, that’s why.”

“No, let’s just start hammering first.”

“Hehe. Just bear with it for a bit!”

“Maybe we just need to modify this part?”

With different perspectives and opinions, was it a wrong idea to try to make one item together?

Before even digging the first shovel, it felt like they were about to give up.

“Tsk.”

“This part seems off.”

“No, if you know so well, why don’t you just make it yourself?”

“If I knew how to engrave, I would have done it all myself.”

“Isn’t talking something anyone can do?”

Everyone was an expert who had rolled in this field for decades.

Naturally, if someone criticized them, it would scratch their pride.

Even a slight touch could be a fatal blow!

But after the suggestion to create a masterpiece came up, they dealt each other fatal blows dozens of times.

It took a great deal of patience to endure without resorting to violence.

Watching all of this quietly, the blacksmith, Beric Flare, spoke up.

“Can you make it like this?”

“We can! Why wouldn’t we be able to?”

“No, if you can’t even start, how can you make it? That’s what I mean.”

“Well…”

“From the start, it’s strange that we’re fighting like this. If we don’t know something, shouldn’t we start with the hammering instead of arguing?”

“…”

It was the truth.

Since when did they focus on such trivial matters like theory, structure, and process?

“Even if we fail from the beginning, we can try again.”

Thousands of attempts and thousands of failures. Not fearing the countless hammerings is what makes a master blacksmith.

There was no reason to fight like this.

“Yes, that’s right. Let’s start.”

A blacksmith’s way of speaking with hammers and anvils.

Even if it fails, you can try again.

If the material breaks, you can get it again.

The weapon blacksmith, Grom Stonehammer, tapped the weak spot of the heated obsidian.

Clang! Clang!

Shaping the ring into a simple shape by cutting out the weak spot.

This alone required hundreds of hammerings.

After he, covered in sweat, stepped back, the armor blacksmith, Valin Ironforge, began refining the shape.

“Huff!”

Refining the rough shape with precise hammering, he created a clean circular shape.

Just this required hundreds of hammerings.

As he stepped back, soaked in sweat, the jewelry blacksmith, Scottlin Blacksteel, started.

“Phew…”

The obsidian was tough, but the thickness had already been reduced enough.

If the distribution of force was off, it was an easy task to break.

It was expected to be the most problematic part in the design.

Obsidian was tough enough, but it was fragile.

While giving enough force to not make it into shards, he also had to create small grooves for engraving.

Delicate force control was needed.

So he carved the obsidian like this hundreds of times.

“…”

His hand stopped.

The work was not finished yet.

According to the design, he should have engraved the slots at regular intervals.

But his intuition told him not to do so.

His dilemma didn’t last long.

Theory was just theory.

What brought him here was his countless experiences and senses.

Following his instincts, he carved the slots for engraving.

Not at regular intervals, but gradually narrowing.

Tap, tap, tap.

Sweat dripped down his cheek and fell from his chin.

The completed work was beautiful and enchanting to anyone who saw it.

It was the culmination of a generation’s dedication, a technique that had reached the limits of dwarven craftsmanship, an unparalleled skill.

All of this was contained within this small piece of obsidian.

“Damn it.”

Master engraver Haglin Stoneheart couldn’t hold back his curses.

Even with the intervals between engravings, it was already so difficult that it made his head spin.

And now, with even narrower spaces, the fact that there were more segments to engrave made him grit his teeth in frustration.

“Is this crazy bastard trying to make something like this?”

His words were rough, but the hand holding the mana pen was delicate.

One drop at a time. The tiny engravings seeped into the obsidian ring.

He had squeezed so hard that his fingernails holding the pen broke, causing blood to flow.

Without concentrating this much and applying force, this task would be impossible.

“Haglin.”

“Shh.”

If his hands were to be damaged, he would lose everything.

He wanted to stop his work out of fear, but his colleague stopped him.

“It’s almost done.”

The end of his work was in sight.

The mana rippled as he engraved the intricate patterns.

“Ah….”

The final task was to reinforce the ring for long-lasting preservation.

Berik Flare raised a giant hammer.

“May we be blessed!”

Kwaaaang─!

As his hammer struck the ring, there was light.

***

The gallery auction house had various functions.

The most straightforward function was the detailed information about items.

─Rik’s Blacksmith

[Ordinary Sword]

Enchantment: Hardness (C)

Buy Now Price: 15 Silver

Even magically treated items could be identified in the auction house.

That’s why there were rumors circulating in the gallery about finding strange items.

Title: How about this?

[Elf’s Worn Panties]

Enchantment: Preservation (B)

Buy Now Price: 3 Gold

Should I buy it;;; Hm;;;

ㄴShould I buy it, hm, okay lol

ㄴHesitating to buy this lol

ㄴWhat does the preservation enchantment even do lol

ㄴLet’s buy it first and smell it

ㄴWhy does the smell matter lol

ㄴIf the smell doesn’t matter, why buy it?

ㄴFor real;

ㄴThe smell is important, yes;

Title: Suspicious Item Found

[Suspiciously Shady Statue]

─? (Private)

─? (Private)

─? (Private)

─? (Private)

Bid Price: 4 Gold 12 Silver

What is this?

ㄴScamming the suckers lol

ㄴWhy would anyone buy this?

ㄴSometimes ancient artifacts come out, right?

ㄴActually, there are quite a few of these in the auction house

ㄴI bought this lol

ㄴAh damn

ㄴStepped on shit lol

Title: Won the bid, how is this?

[Suspiciously Shady Statue]

-Enchantment: Induces Diarrhea

-Enchantment: Induces Abdominal Pain

-Enchantment: Chills

-Enchantment: Curse

Look at it and go

ㄴlolololol

ㄴWhat a shitty item lol

ㄴHow much did you spend on it?

ㄴ5 gold

ㄴBurning 5 gold on shit? lololol

ㄴShouldn’t you give this as a gift to someone you don’t like?

ㄴWho would take it looking like that lol

ㄴFor real, a stone statue holding a knife suspiciously, covered in moss? Who would take that lol

ㄴOh my lol

Title: I found something too

[Ring of Endless Gratitude]

―?

―?

―?

―?

―?

―?

―?

-Bidding not available-

What is this thing?

ㄴWait, how many enchantments are there lol

ㄴAre there really items like this?

ㄴIs it imperial level?

ㄴThis is insane;;;

ㄴBut why isn’t the detailed ability showing?

ㄴIs the grade too high to identify?

ㄴWow, this item is really crazy

ㄴIs it a curse?

ㄴIt’s not a curse, judging by the name of the ring

ㄴBut why can’t you buy it?

ㄴIs there a purchase restriction on it?

A post has been uploaded on the gallery.

Title) Oh! Voila! A Gift from Us for You!

(Elder Dwarf’s Mighty Item.jpg)

Oh, damn.

Hey, you son of a b****.

I’m going to terrorize the dwarf mine, f***.

This isn’t a fishing post.

Title) Oh! Voila! A Gift from Us for You!

Please check the auction house

A few minutes ago. It was a post made by a dwarf.

The content was nothing special, but one thing was certain.

It was an item made for Voila.

– But what did I do to receive such an item?

Yeah.

This is obvious. The Terin Kingdom, oppressed by the Tesur Empire, must have lobbied Voila in advance. Otherwise, there would be no reason to open the auction house. It’s a world where it’s natural to be cautious of the empire. Acting like this is ultimately showing opposition to the empire.

Damn, look at the comments.

They’re delusional again, posting political comments ㅋㅋ

Before the old men break their canes, turn off the gallery ㅋㅋ

Seriously ㅋㅋ Political maniacs are crazy about everything

But… why give a gift then?

?

Yeah.

Did you suck him off once?

What the f*** are you talking about, you crazy b**** ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

S*** ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Title) Voila, tell us honestly

Did you suck him off once?

S*** ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Aren’t you scared of getting banned, you b**** ㅋㅋ

The protractor broke ㅋㅋ

How well did you suck him off to receive that? ㅋㅋ

Voila is currently putting his jaw back in place, unable to participate in the gallery ㅋㅋ

You guys leave too ㅋㅋ

So, does anyone know the reason?

Something… personally doing it seems like the most plausible answer

So, does that mean the Terin Kingdom has a connection with Voila?

The gallery quickly caught fire.

Voila, who doesn’t engage in external activities, but does the Terin Kingdom know something?

The Terin Kingdom knows the answer!

Of course, the reaction of the person who saw this clue was simple.

“What the f*** is this.”

Did I suck off the Dwarf King’s item?