Chapter 84
Blacksmith Halfran.
Itaeyeon mentioned that he was blunt and rarely showed emotion, which she found to be a great comfort during her difficult times. Unlike other NPCs and gods who looked at her with contempt and disdain, Halfran treated her simply as a business partner. She said he was one of the few havens in her hard times.
“I am a blacksmith. You know what that profession entails, right?”
Taesan nodded, and Halfran continued.
“The monsters here drop equipment and materials. There are a few ways to handle these materials. One is to sell them at the store, and another is to use them as materials for equipment. That’s the gist of it.”
Clang.
The sound of hammering resonates as heat blazes around.
“Bring me the materials, and I’ll make the equipment you want.”
This was the reason to utilize a blacksmith.
Although one could obtain equipment from monsters or secret rooms, the type of equipment was random. There was no telling whether one would get a ring, a weapon, or a staff, and the chances of getting the desired equipment were extremely low.
However, using a blacksmith changed the story. Being able to choose the desired equipment reduced reliance on luck.
Even though the equipment made by a blacksmith might not match the quality of dropped items, Itaeyeon had received many useful pieces of equipment from him.
“How much is it?”
“It’s your first time, so I’ll give you a service. It’s free.”
“Oh.”
Taesan, who had been short on money, found this to be a good deal. Halfran continued his explanation.
“If you plan to continue trading with me, remember this. I don’t discriminate in my trade partners. It doesn’t matter if they’re lowly or part of the Guide of Sin. What’s important to me is the materials and the equipment. That’s all. If you have anything to say about that, leave now.”
“Was there someone like that?”
“There were. Annoying ones who wanted to be exclusively tied to them made quite a fuss.”
Halfran frowned, likely referring to the Guide of Sin. Overcoming that suggested Halfran was no weakling.
“I have no such intention.”
“Then we’re good. What do you want?”
After a moment of consideration, Taesan answered.
“An armguard.”
Among the equipment Taesan was wearing, the armguard was the least valuable. Halfran nodded.
“Give me the materials.”
Taesan opened his inventory and took out various materials. Leather, tooth fragments, and more fell out.
“…You have quite a lot.”
Looking slightly overwhelmed, the dwarf collected the materials.
“Come back in thirty minutes.”
“That quick?”
Expecting it to take at least a day, Taesan was quite surprised. Halfran replied indifferently.
“It’s not a deep-level material, so there’s no reason it should take long.”
Thirty minutes. Just enough time to clear a floor and return. Taesan left the room. Halfran began working with the materials.
“Come back later.”
The door closed with a click. Taesan began clearing rooms.
His pace was not too fast. Thirty minutes was a sufficient amount of time. He planned to take his time, but even considering that, the speed was incredible. Thirty minutes per floor was unimaginable for Gangjunhyeok, who took days to clear a single floor.
He cleared the secret room and collected the reward.
[A Sturdy Cross Shield] [Attack Power +5] [Defense +20] [An incredibly sturdy shield. It seems it could even block a ballista.]
While a shield wasn’t particularly meaningful to him now, it would fetch a reasonable price at the store. Or he could take it to Halfran, who could also recombine equipment, not just materials.
After finishing the secret room and dealing with the boss, a larger and darker wraith than the others appeared. Although it had a slight physical force, it vanished under a barrage of frost arrows.
[Hammer] [Enables the repair of equipment.] [A hammer lost by someone. To a craftsman, their equipment is as precious as life itself. Then, who could have lost this?]
“Is there durability for equipment?”
[Yes.]
“That’s news to me.”
This was the first Taesan had heard of it, despite his progress in the dungeon. The equipment obtained here boasted unchanging durability.
[But it doesn’t really matter. Weapons and armor are frequently replaced, and the overall durability is incredibly robust. Usually, people change them before they even show signs of wear.]
“I see.”
Even seemingly useless information might come in handy someday, in Taesan’s experience.
Taesan also checked the secret reward.
[A Ring with Many Gems] [Attack Power +8] [Aside from its decorative purpose, this ring is useless for anything else. The excessively embedded gems might hurt if used to strike.]
Normally, this would be considered a dud item. The attack power of a ring only applies to the part of the body it enhances, making it often meaningless. It was probably intended as a secret reward to be sold for capital.
However, for Taesan, who had the Eye Rock martial arts skill, it was hard to find better equipment. Replacing his current ring with 1 attack power, it was equivalent to a weapon with 7 attack power.
Having cleared the floor, Taesan returned to Halfran.
“Just in time. I just finished.”
Halfran handed over an armguard made from ogre leather.
[Ogre Leather Armguard] [Defense +13] [Crafted by a master’s hands. It’s new, so it smells a bit.]
“Wow.”
The value was high.
Without using any special materials, just ogre leather, the defense was 13. It was made in just thirty minutes, satisfying Taesan.
“From now on, I’ll charge. The price will vary depending on the value of the item. For now, I’ll keep the materials.”
“Whatever works.”
It made no sense for Taesan to keep the materials. They would just take up inventory space, so it was more convenient for both parties if Halfran held onto them and made the equipment when Taesan returned.
With the current deal concluded and having seen what level of equipment Halfran could make, Taesan said,
“See you later.”
He planned to return after descending further, with better materials and more money. The dwarf nodded.
As Taesan was leaving, the ghost stopped him.
[You know he can make better stuff, right?]
Halfran spoke plainly.
“I could, but you lack both the materials and the money.”
The best materials Taesan had were ogre leather. To make something better, better materials were needed first.
[Not that. You know what I mean, right?]
“…”
Halfran frowned. The ghost continued.
[Something only you can make. Equipment with special power, made from materials found in a place only permitted individuals can enter.]
“…The hero.”
[I guarantee it. This guy can do it.]
“Hmm.”
Halfran stroked his chin, then spoke.
“Do you know the value of that place? What it means to me?”
[I know better than anyone. You only told me about it. They don’t deserve to know its worth.]
Halfran’s eyes darkened.
“And you didn’t reach the end.”
[I did. But this guy can.]
“…”
Halfran fell silent. After considering, he spoke.
“I need confirmation.”
[What confirmation?]
“Confirmation that he won against the 30th floor.”
Halfran’s face was somber.
Taesan, who found himself unexpectedly undergoing a test, received an apology from the ghost.
[Did I push things too quickly? Sorry, but it seemed like the right timing wouldn’t come again if not now.]
“It’s fine.”
If there’s gain, Taesan was willing to face the corresponding trials. His only curiosity was one thing.
“Does what you’re talking about have that much value?”
[More than enough.]
The ghost’s voice was filled with certainty.
[If you gain Halfran’s recognition, you’ll become stronger in many ways.]
“Then that’s enough.”
Becoming stronger through means beyond the dungeon was a benefit for him. It could mean discovering a new path, perhaps even acquiring new skills.
[And you want to reach them, don’t you?]
Taesan hesitated at the ghost’s softly murmured words.
“You noticed?”
[How could I not?]
After meeting Maria, Taesan first showed not awe or fear, but a spirit of contention. The ghost had enough experience to recognize this.
[You’re really aiming high… But if that’s what you want, it will be a valuable experience.]
Halfran returned with a scroll in hand, ready.
“A summoning scroll?”
Surprised by Taesan’s knowledge, Halfran’s eyebrows twitched.
“You know about it? It’s almost a forgotten item now.”
“I have connections.”
Taesan had used one in the past.
A summoning scroll. It summons a sealed monster. Depending on the rank of the sealed monster, its value could skyrocket.
“Here lies a sealed Balrog.”
[What?]
The ghost exclaimed in shock. A demonic monster comparable to dragons, encountered only in the deep floors in solo mode. Halfran shook his head.
“It’s degenerated so much it’s practically dust. No need to worry.”
[You scared me.]
“Still, it won’t be weak. At least equivalent to a late 20th-floor boss. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Taesan nodded.
Halfran, still skeptical, tore the scroll.
“Kuooo!”
A howl echoed throughout the dungeon. A horned, winged black monster appeared.
[A sealed Balrog has appeared.]
The Balrog, suddenly freed into the world, looked around confusedly. Its instincts, though its intelligence and spirit had fallen, remained intact. It recognized Taesan as an enemy.
Enemies must be killed.
The Balrog charged at Taesan with a ferocious cry.
The ghost approached Halfran, who was watching the fight.
[Still doubting?]
“…”
Halfran was at a loss for words.
Even though weakened, the Balrog was powerful. Classified as a late 20th-floor boss or even a 30th-floor level considering its intimidating presence and special skills, it was a formidable foe.
“Kuoo!”
The Balrog screamed in pain.
Facing such a being, Taesan was dominating.