Chapter 633
A blacksmith’s life of 88 years.
In that long yet fleeting span, countless things had happened—grueling trials, moments of despair that made me want to give up, temptations that shook my resolve.
But through it all, I never once dirtied my honor as a blacksmith.
“No way.”
That was why I had to say it.
This was something only a god could do.
No—even a god would raise their middle finger at this request.
But.
“It’s possible.”
There was no way that kind of reasoning would work on the man in front of me.
“I’m telling you it’s not possible! Impossible! Even if my Grandfather came back, it would still be impossible!”
Orun’s face turned red as he shouted.
Clang!
A dagger was suddenly stabbed into the desk.
Crackle!
Blue sparks crawled along the blade.
A chillingly beautiful yet terrifying aura brushed the back of his neck.
Gulp.
Orun swallowed stiffly.
Jinhyuk’s eyes were far too frightening.
“No. What I meant was… it’s not impossible, but forcing something close to impossible could hurt morale.”
“Oh. That’s reasonable.”
“R-right?”
“Yes. But my sword says it’s not reasonable.”
Succeed in strengthening it, or die.
Those were the only two options.
And of course, Orun already knew the answer.
“To think I’d ever have to split a Sacred Relic… hehehe. Fine. Damn it. If the choices are death or fainting, might as well try.”
“Hahaha. A wise decision. I knew you’d choose survival—no, the greater good.”
“However, I need materials and labor. A lot of both.”
“You won’t have to worry about that.”
There were plenty of powerful beings to extort for supplies and manpower.
“So I can use them however much I want?”
“Of course.”
“Kuhahaha! My craftsman’s spirit is burning. Fine. I’ll grind myself to the bone and create the best masterpiece.”
Despite the threat to his life, Orun’s eyes gleamed with eagerness now that he knew he would have unlimited support.
Jinhyuk gave a faint, knowing smile.
And quietly began preparing for the ancient beings he would soon face.
—
Munch munch.
Nom nom.
Alice kept moving her small mouth. After fighting with everything she had, both her stamina and Mana had hit rock bottom. She was eating to recover.
The others stared at the mountain of dishes, drooling.
“Why aren’t you eating? Dig in before it gets cold.”
Jinhyuk, wearing a chef’s hat, placed a giant frying pan over the fire. A 1.5-meter lobster sizzled as a rich aroma filled the air.
But aside from Alice, no one moved.
‘Why is he doing this?’
‘He never does anything without a reason.’
‘Suspicious. Extremely suspicious.’
‘Even Undine, who trusted him, hasn’t come back yet.’
‘We cannot accept his goodwill at face value.’
They all knew this. But—
The food smelled too good.
“Everyone worked hard, so I’m showing off my cooking. But if we end up fighting again, you’ll be lucky to get dried biscuits or jerky—if you even have time to eat.”
The devil’s temptation continued.
Then—
“What’s that smell…?”
“I’m starving…”
Faces poked out from the bushes.
Thor, Heracles, Berial, Anubis—main gods from various mythologies.
They had tasted countless delicacies in their lifetimes, but Jinhyuk’s cooking went far beyond their expectations.
“Oh! Human! You can cook too?”
“I didn’t know you had such talent.”
“And the portions are generous!”
They brightened immediately.
Jinhyuk showed them the warmest smile he could manage.
“Come on, there’s plenty. Eat as much as you want. Tell me if you want more.”
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard today. Can you make roasted wild boar?”
“One roasted wild boar, coming up.”
Jinhyuk drew out an Iron Boar from the 13th floor of the Tower and began preparing it.
[Otherworld Restaurant – ‘Golden Ratio’ is activated!]
[The optimal recipe for each target provides maximum satisfaction.]
Perfect ingredients. Perfect recipe. Perfect skill.
Gods lined up with orders.
“I want seafood.”
“A desert-friendly dish, please.”
“And a blood-red wine served in a skull.”
The moment they took their first bite, their expressions melted.
“Oh my god…”
“This is divine…”
“I’m happy to be alive…”
Even Gabriel, symbol of asceticism, was devouring steak with gravy smeared all over him.
Eventually, the team members also gave in. Resisting would be more painful than whatever came after.
Jinhyuk watched them like a witch from Hansel and Gretel.
When every belly was stretched to its limit, the banquet finally ended.
“That was amazing…”
“I’m so full…”
“That chef was… exceptional.”
“Haha. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Then…”
Jinhyuk approached, rubbing his hands together, holding a single white sheet.
A bill.
“Will you be paying with card or cash?”
“The bill?”
Thor blinked.
“Of course. Precious dishes require proper compensation. Surely beings of your status understand the value of effort.”
“Ahem. Naturally. We’ll pay proudly.”
“We have plenty of gold from the pyramids!”
“Eden will handle it!”
“Paying with extorted money… tsk.”
“W-what did you say, you impious demon?!”
Everyone tried to assert their financial superiority.
Jinhyuk distributed the bill.
And then—
[50 Sacred Relics (S-grade or higher) or 1.5 trillion coins]
Silence.
“……?”
“……!!?”
Michael hiccuped nonstop.
“This is a joke… right?”
“Have you ever seen me joke? Or…”
His expression shifted instantly.
“You aren’t planning to eat and run, are you? After eating everything?”
“No, no—we’re not refusing, but this price is robbery!”
“You should’ve checked the price tag beforehand.”
Jinhyuk pointed at the tablecloth.
In the embroidery of a deer, a tiny number was hidden in its eye.
Even Artemis had to squint and concentrate to read it.
Jinhyuk extended his hand.
“Or maybe… the mighty gods of the Tower have the honorless conscience of Orcs who devour anything in the forest?”
That accusation was beneath even the lowest existence. Their faces flushed with humiliation.
Jinhyuk offered them an escape.
“Or… you can do me a small favor.”
“W-what is it?”
“I’d rather do that than pay this.”
“Same here!”
They had no choice but to agree.
And so, the most disastrous banquet in the Tower’s history ended.
⁕⁕⁕
An hour later.
The largest blacksmith’s forge ever built in the Tower was rising on the 45th floor.
An impossible collaboration of gods and mythologies gathered for one task.
Woooom!
Flames and Mana surged into the furnace.
[The dagger ‘Crimson Lotus’ and the dagger ‘Barnard’ are beginning to merge with Indra’s ‘Vajra’.]
Forging a purple Sacred Relic was something only a handful could do.
Orun wasn’t one of them.
But—
“Leave the fire to me.”
He had the perfect assistant.
Hephaestus, one of Olympus’s main gods and one of the greatest blacksmiths in the Tower. His physique and mastery had long surpassed the domain of gods.
“Just leave it to me.”
Orun wiped his sweat, feeling his heart pound. Having the best helper alive was exhilarating.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their hammers struck in unison. The flames roared. The metal softened.
A new weapon was taking shape.
Meanwhile, from afar, the gods of the Tower watched.
Ganesha leaned toward Vishnu.
“Lord Vishnu.”
“I’m listening.”
“Though we’ve formed a temporary alliance, they will eventually become our enemies.”
“Are you suggesting we betray the one who helped us uncover the Unknown?”
“He only gave us information for his own benefit. There’s no reason to hand them a top-tier Sacred Relic.”
“That is troublesome.”
Vishnu stroked his chin.
“So I have an idea. Once the weapon is complete, we steal it quietly and blame the other side. They fight each other, and we get the Relic.”
“Not a bad idea. But wouldn’t suspicion fall on us first?”
It was more logical to suspect the Tower’s gods, who had been fighting moments ago, than the united alliance.
“Then… what should we do?”
Vishnu turned slightly.
Swish…
And a completely unexpected figure appeared behind Ganesha.