I Became an SSS-Grade Time-Transcending Almighty Blacksmith - Chapter 88
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Originally, the Geoeung’s Stamina Apron, crafted at SS-Grade, had three abilities attached to it.
Health Lv 4, Vitality Lv 2, and Natural Regeneration Lv 1.
That alone was more than enough for a solid item.
And it had been a tremendous help to me as a blacksmith.
But then.
Fire Rat Hide, Hwahwan Cloth
Form: Apron
Grade: SSS
Requirement: Level 31 or higher, Blacksmith exclusive
Description: Blacksmith Jang Gang-cheol remade a cloak crafted from the hide of the Fire Beast, a creature said to dwell in the fires of volcanoes, into an even more durable and resilient apron.
Abilities:
Fire Beast Protection
, Health Lv 4, Vitality Lv 3, Natural Regeneration Lv 2, Temperature Control Lv 2
“Wow…….”
This was in a different class altogether.
Not only did it retain the unique skill I’d prioritized most—Fire Beast Protection—but the levels of Vitality and Natural Regeneration had both increased.
And on top of that, Temperature Control Lv 2 had been added.
No wonder this was an SSS-Grade item.
And there was one more thing that amazed me here.
“This is the lowered performance?”
Originally, the Hwahwan Cloth was an item with a Level 60 requirement.
I’d reduced that level requirement down to 31 to match my current level.
And whenever you lower the level requirement, the ability levels inevitably have to decrease as well.
Yet even after reducing the ability levels like this, it was still this powerful.
Truly, the information window was something that made you naturally exclaim, “This is truly an SSS-Grade item.”
As I stood there marveling at it.
“Master, are you all right?!”
“Ah, Noum.”
“Are you hurt? Noum was so worried!”
“Thanks to Noum, I’m fine. Look—not a single burn mark, see?”
Noum clung to my leg.
From the way his eyes glistened, it was clear he’d worried about me quite a bit.
To be honest, Noum’s help had been considerable during this crafting process.
If Noum hadn’t stayed glued to my side and healed my burns properly, I would have suffered a critical wound or lost my focus midway through.
“Thank you, Noum. Once we get out, I’ll buy you something even more delicious. I found some tasty snacks when I stopped by the guild earlier.”
“Noum likes snacks!”
As I was patting Noum.
Another voice reached me.
– Unbelievable…….
It was Ember.
Ever since I’d adapted to the smithy’s system, I rarely needed to ask Ember anything, so I seldom heard her voice.
For her to speak on her own initiative was something I hadn’t heard in quite a while.
“Ember, what’s wrong?”
I wondered suddenly what was the matter.
– I cannot fathom it.
– The Piercing Lightning was an unstable, one-time-use item in form, but even so, crafting an SSS-Grade item at this point in time was something that made no sense.
– To create another SSS-Grade item once more, even if it is the result of repairing and refashioning a Remnant of Myth…….
She suddenly began to praise me lavishly.
Was this what they called a sudden outburst of praise?
Even though she’d called me impressive before, I didn’t recall her ever expressing such frank amazement like this.
I couldn’t help but wonder why she was doing this all of a sudden.
After a brief moment.
– ……I understand.
– I, too, shall endeavor to assist you with the utmost diligence henceforth.
“Um…… thank you?”
She suddenly declared her resolution like that.
I’m grateful, certainly, but I have no idea why she’s suddenly being like this.
And honestly, I’m starting to wonder if there’s even anything left for Ember to assist with.
At any rate, now that the apron is finished.
‘Should I try it on?’
I put it on right away.
Unlike Geoeung’s Stamina Apron, this one was a bright scarlet.
The moment I fastened the apron around my waist.
“Huh?”
I felt a pleasant warmth settle over me.
This must be the effect of Temperature Control Level 2, wasn’t it?
It doesn’t seem to have much impact right now.
But later, when I’m crafting difficult items and heat or cold builds up around me, it should prove helpful.
Especially since I can’t afford for my hands or arms to go stiff from the cold—it’s definitely a useful ability for a blacksmith.
So I’d fastened the apron.
‘Should I try making something right away?’
I was about to test out its performance when.
“Master! Please rest a moment! You’ll hurt yourself at this rate! Noum is worried!”
Noum’s anxious voice reached my ears.
And at that very moment.
Grrrrowwwl—
My stomach made its opinion known.
“Well then, shall we eat first?”
Even the grandest vista is best appreciated on a full stomach.
So I decided to take a meal break.
Making the apron had consumed quite a bit of stamina; my body had no strength left in it anyway.
* * *
Perhaps it was the aftereffect of crafting an SSS-Grade item.
All the strength had drained from my body.
So, to restore myself.
Today’s menu was.
“Master, I’ve brought it.”
“Thank you, Serin!”
Ta-da.
Samgyetang—ginseng chicken soup.
Wasn’t that the classic choice for restoration?
Of course, since everyone had different tastes, I hadn’t ordered only that.
Galbitang for Serin.
Spicy Galbitang for Toran.
Rib Dumplings for Noum.
As for Grom.
“Squeee! Grom like meat!”
“Eat well.”
I’d ordered several extra-large portions of Assorted Boiled Meat for him.
And so.
“I’ll eat well!”
“I’ll eat well, Master.”
“Hahaha! Looks delicious!”
“Squeee!”
“Noum!”
The restoration feast had begun.
The refreshing samgyetang.
With just the right amount of salt, it had an exquisite depth of flavor.
The chicken was tender, the broth rich and savory.
After finishing an entire bowl, I felt strength flooding back into my body.
Of course, one bowl wasn’t enough, so I emptied a second helping as well.
I still can’t believe it, even seeing it with my own eyes.
That I’d eaten all that much by myself.
It seems a blacksmith’s caloric expenditure is far from ordinary.
As I was eating the samgyetang.
“The master’s body had flames erupting from it! He was getting burned! Noum poured potion on him! But the flames kept coming! Noum kept pouring more potion!”
“…Master, is that truly what happened?”
“Well, there wasn’t much choice. I had to use the apron I was already wearing as material.”
“Then you should have at least made a temporary apron and worn that!”
“That’s true, but I was so eager to finish it quickly…….”
“No, Master. You must always put your body first. If you’re going to do dangerous work like that, you should have called me at the very least!”
“You’re right, little one.”
“Squeak! The body comes first!”
“I’ll do that next time. For now, let’s eat!”
Noum brought up what had happened a moment before.
Serin’s scolding continued on from there.
Still, I hadn’t expected her to nag quite this much.
Though I suppose it’s all said with my welfare in mind, so I don’t take it badly.
In any case, after we finished eating.
“Well, shall we get started right away?”
“Master, please rest a bit longer!”
“Ah, there’s nothing to rest from. I’m already fine and dandy. Not a mark on me.”
“But still…….”
“I mean it. Come on, everyone—let’s work hard today! Fighting!”
I headed straight into the Time Smithy.
Why was I pushing so hard to get into the smithy right away?
Well, naturally.
‘How could I possibly wait?’
The SSS-Grade item I’d crafted.
I wanted to test the performance of the Hwahwan Cloth.
The moment I arrived at the smithy, I examined the materials in the Warehouse.
To test this apron’s true capabilities, ordinary materials wouldn’t do.
Materials I usually handled with caution or used in limited quantities because of their danger.
For example.
[ Flame Stone ]
[ Ice Stone ]
Ores imbued with such powerful elemental force.
[ Killer Bee Poison Stinger ]
[ Green Poison Snake Venom Sac ]
Monster materials infused with deadly toxins.
Now I could use such things as freely as I wished.
For starters, I picked up a Flame Stone in simple fashion.
The Flame Stone that was mainly found in Zone 2.
Back then it had been considered fairly rare, but it seemed elemental stones came far more abundantly from Zone 3 than expected.
So there was no shortage in supply.
I’d held back a bit since it was a somewhat precious ore.
Besides, it was tricky to work with.
Seeing it now.
‘Should I try it?’
I recalled the Piercing Lightning I’d made in the past.
Back then, in my haste, I’d gathered all the Thunder Stones desperately and forced the smelting.
But now I could likely craft the item far more properly than I had then.
With that thought.
[ Special Crafting Skill activated. ]
I began the special craft immediately.
I used the same blueprint as when I’d made the Piercing Lightning.
Then, this time, I substituted Flame Stone for the Thunder Stone, using the exact same quantity as before.
And then.
[ Crafting begins. ]
I started crafting.
With vigor, having fortified my body with Samgyetang.
Clang!
I swung the hammer.
The memory of making the Piercing Lightning remained intact.
Piercing Lightning.
No—the first step in creating the Piercing Flame was, as always.
‘Compression.’
This is it.
I continue striking the Flame Stone, compressing dozens of them together.
As the Flame Stone reaches its limit, its surface cracks.
And the pure flame within begins to reveal itself.
Yet I don’t stop.
Clang!
I swing the hammer.
The surface shatters, exposing the flickering flame beneath, which compresses further as the remaining impurities burn away.
I repeat the process over and over.
Compress, shatter, compress, shatter.
Even this alone is grueling work.
But the truly difficult part is, as always, the flame itself.
When I crafted the Piercing Lightning, I smelted the Thunder Stone and electricity sparked in all directions, shocking me.
Now.
Whoosh!
Bright red flames burst upward, licking at my body.
Since I’m smelting dozens of Flame Stones, the volume far exceeds what I faced when making the Hwahwan Cloth.
The heat is so intense that a careless touch would mean far more than a light burn.
The flames are genuinely threatening.
Sizzle—
‘Good.’
The Hwahwan Cloth begins to work.
Fire Beast Protection, the special ability of the Hwahwan Cloth.
Thanks to its effect, all the flames bursting toward me are blocked and fade away.
It’s not just the flames that touch the apron being held back.
The Fire Beast Protection effect applies to my entire body, so every flame bursting toward me—not just those touching the apron—is completely blocked.
Because of that.
Clang!
I’m able to swing the hammer with ease.
And as I do, only the pure flame dwelling deep within the stone remains.
And as it does, even stronger flames threaten me.
Sizzle—
The Fire Beast Protection effect is remarkable.
No matter how fierce the fire, it has no effect on me whatsoever.
And thanks to Temperature Control Level 2, I barely feel any heat even as sparks dance before my eyes.
Meanwhile, the pure flame that remains gradually takes on the shape of an arrow under my hammering.
And not long after.
[ Crafting complete. ]
I finish creating it.
Will this arrow also be SSS-Grade?
I read the system message that appeared next, full of anticipation.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————