I Became an SSS-Grade Time-Transcending Almighty Blacksmith - Chapter 96

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 96
Episode 96
Guild Founding.
This wasn’t a decision I’d made on impulse.
I’d been turning it over in my mind for quite some time.
Since I wasn’t a combat-type Awakener, I needed people to protect me.
Yet if I aligned myself with another organization to receive protection, I’d inevitably sacrifice my freedom as a blacksmith.
So the only remaining path was to establish a guild myself and nurture those capable of safeguarding me.
But that wasn’t all.
‘I need people to handle administration on my behalf.’
My commissions and creations were multiplying by the day.
My note inbox had reached critical overload—notes arriving faster than one per second, or so it seemed.
There was no way I could manage it alone.
Even if I could, it would be hopelessly inefficient.
The time spent reviewing notes would be better spent crafting another item.
So I wanted to delegate this as well.
To do that properly, it seemed wise to establish a guild as my focal point.
And so.
– Guild founding, I suppose.
I brought the matter up with the Association President.
The Association President had already told me to reach out whenever I needed anything.
Besides, founding a guild required formal registration with the Awakener Association.
When I mentioned my intention to establish a guild, the Association President paused thoughtfully before responding.
– What if you joined the Association formally instead, rather than starting a guild?
– I’ll stake my reputation on it and promise you we’ll never make unreasonable demands.
He made this proposal.
The Association.
Many Awakeners distrust it, but I was different.
I wasn’t like them.
Having built a trust with the Association President personally, I felt genuine goodwill toward the Association.
But still.
“Even so, I’d inevitably face restrictions I can’t avoid. Instead, I’ll stay as close to the Association as possible—just as I am now.”
Even his promise couldn’t be absolute.
I trusted the Association President.
But he ultimately served the government.
If those above him pressured me into something, he’d have no choice but to obey orders.
More than anything, even if the Association cultivated Awakeners, they would serve the Association—not me.
What I needed now was my own force—Awakeners who’d stand as my assistants, loyal to me alone.
Sensing the conviction behind my words.
– ……I see.
The Association President stopped pressing and accepted my decision.
– Have you decided on the guild’s name?
A guild’s name mattered.
So I’d given it considerable thought.
Everyone wanted to choose something impressive.
But a guild name was best kept straightforward and intuitive.
It should immediately convey the flavor and character of my creation.
I’d considered names like “Steel Hammer,” but consulting other guild names in the process.
“I’d like to go with ‘Steel’—would that work?”
I decided on Steel.
Steel Guild.
Straightforward, bold, unmistakably mine—wasn’t it perfect?
The problem was.
– It’s already taken, I’m afraid.
As it turned out.
There was already a guild registered under that name.
I’d anticipated something like this, so I had prepared alternative names to suggest.
– But it’s a ghost guild—exists in name only, with no active operations.
– I’ll handle the administrative work.
Fortunately, the Association President managed everything smoothly.
But that’s not all.
“Though I should mention—to establish a guild, you typically need minimum membership requirements and a certain number of Gate clears on record…….”
– None of that matters.
– Those are all just formalities for credibility anyway.
– Everyone in Korea—every Awakener—understands Kang Cheol-mangchi’s creditworthiness. There won’t be any issues.
He’d waived the minimum conditions needed for guild establishment.
I’d been prepared to negotiate with the Association President over this.
But it resolved far more easily than expected.
As we continued discussing guild formation after that,
– Now we need to start recruiting guild members, right?
“Yes, but first—rather than combat personnel, I’m thinking we should hire administrative staff first. Someone to handle the clerical work.”
– So you haven’t decided on anyone yet, then.
“No, I’ll need to look around from here on out.”
The conversation turned to the matter of a secretary.
And this was the problem.
Recruiting combat-capable Awakeners seemed manageable enough.
But my own secretary—how was I supposed to hire for that?
As I wrestled with that dilemma,
– Would it be all right if I recommended someone?
the Association President offered a new suggestion.
* * *
The Awakener Association.
As the governing body handling all of Korea’s guilds, Awakeners, Gates, and monsters,
the number of staff working there was staggering.
Among them were not only ordinary employees but many Awakeners as well.
And among those,
“Wow, Lee Seo-yoon, that’s impressive! You finished already?”
“Yes! It wasn’t that difficult, honestly.”
“Ha, our new recruit really is something!”
Lee Seo-yoon.
She was an exceptionally talented employee.
But perhaps because of that very talent,
she excelled at administrative tasks and could spot irregularities that others missed.
“……Corruption?”
Team Lead Park had been embezzling Mana Stones purchased from Awakeners.
Section Chief Kim had been selectively granting Gate-clearing rights to affiliated guilds through school connections.
Department Head Min and others were accepting bribes from guilds.
The entire team was engulfed in large and small instances of misconduct,
“Lee Seo-yoon, it’s a misunderstanding!”
“Wait, wait—just listen to me! That’s not what it is!”
“Bribery? It wasn’t bribery—just treating her to a meal! Or not even treating, just—you know, sharing a bite to eat!”
All of them scrambled desperately to explain themselves,
“I’ve already reported it. You can offer your explanations to the Audit Team.”
“Lee Seo-yoon! Are you really doing this?!”
She reported every single incident.
Even a colleague who’d been misusing the corporate card.
From the Association’s perspective, it was the right thing to do,
“……That’s her, right? The one who reported her entire team.”
“Scary. Really scary.”
“I mean, she did the right thing, but… I wouldn’t want to be on her team.”
The Association’s employees had begun to shun her.
It was inevitable.
Lee Seo-yoon had done nothing wrong, but no one wanted to work alongside someone who’d essentially dismantled their entire team.
In that situation,
“……The Association President?”
The Association President himself
had sought her out directly.
And then
“Do you know Kang Cheol-mangchi?”
“……How could I not? The world’s first and only Blacksmith Awakener.”
To her, who had never spread her wings within the Association’s structure and had grown weary of it.
“Have you no interest in assisting him?”
“Really? You mean the Kang Cheol-mangchi I know?!”
came a new proposal.
* * *
I hadn’t expected the Association President to recommend one of their own staff.
I’d asked if that was acceptable, but the suggestion came back that while he vouched for her competence, I should at least have a conversation with her.
If the Association President himself was recommending her, she seemed trustworthy enough.
So I decided to conduct an interview.
“Kang Cheol-mangchi! Is it really you?!”
“Yes, it is, but…”
“I’m a fan!”
“…Excuse me?”
“I was already convinced you were a blacksmith back when others weren’t even sure!”
“Ah…”
“I’ve been watching you ever since! And now I actually get to meet you in person! I can’t believe it!”
Her personality was far brighter than I’d expected.
The Association President had given the impression she had a rather cool demeanor.
I glanced at the Association President, who simply turned his head away in embarrassment.
Well, a bright personality wasn’t a problem in itself.
“You’re Lee Seo-yoon, correct?”
“Yes!”
“Do you know why you’re here?”
“Yes, I was told! I heard you’re looking for a secretary to manage your schedule as a blacksmith and to oversee the Steel Guild you’ll be founding!”
She got straight to the point.
That was good—she understood the situation.
Now we could move on to the serious part of the interview.
Since I was looking for a secretary to work with going forward, I wasn’t about to hire carelessly.
Even if the Association President had recommended her, I needed to verify her abilities.
With that in mind, I
set down
five items on the table with a soft thud.
Different required levels, different item types, different grades.
Five completely different items.
Holding them, I asked:
“What would be a good price to list these on the Marketplace?”
That was my first question.
I’d founded a Guild, but I had no members yet.
So first, I needed to confirm whether she could be helpful to me as a blacksmith.
That’s what drove the question.
Through it, I could gauge how well she understood me and the items I’d created.
I’d planned to check how quickly and accurately she could find appropriate prices by searching for these items on the Marketplace, but—
“Oh, I know this one! The Red Mane Dagger—you just made that yesterday, right? You listed it for 2.5 million on the Marketplace, but I personally think you priced it too low. It should be at least 3 million. Maybe even more!”
“How did you…”
“Of course I’ve been watching! I know this one too. The common-grade series you upload regularly, but… the required level is different on this one. Still, looking at the average…”
My assumption was wrong.
She hadn’t looked up the information on the Marketplace.
All the data from the Marketplace was already stored in her head.
The Association President had told me she was competent, but I hadn’t expected anything like this.
She not only analyzed the prices of my items far more perfectly than I’d ever considered,
“I know you tend to set prices low. It’s about image, right?”
“I suppose so…”
“Even if you’re cornering the market, a bad reputation is hard to undo. Personally, I think it’s a good strategy.”
She’d perfectly analyzed my thoughts and intentions as well.
Then she continued:
“But even so, you’re pricing things too low. You can afford to charge more for higher-level gear without damaging your image at all.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely. You can see it just from the community consensus among Awakeners.”
“Thank you. And regarding commissions…”
“Your message inbox is probably overloaded by now, isn’t it?”
“Yes!”
“I can handle it myself, but I think we’d need to hire more Awakeners and divide the work according to your needs—sorting and verification across the board.”
“Hire more? But Awakeners are…….”
“There are plenty of Awakeners who avoid combat for various reasons. I’m one of them, actually. If you don’t mind investing a bit more money, I think this approach would serve you better.”
She’d laid out the entire strategic direction flawlessly.
Even pinpointing the commission problem that had been troubling me.
And that wasn’t all.
“You mentioned founding a guild, right? I have experience working at the Association, so I’m confident I can help with that side of things.”
“Oh.”
“Personally, I’d recommend growing step by step with quality members rather than expanding too quickly.”
“Ah, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“As expected of you! And also…….”
She gave me perfect advice on guild operations as well.
Her thinking even aligned remarkably well with my own.
So caught up in our discussion that I’d forgotten this was an interview.
I realized it was time to give her an answer.
The result was inevitable.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Seo-yoon.”
“Me too! I’m so excited to work with you, Kang Cheol-mangchi!”
She was hired.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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