The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 146

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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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Chapter 146
Chapter 146
The Dwarven hierarchy was peculiar.
Rather than a single-ruler system like a king or lord, it was a system where the “Elder Council”—composed of elder dwarves who were aged and wise—guided the dwarves forward.
That was precisely Moeldum’s political structure.
At this moment, I stood before the Dwarven Elder Council, explaining the battle against the evil god I had encountered.
Of course, I omitted any mention of the Black Worm God.
“So the Red Beast God has truly appeared.”
“We weren’t the only ones facing such a threat, then.”
“Indeed. Moreover, I’ve heard that in the south, fish-folk with white scales are advancing violently.”
“I see. That must be another evil god as well.”
“Are evil gods awakening across the entire continent?”
“No—it appears we’ve already surpassed the awakening stage. The Red Beast God has fallen, and here in Moeldum, an evil god is already revealing its power.”
The elders nodded at my words.
I wondered if I should prove my strength to them as I had with Brak.
Surprisingly, the elders were easy to communicate with.
Especially—
‘They know much about evil gods.’
They were familiar not only with the Red Beast God but also with the Green Stone God attacking them and the names of other evil gods besides.
It was evidence of their extensive knowledge regarding evil gods.
Having lived hidden underground without contact with the surface, they seemed to have preserved history far more reliably than any other race.
“Let us proceed to the main matter.”
“Mir, do you believe you could defeat Moeldum’s evil god?”
“We need no optimistic platitudes. Speak the truth.”
The possibility of defeating the Green Stone God.
To know that, I first needed to understand Moeldum’s current state.
“Would you tell me of Moeldum’s present condition?”
“Very well, I shall.”
“Hepken Elder. Regardless, revealing Moeldum’s situation in such detail to a human we’ve just met seems…”
“From the moment it was proven that he defeated the Red Beast God, our only hope is Mir.”
“But…”
“Did you not see the golems erupting from the Lava Eruption Site? If we continue like this, we’ll either all perish or be forced to abandon Moeldum and flee.”
“Hmm… I understand.”
Usually, when one thinks of aged elders, the image is of stubborn old men.
The Dwarven elders were different.
In fact, they communicated far better than Brak did.
Of course, not all the elders agreed with his words, but by the rule of majority, they nodded calmly.
As I listened to the information about Moeldum that followed,
“Assuming you cooperate with me, there is one method.”
“Oho!”
“What is that?”
“Tell me quickly.”
I could think of one method.
However.
“Before that, there’s one thing I must ask of you.”
I couldn’t overlook the matter of compensation.
While I had originally intended to defeat the evil god, the fundamental reason I came here was something else entirely.
The dwarves, understanding that my words referred to ‘compensation,’ nodded and spoke.
“Yes, we should discuss compensation.”
“We dwarves aren’t so shameless as to renege on our debts. Rest assured, we intend to provide proper compensation.”
“Is there something you desire? As a starting point, we intend to have Moeldum’s finest master craftsman create a complete set of custom equipment for you.”
“Furthermore, we shall forge your weapon using Moeldum’s finest minerals. From what I observed of your previous attack, you’re a spear master, yes? We’ll craft the continent’s greatest spear for you.”
True to dwarven nature, the compensation discussed centered on equipment.
However, no matter how exceptional dwarven-crafted equipment might be, it held little significance for me.
Even if Moeldum’s greatest master craftsman were to create a legendary-tier equipment set, my subspace warehouse—which Luke currently maintained—already contained mythic-tier equipment.
Any equipment created would simply be consigned to the Auction House.
Well, dwarven-crafted equipment would certainly fetch a considerable price on its own.
“Equipment isn’t necessary.”
“Surely you don’t underestimate the craftsmanship of dwarven hands?”
“Even though we’ve severed our ties with the continent, surely humans haven’t forgotten the mastery of dwarven artisans.”
“Time is cruel indeed.”
“That’s not it. Rather than equipment….”
Something more important than dwarven equipment.
The true reason I came here was precisely.
“Please allow me to use the Smithy.”
“The Smithy?”
“Hmm.”
My purpose was to use the Smithy.
With it, I intended to craft mythic-tier equipment that I could either use myself or sell at the Auction House.
Though realistically, even if decent equipment emerged, it would be difficult to create something worthy of my use.
“Of all things, the Smithy.”
“The Smithy is a sacred place that only Moeldum’s master craftsmen may use.”
“What exactly do you intend to do with the Smithy?”
The Elders questioned my request.
To which I naturally replied.
“I intend to process this.”
I produced the hide of the Red Beast God’s apostle.
“The hide of an evil god….”
“Indeed, only Moeldum’s Smithy could process material of such caliber.”
“It would be impossible in an ordinary smithy. Only the Grand Elder’s Smithy—Moeldum’s finest—would suffice.”
“Then seeking the Grand Elder’s permission would be the correct answer.”
My gaze and that of the dwarves turned toward the dwarf referred to as the Grand Elder.
The dwarf with the longest beard among all the elders.
And the very same dwarf who had shown a more favorable attitude than the others just moments ago, accepting my proposal.
As expected, the dwarf called the Grand Elder
“I understand.”
nodded in response to my request.
“I shall not only lend you the Smithy, but I myself will do my utmost to assist in the crafting.”
“Oh, the Grand Elder himself.”
“Good. Then we make our pledge as well.”
“I shall provide the finest ore mined from the Mine as compensation.”
“To process leather, we must first perform tanning. Should we succeed, I shall provide the tanning agents passed down through generations in our clan.”
“I as well….”
With that, the contract was sealed.
In truth, this was merely the bare minimum of the agreement—the atmosphere suggested that if I simply defeated the Beast God, they’d offer me everything down to the liver and gallbladder.
Had these been players, I would have been anxious without a proper written contract.
But with dwarves, I could trust them.
Even in First, dwarves were an honest race incapable of falsehood.
“Then, let us hear it. What must we do to defeat the Beast God?”
And so, the formal strategy meeting to defeat the Beast God began.
* * *
The meeting had concluded.
Given the urgent situation with golems now appearing even from the Lava Eruption Site, the dwarves immediately completed their preparations for departure.
The valiant dwarven warriors, of course.
“Are we really going as well?”
“We’re confident in our hammering, but we don’t know how to fight golems….”
“It’s fine. Didn’t you hear your roles? I won’t be ordering the blacksmiths to attack the golems, so don’t worry.”
“But….”
They’d even called the blacksmiths.
Of course, many of the blacksmiths were anxious at the news of going to fight.
After all, these were the very blacksmiths who had been startled when they saw the Lava Golem at the Smithy.
“Now then, let us depart.”
“Mir, let’s go. Guide us to Moeldum Mine.”
“Yes.”
I moved toward the Mine alongside the dwarves.
Brak took on the role of guide.
The Mine was the place where the Beast God’s influence was currently strongest.
As such, the blacksmiths followed behind us with anxiety, as if being suddenly dragged to the battlefield.
“This is Moeldum Mine, also called the lifeblood of Moeldum!”
Thanks to the cart, our movement was swift.
True to its nature as a mine within an underground city teeming with master blacksmiths, the entrance itself was of tremendous proportions.
As I ventured inward, passages branching off in various directions came into view.
“The dark sections are already exhausted mines where ore extraction has ceased. Originally they were sealed off, but the golems have broken through them as they emerged.”
“Where are the golems appearing most frequently at present?”
“While their influence spreads throughout, the location spawning the greatest number of golems is undoubtedly the First Abandoned Mine.”
“That place?”
“Yes—Moeldum’s first mine and the one known to descend deepest into the earth. I suspect an evil god may be lurking at the far end.”
“Then let us enter the First Abandoned Mine at once.”
“Phew, this is nerve-wracking.”
I had come here to defeat an evil god, after all.
There was no point in hesitating. I headed straight for the location with the highest probability of harboring the evil god and where golems appeared most frequently.
The First Abandoned Mine, entered thus,
‘was vast.’
It boasted an immense scale wholly at odds with the name “mine.”
It seemed less a mine passage and more a colossal hall.
It was spacious enough for five golems to romp about freely.
“Impressive, is it not? One could call it the legacy left behind by Moeldum’s ancestors.”
The legacy of ancestors.
Such words were fitting.
Had they not been dwarves, creating an underground mine of this scale would have been impossible.
Yet its condition did not appear sound.
It must have been well-maintained originally, but from the scars of battle with golems, the wooden pillars supporting the passages were shattered and the walls were deeply gouged.
The mine bore damage throughout its expanse.
Most significantly, not long after entering the mine,
“Grrrrrrrrr—.”
a single golem burst forth.
It differed from the golems that had emerged in the rocky terrain above.
‘An Iron Golem.’
A golem whose body was composed not of stone but of iron.
As such, the Iron Golem was a superior entity far more formidable than the Stone Golem.
“We shall take the front line!”
The dwarven warriors stepped forward at this, but—
“Allow me to attempt this alone.”
“You’ve gained confidence from battling the Stone Golems above, but Iron Golems are on an entirely different level!”
“If you let your pride run away with you, you’ll be flattened by those iron fists!”
“Brak, what are you doing! Convince him at once! If this continues—”
“It might actually work out…”
“Brak, what did you say?”
“Let’s observe for now. If it becomes dangerous, won’t he ask for help? Direct experience teaches far more certainly than lengthy explanation.”
“Hmm…”
I had no intention of accepting the dwarves’ assistance.
This wasn’t mere stubbornness on my part.
If I accepted their help, the strategy I’d discussed with the dwarves would fall apart.
“Grrrrrrrrr—.”
As the dwarves withdrew, I charged toward the Iron Golem barreling toward me, dragging its massive frame.
At the same time, I drew the hammer I’d used earlier from above.
– Using 3rd Circle earth magic ‘Ground Wave’.
I employed the same spell I’d cast back then.
Crash!!
I swung the hammer with all my might toward the Iron Golem.
The impact was tremendous.
The Iron Golem staggered, but I too felt an enormous vibration coursing through the hammer.
My entire body resonated with a tingling sensation.
The attack had definitely connected properly.
“Grrrrrrrrr—.”
Yet the Iron Golem remained unscathed.
Stone Golems would crumble under this attack.
Even the remnants of the evil god that guarded the Entrance could barely withstand it, yet the Iron Golem endured without difficulty.
“Look at that!”
“Damn it, how reckless!”
“I knew this would happen.”
“We should help him now!”
The dwarven warriors who witnessed this immediately moved to assist me.
“Wait just a moment longer.”
“Brak, what are you doing!”
“This is genuinely dangerous if we leave it!”
“Just trust me. I’ve seen something that tells me this will work. Give me a bit more time to observe.”
Fortunately, Brak held them back effectively.
Meanwhile.
I retreated slightly from the Iron Golem, feeling the lingering vibration in my hands, and smiled faintly.
“Found it.”
My previous attack wasn’t meant to damage the Iron Golem at all.
This strike was solely to locate the Iron Golem’s vital point through the vibrations.
And through that last attack, I had successfully pinpointed the Iron Golem’s weakness.
The location of the golem’s mana core.
“Luke, draw Barissada for me.”
– Yes, Master.
The weapon I then drew was.
[ Witch’s Magical Sword, Barissada ]
( Non-Tradeable )
Form: Sword
Grade: Legendary
Requirement: Level 600 or higher, Sword Mastery Lv 60 or higher, Intelligence 1,000 or higher
Description: A magical sword crafted by the witch Farelina to slay Roland, known as the foremost of Charlemagne’s Twelve Paladins.
It was a blade called Durandal.
Unlike ordinary swords, it manifested in a semi-transparent form, emanating a subtle magical aura.
The legend of this Durandal was this:
*Slash!*
It passes through objects and cleaves them asunder.
And in First—
No, in Second—
– The skill ‘Crimson Field Blood Claw’ activates.
*Scrape.*
That ability was implemented under the name ‘Defense Penetration Effect’.

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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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