The Return of the Legendary Golden-Handed Blacksmith - Chapter 367

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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 367
367.
Hamud handed over materials to Jin-woo as if entranced.
“It has to be a specific material. You have it, don’t you? The Sacra Eternal Stone.”
At Jin-woo’s words, Hamud produced the Sacra Eternal Stone.
Whoooosh—
Hamud’s Sacra Eternal Stone was a premium specimen.
The first thing he had done after becoming director was to gather every quality material available in Sacra.
With these fine materials, he wanted to break through the limitations of Ether Cores.
But having good materials alone wasn’t enough.
“What can I do?”
Hamud asked.
“About the limitations that Ether Cores have.”
Jin-woo replied.
“Let me shatter them.”
Jin-woo recalled First’s new weapon, forged from Sacra Eternal Stone.
‘The limitation of Ether Cores is stability.’
Because of this stability issue, output suffered. Jin-woo had approached solving this by combining it with Magic Cores and Circulation.
But that was merely fusion.
Blending the strengths of each to reach a new level.
‘The fundamental problem with Ether Cores themselves wasn’t resolved.’
What Hamud wanted now was pure advancement of Ether Cores.
‘If I think about it simply, it’s clear.’
Amplification.
Create another core inside the Ether Core.
Make an Ether Core—not a Magic Core—and circulate it to amplify the effect.
‘So they can resonate and grow together.’
Jin-woo immediately began carving the Sacra Eternal Stone.
‘With a Sacra Eternal Stone, I can withstand the amplification and resonance of an Ether Core.’
Through the crafting of the Eternal Hammer this time, Jin-woo had grasped just how resilient this mineral was.
At first glance, it appeared delicate and noble, but to maintain that noble appearance, it possessed tremendous strength.
‘It’s like a great-souled person.’
If resonance is achieved, it can embrace anything.
‘Very powerfully, at that.’
Clang! Clang! Clang!
This time, Jin-woo carved the Sacra Eternal Stone into the shape of a shield.
‘First’s hammer is a one-handed weapon.’
Which meant one hand would be free.
‘I should craft something to match that.’
Clang! Clang!
Hamud held his breath as Jin-woo continued his work.
“You are…….”
He finally had no choice but to speak.
“Extraordinary…….”
His skill was extraordinary. Combined, all the Blacksmiths and Mechanical Engineers in Sacra would fall short of Jin-woo.
“Even Baxter would be no match for you…….”
Baxter had returned with his apprentice, but where in the world had he found someone like this?
“Where on earth were you hiding?”
Hamud couldn’t believe it.
Clang! Clang!
Jin-woo then extended his hand to Hamud.
“……?”
“Runestone.”
Now came the most crucial moment—receiving the Runestone.
From the scattered Runestones nearby, Hamud picked the brightest one and handed it to Jin-woo.
“You carve Ether Cores like this, right?”
Jin-woo asked Hamud.
‘First, I need to learn Hamud’s Ether Core Crafting.’
But he was currently in a state of Demonification.
Normally, he would never agree to explain.
“……My Ether Core Theory is…….”
Yet Hamud began teaching Jin-woo his Ether Core Theory.
“It’s not something you can learn in a few words. The years I spent establishing and carving according to this theory…….”
After listening to the explanation, Jin-woo’s brow furrowed slightly.
‘It’s quite complex.’
He could see the effort Hamud was making to convey the Ether Core Theory.
Ding!
—You have learned Hamud’s Ether Core Crafting!
‘There are parts that align with the Ether Core Theory I learned from Tabuk.’
But Tabuk’s theory had many gaps.
Combined with Hamud’s theory, it became complete.
Crack.
Jin-woo moved the Wave Carving Knife.
Carefully.
Little by little. He traced Ether into the stone.
Since this wasn’t inscribing a Runeword, he needed greater concentration.
‘I need to create two Ether Cores in the Runestone.’
Amplification.
Resonance and Circulation of Ether Cores.
As the Runestone was gradually carved by Jin-woo, Hamud’s eyes widened.
“Just now…….”
In that moment, Hamud realized what Jin-woo was attempting.
“I just taught you that if you complete an Ether Core in that manner, it won’t respond.”
This was the wrong approach.
“That’s the wrong direction.”
An incorrect answer born from excessive confidence. Hamud’s expression darkened. Was he holding unrealistic expectations because of the earlier Hammering?
But Jin-woo didn’t stop.
“The problem isn’t the direction.”
Jin-woo smirked.
“It’s your technique.”
Jin-woo’s hands moved without hesitation.
He carved Ether into the Runestone, and Ether into that Ether.
“Ether Amplification.”
As Jin-woo began amplifying the Ether, the weak force gradually intensified. But only briefly. The unique power inherent in Ether immediately suppressed the rapidly growing force, bringing it under control.
“Advanced Circulation.”
Jin-woo applied Circulation. He circulated even that control itself, allowing the Ether to amplify.
“The Ether…….”
Hamud’s mouth fell open.
“It’s being amplified…….”
Short-term amplification was something Hamud himself had succeeded with several times. But the amplification never lasted. To solve that, something else had to be mixed in.
And that something else was a Magic Core.
Magic Cores possess tremendous strength.
That strength was something Ether Cores lacked. Similarly, what Ether Cores offered, Magic Cores did not have.
Hamud knew better than anyone that mixing the two forces yielded an efficient core. The deeper he researched Ether Cores, the more acutely he felt it.
But there was a way.
“There was a method.”
Jin-woo was showing it to him now.
Crack. Boom.
An Ether Core within an Ether Core was complete.
‘This is different from placing three Magic Cores.’
Three Magic Cores literally mesh with each other to create greater Synergy and provide Stability. But creating an Ether Core within an Ether Core was intentionally introducing instability.
‘So you amplify it.’
Deliberately creating instability was as difficult as deliberately creating stability.
Sweat poured down Jin-woo’s forehead.
Focus.
He needed more focus. If the completion faltered at the end, it wouldn’t connect with the Sacra Eternal Stone he’d prepared earlier.
That would be meaningless.
Crack!
—You have completed the Ether Amplification Core!
Thump. Thump. Thump.
It pulsed like a heart. Hamud slowly approached.
“It wasn’t impossible.”
Hamud’s eyes glistened with moisture.
Jin-woo had perfected the Ether Core Theory.
He had solved the problem that had remained unsolved by compensating for the output deficit through amplification.
Strength drained from Hamud’s body.
Jin-woo placed the Ether Amplification Core into the Sacra Eternal Stone shield.
This was the most crucial part.
‘I’ll make the two materials resonate.’
The Ether Amplification Core was meant to be placed at the center of the Sacra Eternal Stone shield.
‘From this center, the Ether Amplification Core will serve the shield’s many functions.’
Functions like increasing defensive power or adding an additional defensive layer over the shield—roles that Magic Cores would normally handle.
‘Magic Cores are installed in visible places, but Ether Cores are supposed to be hidden.’
Hiding Ether Cores was the standard practice.
But Jin-woo was breaking all those unwritten rules.
Whoooosh—
—You have created equipment!
—You have created MR+ Grade equipment!
Shiiiiing—!
Purple steam rose.
—You have created the Mechanical Engineering Amplified Eternal Shield!
A magnificent piece of Mechanical Engineering equipment containing only Ether Cores, centered on the Ether Amplification Core, had been completed.
“Hamud.”
Jin-woo approached Hamud and handed over the shield.
“This is my answer.”
“…….”
Hamud looked at the shield Jin-woo offered.
“At the center…… an Ether Core…….”
Hamud too knew the limitations of Ether Cores and had never placed one at the center.
To maintain Stability, an Ether Core had to be in the safest possible location.
Unlike Magic Cores, it couldn’t be the focal point of a material. It was only ever auxiliary.
Hamud had identified himself with such an Ether Core.
His own life had been the same.
He had wanted to live a protagonist’s life but could not.
Yet in this moment.
At Jin-woo’s fingertips, the Ether Core had become the protagonist.
The Ether Amplification Core.
“Your answer.”
Hamud said.
“It’s more than satisfying.”
Ding!
—Quest updated!
—You have completed Hamud’s Ether Core Theory with your own answer!
—Hamud’s regret fades.
Rumble—
The tower began to shake.
‘This isn’t over.’
Hamud had two objectives.
One was completing this Ether Core in the form he desired.
The other was reviving his dead lover.
‘These two are actually connected.’
Why did he want to complete this Ether Core?
‘Because I want to show it to her. I want to prove she was right.’
In other words.
‘I wanted to show her my excellence. That her choice was correct.’
To do that, he ultimately had to revive his dead lover.
So now he had to persuade.
‘Now is the time.’
“You said you want to revive your dead lover. But if she comes back because you sacrificed all of Sacra, do you really think she’d be happy?”
“…….”
Hamud looked at Jin-woo.
‘I already know.’
He knew all too well that what bound him was his own attachment.
Yet still, he wanted to bring her back.
‘There must be a reason to bring her back.’
“You wanted to show her this, didn’t you? You wanted to complete the Ether Core Theory and show it to her?”
“……Yes.”
Strength returned to Hamud’s body.
He had done all of this for that.
He couldn’t stop now.
“Your crafting was magnificent. A tremendous step forward. But…….”
This tremendous step was a step with a destination.
So Hamud couldn’t abandon that destination.
‘I’ve satisfied Hamud with my Blacksmith abilities.’
Jin-woo had another Profession.
‘Next is Necromancer.’
He couldn’t fully revive her, but he could bring her back for a limited time, enough to satisfy Hamud.
“Hamud. If I temporarily revive Roana so you can show her this completed Ether Core Theory and speak with her, could you let it all go?”
“!”
At Jin-woo’s words, Hamud stared at him with bewilderment.
“Temporarily…… revive her?”
“I can’t fully revive her. But temporarily, it’s possible.”
Hamud’s lips trembled violently.
Jin-woo didn’t wait for an answer.
“Soul Sight.”
Whoooosh—!
Jin-woo thought her soul must be near Hamud.
Rumble! Rumble!
The tower was crumbling faster. He had to find her quickly.
‘Since it binds him like chains, her soul would naturally be close by.’
Sure enough, a very faint soul appeared.
‘This is problematic.’
The soul was so faint that calling it with Response of the Dead seemed like it would scatter immediately.
‘But it’s enough.’
He didn’t need to hold her for long. She probably had things she wanted to tell Hamud right now.
If those words were conveyed, that would suffice.
But only for a moment.
“Krrrrgh—!”
Hamud cried out.
His wings and horns trembled violently.
His eyes bloodshot, he expelled something.
Crack! Crackle!
The demon shook Hamud’s body. It was trying to escape.
“No. We made a Contract. Right now I…… right now I can finally see Roana…….”
But Hamud violently expelled something.
And the demon appeared.
“What foolishness is this.”
Whoooosh—!
A powerful dark Aura erupted from his body.
The demon that had emerged from Hamud spoke.
“Contract violation, pitiful human. How dare you wish for the Tower of Wishes’s power, only to think your wish is already granted with such audacity.”
Hamud no longer had horns or wings.
“You orchestrated this.”
The demon looked at Jin-woo.
—You have encountered Faust, the demon of the Tower of Wishes!
“Greetings, formally now.”
He bowed his head respectfully.
“Faust, then.”
The moment he introduced himself, the crumbling tower stopped. As if nothing had happened, quiet fell over the surroundings.
Faust approached Hamud and bent at the waist. The collapsed Hamud was in considerably weakened condition.
“Humans are fascinating creatures. You say life has different weights, yet you’ll sacrifice thousands to save one. And then you’ll discard thousands of sacrifices for that one again?”
Faust wore a sharp suit.
‘Oh.’
Jin-woo recognized him instantly.
‘He’s the demon of wishes, alright.’
Faust looked at Hamud with a pitiful expression.
“It was proceeding quite entertainingly. But look what we have at the end. Hamud. Didn’t I promise you would gain many souls?”
“……I realized it was futile. I already knew. I was already aware that I was heading down the wrong path.”
“Haha. Hahahahahaha.”
Faust laughed maniacally at Hamud.
“You’re only realizing this now? Could it be you’ve also figured out who’s responsible for all of this?”
“……?”
Hamud stared at Faust.
“What do you mean…….”
“The reason you came seeking me out.”
Then he spoke as if whispering.
“It was my plan from the start. I thought it would be amusing to corrupt you. Your soul looked so tempting, so ripe for corruption.”
“……!”
Hamud was hollow now—only a shell remained after Faust had drained him.
Nothing but emptiness.
Even so, at those words, Hamud clenched his teeth hard.
Rage ignited.
Even in his empty body, rage remained.
“You……!”
“Yes. Regrettable, isn’t it? The grand finale would have ended with your lover’s soul disappearing along with mine. That would have made your soul corrupt even more—truly delicious.”
Hamud tried to push himself up.
He had been played.
It was all the demon’s doing from the beginning!
“My apologies.”
Faust laughed mockingly. To ridicule Hamud, he placed apologies on his lips.
“But isn’t it your own fault for being so stupidly deceived? Your family did so much for you. Yet people all suspected your family! How entertaining it was to witness.”
“Uuuuugh——.”
Hamud was helpless and despairing.
Then Jin-woo snapped his fingers.
In that instant, Hamud looked at Jin-woo with desperate eyes.
“Show…… me, please.”
Hamud spoke.
“You showed me that my Ether Core Theory could be a correct answer…… I need to truly see it…… I don’t want revenge or anything like that. I foolishly fell for his deception, as he said. I brought all this upon myself……so…….”
Jin-woo smiled.
“Yeah.”
Snap.
Jin-woo waved his hand lightly.
“First.”
Boom. Crack. Boom!
With each movement, black steam rose from First’s entire body.
“Show her.”

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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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