The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 101

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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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Transcendent Blacksmith’s Regression — Episode 101
A note with a subject line so long it got cut off.
Though he hadn’t opened it yet, Shin Tae-ho could guess what it contained.
‘Is he asking to purchase other items on top of the spear I made for him before?’
Once people received high-quality items and used them, their standards naturally rose—they wanted something even better.
Shin Tae-ho had witnessed this cycle far too many times.
The old Shin Tae-ho, before he knew better, would have been thrilled that his work was appreciated.
But after Regression, after seeing every glory and every shame, things were different now.
‘I offered him goodwill because I thought he was someone who knew where to draw the line. Did I make a mistake?’
As Shin Tae-ho considered simply deleting the note, Park Je-hyuk’s face surfaced in his mind.
The image of him anxious yet insisting the transaction be fair, rummaging through his entire inventory to pull out Mandrake Seeds and Top-grade Runes.
And then the memory of him before Regression, burning himself out until the very end for humanity—Shin Tae-ho let out a sigh.
‘Fine. Let me at least read it.’
His resolve shifted, and Shin Tae-ho opened the note.
At first, his expression was blunt and disappointed.
But as he read through dozens of lines, his face shifted subtly with each word.
It was more letter than note, given how much text filled the page.
Within it were detailed accounts of the current state of the world and the situation in Korea.
Most importantly, Park Je-hyuk’s reason for sending the note was subtly different from what Shin Tae-ho had anticipated.
-…and so I humbly inquire whether you might consider trading with Rankers. If this is inconvenient for you, I sincerely apologize.
PS. Thanks to the Spiral-Bladed Long Spear you gave me, I’ve been able to climb the tower safely all this time. I’m grateful.
“So it wasn’t for his own use.”
Shin Tae-ho’s expression had grown complicated as he finished reading.
Of course, Park Je-hyuk was still asking him to make more items.
But the purpose wasn’t selfish—it was something closer to the public good, the safety and interests of the nation.
‘Selling items to Rankers, then…’
Shin Tae-ho wanted for nothing at the moment.
Since he spent most of his time on Sinterhorn, he didn’t immediately need large sums of money.
Just selling the Fragments of Energy he’d accumulated would instantly generate hundreds of millions of won.
If he ever truly needed serious capital, he could craft items and sell them for hundreds of billions without strain.
But there was always one thing Shin Tae-ho found himself thirsting for.
‘The way I obtained Mandrake Seeds and Runes from Park Je-hyuk… what if I sold through trade with Rankers?’
Having seen and crafted countless items before Regression, Shin Tae-ho’s eye for materials and his information network far surpassed that of ordinary people.
Good materials were always in demand, and the more he could gather, the better.
‘Tower.com is used by Awakeners worldwide, so its security system is sound. Using it would let me trade discreetly.’
Names, IP addresses, and all privacy features like the message box were encrypted—even the administrators couldn’t identify individual users.
Moreover, with the central server operating as a blockchain-based distributed file system, there was no risk of government seizure.
In other words, using Tower.com’s messaging would let him conduct trade secretly without revealing his identity.
Ding!
While Shin Tae-ho was lost in thought, simulating trade methods and calculating his gains,
a message from Choi Yu-hwa appeared as a smartphone popup.
-Shin Tae-ho! It looks like Bianca will arrive in about 5 hours. Where should we meet?
“Oh no.”
Shin Tae-ho snapped back to awareness and checked his watch.
He’d been so absorbed in thought, the way he used to be when he had all the time in the world on Sinterhorn, that hours had already slipped away.
After texting Choi Yu-hwa back with the meeting place and time, Shin Tae-ho nudged awake the sleeping Yong-ryong-i.
“Yong-ryong. Wake up. We’re heading out.”
“Ryong…? So… tired… want more sleep, ryong…?”
“Is that so? Fine then. We’ll eat those premium Swiss chocolates Bianca’s bringing when we get them.”
“Ryong-hot!”
At the mention of premium Swiss chocolate, Yong-ryong-i’s eyes snapped wide open.
Wiping drool from the corner of his mouth, Yong-ryong-i scrambled to his feet.
“I-I’m awake, ryong! I can come, ryong! Let’s go, ryong!”
“Why do you need to come? You can just eat it when I bring it back.”
“No way, ryong! Chocolate loses flavor in real time, ryong! You have to eat it the moment you get it, ryong!”
“No, chocolate doesn’t lose flavor just because a day passes…”
Shin Tae-ho was bewildered, but Yong-ryong-i was already dashing toward the bathroom.
Splashing and the sound of vigorous face-washing echoed from the bathroom.
‘…Did I really skimp on Yong-ryong-i’s snacks?’
Shin Tae-ho seriously wondered if there was some time he’d failed to buy chocolate for Yong-ryong-i.
* * *
News that Bianca, a World Ranker from Switzerland, was visiting had packed Incheon International Airport with people.
Choi Yu-hwa, emerging from the departure hall, was startled by the crowd of camera-wielding photographers.
“Wow. I’ve only ever seen scenes like this on the news when world-famous celebrities arrive. Seeing it in person is something else entirely.”
“Well, she’s a World Ranker after all. And what makes it bigger is that she’s not coming on business—she’s just here for vacation. The impact is much greater.”
In fact, World Rankers commanded celebrity and recognition as great as world-famous entertainment stars or athletes.
Yong-ryong-i, clutching a reluctant Pipi and muttering away, pouted with displeasure and thrust out his lower lip.
“It’s noisy here, Yong. When is Bianca coming out, Yong?”
“Just be patient a little longer, Yong-ryong-i.”
Shin Tae-ho soothed Yong-ryong-i and wiped away the drool from Pipi’s head.
Tears welled at the corners of Pipi’s eyes, trembling as his energy was being drained.
“Squeak… squeak…”
“Um… hey, Yong-ryong-i. Could you maybe put Pipi down? He looks pretty tired, you know…”
“No way! Pipi and I get along great, so he’s not tired at all!”
At Choi Yu-hwa’s words, Yong-ryong-i tucked Pipi deeper into his arms and shook his head vigorously.
But Shin Tae-ho firmly unwrapped Yong-ryong-i’s embrace, extracted Pipi, and returned him to Choi Yu-hwa.
As Yong-ryong-i gasped in shock with his mouth wide open, Shin Tae-ho slipped a piece of chocolate he’d prepared in his pocket into the creature’s mouth.
“Eat this and wait quietly. Pipi needs to rest too.”
“Squirm-squirm. I wasn’t bothering Pipi, Yong! We were playing together!”
“I know. But playing is tiring, isn’t it? Pipi is smaller than you, so his stamina is weaker too.”
“Is that so?! Okay, Yong! If he was tired, then I’m sorry!”
Persuaded by Shin Tae-ho’s explanation, Yong-ryong-i apologized to Pipi.
But whether he apologized or not, Pipi—exhausted—had already scurried into Choi Yu-hwa’s arms and buried his tired body in her embrace.
As Choi Yu-hwa patted Pipi, the crowd still watching the departure hall began to murmur.
Soon the departure hall doors opened, and Bianca emerged in refined fashion, sunglasses in place.
“Wow! It’s Bianca!”
“She’s a fan, unnie!”
“You’re Swiss, aren’t you? Could you look this way for us!”
“Ranker Bianca! What brings you to Korea?!”
“Did you pass the third floor safely?!”
The commotion grew louder at Bianca’s appearance.
Regardless, Bianca scanned her surroundings from within the space protected by her bodyguards.
Then, spotting Shin Tae-ho and Choi Yu-hwa, Bianca broke into a broad smile.
Bianca called over a few of her bodyguards, said something to them, and left her position.
As the crowd surged after Bianca in a rush.
The bodyguards who had broken through the throng approached Shin Tae-ho and Choi Yu-hwa.
“Good afternoon. Are you an Awakener? Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, I am. What’s the matter?”
“We understand you’re a friend of Ranker Bianca. She will be moving in a prepared vehicle. Since the area is off-limits to civilians, we’ll guide you there.”
“Oh…! Yes, yes…!”
Choi Yu-hwa, experiencing this for the first time, followed the bodyguard in a daze.
A few sharp-eyed reporters, who had been watching closely since Bianca gave orders to a bodyguard, approached.
“Hello! Are you headed to meet Ranker Bianca right now?”
“What is your relationship with Ranker Bianca? Do you happen to have her contact information?”
“Uh… oh no…!”
Choi Yu-hwa stiffened in panic.
Shin Tae-ho, gripping her arm, spoke quietly to the bodyguards.
“Let’s move quickly. The longer we delay, the more will come.”
“Of course. This way, please.”
The bodyguards, moving with practiced efficiency, escorted Shin Tae-ho’s group away.
After taking the elevator down and heading to the VIP-exclusive parking garage, Bianca greeted them.
“Shin Tae-ho! Choi Yu-hwa! Yong-ryong-i! Pipi! I’m so glad to see you all! It feels different seeing you in reality after only seeing you in the tower!”
“Hello, Bianca. I… I’m so amazed. When we were together there, I didn’t notice, but you really are incredible…”
“Incredible? I’m just tired. Let’s not stand around talking. We should get moving. The air in here is awful.”
Choi Yu-hwa pointed behind her with her thumb.
There, a luxury minivan of the sort celebrities might ride in sat with a soft exhaust note, parked and idling.
As the bodyguard opened the door, Choi Yu-hwa gasped in surprise at the interior.
“Wow?! There are four individual seats? And they face each other!”
“It’s basically a tiny VIP lounge, isn’t it? The ride is smooth enough that you won’t get carsick.”
“Wow! It’s so spacious! So soft!”
Yong-ryong-i bounced excitedly in the back seat, pressing down on the upholstery with his rear.
Once everyone was inside, the bodyguard closed the door, and the car pulled smoothly into traffic.
Bianca retrieved a drink from the minibar with practiced ease and handed it over, her smile radiating genuine pleasure.
“It’s nice seeing you out here. I’m glad I decided to come meet you two. How have you both been?”
“Doing well! And how about you?”
“Me? I’m always fine outside the tower. It’s inside that things get rough.”
Bianca took a sip of champagne and let out a soft laugh.
Something about her demeanor struck Shin Tae-ho as different, and he found himself puzzled by it.
“Your expression doesn’t quite match your words, if you don’t mind my saying. Is something troubling you?”
“Ah, did it show? Haha. How embarrassing.”
Bianca laughed, a touch self-conscious.
But the moment seemed to crack something open in her, and soon she was speaking with genuine gravity, laying bare what weighed on her mind.
“It’s just… I’ve been worried. As I climbed the tower this time, I felt my weaknesses laid bare in a way I couldn’t ignore.”
“Really? What weakness could someone of your caliber possibly have?”
“Back on Komuto Mountain, I couldn’t do anything—not like you two. My main strength is Ice Freezing Magic, after all.”
Bianca opened up about what was troubling her.
Mages, save for rare exceptions, typically specialized in a single elemental attribute or had set ways of deploying their magic.
On top of that, magical items were far more difficult to craft and acquire than warrior-class equipment—that was simply the reality.
In fact, the staff Bianca used now was one she’d found by chance in Elf’s Tower, and she’d never managed to replace it.
“So, I’ve been thinking. Mystery is probably growing stronger on this tower too. But I feel like I’m just… standing still.”
“You mean Mystery? What makes you think that?”
Shin Tae-ho asked, puzzled, and Bianca let out a quiet laugh.
“You wouldn’t know, but honestly, Mystery has never really demonstrated proper Hammer Combat Technique until now. His fighting style has been more like a mage’s than a warrior’s.”
A flush of heat crawled up Shin Tae-ho’s spine.
Bianca took a slow sip of champagne before continuing.
“But those dwarves we met on this tower—we didn’t know at the time, but apparently their hammer combat arts are incredibly advanced. If Mystery learns that technique and brings it back… he’s going to be far stronger than he is now.”
Shin Tae-ho’s mouth opened slightly as he listened.
It wasn’t a gasp of admiration, but one of sudden understanding.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve been focused entirely on the dwarves’ crafting techniques and materials. But…’
What if he were to learn their Hammer Combat Technique as well?
And then apply those skills after returning as Mystery?
‘…That would be extraordinary.’
Inspired by Bianca’s words, Shin Tae-ho found himself marveling at the future he could imagine—himself acquiring the dwarves’ Hammer Combat Technique.
Continued next episode ▶
The Transcendent Master Blacksmith’s Regression
Author
Bong In Hae Jae
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Publishing House
Grae Publishing
Contact Email
[email protected]
Publication Date
May 26, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260227067
※ This e-book is protected under copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction and distribution are strictly prohibited. Violations may result in criminal and civil liability.
※ Pentagram welcomes submissions of original manuscripts from writers.

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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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