The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 12

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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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Regression of the Transcendent Blacksmith — Episode 12
Despite the crowds gathered outside, fewer than a hundred people had actually completed their Awakener registration.
Shin Tae-ho, now seated, was able to begin his Awakener training immediately.
The curriculum covered how the world had changed since the Tower’s appearance, and the duties and responsibilities of Awakeners.
“With the Tower’s emergence, you—Awakeners—have become an indispensable cornerstone of national security.”
“Furthermore, the Mana Crystals obtained as rewards for successfully clearing the Tower have become, alongside electricity, a primary energy source for all humanity.”
Mana Crystals were crystallized Mana—gatherable only from within the Tower.
They boasted excellent energy efficiency and caused no environmental harm whatsoever; they were a truly clean energy source.
Humanity’s current advancement was moving forward hand in hand with these Mana Crystals.
“Mana Fragments also serve as a major income stream for challengers who struggle to climb the Tower. The Management Bureau continuously purchases Mana Fragments, so please bring them in whenever you acquire any.”
‘True enough. Though the taxes they extract are rather steep.’
Shin Tae-ho let out a quiet laugh.
A few other Awakeners seemed to share the sentiment; their expressions shifted subtly.
Once the two-hour Awakener training concluded, the instructor moved on to explain the Class-specific training that would follow.
“Class training will be divided by Class type. The training venues are listed in the pamphlets you’ve been given—simply proceed to the assigned location.”
As the instructor finished his explanation, the Awakeners rose to their feet.
When Shin Tae-ho arrived at the Tamer class training room, someone already there greeted him warmly.
“Hello! Are you a Tamer?”
Shin Tae-ho hesitated before responding.
The person seated there was someone he recognized.
‘The Guild Master of the Phoenix Guild—Choi Yu-hwa.’
Memories resurfaced in Shin Tae-ho’s mind, bringing information about Choi Yu-hwa to the fore.
In the future, the Phoenix Guild would become South Korea’s largest Tamer guild and gain renown across the world.
The Guild Master of the Phoenix Guild, someone he would later find difficult to meet, was now standing before him.
When Shin Tae-ho offered no immediate response, Choi Yu-hwa tilted her head curiously.
Seeing her reaction, Shin Tae-ho snapped back to attention and returned her greeting belatedly.
“Hello. I’m Shin Tae-ho.”
“Great! I’m Choi Yu-hwa. I thought I’d be the only Tamer here and was feeling rather lonely, so I’m really glad to meet you!”
Choi Yu-hwa answered with a bright expression, then carefully studied Shin Tae-ho.
“Say, um—didn’t you bring your Summoned Creature with you?”
“I did bring it, but it hasn’t hatched yet.”
Shin Tae-ho opened his bag and showed her the egg.
Choi Yu-hwa’s eyes widened at the sight, gleaming with delight.
“Wow, an egg! How beautiful! Pipi, look at that. Isn’t it lovely?”
Chirp!~
A small head emerged from inside her clothing at her call.
The crimson bird that had been nestled in her bosom tilted its head, then spotted the egg Shin Tae-ho held.
And then—
Chirp, chirp-screech!
Pipi let out a sharp, startled cry and hurriedly burrowed back into Choi Yu-hwa’s embrace.
Choi Yu-hwa was taken aback by Pipi’s sudden reaction.
“What? Pipi, what’s wrong? They’re a friend, a friend. Go on and say hello—”
Chirp-screech!
Pipi pecked at Choi Yu-hwa’s hand.
Though it didn’t hurt, Choi Yu-hwa was startled enough to fumble an apology toward Shin Tae-ho, lowering her head.
“I’m s-so sorry. This one isn’t usually shy like this. I think she’s just very embarrassed.”
‘That doesn’t seem to be it.’
Shin Tae-ho glanced toward the fabric where Pipi had retreated.
The slight trembling was unmistakable—the bird was genuinely frightened.
Yet this behavior puzzled even Shin Tae-ho.
‘It’s only an egg that hasn’t even hatched yet. What could possibly frighten her?’
Though Pipi was now as small as a chick, she would later become the Phoenix Guild’s signature Summoned Creature.
For such a creature to take fright at merely seeing an egg made no logical sense.
Choi Yu-hwa, too, attributed Pipi’s fear to that very egg.
Shin Tae-ho moved to ease the awkward tension.
“It’s quite all right. She’s still young—it’s only natural she’d react this way.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
The atmosphere warmed again.
A knock sounded at the door, and a Tamer class instructor entered.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Kim Han-seok, your Tamer class instructor. It looks like we have two Tamers this time!”
The instructor was delighted to see Shin Tae-ho and Choi Yu-hwa.
Since the Tamer Class itself was rare, there were days when instruction didn’t take place at all.
A spark of interest flickered across Kim Han-seok’s eyes as he beheld Shin Tae-ho’s egg.
“That’s quite an unusual egg. Would it be alright to ask what kind of Summoned Creature it might be?”
“I’m not certain myself.”
Shin Tae-ho answered honestly.
It wasn’t a lie—even when he tried to pull up information, all that appeared was “Unknown Egg.”
Kim Han-seok’s curiosity deepened at Shin Tae-ho’s response.
‘Fascinating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this species before.’
Kim Han-seok studied the egg with keen interest.
Though he sensed no Mana through direct perception, his years observing countless eggs had sharpened his intuition.
‘It’s strong.’
Among all Summoned Creatures currently belonging to Tamers, the strongest was the Owlbear of a Russian Tamer.
Comparing it to an Owlbear already born and fully grown was difficult, certainly.
But Kim Han-seok, who had seen the Owlbear in Russia firsthand, recognized a similar presence emanating from this egg.
An inexplicable pressure, a mystique that defied calculation.
His instinct screamed to take it, examine it thoroughly.
And yet.
‘I can’t do that.’
Being a Tamer himself, Kim Han-seok understood precisely how precious an egg truly was.
If someone asked him for a closer look at his own egg?
Without question, he’d launch them across the room, regardless of who they were.
Kim Han-seok withdrew his gaze from the egg and smiled at Shin Tae-ho.
“I hope a strong and kind Summoned Creature hatches from it. Shall we begin the formal instruction now?”
With that, the comprehensive Tamer Class education commenced.
Unlike the Awakener instruction he’d already received, the Tamer training proved genuinely valuable to Shin Tae-ho.
From the varieties of Summoned Creatures to their individual characteristics—their preferences and dislikes.
He even gained detailed information about growth cycles for each type.
‘Useful indeed.’
As Shin Tae-ho organized the material, satisfaction settled over him.
In the past, such knowledge had been nearly impossible to obtain unless one was already a Tamer.
Moreover, having seen Shin Tae-ho’s egg, Kim Han-seok conducted additional instruction on egg care—something he rarely did.
“Interestingly, it’s been documented that Summoned Creatures from the Tower can transmit emotions through Empathy even while still in the egg state.”
Kim Han-seok explained with concrete examples.
Tamers who stroked their eggs and spoke to them from the beginning versus those who didn’t—the difference was striking.
Analysis comparing the two groups revealed an official statistic: Tamers who engaged in physical contact with their eggs from the start showed compatibility rates averaging fifteen percent higher.
Until now, Shin Tae-ho had merely wrapped his egg in a blanket and carried it in his bag.
The realization that he’d never once thought to stroke it or attempt Empathy stung a little.
‘I’ll have to caress it whenever I have a free moment from now on.’
While Shin Tae-ho organized his notes, the instruction concluded.
“Is there anything you’d like to ask?”
Kim Han-seok posed the customary question.
Choi Yu-hwa shook her head gently, but Shin Tae-ho raised his hand as if he’d been waiting.
“Earlier, among the Awakener benefits, facility usage was mentioned. Would it be possible to use facilities available to other Classes as well?”
“Which facility did you have in mind?”
The question, entirely unrelated to Tamers, caught Kim Han-seok off guard.
Shin Tae-ho replied evenly.
“I’d like to use the blacksmith’s forge.”
“A blacksmith’s forge? Ah, yes. If you show your registration certificate, you should be able to use it.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Satisfied with the answer, Shin Tae-ho nodded.
‘So I won’t need to set up my own forge. It shouldn’t take long at all.’
From the hammer needed for metalwork to the anvil, quenching trough, oil, and furnace—everything required.
Opening a private blacksmith’s shop was both expensive and cumbersome.
Eventually, once he began crafting items in earnest, he’d need his own forge.
But for now, using the Management Bureau’s facilities would suffice.
Once Shin Tae-ho expressed his understanding, Kim Han-seok, no longer flustered, cleared his throat.
“If there are no further questions, I’ll conclude the instruction. Please collect your Awakener registration certificate on your way out!”
“Thank you so much!”
Choi Yu-hwa bowed with a bright smile.
Choi Yu-hwa, finished with her preparations, approached Shin Tae-ho as he tidied his belongings.
“Um, Shin Tae-ho? Would you be willing to exchange contact information? Since we’re both Tamers, I’d love to stay in touch!”
“I’d be happy to.”
Shin Tae-ho accepted at once.
In fact, he’d been wondering how to naturally obtain her number himself.
‘Choi Yu-hwa is a true challenger who fought for humanity to the very end. There will be times when I’ll need her help, and times when she’ll need mine.’
It was certainty, not mere speculation.
For now, all eyes were on the challengers climbing the tower.
But as time passed, the blacksmiths who crafted items for them would be valued as far more critical assets.
Even if Shin Tae-ho might never need to seek out Choi Yu-hwa.
Someday, Choi Yu-hwa would inevitably have to seek out Shin Tae-ho.
“It was great meeting you! See you next time!”
Choi Yu-hwa, having received her registration certificate, left the registration office.
But instead of leaving, Shin Tae-ho consulted the directory and found the acquisition department deeper inside.
He drew a ticket and waited; soon his turn came.
“Hello. Are you here to sell items?”
“Yes. Should I take them out right away? There are quite a few.”
“Ah, quite a lot, I see. Then please place them in the boxes over there.”
The staff member at the counter let out a small, stifled laugh.
Some people did bring many items, but at most they’d fill that one box beside them partway.
Yet the smile quickly faded.
As Shin Tae-ho began placing items into the boxes, he had already filled seven of them completely.
“Here they are.”
The employee’s eyes trembled at the sight of boxes brimming with all manner of miscellaneous items—Forest Goblin Hides, Giant Caterpillar Shells, and more.
* * *
Ding!
Shin Tae-ho checked his smartphone at the notification sound.
A popup message showed that seventy million won had been deposited into an account that had held less than a million.
Shin Tae-ho was satisfied.
‘This should be enough that I won’t be short on money anytime soon.’
In the taxi, Shin Tae-ho ordered groceries through an app.
For the next several months ahead, his storage would be full of ingredients to sustain him as he focused on climbing the tower.
‘At first I was flustered, but actually registering as a Tamer seems to have been the right call.’
Once the Summoned Creature hatched from the egg, people would inevitably notice it.
Better to simply register as a Tamer from the start and have peace of mind about it.
Shin Tae-ho slipped his hand into his bag and stroked the egg the way he’d learned during training.
‘Soon it’ll be time for you to be born.’
The egg, wrapped in blankets, felt warm and smooth to the touch.
As he continued stroking it without pause.
The taxi pulled up in front of his house, and Shin Tae-ho withdrew his hand and zipped the bag shut.
At that very moment, the egg trembled ever so slightly, stirring within.
But Shin Tae-ho, just stepping out of the taxi, failed to notice that subtle vibration.
To be continued ▶
The Transcendent Blacksmith’s Return
Author
Seal Unlock
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 prohibited. Violations may result in criminal and civil liability.
※ Pentagram eagerly awaits the precious manuscripts of our 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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