The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 130

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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 a Transcendent Blacksmith — Chapter 130
Population is national strength.
This had been a common saying long before, but after the appearance of Towers, an additional meaning was added.
Where population is high, the probability of having many Awakeners is also high.
And in nations with many Awakeners, the likelihood of possessing various resources and items from the Tower increases exponentially!
As time passed, this proved to be not mere theory but observable fact.
The United States, China, India, Indonesia — nations where many Challengers scaled the Towers.
These countries possessed items of extraordinary quality that Challengers had brought back from the Towers, defying conventional understanding.
Korea, by contrast, with its smaller population and consequently fewer Awakeners, could not claim to have amassed such impressive items.
Certainly, a handful of exceptional individuals and Challengers blessed with extraordinary fortune did acquire fine items.
But these remained their personal possessions — they never became assets the Management Bureau could hold and lend to Rankers.
Yet Rankers were borrowing items from the Management Bureau?
“I understand your skepticism. You’re probably wondering why Rankers would ever need to borrow items from the Management Bureau.”
Oh Jin-hyuk, managing a bitter smile, explained how such a situation had come to pass.
Ever since Cogarum began trading items for National Points,
naturally many Korean Awakeners had emerged with the intention of selling their National Points and emigrating abroad.
Among them were even some Challengers who possessed strength rivaling Rankers, if not the rank itself.
The Management Bureau, like other nations, was lending items to these people at no cost, attempting to dissuade them from leaving.
“It was hardly a perfect solution, of course. But for us, it was the best we could manage.”
“So you have no compensation to offer me.”
“I am deeply sorry.”
Oh Jin-hyuk bowed his head.
Shin Tae-ho’s eyes narrowed as he absorbed the explanation.
‘I understand both sides’ reasoning and their actions. But standing before it directly leaves a bitter taste.’
Awakeners who pursued only their own gain, ready to abandon their nation the moment opportunity presented itself.
And the Management Bureau, willingly offering items like tribute to appease their discontent.
He had heard of such things before, but witnessing it firsthand felt entirely different.
Worse still, this situation boded ill for Shin Tae-ho himself.
‘If this continues, we’ll only repeat the tragedies of the past.’
There were currently roughly 195 nations of varying size across the world.
But such selfishness would render the weaker states unable to prevent Gate Breaks.
And nations lacking the power to contain the monsters pouring from the Gates would begin to fall, one by one.
It wouldn’t unfold in precisely the same way as before, but in that previous cycle, roughly 150 nations had fallen.
All but the most renowned nations were doomed to collapse.
‘In the end, there’s no avoiding it. I’ll have to use that method.’
Shin Tae-ho closed his eyes slowly.
The method he had wanted to avoid — the one that would consume most of his time and exhaust him terribly.
Yet if he did not act, this vicious cycle would inevitably repeat itself, transcending even his Regression.
‘I cannot save everyone. But I must protect as many nations as I can.’
Shin Tae-ho opened his eyes again.
Oh Jin-hyuk and Lim Ah-young, who had never once seen his face at ease, stared at him with growing unease.
For the world’s sake.
For his own.
And for theirs.
Shin Tae-ho resolved to confront the wound he had buried deep in his heart and deliberately ignored for so long.
“Bring me a complete list of all minerals the Management Bureau currently holds. And gather as much iron as you can procure.”
“Sir? All of a sudden…?”
Lim Ah-young was startled by the abrupt command.
Mystery nodded.
“Don’t ask twice. And for the iron — recycled iron is fine. Make as much as possible.”
“Uh, Mystery. Might I ask why you’re making such a sudden request?”
Oh Jin-hyuk tensed, unable to discern the true intent behind the demand.
A soft scoff emerged from within Mystery’s suit.
“You two already lack the capacity to solve this. But I know someone who can.”
“Someone who can solve this problem…? W-who on earth could that be?!”
“When did I become the sort to answer all your questions?”
Irritation thickened distinctly in Mystery’s voice.
Oh Jin-hyuk realized his misstep as Mystery let out a exasperated sigh.
“While we waste time here, they’ll grow suspicious of what you’re not showing them. Or is that your intention?”
“No, no! Director Lim, please bring those materials at once!”
“Four, then. But who are those people?”
“I’ll explain everything later. For now, just move.”
“…You really must explain!”
As the two continued speaking in riddles, Lim Ah-young felt the sting of exclusion. She pouted and hurried away.
The moment Lim Ah-young left, Mystery fixed his gaze on Oh Jin-hyuk.
“Before we proceed, there are three things you need to do for me.”
“If those tasks can resolve this situation, I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Oh Jin-hyuk answered with genuine gravity.
This was the problem the Management Bureau had wrestled with in countless conference rooms, unable to find a solution.
And now Mystery claimed he could solve it.
Thus far, every word Mystery had spoken had proven true.
For Oh Jin-hyuk, desperate enough to grasp at straws, Mystery’s words were not mere straw but a lifeline.
“First, prepare the minerals as discussed. Second, a Private Number Account that no one can trace.”
A Private Number Account was maintained by banks under numerical codes or alias names rather than actual identity.
Creating one was difficult and complicated, yet Oh Jin-hyuk nodded without hesitation.
“Understood. I’ll have it set up as quickly as possible. Will you be using it yourself?”
“No. Someone else will use it.”
‘So that’s who will resolve this crisis.’
Oh Jin-hyuk’s heart quickened.
So Mystery had someone he trusted enough to entrust with this task.
The realization that he had uncovered a secret no one else—not even himself until now—knew was exhilarating.
In the meantime, Mystery explained the third task.
“Finally, you must contain and prevent any pursuit of this person afterward. If you fail… neither he nor I will ever help you again.”
Mystery’s voice had grown heavier than ever before.
This wasn’t simply about curious civilians, Scouts, or Guilds who might get involved.
Oh Jin-hyuk noticed Mystery’s eyes had turned slightly, now fixed on the window beyond. His expression became grave.
‘He means I have to block pressure from other countries’ Management Bureaus and everything above them.’
It was no simple task.
Yet Oh Jin-hyuk could answer with conviction.
“Even if it costs me everything. Even if I’m condemned and criticized by all. I will do it.”
Mystery met his gaze, and Oh Jin-hyuk did not look away.
After studying his eyes for a moment, Mystery turned his head at the sound of Lim Ah-young running back.
“H-here it is.”
Mystery quickly scanned the list Lim Ah-young handed him.
‘This is unexpected.’
As Mystery reviewed the list, he was slightly taken aback.
Though the quantities were small, the Management Bureau already possessed not just Towerium, but also rare minerals like Literium and Grayium.
Aerosteel wasn’t among them yet, but it seemed they would secure that soon enough.
Internally thrilled, Shin Tae-ho concealed his satisfaction with practiced composure.
“I’ll take all of this metal.”
“All of it? Do you mean everything?”
“Is the problem I’m solving for you worth less than this?”
When Oh Jin-hyuk showed reluctance and seemed about to refuse, Mystery’s voice turned ice-cold.
At those words, Oh Jin-hyuk’s objection died in his throat, and he shook his head.
“No, no. If you need it… please take it all.”
“As it should be.”
Mystery set the list on the desk and stood.
“Call me when you’re ready.”
“Wait, just a moment. You haven’t chosen your compensation yet, have you?”
Oh Jin-hyuk held Mystery back.
He could have let it pass, written it off, and moved on.
But Mystery was not the type to let such tricks go unpaid. One day, he would collect double.
Yet Mystery’s answer defied Oh Jin-hyuk’s expectation.
“It would be awkward to come back later asking for compensation after the work is done. I’ll take these metals instead.”
“Is that… truly acceptable?”
“He’ll gain substantial profit from this work as well. That much is sufficient.”
Oh Jin-hyuk was left speechless.
‘What exactly is this man?’
If greed motivated him, he could demand a fortune as compensation.
If he desired a fine item, he could have insisted on reclaiming and taking back the equipment he’d lent.
Yet Mystery asked for nothing else, content with merely a few kilograms of mineral ore.
Even that, considering what lay ahead, would leave him with precious little in his reserves.
Looking back at his actions over time, it became clear that Mystery never pursued his own gain—he always reached toward something far larger.
‘Mystery. Could it be that this man is actually…’
Oh Jin-hyuk swallowed hard.
In this moment, somehow.
He felt as though he’d glimpsed a fragment of Mystery’s true purpose—something that had eluded all understanding until now.
* * *
“Whew. I’m exhausted.”
Park Je-hyuk emerged from the tower, stowed his armor in his Inventory, and collapsed onto a nearby seat.
Unlike the Elf’s Tower, the Dwarf’s Tower—climbed alongside other Challengers—had drained him in ways he’d never quite experienced.
“Still, at least we all made it to the sixteenth floor without anyone falling behind.”
Park Je-hyuk, who’d scaled the sixteenth floor with teammates from Vietnam, Russia, and China.
When they’d first met at the eleventh floor, there had been a palpable tension between the Vietnamese and Chinese Challengers.
But by stepping forward and shouldering most of the burden himself, Park Je-hyuk had managed to mediate between them to some degree.
In truth, they were simply using him—letting him carry them up the tower while they kept their hands clean.
Yet Park Je-hyuk never once entertained the thought that his climbing partners harbored such ulterior motives.
“By the way, they said they’d be buying items with their National Points, didn’t they? I wonder if that’s really such a good idea.”
Before leaving the sixteenth floor,
Park Je-hyuk had watched the Vietnamese Challenger sell National Points to purchase gear, and the memory sat heavy with him.
He’d wanted to dissuade them—and he’d tried, genuinely tried.
But all that came back was accusation: you’re a hypocrite.
—You get to say such things because you have such a magnificent spear! But I have to risk my life betting on trash like this!
—You’re a Ranker. You wouldn’t understand.
The barbs they’d hurled at him when he’d tried to warn them.
To their anger, Park Je-hyuk had no answer.
Their rage was justified.
Even now, at this very moment, there were surely those climbing the towers, losing their lives in the attempt.
“Items, hm.”
Park Je-hyuk, gently running his fingers along his spear, suddenly recalled something and powered on his computer.
It had been long since he’d sent that message, and he’d received no reply.
Yet each time the thought returned, he logged into Tower.com to check whether an answer had come.
With no particular hope, as usual, Park Je-hyuk logged in and rubbed his weary eyes.
He glanced at the message inbox in the upper right corner, about to shut down the screen, when his hand froze.
In the corner of the usually empty display, he saw a red N notification gleaming.
“What? Could it be…?”
Park Je-hyuk clicked on the N urgently.
At the very top of the message inbox, a single message awaited him.

Compared to the lengthy subject line he’d sent, this response was remarkably terse—almost dismissive in its brevity.
Moreover, the sender had apparently created a new account, their ID now changed to Hephaestus.
Yet despite that, Park Je-hyuk could tell with absolute certainty that this Hephaestus was the same person who’d crafted his spear.
Receiving the answer he’d so desperately awaited, Park Je-hyuk clenched his fist.
“Yes—!!”
A cry of joy erupted through Park Je-hyuk’s apartment.
To be continued ▶
The Transcendent Blacksmith’s Regression
Author
Seal Breaker
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Imprint
Grae Publishing
Inquiries
[email protected]
Publication Date
May 26, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260227067
※ This e-book is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution in any form is prohibited, and violations will result in criminal and civil liability.
※ Pentagram awaits your precious manuscript.

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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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