The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 136

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Transcendent Blacksmith’s Return – Chapter 136
Shin Tae-ho and his party departed for the Dwarf City before the Orcs could mount a fresh pursuit.
The group spoke hardly at all during the return journey.
Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi were reeling from the shock of being driven back so helplessly,
and Han Ji-hyun, who had only prepared wide-area Magic and therefore couldn’t engage in combat, brooded alone.
As a result, the only ones conversing during the journey back were Shin Tae-ho and Yong-ryong-i, whom he carried.
“Something feels off about the mood, master.”
“Don’t worry about it. But Yong-ryong-i—your fire breath was incredibly powerful back there. What happened?”
Shin Tae-ho deliberately took the lead to speak comfortably with Yong-ryong-i, keeping his voice low so the rest of the party wouldn’t hear.
The power of the flames he’d unleashed at the Blood Orc had grown far beyond anything Shin Tae-ho had known before.
Yong-ryong-i, who had been pondering the question, answered.
“My body grew bigger while I was sleeping deeply in the Smithern, and my fire got stronger too, master.”
“Is that so? Then it must be natural growth after all.”
Yet the power of the flames seemed disproportionately strong compared to the increase in his body size.
As Shin Tae-ho turned this over in his mind,
Yong-ryong-i, who had been resting his chin on his hand in deep thought, suddenly clapped his palm against his other hand.
“That’s it! And ever since I ate that jewel-like thing back then, it feels like there’s more substance when I breathe fire, master!”
“A jewel? What are you—oh. You mean when we went with Bianca, Choi Yu-hwa, and Orum?”
“Yes, master!”
Shin Tae-ho realized that Yong-ryong-i was referring to Karnyx, which the Dwarves held in high regard.
‘The Dwarves used Karnyx to process materials, if I recall correctly.’
Karnyx, in which the essence of heat was densely condensed, couldn’t be handled carelessly before refinement.
At the time, Shin Tae-ho had discovered a Karnyx crystal about the size of a watermelon in the Komuto Volcano,
and before leaving, Yong-ryong-i had taken a huge bite out of it, consuming more than half.
Fortunately, because Shin Tae-ho had hidden it, the Dwarves never found out,
and after ascending to the 11th Floor, the memory had faded.
Shin Tae-ho’s eyes brightened as he learned this unexpected fact.
“Is that feeling permanent—like your reserves are permanently fuller? Or does it feel like the strength weakens the more you use it?”
“I haven’t had a chance to breathe fire for long since eating it, so I’m not sure. But it doesn’t feel like it’s getting weaker, master!”
‘That makes sense.’
Since Shin Tae-ho had taught him not to waste Qi, the duration Yong-ryong-i had breathed fire was barely two seconds.
If he felt his strength diminishing after such brief use, that would be a problem in itself.
‘I should verify this. If Karnyx is beneficial to Yong-ryong-i, I’ll need to find more.’
Having discovered another new possibility he hadn’t known before, Shin Tae-ho smiled with genuine pleasure.
* * *
Shortly after returning, Shin Tae-ho’s party reported the information they’d gathered to Zetaum.
Zetaum, listening to the report with a grave expression, ground his teeth audibly.
“You all worked hard. Those idiots. When someone commanding Orcs approaches, you should be wary first. But instead they shook hands? Unbelievable.”
At the moment Zetaum muttered his grievances,
message windows appeared in front of Shin Tae-ho’s entire party all at once.
[You have cleared the 18th Floor Trial.]
[Points are awarded for clearing the Trial.]
[Points Awarded: 11,500]
[Rewards are granted.]
[Reward Contents: 2,000 High-grade Qi Fragments, 8,500 Middle-grade Qi Fragments, Treasure Chest Key Fragment (2/3), 2 Skill Orbs]
Shin Tae-ho, glancing at the messages absently, suddenly froze in surprise.
‘Wait? What kind of rewards are these?’
A National Score well beyond full marks.
And not one but two Skill Orbs—items already difficult to obtain even singly—so Shin Tae-ho checked his Inventory.
[Skill Orb – Gigantification]
Description: A Skill Orb containing the Skill “Gigantification”.
You can acquire the Skill by breaking it.
When used, the size of your body and the duration of the effect are determined in proportion to the Qi consumed.
Depending on the scale of Gigantification, your Strength and Defense temporarily increase proportionally as well.
The range to which you can Gigantify varies depending on your proficiency.
[Skill Orb – Ground Break]
Description: A Skill Orb containing the Skill “Ground Break”.
You can acquire the Skill by breaking it.
When used, you rupture the ground over a certain range centered on the caster, allowing you to shift the course of battle.
The range and depth of rupture vary depending on your proficiency.
‘Wait. These skills… Could it be?’
Shin Tae-ho recalled his battle with the Priest.
At that time, the Priest had rolled his feet to shatter the ground, blocking Amaterasu’s approach as she rushed forward.
And in critical moments, he’d suddenly swollen his scales-covered arms to enormous proportions like balloons.
Which meant.
‘These Skill Orbs… They’re the abilities the Priest used!’
Shin Tae-ho stood rigid, shocked by the realization that the Priest’s skills had been transformed into Orbs and given to him as rewards.
Zetaum, finishing his report, ordered everyone to rest.
Though Shin Tae-ho had largely anticipated the information, receiving a proper briefing seemed to have hit him harder than expected—his expression grew contemplative.
Once outside, Shin Tae-ho turned to regard his companions, who had remained quiet.
He was about to suggest they part ways here, as he had business elsewhere.
Amaterasu, who had been unusually grave throughout and lost in thought, tentatively raised her hand.
“Shin Tae-ho. I apologize, but there’s something I need to tell you.”
‘What is it? Don’t tell me it’s about joining ITRO or something involving Yong-ryong-i.’
Shin Tae-ho tensed inwardly.
Fortunately, what Amaterasu had to say was not what he’d feared.
“I’m truly sorry, but… could we skip mining for minerals at the Mine this time?”
“…I’m sorry?”
Taken aback, Shin Tae-ho watched as Amaterasu bowed apologetically.
“After I volunteered to apologize for my mistakes, it feels shameless to ask this of you. I beg your understanding.”
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for.”
He hadn’t asked her to mine in the first place, so there was genuinely nothing to be sorry about.
Still, Shin Tae-ho was curious about why she was suddenly saying this.
“I’m just asking out of curiosity—do you have something you need to do?”
“Shamefully, I’ve only now come to realize how inadequate I am.”
Amaterasu, who had earned the title of World Ranker spanning not just Japan but the globe.
Yet even she had failed to manage the Blood Orc that had been assigned to her in this battle.
Of course, Amaterasu knew the Blood Orc was a stronger specimen than a common Orc.
But that couldn’t serve as an excuse.
More than anything, the unexpected encounter with the Priest had dealt her a profound shock.
‘That Priest nearly killed Tsukuyomi. And I couldn’t protect him.’
Remembering how Tsukuyomi had thrashed about with the Priest’s hands around his throat, Amaterasu hid her anguish behind a forced smile.
“We’re on the 18th Floor now. As we ascend further, stronger enemies will emerge. I want to build my strength in preparation.”
‘Interesting.’
Shin Tae-ho was genuinely impressed by Amaterasu’s resolve.
Whether then or now, strength had always been determined by one’s Awakened Class.
So those who awakened to Special Class, like Amaterasu, typically neglected their training.
‘The others were the same.’
Victor Bennett, the World Ranker from America.
The Korean Rankers who had fought alongside him to seal the Gate.
Before meeting him, they had all relied on their Class alone and never undergone proper training.
‘Meeting that Priest has yielded unexpected gains.’
National Score and Skill Orbs.
Seeing Amaterasu stirred by this as well put him in a good mood.
“Of course. What I’ve received so far is more than sufficient.”
“Thank you for saying so, Shin Tae-ho.”
“Then Tsukuyomi must share the same sentiment.”
Shin Tae-ho noticed Tsukuyomi hesitating behind Amaterasu, as if he had something to say, and posed the question.
As Shin Tae-ho spoke first, Tsukuyomi flinched and bowed his head.
“Yes. I too have many shortcomings, and I believe I need time for training now.”
“I understand.”
Just as Shin Tae-ho was about to end the conversation, he felt his sleeve being pulled.
Turning, he found Han Ji-hyun, who had been quiet until then, looking at him with a serious expression.
“Shin Tae-ho. I think I need to train as well.”
‘What? I understand those two, but doesn’t she normally rest without a break?’
Shin Tae-ho was bewildered.
Han Ji-hyun had indeed helped mine minerals at the Mine with the intention of assisting Shin Tae-ho.
But the amount was so negligible compared to Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi that Shin Tae-ho hadn’t really registered it.
Concealing his inner confusion, Shin Tae-ho nodded.
“Of course. Right now, minerals aren’t what matters most.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Once Han Ji-hyun finished speaking, the three of them dispersed to their respective training grounds.
Shin Tae-ho glanced around to see if anyone was watching, then scooped up Yong-ryong-i in his arms.
“Yong-ryong. Let’s get going.”
“Ryong? Me, I’m training too, ryong?”
“No. You don’t need to train, Yong-ryong. We’re going to take care of something.”
“Something? Where to, ryong?”
Hearing something he’d never been told before, Yong-ryong-i tilted his head in confusion.
* * *
Bang!
As Shin Tae-ho launched into a sprint, the earth erupted, dirt fountaining skyward as his body shot forward.
The landscape streaked past him like watercolor bleeding away, and before long the very air grew cold.
“Ryong-ryo-ryong~!”
Yong-ryong-i, draped around Shin Tae-ho’s neck, squealed with delight at this rare display of full-speed running.
The moment they arrived in the north, Shin Tae-ho spread his Energy Sensing to check whether anyone was following.
Finding no trace of pursuers, he stroked Yong-ryong-i’s head.
“Yong-ryong. Can you check from above if there’s a place where a mountain has collapsed?”
“Ryong-ryong~.”
At his request, Yong-ryong-i uncoiled and soared into the sky.
Shin Tae-ho watched the dragon rise until it became a speck, then closed his eyes and extended his Energy Sensing as far as it would reach.
At such a range, detailed detection became difficult, but what he was searching for would be unmistakable—there was no problem.
Even as he focused solely on his Energy Sensing, he felt nothing.
‘I’ve come to the place Kogarum showed me, so that’s right. But maybe I need to go further north from here.’
As Shin Tae-ho pondered his next move,
Yong-ryong-i plummeted from the sky toward him.
“Ryong, ryong-ryong! Ryong-ryong-ryong!”
“You found it? Which direction?”
“Ryong-ryong!”
Yong-ryong-i pointed toward the northeast.
Shin Tae-ho stroked the hardworking dragon’s head, draped him back around his neck, and took off running again.
When he’d covered what must have been tens of kilometers,
something finally began registering in his Energy Sensing.
Thump.
Thump.
A heavy vibration, pulsing at regular intervals.
Following the direction of the sensation, he came upon a vast mountain range where one section had collapsed inward.
Shin Tae-ho climbed the cold, snow-covered peak and gazed down at the depression.
Like an amplifier vibrating, the collapsed mountain trembled at regular intervals.
Seeing the mountain cave in with the perfect geometry of a meteor strike, Shin Tae-ho’s eyes deepened with certainty.
“That’s it. I’m sure.”
Shin Tae-ho felt his heart quicken—he was standing above the first city of the Dwarves of the North, destroyed long ago, where the War Smith’s Hammer lay buried—and he stamped the ground beneath him.
To be continued ▶
The Transcendent Blacksmith’s Return
Author
Seal Release
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Published by
Grae Publishing
Inquiries
[email protected]
Publication Date
May 26, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260227067
※ This e-book is protected under copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction and duplication are prohibited, and violations may result in criminal and civil liability.
※ Pentagram welcomes your precious manuscripts.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————