The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 42

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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-Grade Blacksmith’s Return — Chapter 42
Roughly six years ago, a Tower appeared in the world without warning.
After the Tower’s emergence, Awakeners began to be born among humanity during the year-long waiting period before entry opened, and
Kim Jong-su too gained the Class of Blacksmith through his Awakening.
Kim Jong-su, a so-called 1st Generation Awakener.
With no precedent of Awakeners before him, Kim Jong-su sought out blacksmiths himself and learned their craft in order to cultivate his Blacksmith abilities.
Days of discipline, burned by fire until blisters hardened into calluses on his hands.
Since his Class wasn’t suited for combat, climbing the Tower proved taxing, so Kim Jong-su poured his heart into item crafting.
As he created items, Kim Jong-su’s name gradually became known among Challengers.
The Administration Bureau, needing a skilled blacksmith, freely invested materials obtained from the Tower into his work.
Then one day.
The Administration Bureau provided him with Rare Grade materials purchased from Challengers to elevate his reputation further, and
in crafting where item grade is determined by material quality, he succeeded in creating a Rare Grade item—something still difficult to obtain even now.
‘So that’s how it happened.’
Shin Tae-ho, having heard the explanation, could finally grasp the situation.
He himself once possessed skill enough to be called a Transcendent-Grade Blacksmith, but
when thinking of ordinary blacksmiths, creating Rare Grade items was normally an extraordinarily difficult feat.
Thus, crafting Rare Grade items on the stage that the Administration Bureau had created for him, Kim Jong-su earned the title of Master Craftsman.
Yet even if such renown could deceive others, it could not deceive himself.
“Honestly, every time I hear myself called ‘Master Craftsman,’ it felt more uncomfortable than gratifying. I was constantly anxious that my true ability would be exposed.”
“I understand what you mean. But why do you think my skill surpasses that of Master Kim Jong-su?”
“Though I may be inflated by falsehood and exaggeration, my eye for discernment at least isn’t counterfeit.”
The day Shin Tae-ho first came to the blacksmith workshop.
Kim Jong-su was startled watching him spout flames while crafting.
It was an unreal situation, and he had never heard of such delicate control over fire.
Yet after witnessing Shin Tae-ho’s work during his second visit to the workshop,
Kim Jong-su came to understand the reason.
“The sight of you spouting flames that day—it was the Aura of a Master Craftsman revealed within flawless work.”
The unique power and presence that masters who have reached the pinnacle radiate—an Aura.
He was certain he had felt that Aura emanating from the Master’s work!
‘…There’s no such thing.’
Shin Tae-ho swallowed his embarrassment inwardly.
But seeing the sincerity in Kim Jong-su’s eyes, he couldn’t muster the courage to explain.
Moreover, this situation was far from unfavorable for Shin Tae-ho.
‘I was already considering whether to open a private workshop. With Kim Jong-su’s help, things would go much more smoothly.’
Selecting a location for the workshop had been difficult enough, as had purchasing various tools and explaining their uses.
Above all, a solitary workshop without anyone’s protection would be vulnerable to security risks.
But if he had Kim Jong-su’s support?
He could continue using the Administration Bureau Blacksmith Workshop for free, just as now.
And if he were to establish his own workshop under Kim Jong-su’s name or with his help, everything would certainly proceed far more easily.
‘Most importantly, this Kim Jong-su is someone I can trust.’
Kim Jong-su had received the title of Master Craftsman in the past as well.
But he had created a Rare Grade item only once during that time when he held the title, and
afterward, failing to produce any notable items, he had naturally faded away as a blacksmith.
Yet there was never a single article suggesting that Kim Jong-su had aided Humanity Traitors or engaged in illegal activities.
Moreover, hearing his account stirred something in Shin Tae-ho’s heart.
‘He reminds me of my past self.’
Those days when he, knowing nothing, lived in the workshop as though dwelling there, devoted entirely to crafting items.
Given how genuinely dedicated Kim Jong-su was to blacksmithing, his heart surely couldn’t differ from his own.
“Rise.”
As Kim Jong-su’s expression turned bitter at the command to stand,
the hand supporting the hammer felt suddenly lighter, and Kim Jong-su’s head snapped up.
Shin Tae-ho, who had been examining Kim Jong-su’s hammer from various angles, nodded.
“You’ve learned the form well. Your maintenance seems adequate too. It’s suitable for training.”
“That… what does that mean?”
“Fair warning—my instruction will not be easy. If you grow lazy, I will leave you behind rather than drag you along.”
Understanding Shin Tae-ho’s meaning, Kim Jong-su shot to his feet.
“Of course! I will absolutely not disappoint you!”
His eyes glistened with such overwhelming gratitude that Kim Jong-su answered with fervent resolve.
* * *
The day after Shin Tae-ho and Kim Jong-su entered into a Master-Disciple bond.
Thanks to his disciple Kim Jong-su’s authority, Shin Tae-ho no longer needed to reserve the blacksmith workshop.
When Shin Tae-ho stepped into the private workshop prepared for Kim Jong-su, his master, the blacksmiths were taken aback.
“What the—who is that? He’s walking straight into the master’s workshop?”
“Don’t just stand there! Grab him!”
“Who gave any of you the right to lay hands on my guest?”
Kim Jong-su appeared from the side and blocked the blacksmith who had been about to seize Shin Tae-ho.
The moment Kim Jong-su called him a guest, the blacksmiths froze in confusion.
“Master? That person—no, wait, you’re taking him on as a guest?”
“That’s right. He’ll be visiting often from now on, so remember that.”
“But, but Master! That man isn’t even a blacksmith! How could you let him into the workshop?!”
The blacksmiths working at the Administration Bureau Blacksmith Workshop weren’t there because they lacked skill.
It was quite the opposite.
They could leave, establish their own workshops, and earn far greater wealth by selling their creations.
Yet their desire to learn from Kim Jong-su, to refine their craft under his tutelage and eventually inherit his legacy, ran deeper still.
And now he was admitting someone into a workshop that even they couldn’t enter?
“Tsk, tsk. Foolish lot.”
Though the blacksmiths stared at him with eyes full of betrayal, Kim Jong-su remained unfazed.
He had anticipated this reaction and prepared his response the day before.
“I said a guest was coming. Don’t you understand what that means?”
“Yes… yes?”
“A guest… a guest who would come to the Administration Bureau Blacksmith Workshop… Wait, could it be—was he formerly with the Administration Bureau?!”
As one blacksmith cried out, Kim Jong-su quietly pressed a finger to his lips.
Glancing sideways at the workshop where Shin Tae-ho had gone, he watched as the blacksmiths held their breath and covered their mouths.
“Instead of entertaining useless thoughts, make sure your work is flawless. And mind your tongues.”
“Yes, yes, sir!”
“We’re terribly sorry, Master!”
Whoever this person was, if he was with the Administration Bureau, not even a master blacksmith could treat him carelessly.
Seeing the blacksmiths answer in hushed tones lest they be heard inside, Kim Jong-su nodded in satisfaction.
“Things will be busy for a while. Everyone finish up your assigned work properly. Once you clock out, use this card for a well-deserved dinner together.”
Kim Jong-su handed over a card he’d been managing from the Administration Bureau.
The blacksmiths were startled and deeply moved by this uncharacteristic kindness, him treating them to a meal without prompting.
‘Whatever this is, something good must be happening!’
‘The way the master’s acting, it’s definitely nothing bad!’
Kim Jong-su sent off the endlessly grateful blacksmiths and entered the workshop.
Inside, the furnace that Shin Tae-ho had lit was already radiating warmth throughout the space.
“Then we shall begin training.”
“Yes! What should I make first?”
“Show me something you’re confident about. Anything will do.”
“Understood!”
Kim Jong-su confidently retrieved some smelted iron to melt in the furnace.
But Shin Tae-ho immediately pulled the iron back out.
As Kim Jong-su looked at him in confusion, Shin Tae-ho shook his head.
“Using purchased metal as material for what you’re making isn’t advisable. Start from smelting all the way through to creation.”
“Yes? Ah, but… I don’t have any experience smelting…”
“You can do it. Fundamentals matter most in any endeavor.”
Shin Tae-ho set Iron Ore on the furnace that he’d brought.
When Kim Jong-su hesitated, Shin Tae-ho’s gaze fixed on him.
“Do you remember what I said before? Have you perhaps been taking only the easy road all this time?”
At Shin Tae-ho’s sharp words, Kim Jong-su’s eyes widened.
He felt embarrassed, realizing that his private thought—’Even if I’m supposed to learn, do I really have to do something like this?’—had been read so plainly.
“No, no! I’ll do it!”
“Good. I’ll be here to guide you through anything you’re unsure of.”
With those words, training began.
The first task was to crush the ore into small pieces and remove the larger impurities.
Kim Jong-su began swinging a hammer to break apart the Iron Ore.
Unlike smelted iron ingots, each strike sent back a tremendous shock through the hammer.
‘Don’t doubt. Just trust and follow.’
Kim Jong-su gritted his teeth and continued breaking the ore.
Following Shin Tae-ho’s guidance as he watched, Kim Jong-su only finished crushing all the Iron Ore by the time the blacksmith workshop was closing for the day.
And in that moment.
A message window appeared before Kim Jong-su’s eyes—one he hadn’t seen in quite some time.
[Class task detected!]
[You have completed a task to obtain materials directly for the first time.]
[Class Experience increases significantly!]
“Ah—Class Experience…!”
“It seems you received it well.”
Shin Tae-ho, watching his reaction from the side, offered his congratulations.
Kim Jong-su turned to Shin Tae-ho with wide eyes.
“How did you know about this, Master?”
“Smelting is a blacksmith’s work, isn’t it? It’s only natural.”
Shin Tae-ho brushed past the question.
He had accepted Kim Jong-su as his disciple, but he couldn’t quite trust him completely yet.
Shin Tae-ho glanced at his watch and asked.
“It’s nearly time to close the workshop. We can finish the rest tomorrow.”
“No, please! I’ll do it now. I can still use my personal workshop.”
An excited Kim Jong-su called out, his face flushed with enthusiasm.
Gone was the suspicion from before; seeing Kim Jong-su’s eager expression, Shin Tae-ho smiled.
“Admirable zeal. Fine, then. Let’s continue.”
“Yes!”
Kim Jong-su eagerly returned to his hammering.
‘All the work of a blacksmith begins with smelting.’
Besides, if he cultivated his Smelting ability now, there might come a day when he’d need to call upon it for more complex ore refining.
For Kim Jong-su, gaining substantial Class Experience from unfamiliar work was equally beneficial—a win for them both.
‘Somehow I ended up taking a disciple I never intended to. But it’s turning out better than expected.’
Like a child playing with a toy.
Watching Kim Jong-su hammer with such delight, Shin Tae-ho’s face settled into contentment.
* * *
For the next week, Kim Jong-su’s Smelting training continued.
His skill improved with each passing day, to the point where Shin Tae-ho’s presence was no longer necessary.
‘Perhaps it’s time I attend to my own work.’
Shin Tae-ho opened his inventory, watching Kim Jong-su hammer away with wrist guards wrapped snugly around his forearms.
Inside the inventory lay a Low-Grade Wind Rune, a Throwing Hammer, and 3 kilograms of Literium left over from their creation.
As Shin Tae-ho sank deep in thought.
A knock came at Kim Jong-su’s workshop door.
Kim Jong-su, fully absorbed in his hammering, sought Shin Tae-ho’s permission before opening the door with a frown.
“What is it? I made it clear, didn’t I?”
“My apologies, Master. There is someone here who desperately wishes to see you….”
“A Challenger? Are there not countless such people? Send them away appropriately!”
“That is… they are not someone we can turn away.”
“How do you do, Master Kim Jong-su.”
An unfamiliar voice sounded from beyond the blacksmith who was relaying the situation.
Recognizing this must be the visitor, Kim Jong-su turned his furrowed face around—and froze in surprise.
“You are…?”
“I apologize for the sudden visit. If you have time, would it be possible to speak for a moment?”
A Challenger who had been a ranker in Korea before the arrival of the Mystery.
Park Je-hyeok, who had attempted Floor 66 and failed, then barely recovered his body after surgery, stood before Kim Jong-su.
To be continued ▶
The Transcendent Blacksmith’s Return
Author
Bong In Hae Jae
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 by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction and distribution are prohibited, and violation may 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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