The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 65

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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 65
Five seconds after exchanging farewells with Kim Jong-soo and stepping outside.
In that brief moment, Yong-ryong-i arrived home and threw both arms up in delight.
“Ryong~! Home at last~!”
“Yong-ryong, you need to wash up first.”
“I’ll wash in a moment~.”
Yong-ryong-i rolled across the floor with unbridled happiness.
Shin Tae-ho, wearing an expression of fond resignation, looked down at the leaf he held in his hands.
‘Good. It’s working properly.’
The World Tree Leaf—a legacy left behind by the World Tree itself.
This genuine World Tree Leaf could designate and store up to three separate locations.
The first location he’d designated was the Hall of Heroes in Sinterhone.
And the second location was none other than Shin Tae-ho’s home.
‘Coming home worked. Now the real question is whether I can travel to the Hall of Heroes….’
Shin Tae-ho pondered this.
There was uncertainty about whether the transfer would even be possible.
And even if it did work, he had no way of knowing how differently time would flow there.
But given what he’d learned climbing the tower, Shin Tae-ho wasn’t worried.
‘Even when I’ve climbed the tower again in a single day, years have passed—but never just a few days.’
Of course, he couldn’t be certain that rule still applied, but even if it had changed, time wouldn’t compress in the opposite direction.
Besides, Shin Tae-ho had a clear reason to use the leaf.
‘If even one ranker from ITRO notices Yong-ryong-i’s existence, it could be dangerous.’
Kim Jong-soo and Im A-young both knew about Yong-ryong-i.
That wasn’t a mistake on his part, of course.
‘I can’t keep calling Yong-ryong-i out only when I need to fight, leaving him trapped here alone for my own convenience.’
For a dragon, Yong-ryong-i’s patience was stronger than his small frame suggested, but he was still a child.
Could such a young one stay hidden and silent inside that cramped armor for at least a month, or up to a year?
And even if he could, would Yong-ryong-i actually want to?
‘No. It’s far better for him to rest somewhere safe and comfortable, even if it means being apart from me.’
Having made his decision to use the leaf, Shin Tae-ho checked his watch.
The World Tree Leaf’s cooldown was one hour.
Fifty-five minutes remained before he could use it again.
“Yong-ryong, come here for a moment?”
“Ryong… so comfy, don’t wanna move….”
Yong-ryong-i crawled toward him across the floor, utterly boneless.
Though he wore a human shape, his movements were smooth and fluid—like a dragon’s body gliding effortlessly through space.
Shin Tae-ho scooped up the limp Yong-ryong-i and asked an important question.
“Yong-ryong, do you remember those elves you met before?”
“Ryong? You mean Epiel, Eldein, and Kyder?”
“That’s right. You were with them while I was unconscious, remember? Did it feel uncomfortable or unpleasant?”
“No! The elves were nice and treated me well! They called me Divine Beast and gave me lots of food, and they even bowed!”
‘Bowed? Why did they bow?’
A brief flutter of confusion crossed Shin Tae-ho’s mind, but he was satisfied with Yong-ryong-i’s answer.
“Is that so? Then while I step away for a bit, you can play nicely with the elves?”
“Ryong?! No! Where are you going~!”
In an instant, Yong-ryong-i’s limp form turned rigid, his eyes widening with alarm.
Shin Tae-ho hesitated briefly, then explained.
“Remember we promised to go somewhere fun? I need to take care of something before that.”
“Yong-ryong can just come too~!”
“But it might be a tight space like that workshop earlier, and I could be there all day.”
“I’ll wait and play with the elves! Tae-ho, you can do it~!”
Yong-ryong-i answered immediately.
Being separated from Shin Tae-ho was unpleasant, but spending days staring at nothing but a tiny smartphone screen in the workshop had been torture.
‘Why do I feel a little sad about this?’
Though he’d gotten the answer he wanted, Shin Tae-ho found himself frowning nonetheless.
While he talked with Yong-ryong-i and rested, fifty minutes slipped away in no time.
Confirming that the leaf’s cooldown had ended, Shin Tae-ho called to Yong-ryong-i.
“Come on, Yong-ryong. Let’s go.”
“Ryong~!”
Taking Yong-ryong-i’s hand, Shin Tae-ho rubbed the leaf.
Unlike when he’d first arrived home, this time multiple message windows appeared in rapid succession.
[This is a restricted space.]
[Checking authorization.]
[Tower Conqueror Achievement confirmed. You are exempt from access restrictions due to the achievement’s effect.]
‘So it was true — once the tower disappears, there’s no way back inside.’
The Tower Conqueror Achievement, earned after clearing every trial and standing atop the tower’s peak.
And the World Tree Leaf that could take him anywhere.
The Hall of Heroes, designated on the leaf before he left the tower.
If even one of these three hadn’t existed, re-entering the tower would have been impossible.
The moment Shin Tae-ho blinked as this realization settled in,
he and Yong-ryong-i found themselves already inside the Hall of Heroes where elves were cleaning.
“…Huh? Hero? W-wait, are you really Shin Tae-ho, the hero?!”
“That’s right. Save the shock for later. This is urgent — have Epiel, Eldein, and Kyder brought here.”
“Y-yes! Of course, hero!”
Shin Tae-ho gave his orders without even letting them catch their breath, and the elves hurried away.
In the meantime, Shin Tae-ho surveyed the Hall of Heroes quickly.
‘Back then, most of the stock was low-grade. Now the intermediate potions are in roughly equal proportion. Looks like alchemy has advanced in the meantime.’
Shin Tae-ho felt pleased.
Potions were something he needed as well, so the more the better.
As Shin Tae-ho began stashing potions into his Inventory,
quick footsteps echoed through the Hall of Heroes.
“Shin Tae-ho!”
“Hero!”
“Hero Shin Tae-ho! It’s been such a long time!”
“It has been a while for all of you.”
Shin Tae-ho received their greetings.
Epiel, who had rushed over first to greet him, caught her breath and glanced around.
“It’s been ages. But where is Divine Beast Yong-ryong-i?”
“It’s me. I’m here, Yong.”
Yong-ryong-i raised his hand in response to Epiel’s question.
The three who had never seen Yong-ryong-i in human form looked bewildered.
“W-wait, hero? Who is this child? I’ve never seen them before.”
“It’s Yong-ryong-i.”
“Hero Shin Tae-ho, has something happened to Divine Beast Yong-ryong-i?”
“No. He’s been healthy and well — and that’s Yong-ryong-i right there.”
“I’m really Yong-ryong-i!!”
When they continued to ignore him, Yong-ryong-i bounced indignantly.
Epiel, who had become devoted to Yong-ryong-i ever since his life had been saved, examined him carefully and her eyes widened.
“Everyone, stop! This is definitely Divine Beast Yong-ryong-i!”
“Pardon? Why are you suddenly so certain, Epiel?”
“That’s a foolish question. Look at the tail.”
Epiel respectfully pointed to Yong-ryong-i’s tail with both palms.
“The tail… you mean?”
When Eldein and Kyder failed to understand the hint, Epiel sighed with exasperation.
“Count the scales. Exactly three hundred. It matches precisely with the number that made up his tail behind his hind legs.”
‘What?’
Shin Tae-ho was startled by Epiel’s deduction method.
Eldein and Kyder, who had been examining Yong-ryong-i’s tail in response to her words, also turned to her in surprise.
Yong-ryong-i, who had been methodically counting his own scales, was astonished belatedly.
“Yowww! It really is three hundred scales! Even Yong-ryong-i didn’t know that! How did Epiel know?!”
“Divine Beast Yong-ryong-i is the savior of myself and all the elves. It was only proper that I should know such a thing.”
‘But how does that logic follow?’
Shin Tae-ho found himself bewildered by the incomprehensible reasoning.
But Epiel, now certain of Yong-ryong-i’s identity, had already lowered herself onto one knee and offered her greeting.
“Divine Beast Yong-ryong-i. It has been a long time. Please forgive my late recognition and tardy greeting.”
“Yong? It’s fine. These things happen.”
Yong-ryong-i nodded and accepted Epiel’s apology.
As Epiel looked at Yong-ryong-i with moved eyes,
Shin Tae-ho approached Eldein and Kyder and spoke.
“Has anything notable happened while I’ve been gone? How long has it been since I left?”
“It hasn’t been that long this time. Less than a decade, I’d say.”
‘Things have changed, then. But the flow of time still moves differently here.’
Shin Tae-ho nodded, satisfied with the information he’d gleaned.
Then his eyes caught on something: the Cloaks draped across Eldein and Kyder’s shoulders.
“Those Cloaks weren’t here before. Did you have them made recently?”
“Ah, yes! During the war, we forgoed them for mobility and concealment, but now we’ve equipped ourselves properly.”
Kyder unfastened his own Cloak and held it out as he spoke.
Shin Tae-ho’s eyes gleamed as he examined it slowly.
‘Excellent work. Sturdy construction, and the finishing is impeccable.’
“Hero, if you have need of one, you’re welcome to take mine.”
Eldein, quick to read the situation, saw the spark in Shin Tae-ho’s eyes and began to remove his own Cloak.
Shin Tae-ho waved a hand in dismissal.
“No, that’s not it. The Cloak I need has to be made from thread I’ve brought myself.”
“Then leave it to us! We’ll commission the finest weaver in all of Sinterhone to craft it!”
Shin Tae-ho had been about to decline out of habit when Kyder’s hearty words jolted him back to his senses, and his mouth snapped shut.
‘That’s right—I could ask the elves to make it.’
Years of working as a blacksmith had made him instinctively reach for his tools; he’d planned to learn from YouTube tutorials and craft the Cloak himself.
Of course, there were services that could do the work, but that would inevitably expose the Mystery’s identity.
But if he entrusted it to the elves?
‘I’d save time doing other things while they work, and the Cloak would turn out far better than anything I could make.’
Moreover, since the elves would never leave this place to speak of the Cloak’s origins, secrecy would remain perfect.
“Then could I ask for your help? Eldein, Kyder.”
“Of course, Hero.”
“Ha ha! We finally get to be of service to you, Hero!”
Eldein and Kyder accepted his request with joy.
Just then, a message window appeared before Shin Tae-ho’s eyes.
He’d regained the ability to use the World Tree Leaf, and his eyes shone as he confirmed it.
“I’ll need to leave Yong-ryong-i with you for a while. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Yes? The Divine Beast Yong-ryong-i won’t be accompanying you, but will stay here instead?”
“That’s right. Despite the youthful appearance, the thoughts and conduct are mature enough. You won’t have any trouble. I’m counting on you both, Eldein, Kyder.”
“It is our duty to serve. We shall look after the Divine Beast as you’ve said, so please return safely.”
Eldein lowered his head in assent.
When his eyes met Shin Tae-ho’s, Yong-ryong-i waved his hand.
“Rou! Tae-ho, come back safe, rou!”
“I will. Back soon.”
Shin Tae-ho rubbed the World Tree Leaf once more.
His body vanished from the Hall of Heroes and reappeared instantly in his home.
Immediately, he grabbed his Smartphone and checked the screen.
‘I set the stopwatch before using the leaf. Now I just need to check what it says….’
His eyes widened slightly as he checked the elapsed time.
“…That’s more than I expected.”
The stopwatch he’d started before departing for the Hall of Heroes had been running the entire time.
On the screen, it displayed just over five seconds.
To be continued ▶
The Transcendent Blacksmith’s Return
Author
Bong Eun-haejae
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Publisher
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 or distribution is prohibited, and violators may face criminal and civil liability.
※ Pentagram welcomes submissions 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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