The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 68

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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 Blacksmith’s Return — Chapter 68
An arrogant, presumptuous, one-sided set of conditions.
Yet no one in that room dared to object to Mystery.
Everyone present had just witnessed the ease with which Mystery had toyed with Wang Xiaomei, and the reality settled into their bones.
The figure before them was a conqueror who had climbed to the summit of a tower that they themselves had failed to ascend.
The ITRO challengers were those who had risen to become Rankers, the peak of their respective nations.
As such, they understood all too well how absurd it was to battle thousands of monsters alone while overcoming trials.
“…I understand what you’re saying.”
At Marcus’s reply, Mystery nodded.
Then, turning toward Oh Jin-hyuk, Mystery spoke softly in that distinctive, modulated voice.
“I’ll assist ITRO at the Management Bureau’s request. But if you ask for anything beyond this, the Management Bureau will have to pay a corresponding price.”
“Of course.”
Oh Jin-hyuk answered Mystery’s words immediately.
On the surface, it appeared as though Mystery was pressuring Oh Jin-hyuk not to ask for more.
But Oh Jin-hyuk was grateful for this boundary Mystery was drawing before ITRO, and before the Management Bureau itself.
‘If Mystery complied with every request without protest, ITRO would continue trying to exploit him through us.’
Overseas, they would vie with bloodshot eyes to summon and use Mystery.
And his superiors, believing they could move Mystery freely through the Management Bureau, would accept all manner of bribes and favors while leasing him out.
‘Mystery is most ideally positioned right now where no one can touch him.’
Once the conversation concluded, Victor, America’s Ranker, stepped forward to escort Mystery.
At their destination waited a U.S. military VIP transport aircraft: a Gulfstream C-37B.
Only three would board the private jet: Marcus, Victor, and Mystery.
No other personnel, regardless of their ITRO affiliation, had been invited and could not board the transport.
“Good to see you, Mystery. Thanks for the entertaining show. Let’s meet again next time.”
“What was entertaining about it, Bianca?”
“Heh heh. What else? You, prancing around like a buffoon, suddenly reduced to a monkey… Pfft!”
“You really want to die, don’t you?!”
At Bianca’s mockery, Wang Xiaomei surged forward in indignation.
Yet even the fierce Wang Xiaomei could not utter a word to Mystery.
‘That moment… it clearly wasn’t his full strength.’
When Mystery had seized his wrist and pressed him down.
Wang Xiaomei had held back, and so had Mystery—neither was channeling their full power.
Had Wang Xiaomei truly unleashed his energy and attacked with all his might, Cheongju International Airport would not have remained intact.
‘Did he notice I was testing my strength? Or is it possible—though unlikely—that his reserves are depleted?’
Energy could only be replenished within the tower.
Even if each nation’s Management Bureau maintained reserves, they too were drawn from the tower.
Which meant that now, with no tower available…
It was entirely plausible that Mystery had exhausted his energy significantly during the climb to the final floor.
‘Damn it. If only these fools weren’t here, I could have confirmed it directly.’
Wang Xiaomei furrowed his brow, glancing sidelong at the ITRO members around him.
Seriously attacking Mystery and striking him down here would be nothing more than a momentary venting of frustration.
Afterward, he would be subdued by other ITRO members and expelled—the outcome was as certain as fire.
‘To think that a worm from a small nation would play the hero and mock me, a general of a great power. I will not forget today’s humiliation.’
As Wang Xiaomei rekindled his fighting spirit while glaring at Shin Tae-ho, recalling how he had been toyed with.
Tsukuyomi, who had approached before Mystery, bowed respectfully in greeting.
“I had hoped for a conversation, but you proved so popular that we spent our time exchanging pleasantries instead.”
Tsukuyomi smiled faintly, having wrapped up the meaning ‘we were too busy with jokes to actually talk.’
“Let us continue our discussion when you visit our homeland. There, we have prepared tea to refresh you and comfortable accommodations.”
Tsukuyomi had again wrapped the meaning ‘your hospitality has been poor,’ casting a subtle glance at both Oh Jin-hyuk and Im A-young.
Yet the two, their attention focused entirely on Mystery, didn’t even register Tsukuyomi’s gaze.
Mystery nodded at Tsukuyomi’s greeting and answered curtly.
“I’ll go alone.”
“…!”
Tsukuyomi’s eyes widened sharply.
Could it be that he had just heard—wrapped in elegant language—’don’t worry, I won’t herd along like you vulgar types’?!
As Tsukuyomi trembled faintly, having interpreted Mystery’s words in his own way and taking offense.
Mikhail, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward to block Mystery’s path, glaring at him.
“You. You’re strong.”
“That depends on the comparison.”
“How would you fare against me?”
“You already feel it without me saying a word. There’s no need for me to answer.”
Mikhail closed his mouth.
His eyes remained sharp, still narrowed with scrutiny.
Yet his lips curved upward in a satisfied arc.
“You. I like you. Come to Russia sometime, and we’ll meet again.”
Mikhail departed after offering his farewell on his own terms.
Several others tried to approach him, but Mystery ignored them all.
As Mystery looked out from the transport plane, he saw Oh Jin-hyuk and Im A-young watching him with concern.
‘There’s no need for separate farewells.’
This trip to the United States wouldn’t be the end of it anyway.
The U.S. was merely the beginning. Already scheduled were visits to Canada, Japan, China, India, and countless other nations.
‘International activities really are exhausting.’
Mystery reclined in the VIP transport’s adjustable seat, tilting it back as far as he liked, and closed his eyes.
* * *
The long-haul flight across the Pacific was exceptionally smooth.
Though the Gulfstream C-37B was designed for twelve passengers, only three were aboard.
The interior, customized with premium specifications for VIP transport, was incomparably more comfortable than any first-class cabin.
Yet Shin Tae-ho remained vigilant, never letting his guard slip in that comfort.
‘From the seats to the lavatories. Micro-cameras and listening devices everywhere.’
Mystery was the sole conqueror who had reached the tower’s summit.
Naturally, the United States had prepared countless covert operations throughout the aircraft to gather intelligence on him.
But this posed no significant problem for Shin Tae-ho.
Once he identified the angles of the micro-cameras, finding the blind spots was effortless.
When he slipped into those blind spots and returned within five seconds, no one suspected a thing.
‘What’s going on? He hasn’t been to the lavatory, hasn’t drunk anything at all?’
The U.S. Management Bureau Awakener, disguised as a flight attendant, was bewildered.
Mystery’s behavior was so peculiar it made you wonder if he was truly a living creature, name notwithstanding.
Never mind defecation—he hadn’t even urinated?
And beyond that, even if he skipped meals, not even a sip of water?
Yet contrary to their astonishment, Shin Tae-ho was handling everything he’d planned to do right on schedule.
‘Having the Leaf is truly convenient.’
Shin Tae-ho settled contentedly into his seat.
Whenever he grew hungry, felt drowsy, or needed to use the facilities,
he would slip into a blind spot and cross over to the Hall of Heroes before returning.
Yet even using the Leaf only twice,
he had spent only ten seconds of the plane’s internal time away from his seat, remaining absolutely motionless otherwise.
Of course, that didn’t mean Shin Tae-ho was wasting time doing nothing.
‘Being able to leverage the time differential is an extraordinary advantage. This will allow me to save considerable time going forward.’
Beyond that, reviewing his current tasks and future plans in his mind allowed time to pass swiftly.
As the transport crossed the Pacific and drew near to the United States, he even felt a hint of disappointment that he couldn’t rest any longer.
When the transport landed at the airport, Victor, an American Ranker, outlined the schedule.
“First, you’ll greet the U.S. President and discuss support and compensation.”
“A waste of time. What if the Maintenance Time runs out and a Gate Break occurs?”
“The United States is also working to reduce Gates. Once the meeting concludes, you’ll immediately participate in Gate Subjugation.”
‘That will cost me considerable time.’
Normally, a foreign challenger would never meet a president directly.
Yet the fact that he was willing to see him made it abundantly clear how much the United States coveted Mystery as a challenger.
Following Victor’s guidance, they arrived at an opulent estate in Florida: Mar-a-Lago.
Two security guards stationed before the villa recognized Victor and saluted.
“Good day, Victor.”
“Where is the President?”
“He’s waiting inside.”
The guard answered as he opened the door.
Passing through a beautifully landscaped garden, they entered a reception room where the President sat in a chair.
“Ah, my! So this is the legendary Mystery I’ve only heard of! You went to great lengths to bring him, Victor. And Marcus, it’s been quite a while.”
The President, greeting all three, invited them to sit.
As they settled onto the sofa, the President studied Mystery with evident interest.
“Aren’t you hot? This place is secure, so you can remove your armor if you’d like?”
“It’s fine. For an Awakener, this much heat is nothing.”
“Mystery. The President is present. Mind your words and conduct.”
Victor’s expression turned fierce at Mystery’s casual manner of speech.
But Mystery simply stared at him in silence.
The helmet concealed his eyes, but the gaze seemed to rebuke the waste of time over such a matter.
When Mystery refused to remove his armor even at the President’s suggestion, the Chief Executive’s eyebrows twitched upward.
“You climbed to the top of that tower and brought it down, the one that was plunging the world into danger. Your merit is certainly worthy of recognition. However….”
The President spoke slowly and forcefully, then fixed Mystery with a sharp stare.
“That doesn’t give you the right to be arrogant before the President of the United States.”
As the President showed displeasure, the Qi in the reception room rippled.
The security personnel hidden around the perimeter had drawn up their Qi in response.
It was a warning: they could end his life at any moment, so he should mind his tongue.
But Mystery did not shrink back at all.
“I hardly think it’s justified to threaten someone who’s traveled far to save your own citizens just because he won’t remove his clothes, is it?”
“You crazy bas—!”
At Mystery’s unflinching reply, Victor gasped in shock.
A flicker of subtle surprise crossed the President’s eyes, which had been subtly pressuring Mystery.
A heavy tension hung in the air—the kind where anything could happen at any moment.
It was a laugh from the President’s lips that broke the oppressive silence.
“Ha-ha-ha! You make a fair point there. I see. We’ll have much to do ahead, so there’s no need to harbor resentment over this.”
Despite his words of laughter, the President’s expression remained cold.
A slight tension appeared at his temple—he was holding back his anger.
Yet the reason he let it slide was clear.
“Now. These are the Gates currently appearing across the United States.”
The President turned on a television that used an entire wall as its screen.
A map of the United States appeared, marked with hundreds of points.
“And those are the Gates you, Mystery, will need to handle.”
Mystery gazed quietly at the screen.
Thinking he’d been overwhelmed by the sheer number, the President smirked.
But the words that came from Mystery’s reopened mouth shattered that expectation entirely.
“This is absurd. With the situation this dire, we’ve been sitting here making idle conversation?”
“…What?”
The President was taken aback by a response wholly unlike what he’d anticipated.
But Mystery, as if he didn’t have time for an answer, rose from his seat.
“Victor. Gate Break doesn’t have much time left. Send me the strongest Gates that the United States can’t handle, in order.”
“What? Wait, the President is still speaking—”
“After looking at those Gates, you still have more to say?”
Mystery turned back to the President, his voice tight with suppressed intensity.
Though hidden by the helmet, his unrestrained manner made the President shudder slightly.
‘Is this man… truly here to subjugate Gates? Not just going through the motions and seeking compensation?’
Of course, he’d assumed that, dragged here by his own pressure,
Mystery would subjugate one or two Gates for show and then simply demand his reward.
But the frustration and anger Mystery displayed now were genuine.
His sincere concern for the welfare of Americans made even his own anger at being talked back to fade away.
“…Very well. I’ll mobilize the Management Bureau to provide support.”
“Mr. President?”
Victor was bewildered by the President’s uncharacteristic demeanor.
Having finished his call to the Management Bureau, the President looked at Victor.
“What are you waiting for? Take Mystery and escort him to the Management Bureau. He can receive the necessary information and support there.”
“Well? Get moving.”
“Ah, yes….”
Urged on by both the President and Mystery, Victor was left dumbfounded.
Yet despite his confusion,
his body was already opening the door and escorting Mystery toward the Management Bureau.
To be continued ▶
Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith
Author
Seal Unlocked
Publishers
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Publishing House
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 legal 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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