The Return of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 71

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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 the Transcendent Blacksmith – Chapter 71
Once the Gate Subjugation began in earnest, it proceeded without pause.
Mystery had agreed to clear seven Gates in total.
The US Management Bureau had estimated it would take a month to process these seven Gates.
But contrary to their expectations, Mystery was already subjugating the sixth Gate in just two weeks.
Crash!!
Thud!!
“Shriek—!”
Each time the Throwing Hammer flew, monsters burst skyward like popcorn.
Not only the most common and weakest Forest Goblins.
Even Hobgoblins—creatures that rode Barghests and hunted challengers, objects of terror—were nothing but prey before the Throwing Hammer.
As Shin Tae-ho retrieved the Throwing Hammer and hurled it again, he checked his meridians.
‘Plenty of energy flowing through—this is reassuring.’
Before beginning the Gate Subjugation.
Shin Tae-ho had charged himself with an enormous quantity of Accumulated Ki from the US Management Bureau.
The energy gathered by challengers across the United States was stored not only in his meridians, but also in the Cores held in his Inventory.
Yet even after subjugating six Gates, Shin Tae-ho had never once needed to draw energy from those Cores.
‘At this point, I can take down Goblins without using energy at all.’
The changes to his body—he’d felt them when climbing the World Tree’s roots as well.
Shin Tae-ho’s body now possessed strength sufficient to be called superhuman, even without energy.
He had a vague sense of why.
A body rebuilt from the start through Complete Body Reconstruction.
Strengthened further still by drinking Epiel’s Elixir encountered in the Gate.
And thanks to his Awakener Ability growing stronger alongside each floor he climbed, his body could now generate power rivaling an Ogre’s, even without channeling energy.
‘But I can’t afford to waste an opportunity this good. Once I finish this subjugation, I’ll need to get charged up again.’
Without the Tower, the means to replenish consumed energy were limited.
The branch of the World Tree in Sinterhone released energy, it was said, but it hadn’t grown enough yet—the quantity was negligible compared to the original World Tree.
More than that, even what it produced fell short of what Yong-ryong-i needed.
‘Besides, America’s Accumulated Ki isn’t comparable to Korea’s in sheer volume.’
America’s territory was ninety-eight times larger than Korea’s.
Meanwhile, its official population was seven times greater.
As a result, America’s Accumulated Ki vastly outweighed Korea’s in quantity.
In quality, it was comparable to Korea’s, or perhaps slightly better.
‘At first, there was suspicion about me, so it was hard to bring large amounts. But now, nobody could refuse.’
Since arriving in America, Mystery had focused entirely on Gate Subjugation—aside from sleep.
Travel toward Gates, subjugate them.
Return to lodgings and sleep like the dead—this image was exactly what Shin Tae-ho had intended.
The sight of someone pursuing Gate Subjugation relentlessly, spurning all luxury and indulgence.
This had imprinted upon Americans an image of dedication and heroism.
In such circumstances, to refuse a request saying ‘I lack energy for Gate Subjugation, please give me some’?
‘That won’t happen.’
While Shin Tae-ho was thinking, the subjugation was nearly complete.
As he activated the power of the Throwing Hammer with Fire Rune one final time, the remaining monsters burned and fell.
[All monsters sustaining the Gate have been eliminated.]
[The Gate is beginning to dissipate.]
[Gate Subjugation rewards are being delivered to your Inventory based on contribution.]
Once the last monsters were cleared, a message window announcing the Gate’s conquest appeared.
As the Gate dissipated and he emerged, the waiting crowd erupted in cheers.
“Mystery has successfully cleared the sixth Gate!”
“Six Gates cleared in less than a month since subjugation began!”
“Waaaaah! He’s America’s hero! Long live Mystery!”
“Mystery! What’s your actual class?! Just say one word! Mystery!!”
Camera shutters and the crowd’s roar continued without end.
Victor, Marcus, and Hamilton, who had entered the Gate with Mystery, escaped through the crowd with the help of security personnel, their movements practiced and familiar.
Mystery, following behind them, approached Hamilton and spoke quietly.
“Hamilton. I need more energy. Prepare for another charge.”
“Energy? But… we brought that much last time. Are you saying that’s not enough?”
“Is that really a question? What were you watching while following the Gates?”
In his voice—composed yet carrying an undertone of quiet fury—Hamilton fell silent.
‘It’s true. After fighting like that, it’s strange there’s energy left at all.’
The combat style Mystery displayed in the Gate was simple: using energy to throw his hammer and control it through force of will.
In essence, it was the same as Telekinesis, which meant logically his energy should be constantly depleting—and that was correct.
Above all, from what he’d observed beside Mystery thus far, he was not the sort of man prone to hollow excuses or selfish desires.
‘If he were greedy for energy, he would’ve asked to replenish it long ago.’
Mystery had never demanded luxurious transport or pleasures like alcohol—he simply subjugated Gates, day after day, with quiet purpose.
That manner of his resembled a machine, yet it was precisely that which earned trust.
“…I understand. I will obtain formal authorization from the President and provide you with energy.”
“I cannot wait indefinitely. Three days. Secure approval for energy provision within that time.”
“Yes? But if the President is occupied, it may take longer….”
“Three days.”
Mystery cut short Hamilton’s words with absolute finality.
‘Tch. He shows no weakness.’
Hamilton, who had meant to detain Mystery under the pretense that approval hadn’t come through, bit his lip hard.
Victor, listening to their exchange, regarded Mystery with a meaningful expression.
‘…Will he be the one?’
To prepare for any contingency.
Mystery was America’s Ranker, after all.
He’d attached various reasons to justify following him.
But the real reason Victor followed Mystery was entirely personal.
‘How did you manage to climb the Tower without ever losing heart?’
Victor had climbed to the 67th Floor with full backing from the US Management Bureau.
Yet even Victor, after experiencing the 68th Floor, could not bring himself to challenge it again—he’d sunk into drinking to numb the memory.
The 68th Floor was a battlefield where elves already lay dead, slain by monsters, and countless creatures swarmed like ants to be fought.
So when Mystery appeared, Victor naturally assumed he would fail the 68th Floor ascent.
But Mystery succeeded, as if to prove them wrong, becoming the world’s sole Ranker.
For Victor, it was both a tremendous shock and a source of profound shame.
‘If I could fight you and win… could I finally shed this filthy feeling?’
Bearing the weight of anguish still unresolved in his heart.
Victor clenched his fist with all his strength, suppressing the energy that threatened to flow through his meridians.
* * *
The situation unfolded exactly as Shin Tae-ho had anticipated.
The moment the President heard that Mystery needed energy and had requested use of an Accumulated Ki device, he stepped before the media himself.
“At my request, Mystery came from our ally Korea. Mystery has fought for America and requested access to energy. And we do not ignore the voice of those who dedicate themselves to our nation.”
The President skillfully framed Mystery’s actions as his own doing, parading his influence.
Having gained this advantage, the President readily granted Mystery’s request.
After all, Mystery had become enormously popular and enjoyed widespread support in America—there was no justification for refusal.
Watching the President’s speech, which turned even this into an opportunity to solidify his own position, Shin Tae-ho clicked his tongue.
‘Impressive. He’s determined not to give anything away for free.’
Not only would he borrow his power, but now he’d exploit his image as well.
Remembering the President’s thoroughly political maneuvers, Shin Tae-ho smiled wryly.
‘But thanks to that, I won’t have to worry about energy for a while.’
With authorization secured, Shin Tae-ho was able to retrieve the Management Bureau’s Accumulated Ki device again.
He was able to confidently draw energy from the remaining Cores.
It bothered him that Hamilton watched with eyes bloodshot as if on the verge of tears.
But with the President’s instruction to let Mystery take as much energy as he wanted, there was no way to stop him.
Still, Shin Tae-ho had no intention of ruining the image he’d built thus far by simply taking the Accumulated Ki device.
“Huh? Why are you taking less than you did last time?”
The moment Mystery withdrew his hand, Hamilton hastily checked the remaining energy in the Core, bewildered.
The first time Mystery had taken energy, it was half of what the Accumulated Ki device contained.
This time, he’d taken only half of what remained.
To Hamilton’s confusion, Mystery answered matter-of-factly.
“I took only what’s necessary to subjugate the remaining Gates.”
“…!”
Hamilton’s eyes widened in shock at the answer.
Even for an Awakener like Mystery, energy shortage was a constant struggle.
He surely understood better than anyone the value and rarity of energy.
Moreover, with the President’s authorization, he could have taken all of it without Hamilton stopping him.
Yet even in such a situation, he refrained from personal greed and took only what he needed?
“What are you doing? Move. Your energy is replenished—we head to the Gate now.”
At Mystery’s words, Hamilton snapped out of his shock.
“Ah, understood. Mystery.”
Hamilton had privately suspected that Mystery came to the United States to barter his abilities for personal gain.
But now, in the tone of Hamilton’s voice as he answered Mystery,
a faint glimmer of respect and trust had begun to surface—something absent until this moment.
* * *
Bang—!!
“Kyieee-ek!”
As the Throwing Hammer fell, the tightly clustered goblins scattered like bowling pins and sailed into the air.
The Hobgoblin riding the Barghest that had been waiting for an opening rushed forward eagerly.
But before its attack could land, the Throwing Hammer orbiting Mystery’s position struck it, sending it flying—a failure.
‘It’s nearly finished. I can end this without waiting.’
Shin Tae-ho prepared for the final blow as the monsters fell one by one.
Since he would have to leave for Japan immediately after subjugating this Gate, he meant to conserve time by drawing on his Energy.
As Shin Tae-ho began pulling Energy from his Meridian to unleash fire and ice,
he turned his head at the sensation of someone’s approach felt through his extended Energy Sensing.
“What is it?”
The presence he’d felt through Energy Sensing belonged to Victor.
Surprised by Victor’s sudden action—he’d been quiet until now—both Hamilton and Marcus looked at him.
Victor ignored their gazes and fixed his eyes only on Mystery’s Helmet.
“Mystery. Once we finish subjugating this Gate, you’ll head back to your country, won’t you?”
Shin Tae-ho said nothing in response to the abrupt words, simply watching Victor.
Victor hadn’t been seeking an answer anyway, so he didn’t wait for one.
“Before that happens. Let’s see who the stronger one is.”
Clang!
Victor pulled a massive Double-Bladed Axe from his Inventory and struck the ground with it, wrapping his body in Energy.
Marcus and Hamilton, who’d heard no warning beforehand, were taken aback by Victor’s declaration, their eyes widening in shock.
Continued in Next Episode ▶
The Transcendent Blacksmith’s Return
Author
Seal Release
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Published by
Grae Publications
Inquiries
[email protected]
Publication Date
May 26, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260227067
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※ 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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