The Returned Genius Blacksmith has Awakened as an all-Master - Chapter 102

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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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Episode 102
102. The Ultimate Question
Whether Geumson’s expression went blank or not, Chang-su continued speaking.
About air raid shelters.
“What if we built one that couldn’t be destroyed no matter who showed up—or better yet, buried it so deep underground that nobody could even find it?”
“So no one could find it?”
“Right, because if all sorts of people came crawling around, it’d be a nightmare. Plus, if you stockpile a ton of food down there and just hide out for ten, twenty years, then poke your head out and see what’s changed—something’s gotta be different by then, right?”
Chang-su began sketching out an air raid shelter plan calibrated for a single person.
But what Geumson was thinking about wasn’t on that individual scale.
‘An air raid shelter… but not just for me. What if I built a massive fortress that could house tens of thousands?’
Geumson’s heart began to race.
He’d believed the answer lay only in Lepion.
But it didn’t.
The answer had to be found in both places.
In Lepion.
And in reality.
As Astrid had said, he didn’t have to carry this alone.
“Hey, building something like that… how much would it actually cost? A shelter on a really massive scale?”
Chang-su let out a snort at Geumson’s seemingly absurd question.
It was an interesting notion, even if he’d never actually thought about it before.
“I dunno. But I’d guess hundreds of billions? Maybe even in the trillions? If you’re gonna build it in Seoul… man, forget about it. Ridiculous.”
He’d once thought money was meaningless.
But he was wrong.
Money was, in itself, a form of power.
It could become the strongest shield to protect countless lives in the catastrophe that lay ahead.
Vitality returned to Geumson’s eyes.
The hollowness that had consumed him—as if he’d bought and sold everything—evaporated, replaced by a fierce hunger for a new purpose.
“Hey, what’s gotten into you? Your eyes look weird.”
“It’s nothing. Just… a good idea came to me. But is there even a construction company in Korea that could pull off something like that?”
“Look at you, disrespecting Korea. Yeah, yeah, I know we’ve got our problems, but in construction we’re top tier. We land overseas contracts, build nuclear plants, and all that—you think we don’t have a company that could handle one little project?”
“Oh, really?”
Chang-su spoke as if he were offended.
He seemed to ponder for a moment before arriving at an answer.
“I could just ask that person.”
“Who?”
“Who else? Cha Yu-kyung at Miraae Group. They’ve got Miraae Construction too, so if I ask, they should be able to give us a rough estimate, shouldn’t they?”
At Chang-su’s answer, a smile spread across Geumson’s face.
It seemed his connection with Cha Yu-kyung might deepen beyond what he’d anticipated.
“Anyway, Geumson, stop talking nonsense and eat your meat. It gets chewy fast with beef.”
Chang-su was eating all the beef he’d brought himself.
Watching him, Geumson began to formulate a new plan.
For that plan to work, he’d need to raise funds far more actively.
* * *
[You are accessing Lepion.]
[TIP: Sometimes a plausible lie is more effective than the truth.]
Geumson accessed Lepion once more.
Now, tips like this merely looked like maxims from some unknown celebrity.
And so such useless tips never registered in Geumson’s mind.
A single, offhand remark from Chang-su.
It wouldn’t leave his thoughts.
He’d believed that becoming overwhelmingly strong in Lepion was the only answer.
But it wasn’t.
Preparations in reality were also a crucial task that couldn’t be neglected.
‘Just like Chang-su said… I need to earn money, and I need to do it ruthlessly.’
Roughly seven million gold on hand.
Roughly four hundred million won in his real-world account.
Including recent sponsorships and donations, about four hundred million had accumulated.
One billion one hundred million earned in a flash.
He’d thought it more than sufficient, even excessive.
But now it wasn’t enough.
An air raid shelter—or rather, an evacuation center—would require far more capital than they currently possessed.
It seemed that from now on, Geumson would need to scrape together funds with ruthless determination.
– Tia! Tiaaaa!
“Walker? Waaaalker!”
As Geumson was laying out his plans, Iron Walker and Walker greeted him.
Iron Walker, as always, took his position behind Geumson, while Walker flew down onto his shoulder and rubbed her cheek against his.
Iron Walker and Walker remained unchanged.
But the city’s atmosphere had transformed entirely.
The streets were crowded with Players and NPCs practicing magic everywhere.
“The age of the mage returns! Selling insider tips for passing the Mage Tower!”
“How to become a mage! I’ll teach you the know-how for clearing quests fast! Send me a whisper!”
“Wait, why isn’t my Levitation Magic manifesting? You said it was Levitation Magic?”
“It’s because your Mana Concentration is lacking. Tense your core, gather all your energy to your fingertips!”
“Matela, could you check my Flame Magic form? It feels sloppy somehow.”
“Practice beats theory! See that straw dummy over there? Hit it a hundred times and you’ll get the feel for it!”
The overwhelming presence that Astrid had displayed.
That sight of a single spell reversing the entire tide of battle.
Such a spectacle was more than enough to leave a powerful impression on every Player.
Because of it, everyone was clamoring to become a mage.
‘Is this the Butterfly Effect at work? Not bad at all.’
Geumson logged into the Lepion Net with a satisfied smile.
He was curious what sort of reactions there were regarding Aerthos.
[Real-Time Trending Searches]
1. Astrid
2. Geumson’s contribution
3. Aerthos defense battle rewards
4. Kang Mu-jin 2nd place
5. Mage class change quest
6. Whisper of the Divine Scroll
7. Arachne Guild updates
8. Chinese Sword Forest Guild
9. Geumson’s connections
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Geumson had already dominated the real-time search rankings on Lepion Net.
Or rather, it was brimming with stories about Geumson and the Aerthos quest.
You could tell just by looking at the titles of the best posts.
– [Analysis] Is Kang Mu-jin washed up? The shocking 2nd place of Yeokcheon Guild—the game board of Lepion is being restructured around Geumson!
– Guys, is Geumson’s network lineup real? (ft. Archmage, Mage Tower Master, Crown Prince……?)
– Honestly, what did Geumson even do? Didn’t he just ride Astrid’s coattails? (Irrefutable, definitely my take)
– I fought directly at the South Gate. All you haters, do you even know Geumson? (includes enhancement verification)
– For all Aerthos participants) Give Geumson three prostrations in gratitude ㅠㅠ (quest reward verification.jpg)
– Characteristic of Geumson haters: they’re just salty they didn’t get enhanced ㅋㅋ
– Does the server economy shake every time Geumson moves? The ‘Geumson Effect’ explained.txt
– [Speculation] The identity of Archmage Astrid, a hypothesis on the ‘Final Guardian’ theory.
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‘It’s complete chaos.’
Lepion Net was truly bedlam.
It had become a place where everyone aired their own theories in utter confusion.
However, among all those posts, there was one that caught Geumson’s attention.
[Title: [Speculation] The identity of Archmage Astrid, a hypothesis on the ‘Final Guardian’ theory.]
– Author: Lepion Historian
– Content:
Did you see Astrid this time?
I didn’t even know an NPC like that existed.
My speculation is that Astrid is likely not a simple NPC, but rather something like a ‘Final Guardian’ that exists to prevent threats to the city.
In other words, there’s a high possibility that similar NPCs are hidden in other major cities as well.
└ [ㅇㅇ]: Wow…… that’s just speculation, but why does it sound so plausible?
└ [Conspiracy Theorist]: So you’re saying there’s one of these Guardians hidden in each city?
└ [Analyst]: It’s certainly a viable theory. The world of Lepion is far deeper and more expansive than we initially thought. The key NPCs in each city aren’t simply quest providers—they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their region. They could very well be the ‘Guardians.’
└ [Realist]: So even if China tries something stupid, they’d just block it all? That’s broken as hell.
└ [Cold Analysis]: Not necessarily. The fact that Astrid took direct action likely hinges on the existence of Geumson, the Star Successor. In other words, for Guardians to exercise their power, they need a Player with the proper ‘catalyst’ or ‘qualification.’
└ [Conclusion Maker]: So in the end, it all comes down to what Geumson does~ That’s the real story!
└ [Geumson Praise]: Just throw your life savings at Geumson already!ㅋㅋㅋ
[Title: Yo, but where did all of Geumson’s haters go? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
– Author: LifeIsAllAboutTiming
– Content:
Just days ago there were people foaming at the mouth calling Geumson a traitor.
Where did they all disappear to?
└ [Aerthos Survivor]: I saw it myself—one of those haters is doing deep bows to Geumson after getting an enhancement from him. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ [Enhancement Success]: I got one too. I had no idea my weapon could get this strong. Geumson is a god. Don’t even trash-talk our brother. I’m serious.
└ [ㅇㅇ]: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ One free enhancement and public opinion unifies. Truly, the world runs on give and take.
└ [Pure Patriot]: (quietly deletes post)
└ [Popcorn Bursting]: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Caught red-handed, you bastard!
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Geumson’s lips curved upward as he scrolled through the cascade of posts.
The rumors about ‘Guardians’ in particular lodged themselves firmly in his mind.
‘So there’s a Guardian on the level of Astrid in each city?’
Come to think of it, something felt off.
The calamities that had driven the Age of Ruin.
Those same calamities existed in Lepion.
Which meant the question of how Lepion’s world maintained itself.
‘Humanity nearly went extinct…… but how is Lepion even holding together?’
The ultimate question.
It tangled up his thoughts.

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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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