The Returned Genius Blacksmith has Awakened as an all-Master - Chapter 29

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 29
029. The Collector
“Hey, Walker?”
“War! Ker?”
“No, I mean—give me a lift, would you? I’m exhausted.”
The Iron Walker tilted its head uncertainly for a moment, then seemed to grasp the meaning.
The Creator’s Resonance skill really was effective, it seemed.
Even if it didn’t understand at first, it grasped the intent soon enough.
Thump-thump-thump—
The Iron Walker strode forward and obediently knelt on one knee, offering its back.
Geumsohn climbed up nimbly onto its broad shoulders.
“Ahh, this is comfortable! I should’ve done this ages ago.”
The Iron Walker’s solid, wide back was far more pleasant than he’d expected.
Even bearing its master’s weight, the Iron Walker showed no strain, picking up its pace and striding across the Wasteland faster than before.
As Geumsohn felt the rhythmic jolting, a new idea suddenly struck him.
‘Walking is such a drag… Maybe I’ll craft some kind of mount later? A steel horse, perhaps, or maybe… a flying airship of some sort. That’d be fun.’
Design sketches were already forming in his mind’s eye.
For a moment, he forgot the heavy burden of preventing catastrophe—the pure craftsman and Mage Engineer in him blazed with creative fire.
But such moments couldn’t last long.
Geumsohn had drifted into shallow sleep atop the Iron Walker’s back when the increasingly scorching air gradually coaxed his eyes open.
“Mmm… Are we here?”
As Geumsohn rubbed his eyes and lifted his head, the sight before him jolted him fully awake.
Beyond the horizon, a colossal volcano belched dark red smoke into the sky.
A vast city sprawling from the mountain’s slopes wound around it like a living dragon coiling about stone—breathtaking in its grandeur.
Lava flowed like rivers through the city’s districts, and hundreds upon hundreds of chimneys poured black smoke into the air without respite.
“So that’s… Krathum.”
Geumsohn couldn’t suppress a gasp of wonder.
The air itself reeked of sulfur and the hot, acrid stench of scorched metal.
From afar came a sound like ten thousand hammers striking anvils in unison—a majestic roar that set his heart racing.
As they drew closer to the city, its sheer scale and vitality thrummed through his very skin.
The city gates were carved like the gaping maw of some enormous dragon, through which dwarves and human smiths and Players moved busily in all directions.
Yet Geumsohn passed even those master craftsmen by, hurrying onward with purpose.
The first place Geumsohn sought upon arriving in Krathum.
It was the Auction House.
But before Geumsohn could even step inside, a man blocked his path.
He wondered at first if this Player meant to preempt him for the Moonlight Viper Sword, but it wasn’t that.
The man seemed to have no interest in Geumsohn’s goods whatsoever.
Rather.
“That Golem—what’s your price? Name whatever you want, and I’ll match it instantly.”
Without hesitation, the man thrust a sheet of paper toward Geumsohn.
A rarity even for Lepion.
A Blank Check—with no sum written in.
A man who’d thrust a blank check at him outright.
The figure in plain traveler’s garb was a strikingly handsome youth with sharp jawlines and penetrating eyes—a rare beauty indeed.
But what caught Geumsohn’s attention more than his appearance was.
‘His gear… What’s going on with it?’
Equipment disguised as shabby.
Garments painstakingly made to look worn.
But had it been merely that, it wouldn’t have snagged Geumsohn’s attention.
‘That leather vest… isn’t that Wyvern Leather? Deliberately worn to look aged. And the robe… that’s Night Spider Queen’s Silk woven into the finest grade fabric.’
At first glance, modest articles.
But Geumsohn’s eye as a true craftsman saw through them at once.
Each piece was fashioned from rare materials that ordinary Players would scarce ever lay eyes upon.
And beyond that.
‘Look at this.’
Figures disguised as common passersby were discreetly flanking the man.
They too appeared unremarkable at first glance, but the materials in their equipment unmistakably marked them as Unique Grade or higher.
‘Bodyguards? If mere escorts use gear of that caliber… who exactly is this person?’
A peculiar man, yet somehow familiar.
A Blank Check. A youth of refined beauty. Guards of considerable standing.
Piecing together the various clues, a figure crystallized in Geumsohn’s mind.
‘Could it be… Kalis?’
Not now, but in time to come—an NPC who would become known among Players as ‘the Collector’ and achieve tremendous renown.
He was famous for purchasing rare items without haggling over price.
Moreover, his true identity was none other than the Third Prince of Arcadia, one of the continent’s wealthiest kingdoms—Kalis himself.
He now wandered the world to escape the succession struggles back home, searching for rare objects and talented individuals that might benefit his kingdom.
‘Was he in Krathum during this period? Well, it makes sense—rare minerals flow through here like water.’
As Geumsohn assessed his counterpart, Kalis gazed at the Iron Walker with wonder gleaming in his eyes.
“You managed to procure something of this caliber? Impressive resourcefulness.”
Kalis seemed to believe Geumsohn had simply purchased the Golem.
But that assumption didn’t last long.
“I didn’t purchase it.”
“Pardon? If you didn’t purchase it, then…?”
“I made it.”
“You made this?”
Kalis’s expression was one of utter disbelief.
And with good reason—Geumsohn was an Outsider.
He had never heard of an Outsider capable of crafting a Golem.
But what came next struck Kalis even harder.
“And this one is bound to me through the creation process. So I cannot sell it.”
“Bound? If that’s the only issue, I may have a means to—”
“Even without the binding, I wouldn’t sell. This one is my companion, my other self.”
“War… ker! Walker!”
As if moved by those words, the Iron Walker’s core blazed with brilliant blue light, and it gave a slow nod of affirmation.
Kalis’s eyes shone even brighter at the sight.
“It has consciousness dwelling within it…! Remarkable. Truly remarkable.”
Whether Kalis marveled or not, Geumsohn had no intention whatsoever of selling the Iron Walker to anyone.
Faced with such resolve from Geumsohn,
“Ha ha! A companion, you say…!”
Kalis laughed heartily.
He seemed to take a liking to Geumsohn, and spoke with genuine warmth.
“Exactly right! Precious things should be treasured like extensions of oneself. I was worried you might think differently, being an Outsider… I apologize for my rudeness.”
[‘Collector’ Kalis is deeply impressed by your craftsmanship.]
[Collector Kalis’s favor has increased.]
Kalis even offered an apology.
Yet his expression was tinged with genuine regret.
Still, he seemed to feel a deeper intrigue toward Geumsohn the Outsider.
Most of the Outsiders Kalis had encountered were nothing but money-mad fools.
In that sense, Geumsohn offered a refreshing surprise.
Just as Geumsohn was about to bow politely and move on, Collector Kalis stopped him once more.
“Do you perhaps have items you were planning to register at the Auction House?”
“Yes? I was hoping to register a greatsword I crafted.”
“A greatsword? Made by the very craftsman who created a Golem with consciousness… This is maddening—I’m dying of curiosity. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, might I observe the item as you register it?”
Watching the auction registration process from the sidelines was clearly a breach of protocol.
It was a sensitive matter—item information could leak before the auction, affecting the outcome.
Yet Geumsohn, after a moment’s consideration, nodded readily.
After all, it was a greatsword he’d already revealed through broadcasts.
There was nothing to hide.
A man who might one day become the king of Arcadia.
To such a person, this small gesture of goodwill was more than worth the offering.
These small favors accumulated, eventually becoming hidden cards he could play when the time came.
“Why don’t you come in with me instead?”
“Ha ha ha! I like your directness! Very well, let’s go. My name is Kalis, by the way. Feel free to call me by it.”
“I’m Geumsohn. Just Geumsohn.”
After exchanging names, the two stepped together into Krathum’s Auction House.
True to its reputation, the Auction House of Krathum was vast and resplendent.
From the high ceiling hung a Mana Stone Chandelier, casting radiant light, and dozens of service windows were crowded with Players and NPCs eager to register rare items.
Among that throng, more and more people began to recognize Geumsohn.
“It seems you’re quite famous among Outsiders after all?”
At Kalis’s remark, Geumsohn felt an odd flush of embarrassment and quickened his pace.
Geumsohn headed straight for the reception desk.
The receptionist was a young dwarf.
He spoke in a flat, indifferent tone.
“If you have items to register, place them there. The appraisal fee is paid upfront, and the commission varies by grade.”
Geumsohn approached the empty registration terminal and laid down the greatsword.
A message appeared.
[Please set your seller nickname.]
“Geumsohn.”
[‘Geumsohn’ has been registered for the first time.]
[You can now access the Auction House anytime, anywhere.]
[Please write an item description.]
Geumsohn composed the description with measured calm.
[Item for Sale: Moonlight Viper Sword]
[Description: Someone mentioned that a sword of theirs had broken, so I made one. Anyone interested is welcome to bid freely!]
Geumsohn had written just enough.
The greatsword was originally crafted for Kang Mujin, but he had no intention of handing it over outright.
This was a moment when desperation was necessary.
If he truly wanted it badly enough, he could win the bid and take it.
[Please set the starting bid.]
‘How much should I ask?’
Geumsohn deliberated for a moment.
A Legendary Grade weapon with high attack power was worth whatever price he set at this point in time.
Yet too high a price risked the auction failing to meet the reserve.
That wasn’t what he wanted.
So then.
‘100,000 Gold. No buyout price.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————