The Returned Genius Blacksmith has Awakened as an all-Master - Chapter 73

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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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Chapter 73
073. Two Birds with One Stone
“Wow! Geumson! That combat was incredible, wasn’t it? Like a scene straight out of a movie! Especially that skill at the end! I seriously thought you were going to lose! Would you mind sharing some information about that skill—where you got it, how it works, anything?”
She made a deliberate show of excitement, leaning lightly against his arm in an attempt at familiarity.
But Geumson slipped backward half a step, like a slippery eel, putting distance between them the moment her hand drew near.
“You’re too kind.”
At his guarded demeanor, Moiran felt a chill run down her spine.
‘Does he actually know about my Hidden Quest?’
Seized by a moment of doubt, she was about to probe him further when—
Elio, the caravan master, stepped forward and spoke to Geumson.
“You are our savior! Truly…… truly, I cannot thank you enough! If not for you, our entire company would have perished here. How can I ever repay such a debt……?”
Elio bowed deeply.
At his sincere gratitude, Geumson’s expression softened for the first time.
“It’s nothing. I simply saw monsters on my path and dealt with them. I had something I wanted to test, besides……”
“Modest, too…… and of excellent character, I see. One cannot subdue the Sandstorm Hell Demon herd so decisively without careful preparation. Especially not the pack leader—that creature has been a nightmare for the desert.”
“No, that’s not quite—”
Elio seemed determined to misunderstand.
Still, the caravan master had offered him a decent proposal.
“If…… if you don’t mind, would you consider accompanying us to Airthos, our destination?”
[Escort Quest: The Earnest Request of Elio Merchant Caravan]
– Description: The caravan master Elio feels deep gratitude and admiration for you, and earnestly requests safe passage with you to his destination, the magical city of Airthos.
– Rewards:
1. 100,000 Gold
2. Maximum Trust achieved with Elio Merchant Caravan
3. Desert Merchant Alliance Credit Insignia
– Penalty for failure:
1. Complete annihilation of Elio Merchant Caravan
2. Relations with Desert Merchant Alliance drop to worst
Elio’s proposal was impossible to refuse.
A full hundred thousand Gold.
Ten million won in cash.
There seemed to be a slight bonus factored in for being his savior, on top of his status as a major caravan master.
For a reward like this, he would have changed course entirely to accept it.
“Then I’ll gladly accept your kindness.”
Geumson agreed without hesitation.
Color flooded back into Elio’s face.
He immediately barked orders to gather the wounded and reorganize their formation.
The mere fact that Geumson had joined them seemed to make their remaining journey feel free from all fear.
Yet Moiran watched it all unfold, her lips pressing thin.
‘Damn it, this just got complicated. That monster is traveling with us all the way to Airthos? I hope he’s not planning something weird there.’
Moiran knew of Geumson’s movements thus far.
From her perspective—needing to complete a Hidden Quest in Airthos—his presence felt awkward at best.
But a cunning smile soon played across her lips.
‘…… No, wait. Maybe this is actually perfect? It’s the perfect opportunity to observe everything he does from up close! This has jackpot content written all over it!’
She quietly checked her broadcast system again, making sure no one noticed.
Then she started streaming immediately.
“Alright, viewers! Did you all see that clearly? Was that just…… a human being?”
From the very back of the caravan formation, Moiran whispered in a low voice that no one else could hear, continuing her broadcast.
A translucent broadcast screen floated in the corner of her vision.
The scene of Geumson slaughtering the Sandstorm Hell Demon horde was playing on repeat as a highlight reel.
[Live Broadcast: [BREAKING NEWS] Blacksmith tears apart Named Monster…… is this real?]
[Current viewers: 34,815]
The chat was on the verge of exploding.
└ [Yanadoo]: Wow…… wow…… wow…… I’m getting chills. That’s a blacksmith? I’m a blacksmith too, so why do I look like this?
└ [Analyst]: This is unbelievable. It’s impossible to solo a level-90 Named Monster with such overwhelming dominance. Even accounting for top-ranked players, this is exceptional.
└ [ㅇㅇ]: Isn’t that hacking? Report him.
└ [RightHand]: Nah nah, not hacking. Look at the movements. Every single attack targets weak points with precision. That’s pure physical skill and understanding of the mechanics. He’s just a monster, literally.
└ [GeumsonFan]: Wait, did Geumson upgrade his gear? He looks so cool now!
.
.
.
The chat window was chaotic, but Moiran handled it with practiced ease.
Moreover, whether she was using ventriloquism or some other technique, none of the other players around her realized she was even broadcasting.
“Not content with forging legendary-grade weapons, now he’s smashing Named Monsters to pieces with a hammer! Is this a blacksmith, or the avatar of destruction itself?”
Even as she spoke, Moiran subtly adjusted her camera angle to capture Geumson sitting comfortably on Iron Walker’s back in the distance, leisurely taking in the desert scenery.
└ [ㅇㅇ]: Wow, X…… look at that composure. Is that really the same person who just shredded a Named Monster?
└ [야너두]: That’s Geumson riding on that golem? But why does he look so relaxed? He’s got total chairman energy.
└ [도시탐험가]: I think there’s a similar golem being sold in the mechanical city ‘Automatia’? But it didn’t have that kind of freedom…… that’s weird.
.
.
.
Moiran smiled with quiet satisfaction as she activated the close-up function.
The screen now showed Tia perched demurely on Geumson’s shoulder, nodding off with little dozes.
└ [새박사]: Oh my, what is that little thing! So adorable!
└ [평화주의자]: Moiran! Could you ask what that bird’s name is? Whether it’s for sale too!
└ [금손바라기]: Look at how it’s clinging right next to him ㅠㅠ Totally like a baby.
.
.
.
“Now, now, viewers. Calm down. I’ll ask when I get a chance! So please, don’t switch to other streams…….”
Moiran smoothly deflected the questions, keeping her viewers on edge with anticipation.
She smiled happily as she watched the viewer count climb.
Still, there was one thing she regretted.
‘If it weren’t for this Hidden Quest, I could just keep following Geumson!’
In Airthos, she’d have to part ways because of a quest.
That was a source of disappointment for her.
But since there was time until they reached Airthos, she planned to squeeze out maximum broadcast value.
The only thing was, that Geumson she thought she was observing—
—seemed unaware that Geumson was observing her right back.
* * *
After several more days of enduring the scorching desert sun by day and the biting chill at night—
a massive city’s silhouette finally began to shimmer like a mirage beyond the horizon.
“It’s Airthos!”
One of the caravan’s escort guards cried out in jubilation.
The end of their long and arduous journey was in sight.
Relief washed over everyone’s faces at last.
As they drew closer to the city, its surreal form became clearer.
Airthos was a city built around a vast oasis rising from the heart of the desert.
The entire city was blanketed by a massive semi-transparent Mana Barrier,
and within it lay forests so lush and verdant, and lakes so crystalline, that one could scarcely believe they existed in a desert.
Dozens of small floating islands drifted in the sky, and across rainbow bridges connecting them, mages in billowing robes moved to and fro.
The city’s buildings were all fashioned from white marble and blue crystal, gleaming brilliantly in the blazing sunlight.
“A city like this in the desert…… truly a city of magic.”
Geumson gazed in wonder from atop Iron Walker’s back, drinking in the sight of the city.
It possessed a mysterious, serene beauty utterly different from Neman Village’s pastoral atmosphere or Krathum’s raw vigor.
As the caravan arrived at the city gate, Elio approached Geumson and bowed deeply once more.
“It is only through your protection that we have arrived safely. This debt I shall never forget. This is a small token of gratitude from our caravan. Please accept it.”
What Elio offered was a weighty Gold Pouch, along with a small insignia bearing the caravan’s emblem.
[You have obtained 100,000 Gold.]
[You have obtained the Desert Merchant Alliance Credit Insignia.]
[When trading with merchants throughout the Desert, all items receive a 10% discount, and you may prioritize the purchase of special goods.]
“I accept gratefully.”
Geumson did not refuse.
The Gold was welcome, but the insignia’s effects pleased him as well.
“Should you need any assistance in Airthos, please visit our caravan at any time. Though our strength is modest, we shall do our utmost to help.”
“Your words alone are sufficient thanks. Then, I shall take my leave.”
Geumson exchanged parting words with Elio and gave a slight nod to Moiran before entering the city with Iron Walker and Tia.
Behind him, Moiran’s gaze—mingled with regret and curiosity—followed persistently.
Yet she gracefully yielded.
‘Nothing unusual happened, but…… why does his face seem so familiar? Moiran, Moiran…….’
He couldn’t make out her face clearly.
Yet for some reason, the name Moiran felt strangely familiar to Geumson.
He couldn’t quite place it.
But his thoughts about Moiran wouldn’t stay with him.
‘What… is this?’
— Beep! Beep-beep! Beep!
“Iron Walker?”
Geumson’s footsteps halted as he entered the city.
Tia’s reaction matched his own.
Only Iron Walker stood scratching his head.
The air was thick with a crisp, clear presence.
Yet beneath it flowed a subtle discord.
‘It’s a magical city, but… why is the Mana flow so unstable?’
Geumson’s brow furrowed.

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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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