The Returned Genius Blacksmith has Awakened as an all-Master - Chapter 81

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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 81
081. Petty Worries
“You seem confident?”
Cha Yu-gyeong’s first words, watching the negotiation from the sidelines.
Even she seemed taken aback by how swiftly it had concluded.
In truth, Geumson was equally bewildered.
“Confident, yes, but I never thought he’d accept the full amount…… Ha, haha.”
Geumson laughed awkwardly.
1.3 billion won.
Just a figure he’d thrown out on a whim.
That’s how negotiation typically worked.
You asked high, the other side pushed back.
Back and forth until both found an acceptable middle ground.
But that entire dance had been skipped.
Panteria had simply accepted the amount Geumson requested, as stated.
‘Is 1.3 billion cheap? Did I quote far too low? Or else…’
He didn’t know Panteria’s internal situation, but something seemed urgent.
The way she’d concluded the negotiation without even minor haggling made that clear.
At that moment, a message chimed on Geumson’s smartphone.
[Deposit: 1,300,000,000 won]
[Balance: 1,600,524,929 won]
1.3 billion won transferred directly to his account.
Including the cash he’d already converted through Changsu, roughly 1.6 billion in total.
Panteria’s work pace was impressive.
But seeing the actual figure in his account, it finally felt real.
‘1.6 billion won…’
Geumson noticed his sense of money beginning to shift.

‘Is 1.3 billion something to laugh at now?’
Geumson smiled.
If 1.3 billion seemed trivial, he’d simply raise the stakes until they didn’t.
Gradually.
He was already plotting how to increase his earnings by growing the frequency of his deals.
Unaware of his suspicious scheming, Cha Yu-gyeong’s eyes gleamed as she spoke to him.
“Impressive. I barely got a chance to step in. And I didn’t know you were fluent in English either?”
“Survival English, that’s all.”
“That was full business-level English…. Anyway, let’s go! The move should be finished by now.”
Cha Yu-gyeong took his arm and led him forward.
At the mention of the move being complete, Geumson’s mind snapped to attention.
Negotiation aside, he was eager to see his new home.
Ting—
The two arrived at the Penthouse, located at the very top of the building.
The elevator doors opened with a cheerful chime.
What was striking was the absence of an entrance door.
The moment the elevator opened, the living space came into view.
“Wow, a place like this… does exist. But without an entrance door, the heating and cooling costs must be…”
Geumson voiced his petty concerns.
Cha Yu-gyeong smiled gently at his worry.
“We’ll handle all of that, so don’t worry about it. Just make yourself comfortable.”
Only then did Geumson look around his new home without hesitation.
He was left speechless.
Floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides opened onto a panoramic view of Seoul, and the interior was furnished with luxury pieces and cutting-edge technology.
Even his belongings from the small studio apartment—
Every single item had been organized immaculately.
“I hope you’re pleased. The building has all amenities—gymnasium, swimming pool, screen golf—and you’re welcome to use them anytime.”
As Cha Yu-gyeong spoke, Geumson’s gaze remained fixed on one object: his old-model Capsule, sitting in the center of the living room.
The only thing that clashed with this lavish space.
Noticing where his eyes had settled, Cha Yu-gyeong quickly spoke up.
“I wanted to replace your access device with a newer model, but I was worried there might be some special settings we weren’t aware of, so I brought it as is. If you’d like, I can swap it out right now.”
Geumson felt a pang of regret escape him as a quiet sigh.
A special setup?
There’s no such thing.
I simply used an old-model Capsule because I couldn’t afford a new one.
‘Pity. I’ll have to buy a new access device myself.’
Recalling his bank balance, his chest loosened of its own accord.
But outwardly, he shook his head as if unbothered.
He thought it unreasonable to ask for an access device when Cha Yu-gyeong had already gone to such lengths to secure this place for his protection.
“No, thank you. I’m used to this one—it’s more comfortable. I appreciate the consideration.”
Had his relationship with Future been as assured as it was with Panteria, he would have asked.
But so far, he’d only received from Future without giving anything in return.
So Geumson held back, taking a step away.
Cha Yu-gyeong nodded in understanding and headed toward the elevator.
Before she left, she turned back to Geumson one final time.
“Well then, rest easy. If anything makes your stay uncomfortable, please reach out anytime.”
Geumson, left alone in the Penthouse.
A hollow silence descended.
For a moment, he gazed blankly down at Seoul’s cityscape spreading below the window.
Peaceful.
This peaceful moment still felt like a dream.
And then there was Meghan.
Meghan’s face wavered in his mind.
“When that day comes… will I see through her too?”
Geumson murmured to himself.
Perhaps on the day when his Direct Sight Magic Eyes developed to their limit in the future.
Then he might understand her.
Only Meghan would truly understand Geumson, who had struggled alone all this time.
But.
“That day shouldn’t come. Otherwise, what’s the point of all this suffering?”
There was no time to dwell in sentiment.
Meghan’s comfort?
He didn’t need it.
It would be better if Meghan’s abilities never developed to their limit.
If the Direct Sight Magic Eyes reached their ultimate form, humanity’s situation must have deteriorated just as catastrophically.
Geumson steadied his resolve once more.
Then he opened the Capsule.
The familiar Old-model Capsule.
The environment had changed, but this had not.
Geumson logging into Lepion was that unchanging thing.
* * *
[Logging into Lepion.]
[TIP. A perceptive child is always in danger, but slowness doesn’t guarantee safety.]
“Danger? More nonsense.”
Contrary to the tip’s warning, Astrid’s Floating Island was peaceful.
Yet something felt missing.
“Walker? Iro-oo-n Walker……”
As Geumson pondered, Iron Walker beside him scratched his head anxiously.
Watching Iron Walker like that, Geumson realized what was wrong.
“Tia? Where did Tia go?”
Tia, who was always perched on Geumson’s shoulder.
Tia was nowhere to be seen.
Then a voice came from behind.
“So you’re back at last. Did you enjoy seeing the world?”
Astrid welcoming Geumson.
Tia, who had been on Astrid’s shoulder, quickly leaped onto Geumson’s shoulder instead.
– Tee-at! Tee-uh—Tee-it!
Tia expressed her delight from atop Geumson’s shoulder while casting a quick glance at Astrid, gesturing as if to show off.
As if flaunting her connection to Astrid.
“She seemed lonely without you around. She’s been wandering all over the city.”
Watching Tia like that, Geumson found it absurd.
Before logging out, Tia had definitely been on his shoulder.
In Lepion’s system, entities bound to a player normally vanish the moment they log out, then reappear when the player reconnects.
Yet Tia was behaving as though she had remained here all along.
‘So Mythic Rank entities really do work differently?’
Perhaps it was because this place felt safe.
After all, there was an absolute presence here—Astrid.
‘I’ll have to keep watching her.’
As Geumson gently stroked Tia’s head with concern, Astrid smiled softly and spoke.
“Now then, shall we begin the lesson? The foundation of magic is ‘understanding.’ Before you wield power, you must know what that power truly is.”
[Archmage Astrid’s teaching begins.]
A brief message appeared as Astrid reached toward the center of a bookshelf.
The books shifted of their own accord, parting to reveal a passage, and from within, several dust-covered, worn volumes flew out and settled into her hands.
“These books will help you understand the nature of power.”
[You have acquired the Mana Control skill book.]
[You have acquired the Elemental Affinity skill book.]
[Will you use them?]
Geumson didn’t hesitate—he used both skill books at once.
In that instant, an enormous volume of information flooded into his mind.
Unlike ordinary skill books, it felt as though knowledge was being forcibly hammered into his consciousness.
Astrid’s teaching, despite her gentle demeanor, was remarkably harsh.
[Mana Control Lv.1]
[Passive Skill]
– Description: The ability to handle mana within and outside the body with precision. Minimizes mana consumption and maximizes efficiency.
– Effect: Reduce all skill mana costs by 20%; increase mana recovery speed by 20%.
[Elemental Affinity Lv.1]
[Passive Skill]
– Description: Deepens understanding of all elemental forces—fire, water, wind, earth, and more—allowing you to wield them freely.
– Effect: Increase all elemental magic damage by 10%; increase elemental resistance by 10%.
He had thought these were basic, lightweight skills, yet they proved far more potent than ordinary ones.
It was astonishing that Astrid would bestow such gifts without reservation.
Astrid lightly tapped Geumson’s shoulder and spoke.
“Now then, shall we try? Feel the breath within you.”
Geumson closed his eyes and, following Astrid’s guidance, activated the skill to focus inward.
At first, he felt nothing.
But at that same moment, messages began to appear.
[The Star’s Successor title effect activates.]
[The Narcissist title effect activates.]
[The Awakener of the Ancient Heart achievement effect activates.]
.
.
.
[Total skill proficiency gain increased by 350%.]
A faint shimmer of mana began to rise around Geumson’s body.
A small flame flickered at his fingertips, transformed into a water droplet, and then dispersed as a gentle breeze.

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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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