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My alter ego is becoming a big shot - Episode 144

#144

To Roselia Grand Shrine (1)

earth-! Taaang—! earth!

The sound of metal being struck regularly rang out in a space filled with intense heat..

profit—

Forging, which involves striking the iron, quenching, which involves rapidly cooling the iron, and tempering, which involves heating it again..

Complex and labor-intensive processes continued smoothly without a moment’s hesitation..

“Phew···.”

And finally, all the processes are over..

The moment a sword is completed by connecting a pre-made handle to a sharp blade that has been polished..

《The entity achieved enlightenment through repeated training. Acquire skill “Metallurgy”.》

···Dwarf Howard was able to be recognized as a 'blacksmith' by the system.

“Oh my, it's finally come out! Ugh heh—!”

When a technique became a 'skill' through training, it meant that the karma accumulated in that action had exceeded a certain level..

One of the perks of awakened people from another world that helps them grow more smoothly by providing additional compensation every time they perform a related task..

This was achieved in just a few weeks while working in parallel with Hubert's work..

Howard looked at his hand holding the hammer and slowly came back to his senses..

The dwarf's sensitive senses detected a slight change in the grip holding the hammer..

And he could instinctively feel that he could use the tools more precisely, more efficiently, and more naturally..

‘Mmm, good. The synergy with “craftsmanship” is also significant. This is also a skill that grows according to accumulated proficiency, so the effect will become stronger as time goes by..’

The timing of acquiring the skill was also very appropriate..

Isn't tomorrow the day we are introduced to the dwarf Zaonic through Harley, who has returned to Tarak?.

‘Now, unlike before, the situation in the Iron Fortress has stabilized a lot..’

The Iron Fortress, which was driven to a dangerous point immediately after the outbreak of madness, was finally able to take a breather as time passed and the number of supporting troops began to increase one by one..

Also, perhaps due to the influence of the Principality of Rohan, the recent monster inundation has decreased significantly, creating an unexpected amount of leeway..

So he was planning to do all the work he had been putting off at once..

‘Before Harley leaves for the Great Temple of Roselia, introduce Howard to Zaonic and receive a new axe..’

Count Aonia had once promised him new weapons..

Zaonic did not object much to the idea that it was a weapon to be used by Harley, and immediately moved to Tarak's forge and began work..

And now, several weeks later, I finally received word that the ax was completed..

Originally, Zaonic was going to personally pick up the weapons and transport them to the Iron Citadel, but···.

‘There was news coming from the temple at the same time, so Harley decided to visit Tarak in person to receive it tomorrow. As a bonus, I also introduced Howard..’

So, I couldn’t help but be more glad that I had now acquired “Metallurgy”..

At least at this level, you won't be told that he doesn't even know the basics..

A day passes in anticipation.

After finishing his business as usual, Howard headed to the central blacksmith shop owned by Tarak City with Harley..

‘Still, there are only a few days left until Hubert returns. There was a feeling of considerable delay due to moving Hans around..’

Of course, measures need to be put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, but for now, I am satisfied that things are back on track..

Murmur—

“Hey, look over there..”

“Ah—that's the famous Harley these days. I guess you're back in Tarak? ···huh? But that···.”

“dwarf?”

All eyes are drawn to them as they walk majestically down the main street..

2The sight of Harley, who was well over a meter tall, and Howard, who was just short of his waist, walking side by side, attracted a lot of attention, but this level of attention was no longer tickling..

When they arrived at the blacksmith shop, they were immediately led inside as promised..

Harley was finally able to reunite with Zaonic for the first time in a long time..

“Haha! It’s been a while, Zaonic! How have you been??”

“···uh? Ugh! Okay, this has been a while. I heard about your activities so far. I'm glad you look healthy.!”

But there was something strange about his attitude..

To be precise, he was showing a subtle reaction from the moment he met Howard, whom Harley had brought in..

“···Right, is this the dwarf you wanted to introduce me to? He definitely looks quite young..”

And then, as if he was distracted, his head from talking to Harley turned back to Howard..

As if I couldn't bear to worry about it..

“Hmm! Nice to meet you. Elderly! My name is Howard..”

“···Yes, nice to meet you. My name is Zaonic Steelstone..”

For a conversation between two guys with bushy beards, the feeling of discomfort was overwhelming, but when seen through the eyes of a fellow dwarf, the conversation was nothing out of the ordinary..

In the eyes of Harley, who is of a different race, they only looked like furry men of similar age, but in Howard's eyes, Zaonic was a handsome middle-aged man with a fairly mature appearance..

On the contrary, in Zaonic's eyes, he will look like a green baby..

‘It's been a little strange since before. I don't think it's a negative thing, but there's something subtle about it..’

His reaction just now wasn't the kind you would get simply because it was a fellow countryman you hadn't seen in a long time..

What can I say, it’s a bit more intimate and emotional than that.···.

“Hmm, it might seem strange to suddenly say this.···.”

At that time, Zaonic cleared his throat and carefully opened his mouth..

“···Have you ever seen me somewhere??”

“Well, I've been wandering around since I was young, but this is the first time I've encountered people of the same species..”

“Then, as expected, both parents···.”

“Yes, he passed away when I was young and I have been living alone ever since. Until I met Harley..”

As their conversation continued to that point, Harley tried to talk about 'Harley's Great Adventure' Act 5, Scene 2, 'Meeting with the Wandering Dwarf'.···.

“···Yes, I see. I guess so.”

Zaonic was still lost in his thoughts and just muttered to himself..

“Oh, I'm sorry. For some reason, you don't feel like a stranger. This... Yes, it seems like a child or grandchild who went a long way has returned. Of course I'm single! Hahahaha!”

“Oh, you see. Ugh heh!”

“Haha! I thought I had a separated family again.!”

Zaonic must have noticed that the atmosphere was depressed because of him, so he forced a smile..

Howard and Harley laughed along with him so that he wasn't embarrassed, but inside they were quickly analyzing the situation..

‘This can't be... Is it Eline’s influence??’

Elin, the new weapon of the pickaxe world, was created with great effort by the dwarf Zaonic, and has been with her for a long time and cherished like her own child..

That was the medium that laid the foundation for the birth of Howard..

‘If you look at it that way, it's true that it's the grandson..’

As he was also a craftsman, he seemed to have something to do with Howard's creations..

“Phew—I'm sorry. Stop being so sentimental on your own. Oops! I guess I'll have to give him the ax first. Come here and see..”

But soon he shook his head and patted his cheek as if to calm himself down, and then led them inside to hand over their weapons..

And there was ‘it’ inside the studio we arrived at..

“This is an ax that I did my best to make. It's a masterpiece made entirely of black magic steel and even coated with adamantium on the blade to increase durability to the limit, just as you ordered.!”

A huge ax made entirely of black metal lies where he points..

“The only drawback is that it's so heavy that it's not even remotely practical? There aren't many people who can lift it, let alone swing it... but it probably doesn't matter to you.?”

2A large ax blade and spear point suitable for a thick and long handle that is over a meter long, and even a sharp hook on the other side..

It had an appearance closer to an 'axe spear' than an 'axe', but it also had a blade too large to be considered simply that..

“Oooh—this! It's very big and beautiful.!”

And the vicious weapons that only the giant monsters in the game could wield were a perfect fit for Harley's taste..

He quickly ran to where the ax was placed and carefully picked it up with a pounding heart..

Huh—

Even though I just lifted something off the floor, I could hear a heavy sound of air moving..

It had an overwhelming weight beyond what it appeared on the outside, but···.

“It’s quite heavy too! After all, a weapon should be like this! Hahahaha!”

Of course, it was just the right weight for Harley..

Boom— boom—!

In one corner of the spacious workshop, the wind rose as the ax was lightly whipped with one hand, making a bloody sound..

“First of all, I named it 'Giant Killer', but if you don't like it, you can change it..”

“Ah, that's enough! It's a perfect name too! Kahahaha!”

When I got the weapon I liked, I couldn't help but burst into laughter..

As expected from a dwarven weapon, this ax was very aesthetically pleasing, and exuded a sense of luxury that could satisfy one's vanity just by holding it..

Of course, anyone who encounters this in person will first come out with a lament closer to resignation rather than admiration for the luxury product..

“But... are you really okay? When I heard the news after my work was finished, I heard that quite a lot had happened..”

Zaonic, who was nodding happily after seeing Harley look so satisfied, suddenly spoke as if he was worried..

“The Immortal King who attacked the Great Temple not only destroyed the Principality of Rohan, but also recently devastated the empire of Tobea.?”

It was a story about a world situation that no one could know, but since he was also a close associate of the lord, it was nothing for him to obtain this much information..

Besides, isn't this a big issue that is causing a stir on the continent without being particularly confidential?.

“But out of nowhere, I was recommended to a death squad... Of course, I'm not saying you're lacking, but there's something sudden about it..”

The fact that he was recommended means that someone recommended him..

It wasn't public information, but Harley knew very well who they were..

‘It was the mercenary guild and tribal alliance..’

The guild knew about him well, so it wasn't surprising, but the tribal alliance in the south was a bit surprising..

No matter how much he presented himself as a Southern warrior, there was no proper contact with him.···.

“Haha! Well, I guess it doesn’t matter! All I have to do is crush everything that stands in my way with this axe.!”

Harley, who was itching to use the new ax as soon as possible, snorted repeatedly..

I wanted to attack the northern mountains right away, but unfortunately, it wasn't the time yet..

“Rather, Zaonic, have you thought about what I asked you to do? How about seeing it in person today?”

“Um... I guess I'd like to teach that friend some lessons.?”

At his words, Zaonic glanced at Howard with a serious expression and fell into trouble again..

I had no choice but to be more cautious in teaching more properly, rather than just giving a few words of advice..

‘Although it is called the 'secret secret of the dwarves', it was not necessarily revealed to all dwarves..

In the first place, there is no way that artisans would pass on their knowledge to someone who is not qualified..

Of course, they were not as closed off as other races, but their skills were usually passed down through families or tribes..

No matter how much Harley asks, it's not knowledge worth passing on to someone you just met today..

but···.

“···Yes, anyway, I can’t just keep everything I’ve accumulated so far forever. It must have been fate that we met on the Aeon Continent like this..”

What came out of Zaonic's mouth was a cool acceptance..

“And above all, no matter how much I think about that friend, he doesn't look like anyone else. Wow—that’s strange..”

“Hahaha! Isn’t this all destiny? Cancer, whatever.!”

Harley, the person who kidnapped Eline, avoided his gaze with an awkward smile..

So, Howard was finally able to officially learn ‘Dwarven Vision’ from Zaonic..

After finishing all the work, Harley moved to the Roselia Grand Shrine with a light heart..