My alter ego is becoming a big shot - Episode 165
#165
At that time in the west (1)
Kang—! Kang—! Gang—!
A refreshing metallic sound rang out regularly in the sweltering heat..
Chii Iik—!
The beat, which seemed to continue without stopping, soon entered a lull for a moment with the sound of steam bursting.···.
“Concentrate! Don’t be needlessly calculating! Listen to what the fire says, feel the heart of metal, and then move on.!”
Then, without fail, Zaonic's roar erupted..
His scolding guidance, which continued from the first day of training, remained consistent even after almost a month..
Howard thought he had prepared well enough to even have the skills, but in the eyes of the dwarven craftsman Zaonic, he was just taking baby steps..
In fact, the time invested in this from the beginning was absolutely insufficient, so it was natural for harsh sounds to come out during the teaching..
‘Still, I feel like I'm improving faster because I'm learning in the Spartan style. It's a world of difference from when I studied on my own..’
He glanced at the metal he had picked up with tongs and then put it back into the furnace, wiping sweat from his forehead..
Zaonic's teachings... In other words, the dwarf's methods were quite different from the basics of metallurgy that he had encountered so far..
Before starting full-scale teaching, Howard perfectly demonstrated the basic skills he had learned in a test to determine his level..
A systematic metal processing process according to the exact measurements of modern science..
However, even though it was a confident demonstration, the reaction that followed was not very encouraging..
If you were to sum it up in one word, it would be 'a lot of redundancy', or to be more precise, would you say 'it's too human-like and therefore unsuitable for dwarves'?.
-“Of course, I have no intention of diminishing the skills you have learned so far. It's definitely a good method. Unless, of course, you're a dwarf.!”
As Howard also well realized, the senses possessed by dwarves are different from those of humans..
To the extent that it is possible to achieve better results while omitting many of the processes that humans naturally have to go through..
‘Just as when solving a math problem, you don't need a complicated formula if you can calculate it in your head..’
And dwarves were an absurd race that not only were capable of such mental calculations, but were basically equipped with scientific calculators in their heads..
That's why they were called a race of artisans, and it was the basis for asserting that imitating the methods of other races was inefficient..
Therefore, what Zaonic taught right away was not some kind of secret technique..
-“Still, there is no need to teach from the basics. The only thing you need most right now! This is truly learning the ‘Dwarf way’! The rest is the next problem!”
First of all, it is important to be able to properly utilize the advantages of being a dwarven craftsman..
To put it bluntly, it was closer to just moving as I felt, rather than moving systematically by following a thorough process like before..
‘Well, it doesn't seem to make sense, but the result is so much better, so there's nothing to say. If you think about it, that's the image of a craftsman in the first place.···.’
Yes, scientific statistics and figures were in some ways just averages..
The conditions of the metals handled, the fuel used to start the fire, and even the liquid used for quenching are subtly different from time to time, and the condition of the person handling them is also not constant..
Scientific quantification at least helped prevent failures, but something more was needed to become a true 'craftsman' who created luxury goods beyond a certain line rather than mass-produced products..
‘Now is the time to develop our own capabilities rather than our remaining talents. Then, the advanced technologies brought from Earth can only be used properly after reaching a certain level. I feel sorry for something···.’
Kyaang—! Kyaang—!
While Howard was concentrating on his work despite grumbling inwardly, Zaonic, who was watching from behind, was already swallowing his surprise for the number of times..
‘···It's always amazing. The learning speed is very fast. Aside from a few useless habits from the beginning, the basics themselves weren't that bad..’
Although it has only been a short time since he began teaching in earnest, he has already surpassed the level he expected..
Howard was absorbing all the teachings in an instant and working hard day by day, and Jaonic was also excited and participating in the teachings more actively..
‘And strangely enough, the sentiment continues to be simple. Are they distant bloodlines with the same ancestor??’
Also, his passionate appearance included some emotional reasons..
For some reason, I felt like I wanted to take care of something more because I didn't feel like everyone else..
Although the day will never come when he realizes why..
Taaaaang—!
‘ah?’
And after nearly a month of guidance,.
Howard, who had been swinging the hammer in a trance, finally realized that he had reached a certain critical point..
‘Right. this···.’
Nothing particularly changed.
Your senses are as sharp as always and your fingertips are as delicate as usual..
But something was different.
The burning flame speaks.
How about increasing the firepower here a little more?.
I empathize with the vibration of metal touching my skin..
I instinctively understood where to hit and how hard to make it more perfect..
‘that's interesting. I can't believe I really feel this way.’
All the random thoughts end there.
Howard was in a trance, as if possessed by the sensation, and did as the fire and metal wished.···.
The moment you complete a ‘work’—.
《The entity achieved enlightenment through repeated training. Acquire the special skill “Dwarven Creative Logic”.》
Only then was he able to take his first steps as a true dwarven craftsman..
And as if to bless that fact, the message that came to mind was not the end..
《Titans look down on you.》
《The entity has achieved enlightenment by achieving the condition. Acquire the special skill “Song of Fire and Metal”.》
At the same time, the flame that had been burning quietly in the brazier flickered wildly, and a strand of fire came out, lightly wrapped around him, and then disappeared..
Howard, who was taken aback by the sudden situation, blinked and recalled his memory..
‘If it's a titan···.’
That was the official name for the being worshiped by the dwarves, ‘god of fire and metal’..
Although they usually say it in their culture, which considers it blasphemous to call the name of God directly, the name of the dwarven nation that exists on the Enamel Continent is also 'Titania', so much so that it is a name revered in dwarven society..
‘Have you met the conditions to receive some attention through what you just did?.’
Otherwise, there would be no way I would reveal myself at this timing..
In any case, the appearance of a new sponsor was always welcome..
Clap clap clap—
“Congratulations, Howard! I never thought I would realize that already! Plus, with the blessing of the hearth, it seems like God is taking notice of your talent..”
Zaonic came up to him, clapping his hands, patting his shoulder and smiling in satisfaction..
After listening to the story, it seemed like this was a phenomenon that promising dwarves experienced several times..
It is an expression of interest that is usually expressed when creating something meaningful in front of a furnace or when a craftsman whom God likes grows beyond the wall..
Howard looked down at his palm with fresh eyes and squeezed it and opened it repeatedly..
The heat filling the workshop moved back and forth according to the gestures, and the fire that came with breathing felt much more familiar..
Even without seeing it with my own eyes, I was able to feel where and in what condition the metal was lying nearby..
‘「Is “Song of Fire and Metal” a skill that literally increases affinity for the two attributes? I think there will be more as my skill level increases, but for now, that's the limit..’
Increasing your skills in any way is a good thing..
When he was nodding his head in satisfaction, enjoying the results of his training.···.
“good! Now that I finally have the basics, I can give proper teaching! I won’t stop watching you anymore, so follow me carefully! Hahahaha!”
When Zaonic, who was still tapping his shoulder, burst into laughter with those words, Howard couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh..
‘It doesn't seem like anyone has really noticed it until now..’
But it didn't matter much to him, who could easily adapt to any harsh environment..
No, on the contrary, it could be said that it is exactly what was hoped for..
As experience is important in production, it was more affected by time than in other fields.—.
In order to overcome that limitation and reach the top, it took several times more effort than others..
“Okay, let’s get started right away.?”
“yes! Elderly!”
In a workshop on the outskirts, a dwarf craftsman grew rapidly under the guidance of his teacher..
With a strong mind that does not succumb to the abyss, and a body like steel strengthened by karma doping,.
***
The heart of Duke Bright, Kingdom of Thalia.
smart—
“Rod, this is Theodore..”
“Come in.”
Heinz, who was listening to Mulo's report on the situation on the continent, slowly turned his head and looked at the man entering the office..
As soon as he entered, he immediately bowed and greeted Mulo, who was sitting next to him, and also exchanged awkward eye contact..
They were once hostile clans, but now they have come together under the banner of 'Hybrid', but since it was not long ago that an all-out war broke out, they were still inevitably uncomfortable with each other..
Since they were both in similar positions and positions, they once again became entangled as rivals..
Of course, such delicate circumstances between the two were none of the business of Heinz, the superior..
“Yes, Theodore. Is all work done??”
“Yes, the children scheduled to arrive soon are the last from each region. Except for those who cannot be contacted for some reason, all remaining forces of Eupersh will soon gather in the Kingdom of Thalia..”
The migration of the Eupersch clan continued for quite a long time..
Since it was the largest group of vampires active throughout the continent, it had a longer history than expected..
“Good job, Theodore. You've had a lot of trouble so far..”
“no. This is nothing compared to the opportunity that Lord gave me again. And isn’t this also for the good of all of us vampires??”
Theodore, who flatters as soon as the opportunity arises.
Compared to Mulo, who is still somewhat stiff as he is from a clan lord, the social experience he had previously spent as a second-in-command was naturally expressed..
And regardless of whether or not the secret fight between the two would begin again, Heinz leaned back in his chair and quietly closed his eyes..
As a result, the work of strengthening the power of the hybrid and solidifying the ruling system through “Refinement of Blood” has entered its final stages..
A lot of blood essence was consumed in the process, but fortunately it wasn't a big problem thanks to the dragon blood I had stored up..
‘If we inject “purified blood essence” into those who will come this time, the first step is over. Then we can move on to the next step..’
Heinz II's Goals.
At first, it was all about establishing a continent-wide intelligence organization, but at some point, one more thing arose..
‘I'm finally ready to go to the front.’
It was to bring the vampire race to the bright side and enable them to operate proudly..
By nature, they were a race that had no choice but to live as parasites on other races, especially the numerous humans..
Naturally, the perception on the continent is bound to be different from that of other races such as elves and dwarves..
‘In fact, it's hard to even consider them a normal race. Even though they eat blood, the problem in itself is that they cannot reproduce on their own, so their numbers can only be increased through infection..’
So the existence of vampires had no choice but to be the enemy of humanity..
Heinz experienced it himself, but the thirst for blood was not something that could be tolerated by individual will, and humans were also always wary of their natural enemies for a long time in history..
When they face each other like that, a fight is bound to break out, so even vampires with great power always have no choice but to hide and hunt humans..
Of course, that doesn't mean coexistence is completely impossible..
‘If I had it.’
Thorough discipline and control internally, and even the continental situation and political negotiations externally..
It was something only Heinz II could do in this world..
“Both of you, stop and take your seats. When Bricky comes, we start the meeting right away..”
“yes! All right.”
“Let me get you something to drink..”
“······.”
In this way, on the far western edge of the Aeon Continent, vampires who had been living in darkness for a long time began to quietly emerge..
Vampire clan alliance, under the name 'Hybrid'.
And of course.
This was also a great event that would change the history of the continent..
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