Episode 165 Meanwhile, in the West (1)
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
A refreshing metallic sound echoed rhythmically through the sweltering heat.
Sizzle—!
The beat, which seemed to continue endlessly, momentarily subsided with the sound of steam erupting…
"Focus! Don't think too much! Listen to the fire, feel the heart of the metal, and just move!"
And then Zaonic's roar erupted.
His guidance, filled with shouts, had been consistent since the first day of training, and it was still going strong even now, almost a month later.
Howard thought he had prepared well enough to even have a skill, but in the eyes of Zaonic, a Dwarf craftsman, it was just the level of a toddler taking his first steps.
Actually, the time he had invested was absolutely lacking, so it was only natural for him to be scolded during the lessons.
'But I'm definitely improving quickly because of this Spartan training. It's a world of difference from when I was self-studying.'
He wiped the sweat from his forehead after glancing at the metal he was holding with tongs and putting it back in the furnace.
Zaonic's teachings… in other words, the Dwarf's method, was very different from the basics of metallurgy he had learned so far.
Before the official lessons began, Howard had perfectly demonstrated the basics he had learned in a test to assess his level.
The systematic metal processing process based on modern science's accurate values.
But the reaction to his confident demonstration was lukewarm.
In a word, it was 'too much fluff', and more precisely, 'too human, not suitable for a Dwarf'.
- "Of course, I'm not trying to belittle the techniques you've learned. It's definitely a decent method. Of course, that's if you weren't a Dwarf!"
As Howard had already realized, Dwarves had different senses from humans.
They could even achieve better results while skipping many processes that humans had to go through.
'It's like if you can do mental calculations when solving math problems, you don't need complicated formulas.'
And Dwarves were not only capable of such mental calculations, but they were also an absurd race that basically had engineering calculators installed in their heads.
That was the reason why they were called the artisan race and why they claimed that imitating other races' methods was inefficient.
So what Zaonic focused on teaching him wasn't some secret technique.
- "There's no need to teach you the basics. What you need most right now is one thing! To properly awaken the 'Dwarf's way'! Everything else comes after that!"
It was to enable him to properly utilize the advantages of being a Dwarf craftsman.
To put it bluntly, it was closer to just moving according to his feeling than meticulously following a process and acting systematically like before.
'It doesn't make sense, but the results are much better, so I can't say anything. Come to think of it, that's the original image of a craftsman…'
Well, scientific statistics and values were just averages.
The metal being handled, the fuel used to heat the fire, even the liquid used for quenching, their conditions varied subtly each time, and the condition of the person handling them wasn't constant either.
Scientific quantification helped to prevent failures, but to become a true 'craftsman' who created masterpieces beyond a certain level, something more was needed.
'It means that now is the time to focus on improving my own abilities, rather than relying on tricks. Then I can properly use the advanced techniques I brought from Earth after reaching a certain level. It's a bit disappointing…'
Clang—! Clang—!
As Howard grumbled inwardly while focusing on his work, Zaonic, who was watching him from behind, was swallowing his surprise, he didn't know how many times it had happened.
'…He's amazing every time I see him. His learning speed is incredible. His fundamentals weren't bad from the beginning, except for the useless habits he had.'
He had already surpassed the level Zaonic had expected, even though it hadn't been long since he started teaching him in earnest.
Howard was absorbing all his teachings in an instant and improving day by day, and Zaonic was also excitedly teaching him more actively.
'And strangely, I feel a connection with him. Could he be a distant relative?'
And there was a bit of an emotional reason behind his passionate teaching.
He couldn't help but want to take care of him, as he didn't feel like a stranger.
He would never know the reason, though.
Clang—!
'Ah?'
And after nearly a month of guidance,
Howard, who was swinging his hammer in a trance, finally realized that he had reached a certain threshold.
'I see. This is…'
Nothing had changed.
His senses were as sharp as always, and his fingertips were as delicate as usual.
But something was different.
The blazing flames spoke to him.
Asking him if he wanted to increase the heat a bit more.
He empathized with the vibrations of the metal against his skin.
He instinctively understood where and how hard he had to strike it to make it more perfect.
'It's amazing. I can't believe I'm actually feeling this way.'
That was the end of his distracting thoughts.
Howard, as if possessed by the sensation, entered a trance and followed the will of the fire and metal…
And the moment he completed a 'masterpiece'—.
《The individual gains enlightenment through repeated training. You have acquired the special skill "Dwarven Creation Logic".》
He was finally able to take his first step as a true Dwarf craftsman.
And as if to bless that fact, the messages that appeared didn't end there.
《Titan gazes upon you.》
《The individual meets the conditions and gains enlightenment. You have acquired the special skill "Song of Fire and Metal".》
At the same time, the flames that had been calmly burning in the furnace flickered violently, and a single flame tendril shot out, gently wrapped around him, and then disappeared.
Howard blinked in a daze at the sudden situation and then recalled his memories.
'Titan is…'
It was the official name for the 'God of Fire and Metal', the being worshipped by Dwarves.
It was a name revered in Dwarf society, to the point where the name of the Dwarf nation in the Enamel Continent was 'Titania', although they usually used other terms because directly calling God's name was considered blasphemous.
'Did I meet the conditions to receive his attention because of what just happened?'
There was no way he would reveal himself at this timing otherwise.
Anyway, the appearance of a new sponsor was always welcome.
Clap, clap, clap—
"Congratulations, Howard! To think you would awaken it already! And the blessing of the furnace, it seems like God is also watching over your talent."
Zaonic approached him, clapping, and patted him on the shoulder with a satisfied smile.
From what he heard, it was a phenomenon that promising Dwarves experienced several times.
It was an expression of interest that usually appeared when they created something meaningful in front of the furnace or when a craftsman who pleased God's heart surpassed a wall and grew.
Howard looked down at his palms with a newfound sense of wonder and repeatedly clenched and unclenched them.
The heat filling the workshop moved according to his gestures, and the fire energy he inhaled felt more familiar.
He could feel where and in what state the metal was nearby, even without looking directly.
'"Song of Fire and Metal" literally enhances my affinity with those two attributes. It seems like there's something more when the proficiency increases, but for now, that's the limit.'
It was a good thing that his skills were increasing, no matter what.
And as he was enjoying the fruits of his training and nodding with satisfaction…
"Good! Now that you have the basics, I can finally teach you properly! I won't go easy on you anymore, so keep up! Hahaha!"
Howard couldn't help but smile awkwardly as Zaonic burst into laughter.
'It's not like he's been going easy on me…'
But it didn't really matter to him, as he could endure any harsh environment.
No, it was actually what he wanted.
Experience was important in crafting, so it was more affected by time than other fields—.
And to surpass that limit and reach the top, he needed to put in several times more effort than others.
"Then, shall we begin right away?"
"Yes! Sir!"
And so, a Dwarf craftsman was rapidly growing in a workshop on the outskirts, under the guidance of his master.
With an indomitable spirit that didn't even falter in the face of the abyss, and a body as strong as steel, enhanced by Karma doping.
____________________
Deep inside the Bright ducal family's mansion in the Talia Kingdom.
Knock, knock—
"Lord, it's Theodore."
"Come in."
Heinz, who was listening to Mulo's report on the continental situation, subtly turned his head and looked at the man entering the office.
He bowed deeply as soon as he entered and then awkwardly exchanged greetings with Mulo, who was standing next to him.
They had been enemy clans, but now they were united under the banner of 'Hybrid', but it was still awkward for them because it hadn't been long since they had a full-scale war.
And their levels and positions were similar, so they were also rivals.
Of course, Heinz didn't care about their subtle relationship.
"So, Theodore. Is everything finished?"
"Yes, the ones arriving soon are the last from each region. Except for those we couldn't contact for some reason, all the remaining Ufersh forces will soon be gathered in the Talia Kingdom."
The relocation of the Ufersh Clan had been going on for quite a while.
It had taken longer than expected because they were the largest vampire clan, active throughout the continent.
"Good work, Theodore. You've worked hard."
"It's nothing compared to the opportunity you gave us, Lord. And it's also for the sake of all our vampires, isn't it?"
Theodore immediately flattered him as soon as he got the chance.
Unlike Mulo, who was still a bit stiff because he was a former Clan Lord, Theodore's experience as the second-in-command naturally showed.
And Heinz closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair, ignoring their subtle power struggle.
The task of strengthening Hybrid's forces with "Refined Blood Essence" and solidifying the ruling system was finally nearing its end.
He had consumed a considerable amount of Blood Essence in the process, but fortunately, it wasn't a big problem thanks to the dragon blood he had stocked up.
'Once I inject "Refined Blood Essence" into those arriving this time, the first stage will be over. Then I can move on to the next stage.'
Heinz the Second's goal.
At first, it was just about building an information network across the continent, but at some point, he had gained another goal.
'We're finally ready to come out into the open.'
It was to bring the vampire race into the light and allow them to act openly.
They were a race that inevitably had to live by parasitizing other races, especially humans, who were the majority.
Naturally, their perception on the continent was different from that of other non-human races like Elves and Dwarves.
'Actually, it's hard to even consider them a normal race. I understand that they drink blood, but the fact that they can't reproduce naturally and can only increase their numbers through infection is a problem.'
That's why vampires were inherently the enemies of humanity.
Even Heinz had experienced it firsthand, the thirst for blood wasn't something you could control with your will, and humans were always wary of them, their longtime enemies.
It was a relationship where conflict was inevitable when they met, so even powerful vampires had to always hide and hunt humans.
Of course, it wasn't completely impossible for them to coexist.
'If I'm here.'
Internally, strict discipline and control, and externally, continental politics and negotiations.
It was something only Heinz the Second could do in this world.
"Both of you, stop that and sit down. We'll start the meeting as soon as Briki arrives."
"Yes! Understood."
"I'll bring the drinks."
"······."
And so, the vampires who had been living in the shadows for a long time in the westernmost corner of the Ion Continent quietly started to stir.
Under the name of 'Hybrid', the Vampire Clan Alliance.
And naturally…
This was also a major event that would change the history of the continent.