Chapter 8

I swung the hammer.

[The grain is aligned.]

[The distribution of power is exquisite.]

[Receiving the ‘Dexterity’ bonus.]

[Progress (2.4 percent) increases.]

I had been making the sword for a week already.

It was arduous labor, but I could endure it because the Dexterity stat increased by 1 each time the skill level rose.

I knew that this effort would later turn into sweet juice and soak my mouth.

“Hoo.”

I took a long breath and picked up the hammer again.

I struck down hard.

Clang!

The progress increased by another 2.5 percent.

Now, I was properly aligning the grain seven out of ten times I swung.

Thanks to that, the speed at which the sword was being made was also faster, and the performance was better as well.

The sword blade made this time was the smoothest of all the ones I had made so far.

It was at that moment.

[The level of the ‘Weaponry Crafting’ skill has increased.]

[‘Dexterity(1)’ has increased.]

The crafting skill, which was level 2, rose to level 3.

Along with Dexterity.

Nice!

When the skill level rises, the difference is clearly felt when crafting weapons.

Not only does the accuracy increase, but the progress that increases with each strike also increases.

Thanks to that, I could make weapons in a shorter amount of time, which soon resulted in better options.

Of course, this was possible because Muhyuk’s strength was abnormally high compared to ordinary users.

The Strength, which was already 15 at level 10, increased to 20 as he reached level 15.

He had invested all 5 points into Strength.

So, he was sensitive to even a single change in skill level.

If another user aiming to be a blacksmith reached level 15, their Strength stat would usually be around 10.

Muhyuk had twice that amount of Strength.

Naturally, the speed at which he made weapons was shorter than theirs, and the results were bound to be better as well.

That point played a positive role, and the skill’s experience rose quickly, allowing him to reach level 3 in just one week.

Finally, the time had come.

Skill level 3.

Strength stat of 20.

Only now could he create a Weaponry with excellent options that had no usage restrictions.

No matter how high the Strength was, he could not make a sword with options with skill level 1.

Options started to appear from skill level 3, and when the level increased to 4, two options started to appear.

In addition, there was a very high probability that usage restrictions would be attached as well.

Muhyuk scanned the Weaponry in his hand.

What would the performance be like?

The Weaponry made this time even set a new record of aligning the grain seven times in a row.

Since the probability of usage restrictions being attached was low at level 3, it would be a decent hit if only an option was attached.

Naturally, he couldn’t hide his expectations.

With that thought, he checked the information.

The hologram floated before his eyes.

[Nimble Iron Sword]

Attack Power 11

Agility+1

Durability 50/50

It was the moment his expectations were met.

For the first time, a Weaponry with stats had appeared.

Yes!

As if in reward, another message popped up.

[You have crafted a ‘Rare Grade’ Weaponry for the first time.]

[As a reward, ‘Dexterity(1)’ increases]

The attack power was higher than the Shining Iron Sword he obtained after clearing the training hall quest.

In the case of Weaponry crafted by a blacksmith, if you cover the production cost, the Weaponry becomes yours.

Muhyuk paid a small production cost and acquired the sword.

Gaining momentum, Muhyuk continued to craft swords, and over another week, he was able to create a total of five decent Weaponry.

All of them had options attached, and there were no usage restrictions.

Since the damage was also high, he thought he could get quite a bit of money if he sold them to people.

I should get Gold.

Of course, he was thinking of using one himself, so there were four swords to sell.

Why not sell them for cash?

Considering his current state, it was more important to earn Gold and strengthen his power by getting decent Weaponry and armor than to get cash.

He still had 30 million won in spare funds, so there was no need to worry about his real life.

He decided to focus on growing quickly in Illusion for now.

“Hoo.”

He put down the hammer and left the workshop.

He approached Luke, the blacksmith owner, who was dealing with people.

“Grandpa Luke.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to the auction house for a bit.”

As a result of passing the first test and steadily coming to the smithy, Luke and Muhyuk became closer.

Thanks to that, he could easily ask for this favor even though his work wasn’t finished.

“Auction house?”

“Yes, there’s something I need to check.”

“Do as you please.”

Muhyuk smiled and bowed slightly.

“I’ll be back.”

Muhyuk left the smithy, went out to the main road, and headed to the plaza.

There was a building on the left side of the plaza, and that was the auction house where people bought and sold items.

There were more people than he thought.

In fact, you can easily check items from anywhere using the auction system.

You can buy from anywhere with the auction system without visiting the auction house directly.

Of course, in this case, there is a disadvantage of a 10 percent commission.

If you use the auction house directly, the commission is 1 percent, so many users were selling their wares in person.

There are more than I thought.

Still, the auction house was so large that it didn’t seem inconvenient to move around.

He passed the users and headed to the NPC located in the center.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, sir. What can I help you with?”

“I want to sell some items.”

“Can I see them?”

“Yes.”

He took out four swords from his inventory.

“How would you like to sell them?”

There are two ways.

A method of conducting an auction over time and a method of selling with a fixed price from the beginning.

“Let’s do it by auction.”

“Please set the time.”

“24 hours.”

“How much will it be?”

“Let’s start at 5 Gold.”

“What about the second sword?”

“All the remaining swords are the same.”

“Okay. Please wait a moment.”

When the NPC waved his hand, the four swords disappeared.

“Registered for auction. If sold, the remaining amount, excluding the 1 percent commission, will be automatically deposited. Thank you.”

Muhyuk, who received the greeting, slowly looked around the auction house.

There were many good items.

[Leather Boots]

Defense 2

Stamina+1

Durability 60/60

Usage Restriction: Stamina 10

[Instant Sale Price: 15 Gold]

Converted to cash, it’s 150,000 won.

The price was relatively cheap because of the usage restriction.

When raising Strength, Agility, and Stamina evenly, you need to be at least in your late teens or early 20s to reach Stamina 10.

If the usage stat is only 15, you need to be in your mid-20s to late 20s.

What if the options are good but there are no usage restrictions?

It is traded for a considerable amount.

The same goes for this item. If there were no usage restrictions, it would be worth at least dozens of Gold.

How much will the sword sell for?

Expectations rise.

He shook his head.

I’ll find out tomorrow anyway.

He erased his thoughts and looked at the items on display at the auction house a little more.

Even if a good item he wanted to buy came out, he had to just look at it because he didn’t have any money.

Tch, let’s come tomorrow.

With regret, he left the auction house.

When he returned to the smithy, Luke spoke to him.

“I heard your skills have improved a lot these days?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Good, then make me a proper sword.”

[Luke’s Quest]

[Make an Iron Sword with stats within 18 hours]

[Success: ‘Dexterity(1)’ increases]

[Failure: None]

It was a special quest.

18 hours…

He made five option swords over a week.

Can he make one in 18 hours?

I have to, even if I can’t.

The reward is an increase in Dexterity.

Let’s hurry.

He entered the workshop, took his place, and placed the iron ingot on the plate.

He began to hammer the iron ingot with the crafting hammer.

The level is low.

On the other hand, some users with a lot of money often use the auction system.

“Let’s take a break.”

“Okay, I’ll check the auction.”

“Me too.”

The hunting grounds were no exception.

Auction system.

The moment he thought about it, a hologram unfolded.

He adjusted the transparency to make the item look detailed.

Because of that, he couldn’t be wary of his surroundings, but he didn’t care.

Since there were so many users gathered around him, it was clear that they would draw aggro even if monsters respawned.

Even if that wasn’t the case, one of his companions was simply resting, so there was nothing to worry about.

He would let him know if there was a dangerous situation.

Let’s see…

He used to run five restaurants and also had a rental business, but he has now sold all the restaurants and buildings.

Thanks to that, he had well over 5 billion won in cash.

He was in his late 30s and unmarried, so he decided to dedicate everything to Illusion.

He invested 30 million won yesterday alone.

He exchanged it all for Gold.

Adding what he originally had, he had over 5,000 Gold.

Oh, this is good.

He bought it immediately without hesitation.

This too.

He bought three decent accessories in a short amount of time.

They raised Stamina and Strength by 1 each.

It was then.

Huh?

His current level is 17.

Most Weaponry with decent damage have usage restrictions. And at a fairly high level.

Because of that, he was using a sword that wasn’t good right now.

That was always his complaint, but now he found four swords with no usage restrictions.

[Nimble Iron Sword]

Attack Power 13

Agility+1

Durability 50/50

[Tough Iron Sword]

Attack Power 16

Strength+1

Durability 50/50

[Sturdy Iron Sword]

Attack Power 19

Stamina+1

Durability 60/60

[Master’s Iron Sword]

Attack Power 21

Strength+1

Durability 75/75

The last item, the Master’s Iron Sword, caught his eye.

Attack Power 21 and Strength…!

But there are no usage restrictions.

The sword he is currently using has an attack power of 11. It doesn’t even have stats attached.

He was just using it because there were no usage restrictions, but now that he saw the Master’s Iron Sword, he couldn’t miss it.

Starting price is 5 Gold?

The time is 24 hours.

Less than an hour had passed, but the current amount was 25 Gold.

I’m definitely buying this.

He had plenty of Gold anyway.

Let’s go big at once.

He immediately tried to bid.

[Would you like to bid?]

[Yes/No]

Press Yes.

[Please specify the amount.]

30 Gold.

The bid price jumped to 30 Gold.

The price stagnated for a while.

The same was true even after 5 minutes had passed.

Nice!

There’s a lot of time left, but I can handle that much.

Should I look at other items?

He shook his head.

He couldn’t see any other items right now.

Only that sword, the Master’s Iron Sword, made his heart flutter.

If I only use that sword…

The attack power will increase by more than 30 percent at once.

That’s an enormous number.

He turned off the auction system and looked at his companions.

Their expressions are strange.

“No way…”

“Huh?”

“Did you see the Weaponry?”

“Y-yes.”

That’s right.

They had also seen the same Weaponry as him.