Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  ‘But this might be an advantage. If a player of another nationality comes, they won’t stand out.’

  Pangea was just the starter village. This must be an arrangement for players visiting from the West Continent for the first time.

  ‘A city or kingdom with the Oriental atmosphere I imagined probably exists somewhere.’

  Grid’s reasoning was appropriate. The East Continent was known to be far larger than the West Continent. Grid lingered for a few hours in Pangea. He observed the shops and streets full of people in order to understand their rules, sentiments, and culture. It was an effort to adapt.

  He didn’t move without thinking like the old days. It wasn’t irritating if he thought about it as meaningful behavior.

  ‘There isn’t anything special. It’s the same for the people. I should head to a smithy now.’

  Grid determined that he had looked at Pangea enough and was filled with a new curiosity. He was curious as to how the blacksmiths of the continent worked and what type of battle gear they produced. He wanted to study it. Grid didn’t forget his duty as a legendary blacksmith.

  “Esteemed elder, excuse me. Can I ask a question?”

  Grid called out to a fat old man passing by.

  “Where is the smithy?”

  The elder NPC called Pao Woo looked over at Grid and asked.

  “Is this your first time in Pangea?”

  “Yes, I came from far away.”

  He didn’t say he was from the West Continent. Their perception towards the West Continent was still unknown, so he had to be as careful as possible. It was very smart of Grid.

  “Ahh, I see. There should be one or two smithies over there…”

  Pao Woo explained it based on the central square.

  “There is the White Hammer smithy on the east road, the Black Anvil smithy on the west road, the Red Tongs smithy on the south road, and the Blue Flames smithy on the north road. They are the most famous smithies in Pangea. If you visit one of them, you will surely be able to buy something that suits you.”

  “Are there many blacksmiths working there?”

  “A moderate amount. At least 100.”

  The goods produced in a smithy weren’t just battle gear. There were also a variety of items needed for everyday life, such as kitchen knives, hammers, farming equipment, etc. Therefore, the production demands for blacksmiths in cities with a large population were much higher. The West Continent set a limit on the number of smithies in each territory in order to keep the local lord in check.

  “Thank you.”

  He politely said goodbye to the kind old man and moved to the White Hammer smithy. He chose it because it was the closest one, a mere five minutes away.

  ***

  [You have entered the White Hammer smithy.]

  [The blacksmiths of the East Continent have a different viewpoint from those of the West Continent. The effect of Pagma’s Descendant won’t work.]

  “Hrmm.”

  Originally, Grid was favored by intermediate level blacksmiths and worshipped by advanced level blacksmiths whenever he visited a smithy. Excellent blacksmiths knew that Grid was a better blacksmith than them just by looking at his body and hands. But not the blacksmiths of the East Continent.

  Grid was disappointed. Was it because he wouldn’t be treated well? No, it wasn’t because of such petty reasons. It was because he thought the skills of the East Continent blacksmiths wouldn’t meet his expectations.

  ‘Their lack of a discerning eye means they lack ability.’

  He might not be able to learn any blacksmithing from the East Continent.

  ‘I should focus on levelling up and new titles acquisition as planned.’

  Flinch.

  Grid was about to leave the smithy when he suddenly stopped.

  Ttaaang!

  The sound of the hammer striking iron was so clear? Grid doubted his ears and changed the direction of his footsteps. Then he stared inside the smithy with a spellbound look. There…

  Ttang! Ttang! Ttang!

  Hwaruruk!

  Puok. Puok.

  Chiiiik!

  10 blacksmiths were working around a large furnace in the center. Someone was sitting in front of the anvil hammering, another person was cooling hot iron, while someone else was constantly working the bellows. Grid was impressed as he instantly grasped their skills.

  ‘They are blacksmiths who have reached the advanced level of the Blacksmithing skill.’

  The reason why the blacksmiths of the East Continent didn’t recognize Grid’s greatness. It wasn’t because they were ‘incompetent,’ but because they were different. The techniques of the Eastern blacksmiths were different than those of the blacksmiths on the West Continent.

  ‘No, it’s ahead.’

  In particular, the forging techniques were excellent. They stacked layers of metal together and repeated the process. It was a method that required tremendous physical strength, patience, and delicacy. But the common blacksmiths of the West Continent avoided this task. They chose the easy method most of the time.

  ‘This is clearly a superior professional mindset. Is it a phenomenon caused by the high competition rate of having so many blacksmiths?’

  Grid felt a strong sense of curiosity as he looked at their equipment.

  ‘When forging iron, they use an iron hammer. When forging mithril, they use a mithril hammer…’

  It was to increase the efficiency of forging while paying attention not to conflict with the nature of the metal. It was an idea that Legendary Blacksmith Grid had never thought of.

  ‘What is that liquid that’s released into the water used for quenching?’

  There was quite a lot he could learn from here. It happened when Grid was closely observing the work of the blacksmiths.

  “Do you want to learn blacksmithing from us?”

  Someone came up to Grid. He had dark skin and thick lips like someone from Africa. The muscles around his neck were so developed that they were as thick as Grid’s thigh muscles. His name was White. (TL: The spelling of this is more romanized to sound like white in English. Meanwhile, the name of the White sister is the actual Korean for White, which is spoken in a different way.)

  He misunderstood Grid as trying to become a blacksmith and said with a gentle expression.

  “Well, it’s wonderful that you want to learn, as long as you are prepared to work. But I have many people like you come here every day. I can’t accept just anyone. If you want to learn our techniques, you must first prove that you are qualified.”

  “No, I just want to briefly tour…”

  Grid couldn’t finish his words. White randomly handed him an axe and a notification window popped up.

  Ttiring~

  [A quest has been created.]

  [Chop Firewood!]

  Difficulty: ???

  White, the owner of the White Hammer smithy wants to test you.

  Bring back two 100 year old White Trees at the forest in the north of Pangea.

  Quest Clear Conditions: Cut down two 100 year old White Trees.

  Quest Clear Rewards: 12% experience. Get a job as an apprentice at the White Hammer smithy.

  Quest Failure Condition: None.

  ‘No, is this a joke? It’s outrageous.’

  Grid’s eyes narrowed. A level 317 user was expected to chop firewood? The reward was also to get a job as an apprentice blacksmith. He never imagined that in this world, there would be someone crazy enough to try and make a legendary blacksmith as an apprentice.

  ‘Certainly, there are things I can learn. But it isn’t big enough to spend a lot of time here.’

  The level of his techniques were far ahead of them. He could learn a variety of ideas here, not technical matters. It wasn’t worth investing time in this quest.

  ‘In the first place, isn’t this a quest for beginners on the East Continent?’

  Grid was about to refuse when he was surprised by something. When he cleared the quest, he would get 12% of
his experience?

  ‘Crazy.’

  Based on a level 317 users, it was a amount that he would acquire from defeating 500 lower vampires. He could get a huge amount of experience just for cutting down two trees. He honestly couldn’t believe it, but the system didn’t lie! Grid’s eyes shone like lanterns as he confirmed again.

  “Really? I just need to cut down two trees?”

  “Yes.” White nodded.

  Grid smiled widely.

  “Then I will go!”

  This was paradise!

  ‘The East Continent is the best!’

  Grid recalled his beginner days as he ran towards the forest carrying the axe. He faded into the distance as he looked at the quest information on the map. White looked after him before someone asked him.

  “Do you really think he can cut down a 100 year old White Tree?”

  A 100 year old White Tree was as hard as iron and as fierce as an active volcano. A famous woodcutter couldn’t even cause a nick in it and a mighty shaman couldn’t suppress the fire. It wasn’t called the Daoism Tree for nothing. A perfect flame could be produced if it was used as firewood, but that was impossible. It was common sense for anyone who dreamt of becoming a blacksmith. But the black-eyed young man didn’t have that common sense. It was certain that he didn’t study anything about blacksmithing.

  “There are a lot of rabble coming in recent years.” White shook his head and returned to his spot. He shouted at his men. “Hey you! Focus more! We have to win this year’s competition!”

  Chapter 513

  Chapter 513

  “It’s hard.”

  The gravity of the East Continent was much stronger than the West Continent. As a result, Grid’s stamina, strength, and agility received a penalty. The aftermath of this was quite large. From the center of Pangea to the White Tree Forest. He was already exhausted after only one hour of running. He would’ve been fine for another 20 minutes on the West Continent.

  ‘It would’ve been relatively comfortable if I flew.’

  But he didn’t use that method. Something annoying might notice him if he flew.

  ‘Huhuhut! Now I have become pretty smart!’

  Grid was pleased with his development and caught sight of the white forest below the hill. A white forest that existed in the city. The scale wasn’t huge. There were roughly 1,000 trees densely packed together. It was beautiful. Like snow had fallen, the leaves were white and the forest looked like giant cotton from the distance.

  ‘It goes well with the old Korean-style houses outside the forest.’

  It reminded him of a snowy winter landscape seen in historical dramas. At least this place gave him the Oriental feeling he was hoping for.

  ‘If I sit here eating kimchi…’

  It was best with soju. He wanted to take a break to log out and have some kimchi with soju. But playing Satisfy after drinking was a shortcut to defeat. It wasn’t uncommon for people to try enhancing their equipment under the influence of alcohol. Grid had to refrain from drinking if he was aiming for the top.

  “I need to use the break time to eat and exercise, raising my physical strength to play the game…”

  Grid controlled his heart and descended the hill into the forest.

  ‘I have to cut down a 100 year old tree?’

  In today’s society, there were many ways to measure the age of a tree. They could know the age of the tree without having to cut it down and check the growth rings. It was the same with Satisfy. It was simple using the appraisal system. In particular, Grid had the Legendary Blacksmith’s Appraisal skill.

  The Legendary Blacksmith’s Appraisal skill was unrivalled among the various types of appraisal items and skills in Satisfy. While top rated appraisal items revealed around 6~10 pieces of information, the Legendary Blacksmith’s Appraisal skill revealed 10~12.

  “Legendary Blacksmith’s Appraisal.”

  It was the nearest tree. Grid laid a hand on the tree that was around 5m high and used the skill.

  Ttiring~

  [White Phosphorus Tree]

  Status: Very healthy

  Age: 607 years

  It is assumed that the origin of this tree is Shangri-La.

  It is often called the Daoism Tree and is the national wood of Hwan Kingdom.

  The trunk and branches extend straight towards the sky.

  The hardness of this tree, which symbolizes high dignity and elegance, is comparable to dragon iron.

  “There’s a place on the East Continent called the Hwan Kingdom… What’s dragon iron?”

  The existence of Shangri-La and daoism weren’t surprising. In the past, Grid became aware there was a class called daoist. But he never heard of dragon iron.

  “It seems like the name of a mineral.”

  It was a name that he never heard of on the West Continent. Grid found it interesting.

  ‘Indeed, there are separate materials that only exist on the East Continent.’

  The natural environments of the East Continent and West Continent were different. It was expected that there would be things on the East Continent that weren’t present on the West Continent, and vice versa.

  ‘It’s possible to produce different items.’

  Grid was full of expectations as he imagined that his base as a blacksmith would expand in the future.

  Lululala~

  He started humming as he appraised the other white phosphorous trees around him. Then he learned a surprising fact.

  “Aren’t the trees a lot older?”

  100 years old? How funny. Most of the white phosphorous trees were older than 500 years. There were some that were over 1,000 years old.

  ‘Cutting down trees that are hundreds of years old…’

  It was quite troubling about the trees, but that was all. It was a very easy quest. Then he could gain 12% experience.

  “I have decided on these ones.”

  Grid picked a 103 year old and 106 year old white phosphorous tree. He pulled out the axe he received for the quest.

  [White’s Axe]

  Rating: Normal

  Durability: 150/150 Attack Power: 53

  An axe made by the owner of the White Hammer smithy, White. It boasts great durability, allowing more trees to be cut down.

  It is highly popular among the nearby woodcutters.

  Conditions of Use: None.

  Weight: 109

  There were no options, but the durability was acceptable for an axe. The attack power was also considerable for something with no usage conditions. If White was active on the West Continent, his axe would be sold as a ‘weapon’ to novice players.

  “Similar to Khan…”

  White’s age seemed to be in the mid-30s. The fact that he was already comparable to Khan was great, considering he was a NPC.

  ‘He isn’t even a named NPC.’

  It was obvious that the blacksmiths of the East Continent were ahead of those in the West Continent. They seemed to have a lot of special know-how.

  ‘The difference is due to the environment.’

  While the West Continent limited the number of blacksmiths in each territory, there was no such restriction on the East Continent. The number of blacksmiths on the East Continent was far greater than the West Continent. This large number meant a bigger competition. The blacksmiths of the East Continent developed steadily while competing with each other. It was understandable that they would be more skilled than the blacksmiths of the West Continent.

  “As a result, the soldiers of the East Continent are stronger than the West Continent.”

  The East Continent soldiers would have better equipment than the Western soldiers, which would lead to a difference in attack power.

  “Well, I guess it won’t be better than my soldiers.”

  The Reidan soldiers under the aegis of the legendary blacksmith were the real overgeared soldiers! Grid was filled with pride as he opened Latina’s Power, which was attached to the Rune of Darkness.

  “Can
you Become the King of the Dead?”

  …He called out the skill name in question. Two skeletons popped up to Grid’s left and right. They were skeletons holding half moon axes. Overgeared Skeletons One and Two. Grid handed White’s Axe to Overgeared Skeleton One. Then he sat down to one side.

  “I will recover my stamina while you cut down the tree. You should be able to do this much, no matter how stupid you are.”

  Clack clack! Clack!

  In response, Overgeared Skeleton One struck the white phosphorous tree in front of him as hard as possible with the axe.

  Peok!

  The moment that Overgeared Skeleton One struck the white phosphorus tree with the axe!

  “…!”

  The eye sockets of the Overgeared Skeleton One became larger. The bones of the skeleton started to twist.

  ‘What is this?’

  Grid blinked at the behavior.

  [Overgeared Skeleton One has suffered catastrophic damage!]

  [Overgeared Skeleton One has returned to the soil.]

  Overgeared Skeleton One crumbled. The white phosphorus tree was fine, without a single scratch. Grid frowned.

  “These guys are really…”

  They were too useless. It was a skeleton that couldn’t even cope with the impact of hitting the tree. He didn’t know why. Grid clicked his tongue and spoke to Overgeared Skeleton Two.

  “Skeleton Two, I hope you are different from Skeleton One.”

  It was at this moment that he decided. He would only invest points in intelligence for the fragile Overgeared Skeleton One, raising it as a skeleton mage. Meanwhile, he would raise Overgeared Skeleton Two as a skeleton warrior. But what was the reality?

  Overgeared Skeleton Two was the same as One. Their level and stats were the same.

  Kaaang!

  Clack! Claack! Clack clack!

  Overgeared Skeleton Two struck the white phosphorus tree and was damaged like Overgeared Skeleton One. It soon crumbled.

  “This is crazy.”

  Grid was stunned when he saw Overgeared Skeleton Two return to the soil. He cursed as he picked up White’s Axe left on the ground.

  “You useless little bastards!”

  They couldn’t even cut down a tree! Grid controlled his heart and struck the white phosphorus tree with an axe. Then he had a shocking experience.