Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

[Title: Guys, what is this?] Content: [Photo] Raising reputation with the Ash Group They say these guys will introduce blacksmith dwarves Is this the right quest reward? Are these stats right?????????????? This is what they give as reputation reward items in late-game areas?????? -: Dude, you have no eye for items... -: Hey you Items aren't all about stats ㅇㅇㅇ -: That thing's specs are insane even though it doesn't look like it ㅇㅇ; -[OP]: Really? Is there some hidden stat or something? -: There's an insanely practical hidden stat ㅇㅇㅇ -[OP]: Damn, there's even that kind of thing? What is it -: The looks are amazing -[OP]: Ah damn, there you go again -[OP]: What good are looks for -: Looks are serious business though? -: fr a good look is what makes it a true masterpiece Have you seen Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and such giving stat boosts? They're all empty items ㅇㅇ They put everything into looks -: Because you don't look at the looks stat You're playing this kind of game on Friday night -[OP]: Lol, then you guys Take good care of your looks stats, so You must have equipped only looks-based items with no stats on your character, right? -: I don't wear equipment! -: I have no equipment so I just dyed my underwear and beard with glow-in-the-dark dye ㅠㅠㅠ -: Wow, no equipment to dye so You dyed underwear and beard instead - how much of a newbie are you? -: So those broke-ass bastards with no equipment have been giving advice to this guy all along? Damn, I can't stand this This won't do Should we do some pvp with those bastards and teach them a lesson? -: I only have underwear and a club right now ㅠㅠ Want to create a room first? -[OP]: Save me -: That thing Giving a hollow sword that only looks good The dwarves are saying 'This level of sword suits you perfectly' ㅇㅇ -[OP]: What did I even do for them to be condescending, damn it -: Those dwarves They're from the Steel Fire Blacksmith Guild They're a continental-class blacksmith group so they charge insanely high prices So originally to activate the Steel Fire Blacksmith Guild You need to build reputation, get their approval, and do all sorts of annoying stuff If you raise reputation with the Ash Group, you can skip that and activate them directly But!!!!!!!!!! If you forcibly activate them like that They act polite on the surface but Internally they treat you like an idiot They do repairs half-heartedly Weapon appraisals half-heartedly too And they only show you hollow items that are just flashy on the outside ㅇㅇ Essentially You can consider the blacksmith NPCs in that region basically useless -[OP]: Aha I should reject the Ash Group's offer to introduce the Steel Fire Guild ㅇㅇ Thanks for the tip -: ? Didn't you already accept it? -: Damn it What does that make us who gave spoilers so enthusiastically -: You're going to play it like this, huh? Okay, I get it *** Dogan and Murin, the artisans of the Steel Fire Blacksmith Guild. As the work that had been progressing at a murderous pace recently was coming to an end, they were celebrating with a modest but hearty drinking table. The two dwarves thought today was the best day they'd had in a while. It certainly was, until the Ash Group came looking for them. The group very politely invited the two dwarves. But it was only polite in words— The two dwarves couldn't help but feel the Ash Group's attitude was rude. In this city, when the Ash Group said 'Just come without fuss~', those who could say 'Get lost~' could be counted on one hand. In other words. From the moment the Ash Group appeared, those dwarf artisans had no choice but to comply if told to do so. This was more than enough to hurt the pride of the haughty dwarf artisans. Right now, countless people from all over the continent had come and been waiting for over a month just to meet them. But. To suddenly show up in the middle of the night and drag them away half-forcibly!? A violent act flaunting authority. There was no respect for artisans or anything else in it. -Damn it. They must think of us as convenient hammers to use. Just grabbing us saying they have a use for us. -Well then, what choice do we have. We should meet their expectations. -Right... let's repay them as much as they expect from us. Therefore, the dwarf artisans swore. That they would act in accordance with the respect shown to them. As incompetent, irresponsible, and crooked craftsmen! *** "Making such a fuss about showing us some great sword." Dogan, artisan of the Steel Fire Guild. He reacted indifferently when the man showed him the sword. And then, without examining the sword closely, he tried to proceed with the conversation casually. They were people who didn't show proper courtesy to artisans and just treated them like tools. So, wouldn't it be proper to respond not as an artisan, but with the attitude of an irresponsible worker? "Dogan!?" "Huh? What!? When did I—" At that moment. Artisan Dogan was startled and opened his eyes wide. When he came to his senses, he was somehow already approaching the man!? -Dogan! Get a grip!!! Are you really thinking of sharing our skills with those who treat us artisans like tools!? Artisan Murin approached and scolded him in a low voice. Dogan nodded his head in reflection. His colleague's words were certainly right. If he bent his posture here, it would be no different from putting down his pride as an artisan. -Right. Murin. You're righ— Murin? "Huh? What!? When did I—" At that moment. Artisan Murin was startled and opened his eyes wide. When he came to his senses, he was somehow being drawn closer to the man's sword as if being sucked in? "..." "..." The two dwarf artisans looked at each other. Their violently trembling pupils symbolized the artisans' crisis. They were standing at a critical crossroads where their pride as artisans was at stake. If they were to have their attention captured by the sword the man showed them— The stubborn and noble pride of artisans they had maintained until now would fall from grace. Would that really be acceptable!? They struggled desperately not to have their gaze captured by the man's sword. "First, this is an Ego Sword called Blue Lotus—" At that moment. Perhaps judging the dwarves' behavior as interest, the man spoke. Hmph. The two artisans snorted inwardly. Not even an apprentice. They had come too far to get excited over just one Ego Sword. "Currently, it's in a somewhat ambiguous state to be treated as an Ego Sword." "I can tell at a glance, you haven't maintained it well, have you? So the sword's ego has developed problems." "Oh, how did you know right away?" "Well, it's a common case. Obviously, the Ego Sword's ego suddenly refuses to communicate with you or something like that." "Ah, it's a bit different. How should I put it— the inside of the Ego Sword has literally become empty?" The two artisans unconsciously let out a sigh. There were some like this. People who came to the Steel Fire Guild unable to accept the reality of being rejected by their Ego Sword. In the two artisans' view, the man was now following their typical behavior pattern. The artisans' mouths itched to tell him the reality, but they deliberately restrained themselves. If they gave advice related to complex knowledge like Ego Swords, that would be fulfilling their duty as artisans! Right now, weren't they just mere workers, not artisans? "The inside of the Ego Sword has become empty. That's quite a problem! Did the Ego Sword's ego escape by obtaining a new body?" Dogan didn't forget that fact and spouted the kind of stupid things only an apprentice would say. Murin shook his head from the side. Because it was definitely not something to say as an artisan. The ego of an Ego Sword isn't like water in a canteen— "Oh! You know that much!?" "?" But the man's reaction was somehow strange. "That's right! This Ego Sword's ego has currently been moved to another place. So it became an Ego Sword without ego, you could say." "Huh! An Ego Sword's ego moving to another sword. I've never heard of such a thing—" "Come on, Dogan. Don't say that. Who knows? Maybe it moved not to a sword, but to a body." This time it was stupid talk that not even an apprentice would do. Just as Dogan and Murin were about to burst into the most irresponsible laughter in the world. "My goodness!!! That's exactly right!!! How can you know that much!?" "?" "What you both said is correct! This Ego Sword's ego has regained its past body and moved there!" "...Is such a thing possible?" A dumbfounded tone like asking back like an apprentice. However, this was clearly spoken as an artisan now. An Ego Sword becoming an ego human(?). In decades of blacksmith career, this was the first time experiencing such a situation. Perhaps it would be the same throughout the entire history of blacksmithing? "..." "..." "Everyone?" "Ah!" "Hah!" At that moment. The two artisans were startled and opened their eyes wide. When they came to their senses, they were somehow practically burying their noses in the egoless Ego Sword!? This shouldn't happen! To show interest in an egoless Ego Sword. Isn't that too much like artisans!? They turned their heads violently. Then, three swords came into view. Those swords, each emitting dark, purple, and red light respectively, were emanating an ominous aura, however faintly. They once again spouted the kind of foolish words only apprentices would say. "These swords! They're so ominous, I wonder if they're Magic Swords!" Magic Swords. Those fragments of Night, passed down like legends among blacksmiths, had a reputation that surpassed even Sacred Swords. There might be heroes who come to blacksmiths asking them to look at Sacred Swords— But there were no swordsmen who came to blacksmiths asking them to look at Magic Swords. Great evil objects with the power to easily destroy an entire city. Calling them Magic Swords just because the swords give off an ominous feeling. There would be no sound more unprofessional and foolish than that. "Dogan! You had the same thought as me! I also think these might be Magic Swords!" "Oh...!!!" But then. The man exclaimed in admiration again. "Hehe, why. Did we get it right again? The fact that three Magic Swords that exist only in legends are gathered together in one place?" "That's right!" "Hahaha! That's right! Then in that room next door, there must be the dark armor that's called the sheath or main body of those Magic Swords?" Another exclamation. This time it wasn't the man. -My goodness! Risir! These blacksmiths are incredibly mysterious!!! To know everything in such detail just from seeing one thing!? The Sacred Sword sent praise toward the two artisans. Ever since coming here— They had only been spouting ridiculous nonsense as incompetent workers. "..." "..." The two artisans lost in thought. Soon, they shouted toward the man. Dogan and Murin, artisans of the Steel Fire Guild. As haughty dwarf artisans, they would never bestow their skills unless sufficient respect and sincerity were shown. However, exceptions exist. Dwarves feel infinite glory when a great swordsman uses their swords. The man now before them. He was the owner of an egoless Ego Sword. He was the owner of a Sacred Sword. He was the owner of three Magic Swords. The two artisans were certain. That a day when they would encounter a swordsman greater than this would never come in their lifetime! "My lord!!! It is an honor that you sought us out!!!" "I, Murin, artisan of the Steel Fire Guild!!! I will stake my career and strive to meet your expectations, swordsman!!!" Thus. The two dwarves, who had been posing as incompetent workers and spouting nonsense all along, switched their stance and became artisans. "The amazing knowledge and insight you both have shown...!!! I have high expectations! Please take good care of me!" Risir didn't notice that change at all. *** Late at night. Two dwarves were dragged to the Ash Group's residence. And in the morning. Dozens of dwarves were busily moving around the Ash Group's residence. They stayed up all night absorbed in investigating the sword sheath. "Everyone! Even if it's for my sake, there's no need to go this far—" "Hey, human! We're busy so don't just stand there, get out of the way!!!" "Ah! You're all just doing this because you enjoy it!" It wasn't that difficult for Dogan and Murin to summon their guild colleagues who had been taking a break. Magic Swords. Sword sheath. Those two terms were enough. When Dogan and Murin conveyed exactly what they had seen and heard, they lit up their eyes, grabbed their tools, and rushed to the Ash Group's residence. After passing the night, through morning, and when afternoon came. Risir was able to hear good news from the Steel Fire Guild. "You think you can restore the sheath in the form of a powerful artifact?" "That's right!" "Oh..." That ominous aura. That ominous nature. From Risir's perspective, who thought it would be best to purify it moderately and seal it, this was an unexpected windfall he hadn't even hoped for. "However. I believe that process will definitely not be easy." At that moment. Artisans Dogan and Murin stepped forward and spoke. "This armor is a concentration of ancient mysterious and great techniques. Restoring it would definitely not be easy even if our entire Steel Fire Guild tackled it. Perhaps, for several years— no, decades to come, it might become a cherished project that our entire guild must carry." "T-tens of years...?" At such a distant timeframe, Risir's vision went dark. At that rate, it wouldn't be him but his descendants in the distant future who would have to come and retrieve it. -It can't be helped!!! That thing might be manageable for Master, but it's not something mere mortal insects can handle!!! Risir belatedly nodded his head. Setting the timeframe aside. It was proper to find significance in the fact that restoration itself was possible. "But why does it require such an enormous amount of time?" Risir asked out of pure curiosity. "Actually. If we had sufficient materials, the restoration work would take a week— no, less than three days." "...Then you're saying it takes decades just to procure those materials?" "Well— they're not the kind of things that can be obtained just because you have money..." "...What kind of materials are they exactly?" "Well, you see—" Murin took out a notebook and put on his glasses. He began reading the contents of the notebook aloud. "World Tree leaves, dragon scales, demon tears, Superior Spirit cores... These are the core materials so far. And—" At that moment. Murin burst into a chuckle. He was astounded by the list that seemed to have carefully selected the most difficult treasures to obtain on this continent. He looked at Risir and shrugged his shoulders. It was an action seeking sympathy. "Um, Mr. Murin?" "Yes, please speak, hero." "Well, I think I can obtain some of those materials for you right now—" "Oh, is that so!? That will surely be a great help!" Murin brightened up and opened his notebook again. And he opened to a page filled with countless sub-materials. In fact. If it wasn't providing the main materials, it wouldn't be meaningful help, but it would still reduce their effort somewhat? "Then, could you tell me what those materials are?" "First, shall we check demon tears?" "Yes?"