I Raided the Demon’s Treasury

Chapter 87

After finishing the spar with Kang Han-cheol, Se-woon arrived in the village with Park Jung-pil after leaving the base.

Finding the predecessor player was important, but there was something more urgent to be done first.

“This way, right?”

“I’ve been rolling around this village for ages! Just trust me!”

Looking around, Se-woon noticed quite a few people.

Players and residents. Just by observing their attire, one could tell the difference between the two.

Players either wore minimal armor, perhaps due to some remaining wariness from the Tutorial, or at the very least carried a dagger.

In contrast, the residents strolled about in casual clothes, humming carefree tunes, presenting a fitting image for what was known as the safe first floor.

‘Come to think of it, what happens to the residents?’

The residents here were not convenient NPCs like those in games.

Literally, they were residents. Unlike players, they couldn’t receive the system’s protection but were unmistakably living beings within the tower.

If something were to occur a month later, they, too, would inevitably suffer.

Yet…

‘They seem too fine.’

The village buildings that were visible looked remarkably intact.

The people seemed as carefree as flowers in a greenhouse, showing no apparent concern.

Although it was unclear what disaster exterminated the players on the first floor once a year, it seemed unlikely that these people could completely avoid harm.

“Jung-pil, go find out some information.”

“Yep! Just say the word!”

“Ask people if there’s any special event that occurs here once a year, especially something that happens a month after players come in.”

“Leave it to me! I’ve already made friends with quite a few folks, so it shouldn’t take long!”

“Alright. I’ll find my way around. This way, right?”

“Right!”

As soon as they finished speaking, Park Jung-pil left the spot. Apart from some occasional strange acts, he was indeed quite a useful fellow.

With that thought, as Se-woon walked the path, his keen hearing picked up a sharp clanging sound.

Clang, clang!

‘We must be almost there.’

The metallic sound of the hammer striking steel and the intense heat felt even before reaching the place.

It was the only blacksmith shop supposedly existing in the village on the first floor.

However, even in a place called a blacksmith shop, there wasn’t much to commission from the first floor.

The first floor, being a peaceful area, specialized in crafting farming tools and miscellaneous items rather than weapons, with the skill level not being particularly high.

Yet, the reason Se-woon sought this place was…

“Elder.”

“Oh, who do we have here! It’s been ages, indeed!”

He had come to meet Go Chang-seok, the only blacksmith of the Diablo Clan.

While looking around the base yesterday and noticing Go Chang-seok’s absence, Se-woon had asked Yoo Seo-ah, who mentioned that he was staying at the village’s blacksmith shop.

‘Well, he’s hardly been able to do proper blacksmithing until now.’

Although he had been responsible for all the Diablo Clan’s equipment, it was more of a trick using basic tools bought with merit points, akin to the twin sisters’ methods.

He hadn’t experienced the true art of blacksmithing, which involved handling fire and steel.

As he grew accustomed to the power of the Constellation after making a contract with Berith, the 28th-ranked Demon Lord, he could utilize various methods, but hitting a hammer in a real blacksmith’s shop was another story.

“Sorry I couldn’t see you off! There’s a usage period here, and the timing was a little tricky.”

“It’s fine. But you did attend the party, didn’t you?”

“What would an old man do where the youngsters play? I should focus on being useful here.”

“What are you saying? Do you know how much Ah-reum and Da-woon missed you?”

“Really? Haha! Watching those two feels like seeing my granddaughters.”

Go Chang-seok smiled sheepishly as he wiped the dust off his face with his sleeve.

Looking around, Se-woon saw finished works displayed in the shop.

Checking a few roughly, they read:

[ Spiked Armor ]

Category: Armor

Rank: C-

Description: Spiked armor made by a skilled blacksmith using monster materials and high-quality iron ore.

Abilities:

1. Iron – Increases defense by an additional 10% beyond basic defense.

2. Sharp Bone Spikes – Reflects 10% of the damage to the enemy when blocking melee attacks.

3. Scar – Increases attack power by 10%.

Most of them were C-rank items.

For items crafted by a player on the first floor to pass C-rank, the upper floors’ factions would drool and possibly make offers to recruit such talent.

Moreover, the common ability that existed in all items, “Scar,” was evidently a symbol of the Constellation Go Chang-seok contracted with.

“Haha, seems like you noticed. It’s the power given by the Constellation.”

– The Constellation, ‘Soldier with the Golden Crown,’ though feeling slightly unsatisfied, strokes his mustache, thinking a masterpiece can be crafted with a little more focus.

Indeed, the 28th-ranked Demon Lord, Berith.

Regarding creating aggressive weapons, it was rumored to surpass Hephaestus, the best blacksmith of Olympus.

Wearing the equipment he crafted, if nothing else, one could assuredly boost their attack power.

“I’m still adjusting. It’s been a long time since I’ve handled fire.”

“This is already excellent.”

“Haha, you don’t have to flatter me. Still, it’s far off from that sword.”

Go Chang-seok glanced at the sword tied to Se-woon’s waist.

Durandal.

Although its seal was yet to be fully broken, yielding B-rank performance, go Chang-seok had perceived the innate power of Durandal.

“You didn’t come just to catch up, did you? What brings you here? Repairs? Or a commission?”

“I’d like to request a commission.”

“Hmm, as much as I’d like to, it seems quite challenging.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s difficult to craft equipment better than what you’re currently wearing. There’s also a shortage of materials.”

Go Chang-seok nodded, appearing regretful.

He seemed to be considering Se-woon’s ‘Durandal’ and ‘Emperor Taejo’s Battle Robe.’

Indeed, no matter how excellent Go Chang-seok’s skill might be, he couldn’t create such named-rank equipment under the current circumstances.

Yet Se-woon’s purpose from the start was different.

“I have materials.”

“Oh, what are these?”

“Materials obtained from capturing Sea Drake. In addition, I’ve brought along various monster materials, so feel free to use whatever you need.”

“It seems like you’ve gathered more materials than even all those collected by our clan.”

“We encountered quite a few monsters on our way to hunt the Sea Drake.”

Se-woon poured numerous monster materials from his subspace pouch.

Most were low-rank, but the scales and fangs sourced from the Sea Drake were high-rank materials difficult to acquire in the lower floors of the tower.

“Are you sure? Such precious materials might be better used by a more skilled blacksmith if you wait.”

“There’s no telling when I might meet such a blacksmith, and I believe in your skills, elder. And also…”

“And also?”

“Don’t you find the opportunity to craft equipment using Sea Drake materials tempting?”

“… Ahem. I’ve been found out. Most of the other materials are so fragile, they break easily with even the slightest mistake.”

From what he had seen since the Tutorial, go Chang-seok was inherently a perfect blacksmith.

Given such high-rank materials before him, it was impossible for someone like him to readily give up.

“Alright, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

“And what type of equipment?”

“A set of light armor that allows free movement and various weapons.”

“Various weapons?”

“Yes. To use in different situations, so feel free to create whatever you desire.”

“Haha, that suggests you know how to use every weapon. That’s impressive.”

In truth, rather than using them for various situations, it was for utilizing Mammon’s treasures.

While using Durandal normally would be best, for momentary extreme boosts in attack power, using Mammon’s treasure, even at the cost of a weapon, would be ideal.

“Just focus a bit on durability.”

“Don’t worry. Though perhaps not before now, in this proper setup, I can create very sturdy items.”

“Then, I’ll leave it in your hands.”

“Leave it to me! My craftsmanship is boiling seeing such quality materials!”

– The Constellation, ‘Soldier with the Golden Crown,’ gleams with excitement, saying that with materials like this, he can try out new processing methods.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ expresses expectations for the soldier’s craftsmanship.

– The Constellation, ‘Soldier with the Golden Crown,’ grips his golden crown with one hand and bows deeply to the Demon God.

After expressing gratitude to Go Chang-seok, and completing size measurements for equipment, Se-woon prepared to leave the blacksmith shop when the initial mention of usage limitations came to mind.

‘He did mention the blacksmith shop had a usage period, didn’t he?’

Renting a blacksmith shop was no easy task.

It’s likely due to the peacefulness of the first floor that allowed Go Chang-seok to rent this blacksmith shop.

There was no guarantee he could use such a facility on other floors.

‘Perhaps I should construct a temporary blacksmith facility at the base.’

While a temporary facility could wait, extending the rental duration held more immediate importance for now.

At least ensuring a month for Go Chang-seok to work leisurely was necessary.

As Se-woon walked a bit along the wall of the blacksmith shop, he found someone organizing ore at the back.

“Are you the owner of this blacksmith shop?”

“That I am. Who might you be?”

“I came to extend the rental period of the blacksmith shop.”

“Are you that old geezer’s kid?”

A slender-framed man with conspicuously visible bones.

Without the thick gloves on his hands and the dust on his face, one could hardly guess he was a blacksmith.

If he had wielded a hammer properly, he should have some muscle on him.

Based on appearance alone, it was evident how lacking he was as a blacksmith.

“I’d like to ensure free use of it for about a month. And also to freely use the ores.”

“What? Do you think you can treat me like a fool just because you rented the shop for a bit? Do I look like I do nothing all day? I too make time to rent it out!”

As if.

Se-woon had seen no significant items in the blacksmith other than the works Go Chang-seok created.

It meant there wasn’t much work coming through.

Nonetheless, for Go Chang-seok to mention the usage period implied this man had asked for a rather high price.

Furthermore, all transactions in the tower happened through bartering or merit point exchange.

“Five thousand points.”

“What? Are you trying to…”

“I’ll add another five thousand points when the month ends. Moreover, I will pay for the ores according to how much is used.”

A total of ten thousand points.

And agreeing to pay for the ores at the current rate caught the man’s attention, his spine straightening.

For him, a resident of the first floor, ten thousand points closely resembled six months’ income. Given the lack of work lately, it was a year’s worth of earning merit points.

Now with the promise to fairly compensate for the ore use, it was hard not to fall under its allure.

Indeed, for players who just entered the tower with reset merit points, most possessed a paltry amount of merit points.

But Se-woon, having claimed the top rank’s reward, could easily afford to pay ten thousand points from the 100,000 obtained.

After a brief consideration, the man, realizing Se-woon was a big spender, replied.

“Feel free to use it all you want! I’ll bring more ore, so just let me know if you need anything!”

He promptly put on a safety helmet along with a pickaxe and showed deference to Se-woon.

—–
(T/N): I’ll be changing the ‘veteran player’ to ‘predecessor player’.