n

n

n

"The headmaster?

"

nMy eyes shot wide open.

n

"The SS ranked hero headmaster who never once showed up during my stay at the lock?

"

nWaylan almost spat out his drink. Giving me an odd look, he wrily smiled.

n

"Odd way to put it, but correct.

"

n

"...my god.

"

nLeaning back on my seat, my brows furrowed tightly.

nAlthough I knew that Waylen and the headmaster were on a mission together, I didn't actually know that they were in the dwarven domain.

nThis was because Kevin back in my novel only went to the dwarven domain after the conference that took place a couple of years from now.

nThat was also the first time the two properly showed up in the story.

nTap.Tap.Tap

nTapping on the table, I fell into thought.

n'Who would've thought that he was here?'

nThe headmaster's presence makes things complicated.

nAlthough he wasn't there during the tournament, most likely he was aware of me. After all, there was no way Donna wouldn't have told him about me.

nFurthermore, as the headmaster, he was probably made aware of each death that occurred during that day.

nExplaining to him how I was still alive was going to be really troublesome.

n'ugh, how troublesome indeed.'

n

"Do you have any other questions for me?

"

nWaylan downed the whole drink and smacked the cup on the table. He then proceeded to wipe the foam that lingered on his lips.

nLifting my head, I nodded my head.

n

"Yes, one more.

"

n

"Go on, but make it quick I'm supposed to leave soon.

"

nWaylan replied as he checked his watch.

nLeaning forward, I asked.

n

"Have you perhaps heard of anyone called Malvil Ironhawk before?

"

n

"Sir Malvil?

"

nAn odd look flashed Waylen's face.

n

"Is there something wrong?

"

nFrom the look on Waylen's face, it seemed as though he knew him.

nWith a complicated look, Waylan scratched the back of his head.

n

"No, not really, it's just that...he's, mhhh, how should I say it.

"

nStroking his chin, Waylan tried to find the right words to say.

n

"...Let's just say that he's a very hard man to please.

"

n

"I figured.

"

nLeaning back on my seat I let out a sigh.

nMalvil was one of the few people that could handle Okleum properly.

nHe was a legendary craftsman. Without a doubt his standards for materials were high, and not just that, he was probably also very selective of his clients.

nIn no way would he craft artifacts for whoever asked.

nBut.

nI still had to try.

n

"Even if he might reject me, I want to know.

"

nI wanted to get stronger faster.

nSurrounded by so many enemies, I had no choice but to get stronger.

nIt was a must.

nAt my response, a small smile appeared on Waylan's face.

n

"Mhm, if you insist.

"

nTwirling his now empty cup, Waylan thought for a moment.

n

"Usually he's working at the fourth level, but you can find him on the first level from time to time. In fact, he's probably at his shop right now.

"

n

"Where exactly is that? Can you tell me the location?

"

n

"...Sure, but I'll warn you beforehand. Don't expect him to make an artifact for you. No matter how rich you are, he won't do it unless he feels like it.

"

n

"Mhm.

"

nUnderstandable.

nLike I've said before if he just crafted for anyone, he'd have a line that would stretch all the way to the human domain.

n

"Pay close attention.

"

nTapping on his watch, a holographic map soon appeared before us. To my surprise, it was a map of the whole first level.

nWaylant then pointed towards a certain area on the map.

n

"The shop is right here, if you follow this path over here, you should be able to get there in about ten minutes.

"

n

"I see.

"

nMy brows furrowed slightly.

nThe map was a bit of a mess since wasn't an official map, but it got to the point.

nI now knew where to go.

n

"I have to go now.

"

nPutting his hood back on, Waylan suddenly stood up. Before he left, he tossed me a dark colored metal plate.

n

"Hmmm, before I go, take this as well.

"

n

"What's this?

"

nCatching it, I curiously asked.

nPointing at the plate in my hand, Waylan explained.

n

"It's an identification badge. In case you want to meet me, you can just show them to the guards and they'll let you pass.

"

nStaring at the green plate in my hand, I gratefully looked at Waylan.

n

"I see...thank you.

"

nThis might come in handy.

n

"No problem

"

nFlashing a grin behind the hood, Waylan gave a slight nod.

n

"Have to go now. Thank you again for telling me about Emma.

"

n

"No problem.

"

nRecalling something, Waylan's footsteps suddenly halted. Turning around, he

n

"Oh, right, if we meet up again Dd tell me more about that guy you mentioned before. Very curious about him.

"

nSweat instantly dripped down my forehead.

n

"...sure.

"

n

"Good, good.

"

nSatisfied, Waylan turned around and left the tavern.

nGazing at his back from where I was sitting, I closed my eyes and wished Kevin the best of luck.

nLooks like he really couldn't get out of this one.

n***

nLeviathan building, Lock.

nEvery day at this hour, Emma and Kevin would train at the public training ground inside of the Leviathan building.

nNot only was it bigger than their own personal training grounds, but it was also great for training with companions.

nTraining with his swords in the middle of the training grounds, Kevin suddenly sneezed.

n

"Achoo!

"

n

"Kevin?

"

nEmma dropped her short swords and worriedly looked at him.

nHolding onto his nose and raising his hand to gesture to her that he was fine, Kevin wrily smiled.

n

"Nothing, I just suddenly felt a chill run down through my spine.

"

n

"...got a cold?

"

n

"Don't think so.

"

nExcluding the fact that cold's didn't exist anymore, Kevin had been feeling good these days. His strength was progressing at an alarming rate.

nHe had just broken to rank not too long ago.

nHe was healthier than ever.

n

"It's probably just my imagination.

"

nHe muttered to himself before once again raising his sword.

n—Sha!

nSlashing down, a beautiful yet deadly arc drew in the air.

n

"...I'm feeling great, probably just my imagination

"

n

"That's great.

"

nEmma sighed in relief before suddenly her face turned serious.

n

"By the way, Kevin, did you finally make up your mind?

"

nBut at that moment, Kevin's focus completely scattered and he turned to face Emma.

n

"...Regarding?

"

n

"Regarding what you told me not too long ago.

"

n

"Ah, that.

"

nLowering his sword, Kevin's face distorted. Clenching tightly onto his sword, he softly muttered.

n

"Mhm, I have decided to go through with the offer.

"

n

"A pity.

"

nA look of disappointment flashed Emma's eyes.

n

"Well, it's not like I can stop you since I also think that this decision isn't a bad one.

"

n

"I know, but...

"

nKevin's fists clenched tightly.

nFrom Ren's death to Emma's problems. Kevin realized that he was still too weak.

nIf only he had been more powerful, or had someone backing him up, none of the problems would've ever occurred.

nNever again did he want to feel so helpless.

nLifting his head and raising his sword, Kevin once again slashed down.

n—Sha!

n

"Joining the Union is the fastest way to make up for my shortcomings.

"

n***

nWith the city built directly inside of a mountain range, the only indication I got that it was nighttime was the slight chill that travelled in the air.

nEven then, it quickly disappeared as the thermal system built underground turned on, warming up my shoes, and the air around me.

n

"This should be the place right?

"

nLifting my head, I stopped in front of a fairly large shop.

nCompared to the other shops that I saw, this shop was the shabbiest looking one. Yet, despite it being the shabbiest looking one, it somehow felt like the most premium one.

nIt was hard to describe.

nWas it perhaps its atmosphere? Or just my imagination?

nWasn't sure, but I was just about to find out.

nThe Golden Hammer.

nA shabby looking insignia hung outside of the shop.

nTurning around and finally taking notice of my surroundings, to my surprise, I barely found anyone frequenting the place.

nIt was as though everyone was avoiding the shop like plague.

nClang—! Clang—! Clang—!

nThe rhythmical, steady sound of metal being pounded was the only thing that indicate to me that I was in the right place.

nTaking a step forward, I knocked on the door.

n—Knock! —Knock!

n

"Hello? Is anybody here?

"

nNo response.

n—Knock!

nI once again knocked. This time, I raised my voice a little bit more, just to make sure that they heard me.

n

"Hello? Is there anyone in the shop?

"

nClang—! Clang—!

n

"Hmmm, strange.

"

nYet again no one responded. However, the sound of metal being pounded was unmistakably there.

nWas he perhaps too into it? Maybe that was why he didn't hear me.

n

"Well, whatever.

"

nShrugging my shoulders, I pushed the door open and entered the shop.

n

"Ugh.

"

nAs soon as I entered the shop, a wave of hot hair brushed past me as the heavy scent of iron invaded my nostrils prompting my nose to momentarily close up.

nIt took me a couple of seconds to get adjusted to the smell, and once I looked around, I found myself inside of a nicely decorated shop filled with all sorts of different artifacts.

nFrom all kinds of weapons ranging from swords, axes, spears, and much much more, to bracelets, and other different accessories were put on display around the shop.

nFrom a distance, I could tell that they were of a different quality.

n

"Come on, put more strength into it.

"

n

"I'm trying!

"

nClang—! Clang—!

nAs I was observing the artifacts, in the back of the shop I could faintly hear two voices.

nTurning my head and walking in the direction of where the voices were coming from, I curiously peeked from the side.

nAnd there I saw it.

n

"Steady your arm!

"

n

"Ok!

"

nTwo dwarves fully focused on hammering a small piece of metal.

nSweat trickled down the side of their faces, and their focus never left the piece of metal before their eyes.

nIn fact, they were so focused that they did not notice my presence.

nOf the two dwarves, one was evidently older whilst the other was much younger. Furthermore, observing from the side, I could tell that the older one was trying to coach the younger one.

nClang—! Clang—!

n

"no, nae, nae! harder! tha'ss'a too soft!

"

nThe older looking dwarf shook his head in disappointment before pointing at a specific section of the metal.

n

"Idiot, ye did nae hammer this part enough. Look, tha shape be aff!

n

"Im trying ye old bastard.

"

n—Smack!

nRaising his hand, the older looking dwarf suddenly smacked the younger-looking dwarf in the head.

n

"who ye calling bastard ye bastard.

"

n

"Oy that hurts!

"

nLetting go of the hammer, the younger dwarf screamed in pain and held the back of his head in pain.

nThis enraged the older looking dwarf who raised his voice.

n

"you idiot, why did ye let go o' tha hammer?

"

n

"because ye hit me!

"

nThe younger dwarf cried out in grievance.

nUnfortunately for him, the older dwarf had no sympathy for him as he once again smacked him in the head.

n—Smack!

n

"A good blacksmith can work under any conditions. Now look, ye failed. What a waste o' good materials.

"

nCovering his face with his hand, the older dwarf muttered out loud.

n

"What did I do ta get such an incompetent disciple...

"

n

"Maybe if ye were nicer ta me, i wou''ve made it.

"

nRaising his hand, the older dwarf threatened.

n

"Oy shut up 'afore I smack ye again.

"

n

"...

"

nThe threat seemed effective as the younger-looking dwarf instantly shut up and covered his head with his hands.

n

"hmm? Who be ye?

"

nFinally taking notice of my presence, the older looking dwarf turned his head and looked at me straight in the eyes.

n

"Hey.

"

nI awkwardly waved my hand.

n

"Are you perhaps Sir Malvil?

"

n