Regression of the Transcendent Blacksmith - Chapter 18

========== REGRESSION OF THE TRANSCENDENT BLACKSMITH CHAPTER 18 ==========

‘Just as I thought.’

Shin Tae-ho, who had returned to his room, scratched his cheek.

Even now, Shin Tae-ho’s circuits were filled with the Qi he had received from the World Tree.

He should have at least said thank you since he had received such a great gift.

It bothered him that he hadn’t even been able to say goodbye to Yepiel before his time in the Tower ran out.

‘Well, I’ll see her again next time, so I can say it then.’

Shaking off the thought, Shin Tae-ho prepared a meal.

He hadn’t eaten while in the Tower, so he was incredibly hungry.

Although he had eaten plenty of Qi, Yong-ryong-i seemed just as hungry, as it was drooling at the smell of the roasting meat.

“Let’s eat, Yong-ryong-i.”

“Ryong!”

Yong-ryong-i ate the finely chopped meat deliciously.

Shin Tae-ho also ate while scanning his inventory with his eyes.

His inventory was full of items that had piled up again while climbing the Tower.

Among them, two items particularly caught Shin Tae-ho’s eye.

‘The World Tree leaf I received as a gift from the World Tree. And the Skill Orb I received as an S-grade reward.’

Shin Tae-ho took out the World Tree leaf first and stared at it quietly while chewing his meat.

[Leaf of an Unknown Being]

Description: A leaf left as a gift by an entity of unknown identity. It seems to contain special abilities.

“What is this description?”

Shin Tae-ho was dumbfounded.

It was already suspicious that the system kept referring to the World Tree as an unknown entity.

Now, the system couldn’t even display the item information properly.

This was only the second time Shin Tae-ho had experienced something like this.

‘It’s like looking at the description of the Core before my regression.’

Before his regression, the Core had been named the “Unknown Core.”

Because of that, Shin Tae-ho had no choice but to interpret what abilities the Core had.

And he had to interpret for himself how to use the Core.

‘I’ll have to experience how to use this one myself, too.’

Shin Tae-ho put the leaf back into his inventory and took out the Skill Orb next.

Inside the transparent, plum-sized bead, smoke-like Qi was constantly circulating.

‘I hope it’s a useful skill.’

Shin Tae-ho stared intently at the orb in his hand with anticipation.

Unlike the World Tree leaf, the Skill Orb’s item information appeared properly.

[Skill Orb – Stealth]

Description: An orb containing the skill, ‘Stealth’. You can acquire the skill by breaking it.

When used, it can hide the caster’s body, Qi, and scent.

However, depending on proficiency, it can be seen through by beings who are moving or using specific skills.

Shin Tae-ho was slightly disappointed.

What Shin Tae-ho wanted was a combat skill, but it was Stealth.

It didn’t even fit the compatibility of a War-smith, who used hammers and moved their body significantly.

‘It’s not a skill I can use. Should I sell it?’

Shin Tae-ho pondered.

Even if it didn’t suit him, a Skill Orb was a rare item that was hard to obtain.

He could make a lot of money if he sold it, but he felt it was a waste to sell such an item just to make some cash.

As he turned his head while deep in thought, his eyes landed on Yong-ryong-i.

Yong-ryong-i was lying on the table with its belly, which had become chubby after eating 2kg of meat, facing upward.

Shin Tae-ho’s eyes flashed as he stared blankly at Yong-ryong-i.

If there was one dangerous element that was hard to control for Shin Tae-ho right now.

It was Yong-ryong-i, who hadn’t grown up yet and was easily put in danger.

But what if Yong-ryong-i could learn Stealth?

What if it could hide safely inside his armor, invisible to anyone?

Shin Tae-ho would be able to focus on combat with peace of mind.

“Yong-ryong-i. Can you break this?”

“Ryong? Yo, Yong?!”

“No. I’m not telling you to eat it. You just have to bite or hit it to break it.”

“Ryo, Ryoong.”

Yong-ryong-i, who had misunderstood that he was telling it to eat until its stomach burst like with the World Tree’s Qi, let out a sigh of relief.

Yong-ryong-i bit the orb held in Shin Tae-ho’s hand.

Although it was still young, Yong-ryong-i’s jaw strength was excellent enough to chew meat properly.

Crunch!

As it put strength into its jaw, the part Yong-ryong-i was biting broke easily.

The skill contained in the orb flowed out like smoke and entered the mouth of Yong-ryong-i, who was biting the orb.

Immediately, a message window popped up in front of Shin Tae-ho.

[Summon ‘Yong-ryong-i’ has used the Skill Orb.]

[The skill, Stealth, is absorbed by the summon ‘Yong-ryong-i’.]

‘It worked.’

Shin Tae-ho, who had been worried that perhaps a summon couldn’t use a Skill Orb, felt his tension release.

“Yong-ryong-i. Can you feel the skill?”

“Ryong? Ryong-ryong.”

Yong-ryong-i nodded.

“Good. It’s a useful skill for you, so practice it whenever you can. It will be helpful.”

“Ryong!”

After answering, Yong-ryong-i lay back down, and Shin Tae-ho also finished his meal.

Just as he finished washing the dishes, his pocket vibrated.

‘What is it?’

Shin Tae-ho took out his smartphone.

The source of the vibration was a message from Choi Yu-hwa.

[Shin Tae-ho-nim, hello! Is the egg doing well? I joined the Phoenix Guild this time! It’s usually a hard guild to join, but our Pipi-]

‘This is practically a letter.’

His fatigue level rose, but Shin Tae-ho endured it and read the message thoroughly.

The reason she sent the message was summarized at the very end.

[-So, since Tamers are obligated to register their summons, would you like to go together when you visit the Management Bureau if the egg has hatched?]

‘The Management Bureau, huh.’

Stroking the sleeping Yong-ryong-i, Shin Tae-ho organized his thoughts.

His hammer was currently broken from dealing with the Stone Skin Ogre.

He couldn’t climb the Tower for the few days it would take for the hammer to recover.

Moreover, since items had piled up quite a bit in his inventory, he was planning to use the Management Bureau shop as well.

‘And I should check the smithy, too.’

Although Shin Tae-ho hadn’t felt a lack of weapons during combat while climbing up to the 15th floor.

The Stone Skin Ogre he fought this time had served as a wake-up call for him.

On top of that, the armor he had been wearing was also quite dented from being hit by the monster.

Unlike the hammer, the armor didn’t have self-repair, so Shin Tae-ho had to repair it himself.

‘No need to deliberate.’

Having decided what to do while his hammer recovered, Shin Tae-ho placed Yong-ryong-i on a soft blanket and lay down next to it.

Work was work, but Shin Tae-ho, who had been awake for over 24 hours, needed sleep.

Soon, the room was filled only with the sound of Shin Tae-ho and Yong-ryong-i snoring.

A few days later.

Shin Tae-ho, who had rested well for two days, headed to the Management Bureau with Yong-ryong-i.

While riding the train and walking down the street, Yong-ryong-i was attached to Shin Tae-ho’s neck.

However, no one looked at Shin Tae-ho, and they just passed by normally.

They were very natural actions, but Shin Tae-ho was satisfied with their reaction.

“Good. You’re doing great. Just stay like that, Yong-ryong-i.”

“Ryong!”

An answer returned from the neck where nothing could be seen.

The reason why Yong-ryong-i was invisible as if it didn’t exist.

That was the Stealth ability obtained from the Skill Orb.

If Yong-ryong-i didn’t move significantly or make noise, it was invisible enough that it really couldn’t be seen.

It wasn’t without its limits, but from Shin Tae-ho’s perspective, this much was excellent.

Only after getting off in Sejong City and taking a taxi did Shin Tae-ho arrive at the Management Bureau’s Awakening Support Center.

‘It’s far. I should buy a car if I sell the items this time.’

As he went toward the entrance, someone waved happily at Shin Tae-ho.

It was Choi Yu-hwa and Pipi, whom he had promised to meet at the entrance via message.

“Shin Tae-ho-nim! Over here~!”

“Hello. Long time no see, Choi Yu-hwa-ssi.”

“It hasn’t even been a week yet, so it’s a bit awkward to say long time no see! Hahaha. But did you come alone?”

Choi Yu-hwa tilted her head as she looked at Shin Tae-ho.

She had clearly heard that the summon had hatched, so did he put it in his pocket or something?

Pipi, who had been afraid of the egg at the registration office, stopped being wary and tilted its head in confusion.

Shin Tae-ho shook his head.

“No. I came together. I’ll show you in a bit.”

“You came together? I don’t see anything.”

“That’s right. First, let’s go inside.”

“Okay! Ah, I want to see it quickly!”

Choi Yu-hwa ran into the Management Bureau.

Only after Choi Yu-hwa went inside did Shin Tae-ho stroke Yong-ryong-i’s head.

“Good job, Yong-ryong-i. Outside the Tower, don’t deactivate or use Stealth until I tell you to.”

“Ryoong.”

Yong-ryong-i, feeling Shin Tae-ho’s emotions, answered in a whisper.

Shin Tae-ho had no intention of revealing to anyone yet that Yong-ryong-i could use Stealth.

‘Stealth is Yong-ryong-i’s trump card. Since I don’t know when, where, or who might be watching, I have to use it when there are no prying eyes.’

Contrary to what people commonly thought, the Management Bureau was an organization that moved much more meticulously and secretly.

Furthermore, this was the place where the Management Bureau headquarters was located.

There was no telling who might be watching them from where.

“Why aren’t you coming? Is something wrong?”

“No. I’m coming now.”

At the urging of Choi Yu-hwa, who was excited at the thought of seeing a new summon, Shin Tae-ho walked into the building.

Inside the Management Bureau’s Awakening Support Center.

Choi Yu-hwa, who was sitting in the room used by Tamer class Awakeners, tapped her feet while waiting for Shin Tae-ho, who had gone to the restroom.

Choi Yu-hwa, who had liked animals even before becoming an Awakener, spoke to Pipi as if she were too excited.

“Pipi, what kind of friend will come? I’m so excited!”

“Pipii…”

At Choi Yu-hwa’s excited appearance, Pipi reluctantly agreed.

But it wasn’t sincere.

For some reason, from the moment it encountered Shin Tae-ho earlier, Pipi hadn’t felt at ease.

It was a chilling feeling, like facing an invisible natural predator.

It was a feeling it hadn’t experienced even when climbing the Tower with Choi Yu-hwa or facing fully grown summons met at the Phoenix Guild.

Then what on earth was this feeling?

Choi Yu-hwa, who hadn’t noticed that Pipi was lost in deep thought, burst the door open when she heard a knock.

“Shin Tae-ho-nim! What on earth are you doing to take so long… Huh? Uh?”

Choi Yu-hwa, who had opened the door, froze.

The person who knocked was indeed Shin Tae-ho.

But in Shin Tae-ho’s arms, there was a creature that hadn’t been there before.

A long body with sleek scales, and small horns protruding upward.

And…!

“Yong-ryong-i. Say hello?”

“Ryong!”

When Yong-ryong-i looked at her with its big eyes and raised one hand as if to greet her, Choi Yu-hwa slumped down.

Shin Tae-ho was startled, but Choi Yu-hwa was covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes welling up with tears.

“It’s, it’s so…! It’s so, so cute…!!”

“Ryoong?”

“Pipit!”

Pipi, who had been behind her, flew over in a hurry.

Seeing Choi Yu-hwa suddenly collapse, it was startled, thinking she had been attacked by Shin Tae-ho.

Pipi, who was flying in as if to bury its beak into Shin Tae-ho, had its eyes widen drastically.

There, Yong-ryong-i was looking at Pipi with eyes full of curiosity.

“Ryoong?! Ryong-ryong-!!”

“Pipi-ak!”

A terrified Pipi moved as if breaking its wings and performed an emergency evasive maneuver.

Stimulated by that sight, Yong-ryong-i also flew up from Shin Tae-ho’s arms.

“Ryong-ryong-!”

“Piaak!”

“It’s so cute…!! Aaaa…!!”

“…Hmm.”

Yong-ryong-i trying to catch Pipi.

Pipi desperately avoiding it.

And even Choi Yu-hwa, whose legs had given out from Yong-ryong-i’s cuteness.

In a situation where he didn’t even know where to start organizing, Shin Tae-ho, who gave up on organizing, just nodded once.

To be continued in the next chapter ▶