Hammer’s songs echoed from the Golden Iron Palace’s front yard. Each artisan hammered red-hot metals that they held with pincers.

“Impressive focus.”

“I’d expect nothing less from A-rank artisans.”

“I never thought the day that I would hear Master Hadafu’s hammer’s song would come.”

Six hours had passed since the exam began; in other words, half the allotted time had passed. Many of the audience members were fatigued, but the eyes of the six artisans were still blazing intensely.

— Over here! Right here!

— Kyahaha! That’s the spot!

— I wish it were a little warmer!

The five dwarf artisans with the Artisan’s Soul hammered as they listened to the metals’ voices. Kazafu was forging a traditional, ordinary longsword, but nothing about its material was ordinary.

He said inwardly, We’ve been keeping the warriorteel under wraps all for this day. The first-ever showcase is always the most impactful!

The warriorteel shone more with a blue light, the more he hammered it. Hadafu was also using warriorteel, but he took it one step further and was mixing it with other metals. His product looked similar to Kazafu’s longsword, but it had a rectangular shape with no sharp tip.

Do you understand the meaning of this executioner’s sword, Bafor?! It symbolizes House Kosa’s declaration that we will behead you! he thought as he glared at Muka, drenched in sweat, hammering away at the blast furnace across from him. Blasted brat! I heard he left Ferrum with ill feelings for Bafor, but... Like master, like disciple!

None dared to challenge Hadafu ever since he became a World Ranker, but the fact that a snot-nosed brat challenged him was humiliating in its own right.

Keh! I wondered if he had something up his sleeve, but I see it was just the whims of a child.

Hadafu sneered as he stared at the unsophisticated lump of red metal Muka was hammering. He was certain of his victory as he watched Muka struggling with such a small piece of metal.

Totoma was forging a helmet with an ash-grey metal. It was a barbuta with a circular dome for the crown of the head and a T-shaped opening for the eyes and nose. His opponent, Elfanya, was creating the most unique weapon of them all.

“O trees, plants, and Mother Nature, whose will is carried by the sefirah from Malkuth to Keter! O Ein Sof, the cause of all causes! O Tree of Life!”

A golden tree sprouted from the ground under him and was wrapped by platinum vines. Elfanya touched the golden tree and broke off a branch. He twisted the platinum vines and tied them to the golden branch to create a bow. The next six hours passed by in a flash.

***

“Time’s up! Put down your tools and submit your creations!” Bafor shouted.

Kazafu smiled triumphantly and submitted a longsword shining like the ocean. His opponent, Nour, submitted a hard and crude morning star made of steel. Totoma submitted a barbuta helmet with a beautiful hawk decoration, and Elfanya submitted a golden bow that calmed the mind just by looking at it. Hadafu submitted a heavy executioner’s sword that almost resembled an ax, and Muka submitted a single arrow made with red metal.

Some of the audience praised while others berated.

“Ahhh, it’s over!”

“What the hell, Muka?! You had twelve hours, and all you made was a single arrow?”

“Has he given up? I don’t blame him. Take a look at Master Hadafu’s executioner’s sword! It’s perfect!”

Most people insulted Muka’s shabby arrow, but Muka paid them no mind and thought, I’ve poured everything I had into this product. It wouldn’t have been possible without Seong-Hwi.

He scanned the audience. He saw many excited faces, but couldn’t find Seong-Hwi.

“Alright. Let us examine the works of the artisans on the right, Totoma and Elfanya,” Bafor announced.

The A-rank artisans in the VIP seats simultaneously stood up and examined Totoma’s helmet and Elfanya’s bow one by one.

[Earth Barbuta (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: A barbuta helmet created by Totoma of the Steel Hawk tribe. It is made with tavesteel, glisteel, and terrateel, metals infused with the earth element. It enhances the power of earth-element skills.

Skill: Earth’s Rage]

...

[Divinity of Scilla (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: A longbow created by the elf artisan, Elfanya. It holds the power of Dalet, the sixteenth bloodline of Sefirot.

Skill: Nature’s Victory]

...

“Wow! Impressive. They are both masterful works!”

“I would bet those with earth-element skills would pay hundreds of millions of Coins to buy this helmet!”

“Divinity of Scilla, huh? Elves give their items such odd names.”

“But this bow is the most unique of everything we have seen.”

“Not only is it creative, but it is filled with the unique power of elves.”

The A-rank artisans discussed among themselves, their eyes shining as if enlightened by the two products. It seemed like they couldn’t wait to make items. The A-rank artisans returned to their seats and voted on the more impressive item, and Bafor was given the result.

“Hmm... Interesting.” Bafor smiled as he looked at the result. There were ninety-eight votes, excluding the three A-rank artisans on the front yard. The winner acquired fifty-eight votes. Bafor announced, “Congratulations, Elfanya. You have proven yet again that you deserve to be an A-rank artisan.”

“Thank you very much, Master Bafor,” Elfanya said as he elegantly bowed.

Totoma’s beard shook as if he couldn’t accept the result.

Bafor continued, “Artisan Totoma. Few artisans could handle tavesteel, glisteel, and terrateel as well as you did. However, I would have spent more time perfecting the item than adding a hawk decoration on it.”

Totoma lowered his head, humbly accepting the feedback of the artisan he respected the most, and the great elder of the Steel Hawk tribe.

“Artisan Elfanya. It appears you have made impeccable preparations,” Bafor remarked.

“That is correct, Steel King. I believe my skills are the lowest of the A-rank artisans, so I immersed myself in polishing them day and night.”

“I see you also... received some help,” he said as he glanced at the high elf, Lilicia, clapping for Elfanya from the VIP seats. “Well, gathering materials is also a skill. I thank both artisans for showing us such great items. Now... let us examine Kazafu and Nour’s works.”

The A-rank artisans stood up from their seats again and examined their items.

[Disjunctio (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: A longsword created by Kazafu of the Blue Anvil tribe. A unique effect was born by using warriorteel and a severance stone.

Skill: Severance Strike]

...

[Evening Star (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: A morning star created by Nour of the Steel Hawk tribe. The use of whole steel enhances its destructive capability.

Skill: Heavy Strike]

...

“Wow! This must be the rumored warriorteel!”

“The metal developed by Blue Anvil?”

“This mana conductivity is unreal! Its hardness is on par with shizteel!”

Most of the attention was focused on Kazafu’s Disjunctio because it was the first ever showcased item created using Blue Anvil’s warriorteel.

“Master Nour is the same as always. It may be crude, but that is the true essence of a morning star.”

“No tricks, just destruction. That is how a weapon should be.”

A few A-rank artisans couldn’t take their eyes off Nour’s Evening Star, but the majority were focused on Disjunctio.

“Severance Strike, huh? What a powerful binding skill.”

“There are still a few areas that need work, but considering it’s the symbol of a new metal...”

The voting ended, and Bafor announced, “Congratulations, Kazafu. You’ve become a new A-rank artisan by seventy-five votes.”

“It’s an honor,” Kazafu said as if it were natural, and bowed.

However, he slightly frowned at the fact that twenty-three votes went to Nour.

Damn geezers! They have their heads so far up their asses that they can’t see my item’s true value! They’ll all have to go once my father becomes king!

Kazafu did not doubt that result since all that remained was the battle between his father, Hadafu, and Muka. His father was both a World Ranker and just as exceptional an artisan. The result had already been decided once Muka foolishly chose him as his opponent.

“Let us move on to Hadafu’s and Muka’s works,” Bafor said.

[Degenesis Executioner’s Sword (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: An executioner’s sword created by Hadafu of the Blue Anvil tribe. It expresses an everlasting, unrusting new era through the use of warriorteel, janateel, veteel, graphite steel, amateel, and shizteel.

Skill: Instant Execution]

...

[Arrow of Aspiration(Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: An arrow created by Muka of the Red Hammer tribe. It is an attempt to fulfill the dwarves’ long-cherished wish by using mukateel.]

...

“H-hmm... Degenesis Executioner’s Sword, huh?”

“The expression of a new era...”

The A-rank artisans stared at the smiling Hadafu and quickly looked away. Hadafu no longer had any intention to hide his desire. Now that he was certain he had secured the majority of the seats, he had declared the change in the era that would take place during the Faber conference in three days.

As Bafor examined the Degenesis Executioner’s Sword, Hadafu asked, “What do you think, Bafor? It is rather well-made, right? It might have gotten an S-rank potential if I possessed the entire Artisan’s Soul.”

“It is certainly a good sword. However, can you say for certain that you have poured your soul, desire, and will into it?” Bafor asked.

“Of course, I can! That sword embodies my feelings. For how long must I wilt under your shade? As long as I have the Artisan’s Soul, I—”

“You have no idea what that means.”

“That’s what you always say! It’s time for me to know, by becoming the unrusting king!”

Bafor stared silently at Hadafu, filled with resentment and desire, and grabbed the arrow Muka submitted.

He remarked, “That is if you defeat Muka.”

“Kekek! Are you insane, Bafor? Do you seriously think that shabby arrow is better than my sword? It’s garbage that doesn’t even have a built-in skill!”

The other A-rank artisans felt the same way. Muka had never lost first place in the previous three exams, but he had submitted an arrow unbefitting of his skill in the most important exam.

“What was he thinking, submitting something like that?”

“Is he mocking the artisan exam? Come to think of it, I heard Muka was opposed to this system.”

“Hah, if that’s the case, he’s quite the ill-natured one.”

As negative opinions spread among the A-rank artisans, one artisan said, “Did you guys even read the Akasha Message? It says mukateel. I’ve never heard of such a metal.”

“Hm?”

“Oh, come to think of it... What is that?”

“Was a new metal acknowledged by the Akasha? Not only that, he added his name to it!”

The A-rank artisans’ murmurs grew louder.

Bafor turned to Muka and said, “This requires an explanation, Muka.”

“Is it... so hard to understand, Master?” Muka asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Have you all forgotten the dwarves’ long-cherished wish?!” Muka shouted as he looked around the dwarves, including the A-rank artisans; none seemed to have realized the true meaning held in the Arrow of Aspiration. “How could you all have forgotten why we were forced out of our beautiful home dimension, Adamas?”

The dwarves’ expressions hardened.

Muka continued, “The Rust of Ruin, the killer of iron! Have you all let go of your desire and all the effort put into never losing against that calamity again?!”

“H-how dare you run your mouth, boy?!”

“Know your place, Muka Haswell! Can you say you have found the solution?”

The dwarves shouted in opposition to Muka to hide their embarrassment.

“I cannot say that I have,” Muka answered.

“As I thought! You—”

“However, I have never stopped in my effort to find the solution!” Muka shouted as he approached Bafor, took the Arrow of Aspiration from him, and raised it high for all to see. “This is the result of that effort! I hammered endlessly and created a metal that can last the longest against the Rust of Ruin! Its name is mukateel, the metal that is the most resistant to rust in the world!”

All dwarves remained silent. The audience who couldn’t understand what Muka was talking about simply blinked dumbfoundedly at his crazed energy.

“Yadir, bring me the Primordial Dish,” Bafor ordered.

“But that is—”

“Now!” Bafor shouted, interrupting the dwarf.

The dwarf Yadir quickly bowed and ran into the Golden Iron Palace.

***

The audience watched the front yard in confusion due to the sudden halt in the examination.

“What’s going on?”

“Look at the Steel King’s expression. Is there a problem?”

“What about that ordinary arrow has gotten them so worked up?”

“Does it have an instant death effect or something?”

“Kekeh! How could something like that exist? Maybe they’re preparing a punishment for that dwarf for mocking the exam?”

As Seong-Hwi listened to the murmurs of the audience around him, he thought, You gave it your all, Muka. To the point that it was annoying...

Muka had called him several times every day to test the Rust of Ruin on the metal he created. No metal could withstand the Rust of Ruin. They eventually rusted even if Seong-Hwi didn’t raise its output, as if it were the metal’s destiny. However, Muka never gave up in the face of overwhelming defeat. He continued an endless cycle of adding or removing materials, and the rusting duration slowly increased over time.

In the end, he failed to create an unrusting metal. Perhaps it’s impossible, but the important part is that Muka doesn’t give up against odds so overwhelmingly placed against him.

Seong-Hwi saw himself in Muka. He wanted to help those who charged to break through walls. Just then, he sensed a familiar energy.

“Hm?”

He saw in third person through the Observer’s Earrings a dwarf carrying a steel dish on his head. It was the Primordial Dish, an object usually kept deep inside the Iron Shrine and used for rituals and ceremonies. The dish was covered in rust, and Seong-Hwi could instantly tell that the aura the rust emitted was the same as that of Rust of Ruin.

What is that? Seong-Hwi thought as his eyes shone.

He wondered if the dish had crossed over from the dwarves’ home dimension, Adamas. He observed the situation on the platform, eyes filled with great interest.

***

The Primordial Dish arrived at the platform. No dwarf was unaware of what it was. The Primordial Dish was said to have been created from the primordial metal. It was the only metal that had withstood the Rust of Ruin that destroyed Adamas.

“I can’t believe it was taken out of the Iron Shrine...”

“You’ll pay the consequences if you were lying, Muka!”

The Primordial Dish rusted the metals around it. The power of the Rust of Ruin, which had been sealed through the power of the Iron Shrine and the priestess, was seeping out.

“You said you would become an unrusting king, correct, Hadafu?” Bafor asked.

Hadafu frowned as the situation was heading in an unexpected direction and answered, “I did.”

“Then let us put it to the test.”

Bafor grabbed the Degenesis Executioner’s Sword and brought it close to the Primordial Dish.

It can withstand it! That sword was made with warriorteel, janateel, veteel, graphite steel, amateel, and shizteel! They’re all highly resistant to rust! Hadafu shouted inwardly.

The metals he had used were the same as the cages that Clan Trophy had ordered. However, Seong-Hwi’s Rust of Ruin had rusted those cages. The Degenesis Executioner’s Sword endured about ten seconds and instantly rusted.

Hadafu laughed, “Ahaha! Did you see that? It endured it! It did! Whose creation could last longer?!”

His supporters clapped, but most of the dwarves simply focused on what Bafor was about to do next. He grabbed the Arrow of Aspiration and dropped it into the Primordial Dish. The sound of a metal clang was heard, but nothing else. Time continued to pass, and the only sounds coming from the audience were gulps from the dwarves and a few murmurs. It was as if they were watching a bizarre pantomime.

The dwarf artisans experienced such exhilaration that they got goosebumps. After two minutes, the small sounds of corrosion echoed from the Primordial Dish to break the silence. Bafor grabbed the slightly rusted arrow and examined it in disbelief.

He turned to Muka and said, “You’ve... done it.”

“Not yet. I must modify it more,” Muka replied.

He affectionately stared at his stubborn disciple who had left Ferrum as he criticized his methods and remarked, “You are better than I, Muka Haswell. I’m proud of you.”

Muka clenched his teeth from Bafor’s sudden remark. Tears welled up because he had heard what he always desired from the one he wanted to hear it from the most.

Bafor turned around to face the shocked artisans and said, “Let us vote, although the result is already decided.”

Soon after, another A-rank artisan was born from House Haswell. His name was Muka Haswell, the greatest problem child of the Haswells.