A short-haired Asian woman went through a pile of papers inside one of the interrogation rooms on the 44th floor of the Empire State Building.

“Huuu, there’s no news about whether he’s okay or not...”

She had made her smartphone D Weapon subordinate, Dicky, surf the Network every day. She only wanted information about Record Breaker Cheon Seong-Hwi.

“Seong-Hwi o-oppa is so mean. Is writing a letter so hard?” said Seo-Yeon, the leader of Pursuit Team 5, stuttering because she was not used to calling Seong-Hwi oppa.

News that RB Cheon Seong-Hwi killed Sorcery Hunter Jazathura, a goblin High Ranker, caused an uproar throughout the Capital a few weeks ago. The humans in the Capital cheered, but they were also confused as to how Seong-Hwi, a Semi Ranker at number 143, managed to kill a goblin High Ranker at number ten.

This was different from Seong-Hwi killing Tutobure because Kang-San had severely injured Tutobure beforehand. Jazathura was at his strongest and had ambushed Seong-Hwi with his subordinates, but was still killed.

It was only natural that the ranking bureau on the ninth floor of the Empire State Building would be flipped upside down. They believed RB was a super genius, but it turned out he was a super duper genius.

“Hmm... I hope he’s not injured badly. Yeah, no news at all can be taken as good news,” Seo-Yeon mumbled as she belly-rubbed Miho sleeping on the table.

Just then, a boy sitting across from her said, “Huhu. Worry not, girl. I am the future, the Dark Flame Dragon Knight! Sir Charles Dullin, or La Notte del Drago del Gioco Oscuro, can change the future to whatever I want!”

“Oh... Yeah, thanks.”

Seo-Yeon narrowed her eyes as she stared at a short boy sitting across from her. He had silky silver hair, blue eyes, skin as pale as a doll, and a confident expression. He was Charles Dullin, the last member of Clan Earthly branches aside from the missing Rabbit.

Huuu. Why did Seong-Hwi oppa leave this boy with me? Seo-Yeon sighed inwardly.

She had received a letter a few weeks ago from Seong-Hwi, who had become her new big brother, saying to help Charles Dullin, who was about to be investigated by the Union.

Codename Dragon of Clan Earthly Branches, Charles Dullin. No alleged offenses. A Semi Ranker at number 908. His D Weapon is a dragon. He is a special management subject.

It was no wonder Kim Seo-Gyeong wanted him, considering his D Weapon was a divine beast.

I was wondering how Kim Seo-Gyeong managed to recruit him, but... it looks like he has a screw loose. Why did oppa think he and I would get along?

Seo-Yeon stared at Charles. Unlike his ordinary appearance, his actions and words were cringeworthy. Just then, Charles pulled a black belt-like cloth from his pocket and tied it over his eyes.

“What are you doing?” Seo-Yeon asked.

“Kekek! Ordinary humans cannot stare at the Dark Flame Dragon Knight’s eyes for long. Huhu, I will specially seal my Demonic Eyes of Terror for your sake,” Charles answered.

“Haaa... Really? How considerate of you.”

“Not at all! I already have Il Drago Nero del Caldo residing in my right arm. Such considerations are natural!”

Charles flapped his oriental blue cape and raised his right arm, wrapped in white bandages, which seemed thinner than her arm.

“The moment I unleash this seal, the Capital will be annihilated without a trace! I am in an endless battle against this destructive, evil energy lying dormant in here.”

Seo-Yeon grabbed her forehead as she listened to Charles’s nonsense. He had a severe case of eighth-grade syndrome. If there were grades to this disease, it would have already invaded his bone marrow.

Haaa... I think I’m starting to hate oppa, Seo-Yeon mumbled inwardly.

However, the hand on her forehead had moved to her right shoulder before she had realized it, and she smiled.

I hope he’s not in too much trouble. He may be far away, but he’s with me. He’s okay.

Seo-Yeon smiled even wider as she recalled Seong-Hwi’s voice.

“If one’s heart is always with you, what else would you call them but family?”

She felt like she had finally found a true family instead of the fake one she had always had. As she basked in the warm feeling, a voice shattered her emotions.

“Ahhh, my unfortunate destiny! My mortal enemy is always myself. The Demon Lord inside me, Re del Diavolo! It is only natural that the spec force put me into custody; they also sensed the danger. If it is for the Capital... I am willing to sacrifice myself—”

Seo-Yeon, unable to take any more, slammed her fist on the table, creating a giant hole. The shockwave loosened the black cloth over Charles’s eyes, and the boy blinked dumbfoundedly.

“You should be quiet... when someone is basking in their emotions,” Seo-Yeon said.

Charles stared at Seo-Yeon’s terrifying expression. Her pupils were sharply pointed vertically.

“Yes, noona,” Charles said and sat down with an upright posture.

***

The artisan exam was over. Now that the Ferrum Festival’s main event was over, it was time for the clans with no other business to leave Ferrum. However, many remained to hear the policies announced after the Faber conference, which would be held in three days.

In the meantime, the Steel Blade Hawk, the item with S-rank potential that the Steel King Bafor showcased, entered the Ferrum auction house. The bid had already risen to a whopping 2.25 billion Coins.

Bafor and Muka were talking somewhere in the Golden Iron Palace. Their conversation was rather formal for one between master and disciple.

“What have you been up to, Muka?” Bafor asked.

“I traveled from place to place to see the world. I had to traverse through some rough roads, but... I gained much thanks to it.”

Rika and Seong-Hwi stood behind them.

Rika remarked, “Human. I don’t know why Muka asked me to let you meet Bafor, but... nonsense will not be tolerated.”

Seong-Hwi smiled and replied, “I will keep that in mind.”

Bafor said to Muka, “Are you sure about revealing the forging method of mukateel? You’re the one who developed it.”

“That metal is the cherished wish of not just me, but all dwarves. Everyone must perfect it together.”

“I see...” Bafor trailed off as he stared at Muka admirably. He couldn’t believe Muka, whom he always remembered being rebellious, had grown so much. “Thank you. You’ve slapped some discipline into the slacking dwarves. Not only that, but we’ve secured the majority of seats in the Faber conference.”

“Keh, I don’t care about that. I only did what I had to do. I suggest you don’t think I will unconditionally be on your side, Master,” Muka replied as he crossed his arms and turned away.

Rika, observing them from behind, shouted, “You ungrateful brat! Why don’t you join Blue Anvil, then?! I’ll remove you from the family register!”

“Heh, you think I’m scared? I’ll make my own house. From now on, I’m not Muka Haswell, but Muka Kaswell!” Muka shouted.

“How dare you create an imitation tribe? I won’t stand for it!”

Bafor happily watched the argument between grandmother and grandson, and asked, “How is Hadafu’s faction doing, Madam Rika?”

“They’ve gone dark ever since the artisan exam. Be careful, Bafor. Hadafu will not back down so easily.”

“I know. His ambitions have reached a point that he can no longer suppress.”

Bafor had ordered the monitoring of Blue Anvil because no one knew what they would do until the Faber conference.

Will you betray your kind, Hadafu? Bafor thought, but caught himself. Betray, huh? I’m not one to talk.

He was ready to betray the dwarven race just to save his daughter. Compared to him, Hadafu’s desire for the throne was far more pure. Bafor lost the right to be the king from the moment he placed his daughter on one side of the scale and the entire dwarven race on the other, and chose his daughter. However, his life as king was meaningless without Lilar.

I have no choice... but to accept their proposal. However, the biggest problem is whether they know Lilar’s true identity.

Lilar was the Mineral Stone itself—the Race Stone of the dwarves. To receive treatment from the angels, she would have to be completely defenseless before them.

If they have ill intentions... the dwarves would be reduced to the angels’ subordinate race. But... But... that might be for the better.

Just then, he heard Rika’s voice. “Bafor... Bafor! Are you okay?”

Bafor, drowning in his subconscious, snapped back to reality. “Oh, yes... I was just thinking about something.”

“Jeez, get a hold of yourself. You are the hope of the dwarves.”

“Yes... Of course.”

“Anyway, it didn’t seem like you heard it, so let me re-introduce him. This is Cheon Seong-Hwi, a human. He is a friend of my unbecoming grandson, and the one who killed Jazathura, the artisan assassin.”

Bafor’s gaze shifted to Seong-Hwi.

Seong-Hwi stepped forward and greeted, “It is an honor to meet the Steel King. My name is Cheon Seong-Hwi. I have come to make you an offer.”

***

It begins now! Seong-Hwi thought, smiling as he looked at Bafor.

Almost dying at the dungeon, Research in Progress, and while being chased by the World Ranker, Remus, had all been for this moment.

“Hey! I told you that nonsense will not be tolerated!” Rika shouted.

Although dwarves and humans did not have a hostile relationship, the one before Seong-Hwi was a king who represented a race. One couldn’t dare to propose an offer to the Steel King, thirty-fifth in the World Ranking, unless they were in an equal standing.

“An offer, eh? You have nothing that I want,” Bafor said.

Seong-Hwi continued, “Don’t you have a friend or family member who is ill or cursed? I have the perfect medicine for them.”

Bafor stared intently at Seong-Hwi at last. Although he did not mean to intimidate Seong-Hwi, just his attentive gaze was enough to do so.

It’s as if... I’m facing a steel mountain, Seong-Hwi thought.

Seong-Hwi smiled even wider under the intense danger. Bafor could kill him at any moment if he so wished.

I’m negotiating with the Steel King. I was already prepared to wager my life!

“What are you doing, Seong-Hwi?!” Muka shouted in shock.

He had acted rudely to his master as well, but it was because he knew what Bafor would tolerate. However, Seong-Hwi’s actions were pushing Bafor to the edge of his limit. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

“You must be the junior whom Lee Kang-San spoke of. I believe I have already let him know of my intentions,” Bafor remarked.

“I have come despite that. Aren’t you curious about what I have to say?” Seong-Hwi asked.

Bafor stared at Seong-Hwi as he stroked his grey beard.

He’s daring and reckless. Does he trust that his safety is guaranteed? Is it Lee Kang-San? Bafor wondered.

“Do you believe Lee Kang-San will protect you?” he asked.

Seong-Hwi shook his head and replied, “No, I believe in myself, and you. After all, you have someone whom you wish to treat using any means necessary.”

“Stop, Seong-Hwi!” Muka shouted, his face white as a sheet.

However, Seong-Hwi’s unfaltering eyes shone as he said inwardly, He took the angels’ side even though it meant betraying his people. He wouldn’t want to miss even the tiniest of possibilities!

He was certain that Bafor wouldn’t chase him away.

“Madam Rika. Please take Muka and leave,” Bafor requested.

“Bafor, he is my grandson’s only friend,” Rika remarked.

“He must take responsibility for what he has said,” Bafor replied firmly.

“Master!” Muka shouted.

Rika glanced at Bafor, shook her head, and dragged Muka with her, saying, “Let’s go. He dug the pit, so it’s up to him whether that becomes an oasis or his grave.”

“Let go of me, granny! Seong-Hwi!”

Seong-Hwi smiled at Muka being dragged away, as if telling him not to worry. The door closed, and Seong-Hwi turned to Bafor again. However, Bafor was not even a meter apart from him before Seong-Hwi had realized it.

“I will hear you out. However, if you were just bluffing... I will kill you painlessly as a reward for risking your life to enrage me,” Bafor threatened.

“I... appreciate it.”

Seong-Hwi gulped, knowing he couldn’t make a single mistake from this point on.

***

A deafening silence echoed. Kazafu could barely even breathe in fear of it stimulating his father’s fury.

“Congratulations, son. You became an A-rank artisan, as we had planned,” Hadafu said.

“T-thank you... Father.”

“And I became a B-rank artisan. Kekekek!” Hadafu laughed chillingly, his blue eyes filled with madness. “My glory was stolen... not even by Bafor... but his disciple... in front of everyone. Kekekek! Kahahahaha!”

Hadafu’s crazed laughter echoed throughout the workshop and suddenly stopped. It felt as if time had stopped and the air was frozen.

He said, “Send word to them that I will accept their earlier proposal.”

“Y-yes, Father!”

Hadafu cackled again as he watched his son running off.

“I wanted to minimize the bloodshed of my people, but... This is all your fault, Bafor! Kahahahaha! Let us see who the real king is!”

There were three more days until the Faber conference. It was plenty of time.