“Please, Merope,” Seong-Hwi said.

“Leave it to me, Second Knight!” Merope replied, her purple eyes shining, and she flew around joyfully.

[Activating Skill: Warp Gate.]

A warp gate resembling a rainbow bridge was generated.

Seong-Hwi turned to an African man and said, “I’ll be counting on you as well.”

“Of course, dear customer. I will make sure it is delivered. Thank you for using our service,” the black man said as he bowed to Seong-Hwi.

He was a carrier of Clan Container, specializing in bulk delivery. They differed from Clan Taxi, which transported people, and Clan Quick Service, which transported small amounts of valuable objects.

“Their freshness is maintained. You can trust me,” the black man said as he pounded the giant container.

Seong-Hwi nodded. He had hired a conjurer with the ice element so that the contents of the container would not decay. The black man disappeared into the warp gate with the container.

“I’m sorry I can’t accompany you, Gilder,” Seong-Hwi said as he turned to Gilder.

Gilder replied sullenly, “You’re busy, so it can’t be helped. We’re also thinking of moving our headquarters, so we need time.”

“Call me anytime if you need help. I’d be more than happy to kill some dragons.”

The fairies cheered at how cool Seong-Hwi was.

Gilder smirked and remarked, “True... you killed Biphatogenes’s son, after all. Trouble always seems to follow you. It was no different this time.”

Seong-Hwi shrugged and said, “I’ll see you later, my friend.”

“Yeah. I’ll wish you luck.”

They bumped fists and walked away from each other. Gilder left Ferrum, and Seong-Hwi returned to the Golden Iron Palace.

***

A container the size of a house arrived in the backyard of the main branch of the Fence Hotel in Beverly Hills.

“Hm? Seong-Hwi sent this?” Jurie asked as she narrowed her eyes, staring at the container that had been delivered out of nowhere.

“That’s correct,” answered the black man of Clan Container.

“What did he send?”

“He said it was fruit, which was why he hired me.”

The black man placed his hand on the container, rapidly cooling it.

“Hmph! Did he think I’d be happy with a container’s worth of fruit?” Jurie remarked as she crossed her arms, but a faint smile was on her face. “Which fruit was Ferrum known for again? Hmm... I think it was called ironfruit. I heard if you peel its hard shell, its interior tastes like papaya... Oh, you can go now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jurie removed the latches that kept the container sealed once the Container clansman left.

She hummed as she said, “How did he know my dad would come to the Capital soon? We’ll have some as a snack when we have tea together!”

Jurie opened the container, anticipating which fruit would be inside. Something rolled out of the container; it was one of the two hundred severed goblin heads with their tongues out.

“KYAAAAAHHH!” Jurie screamed.

The container wasn’t filled with only heads. It also contained dwarf corpses, pieces of limbs belonging to who knows, and mangled heads. It was the most grotesque gift basket Jurie had ever seen. They were materials for gene extraction, which Seong-Hwi had collected as he hunted the goblins of Clan Green Hunters and as he raced throughout Ferrum after the war.

“Urgh... CHEON SEONG-HWI, YOU CRAZY MOTHERFUCKER!!!”

“What’s wrong, my lady?!” Gerard sprinted toward Jurie after hearing her screams.

The teary-eyed Jurie shouted, “Gramps! Beat Seong-Hwi senselessly when he comes back! He has no manners!”

“Oh my... I will bring Lina,” Gerard said as he sighed once he checked the container’s contents and headed to the basement.

Curses endlessly spewed from Jurie’s mouth behind him.

***

“My ears are itchy,” Seong-Hwi mumbled as he walked along a hallway of the Golden Iron Palace.

The container should have arrived at the Fence Hotel by now. I have so much to ask Lina when I get back, Seong-Hwi thought.

Among them, he was most curious about her thoughts on his ability to use the race skills of goblins and angels when he had battled Jazathura and when he pulled a Bachtasha-rank Chaos away from Lilar.

But... I still have more to obtain here before that.

Seong-Hwi arrived at the banquet hall. The dwarves guarding the door opened it as soon as they noticed him. He activated a skill before the door opened.

[Activating Unique Skill: Borrowing Destiny.]

[Iljimae the Gentleman Thief of the Plum Blossom]

He had borrowed Iljimae’s destiny because of a certain person inside the banquet hall. He composed himself as he felt overflowing love for people.

Even the aftermath must be thorough so it doesn’t come to bite me in the ass later.

In the banquet hall were Bafor, Muka, Rika, and a few other dwarves. There were also Floriana, Lilicia, and a few other elves. Lastly, there was Kang-San, looking at him with a smile.

“Have you been staying alive well, Junior?” Kang-San asked.

“Why wouldn’t I have been?” Seong-Hwi replied.

“I heard you destroyed an angel statue—one of the God of Heaven, no less. Don’t go telling people you’re a human. Stick to either a vampire or an undead,” Kang-San said playfully.

Floriana smiled and said benevolently, “There is nothing to worry about. Orbis is under immense pressure from the Sēmen at the moment. They will have no leeway to worry about you, kind human.”

“Kind human?” Kang-San said as he stared at Seong-Hwi, not knowing what Floriana was talking about.

However, Seong-Hwi simply smiled innocently and greeted, “It’s been a while, Lady Floriana. You haven’t changed.”

She stared at Seong-Hwi with her shining green eyes and said, “It sure has been a while. It’s been since the Pollon Nest incident, right? You’ve become surprisingly stronger. The artifacts you took back then must have been of great help.”

“Unnie! You know that human man?” Lilicia asked with wide eyes.

Floriana turned to Lilicia with a smile and said, “I’ll tell you later, Lily.”

“Okay, unnie!”

Just then, Bafor said, “Haha! You’re more of a social butterfly than I’d expected, Seong-Hwi.”

“Not at all,” Seong-Hwi replied.

“In any case, thank you for destroying the God of Heaven statue. We were almost wiped out just with Creo indirectly descending through Uriel. If he had descended directly on Ferrum... I don’t even want to think about it.”

Seong-Hwi stared at Bafor in silence, then asked, “Why would Orbis do something like this? To the point that they would attempt the God of Heaven’s advent...”

All eyes shifted to Bafor because they had all been curious about it.

Bafor’s expression hardened as he answered, “How should I know what they have in their minds? Angels are more stubborn than dragons in some ways. I must’ve hurt their pride.”

“I see,” Seong-Hwi said as he nodded.

However, he thought, The Third Lord, Regnator, came to the first zone to obtain the Destiny Stone. If the Second Lord, Creo, had planned to do the same, then... the dwarves’ Race Stone must be here!

He had his suspicions but did not blurt it out.

Once the mood was turning sour, Rika changed the subject, saying, “Ahem. We have things to give Seong-Hwi, do we not, Bafor?”

“Oh, that’s right. The people of Ferrum have prepared gifts for you as gratitude for your efforts,” Bafor mentioned as he turned to the group of dwarves.

First, a dwarf with black hair and eyebrows as thick as a pine processionary caterpillar approached Seong-Hwi and said, “Human friend, I am Schumer Yule, an A-rank artisan of the Black Furnace tribe.” He held out a hoodie similar to what Seong-Hwi was wearing and continued, “I imitated your item and modified it so that it would fit a human. Take it.”

Seong-Hwi took the black hoodie from Schumer. It was light as if it were made from condensed darkness.

[Archane Hoodie (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: A hoodie made from the fragment of Archane, the Spirit King of Darkness. It is the masterpiece of Schumer Yule, an artisan of the Black Furnace tribe. It possesses powerful magical resistance and automatic restoration properties. Its effects are enhanced in the shadows.

Skill: Shadow Control]

...

[Shadow Control (Item Skill)

Rank: Shared - F(0)

Description: The ability to control the shadows in one’s field of vision, once every 24 hours.]

“It’s amazing,” Seong-Hwi said, highly impressed by the Archane Hoodie.

He was sure it possessed upper A-rank potential.

“Ahem! No tribe makes better armor than Black Furnace,” Schumer said as he coughed, satisfied by Seong-Hwi’s response.

Once he stepped back, a grey-haired dwarf stepped forward and said, “Hmph, what a boring item. No creativity whatsoever.”

“What’d you say?” Schumer said irritably.

“Take this, human friend,” the grey-haired dwarf said as he handed Seong-Hwi a pair of black combat boots.

Seong-Hwi took the item and examined the Akasha Message.

[Pressurizing Leather Boots (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: Leather combat boots with soles made from the hooves of Ircus, a goat that compresses and releases jets of pressurized air. It is the masterpiece of Tomuze, an artisan of the Steel Hawk tribe. Their soles can freely absorb and release air.]

“These are also amazing,” Seong-Hwi said, impressed by the versatility of the combat boots.

Tomuze Bima held his head high as he stared at Schumer.

Rika clicked her tongue at Tomuze and Schumer, saying, “What’s with this childish behavior? Act your age.”

Tomuze and Schumer looked away from each other.

Lastly, Muka approached Seong-Hwi with a smile and said, “The next one is mine, Seong-Hwi. I used every ounce of skill that I can currently muster.”

He was holding a beautifully decorated dagger. Seong-Hwi accepted it and unsheathed the blade, met with a beautiful blue cutting edge with a mystical ripple pattern. It was a kris knife, known for its distinctive wavy blade.

[Titanic Tide Kris (Item)

Rank: F(0)

Description: A variation of a kris knife made by Muka of the Red Hammer tribe. It has a distinctly detailed wave pattern, formed by his extraordinary technique of folding the metal into 4,096 layers. It was made for Cheon Seong-Hwi, and a special skill is available when equipped by him.]

Skill: Titanic Wave]

...

[Titanic Wave (Item Skill)

Rank: Shared - F(0)

Description: This skill triggers internal injuries in the target cut by the knife by scrambling their mana pattern.]

“Wow!” Seong-Hwi exclaimed once he grabbed the Titanic Tide Kris.

He did not even have to check the Akasha Message to know that it was made specifically for him. The handle fit his hand perfectly, and there was a ring as a pommel of the hilt. He could feel Muka’s efforts to match the item to his fighting style.

“This is amazing! Just one slash from it would be insanely painful,” he said.

Seong-Hwi also liked that it was a kris knife with a wavy blade. A paper cut generally hurt more than being cut by a razor blade because of its irregular edge. Hence, a kris knife with its wavy edge would inflict intense pain.

“Hehe! The skill is amazing, too! I tried it out on myself, and I got insanely severe mana sickness!” Muka shouted confidently.

Seong-Hwi took the three items and said, “I will cherish the items you have all made for me. I was thinking about replacing my items.”

“There’s one more,” Bafor said.

Seong-Hwi’s eyes shone. All three items were magnificent with A-rank potential, but he had been promised an item with potential one rank higher.

“Follow me,” Bafor said.

“Okay,” Seong-Hwi said as he followed Bafor out of the banquet hall.

Kang-San shouted from behind, “Junior! Find me once you’re done! I have things to talk to you about, so let’s return to the Capital together!”

***

Bafor guided Seong-Hwi to his room.

He stared at Seong-Hwi, who was examining the three items he received as they walked, and said, “It appears you’re satisfied with the gifts from Steel Hawk, Black Furnace, and Red Hammer. Blue Anvil has been practically disbanded, and Green Hand is being investigated for complicity in this incident, so they are in no position to give you gifts.”

“Haha, these are more than enough. More importantly, are you sure about this? Having enemies on the inside may reduce solidarity,” Seong-Hwi asked.

Bafor smiled and replied, "That would be the case if the internal enemies were hidden. However, now that they are visible for everyone to see, they can be used to strengthen the remaining dwarves’ solidarity.”

Seong-Hwi nodded and asked, “What do you plan to do with the captured Blue Anvil dwarves?”

“The ringleader and his executives will be punished, but those who engaged while knowing nothing will be sentenced to labor.”

“Labor?”

“For example, we need dwarves who will supply humans with items as part of our alliance.”

“Hah... You’re quite thrifty.”

Seong-Hwi was impressed. Since fellow dwarves had carried out the treason, Bafor couldn’t have them all killed. Hence, he thought of a punishment that would benefit the rest, showing yet again how wise he was as a leader.

“This is nothing. More importantly, we’re here.” Bafor said.

A giant brass door automatically opened. Bafor’s room was filled with hard, rectangular, solid metal. Just then, Seong-Hwi heard the cries of a bird inside a steel birdcage. It was the Steel Blade Hawk.

Bafor continued, “You demanded three things from me in exchange for your help: an alliance with the humans, an item with S-rank potential, and the right to enter Subterra. I have fulfilled the first one.”

“That’s right,” Seong-Hwi said as he nodded.

The alliance was certain since he had heard from Kang-San that Faber had sent an official proposal to the Union.

“The alliance will be beneficial to both races. After all, humanity will become stronger with each day,” Seong-Hwi remarked.

“I hope so. Now, it’s time for me to fulfill the second promise,” Bafor said as he stomped on the ground.

A wave pulsed, and four items rose from underground. They were a gold sword, an emerald helmet, a steel chain whip, and a plate armor missing a right arm portion.

“These are the S-rank items Hadafu collected. You may choose one,” Bafor remarked.

“Ten Thousand Arms, Hadafu... He was quite the collector,” Seong-Hwi said as he shook his head.

Bafor smiled bitterly and said, “He wished to surpass me, even if it meant using the weapons I created...”

Seong-Hwi examined each of the four items and thought, They’re all phenomenal. Having even one of them will raise my chances of survival severalfold. But...

He turned to the steel birdcage in the corner of the room and asked, “How about that one?”

“The Steel Blade Hawk?” Bafor asked, not having expected Seong-Hwi’s choice. “It’s highly picky about its master. Although I created it, its pride is unreal.”

Scree!

The Steel Blade Hawk cried as if feeling displeasure from Seong-Hwi pointing at it.

“It’s okay, as long as it’s made of metal. Also,” Seong-Hwi replied as he grabbed a piece of paper from his pocket—a betting paper.

[A-rank Artisan Prediction:

Subject: 99. Red Hammer - Muka (117.0)

Bet amount: 10,000,000 Coins.

Total Payout: 1,170,000,000 Coins.

*Blue Anvil has authenticated this betting paper.]

“I would like to show you this. I have to get my payout from Blue Anvil, but their leader, Hadafu, was arrested,” Seong-Hwi said.

Bafor stared blankly at the betting paper and laughed, “Haha! You were the 117 Human?” He shook his head as he grabbed the birdcage, containing the Steel Blade Hawk, and the Performing Chain Whip. He handed them to Seong-Hwi and continued, “I will give you one of Hadafu’s collections as a substitute for the Coins you deserve from Blue Anvil. The Performing Chain Whip was sold for 1.18 billion Coins, so it’s roughly the same amount.”

“It’s made of metal... Very well.”

Seong-Hwi gave Bafor the betting paper and received the Performing Chain Whip and Steel Blade Hawk.

“You managed to get two S-rank potential items from me... You have extraordinary acumen,” Bafor said.

“That’s rather embarrassing to hear from the Steel King.”

“Ahaha! It’s fine, take them. You deserve it, considering how much you’ve helped me... When will you enter Subterra? Now?”

Seong-Hwi shook his head and said, “No. I will return with a party. There isn’t a limit to the number of people I can bring, is there?”

“Haha, of course not. You’re welcome to bring as many people as you like. Also... can I give you a piece of advice?”

“Of course.”

Bafor stared at the Performing Chain Whip and Steel Blade Hawk as he said, “Each item with S-rank potential contains a unique history, soul, and thought. It’s a challenge to actualize even one.”

“Actualize?”

“It means it’s not necessarily great to have many items with S-rank potential. What matters is how deeply you understand them.” Bafor grabbed Ustrina’s Hammer at his waist and continued, “I’ve spent my entire life actualizing this hammer, but I still have a long way to go. It’s better to have a deep understanding of a few than a superficial understanding of many. Hadafu lost against Lee Kang-San despite having five S-rank potential items.”

Seong-Hwi more or less understood what Bafor was trying to say. He said, “You’re referring to choices and focus. However, it’s okay. I didn’t choose these items to use for myself.”

He stared at the confused Bafor and thought, These are materials... nutrients to awaken it.

***

Seong-Hwi returned to the room prepared for him after he met with Bafor. He placed the Steel Blade Hawk and the Performing Chain Whip on his bed as he recalled his conversation with Lilar.

“Three conditions must be met for this child to awaken.”

“Three conditions?”

“Yes. Firstly, an astronomical amount of metal. This has already been met.”

“The metal meteor...”

“Secondly, metal with high caliber. The higher the caliber, and the more there are, the better.”

“Wha...”

“Thirdly, Karma. It must be upgraded to at least S-rank.”

None of the conditions Lilar had stated were easy to meet.

I never thought... the iron thief would be me, Seong-Hwi thought.

He surmised the identity of the iron thief wreaking havoc throughout Ferrum from Lilar’s explanation of the Steel Rice Grain. He had thought about capturing the iron thief for the rewards, but it had been him all along. Thinking back on it now, the iron thief had appeared around the same time Seong-Hwi had arrived in Ferrum. There was also another thing that matched. The iron thief had become active around the time his lucid dreams, as a side effect of Borrowing Destiny, stopped.

He took the Steel Rice Grain out of his pocket with shining eyes and thought, Metals with high caliber, huh? Since I can’t spare the time to work as a miner, there’s only one solution.

He would have to feed it high-caliber items made of metal.

It was an insane waste, but he had no choice but to whisper to the Steel Rice Grain, “Eat up.”

The Steel Rice Grain trembled on Seong-Hwi’s palm as if asking if he was sure.

“You’re dead if you leave even a tiny scrap,” he said firmly.

The Steel Rice Grain floated toward the bed. The Steel Blade Hawk, sensing a threat to its life, cried intensely. However, the Steel Rice Grain began its meal mercilessly. It first latched onto the Performing Chain Whip and ate it piece by piece like cheese.

“Wha...” Seong-Hwi stared blankly at the marvel before him.

However, something even more bizarre occurred.

Pwoo—!

A silver-grey steel elephant trunk sprouted from the Steel Rice Grain and wrapped the cage holding the Steel Blade Hawk.

Scree—!

The Steel Blade Hawk cried in fear, but the elephant trunk paid it no mind and devoured it whole with the cage.

Burp! Pwoo!

The long trunk trembled like a child who had eaten something delicious and disappeared back into the Steel Rice Grain.

“An elephant trunk, huh? Whatever you are, you’d better not be useless,” Seong-Hwi mumbled as he put the Steel Rice Grain back into his pocket.

Not only had it devoured two items with S-rank potential, but he also needed to invest Karma into it.

But if I’m right... It’s an item I need more than anything!

Seong-Hwi’s eyes shone with anticipation, thinking he would one day be rewarded for these insane acts.