Chapter 22: Forging New Weapons
Translated by Vine | Proofread by Lust
For the latest updates, visit: ProNovels.com
Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB
The Blacksmiths of Gyeongju
In modern times, blacksmithing was more associated with the craft of skilled artisans than with mass production. The advent of advanced metalworking and machinery had made factory-made items far more efficient and cost-effective, relegating traditional hand-forging to the realm of a bygone era.
But that was before the zombie apocalypse turned back the hands of progress.
“Phew, it’s autumn, but it’s still hot as hell in here. If it weren’t for the air conditioning, we’d be roasting alive,” muttered Choi, the master blacksmith.
“Electricity is unlimited at the forge thanks to Bahamut’s blessing. The air conditioning is a godsend,” replied Jeong Dong-geon, a military official of the Valhuth Cult, who had come to visit.
In a world overrun by the undead, the value of blacksmiths had skyrocketed. The demand for hand-crafted weapons and tools surged, leading even those who had abandoned the trade to once again pick up their hammers. To ensure his soldiers were properly armed and armored, Jeong frequently visited Gyeongju’s primary forge, which was now operated by the cult.
“Didn’t you say you were done with business for today?” Choi asked.
“I was, but something urgent came up,” Jeong replied.
Choi, the master smith, addressed Jeong familiarly, calling him “Hyung-nim,” a term used for an older brother or close elder. Jeong reciprocated, calling Choi by name, a testament to their camaraderie.
The Valhuth Cult had spared no expense in setting up a professional forge, gathering skilled blacksmiths from all over Gyeongju. The facility not only produced weapons but also refined scrap metal brought in by the cult’s members, transforming it into essential materials for daily life and reconstruction. In many ways, Choi’s forge was at the forefront of Gyeongju’s rebuilding efforts.
“By the way, is Yoo still here?” Jeong asked.
“He’s busy with reconstruction,” Choi answered. “But thanks to him, we were among the first to get better housing.”
The forge was bustling with activity as machinery whirred and clanked nonstop, processing a steady stream of materials. Blacksmiths and their assistants toiled tirelessly, relying on the cooling breeze of the air conditioning to keep from overheating. The importance of this facility was not lost on Yuna, who had made sure Bahamut’s energy resources were channeled here, ensuring the forge had all the power it needed.
“So, what’s the urgent matter?” Choi inquired.
“Bahamut has introduced a new currency,” Jeong replied.
The mention of currency made Choi’s eyes light up. He had expected the Valhuth Cult to eventually introduce a form of tradeable currency, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be this soon.
“Oh? New currency, you say? I would’ve thought they’d have us make it here. Can I take a look?” Choi asked eagerly.
“Of course,” Jeong said, pulling a small box from his bag and placing it on the table. He opened it to reveal freshly minted coins, their surfaces gleaming under the forge’s lights.
Choi picked up a coin and examined it closely. “Very well-made. The finish is flawless… although I’m getting a strange feeling from it. Almost as if there’s some magic… emanating from the coin.”
The craftsmanship was impeccable, and Choi couldn’t help but be impressed. But as an awakened individual who had gained magical senses during the zombie apocalypse, he could feel a distinct energy radiating from the currency.
“It’s not your imagination,” Jeong said, a hint of pride in his voice. “Bahamut imbued the coins with his magic as a safeguard against counterfeiting.”
“Impressive. I almost thought they were cursed,” Choi chuckled, setting the coin down. He had been momentarily worried that the coins were imbued with some malevolent magic, but knowing it was a security measure made him feel more at ease.
‘This will make it nearly impossible for even awakened individuals to forge these,’ Choi thought. ‘Though the average person won’t sense the magic, we’ll still need to keep a close watch on the staff.’
While Choi had no intention of counterfeiting the coins himself, he couldn’t vouch for everyone at the forge. He made a mental note to tighten security just in case.
“I agree,” Jeong continued. “That’s why Bahamut is worth following, isn’t he?”
“Absolutely. He saved my family and my workers. And I’ve had enough of starving and living in fear of mutated zombies,” Choi replied earnestly.
For Choi, Bahamut’s intervention had been a lifesaver. The city had been crawling with zombies, and with no food left in the forge, he and his workers had been on the brink of starvation. The dragon’s arrival had turned his fate around, allowing him and his forge to be saved. The Valhuth Cult had recognized his skills as a blacksmith, granting him a secure position. Now, neither he nor his workers had to worry about hunger or the undead.
Jeong, too, had been in a dire situation. Despite having established a prominent survivor camp in Gyeongju based on his military experience, he had been constantly plagued by doubts about how long he could hold out. His camp’s resources had been dwindling, and although they maintained a façade of strength, the reality was that they were on the verge of collapse.
Thus, Jeong had sworn loyalty to Bahamut without hesitation, fully aware that his decision had saved countless lives under his care.
“So, what exactly do you need me to do with these?” Choi asked, breaking the reflective silence.
“Bahamut said these coins can be melted down and forged into weapons,” Jeong explained. “Or, if we engrave certain symbols onto the metal, the coins can grant special effects.”
“Quite the versatile coins, aren’t they?” Choi remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Choi had expected a new currency to be valuable, but this surpassed his expectations. Korean coins could theoretically be melted down to make weapons, but they didn’t grant any special abilities. This new currency, however, was on an entirely different level.
“For the first test, I’d like to see if you can craft some bullets using these coins. Let’s try out a variety of symbols, if possible,” Jeong said.
“With this amount, we can probably make about ten bullets. The rest can be used for engraving on knives or swords,” Choi responded, already calculating the materials in his head.
“Then let’s go with ten bullets and see if you can also engrave a couple of blades,” Jeong agreed.
Since it was just a test run, the quantity wasn’t large. Choi promptly called for his team to prepare the materials.
“Alright, you heard him! This is urgent!” Choi bellowed.
The workers in the forge dropped what they were doing and rushed to follow Jeong’s instructions. Within a short time, they had produced ten bullet casings and engraved a knife and a sword with the requested symbols. As Jeong inspected the magically imbued knife, Choi began to explain the crafting process.
“I followed your instructions. We used various symbols representing fire, lightning, water, and other elements. We also tried plating the weapons for a different effect. This should give us a good range of results for testing.”
“Thank you, Choi. You’ve done excellent work,” Jeong said, grateful for the blacksmith’s quick craftsmanship.
“So, shall we begin the tests?” Jeong asked.
“There’s a testing range outside. You’re free to use it,” Choi replied.
Given the nature of the forge, there was a designated area for testing weapons. Jeong made his way to the range, with Choi following behind to help set up the targets. Once ready, Jeong loaded one of the custom bullets into a handgun and took aim.
BANG! The shot rang out, followed by an explosive boom that echoed throughout the forge.
“What the—!?” Choi exclaimed, startled by the deafening noise. He turned to Jeong, who seemed just as bewildered, his gaze fixed on the target.
To their amazement, the small-caliber bullet had completely obliterated the target. Instead of simply piercing it, the shot had caused the entire area to erupt in flames, leaving behind only charred remains.
“It seems these bullets can indeed carry magical effects,” Jeong remarked, trying to process what had just happened.
“I’d say that’s an understatement…” Choi started to reply, but was interrupted by a guard who rushed in, alarmed by the explosion.
“What happened!? Was that an explosion?” the guard asked, clearly on edge.
Jeong raised a hand to calm him down. “It’s nothing. We were just testing a new weapon for the cult.”
“A new weapon?” the guard repeated.
“Yes, a new type of ammunition imbued with Bahamut’s magic,” Jeong clarified, downplaying the situation.
Although the bullets were initially intended to test the properties of the new currency, they had indeed proven to be highly effective as a weapon. Jeong began to see their potential, especially against mutated zombies.
‘Not entirely inaccurate,’ Choi thought. ‘Though I have to wonder… is Bahamut really intending to use these coins as currency? If they’re misused, they could cause some serious trouble…’
“So this is the power of our new weapon?” the guard asked, eyes wide as he stared at the still-burning target.
“Indeed. Right now, the threat from mutated zombies is minimal, but that could change. The Valhuth Cult needs to be prepared,” Jeong explained, his voice steady and confident.
“What should we call this new weapon, then?”
“The name…?” Jeong hesitated, glancing at Choi, who turned his gaze away.
He had improvised when he called it a “new weapon” to reassure the guard, but he hadn’t thought about what to name it.
“Haha, well, since this is just a prototype, we don’t have a name yet. But since it’s infused with Bahamut’s power, how about ‘Bahamut Rounds’?” Jeong suggested.
“So, this is really Bahamut’s power?” the guard asked, his voice filled with awe.
Jeong nodded. “Yes, you could say that. If we manage to mass-produce these, even ordinary people could fight off mutated zombies. Doesn’t that give you chills?”
“It does! I can’t wait to test it against some undead!” the guard exclaimed, enthusiasm overtaking his earlier fear.
‘This feels like it could backfire spectacularly…’ Choi thought as he watched the scene unfold. He couldn’t help but feel that they were on the verge of creating something far more dangerous than they realized.
For the latest updates, visit ProNovels.com. Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB.
