Chapter 75
Rowman.
The information about the reagent I handed him was simple.
[Ten-Metal Fusion Reagent / Creator: Kyle Seltarion]
[Type: Consumable Magic Reagent]
[Effect: Allows the fusion of ten designated metals with a very high success rate.]
The Ten-Metal Fusion Reagent.
Originally, it was just an ordinary reagent that allowed the fusion of ten metals with a normal probability.
A normal probability.
Which meant about 50%.
In other words, there was a 50% chance of failure.
That’s why it was one of those items that players constantly complained about.
Each of the ten metals required for the process was incredibly difficult to obtain in the early game, and yet, there was a chance of failure when attempting to fuse them.
And not just any chance—a whopping 50%.
Fantasy Defense.
This game had early, mid, and late-game phases, and all of them were important.
But among them, the most important was the early game.
Considering how insanely difficult the game was, if you failed in the early game?
There was no coming back from it.
‘That’s why most players only started using this reagent in the mid-game.’
The materials required to craft it were extremely expensive, and if you failed, the results were terrible.
It was alchemy at its worst—taking ten high-grade metals and somehow ending up with low-grade scrap.
Since most of these ten metals weren’t even compatible, the failure was expected.
That’s why players only used this reagent once they had enough resources to attempt it multiple times.
But I was different.
I was planning to use this item at the very beginning of the game.
Just like how the Ogre Perfume and Core Dissolution Reagent drastically enhanced my artifact effects, the Ten-Metal Fusion Reagent had also received a massive buff.
‘If it says very high probability, then… it should succeed in one go.’
With a success rate of around 90%, my odds were more than good.
There was no way I would fail.
“…Are you really saying that this reagent can fuse ten different metals together? Without any side effects?”
“Yes.”
“…I’ve never heard of such a magical reagent before. Just where did you get this?”
Where?
I made it.
“I created it myself.”
“…You, young master?”
“Yes.”
Rowman stared at me blankly for a moment before slowly nodding.
“…As expected of the winner of the Imperial Magic Theory Competition. You are truly different.”
“I was just lucky. Besides, I can’t guarantee a 100% success rate. This is my first time actually testing it.”
“…Are you sure about this? If this fails, we might end up with a worthless lump of metal.”
“Yes. I’m prepared for that.”
Without hesitation, I answered, and the chief blacksmith gave a solemn nod.
Then, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
The chance to work with a brand-new type of metal—for a blacksmith, this was a dream come true.
“I understand. Let’s begin the forging process immediately.”
Rowman led me and Leonhardt toward the blast furnace.
A massive blast furnace.
Every inch of its surface was engraved with magic circuits.
At a glance, it seemed to contain heat-enhancing circuits.
‘Yeah, this should be enough to melt everything.’
A normal blacksmith shop would never have been able to afford such a high-quality furnace.
That’s the power of noble families for you.
“You both should wear these.”
Rowman handed us protective gear.
“Is the heat that intense?”
“Yes. The area near the furnace is extremely hot. And for a magical furnace like this, the heat is at least several times greater. Without protection, even seasoned knights would melt instantly.”
The amount of heat required to melt high-grade metals was no joke.
Without another word, Leonhardt and I put on the black protective suits.
“Then, let’s begin.”
Wooong!!
As soon as Rowman spoke, mana surged into the magic circuits of the blast furnace.
‘This thing must consume mana stones like crazy.’
Each activation would probably burn through dozens of lower-grade mana stones.
As the heat intensified, the ten metals slowly began to melt.
The liquefied metals.
But instead of blending, they repelled each other.
That was material repulsion.
Like magnets with the same pole, they actively pushed against one another.
Rowman carefully lowered the furnace’s heat before sprinkling the reagent over the molten metal.
At that moment.
Chiii—!
A sizzling sound, like meat hitting a grill, echoed out as the purple reagent spread across the surface of the liquid metal.
And then.
The reagent sank into the liquid.
The once viscous metal began to quiver.
A moment later.
The separate metal liquids started pulling toward each other.
Gradually, the ten molten metals began to merge into one.
Rowman, Leonhardt, and I stared intently at the incredible sight unfolding before us.
For them, it was their first time seeing such an unnatural phenomenon.
For me, however, my focus was on something else.
Because the success or failure of this entire process would be determined right now.
Gulp.
The ten liquid metals fused together, bubbling violently.
And then.
Wooong!
A brilliant light burst forth from the metal.
‘Lucky.’
That alone told me everything.
If the fusion had failed, there would be no light.
Flash!
After the blinding light faded.
Before the eyes of the three of us, a pale green liquid had formed.
A liquid so radiant that it seemed almost mystical.
There was only a brief moment of silence.
Rowman, his eyes trembling, turned to look at me.
“…Young Master. C-could this be a success?”
“Probably?”
“This is… No, there’s no time for that! I need to set the mold immediately!”
Without hesitation, he carefully began pouring the liquid metal into the ring-shaped mold.
His movements were cautious, as if he feared losing even a single drop.
The liquid seeped into the circular groove, slowly solidifying.
“…This is… how is the form so perfect…? No repulsion at all?”
“Rowman, you should start engraving the circuit now.”
“Ah… Yes! Understood.”
With specialized magical engraving tools in hand, he carefully examined the schematic before beginning to carve the intricate circuit into the ring.
As expected from the chief blacksmith, his title was no mere decoration.
The circuits he carved were precise, without a single error.
Sweat dripped from his brow as he meticulously etched the complex patterns onto the ring’s surface.
‘This will turn out well.’
At this level of craftsmanship, failure wasn’t even a possibility.
Indeed.
Entrusting the task to a skilled artisan was always the best choice.
Two hours.
That was how long it took for the chief blacksmith to engrave the circuits onto a single small ring.
The intricate magical circuits now covered the ring’s entire surface.
With a final magical treatment and mana infusion, the artifact would be complete.
Rowman finally removed his protective gloves, gazing at the ring with dazed eyes.
No matter how many metals he had handled before, even he had rarely worked with metals surpassing mithril.
Perhaps he was beginning to realize something.
Wasn’t it the same in games?
To level up crafting skills, one had to work with high-grade materials.
For a while.
Rowman simply stared at the ring in silence.
Then, as if regaining his senses, he carefully handed it to me.
“Hoo… Young Master, the engraving is complete.”
“Thank you.”
At my words, Rowman scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“No, if anything, I should be thanking you. I was stubbornly dismissing something as impossible, and now I feel ashamed. You shattered my preconceptions. Thanks to you, I got the chance to work with some extraordinary materials. I truly appreciate it.”
“No, I wasn’t even a hundred percent sure it would succeed. I just got lucky.”
“I have a feeling this will turn out to be an incredible artifact.”
It certainly would.
The craftsmanship of the chief blacksmith had exceeded even my expectations.
“Thank you. Oh, by the way, Rowman.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like you to keep today’s work a secret.”
A reagent that allows high-grade metals to fuse.
If word of this spread, it would cause unnecessary complications.
Having Rowman stay silent was the best course of action.
The old blacksmith tilted his head in confusion before nodding.
“I understand.”
“Thank you. I may have other requests for you in the future. You might see something similar to today’s work again.”
“…If you say ‘something similar’… don’t tell me.”
“Magical artifacts are unpredictable. You might come across other items like the reagent I showed you today. After all, I’m still just a 1st-circle magician—I have a long way to go.”
I grinned.
Rowman quickly nodded.
“I will keep this strictly confidential. However… if you ever need to craft another magical artifact…”
“Of course, I’ll come to you first.”
“Haha… Thank you.”
No, I was the one who should be thanking him.
Seeking him out was never a loss.
Rowman’s skills were superior even to most dwarves.
To outmatch him, you’d need a legendary dwarven master blacksmith.
And honestly?
Finding dwarves was a hassle.
They were an isolated race, and getting them to accept a crafting request was a nightmare.
So for now, Rowman was my best choice.
Ten-Metal Alloy.
Rowman had experienced something truly remarkable.
And if he wanted to relive that experience?
‘He’ll keep quiet on his own.’
People kept secrets far better when it was in their own best interest.
After receiving the completed ring, I returned to my room.
There, I mixed together a few pre-prepared reagents.
To create a mana-infused liquid.
A deep blue mana solution.
By soaking the ring in it for a while, the engraved circuits would absorb the mana.
One hour later.
I pulled the ring out.
The magical circuits etched into its body were now glowing faintly with mana.
‘Not bad.’
Now, I just needed to imprint the mana into the circuit.
Once that was done, the engraved mana would fully activate the artifact.
‘It would be even better with a core material.’
If I had a high-grade material to stabilize the ring, like Flonel’s Jewel, its effects would be significantly enhanced.
But unfortunately, I didn’t have one right now.
Ten-Metal Alloy.
For a ring made of this metal, the core material would need to be at least of unique grade.
And acquiring such materials?
That would require defeating a dungeon boss or hunting a rare monster.
Even Leonhardt couldn’t take those creatures down alone.
‘Well, I can always add it later.’
To prepare for that, I had left space in the center of the ring.
Once I found a suitable material, I could use it to enhance the ring’s core.
I placed my right hand over the ring and channeled purified mana into it.
The moment the mana was imprinted into the circuits—
[You have successfully crafted an artifact.]
[Type: Ring-type Artifact]
[You have used an efficient artifact crafting method.]
[The crafting method has been recorded.]
[Analyzing the artifact.]
[Name: (Unnamed / You can assign a name.)]
[A ring crafted from Ten-Metal Alloy, engraved with numerous magical circuits.]
[Special Effects]
[Mental Fortification (A+) – Greatly enhances the wearer’s mental resilience.]
[Reinforced Structure (A) – Once per week, the ring’s durability can be transferred to a single body part for ten seconds. However, during this time, the ring’s durability will drastically decrease.]
[Energy Concentration (A-) – Allows the wearer to quickly gather energy suited to their physique.]
‘This turned out great.’
I smiled as I examined the ring.
This was a top-tier unique artifact.
Seron.
Now, I had the perfect tool to control him.
Since I had finished crafting the gift…
It was time to deliver it.
—
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