Iya Continent: Card God

Before dawn, in the dimly lit city of Sandel, somewhere in the city, there was a blacksmith's shop.

The stove in the shop has been burning continuously for several months without stopping for a moment.

However, there were no thunderous hammering sounds inside the shop at this moment. Only the rustling and hissing of the burning furnace fire, interspersed with the crisp sound of hammering.

The dwarf Jingon Bronzehammer was engraving on a warhammer with a sharp silver awl and a small bronze hammer, his focus unwavering. This was the most concentrated he had been in months.

The magic of heaven and earth flowed continuously into the shop because of his forging and carving, surrounding him and becoming like the hammerhead weapon with each of his hammer blows.

The final forging of the weapon by Kim Gong will determine its final grade.

He had always been able to forge weapons of the silver grade. Even with superior-grade materials, he couldn't unleash their full potential. This time, however, he used materials that were excellent, falling short of superior.

Jingong thought that the secret copper given by the goblin stone would be enough to forge a fine-grade weapon.

However, just as the hammerhead was being cast, a new idea came to mind.

In his heart, he seemed to have suddenly realized something.

This sudden realization came entirely from my friend Linta. His resolute determination inexplicably inspired me, giving me a sense of "defying authority."

My crafting over the years has always followed basic rules. Common-grade materials are used to forge bronze weapons, fine-grade materials are used to forge silver weapons, and only superior-grade materials can be used to forge weapons suitable for gold-grade powerhouses.

This has always been my thought.

But Linta's actions made him begin to doubt why fine-grade materials couldn't be used to forge gold-grade weapons.

People can gradually become stronger and surpass their former selves. Why can't materials do the same?

They also have "life"!

These are the words of the Latin god of iron and fire, the god worshipped by the dwarves.

"Ding, ding, ding."

Under the dwarf's precise strikes, every mark on the silver hammer was flawless. The magic flowing in the air trickled into it, causing the dwarven inscriptions to glow softly.

The inscription on this warhammer is about to be completed.

As the first rays of light pierced the eastern sky, the dwarf simultaneously stopped wielding his awl-shaped silver hammer.

Kim Gong's eyes trembled, his lips moved, and he kept breathing heavily.

His eyes were fixed on the warhammer before him. The magic flowing within the shop surged into the hammerhead, causing the fully carved warhammer to gleam with a dazzling light, like diamonds sparkling.

At this moment, Kim Gong's pupils were wider than ever before, and a power he had never felt before was emerging from the depths of his heart.

It worked!

I have finally succeeded in forging my first weapon of excellent quality!

This is a grade that even gold-level powerhouses would want to use.

"Ha ha……"

The dwarf Jingon laughed excitedly, then, exhausted from his long period of concentration, he collapsed to the ground with a "thud!" but that didn't stop his joy.

"Den!"

Suddenly, Jin Gong felt something surging within him, breaking free from years of confinement.

A powerful, exhilarating energy coursed through my veins.

breakthrough!

He broke through from the high-level Bronze rank and entered the low-level Silver rank.

Lying down, Kim Gong was somewhat dazed, never expecting to reach the Silver rank in this way.

"GimGoon, what's going on with you...?"

Linta, who walked in from outside, asked in confusion.

Why is he lying on the ground, smiling strangely?

Linta's gaze was quickly drawn to the unique hammer, which looked quite beautiful in the firelight.

Although I don't understand casting and have no interest in learning it, over the past few months, through Jin Gong's teachings, I've gained some insight into what makes a good weapon.

Jingong shared his joy, saying, "Brother Linta, I succeeded! I've forged a superior weapon!"

Linta was pleased to hear this.

Jingon stayed in Sandel City, primarily to forge weapons and armor, as well as some weapon components. He would later seek revenge.

With his skills, forging a fine-quality weapon would be effortless and wouldn't take long. However, due to a change of heart midway through, focusing on how to forge a superior-quality weapon, the forging process took much longer. Furthermore, training Linta to improve his physique further distracted him and delayed the progress.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed in Sandel City for several months.

"Hey!" GimGoon stood up again, looking excitedly at the completed hammerhead.

"Once you've done it once, you'll do it again. I've finally become a top-tier weapon refiner," Jin Gong said with great emotion.

High-quality weapon refiners, especially those who forge weapons, are sought after by countless gold-level powerhouses. The weapons they need are often crafted by weapon refiners.

"Congratulations," Linta said with a faint smile.

Jin Gong said, "I know what that means, it's a congratulatory message, haha."

Suddenly, Jin Gong frowned and looked at Lin Ta, who had appeared there. "What are you doing here? Could it be...!"

Linta said calmly, "I've finished running. I ran ten laps before dawn."

Jingong's eyes widened again as he stared at Linta in disbelief.

Running three laps, then five, then six, seven, eight, and nine—each lap increase presents an unimaginable challenge.

Ten laps is the limit of a human's physical strength. To run ten laps in several months without being able to use magic or other powers is practically impossible. The reason I made this request was to give him a long-term goal. At least after I leave, he can grow and develop for a considerable period.

but now……

"Really?" Kim Gong asked in disbelief.

Linta said calmly, "Really, I've been running on it for months. I know the route so well I could run it with my eyes closed. I've even worn a path through the grasslands surrounding the city."

Jin Gong was at a loss for words.

Linta walked to the familiar spot and picked up the iron hammer he usually used.

Now, with his arm strength, he can no longer feel the weight of the hammer.

"I haven't had breakfast yet. I'll finish hammering today's iron blocks first, and then eat them together with lunch," Lin Ta said with a smile.

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

Sparks flew, and thunder roared.

It was only then that Jingon realized that Linta was no longer the same as before.

These past few days, I've been focused on my final casting, neglecting the changes and growth of Linta. Now that my casting is complete, all the worries and tension in my heart have vanished. Only now do I finally notice that Linta is completely different now.

"when--!"

……

The sun shines brightly in the sky.

The house and courtyard rented by Linta.

After having lunch, Jingong and Linta returned to this place.

Linta asked, "Why are you back now? Isn't it supposed to start tonight?"

Kim Gong joked, "There's no need to wait until tonight, we can do it now."

"Come on, defeat me!"

Linta paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay."

Jin Gong looked at his friend with a smile. He was different, completely different. He was no longer the frail-looking person he had met for the first time. Now he was a truly powerful person.

"I am coming!"

Linta shouted and charged head-on at Jingon.

Jingong's eyes narrowed as he pondered Linta's next attack.

Is he going to attack my lower body again? Right now, his power is enough to knock me down even without magic!

"Um?!"

Jingong was startled as he watched the approaching Linta.

No, this time, he's going to attack me head-on!