The Bead of Spirituality is a fraudulent item that provides stat points.
'Basically, it takes the form of a necklace, but it is correct to view it as a consumable item.'
Because every time you catch a monster, your durability wears out.
When its durability runs out, it is destroyed and disappears.
That was the only downside.
This is when durability is worn out.
'If you can restore durability, there is no better morale item.'
Therefore, it is a perfect item for blacksmiths.
This is because you can infinitely recover durability with the repair skill and permanently increase your stats.
'But it's not easy to get the beads.'
If you do not catch the Orc Shaman in the 5th round, there is no chance to obtain the orb.
In the future, it will be listed for sale on the social open market 'PLPL', but the price is so astronomical that most blacksmiths can't even afford it.
'But there's no law that says only blacksmiths will benefit. 'Recovering durability is possible for anyone.'
That was the reason Ryumin wanted to go abroad.
Because there was a blacksmith overseas who would become famous as the top of the industry in the future.
'I need to ask that person to fix the durability of the bead.'
Ryumin immediately prepared to go abroad.
I prepared my passport in advance for times like this.
"Hyung, what are you doing?"
My younger brother asked in confusion when he saw Ryumin packing his luggage into his suitcase.
"Where?"
"I want to go abroad for a while."
"Eh? suddenly?"
"It will come soon. "Three days is enough."
All you need to bring is clothes and toiletries for your stay at the hotel.
The rest can be purchased locally.
"What are you going for? "Are you going for business?"
"Well, I guess that's the case."
"If you were going to have fun, I was going to tag along, but I couldn't."
"How many people can go out to have fun in these times?"
"Oh, I see."
"Eat well while I'm away."
"But where are we going?"
Ryumin said with a grin.
"uk."
* * *
Russell Daniel, who lives in England, left school early.
It's been 6 years since I went into the mountains and lived in a cabin just because I was good at blacksmithing.
Now he has become a full-fledged blacksmith recognized by customers for his excellent workmanship.
Kwaang-kwaang-!
A piece of iron heated over a hot fire was beaten with a hammer.
It is a task to shape and increase rigidity.
"Whew, this should be okay."
What Russell is making is a 15cm long dagger.
Once it was in good shape, I sharpened the blade using a whetstone.
Then, after heating it over a hot fire again, I dipped only the blade part into water.
Chi-Ik-
This makes the blade sharper.
To finish, sharpen the knife with a special whetstone coated with iron powder and attach a handle.
"It's done."
A dagger made as a hobby is completed.
It's just a hobby after all.
Not for sale.
"Whoa… … "Is it time to stop doing this?"
He smiled self-mockingly as he looked at the sharply forged dagger.
"It would be nice if we could sell at least one a day."
He was a captain who took on a challenge at a young age, but that was also when he had customers.
Now, the number of people looking for it can be counted on one hand.
"It's all because of the damn angel."
January 2022.
Russell, who was making weapons for customers in his cabin, was suddenly called to another world.
I had to accidentally create an avatar and fight against goblins with other people.
'It literally felt like I was in the countryside and then suddenly mobilized for war.'
When I lasted until the 5th round and looked back, the world was in ruins.
The population, which started out at 1.8 billion, decreased to 19 million, which caused the economy to falter and the number of customers to decrease.
'Well, you expected it would turn out like this, right? Originally, it was a difficult job to make a living from.'
The cost of wood for blacksmithing is quite high.
I've managed to hold on for a while, but now I'm at my limit.
The balance in my bank account appears to be low.
I don't even want to open my hands to my parents anymore.
"Should I look for another job now?" … ."
I wanted to keep blacksmithing for as long as possible... … That dream is now collapsing.
The world is rapidly changing around players.
'Did you say that your wish will be granted if you reach 20 rounds?'
It's a wish.
Russell's wish is no different.
Surviving for a long time and still doing what I love: blacksmithing.
It was literally a small wish, nothing grand.
'okay. I can't give up on blacksmithing. What's the best thing about being young? A man must have spirit!'
I decided to shake off my sullen feelings and move forward.
I set a new goal.
'I will beat the final round and my wish will come true!'
I had no choice but to survive so far, but now I decided to actively attack the round.
'Blacksmithing may not be a job suitable for combat, but it's still worth it for me right now.'
I don't know what the conditions were, but Russell was able to obtain blacksmith advancement items from the beginning.
At first, I thought it was fate and liked it.
However, on the other hand, the world is ruined and a situation has come where it is difficult to continue one's current position.
'Let's somehow get to the 20th round. 'That's the only way to do what I like, blacksmithing.'
It might be difficult, but I didn't think it was impossible.
I improved the performance of my main weapon, an axe, with the skill [Weapon Polishing] that I learned at level 20.
Thanks to that, I was able to easily defeat the orc.
'I don't know how difficult the 6th round will be, but I'm confident!'
Of course, apart from surviving in this world, I have no intention of letting go of this life just yet.
'I'm just going to fold it for a little while until I save up the money. Once I have enough money to buy materials, I should come back to the cabin and start doing it as a hobby.'
If you don't have money, just make it.
However, I don't intend to rob like some players.
'If you die, you're dead, you can't harm others. Well, the 4th round of slaughter was inevitable, but... … .'
First, I plan to look for a job after I get off the mountain.
'I don't know if there's anything worth doing in this situation... … .'
23% of the world's population has died.
With billions of people dying in just a few months, there was no way the economy was doing well.
'I saw an article saying that most stores were closed due to players looting... … .'
I don't think it will be easy to find a job.
'Still, I'll have to look for it sometime! 'I'm not the type to give up without even looking for it.'
If necessary, I plan to raise money by selling items in my inventory.
'I don't know if anyone would buy something like this.'
Russell, having made his decision, began organizing the cabin.
At that time, I heard footsteps behind me.
Russell turned around without thinking and was surprised.
I thought a mountain animal had appeared, so I turned my head, but a person was walking towards me.
Also Asians.
'what? It's not common to meet people in places like this... … .'
This was especially true because the hut was built in a corner on purpose to avoid disturbing others.
"What's going on? "Have you lost your way?"
I don't know if conversation would work, but I tried talking first.
however.
"You're Russell Daniel, right? Famous as a young blacksmith."
Not only did the other person speak fluent English, but he even knew his name.
Russell's eyes turned cold.
"Who are you?"
"Looking at the response, I think I came to the right place."
"Where did you hear about me? "There are no Asians among my business partners."
"I didn't hear it somewhere. "I saw it."
"Seeing it?"
Ryu Min opened his hand first.
"I am a prophet. "I can see the future."
"prophet? What kind of nonsense is this person talking about? … ."
"Russell. Level 21. Occupation: Blacksmith. The area name is C-EUKE008. Is that correct?"
"… … ."
Instead of answering, Russell just gaped.
I was so shocked that I couldn't speak.
'Let's say you got lucky with your level and job. But you even got the district name right... … .'
Judging from the fact that he guessed the name of an area that he had not told anyone about, it appears that being a prophet is not a lie.
"You can really see the future?"
"yes."
"I've never heard of a profession called a prophet?"
"It has to be that way. "It's an unusual job."
"Not common?"
"I don't know if you know, but there are many jobs in this world. Among them, there is a class that only one person can have. "That is what a prophet is."
"Why did such an amazing person come here?"
"Don't be so sarcastic. "Russell, I came because I wanted to do business with you."
"Deal?"
"Please fix just one item with the repair skill. "If you do that, I will give you useful information."
'information?'
Russell asked cautiously, perhaps intrigued.
"What if it's useful information?"
"Information about round 6."
Russell's eyes widened.
'If you can know about the next round in advance, it will be of great help in your strategy.'
Fixing one item?
To be honest, it is not difficult.
It was easier than blacksmithing.
All you have to do is touch the item and cast the skill.
'The problem is that it's too easy.'
The benefits were great compared to the easy task.
That's 6 rounds of information.
Russell, who was more cautious about human relationships than others, could not help but feel wary.
"Are you really giving me 6th round information just by filling up the durability of the item?"
"That's right."
"Isn't the balance sheet correct? "Isn't there another purpose?"
When Russell looked at him with suspicious eyes, Ryumin laughed.
I was expecting it to come out like this.
'Indeed, it's just like Russell.'
Even though it may be an offer with nothing to lose, we are suspicious and wary.
'I would have been disappointed if I had just received the halibut porridge.'
When in doubt, don't deceive.
First, you must open your mind and proceed with the correct method.
"Can I speak bluntly?"
"… … ?"
"I want to get to know you."
"What?"
"I saw it from the future. "You have reached the pinnacle of blacksmithing."
'Me, me? 'Picking it up?'
Ryumin continued regardless of whether Russell's eyes widened or not.
"You survive up to 15 rounds without anyone's help. That's great. But that only ends there. There is no future for you after this. "It's hopeless."
"… … ."
"But I can help you. If you join hands with me, you will be able to grow more easily and even look beyond 15 rounds. "Even the blacksmithing you so desperately wish for."
"… … !"
Until a little while ago, Russell did not believe anything Asians said.
I was thinking that it might not be a prophecy but a trick.
However, after seeing that even his own wish was guessed, his thoughts changed.
"… … "What do you want from me?"
"I don't have any big expectations. just."
Ryumin grinned.
"It's about helping each other."