My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness - Chapter 165

#165

At that time, in the west (1)

Kang—! Kang—! Kang—!

A refreshing metallic sound rang out regularly in the sweltering heat.

Cheeeeeek—!

The beat, which seemed to continue without stopping, soon entered a lull with the sound of steam bursting…

“Concentrate! Don’t be needlessly calculating! “Listen to what the fire says, feel the heart of metal, and then move on!”

Then, without fail, Zaonic’s roar erupted.

His scolding guidance, which continued from the first day of training, remained consistent even after almost a month.

Howard thought he had prepared well enough to even develop skills, but in the eyes of Zaonic, the dwarven craftsman, it was just baby steps.

In fact, the time invested in this from the beginning was absolutely insufficient, so it was natural for harsh sounds to come out during the teaching.

‘But I can definitely feel that I’m improving faster because I’m learning in the Spartan style. It’s a world of difference from when I studied on my own.’

He glanced at the metal he had picked up with tongs, then put it back into the furnace and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Zaonic’s teachings… that is, the dwarven methods were quite different from the basics of metallurgy he had encountered so far.

Before starting full-scale teaching, Howard perfectly demonstrated the basic skills he had learned in a test to determine his level.

A systematic metalworking process according to the exact measurements of modern science.

However, even though it was a confident demonstration, the reaction that followed was very unfavorable.

If you were to sum it up in one word, it would be ‘a lot of redundancy’. To be more precise, you would say ‘it’s too human-like and therefore unsuitable for dwarves.’

-“Of course, I have no intention of disparaging the skills you have learned so far. It’s definitely a good method. “Unless you’re a dwarf, of course!”

As Howard also realized, the senses possessed by dwarves were different from those of humans.

To the extent that it is possible to achieve better results while omitting many of the processes that humans naturally have to go through.

‘When solving a math problem, if you can do mental calculations, you don’t need complicated formulas.’

And dwarves were an absurd race that not only were capable of such mental calculations, but also basically had engineering calculators installed in their heads.

That was the reason they were called a race of artisans and the basis for asserting that following the methods of other races was inefficient.

Therefore, what Zaonic taught right away was not some kind of secret technique.

-“But I guess there’s no need to teach from the basics. The only thing you need most right now! This is truly learning the ‘Dwarf way’! “The rest is the next problem!”

First of all, it is important to be able to properly utilize the advantages of being a dwarven craftsman.

To put it bluntly, it was closer to just moving based on feeling rather than following a thorough process and moving systematically as before.

‘It doesn’t seem to make much sense, but the result is much better, so there’s nothing to say. If you think about it, that’s the image of a craftsman…’

So, in a way, scientific statistics and figures were just averages.

The metals handled, the fuel used to start the fire, and even the liquid used for quenching are all subtly different from time to time, and the condition of the person handling them is also not constant.

Scientific quantification at least helped prevent failures, but something more was needed to become a true ‘craftsman’ who could create luxury goods beyond a certain line rather than mass-produced products.

‘Now is the time to develop our own capabilities rather than a variety of leftover talents. Then, the advanced technologies brought from Earth can only be used properly after reaching a certain level. I feel something is missing….’

Kaaang—! Kyaang—!

While Howard was concentrating on his work despite grumbling internally, Jaonic, who was watching from behind, was already swallowing his surprise for the number of times.

‘…It’s always amazing to see. The learning speed is very fast. Except for a few useless habits from the beginning, the basics themselves weren’t that bad.’

Although it has only been a short time since he started teaching in earnest, he has already surpassed the level he expected.

Howard was absorbing all the teachings in an instant and working hard day by day, and Jaonic was also excited and participating in the teachings more actively.

‘And strangely enough, the sentiment continues to be simple. Are they distant bloodlines with the same ancestor?’

Also, his passionate appearance included some emotional reasons.

For some reason, I felt like I wanted to take care of him more because he didn’t seem like everyone else.

Although the day when he will realize the reason will never come.

Taaaang—!

‘ah?’

And after nearly a month of guidance.

Howard, who had been swinging his hammer in a trance, finally realized that he had reached a certain critical point.

‘Right. This is…’

Nothing in particular changed.

My senses are as sharp as ever and my fingertips are as delicate as usual.

But something was different.

The burning flame speaks.

How about increasing the firepower a little more here?

I empathize with the vibration of metal touching my skin.

I instinctively understood where and how hard I needed to hit to make it more perfect.

‘that’s interesting. ‘I can’t believe I really feel this way.’

All the random thoughts end there.

Howard fell into a trance, as if possessed by that sensation, and obeyed the wishes of the fire and metal…

The moment he completed a ‘work’—.

《The entity achieved enlightenment through repeated training. Acquired the special skill “Dwarven Creative Logic.”

Only then was he able to take his first steps as a true Dwarven craftsman.

Moreover, the message that came to mind as a blessing for that fact was not the end.

《Titans are looking down on you》

《The entity has achieved the conditions and achieved enlightenment. Acquire the special skill “Song of Fire and Metal.”

At the same time, the flame that was burning quietly inside the brazier flickered wildly, and a strand of fire came out, lightly wrapped around him, and then disappeared.

Howard, who was taken aback by the sudden situation, blinked and recalled his memory.

‘If it’s a Titan…’

That was the official name for the being worshiped by the Dwarves, the ‘God of Fire and Metal’.

Because of their culture, which considers it blasphemous to call God’s name directly, they usually say it around, but the name of the dwarven nation that exists on the Enamel Continent is also ‘Titania’, so much so that it is a name revered in dwarven society.

‘Have I met the conditions to receive some attention through what I just did?’

Otherwise, there would be no way he would reveal himself at this timing.

In any case, the appearance of a new sponsor was always welcome.

Clap clap clap—

“Congratulations Howard! I never thought I would realize that already! Moreover, with the blessing of the hearth, it seems that God is also taking notice of your talent.”

Zaonic came up to him, clapping his hands, patting his shoulder and smiling in satisfaction.

After listening to the story, it seemed like this was a phenomenon that promising dwarves experienced several times.

It is an expression of interest that is usually expressed when creating something meaningful in front of a furnace or when a craftsman whom God likes grows beyond the wall.

Howard looked down at his palm with new eyes and squeezed it and opened it repeatedly.

The heat filling the workshop, moving back and forth according to hand gestures, and the fire energy accompanying breathing felt much more familiar.

Even without seeing it with my own eyes, I could feel where and in what condition the metal nearby was located.

‘Is “Song of Fire and Metal” a skill that literally increases affinity for the two attributes? I think there will be more as my skill level increases, but for now, that’s the limit.’

In any way, increasing your skills is a good thing.

When he was nodding his head in satisfaction, enjoying the results of his training…

“Good! Now that I finally have the basics, I can give proper teaching! I won’t stop watching you anymore, so follow me carefully! Hahaha!”

When Zaonic, who was still tapping his shoulder, burst into laughter with those words, Howard couldn’t help but let out an awkward laugh.

‘It didn’t seem like anyone really noticed it until now.’

However, it didn’t matter much to him, who could easily adapt to any harsh environment.

No, rather, it could be said that it was exactly what was hoped for.

As experience is important in production, it is more affected by time than other fields.

In order to overcome that limitation and reach the top position, it took several times more effort than others.

“Well then, shall we get started right away?”

“yes! “Elder!”

In a workshop on the outskirts, a dwarf craftsman grew rapidly under the guidance of his teacher.

With a strong mind that will not give in to the abyss and a body like steel strengthened by karma doping.

***

The home of Duke Bright, Kingdom of Thalia.

Knock—

“This is Lord Theodore.”

“Come in.”

Heinz, who was listening to Mulo’s report on the situation on the continent, slowly turned his head and looked at the man entering the office.

As soon as he entered, he immediately bowed and said hello to Mulo, who was sitting next to him.

They were once hostile clans, but now they have come together under the banner of ‘Hybrid’, but since it was not long ago that an all-out war broke out, they were still inevitably uncomfortable with each other.

Since we were all in similar positions and positions, we became entangled as rivals again.

Of course, such delicate circumstances between the two were none of the business of Heinz, the superior.

“Yes, Theodore. “Is everything done?”

“Yes, the children scheduled to arrive soon are the last from each region. Except for those who cannot be contacted for some reason, all remaining forces of Eupersch will soon gather in the Kingdom of Thalia.”

The migration of the Eupersch clan continued for quite a long time.

Since it was the largest group of vampires active throughout the continent, it had a longer history than expected.

“Good job Theodore. “You’ve been through a lot.”

“no. This is nothing compared to the opportunity that Lord gave me again. And isn’t this also for the good of all of us vampires?”

Theodore is quick to flatter as soon as the opportunity arises.

Coming from a clan lord, compared to Mulo, who is still somewhat stiff, the social life he had previously spent as a second-in-command was naturally expressed.

And regardless of whether or not a secret fight between the two would begin again, Heinz leaned back in his chair and gently closed his eyes.

As a result, the work to strengthen the power of the hybrid and solidify the ruling system through “Refinement of Blood” has entered its final stages.

A considerable amount of blood essence was consumed in the process, but fortunately it was not a big problem thanks to the dragon’s blood that had been stored up in abundance.

‘If we inject ‘purified blood essence’ into those who will come this time, the first step is over. Then, we can move on to the next step.’

The goal of Heinz II.

At first, it was all about establishing a continent-wide intelligence organization, but at some point, one more thing arose.

‘I’m finally ready to go to the front.’

The goal was to elevate the vampire race to the sun and enable them to operate proudly.

By nature, they were a race that had no choice but to live as parasites on other races, especially humans, who were numerous in number.

Naturally, the perception on the continent is bound to be different from other races such as elves and dwarves.

‘Actually, it’s hard to even consider them a normal race. Even though they feed on blood, the problem in itself is that they cannot reproduce on their own, so their numbers can only be increased through infection.’

Therefore, the existence of vampires was bound to be an enemy of humanity.

Heinz experienced it himself, but the thirst for blood was not something that could be tolerated by an individual’s will, and humans were always wary of them, who had historically been their natural enemies.

When they encounter each other like that, a fight is bound to break out, so even vampires with great power always have no choice but to hide and hunt humans.

Of course, that doesn’t mean coexistence is completely impossible.

‘If only I had it.’

Internally, thorough discipline and control, and externally, the continental situation and political negotiations.

It was something only Heinz II could do in this world.

“Both of you, stop and take a seat. “As soon as Bricky comes, we’ll start the meeting right away.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll bring you something to drink.”

“…….”

In this way, on the far western edge of the Ion Continent, vampires who had been living in darkness for a long time began to quietly emerge.

A union of vampire clans under the name ‘Hybrid’.

And of course.

This was also a huge event that would change the history of the continent.