TMSDL 25

Chapter 25

As more people encountered Roanoke in real life, interest in Weed grew.

— I thought Weed was old news, but he’s honestly amazing.
— He’s boldly putting himself out there.
— I heard this is his first time in Roanoke, but his adaptability is insane.
— What if he hadn’t shown this skill? Would’ve been such a waste.
— As a Royal Road player, I’m happy Weed is back.
— How does he mass-produce masterwork swords like he’s using a copier?
— For Weed, that’s just “standard.”

Hell difficulty stages 1, 2, and 3—plus blacksmithing skills.

— Stage 3 of Hell Difficulty was thought to be impossible, but he cleared it.
— I can’t believe this is even possible.
— Unreal. Seriously…

At first, most reactions were pure admiration. But as time passed, public opinion began to shift.

Once Weed sat down and focused solely on blacksmithing, the critics emerged.

— Sure, clearing stage 3 of Hell Difficulty is impressive, but he used forbidden skills.
— It was more about the skill than actual ability.
— Learning the skill is part of the strategy, but is it really that impressive?
— Others could do it too.

Some downplayed his Hell Stage 3 achievement.

— He’s raising blacksmithing now. Wouldn’t it be better to level up through combat?
— Make masterwork swords just to get them stolen by Line Guild? Powerless in front of them, huh?
— If he’s doing the Hell raid, shouldn’t Line Guild lend him gear?
— He’s legendary Weed, but doesn’t even have those kinds of connections?
— It’s hard to lend good gear. If he dies, it’s lost forever.
— Can’t even reveal he’s Weed. If he does, people will come at him with swords.
— Do top rankers want to help someone doing what they couldn’t?
— A “legendary” user who now just pounds metal all day lol.

Even if he did 10 things right, if he did one thing wrong, haters led the narrative.

They sneered when Weed gave masterwork swords to the Line Guild.

— I rate Weed highly in Royal Road, but now he’s a total water rocket.
— Why?
— Sure, clearing stage 3 was amazing. But how far can he really go?
— Maybe stage 5 if he’s lucky?
— Even getting to stage 5 would be crazy. But he failed character creation. He’s irrelevant in Roanoke.
— Right. If he dies at stage 5, that’s it.
— Just death. In the past, you could retry and aim higher. Now, one failure means permanent death.

If Weed failed to complete character creation after passing stage 10 of Hell Difficulty, he couldn’t be active in Roanoke.

This gave rise to the “water rocket” theory in communities—his past feats were impressive, but ultimately meaningless.

— Once his “vacation” ends and he goes back to Hell Difficulty, he’s dead.
— Literally his last vacation in life.
— Poor Weed…

To Weed, the week felt like a blink—like a soldier on their first leave from the military.

— Pale: While you’re finishing character creation, I’ll establish a foundation in the Kingdom of Leon.
— Pale: I’ll help people and build forces that will be your arms and legs.

Though worried Pale had come to Roanoke, Weed was still glad.

They’d been together since Royal Road—his skills were trustworthy.

— Weed: One well-trained slave is better than ten unemployed people.
— Pale: …Excuse me?
— Weed: Never mind. I hear the Kingdom of Leon is in rough shape?
— Pale: Not great. It’s naturally formed around monster-infested mountains.
— Pale: But I have many friends from Royal Road. I’ll join forces with them to protect people.

Pale had spent over 20 years enjoying virtual reality. Weed trusted him more because of that.

Weed had something important to say.

— Weed: If I don’t come back, please take care of Daye.
— Pale: …What? What are you saying?
— Weed: I don’t know what awaits in the remaining Hell stages.
— Weed: I asked AI Versa to check, but it’s never been revealed before.
— Weed: Some stages might be absurdly difficult.
— Weed: I might die or be unable to return.
— Weed: If that happens, you’re the only one I trust.

Weed didn’t want to say such vulnerable things.

Not to anyone—especially not to himself.

But for the sake of what-if, he asked Pale to look after his daughter.

— Pale: I truly believe that won’t happen.
— Pale: But if you don’t return, I’ll protect Daye until my last breath. No matter what.
— Weed: Thank you. Also… if I die, there’s something I need you to tell my daughter.
— Pale: I don’t think I’ll need to, but I’ll hear it.

It could be his last will.

Weed took a deep breath and whispered:

— Weed: Don’t throw away junk items. You’ll be punished.
— Pale: ???
— Weed: Level is power.
— Weed: Don’t live like your dad or Uncle Pale. Treasure your life.
— Pale: Weed…

Even as he talked to Pale, Weed didn’t stop working on the sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

His final sword before returning to Hell Difficulty.

All his remaining strength and focus were poured into it.

His blacksmithing skill reached Intermediate Level 2.

Fwoooosh!

Brilliant light began forming along the blade.

(Now melt the black iron and meteorite and mix them.)

‘You sure?’

(It’s a secret technique known only to a few high-level blacksmiths.)

‘Alright.’

Weed stoked the furnace to its max temperature to melt the metals.

There wasn’t much time left to complete the sword.

He planned to finish before Blade Dragon’s Decalon arrived and escape.

— Weed: I’m returning to Hell Difficulty soon. See you later.
— Pale: I believe you’ll come back alive.

“This is seriously amazing.”

“His patience isn’t human.”

“Is this what it means to pour soul and body into something?”

Even the jealous blacksmith players now admired him.

Over the past week, Weed had shown them perfection as a blacksmith.

‘Persistent. Never tires.’
‘Workaholic.’
‘Spares no effort for the final product.’

Some of Roanoke’s famous blacksmiths were said to insist on manual crafting.

Weed seemed to be in the same league.

Fwoooosh!

Brilliant light spilled from the sword Weed forged.

Seeing him fearlessly mix black iron and meteorite…

“He’s even using his reserved materials to make something amazing.”
“I envy his courage to take risks.”
“Though I still don’t get why he’s doing all this…”

Even crafting a masterpiece sword only brought personal satisfaction.

Good swords just got handed over to the Line Guild.

Blacksmiths still didn’t earn much respect or better pay—so motivation was hard.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Watching Weed hammer away, soaked in sweat, stirred a forgotten passion in the other blacksmiths.

Time passed.

The brilliance from the blade intensified.

The hammering became like striking light itself, and finally…

Weed has crafted a shining masterpiece sword at the molten steel forge!

“Whoa… another masterpiece.”

“This one’s top-tier among masterpieces. He did it. Really.”

The blacksmiths who had been sneaking glances now gathered.

To admire the shining sword Weed had forged.

Its elegant blade, forged from enduring fire, radiated power.

“Blade Dragon Guild will respect him even more now.”
“Regular masterpieces are great, but a shining one is on a whole other level.”

As the blacksmiths admired, Weed—sword in hand—disappeared in golden light.

“Huh?”

“Wait, where’d he go?”

Hell Difficulty: Stage 4

The fourth trial of Hell Difficulty begins.

This trial is called the “Hall of Learning.”
You must acquire 5 teachings to pass.
Fail to learn them properly, and you die.
Enter the cave of the discipline you wish to study.

A vast plaza.

Weed had arrived at the next Hell stage.

Fresh from crafting a masterpiece sword, he returned in perfect form.

Though a week of blacksmithing still lingered in body and mind, he focused on the trial.

“Learning, huh…”

In the vast underground chamber, entrances to various caves were carved with symbols:

Weapons like swords, spears, axes, bows, and daggers.

Defensive gear like shields, armor, and robes.

Elements like fire, water, earth, and wind.

Even cursed caves with nailed people, undead with skulls, and black magic altars.

(You must choose one combat-related field and acquire five teachings.)

‘That’s what it looks like. But…’

(Something bothering you?)

‘There’s no sculpture.’

There was no cave related to sculpting.

Weed had secretly feared this outcome.

‘What if I’m forced to become a Sculptor?’

He wasn’t scared to be a Sculptor, but with his daughter’s life at stake, he wanted a more efficient class.

(Which discipline will you choose?)

Without hesitation, Weed decided.

‘Swordsmanship.’

The undead rose endlessly.

Barkan Demorph, who led the Immortal Legion, was once a terrifying foe.

But here, he’d be fighting flying demon species.

Roanoke, with no level cap, allowed for demon hunting with a sword.

You have chosen the Cave of the Sword.

Five instructors await you in sequence.
Meet each one, earn their approval, and learn swordsmanship.

Caution: If 24 hours pass without being acknowledged, they will deem you unfit to learn the sword.

The faster you are recognized, the greater the reward.

A time-limited stage to learn swordsmanship.

Weed arrived at a massive stone building in the cave.

The first sword instructor wore worn leather armor.

Retired Mercenary Pankri

A mercenary who survived countless battlefields.

He eyed Weed arrogantly.

“Draw your sword.”
“…”
“Come at me with everything you’ve got. I’ll show you what a real sword is.”
“…”
“You won’t land a single hit, but it’ll be good for you to feel your limits.”
“…”
“Fall and rise again. If you want to learn my swordsmanship, you better show me your will.”