It had been two hours since the item production game started, and it was around this time that the crowd was losing interest. While Euphemina had already finished the blade and had moved on to the hilt, Grid had yet to even finish the outline of the blade. Instead, he continued to temper the iron.

Ttang! Ttang!

Thanks to Khan helping Grid pinch the metal with his tongs, Grid was able to become more involved in the hammering and forging.

[The Legendary Blacksmith’s Patience skill has been activated. Concentration, stamina, and defense will rise to the extremes for one hour.]

A notification window popped up as Grid was concentrating. Simultaneously, he was able to exert an aura of sharp concentration, making his hammer strikes more powerful and elaborate.

Kaaang!

The sound of cheering was completely diminished. He forgot he was in Winston’s Central Square that contained thousands of people, and even Khan’s helping presence became blurred. Everything was quiet. The only thing that existed in his world was the iron.

Ttaang - ttang -

The hammer and Grid weren’t separate entities. They were fully fused. There was no resistance in the movements of the hammer, and it followed his will as if it was part of his body.

Ttaaang!

While being shaped into a blade, the metal made a clear sound.

Then a notification window flashed.

[The Legendary Blacksmith’s Breath has increased the effectiveness of your production items]

“......!”

Grid’s spirit cleared, and the calm world suddenly changed.

“Erina! Erina! Erina!”

“Khan, fighting!”

“I believe in Grid!”

The cheering crowd, the chirping birds on the fence, the ticking second hand of the clock tower, and the of Erina’s hammering—there were all kinds of noises that could be heard from the other side of the stage.

“Ah...” Grid’s consciousness was dissatisfied as he returned from his own world. It was like reality was intruding on him.

‘I wanted to remain there a little bit longer.’

He felt it was too bad. This was the first time since the creation of the Jaffa Arrow that he became so immersed in the production process. If he could remain in that world a little more, he thought he could create a better work.

While Grid was feeling regretful, he heard Khan’s trembling voice, “I never thought iron could be so beautiful...”

Now Grid had finished the blade. Then he saw it. It was flawlessly sophisticated and more beautiful than any artwork! The eyes of a legendary blacksmith could see that this work was more outstanding than the Special Jaffa Arrows.

“G-Great... amazing! To think I am able to enjoy the glory of helping with this work! I think that I was born to become a blacksmith just for this day!” Khan exclaimed excitedly.

Nevertheless, Grid remained calm. It was because he couldn’t ruin the remaining processes.

“Inventory.”

He took out a minotaur horn from his inventory. The reason why he spent a huge amount of 10 gold before the match was that he would make a sheath and hilt with this horn. The sheath could be used as a defensive tool depending on the situation, so it was better to have a proper weight and rigidity. Meanwhile, the hilt had to be relatively soft to minimize the fatigue of the user. The minotaur’s horn was robust and durable, but it was surprisingly soft. It had the texture of brass casting. In other words, it was suitable to be used for the sheath and hilt.

Seuk seuk.

First, the sheath was designed based on the size of the blade while the length, width, and shape of the hilt were based on an adult male’s hand. It was completely practical. The minotaur’s horn showed an artistic pattern on it, so they showed artistry without Grid having to do anything.

After finishing the design, Grid was focused on the production when he heard a tremendous cry from the stands. Erina had completed the dagger one step ahead of him.

The host checked her dagger and was impressed. “This is a really great work! Making this in less than three hours, I can only admire this wonderful work now!”

“What type of work was created that could cause such surprise?”

“Don’t look alone. Show it to us!”

The crowd was in an uproar as they were curious about the finished work.

After the host confirmed that their curiosity reached the peak, he focused the crowd’s attention on the display board installed at the back of the stage.

“Okay! Check it out!”

On the display board, Erina’s dagger appeared. It was very sharp yet had a great balance. This was a superior dagger that would be able to exert an exceptional attack power. The handle was made of brass casting with a beautiful pattern engraved on it, making it an exquisite ornament as well.

“Ohhhh!”

“The dagger resembles the owner! I have never seen such a pretty dagger before. I want to see!”

“That is a secondary matter. Just by looking at it, I can tell its performance is extraordinary. I really want it.”

The crowd was enthusiastic. Now it wasn’t just the men showing a favorable opinion toward Erina but the female users as well.

Then the detailed information of the dagger appeared.

[Dagger of Bewitchment]

[Rating: Epic

Durability: 60/60 Attack Power: 122~127 Attack Speed: +8%

* There is a certain probability of bewitching the enemy.

* The durability will be quickly consumed when blocking an attack.

A dagger produced using the delicate skills and superior aesthetics of an excellent blacksmith.

The lethal beauty can sometimes steal other people’s hearts.

The sharp blade has a high attack power, but the drawback is that it lacks robustness.

User Restriction: Level 100 or higher. More than 200 agility. More than 30 strength. Intermediate Dagger Mastery.]

The disadvantage was its durability, but this was a truly excellent dagger. The attack power was incomparable to a common dagger. It also had the bewitchment option. Bewitchment was a powerful skill that turned a target into a non-resistant state for three seconds. It was appropriate as an assassin’s weapon.

The users were convinced. “The result is clear! Erina definitely won this game!”

Even the Winston residents felt desperate. “Ah... that woman is a great blacksmith. Grid is a blacksmith whom Khan acknowledges, but is it possible for him to create something better?”

Rabbit and the other Mero Company officials looked convinced that victory was in their grasp. Nonetheless, Grid didn’t shake. Khan was the same.

He laughed and said, “That girl has tremendous skills for her young age. They are excited right now, but it won’t be like that in the future. Isn’t that right?”

The sheath and hilt were complete.

Grid nodded as they were combined with the blade. “Of course. I represent the ugly people of the world. I will never stop.”

Khan frowned. “Represent the ugly people? What does that mean? You’re fighting on behalf of the smithy, the smithy!”

“...Ah, excuse me. I forgot. Now, shall we go and keep the smithy?”

The dagger was completed. Grid was thrilled to see the information about the dagger and showed his dagger to the host.

The host didn’t even look at Grid’s dagger properly as he said to the crowd, “Despite having two people, this team spent a lot more time than Erina to make a dagger. He can’t hide the fact that the result of this game is too obvious!”

“Hahaha! Yes! It is shameful for two men to go against a woman, but it has come to an end!”

The crowd agreed.

Grid scoffed at all of them. “Look at my work, and be careful not to have heart attacks from shock.”

At that moment, soldiers armed with swords and spears climbed onto the stage. Then they confiscated Grid’s dagger.

“W-What?” Grid was confused.

A heavily armed knight shouted, “I have received information that you are working with a criminal called Huroi, who was arrested eight days ago for trying to harm Winston! You’ll have to be questioned about this!”

“Huroi?”

Was the knight talking about Huroi who received the ‘For the Residents of Winston’ quest? Huroi was captured and failed the quest...?

‘That useless bastard. No... why am I associated with him?’

Grid resisted, “What are you saying? I don’t know that person! Let me go!”

The knight pulled out his sword at Grid’s defiance and warned him, “I suggest that you don’t resist.”

“Yes...”

If Grid did something, this bastard really would kill him. A sword was pointed at Grid’s neck! Grid was unarmed and forced to follow as the soldiers dragged him down the stage.

Khan called out, “What are you doing? Why are you unfairly framing a person?”

The knights and soldiers ignored Khan.

Khan eventually ran to where the Mero officials were sitting. Then he shouted to someone, “Valmont! You cowardly wretch! You know that you won’t win the game, so you are trying to finish it in this manner! Are you not afraid of the Winston residents?”

However, Khan’s shouting was useless. The middle-aged man, Valmont, didn’t respond. It was as if he was just hearing an annoying dog’s barks.

Thus, Grid was brought to the castle by the armed forces.

***

‘This is impossible!’

Rabbit had spent 20 years as a merchant. In the meantime, he had handled numerous excellent products. That’s why he was astonished the moment he checked out the dagger Grid had made.

‘This isn’t an ordinary item! Erina’s dagger can’t be compared to it. We... We lost. I didn’t think he would have that much skill!’

Valmont, who was sitting beside Rabbit, muttered in an angry voice, “We lost.”

He had also noticed it right away when he saw Grid’s dagger. His eyes were as good as Rabbit’s when it came to seeing spectacular items.

Rabbit bowed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been more vigilant.”

Valmont forgave him for failing this time as there was nothing else he could have done.

“It isn’t your fault. You hired an amazing blacksmith, but the opponent was too strong. His skills are different from his appearance.”

When he first saw Grid, Valmont had inwardly declared their victory, guessing Grid was just a lowly blacksmith. Yet the result was clear and simple.

This failure couldn’t be blamed on Rabbit. Grid was just an amazing person.

“He disguised himself as a trashy person so that he could make his opponent underestimate him... He really isn’t stupid. This competition needs to be handled properly. How can I accept this result?”

Valmont wanted the smithy. It wasn’t acceptable for a merchant to give up on the profit from the smithy because of a game.

Rabbit tried to persuade him, “But we have already publicly announced this. If we don’t accept the result, the public sentiment will be irreversible.”

Valmont raised his voice, “You are speaking nonsense. I will absolutely never give up the smithy!”

Rabbit could no longer stop Valmont. How could he be so confident in this bad situation? Valmont must have something up his sleeve.

Then Valmont smiled wickedly. “In the first place, the crowd doesn’t know the result yet. Unlike us, they don’t have the discerning eye to see that it is a great item. Unless the details are checked, it is impossible to know that Grid’s dagger is far superior to Erina’s dagger. Sir Philipson!”

Philipson was the knight of Baron Lowe, the lord of Winston, and he was here as Valmont’s escort. It clearly showed how great Valmont’s current position in Winston was.

Valmont gave an order to Philipson, “Arrest him right away on charges of being a friend of Huroi, who was caught recently. You must confiscate the dagger that he made. This information of that dagger must not be disclosed to the public!”

“I understand,” Philipson replied.

Then Philipson’s soldiers intruded on the stage. They quickly seized the dagger and arrested Grid.