“It’s almost time, Master Tan Hwaju,” Ariel called out.

“I know that.”

• Clang...

The steady rhythm of hammer strikes ceased, as if the world’s sounds had momentarily vanished.

My own concentration was broken as well.

While the hammering of other blacksmiths continued on the first floor, none resonated with the same pure clarity as the old man’s strikes.

With an expressionless gaze, he inspected the sword he’d forged.

It was a simple sword, hastily crafted by hammering a metal ingot.

Though the iron used was of decent quality, as confirmed by my Observation, it wasn’t particularly rare …