The Player Who Can't Level Up

“Paimon’s legacy?” Gi-Gyu asked. Lou suddenly took the lead and answered before Old Man Hwang.

-Paimon’s legacy… It has to be some great treasure to need such secrecy. 

Old Man Hwang replied to Lou, “It’s everything. Including himself.”

Since Old Man Hwang was now Gi-Gyu’s Ego, he could hear Lou. What surprised Gi-Gyu was the respectful tone Old Man Hwang used toward Lou. 

Confused, Gi-Gyu asked, “What do you mean, ‘including himself?’”

“Exactly what it sounds like. The legacy includes Paimon himself.”

-Ridiculous. 

Lou smirked in disbelief. Gi-Gyu wanted to hear the details, but Old Man Hwang didn’t want to talk about it. Now that the blacksmith was his Ego, Gi-Gyu could’ve forced him, but he didn’t want to do that to a friend.

Trying not to prod, Gi-Gyu asked, “So what happened to the legacy?”

Gi-Gyu knew the Caravan Guild and Hwang Chae-Il attacked Old Man Hwang and stole all the pseudo-Egos in his workshop. Did that mean they also… 

“They took it. They were after Paimon’s legacy and Min-Su from the beginning.” Gi-Gyu’s guess was correct, but he didn’t feel happy. As far as Gi-Gyu could tell, the Caravan Guild was a powerful group, so nothing good could come out of them obtaining such a powerful item. 

“I guess we now have another reason to capture the Caravan Guild quickly,” murmured Gi-Gyu. He couldn’t even guess what the high demon’s legacy was, but he knew it could help him greatly. After all, Paimon was considered the god of blacksmiths. 

Old Man Hwang replied, “Indeed. We must find it and get it back. Besides, only the legitimate heir can use the legacy.”

“You mean Min-Su?”

“Yes, either Min-Su or…” Old Man Hwang’s face turned bitter as he added, “My son.”

“Hwang Chae-Il?”

“Yes. Since you rescued Min-Su, I assumed you’ve met my son?”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Gi-Gyu. A complicated expression appeared on the elderly man’s face when he heard that. 

“Your son…” Gi-Gyu tried to bring up the topic cautiously, but Old Man Hwang shook his head and stopped him. The blacksmith requested, “Please do not mention my son. I need more time to think. You know, I’d always known about his ambitions, but I never expected him to sacrifice his father and son for them.”

Old Man Hwang seemed to have misunderstood the situation, so Gi-Gyu quickly explained, “No, your son was brainwashed.”

“I know. However, his manipulated persona was just a magnification of his hidden desires. I am well aware of what Andras can do,” replied Old Man Hwang. The blacksmith knew more about the situation than Gi-Gyu expected. 

Old Man Hwang added, “We’ll talk about this later. I know you must have many questions, but please be patient. I am still reeling from the shock of it all.”

The elderly man looked miserable, so Gi-Gyu also didn’t feel like talking about it. Since he couldn’t revive Hwang Chae-Il anytime soon, he nodded and decided he would discuss it later.

***

Gi-Gyu resumed climbing the Tower. Iron Guild had made no noise, and the Caravan Guild's pursuit was still ongoing under professionals. For now, the best thing Gi-Gyu could do was climb the Tower and become more powerful. 

‘I must reach the 50th floor,’ he thought in determination.  

The 50th floor was his current priority, but that didn’t mean he stopped nourishing Lou with the floor monsters’ blood. Thankfully, this process didn’t slow Gi-Gyu down. His monster-massacring speed increased as he went up since Lou grew stronger on each floor. 

These days, Gi-Gyu spent much of his time in the Tower, hunting, and he would return home to his basement once he was satisfied. 

Clank!

A loud hammering sound rang inside the basement. Gi-Gyu had already informed his family that Old Man Hwang was a player and that he was here to help protect him. It wasn’t the complete truth; it was better than a lie. Gi-Gyu’s family was only happy to have Old Man Hwang and Min-Su frequent their home. 

“Min-Su, you must listen to the metal when it speaks to you,” Old Man Hwang taught Min-Su patiently. 

“It wants me to hit it lightly.” When Min-Su replied, Old Man Hwang suggested, “All right. Then you should do what it wants.”

Gi-Gyu couldn’t help laughing as he watched the grandfather-grandson duo working. Gi-Gyu had never seen Old Man Hwang smithing before and had assumed it was no different from others. Recently, he had realized he was utterly mistaken. 

He didn’t know much about blacksmiths or how they worked, but he believed they at least needed a forge or some other heat source. However, Old Man Hwang didn’t have a forge in his old workshop or here, in Gi-Gyu’s basement. 

Blaze!

Gi-Gyu suddenly heard blazing fire; astonishingly, the fire came from Old Man Hwang’s mouth.

Gi-Gyu became speechless. Another thing he found odd was the metal’s request to be struck lightly. Was this some new fetish he was unaware of? Also, why were Old Man Hwang And Min-Su happy to oblige? 

-Paimon did employ strange methods. The old man is indeed his legitimate heir. 

Gi-Gyu wanted to question Lou, but he decided against it and continued to spectate the smithing process. 

Gi-Gyu’s spacious basement was currently divided into three areas: The sparring hall, the magic circle area, and Old Man Hwang and Min-Su’s workshop. Min-Su used half of the stone coffin to make Old Man Hwang’s sculpture, and the remaining half sat in the basement workshop's corner. 

Clank!

The hammering continued to echo throughout the basement. This time, Min-Su was doing it alone without Old Man Hwang’s help. The elderly man approached Gi-Gyu and greeted, “Hello there.”

“Hello, Sir. How’s Min-Su doing?” Gi-Gyu asked politely. Min-Su had begun learning blacksmithing from his grandfather. Min-Su’s talent had surpassed Old Man Hwang’s skills as he created that sculpture without any help. However, Min-Su lacked basic skills and experience, so Old Man Hwang focused on them. 

“He has always been a much more talented blacksmith than me. All I’m doing right now is assisting him. It almost feels like I’ve become his apprentice. I’m actually learning more by teaching Min-Su.” Old Man Hwang was very genuine with his words, proving his love for Min-Su and pride as a craftsman. 

“I’m glad to hear that,” Gi-Gyu murmured with a nod. Old Man Hwang becoming even more skilled was good for everyone. 

The blacksmith replied, “But it will take us longer to create the weapons you want, Young Man. Those items were created using Paimon’s legacy after all.”

Gi-Gyu nodded again. He understood that even a good artisan couldn’t create excellence without appropriate materials, experience, and luck. 

“But there is no doubt that Min-Su has true talent. After all, Min-Su created your body.” When Gi-Gyu replied, it was Old Man Hwang’s turn to nod. As the blacksmith and Gi-Gyu watched the child work his magic, Gi-Gyu couldn’t help but marvel at Min-Su’s power, stamina, and determination. 

“Ah!” Old Man Hwang exclaimed as he remembered something. He continued, “I just realized how selfishly I’ve been acting. You have given me so much, but I have not returned the favor, especially now that you’re my master.”

“Please don’t say that.” Gi-Gyu shook his head with an awkward smile. He still couldn’t accept that Old Man Hwang had become his Ego. Perhaps it was because Gi-Gyu knew Old Man Hwang as a human before. Or maybe because of Old Man Hwang’s strong consciousness. 

Old Man Hwang replied firmly, “No, let’s make this clear. You are my rightful king.”

Gi-Gyu felt uncomfortable correcting the elderly man twice, so all he could do was scratch his cheek awkwardly. 

“So could you do me this one favor?” asked the blacksmith.

“Favor?”

“Take this key to the address I wrote here. You will find here the gifts I would like to give you.” Old Man Hwang explained as he handed Gi-Gyu a rusty key and a piece of paper. Gi-Gyu accepted it and replied, “Whatever they are, I’m sure they will benefit me. Thank you.” 

“By the way, I had no idea how great being a guardian is. Its powers are amazing and convenient. It’s so much better than the responsibilities I was burdened with in the past,” Old Man Hwang continued. When he became a guardian Ego, he received guardian powers; when he was guarding Paimon’s legacy, he received nothing but curse-like duties. 

Gi-Gyu had seen Old Man Hwang’s status screen not too long ago. 

[Hwang Ji-Chul]

[Title: Guardian, Blacksmith]

[Level 81]

[Power: 121]

[Speed: 88]

[Stamina: 150]

[Magic: 87]

-Abilities-

[Human Form]

[Guardian Territory: His stats increase by 50% inside his guardian territory. Outside this area, his attributes decrease by 80%.]

[Territory Protector: Can teleport anywhere within his guardian territory once a day.]

[Protection Barrier: Twenty percent of the damage done to the barrier around the guardian territory will be transferred to him.]

[Blockade: Can trap the enemies that enter his territory within the barrier.]

-Blacksmith Skills-

-Enchantment-

Old Man Hwang’s starting level and stats were higher than all of his other Egos. Old Man Hwang, as an Ego, was a masterpiece created by combining various powers, including a holy sword. Ergo, the blacksmith was an especially exceptional protector.

Gi-Gyu liked what he saw in the elderly man’s status screen: Under the “Blacksmith Skills” category, there were countless skills, but Gi-Gyu didn’t bother examining them since he had no idea what they were anyway. 

And then there was the “Enchantment” category. 

Gi-Gyu asked, “I had no idea you were an enchanter.” 

“I was originally an enchanter.” Old Man Hwang explained that he awakened as an enchanter when he became a player. This meant the elderly man was also well versed in magic. 

“Anyway, I hope we work well together, Sir. Please keep safe.”

“All right, I will,” replied Old Man Hwang. 

Gi-Gyu also had to keep Old Man Hwang and Min-Su hidden from the Caravan Guild. Old Man Hwang was a blacksmith who had mastered Paimon’s skills, while Min-Su was the only surviving heir to the Paimon’s legacy. There were also many other reasons why the Caravan Guild would want these two individuals. 

“Then I will see you later, Sir.” With a polite bow, Gi-Gyu walked out. He played with the key Old Man Hwang gave him and thought about his reward. 

***

The address Old Man Hwang gave him was of a storage facility in Dongdaemun. The shabby building was located in one of the gloomy allies. The metal shutter door was so rusted that it creaked unpleasantly when it was opened. 

“Just what could be stored in a place like this?” Gi-Gyu murmured with curiosity. He couldn’t feel any magic from the inside, so it couldn’t be a weapon Old Man Hwang created or the Paimon’s legacy itself. Still, Gi-Gyu couldn’t help feeling excited since it was like Christmas morning to him. 

‘Actually, I haven’t received any gifts in a while.’ Gi-Gyu thought. Except for when he and Yoo-Jung were very young, they haven’t received any Christmas gifts. 

“I better get something good for Yoo-Jung from now on.” Knowing his family’s future Christmases would be much better now, Gi-Gyu smiled happily.

“And to protect my family’s happiness, I must eliminate anything that threatens it,” he murmured. To accomplish this, he needed to become more powerful. It was a simple concept, and Gi-Gyu was determined to follow it to the best of his ability. 

Rattle.

Gi-Gyu inserted the rusty key into the even rustier lock. The two metal pieces were so old and damaged that Gi-Gyu spent much effort trying to open it. Soon, he became so frustrated that he used his strength to force it open. However, the lock didn’t even creak, suggesting it wasn’t made from normal metal. 

Click!

Finally, the key turned. 

Rattle.

The door slowly opened, and the lights turned on automatically. When Gi-Gyu looked inside, his jaw dropped.