48: Chapter 48 1+1

"The Legendary Knight Helm? You mean you?"

"You know me?" Helm looked puzzled.

Since the demi-humans shed their status as slaves to humans, they had almost completely severed all communication with humans.

"The guys who escaped Mondo and returned to the Dwarf Kingdom spread the news of the Human-Demon War and The Seven Legends."

Nemethos and Gilitos, who were implicated by Fu Hao and hunted by guards at the border, were heading to Mondo.

Mondo was a gathering place for demi-humans exiled from their own countries, and it was the only place where different demi-human races interacted.

"There can't be humans in Mondo, right?"

If there were humans in the demi-human gathering place of Mondo, they would surely be torn to shreds.

Although not all demi-humans hated humans, most viewed humans as enemies, and Mondo, being a penal colony for severe criminals, was even more dangerous than the demi-human kingdoms.

"Not humans, elves."

"Elves?!"

"If the Human-Demon War ended in a victory for the demons, the next target would be obvious. Rational elves could not just stand by. Although they didn't publicly declare their stance, it is said that they secretly helped humans during the Human-Demon War... However, it seems there is conflict within the elven community. Most of the elves who made contributions could not return to the forest and settled in Mondo. Of course, that is just a rumor."

"If that's true, perhaps it could open a path to reconciliation?"

"Humans and elves? Don't joke around. As long as the elves who experienced 'that era' are still alive, it is absolutely impossible."

"But there is the precedent of Calus... And aren't you not repulsed by me at all?"

"Not all dwarves and elves are like me... By the way, how has Calus been doing lately?"

"Calus?"

"After the Human-Demon War, he went into seclusion in a mountain. Although he attends The Legendary Assembly on time every year, he spends the rest of his time tinkering in the mountains. I asked him what he could do in the mountains without a forge, and he said he was researching clues to a divine sword he found. He didn't say anything else."

"A divine sword! Has he already created a legend?"

Helm showed the "guardian spear" and "Guardian Shield" on his back. When Rahim saw the mark on the equipment, he recognized at a glance that it was Calus's work.

"This is equipment made by Calus."

"Yes."

Rahim carefully inspected the spear and shield: "Crazy, absolutely crazy."

"His talent is indeed worthy of being called crazy..."

"What are you saying?"

"Huh?"

"I'm saying that wasting materials like this, this bastard apprentice is outrageous. To create a legendary-grade piece of equipment and abuse materials like this, it's completely unnecessary."

Helm was stunned on the spot.

- "Wow, the legendary blacksmith is being scolded by his master."

- "Legendary-grade lecture."

- "Brother Hao! You must recruit Rahim."

Even without the viewers urging him, Fu Hao could no longer hold back: "Mr. Rahim, sorry to interrupt your conversation with Mr. Helm, but I would like to commission you to craft some equipment. I disguised myself and snuck into the Dwarf Kingdom to see you; please forgive me if I have caused any offense."

His etiquette toward Rahim was even more respectful than when facing Helm—the master of a legend was clearly a cut above.

"You are also a human?"

"Yes." Fu Hao removed his disguise, revealing his true face.

Rahim looked him over: "You're lucky you didn't get caught. You want to commission me to craft equipment?"

"If you already have finished products, I would like to buy them; but it seems you don't." Fu Hao scanned the empty workshop.

"My workshop has been shut down for 20 years."

"Why?"

"The King asked me to slander Calus, and I refused. Since then, the supply of forging materials and ores needed to craft equipment has been completely cut off."

"Then the commission..."

"Sorry, you've made a wasted trip."

- "Brother Hao! Keep it up! Fight on!"

- "Life always has its disappointments."

- "It feels like the whole world is against Brother Hao."

Just like when he snuck into the Dwarf Kingdom, Fu Hao was rebuffed again, but he didn't give up.

"Then can you introduce me to other forging workshops? I need armor and weapons above level 400."

"There are some, but even if you go to them, they won't accept the commission."

"It seems I can only use money..."

"It's not a question of money. In the Dwarf Kingdom, you cannot craft weapons or armor without the permission of the royal family and nobles. Do you know any dwarf nobles?"

"...I don't."

"Then there's no hope."

The plan to buy high-level equipment at a high price failed completely, but Fu Hao still didn't despair: "Mr. Rahim, don't you want to return to your old profession?"

"I already said, the nobles..."

"I mean in the human lands."

"You want me to follow in Calus's footsteps?"

"No, as far as I know, Mr. Calus went through a long process to gain recognition in human society, and I won't let you suffer like that."

Fu Hao smiled and took out a mysterious series item: "This is an item that can replicate a creature's appearance. Mr. Helm and I were able to disguise ourselves as dwarves; you can also use it to turn into a human."

"To think such an item exists..." Rahim took the item, curiosity rising in his eyes.

"I don't mean to brag, but if you need it, I can provide you with any forging materials."

Seeing him waver, Fu Hao hurriedly added, while silently mouthing to Helm: "Ca-lus."

Helm, who had been watching from the side, understood, and began to chime in: "Master, my apprentice will one day become an existence that surpasses legends. Please help him. Calus also misses you very much."

Seeing that the persuasion wasn't enough, Fu Hao had Hofer replay Calus's dialogue again.

"Hahahaha, why can I create such powerful weapons? It's because I trained under an excellent master! That goes for knights, and it goes for blacksmiths too—a great master produces great apprentices; that is our creed as blacksmiths."

"As for my master... you wouldn't know him even if I told you..."

"The voice hasn't changed a bit from 20 years ago..." Rahim listened, tears streaming down his face.

- "I'm moved too."

- "Recruitment successful!"

- "Grandpa, don't cry ㅠ.ㅠ."

Rahim wiped away his tears and returned the item to Fu Hao: "...Sorry."

Was he going to refuse with tears in his eyes?

In Fu Hao's mind, the image of knights armed with level 400 equipment collapsed instantly.

"I would love to pick up the hammer again too, but there is a surveillance magic set here that will trigger an alarm once I leave the village. If it's discovered that I tried to escape, you will be in danger too."

Seeing through his worries, Fu Hao smiled and took out another item.

"Is that all? You don't need to worry."

The teleportation gem in Fu Hao's palm lit up.

————

"Calus, you bastard!"

"Who! Who dares to call my name directly! Helm...?"

Calus stared at the human who shouted his name, then looked at Helm behind him, dumbfounded.

Fu Hao spoke: "Mr. Rahim, you can remove your disguise. There are more mysterious items."

Hearing this, Rahim immediately removed the effect. When Calus saw his master's face clearly, he exclaimed: "Master!"

"Yeah! It's me, you bastard."

Calus rushed forward and hugged Rahim tightly; this was a reunion 20 years in the making.

Fu Hao, Helm, and the viewers were all touched by this heartwarming scene.

However, Rahim grabbed Calus by the throat, and the warm atmosphere shattered instantly.

"Ah! Master! I surrender! I surrender!"

"Surrender what? Every time I think about the suffering I endured because of you... I'll choke you to death!"

"Ugh! Master! I'm dying..."

Although Rahim was an old man, he still possessed the monstrous strength of a dwarf. Seeing that he had no intention of letting go, Helm stepped forward to persuade him.

"Master, let go."

"Tch, forget it." Rahim let go, seemingly not wanting to choke his apprentice to death just after reuniting.

"Thanks to Helm, I almost thought I was going to die."

"Cough cough. Master, how are you here... How did Helm find you? And who is this young man?" With Calus's characteristic impatience, he asked many questions all at once.

Fu Hao stepped forward and recounted the events from beginning to end.

After hearing about the experience in the Dwarf Kingdom, Calus fell silent, then suddenly roared: "Those nobles! How dare they make things difficult for my master!"

"Sigh, you left without a word, and only started worrying about your master after 20 years? Calus! I really don't know what to say."

"Master, please don't scold me. Why are you so persistent..."

"You dare to talk back?"

"Master, stop scolding, I'm looking for the divine sword..."

"You became a legend in human society, and now you're getting cocky?" Rahim tapped on Helm's spear and shield, lecturing Calus for a full ten minutes.

After finally finishing the lecture, he threw out another line: "You create this kind of trash equipment and you deserve to be called a legendary blacksmith? You are content with this?"

"..."

"You still have a lot to learn. Come with me."

Calus knew deep down that he still had shortcomings, so he obediently followed.

"...Huh?"

Fu Hao had only intended to facilitate the reunion, let Rahim owe him a favor, and forge a connection with Calus, but the development of the plot was somewhat unexpected.

Calus walked toward Fu Hao and extended his hand: "You are called Fu Hao... right? Please take care of me in the future."

"Heh, hehe... Please take care of me."

The moment they shook hands, countless notification windows popped up one after another:

[Successfully recruited the legendary blacksmith Calus as the territory's exclusive blacksmith]

[Equipment production speed in the territory's blacksmith shop increased by 100%]

[Construction speed of facilities related to the blacksmith shop in the territory increased by 200%]

[Probability of blacksmith talent appearing among territory residents increased by 500%]

[Because you already possess the title "Person Recognized by Legends", it has been upgraded to "Person Recognized by Legends (+1)", effects added]

[Achieved "Recruit Legendary Character into Faction" achievement]

[Acquired title "King's Aptitude"]

Fu Hao was shocked by the length of the notification windows, but the updates didn't stop:

[Successfully recruited Rahim as the territory's exclusive blacksmith]

[Equipment production speed in the territory's blacksmith shop increased by 100%]

[Construction speed of facilities related to the blacksmith shop in the territory increased by 200%]

[Probability of blacksmith talent appearing among territory residents increased by 500%]

It turned out that Rahim had stipulated that he would only work if Calus accompanied him—an unintentional success, having recruited both master and apprentice at the same time.

Was it luck? No, the core was always Helm—without Helm, Fu Hao would neither know of Rahim's existence nor be able to facilitate this reunion.

Fu Hao looked at Helm with a meaningful gaze and sighed inwardly: "This guy is really something."

Helm noticed his gaze and spoke: "You finally want to be my apprentice?"

"...That's not it."

Even though Helm was like a piece of sticky toffee, Fu Hao still had no intention of changing classes. He looked at the live broadcast screen; the chat area and donation area were scrolling rapidly, and one donation was particularly eye-catching:

["Goliath" donated 50 yuan.]

[This is the power of 1+1]