Solo Max-Level Newbie
Chapter 361: Base Consolidation (1)

Chapter 361: Base Consolidation (1)

Giant’s Fortress.

The place initially chosen as a base had grown to ‘medium to large’ size since Jinhyuk took charge of it.

It wasn’t due to imperial patronage or internal factors—it was the result of the prestige that Jinhyuk’s name had built.

And now.

“Wow. We’ve finally arrived.”

Jinhyuk, Cheon Yuseong, and Elise visited the fortress after a long time.

Only Teresa was unable to attend this gathering, as she had been urgently summoned to Europe.

“Hmm. It seems to have regained its form quicker than I thought. That skeleton-headed Antrad wasn’t stirring up trouble for no reason,”

Cheon Yuseong looked around curiously.

“Hmph.”

For some reason, Elise seemed to be in a foul mood.

It appeared she didn’t enjoy the holiday she spent outside the tower.

‘Is she still upset about the shaved ice?’

It seemed best to leave her alone for a while.

The three passed through the fortress’s main gates and walked toward the garden.

Familiar walls stretched out before them.

Memories of frantic battles fought here once came flooding back.

‘Still, what’s bitter to the mouth may be good for the body. It’s all become the bud for today’s strength.’

The existence of this base prevented other powers from meddling carelessly.

Strengthening the base was a necessity as a prelude to the serious power struggles in the upper floors.

Having already laid the foundation, he had an edge incomparable to other players.

Just then.

“It’s been a while.”

A blonde man greeted them with a bright smile at the entrance of the garden.

Ebraham.

A Grand Swordmaster affiliated with the Empire.

Considering he supported the Emperor during the civil conflict with the nobility, Ebraham’s current status and power within the Empire were beyond imagination.

Even those newly elevated to duke would think twice before speaking out of turn in his presence.

And there, beside him, stood Penheimer as well.

“Player Kang Jinhyuk, you’ve come a long way. I trust you had a hard journey.”

“Not at all. I’m grateful that you have managed this place in my absence.”

Jinhyuk greeted them warmly.

After all, it was a pleasure to meet comrades with whom he had shared both hardships and successes.

“As per your instructions, we’ve reinforced the walls and deployed about 23 types of defensive magic. All of them are at least 5th circle. With this, most monsters or bandits wouldn’t dare to make a move.”

23 varieties of 5th circle magic…

Certainly, such defenses were nothing short of the highest quality for a fortress.

Within the Empire, apart from the Imperial Capital, only a handful of strongholds boasted such robust defenses.

On top of that, with the protection of the White Wood Tánggrísl and the barrier of Dream’s Paradise, it rivaled even the major bases.

But.

“Those who would attack this place aren’t ordinary foes.”

“Something troublesome happened again, eh? It’s frightening to see even a monster like you react like that,” Ebraham said with genuine interest.

For someone who had devoted his life to honing his sword, meeting worthy opponents was a long-held desire.

Yes. This is why battle maniacs were delightful.

Give them a little provocation, and they would itch to demonstrate their prowess.

“The upper floors’ people. There’s been some friction while climbing the tower. They’ve been gnashing their teeth, waiting for an opportunity. If they can’t track me down, chances are they’ll aim for this place.”

“Ho. The upper floors, you say? They’re planning to storm this fortress? Maybe it’s the perfect opportunity to test out my newly learned swordsmanship… No, that’d be rather perilous.”

Ebraham almost seemed pleased as he snapped his fingers.

On the other hand…

Penheimer added with an anxious expression.

“There’s a chance we could end up facing another inferno.”

The Empire had just stabilized internally, and the Martial Artists had called a truce in their war.

Naturally, he didn’t want a newfound era of peace and prosperity to be thrown into another war.

Of course, Jinhyuk understood his feelings.

‘I would feel the same way.’

However, as the Tower of Ordeal progresses, and as the higher floors are liberated and the crowns are gathered, the restraining force holding back the 50th floor will weaken.

Inevitably, ancient beings that have been suppressed by the system’s strict limitations will begin crawling down the floors of the tower of their own accord.

Should that happen, the tower would inevitably turn into a massive hell.

Knowing this future, Jinhyuk was slowly preparing for the variables that lay ahead.

“Penheimer.”

“Yes?”

“Do you trust me?”

A sudden question. Brief but loaded with meaning—far from trivial.

Had anyone other than Jinhyuk asked, they might have been scorned for expecting trust before such a grave matter on mere words.

However.

“…I do trust you.”

He had no choice but to trust him.

The desperate future of the Empire and many kingdoms…

The fallen imperial authority and the hopelessness that filled the days…

The person who had continued guiding them was none other than Jinhyuk.

When all said it was impossible, he was the hero who turned the impossible into reality.

“Then, please trust me this time too. The Empire won’t be swept into calamity again. I’ll prevent it from happening.”

“I apologize. In my worry for the future, I misspoke. I momentarily forgot all this peace is thanks to Player Kang Jinhyuk.”

“Hahaha! If you ever need me, just call. As long as you wish it, my knights and I will ride across the plains to reach this place.”

With this, support from the Empire was secured.

Minor fortification of the fortress could be done during his free time while staying within the Empire.

After all, he planned to remain here for a few more days to entrust ‘Havenian’s Soul’ to Orun.

“Well then, I will take my leave. Before we depart, I’ll stop by once more.”

“You’re leaving? We have prepared a banquet in the capital, won’t you attend?”

“Banquet?”

“Yes. It’s only fitting we prepare a suitable reception for the heroes. We would be honored if Cheon Yuseong and Elise by your side also graced the event.”

“Hmm, your words are kind but… a banquet is a bit…”

Just as Jinhyuk was tactfully expressing his intent to decline.

“I wanna go! To the banquet!”

Elise, who had been sulking all along, suddenly burst with determination.

“Elise?”

“I’m going. Definitely.”

“Why the sudden enthusiasm?”

“That’s because…”

Elise remembered another ace up her sleeve stored in her subspace inventory.

[Lost Ancient Empire’s Royal Dress]

The dress worn by the last princess of the Felshtein Kingdom. Jewels of such value that even a dragon would covet it were completed by numerous artisans over several years.

Durability 5,000/5,000

Special effect: Wearing it raises charm by +100.

She might have failed outside the tower, but this time, she was determined to succeed.

Without that foolish holy maiden around, the odds would surely be in her favor.

The skinny blue-haired girl was hardly a match for her.

“Forget it. Leave such frivolities to yourselves.”

Cheon Yuseong turned away as if he lost interest.

Then.

“Hmm. It’s a pity. I was hoping to have a duel with you this time.”

Ebraham nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

“With me?”

“It looks like you know how to use a sword quite well, so I thought you’d make a good sparring partner.”

At those words…

Cheon Yuseong’s footsteps ground to a halt.

“Ho. So you’re saying… I might serve as a useful sparring partner for you?”

“Yes. Well, that’s my thought.”

“You’d better attend that, whatever the banquet thing is. And if you don’t want to risk losing an arm, you might want to abstain from alcohol. You wouldn’t want to regret it later.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Suddenly, a rousing duel was set in motion.

This means… I might be forced to attend the banquet after all.

＊＊＊

Bang!

“Oh dear!”

Crash!

“Ah! This is terrible!”

Snap!

“My hand slipped. Darn it!”

“You crazy old man! What are you going to do after smashing all the good kitchen knives!”

Shouts and cries of desperation mixed together in the forge.

It seemed the appropriate party had arrived when the raised voices outmatched the hammering.

“Ahem! That was my mistake, so just give me 2 silver. I’m not even getting wage for this.”

“Talking nonsense like 2 silver. I’ll have the guards arrest you soon. You better polish your neck and wait. Ptooey!”

A man rushed out, cursing as he held a knife broken in two.

“Hum. Youngsters these days… don’t trust the craftsmanship of a blacksmith. Tsk tsk.”

“Trust should be given to those who deserve it. It’s a wonder you’re still in business, Old Man Orun.”

“Huh? Who are you?”

Orun’s eyebrows twitched into an upside-down “V.”

The one man he wanted and yet didn’t want to meet had walked into the store.

“Darn, you’re not dead yet and came back… Ah, no, no. Haha, good to see you. What brings you back here?”

“I have a material I’d like you to forge into a weapon for me. It’s rather high-quality, so it might be too difficult for me to handle.”

Jinhyuk took out ‘Havelian’s Soul’ from his subspace inventory.

A long crystal with blue light exuded a brilliant radiance.

“This, this is…”

Orun’s eyes quaked with excitement.

He gulped dryly, something that was inevitable.

Such a precious material was not something you often came across.

“Is this possible?”

“Yes, of course it is.”

“Doesn’t inspire great confidence, considering the pile of complaints outside.”

“Ahem! Although I made a mistake just now, that was because knives are trivial things. When it comes to a rare material like this, I’ll unleash my true skill. Wasn’t it me who properly completed the Balpum for you?”

“That’s true.”

For all its challenges, the Balpum was assuredly a product of Orun’s significant craft.

Crunch!

“Well then, let’s give it a proper try, shall we?”

Orun started humming, hefting a gigantic hammer at the forge.

“This cool, heavy sensation. It’s been a while.”

“I didn’t say you should start yet. Maybe warm up a bit more…”

“Hrrratcha!”

[Orun has activated Skill Lv18 ‘Smith of a Ruined Kingdom’!]

The hammer began to glow with a golden haze.

Boom!

[Due to clumsy craftsmanship, the enhancement chance for ‘Havenian’s Soul’ has decreased!]

[Remaining attempts: 2]

“That’s the spirit! That’s not an open-hearted material. Good, good. This makes it worthwhile.”

However, the situation seemed perilously unstable.

But Orun’s hammer was already high, ready for another strike.

Bam!

The hammer struck the side of the crystal, scattering beautiful sparks as the hammer resonated.

[Due to an appalling mistake, the enhancement chance for ‘Havenian’s Soul’ has decreased!]

[Remaining attempts: 1]

Another failure.

“Still, still you have much to learn. The last strike is when a blacksmith’s true essence is revealed! Have faith in me till the end.”

Have faith, he said…

Of course, it should be given.

However.

“Just so you know.”

Before the final strike, Jinhyuk added with a thin smile.

“If you break that thing, this forge will break with it.”

He planned to grind it to powder.

To leave no trace that it ever existed in the world.

“Heh… heh, hehe….”

Cold sweat dripped from Orun’s brow.

He knew better than anyone that those words were no joke.

Woosh!

The hammer shone even more intensely.

And in that moment.

“Ha, haHA! Here goes!”

Boom!

The final strike erupted.