Chapter 12 - 11: Flame, Forged by Will
The next morning, sunlight had barely stretched its fingers over the peaks of Mount Mugang when Jinmu stepped out into the street. A faint chill still clung to the air, but his steps were steady. Beneath his cloak, his body still bore faint soreness from the battle with the fire-breathing beast, but his heart was calm. His goal was clear.
I have the materials. I have the technique. And now, I need the fire...
He stopped before a forge tucked into the deeper alleys of the city — not flashy, not central, but well-maintained. The sign above was unpolished iron, engraved only with a simple character: "철" — steel.
Jinmu stepped inside. The scent of soot, oil, and iron hit him instantly, sharp and heavy. Sparks danced in the far corner, and the sound of steel ringing against steel echoed like a heartbeat.
The man working the anvil turned his head.
He was large. Not just muscular, but built like someone who had shaped iron with his bare hands for decades. His hair was silvering at the sides, tied in a rough knot behind his head, and his arms were layered with burn scars. His eyes were a dark brown, like cooled iron, and sharp as blades.
This was Gwak Jincheol, one of the more respected smiths in the city.
The hammer paused mid-swing.
"You again," Gwak Jincheol grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Didn’t expect to see the quiet one back so soon. You lost?"
Jinmu stepped forward, lowering his hood but keeping his expression calm.
"No. I came to ask something."
"That right?" The smith raised a brow. "Didn’t strike me as the type to talk much."