Chapter 114 Howard

Chapter 114 Howard

“Ahem, ahem. Ah—!”

A low baritone voice echoed through the cave.

Broad shoulders packed with tightly-knit muscles, fierce eyes, and a shiny beard.

“Tsk— It’s hard to get used to this short height!”

With the addition of a small stature that barely reached his chest, a perfect Dwarf stood there.

Needless to say, it was my newly created avatar.

‘I maximized his height with “Customization”, but this is the limit. I roughly guessed it, but it feels different when I’m actually experiencing it.’

Perhaps because of the limitations of the race, there was a limit to the maximum height, so even the increased height wasn’t that much different.

I lightly stroked my chin and examined the Dwarf in front of me.

<Individual Information>

- Individual Name: Howard

- Race: Dwarf

- Common Traits: “Mind Hub”, “Persona”, “Super Recovery”, “Clear Mind”

- Individual Traits: “Craftsmanship”

- Special Notes: Han Seong-hyeon’s eighth avatar. Born as a Dwarf using a craftsman’s cherished pickaxe as a medium. Receives additional bonuses to crafting-related activities due to the influence of “Craftsmanship”.

Following Immortal King Hans, Vampire Heinz the Second, Saint Heinrich, Dragonborn Harley, Merchant Hubert, and Elf Harris, it was Dwarf Howard!

He was practically the seventh avatar, excluding the deceased original Heinz.

“Good, it’s exactly as I planned. The first skill is also the type I wanted.”

As expected, individuals created with “Customization” seemed to have racial characteristics related to it.

‘I wasn’t planning to use Howard for combat. It’s hard to find a skilled craftsman who can custom-make the items I need right away.’

Even if it wasn’t limited to weapons, the result of crafting varied greatly depending on the craftsman’s skill.

The avatar Howard was receiving not only “Craftsmanship” but also buffs that increased his growth rate and learning ability, so his level would also improve quickly.

And with Merchant Hubert able to immediately procure the necessary items, it was the perfect environment.

But there was one obstacle...

‘The problem is that he has no basic knowledge, just like Elf Harris.’

It was actually even worse than back then.

After all, techniques were passed down through generations, developed and improved.

No matter how dexterous and talented you were, there was a limit to what you could do through self-study.

‘I guess I have to use Harley’s connections again.’

Harley and Zaonic had been through life and death together, so wouldn’t he at least grant that much of a favor?

And even though he wouldn’t know, he and Howard weren’t strangers!

Strictly speaking, they could even be considered father and son.

‘No, thinking about it that way, he would be his grandson.’

He was the son (Howard) left behind by his daughter (Elinne) in a distant land.

A tragic story was created.

‘It’s a meaningless story because I can’t tell Zaonic.’

Still, since it wasn’t easy to find non-human races in the Ion Continent, they tended to help each other out in times of need.

He probably wouldn’t turn away a young, wandering Dwarf who hadn’t learned any proper skills.

‘Of course, it seems difficult right now.’

Since the situation was still chaotic, it would be better to visit him after the chaos in the north subsided.

Until then...

“Uhuhut— Then, shall we learn Earth’s technology first?”

Howard grinned, stroking his beard.

It would be helpful to first learn the scientifically proven theories, rather than just jumping in blindly.

‘It’s different from spirit summoning. I can learn blacksmithing on Earth.’

As they were discussing their work,

“Ah, you heard the news too, right, Sir Heinrich?”

The Saintess’s expression, which had been casual, suddenly became serious, and her voice calmed down.

There was only one topic she brought up with this attitude, so he could immediately tell what she was going to say.

“...You’re talking about the northwestern mountains in the Tulk Kingdom.”

“Yes. A massive energy clash was detected in the mountains, where there’s currently chaos because of the monsters moving south. And of course, the Immortal King’s dark magic power was also involved.”

It was information he had also heard about beforehand.

Hans had also put in some effort, setting up a barrier, but it couldn’t be helped that the fierce battle with the Mad Dragon couldn’t be contained by a hastily constructed barrier.

And the Saintess’s detection ability was particularly exceptional.

“...I can guess what happened. It’s probably begun in earnest.”

She quietly spoke to Heinrich, her golden eyes gleaming.

“The dragon hunt.”

The previous Immortal Kings had judged that dragons were the biggest obstacle to their conquest of the continent and devoted all their efforts to eliminating them.

Thanks to that, dragons were now on the verge of extinction, and those who remained were hiding, not revealing themselves to the world.

“He’s instigating chaos by manipulating monsters and also moving to eliminate dragons. Time is running out, and there are still so many who are complacent...”

The Saintess gritted her teeth, frowning.

It seemed like she had been under a lot of stress while working.

‘Well, it’s true that he hunted a dragon.’

And Heinrich inwardly suppressed his bewilderment as he comforted her with a serious expression.

‘Well, it’s only natural for her to think that way. After all, that’s what he’s been doing.’

Who could blame her? Everything he had shown so far was like that.

Her complaints continued for a while, starting with those who weren’t cooperating properly and then spreading to the Immortal King, the cause of all this, expressing her resentment and anger in elegant language.

And to express it in the Saintess’s words,

What was Immortal King Hans, the absolute evil of this continent, the parasite that was eating away at the world, the source of all negativity, and the symbol of wickedness, doing right now...?

He was...

Happily opening the gift Saint Heinrich had sent him.

____________________

[Indeed, very useful. To think it would fall into my hands so easily.]

Hans looked at the pure white crystal in his hand with a sinister smile.

It was the essence of Arch-Lich Dwell McCain, which Heinrich had sent through “Avatar Cloud”, enveloped in solidified holy power.

‘He’s not as famous as Karam or Olivia, but he’s still quite useful.’

His combat power was lacking, so he was ranked around 50th in the immortal army, but he was one of the more capable members of the staff.

Now that Elder Arch-Lich, the second Immortal King’s strategist, had perished in the last battle, he could be considered the smartest one.

‘But his actions weren’t very trustworthy.’

Well, the only thing he had seen of him was his appearance in the trial created by the holy sword.

No matter how powerful the holy sword was, it wouldn’t have been able to perfectly reproduce his personality and way of thinking, only his power.

‘Well, it’s better for me if the guy I’m using is capable.’

Hans poured his dark magic power into the crystal in his hand.

Crack—!

The holy power, which cracked and split, glowed brightly one last time and then slowly disappeared, devoured by the black energy...

Wooong—!

Immediately after, the Arch-Lich’s essence, which had been dormant, started to vibrate.

[Hehehe! Now, wake up. There’s a lot to do.]

And for Hans, who possessed immense dark magic power,

The energy needed to resurrect Dwell was nothing.