Most people knew dwarves as a race that loved alcohol and minerals. But that was only half true. All dwarves adored alcohol; minerals were another matter.

Their distinctive natural build and physical abilities simply gave them enormous potential for work involving minerals. Naturally, dwarven society had developed around mining, and the pace of that development had been unparalleled.

While other races were in the Paleolithic or Neolithic Age, the dwarves alone had advanced beyond bronze and into iron... Some commentators even argued that they had profoundly influenced the development of the other races.

In time, dwarven civilization ceased to be the only one racing ahead. But the impact of that era had been so great that, even as the times changed, their image as the “race of alcohol and minerals” endured.

“Oooh... Ooooooh...!”

And Gareth, the forum's registered user Passing Dwarf, fit that stereotype perfectly. A dwarf who didn't merely like alcohol but loved it, with a deep knowledge of metallurgy. Right now, he was exclaiming over and over at the sword in his hand.

SHHHHH!

Dark violet stars shining within a green galaxy. Poetic though the description was, it perfectly suited the sword Gareth held. Originally a dull silver, it had suddenly begun to shine.

'It's the most beautiful sword I've ever seen...!'

Gareth was a dwarf specializing in metallurgy, and thus knew a great deal about the performance and quality of swords. His excessive love of drink might have left his skills lagging behind those of other craftsmen, but his eye was unerring.

The mithril-orichalcum alloy Grylls had made, and the sword fashioned from it, were far and away the best he had ever seen.

'There are still some amateurish aspects, but...'

Honestly, aside from its material, the sword itself was little better than a mass-produced one. Normally, molds weren't used for making delicate implements like swords, which needed to transmit applied force effectively. A sword had to be forged by a blacksmith's own hands to be both practical and beautiful.

The sword's workmanship wasn't particularly good, but its material was so absurdly superior that it compensated for every flaw. Even tools made of solid mithril were hard to find, and this had orichalcum added to it. The result in Gareth's hands had utterly entranced him.

'I didn't even put much mana into it. Just how efficient is this thing?'

Mana was what had brought out the sword's beautiful colors. Yet it was shining like a galaxy despite receiving only a tiny amount. It combined mithril that had contained highly concentrated mana from the start with mana-friendly orichalcum. He had known the chances of failure were low, but the result was a peerless blade beyond his wildest imagination.

'No time for this. I need to sharpen it.'

Gareth snapped out of his trance as he gazed at the brilliant sword. Why had Grylls given it to him? Certainly not as a gift. It was to test the alloy's performance and sharpen the blade. Now that he had a rough idea of its performance, it was time to put an edge on it.

'And he can make practically limitless amounts of this...'

As he sharpened the blade, Gareth wondered what would happen if the world learned of its existence. It wouldn't merely cause an uproar. People would come flocking to steal it. A solid mithril sword alone would cause a frenzy, and this one had orichalcum mixed in.

'Not even the legendary swords were this good. Not even the holy sword.'

Revolution, the Hero's holy sword. Aris's blessing had imbued it with divine power, but the material itself was ordinary steel.

'Maybe the sword Heavenly Demon gave him could come close?'

A sword supposedly made of ten-thousand-year cold iron. That was one of the highest-grade minerals, far rarer than mithril, orichalcum, or adamantium, the three famed rare minerals.

If Heavenly Demon wasn't bluffing, that sword might compare somewhat. Being made of solid material alone was already outrageous.

'It sounded like he was going to give this sword to Heavenly Demon...'

Gareth paused in his sharpening, his face clouding with concern. Was it really all right to give this sword away so readily? Of course, it belonged to Grylls. The decision wasn't his to make.

But he couldn't help worrying. How would the world react once it learned this sword existed? Was it safe to give it to Heavenly Demon, who just sat in a room browsing the forum all day? It was a serious concern.

'Having a sword made of ten-thousand-year cold iron does mean they're someone pretty important, but...'

Gareth set his worries aside for the moment and finished sharpening the blade. He even made a grip for it himself. With that, the mithril-orichalcum alloy sword, finished with a dwarven craftsman's touch, was complete.

'What should the alloy of mithril and orichalcum be called?'

Since it was an alloy that had never existed before, even its name required thought. An alloy only Grylls could make. Gareth nodded to himself. It would be best to let Grylls name both the alloy and the sword.

SHRIK!

Gareth sliced through a stack of paper to check the edge. He barely touched it with the blade, yet the stack parted with ease.

'It's incredibly light, too, since it's solid mithril.'

Lightweight, yet better than a steel sword. Its mana efficiency was excellent, too. And on top of all that, it sparkled when infused with mana.

'Judging by performance alone, isn't this more of a holy sword?'

After that nearly blasphemous thought, Gareth promptly messaged Grylls.

Passing Dwarf

Hey. Finished sharpening it.

Put a grip on it too, so take it.

Thanks, thanks. Good timing.

I just got back from catching a crab.

Passing Dwarf

No need to send it right now. Gonna eat it for dinner.

Okay.

Passing Dwarf

So are you giving that to someone else?

Yeah, I'm giving it to Heavenly Demon.

They gave me a sword. Of course I should return the favor.

Gareth started to type a message, then stopped. Grylls seemed to have already made up his mind, and it wasn't Gareth's place to argue.

Besides, Grylls was in the Forest of Four Seasons. Even if the sword's existence and its maker became known, he wouldn't be in danger. Who would boldly set foot in that forest just to obtain the alloy? Even if they got it, they couldn't get out. Only Grylls could do that.

'I just hope Heavenly Demon doesn't post anything stupid.'

Moderator duties had reduced the frequency lately, but that registered user used to churn out nonsense posts nonstop. Hoping the sword's existence would remain unknown as long as possible, Gareth sent another message.

Passing Dwarf

Are you planning to give any to other people?

Hmm. Don't know yet.

Might just make my own?

Unless a good trade comes up.

Passing Dwarf

Be careful about who you give them to.

This sword's so good it could start a bloodbath.

It's that good?

Passing Dwarf

Yeah, that good.

It's a mithril-orichalcum alloy, for crying out loud.

I've got so much of the stuff I'm tripping over it. I don't know how good it is.

Passing Dwarf

This fucking guy lmaooo

Absurd, but undeniably true. Gareth let out a hollow laugh. Only Grylls could give an answer like that. Hearing things like this always left him feeling strange.

Oh. I'm gonna make another sword and a dagger. Can you sharpen those too?

If it's a hassle, at least put grips on them.

Passing Dwarf

Yeah, that's easy enough.

But I have a condition.

What? Crab?

Passing Dwarf

Nah. I'll give you an ingot mold. Make me an alloy ingot.

I want one as a keepsake.

Okay, will do.

Passing Dwarf

Oh. What are you gonna name the alloy and the sword?

I'll let Heavenly Demon name the sword. Not sure about the alloy.

Mithricon?

Passing Dwarf

Damn, you really put zero effort into that.

But it sounds pretty good?

Lol.

Mithricon. It was a truly halfhearted name, but it worked. It wasn't official anyway, so there was no harm in calling it whatever.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

I'll send the crab tonight.

Passing Dwarf

Okay. Make sure you send that ingot.

I'll make it right away.

Send it with the sword and dagger.

Do I need to quench the ingot too?

Passing Dwarf

Nah, just let it cool.

The conversation ended there. Grylls must have gone back to work. Closing their chat, Gareth thought:

'Is this bastard going to find adamantium next?'

The frightening part was how likely that seemed.

* * *

Wi Seorak, Demonic Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the forum's registered user Smart Demonic Cultist, led a very busy life. He handled a multitude of duties befitting his title.

Especially lately, with the exposure of the Holy Kingdom of Eldorado's atrocities, he had barely had a moment's rest. Relations between the Central Plains and Eldorado were neither good nor bad, but it was different for other nations. Many had been affected by the Undying King crisis to varying degrees.

While those nations were embroiled in conflict, his side had no choice but to make plans of its own. Strengthening the Demonic Cult's influence—that was Wi Seorak's main job.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

Though even two of him would have been kept busy, Wi Seorak was following a woman. Narrow shoulders, hair tied back, and imposing black robes. In her hand was a dull silver sword.

'Why is she going outside?'

He was following the Heavenly Demon, Yu Sowol. As usual, she had summoned him in the middle of his work. He had been worried sick from the moment of her summons, and now even their destination seemed ominous.

And she was carrying a sword he had never seen before. Its edge aside, judging by its shape alone, it didn't look particularly well made. It was so unimpressive that a sword made by an ordinary blacksmith would have been better.

'Who gave her that sword? Surely not Grylls?'

There was no other explanation for her suddenly acquiring a sword. Wi Seorak opened the forum. Grylls had made only two posts: one that morning, and one just now.

'Mithricon...'

An alloy of mithril and orichalcum made using a makeshift furnace. Grylls had posted about making it. Naturally, most of the responses were explosive. An alloy of true silver (mithril) and true gold (orichalcum), of all things! No one could complain if that turned the whole world upside down.

'Could that sword be made from it?'

Wi Seorak's brilliant mind arrived at a hypothesis: the sword Yu Sowol currently held was made of the alloy. Ordinarily, he would never have entertained such a preposterous idea. But he had seen Grylls's post.

It said that the dwarf had supplied him with molds and various tools. He had used them to make a sword for Heavenly Demon and intended to keep the rest for himself.

“... Your Eminence.”

“Speak.”

“May I ask why you have brought me along?”

If she wanted to test the sword, she could do it alone. Yet she had brought him. Surely she wasn't about to reveal her forum username; there must be a reason. Yu Sowol answered in an unconcerned voice.

“My benefactor recently gifted me a sword. But he told me to name it myself.”

“Name it...?”

“Indeed. I have little talent for naming things. I summoned you because I thought you would do better.”

“...”

She had summoned a busy man just to name a sword. Wi Seorak looked incredulous. But who was Yu Sowol? A being who looked down not through her eyes, but from heaven's vantage point.

“You look rather displeased.”

“Not at all.”

“You do not mean that.”

“My apologies.”

“At least you are quick to apologize.”

Yu Sowol brushed aside his impertinence, apparently truly unbothered. Just as he inwardly sighed with relief, she stopped walking.

“Hm? Your Eminence, this is...”

“This should do.”

She had stopped at the edge of a cliff. It was a peculiar place, occupied by a single tall tree. Beyond it stretched countless mountain ranges, forming a magnificent view.

'W-what? We were inside a building a moment ago!'

Wi Seorak couldn't contain his bewilderment. Demonic Strategist though he was, he was still a martial artist. His attainment was far from negligible, and he could sense most flows of energy. Yet he had found himself at a cliff before he knew it.

As he grappled with what felt like instantaneous teleportation, Yu Sowol slowly raised her sword. At that movement, he collected himself and watched her from behind.

SHHHHH!

“A green... galaxy...?”

As Yu Sowol infused the sword with energy, it began to shine. Its surface overflowed with beauty, as though it contained a green galaxy. She merely glanced at it, never pausing her movement.

At last, her slowly rising arm reached overhead.

SWISH!

Then she lowered it gently. Not a downward strike—she literally just lowered it. So lightly that only the sound of the sword parting the air could be heard. It was an elegant motion, as though she were painting a picture.

CRAAACK!

The aftermath, however, was anything but gentle. The tree stretching straight toward the sky split in half and slowly fell apart. The perfectly sound tree had been cleaved in two without even touching the sword.

'As I thought...'

Wi Seorak swallowed at the sight. He had expected it, but Yu Sowol had become far stronger than before. With power like this, demonstrating the Demonic Cult's might would surely be no trouble.

“Hmm.”

Yet Yu Sowol herself seemed dissatisfied. Looking at the sword, she murmured:

“Not a particularly good sword.”

“Pardon? What do you...”

“A sword can only be called a sword when it cuts what one wishes to cut.”

“...?”

Amid those incomprehensible words, Wi Seorak suddenly sensed something amiss. Something was wrong with the view beyond the vertically split tree.

The clouds caught his eye first. What should have been one continuous cloud was misaligned. And it wasn't just the clouds: a fine, solid line had been drawn across the “sky.” The two sides were offset along that line.

“...”

The sky—the heavens humanity was meant to look up to—had been split in two by a single downward stroke. A stroke so slight it barely deserved to be called a slash. Yet it had brought down the heavens.

“Without care, this could become a sword that invites bloodshed.”

“...”

“Well, have you thought of a name?”

Wi Seorak remained speechless for a long while.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Forest of Four Seasons.

SHHHH!

“Oh.”

Grylls exclaimed at his newly made sword.

“A glow-in-the-dark sword? Cool.”