Fairy Tale: With Sin Of Pride

What defines a blacksmith's essence? Strength? Belief? Neither.

For a blacksmith, the cornerstone is skill—skills that push the boundaries of imagination.

Why do dwarves revere the Dwarf God? It's not out of fear of power but respect for his unmatched craftsmanship. To dwarves, gods are merely beings of immense strength. What earns their loyalty is mastery. The Dwarf God's forging prowess is unparalleled, and this alone makes him a deity in their eyes.

The old dwarf's gaze was fixed on the glowing magic circle that Rhodes etched mid-air. Each symbol radiated a sense of boundless potential.

"Could this magic be merged with forging techniques?" Rhodes posed the question, his tone calm yet probing.

The old dwarf blinked, struggling to process what he was seeing. "Would you truly teach us such a thing?" His voice betrayed a mix of astonishment and skepticism. After all, such knowledge was usually kept within the bounds of one's own race. Magic inscriptions and forging secrets were the guarded treasures of the dwarves, inaccessible to outsiders.

Still, excitement lit up his face momentarily, only to be replaced by a solemn expression. "This is groundbreaking. But... I estimate only a 40% chance of success, and that's being generous. Even for me, the finest blacksmith in Mountain Fire City."

Rhodes rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Forty percent? That's higher than expected. He knew he was treading uncharted waters with this magic circle—an entirely new magical paradigm. But the dwarves' deep-rooted familiarity with magical inscriptions could ease their learning curve.

"Are you truly willing to teach us this?" The old dwarf repeated, disbelief thick in his voice.

Rhodes smiled faintly. "I never go back on my word." He snapped his fingers, conjuring an orb of magic that imprinted the magic circle's design onto a stone wall. A spiritual oath followed: no dwarf who learned this magic would share it with others, nor use it against him.

The old dwarf's expression turned serious. "In the name of the Dwarf King, I swear that our people will serve you, free of charge, for a hundred years if you grant us this knowledge."

Rhodes nodded, satisfied. Violence could always compel loyalty, but true craftsmanship demanded willing hands.

"The dwarves honor their word," the old dwarf affirmed, pride brimming in his voice.

Rhodes explained his ambitious plan: to forge a magic network powered by interconnected nodes. Each node, traditionally represented by a magician, would instead be replaced by artificial constructs forged by the dwarves. While less effective, the sheer quantity would compensate for the quality.

Listening to this plan, the old dwarf felt his confidence waver. Was such a project even possible? Doubts crept in. Yet, under Rhodes's sharp gaze, there was no room for retreat. He had already boarded the ship, and the doors were bolted shut.

"Give me some time to study this," the old dwarf said with a resigned sigh.

Rhodes grinned. "Take your time. Just don't disappoint me."

---

Later, in solitude, Rhodes received another reward from his mystical sign-in ability.

Ding! Sign-in successful!

Reward: Ice Demon-Destroying Magic!

This magic, crafted to combat demons, could restrain their kind with devastating efficiency. Rhodes mused over its significance.

"The three great slaying magics—Dragon Slayer, God Slayer, and Demon Slayer—all draw from the same core principles," he thought aloud. "Dragon Slayer magic is powerful, but God and Demon Slayer magics were designed to surpass it."

With a flick of his wrist, black lines snaked across his arm as he tested his new power. A wave of frost erupted, freezing everything in its path. The destructive force was immense, potentially demigod-level when fully unleashed.

But a question lingered. Were demons even present in this world? As invaders from beyond, their existence relied on the sins and desires of mortals. If they weren't here, the magic might remain underutilized. Yet, its secondary ability—to absorb magic like Dragon Slayer magic—made it invaluable.

"Let's test its limits." Rhodes smiled as he unleashed another burst of frosty devastation.

---

Time marched on, and Rhodes immersed himself in his daily routine of unlocking new powers and forging his plans. Each sign-in brought something valuable, from Dragon Slayer magic crystals to other powerful enhancements. Piece by piece, he filled the gaps in his arsenal, methodically preparing for the challenges ahead.

However, the revenge of the Dwarf God never came. It puzzled him.

A god suffering such a humiliating loss would typically retaliate without hesitation. Yet, the Dwarf God remained silent. This left only two plausible explanations.

First, the god was too weak and dared not provoke Rhodes. Yet, this seemed unlikely. The Dwarf God, while hindered from manifesting fully, could still pose a significant threat.

The second explanation seemed more plausible: the Dwarf God was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Schemes and conspiracies?" Rhodes scoffed, his voice laced with disdain. "You can't beat me now, and with every passing day, the gap only grows."

His confidence wasn't unfounded. With his power expanding exponentially, Rhodes was becoming a force of nature. A year of unchecked growth would render even the most formidable gods insignificant.

"Let them plot," he whispered with a wry smile. "By the time they act, it'll already be too late."

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