Grace of Anvil (3)

The appearance of Tsukuyo had a huge impact on the city. Mirang had overwhelmed many with his presence, but Tsukuyo’s presence was a bit different.

“She’s really beautiful.”

“Just looking at her gives me strength.”

“It feels like my body is getting a little hot…”

“A goddess.”

“She’s a goddess.” The city was filled with weird energy. Still, they had been given hope due to Milia’s awakening, and Tsukuyo’s presence poured oil on that fire. Although… it felt a bit annoying.

“Let’s work!”

“Is she watching us?”

“I saw her while on patrol, and she waved at us.”

“Oooh!”

“As a soldier who had been protecting Ord, I am most proud of this moment!” That’s right; now, the soldiers were doing what they could to make themselves more visible to her. Kang Shin-hyuk appraised Tsukuyo, who had captivated the city’s residents with her charm, critically.

“I’m grateful you invigorated the soldiers, but this is why they’re having pointless thoughts.”

“Oh my, Anvil. I didn’t do anything special to them. Foolish men always accept a woman’s laughter as they wish and hope in vain. Ah, of course, I’m not talking about you.”

-Shall I kill her?

Kang Shin-hyuk ignored the administrator as per usual.

“I know. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but shouldn’t we be careful to avoid these people who behave as such?”

“You care about me.” Tsukuyo laughed. It was a beautiful sound that held no pretense.

“But it’s okay, Anvil. No one can bother me.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m just happy to be able to meet you like this. It’s why I’m smiling like this.” Thank you for your words, but it’s overwhelming! Kang Shin-hyuk had no choice but to retreat endlessly as she pushed forward.

“Why did the goddess arrive in this world?”

“Is she with the apostle?”

“Perhaps she’s the apostle’s…?”

“Or maybe she’s also an apostle.” The people weren’t blind, however. They were able to roughly guess their relationship when they saw her cling to Kang Shin-hyuk. Because of that, some unfortunate misunderstandings were happening.

“Still, what about Her Majesty?”

“Her Majesty became a god. Maybe…”

“I see!” What was it? Kang Shin-hyuk had a sinking feeling as the soldiers standing guard in the inner city murmured. Next to him, Tsukuyo was thinking seriously.

“She’s a new member. Are you interested in her?

“No!” Tsukuyo’s eyes slightly widened as Kang Shin-hyuk shook his head in fear. Even if Milia forgave such a misunderstanding, the administrator would not.

“No? Still, you did give her such a pretty belt…” Tsukuyo glanced at the wall that guarded the city’s outskirts. She seemed to have read Kang Shin-hyuk’s heart contained in the will of Guardian at once. Kang Shin-hyuk excused himself while blushing.

“I made it while thinking of someone else. Anyway, it wasn’t made as a gift for Milia.”

“Someone else… ah, Eunah?”

“No.”

“Someone other than Eunah? I see…” Tsukuyo looked a bit depressed but soon regained her energy.

“I can take second place now. I will be the first one day.” He vowed not to tell her about Claire out of fear she might be assassinated. Kang Shin-hyuk tried to carefully switch topics.

“Do you want anything? I’ve decided to make Mirang something, so if you’d like to ask for anything…”

“Ah! You know my heart so well.” Kang Shin-hyuk tried hard not to look at her as he received her request.

“A ring would be nice. No, that is… sorry. A necklace… are you still not confident with accessories? Then a fan would be good.”

“A fan?”

“Yes.” Tsukuyo, who was concerned that he might refuse if she asked for the wrong thing, made a compromise.”

“It’s because fans make fire. I would be very happy if you made a wonderful fan full of your passion for me.” The type of object was different, but the properties were the same as what Mirang wanted. No, didn’t a fan fit more with the wind than fire? For Kang Shin-hyuk, with an SS-rank wind mastery skill, it was easier than making a sword of fire. However, he had never made a fan before, but it thought it would be a nice challenge.

“Now, Anvil.” Tsukuyo reached out to him as she held the image of what she wanted in mind.

“You did this after receiving Mirang’s request, right?” Her small hand reached out toward him. Kang Shin-hyuk shed a bleak smile at her blinking eyes.

“Did you see it?”

“I was late, but my eyes were wide open.”

-Fox.

Kang Shin-hyuk thought it wouldn’t be necessary to do a personal analysis this time, but Tsukuyo had no intention of pulling her hand back. Eventually, Kang Shin-hyuk gave in. Her hand was cool and slender, filling him with conflicted and warm emotions as soon as he held it.

“Yes.” Tsukuyo was smiling as she held his hand. He caught her gaze and tried to interpret her source as quickly as possible. Her heart and actions were troubling, but this was a great chance to understand her a little better.

“Ah..?!” The first impression he received was being thrown into a heavy sea with a weight around his ankles. It was a far deeper and vaster source than that of Mirang that threatened to swallow him.

‘It can’t even compare to Mirang. What the hell is she..?!’ Kang Shin-hyuk vividly remembered Mirang in his wolf form, but Tsukuyo was incomparable even to that. He had been convinced from before that she dealt with spiritual power, but this… was more than Anvil, no, more than Halo?

‘I can’t breathe…!’ It was arrogance to try and understand her at all. Kang Shin-hyuk somehow breached the surface, and that alone was enough to bring about an incredible increase in his power.

– You have gained valuable experience in appraising the unknown through spiritual power. Emotion skill proficiency has increased to S-rank.

-Resist Fire (SS+) proficiency has increased to St rank.

– Golden Dragon Fighter (SS+) has increased.

– You have interpreted parts of the abyss. The size of the soul has increased with a small realization of spiritual power.

Kang Shin-hyuk had grown his skills just by interpreting a small part of her vast spiritual power. Were it not for the strong mental fortitude his previous life had passed onto him, he might’ve forgotten his purpose.

“Shall we end this for today?”

“Yes? But now it’s starting…?!” Suddenly, Tsukuyo pulled away from him. Looking around, he was surprised to find out that more time had passed than he had thought. It was morning when he grabbed onto her hand, but now the day was in full swing.

“Oh, how cute. How can you be such a lovely person?” Tsukuyo smiled happily as she watched him rub his hand in amazement.

-A year to live.

The administrator cursed her as Kang Shin-hyuk blinked a few times before falling a step away from her in a cold sweat.

“I’m sorry, I’m still not good enough.”.

“No, you are perfect. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to face me for so long.” Tsukuyo said something he couldn’t understand before quickly closing the distance between them to stare into his eyes.

“You are the same from the beginning. I’ve missed your pure soul.” If he faced her endless inky black eyes, he felt like he would pass out.

“I’ll make Mirang’s item, then I’ll make your fan.”

“Yes. Until then, I’ll have to keep telling you about me. Keep going.” Tsukuyo was following Kang Shin-hyuk around with a happy expression. He wanted to send her back to her own world as soon as possible, but he had to admit that she was very attractive.

-Gaia, please, bring the wrath of the gods to burn this fox…

The administrator was quick to rely on Gaia. Was the Hero Universe related to the Gaia system? Kang Shin-hyuk continued to think of questions that had no answers.

“Ah, yes, I forgot to say tell you.”

“Huh?”

“Janus.” Kang Shin-hyuk’s head raised in a flash at Tsukuyo’s nonchalant response. He instinctively squeezed the handle of the Godslayer sword hanging from his waist.

“I found a little of his information. I’ll tell you later.”

“Thank you.”

“Is it not something I promised?” Tsukuyo covered her mouth and laughed, then spoke in a slightly quieter voice.

“I don’t think it’s something you really care about.”

***

That evening, Kang Shin-hyuk continued his research by holding Mirang’s hand (which was going easier after his encounter with Tsukuyo). Towards the end of it, he was summoned by Milia. Tsukuyo seemed keen to follow him but withdrew when he firmly rejected her.

“Anvil, I thought we were pretty close. ” Milia sat on the throne with her cheeks puffed up slightly. Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged.

“Are we not?”

“Then why don’t you explain her to me.”

“Tsukuyo?”

“I’m hearing her name for the first time. What a funny name.”

– The Water Fox and the administrator’s hearts agree.

Milia was frowning, causing the soldiers around them to tremble and step away slightly. Did the deification cause something like this?

“You guys, go back.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Milia also noticed it, frowning at the soldiers now. After they all disappeared, Kang Shin-hyuk glanced behind her throne. Normally Zeke was always by her side, but now he wasn’t visible.

“What about Zeke?”

“Zeke… he resigned from my escort post.”

“Why?!”

“Because the one he must keep is stronger than him.” Despite her calm tone, there was a deep bitterness in her voice.

“I hope he doesn’t give up.”

“Well..” Looking back on his previous conversation with Zeke; a positive outcome seemed unlikely. Instead of saying it, however, Kang Shin-hyuk switched topics.

“You know now, right? Tsukuyo is a member of the Hero Universe. She and Mirang came to help me.”

“To help? So what did she do?” She was sticking to him, creating a disturbance, and making him upset for nothing.

“Isn’t her existence of no help?!”

“What, I didn’t say anything.”

“The administrator told me!” Those two were conspiring now. Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged, resolving himself.

“The attack that happened yesterday happened because of me.”

“..” Milia bit her lip gently and bowed her head.

“I was told it would be okay if I left. So, until then, it would be good to have those two here. As long as they are here, this city will be safe.”

“I can’t blame you when you make such excuses…”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’ll leave a bunch of weapons for the soldiers to use. Haven’t you seen how much Brenite we mined?”

“.I saw. Yes, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll forgive you for bringing such a strange woman into the castle.” Milia sighed, saying so unconvincingly. Obviously, there was nothing wrong with it, but Kang Shin-hyuk turned away while feeling oddly sorry.

Only

“Anvil, I am now a member of the Hero Universe.” Milia called out to him once more.

“Yes, I know. Congratulations.”

“I was delighted that I was qualified to lead the kingdom myself, but now my people feel farther away.”

“But when I thought about it, there was still one person who I felt closer with.” Milia’s voice quieted.

“Can I continue to think that way?”

-Fox!

Kang Shin-hyuk let out a sigh and looked back at her.

“… I’ll tell you about the Hero Universe’s add friend feature.”