I had confirmed it.

Thankfully, it was exactly what I thought it was.

The Evil God’s Remnant.

From now on, this underground space might become a place I visit frequently—with a certain girl.

Leaving the remnant behind, we took the elevator all the way up, to near the top floor.

The Association’s reception hall.

A space only opened for major international dealings or high-level negotiations.

Previously, when dealing with the Iano relic, we had been in a conference room. We hadn’t even gotten near this place.

That kind ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) of significant room was now opening for us.

—Click.

As the door opened, a refined scent filled the air first.

Then came the sight of the Hero Association’s highest-tier reception room.

I glanced around the room casually, then turned my eyes forward.

Someone was already seated.

A woman dressed in a neatly fitted gray suit, her hair tied back.

Despite her youthful appearance, she radiated gravitas. Her eyes were sharp and precise.

She was the Vice-Chairwoman of the Association.

She looked at us and offered a slow smile.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I’m Park Seo-hee, Vice-Chair of the Korean Hero Association.”

Her calm voice had a stabilizing effect.

No doubt, even that voice was one of her skills.

The old man quietly sat down. Naturally, I took the seat beside him.

He’d likely handle the majority of the negotiation, given his battlefield experience, and I would step in when it mattered.

Sion hadn’t joined us.

Though she was involved, she seemed unwilling to participate directly in the meeting.

“Haein, I’m counting on you.”

She had said that with a short nod and headed to the café on the first floor.

In the end, the negotiation was up to the old man and me.

Park Seo-hee steadied her breath and began.

“First, before we begin, I’d like to formally apologize once again for the events that took place.”

She stood and bowed deeply.

“The variable that occurred during the Hamgyeong Province Demon Colony operation was not something the Association could have predicted.”

She lifted her head and met my eyes as she continued.

“And thus, the claims that this was some political maneuver to endanger Vanquisher... are entirely false—”

I let out a short laugh.

Political scheme?

Like they had the time for that.

“We know.”

The old man cut her off.

His quiet, measured voice made Park Seo-hee’s gaze flicker.

“Just because you couldn’t predict an absurdly unreasonable situation doesn’t mean the Association should be blamed.”

He folded his hands and tapped the table slowly.

His voice echoed lightly across the room.

“What matters now is how the Association handles it.”

Park Seo-hee nodded without argument.

“We agree. We don’t intend to make excuses.”

She then opened a folder of prepared documents.

“First, let’s discuss compensation regarding the participation of Arcadia’s Paladins, Maengju’s Team 2—Maengho—and Cheongpungdae.”

She organized the papers as she spoke in a steady tone.

“Normally, any auxiliary forces hired during an accepted mission are to be paid by the team who accepted the mission. However, the Association recognizes that their participation was essential to this battle. Therefore, we will be covering all compensation for those groups ourselves.”

Clean response.

It’s not uncommon for a team to hire mercenaries or allies when handling difficult missions.

But for the Association to take full financial responsibility—that was a strong gesture.

The old man gave no visible reaction. I simply waited in silence for her to continue.

“...And second,”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“Now we’ll discuss compensation for the Association’s mistake... as well as rewards for achievements.”

The pen in her hand trembled lightly.

“But before we cover the compensation... I’d like to start with the rewards.”

She hesitated slightly, pointing to a specific page in the documents.

“This part... was honestly difficult for us to process.”

Curious, I glanced down at the document.

It listed the participating members submitted by Cheongpungdae, Arcadia, and Maengju.

“Upon review, Paladin, Cheongpungdae, and Maengju—all three groups named Jung Haein as a merit recipient in their reward lists.”

She turned to me and pressed her fingers lightly to her temple.

“Me?”

I asked back.

I slowly scanned the document.

My name was listed four times.

On every organization’s merit compensation list.

“Yes... We directly confirmed with each group by phone...”

She nodded slowly.

“They all confirmed it was correct. Based on the record of Gaon’s earlier bidding event, they argued that including you as a reward recipient was appropriate.”

The old man let out a quiet chuckle, and I smirked as well.

What did that mean?

It meant that all four organizations were actively trying to recruit me, and they were using this reward opportunity to curry favor by giving me everything they could.

“I’m sure you understand what that implies better than we do, Mr. Jung.”

In the system, when a student is bid on at Gaon’s bidding event, the bidding organization gains the official right to negotiate with that student.

Apparently, each group had assessed my capabilities very highly.

Understandable.

I did spear an Apostle through the heart when no one else could even land a hit.

They just didn’t know the special nature of the Fragment I used.

Park Seo-hee continued as she flipped to the next page.

“Therefore, we’ve decided to respect the intentions of each organization and evaluate your rewards separately as a combined total.”

The Vice-Chairwoman spoke cautiously.

“After internal review, the Association has decided that, based on Mr. Jung Haein’s achievements...”

She pulled out a transparent cube containing a crimson key.

“...we will grant you access to the Workshop of Bugaram.”

I tried.

I really tried to keep the smile off my face when I saw that key.

But inwardly, I had only one thought.

They’re seriously trying to sweeten the deal, huh?

The old man’s eyes sparkled as if amused by the situation.

Likely thinking “Really?”—but for completely different reasons.

He probably saw this as a major reward from the Association.

Meanwhile, I just... lightly touched the cube and let out a small laugh.

“Oh... Not bad.”

Park Seo-hee added in a steady voice.

"Considering the circumstances of this incident, we deemed this to be a fair reward. Of course, compensation and a separate reward will also be provided."

She still wore a calm expression.

However, whether it was because of her certainty that the situation was unfolding in their favor, or simply a growing sense of assurance, a slight sense of relaxation seemed to seep through her.

The Forging Hall of Bugaram.

The last forge of the greatest blacksmith of South Korea, who perished in the final battle with the Evil God.

Bugaram.

It was the last forge he ever made. Inside, sealed away, are weapons and equipment unknown to anyone.

Of course, I have a general idea of the contents.

However, the forge was sealed along with his final will.

Through the key that Bugaram left for the founding founder of the association, only the association can open it.

Even that has been extremely rare, and it has not opened even once since the great hero's challenge 20 years ago.

It was a holy place created by a blacksmith who challenged the realm of the gods.

But here's the crucial point.

The forge is not just any ordinary forge. It is a place of trials imbued with his soul.

In other words, the association doesn't freely distribute weapons; only those chosen by the will of Bugaram, left within the forge, can receive his weapons.

If one isn't acknowledged, they have no choice but to leave empty-handed.

There has been only one case where Bugaram acknowledged someone.

So, can I be recognized?

"Without a doubt."

In the original story, the forge of Bugaram can only be entered once, no matter what method is used.

But that moment comes much later in the story.

The only criterion for Bugaram acknowledging someone is one thing.

"The presence or absence of a shard."

In other words, while we are still in the early part of the story, I can still pass.

I was confident, but I pretended not to care, maintaining an indifferent expression.

Then, I casually said.

"What if I can't get it?"

With the tone of someone saying, "What then?"

"I’m not sure if I can," I said lightly.

Park Seo-hee’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Excuse me?"

She fiddled with her glasses for a moment, as if giving herself time to think.

It was understandable.

Bugaram’s forge was no ordinary reward.

It was an achievement that would mark a new era.

Once opened, a global system notification is sent out.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

[Where the flames swallow blood, and molten iron strikes the heart. Bugaram's forge finally tests its new master.]

The moment this phrase flashes to the world’s heroes, the association immediately announces the individual.

And everyone will focus on them and cheer.

In other words, announcing a new hero to the world is almost like proclaiming a new star to other countries.

So, the association has no losses.

The birth of a sacred hero who delivered the final blow to the Apostle. This is what they aim to market.

In fact, right now, they would do anything to give me this key.

The best weapon.

The ultimate trial.

And the one person who will obtain it.

It would be a story that gets the hearts of countless heroes racing.

Even if I fail, it doesn’t matter.

Just attempting it would be an enormous honor.

But the problem is...

Such heroism has absolutely nothing to do with me.

I was far removed from any pride or desire for honor as a hero.

They probably thought I’d get excited just hearing the name Bugaram, but they were greatly mistaken.

I tilted my head slightly and asked.

"Vice-Chairwoman, when was the forge last opened?"

"20 years ago, by the previous hero. A very honorable...”

“Did they succeed?”

"...Not exactly."

"How about before that?"

"Same."

I smiled indifferently and casually spoke.

"So, what exactly can this key guarantee from the association?"

Park Seo-hee's expression slightly distorted.

She didn’t answer.

No, she couldn’t.

Everything that happens inside Bugaram’s forge is beyond the association's control.

The association can only open the entrance.

There’s nothing they can guarantee to me.

Even the old man seemed slightly flustered, as if he hadn't expected this reaction from me.

It was the ultimate opportunity that every hero dreams of.

He subtly nudged my side under the table.

‘Isn’t this enough?’

The signal.

I lightly smiled and casually pulled the cube closer.

Then, I tossed the cube into the air and caught it.

"I’ll take this. I’m not sure if it’ll work, but I’ll give it a try."

However, I didn’t plan to trade my life for it.

The association would have no choice but to meet my demands.

They have far more reasons to hold onto me than I do with them.

I hardened my expression and said.

"But, as a reward for defeating the Apostle..."

After a brief pause, I firmly added.

"It’s a bit lacking, don’t you think?"