The Shattered Rock Empire, a northern border town. Inside a shack-like blacksmith shop.
"Dang! Dang! Dang—"
The hammer struck the red-hot sword blank, sparks flying across Rhodes's oil-slicked muscles. Large beads of sweat streamed down his handsome, rugged face, and his thick, curly hair was soaked through, clinging to his skin.
Rhodes remained unconcerned. His azure eyes were fixed on the sword blank, ensuring that each hammer blow landed precisely on the uneven protrusions.
In this medieval world, with its backward smelting technology, the impurities in iron were far greater than those on Earth in his previous life. To forge a sword that could cut iron like mud, Rhodes had spent an entire month on this final forging and folding process.
[Hammered iron a thousand times. Unlocking attribute: Power of Forging]
A semi-transparent text prompt suddenly appeared, but Rhodes was not surprised in the slightest. He put down the hammer, straightened his back, and focused his mind on the prompt.
The next instant, a notification window unfolded like a curtain of light.
[Forging Power (White): Increases base strength by 20%][Load?]
"Load."
The moment the thought formed, a warm current surged through his body, rapidly flowing into his limbs and bones.
"Haa…"
Rhodes stopped moving, squinted slightly, and stood still, savoring the relaxed, comfortable sensation spreading through him. The fatigue from forging iron all morning vanished in an instant.
When the warmth faded, Rhodes picked up the hammer again and felt unusually light.
"The power of entries really is amazing."
White represented the lowest-quality entries—the most basic type. If even basic entries were this strong, then the legendary Red Mythology entries would be downright absurd.
As he marveled inwardly, another notification appeared before his eyes.
[Next entry: Complete the forging of the first sword to unlock: Finely Forged Edge]
Seven years ago, Rhodes had been struck by a dump truck that ran a red light, right after his college entrance celebration. When he woke up, he found himself transmigrated into the body of Rhodes, the illegitimate son of Count Tulip.
Along with him came the farming simulation game Manor Story, which he had played extensively in his previous life.
The game allowed him to acquire various abilities and skills by developing territory through farming, livestock breeding, forging, mining, hunting, and conquest.
But where would a bastard like Rhodes get territory?
As a result, the system remained locked. Rhodes saw no hope and could only remain in the castle, working like a slave.
Until three months ago.
Earl Aura, the brother of the Shattered Rock Emperor, died during his travels in the Northern Wastes. His body was dismembered and hung from a tree beside the road outside a border town.
Though nominally under imperial control, the North was a wild, desolate land teeming with bandits and foreign races.
The emperor was furious. He blamed his brother's death on bandits and outsiders and swore before the gods that their blood would pay for it.
However, the northern wilderness was vast—filled with hills, ravines, and endless primeval forests. It was completely unsuitable for large-scale military campaigns. Even if several bandit groups were wiped out, the wasteland would remain unchanged, and the emperor's anger would not be appeased.
Yet the dignity of the imperial family had to be upheld.
Thus, the emperor issued a bloody edict. He divided the northern borderlands and ordered the nobles to send family members to govern them as lords, tasked with annihilating bandits and foreign tribes.
These territories would be exempt from taxes for one hundred years—but each lord was required to submit one hundred bandits or foreign heads annually.
None of the nobles wanted such land. The Tulip family was no exception.
The population was sparse, winters were long and brutal, and bandits and foreign tribes ran rampant. No legitimate noble heir was willing to suffer such hardship.
But the Count of Tulip could not defy the decree.
As the count agonized over the decision, seventeen-year-old Rhodes stepped forward.
For others, the North was a land of misery. For Rhodes, it was a land of opportunity.
Dangerous, yes—but rich in resources. More importantly, territory would unlock the Manor Story system.
Wealth is always born from danger.
Rhodes had not transmigrated just to remain a noble's servant. With a cheat in hand, retreat was not an option.
The count was overjoyed. He bestowed Rhodes with 150 gold coins and assigned ten veteran guards to escort him. These soldiers had all seen battle and would follow Rhodes faithfully.
To demonstrate the family's commitment, Lady Tulip formally adopted Rhodes as her fourth son, stripping him of his status as an illegitimate child.
With the Imperial Herald present, Rhodes was granted the title of Baron, and his fiefdom was named Blackpine Ridge.
The moment the certificate of investiture was handed over, the Manor Story system activated. Entries and unlock conditions flooded his vision.
Most entries required territorial development—farming land, harvesting crops, and constructing livestock sheds.
Only a few entries could be unlocked independently.
Forging power, gained by hammering iron a thousand times, was one of them.
Heavy snow blocked the northern roads, so Rhodes remained in the border town, patiently unlocking his forging ability.
Bravery didn't mean stupidity. Preparation mattered.
After forging the sword blank came quenching, tempering, and finally sharpening.
Two weeks later, sparks flew as the blade swept across the whetstone again and again. A cold flash glinted along the edge.
A new notification appeared.
[Successfully forged the first fine steel greatsword. Unlocking: Fine Forged Edge
[Refined Edge (Green): Hand-forged and sharpened weapons gain armor-piercing properties]
"An enchantment?"
Rhodes immediately inspected the sword in his hand.
[Name: Steel Greatsword] [Grade: Green—Excellent] [Enchantment: Refined Edge]
It really was an enchantment.
In this world, magical effects usually require rare materials. But this blade was forged from ordinary iron.
Rhodes quickly asked the blacksmith to bring a piece of plate armor for testing.
Plate armor was thick, tough, and offered superior protection. Ordinary swords couldn't even scratch it.
Rhodes raised the greatsword and slashed downward.
Hiss—clang!
The armor split cleanly in two and crashed to the ground.
"My plate armor!" the blacksmith cried, clutching his head in disbelief.
Rhodes stared at the clean cut, stunned.
If plate armor could be severed so easily, chainmail and leather stood no chance.
Now he wouldn't starve even if he opened a blacksmith shop.
As he checked the next forging entry—coincidentally related to building a blacksmith shop—a middle-aged knight approached.
"Did you forge this sword?"
His name was Durant Silverblade. He wore chainmail and a one-handed longsword at his waist. Forty-five years old, weathered but sharp-eyed, he had once been the Tulip family's chief knight.
Seventeen years ago, he lost his left hand in battle and was reassigned as a guard instructor.
Otherwise, Count Tulip would never have sent such an experienced knight to Rhodes.
Rhodes handed him the sword. "Want to try?"
Durant tested it on scrap metal. The blade split the inch-thick steel cleanly in two.
"I've never seen such sharpness," Durant murmured. "Perhaps only dwarven weapons compare."
Rhodes smiled faintly. "When we reach Blackpine Ridge, I'll forge one for you."
The greatsword weighed twelve pounds—perfect for Rhodes, but too heavy for Durant's one-handed style.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
"The snow has melted," Durant reported. "We can depart at any time."
Rhodes explained his plan: follow the Jinsha Caravan and collect "taxes" instead of purchasing supplies.
"As a lord," Rhodes said calmly, "I can make them prepay."
Durant understood immediately.
Without wealth, rapid growth required ruthless methods.
Finally, as Rhodes prepared to leave, the blacksmith protested over the destroyed armor.
Rhodes silenced him, then offered an alternative: relocation to Blackpine Ridge, five years tax-free, forging knowledge, and even a wife.
The blacksmith hesitated.
"You have one night," Rhodes said. "Find me at the tavern."
He turned and left.
(End of Chapter)