Hero of Darkness

Kahn heard the pleasant news in his head and had an elated expression. 2 weeks of tireless training and continuous effort in honing his skills had finally rewarded him into becoming a Beginner rank blacksmith at last. 

[All Blacksmithing skills and techniques have gained 20% more mastery in them.] reported the system again. 

But then, his expression contorted as soon as he noticed a change in the system itself. 

"What the hell… even the system is acting like some tutorial guide. 

And it's revealing too much basic information as if I'm some kid.

Many of the details it provided were like most obvious things." spoke Kahn after going through the notifications in his mind. 

"Could it be because of the gifts?" he wondered. 

Because when it came to any other skill or abilities, the system never spoofed the information and only listed the bare necessary details. But for the Blacksmithing skills he just unlocked, it gave him a walkthrough of these skills. 

But instead of paying too much attention to them, Kahn then secretly created 5 new doppelgangers and deactivated the ones already practicing inside the Dimensional Domain. 

These new ones now also possessed the skills he just unlocked. And Kahn planned to use them to increase his mastery and proficiency in the newly acquired skills. 

The turbulent journey on the path of Blacksmithing was going to be much harder and hence, he felt the urgency to absorb and adapt these skills as much as he could. 

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ONE MONTH LATER. 

[Congratulations to the host for becoming a Grandmaster Rank Blacksmith. 

All abilities have been upgraded to S Rank and above. 

Effectiveness and Proficiency of all the Blacksmithing skills have been increased by 25%

The host is advised to breakthrough to higher ranks to increase the ranks of the skills.] informed the system on a starry night. 

"Alright, Impart them to Blackwall. Maybe it'll help him break through from master rank and become a grandmaster." ordered Kahn with indifferent eyes. 

Unlike the first time, he wasn't surprised or treated this matter very seriously. 

The past month… had changed him. 

Kahn made a lot of progress using his doppelgangers. And rose the ranks of skills with day and night training done by the original body and five other doppelgangers. There had been many days when he didn't even drink a glass of water or ate anything either. 

But since he was a saint, he forgot eating and sleeping as his strength and physical stats were too damn high. 

But also during that period, he broke through to Master rank Magician and managed to raise some of SSS Rank skills to Saint Rank. 

He was working like a mindless machine without a single day of break as if he had no life or even a soul. 

The only breaks he took were when Venessa barged into their forge and forcefully took him out for a chat. 

Unlike before, she was no longer pestering him to join her side but rather looked worried about his well-being for some reason. 

To her, Kahn had been like this for the past 9 months. And the past month alone, her people had informed that Kahn had been under a continuous training regime. 

And due to the gifts given by Brokkr and Eitri being in effect, Kahn's learning speed increased by manyfolds as he started adapting to various techniques in just a matter of days.

It took him lesser time as his training continued while adapting to new forging techniques and knowledge. But even so, Kahn did not stop his extra training on the side while bearing the pressure of the other 15 doppelgangers. 

This made a qualitative change in his personality as well. 

Even to someone like Throk, who should be happy to see his rank up and rise in terms of skills… It looked like Kahn had lost the light in his eyes. 

He was no longer the brat you used to talk back to the old dwarf but a lifeless machine that was just there to complete the given work. 

Like a man who would rather sacrifice his health and sanity for the sake of meeting the expected quota of work than prioritize his well-being above everything else. 

Hence, after Throk herself contacted her, she dropped by a few times to check up on her future vassals and out of a sense of pity for Kahn. 

Because to everyone else, it appeared like he was forcing himself because of the upcoming faceoff against Helsi while having too many expectations on his shoulders. And at the same time, the fate of his master's company, reputation and decades of hard work was at stake and he was simply falling behind. 

In a way, it reminded Vanessa of herself while growing up after her mother's death. How she had been under constant vigilance and mental pressure to achieve strength on her own because there were many people watching from shadows and trying to get rid of her. 

Soon, her visits became the only occasions where Kahn took a breather and now, the relationship between him and the princess became more relaxed. 

"And why are you here again, Venessa? Don't you have some political stuff to do… people to attract to your side in order to claim the throne?" asked Kahn with an annoyed expression. 

"Hmph! I have to take some time off too you know. All that stuff related to managing millions of people in the army, the public order and then these nobles and business organizations that have allied themselves with us… it's too taxing even for someone so capable and beautiful like me." said Venessa pridefully as she praised herself. 

"I believe you… except for the last part. Seems kind of overstretched statement." replied Kahn as he sat across the table. 

"Hey, punk! Do you want me to beat you to death? 

I can just kill you with a slap." she threatened sarcastically. 

Kahn rolled his eyes and retorted. 

"That would be great. I'll be spared of your nagging then." he taunted Venessa. 

But instead of feeling offended… Vanessa liked this tone while talking with Kahn. 

Growing up… she had no friends and even the definition of friends had become such as someone she could ally with or use for something. 

But with the man in front of her… he didn't care about her position or treated her as someone worth worshipping. He spoke without honorifics and didn't mind angering her either. 

Yet, this also made her feel better because for the first time… she could be herself in front of someone and didn't have to carry the facade of elegance, manners, royalty, decorum and constant assertion of authority. 

Just like Kahn… these meetings of theirs had also become a time to relax for Vanessa. 

Soon, another argument started between the two. 

As things stood… their relationship wasn't that of a princess and her subject… 

But that of Friends.