The Evolution of the Weakest Ghoul

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Dark piece

”Would you take my advice?” Seeing Tayin’s confused expression, Ren asked with a smile.

”I...”

”Yes, Grand General,” Tayin replied.

Ren smiled.

”This is a large chessboard. Even I can’t guarantee whether I’m a player or not. There could even be a higher chessboard above this one. But at this moment, you are nothing more than a pawn.”

Ren paused as he saw Tayin clench his fists.

”In this game, you need more than strength. You also need wit. Positions can change very quickly. But if you truly want to help your family...”

”You need to stay alive.”

”Yes, go on the mission. Attack the core, but escape afterward. Turn yourself from a pawn into a more valuable piece on the board. By remaining in the darkness, you can observe those in the light and make your moves based on their actions.”

”There’s a reason the white pieces move first while the black pieces move to counter them. Only those in the darkness can see their opponent’s moves, counter them, and think several moves ahead.”

Ren finished speaking.

”Thank you... Grand General.”

It took a while for Tayin to digest those words, but even if he didn’t fully understand them, Ren could see that something in his eyes had changed.

That was enough.

In fact, if Tayin never learned anything else, Ren would be satisfied as long as he followed his advice.

Perhaps after faking his death, he could flee to another continent, build himself up, and eventually return.

Maybe by then, the Duke Family would have perished or been left stranded.

Either way, he could return for revenge...

Or rescue.

”Tayin.”

Just as Tayin reached for the door handle, Ren called out.

Tayin looked back.

”Make it big. The bigger the attack, the more convinced they will be of your death.”

Ren advised.

”I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Mentor.”

Tayin nodded before leaving.

Ren smiled.

What a good lad.

The instant Tayin left the room, Ren’s smile vanished.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a token.

On it was the insignia of the God of Wealth.

”Sigh... Things are getting complicated.”

Ren muttered.

---

Outside, Tayin’s eyes were cold as he walked out of the building.

His destination was the blacksmith.

The closer he got, the louder the sound of metal striking against metal became.

At this moment, multiple Sovereign Realm humans worked inside the massive blacksmithing facility.

They were shirtless, sweat covering their muscular upper bodies as they gripped enormous hammers in their hands.

With every swing, the hammers slammed into the red-hot alloys before them, shaping them into the weapons they desired.

Around them stood terrifying pieces of equipment that generated enough heat to melt metal and fuse different alloys together.

Tayin entered the giant warehouse-like building without bothering the blacksmith disciples.

He headed deeper inside.

The closer he got to the core of the facility, the more intense the heat became, and the number of disciples gradually decreased.

Finally, only a single, steady and rhythmic sound of metal being struck could be heard.

Tayin stopped in front of a room.

To his left stood a massive piece of equipment radiating intense heat.

Inside the room ahead of him was another piece of equipment, smaller but considerably more powerful—more than twice as efficient as the one Tayin was standing beside.

He knew the person inside was the leader of the Blacksmithing Organization’s branch in Conjol.

He was a King Realm expert.

Only someone of his level could create a suitable weapon for Tayin.

It took more than an hour before the ringing of metal finally ceased.

The door opened.

”Sorry for keeping you waiting, General.”

A tall man stepped out with a hearty laugh.

He had a large beard and a muscular physique.

Standing well over 6’5”, his bulky frame nearly blocked Tayin’s view as he approached.

Yet despite his intimidating appearance, his eyes were bright and full of life.

His four-star King Realm aura was powerful, filling the surrounding area.

Tayin wasn’t surprised that the man knew he had been waiting outside. After all, he was a King Realm expert.

Nor was Tayin annoyed that he had been kept waiting.

There were three professions where losing concentration at a critical moment could ruin everything, and blacksmithing was one of them.

Even the slightest distraction could cause a weapon-refining process to fail, resulting in a broken or useless weapon.

”It is fine. I need a weapon.”

Tayin got straight to the point.

The man’s expression immediately became serious.

”What do you need, General?”

Just as Tayin was about to answer, Ren’s words echoed in his mind.

Make it big. The bigger the attack, the more convinced they will be of your death.

Tayin gritted his teeth before speaking.

”A greatsword. One that is long and heavy enough to amplify my attacks.”

The man frowned.

That seemed doable.

In fact, it was rather easy to make.

”You don’t want any additional effects, General? And you already have a sword that works perfectly fine, don’t you?”

The man couldn’t help but ask.

”Just make the damn sword. That’s the only effect I want. Make it as strong as you can.”

Tayin spoke irritably.

The man’s expression became solemn.

Weren’t they having a normal conversation?

It was standard procedure to ask whether the customer wanted any additional effects so he would know what properties to add and how to allocate the materials.

But it seemed the General was simply having a bad day.

And besides...

He didn’t want his old sword anymore?

What had happened?

Regardless, the man was only a blacksmith. Even though he was a King Realm expert, he wasn’t particularly strong in battle.

His true strength lay in creating powerful weapons.

”Alright, General. When do you need it?”

The man asked.

”Tomorrow.”

Tayin spoke before turning around and leaving.

The blacksmith stood there in shock.

Tomorrow?

That was far too soon.

But Tayin had already left.

The man sighed.

”I have no choice. But really... what happened to General Tayin?”

He couldn’t help but wonder as he headed back into his workshop.