Swordmaster, My Ass!(Under Revision)

Survived long enough to witness the old man teaching (3)

Clang, Clang, Clang!

A hammer struck the hot iron, sending sparks like fireworks for a brief moment. Jin held the hammer with both of his hands, raising it and taking his stance.

Clang!

Jin struck the hot iron once more, and the sparks that erupted seemed to captivate his soul. Jang-gan held the iron with his tongs, clamping it down.

After a while, Jin set aside his hammer, huffing, and half crouching. He wiped the sweat off his brow and smiled as he glanced at the swords that he made.

The block of hot iron now molded to such refined swords, fleeting with beauty. Jang-gan glared at the cluster of swords, his hand on either side of his hip.

Jin grabbed his hammer and stood up, straightening his position. "What're you waiting for? Let's finish these up!" He lifted the large hammer with a wide smile.

Jang-gan turned to Jin and winced slightly, a drop of sweat crept on his forehead. "What happened to you? What did Babo do to you?"

Jin neared the anvil, and he took his stance. "I don't know... I feel stronger. Let's start hammering these blocks of iron!"

Jang-gan sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"No."

Jin blinked, the hammer still poised in his hands. "No? Why not? We're almost done!"

"Wait for me," Jang-gan said as he walked out of the forge.

Jin watched as Jang-gan left the forge, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. He frowned, unsure of what was happening. But Jang-gan's reaction confused him. Why had he been so concerned?

A few moments later, Jang-gan returned, holding something that resembled a sword and its sheath, covered with white clothing. He unwrapped it, revealing a sword encased in its sheath.

Jin's eyes widened as he stared and he walked closer to the sword. "What is this?" he asked.

Jang-gan smiled as he handed the sword. "The sword Babo wished for you. You earned it."

Jin blinked in confusion as he held the sword in his hands; he glanced at Jang-gan and back at the sword. "Wait, just like that?"

Jang-gan chuckled softly, a rare expression of warmth breaking through his usual stern demeanor. "Just like that," he said. "No more work."

The coldness of the sheath graced Jin's hand, he stared at the sword for a while, still processing the moment.

"I didn't think that I would get this so soon..."

He glanced at the cluster of swords that he hammered.

"Does that mean..."

"Yes. No more work for you. Well, you're still welcome here."

Jang-gan pointed at the door, his expression serious. "Now, go. Enjoy life instead of wasting time forging swords."

Jin nodded hesitantly with a mix of relief and disbelief. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Jang-gan gave a small nod, his eyes softening for a moment. "Don't let Babo wait, or he'll... I don't even wanna think about it..."

He cleared his throat and pointed at the door again.

"Well, I'll call you when I need it."

Taking a deep breath, Jin turned away and walked out into the light, he glanced one last time and exchanged smiles with Jang-gan before truly walking out.