“You are going nowhere. You have to pay what you owe.”

Accompanying those words, a scream rang out.

Lee Gun had swung his blade, and the ones to scream because of this were the Constructs.

[Kuhk! Master!]

Their shoulders and arms had been stabbed. It was a total mess. The ten dwarves glared at Lee Gun after their blood was shed.

[You are a baby god that has no manners…!!!]

[How dare you do this to us…!]

They were Constructs of a temple with a deep history. They had too much pride. Moreover, their temple possessed a very high reputation amongst the twelve Zodiac temples. They were used to being treated like nobility. 

Therefore, being stabbed by Lee Gun was humiliating for them. In truth, their pride had been hurt ever since they started the manufacturing battle. They had felt as if their status was being challenged and that too by a mutant and newly born god!

[You were born as a mere human— Kuh-huhk!]

The Capricorn, who had come to retrieve its Constructs, was surprised by this.

[Isn’t this too much considering we are all manufacturers?]

A commotion broke among the master craftsmen when they heard the deep voice that rang out throughout the grounds.

‘Zodiac!’

The Capricorn seemed furious.

[They might be foolish, but they are the best manufacturers. Their hands are treasures to humanity.]

Lee Gun jeered when he heard the Capricorn’s voice. “Best manufacturers? Yet they tried to fake the rank of the items because they wanted to win a mere match?”

[!]

Lee Gun didn’t care about all the other stuff. He just couldn’t forgive them for making faulty items and calling them S-rank items.

Therefore, he said, “Goldie and Blackie, get rid of them.”

When Lee Gun called for them, lights appeared and the Constructs screamed.

[Life and Death have stolen the magical energy of the Constructs.]

[The powers of the Constructs have weakened.]

[Life may use its power to have the captured Constructs undergo rebirth.]

[Life says they should be reborn as items according to master’s blueprints.]

[At the very least, SSS-rank items will come out.]

[Death says improving the skills would be better for Master’s health. It speaks out in anger.]

[The two Divine statuses try to use their abilities for their own benefits.]

The eyes of the Divine statuses flashed as their chains caught the Constructs.

The frightened Dwarves looked for their owner.

[Master! Save us!]

Their words angered the Capricorn. Who the hell told them to make such a mess without saying anything?

‘Idiots.’

The Capricorn has already been wary because of Lee Gun’s strange manufacturing abilities.

‘There is no way a normal human can create a weapon with a sense of self!’

Despite what had happened, the Capricorn felt uncomfortable, as its divinity had soared. Well, it was at fault for hiding the truth from its subordinates. It should have told its subordinates that it couldn’t copy Heaven’s Punishment.

[Let them go, Serpent Bearer.]

Lee Gun lifted Heaven’s Punishment. “Why would I? You guys lost. I’m only taking what is due.”

[What’s due?]

“It was a bet. I said that if I lost, I’ll go under your temple. Since I won, it should be in reverse, right?”

This made the Capricorn glare at him. Its subordinates had recklessly set the terms of the bet, so why did it have to suffer the consequences?

Soon, the Capricorn nodded in agreement.

[Alright. I don’t care what you do with my useless servants. Do as you please.]

[Master??!!!]

[I am willing to make the concession. It also means I have nothing to do with this incident. Just take them, and fuck off—]

Kwah-jeek!!!

Heaven’s Punishment flew toward the Capricorn, and the flustered goat looked at Lee Gun.

“Where are you running away?”

[!]

“You have no sense of responsibility.” Lee Gun immediately aimed for the Capricorn’s head.

In the first place, Lee Gun had come here because he had something to squeeze out from the Capricorn.

The eyes of the Capricorn, who looked like a goat, flashed.

[Bastard! I planned on letting you off the hook. You’re merely a halfling, and you have the gall to attack me in my holy ground?!]

A Zodiac could use its power within the holy ground. Unleashing its true power within a holy ground did not put many penalties on a Zodiac.

[Do not forget this tower is my holy ground!]

Kwah-jee-jee-jeek!

When the goat extended its hand, something was summoned in the sky.

[Weapon Summon: Gramr]

It was a sword.

The Divine status of the Capricorn was called Volundr. The Capricorn was the king of the Dwarves, the most talented blacksmith. It was the being that had created all kinds of magical swords!

In the divine world, the Capricorn was famous for being one of the top blacksmiths that created weapons for the gods. It had created many Divine weapons.

As proof, a variety of weapons started appearing in the sky!

Doo-doo-doohk!

Kevin did a double take when he saw this terrifying sight. The red sword in the middle was a problem.

‘That weapon is a priceless treasure in the divine world…!’

The divine world had many holy items that were treasured like cultural assets. This weapon in particular was capable of ripping apart Divine statuses!

‘Moreover, Lee Gun was born not too long ago, so even a scratch from it will be a critical wound.'

That wasn’t all.

‘Heaven’s Punishment may be EX rank, but it has yet to undergo a proper durability test.’

It was certain death for Lee Gun. Therefore, Kevin planned on keeping the Capricorn in check with his ice.

However…

‘!’

Kevin couldn’t move his hand. The Virgo had stopped him from taking action. The reason for it was absurd.

[Let it be. If the Serpent Bearer dies from that weapon, that’s his fate.]

“…!!”

Did his Zodiac lose her mind?

‘Normally, she would be all over him!’

The angered Kevin was about to break away from his Zodiac when…

Kwahng!!!

A thundering noise rang out throughout the ground. Flashing lights accompanied it.

“Koohk!”

It was unclear how much time had passed when they saw something amazing.

“G-God-nim!”

Guisoon, who had been next to Lee Gun, almost unhinged her jaws as her mouth fell open. The reason was the sword swung by the Capricorn.

After clashing against Heaven’s Punishment, Gramr had developed a crack.

“T-The treasure of the Divine world…!”

Lee Gun grinned.

Shocked, the Capricorn created some distance between it and Lee Gun.

‘Gramr can reach past a weapon to slice the Divine status.’

However, Lee Gun’s Divine statuses were fine. The attack had failed. No. This was beyond the attack failing…!

“!!!”

The Capricorn felt a chill run up its spine as it met eyes with Lee Gun.

Lee Gun was letting out an ominous laugh! Then, he moved at a speed not visible to the naked eye as he charged the Zodiac.

Clank!!!

The violently swung ax ruthlessly crushed Gramr, a treasure considered the cultural asset of the divine world!

The Constructs were shocked by this sight.

[N-No way! Master’s weapon is something that can never be broken!]

[That bastard’s weapon broke Master’s…!!!]

If this became known in the divine world, it would cause a commotion.

At this moment, the Virgo laughed. She had been watching the battle through Kevin. As expected, Lee Gun had a connection to them.

‘If the divine world discovers the existence of a manufacturer like him, a ruckus would occur.’

She had already known Gramr wouldn’t work against Lee Gun. The Virgo thought about the thirteenth Zodiac. She had helped the serpent escape.

‘There is a reason the snake chose him.’

The serpent had been betrayed and murdered by the gods. The Virgo had secretly helped it in reincarnating. However, this life had been no different for the serpent than the one before.

After reincarnating, the serpent had been in danger of being discovered, so the Virgo had taken action so that it could safely flee.

‘I never expected it to meet Lee Gun as a result.’

Its fate completely changed thanks to the encounter.

“Well, let’s do this.”

[!]

After destroying the weapon, Lee Gun let out a cold laugh. The power of the Serpent Bearer surged forth!

[Death Instinct]

[You have released 100% of your power under control.]

[The Ring that controls the Power screams, saying you didn’t give a warning again.]

When the controlled power was released, a powerful earthquake occurred within the building.

Koo-goo-goohng!

At the same time, the enormous light attacked the Capricorn. The light split through the goat’s body and horns. 

[Ahhhk!]

Lee Gun laughed. The Zodiac’s horns weren’t just normal decorations.

[You have acquired the Design Book of the Capricorn.]

They were what Lee Gun had been aiming for in the first place.

‘I’ll be able to learn about the divine rank weapons from the divine world.’

In other words, this was top secret information for the gods. Moreover, Lee Gun would be able to freely make SSS-rank (Divine rank) weapons that only the gods used.

‘The knowledge I possess is limited.’

Was it because the Capricorn had its secret blueprints stolen? The Zodiac was flustered.

The Capricorn had been about to take out more weapons when Kevin tried to move against it, angering it.

[If this is how you’re going to do things, the Capricorn temple won’t make any equipment for humanity!!]

“!”

It was a threat. That wasn’t all.

[Who do you think designed the domes that humanity trusts and relies on?]

The Capricorn laughed. Humanity wouldn’t be able to reject the temple of the manufacturers. It needed the temple.

“We won’t entrust our weapons with you guys anymore!!”

“How can we trust someone that changed the origin of Heaven’s Punishment?”

[!!]

The people that the Zodiac assumed it could sway were grinding their teeth. It wasn’t just them.

“We refuse to follow the Capricorn.”

[…!]

The master craftsmen of the Genius Workshop, who had fought against Lee Gun, threw a revolt. Taylor, the temple’s Ten Star and these craftsmen’s leader, led the charge.

The Capricorn was shocked. These were the core disciples who made up the Capricorn temple.

In truth, its power had started waning. The reason was simple.

‘Their faith toward the Capricorn is falling…!’

This was all thanks to Lee Gun. It meant the downfall of the Capricorn temple.

Lee Gun laughed as he held the severed horns. “I’ll use the Capricorn's ingredients very well.”

Accompanying his laughter, a black circle appeared below the goat. It was the Pool skill that had finished its cooldown time.

The Zodiac’s scream rang out.

* * *

Around that time, Hugo, who was inside the Archer Saint’s holy ground, screamed as he looked at his phone. “No. This isn’t it. This really isn’t it!”

It looked as if he had seen something wretched, and there was a reason for that.

[Massive Change to the Temple Ranking]

Rank 1: Serpent Bearer Temple (Taurus Temple)

Rank 2: Virgo temple

Rank 3: Aquarius temple

Rank 4: Pisces temple

Rank 5: Gemini temple

Rank 6: Scorpio temple

Rank 7: Libra temple

Rank 8: Leo temple

Rank 9: Aries temple

Rank 10: Sagittarius temple

Rank 11: Capricorn temple

Rank 12: Cancer temple

“No!!! This can’t be! There is no way Gun is ranked number one!” Hugo was about to spit fire from his mouth.

Moments ago, his subordinates had come to him shouting with joy.

“Saint-nim! We finally did it!”

“We finally cracked the top ten of the temple rankings!”

“I’ll never forget this!’”

Delighted, Hugo had checked the ranking. This ranking wasn’t a ranking of power, yet he was interested in it. Moreover, his heart was full from entering the top ten for the first time.

However, this feeling lasted only a moment.

“What the hell? Why is Gun ranked number one!!!”

His son pouted. “What do you mean, why? Of course, our uncle is number one.”

“This isn’t it!”

Puffin let out a bright smile as if he immediately recognized the problem that was the source of Hugo’s anger.

“Ah. Don’t worry about it! This is the ranking that came out when the incident within the World Workshop occurred last night. It is when he peaked. The reputation of the Serpent Bearer rose because of the Capricorn disciples. However, the ranking takes in various factors, so it should change soon. Don’t worry about…”

Chun Sungjae kicked Puffin, while Hugo became angry.

‘I thought it wasn’t a farfetched dream to reach the eighth place if the runaway Aries could be found.’

However, the eighth place wasn’t a problem. Hugo ground his teeth when he imagined Lee Gun’s expression when he would make fun of him.

‘At this rate, it is a matter of time before Gun cements himself as number one.’

It was said the Capricorn temple was going to merge with the Serpent Bearer soon, like the Taurus temple.

‘I guess it doesn’t matter.’

Unlike the Taurus temple, the master craftsmen of the Capricorn temple were very prideful.

‘There is no way he’ll easily merge with….’

At that moment, however…

“Please take us in as disciples, Lee Gun-nim!”

“Lee Gun-nim! I’ll do whatever!”

“?!”

Hugo was shocked to hear the voices coming from outside the Sagittarius temple. An enormous crowd of master craftsmen had gathered outside the Archer Saint’s holy ground. They numbered in the hundreds.

Hugo’s mouth fell open when he looked outside the window. “What the hell is up with them?”

“Lee Gun-nim! We fell for you when we saw you manufacture those items!”

“?!”

Hugo reared back in shock when he saw the handsome man standing in front of the group

‘My god! That star master craftsman wants to go under Gun??’

Taylor, the head of the Genius Workshop, and those considered the best in their field were gathered there.

Even the Zodiac Saints looked at them as if they were celebrities. They were all famous top stars.

People like them were on their knees as they asked Lee Gun to take them in as disciples!

‘There is no way Gun will accept them. His personality won’t allow it.’

In the past, Lee Gun had beaten people half to death when they wanted to come under him as his students.

Since Hugo needed to inform Lee Gun about this development, he called Lee Gun, who should be with Hailey right now.

“Ah!”

Hugo became surprised by the notification.