As the standoff continued with both sides eyeing each other, the first mate made a decision.

“Survey team, gather your equipment.”

“Yes, sir.”

After giving orders to the survey team, the first mate commanded the rifle-bearing soldiers.

“If those natives try anything funny, put a hole in their heads.”

“Yes, sir!”

Hearing the soldiers’ firm response, the first mate stepped forward. He carefully observed the native warriors facing him.

“Hmm…”

While the first mate assessed the natives’ weapons, Futan across from him likewise examined his opponent’s clothing and weapons.

As they sized each other up, both men fell into similar thoughts.

If trouble breaks out, I could easily handle the men right in front of me… but the problem is they’re not alone.

The first mate was convinced other natives were hiding in ambush within the jungle, while Futan was acutely aware of the Challenger-class warship.

Eventually, both men reached the same conclusion simultaneously.

We’ll withdraw for now!

Their decision was the right one.

Captain Kim Taek-gil, having spotted the native warriors, had already begun disembarking reinforcements, while in the jungle, new warriors were gathering.

“Since it would be inconsiderate to just leave…”

The first mate slowly drew the dagger from his waist. Raising it to chest height, he spun it once with an elegant flourish. Gripping it with the handle pointing toward Futan, he extended the dagger to him with a slight smile.

Seeing the first mate’s smile, Futan cautiously accepted the offered dagger and ordered his subordinates:

“We’re withdrawing.”

Thus both sides began retreating simultaneously.

Neither side showed their backs to avoid misunderstandings or giving the wrong impression, so they both backed away step by step.

***

Returning to the jungle’s edge where they had originally set out, Futan watched the foreigners’ small boat return to their large ship.

The small boat carrying the foreigners closely resembled their larger vessel and looked far more useful than any boats his people used.

“Phew…”

Only after confirming the foreigners had completely withdrawn from the beach did Futan finally release a sigh of relief.

With his mind now at ease, he could properly examine the dagger in his hand.

“Wow…”

Futan let out an exclamation of admiration as he inspected the dagger given by the foreigner.

The blade, about the length from wrist to elbow, boasted beautiful wave patterns that gleamed as they caught the light.

“This is incredible…”

Futan couldn’t close his mouth upon seeing the beautiful wavy patterns on the blade.

The dagger that the first mate had given to Futan was an Imperial-made dagger mimicking Damascus steel.

***

As trade with Europe and the Middle East expanded, various foreign goods entered the Empire (then called Joseon). Among these, the most popular were weapons made from Damascus steel.

When Damascus steel weapons first arrived, prominent martial families rushed to purchase them.

This was due to their paradoxical characteristics—being both hard yet flexible—while maintaining their sharpness for extended periods.

Of course, there was an issue that the sword’s shape didn’t match traditional swordsmanship techniques, but many martial families didn’t consider this a significant problem.

“Swords are merely decorative anyway—the bow is everything!”

Later, with the efforts of King Sejong, Hyang, and the craftsmen of Area 51, high-quality steel began to be mass-produced, causing sales of Damascus steel weapons to falter.

And at some point, Damascus steel weapons transformed into expensive luxury items.

This happened because steels of equal or superior quality to Damascus were being mass-produced, and weapons made from these materials entered the market at much lower prices.

Nevertheless, families of certain standing continued to purchase Damascus steel weapons.

“No matter how good those factory-produced weapons might be, how could they match the elegance and strength of this wave-patterned sword?” (The distinctive wave pattern had earned it this name.)

When rumors spread that the upper classes stubbornly insisted on Damascus steel with such remarks, renowned weapon craftsmen naturally became irritated.

“Oh really? Then I’ll create an even more magnificent wave-patterned sword than those precious Western ones!”

Despite this determination, the Damascus steel-making technique was a secret among secrets. Naturally, discovering its method was no easy task.

And this is where Hyang got involved.

When rumors spread that even Area 51’s craftsmen had joined the challenge to create wave-patterned swords, Hyang took action.

“I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t get involved in something like this!”

Approaching the craftsmen, Hyang casually dropped a suggestion:

“I heard the rumors and had an idea…”

At Hyang’s words, the Area 51 craftsmen brightened and rose from their seats.

“We’ll listen attentively, my lord!”

Seeing the craftsmen gazing at him with eager eyes, Hyang continued:

“I believe that while the secret technique is important for making Damascus steel, the raw material is equally crucial. However, to create Damascus steel, they say you need iron from somewhere in India, which we don’t have, correct?”

“That’s right, my lord!”

“Then I think we need our own secret technique using the iron materials we have. So I thought of this: either stack various types of steel like layered rice cakes, weld them together and then forge them, or put steel balls and filings in a crucible and heat them…”

As Hyang explained the method that had spread through the internet in the 21st century, which he had tried himself, the craftsmen slapped their knees in realization.

“Ah! Such a method!”

And thus, the Imperial wave-patterned sword was born.

Thanks to the excellent quality of the Imperial steel used as raw material, the Imperial wave-patterned swords boasted quality comparable to Damascus steel weapons.

Furthermore, since they were cheaper than Damascus products, at some point the Empire began to dominate the European and Middle Eastern sword markets.

It wasn’t just because of the wave-patterned swords. Even swords using just one type of high-carbon steel displayed performance superior to average European or Middle Eastern swords.

As a result, at some point rumors began to circulate in various cities including Alexandria:

• —Even a simple iron sword made by the Empire, if stamped with a flower pattern, is superior to a poorly made Damascus sword!
• —An Imperial iron sword cut a Damascus sword in two!

As the situation developed this way, Damascus steel products began to be rapidly pushed out of the market.

And seizing this opportunity, people sent by Hyang approached the Damascus steel craftsmen.

“I acknowledge that the weapons you make are remarkable. But to make that steel, don’t you need iron from a specific place? What will you do if that iron becomes unavailable? Won’t that vein dry up someday? So how about applying your secret technique to different iron materials? Won’t you come with me to the Land of Flowers?”

Several craftsmen headed to the “Land of Flowers” after being persuaded by Hyang’s envoys.

Upon arriving in Hanseong, these craftsmen immediately became part of Area 51 and began contributing to the advancement of steel refining techniques.

“Aren’t you treating them too generously, my lord?”

To the ministers’ concerns at the time, Hyang immediately replied:

“Iron will be used in more and more places in the future. Greater use means we’ll need various types of iron with different properties. That’s why we need them.”

“Couldn’t our own Joseon craftsmen achieve this if given more time, my lord?”

“We have immediate uses for this technology. Specifically, in making long rifles and artillery.”

“Pardon?”

While the ministers blinked in confusion, King Sejong slapped his knee.

“That’s right! Artillery barrels and rifle barrels must withstand the explosive force of gunpowder. But we can’t just make them thicker! We definitely need iron that’s both hard and tough, and with their secret techniques, that would be possible!”

To Sejong’s words, Hyang bowed his head and replied:

“Exactly, Your Majesty.”

And so, the Empire’s refining technology advanced another step, and its artillery and firearms became even more formidable.

***

Futan reported the situation to the Eagle Warrior who had followed behind him.

“They are foreigners.”

“Are they the foreigners from the north?”

At this time, the Aztec Empire was known to be in contact with natives from the north (presumably the Florida peninsula).

To the Eagle Warrior’s question, Futan immediately shook his head.

“No, they are not.”

At Futan’s answer, the Eagle Warrior, who had been looking at the Challenger-class warship, turned his gaze to the dagger in Futan’s hand.

“What is that?”

“It’s something the foreigner gave me. I intend to present it to the Tlatoani.”

At Futan’s words that he would present it to the Tlatoani, the Aztec Emperor, the Eagle Warrior lightly smacked his lips and stepped back.

“That would be best. Let’s head back then.”

***

After traversing the jungle for several days to reach the capital Tenochtitlan, Futan’s party immediately gained an audience with the Tlatoani.

Following custom, Futan’s party removed their sandals at the city entrance and entered the palace barefoot. Upon seeing the Tlatoani, they immediately paid their respects.

Montezuma I, the Tlatoani of that era, responded with an arrogant gesture and spoke:

“So, you encountered foreigners?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This is what they gave us, which I wish to present to you.”

“Bring it here.”

At Montezuma I’s command, an attendant beside him received the dagger from Futan and handed it to Montezuma I.

“Oh! My!”

Montezuma I repeatedly exclaimed in admiration as he examined the dagger with its brilliant wave patterns.

Seeing the sharply gleaming blade, Montezuma I swung it at a jaguar skin hanging nearby.

Slash!

Having cleanly cut a long gash in the skin with a single stroke, Montezuma I looked at the dagger again with surprised eyes.

Seeing the dagger still perfectly intact without even a nick, Montezuma I muttered in a trembling voice:

“A-amazing… Judging by its shine and color, it resembles silver but isn’t silver…”

Metal smelting techniques had been introduced to the Aztecs through their exchanges with northern natives.

Thanks to this, they could process bronze, gold, and silver to create various items.

However, at their current technological level, they could only produce ritual objects and ornaments.

But what Montezuma I now held in his hand was a completely new metal, neither gold nor silver.

Clang!

Montezuma I struck the dagger against the stone throne beside him and turned pale.

“It’s still intact… What kind of people are they?!”

Montezuma I’s face filled with worry.

Why now of all times! Why now!

It was because the Aztec situation was far from good at the moment.