‘-Hyun-soo, would you believe if I said there is a dagger that can cut through stone?’
In the year Hyun-soo turned fifteen, his father asked him this.
Naturally, Hyun-soo said that it was impossible for such a dagger to exist in the world.
‘-Surprisingly, it did exist – a dagger known to split bullets and remain undamaged even when striking rocks. That’s the Damascus dagger.’
‘-The method of making the Damascus dagger was completely lost in the 15th century. Even the kings of the medieval ages tried to uncover its secrets but failed, and many swordsmiths in the 20th century attempted but failed as well.’
His father smiled somewhat embarrassingly.
‘-I have a dream, Hyun-soo. To perfectly recreate the Damascus dagger better than any blacksmith in the world.’
Hyun-soo liked his father for that.
Even at over fifty years of age, he had a dream he wanted to achieve.
“Shall we start?”
A dagger that can cut through stone. He wanted to try making a Damascus dagger.
The hammer of the Tower Chief of the Blacksmith’s Tower would undoubtedly be of great help to Hyun-soo.
Looking around the forge, Hyun-soo was amazed.
The beginner zone and the magic forge were completely different.
During the restoration of the crossbow, he hadn’t needed to use anything from within the forge.
His real use of a proper forge ended with Len’s forge in the beginner zone.
“It was poor.”
To be honest, Len’s forge in the beginner zone was in such a poor state that it was obvious why it was called the beginner zone.
The hammers were rusted over from age, and the anvil was so cracked it seemed it might break at any moment.
But everything in the magic forge was excellent.
No rust, no cracks in the anvil.
Furthermore, considering what Han had said, there were no limitations in this place.
Soon, Hyun-soo scattered dozens of materials that appeared before him as holograms.
Materials for making a dagger.
Each one materialized in front of him as he chose them.
Then a notification sounded.
[You can choose the dagger you wish to create.]
[We recommend starting with the most basic dagger creation.]
According to Han, within this place, mystic powers, namely, the system’s assistance, could be used in the making.
Of course, how else would strangers with no knowledge be able to make a dagger?
Just in case, Hyun-soo said,
“A Damascus dagger.”
[The Damascus dagger can only be made by a master blacksmith or higher.]
[We recommend starting with the most basic dagger creation.]
Hyun-soo chuckled bitterly.
Even in this game called Ares, there existed a Damascus dagger.
But was this Damascus dagger created with the perfect method from the 15th century? No, that’s impossible.
The method for making a Damascus dagger was long lost.
The Damascus daggers in Ares were also not real.
His father had spent a long time searching for the method to make a Damascus dagger.
And finally, he found the answer.
‘-Hyun-soo, the method to make a Damascus dagger is completely lost in this world.’
The Damascus creation might have been done this way or that.
There were many speculations.
His father, too, never fully found the method.
‘-If it doesn’t exist, why not create it myself?’
The reason people pursued the Damascus dagger.
Drop a handkerchief on the blade, and it would cut.
Strike a stone, and the blade wouldn’t dull.
It withstands any impact.
And finally, his father completed it. His own Damascus dagger.
‘-I’ll pass on the method to make this Damascus dagger to you.’
It begins.
“Turn off all notifications.”
He didn’t need the system’s help.
This was solely the unique Damascus creation method left to him by his father.
The furnace heated up intensely.
After a certain time, the red molten iron started flowing.
Hyun-soo began the crafting process, following the method left by his father.
Dang-!
Dang-!
Dang-!
As he started hammering, a notification sounded.
[You are demonstrating a Damascus dagger creation method that defies common sense.]
[While different from the established Damascus dagger method, this is also outstanding.]
It couldn’t be helped.
His father was someone who had created what could be called the finest Damascus dagger in the world.
Dang-!
Hyun-soo continued forging without rest.
***
[The dagger is being created with an unconventional method that defies common sense.]
[However, despite being different from Ares’ established Damascus dagger method, this is also outstanding.]
“…!”
Special User Management Team.
Kim Tae-seok and Lee Ji-hee looked surprised.
Different from the established Damascus dagger method but also outstanding.
Lee Ji-hee entered information about the Damascus dagger into the supercomputer Ares.
[There is no complete method of creation, only various hypotheses and conjectures.]
[In modern times, people have created their own versions of Damascus daggers.]
Reading the supercomputer’s explanation, Lee Ji-hee realized.
The Damascus dagger had become almost mythical in modern times.
It’s impossible to create it using the complete methods of the past.
So, in modern times, it can be defined this way:
The one who creates their own most outstanding version of the Damascus dagger is as if they have created a real Damascus dagger.
And then, Lee Ji-hee suddenly thought of something.
“Team leader, if that’s the case…”
Meeting eyes with Kim Tae-seok, he also nodded.
Users of Ares receive help from the system.
But while receiving this help, the users also grow.
Even with the system’s assistance, they learn, acquire knowledge, and evolve through it.
As a result, many users who were master blacksmiths or higher started creating their own unique artifacts.
Most of these individuals received rewards.
But Hyun-soo was a bit different.
Now, at level 1, he had reached such a level and was approaching the creation of the most outstanding and original Damascus dagger among those blacksmiths.
Ares had prepared rewards for users who create their own unique items.
But there was an interesting fact here.
“If user Hyun-soo successfully creates that Damascus dagger, will he receive the most outstanding reward?”
Kim Tae-seok said while looking at Hyun-soo on the monitor.
“Yes, he will receive the most outstanding reward, the ‘Soul of the Blacksmith’.”
“Wow…”
Lee Ji-hee exclaimed in admiration.
The Soul of the Blacksmith.
A skill that provides the greatest power to a blacksmith.
It was quite possible that Hyun-soo would obtain it.
***
Eventually, the creation of Hyun-soo’s Damascus dagger neared completion.
Hyun-soo’s father had met with world-renowned appraisers with the Damascus dagger he had made.
Each of them said the same thing.
‘-Your Damascus dagger is real.’
‘-The Damascus daggers made in the 15th century wouldn’t even compare to this.’
His father’s Damascus dagger was acknowledged to that extent.
However, his father’s Damascus dagger was destroyed along with the forge.
Hyun-soo was now preparing for the final step in making his Damascus dagger, the polishing.
The Damascus dagger reveals its true form in the polishing process.
As he tempered it, a wave pattern naturally formed on the blade’s surface.
A pattern not arbitrarily made, but formed through the crafting process.
Hyun-soo slowly lifted the dagger.
‘Collaboration.’
This could be considered a collaboration between his father and himself.
The blade looked sturdy like a military knife.
Tapping it with his finger, a deep, reverberating sound echoed.
Then the completion notification arrived.
[You have crafted with a unique method, superior to the established methods in Ares.]
[The grade is being evaluated.]
[It is Epic grade.]
[Please name the dagger.]
[The Talent Stone dagger will expire after a certain period.]
“Damascus Dagger.”
Hyun-soo felt somewhat disappointed.
Because this dagger, made in the magic forge, would soon disappear.
Moreover, he felt a bit regretful that he couldn’t exceed the limit of the Epic grade, despite having crafted it incredibly well.
Then.
[The artifact crafted in a new way is judged to be superior to the existing methods.]
[Hidden Piece. The path of the Creator Blacksmith.]
[You have acquired the skill, Soul of the Blacksmith.]
“Soul of the Blacksmith?”
Hyun-soo looked puzzled.
[As a reward for acquiring the Soul of the Blacksmith, it will be activated immediately for one time.]
[The grade of the Damascus Dagger will advance by one level.]
[The Damascus Dagger is upgraded from Epic to Unique grade.]
[You receive a reward for crafting a Unique grade artifact for the first time.]
[You gain +3 to all stats.]
[You gain +50 Dexterity.]
[You gain +100 Fame.]
“…!?”
Hyun-soo looked astonished.
‘A skill that upgrades the grade of an artifact by one level?’
He immediately checked it.
(Soul of the Blacksmith)
Active Skill
Grade: Legendary
Level: None
· Activates when creating an original artifact or when crafting in a way that is different from established methods but is still outstanding.
· Activates when it is judged that your soul, encompassing attitude, effort, passion, perseverance, and dozens of other aspects, is present in the creation.
“Legendary grade?”
Hyun-soo was amazed.
The Soul of the Blacksmith skill was, as the name suggested, an incredibly powerful skill.
‘What happens if this is applied to a Unique grade…?’
It might even create a Legendary artifact.
Hyun-soo knew that there were fewer than a hundred legendary artifacts known to exist.
Therefore, he understood their value could be in the hundreds of millions at least.
‘Even though I didn’t get an artifact, I’ve gained an incredible skill, so let’s be satisfied with that.’
As Hyun-soo left the magic forge with the completed dagger, Han greeted him.
“Now you just need to hit the Talent Stone.”
Hyun-soo nodded and stood in front of the Talent Stone, clutching the dagger tightly.
The dagger that he could make because his father passed on the knowledge.
He used all his strength to strike the Talent Stone with that dagger.
Sssshaaack-!
Hyun-soo definitely felt it.
The sound and sensation.
It was unmistakably the sound of the Talent Stone splitting.
Then,
Crrraaack-!
The stone split in two.
Hyun-soo looked down at the Damascus dagger in his hand with a satisfied expression.
Turning his head, he saw the NPC Han, looking astonished.
Just then,
Bang-!
Suddenly, the door opened, and a man entered.
The man who entered seemed to be in his fifties, with a sturdy build. Notably, he was barefoot and appeared to be breathing heavily as if he had run a great distance.
[Tower Master of the Blacksmith Tower, Dang Lv.375]
‘Is that Dang?’
Soon, the man named Dang asked,
“May I take a look at that dagger?”
***
Dang, who had rushed over without even putting on shoes, was honestly surprised.
As soon as he opened the door, the unidentified blacksmith looked so young.
Breathing heavily, Dang asked the young man if he could examine the dagger.
The young man casually handed the dagger to Dang.
Taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart, Dang took the dagger and checked its information.
(Damascus Dagger)
Grade: Unique
Durability: 8,000/8,000
Attack Power: 284
Restriction: No restriction for the creator, levels 1-140.
Special Abilities:
· Strength increased by 2%, Agility by 1%.
· Cutting power increased by 54%.
· 30% chance of critical damage.
· Passive skill: Dagger that Splits Stone.
· Active skill: Blink.
Description: A dagger surpassing the one made by Dang, the Master of the Blacksmith’s Tower, and recorded as the best dagger in history.
“……”
Dang’s whole body trembled. An indescribable thrill enveloped him.
He had become a legend 30 years ago by creating a dagger of Epic artifact grade.
At that time, the attack power of that dagger was 198.
But this dagger had an attack power that was a staggering 100 points higher than what he had made.
‘No, it’s not just that. Every aspect of it vastly surpasses what I had created!’
Sweating profusely, Dang suddenly had a thought.
The Masters of the Blacksmith’s Tower had been waiting for a long time.
Waiting for someone to follow in the footsteps of the previous God of Blacksmiths and finally walk the path of the new God of Blacksmiths’ successor!
‘Maybe…’
This young man in front of him might just be the potential successor to the God of Blacksmiths.
Cliche Novel 
“The pattern is intentional” Well good try author, but you got that part wrong too. The interweaving of different steel types is necessary, but the visual pattern itself is largely incidental. They didn’t have the simulation techniques we do now for pattern welding, and forging for aesthetics is itself a luxury.
“He’s already way better than me at level 1”
“He could be my successor!”
Doesn’t MC already qualify to take the master’s place?
Are all korean MMO systems this omnicient? I know the chinese ones end up being characters in their own right for comedic purposes, but having a system look at an entirely different method, identify it as “damascus”, then qualify it as being better than the previous version without already being able to make it is….well, I have a problem imagining this title surviving long term after chasing climax after climax.
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