Strike 30

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The legendary artifact that recently appeared was traded for 800 million won in cash.

The reason for remembering this is that it was widely covered in the news.

“The legendary artifact of the virtual reality game Ares has been traded for 800 million won, attracting a lot of attention.”

This story was featured on every channel. It’s a world where trading items is legalized.

It can be said that the virtual reality game Ares had a significant impact in the real world.

‘Was it the highest trade price?’

Of course, this is just the recipe. Even if you have the recipe, it doesn’t mean it will be made.

However, the fact that it increases the possibility was undeniable.

Hyun-soo checked it out.

(Legendary Bow Recipe)

Grade: Rare~Legendary

Attack Power: 280~604

Crafting Limit: Artisan level 300 or higher

Crafting Materials: World Tree Stem, Elf Essence, etc. (substitutes possible)

Special Abilities:

· Max 79% increase in accuracy.

· Max 6% increase in agility.

· Max 8% increase in health.

· Max 39% increase in bow attack speed.

· Active skill: Storm Arrow.

· Passive skill: 100% penetration.

Description: The legendary bow recipe passed down in the Blacksmith’s Tower.

Hyun-soo couldn’t help but admire it. An attack power that defies common sense.

What was especially shocking was this.

‘The stat increase rates are in percentages…?’

The artifacts Hyun-soo had made so far usually had fixed numbers.

‘Like +4 to agility or +1 to health…’

This was partly because Hyun-soo’s level was low.

For example, if a level 100 user fully invested in agility, they would have a total of 500 points in agility.

Even a 1% increase would add ‘5’ to the stats.

But as written here, a 6% increase would add a total of 30 to agility.

And this is just for a level 100 archer. What if the archer was level 300?

‘That’s a 90-point increase in stats, right?’

Additionally, the percentage effect means that as the level increases, so do the stats, which is a plus.

‘Too bad I don’t have the materials.’

Even with the recipe, he couldn’t craft it without the materials.

‘The World Tree Stem…?’

Hyun-soo had never heard of this material before.

‘Should I sell it?’

He knew that the recipe itself could be traded for a high price.

Although it would be about 1/10 of the actual artifact price, he could still get at least 80 million won for it.

However, Hyun-soo shook his head.

If he thinks he might be able to make it later, he shouldn’t sell it just for immediate profit.

[Your intimacy with Colson has reached MAX.]

“Here is the gold I promised you.”

[You have acquired 5,000 gold.]

He acquired gold worth 5 million won. Hyun-soo smiled slightly.

Colson stood up. Initially, he thought of keeping Hyun-soo under him at all costs.

But now, it was different. He looked into his eyes.

“Have you finally realized it?”

The descendant of the Blacksmith God should not be under someone else.

He should watch over him as he grows step by step.

“Go out into the world. When you reach even higher places, come and find me.”

Hyun-soo was quick to catch on. Colson’s words meant that once he reached a certain level, he would guide him to something related to the god.

“You admire me, but you won’t just give it away, huh?”

Hyun-soo smiled bitterly.

And the expressions of the other Tower Masters were not good. They couldn’t understand why Colson had suddenly changed his mind.

They still only wanted to control and use Hyun-soo for themselves.

“It will take them a long time to realize it.”

In Colson’s case, he realized Hyun-soo’s value by directly sparring with him.

Also, the title effect of ‘God Blacksmith’ helped him to realize it.

“I will use this recipe well.”

“…It is a recipe that I couldn’t complete. I believe you will be able to, Hyun-soo. I hope to see you again.”

Finally, Colson bowed slightly and turned around. The other Tower Masters followed him.

After they left, Dang said,

“If you have any questions, always come to me on the top floor.”

After Dang disappeared, Hyun-soo organized his thoughts.

He had gained a lot from the tower.

And he was feeling the urgency for money. Tomorrow was the day to pay for his father’s hospital bills.

“I made 5 million won.”

But it still felt a bit insufficient for Hyun-soo.

He checked his inventory.

(Orc Warrior’s Greatsword)

Grade: Rare

Durability: 2,570/4,000

Attack Power: 207

Limitation: No limit for the creator, 10~80 level.

Special Abilities:

· +6 to strength, +5 to health.

· -10% movement speed, -20% attack speed.

· Active skill: Orc Warrior’s Roar.

· Passive skill: Greatsword Stab.

Description: A decent greatsword used by an Orc Warrior.

Honestly, it was an artifact Hyun-soo didn’t need.

“I’ll sell this in the auction house.”

Then he pondered over his first custom-made sword.

‘I’ve used it 3 times, so I can only use it 17 more times.’

The first custom-made sword he used to cut Colson’s sword. It was completely consumable.

‘There might be some situations where it could be helpful to me.’

But it wasn’t a necessary artifact.

He already had a superior sword ‘Light’ for his level to wear.

And this custom-made sword, except for the condition that it can cut swords, was quite a useless item.

‘I should sell this too.’

If he had the materials, he could make such an artifact again.

Of course, since good materials were used, it won’t be easy.

Hyun-soo listed two items.

[Orc Warrior’s Greatsword]

[Description: A greatsword obtained from hunting an Orc Warrior. It seems suitable for warriors with high strength and health.]

[Hyun’s First Custom-Made Sword]

[Description: A special sword with the effect of cutting other swords. Unfortunately, I’ve used it 3 times, so it can only be used 17 more times.]

[Starting the auction at 300 gold.]

The Orc Warrior’s Greatsword appeared too ordinary, hence the 300 gold.

As for Hyun’s first custom-made sword, Hyun-soo pondered a bit.

‘It’s a consumable item…’

Consumables are typically valued at about 1/10 of a permanent artifact since they eventually vanish.

People often trade artifacts for money because they can resell them to others after using them.

But this was literally like a ‘potion’. Still, considering its rarity, it was put up for a relatively high price.

[Starting the auction at 1,500 gold.]

After listing the two auction items, Hyun-soo logged out. He planned to sleep and then visit his father in the hospital the next day.

***

The next day.

Dr. Kim Jin-seop sighed and stood in front of a hospital room.

The name ‘Kang Hyun-tae’ was written on it.

He slightly opened the door, saw Kang Hyun-tae with an oxygen mask, then closed the door and walked away. Jin-seop headed straight to the administration department.

“How much is Kang Hyun-tae’s hospital bill this month?”

“About 6 million won.”

The administrative staff member made a bitter expression.

“Not long ago, he was six months behind on his payments. But recently, he paid it all off.”

A hospital isn’t a charity. When the bill was overdue, the administration had to notify Hyun-soo.

‘If you cannot pay the overdue hospital bills, you might need to transfer to another hospital.’

After receiving that notice, Hyun-soo managed to pay the bill shortly after.

“Did you hear how he got the money?”

“Yes. He sold his blacksmith shop.”

“……”

Jin-seop couldn’t continue his sentence. The nurse, also wearing a bitter expression, asked.

“Why?”

“No, nothing.”

Kim Jin-seop smiled sourly and shook his head.

He had heard some good news yesterday. A new injection developed in the United States could awaken people in vegetative states.

Of course, just because such a thing was developed, Jin-seop wouldn’t immediately recommend it.

There might be side effects.

However, this injection was announced to have ‘no side effects’ whatsoever.

Jin-seop, who understood its components and treatment principles, also concluded there were no side effects.

But two things bothered him.

One was that although many cases had woken up from vegetative states due to this treatment, there were also cases where it didn’t work.

The second was the astronomical cost of treatment, with no 100% certainty of success.

‘It won’t be easy to afford a 10 million won injection every month…’

In such a situation, he wondered if it was right as a doctor to recommend this to Hyun-soo.

‘How will he manage this month’s hospital bill…’

With a sigh, Jin-seop headed to his office.

***

Hyun-soo, after finishing all the overdue household chores, immediately went to the hospital where his father was.

The 5,000 gold he received from Colson was immediately exchanged, and he was able to somehow pay this month’s hospital bill.

At the administration department, Hyun-soo handed his card to the staff member who constantly reminded him about the hospital bill.

“This is for this month’s hospital bill.”

“Ah, yes!”

It was the nurse who had just spoken with Jin-seop.

She thought that Hyun-soo still had quite a bit of money left from selling his blacksmith shop. She quickly completed the payment and handed him the receipt.

Hyun-soo hesitated for a moment, then asked.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“How much is the VVIP room per month?”

Everyone harbors a similar sentiment. Wishing for their family to be in a better environment!

Hyun-soo felt the same.

‘After all, I’m sort of in a new class…’

Hyun-soo had heard that the earnings of high-ranking players were astronomical.

“About 2 million a month.”

“Ah, that’s expensive…”

However, the cost of using a VVIP room was prohibitively expensive. Hyun-soo left the administration department with a bitter smile and a sigh.

‘Sigh, it’s too expensive even for expensive things.’

Hyun-soo also needed money to erase his own scars.

Heading in the direction he truly wanted wasn’t easy. He opened the door to Dr. Kim Jin-seop’s office.

He entered and had the usual conversation.

Most of the conversation was about trivial matters.

What he was doing these days.

How much the treatment cost.

How his burns could be sufficiently healed, and so on.

“Ares?”

“Yes.”

Jin-seop looked somewhat puzzled. He didn’t play games due to lack of time.

But the fact that his patient was earning money through a game was quite surprising.

‘Well, these days, there are more and more people doing that.’

It made sense with another world like Ares.

“Thanks to that, I somehow managed this month’s hospital bill.”

Seeing Hyun-soo making an awkward expression, Jin-seop smiled bitterly.

“It seems you have quite a talent.”

“……Yeah.”

Hyun-soo didn’t mention that he was in a new class. He thought it wasn’t good to reveal such things, and it wasn’t in his nature either.

During their conversation, Jin-seop cautiously brought up a topic.

“There’s a new treatment for patients in a vegetative state.”

“Really?”

Hyun-soo was taken aback by this news. His heart raced wildly at the thought.

‘My father might wake up…?’

In reality, being in a vegetative state was almost like a death sentence, barring a miracle.

But now there was a treatment?

“Of course, he should take it! How, how much is it?”

“It’s about 10 million won per month.”

“……?”

However, Hyun-soo was speechless at the astronomical amount.

‘Treatment 10 million won, plus hospital bills, 16 million won…’

He was only 23 years old. It was a tremendous amount of money.

‘I can’t afford the treatment yet…’

Just then.

[The bidding time has expired.]

[Please check the final bid price.]

Hyun-soo’s phone was linked to the Ares auction house. He looked at his phone with a puzzled expression and checked the message.

First, the Orc Warrior’s Greatsword.

[The Orc Warrior’s Greatsword has been sold to user ‘Ttukjin Udon’ for 388 gold.]

The Orc Warrior’s Greatsword didn’t fetch a high price, as expected.

‘How much did Hyun’s First Custom-Made Sword sell for?’

Hyun-soo quickly checked.

[Hyun’s First Custom-Made Sword has been sold to user ‘Lord’ for 53,310 gold.]

53,000 gold. In other words, 53.3 million won.

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