Hyun-soo swallowed nervously as he awaited Karl’s words.
“The quest to repair the Bell of Ramas was originally set for 30,000 gold.”
Considering the process and result, it was worth at least 150,000 gold.
Karl scattered the parchment he had been working on.
“Your bell is a unique artifact, with the special feature of wide applicability. But it’s better than unique yet not as good as legendary.”
Hyun-soo nodded in agreement.
“It’s good, but its effects don’t reach legendary level. So, we’ve appraised it at 250,000 gold.”
“2… 250,000 gold…?”
The amount of 250,000 gold stunned Hyun-soo.
In Korean currency, that was 2.5 billion. An amount that ordinary people could only dream of amassing in a lifetime.
“You are a benefactor of our Cassel territory. Normally, 180,000 gold would have been fair, but the lord put in a good word.”
[You have earned 250,000 gold.]
It was real. Hyun-soo could see the substantial amount of money in his inventory.
And Karl had more to offer.
“This is the amount from selling the gold and rewards you got for defeating the Lord of Death.”
[You have earned 78,000 gold.]
Hyun-soo couldn’t hide his gratitude for the gold generously offered.
“Benefactor of Cassel territory, I sincerely thank you.”
[Your affinity with Karl is already at MAX.]
Karl formally bowed his head. He then lifted his head and gave a sheepish smile.
“Feel free to visit Cassel territory anytime.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“By the way, the lord mentioned he’d personally grant you some minerals.”
Finally, Karl left.
Hyun-soo was in a hurry.
‘With this money, I can now get back my father’s forge!’
The total was about 328,000 gold. He could cover the rest with his own funds.
Knock-knock-
There was more. Soon, Nel entered.
Hyun-soo was curious about his own value, having created a bell surpassing Ramas’.
He asked Nel to assess it.
She was straightforward.
“We’ve finished appraising your value. Our Golden Shield Guild offers you a yearly contract of 1.2 billion won.”
It was a huge sum.
An amount beyond the reach of ordinary people, even in a lifetime.
“Of course, you’ll craft using unlimited materials provided by the Golden Shield Guild, and we promise the best industry rates for your work, at a 7:3 ratio.”
Hyun-soo felt it.
How much Nel wanted him, how desperate she was.
And she had indeed approved the industry’s highest offer.
Nel looked at him with desire-filled eyes.
Then Hyun-soo made his decision.
“I decline. Thank you for the offer.”
Nel didn’t respond.
Hyun-soo’s polite refusal left her unable to argue.
He was a shrewd player.
‘I know…’
That 1.2 billion was merely a fraction.
Top 10 players in the country earn over 10 billion a year.
Such high levels and unique players were worth unimaginably more.
Just 1.2 billion.
And at that moment, Hyun-soo made a decision. Quick-witted and clever, Nel smiled.
“People usually have a reason for refusing such amounts.”
Yes, there was a reason, and Nel knew it.
“You plan to set up your own forge.”
“Correct.”
Yes, Hyun-soo would establish his forge. Hyun’s Forge. It would eventually become a guild.
“I won’t waver even if you offer again. I’ll start small, but I believe people will gather.”
Nel didn’t respond.
Soon, Hyun-soo, who had politely nodded, moved to leave.
Then Nel spoke.
“When you establish that forge.”
Hyun-soo turned, puzzled.
“I plan to leave the Golden Shield Guild.”
His eyes widened. Smiling broadly, she faced him.
“I want to be your first guild member.”
She held back further words.
Her competence as an individual.
“I’ll support you in every way possible.”
Just like she had grown the modest Golden Shield Guild.
“I’ll make you known as the best blacksmith.”
Hyun-soo nodded and extended his hand.
“Welcome, Nel.”
Nel firmly grasped his hand.
***
After parting with Nel, Hyun-soo quickly logged out of the game.
His mind raced the moment he reached his targeted amount.
‘My father’s forge… Has construction not started yet?’
Kang Hyuk-su had promised to sell it back at its original price if construction hadn’t begun.
Luckily, Hyuk-su answered his call and even shared his plans without being asked.
-Tomorrow, I plan to sign a contract with the construction company.
Hyun-soo hadn’t missed his chance.
He arranged to meet Hyuk-su at a café and rushed there.
On the way, he had one concern.
Strictly speaking, Hyuk-su was a stranger. Hyun-soo couldn’t pinpoint why he was showing such favor.
Moreover, Hyun-soo wasn’t the type to make a fuss about having gathered the money to reclaim his father’s forge.
He wanted to slowly understand Hyuk-su’s reasons.
Of course, he had his doubts.
Doubts about being bound by some conditions, given his ability to earn such money.
They met at the café and talked.
Hyuk-su gave him the first reason, which felt sincere to Hyun-soo.
His eyes were steadfast. Those firm eyes indicated he wasn’t lying. He just wanted to give Hyun-soo a chance.
And the second reason.
“I wished for your survival.”
Hyun-soo had wanted to die.
When everything collapsed, dying seemed the only option.
“I hoped you would choose to live, to have at least one goal in that moment. To move forward for that goal. Having that would keep you going. Now, seeing the look in your eyes, I understand.”
Those words gave Hyun-soo complete trust in Hyuk-su.
And at that moment, he felt something entirely different from his past desire to die.
‘Now…’
A burning desire to live surged within him. He presented Hyuk-su the bank account with the converted money.
Hyuk-su was surprised, and Hyun-soo shed tears of gratitude.
“I will live… with more effort than others, more uniquely, more splendidly…!”
He was certain this was his way of repaying Hyuk-su’s kindness.
Hyuk-su laughed heartily.
“Ha, hahaha, hahahaha!”
After laughing for a while, Hyuk-su said.
“Well done, very well done…!”
Hyuk-su was as happy as if it were his own achievement.
He could clearly see the bright future ahead for Hyun-soo.
Hyuk-su didn’t ask how he earned the money, knowing Hyun-soo wasn’t the type to do wrong.
Things progressed quickly.
A real estate agent was called to draft the contract, and it was promptly signed.
Then, Hyun-soo went with Hyuk-su to the site of his father’s forge.
The forge that once stood there was gone.
‘The forge had burned down completely.’
The forge, once connected to Hyun-soo’s house, was now no different from a ruin.
“How much will it cost to rebuild the forge here?”
“About 600 million, including the house.”
Money was still needed, and there was no rest. But now that he was resolute, Hyun-soo nodded.
“Contact me when you need it, I’ll connect you with a construction company I know.”
“Thank you for your help.”
Hyun-soo wanted to repay Hyuk-su in some way.
He knew Hyuk-su had bought the land for investment purposes and had amassed wealth using Hyun-soo.
Whatever was built there would have succeeded.
But he only wanted to do something for Hyuk-su, who had given up those profits.
“That’s alright, I have hundreds of lands like this.”
Hyuk-su said it nonchalantly, and it was true.
“Still, I want to do something for you. Do you know the game Ares?”
Interest flickered in Hyuk-su’s eyes but vanished in an instant, so quickly that Hyun-soo didn’t notice.
“Of course, who doesn’t know that game these days?”
“I’m a blacksmith in the game Ares.”
“Oh, really? That’s the perfect profession for you, haha.”
“So, I’d like to craft an artifact for you.”
“An artifact…”
Hyuk-su, a real estate tycoon, was also an Ares player who likely indulged in in-game purchases.
He was well-equipped with impressive items.
But he nodded, accepting Hyun-soo’s offer, sensing Hyun-soo needed this to ease his mind.
“Alright, craft one for me.”
He didn’t have high expectations, given his already valuable possessions.
Hyun-soo then searched for pen and paper.
“Please write down the desired effects, type, and level of the artifact, and I’ll craft and send it to you.”
“Effects?”
A small smile appeared at the request.
“Like making a custom suit, huh? Ha-ha. I won’t specify a level, just craft something decently good.”
Hyuk-su handed over his request, which Hyun-soo carefully stored in his pocket.
“I’ll do my best to craft it.”
Hyuk-su got into his car and left, and Hyun-soo headed home.
‘I need more money…’
He needed to build the forge and a new home.
‘Oh, that’s right.’
Hyun-soo smiled, remembering Lord Kern’s promise to give him minerals.
His steps lightened as he walked home.
***
Lord Kern had heard the story.
A blacksmith, deeply immersed in his work, hadn’t slept for a week while crafting a bell, even when Kern was drowned in alcohol.
Before him, Hyun-soo knelt, looking too young for his talent.
Next to him was an elegant wooden box filled with minerals, prepared in advance.
Kern asked before giving it.
“Why did you put so much effort into this, working tirelessly without sleep?”
Hyun-soo, the foreigner, answered as if it were obvious.
“Because this territory needed it.”
Kern knew blacksmiths as uneducated fools only good at handling minerals.
He had never listened to them or cared for them as they didn’t go to war like soldiers.
They weren’t more valuable than soldiers.
This shattered his stereotype.
“We just fought together in the forge.”
It was a revelation.
The battle wasn’t just on the blood-soaked fields of war; Hyun-soo had shown him another kind of battle.
“I see.”
Kern smiled slightly. He knew the usual demands of blacksmiths.
How much will you pay?
What will you do for me?
Will you employ me in the castle if I produce rare items? But Hyun-soo was different.
“You are a master craftsman.”
Kern said, smiling.
“Karl, bring it here.”
His mind had changed.
Karl had pretended not to know about the mineral, and Kern himself thought the ‘special mineral’ was something else.
But he realized the real reason Dang sent him.
A treasure passed down through generations.
A mere stone, long inherited but ultimately neglected in storage.
Karl handed Kern the dusty box.
***
Hyun-soo watched as Kern descended the stairs.
[The reward has changed.]
An unexpected notification sounded.
Kern, standing before him, opened the dusty box.
“A fitting gift for you.”
Then another notification arrived.
[You have acquired the lowest grade legendary mineral, Orichalcum.]
Cliche Novel 
Thanks for the chapter
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