Strike 53

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Barad nearly let out an exclamation of awe involuntarily.

He was well aware of the power held by true skill.

It was the most pure form of power a human could possess, a force with boundless potential.

A power incomparable to mere chance or temporary strength.

‘True skill is the strongest weapon, always yielding the most consistent results.’

Barad felt an inexplicable pounding in his heart as he looked at Hyun-soo.

‘A blacksmith who can confidently speak of skill in front of me.’

He clenched his hand resting on the armrest of his chair.

He, too, knew the power of skill, having witnessed it first-hand and risen to his position through it.

Barad watched Hyun-soo with a wry smile.

“You possess the finest weapon.”

At that moment, Barad yearned to walk. No one had ever satisfied him with a sword they made.

“Time is running out…”

Soon, he would be unable to do what must be done.

“I’ll put your skill to the test, Blacksmith Hyun. I request, no.”

Barad’s eyes calmed down.

His eyes, deep as a serene lake, gazed into Hyun-soo’s.

“I entrust you with the task of forging my sword.”

It was the best courtesy the king, who had once ignored him, could offer.

[Your intimacy with King Barad increases.]

[Your proficiency in Beginner Sword Mastery Lv.2 increases by 45%.]

[You gain 20 Fame.]

Hyun-soo was surprised by the notification.

‘Increasing intimacy alone boosts Sword Mastery and Fame…?’

Upon reflection, he understood why.

‘King Barad is a king, after all…’

The Goyard Kingdom, a small realm, was respected because of King Barad.

Becoming close with such a king was a reward in itself.

‘What happens when it reaches MAX?’

He felt an unexpected sense of anticipation.

A notification appeared immediately.

Ding!

[Linked Quest: The King’s Trial Completed]

He ordered his retainer.

“Bring all the real materials left.”

The retainer soon placed materials in a golden box before Hyun-soo.

“I’ll give you two weeks. During this time, draw out the maximum fire resistance of this metal. It must contain the power to defeat monsters with high fire attributes.”

[Linked Quest: The King’s Crafting Request]

Rank: S

Requirement: Recognition by the King

Reward: ???

Penalty for Failure: Banishment from the Goyard Kingdom.

Description: King Barad of the Goyard Kingdom requests the crafting of a sword.

Hyun-soo looked puzzled upon receiving the quest.

The reward was listed as ???.

Barad leaned forward confidently, smiling.

“Every sword you’ve made will be duly rewarded. And remember.”

Barad smiled confidently.

“Power comes from skill, blacksmith. Don’t forget I am the king. If you satisfy me…”

He smirked.

“Then tell me, what is it you desire?”

“…!”

Hyun-soo was startled by his confident expression.

‘What can I gain if I satisfy the king?’

His heart fluttered with excitement, but only if he could satisfy the king.

He then opened the golden box before him.

[You acquire the Epic Metal Century Cold Iron.]

Reality matched his expectations. The quality of the metal varied with time.

‘The metal I just used was of the lowest grade.’

And then there’s Century Cold Iron, Millennium Cold Iron, and eventually, Eon Cold Iron.

The Century Cold Iron, far superior to what he used before, was the material for the king’s sword.

Hyun-soo assessed the amount of Century Cold Iron.

‘Enough for about three swords.’

He checked the information.

(Century Cold Iron)

Rank: Epic

Requirement: Blacksmith level 250 or above

Difficulty: Moderately high.

Special Abilities

· Increase in fire resistance by 56%

· Ice-related skills enhance up to epic level.

· Sword cutting power increased by 112%.

· Durability increases indefinitely.

· Sword skill attack power increased by 35%.

· Durability increases indefinitely.

Description: Far superior to regular Cold Iron, having absorbed intense cold from being buried in icy ground for over a century.

‘Incredible…’

Hyun-soo couldn’t help but laugh.

Literally, it’s a crazy mineral. This mineral is especially efficient for sword making.

‘A 112% increase in cutting power?’

After confirming this, Barad spoke.

“To satisfy me, those effects must be close to their maximum. The fire resistance should be above 45%.”

“I understand.”

Hyun-soo suddenly had a question.

“If there are leftover materials after making a sword that satisfies Your Highness, may I use the rest?”

For the first time, Barad frowned.

“No.”

His response was firm. He crossed his legs and, looking at Hyun-soo, said,

“If I am satisfied, instead, I will take you to the place where you can mine more of this mineral.”

It was a more shocking proposal.

The challenge was clear: to satisfy the king.

‘An epic. The sword must be of that rank.’

Soon, Barad spoke loudly.

“Vice-Captain Bella, come in.”

A woman entered shortly after the door opened.

She was truly a beautiful lady.

Her black hair and Western features were in perfect harmony, and her pale skin was admirable.

Her contrasting silver eyes added a mysterious aura.

[Bella Lv.301]

Her level was also remarkably high.

“While you work on the sword, Bella will assist you. Step out for a moment, I have matters to discuss with Bella.”

Hyun-soo stepped outside.

After about five minutes, Vice-Captain Bella emerged.

“I will guide you.”

With a cold expression, Bella led Hyun-soo to the forge.

***

Upon arriving at the forge, Hyun-soo observed Bella, the vice-captain, positioned to one side.

‘A role of surveillance?’

Hyun-soo chuckled bitterly. There was a slight disappointment towards Barad, but it was understandable.

Then.

[The doorbell is ringing.]

The doorbell in reality and the VVIP virtual reality capsule were connected.

Someone had rung the bell at Hyun-soo’s house.

“I’ll return to the world I live in.”

Bella, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, nodded slightly.

[You have logged out.]

Back in reality, Hyun-soo heard the doorbell ring again.

Opening the door, he saw the landlady smiling awkwardly.

“Hello.”

“Hyun-soo, you were home?”

Hyun-soo lived in a small studio on the second floor of a detached house.

“Hyun-soo, I’m sorry to say this. My husband’s been out of work lately, so we’ve decided to sell this house.”

Landlady Mrs. Kim Hye-sook looked bitter.

Hyun-soo smiled awkwardly.

“No need to apologize, I should be the one sorry. I’ve often been late on rent, and I’m living here much cheaper than the market rate.”

Hyun-soo understood the essence of Mrs. Hye-sook’s words.

Once the house was sold, the new landlord might not be as understanding.

Hyun-soo was living at almost half the market rate.

Originally, when he started falling behind on rent, Mrs. Hye-sook had kindly reduced it.

“When should I move out?”

“In about two weeks… I’m ashamed to face you, Hyun-soo.”

“Don’t say that, I’ve lived very comfortably here.”

Indeed, he had. The landlady often brought him leftover side dishes and treats.

The landlord was always cheerful, occasionally giving him rides to the hospital.

“A friend of my husband runs a factory with decent wages, want me to refer you, Hyun-soo?”

To others, it might seem nosy, but Hyun-soo politely declined.

At least Mrs. Hye-sook had the right to be concerned.

Hyun-soo smiled as cheerfully as possible at the apologetic landlady.

“It’s okay, I’ve found a job.”

“Really?”

Mrs. Hye-sook’s face brightened as if it were her own business.

“Yes.”

“Can I ask what kind of job?”

“…The one I do best.”

Mrs. Hye-sook looked puzzled.

“I’ll find another place within two weeks. Thank you for everything.”

“Oh dear, at least let me give you some fruit.”

“I still have some from last time.”

After a few more words, Mrs. Hye-sook seemed hesitant to say something.

“It’s okay.”

Encouraged by Hyun-soo’s smile, Mrs. Hye-sook rambled.

“You know, Hyun-soo, sometimes I feel bad because you’re too polite. I wish you were more like other kids your age… Oh, what am I saying? I better go now.”

Mrs. Hye-sook hurriedly left.

After she left, Hyun-soo closed the door and entered his room, chuckling bitterly.

“Two weeks…”

Looking around the small room, a sense of emptiness washed over him. The capsule occupied half of his tiny 5-pyeong room with an attached bathroom.

Although he had earned a lot of money, it was all spent.

But the sadder part was something else.

Just then, a call from Jihoon came in.

– What are you doing?

“Just here, why?”

“Why, mom made some side dishes, and the stir-fried anchovies and soy sauce braised dishes are fantastic. When should I bring them over?”

“…”

Hyun-soo was momentarily lost for words.

-When should I come? Just say.

“Thanks.”

-Huh? Dude, did you level up your ‘awkwardness skill’? Oh… I feel like throwing up… Gotta go, I’m about to puke. Anyway, I’ll bring the side dishes tomorrow.

Jihoon hurriedly hung up, seeming embarrassed. Hyun-soo looked somber. He was grateful to those who helped him but also felt a sense of patheticness.

Then another call came in. It was Kim Hye-in.

-Hyun-soo, what are you doing? I just thought of a really interesting story.

“Just here.”

-Hmm? Why does your voice sound like that?

Hyun-soo had never actually met Hye-in. Maybe that’s why his true feelings were slipping out. He didn’t talk about the events he had experienced. Just about the gratitude he felt and the bitterness of his mood.

-…So you feel pathetic.

“Yes, I’m grateful, but I feel terrible.”

There was silence on the other end of the line, then she spoke softly.

-Just give back, Hyun-soo. You have the ability to do that.

Her words seemed to give him an unknown strength.

-Hyun-soo, you are the most valuable person in Ares, in my opinion. That’s why I decided to be your first guild member.

It was strange. Her words of comfort brought a small smile to his face.

-Once you complete this sword quest, you might be able to give back.

‘Repay…’

Yes, that could be possible.

No, he would make it possible. If Barad is satisfied, the value will be beyond imagination.

Then he became curious.

“What were you going to say?”

She had mentioned she thought of an interesting story.

-You believe that satisfying King Barad will bring you a huge reward, right?

“Of course.”

-But that’s just the primary reward. There’s something even more valuable.

“More valuable?”

Hyun-soo looked puzzled. More valuable than a huge sum of money?

Hye-in spoke excitedly.

-King Barad is one of the most influential NPCs in the current Korean server. His appearance makes headlines in game channels, and just meeting him excites players and fills communities with his stories.

That was certainly true.

The power of a king-like NPC is beyond our imagination.

-And the new sword Barad will acquire will be engraved with ‘Hyun’ (現).

“…Uh.”

Hyun-soo understood what she was implying.

-Can you imagine? The reaction of players seeing the word ‘Hyun’ engraved on the sword he wields?

No, it’s hard to even imagine.

-This will be the first big step in branding ‘Hyun.’

Hyun-soo’s fist clenched tightly. He felt an indescribable thrill in his chest.

-Now you see? Your craftsmanship can change a lot. What are you doing?

She spoke with a powerful voice.

-Go change your life right now.

Hyun-soo logged into Ares. To change his life.

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