Strike 54

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In the Kingdom of Goyard, the Deputy Commander of the Knights is Bella.

Leading the Second Knight Division, she is recognized as a prodigy within the kingdom.

Known also as “The Divine,” Bella’s ascent to the position of Deputy Commander at the mere age of 21 is a testament to her exceptional abilities.

Bella often handles various tasks directed by King Barad.

She overheard a conversation between King Barad and Hyun-soo just outside the door.

The King had commissioned Hyun-soo, a renowned blacksmith, to craft a long-awaited sword.

After dismissing Hyun-soo, the King called her over.

“Bella, I plan to depart for the Dragon’s Nest soon,” said the King with a wry smile.

“I wish for you to bring me the sword crafted by Hyun-soo. Being a blacksmith’s daughter, you’re well-informed about this.”

Bella had more expertise in blacksmithing than other knights.

“Crafting a high-grade sword is no easy task.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty,” Bella responded.

She had once mentioned to the King her knowledge about desirable swords.

There were many famous swords in the world, but few possessed the unique qualities the King desired.

“The blacksmiths claim that only one in a hundred swords crafted is of the rare grade,” she explained.

This was an average estimation.

“An epic-grade sword is one in five hundred, and a unique-grade sword might be crafted once in a lifetime.”

The King chuckled.

“This means for every rare sword, there are ninety-nine ordinary ones, and for every epic sword, four hundred and ninety-nine common swords.”

The probability of crafting a unique-grade sword was even more elusive.

“That’s why I couldn’t acquire such a sword, but I hold a glimmer of hope.”

What was the King’s expectation?

“He’s a blacksmith who believes in the power of his own skill. Every human has innate talents.”

Both King Barad and Bella standing before him were living proof of this.

The power that elevates even the skilled to greater heights.

“The blacksmith dared to speak of skill before me, so I am curious to see it.”

Bella sensed something in his voice.

The King regarded this raid on the Dragon’s Nest as his final challenge.

That’s why he had boldly provided all the necessary materials.

“Perhaps I’m reaching my limits. But how far can his skills go? I’m curious.”

Bella asked, “What kind of sword do you expect him to craft?”

“A Century Cold Iron is a special material. It’s capable of disrupting the ratio of one rare sword in a hundred.”

That’s why people were fascinated by unique minerals.

“If I were to be greedy, I’d want a sword of unique grade. A grade that even lifelong blacksmiths might never achieve.”

A hint of bitterness was in his voice.

Only three swords could be made from the remaining material.

“Of course, it’s a wishful thinking. If he can craft an epic-grade sword maximizing the power of the Century Cold Iron, with maximum fire resistance, I’d be satisfied. That alone would prove his claim.”

A sword one in five hundred, embedded with the desired fire attributes.

“If not, then it’s a matter of my own skill, Bella.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Go and witness the power of this skill he boasts of,” the King said with a hint of hope.

“Is he a blacksmith capable of defying the odds of one in five hundred? And after he completes a satisfactory sword, rush to the Dragon’s Nest with it. Until then, I’ll manage with the sword Kurs made.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Bella immediately took Hyun-soo to the royal blacksmith.

She gave a nod to Hyun-soo, who had just returned from his own world.

‘To speak so boldly before the King…’

Was it arrogance or confidence?

Bella sighed, thinking of the King.

“Please return safely.”

The King had already failed twice in his challenges. This was his last attempt.

King Barad, too, had experienced failure.

She felt concerned.

‘Is the King desperate, but is he the same?’

Such determination sometimes leads to the best outcomes.

And then Hyun-soo returned.

He clenched his fist, having made an unspoken declaration.

“This sword might change my life.”

“…That’s a good mindset,” Bella remarked with interest.

Hyun-soo, invigorated after his call with Nel, activated his Divine Customization.

[Beginning Divine Customization.]

“His Majesty wishes for the fire resistance to be raised above 45%, right?” Hyun-soo confirmed with Bella.

“That’s correct.”

“I’ll try to maximize it.”

Hyun-soo reviewed the information on the Century Cold Iron again and its effects.

Fire Resistance Increase: 56%

Ice Skill Enhancement up to Epic.

Sword Cutting Power Increase: 112%

Durability Increase: Infinite.

Sword Attack Power Increase: 35%.

The maximum values were indicated in the minerals or crafting instructions.

This maximum value is not absolute, as it can be overridden by factors like the user’s level and the power of their skills.

‘Greatly enhance the fire resistance.’

[Enhancing the fire resistance to a great extent is not easy.]

[Compromising on durability, cutting power, and sword skill attack power for the crafting.]

Hyun-soo made careful adjustments.

High durability wasn’t essential, and while high cutting power and sword skill attack power would be nice, they weren’t necessary.

The presence of ice power means additional damage can be inflicted when encountering fire resistance.

So, focusing solely on fire attributes could yield even more impressive results.

Hyun-soo finally placed the materials in the furnace for crafting.

Bella, standing to the side, said, “As soon as a decent sword is crafted, I’ll immediately deliver it to His Majesty King Barad.”

“Understood. Even if a decent sword is crafted on the first try, I should continue crafting, right?”

“Yes.”

“It seems you’ll be quite busy then.”

Bella looked puzzled.

Busy?

She soon understood the implication.

King Barad wanted her to bring any epic-grade swords immediately.

Hyun-soo’s comment implied she might need to make several rapid trips.

He certainly wasn’t lacking in confidence.

‘Let’s see how it turns out?’

Her father wasn’t outstanding, but he was a competent blacksmith.

Having been exposed to blacksmithing from a young age, she could discern the level of craftsmanship.

Bella watched him calmly, with a composed gaze.

***

The Dragon’s Nest in Ares is known as one of the most challenging hunting grounds.

It’s a place recognized for hunters between levels 300 to 450.

Within the Dragon’s Nest, the difficulty varies significantly from one area to another.

The spot King Barad entered was the most challenging area, the Ifrit’s Tomb.

A hunting ground that can’t be contemplated by those below level 400.

Until now, no outsiders had ventured here.

Or rather, those who did enter usually perished right at the entrance.

On the fourth day in Ifrit’s Tomb, Barad’s face contorted during a fierce battle.

His sword melted upon contact with a warrior of flame.

Drip, drip-drip.

The molten sword was of rare grade.

Barad then drew another sword from his back and cut down his enemies.

After the battle, he stared blankly at his sword.

‘…It’s melting.’

This second sword, also of rare grade, had a fire resistance of 25%.

Considering its attack power and other attributes, it was an excellent sword.

But swords of a higher grade were easily attainable if desired.

The issue was that the monsters in the Dragon’s Nest possessed the ‘power to melt weapons.’

Thus, a sword with high fire resistance was essential.

Moreover, a hunting ground of this level wasn’t particularly challenging for Barad.

The real problem was the extreme heat.

The high temperature that could melt swords was proof enough.

And the immense thirst it brought.

He turned around.

‘I can’t go any further.’

His weapon was destroyed, and any further steps would lead to certain death.

‘…Am I ultimately unable to do this?’

Barad trembled feebly.

His obsession with the Dragon’s Nest and sword crafting had a reason.

‘The one who killed my son is at the end of this…’

As Barad turned around in despair, he saw a woman rushing towards him.

“…?”

It was Bella.

Barad’s face crumpled.

“Bella, didn’t I specifically tell you to come find me when a good sword was crafted!?”

Bella, who had run hurriedly, soon shook her head.

“I’ve come because a good sword has been crafted.”

“…What!? Already?”

How many days had passed? Four? Five?

It was enough time to craft the first sword.

A sword that satisfied him on the first try?

At that moment, Bella presented the sword.

“Here’s the first sword. Please check it.”

As Barad grasped the sword, he felt a sensation spreading through his body.

It was cold. In this intense heat, the sword wrapped his body in chill.

The sweat that had been pouring like rain stopped, and the thirst that had dried his throat faded away.

Just as he was about to examine the sword.

Barad noticed a giant magma golem falling from the sky.

A magma golem, native only to this place, was made entirely of molten lava.

One touch could melt a person, leaving only bones.

“Bella, get out of the way!”

It was dangerous. The golem was plummeting down, aiming for Bella.

But it was too late. Bella was already beneath the falling creature.

Then Bella shouted.

“Your Majesty, strike it!”

Barad and her eyes met.

He heard her voice and sliced through the lava-covered magma golem.

[Attacking fire attribute monsters will imbue ice attribute power.]

[Against ice attribute monsters, the attack power increases by 75%.]

With a crackling sound, the level 420 magma golem, boasting high defense and made of hot magma, began to freeze from the cut section, turning completely into an ice statue.

Barad, looking at the fallen magma golem, examined the sword with amazement.

“Is this the first sword that was crafted?”

His heart fluttered as he checked.

(Hyun’s Fourth Custom-made Sword)

Grade: Epic

Durability: 3,000/3,000

Attack Power: 351

Restrictions: None for the creator, Levels 200-450

Special Abilities:

· 98% Fire Resistance

· 25% Increase in Ice Attack Power

· 75% Increase in Ice Attack Power against Fire Attribute Monsters

Description: The fourth custom-crafted sword made by Hyun for King Barad.

“…?”

Barad looked puzzled.

‘I only asked for fire resistance above 45%…’

But 98% fire resistance?

Moreover, it had a synergistic effect against fire attribute monsters, increasing the attack power by 75%.

The reason the golem froze when he swung the sword was due to the increased ice attack power.

Bella then said something even more astonishing.

“The second sword will maximize the power of the ice. His Majesty can choose as he pleases, he said.”

What was this incredible confidence?

Yet, this artifact in his hand was proving that confidence.

And Bella continued.

“I asked him, ‘How many rare swords can you make out of a hundred?'”

Average blacksmiths produce one rare sword for every hundred.

“He answered, ‘I’ve never crafted an ordinary-grade artifact.'”

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