Strike 58

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“A million gold. That’s the value set by our royal family.”

The price for Hyun’s sixth custom-made sword was a million gold.

Upon hearing this, Hyun’s heart raced.

He had thought even 500,000 gold would be enough.

‘A million gold is like a billion in Korean Won…!’

In about two weeks of game time, which was roughly 4-5 days in reality, Hyun had made an astronomical amount of money.

“Please pass this on.”

Barad wrote the amount on a parchment resembling a check and handed it to his servant.

[You have received 1,017,600 gold.]

Hyun was in awe. Watching him, Barad smiled softly.

“I told the prime minister to add an extra 30%.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Hyun realized that his one death had brought in more than 300 million Won in value.

And surprisingly, the rewards didn’t end there.

Barad looked at Hyun and descended the steps.

“I think I’ll try to live as vigorously as you suggested, so I won’t feel ashamed when I meet my son in heaven.”

Soon, Barad was standing in front of Hyun.

“I hope you continue to live strongly, just as you wish, to awaken your father.”

Barad envied Hyun for holding onto the hope that he might one day awaken his father.

He also supported him in this endeavor.

Hoping that Hyun would indeed save his father.

So, he made an offer.

“Would you visit me from time to time?”

Barad thought he’d be curious with each passing season.

About Hyun’s news, his stories.

“I’d like you to drop by and tell me about your experiences, the people you’ve met, just like that, without any pretense.”

Of course, he would also suggest that Hyun stay with him.

“Would you do that?”

Hyun smiled in response.

“Yes, I would like to hear your stories too, Your Majesty, when I visit.”

A smile formed on Barad’s lips. Until just now, he had been considering granting Hyun another reward.

It was a blessing.

A special power that high-ranking NPCs could bestow upon outsiders.

In Hyun’s case, he had received the Hero’s Blessing from Captain Hans.

And the nature of these blessings varied depending on who bestowed them.

Barad had intended to grant the substantial ‘Sword’s Blessing’.

But their conversation changed his mind.

‘Beings who share their stories without pretense.’

Barad knew what to call such beings.

He had always referred to him as Smith Hyun.

Now, it was different.

“Let’s do just that. Hyun.”

Hyun looked into his deep eyes.

Just the change in how he addressed him made Hyun feel a significant shift in their relationship.

At the same time, Barad reached out his hand, and Hyun grasped it.

“I would like to call you a friend.”

[You have received the Friend’s Blessing.]

[All stats increase by 8.]

[Sword attack power increases by 15%, cutting ability by 10%, and piercing ability by 10%.]

Hearing the notification, Hyun was amazed.

‘All stats increased by 8…?’

The effects on his sword skills had also increased tremendously.

‘I’ve become much stronger with this creation.’

When Hyun made a legendary-grade sword, he was able to increase all his stats by 6, dexterity by 100, and fame by 300.

During the crafting period, he had achieved the remarkable feat of increasing his total stats by 16.

But Barad’s reward didn’t end there.

“I may call you a friend, but I can’t come running every time you call, nor do I intend to give you everything you desire.”

But Hyun wasn’t upset by these words.

A friend meant someone to share unpretentious conversations with.

Hyun liked the idea and didn’t expect more.

But there was more.

“So, I’ll offer you just one thing.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to give anything; Barad intended to offer something of great value.

“I will pass on my swordsmanship to you.”

Ding!

[Skill Quest: Sword King’s Technique]

Grade: S

Requirement: Accept Barad’s offer.

Reward: Sword King’s Technique.

Penalty for Failure: Decreased closeness with Barad.

Description: Sword King Barad. Let’s learn his swordsmanship through training. Achieving over 70% in training will grant the skill.

“The sword techniques I’ll teach you will vary depending on how far you progress in your training. Even at 70%, it’ll be quite impressive.”

It was the Sword King’s technique, the highest skill from the greatest existing NPC.

“We’ll start in two days.”

After this, Hyun immediately left the audience chamber and logged out.

[You have logged out.]

After logging out, Hyun promptly exchanged his earnings for cash.

The 1.017 billion Won he earned this time, combined with the money from the Goyard Super Rookie Contest, totaled up to 1.03 billion Won.

First, Hyun went to the bank to set his account limit to the maximum, and then he stopped by a department store.

After shopping for various items, he visited the administrative office at the hospital to upgrade his father’s room to a VVIP suite.

Later, he met with Hosuk and deposited 1 billion Won into the hospital’s bank account.

Hosuk was visibly shocked upon checking the transaction.

At that moment, Hyun handed him a shopping bag from the department store.

“I knew about it, that Manager Hosuk was always preventing them from firing me.”

Hosuk had initially come to tell Hyun not to show off just because he had made some money.

Inside the shopping bag Hyun handed over was a shirt.

Seeing the shirt, Hosuk was momentarily speechless.

‘How did he make this money?’

But he chuckled bitterly, confident that Hyun hadn’t made the money through wrongdoing.

“People usually don’t accept these at hospitals, but please take it.”

Hosuk felt embarrassed at that moment.

He moved Hyun’s father, Kang Hyun-tae, to the VVIP suite.

Hyun then gave small gifts to the nurses and left a little plant in Doctor Jin-seop’s office.

As he was about to leave through the automatic doors, Hosuk ran up to him.

“Hyun, I’m so proud of you. You’ve done well.”

That was Hosuk’s sincere sentiment. Hyun bowed in gratitude and left the hospital.

After leaving the hospital, Hyun called up Ji-hoon.

“Why did you call me?”

“I wanted to treat you to a meal.”

“A meal? What are you getting? Kimbap Heaven?”

Ten minutes later.

Sizzle sizzle-

“Wow, Kang Hyun is treating me to Korean beef. I never thought I’d see the day. Munch munch.”

Watching Ji-hoon devour the Korean beef, Hyun felt like he was repaying him for all the support he’d received.

He presented Ji-hoon with a pair of shoes for an upcoming interview.

“Wait, these are Bermes shoes?”

Ji-hoon was astonished. Bermes, a luxury brand known only to the wealthy!

“Bro, I’ll serve you for life.”

“Alright, do well.”

After meeting Ji-hoon, Hyun withdrew some cash.

There was one last person he needed to repay. Hyun headed towards his home.

***

Mrs. Kim Hye-sook, the owner of the small two-story house, was packing various side dishes.

“Why are you packing so many side dishes? Who are they for?”

“Who else? For Hyun, the young man living on the second floor.”

Her husband joined in.

“Pack a lot of soy sauce braised beef, and some green onion kimchi too.”

While packing, Hye-sook sighed.

“I feel so bad for young Hyun.”

Hye-sook had known Hyun for a long time and now had to sell the house.

“If only my back hadn’t given out.”

Her husband patted his back. Their financial situation was tough too.

Why else would they sell the house they had for so long?

“He’s such a dear boy. I wonder where he’ll go.”

Just then.

Ding-dong-

The doorbell rang.

“Who could it be at this hour?”

Hye-sook, puzzled, went outside and saw Hyun standing there, neatly dressed.

“I was just packing some side dishes for you, Hyun. What’s up?”

Then, Hyun cautiously handed her an envelope.

Hye-sook was shocked to see it was filled with a significant amount of money.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the rent I owe you for letting me stay at half price.”

“What?”

Hye-sook pushed the envelope back into Hyun’s hands.

“Ah, stop it. You don’t need to do this. Just go and live well, Hyun.”

But Hyun said,

“I’ve made a lot of money recently, and I think I’ll keep making more. Enough to pay for my dad’s and my treatments.”

Hye-sook was greatly surprised.

She had always believed Hyun wouldn’t do anything wrong.

When Hyun explained his job, Hye-sook clapped her hands.

“Oh my, that’s wonderful! So proud!”

Hye-sook genuinely embraced Hyun in happiness.

“What!? Our Hyun has become rich!?”

“I still have debts to pay, but I think I’ll manage soon.”

“Good for you, I knew you’d do well, hahaha!”

Kim Hye-sook sincerely congratulated Hyun on his success and, as usual, packed him a bundle of homemade side dishes.

Carrying the side dishes back to his modest home, Hyun smiled to himself.

‘I’ve finally got some security.’

Confidence that he could make a lot of money.

So, he decided it was okay to spend a bit more.

He chose to move out of his basement studio and temporarily stay in a newly built apartment nearby.

Now, he needed to focus on his next steps.

‘First, I’ll master the Sword King’s technique, then visit the once-in-a-century mine, and after that, take my first custom order from a user.’

The first custom order.

This would be a turning point for Hyun’s forge in the auction house.

‘The Sword King’s technique…’

Hyun logged into Ares.

***

As soon as Barad’s health improved, he insisted on attending the speech ceremony.

The ceremony was a significant festival in the Goyard Kingdom, but Barad usually didn’t attend.

[Why is Barad attending the ceremony?]

[What’s Barad?]

[Barad’s style LOL.]

The ceremony was also streamed online.

Barad, though an NPC, was voted as the coolest NPC in Ares.

To see him, citizens and players alike gathered, and the live stream audience reached 50,000.

Bella, watching King Barad, couldn’t understand.

‘Why is he attending the ceremony when he’s not well?’

She knew he was planning to teach Hyun swordsmanship right after a couple of days rest.

When many were eagerly waiting for Barad’s appearance, he walked onto the stage in his silver full plate armor.

Barad.

The word ‘friend’ was unfamiliar to him.

But he felt at ease with Hyun, and he supported his future.

He also felt supported by Hyun. Wasn’t this what friends were?

Barad was smart and knew how to reciprocate.

[Wow, Barad is here!]

[He looks amazing.]

[Wow, the viewers have already hit 70,000.]

Barad walked forward, placing his sword scabbard on the table for all to see, with the character ‘Hyun’ prominently displayed.

He then looked around at the people.

“I’ll begin the speech.”

Bella was astounded.

‘Could it be…?’

What does a blacksmith need the most?

It’s for the world to know about a master craftsman who can create exceptional weapons and armor.

[Hey, did Barad change his sword?]

[What’s that sword? Is that frost on it for real?]

The broadcast team noticed and began to zoom in on the sword.

The close-up revealed the name on the scabbard.

Hyun.

[Hyun? Who’s Hyun?]

[No way, the blacksmith who made Barad’s sword is Hyun?]

At that moment, the subscriber count for Hyun’s forge began to rise rapidly, and articles started popping up online.

[Shocking. Sword King Barad’s swordsmith: Blacksmith Hyun!]

[Who is Blacksmith Hyun?]

On the search engine Neiba.

For an hour, the name ‘Blacksmith Hyun’ spiked to the 19th spot in the trending searches.

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