Strike 64

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Lee Se-jin, the CEO of Blue Co., had one particular pastime.

It was watching the growth of user Hyun-soo.

After a month-long break, Lee Se-jin went to his office.

Holding a cup of coffee and monitoring Hyun-soo, Lee Se-jin was constantly amazed.

“Saving all 96 miners, he’s bound to receive a good reward.”

He then stroked his chin.

‘A bit of a pity, though.’

Saving the lives of 96 miners was a remarkable feat.

However, the ones Hyun-soo saved were just miners.

Rewards vary depending on who you’re dealing with.

The miners were poor, and unlike the miners’ Chief Lek who had previously bestowed a blessing on Hyun-soo, they couldn’t offer one.

‘Will Hyun-soo manage to gain much from this?’

After all, acquiring minerals for a blacksmith is always beneficial.

‘What is Hyun-soo up to now?’

Lee Se-jin observed Hyun-soo, who, despite clearing the mine dungeon, did not emerge from it.

‘What…?’

Hyun-soo, after battling and getting bloodied, walked to the center of the dungeon, leaned against the wall, and sat down.

‘Why on earth?’

Soon, as the sound of miners’ footsteps approached, Hyun-soo’s face, which was full of vigor, turned deathly.

[Swoosh-]

His arm, which fell powerlessly to the ground, reached its climax.

Miner Chief Lek cried and embraced him tightly, and the miners’ eyes reddened.

[Miner Chief Lek and 95 miners will not hesitate to risk their lives for him.]

[The reward he will receive has just become much better.]

“That trickster…?”

Lee Se-jin, initially dumbfounded, burst out laughing.

“Hahaha!”

Hyun-soo was an amusing person. He knew how to make deals and was incredibly smart.

Even now, with just a 10-minute investment, hasn’t the reward improved?

Who can criticize a user for maximizing rewards? And Hyun-soo certainly deserves it.

Lee Se-jin was shocked when he saw the notification that suddenly appeared.

[Hyun-soo User has met the conditions to receive the Lord’s Grace.]

“What?”

Lee Se-jin jumped up from his seat.

Lord’s Grace was a special title he had personally designed and created.

This S-class title targeted lords, commanders, or guild masters.

‘A blacksmith obtaining Lord’s Grace?’

Yes, this title is meant for leading classes, not for a single blacksmith.

It’s a rare, unique title, difficult to attain.

‘The NPCs must perceive him as having bestowed unforgettable gratitude.’

This must happen multiple times, including with named NPCs.

The extent of people’s affection for him also matters.

‘Hyun-soo saved Hans, the raid Chief, and his team.’

That must have been the first step.

Then there’s the Cassell domain.

‘He prevented the Cassell domain update and achieved the second step. Impressive.’

The number of NPCs Hyun-soo saved is uncountable, and they call him the ‘Savior of the Domain’.

‘And now, this place.’

However, this place doesn’t consider high-ranking NPCs.

But why did it activate?

Lee Se-jin soon found the answer.

‘The miners’ gratitude towards him is immense.’

He reflected on the previous notification.

The miners would not hesitate to risk their lives for him.

Considering that this notification didn’t sound earlier…

‘Did that recent event further amplify their feelings?’

That seems likely.

[The Lord’s Grace will be obtained when he establishes a guild, and it’s as good as already his.]

[Upon acquisition, it will activate once without fail.]

Lord’s Grace has an 8% chance of activation.

Lee Se-jin looked at Hyun-soo on the monitor.

‘Lord’s Grace is the ultimate power for guild masters.’

Hyun-soo, yet to form a guild, was set to receive this title.

The title’s effect lies in turning NPCs into vassals.

‘From gratitude to admiration, they believe they can overcome anything with him, volunteering to become his vassals.’

Vassals are NPCs that follow users and help run guilds.

But it’s hard for outsiders to win over NPCs’ hearts.

One of them will become Hyun-soo’s first vassal.

‘Lucky he’s just a miner…’

Then Lee Se-jin’s expression hardened.

‘Was he there?’

He rapidly typed on his keyboard.

Tap-tap-tap-

His theory soon became a reality.

‘There he was, a miner destined to become legendary.’

Lee Se-jin sipped his now-cold coffee with interest.

The crux of the matter was whether one of the 96 miners, a miner destined to become a legend, would be the recipient.

‘Most likely, it will activate for the one who was most deeply moved among them.’

Then, Lee Se-jin smiled.

‘What if the legendary miner and the God blacksmith meet?’

It was a laughable combination. And then another thought struck him.

Lek mentioned that the mine contained millennium iron, half-true, half-false. Lek himself never mined it, only theorized it might be there.

‘True, it is millennium iron, but it’s a mineral buried for thousands of years.’

Therefore, it’s much colder and harder than regular millennium iron.

‘But Hyun-soo, as a user, could never mine it.’

***

Hyun-soo’s plan was flawless.

‘Let’s wake up in two days’ time.’

In reality, about 16 hours. Hyun-soo used this time to completely relax.

Before reconnecting to the capsule, he recalled the rewards he obtained from the mine dungeon.

‘103 iron ores, 27 hancheol (cold iron), and 3 baeknyeonhancheol (century iron).’

The mobs in the mine dungeon dropped only minerals, no other junk items.

Having used 11 Cold Iron, Hyun-soo now had even more Cold Iron and 3 Century Iron.

‘Iron ore is about 500,000 won, Cold Iron 160,000, and each Century Iron just over 500,000 won. About 4 million won?’

Hyun-soo chuckled softly.

Of course, he planned to use the Century Iron and Cold Iron for his crafting.

‘And my level has risen by 21 to 80.’

This wouldn’t have been possible without the double experience and drop rate.

‘It’s not efficient, though.’

The Frost Mine was a special place. It was evident as Hyun-soo was the first entrant.

That’s why he could gain so much from it.

‘Spending time in the mine is inefficient.’

Hyun-soo concluded. However, it was regrettable that when a special mine with unique minerals was available, he had to forego it.

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

It was difficult to obtain both.

Hyun-soo walked towards the capsule to log in.

‘Let’s give up on the millennium iron.’

After trying and pondering, he concluded he couldn’t mine it.

Unfortunately, it seemed better to spend time on other things than on that.

[Connecting to Ares.]

When Hyun-soo awoke, he was lying in a lodging carried by the miners, the best place among the miners’ quarters.

Then Hyun-soo reopened a notification.

[Something special is about to happen to you.]

‘What could this be?’

Special? Hyun-soo was puzzled when the door opened, and miner Lek entered.

Seeing Hyun-soo awake, he approached with a joyful expression.

“Did you sleep well?”

Hyun-soo’s act was perfect. He quivered his eyes and asked.

“Are all the miners safe?”

Lek sat on his bed, placing a warm hand on Hyun-soo’s shoulder.

“Thanks to you, everyone is safe.”

He then made an unexpected request.

“And I have a favor to ask.”

Hyun-soo was puzzled. Surely Lek and the miners were to reward him, yet they were asking him for a favor?

Had something gone wrong?

Then, Lek looked at a sword, a Damascus longsword and pickaxe, lying nearby.

“May I borrow that?”

“Yes?”

Hyun-soo was perplexed.

“You’ll be leaving soon, being a blacksmith and all.”

Lek smiled broadly. Then, the door creaked open again, revealing over ninety miners lined up behind it.

“We’re going to mine today, just for you.”

The miners mining wasn’t unusual. The special part was…

“Today’s mining will be solely for you.”

“…What?”

Hyun-soo was astonished. The miners would mine for an entire day just for him, and there were over 90 of them!

But that wasn’t all.

“I thought of giving it a try with this pickaxe. Of course, I’ve tried and failed many times, but now it might be possible, with this pickaxe.”

Miner Chief Lek was one of the most outstanding among the miners here.

Giving that pickaxe to such a person would further amplify its power.

“I’ll mine millennium iron and give it to you.”

This was the best reward Lek could offer.

He bowed his head in a gesture of respect.

His demeanor had completely changed from the somewhat dismissive attitude he initially had towards Hyun-soo.

“Lend it to us, and we’ll dedicate today entirely for your cause.”

“Hyun-soo, thank you!”

“Today’s Frost Mine is yours!”

[The miners’ enthusiasm in the Frost Mine is hotter than ever.]

[Their mining rate has increased by 5% and they tire less easily.]

Today’s Frost Mine is mine.

What a nice thought. As Hyun-soo nodded, Lek and the miners erupted in cheers.

“Let’s go!”

“Let’s mine minerals for Hyun-soo!”

Hyun-soo’s heart raced.

‘Could I actually get real millennium iron?’

Century Iron is excellent, but millennium iron surpasses it?

Then, through the open door, the miners streamed out, leaving Lek and just one miner behind.

“Huh?”

Hyun-soo looked puzzled at the two who didn’t leave.

***

Lek’s son, Banya, had almost been buried in the mine but was saved.

He had heard from his father when he came back to life.

‘The blacksmith Hyun-soo saved you, and all the miners.’

It sounded like a hero’s tale. Banya had thought highly of Hyun-soo when he saw him craft an efficient pickaxe.

Now, Hyun-soo had become a hero to all the miners, and Banya admired him.

But it was strange.

Beyond admiration, an indescribable emotion stirred in him.

‘I want to be by his side.’

Banya was currently resting from a recent arm injury, though he was known as the mine’s best miner.

His rapid growth was the reason for his reputation.

He had quickly caught up to Lek’s mining speed and was considered a talent in the mine.

Banya told his father about his wish, a request that could have easily been refused, but Lek said,

‘For anyone else, I would have said no, but to serve him, it will be meaningful for you.’

With his father’s permission, Banya stepped into the room where Hyun-soo was.

***

Hyun-soo looked puzzled as Banya entered.

Banya, the kindly boy. Lek, looking at him, smiled softly and turned to walk away for mining.

Then, Banya knelt before Hyun-soo, sitting on the bed.

[Something special is happening.]

“Hyun-soo, no, my benefactor.”

[This is a result of your own making.]

“I, miner Banya, wish to follow you, Hyun-soo.”

[You have inspired more than admiration in a miner; you have invoked awe.]

“I promise. I will swing my pickaxe, mine, and gather minerals only for you. So, I ask you.”

[This is not a miracle. It is the result of your actions.]

Hyun-soo looked at Banya in surprise.

“Please accept me as your retainer.”

[Miner Banya swears eternal loyalty to you.]

[He has the potential to become a legendary miner.]

[You can accept him as your vassal.]

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