Hyun-soo couldn’t hide his astonishment.
‘A vassal?’
In the game, a vassal refers to an NPC servant, typically retained by guild masters who own territories.
There were various ways to acquire a vassal.
One could hire them for life with money or receive them as a gift from the lord of a territory or other NPCs.
‘I’ve never heard of someone volunteering to be a vassal, and to think they have the potential to become a legendary miner?’
Hyun-soo quickly regained his composure amidst his confusion.
‘If the miner becomes my vassal, could it be…?’
He weighed the efficiency of mining ores himself and working as a blacksmith.
He concluded it was a loss for him to go to the mines personally.
‘It’s a pity, surely. There will be opportunities to obtain special minerals, but I’ll miss out on them.’
However, Banya, who was kneeling, spoke up.
“I will do my best to mine the minerals you need in your stead, Master Hyun-soo.”
“Please stand up, Banya.”
Hyun-soo helped him to his feet by grabbing his shoulders.
“I still have a lot to learn.”
In reality, Hyun-soo’s level was just 80.
He needed to be at least level 100 to establish a guild.
He couldn’t roam around with Banya without having settled his own guild and base.
“You’re not going to accept me, are you….”
Banya’s eyes trembled with unease. Hyun-soo sensed a deep longing in those eyes, a desire to be with him.
“No, that’s not it. I’m simply inadequate. Once I decide on a base, I’ll send you a message. Come to that place then.”
Banya’s face brightened at those words.
Ding!
[You have taken Banya as your vassal.]
[You can now access Banya’s information.]
(Banya)
Grade: Epic
Type: Vassal
Level: 165
Attack Power: 504
Defense: 430
Mining Power: 1,672
Special Abilities:
·Passive Skill: Special Minerals.
·Passive Skill: Tireless Miner.
·Active Skill: Mineral Detection.
·Active Skill: Enhanced Mineral Effect.
Potential: 111
Current Experience: 19%
Description: Destined to become the most special miner in the world. Grows much faster and has a higher growth limit compared to other miners.
When an NPC becomes a vassal, their grade is determined.
It’s not just based on level.
Their special powers, skills in their field, potential, and various other factors are considered.
‘Banya is currently Epic.’
Vassal grades range from Normal, Rare, Epic, Unique, to Legendary.
Hyun-soo thought he’d be at least Unique grade since he’s said to be a potential legend.
That was disappointing, but seeing his potential changed his mind.
‘Potential indicates how much one can grow.’
The higher the potential, the higher the limit.
‘As far as I know, a normal vassal’s potential is around 30.’
Rare is 50.
Epic is 70.
Unique is 90.
‘111, that’s incredible…’
Banya, though currently just Epic, possessed unbelievable potential.
Of course, not everyone with high potential becomes a legend.
According to something he read, even those with a potential over 100 often fail to reach that level.
This depends on various external factors and circumstances, so it remains to be seen whether Banya will become a legend.
‘Are we growing together?’
Hyun-soo smiled lightly.
Then Banya, now his first vassal, asked with a hopeful expression.
“When can I come to you, Master Hyun-soo?”
“It won’t be long.”
Confidently, Banya replied, “Then I’ll be mining minerals for you here until I see you.”
The moment he became a vassal, Banya seemed to think only of Hyun-soo.
And Banya was no fool.
‘The more exceptional minerals Master Hyun-soo uses to craft artifacts, the more my name will rise.’
Soon, Banya set off to mine minerals for Hyun-soo.
And a day later.
Rumble…
Hyun-soo was amazed at the ores poured out by the miners.
[You have acquired 415 iron ores.]
[You have acquired 51 Cold Iron.]
The value of the minerals brought by the miners totaled about 5 million won.
‘I won’t have to worry about Cold Iron for a while. I should sell all the iron ores.’
Selling just the iron ores right away could net about 2 million won. Then, Hyun-soo looked puzzled.
“Where did Chief Miner Lek go?”
“He’s still mining millennium iron.”
Three hours later, Lek found Hyun-soo with a look of deep emotion. Thanks to the pickaxe lent by Hyun-soo, Lek had mined millennium iron that he couldn’t before. Excitedly, he said,
“Wait till you see, this millennium iron is not just ordinary. It’s been buried for over 6,000 years, hardening and absorbing cold in the ground all that time.”
Lek carefully handed over the wrapped millennium iron to Hyun-soo.
[You have acquired Millennium Iron (千年寒鐵).]
(Millennium Iron)
Grade: Unique
Requirement: Blacksmith level 300 or higher
Difficulty: Very High.
Special Abilities
· Fire Resistance Increased by 91%
· Ice Skills Upgraded to Unique Level.
· Sword Sharpness Increased by 150%.
· Sword Skill Attack Power Increased by 58%.
· Durability Upgraded to Infinite.
Description: An iron that has been buried for 6,000 years. Though it shares a name, it is incomparable to ordinary millennium iron.
‘Amazing?’
Hyun-soo was impressed. Century iron was Epic grade, and this was Unique.
Century iron’s specs were:
Fire Resistance 56%, Ice Skills Upgraded to Epic, Sword Sharpness Increased by 112%, Durability Infinite.
‘But this one far surpasses that.’
A smile formed on Hyun-soo’s lips. With this amount, he could make the shield Uncle Hyuk-su talked about.
“Thank you for everything.”
Chief Miner Lek and the other miners showed a hint of sadness as they parted from Hyun-soo.
“Feel free to come back anytime.”
“Will do.”
Before leaving the Frost Mine, Hyun-soo handed the Damascus longsword to Banya, now his vassal.
“Banya, I’d like you to use this.”
Banya was sincerely moved.
But Hyun-soo had another thought.
‘With this Damascus longsword, Banya’s mining efficiency will double, at least.’
Whether Banya knew this or not, he was visibly touched.
“Master Hyun-soo, your generosity knows no bounds. I’m so happy to serve you.”
[Banya’s Loyalty Increases.]
[You gain 1 Charisma.]
Finally, Hyun-soo entered the warp portal to exit the Frost Mine.
Exiting, he headed straight to the forge.
Before starting the creation process, Hyun-soo sent a whisper to Hyuk-su.
[Hyun-soo: It’s Hyun-soo. I’m starting the shield production now. Should be ready in about 3 days. ^_^]
[Bark: Thank you. ^^]
With a small smile, Hyun-soo rechecked the specs of the artifact Hyuk-su wanted.
[A shield with high fire resistance, and if it could have an offensive capability too, that would be great. It should not melt even in high heat. Would be nice if it could freeze everything within a 2-meter radius.]
Honestly, the requirements for a single shield were quite demanding.
Firstly, the shield Hyuk-su wanted needed to have both ‘defense and offense’ functionalities.
‘This would be tough for ordinary blacksmiths, wouldn’t it?’
It seems to require adaptability in both defense and offense.
‘I guess it’s my first time making proper armor.’
Looking at the finished blueprint of the shield, Hyun-soo smiled.
Starting the creation, he smiled again.
‘I want to gift Uncle Hyuk-su a best item.’
He was Hyun-soo’s greatest benefactor, after all.
Fortunately, Hyun-soo was confident that the shield he was creating would be the best one could imagine.
Hyun-soo started increasing the temperature of the furnace.
***
After exchanging whispers with Hyun-soo, Bark smiled slightly. However, his expression darkened while whispering with someone else. He was currently in a conversation with Vane, the blacksmith ranked 11th.
[Vane: I must inform you, Mr. Bark, the shield you requested is absolutely impossible with my current knowledge.]
Bark’s face crumpled in disappointment.
[Vane: I am the 11th ranked blacksmith, and I’ll explain why it’s impossible.]
Bark mulled over his words.
[Vane: Your requirements are too demanding. The shield needs high fire resistance, must not melt, should have strong basic defense, and also needs the ability to attack enemies.]
The absurdity was evident even from the whispers.
[Vane: Even the top-ranked blacksmith can’t make it. The biggest reason is the inability to incorporate all the desired effects. The second reason is that it’s too innovative a creation.]
[Bark: What do you mean by too innovative?]
[Vane: The reason this shield is impossible to create is that there’s no existing blueprint for such a shield in Ares.]
Bark had sought a blueprint for such a shield, even willing to pay a high price, but as Vane said, it didn’t exist.
[Vane: Ares is, after all, a game. Artifacts are born from set frameworks, predetermined blueprints. But in this case, there’s no blueprint, so it would require a blacksmith’s experience, knowledge, and adaptability. Do you think there’s a user capable of that level of knowledge and adaptability?]
Vane hit a nerve with his blunt truth.
[Vane: I believe you’re being stubborn, Mr. Bark. Our guild, Hwarang, ranked number one in South Korea, eagerly awaits a member like you, an unofficial ranker and tanker.]
Vane’s guild, Hwarang, had over a thousand members and numerous rankers. They had consistently invited Bark, known for his unofficial ranking and tanking skills.
Yet, Vane advised,
[Vane: If there’s a blacksmith capable of making such an item, I suggest joining the guild where he belongs.]
Bark’s pupils quivered. This suggestion impacted him the most.
‘A blacksmith recommending to join a guild for another blacksmith? And this coming from the 11th ranked blacksmith?’
The weight of these words sunk in deeply.
‘So it’s truly an impossible creation…?’
Bark sighed. Completing the Salamander’s dungeon and the job quest would grant him a tanker-exclusive artifact.
‘I could reach the unofficial rank of number two tanker with it.’
However, understanding Vane’s words, Bark decided to give up on getting such a shield made. Instead, he resolved to purchase a high fire-resistant armor set and shield from the auction house.
Three days later, Bark’s face twisted in frustration.
‘Damn, there’s not a single satisfying armor set or shield.’
He had already attempted the Salamander dungeon multiple times. Moreover, today was the last day for the quest, so he had to enter no matter what.
‘Am I going to lose this job quest?’
Job quests, if failed, could never be attempted again. Thus, Bark stood dejectedly in front of the Salamander’s dungeon, with a timer visible only to him floating above.
[Time left to complete the job quest: 2 hours and 32 seconds.]
‘Should I try one last attempt?’
But he quickly shook his head. It was a sure death. He wouldn’t make it halfway before dying and potentially losing levels.
Just then.
[A gift from Hyun-soo has arrived.]
A notification appeared.
Cliche Novel 
Thanks for the chapter!!
LikeLike