Strike 67

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[You have hunted the avatar of the Fire Queen.]

[Job Quest: Conquering the Salamander’s Dungeon completed.]

[Acquired the Dragonfire Armor Set.]

Bark, emerging from the dungeon, had finally obtained the gear he desired.

The set, consisting of armor, helmet, and gauntlets, was all epic artifacts and triggered a set effect.

‘Thanks to the set effect, I can harness the power of unique artifacts.’

However, Bark knew, even after clearing this job quest, he couldn’t claim the top spot in the tank rankings.

‘The top tank, Balron, is in an epic class and about 30 levels higher than me.’

For Bark, a player of a normal class, this was an insurmountable barrier.

At that moment, waiting to warp out of the collapsing dungeon, Bark looked puzzled.

‘What’s going on? Why can’t I log out?’

Suddenly, a sense of unease crept up behind him. The avatar of the Fire Queen had warned him.

If he didn’t mention the blacksmith’s name, he might be pursued.

‘Could it be…?’

Was he trapped here?

Then, an unexpected notification came.

Ding!

[Hidden Piece. Hidden Qualification Test completed.]

“…?”

Bark looked puzzled. A qualification test?

More notifications flashed.

[You didn’t reveal your comrade’s name despite being in danger.]

[A tank is a job that not only protects oneself but also possesses the mental strength to safeguard allies.]

[You have proven yourself as an outstanding tank.]

[Congratulations.]

[Hidden Class. You can now change to the class of the Growing One.]

[The Growing One is an epic class.]

[The more you protect your allies and achieve for them, the higher you will rise.]

Bark was amazed. The Salamander’s Dungeon and the avatar of the Fire Queen were related to the tank’s job quest all along.

The avatar hadn’t asked about the artifact out of greed.

Perhaps it was testing him, asking for the name of someone dear to Bark.

[You have changed to the Epic Class, the Growing One.]

[The Growing One can aspire to legendary status.]

[All stats will be redistributed with 200 bonus points applied evenly.]

[Skills will change, granting you greater power.]

[The Growing One is a special job that protects loved ones.]

[You haven’t joined a guild yet.]

[Joining a guild is recommended.]

“Ha, hahaha!”

Bark burst into laughter. A legendary class. A class superior to any other.

Of course, he didn’t know whether it would take him two years or three to change to a legendary class.

But the merit of his job continually growing was too attractive.

[Exiting Salamander’s Dungeon.]

Immediately warped out, Bark stepped outside the dungeon with a trembling heart.

He had a place he must go to.

[Bark: Hyun-soo, where are you? I have something important to tell you.]

Bark waited for a response.

***

Nel was a businesswoman.

Her primary goal was to make Hyun-soo the most famous blacksmith in the country.

She was analytical and possessed a colder sense of judgment than anyone else.

After deciding to form a guild, she said:

“We’ll start as a small, elite group.”

Most guilds set conditions for joining.

The reason for setting joining conditions is to allow guild members to mingle freely within the guild.

If there’s a big level difference, they usually don’t mix well.

It also makes it harder to reach the guild’s goals.

Nel, who met Hyun-soo to discuss guild-related matters, smirked.

“You might change.”

Hyun-soo had told her about making the artifact for Bark. And Nel’s biggest concern was this:

“He’s a businessman, you know.”

Of course, Nel didn’t know him. But she had seen many businessmen in her life.

Hyun-soo was more valuable than a goose that lays golden eggs.

His value was beyond imagination.

“Maybe he will come to Hyun-soo and propose to form a guild. He would be the guild leader. That would be the most beneficial move for him business-wise.”

Nel saw the businessman only through the eyes of a businesswoman.

Rather than focusing on her relationship with Hyun-soo and Bark, she strives to guide him on the right path.

It might be overstepping, but it’s about being stern to make him the best.

“He’s not like that to me.”

But Hyun-soo smiles confidently, dismissing her concern.

Nel shakes her head.

“Whether to accept him as a guild member is up to Hyun-soo, but it’s also important to consider if he’s really needed in our guild.”

This was a clear fact.

No matter how much she searched, there was no information about Bark.

In the world of Ares, there’s 99% ordinary users and 1% special users. Neither Nel nor Hyun-soo knew which category Bark fell into, though chances were high he was among the 99% ordinary ones.

‘But what if he’s in the lower 20% of those users?’

Nel smirked but chose not to speak further.

Hyun-soo was smart, but still too naive to understand how dangerous businessmen can be.

If Bark demands the position of guild leader, Nel would intervene on her own. Ultimately, joining the guild would be Hyun-soo’s decision.

‘I don’t like businessmen.’

Ironically, she disliked businessmen despite being one herself. However, their conversation was not unpleasant. There were no raised voices or insistence on personal opinions.

[Bark: Hyun-soo, where are you? I have something important to tell you.]

A whisper arrived for Hyun-soo.

Hyun-soo said with a bitter smile.

“He says he has something important to tell me.”

“Indeed.”

Nel knew how 99% of businessmen behaved and hoped Hyun-soo wouldn’t get hurt.

He was like a beautiful, vulnerable gem.

‘Something important, what else would a businessman want to say once he knows about Hyun’s worth?’

But Hyun-soo waited silently, and Nel said no more.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in town.

“What’s going on?”

“Looks like an unofficial ranker.”

“Check out that armor, it’s insane.”

“Wow, amazing.”

Nel looked puzzled.

‘Unofficial ranker?’

These were hidden powerhouses living in secrecy, often beating official rankers.

The unofficial rankers’ trait was that their character names didn’t appear overhead.

But one look at his artifact-laden armor, and it was clear he was powerful.

A man clad in armor adorned with flaming designs emerged.

‘He’s extraordinary,’ Nel thought, recognizing a true powerhouse.

But she lost interest, thinking it wasn’t their concern.

Until…

“Hyun-soo.”

“…?”

Nel was startled. The man was smiling at Hyun-soo from a distance.

‘Is that Bark?’

Nel had just considered that among the world’s users, 99% are ordinary and 1% are special.

Could Bark be the one with something important to say to Hyun-soo?

‘Maybe he’s here to invite him to his guild.’

But there he was, standing before Hyun-soo.

“You had something important to say?”

Nel watched as the man nodded slowly.

“Yes, I had something important. I received the shield you gave me.”

As she watched this unfold, Nel realized she was wrong.

But then…

The man hugged Hyun-soo tightly.

“Bravo, fantastic, incredible! It’s you! The blacksmith who set the world ablaze! How did I not recognize you sooner!? Such a remarkable fellow!”

Nel’s calculations were completely off.

The man’s important words to Hyun-soo were all praises.

Releasing Hyun-soo, Bark said, “Hyun-soo, I fully recognize your worth. Don’t be swayed.”

He spoke gently, smiling.

“Don’t fall for those trying to use you. Believe in yourself and aim higher and farther. I’m here, just cheering you on! Hoping for your greater success. Hahaha!”

Bark laughed heartily, full of genuine admiration.

Hyun-soo smiled brightly, as if his expectations had been met.

Then he asked, “Have you joined a guild?”

“No, I haven’t,” Bark replied with a smile. “I thought about inviting you to form a guild together, but it didn’t feel right.”

“I don’t want to use you for any personal gain,” Bark added.

Realizing her mistake, Nel quickly apologized.

“Hello, I’m Nel, Hyun-soo’s manager,” she introduced herself naturally. She then explained the concerns she had expressed to Hyun-soo and bowed her head in apology.

“I’m sorry. I doubted the nature of your relationship.”

Bark wasn’t offended by her words.

“You’ve got a good person looking out for you; she’s right. She’ll weed out the wrong ones.”

It was clear that she had said those things out of care for Hyun-soo and that Bark also wanted to protect him.

Hyun-soo looked at Bark, “But I would really like it if you joined our guild.”

“Huh?” Bark looked surprised.

It wasn’t that he was averse to the idea. He also thought it would be fun to be in a guild with Hyun-soo.

“I’d like to help you, and I hope you can help our guild too,” Hyun-soo added.

Bark nodded his head, thinking it wasn’t about personal gain but about being able to protect Hyun-soo.

‘I can protect Hyun-soo if I’m there.’

Bark had pride in himself.

“Alright, I’ll protect you. I’m level 311, a tank called the Growing One in the epic class, and I can even become a legendary class.”

“…A legend?” Nel was the most shocked.

To become a legend was a feat achieved by very few players.

‘Level 311?’

Nel realized the guild was about to gain an incredible member.

Hyun-soo introduced himself, “I’m level 80 and my job is the God Blacksmith.”

Bark was astonished; he had never heard of such a class before.

After the introductions, Bark extended his hand first.

“Please take care of me, Guild Master.”

“Likewise, please take care of us,” Hyun-soo replied, firmly shaking Bark’s hand.

In that moment, an unformed guild was about to recruit a top-ranking tank, a significant figure in their journey ahead.

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