Strike 71

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First Stage.

Hyun-soo deliberately tried a method others hadn’t tried.

It was because he needed to maximize and demonstrate the effects of the artifacts he had created over the last 10 days.

And the gauntlet he invested all his effort in was hastily made for hunting stone golems.

“Rowen, thank you for the ten million won.”

Rowen had not yet donated because he hadn’t disclosed information.

Hyun-soo’s statement was a pressure to keep his promise.

“Mr. Hyun has made an interesting proposal. He plans to sell the three artifacts he created through a live auction. The live auction starts now.”

Hyun-soo then revealed the information about the artifacts.

***

Open chat room in Kakkaotalk named Gongwoody.

Gongwoody means ‘The Friendship of Archers Until It Dies.’

The chat room included many renowned archer players from South Korea.

-“That gauntlet seems interesting.”

-“It extends the shooting range from 250m to over 400m, wow.”

-“Looks like a gauntlet that significantly increases strength stats.”

The Gongwoody chat room became noisy after the broadcast of the gauntlet.

-“A live auction, huh? Trying to make the viewers compete?”

-“But that’s only possible if the artifacts are good. The blacksmith named Hyun seems too arrogant.”

-“Right, a strength gauntlet that increases range is good. But if it only boosts strength massively and the other effects are useless, isn’t it essentially valueless?”

-“Exactly. The grade matters, but what’s the point if it’s just a high-grade but common unique item?”

-“And gauntlets or gloves are usually secondary items for archers, right?”

At that moment.

The information about the gauntlet was revealed.

(Hyun’s Ninth Custom-Made Gauntlet)

Grade: Unique

Durability: 7,000/7,000

Defense: 220

Restriction: No restriction for the creator, level 80 or higher archers

Special Abilities:

· Strength increases by 111.

· Bow accuracy increases by 15%.

· Arrow critical hit chance increases by 10%.

· Active skill: Precise Aim.

Description: Hyun’s ninth custom-made gauntlet significantly increases strength, thereby greatly enhancing range, penetration, and destructive power.

At the moment of revelation, an archer exclaimed in admiration.

-“Wow… this is amazing.”

He was Han-seop, the 87th-ranked archer.

-“It’s not just about increasing strength, but the defense is 220!”

Ironically, smart players attack archers’ hands during combat.

To prevent them from shooting arrows easily, so defense is a critical attribute.

-“Wow, a secondary item with such effects. And none of them are useless for an archer, amazing… even the level restriction is low…”

Secondary items refer to gloves, accessories, etc. Their performance is usually inferior compared to main armor or swords.

But this secondary item had effects as good as main armor.

-“And it even takes care of the strength stat increase by 111… wow…”

Strength stat increase by 111.

Archers typically have very low strength.

They usually invest in agility and vitality.

Agility increases effects like bow accuracy and penetration.

But that doesn’t mean strength is unnecessary.

Agility is preferred, but the increased penetration and destructive power from strength, and the extended range, are also significant.

An additional 111 strength stats are almost like focusing all stats of 20 levels into strength.

-“But why is everyone so quiet?”

Han-seop felt something was off.

The chat room that was active just a moment ago had gone silent.

Their names could be found in an unexpected place.

***

Hyun-soo waited patiently.

‘Ask, ask, ask,’ he thought to himself.

Soon, the effects of his anticipation became evident.

-I’m interested in buying it.

-The 15th ranked archer, Koru…?

-I’m also interested. I’ll pay 1.5 times the market price if you sell it to me.

-Wow, even Hansen, ranked 4th, is here…?

-What are you guys doing here?

Quickly, the chat room filled with the nicknames of well-known archers from Korea.

The number of viewers kept rising.

-I want to buy it.

-Me too!

-Mr. Hyun, please sell it to me 🥺

Hyun-soo responded with a small smile.

“The starting bid is 10,000 gold.”

10,000 gold, equivalent to ten million won, a substantial sum. However, it was relatively low considering its actual value.

But Hyun-soo knew the bids would keep rising.

“The auction will end when this live broadcast concludes.”

Immediately, the bidding heated up.

-15,000.

-20,000.

-22,000 here.

-22,500.

-What am I even watching…?

-What are these top-ranked archers doing here…?

Hyun-soo calmly managed the situation.

“Please send your bids to Hyun’s Blacksmith Forge via private message.”

Then…

-Rowen has donated 10,000,000 won.

-Oh, it’s unique.

Hyun-soo gave a wry smile. Then, the second stage began.

The rule for the second stage was straightforward.

It involved raiding two boss monsters alone.

‘The second artifact turned out to be a flop.’

Hyun-soo frowned in disappointment.

Regrettably, the second artifact wasn’t very effective.

In fact, it was the worst among all the artifacts he had made so far.

Hyun-soo faced the monster that appeared before him.

-Devolved Troll Lv.121

Trolls are typically high-level monsters above level 270.

Although the devolved trolls here were much weaker than real trolls, their regenerative abilities made them challenging opponents.

And he had to face two of them.

‘The second item is pretty mediocre.’

Hyun-soo looked at the approaching trolls with a hint of regret.

Fortunately, he could still hunt effectively using such artifacts.

Hyun-soo was now level 80 and had become much stronger since the Super Rookie Tournament.

Thanks to the swordsmanship of King Barad and the overall stat increase from crafting.

Then, Hyun-soo revealed the information about the artifact.

(Hyun’s Tenth Custom-Made Greatsword)

Grade: Common

Durability: 4,000/4,000

Attack Power: 286

Restriction: No restriction for the creator, level 70 or higher swordsmen

Special Abilities:

· Attack and movement speed decrease by 15%.

· Strength increases by 6, vitality by 3.

· Active skill: Swift Slash.

Description: Hyun’s tenth custom-made greatsword, unfortunately, received unintended penalties.

-Huh? What? Isn’t this too different from the first artifact?

-…? Proves Hyun was just lucky before…

-The first was unique and the second is common?

-Even ordinary blacksmiths can make this. It’s disappointing that Hyun made this.

-Agreed…

-Were all the previous auction items just the best of the best he made? 😂

The chat room atmosphere quickly subdued again. But Hyun-soo charged forward.

He clashed with the two devolved trolls.

Rowen, watching him, was deeply disappointed.

Not because Hyun-soo couldn’t hunt the trolls.

The troll hunt was going well.

Rowen had hoped for something else.

‘Maybe he could be the world’s number one blacksmith.’

He thought so when he saw the first gauntlet.

World’s top blacksmith, Smith.

“Somehow, he is a blacksmith unaffected by chance.”

And the only one who had broken the mold by crafting legendary artifacts, a feat no user had achieved.

‘The world’s best blacksmith, though much is hidden about him.’

But Rowen had not found such a person despite recruiting hundreds.

‘Hyun is no different.’

The huge gap between his first and second creations.

It was evidence that Hyun couldn’t match Smith.

[Bill: Guild Master, how much should we offer as a contract fee?]

[Rowen: I think 2 billion would be sufficient.]

It was an incredibly high amount.

The only regret was that it didn’t meet Rowen’s expectations.

“With that level of skill, he can’t close the gap with our guild, no matter how hard he tries.”

There’s a natural difference between those who have been there from the start and latecomers.

Then, Rowen looked at the greatsword’s information again, puzzled.

He had missed something in his disappointment.

“What’s this?”

The greatsword’s description read:

‘Unintentionally received penalties?’

***

Five days earlier.

Hyun-soo listened to the notifications that came after he crafted the second artifact.

[It’s of Epic grade.]

[You have crafted an artifact using Divine Customization crafting for the second consecutive time.]

[By crafting an artifact using Divine Customization consecutively without a break, you receive a penalty.]

[The artifact’s grade will drop by two levels, and its effects will be significantly reduced.]

“…What?”

Hyun-soo frowned.

Like the title of ‘God Blacksmith’ suggests, there are penalties in Ares unknown to players.

Hyun-soo understood why this penalty occurred.

‘Is this telling me not to take the easy route?’

His initial plan was somewhat derailed.

It wasn’t due to a lack of skill.

The greatsword was indeed well-crafted, and even the notification said it was of Epic grade.

But due to the penalty, it turned out to be of a common grade.

‘It’s okay, even if the second artifact isn’t great.’

He thought differently.

‘Wouldn’t the impact be greater if I make a big hit with the third one?’

There was a condition, though. The third artifact had to be truly exceptional.

‘I never intended to use Divine Customization for the third one anyway.’

The three artifacts Hyun-soo was crafting were all meant to unleash their full power in each stage of the time-attack dungeon.

‘For the third one…’

It was intended for hunting the boss monsters that would appear. He decided to craft this artifact after a conversation he had with his father.

During their trip to Jeju Island, his father spoke while looking at the vast sea.

“Hyun-soo, our country also has a legendary bow.”

A smile formed on Hyun-soo’s lips.

With five days remaining.

Hyun-soo quickly started crafting.

And he completed it.

[You have crafted an artifact closest to legendary.]

One of the bows from Korea’s legends.

***

Rowen. Tae-hyun headed to the meeting room.

He didn’t feel it was worth his time to watch the current broadcast of ‘Crazy Rookie’.

Then, upon entering the meeting room, Tae-hyun saw the broadcast on the TV.

“The second stage was pretty well done?”

“Crazy Rookie is incredibly strong.”

Crazy Rookie in the monitor was preparing for the third stage.

As Tae-hyun sat down, everyone hushed.

“It’s okay, watch it,” Tae-hyun reassured.

He wasn’t too strict as a guild master. Then, a question arose.

“What’s the third stage about?”

A female colleague explained.

“13 werewolves appear.”

“Werewolves?”

Tae-hyun frowned.

Werewolves were level 138 monsters.

Not boss-level, but still a challenge for someone under level 100 to face 138 werewolves.

“Normally, it’s impossible to hunt them, their hides are too thick even for players of the same level. The goal for the third stage is to break through and reach a destination within 300 meters unharmed.”

“Hmm.”

Tae-hyun nodded thoughtfully, watching Crazy Rookie prepare for the third stage.

-Why isn’t he moving?

-Huh? What’s he doing?

-The werewolves will be out soon.

In a massive Colosseum-like place.

There were thirteen cages.

The iron bars of the cages, holding thirteen werewolves, started lifting.

“Why isn’t he moving?”

“He should be running now.”

Tae-hyun asked.

“What are the chances of success?”

“Usually, 80% die on the way and 20% barely make it.”

Tae-hyun also looked puzzled at Crazy Rookie.

Then, in the monitor, he spoke.

-I’m going to try a special strategy for the third stage.

A special strategy? What could it be?

The iron bars opened, and thirteen ferocious werewolves burst out.

Rowen, watching Crazy Rookie, realized his strategy.

‘Is he planning to hunt all thirteen werewolves?’

No, that’s impossible.

He might be strong, but that’s nonsensical.

Then, he drew a bow from his cloak and aimed at the werewolves.

[Two artifacts closest to legendary meet.]

[Their effects improve by 10%.]

Rowen stood up. The bow, taut with tension, had inscriptions.

‘A Thousand-Pound Bow…?’

Suddenly, an arrow shot by him hit the leading werewolf.

Whoosh-

The arrow’s power made the werewolf stagger, but the level difference was too great.

The werewolf, mocking him, prepared to charge again.

Then.

[A thousand pounds of weight is applied.]

[A crushing weight bears down.]

Boom-

The ground under the werewolf collapsed.

Its feet sunk into the ground as if someone was pushing it down from above.

Crash-

The ground crumbled, and the werewolf was buried inside.

Yes, as if burdened by a thousand pounds of weight.

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