Strike 72

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The legendary bow of Korea.

While crafting it, Hyun-soo chuckled bitterly.

‘The Cheongeun Bow literally weighs a thousand geun (an old Korean unit of measurement).’

This story originates from a legend in Jeju Island, mainly revolving around the tales of Daebulwang and Sobulwang.

Sadly, despite being a Korean legend, it’s not very well-known.

And Hyun-soo realized,

‘How can I lift a bow that weighs a thousand geun?’

Sometimes legends are just stories.

The ingenious blacksmith infuses new ideas.

‘I’ll stick to the Cheongeun Bow’s name, but apply it in a new way.’

Knowledge of a blacksmith intertwined with legend.

‘Increasing the enemy’s weight struck by the arrow.’

It was not impossible for others, but easy for Hyun-soo.

He had divine customization.

Then, a notification appeared.

[You are crafting a new form of the Cheongeun Bow.]

Yes, it’s a new form.

Interestingly, this notification indicates that the Ares system recognizes it.

‘The existence of the Cheongeun Bow.’

Ares is a supercomputer.

A fact known to all users.

Hence, it knows what it is, even if it doesn’t physically exist.

A fascinating story, thus showing possibilities.

‘The numerous legends and myths in my head.’

Childhood creations of dozens of realizations.

And the tangible completion of that story.

[An artifact imbued with divine customization is completed.]

[The experience and knowledge of a master blacksmith enhance its effectiveness immensely.]

[A unique style is applied, improving its effect.]

[Effectiveness rate 99%.]

[Unique grade.]

[You have crafted an artifact closest to a legend.]

[It is named Hyun-soo’s eleventh custom-made bow.]

[The title God Blacksmith shines.]

[You chose to apply all stat increase rates from artifact crafting, once per week.]

[Gain 4 in all stats.]

[Gain 50 in dexterity.]

[Gain 100 in fame.]

[Proficiency in Beginner Bow Mastery Lv.2 increases by 78%.]

As always, Hyun-soo engraved the character ‘Hyun’ inside the bow.

On the outside, he branded it with the Chinese characters for ‘Cheongeun Bow.’ Then he inspected this legendary bow of our country.

(Hyun-soo’s Eleventh Custom-Made Bow)

Grade: Unique

Durability: 12,000/12,000

Attack Power: 341

Restriction: No restrictions for the creator, archers above level 80

Special Abilities

· Active Skill: Cheongeun’s Time.

· Active Skill: Bizarre Cheongeun.

· Passive Skill: Mangun’s Weight.

Description: Hyun-soo’s eleventh custom-made bow with the power to increase the enemy’s weight.

Hyun-soo was thrilled, inspired by the notification.

‘Applying a unique style, improving its effect.’

The materials for the Cheongeun Bow weren’t particularly special.

He had hastily purchased them from the auction house.

Hyun-soo was confident.

That he could elevate the fallen value of Hyun with this bow.

***

[Two artifacts closest to legends meet.]

[Their effects improve by 10%.]

Cheongeun Bow’s bowstring twangs as Hyun-soo, facing the approaching werewolf, draws it.

The werewolf’s strengths are its incredible speed, unbelievable jaw strength, and thick hide.

Even users of the same level struggle to penetrate it.

Thus, werewolves are notoriously more challenging than other monsters of the same level.

Hyun-soo was already well-versed in three stages.

He realized hunting these werewolves wouldn’t be easy, even with his arrows.

Their HP is unbelievably high.

He thought,

‘Do I have to slash or shoot them with arrows?’

No need.

‘If they’re fast, make them unable to run; if they’re tough, kill them in other ways.’

Click-

An arrow fitted in the bowstring. Enhanced accuracy due to consistently rising bow mastery.

Whoosh-

He activates it as the arrow is launched.

[Cheongeun’s Time]

[Cheongeun’s Weight is applied.]

[Cheongeun’s Weight crushes the enemy.]

[For 1 minute, all launched arrows apply Cheongeun’s Weight, lasting 8 seconds.]

The werewolf pierced by the arrow collapses onto the broken ground. First, its legs embed into the earth.

Crash-

Its belly hits the ground.

Rumble-

The ground completely collapses, leaving only the werewolf’s head above.

“Argh!”

The werewolf screams in agony.

Hyun-soo speaks to the audience.

-What’s with that bow?

-What exactly is the Cheongeun Bow?

-Gasp…!?

He promises to show them a new strategy.

Hyun-soo has to become a star. Not his desired path.

But necessary to publicize Hyun’s Blacksmith

Shop to the world.

Blacksmith Hyun and the Crazy Rookie both need to make their names widely known.

Therefore, what’s needed is a single story.

This story will be long remembered at AJ Broadcasting, and the plan Hyun-soo envisioned is finally coming to fruition.

[Current viewers: 122,031.]

In front of 120,000 viewers,

He announces his plan.

“I’ll hunt 13 werewolves.”

-Crazy…

-Wow…

Zap!

Suddenly, a werewolf lunging from the right is struck by an arrow.

Boom!

The moment the arrow hits its neck, it crashes to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

No need for special arrows anymore.

Just ordinary arrows with metal tips are fired relentlessly.

Swoosh

Boom!

Swoosh

Boom!

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh

Boom, boom, boom!

Werewolves within 20 meters of Hyun-soo are struck down, wailing miserably.

“Whooooo…!”

The ferocious howls of the werewolves make the viewers doubt their eyes.

-What am I even watching…?

Then someone among the 120,000 viewers, perhaps a high-ranking player in Korea, a tycoon, or just someone excited about Hyun or the Crazy Rookie, speaks up.

-Let’s start a 5 million won donation mission for every hunt.

Swoosh-

Boom!

Swoosh-

Boom!

Arrow after arrow hits the werewolves, pinning them to the ground.

Someone notices something odd.

-Why are they all clustered together?

Right, although it seems like Hyun-soo just randomly shot, the werewolves hit by the arrows are not far apart.

Most of them are concentrated in one area.

Then, suddenly.

[Cheongeun’s Time has ended.]

The skill’s duration ends. Hyun-soo hunts two trolls without using the Sword King’s technique taught by Lord Bans.

He deems that power sufficient.

Why?

“The second stage is a stepping stone.”

The third stage is for leaping.

“Whiiiing-”

-What’s that sound?

-Huh?

An unknown sound captivates the viewers.

The ringing of the sword resonates pleasantly.

But its effect is beyond comprehension.

Crash!

Hyun-soo swings just once from where he stands.

Dozens of invisible swords slash the werewolves.

Drip, drip, drip…

The sight of blood flowing over the stones thrills the viewers.

-Is that the Crazy Rookie!?

-No, it’s the Crazy Rookie plus Blacksmith Hyun!

Yes, they believe it’s two, but Hyun-soo is alone.

Thirteen werewolves swiftly sliced apart.

They all turn to ash and dissipate.

-“Top Player” donated 5,000,000 won.

-Good.

Yes, good.

That’s enough.

But the viewers felt it wasn’t enough.

-Goodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgood…

The chat is flooded.

And Hyun-soo feels a thirst.

He hasn’t shown everything yet.

He wants to show the true value and greatness of this bow.

And Hyun-soo wonders,

Maybe an unbelievable story progression?

[A new story begins.]

Just as Hyun-soo expected, it meets his anticipation.

[The fragment of Fenrir, the king of werewolves, descends.]

The real boss of this time-attack dungeon, unknown to all.

Even as just a fragment, Fenrir is one of the eight legendary monsters in Ares.

[Boss Monster Appears!]

[Hunt Fenrir’s fragment for a reward.]

[Fenrir’s Fragment Lv.178]

It’s larger than a normal werewolf.

About 6 meters tall.

Its massive size is reminiscent of a mountain.

-How do we even defeat that…

-Wow, this is so exciting…

The person who previously donated 5 million won speaks again.

-I’ll donate 2 million won if the hunt is successful.

Others join in.

-I’ll donate 1 million won if successful.

-I’ll contribute 50, too.

-This is fun. I’ll give 15.

-This is real entertainment.

Hidden viewers, including the blacksmith Rowen, watch intently.

Then Fenrir’s fragment starts to charge.

Boom-

Each stride causes the ground to cave in.

Viewers hold their breath at its incredible speed.

Even one hit could kill the Crazy Rookie.

But Hyun-soo remains calm.

Whooosh-

His breathing controls the battlefield.

He wears the gauntlet he used in the first stage.

Click-

He loads an arrow made of orichalcum into his bow.

Click-

He draws the legendary bow, targeting Fenrir’s fragment.

Zap-

‘This bow’s true power isn’t just the Cheongeun’s Time.’

The power Hyun-soo wanted to show.

The real might of this Cheongeun Bow.

[Bizarre Cheongeun]

Whoosh-

Fenrir’s fragment mocks the arrow flying at light speed.

The beast roars.

“Howuuuuuuuuuu!”

The roar seems to swallow the arrow.

Indeed, it enters the beast’s mouth.

At that moment.

[The part hit by the arrow becomes ten thousand geun heavy!]

[Applies for 15 seconds!]

The arrow in its mouth now weighs ten thousand geun. Fenrir’s fragment’s head crashes to the ground.

Boom!

Fenrir’s fragment thrashes intermittently, stuck to the ground.

Hyun-soo walks towards it.

Stomp, stomp.

The viewers watch.

Now at level 80.

No, after hunting the trolls, at level 86, Hyun-soo approaches Fenrir’s fragment, level 178, with ease.

Swoosh-

He swaps weapons, drawing a greatsword made for the second stage.

-Could he have anticipated this?

-Maybe?

-Perhaps even the normal-grade weapons were planned?

-Buildup…?

Yes, all three artifacts Hyun-soo created have a purpose.

What’s the advantage of a greatsword?

Even a normal grade can cut through something in one strike.

Shooo-

Hyun-soo raises the greatsword.

He brings it down on the neck of Fenrir’s fragment, stuck and writhing on the ground.

Boom!

The body and head separate.

Whoosh-

Unscathed, he looks dispassionately at Fenrir turning to ash.

Then, he walks away, storing the greatsword in his inventory and pulling out a new weapon.

The Cheongeun Bow.

-I want that bow…

Yes, all viewers realize.

[Current viewers: 147,311.]

The mastermind behind this incredible feat.

The bizarre power that pinned Fenrir to the ground. The crossbow made of black wood.

The Cheongeun Bow with Hyun’s mark. All because of this bow’s power.

As all stages conclude, previously silent viewers reveal their greed.

-I’ll buy it. Is 500,000 gold enough?

-It’s the top-ranked archer Ian…!

-I offer 550,000 gold.

-Please sell it to me.

-I run a company. I can help you a lot in the future, so please sell me that bow.

Viewers’ greed surfaces. They realize any archer should own this bow.

Owning it could make them the best.

They must buy this bow at all costs!

But then.

“I’m not selling this bow.”

Hyun-soo’s statement paralyzes the chat.

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