Strike 73

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Archers’ camaraderie included the members of the group chat, lasting until the end.

Many archers flocked to a broadcast featuring an unusual and astonishing bow.

The value of a good bow defies common sense.

Especially since swords account for 40% of weapons made, and spears 15%.

Bows are only about 10%.

In such a scenario, the value of a rare bow is immeasurable.

It’s a fine bow that can’t be had for any price.

In fact, no local player yet owns a legendary bow.

Not even a bow close to the legends crafted by Hyun-soo.

Archers crowded to see this unique bow!

They admired and were astonished by the power of this bow revealed in real time, feeling greedy.

They’d empty their bank accounts to buy it.

Even reselling it later would be profitable.

Somehow, we will buy this bow!

Meanwhile, every blacksmith guild is hastily reporting, trying to buy this great bow made by Hyun.

But then, the crazy rookie made a shocking statement.

“I’m not selling this bow.”

-Top-ranked archer Ian here. Suddenly not selling? I’ll offer a generous price!

-Guild Master Run of the Golden Shield Guild here. We’re also ready to offer a satisfactory amount to Hyun.

Viewers, revealing their identities, hoped the bow would be sold.

Unlike those with much to guard, viewers were frank.

-That’s so tantalizing… 😢

-Wow, my heart sank when I heard it’s not for sale… Like being given and then having it snatched away…?

-Those writing in the chat must be so anxious.

-Please sell it, please!

-Hyun, I’ll become a fan. Please sell it, Hyun, I’ll become a fan. Please sell it, Hyun, I’ll become a fan. Please sell it.

-Sell it, sell it, sell it, sellllll!!!

But Hyun-soo was resolute.

“Sorry, but I’m not selling it he says.”

That’s when it happened.

[Nel: Hyun-soo, are you sure about this? The backlash might be bigger than you think. It’s like announcing an auction and then not going through with it. To others, it looks like you’re not selling because it’s too valuable.]

But Hyun-soo just smiled. Nel was right. He said he’d auction, but isn’t selling because it’s too valuable.

This might seem deceptive.

But maybe not.

‘I never planned to sell the third item I crafted.’

Even if it was lower grade than the current one.

Hyun-soo used to wear a beginner’s zone buffalo horn bow before this thousand-pound bow.

He needed a better bow. One that would elevate both blacksmith Hyun and the crazy rookie.

[Hyun-soo: I told them I’d hold an auction. But I never said all artifacts would be auctioned.]

[Nel: But still…]

[Hyun-soo: What I wanted wasn’t to sell this artifact for its value.]

[Nel: …Could it be?]

Hyun-soo smiled meaningfully. He felt the need to elevate his forge’s name before turning it into a guild.

And he also needed to increase his subscriber count and rankings.

[Hyun-soo: Right. The auction announcement must’ve attracted numerous users.]

Yes, the rapidly increasing viewers.

Did they come just out of curiosity to see this bow?

No, the story of an amazing bow’s emergence spread fast, and people flocked, hoping they might win it in the auction.

They experienced both enjoyment and value for the bow through an extraordinary clearing method they hadn’t seen.

Yes, the auction was a means to attract viewers.

[Nel: You have a plan, I trust you.]

And Hyun-soo glanced at the current viewer count.

[Current viewers: 149,411.]

Soon, these viewers will be ablaze. But he’s not yet letting them.

Why?

Hyun-soo currently holds the bow.

Upsetting him might mean he never sells it.

For a moment, Hyun-soo savors the rewards he should receive.

He revisits the notifications he had pushed aside.

[You hunted a piece of the boss monster Fenrir.]

[You’ve gained 24,862 experience points.]

[You’ve acquired 1,890 gold.]

[You’ve leveled up.]

[You’ve leveled up.]

[You’ve leveled up.]

[You’ve leveled up.]

[You’ve leveled up…]

Hyun-soo had already surpassed level 85 by hunting a devolved troll.

The gap between Hyun-soo’s level and the piece of Fenrir was nearly double.

[Congratulations.]

[You’ve reached Level 100.]

Hyun-soo was thrilled. He had jumped 16 levels in one go, reaching Level 101.

Of course, Level 101 merely marks the transition from a novice to an intermediate player.

But it’s still a highly significant number.

[You can now establish a guild.]

[Job Quest: The Sword Left by the God Blacksmith is now available.]

Hyun-soo was now officially eligible to become a guild master.

Additionally, he could undertake the job quest: The Sword Left by the God Blacksmith, as heard from the Blacksmith Tower Master.

But that wasn’t all.

‘His Highness Barad said to seek him out once I reached Level 100.’

There’s much to do.

Level 100 seemed like a new beginning for Hyun-soo.

And the notifications didn’t stop there.

[You’ve obtained Fenrir’s Torn Cloak.]

[You’ve obtained Fenrir’s Damaged Helm.]

[You’ve obtained Fenrir’s Rotten Tooth.]

[You’ve obtained the Shining Axe of Fenrir…]

[You’ve obtained 12 Enhancement Stones.]

He acquired various items, especially noteworthy were Fenrir’s Torn Cloak and Damaged Helm.

Incredibly, both artifacts were of epic grade.

Wearing both together activated a set artifact effect, increasing all stats by 5%.

As he was checking these out, a massive tremor shook the time-attack dungeon.

Rumble…

[The record is updated.]

[You’ve achieved 1st place with a total clear time of 11 minutes and 39 seconds.]

Ding!

[Hidden Piece. You’ve achieved the true method of conquering the dungeon.]

[The rankings are now updated.]

[You are the only one to have hunted all werewolves and the final boss piece of Fenrir, following the true dungeon strategy.]

[You are unanimously recognized as the 1st place.]

[Congratulations.]

[You’ve achieved a new feat.]

[You’re recorded as the 1st place in the Three Trials Time-Attack Dungeon.]

[You can leave your name anonymously or use your character name.]

Time-attack dungeons typically prioritize the fastest clear times.

However, this dungeon had a system where hunting the real final boss could earn you the top spot.

Hyun-soo, albeit unintentionally, had secured the real first place.

‘What name should I use?’

His main character name wouldn’t be appropriate.

He’ll need to continue leaving his mark in the future.

At least until his real identity is disclosed, he must be cautious.

After a brief contemplation, Hyun-soo decided on a name.

[The name ‘Crazy Rookie and Hyun’ is recorded.]

[You receive a reward for your achievement.]

[All stats increase by 10.]

[The title ‘Hunter Beyond Common Sense’ is upgraded.]

(Hunter Beyond Common Sense)

Multiple Titles

Grade: A

Special Ability:

·When fighting an entity 50 levels higher, all stats increase by 3%.

It was a continuous streak of sweet rewards. And the title ‘Hunter Beyond Common Sense’ had improved.

‘Is it because I caught something nearly 90 levels above me?’

But Hyun-soo remembered.

The title ‘Hunter Beyond Common Sense’ is still listed as ‘Multiple Titles.’

Multiple Titles means that others also possess this title.

In other words, there are others in the world who have hunted creatures with a level gap similar to Hyun-soo’s.

-“Top Player” has donated 5,000,000 won.

The promised donations started pouring in.

-“Kenson” has donated 1,000,000 won.

-“Bean Dad” has donated 500,000 won.

And others.

-“PingPongPang” has donated 10,000 won.

-“Crown” has donated 30,000 won.

-“To the Moon” has donated 100,000 won.

Kim PD from AJ Internet Broadcasting had announced that all donations go to the guest.

[You will be warped out of the Three Trials Time-Attack Dungeon.]

Once outside, Hyun-soo saw the chat room still buzzing with activity after the donations.

-Why aren’t you selling?

-Please sell it!

-Are you speaking out of both sides of your mouth?

The chat room was about to get even more heated.

But Hyun-soo had one major thing to quell it.

“Let me reiterate, Hyun firmly states that he will not sell this bow.”

As the conversation was about to escalate, Hyun-soo spoke up.

“Instead, Hyun has agreed to accept one custom order, but only for archers.”

It was necessary to appease them. However, Hyun-soo knew what kind of response to expect.

-If you create a new bow, will it be of the same grade as this one?

-I’m Ian, the top-ranked archer. Even if it’s not legendary, at least make it unique. It’s almost like a legendary artifact in my opinion, right?

The excitement didn’t subside. This was among the things Hyun-soo had anticipated.

-The top three master craftsmen, the number one has made 4, the second 2, and the third just 1 in their lifetimes. You’re saying you’ll make an artifact that comes once in a lifetime on request? Sounds like a joke to me.

But Hyun-soo was confident. He had anticipated such a response. Yes, the second-ranked blacksmith had only made two in three years of playing the game. Hyun-soo was about to put his final plan into action.

“Then, let me reveal the details of this arrow.”

***

Bill received a call from Tae-hyun, the guild master of Black Anvil.

‘Wow, 3 billion won?’

Tae-hyun, who initially proposed 2 billion won at the start of the time-attack dungeon, suggested revising the contract to 3 billion won after watching all the games. 3 billion won. An industry-leading amount. And this was just for a one-year contract.

Bill went to the meeting room to get the final signature and found Tae-hyun in a daze.

“…He was at least a second-ranked blacksmith?”

He was looking at the information of an artifact on his computer. Bill, who glanced over, couldn’t hide his shock either.

‘An arrow almost legendary?’

It seemed impossible. But the name ‘Hyun’ in the description proved it.

Nobody would have dreamed that this mysterious arrow could be nearly legendary.

“Yeah… this could work, calming the angry public, or rather they might even welcome it. Maybe I could also get something nearly legendary. Or perhaps, the one who made this might someday make a real legendary artifact… the anticipation.”

Tae-hyun was chilled by the meticulousness of the blacksmith named Hyun.

The concealed information of the Orichalcum arrow. And by revealing it at this moment, everyone had no choice but to remain silent.

Why?

Because no one would want to antagonize the creator of two nearly legendary artifacts.

In fact, the viewers who questioned whether another such artifact could be made fell silent.

He had already made two.

“…Bring the check.”

Bill looked puzzled.

“A 3 billion won check?”

Tae-hyun spoke excitedly.

“Not that petty amount, a blank check! Offer it to Hyun, tell him Black Anvil will match whatever amount he writes!”

Black Anvil, the top blacksmith guild.

“We at Black Anvil will spare no effort to recruit Hyun. Maybe he’ll be able to make a legendary artifact someday!”

Little did he know, blacksmith Hyun had already created a legend.

***

The broadcast ended smoothly. Once they saw the Orichalcum arrow’s details, people fell silent, seeing its potential.

‘The plan went off without a hitch.’

Hyun-soo was confident. The subscriber count must have skyrocketed due to the thousand-pound bow.

And with the strategic release of the earlier-made arrow’s details, the subscriber count would have risen even more. Indeed, when he turned on the auction house notifications, there were several messages.

[Subscribers updated.]

[Subscribers updated.]

[Subscribers…]

[Subscribers…]

A dozen notifications. And then,

[Nel: Hyun-soo, this is huge! A total jackpot!]

Nel was unusually excited.

[Bark: Aren’t you getting too famous before even founding your guild?]

Bark also sent a congratulatory whisper.

The subscriber numbers and rankings would play the most important role in branding Hyun-soo’s forge in the future.

‘How much did it increase to cause such reactions?’

With excitement, Hyun-soo checked the subscriber count.

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