Strike 79

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[The grace of the Lord activates for user Hyun-soo.]

Upon hearing the alert, team member Lee Ji-hee called Team Leader Kim.

“T, Team Leader.”

Kim Tae-seok checked the monitor. This was what Lee Ji-hee was worried about.

“Could it be the blacksmith Per…?”

Hyun-soo’s level was just barely 120.

On the other hand, Per’s level was 286. Originally, Per was a blacksmith of level 230.

But, having been taught by Hyun-soo, his level had explosively increased by over 50 levels.

The biggest problem was that Per had become a master craftsman by creating an artifact close to legendary status.

“If a level 120 user has a master blacksmith as a vassal…”

Kim Team Leader smirked at her concern.

“Impossible.”

“Excuse me?”

Why would it be impossible?

In Ji-hee’s view, Per seemed sufficiently likely to be swayed by the grace of the Lord.

“What’s the difference between Banya and Per?”

Ji-hee thought hard.

“Ah…”

“Right, Banya was unaffiliated, while Old Man Per is the blacksmith of a lord.”

Right, even if the system alerts, that sense of belonging would restrain Per.

What’s more, if he were to betray his lord at will and follow Hyun-soo?

That would be a grave crime.

‘Is this the trap of the grace of the Lord?’

The highest S-class title available to commander types or guild masters!

That’s its limitation.

Then, Lee Ji-hee suddenly realized something.

“But, Team Leader, the grace of the Lord is random, right?”

“That’s right? Usually, it activates for the person most impressed, but it is random.”

“But it might not have activated for Per, right?”

“Then for whom… Ah…?”

Team Leader Kim had a shocked expression and chuckled in disbelief.

“Could it be…?”

Team Leader Kim hoped that his guess was not true.

***

[Nel: I learn a lot from you, Master.]

[Hyun-soo: Hehe….]

Hyun-soo, who had been moved to a hospital room, was hopeful.

The last alert that had sounded.

‘It must be Per?’

Currently, Hyun-soo was more aware of his situation than anyone else.

Lacking the power of Hyun’s forge, he even secretly founded a guild.

‘We need talented people.’

Both NPCs and players were needed. However, they must be a select few, trustworthy ones.

‘And I can’t always be at the forge.’

Ares isn’t just a game where you make items.

Hyun-soo felt the need to become stronger.

‘But I can’t just put any blacksmith in.’

If Master Blacksmith Per were there, it would be perfect.

Just then, Per entered.

Hyun-soo had subconsciously hoped.

As soon as he entered, like Banya, he would bow to him and swear loyalty!

But it wasn’t so.

“I misunderstood you, I’m sorry. To suspect someone who saved my life might have stolen the money and run away.”

“It’s alright.”

Hyun-soo smiled gently. Then Per handed him a sword.

“Take it, it’s a sword I made for the duel with Buks. It’s essentially thanks to you that it was made.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly accept this precious item…”

Although he said so, Hyun-soo keenly accepted it.

Hyun-soo actually needed a better sword.

Wasn’t Light a level 1 epic-grade sword?

He checked it right away.

(White Tiger)

Grade: Unique

Durability: 9,000/9,000

Attack Power: 401

Restrictions: No restrictions for the creator, above level 280, swordsman

Special Abilities:

· Strength 3%, Stamina 3% increase.

· Passive Skill Triple Damage.

· Passive Skill Sixfold Damage.

· Active Skill Light of White Tiger.

Description: This sword, a masterpiece of the elderly blacksmith Per, was crafted under the guidance of a distinguished blacksmith and is close to legendary status. 

It is a great sword. Particularly outstanding is its percentage increase in strength and stamina. 

‘% Increase shines more as the level rises.’ 

It’s a top-quality sword among great swords, with no unnecessary effects. 

Just looking at the attack power, while Light had 143, this sword boasts 401. 

And Hyun-soo was hopeful. 

‘If he’s giving his own sword, maybe Per is…?’ 

Hyun-soo raised his head slightly in anticipation, but Per looked puzzled. 

“Do you have a sore neck? Shall I massage it for you?” 

“No, don’t you respect or wish to join me?” Hyun-soo asked directly, albeit embarrassingly. 

“That is true.” Per spoke honestly. “But I am a person of the lord, how could I abandon my lord for another?” 

At this, Hyun-soo understood the reason. 

‘Even if it was activated, because he belongs to the lord, it doesn’t work?’ 

Hyun-soo felt disappointed, but it was unavoidable. The consequences of forcing him to serve could be unimaginable. 

“The lord is looking for you.” 

And then came the moment Hyun-soo had been waiting for. 

When the lord reclaimed the money, Hyun-soo received this notification. 

[Development progress increases by 15%.] 

Hyun-soo met with Lord Belin. To him, Belin was indeed a beauty. 

With a height of 167 cm, blonde hair, and a perfect figure, she was admirable. 

Nel was certainly beautiful, but even she seemed pale in comparison to Belin. 

Hyun-soo was convinced. If Belin hadn’t been confined and was well known to the players, perhaps she would have been ‘the most beloved NPC by the players’? 

Belin said, “Welcome, Hero Hyun-soo.” 

It was always a thrilling word to hear. Especially when Hyun-soo met lords or named NPCs, he always looked forward to something. 

“I bestow upon you the blacksmith’s blessing.” 

[You receive the Blacksmith’s Blessing.] 

[All artifact effects are enhanced by 5%.] 

Belin was truly the owner of the blacksmith territory. 

Although not a skilled blacksmith, she had acquired blacksmithing skills. 

“I heard from a woman named Nel. Why you were on your knees in that state.” Belin said with a slight smile. “If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have recovered the taxes from forced labor. Therefore, I’ve decided to give you 50% of the reclaimed money.” 

[You gain 160,000 gold.] 

Hyun-soo was astonished. In an instant, he received a huge sum of 160 million. And then Hyun-soo felt something strange. Every time Belin made eye contact with him, her face turned red. Her eyes also reddened, and she seemed unable to control her emotions. 

‘Wait a minute, could this be…’ 

“It’s strange.” Belin slowly stood up. “When I see you, I feel an inexplicable emotion. For a mere blacksmith, I feel an overwhelming respect.” 

Belin could not understand what this was. 

“I want to be with you and protect you.” 

Hyun-soo was taken aback. 

‘Why did the grace of the lord go there?’ 

But thinking about it, it made sense. Belin had been trapped for a long time and was freed thanks to Hyun-soo. 

Hyun-soo realized that she couldn’t serve him because she was a lord. 

After all, Hyun-soo was merely a man without a title. 

And Belin seemed anxious, troubled by these unknown feelings. 

Hyun-soo accepted it as right. 

He had intended to stay in this territory anyway to further increase its development. 

There was a simple way to raise the development level. And he wanted to make her respect and cherish him more to achieve his desired outcome. 

“I plan to stay and teach the blacksmiths before leaving.” 

Belin’s emotions swelled even more. 

“I want this territory to grow much more. I am a blacksmith. It’s only natural.” 

Belin felt grateful again and wanted to relieve these feelings. And she made a decision. 

“Per.” 

“Yes, my lord.” 

“…Please protect Hyun-soo.”

“Excuse me?”

Per, not quite understanding at first, slowly nodded his head. 

The lord cannot follow a trivial person, and she wanted to repay in some way. 

Moreover, even if the grace of the lord hadn’t activated, Per’s fondness for Hyun-soo was already at MAX. He had saved Per and fulfilled a 20-year longing in his life. And both Per and Belin had already heard about it from the previously awakened woman, Nel. 

“I think it would be helpful for Master Hyun-soo’s small guild. What do you think, Per?” 

“It’s a good idea.” 

Per stroked his chin. “In fact, if Master Hyun-soo had just left, I would have been very worried. But didn’t he say it himself? He will teach the blacksmiths before he leaves.” 

Per had personally witnessed Hyun-soo’s power. The lord allowed it, no, the lord personally sent him. Per took a step forward. 

“I, Per, have lived as a blacksmith for over 40 years.” He bowed slowly. “From now on, I will only create for Master Hyun-soo, and live only for him.” 

Lord Belin remembered Hyun-soo awkwardly accepting the master blacksmith. Now, a man who just manages a small guild is accepting a master blacksmith. But then… 

“No.” 

His voice was firm. 

And Belin’s mouth slightly opened. 

The power emanating from his small level, or perhaps because he stands at the pinnacle among blacksmiths. 

“Create for me and my people.” 

Belin was amazed. 

And she realized. 

Respect. Awe. Trust. At the end of admiration was excitement. 

And Per was awestruck. 

The order to create not for himself but for his people and their people. 

He truly felt like he was serving a rightful lord and responded energetically. 

“Yes!” 

[Per swears eternal loyalty.] 

***

“Your Majesty, may I ask something?” Vice Captain Bella asked while playing chess. 

“What is it?” 

“Why did you specifically send Hyun-soo?” 

Barad was silent for a moment, and Bella didn’t understand. 

She had heard that Barad would later grant him a territory. 

But why specifically send him to the blacksmith territory? 

Perhaps it would have been resolved if Bella had been sent. 

Yes, Bella felt it was like a test. A test to grant a territory? Does he need to achieve such accomplishments for that? 

Barad answered. “I have no children.” 

“Excuse me?” 

For a moment, Bella’s brain stopped. 

He has no children…? She pondered over his words again and again and then dropped a chess piece. 

“Does that mean…” 

The meaning of having no children to succeed his position. 

“I was just saying.” 

Despite his words, Barad chuckled bitterly. 

“Just a wish.” 

Someone in the kingdom is always waiting for his downfall. 

“I am still young.” 

Barad was still young. He just wanted to test many people before that time comes. 

“Just one of them.” 

Yes, just one among many. 

“Hyun-soo is still a commoner.” 

Yes, Bella realized. It was just His Majesty’s wish. And even if such a thing were to happen, it would be years away. 

“What percentage of development would satisfy Your Majesty?” 

“Hmm.” 

Barad touched his chin. A commoner and a level 120 blacksmith. 

“40% would be worth expecting, wouldn’t it?” 

“…As expected, it’s challenging to satisfy Your Majesty.”

Bella nodded her head.

A single foreigner bringing a territory’s development over 40%?

Of course, it’s difficult to say exactly how remarkable a 40% increase is.

However, this is a challenge even for the strongest rankers.

Then,

“Master Hyun-soo has arrived.”

Barad had heard the news.

Two weeks ago, Hyun-soo had driven out someone named Buks and had been staying in the territory for a while.

And Barad had given him a mission and the ‘Sword of Royal Judgment.’

The Sword of Royal Judgment possessed a unique power.

It could reveal how a foreigner completed a mission or what happened when the king commanded something.

Or, with this single sword, it was even possible to check the status of the entire kingdom – a mysterious sword indeed.

Hyun-soo was granted an audience with Barad.

Barad was curious.

Yes, how far had Hyun-soo brought the development of that territory?

20%?

‘That would be quite satisfying.’

After all, having a successor was just a wish.

With that thought, Barad drew the sword.

Curious about the progress Hyun-soo had made, he infused magic into it to activate it.

[The blacksmiths of Ballas Territory can now craft higher-quality weapons and armor.]

[The quality of artifacts supplied to soldiers and knights increases.]

[The national power of the Goyard Kingdom increases by 1%.]

Barad was astonished.

It wasn’t just a mere 1%.

The fact that it was possible to raise a nation’s power by 1% was astounding.

Even policies proposed by his ministers struggled to achieve a 1% increase.

Barad was immensely curious.

‘So, exactly how much…’

What percentage of development had been achieved?

Unable to hold back, he asked,

“…What percentage of development has been achieved?”

Hyun-soo opened his mouth to respond.

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