A smile formed at the corners of Hyun-soo’s mouth.
Ranked 19th in subscribers, with 710,000 subscribers.
As far as Hyun-soo knew, a blacksmith guild ranked around this position had a monthly revenue of about 1 billion won.
And those in the top 10 made over 2 billion, while the top 3 reached 4 billion.
Considering these are monthly revenues, the annual figures are staggering.
In other words, Hyun’s forge could now easily earn over 2 billion a year just by taking on regular requests.
‘How many subscribers does Black Anvil have?’
Suddenly, Hyun-soo became curious about the ranking of Black Anvil, the top blacksmith guild in Korea.
[Black Anvil subscribers: 3,303,001.]
[Currently ranked 1st among Korean subscribers.]
Its level was so high that it had a difference of 1.5 million subscribers compared to the 2nd place and had not changed in the last three years.
Hyun-soo could find a note sent by Rowen.
[Hello, Mr. Hyun. This is Rowen. Congratulations on crafting two legendary artifacts. I wanted to make a final recruitment offer.]
A final recruitment offer.
It was a meaningful phrase.
[I promise you 50% of my earnings for one year and offer you the position of sub-guild master.]
The level of the offer was beyond exceptional; it was shocking.
As far as Hyun-soo knew, Rowen’s annual earnings exceeded 10 billion won.
At this moment, Hyun-soo realized one thing.
He didn’t feel as ecstatic as he thought he would upon hearing the amount.
[If you still choose not to come, then I guess you have other goals.]
The moment he checked the rankings today, Hyun-soo had set a new goal.
[Mr. Hyun, please come to where I am, I’ll be waiting. And if the day comes when the 1st place changes, would you make me an offer?]
Hyun-soo doubted his eyes upon reading that message.
[You’re not considering coming for the position of sub-guild master?]
Now, Rowen was in the position to make offers, standing on the higher ground. No matter how well Hyun was doing recently, he couldn’t compare to him.
But if that day comes, it meant he was willing to consider merging with Black Anvil.
Hyun-soo had a puzzled look.
‘Why go to such lengths?’
He found out the reason from his note.
[Because that’s the only way to take the world’s number 1 spot from this small country, I’ll wait for you to come here, be it 3 years, 5 years, or even 10. But if ever you find it too hard, come to our Black Anvil.]
Rowen was a wise guild master.
If he couldn’t beat Black Anvil, he was gently suggesting to come in.
‘Luckily.’
Hyun-soo smiled faintly. Some of the top-tier forges would start to check on Hyun.
Yet, Black Anvil decided to take a position of observation.
What seemed smart to Hyun was seeing the potential in him and not making an enemy but leaving room to be allies.
Hyun-soo smiled.
‘3 years? 5 years? It won’t take that long.’
One year.
Yes, Hyun-soo decided to make Hyun’s forge the number 1 in Korean subscribers within a year.
Just then, Nel spoke in the guild chat.
[Nel: Seeing that the 1 disappeared, you must have had a good meeting with your father? I received a call regarding the sponsorship from AJ Internet Broadcasting Station. They will provide a total sponsorship of 38 million won, and AJ Internet Broadcasting Station will pay an appearance fee of 10 million won.]
[Lisel: I was supposed to not receive any appearance fee… DD]
[Nel: Please continue to take good care of the guild master.]
[Lisel: Oh…]
[Bark: Congrats, congrats.]
48 million won.
Of course, this too was planned to be used for medical expenses.
“I’ll be back.”
Hyun-soo gave a small smile to his father and stepped outside.
Even on his way home, the group chat was active.
[Nel: The number of subscribers will steadily increase once the recorded content is released. I think we might settle around 16th place. For the time being, it might be good to focus on the guild master’s personal growth and crafting.]
Hyun-soo was still just a level 120 blacksmith.
No matter how exceptional the guild was or how high the subscriber count, Hyun-soo’s personal level couldn’t be too low.
Moreover, each class had its own job quests, and it was advisable to consistently complete these job quests.
Completing a job quest would yield rewards appropriate for that job.
Before long, Hyun-soo stood in front of the capsule.
[Connecting to Ares.]
Appearing in the forge, his base, Hyun-soo looked at the desolate forge today and chuckled bitterly.
Per was currently working hard for the stabilization of the Balas territory, so he would return after some more time had passed.
‘Maybe I should try my first job quest.’
[Job Quest: The Sword Left by the God Blacksmith is available for you to undertake.]
One of the notifications displayed.
When Hyun-soo first transitioned to the God Blacksmith, he had acquired a sword.
It was presumed to be an artifact for the job quest, with all its details marked as ???.
Hyun-soo reviewed the job quest.
[Job Quest: The Sword Left by the God Blacksmith]
Grade: A
Restriction: Descendant of the God Blacksmith, Level 100~130
Reward: ???
Penalty for Failure: Revocation of the Descendant of the God Blacksmith status.
Description: You can receive an explanation when you meet the Blacksmith Tower Master, Dang.
‘What kind of penalty is this severe?’
The penalty was revocation of the status of the Descendant of the God Blacksmith.
This meant that all skills Hyun-soo possessed, such as Divine Custom Crafting, Divine Custom Repair, and Emergency Crafting, would disappear.
Also, since the level limit is up to 130, surpassing that level would automatically result in revocation.
‘It’s been a while since I went to the tower of blacksmiths.’
Before departing, Hyun-soo notified the Blacksmith Tower Master, Dang, that he was coming.
***
At the top floor of the Tower of the Sword’s Blacksmith.
The messenger of the God Blacksmith visited.
The messenger of the god conveys the words of the god.
They could be chosen from among the priests or worshippers, or those who had previously received revelations from the God Blacksmith and were waiting.
The messenger, Balam.
His family had served the God Blacksmith for generations.
Balam was not someone special. He was merely one who conveyed the god’s words and continued the god’s will.
He said in a firm voice,
“The descendant might be deprived of their qualification.”
The faces of those in the tower of blacksmiths were mixed with joy and sorrow.
The faces of Dang, the master of the Sword Tower, and Colson, the master of the Bow Tower, turned pale, while the other tower masters showed signs of joy.
Dang, the master of the Sword Tower, hoped for the myth of the god to be realized, wishing for Hyun-soo to lead them someday.
In the case of Colson, although he initially denied the God Blacksmith, he became fascinated by Hyun-soo after a blacksmithing contest with him.
Conversely, the other tower masters were still too afraid of their positions being threatened.
Of course, it didn’t mean they would just revoke it.
“The Sword Left by the God Blacksmith served to measure what he has achieved during his growth after his class change. He will be deprived of his position the moment his approval rating falls below 40%.”
Dang couldn’t understand it.
“How could the god easily cast away someone who is called his descendant?”
The messenger of the god, Balam, looked down at himself with a bitter expression. His priestly garments were worn out and had turned yellow with time.
He wondered if he was a priest or a beggar.
“This is why.”
Dang wore a look of pity.
“There are countless temples of gods in the world, and the followers of the Ares religion number in the hundreds of millions.”
The Ares religion.
The greatest god, Ares.
Although Ares is a supercomputer, in the game, it is set as the greatest god.
“The temples of other gods are smaller in scale compared to the Ares religion, but they still surpass tens of millions of followers.”
Balam gave a bitter smile as he looked at Colson and Dang.
“And those who follow the God Blacksmith…”
Balam looked at Colson, then at Dang, and pointed to himself.
“It might just be the three of us.”
The messenger of the god, Balam, was tired.
“I want to stop serving the God Blacksmith in this generation. It’s too hard and I’m too hungry.”
A god needs many followers to ensure his followers are fed.
“Why has this happened?”
“The God Blacksmith symbolizes both martial prowess and blacksmithing skills. Ironically, this has become a poison.”
“How has that become a poison?”
Dang was always delighted to hear the myths.
The God Blacksmith was said to create amazing weapons and possess great power.
What a tremendous thing that is!
“If you, Mr. Dang, seek strong power, would you serve the god of swords or the God Blacksmith?”
He would serve the god of swords.
A god who possesses one aspect is at least stronger in that area than a god who holds two.
“The god knows this too. The lowest god knows the conditions for his succession are too hard, making it difficult to garner worship. That’s why the god is now ready to boldly abandon his descendant.”
“Then what achievements must he accomplish for the god to acknowledge him?”
“The god’s approval represents various things. The amount of martial power he has accumulated since his class change. The strength of the weapons he has crafted so far. At least, he must create artifacts closest to legendary.”
“…You’re holding onto an impossible hope.”
Dang and Colson couldn’t help but laugh hollowly.
“Messenger, how can you ask someone who has just begun walking to achieve such an impossible feat?”
Level is the most crucial factor for outsiders.
Applying what the god is demanding to NPCs is like asking a 9-year-old to create a weapon closest to legendary.
Just then.
“…Mr. Hyun-soo has arrived.”
One of the tower’s staff members appeared, bringing Hyun-soo with him.
Balam, too, understands the will of the god.
“He believes it’s better to have nothing than to maintain a temple in mediocrity and raise a descendant.”
Regrettably, for over a thousand years, the God Blacksmith has lagged behind other gods.
The god wants a descendant who will surpass him and lead the way.
The condition is too demanding, but he understands the sentiment a hundred and a thousand times over.
He respectfully said to the descendant who appeared,
“Descendant, that sword is imbued with the achievements you’ve made since your class change. Every swing will reveal those achievements.”
“What does it mean for the achievements to be revealed?”
“Think of the memorable traits embedded in the artifacts you’ve crafted, and speak of your achievements along the journey you’ve taken. Start with ‘One. I did this.’ and continue from there.”
“Does this mean the skills embedded in what I’ve crafted will manifest?”
“Yes, that power will manifest. But do not worry. It’s merely the power of a mirage, so swinging it won’t harm anyone.”
Hyun-soo, the descendant of the god, nodded his head and slowly drew the sword back.
And then he swung it with all his might.
“One….”
As he mentioned his first achievement, Dang and Colson’s eyes widened.
“One….”
The moment he mentioned his second achievement, Rex, the master of the Shield Blacksmith’s Tower who had denied the god, let out a cry of astonishment.
“One….”
As he mentioned yet another, Balam, who had not believed in the vain myths of the God Blacksmith and wanted to deny him, ended up kneeling.
“One.”
With each continuation, Balam finally realized that the true god had arrived.
“One.”
At the end of his words, Balam, who had been fascinated by him, suddenly came to his senses.
On the right, an entire space had frozen solid.
On the left, a ferocious dragon exhaled its breath, staring at him.
In some place, the most sacred bell in the world spread a mighty toll.
Daaang-
And on another side, a bow pulled itself and struck a monster, embedding it into the ground.
And before he knew it, Balam found himself prostrating, worshiping Hyun-soo, the man, without even realizing it.
Cliche Novel 
Next chapter is gonna be sick as hell
The reactions are gonna be epic
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