Strike 91

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The tower master of the shield blacksmiths, Dang, and the other seven tower masters could not understand Colson.

The one who had most greedily denied the gods was now turning his back on them and standing with the god.

When it was said that the god was coming, they discussed among themselves.

“To serve a god without followers, what does that even mean?”

“Why would there be no followers? The myth of the God Blacksmith is well-packaged, but if you look into its essence, it is insignificant compared to the myths of other gods.”

Everyone agreed on this point.

Moreover, what troubled them the most was this:

“By the standards of outsiders, just reaching level 100 is merely like taking the first steps, why should we serve him? Someday, he might try to steal what we have built under the false name of a god.”

They thought he was merely someone who came in the name of a god.

And when they met the messenger of the god, Balam, they were pleased among themselves.

“Outsiders learn to walk by reaching level 100, now we start to walk beyond that. But can there be such a thing as achievement?”

“It’s impossible, of course. It cannot exist.”

“You can rest easy now. The descendant of the God Blacksmith will not exist in our time.”

They were not averse to serving a god.

It was just that the so-called descendant of the god seemed too insignificant, and they wondered why they were being forced to serve.

They could not understand this myth.

“Can a blacksmith become a strong warrior!?”

There is a myth that the Sword God unfolds the heart sword.

But how does the myth of the God Blacksmith as a strong warrior come about?

Such a false myth makes the God Blacksmith a false god.

And it’s even worse for outsiders.

“Outsiders can unlock their stats with something called bonus points. But these are limited in number.”

Because the number is limited, what can be increased is restricted.

“He might have learned swordsmanship from somewhere.”

“Yes, he might have, the kind of swordsmanship that soldiers or ordinary knights would have learned.”

Hyun-soo felt that the sword he carried was following part of the myth of the God Blacksmith.

But isn’t the quality different?

The Sword God unfolds the heart sword, and yet he’s compared to ordinary people wielding swordsmanship?

Hyun-soo draws the sword of the God Blacksmith behind his back. He locks eyes with them and finally speaks.

“One. I have learned the swordsmanship of the Sword King.”

“……!”

“……!”

The moment they heard those words, disbelief engulfed the tower masters.

But the mystery of the Sword King’s swordsmanship manifested from all directions, wildly rushing through their hearts.

Who is the Sword King?

The most outstanding swordsman of the time.

A legend among the top 10 legends of the continent, the king of the Goyard kingdom.

Hyun-soo moves the sword again as if to show off.

“I have saved the Sword King.”

Rex shook his head.

‘How could this be…?’

Could it be true that a mere beginner could save someone as formidable as the Sword King?

“I have created the first legend.”

[His recognition surpasses 45%.]

The sword left by the God Blacksmith proves it right in front of them.

One side is completely frozen.

Suddenly, the messenger of the god, Balam, slowly kneeling before him, enters their view.

***

[If you fail to prove more than 40% recognition, you will be deprived of the title of the God Blacksmith’s descendant.]

The occupational quest test that began as soon as he reached the tower.

Hyun-soo saw Dang and Colson turn pale.

‘Those who believe in me.’

Hyun-soo didn’t want to disappoint such people. Moreover, being among the eight tower masters, they must have faced many criticisms.

‘I don’t want to make them subject to criticism by believing in me.’

And he wanted to show them. Who he is, what he has done.

With each thing he mentioned, his achievements unfolded.

“I created the second legend, a world without dragons. I created a dragon.”

[Recognition surpasses 76%.]

A dragon appeared on one side.

Stepping forward, he swung again with the dragon, which looked at them with a dignified gaze, puffing out its breath behind him.

Swooosh-

“I made the clearest sounding bell in the world, becoming a benefactor.”

[Recognition surpasses 91%.]

A mirage.

The power of a hologram.

Minerals are refined, purified, and forged at high speed, and the bell of Ramas regains its original color as it’s heated red.

The white bell slowly swings and rings by itself, filling the entire tower with its clear sound.

Daaaaang-

Another one.

“I won the super rookies’ tournament most splendidly.”

There was no one here who did not know about the super rookies’ tournament.

It was one of the famous festivals of the neighboring kingdom of Goyard.

Rex found himself gaping at the unbelievable achievements being listed.

He looked around at the other tower masters.

“I made a bow that embeds the weight of a thousand pound.”

[Recognition surpasses 100%.]

The tower masters, who had been standing awkwardly, were now kneeling on one knee, showing their respect.

One of those who had denied the descendant of the god, the tower master of the Spear, Brey, said,

“I denied you. I only thought that someone who appeared from somewhere intended to take away what we had. I am sorry. Tower Master Brey of the Spear. I see the descendant of the god.”

The tower master of the Armor Tower.

“Me too…”

The tower master of the Cloak Tower.

“I felt the same. Please kill me!”

Looking at them, Rex, the tower master of the Shield Tower, found himself also kneeling on one knee, looking up at him.

What should he say?

What excuse should he make?

And then, Hyun-soo saw all the tower masters prostrated before him.

The so-called messenger of the god, Balam, was lying flat, unable to raise his head.

To be honest, Hyun-soo felt embarrassed.

Most of the tower masters were named NPCs over level 300.

‘I’m still just a shell.’

Yes, Hyun-soo had achieved a lot, but there was still so much more he had to do.

He said,

“Everyone, please stand up.”

At Hyun-soo’s gentle voice, Rex looked up with trembling eyes.

They had denied him, not acknowledged him, and until just a moment ago, had scorned him.

But he,

“It’s too much.”

Said with a gentle expression. Could he be someone with a too tender heart?

A god should sometimes be firm, a small worry surfaces.

Then,

“When I stand at a higher place, then I will accept it more proudly.”

No, he wasn’t just being gentle. He knew timing.

When the time comes, he will accept it calmly and lead them with equanimity. Moreover, his confident voice and smile captivated all the tower masters.

“Yes, we will wait! For the true day when you will lead us!”

All the tower masters had now united in spirit and changed.

And Hyun-soo realized,

‘Recognition…’

The first job quest was to verify what he had accumulated so far. Naturally, the higher the recognition, the more special the rewards given.

[Job Quest: The Sword Left by the God Blacksmith Completed]

[You have recorded an extraordinary achievement.]

Hyun-soo held firm belief.

The notifications of extraordinary achievements he had received several times had never disappointed him and had always provided greater rewards.

Soon, the Sword of the God Blacksmith resonated.

Hummm-

[The Sword of the God Blacksmith bestows a reward.]

[All stats +2, the probability of obtaining a higher grade increases by 10%…]

[Correction.]

[The Sword of the God Blacksmith deems this insufficient.]

Hyun-soo looked at the sword with a puzzled expression. Even when he first held the sword, it seemed as if it had its own will.

‘So the original reward was all stats +2 and a 10% increase in the probability of obtaining a higher grade…’

A job quest involves obtaining something related to that job class. While not a bad reward, it wasn’t truly satisfying for Hyun-soo.

[Reward assessment completed.]

[A job quest is generated that allows you to obtain one of the five secret techniques of the God Blacksmith.]

[You will receive the original rewards.]

[All stats +2, the probability of obtaining a higher grade increases by 10%.]

[You may also learn about one of the divine techniques in advance.]

[A new story begins.]

Hyun-soo, now familiar with Ares’ system, was confident.

‘Breaking a new story always leads to something great.’

Hyun-soo awaited the notification for the new job quest he would initiate.

***

[User Hyun-soo will start a new job quest.]

Special User Management Team.

Employee Lee Ji-hee showed a surprised expression.

“A new story…?”

Of course, a new story itself isn’t something particularly special for the team managing special users. The notification of a new story typically appears when significant achievements are made in limited places.

Hyun-soo’s new stories were always in limited locations.

The beginner zone’s expedition team.

The beginner’s domain war in the Casel territory.

The recent new story through the broadcast was also in a limited location, the time attack dungeon.

“A new story emerging from a job quest isn’t easy; it means that the God Blacksmith recognizes Hyun-soo as the rightful person.”

Hearing the voice from behind, Lee Ji-hee could see CEO Lee Se-jin standing there.

“Hello, Mr. President.”

Tae-seok and Ji-hee hurriedly greeted the CEO, who appeared like a ghost. Lee Se-jin waved his hand dismissively and said, “Getting the secret techniques of the God Blacksmith was never going to be easy in the first place.” 

The name secret technique (祕器) wasn’t given for nothing. 

The type of secret technique could either be an upgrade of what one already possessed or something entirely new that was unknown before. 

“It means a different job quest from the existing ones is going to be triggered, but which job quest will it be?” 

This was the key point that the Special User Management Team needed to focus on. 

The new job quest. How it would be triggered was the question. 

Then, 

[A job quest: In Search of a Savior is generated for the child of the Saintess, Belia.] 

CEO Lee Se-jin opened the quest received by the child of the Saintess with a surprised expression. 

[Job Quest: In Search of a Savior] 

Grade: A 

Restriction: Child of the Saintess 

Reward: 200 Holy Power 

Penalty if Failed: Destruction of the temple. 

Description: Your temple and the Saintess Aria you serve are in danger. Set out to find the savior, who is currently located at the Tower of the God Blacksmith. 

Lee Se-jin looked intrigued. 

‘So the stories are interconnected in this way.’ 

Tae-seok appeared puzzled. 

“What does the child of the Saintess have to do with Hyun-soo, the descendant of the God Blacksmith, for the job quest to be triggered?” 

Ji-hee quickly typed on the keyboard. 

“According to the setting, the God Blacksmith once promised the gods that he would someday create an artifact for their temples. It seems related to that.” 

It’s quite a setting. Soon, Lee Se-jin murmured, “Child Belia might become the best healer in our country, which worries me.” 

Team Leader Kim looked puzzled.

 “Why would that worry you?” 

Lee Se-jin couldn’t help but smile bitterly. 

“Who’s currently in the Guild Bright Future?” 

“Well, Nel, Lisel…” 

“No, not names.” 

This time, Ji-hee was quicker to catch on. 

“Strategist prodigy Nel, strongest tank Bark, strongest dealer Lisel, and strongest blacksmith Hyun-soo are there.” 

“Team Leader Kim, what’s missing?” 

Team Leader Kim thought hard. 

The most important elements when forming a team. A master to lead them. A strong dealer. An unbreakable tank. Nel, who might become an outstanding strategist. Suddenly, Tae-seok’s eyes widened. 

“Healer, they don’t have a healer.” 

“Right, with just one healer, Guild Bright Future could become the strongest elite guild.” 

CEO Lee Se-jin looked at the monitor with interest. 

‘Of course, all choices will be made by Belia.’

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