Hyun-soo, upon logging into Ares, received congratulations from Nel.
[Nel: Congratulations, reaching over 400,000 subscribers in just 8 hours is a first, I believe. It might steadily rise to 1.3 million and reach the 6th place within a week.]
It was a novel feeling.
The blacksmith community. There had always been a saying about Hyun’s Forge.
‘There’s a limit to how far an individual blacksmith can go.’
Most of those who approached Hyun-soo with recruitment offers had that saying on their lips.
Within the top 20 subscriber count.
Among them, Hyun-soo was the first individual blacksmith.
It wasn’t just about the numbers.
[Nel: Now, the value of Hyun’s Forge is over 2.5 billion a month.]
The sales of the top 10 corporate forges ranged between 2 to 3 billion.
Considering labor costs and other expenses, it can be said that Hyun-soo’s profit margin was significantly higher.
[Guild Master Hyun-soo: Looks like I’ll catch up to half of Black Anvil’s subscriber count soon.]
Hyun-soo had never forgotten his promise with Rowen.
Feeling somewhat neglected upon seeing the quiet guild chat, aside from Nel.
[Guild Master Hyun-soo: Seems like all guild members are in dungeons, right?]
[Nel: Right, they’re in areas where whispers or guild chat aren’t possible, so it’s hard to get in touch.]
He remembered having heard about this beforehand.
And it was time for Hyun-soo to move towards the next goal.
[Nel: You’re returning to the Kingdom of Goyard today, right? How do you think the title upgrade will go?]
Hyun-soo felt a pang in his chest.
[Guild Master Hyun-soo: Currently at 79% negotiation power, with 10% negotiation and 5% contribution, it seems I won’t be able to get the baron title just yet ㅠㅠ.]
Normally, achieving 100% contribution to the kingdom would allow for a title upgrade.
[Nel: But still, having over 60% kingdom contribution in just two weeks? I think you’re the only one, Hyun-soo.]
Nel was good at giving and taking.
Certainly, it wasn’t due to a lack of effort on Hyun-soo’s part.
As a negotiator, raising the negotiation power required tasks assigned by Hyun-soo.
‘It’s disappointing, but I’ll have to be satisfied with this…’
Just then.
[The instruction period will soon end.]
[Upon the completion of their instructional duties, negotiation power will be awarded based on their achievements.]
“…!?”
Hyun-soo was surprised by the unexpected notification.
Indeed, on the day (?) Hyun-soo was “kidnapped” to the Praham Kingdom, the five members of the Gale Squad were dispatched as instructors to the Cradle of Hell.
Hyun-soo realized.
‘Depending on how much they’ve managed to improve the soldiers of the Cradle of Hell, my negotiation power could change?’
Hyun-soo waited with bated breath.
Once their instructional duties were completely finished, the results would be revealed.
***
The Cradle of Hell.
Where the elite soldiers of the Praham Kingdom are trained.
The average level of soldiers here reached about 200.
However, the 300 soldiers in the Cradle of Hell averaged level 240.
Individuals who could face five soldiers on their own!
Though not knights, they were equivalent in strength.
Therefore, the arrogance of the Cradle of Hell soldiers knew no bounds.
Soldier Chen couldn’t forget the first day they arrived.
Heading to the barracks late due to duties, he recalled the conversations among the other soldiers.
‘Let’s trample them thoroughly.’
‘How dare those soldiers from the Kingdom of Goyard even speak!’
Chen remembered being harshly dealt with by the Cradle of Hell soldiers, ending up with black eyes and swollen faces.
And then he entered the barracks.
“Those instructors, did you all beat them up well…?”
Upon entering, Chen was speechless.
Five menacing soldiers had knocked down a hundred in the cramped barracks.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“Eeugh…”
“Hiccup…!”
Chen ended up hiccuping.
And the five members of the Gale Squad.
Beasts raised solely for killing since they were children.
Kahn, their leader, grinned slightly.
“Aren’t they cute?”
It was their first meeting.
The Cradle of Hell was so named due to its absurdly intense training regimen.
But these men were different.
Early in the morning.
“Run back and forth up the mountain 10 times.”
The mission given by the instructors was outrageous.
Yet, they ran together.
While they ran five laps, the instructors ran ten.
“…?”
No one could call it absurd.
Why? Because they achieved it.
***
Awaiting the end of the follower instructors’ mission, Hyun-soo received a notification.
[The follower instructors’ mission concludes.]
[The soldiers of the Cradle of Hell have significantly improved.]
Hyun-soo’s heart trembled.
[An extraordinary achievement.]
Always the achiever, this time, his followers accomplished it.
[Negotiation power increases by 23%.]
And Hyun-soo marveled at the notification that rang out.
Effectively, Hyun-soo, being the principal negotiator, had a much easier time increasing negotiation power.
Having dealt with the king, wasn’t it expected?
Thus, achieving this much away from the king’s gaze was remarkable.
[Total negotiation power reaches 102%.]
Hyun-soo somehow knew.
‘They did their best.’
A small smile formed.
Upon returning, he would reward them.
Just then, Ben, with his hands behind his back, approached.
“I wish you wouldn’t give me time to be bored.”
It was an invitation to visit often.
“Your soldiers are heading to the Praham Kingdom’s POW camp. If you join them and lead the prisoners back to your homeland, your duty as a negotiator will conclude.”
After Ben left, Hyun-soo pulled out a bow from his inventory.
It was his masterpiece.
Though it was a custom-made bow intended for Ian, Hyun-soo deliberated carefully.
‘To destroy, or not to destroy.’
And having made his decision, Hyun-soo immediately headed towards the POW camp.
***
Bella received a letter.
It was sent from a small domain.
The content of the letter was as follows:
‘I lack the strength to govern this ever-growing territory.’
‘The tales of his growing influence and those longing for him continue to reach my ears.’
Initially, Bard thought upon receiving this letter:
‘It must be tough being a lord.’
It’s challenging when the people of your domain continuously speak not of their lord but of a mere passerby.
As the leader of that place, it must be hard to endure.
‘I, too, wish he were the lord of this domain. The once lifeless domain has filled with laughter and joy due to him, and I couldn’t be happier with the increasing number of visitors.’
However, it was not the case.
The lord, on the contrary, expressed joy.
“Be gone.”
As Bard continued, Bella, standing beside him, couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“…He is currently abroad as a negotiator. It’s illogical to entrust a territory to him, given he’s merely a junior viscount now. However.”
Soon, Bard smiled slightly.
“His achievements in negotiation will play a deciding role.”
Soon after the letter arrived, Bella looked puzzled.
“What surprises you? Is it because of my letter?”
But Vice-Captain Bella shook her head.
“No.”
“Then?”
“It’s the idea that the most suitable person for the Ballass domain, meaning a master blacksmith becoming the lord of a blacksmith’s domain, will surprise me.”
Bella was amazed.
A domain led by a master blacksmith.
The sender of the letter was Ballass’s owner, Belin.
The question was this:
“What level of negotiation power is required for a junior viscount to be granted a newly emerged territory without causing a stir?”
Barad was not one to give easily.
Thus, if not achieved, he would not give.
“It’s hard to say, but it must be something that both I and the nobility find astounding.”
Perhaps when he returns, he’ll find out.
What title he’ll receive and what rewards he’ll be given.
Meanwhile.
Ben’s expression twisted.
“What, what…?”
The words of Lek, the vice-leader of the Black Dragon squad who had been tortured for days without breaking, were shocking.
“The entire Black Dragon squad has probably already attacked the POW camp.”
Lek laughed.
“We are the hunting dogs of the Praham Kingdom. What would happen if we, those dogs, killed all the prisoners and soldiers there?”
Ben’s face turned red.
Even if it wasn’t the intention of the Praham Kingdom.
If the Black Dragon squad kills the prisoners of Goyard Kingdom, the situation becomes uncontrollable.
Peace between the two nations would be utterly destroyed.
Ben urgently sent out a letter.
This letter was directed to one person currently heading there.
But he couldn’t be too hopeful. The Black Dragon squad numbered around 70.
Moreover, even if he left now, everything would be over by his arrival.
And Hyun-soo, approaching the POW camp, quickly read the letter that flew towards him.
Ding!
[A Kingdom Quest: Prisoner Rescue is generated.]
Rank: S
Restriction: Proposed by the king
Reward: Negotiation power X2
Failure Penalty: Decrease in intimacy with Bard, Ben.
Description: The prisoners of the Goyard Kingdom are at risk of being massacred. Ensure their safe return to their homeland.
Hyun-soo was surprised as he read the suddenly initiated quest.
‘Negotiation power doubled…?’
Meaning, if he completes this task, the increase would be doubled, similar to an experience gain.
However, Hyun-soo’s attention was elsewhere.
[Kahn is in danger.]
[Berm is in danger.]
[…]
Hyun-soo clenched his teeth.
Dismounting from the carriage provided by Ben, he swiftly rode a horse, galloping away.
Cliche Novel 