Having become a lord, Hyun-soo immediately fell asleep after logging out.
After a full day’s rest, he walked into the capsule.
“I’m a lord?”
Hyun-soo was newly moved seeing the subjects of his domain showing him respect yesterday.
The same person who started playing the game to get the Ares VVIP capsule had now become the master of 10,000 subjects.
[Connecting to Ares.]
Hyun-soo advised his subjects to rest and ordered them to assess any damages.
He then entered the audience hall and slowly walked towards the throne.
Sitting down, Hyun-soo cracked a slight smile.
“Let’s see…”
After receiving a sword from Per yesterday, Hyun-soo had logged out.
The most crucial time had arrived.
It was time to check what he had gained yesterday.
Hyun-soo checked the alert he had received the day before.
[You have hunted the fourth calamity, Ronso.]
[You have earned 356,862 experience points.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[Leveling up…]
The experience needed for leveling up becomes brutally high as the first digit increases.
For users in the 290 level range, it generally takes more than two weeks to level up.
Yet, Hyun-soo managed to level up nine times in one go.
“A bit disappointing.”
Hyun-soo’s current level was 299, just one level short of 300.
[You have acquired 121,803 gold.]
[You have acquired 9 Blessed Enhancement Stones.]
[You have acquired the Necklace of Calamity.]
[You have acquired 500 fame.]
[You have acquired 200 charisma.]
The rewards were excellent.
Especially, the second calamity artifact was particularly to his liking.
(Necklace of Calamity)
Grade: Legendary
Durability: 3,000/3,000
Defense: 108
Requirement: Level 290 or higher
Special abilities:
· 30% increased attack power against evil.
· 30% increased defense against evil.
· Active skill: Leap of Calamity.
· Passive skill: Absolute Domination.
· Passive skill: Damage X2.
· All effects increase by 5% when an additional calamity artifact is worn.
Description: An artifact representing the fourth calamity, Ronso.
Unlike the first calamity artifact, the Coat of Calamity, this is a legendary artifact.
Furthermore, wearing an additional calamity artifact applies an additional 5% increase to all effects.
Of course, the favorite was the Leap of Calamity.
With this skill, Hyun-soo could now freely soar through the skies.
However, not all the alerts were positive.
[You have killed two calamities.]
[You will become hostile with the Disaster Cult.]
[There might be impending dangers.]
It was a truly ominous alert. Fortunately, thanks to the Necklace of Calamity, his attack and defense against evil had increased by 30%.
There was also another very important alert that Hyun-soo had to check.
He had received a similar alert before.
[You approach a special name.]
Hyun-soo was curious about what that name could be.
Now, he had found out.
[You have crafted six legendary artifacts.]
[You are now eligible to challenge the top 10 legends.]
[The legend of the Master Craftsman is written.]
Hyun-soo was astounded.
“Could I really become one of the continent’s top 10 legends like Sword King Barad or Spear Heaven Ben?”
The alert clearly stated that he could challenge the new top 10 legends.
In other words, the alert about the Master Craftsman’s legend being written was just a one-time alert indicating that he had met the criteria.
Hyun-soo was now able to undergo the process to become one of the continent’s top 10 legends.
And he could view the requirements for that as well.
However, Hyun-soo knew when to rest and when to work.
Even though the conditions to become one of the top 10 legends had appeared, he had not checked them yesterday in order to rest with a relaxed mind.
Hyun-soo checked the quest.
[Legendary Quest: Top 10 Legendary Master Craftsman]
Grade: SSS
Requirement: One who has crafted six legends
Reward: Top 10 Legend
Penalty for failure: Inability to be listed among the top 10 legends.
Description: By crafting six legendary artifacts, you have earned the right to challenge for a spot among the continent’s top 10 legends. The method to become one of the top 10 legends is simple. Create a new grade of artifact.
“What…?”
Hyun-soo wore a surprised expression.
The way for him to become one of the continent’s top 10 legends.
It was none other than creating an artifact of a grade not yet seen in Ares.
“SSS grade, huh.”
It was Hyun-soo’s first time receiving a quest of this grade, and he realized that creating it would not be easy.
However, it was a challenge worth taking.
Hyun-soo was confident.
“If a new grade of artifact is created…”
It would be worth far more than the six legendary artifacts he had created.
Then Nel entered.
Nel had been appointed as the chancellor of the Ballas domain.
Upon hearing the story, Nel was amazed.
“To be able to challenge for a spot among the first users to become the continent’s top 10 legends is astonishing. You will likely become much stronger if you succeed.”
The outcome was not yet clear, but it was a natural privilege.
And Hyun-soo asked.
“Tell me honestly, how is the Ballas domain right now?”
Nel had checked the financial statements and various other aspects of the domain.
Nel replied coldly.
“The size of the domain population is very low, the size of the territory is very low, and the military strength is below average, among other things, yet the revenue and net profit are high.”
Simply put, the Ballas domain was in dire need of many things.
More troops and more domain residents to fill the territory, among others.
“Why are there so many lows?”
Hyun-soo’s question was reasonable.
After all, there were many visitors and both revenue and net profit were high.
“Firstly, the terrain surrounding the territory is very rugged, teeming with strong monsters, making territorial expansion impossible. The previous lord, including Baron Ronso from nearby domains, had been paying a certain amount of money to protect the domain from monsters, albeit somewhat coercively, which also resulted in a lot of taxes being taken.”
Nel continued explaining.
“Secondly, this has become an emerging territory not long ago. There’s no need for the domain residents, who seek a good place to live, to move to this remote location just because there are many outstanding blacksmiths here, nor was it even possible for them to move due to the monsters.”
That meant Lord Hyun-soo had a lot to do going forward.
“Securing military forces and residents, and first of all, securing more territory.”
It wasn’t going to be easy.
Securing taxes didn’t always mean good results.
The domain had to be continually developed, otherwise, it would lead to losses.
Then, an alert came to Hyun-soo and Chancellor Nel.
[The cost for damage repair in the Ballas domain is 11 million gold.]
“Choke…”
Hyun-soo was shocked.
Becoming a lord had led to enormous expenditures right away.
Nel seemed to have expected this, wearing an expression that said as much.
“That’s why all the guilds keep doing business.”
She gave a bitter smile.
Domain business could lead to huge profits if done right, but it was a double-edged sword that could result in losing both the domain and money, and even the title.
Nel had one worry.
‘Can Lord Hyun-soo and I manage the domain well?’
It was true that Nel was a capable person.
However, that didn’t mean she had experience managing a domain.
There was a world of difference between having real management experience and not.
That was when it happened.
Knock-knock-
“It’s Belin.”
It was Belin, who had now become the former lord.
With Hyun-soo’s acknowledgment, Belin entered.
She now paid her respects to Hyun-soo, who held a higher title than herself.
Furthermore, she said something completely unexpected.
“I intend to compensate for all the damages and pay an additional 20%. Please consider this for the families of the domain residents who have lost loved ones.”
Perhaps for Belin, it was the obvious thing to do.
After all, these were issues that had arisen during her tenure.
But the decision to pay an additional 20% was special.
“It’s a final gift for the residents.”
Belin knew she had to leave.
Regrettably, there was a strange tradition on this continent.
The tradition was that a former lord must leave their land.
Belin looked around the audience hall for a moment.
It was genuinely heart-wrenching.
After all, it was the small domain that she and her father had built up all their lives.
Soon, Belin handed Hyun-soo a potion.
“This is in gratitude for saving the domain.”
Hyun-soo received the potion and was amazed.
‘All stats increase by 1?’
According to the description, it was personally made by Lord Belin.
Of course, it was said to be the finest thing she had made.
Just as Belin was about to leave, Hyun-soo spoke up.
“I have a request.”
“A request?”
Belin looked puzzled.
“I would like you to stay in the domain and help me.”
At those words, Belin’s eyes wavered.
However, she steadied herself.
“My lord, there is a tradition on this continent that when a new lord arrives, the former lord must leave.”
It was a tradition designed to prevent clashes between two powers.
Hyun-soo smiled slightly.
“I’ll speak frankly.”
Hyun-soo, looking into Belin’s eyes, continued.
“I am still lacking and do not know how to lead a domain. My people are also lacking and have much to learn. It would be truly appreciated if former Lord Belin could stay by our side.”
Then, Belin realized.
He really did want help, and in fact, he intended to keep her here.
Hyun-soo addressed the concern about tradition.
“Moreover, I am a foreigner; do I need to follow that tradition?”
However, Belin had another concern.
“If I do stay, under what pretext should I remain here?”
Hyun-soo seemed to have thought this through.
“It appears you are exceptional in alchemy.”
Indeed, Belin’s alchemical skills were excellent.
“Why not pass on that knowledge to those who wish to learn alchemy?”
At that suggestion, Belin smiled slightly.
Hyun-soo added,
“Since it might take a long time for them to become proficient, it seems Lord Belin will need to stay here for a lifetime.”
At these words, Lord Belin gave the brightest smile in the world.
“I will do my best. I’ll advise you, my lord, and teach alchemy. Additionally, I will establish an alchemy academy, all at my own expense.”
In that moment, Belin thought once again.
Choosing him as the new lord was a decision without a single regret.
Soon, an alert sounded.
[Former Lord Belin remains in the Ballas domain.]
[You possess a uniqueness not attempted by others.]
[You gain 10 fame.]
[You gain 2 charisma.]
[An alchemy academy will soon be established in the Ballas domain.]
Watching from the side, Nel saw Hyun-soo and Belin.
‘Hyun-soo truly is different…’
Many guild masters who became lords would expel the former lords.
Out of fear that they might threaten their position.
Or to solidify their own standing.
Of course, Belin was different, but Hyun-soo quietly walked his own path.
Even look at the results of that.
‘An alchemy academy can now be established for free.’
The revenue it could generate was still unknown.
Blacksmith NPCs are made up of 99% men.
But due to the situation Hyun-soo had orchestrated, the women of the domain would now learn alchemy.
This meant idle hands would vanish, and the domain could develop a foundation for even faster progress.
Even Belin was enjoying herself.
“I will definitely produce outstanding alchemists.”
She was enthusiastic about establishing the academy at her own expense.
After she stepped forward, Nel silently gave a thumbs up.
Hyun-soo smiled slightly.
Then.
Craaack—
[The wolf’s egg hatches.]
Hyun-soo’s heart raced.
‘Finally?’
He hurriedly took the wolf’s egg from his inventory.
Cracks began to form on the surface of the egg at a rapid pace.
Hyun-soo’s biggest interest regarding the wolf’s egg was what kind of creature would be born from inside.
The alert that soon followed heightened the anticipation.
[It will be the most special being.]
And then, as the egg cracked open, the creature revealed itself.
Cliche Novel 