Hyun-soo woke up early in the morning and was puzzled.
His phone, linked to the auction house, had received numerous notifications.
[Subscribers Updated.]
[Hyun’s Forge Subscribers: 1,730,013.]
[Current Ranking in South Korea’s Blacksmith Subscribers: 7th.]
“What’s going on?”
Overnight, the subscriber count had increased by 300,000. Unfortunately, there was no change in the ranking.
Puzzled, Hyun-soo soon discovered the reason through a message from Hye-ji on KakaoTalk.
“Who knew it would have this effect…”
It was because someone had mentioned “Hyun’s Forge” in the Time Attack Dungeon rankings.
“The Americans?”
Hyun-soo checked the interview video as well.
“It’s definitely a double-edged sword…”
Hyun-soo frowned, a bitter expression on his face.
It was certainly a good temporary effect for Hyun’s Forge.
Indeed, closing the gap in the Time Attack rankings by hundreds of thousands was implausible.
Will’s comments had raised expectations about how far Hyun’s Forge could really narrow the gap.
“I must succeed.”
Hyun-soo logged into Ares.
The three people who were already connected greeted Hyun-soo with somber faces.
“You’re here?”
“Yes, but why do you all look so down?”
“We feel pressured…”
Following Hye-ji’s comment, Tae-hoon grimaced.
“If we fail this, the pressure of what will become of us is overwhelming.”
“Time Attack on the Ferocious Labyrinth is 6th on Naver’s real-time search, and many people are paying attention to it, especially after Will’s interview made things even bigger.”
The three seemed to feel a great pressure.
Then, Hyun-soo, trying to lighten their mood, asked playfully.
“Oh, did I tell you before?”
Hyun-soo fumbled through the inner pocket of his coat.
He then pulled out three pieces of paper and a pen from his inventory.
“I’m a fan, could you give me an autograph?”
“Haha.”
“What’s that about?”
“Shouldn’t you have asked for that when we first met?”
“I missed the chance… Anyway, I’m a fan of all three of you.”
Despite some who might mock, a national hero is a star loved by many.
Hyun-soo felt the same.
The atmosphere lightened considerably.
“We have two chances left. And we need to figure it out today.”
After today, the Ferocious Labyrinth Time Attack would be completely over.
“Let’s go.”
The four entered the Ferocious Labyrinth.
Today, their condition was at its best.
It was truly a lucky day.
Hyun-soo’s forge created three incredible artifacts, and their critical hits landed more often than usual.
[Ranking Updated.]
[5th Place South Korea 16 minutes 19 seconds.]
Entering the top five.
Their hearts raced.
With this momentum, they were determined more than ever.
The last chance, the 10th run.
Today, luckier than their ninth run, the four performed even better.
With hearts shouting “please” and “let’s do this,” they pushed forward.
On their final attempt, the 10th run.
[4th Place South Korea 15 minutes 49 seconds.]
They entered 4th place.
Then, the four of them stood silently in the dungeon.
It turned out that they posed no threat, just like Will’s provocation from the U.S.
Hye-ji, Han-ul, and Tae-hoon stood with heavy hearts.
Unlike them, Hyun-soo was checking something by leveling up.
Then.
[Hidden Piece. Those Close to the True Ferocious Labyrinth Completed.]
They looked puzzled.
Hidden Piece.
Special rewards hidden in countless places.
The four recalled the contents of an interview with Will, a user from the U.S.
When asked by a journalist how he managed to reduce a 5-minute gap, Will responded, “That’s something users from other countries will need to figure out.”
Of course, all users who entered the top 4 must have achieved this Hidden Piece.
However, it’s possible that they and the U.S. wanted to keep the information they found secret.
Soon that information would be revealed.
[The True Ferocious Labyrinth Opens.]
Rumble-
The dungeon began to vibrate massively.
Ding!
[Pop-up Quest: Ferocious Labyrinth]
Grade: S
Restriction: Those who entered within 15 minutes
Reward: Significantly shorter clearing time
Penalty for Failure: None.
Description: You are now eligible to challenge the True Ferocious Labyrinth. The Ferocious Labyrinth is much stronger than before. In return, you can gain the privilege of time reduction.
[The Labyrinth Becomes Ferocious.]
[You can now make your final attempt at the Ferocious Labyrinth.]
They received a new last chance.
They were moved to the entrance of the dungeon.
Standing in the safe zone, they could soon see the transformed Ferocious Labyrinth.
[The existing rules are broken and a new type of dungeon is introduced.]
[The boss monster changes.]
[King of the Ferocious Labyrinth Lv.383]
Then the three saw it.
A transparent barrier.
Within it, hundreds of monsters swarmed.
[Lycan Lv.344]
“Khyoaaarrrr!”
Lupine monsters with black fur, bipedal, screamed from behind the wall.
Behind them, an unidentified boss monster crouched.
[The Ferocious Labyrinth will begin in 1 minute.]
“The time to conquer the True Ferocious Labyrinth will inevitably be much shorter…”
The original labyrinth was nearly 3 km long.
However, here, all monsters were concentrated within a radius of 500 meters.
Meaning, it could be resolved quickly.
Khyoaaarrrr!
Khaaaaak!
Rumble-
However, the three felt fear.
“How are we supposed to break this…”
They finally felt the difference between themselves and the U.S.
A huge barrier.
It was a level that they absolutely couldn’t clear with their current abilities.
Eventually, Hye-ji collapsed.
The overwhelming strength of the True Ferocious Labyrinth was enough to demoralize them.
Hye-ji collapsed, covering her face, while Tae-hoon leaned against the wall and sighed, and Han-ul cursed.
“I’m really struggling…” Hye-ji murmured.
The world didn’t know.
At 19, they had become national representatives and stars overnight.
At first, they were happy.
But as time passed, the immense pressure returned.
And since they started playing the game, they had not had a single day of comfort.
The community users said:
-Since they’re medalists, of course, they should be ranking first LOL
-Ah, agreed agreed
-Proud of our medalists!
-Let’s go catch those world rankers!
When they became known as the ‘Cursed Trio,’ the attitude towards them changed.
-Really disappointed LOL
-Take off the national emblem.
-What? If you’re skilled in reality, shouldn’t you be the same in the game?
-LOL, they’re a total failure.
-LOL
-Idiots
Of course, there were more who did not think this way.
However, for those who criticized them, they had to be number one.
Khyoaaarrrr!
Seeing the Lycan wailing at her, Hye-ji finally burst into tears.
Watching her bitterly, Tae-hoon approached Hyun-soo.
“You reached level 300, right? Congratulations.”
He did not expect much.
This desperate situation.
He wondered if anything could change just because he reached level 300.
Meanwhile, Tae-hoon handed over the promised top-quality Orichalcum.
“We still managed to make it into the top 5.”
And Hyun-soo received it.
“I hope we meet again next time, oh right. And you really won’t tell us the secret?”
They asked together.
What was the secret behind Blacksmith Hyun’s legend?
Rumble-
[58 seconds.]
Hyun-soo, looking at them, smiled faintly.
“I was envious.”
He stepped forward, looking at the three.
[54 seconds.]
“Of you, getting off the plane to applause.”
Everyone looked at Hyun-soo.
“I meant it when I said I was a fan. And I have always hoped.”
[50 seconds.]
“That one day, I too would be recognized like you. Of course, I didn’t know about these hardships.”
Hyun-soo, now beside Hye-ji, looked past the transparent wall at the Lycans.
[48 seconds.]
[45 seconds.]
[44 seconds.]
A black mineral surged up above him.
Squeak-
Tae-hoon, Han-ul, and Hye-ji looked at him with puzzled expressions.
It was the top-quality Orichalcum.
“Sorry to say this in such a situation.”
Hyun-soo grimaced with a bitter smile.
“I have also given my best in my field.”
[40 seconds.]
They soon saw the refined mineral being rapidly purified. Tae-hoon looked on in astonishment, thinking about Hyun-soo’s statement that he had given his best in his field.
“Could it be that this secret is…!”
They had thought Hyun-soo had some special skill or a unique class.
Hyun-soo smiled wryly and said, “That’s right. I am a true blacksmith.”
***
Having revealed his identity, Hyun-soo left them astounded behind him. Top-quality Orichalcum. Wasn’t it too precious to use for a quick job? No, it wasn’t. Hyun-soo had just reached level 300.
[Congratulations.]
[You have reached level 300.]
This resulted in numerous notifications.
[You gain 15 points in all stats.]
[Job quest…]
[…]
[…]
[…]
[A new skill of the God Blacksmith is unlocked.]
Ding!
[You acquire God’s Special Emergency Crafting.]
(God’s Special Emergency Crafting)
Active Skill
Grade: God
Level: None
Penalty: None
Effects:
– Artifacts crafted through emergency crafting can be permanently retained.
– Can only be used once every three months.
The refined mineral in front of Hyun-soo is quickly forged.
Squeak-
The blade, heated to redness, finally reveals its color.
A sword whose blade, resembling the color of Orichalcum, is made of black metal.
[28 seconds.]
Crunch-
Finally, a character is branded onto the sword that is connected to the grip.
This sword isn’t derived from any story.
It is a sword thought by Hyun-soo to be crafted with the best materials exclusively for him.
It is created through skills that transcend his understanding and effort comparable to Han-ul, Hye-ji, and Tae-hoon.
The character branded on the slightly curved sword emits light.
Supreme Blade (至尊刀).
The pinnacle achieved by the best blacksmith and the best mineral.
Finally, as Hyun-soo grasps the sword, a sound echoes.
[A second masterpiece is written…]
Ding!
[A masterpiece can only be crafted once every three months.]
Masterpiece (力作).
It meant his life’s best work.
Moreover, having seen various masterpieces from other blacksmiths, Hyun-soo knew that the notification of a masterpiece itself also had the function of enhancing the artifact.
However, Hyun-soo was not at all flustered.
He had already confirmed this fact in the blacksmith Ares community.
Instead, he put on a deliberately arrogant and confident expression.
‘This game gives rewards commensurate with the efforts made.’
Thus, Hyun-soo smiled confidently.
‘This is my greatest masterpiece, a sword that’s hard to come by again in Ares.’
His confidence was met with notifications.
[This is the most perfect sword that only you can craft.]
[Nobody can deny your story.]
[The system ignores the limitations.]
The notification was about to say that a second masterpiece had been written.
The notification changes.
[Your own masterpiece (力作) is written.]
[It is a legend beyond legends.]
“Get up.”
[7 seconds.]
Hyun-soo extends the newly crafted Supreme Blade.
A black current flowed from his sword.
[6 seconds.]
A confident smile crossed Hyun-soo’s face as he checked the details of the sword.
That smile was similar to the one he had just shown, challenging the system’s limits with an arrogant, “Think you can stop this?”
[5 seconds.]
Suddenly, next to the genius blacksmith, three other geniuses stood side by side.
[2 seconds.]
And the genius blacksmith, who had not been seen in the light, grasped the sword with both hands and coolly said,
“Let’s go take first place.”
[The barrier is lifted.]
[This is the final challenge.]
The story of the four geniuses was beginning.
Cliche Novel 