Initially, people in Korea were not interested in the ferocious labyrinth time-attack dungeons. South Korea always remained outside the top 13 rankings, which naturally diminished public interest. But this time was different.
– Crazy, Korea is 9th?
– Really?
– How did they do it?
– Looks like they did well after recruiting a new party member with top-tier orichalcum.
They were amazed by an unexpected name.
– Blacksmith Hyun?
– No way, just adding one blacksmith bumped them up this high?
That day.
After forming a new party, they swiftly climbed to 6th place, and by evening, the American user Will provoked South Korea. This provocation actually drew more users to the community.
Naver real-time search rankings.
[19th place. Will Interview.]
Content creators and personal broadcast BJs, needing provocative content, started to move. Encyclopedia of Everything, with 2 million subscribers, criticized Will.
“Ah, guys, this isn’t right at all, how can a user representing America say such things? Let’s make their noses flat by taking first place this time.”
[Current viewers: 298,414.]
The live broadcast by Encyclopedia of Everything drew a large audience.
– For real, that crossed the line.
– Han-ul, Hye-ji, Tae-hoon, Hyun. Please show them!!!
Some naturally felt the reaction from the USA was to be expected.
– Honestly, Korea can’t really compete with the USA…
– How can we beat 11 minutes 11 seconds… Let’s be real without the nationalistic pride…
The hottest expert channel in Ares. Commonly referred to as the Expert Team, they also have 1.5 million subscribers. One of the most famous experts went live.
“Regrettably, it seems difficult to take first place. A time difference of 5 minutes is hard to bridge. Remember the long-distance running in physical tests? Even a few seconds make a level of difference. That’s how hard it is to close a 5-minute gap in a time-attack dungeon. We can only hope Korea’s team breaks past the 5th place barrier.”
[Current viewers: 270,031.]
– But this is actually true…
– But still… We believe in miracles!
– Oi oi!
Credibility leaned towards the Expert Team.
The top rankers in Korea also supported the Expert Team’s view.
But then…
[Rankings updated.]
[1st place, South Korea, 8 minutes.]
– ?
– ??
– ????
An incredible shift occurred.
What was merely a figure in text dramatically turned the tables.
Encyclopedia of Everything exclaimed excitedly.
“Guys! Korea did it, I told you it was possible! 8 minutes is a revolutionary figure!”
[Current viewers: 370,313.]
– Wow… Is this possible?
– How on earth is this possible?
– This is a miracle…
The Expert Channel also immediately responded.
“I apologize for my hasty remarks. Many viewers are eager to know how such a record was possible.”
[Current viewers: 431,741.]
“As a result of our Expert Team’s combined opinions, we believe that Blacksmith Hyun has created some sort of miraculous artifact, just like when he made the legendary among legends. The reason why a world message did not ring is likely due to a restriction that it doesn’t ring when an artifact that has already reached such a level is created. And our Expert Team is very pleased.”
– Why are you guys happy lol
– Let’s hear what’s making them so happy.
“It’s because Blacksmith Hyun is one of our own countrymen, and…”
– Dude, don’t blush…
– Why is he embarrassed lolol
– Is he really blushing lolol
“I’ve subscribed too, to Hyun’s forge.”
The viewers realized.
This was not the time for them to be doing this.
Everyone tried to hit the subscribe button at the auction house.
But then…
[An error has occurred due to a large increase in subscribers.]
[Please try again later.]
They couldn’t subscribe even if they wanted to.
– Ah, Mr. Hyun, please let me subscribe…!
– God Hyun… are you now blocking even my subscription? Lol…
Then another blow hit.
– Will said that Hyun is a user who will go down in history…
– Hey, even foreigners are subscribing now…!
– Is this really Hyun’s era, is this Korea?
– World rankers are saying they will request items from Hyun, and it’s causing a flood of interest…
The next day.
Those who woke up early in the morning managed to log in.
– Hey, it’s working…!
They were astonished.
– Are these subscriber numbers for real…?
The numbers were so unbelievable even when seen with their own eyes.
***
Early in the morning.
Hyun-soo was woken by the loud ringing of the phone.
After the ferocious labyrinth time-attack.
Mentally exhausted, he had decided to take a full day’s rest.
“Uh… hello?”
Hyun-soo answered the phone with a tired voice.
– It’s me, the landlady, young man.
“Yes, ma’am!”
Hyun-soo immediately became alert.
It was Mrs. Kim Hye-sook, who had taken good care of him when he stayed in a two-story house, providing him with side dishes and various other things.
– I saw on TV, you are the blacksmith Hyun, right? I’m really proud of you. I’m so proud of you, Hyun-soo.
From the other side of the phone, the landlord’s voice could also be heard.
-Hahaha, I told you so. I knew this guy would do well once he got going! They’re only talking about Blacksmith Hyun on TV!
Hye-sook continued.
– We’re not that insensitive, so don’t worry. We haven’t told anyone.
“Ah, thank you so much!”
Hyun-soo looked puzzled.
‘I expected the news to come out…’
But he was too tired yesterday.
He also didn’t want to check the subscriber numbers of Hyun’s forge in real time or watch TV as he felt he wouldn’t be able to sleep.
As soon as he hung up the phone, another call came in.
It was his close friend Ji-hoon.
– I’m kind of proud. Congratulations.
“…What’s with the morning call. How many subscribers do I have anyway?”
– Just see for yourself, but anyway, congratulations.
He also received calls from others like his primary physician Jin-seop and nurse Ji-hye.
“Why aren’t you telling me…?”
Hyun-soo turned on the TV with a puzzled expression.
– Last night, there was a long period when the Ares Auction House was inaccessible. It is presumed to be due to many global users flocking to Hyun’s forge, which led the time-attack dungeon…
Hyun-soo jumped up.
‘I thought I’d be happy just to be within the top 5…’
The initial reason for challenging the time attack was to obtain top-grade orichalcum.
The increase in subscribers was an unexpected bonus for Hyun-soo.
‘But an 8-minute record is indeed unbelievable.’
Hyun-soo sat down at the computer.
‘Encyclopedia of Everything…?’
He skimmed through and it seemed a lot had happened while they were tackling the time attack.
Soon, Hyun-soo logged into the auction house with a trembling expression.
‘The last I checked, I was in 7th place with about 1.7 million subscribers, right?’
He was shocked by the number that appeared before him.
[Hyun’s Forge Subscribers: 2,216,013.]
[Currently ranked 2nd among Korean forges.]
‘2nd…?’
The subscriber count had increased by about 500,000 while he wasn’t looking.
It was so surprising that he was almost dumbstruck.
‘If it stabilizes for about a month…’
Typically, after a sudden surge, subscribers continue to flow in for about a month.
‘In a month, it could reach 2.5 million.’
Now, the difference in subscribers between Hyun’s Forge and Black Anvil was 500,000.
If he could secure another 500,000 subscribers, Hyun’s Forge could establish itself as the top forge in the country.
Hyun-soo smiled slightly.
‘That humble forge aiming for first place…’
Then, Hyun-soo suddenly remembered the notification he received when he reached level 300.
‘A new job quest…’
Hyun-soo logged in.
***
“Is it finally coming to light? It lasted quite a while.”
Special User Management Team.
Tae-seok, Ji-hee, and Se-jin were all monitoring together.
On their monitor was an assassin hiding in the lord’s castle of the Ballas Territory.
Informant Kabel.
He was an unofficial top ranker, on par with the number one assassin.
Kabel was also well-known for his exceptional intelligence capabilities and for digging into various pieces of information.
He recently pursued the truth behind Hyun’s Forge and reached the Ballas Territory to find out about it.
“Will Kabel sell the information right away??”
Kabel had a history of selling valuable information he acquired.
It was uncertain whether the once-hidden Hyun’s Forge would be exposed and what dangers might arise.
“Probably.”
Kabel’s ability to hide was transcendental.
Currently, no one else had detected him.
But a single being in the monitor noticed Kabel’s presence.
“……?”
“……?”
“……?”
That being was none other than the creature known as Lucky.
-Maaang?
Lucky, hiding in the darkness, had spotted Kabel.
Its tail moved like a helicopter.
A never-ending stream of snot flowed from its nose.
Then he…
-Thud-
Lucky rolled over on his belly in front of Kabel.
[The “Lucky is Cute” passive skill is activated.]
The three observers couldn’t help but smile warmly.
Soon, Ji-hee’s face wrinkled.
“Could it be that Kabel will harm Lucky to remain undetected?”
Kabel is a ruthless and dangerous individual.
In fact, the Special User Management Team had witnessed many such actions from Kabel.
Se-jin shook his head.
“Do you know what grade the ‘Lucky is Cute’ passive skill is?”
Lucky is cute.
The grade of all other skills Lucky possesses is marked as ???.
Tae-seok chuckled.
“Could it be a god-tier?”
“…That’s right.”
Yes, despite its appearance, Lucky is one of the four divine beasts of Ares.
Each skill it possesses is special, with most effects being concealed.
Moreover, it’s written in the ‘Lucky is Cute’ passive skill.
“Something special might happen.”
Se-jin said.
“That power sometimes manifests similar to the ‘Lord’s Grace’ that user Hyun-soo possesses.”
Lord’s Grace.
A power that attracts people and instills loyalty.
Though it might activate in a slightly different way.
Then Se-jin chuckled.
“When you think about it, user Hyun-soo named Lucky quite aptly.”
Lucky.
It means it brings fortune.
“We’ll have to see what happens next.”
Se-jin also watched Kabel and Lucky on the monitor.
***
Informant Kabel.
He was recently following the hottest trail of Hyun’s forge.
During this, he hypothesized that the rejuvenator of the Ballas Territory and Hyun’s forge might be connected.
By infiltrating the Ballas Territory, he discovered an astonishing fact.
‘Hyun and the rejuvenator. Could they be the same person, Crazy Rookie?’
It was truly a shocking revelation.
Kabel planned to gather more information within the castle over the next few days before selling it.
Then he encountered a being.
“…?”
From the first encounter, this creature lay on its back, staring at him with a world-weary (?) expression.
“Maaang…”
[Lucky wants to be petted.]
It was absurd.
‘How on earth did it find me?’
It made him reconsider if he was lacking something.
Nevertheless, Kabel felt threatened.
He dispersed his killing intent.
Typically, those who face Kabel’s killing intent either run away or faint on the spot.
But then…
“Yaaaawn…”
Lucky, with its pink belly exposed, yawned.
Kabel could not fathom what was happening.
Then.
[The “Lucky is Cute” passive skill is activated.]
Kabel had a puzzled expression.
Suddenly, Kabel felt as though a compelling force was pulling him in.
‘What is this force…?’
Kabel is a high-ranker.
A force that penetrated his high resistance to status effects.
Moreover, unknown to Kabel, this force did not activate randomly on just anyone.
Written in the description of “Lucky is Cute,”
‘It activates only on those with special powers.’
Kabel certainly possessed enough merit to be considered one of those with special powers.
Eventually, Kabel was compelled by this overwhelming force to pet Lucky’s belly.
Then, Lucky’s eyes began to flutter closed.
Along with that, a strange notification appeared.
[Your body feels revitalized and your mind at ease.]
[Lucky is the target of the “Lucky is Cute” activation.]
[Lucky cannot be harmed.]
‘What is this…?’
Simply petting this dog cleared his mind and energized his body.
Moreover, the written statement ‘something special happens’ revealed its power.
Ding!
[Hidden Quest: A Walk a Day with Lucky!]
Grade: A
Requirement: Those who have touched Lucky
Reward: Increase one level of a selected assassin skill
Penalty for Failure: None
Description: You have been chosen by Lucky. If you walk Lucky for one hour each day for a month, you will receive a special reward.
“…!?”
Kabel was more shocked today than ever before while playing Ares.
‘What, what is this?’
Walking this mysterious dog once a day for a month would increase the level of one of his chosen skills.
For top-tier high-rankers, increasing stats or skill levels had become nearly impossible.
And all he needed to do was walk it for a month?
Furthermore, he realized.
‘This is very important and significant information.’
The source of this reward was this mysterious Shih Tzu puppy.
If he sold this information and people started coming, they might learn about it.
“…”
Kabel.
He looked at Lucky, the puppy now asleep in his lap.
‘Selling the information in a month wouldn’t be too late.’
The reward was too significant to reject the quest.
Perhaps after a month of walks, he might receive a new quest.
‘I should stay here for a while and take it for walks.’
And at that time, he didn’t know.
Just like Lucky’s name suggests, Kabel would become an incredible blessing to the guild named Bright Future.
Cliche Novel 