(God-Forged Crown)
Grade: Legendary
Defense: 101
Restriction: Descendant of the God Blacksmith
Special Abilities:
· Increase all stats by 3%.
· Increase all owned masteries by 2 levels.
· Increase resistance to status ailments by 50%.
· Decrease artifact creation time by 20%.
· Increase fire resistance by 40%.
· Increase the chance of producing a superior artifact by 15%.
· Stackable artifact.
Description: This crown was personally crafted by the God Blacksmith for his descendant who has achieved wondrous feats.
Hyun-soo was amazed as soon as he checked it.
The crown offered benefits both in terms of blacksmithing and in yielding great power.
First off, the increase of all owned masteries by 2 levels was significant.
Sword Mastery, Bow Mastery, Shield Mastery, etc.
Hyun-soo owned at least seven masteries.
This was due to the effect of the title “God Blacksmith.”
Just looking at Sword Mastery, the 2-level increase enhanced the cutting power and base attack strength by 6%.
The 50% increase in resistance to status ailments would be greatly effective in battles against boss-level monsters.
‘What’s this about decreasing artifact creation time by 20%?’
Hyun-soo was a manual blacksmith.
Thus, a reduction in creation time was unfamiliar to him.
‘Could it apply only to automatic creation?’
Automatic creation would just need to be reduced by 20%.
Soon he read the detailed description.
[All required creation times decrease by 20%.]
[Example: When 10 minutes of refining time is needed, it is reduced to 8 minutes.]
[Example: When 100 forging actions are required, it is reduced to 80.]
“……!?”
Hyun-soo felt that this rule applied to him as well.
Considering it usually took 4-5 days to create something, it meant one day was saved!
The reason for the increased fire resistance became clear as well.
‘I always battle with fire in the forge.’
The inside of a forge exceeds temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius.
Ever been to a sauna?
The typical hot temperatures emitted by a wet sauna are over 40 degrees.
Increased fire resistance meant he could better withstand the heat and tire less.
‘In the days-long blacksmithing tasks, this results in the creation of superior artifacts.’
Hyun-soo was in awe.
And slowly, he put on the white crown.
The reason Hyun-soo thought this white crown was unbelievable was because of this.
‘Stackable artifact…!’
Hyun-soo had heard of it too.
A special artifact that was hardly released in tens worldwide.
A stackable artifact, as the name implies, can be stacked.
Normally, Hyun-soo would wear the Helm of Fenrir, which has a defense of 249.
But this God-Forged Crown could be layered over it.
Thus, the defense of 249 from the Helm of Fenrir plus the defense of 101 from the God-Forged Crown results in a total defense of 350.
Similarly, the special abilities of both the Helm of Fenrir and the God-Forged Crown apply together.
Hyun-soo wore the God-Forged Crown on his head.
Slid-
Then, the stylish crown disappeared.
[You wear the God-Forged Crown.]
Hyun-soo was very pleased with the reward given by the god Aska.
At that moment, the sage Arte approached.
“Could you do me a favor?”
Through him, Hyun-soo realized.
There was more to gain from this place.
***
Sage Arte.
He has a wish he wants to fulfill.
Originally, he had never asked anyone to fulfill this wish.
Especially not to the legends, he couldn’t even bring it up.
It was simply too embarrassing.
‘God’s approval at 227%…’
However, that 227% approval instilled a glimmer of hope in Arte’s heart.
“Do you have a favor to ask? I’d like to hear it first.”
“I’ve been searching for 300 years for items imbued with the power to heal any wound or illness.”
“For example?”
“The Essence of Elves, said to be obtainable from the mother of elves. The Holy Water of God, handed down from the land of god Ares, or the Blood of the Giant King, said to be sleeping somewhere in this world.”
Arte mentioned the reward.
“If you bring these to me, I’ll grant you one opportunity to ask me a question, though I think it will take a very long time.”
Arte naturally felt that way.
But then Hyun-soo said,
“It seems like I can do it quickly.”
Arte was utterly baffled.
“Confidence is good, but it’s not an easy task. Even I, who knows all the information in the world, have not found it.”
“…It is easy for me.”
Arte was dumbfounded.
Was he always such an arrogant and impudent person?
“If you bring it within a week, I’ll give you two opportunities to ask questions. This task is not as easy as you think, so I hope you do not take it lightly.”
“Will you really give me two opportunities to ask questions?”
Arte thumped his chest.
“As the saying goes, ‘a promise is worth its weight in gold,’ I swear on my name, sage Arte.”
At that moment.
Swoosh-
Hyun-soo pulled something out of his pocket.
Then he gave a thumbs up, showing his white teeth.
Arte was startled.
‘Why does the Blood of the Giant King come from there…?’
***
Hyun-soo was surprised as soon as he heard Arte’s words.
‘Huh? The Blood of the Giant King?’
And Arte said,
He would grant an opportunity to ask questions.
Hyun-soo was clever.
Arte was a sage.
But even a sage could not do everything.
In fact, Arte knew all the information, but he was not a powerful figure.
He led the situation.
Gently, smoothly.
And he said,
[Sage Arte swears on his name.]
And he slowly pulled it out.
[Linked Quest: Arte’s Wish…]
[Linked Quest: Completion of Arte’s Wish.]
[You can ask Arte two questions.]
The quest was completed in just one second.
Then, Hyun-soo spoke to Arte as he was about to take the Blood of the Giant King.
“First, I have a question.”
Arte readily agreed.
“Please tell me how to become a legend.”
This was Hyun-soo’s most pressing curiosity.
A legendary status that no user had yet achieved.
Moreover, Hyun-soo also wanted to become a king.
The idea of a user becoming a king.
In Ares, countless people say it.
They say it’s something that couldn’t happen even in ten years.
But if Hyun-soo became a legend, the story would change.
It could really become a reality.
Arte, who had been looking at himself for a moment, said,
“Create a new grade of artifact.”
“…!”
Hyun-soo was genuinely surprised.
“A new grade?”
That meant a completely unfamiliar grade that only Hyun-soo could create.
His heart pounded.
‘An artifact that exists only in Ares.’
Hyun-soo asked,
“How can I make it?”
Arte had the expression of someone asking an obvious question.
“You’ll have to far surpass the legend. Think of it as something more difficult than all that you’ve created so far.”
Arte was a bit annoyed with him.
‘Pretending you didn’t have it!?’
Therefore, he spoke the truth but with a slightly stronger nuance.
“Something that doesn’t exist on this land, if you can create that anew…”
Actually, even Arte could only imagine such a high grade.
“I also don’t know how it should be made at this moment.”
Should it be left to luck and skill?
Then Hyun-soo’s expression turned serious.
“I’ll ask my second question.”
Arte listened attentively.
“Please tell me about the mineral that is most suitable for me.”
“…!?”
This could be a simple question, but it wasn’t.
The thing that fits him best. The most appropriate. The necessary.
If he could grasp that, it would create a stronger synergy than usual.
‘Clever guy.’
And Hyun-soo knew better than anyone that this was the only way for him to approach being a legend.
“You might feel a bit uncomfortable for a moment. It’s the process of finding the mineral most suitable for you, so try to accept it comfortably.”
One of Arte’s abilities was activated.
[Sage’s Eye]
[Penetrates all information about the opponent.]
Arte saw what Hyun-soo had made.
“What…?”
Interesting creations.
“Are you saying you created artifacts based on narratives? What’s more surprising is that god Ares recognized them and granted power appropriate for their strength, how perfectly were they made…”
Although Arte was reluctant, at that moment he thought of one mineral.
“There is a mineral that is too suitable.”
Within his common sense, that mineral would bring out the best power in Hyun-soo, and the resulting synergy would be beyond imagination.
“What is that mineral?”
Hyun-soo was curious.
The mineral that was most suitable for him.
Moreover, it was a mineral suggested by the sage Arte.
“Narrative Stone (설화석).”
Arte talked about the mineral.
“When a mineral is imbued with stories, it becomes a special mineral that produces stronger and more exceptional power.”
Hyun-soo was amazed.
He understood why Arte had mentioned the Narrative Stone.
“The Narrative Stone is of legendary grade, and it is deemed most suitable for you, who have created countless masterpieces based on the legendary stories passed down.”
“How can I obtain it?”
“That’s it. I can say no more.”
It was disappointing.
However, Hyun-soo realized.
Just knowing this fact meant he was one step closer to becoming a legend.
[All questions have been asked.]
Hyun-soo wore a puzzled expression.
‘Why had Arte been searching for the Blood of the Giant King for 300 years?’
Was there an indelible scar?
Hyun-soo shook his head as Arte reached out.
“Because it can be used once, I will apply it to your wound.”
“……”
Soon, Arte quietly sat down in front of him.
‘Why is he lowering himself?’
Soon, Arte’s baldness from the past 300 years was revealed.
“……”
“……”
Hyun-soo cried, and so did Arte.
***
Hyun-soo could see Arte stroking his newly grown hair, shimmering.
The effect of the Blood of the Giant King was tremendous.
“Hmm.”
Facing an embarrassed Arte, Hyun-soo simply gave a thumbs up.
At that moment.
[You have achieved Arte’s wish through an extraordinary achievement.]
Hyun-soo wore a puzzled expression.
The quest had already ended.
So, what was the reason for this notification?
‘Most of these notifications usually trigger…’
A new story.
Something of a higher difficulty.
Hyun-soo was becoming a veteran of Ares.
Arte spoke.
“If it’s the one who killed the Giant King, it might be worth expecting.”
Hyun-soo was able to face Arte who approached him.
“Do you know why I am a legend?”
It was an absurd question.
‘Of course, because he knows all the information in the world…’
Then, Hyun-soo wore a puzzled expression.
Something was missing.
To become a legend, Hyun-soo must create a new rank.
Sword King Barad.
Spear Heaven Ben.
Individuals like Luwon are the strongest who dominate this Ares.
Honestly, it makes no sense to say that just knowing information makes one a legend.
“It’s because of the trait I possess.”
[Arte had been looking for someone who could listen to his true desires for a long time.]
[Your high recognition and proof of having killed the Giant King have met that condition.]
The notification signified that something extraordinary was about to begin.
“Tell me about the trait you possess.”
Hyun-soo focused on Arte.
What is the trait that Arte boasts, the one that made him a legend?
“I can create skills.”
“……!?”
Hyun-soo was astonished.
‘Create skills?’
It harbors power beyond imagination.
“It means I can create a skill that will bring out the best power in you, one that’s made just for you.”
A skill that can improve his domain.
A skill that can make him stronger than he is now.
Or a skill to discover talents.
Maybe a skill related to blacksmithing.
The power of his trait is boundless.
“Shall I hear about your true desire?”
Then, a notification came.
[A new story begins.]
Cliche Novel 