The influence of “World Ares,” the daily newspaper unique to Ares, was significant.
The “World Ares” daily newspaper often covered stories from around the globe.
As a result, a considerable number of Ares users worldwide regularly read World Ares.
And the headquarters of this World Ares is in Washington.
A woman in the conference room spoke.
“Hyun, he is the second blacksmith to be included in the Top 100 after Smith.”
Deputy Director Hannah was quite young.
She, having gone through various elite courses, saw Hyun’s name among the 100 users selected this year on the screen.
She also confirmed the information about Hyun written in the report.
The staff member who advocated for his selection said,
“That’s right. In fact, we initially thought it was a bit insufficient that he had only rung the ‘World Message’ once and pushed his time attack ranking to first place.”
The reason was that Hyun’s face was not well-known.
The chances of someone whose face is not known being selected for the Top 100 are significantly lower.
If his face had been known, the difficulty would have been much lower.
“We determined that his World Message due to demon hunting made him sufficiently worthy of being one of this year’s Top 100.”
“It was an excellent choice.”
Hannah nodded.
“Korea also has its first user in the Top 100 now. This blacksmith named Hyun must have gained many subscribers.”
She closed the report with a click.
“Of course, whether he can maintain it next year remains to be seen.”
Clasping her hands together, she got to the main point.
“There are two months left in the year, and we need to focus on one thing.”
There was something people paid the most attention to in World Ares.
The 100 most influential users in the world?
That was just a stepping stone for one thing.
“Who will become the most influential person in the world this year?”
In October, World Ares selects the 100 most influential users in the world.
And in December,
They select the single most influential user in the world.
Hannah looked at the screen displaying the names of the 100 users.
At the top of the pyramid-like structure, the name of the most famous ranker in the world was written.
“Valhalla, he’s been selected as number one for three years straight. Of course, I acknowledge that he’s a deserving user.”
Hannah felt regretful.
“That’s why it’s boring. If he’s selected again this year, people will stop anticipating the most influential person.”
It’s a natural progression.
“Our World Ares needs a new number one.”
The problem was that they couldn’t create that number one themselves.
Everyone in the conference room shared the same expression,
If the same name is picked repeatedly, people will lose interest, thinking, ‘Oh, it’s that person again.’
“If a new number one emerges at this time, the impact will be greater than Valhalla, who has been number one for three years, especially if that person has star quality.”
“It has to be. Someone new toppling Valhalla, who has maintained the top spot for three years, would be sensational just with that title alone.”
Hannah nodded.
“Exactly, especially if it’s someone with low odds. It would be more explosive. We can use Hyun, whom we just mentioned, as an example.”
She lifted the report she had just closed.
“In fact, even if Hyun creates another ‘Legend Above Legend,’ he can’t be selected as number one. It’s already happened once. But if he shows us something unimaginable, he might have a chance.”
Who will show us the unimaginable?
“An unexpected person becoming number one, how exciting is that?”
People will be eager to click on World Ares.
And that number one would wield immense power.
But this was merely a wish.
After the meeting ended, Hannah walked away.
She entered the Deputy Director’s office and sat down.
“Only two months left…”
She muttered, then soon chuckled.
She had just mentioned how exciting it would be if an unexpected person became number one.
She used Hyun as an example.
There was no big reason.
She simply used him as an example because they were talking about Hyun.
So now, she imagines Hyun in that position.
‘What if he is selected as number one?’
Before entering the meeting, she had heard that Hyun’s blacksmith shop was close to being the number one subscribed blacksmith in Korea.
“If he becomes number one, would the number of Korean subscribers be an issue?”
Of course, it was merely a meaningless thought.
It was a very difficult thing.
Moreover, there wouldn’t be many ways to make Hyun that successful.
Suddenly, Deputy Director Hannah looked at one side of the wall.
In Hannah’s office, there was a pyramid-style board of 100 users that was shown on the screen.
At the very bottom was the name Hyun.
***
Hyun-soo got up after a good sleep and poured himself some cereal.
The news was on the TV.
[People around the world are paying attention to the selection of the most influential user in the world, with only two months left.]
[Currently occupied by Valhalla, who has been called the best ranker for three consecutive years. Analysts overwhelmingly believe that he will be number one again this year, entering the fourth year.]
‘To think I was selected as one of World Ares’ Top 100, and my blacksmith shop’s subscribers in Korea are almost number one.’
It’s a remarkable achievement.
His name could still be found all over the country.
Hyun-soo had certainly risen a lot.
But as he watched the news, he thought.
‘How happy would it be to be selected as the number one by World Ares.’
He was a bit different from ordinary people.
Instead of jealousy, envy, or pointing fingers, he pondered how he could stand in that position himself.
‘Demon hunting was an incredible achievement. But it wasn’t my perfect achievement.’
Hyun-soo had actually contributed about 30% to hunting Grout.
Without Barad and Ben, it would have been a pipe dream.
As soon as he finished his cereal, Hyun-soo stood up.
He needed to improve more.
[Connecting to Ares.]
As soon as he appeared in the virtual reality, Hyun-soo headed straight to the blacksmith shop.
The easiest way for him to improve.
That was through blacksmithing.
He took out the Snowflake Stone from his pocket and looked at it.
The way for Hyun-soo to become a legend.
‘If I create a grade that doesn’t exist in this world.’
And he thought.
The first-ever grade.
“Would that bring me closer to number one?”
He gave a bitter smile.
Of course, he didn’t know how much impact it would have.
And it was a story for when he completed it.
Hyun-soo put the Snowflake Stone back in his pocket.
He hadn’t decided what to make yet.
The reason he came here this time was to become stronger.
He took out another mineral.
This mineral was the one dropped by the demon Grout.
However, it wasn’t used for artifact creation.
This was because it was a reinforcement stone.
Artifact reinforcement.
Decades ago, many popular RPG games featured a reinforcement system.
It meant enhancing artifacts using reinforcement stones or reinforcement scrolls.
The reinforcement stone Hyun-soo obtained this time was called the Blackstone.
(Blackstone)
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Level 300+ Blacksmith
Difficulty: None
Special Abilities:
· It has over 200% higher success rate compared to regular reinforcement stones.
· No artifact will vanish, regardless of the reinforcement attempt.
· Can reinforce up to +3.
· Can reinforce artifacts of any grade.
· Reinforced artifacts will perform significantly better than usual.
Description: The Blackstone is a reinforcement stone from the demon realm, held by the demon Grout. It is a special reinforcement stone that cannot be found in the earthly realm.
Hyun-soo obtained eight Blackstones.
‘This is an incredible reinforcement stone.’
First, 99% of the reinforcement stones in Ares will destroy the artifact upon failure.
Secondly, most reinforcement stones can only achieve +1 reinforcement per stone.
Even the blessed reinforcement stone, sold for 2 million won, can only reach +2 with one stone.
But Blackstone can achieve up to +3 with a single stone.
Moreover, the higher the grade of the artifact, the higher the failure rate for reinforcement.
According to the official Ares website, while a regular grade artifact has a 50% success rate without reinforcement, a unique grade only has a 2% success rate.
‘Not to mention that users’ greatest fear of losing their artifact is eliminated.’
Reinforcement is the easiest way to upgrade to a better artifact.
However, many users do not attempt it.
This is because there is a risk of losing their valuable artifact.
But with the Blackstone, only the materials are lost, and the artifact does not disappear.
It also has a 200% higher success rate compared to regular reinforcement stones.
One downside is this:
‘Reinforcement is not determined by skill.’
It is purely based on luck.
Reinforcement is attempted by placing the reinforcement stone on the artifact and striking it with a hammer.
However, Hyun-soo had a new idea.
‘It is, after all, a mineral.’
The Blackstone Hyun-soo examined was a mineral with a lot of impurities.
He tried placing one Blackstone in the furnace.
He collected the molten material and refined the impurities from the solidified substance.
Then,
[You have removed the impurities from the Blackstone.]
[The effects of the Blackstone are significantly enhanced.]
Eureka!
Hyun-soo was amazed.
(Blackstone)
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Level 300+ Blacksmith
Difficulty: None
Special Abilities:
· It has over 250% higher success rate compared to regular reinforcement stones.
· No artifact will vanish, regardless of the reinforcement attempt.
· Can reinforce up to +4.
· Can reinforce artifacts of any grade.
· Reinforced artifacts will perform significantly better than usual.
Description: The Blackstone is a reinforcement stone from the demon realm, held by the demon Grout. It is a special reinforcement stone that cannot be found in the earthly realm, refined and purified by a blacksmith to remove impurities.
This is something ordinary users cannot achieve.
Their skills do not include the power to refine or purify reinforcement stones.
‘The success rate increased by 50%, and it can reach up to +4 in one reinforcement.’
Hyun-soo refined and purified the remaining Blackstones.
Next, he placed the Supreme Sword on the anvil.
Hyun-soo was nervous.
‘How much can I reinforce it? +2? No, even +1 would be satisfying.’
Reinforcing the Supreme Sword was a big deal.
The value of reinforcing an exceptional and rare artifact is immense.
For example, in an old game called Lineage, reinforcing a supreme-grade artifact once resulted in astronomical value.
“Phew, let’s do this.”
He put his skills to the test and made it the best he could.
Now, all that remained was luck.
Reinforcement, from the beginning, depended entirely on the user’s luck.
However, there was one power supporting him.
[You possess the title of God Blacksmith.]
[Reinforcement success rate increases by 50%.]
With anticipation, Hyun-soo struck the reinforcement stone.
[Reinforcement failed.]
“Just once is okay.”
There were still seven left.
He immediately attempted the second reinforcement.
Clang-!
[Reinforcement failed.]
“…?”
The third attempt.
Clang-!
[Reinforcement failed.]
The fourth attempt.
[Reinforcement failed.]
[Reinforcement failed.]
[Reinforcement failed.]
“Ugh…”
Hyun-soo staggered. Seven out of the precious eight Blackstones were gone in an instant.
Reinforcement stones that cost at least 10 million won each!
But there was a slight consolation.
‘It’s not because of my skills.’
Wasn’t there a saying, “Luck is everything in a game”?
Hyun-soo was just unlucky.
When you think about it, a regular grade artifact has a 50% success rate, and a unique grade has only 2%.
Legendary grades have a 1% chance, and the success rate for “Legend Above Legend” could be in the decimal points.
He dreamed of a reinforced Supreme Sword, but it couldn’t be helped if it didn’t happen.
He knew that there had never been a successfully reinforced legendary grade artifact.
Hyun-soo calmed his mind and struck the Blackstone.
‘…Someday I’ll get something similar again. I’ll keep trying, over and over.’
He let go of a bit of his expectations and relaxed.
Then.
Clang-!
A bright light burst forth from the Supreme Sword, enough to fill the entire blacksmith shop.
‘I’ve never seen such a light burst forth…?’
Hyun-soo had watched several reinforcement videos.
Usually, only a bit of light would seep out from the artifact, but it never filled the entire blacksmith shop like this.
Moreover, there are several types of notifications when reinforcement succeeds.
Ordinary reinforcement.
‘It shines.’
Decent reinforcement.
‘It shines brightly.’
Outstanding reinforcement.
‘It shines brilliantly.’
But this time was different.
[The Supreme Sword shines the brightest.]
Hyun-soo swallowed dryly and checked the Supreme Sword.
Cliche Novel 