Jin-seop, Hyun-soo’s primary doctor, can never forget the day he first met Hyun-soo.
When Hyun-soo first came for a consultation, he was steeped in despair.
He was so out of it that Jin-seop still remembers it vividly.
“But he overcame it.”
Thinking of him brings a smile to Jin-seop’s face.
Perhaps it’s because of the young man’s strong will, despite being much younger than himself.
Over time, both Hyun-soo and Hyun-tae became precious patients to Jin-seop.
That’s why Jin-seop participated in the vegetative state conference held this year.
Jin-seop was somewhat surprised at the conference.
The most renowned doctor in the field, Michael, began with a shocking revelation.
“Many of you here are administering treatment 54-K to your patients.”
This is the injection that Hyun-tae receives periodically.
This injection, which comes at a hefty price per dose, is known to awaken vegetative patients, albeit at a very low probability.
“Recently, there have been unusual phenomena associated with the 54-K treatment. Reported cases are around 1-3%, and it could be good news for the families of those in vegetative states and for us doctors.”
It’s rare to see the usually composed Dr. Michael so animated.
With all the doctors’ attention focused on him, he continued while displaying the syringe.
“The reports indicate that some patients temporarily wake up after receiving this treatment.”
“…!?”
The doctors were abuzz, including Jin-seop.
He hurriedly asked,
“What do you mean by ‘temporarily waking up’?”
“Just as it sounds. They wake up for a short period. Astonishingly, those who woke up did not experience any memory loss and could move their bodies well enough to carry out daily activities. They were awake for as short as six hours to as long as two days, after which they returned to a vegetative state.”
An incredible revelation.
“Were there any side effects from this?”
Michael gave a small smile.
“There have been more cases of those who temporarily woke up eventually regaining full consciousness months later. Though it’s a very small number.”
Unable to hide his excitement, Jin-seop found himself agreeing with Michael’s term as he displayed the syringe.
“I’ve decided to call this the miracle of a day.”
The conference was held in Korea.
After it ended, Jin-seop, returning home, found himself deep in thought as a doctor.
“Should I tell them about this?”
He soon shook his head.
It was indeed a hopeful and positive story.
However, the miracle of a day occurred in far too few patients.
He concluded that this small hope might end up being a poison to the families.
Returning to the hospital, Jin-seop went straight to the VVIP ward.
The most expensive room in the hospital with the best sunlight.
Hyun-tae was bathed in that sunlight.
“I wonder who your son takes after to be so admirable.”
Jin-seop gave a bittersweet smile.
He often talked to Hyun-tae during his rounds, sharing various stories.
Even vegetative patients can sometimes hear.
Though it’s very rare, he spoke, hoping Hyun-tae might hear about his proud son, Hyun-soo.
“It’s already been five years.”
Jin-seop looked at the peacefully resting Hyun-tae with a gentle expression.
With a small smile, he left the room.
***
Early morning.
Hyun-soo woke up and poured himself some cereal.
While eating his cereal, he watched Ares’ dedicated channel.
Korean Ares Experts and the MC Discuss the Upcoming Continental War
“How is the Chinese side preparing for this massive event?”
“It seems that China is thoroughly preparing for this unprecedented event. The most notable thing is their artifacts.”
“Artifacts?”
“Yes, China has a large population, and accordingly, they have many outstanding blacksmiths. It’s said that Wang Gang, ranked third among blacksmiths worldwide, will participate in the Continental War, and before his participation, his forge is customizing artifacts for the participants.”
“What about the preparations of our country’s users?”
“Our blacksmiths are also actively working, but given our smaller population compared to China, it will be challenging to match them…”
Hyun-soo turned off the TV.
It was an expected move.
It was said that Korea’s top forges, including Black Anvil, were continuously fueling their furnaces.
However, there’s a stark difference between ten people fueling a forge and two hundred doing so.
That’s why Hyun-soo felt the need for a more offensive Twin Dragon Sword.
To match a legendary artifact, at least three legendary artifacts are required.
But what if it was of a transcendental grade?
A true transcendental grade artifact would be worth more than ten legendaries.
There was no sense of duty to serve the nation.
It was simply that the more pessimistic the situation, the more the offensive Twin Dragon Sword would shine.
After finishing his cereal, Hyun-soo logged into Ares.
Perhaps a sword that could rival a hundred uniques.
He drew the blueprint for the offensive Twin Dragon Sword.
Since it was offensive, the blade was designed to be sharper and lighter than a buff-type sword.
“This should be excellent.”
The remaining time wasn’t long.
After making two Twin Dragon Swords with high-quality minerals, he needed to create the true Twin Dragon Sword with Snow Stone.
Hyun-soo began the long process of crafting.
And finally, the first offensive Twin Dragon Sword was completed.
[It is of Epic grade.]
[An effect application rate of 64% is applied.]
To be honest, it was not a bad sword.
For a greatsword, the balance was excellent, making it easy to swing.
Also, its destructive power was enough to split rocks.
However, it was just at the level of an Epic grade sword.
“Four days have passed.”
Fortunately, thanks to the 20% production time reduction effect of the God-forged Crown, he still had two more chances left.
Hyun-soo turned the crisis into an opportunity.
He became more meticulous and passionate, immersing himself in the production of the second Twin Dragon Sword.
[It is of Epic grade.]
[An effect application rate of 70% is applied.]
“Ugh…”
Hyun-soo’s face twisted.
He had a lot on his mind.
There were only five days left until the Continental War.
And Hyun-soo found the reason.
When users craft artifacts, if someone has already made that item before, it becomes difficult to reach that grade again.
Take a blacksmith who has crafted a legendary item, for example.
If that blacksmith were to make the same item with the same materials a week later, would another legendary item be born?
“They could mass-produce legendaries like a factory.”
Therefore, when crafting something similar again, two factors are needed to create a high-grade item once more.
Either a long time has passed since it was last made and something special is added, or…
There’s another method.
“Make it far superior to the previous one.”
Ares’ system rewards users for their growth.
Previously, something similar he crafted was of rare grade, but a few days later, he crafted it in a more advanced and superior way.
By making it superior with a deeper understanding, he could achieve a higher grade even if it was a similar item.
“In other words, to create a transcendental-grade offensive Twin Dragon Sword, I need to make a sword surpassing the buff-type.”
A moment of fear passed by.
He only knew the crafting method for one of the two Twin Dragon Swords.
Suddenly, he remembered his father’s words.
“Hyun-soo, even if you start by imitating, one day, when your skills mature, you’ll be able to create something truly your own and most outstanding.”
Those words were engraved in his heart.
Hyun-soo might have been under the pressure of having to create a Twin Dragon Sword that he didn’t fully understand.
And now, Hyun-soo had become someone who could create something truly exceptional of his own.
He added the last mineral.
Finally, he began to craft his own Twin Dragon Sword.
“This should be the most perfect crafting method.”
As he crafted the great sword, all his experience and knowledge as a genius blacksmith came into play.
With little time left until the Continental War.
Clang-
Clang-
Hyun-soo burned even hotter.
He felt joy.
Creating his own Twin Dragon Sword, rather than imitating, made his heart race.
[The effect application rate is high.]
He proceeded to engrave patterns onto the Twin Dragon Sword he had crafted.
Hyun-soo was hopeful.
This was a product into which he had poured his utmost effort.
And in his anticipation, he heard,
[The ninth legend is being written.]
He felt weak.
But Hyun-soo still thought this Twin Dragon Sword was incredible.
“…It is of transcendental grade.”
The buff-type Twin Dragon Sword was an extraordinary sword.
To craft two such items in less than a month might have been greedy.
But he gained confidence.
“The mere fact that I created something original gives me confidence that I can one day reach transcendence.”
Of course, there was a sense of regret.
However, the mineral used was not Snow Stone but just a fairly high-quality mineral.
If it had been a better mineral, a legend beyond legend might have been born.
Hyun-soo logged out immediately.
He wanted to share his feelings of regret with someone.
He visited the hospital.
Entering the room, Hyun-soo told his father all about his recent experiences.
“Still, it was of legendary grade. Despite Ares’ system not granting a good grade for similar items crafted in a short period, I managed to create my own artifact.”
Hyun-soo knew.
“What kind of sword is the Twin Dragon Sword you know of? Could it be better than the buff-type Twin Dragon Sword I made?”
It probably was.
His father had said,
“The first Twin Dragon Sword was not meant to be wielded. It symbolized the nation and Admiral Yi Sun-shin.”
That’s why it was crafted as a sword for everyone.
And the second Twin Dragon Sword was a sword actually meant to be wielded.
Hyun-soo gave a bittersweet smile.
“I’m curious about the crafting method of the second Twin Dragon Sword you have.”
Hyun-soo shared many stories with his father.
“Now, I think I should go. I don’t have the real Twin Dragon Sword, but I’ve thought of a way to create an unexpected turn of events. I’m going to modify the Calamity artifacts I obtained this time. Even though there’s only one day left, those should be a big help.”
Hyun-soo, who was gently touching his father’s hand, stood up.
“I’ll come again. Oh, and make sure to watch the broadcast.”
There was a wall-mounted TV in the VVIP room.
With a small smile, Hyun-soo left the room.
Time passed in the hospital room.
Night turned into morning.
A nurse came in and turned on the TV.
“The Continental War is about to begin.”
“The whole world is heating up.”
After wiping down Hyun-tae with a wet towel, the nurse picked up the remote control before leaving.
She shook her head.
She was Ji-hye. She just lowered the volume a bit and then left.
“We are excited to see how our Korean users will display their ingenuity against the strong Chinese users!”
“We can also see members of Guild Hyun’s Forge, which recently became a hot topic.”
“They haven’t received much attention.”
“It’s probably because the top rankers are gathered.”
“Finally, the fierce war between the two countries is starting!”
As the commentators’ voices echoed in the room, a mechanical sound filled the air.
Beep- Beep- Beep- Beep-
It was the sound of the vitals monitor checking the heartbeat.
Then.
Twitch.
The fingers of the one who had been asleep for so long moved.
Cliche Novel 