While Hyun-soo was still asleep.
Squeeze-
After only finishing the emergency treatment, Karl’s fist clenched tightly as he sat in the meeting room.
Cassel Territory’s administrative officer, Col.
He stroked his affectionately grown mustache and said,
“Don’t you know, foreigners express their strength through something called levels. A level 50 foreigner? Does it make sense to give him 30,000 gold? It seems 10,000 gold would be sufficient.”
He, who managed all the finances of Cassel Territory, had all authority delegated to him by the lord.
Hearing this, Karl’s face reddened. Whether he knew Karl or not, Col continued to speak.
“Initially, the bell of Ramas belonged to our Cassel Territory. Even if it’s melted and recreated, it doesn’t change the fact that it was originally ours. So, is that property his or ours?”
Just 10,000 gold.
That was the amount Col was trying to negotiate. He presented a piece of parchment outlining his reasoning to Commander Karl.
Besides, this agreement was with Commander Karl, not with the lord or himself, right?
“He is our benefactor.”
This was why Karl was angry. Administrative Officer Col hadn’t been on the battlefield.
Moreover, when the lord said he would hold the fort, Col had put his name first in the refugee column.
Of course, he was competent, which is why he held his position.
“A benefactor? Indeed, he is. But still, we need to make a living, don’t we?”
He greedily smiled as he sipped his tea.
“That bell is a ‘unique’ grade artifact, invaluable. Of course, it’s almost legendary. But how wonderful is this?”
He looked at Karl with a satisfied smile.
“That fellow is still at a low level. To him, 10,000 gold will be a huge value. He’ll probably jump for joy.”
No, he won’t jump for joy.
We would be breaking our promise.
Karl couldn’t say a word.
The strength drained from his clenched hand.
The lord fully trusted Administrative Officer Col.
Because he knew Col’s direction was for the territory’s benefit.
And the lord, too, had heard Col’s words. He had a small smile on his lips.
As if he agreed with Col’s thoughts.
Karl couldn’t say anything.
“Cassel Territory…”
Must be restored.
A lot of money is needed for that restoration.
Then the lord turned to him and began to speak.
“Commander Karl.”
He was probably going to say.
It’s an unavoidable matter, so proceed with it.
That’s what he would convey.
If he refuses and causes an uproar, don’t hesitate to use force…
“What the hell is this bastard saying?”
“…Pardon?”
Karl’s eyes widened. The smile vanished from Lord Kern’s face.
And Col looked at Lord Kern with a puzzled expression.
Lord Kern was known as a kind person.
He had never cursed or raised his voice at his knights or himself.
Although he was the lord of a small and humble border territory, his virtue was widely known.
But now, he looked at Col as if he was about to kill him.
“What did you do when that blacksmith spent a week without sleep making the bell?”
“…”
Col couldn’t answer.
Yesterday, when the bell was completed.
He had left the territory, thinking, “This territory is finished!” But then he returned upon hearing the bell’s sound.
Seeing that Col couldn’t continue, Lord Kern looked down on him as if looking at a bug.
Col realized.
‘If I say one wrong thing here, it’s over.’
He sensed Lord Kern’s anger reaching its peak.
“Administrative Officer Col, you must appraise the bell’s proper value. If you have any regard for him, let Commander Karl personally administer your punishment.”
Lord Kern looked sternly at Karl.
Commander Karl nodded slightly.
“Yes, I will administer the punishment.”
“Oh, and I said a proper price, but it might be good to pay a bit more. He is a benefactor, isn’t he?”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Col trembled and nodded his head.
Something occurred to Karl.
“The one named Hyun-soo asked about a mineral possessed by the lord.”
“A mineral?”
Kern stroked his chin.
“Yes, he also asked if he could have it if he repaired the bell excellently.”
“…I see.”
Lord Kern thought of the mineral.
“It wouldn’t be a waste to give it to him, Administrative Officer Col. Pay the bell’s value appropriately. And bring that mineral to me; I will personally bestow it.”
Lord Kern stood up.
After he left.
Commander Karl tore the parchment Col had presented in half.
Rip-
“Let’s discuss this slowly.”
Commander Karl’s eyes shone.
“How much our benefactor should receive.”
***
Hyun-soo’s face crumpled as he fell into a deep sleep.
“What’s all this noise?”
A strange notification kept ringing.
Ding
Ding
Ding
“What on earth is that sound?”
Waking from his sleep, Hyun-soo irritably checked the notification window.
[Subscriber updated.]
[Subscriber updated.]
[Subscriber…]
[Subscriber…]
[Subscriber…]
The notifications that only rang if a certain threshold was surpassed filled the screen.
“What’s this…?”
What happened while he was asleep? Soon, Hyun-soo saw the result of these noisy notifications.
[Hyun’s Forge Subscribers: 101,655]
“1… 100,000 subscribers!?”
Hyun-soo rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Having 100,000 subscribers was an impressively high number.
He remembered reading an article stating that blacksmiths with over 100,000 subscribers earn at least 600 gold monthly.
The subscriber system, he knew, was borrowed from internet broadcasting or platforms like ZealTube.
If they were actual broadcasting subscribers, combining various revenues could yield even more, but the reason it’s about 600 is different.
Firstly, there’s no ‘sponsorship’ for forge subscribers.
Unlike many who earn through internet broadcasting with sponsorships, blacksmiths must earn through item creation.
Still, 100,000 was undoubtedly a massive number.
Upon going outside, he understood why.
[Came here after reading the article.]
[Is this the place that repairs even the irreparable artifacts?]
[…Can you fix my crazy younger brother’s head too?]
[Can you fix my grades!?]
[Can you fix my middle school syndrome?]
Hyun-soo cracked a small smile.
“It worked as I intended.”
Hyun-soo had named it “Hyun’s Second Custom-Made Bell.”
In fact, the name and description could be changed by the creator.
But Hyun-soo deliberately engraved ‘Hyun’ on the bell.
Although it was only 100,000 now, that number of subscribers would steadily increase.
People visiting Cassel Territory would see the bell he made.
Then, there were other notifications.
‘A benefactor? I became a benefactor of Cassel Territory?’
What on earth happened while he was asleep?
There was even this notification.
[This act of goodwill proves you are a person of great virtue.]
[You gain 100 Fame.]
[You gain 30 Charisma.]
“Eh…?”
What’s this?
Hyun-soo was puzzled. People were spreading the word about the benefactor, was it because of that?
Of course, it was good for Hyun-soo.
But he had something more important right now.
“The advance payment…!”
The advance for the forge contract. That is, the value of the bell he was commissioned to make.
Just as he was about to get out of bed, he heard voices outside.
“Are you in a hurry?”
“I am, but you go ahead, Commander.”
“Thanks for letting me go first.”
He heard the voices of Nel and Commander Karl. Soon the door opened, revealing Karl, who had healed from most of his injuries.
As soon as he entered, Karl’s face brightened upon seeing Hyun-soo awake.
A complete contrast from the expressionless face when he first saw Hyun-soo.
“Our territory’s benefactor has awakened. I sincerely thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Hyun-soo was taken aback by Karl’s deep bow.
And Karl quickly got to the point.
“I’ve reported and got approval from the lord for the value of the bell you made.”
“…Yes.”
Hyun-soo’s heart raced. He was curious about the value of Hyun’s Second Custom-Made Bell.
***
Kang Hyuk-su sat in a small cafe in Gyeongju. He had received a call from the young man who sold him the forge.
Agreeing to the young man’s request to meet, Hyuk-su decided to see him at this location.
Ding-
The door opened, and the young man rushed in, seemingly in a hurry.
He was drenched in sweat, looking much the same as before.
Though he said he would dress neatly, his appearance was somewhat shabby.
He wore long sleeves again, probably to cover his burn scars.
The young man, having caught his breath, sat down in front of Hyuk-su.
Hyuk-su remained silent.
After a brief silence, Hyuk-su could tell from the young man’s hesitance.
‘It must not have been easy for him.’
Maybe he wanted to meet today to ask for more time.
Soon, the young man, Hyun-soo, carefully broke the silence.
“…How have you been?”
“I’ve been well, how about yourself?”
“…I’ve been managing.”
Another pause lingered before the young man broke the heavy silence.
“May I ask you something?”
Hyuk-su nodded.
“Why did you give me a chance?”
Hyuk-su took a moment to respond, knowing the answer himself.
In less than a year’s time.
It was practically impossible for someone Hyun-soo’s age to earn 330 million won.
Additionally, buying back the land he sold for business purposes. Hyuk-su was a real estate mogul for a reason.
He was more special and diligent than others, which led him to his success.
Why did he do it for Hyun-soo?
“There were two reasons. You asked me if it would be possible to buy back this place.”
Hyuk-su had sensed a lot from his eyes at that time.
“I’ve seen many desperate to sell their property. But you were the first to ask if it could be bought back.”
He gave a small smile.
“Even if it were me, or anyone else, such a question wouldn’t have been asked.”
Yes, most people would have given up everything by then. They might have gone crazy.
But Hyun-soo’s eyes were too fiery.
“And the second reason?”
After hesitating, Hyuk-su spoke.
“I wanted you to find a way to live.”
“…”
“Not to die, but to find a way to live. You needed a goal in that moment. To move forward for that goal. To have something to live for. But now, seeing your eyes, I understand.”
Hyuk-su realized he had half-failed but also half-succeeded.
“…You will continue to live your best life.”
Hyuk-su knew his intention had partially succeeded.
Like in a movie or an unrealistic novel, he never intended to just give away the land.
As an adult, this was all he could do.
Then.
The young man, with tears in his eyes, presented a bankbook to Hyuk-su. Hyuk-su looked at it, puzzled.
[Balance: 330,000,000 Won]
‘330 million…? Why the amount for the forge…?’
Hyuk-su was genuinely surprised and looked at him.
“I will live…”
The young man, crying and sniffling, smiled radiantly.
“I will live my best, uniquely, and more wonderfully than others…!”
Watching the young man bowing to him, Hyuk-su’s heart warmed.
It wasn’t just a half-success.
It was a complete success. And that success was entirely the young man’s achievement.
“Ha, hahaha, hahahahaha!”
Hyuk-su couldn’t help but laugh proudly at the young man.
Cliche Novel 