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Hyun-soo was thrilled at the mention of 200 million won.

The amount spoken by the Golden Hammer Guild Master was simply the money promised for joining the guild.

“Stay calm.”

However, Hyun-soo quickly regained his composure and continued reading.

[If you join our Golden Hammer Guild, we plan to supply you with the materials you desire.]

[In addition, since you’ve already created a Rare Artifact, we will help you create an Epic Artifact, with the help of the best blacksmiths in our guild.]

[It’s true that Rare Artifacts can be relatively easily made with the help of a class. However, making Rare and Epic Artifacts is worlds apart, and we can pass on the know-how to you.]

“Hmm…”

Hyun-soo unconsciously fiddled with ‘Light’ at his waist.

[We look forward to hearing from you.]

After reading all of Rune’s messages, Hyun-soo checked another message box.

[Hello? From the Sky Blacksmith Guild… signing bonus is 50 million won…]

[Hello. Our Hanareum Blacksmith Guild…]

[Hi, do you take personal item crafting requests?]

Most messages were similar in content.

Notably, there were many notes about personal item crafting requests.

But after a moment of contemplation, Hyun-soo shook his head.

‘Not yet. It’s too soon, I haven’t even changed my class yet.’

Hyun-soo still believes his true value hasn’t been fully determined.

He hasn’t even changed his class yet.

It wouldn’t be bad to decide after raising his level a bit after changing classes.

‘I can change classes once I leave the beginner zone, right?’

He politely declined for now, and soon received a notification that his auction item had been sold.

[24 hours have passed, the auction time is over.]

[Hyun’s second bow has been sold to Black Hammer Jack for 2,450 gold.]

“Wow…”

That’s about 2.5 million won!

He had earned about 3.5 million won in a month.

As it was equivalent to the monthly salary of an average person, Hyun-soo smiled contentedly.

“Finally leaving the beginner zone.”

After a month, he finally entered the Prime Kingdom.

[You have left the beginner zone.]

[You have entered the Prime Kingdom.]

[You can change your class now.]

‘I should head to the Blacksmith’s Tower right away.’

Hyun-soo set off for the Blacksmith’s Tower to change his class.

***

“He restored a Rare grade bow and ended up making an Epic grade one?”

Special User Management Team.

Lee Se-jin, the CEO of Blue Inc., rushed over upon receiving a call from Team Leader Kim Tae-seok.

In the monitor, Hyun-soo, the user heading towards the Blacksmith’s Tower, caught his eye.

“Just two conditions left to fulfill, huh?

Ares’s first God-class.

User Hyun-soo is just two steps away from becoming the God Blacksmith.

“President.”

Then, Employee Lee Ji-hee cautiously spoke up.

“Do we know what conditions must be met in the tower?”

The method to become a God-class was top secret.

Only CEO Lee Se-jin or the senior executives of Ares were aware of it.

Team Leader Tae-seok told Ji-hee because she was monitoring user Hyun-soo at the time.

“We don’t know either.”

“…What?”

Se-jin’s words were somewhat shocking.

“We know what the final condition is, but there’s no specific condition set for the Blacksmith’s Tower. If there is, it’s hard to call it a condition, but it’s to move the Tower Master, Dang, of the Blacksmith’s Tower.”

“Dang? You mean…”

Ji-hee knew about Dang.

Tower Master Dang of the Blacksmith’s Tower.

There are Blacksmith’s Towers in each kingdom and empire of Ares, and the one in the Prime Kingdom where Hyun-soo is heading is the most famous.

This is due to this NPC named Dang.

Though he held the same rank as other Tower Masters, he was revered like a king by them due to his exceptional blacksmithing skills.

“Only the Tower Master can guide to the last condition, they alone have received the oracle of the God of Blacksmiths, and only they can guide the worthy.”

“It seems unlucky for user Hyun-soo. He ended up going to the tower managed by Dang.”

Just listening, it was clear.

User Hyun-soo must accomplish something significant enough to move Tower Master Dang.

However, as Ji-hee knew, when the former number one blacksmith Smith visited the Blacksmith’s Tower for his class change, the Tower Master remained unmoved.

How high then must Dang’s pride be?

‘Can he really move such a Tower Master…?’

Ji-hee unconsciously watched Hyun-soo, who had just entered the Blacksmith’s tower.

***

Han, an NPC in the Blacksmith’s Tower, watched as Philip, a foreigner who had just finished crafting a dagger, approached the ‘Stone of Talent’.

Philip soon struck the stone with all his might using the dagger he had made.

Clang!

At that moment, the dagger Philip was holding snapped in two.

Looking at his broken dagger, Philip asked with a puzzled expression, “How good is my talent?”

Han, who not only initiates class changes but also measures foreigners’ talents, chuckled bitterly at Philip’s question.

“Pretty average. Most daggers break. I’ll process your class change.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, that’s somewhat of a relief.”

Though the dagger was broken, it indicated an average level of talent.

In the Blacksmith’s Tower, measuring talent isn’t hard. Foreigners craft a dagger in a special ‘Magic Forge’, with some assistance from the system.

Then, they test their talent by striking the stone with the dagger.

Most foreigners’ daggers break upon striking the Stone of Talent.

However, merely completing the dagger is enough for a pass and class change.

But Han knows the truth.

‘After all, it’s made with the help of mystical powers. It would be foolish not to.’

Those ignorant in blacksmithing create their first item in the Magic Forge, aided by mystical powers.

‘Even leaving just a scratch, instead of breaking it, is quite an achievement.’

Han noticed various scratches on the Stone of Talent. Those who left scratches usually became quite renowned blacksmiths later on.

Han smirked as he looked at the stone, particularly at a deeply indented part.

‘Blacksmith Smith. Could there be no one else with such talent?’

Smith was the only foreigner whose impact felt more like digging into the stone than merely scratching it.

This Stone of Talent exists throughout the Blacksmith’s Tower.

Moreover, its scratches and indentations are shared across all towers.

Smith made such marks in another tower, but they are visible here too.

Then Han marveled at the center of the Stone of Talent.

“Wow…”

Tower Master Dang, a legendary blacksmith.

This was the mark he left when he first came here.

A dagger had penetrated to the center of the stone.

Truly a legend in itself.

‘Carving stone with a dagger?’

Just the thought is awe-inspiring, isn’t it?

To craft a mere blade that could delve so deep into stone…

Thanks to this feat, Master Dang caused a huge stir 30 years ago and eventually became the most esteemed Tower Master in the Blacksmith’s Tower.

Knock-knock.

Just as Han was lost in these thoughts, someone knocked.

“The next foreigner has arrived.”

“Let them in.”

A new foreigner entered.

He was about 6 feet tall with a sturdy build, reminiscent of a blacksmith.

‘But that’s probably just an appearance.’

Han knew that foreigners sought mystical powers and usually became blacksmiths through them.

“Thank you for choosing the path of the blacksmith. What’s your name?”

“Hyun-soo.”

“Alright, let me explain.”

Han repeated his spiel, something he did dozens of times a day.

“Do you see that door over there?”

“Yes, I see it.”

“When you open that door and enter, you’ll find the Magic Forge. Inside, you can craft any dagger you wish. Additionally, you’ll have unlimited access to materials suitable for your level.”

Hyun-soo listened intently as Han continued.

“You might be wondering how to make a dagger.”

“…Hmm.”

Hyun-soo gave a meaningful smile.

Han tilted his head briefly. Most foreigners were ignorant about blacksmithing, so not knowing was the norm.

Not needing to delve into the meaning of that smile, Han continued.

“Inside, you’ll be guided on how to craft a dagger by mystical powers. Also, time inside the Magic Forge flows differently than outside.”

Han glanced towards the Magic Forge.

“You could spend a whole day crafting inside, but only 5 minutes will have passed outside.”

Hyun-soo, the foreigner, smiled slightly.

“So, you’re saying that in this Magic Forge, there are no limits to crafting, materials are provided as needed, and only 5 minutes of real time pass?”

“That’s correct. And after you’ve crafted your dagger, there’s one last step.”

Han pointed to the Stone of Talent.

“Strike the Stone of Talent with your crafted dagger. It’ll probably break, but don’t be alarmed. That’s common. Also, the dagger will disappear after striking the stone, as it’s made with the temporary power of the Magic Forge.”

“What about that deeply indented part in the middle?”

Han, after explaining and boasting about the legacy left by Tower Master Dang, turned to the newcomer with enthusiasm.

“Isn’t he amazing? To achieve such a feat with just a blade. Oh, and by the way.”

Han paused, struck by a thought.

“Master Dang once jokingly said that if someone could even come close to his skill, he’d give them his old hammer. Now, you can go in.”

Han opened the door to the Magic Forge.

Hyun-soo, the newcomer, stepped into the Magic Forge.

Creak, thud…

***

[You have entered the Magic Forge.]

Inside the Magic Forge, Hyun-soo crossed his arms, intrigued by what NPC Han had explained.

Especially one thing he mentioned.

‘So, if I match Tower Master Dang, I could get his hammer?’

Thinking of the Stone of Talent, Hyun-soo smirked.

That was the beauty of this Magic Forge.

‘The ability to create any kind of dagger I want.’

Materials were provided endlessly.

Hyun-soo closed his eyes, pondering the type of dagger to create. Smiling, he opened his eyes, an image of the dagger flashing through his mind, along with a memory of a conversation with his father.

‘-Hyun-soo, would you believe if I said there’s a sword that can cut through stone?’

***

Tower Master Dang, a legendary blacksmith, stood with his arms crossed, looking at the Stone of Talent.

Clang! Bang! Ting!

As usual, the sound of foreigners striking stones with their daggers echoed in each blacksmith tower.

The Stone of Talent in Dang’s room was special.

The stones in other class-changing locations didn’t make any sound.

But in Dang’s room, he could hear them in real-time.

Ting…

‘How many today?’

Dang chuckled to himself.

He wondered how many daggers crafted by these modest foreigners had shattered just today.

Probably hundreds.

The tingling sound was a testament that not even a scratch was made.

‘Such pitiful foreigners…’

Dang decided to ignore it.

30 years had passed, and in that time, no one had made a mark on the Stone of Talent as deep as his.

Dang was about to turn back to his artifact-making when suddenly…

Scraaaape!

“…?”

Dang froze.

That unfamiliar sound.

He slowly turned, in disbelief.

‘This can’t be happening… It’s impossible…’

That sound, that impact.

‘A sound of cutting through stone?’

Slowly turning, Dang saw it. The Stone of Talent, seemingly unchanged, then split cleanly in half and fell to the sides.

Crash!

Seeing this, Dang rushed out of the tower.

‘Who could it be? Who is it?’

Forgetting even to put on his shoes, he dashed out frantically.

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Rune gazed at the auction item before him with a trembling expression.

[Starting bid: 500 gold.]

The starting price of the auction was five times higher than the first sword. The new item up for bid was a bow.

(Hyun’s Second Bow)

Grade: Rare

Durability: 2,400/2,400

Attack Power: 94

Level Restriction: 0-60

Special Abilities:

· Increase Agility by 7.

· Increase Accuracy by 13%.

· Passive Skill: Powerful Shot.

· Passive Skill: Piercing Arrow.

Description: A bow made only with materials from the Beginner Zone, unlikely to be crafted again.

As Rune looked at Hyun’s Second Bow, his heart pounded.

‘What is this? How was it made…?’ He couldn’t understand.

Just then, Vice Guild Master Kay rushed over to him.

“Guild Master, did you see it?”

Rune nodded.

“It’s insane. Truly a crazy artifact!”

Rune couldn’t deny his words. Soon, Kay spoke excitedly.

“It was also made in the Beginner Zone. Can you believe a bow crafted there has an attack power of 94?”

Bows generally have a lower base attack power than swords, since a bow’s attack is the sum of the bow and the arrow’s power. Naturally, as the level restriction of an item increases, higher-level players can wear it, boosting its attack power.

“And it has not one, but two special skills. Both are pretty decent.”

Rune and Kay had no choice but to highly rate this bow.

“How did they make an artifact for level 0-60 in the Beginner Zone…?”

The first sword was also made in the Beginner Zone, where users are level 1 and use unrestricted materials, so it made sense for there to be no level restriction. But how could something for level 0-60 come from there? Additionally, the owner of the Hyun’s Forge was still assumed to be level 1.

“Take a look at this.”

Kay displayed a hologram.

“This is a bow made by Black when he was level 10. It also has a level 0-60 restriction.”

Black was currently the top-ranked blacksmith in South Korea.

(Orc Tusk Bow)

Grade: Rare.

Durability: 1,100/1,100

Attack Power: 76

Level Restriction: 0-60

Special Abilities:

· Increase Agility by 2.

· Increase Critical Hit Damage Chance by 13%.

· Passive Skill: Quick Reload.

· Active Skill: Long-Range Shot.

Description: A bow made from orc tusks. Well-crafted and suitable for general use.

The difference between the two was clear. The bow sold by the Hyun’s Forge was overwhelmingly superior.

Both had the same level restriction and were of the same rare grade.

Kay looked incredulous.

“Guild Master…”

“Yeah, it’s that thing.”

The same grade, the same rarity, but a stark difference in quality. Only one thing came to their minds.

“Class advantage.”

“Skill advantage.”

They spoke simultaneously.

“It’s confirmed, isn’t it? The owner of the Hyun’s Forge is a legendary class.”

Rune’s heart raced.

The reason for their conclusion: Blacksmith skills can have effects like these.

· Increase all effects by 9% when crafting Rare artifacts.

· Increase all effects by 11% when crafting Epic artifacts.

But comparing the Orc Tusk Bow and the Hyun’s Second Bow, there’s almost a 20% performance difference. Honestly, the Hyun’s Second Bow, while not quite there, could pass for an Epic-grade item.

“Without being a legendary class, you can’t create such a disparity with the same grade artifacts.”

While thinking this, Rune suddenly remembered Smith, the world’s top-ranked blacksmith.

Smith, his real name and the person Rune admired. Smith was known to have contributed significantly to the crafting part of the Ares game. Moreover, Smith had said:

‘-You can make a high-grade artifact using your class, skills, level, and titles, even if it’s crudely made. We have the system’s help. But there’s a better way to create superior artifacts.’

At that time, Rune focused on wanting to be like Smith.

‘-Not crudely made, but intricate and perfect. If you add the effects of class, skills, level, and titles to that, it would be an artifact like no other.’

It was something Rune could hardly dream of doing.

Of course, he could also craft sophisticated and detailed artifacts influenced by his level and skills. But he knew Smith meant something different.

To truly understand the essence of weapons and armor. Not through the system, but on your own.

‘Impossible.’

Smith was a real-life blacksmith, which made it possible, but for 99.9% of existing blacksmiths, it was an impossible feat. That’s why Rune never even speculated it.

‘It’s absurd to think it’s all about skill.’

While he was pondering this…

[Current bid: 970 gold.]

[Current bid: 990 gold.]

“Guild Master, the bid keeps rising. What should we do?”

“Follow it, these guys have caught the scent.”

There weren’t just one or two blacksmith guilds in South Korea. Like him, those waiting for the Hyun’s Forge to prove its worth were now trying to bid.

For the same reason he had.

“To connect in some way.”

“We can’t miss the second legendary class blacksmith after Smith. Put in an exclusive offer right away. No, wait.”

Kay saw Rune, unusually excited, unable to hide his excitement.

“What to do?” Rune muttered, then said, “I’ll make the offer myself, and don’t bid an absurd amount. The other guilds will stop if it gets too high anyway.”

Rune watched the continuously rising subscriber count with a bitter smile.

“They too wouldn’t want it to become an issue.”

Rune immediately clicked on the icon shaped like a message to write a note to send to the Hyun’s Forge.

“We must bring them over at all costs.”

It was the first time Rune had ever wanted someone this badly.

[Hello, this is Rune, the Master of the Golden Hammer Guild.]

He began composing his proposal.

***

Hyun-soo stretched out thoroughly.

“Ugh!”

He had been staying in the Lord’s castle forge in the game for over 50 days. After posting the Hyun’s Second Bow on the auction board yesterday, he had logged out immediately. He also had a good night’s sleep for the first time in a while.

Hyun-soo, who had a quick breakfast-cum-lunch with just cereal, smiled wryly.

‘It’s a loss if you take out the capsule…’

He had managed to get a VVIP capsule for a month. Plus, he made a profit of one million won by selling Hyun’s first sword, but considering that one month in real time had passed in the game, it could be considered a loss.

‘My money is almost gone.’

He had almost spent the nearly one million won in his bank account.

‘I should exchange some.’

The profit from selling the sword and the upcoming income from selling the bow.

‘Well, this is how you make progress, right?’

Considering he was still only level 1, it wasn’t a bad achievement.

‘But when will I treat these burn scars…?’

He wanted to go out into the world.

Just to walk around like ordinary people.

After a simple meal, Hyun-soo logged back into Ares.

He checked what he had gained yesterday with a contented expression, starting with his swordsmanship skills.

(Prime Swordsmanship)

Active Skill

Grade: Epic

Level: 1 Proficiency: 0%

Swordsmanship Skill.

· Chapter 1: Unyielding.

· Chapter 2: Vital Strike.

· Chapter 3: Frenzy.

(Chapter 1: Unyielding)

Active Skill

Mana Cost: 30

Cooldown: 5 minutes.

Effect:

· Increases physical attack power by 13%, cutting power by 7%, and critical hit damage chance by 20% for 1 minute.

(Chapter 2: Vital Strike)

Active Skill

Mana Cost: 20

Cooldown: 1 minute.

Effect:

· Identifies the enemy’s weak points, dealing 45% additional damage on successful vital strikes.

· 15% chance to deal 60% damage.

(Chapter 3: Frenzy)

Active Skill

Mana Cost: 50

Cooldown: 10 minutes.

Effect:

· Continuously attacks all recognized enemies within a 10m radius for 20 seconds.

· Increases attack speed by 70% and physical attack power by 30% during Frenzy.

The Prime Swordsmanship taught by Baron Vans was excellent.

“The skill proficiency will increase as I level up…”

It was a great swordsmanship skill, sufficient even for level 100. Especially considering that Hyun-soo was a production class, it was a tremendous power.

Next was the buffalo horn bow that Hyun-soo had crafted for his use.

(Buffalo Horn Bow)

Grade: Epic

Durability: 3,000/3,000

Attack Power: 128

Restriction: No restriction for the maker. Level 0-70.

Special Abilities:

· Increases bow accuracy by 60%.

· Active Skill: Armor Breaker.

· Active Skill: Sure Shot.

Description: A great bow born from the hands of a master in the Beginner Zone, never to be replicated.

The buffalo horn bow didn’t increase stats, but the 60% increase in bow accuracy was a significant merit. Hyun-soo was practically clueless in archery, and the increased bow accuracy would assist him. Additionally, he had intentionally made the buffalo horn bow easy to use.

‘Is that why the increased bow accuracy is included?’

Finally.

(Armor of the Light Lord)

Grade: Rare

Durability: 2,000/2,000

Armor: 119

Restriction: None.

Special Abilities:

· Increases Strength by 4, Stamina by 2, Agility by 1.

· Passive Skill: Damage Reflection.

· Passive Skill: Damage Reduction.

Description: Armor once worn by a legendary Light Lord. It had been broken in many places over 300 years but was cleanly repaired by a blacksmith.

The rusted Armor of the Light Lord had now become quite shiny. Furthermore, several special abilities were added when Hyun-soo repaired it, notably the Damage Reflection passive skill. This skill had a 3% chance of reflecting an enemy’s attack.

Before leaving the forge, Hyun-soo checked everything.

‘I said goodbye to the Lord yesterday…’

Now, the only thing to check was the auction house. Since he had logged out last evening and logged in around lunchtime, quite some time had passed.

‘I wonder if it sold for more than last time?’

There was, in fact, something that had concerned him.

At that time, a blacksmith named Blam from the Golden Hammer Guild had proudly announced that he had intentionally paid a high price in a blind purchase review.

Hyun-soo realized why he had said that and spent the money.

‘It really did make a lasting impression.’

Soon, Hyun-soo checked the auction price.

[Starting bid: 500 gold.]

[Current bid: 1,950 gold.]

“…Huh?”

Hyun-soo rubbed his eyes.

But the number in front of him did not change. In fact, it was continuously rising.

[Current bid: 2,000 gold.]

[Current bid: 2,050 gold.]

‘Two million won?’

Amazement naturally escaped his lips.

Paying two million won just for a single artifact?

And then he discovered something even more astonishing.

[Current subscribers: 3,205.]

The number of subscribers had inflated tenfold overnight.

Even his inbox was filled with hundreds of messages. Most of them were about exclusive contracts, like before, and some were from individual users requesting the crafting of specific artifacts. Among them, one message stood out.

[Hello. I am Rune, the Master of the Golden Hammer Guild…]

‘The Master of the Golden Hammer Guild?’

With a puzzled expression, Hyun-soo clicked on the message.

[Hello. This is Rune, the Master of the Golden Hammer Guild. There’s a great expectation placed on the Hyun’s Forge, considering you’re the second legendary class user in Ares.]

“…?”

What is this about?

Hyun-soo couldn’t understand it. After a long time, he opened and then closed his status window.

‘I’m jobless, aren’t I?’

And he continued to read.

[I’ll get straight to the point. I propose to recruit Mr. Hyun of the Hyun’s Forge to the Golden Hammer Guild.]

It was an expected outcome. However, the content written below was quite shocking.

[The contract fee is 200 million won. This is the condition for you to join our guild.]

“…200 million?”

Hyun-soo’s eyes widened in disbelief.

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Baron Vans received the hornbow from Hyun-soo and stroked its frame.

“It’s just as it was…”

It looked exactly like the bow his father had once held.

Though it seemed to have lost its signs of use, that was unavoidable.

This hornbow was indeed as he remembered.

In this world, NPCs could verify the properties of artifacts, thanks to the mystical powers of Ares.

Baron Vans, with a trembling expression, examined the archer’s hornbow.

(Archer’s Hornbow)

Grade: Epic

Durability: 3,500/3,500

Attack Power: 253

Requirement: Level 80 and above

Special Abilities:

· Agility increase by 0.9%.

· Accuracy increase by 22%.

· Bow attack speed increase by 17%.

· Bow Mastery +1

· Passive skill: Wind-like Archery.

· Active skill: Triple Shot.

Description: The archer’s hornbow, intricately and superbly remade, surpassing its original creator.

“Good heavens!”

Baron Vans gasped in amazement.

At first glance, it seemed like a successful restoration.

But this was more than just restoration; it was an upgrade.

“How is this even possible…?”

His father’s heirloom was not just restored but elevated to a higher grade!

“Though it’s not a perfect restoration, you’ll be satisfied, right?” said Hyun-soo, with a wry smile.

Yes, a perfect restoration would have meant an exact replica.

Baron Vans chuckled.

“Improving my father’s heirloom, thank you. I’m grateful!”

Who wouldn’t be pleased with an upgrade?

‘I wanted an exact replica!’

But realistically, no one would complain in such a situation.

Baron Vans embraced the newly recreated archer’s hornbow.

“I won’t lose it again…”

His expression showed how precious the bow was to him.

For Hyun-soo, the restoration had been a fulfilling task.

It had taken about 40 days, though in game time, that was roughly 13 days in reality.

‘I’ve gained a lot from this.’

40 days of repetition had honed his skills, adding around 80 to his dexterity, and steadily increasing his strength and stamina.

Hyun-soo knew the biggest weakness of blacksmiths.

‘They can’t procure their own materials.’

Blacksmiths, by nature of their profession, only repeat the cycle of crafting and selling, using the proceeds to buy materials and craft again. Therefore, they often lag behind other players in terms of level.

However, if one starts in the beginner’s zone like Hyun-soo, the stat difference with other players would steadily grow.

Moreover, unlike other blacksmiths who lacked combat skills, Hyun-soo could be self-sufficient in gathering materials.

He checked his newly acquired title.

(The Restorer Beyond Limits)

Multiple Titles

Grade: A

Special Abilities:

· 18% increased chance of creating a superior-grade artifact during restoration.

· 3% increased chance of creating a superior artifact during crafting.

This was a multiple title.

Already obtained by several individuals.

The condition for achieving ‘The Restorer Beyond Limits’ seemed to be not just restoration but upgrading the grade.

But Hyun-soo wasn’t particularly disappointed.

‘No one at my level has this title.’

Then came the notification of the quest completion.

[Linked Quest: Restoration of the Archer’s Hornbow Completed.]

[You have completed the quest with extraordinary success.]

Baron Vans smiled at Hyun-soo.

“I can’t just stand by after receiving such a valuable gift.”

The artifact’s grade upgrade was immensely valuable.

Baron Vans had a soldier bring in some money.

[You have received 1,000 gold.]

The original reward was 500 gold!

The reward doubled!

And that wasn’t all.

Ordinary blacksmiths usually lack any substantial combat skills.

But Baron Vans was now imparting his swordsmanship to Hyun-soo.

After placing the bow aside, Baron Vans picked up a sword.

“How much longer do you plan to stay here?”

“I think I’ll stay for another month.”

Now Hyun-soo had to craft his own bow with the remaining materials and also repair the ancient, rusted armor of the Light lord.

“The Prime family’s swordsmanship you’ve been learning is just a watered-down version for the direct descendants. How about I teach you the real Prime swordsmanship, exclusive to the direct line?”

Ding!

[Baron Vans offers to train you in a more advanced level of Prime swordsmanship.]

[Your current training progress will be deleted.]

[The more advanced Prime swordsmanship is of Epic grade.]

Baron Vans smiled slightly.

He wanted to teach the direct family’s swordsmanship, much like how Hyun-soo upgraded the Archer’s Hornbow, as a valuable gift in return.

“It won’t be easy, just as you faced limitations while crafting the artifact. It’s going to be tough for your body to adapt.”

“I’ll do my best to learn.”

Thus began the training in the more advanced swordsmanship.

Certainly, the level of swordsmanship Hyun-soo was trying to master was challenging, and his progress was slow.

He dedicated five hours each day to sword training, spending the rest of his time crafting bow and restoring armor.

In the flow of time, Baron Vans was sincerely impressed.

‘What are you exactly…?’

He didn’t just teach three simple sword movements. He covered the basics, understanding, application, cutting, thrusting, and blocking techniques.

It wasn’t just about teaching skills; it was to prepare Hyun-soo for the outside world.

And Baron Vans was grateful.

In his mind, he still had the image of Hyun-soo tirelessly working day and night to restore his father’s heirloom.

And among those memories, the ‘genius blacksmith’ stood out vividly.

But now, his perception was changing.

‘Why doesn’t he get tired?’

He never seemed to tire.

He learned his sword skills for five straight hours.

‘Why does he learn so quickly?’

He was like a sponge.

Teach him one thing, and he’d learn two, sometimes even applying them creatively.

‘Why does he make me feel so anxious?’

It was incomprehensible.

The young man he knew as just a genius blacksmith had exceeded all his expectations.

He was a genius not only in blacksmithing but also in his dedication and effort.

Just like how he meticulously crafted and refined the bow over 40 days.

That’s how he became a genius blacksmith.

While Baron Vans was exhausted after the sword training and needed a break, Hyun-soo would return to the forge to continue his work.

And on the last day.

Hyun-soo heard a notification.

[You have achieved 100% proficiency.]

[You have mastered Prime Swordsmanship.]

Shortly after, his bow making was also complete.

Ding!

[You have created an unbelievable bow in the beginner’s zone.]

[The grade is being assessed.]

[It is of Rare quality.]

[Please name the bow.]

Hyun-soo had made two bows in a short time. This was possible because, while restoring the archer’s hornbow, he had also been gathering materials for the other bow.

Baron Vans seemed impressed when he glanced at him, readily accepting the bows.

One, as the notification indicated, turned out to be a Rare artifact.

Ding!

[An extraordinary bow of a caliber that may never again be seen in the beginner’s zone has been created.]

[The grade is being assessed.]

[It is of Epic quality.]

[Please name the bow.]

The other was thus an Epic grade bow.

Hyun-soo decided not to name the bow he would use after himself, ‘Hyun.’

[You have named the bow as Hyun’s Second Bow.]

He planned to sell this Rare bow.

And for the second bow of Epic grade.

[You have named the bow as the Buffalo Horn Bow.]

He intended to use the Buffalo Horn Bow regularly.

Hyun-soo opened the auction board hologram.

‘It’s been a while.’

He noticed his subscriber count had slightly increased.

[347 subscribers to Hyun’s Forge.]

He started writing about the second auction item.

[Hyun’s Second Bow.]

Description: Unfortunately, there’s a level restriction again. But it seems very useful relative to its level.

As he finished writing, a notification popped up.

[Please set a starting bid for the auction.]

Hyun-soo realized he had made a mistake in the previous auction.

It had been set to ‘automatic auction’, a system where the sale completes automatically if bids reach nearly ten times the initial price.

Normally, the auction should run for a set time, with the highest bid at the end determining the sale.

The time can be set from a minimum of one hour to a maximum of three days.

He chose 24 hours this time.

Pausing for a moment at the starting bid, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

‘This one is of the same grade as the previous, but its performance and materials are much better.’

He realized that the high final bid in the last auction had been for show.

Nevertheless, this auction’s starting bid was significantly higher than the last.

[Starting the auction at 500 gold.]

Five times higher than the previous starting bid.

But Hyun-soo was confident.

‘This artifact is much better than the last one.’

***

Master Rune of the Golden Hammer Guild ranked 12th among South Korean blacksmiths and 87th overall – a notable ranker in the scene.

While browsing the auction board, Rune’s curiosity was piqued by a particular user’s forge and he decided to check it out.

[Hyun’s Forge.]

It had been well over 20 days since the first auction item from Hyun’s Forge was listed.

At the time, blacksmith Rune had been skeptical, annoyed by his deputy guild master’s fuss over an item for levels 1-50.

‘Why the big deal over a low-level auction item?’

But his opinion changed once he saw the information his deputy had sent him.

Rune had immediately ordered a bid on the artifact, which he eventually acquired.

He took out ‘Hyun’s First Sword’ from his inventory.

A beginner’s zone sword he’d bought for a million won – quite an expensive purchase.

Holding the sword, Rune used his top-tier blacksmith skills to recheck its composition.

[Lowest-grade iron ore from the beginner’s zone]

It still amazed him, a truly special artifact.

Generally, two things determine the high grade of an artifact: exceptional materials that surpass standard grades, and the blacksmith’s skills and level.

But what was astonishing about this ‘Hyun’s First Sword’ was that it seemed to deviate from both norms.

‘If it’s made from the lowest-grade iron ore in the beginner’s zone, does that mean it was crafted by a level 1 user…?’

How was this sword made?

Moreover, in the blacksmith’s community forum, where posts could be left, he saw various comments.

[Is this the place? The forge where Golden Hammer Guild was duped into buying a sword, lol.]

[What was Rune thinking buying this? Just give me the money instead!]

Rune couldn’t help but smirk bitterly.

‘Look at these comments.’

Some were clearly written in jest, while others were not.

He noticed some rival blacksmith guilds intentionally downplaying Hyun’s Forge.

Then, one comment caught his eye.

[Just guessing here. Maybe this user got a special chance at level 1 and obtained an Epic or Legendary class?]

Among the crowd, there were those who weren’t just stirring up trouble.

Rune agreed with this sentiment.

It sounded far-fetched, but there had been many such precedents.

Players who met named NPCs at the start of the game and gained special powers!

This seemed quite plausible.

‘If that’s the case, I should pay more attention.’

If he could recruit this player or sign an exclusive contract, they could be a tremendous asset to the guild.

But there was also this perspective.

[Ah, folks, don’t overestimate. It’s clear. A named NPC probably just showed how to make the sword and helped make it once.]

This too was a possible scenario.

Its credibility was bolstered by the fact that no auction items had been listed for over 20 days.

That could mean there were no worthy items to sell, or perhaps the skills weren’t there to produce them.

‘Is this just a flash in the pan?’

Feeling disappointed, Rune was about to close the auction board when suddenly…

[Hyun’s Forge has started an auction for ‘Hyun’s Second Bow.’]

“…!?”

Was it exceptional or not?

The second auction item appeared, ready to prove its worth.

Prev I TOC I Next

Prev I TOC I Next

Lee Ji-hee recalled something Team Leader Kim Tae-Seok had said.

User Hyun-Soo had met the conditions for a new class.

One was to once reject a legendary class, and another was to achieve two remarkable feats in his job field.

Currently, Hyun-Soo had accomplished one remarkable feat.

“Team Leader, creating ‘Light’ was one of the remarkable feats, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then this restoration would count as another, wouldn’t it?”

Kim Tae-Seok sighed softly.

“Yes, if he pulls off this restoration, it would indeed be a remarkable achievement.”

It was an undeniable fact.

However, Kim Tae-Seok shook his head.

“But it won’t be easy due to the limitations. If only skill was enough…”

In reality, a blacksmith’s skill can determine everything.

But this was, after all, a game.

Just as a high-level swordsman is much stronger than Hanul, the greatest kendo genius in reality.

There are things that can’t be done with real-world skills alone.

Soon, Kim Tae-Seok started typing rapidly on his keyboard.

“It might even take longer than when he worked with mithril, and the key issue might be something else.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a restoration project, different from the original creations that Hyun-Soo User made. It’s about restoring something that was already made.”

Lee Ji-hee looked puzzled, not understanding why that was a problem.

“Let’s suppose this. A chef creates a dish originally, and then another chef is asked to recreate it just by tasting it and using the same ingredients. Can they replicate the exact same taste?”

“…Ah.”

Lee Ji-hee understood.

“Right, Hyun-Soo User has the same ingredients, but like tasting, it’s hard to restore something with just sight and touch.”

“Unless he’s an incredible restorer, it won’t be easy.”

“That’s right. Moreover, there should be guidelines on restoration methods and skills meeting, but due to limitations, there’s none of that.”

That was certainly true.

Then Lee Ji-hee had a thought.

Using the same ingredients to cook…

“Team Leader.”

“Huh?”

“But what if the second chef makes a tastier dish than the first one?”

“…?”

Kim Tae-Seok’s eyes widened at this unexpected question.

“Well, obviously…”

The task was restoration.

What would the other party say if the appearance is the same, but the taste is better?

“They’d be thrilled if it tastes better…?”

***

Hyun-Soo, starting the restoration work, felt a distinct difference.

‘VVIP capsules and standard capsules. They’re worlds apart…’

It was just a 15% difference in synchronization rate. But human limits can be decided even within this 15%.

In an Olympics with national representatives!

Does the winner have twice the skill of others?

No, just a bit more. Often, they are just slightly better than their competitors.

This 15% holds more significance than one might think.

Hyun-Soo was certain.

His first sword, the ‘Light’, would be surpassed by a much more sophisticated and perfect work this time.

And also.

‘This restoration work is fun.’

Others might say.’How is that fun!’

It might be akin to saying ‘I find studying the most fun in the world!’

But Hyun-Soo genuinely found it enjoyable.

‘Maybe people who find studying fun feel this way?’

Studying continuously builds new knowledge.

Those people probably find joy not in studying itself but in acquiring knowledge.

Hyun-Soo was similar, yet different.

He also enjoyed the process of creation, excited by the anticipation of what the end result of his efforts would be.

What will come out this time?

Can I create something even better than before?

“The first thing is…”

The first task was to bend the woods.

Mulberry, bamboo, oak, etc., needed to be bent.

He had to make sure that the bent shape was maintained from end to end.

But then.

‘Why isn’t it bending properly?’

Hyun-Soo realized. It was because of the limitations.

Like last time, these limitations hinder easy creation.

“Shall I help?”

“…Aren’t you busy?”

“It’s fine. Besides, isn’t this about restoring an heirloom left by my father?”

Baron Vans had been staying by Hyun-Soo’s side.

“Will you keep helping?”

“…If you want, I will. Restoring my father’s heirloom together, that sounds meaningful.”

Hyun-Soo gave a bitter smile at that.

“You’d probably want to run away.”

“…?”

Vans, baffled, sat opposite Hyun-Soo and pressed hard on the wood together.

“Don’t say that. I’m a lord and quite a skilled swordsman, why would I want to run away from a task like this? Hahaha!”

Three days later.

“Can I go back now…?”

“No, you can’t.”

“…”

Vans was going insane.

Ah, the boredom, the madness!

For three days, they had been doing nothing but bending materials.

His back felt like it was going to snap, and his arms were trembling with spasms.

But not for Hyun-Soo. He tied the ends of the wood together with wire.

“Take a break.”

“I’m fine. This task is easy.”

“…?”

Vans looked at Hyun-Soo with a puzzled expression.

“Have you lost your mind?”

Hyun-Soo, smiling faintly, shook his head.

“Working in the hot forge every day, this cooler work feels like a break.”

“…Ah?”

Vans understood. That did make sense.

Then a question occurred to him.

“Do all blacksmiths usually take this long?”

“Not here.”

“…Not here?”

“Yes, here we have the help of mystical powers and Lord Ares. Things are made and restored in a snap.”

“And where you come from?”

“Where I live, this kind of hard labor is common.”

Vans looked at the young Hyun-Soo.

He still had doubts whether Hyun-Soo could truly restore it.

But the way he confidently pierced through the materials without a close look was impressive, and Hyun-Soo was full of confidence.

What he trusted most were Hyun-Soo’s palms.

‘Palms blistered, torn, and calloused repeatedly…’

Those palms were a testament.

Baron Vans, also a swordsman, gets blisters on his hands from training.

But it’s rare for them to become completely calloused like that.

“It’s done now. I’ll do the rest alone.”

Hyun-Soo grinned. When he had said he couldn’t go back, he was only joking.

“…I’ll just stay by your side.”

Exhausted and overwhelmed, Vans decided just to watch.

The reason was Hyun-Soo’s expression.

‘How can he…’

How can he smile so happily?

It might be fun to make something all day.

But after a day, two days, three days, one would usually get bored and want to escape.

But Hyun-Soo was humming and enjoying himself.

‘Is he crazy about his job?’

Thus, Baron Vans watched over the young Hyun-Soo.

Three days passed.

Shush-shush-

“Now I’ll start trimming the mulberry wood.”

Five days passed.

“Finally, it’s well-trimmed. Now I’ll start making the bow using the mulberry and bamboo.”

Another week went by.

“Phew, finally the joining work is done. Now I’ll start trimming the buffalo horn.”

Vans just silently watched Hyun-Soo.

Four more days passed.

“Now I’ll boil the glue.”

The glue, called binding glue, was bubbling away.

Vans kept watching him.

It was an indescribable feeling.

Seeing the young man working his best to restore his father’s heirloom, Vans couldn’t help but smile.

“Now I’ll make the bowstring with whale tendons.”

The bowstring made from whale tendons was literally a white thread.

How many days had passed already?

About 20 days?

Baron Vans slowly stood up and drew his sword.

Swish-

“Even if you’re bored, are you trying to kill me…?”

Hyun-Soo chuckled playfully, and Vans shook his head.

“I can’t kill you out of boredom, but maybe I should train with my sword.”

Vans was speaking metaphorically.

It had been over 20 days.

Maybe it would take even longer.

The young man was doing his best to restore his father’s heirloom.

Vans wanted to help him.

That’s why he considered teaching him.

“How about it, want to learn?”

***

[You gain 1 Dexterity.]

[Your intimacy with Vans has increased.]

[You gain 1 Dexterity.]

[Your intimacy with Vans is increasing…]

After over 20 days, Hyun-Soo was working when he suddenly heard Baron Vans speak.

“How about it, want to learn?”

Ding!

[Skill Quest: Prime Swordsmanship Training]

Grade: B

Restriction: Those who received Vans’s offer.

Reward: Prime Swordsmanship.

Penalty for failure: Decrease in intimacy with Vans.

Description: Vans, a lord and renowned swordsman. Learn his swordsmanship through training. Acquire the skill by achieving over 80% in training.

‘Swordsmanship skill? And it’s rare?’

Hyun-Soo looked puzzled by Vans’s sudden offer to teach him swordsmanship.

Seeing him smile, Hyun-Soo nodded.

“I’d like that.”

The blacksmith is a class known to be quite weak among the production classes in Ares.

But acquiring swordsmanship skills could greatly benefit Hyun-Soo.

“I will show you three swordsmanship movements, and you should continue your work while watching them with your eyes.”

“Yes.”

Hyun-Soo continued his work.

Two more days passed.

[You have achieved 5% proficiency in training.]

The quest description clearly stated that he must achieve over 80% proficiency.

While restoring the crossbow, Hyun-Soo also spent about two hours a day learning the posture from him.

Skills can be acquired either through such skill quests or more easily through skill books.

Gradually, the work progressed to 99%.

Truthfully, Hyun-Soo was getting tired.

No matter how much he loved his job, a task that lasted more than a month could exhaust anyone.

Now only the final task remained.

This task involved heating the crossbow to balance it.

Exhausted from the hard labor, Hyun-Soo spoke up.

“Do you have a particular reason for wanting to restore this bow?”

Swinging his sword, Vans smiled faintly.

“Holding that bow reminds me of the times I had with my father.”

The reason Hyun-Soo liked his job.

Sometimes it was a profession that touched someone’s memories.

As Hyun-Soo continued his work, Vans shared his story.

“My father was a cold man, never paying much attention to a son like me. But when my mother passed away, he changed. The change started with this: ‘Vans, why don’t you learn archery?'”

Hyun-Soo’s hands deftly balanced the bow.

“He must have tried to change for me, left alone after mother’s passing.”

Hyun-Soo lifted the bow to check its balance, then heated it again.

“I was not good at shooting the bow at first, but he taught me how to shoot, one arrow at a time, in a gentler tone than usual.”

The balanced bow was almost the same as the first one Vans had held.

“After he passed away, I took comfort in that bow, it felt like my father’s warmth.”

Yes, the bow that Hyun-Soo was restoring was not just any bow.

It was his memory, his connection with his father.

“That’s why.”

Smiling at Vans’s happy face, Hyun-Soo smiled back.

“That’s a good memory.”

Just like Hyun-Soo, Vans had his own memories with his father.

Seeing Vans’s eyes well up with those distant memories, Hyun-Soo slowly stood up.

Finally, Hyun-Soo performed the last task.

The end of bow making.

Zzzzzap-

He placed an arrow on the bowstring and pulled it with all his might. The arrow flew straight to the target.

Pfff-

Immediately, a notification rang out.

[You have displayed blacksmith restoration skills beyond ordinary levels for your level.]

[You have accomplished a miraculous feat in the beginner zone that cannot be repeated.]

[A blacksmith superior to others has restored more intricately and excellently.]

[The grade of the Sharpshooter’s Crossbow is upgraded.]

[A rare artifact is upgraded to an epic artifact.]

[You gain 1 in all stats.]

[You gain 30 in Dexterity.]

[You gain 30 in Fame.]

[You acquire the title of a Restorer Beyond Limits.]

Hyun-Soo extended the bow to Vans with a smile.

“Check it out. Your memories with your father.”

Prev I TOC I Next

Prev I TOC I Next

“Can you really restore it?”

To the furious question from Baron Vans, Hyun-soo answered without hesitation.

“Yes.”

Baron Vans frowned.

Before him, Bell had already spoken.

“Lord, do we need to listen to such a person? He’s just a level 1 user. Where do you get off spouting such nonsense?”

Hyun-soo was incredulous, and so was Bell.

‘Is this guy insane? How can a level 1 even think of restoring something?’

Where in the world would you find a blacksmith capable of that?

No, this Hyun-soo isn’t even a blacksmith.

He’s just a passing level 1 ‘jobless’ user.

How could such a user claim to restore anything?

And then Bell laughed out loud.

‘You’re done for now.’

Bell made a throat-slitting gesture.

He had dared to spout such nonsense in front of the Lord.

But Hyun-soo just looked at him with a bland expression.

‘This guy, his eyes…’

Eyes that completely disregard him.

No, eyes that see no worth in engaging!

Then Baron Vans asked.

“Be quiet, Hyun-soo, the foreigner. Prove your boast.”

Hyun-soo met Baron Vans’ gaze and asked.

“May I know how you acquired this bow?”

Hyun-soo was not foolish.

If he slowly unraveled it, the answer would come.

The Lord doesn’t trust him, he just has to prove it.

“It was crafted and gifted by a friend of my father.”

“Then, was it made with materials available near this territory?”

“Yes.”

Hyun-soo smiled slightly.

“I see. Are there any buffalo around here?”

“…There are no buffalo, but there is a monster called the giant buffalo.”

Baron Vans was a bit surprised.

This man was a level 1 foreigner.

Foreigners usually don’t know about the existence of the giant buffalo.

They go through training in hunting grounds before going outside.

But how did he know about the buffalo?

“This bow is not an ordinary bow.”

Hearing this, Bell’s eyes widened.

Something was about to change in the situation.

He hurried to raise his voice.

“What nonsense… Lord, there’s no need to listen to…!”

Baron Vans gestured with his index finger to his lips.

“Speak.”

“This bow is a hornbow. Completely different from an ordinary bow. The horns of buffalo are the main material. Also.”

Baron Vans, who had slowly walked over, was now right in front of Hyun-soo.

“Also?”

“This area is likely full of bamboo, mulberry, and oak trees, correct?”

“…Right.”

“Bamboo, mulberry, and oak are materials for hornbows. But this hornbow seems a bit special.”

“Special how?”

“Normal hornbows use cow tendons. But…”

Hyun-soo narrowed his eyes.

His eyes were fixed on the completely charred bow.

“Whale tendons were used.”

Baron Vans thought for a moment.

He recalled something his father had once said.

‘-The guy who made this bow said he used whale tendons for me.’

But there was something even more unbelievable to Baron Vans.

“How did you know? Without any mystical power. Especially as a newcomer to these lands.”

Everything matched.

The materials Hyun-soo mentioned were all from this place, and he even discerned the uniqueness of the whale.

“Even though it’s burnt, the essence of that bow remains.”

He had made hornbows hundreds, even a thousand times.

Even if burnt, he knew how some materials burn.

Baron Vans turned around.

His gaze now fell on Bell.

“What about this man?”

Hyun-soo had no intention of lying.

“I’m certain he’s not a blacksmith. His claim that it’s an ordinary bow was suspicious from the start.”

At that moment, Bell stood up abruptly.

Screech-

Boom!

But the door closed even faster, and soldiers near Baron Vans quickly restrained him.

The shackled Bell couldn’t believe it.

“How did you know the materials…?”

Bell couldn’t believe it for this reason.

He had thoroughly researched in advance.

Restoring such an artifact is a task for at least a level 100.

But this Hyun-soo, as far as anyone could see, was just level 1.

Soon, soldiers began to drag Bell away.

Bell, with a dumbfounded expression, was eventually thrown into prison.

[You have logged out.]

Back in reality, Lee Sung-jin wore a puzzled expression.

‘What was that guy…?’

It was incomprehensible.

He was clearly level 1.

But knowing the details of an artifact was beyond common sense.

No, he hadn’t even touched the artifact to check it.

He had just eyeballed it and guessed right.

Then his mouth dropped open.

‘Can he really restore it?’

He couldn’t believe it. How could this be possible?

He logged into the Ares community.

And he posted a question.

[Guys, can a level 1 jobless restore an artifact?]

[What nonsense, are you stupid?]

As expected, the responses were all incredulous.

***

After the departure of Bell.

[Intimacy with Baron Vans increases.]

Hyun-soo speculated.

‘Why haven’t the blacksmiths who visited so far been able to restore it…?’

Soon, Hyun-soo figured out the reason.

‘I know that when you do restoration work in Ares, a restoration notification appears.’

What materials to find and how to restore them.

‘It was the same with Mithril.’

Although it was possible to work with Mithril, which had a level restriction, it didn’t instruct how to refine it.

In essence, the restriction meant that you couldn’t receive help from the game system itself.

The visitors who had come before were unable to restore it due to the level restriction.

“May I touch the bow?”

Baron Vans’ voice softened considerably, and as Hyun-soo touched the bow, something special happened.

[You have seen through all the materials of the bow.]

[You acquire the hidden method for restoring the Marksman’s Hornbow.]

Although it wasn’t through a skill that he accessed the restoration method, it seemed like a kind of hidden piece.

‘Oh…?’

Hyun-soo immediately checked the restoration method.

(Marksman’s Hornbow Restoration Method)

Grade: Rare

Attack Power: 90~210

Restoration Limit: Level 60.

Restoration Materials: Giant buffalo horn and tendons from the novice zone, well-grown bamboo and mulberry from the novice zone. (Alternative materials can be checked)

Special Abilities:

· Maximum 16% increase in accuracy.

· Up to 4 increase in agility.

· Maximum 12% increase in bow attack speed.

· Passive skill: Quick Shooting.

· Active skill: Double Shot.

Description: A bow gifted by a skilled blacksmith to a friend. If restoration falls below 70%, it will fail.

‘The restoration limit is…’

A whopping 60 levels. Only those with at least the minimum restoration skill could attempt it.

But Hyun-soo was different.

They restore with the help of the system.

Nearly 99.9% of blacksmiths in Ares are ignorant of real blacksmithing.

However, they were able to restore because of the system.

‘I can do it with experience.’

There was just one catch.

‘The Mithril ore from the beginner’s zone took too long to smelt and refine.’

Thinking it over, the level restriction was likely the issue.

‘This might take a while.’

During these thoughts.

“That bow, as you’ve heard, is a precious relic of my dear father, and I’ve never seen a blacksmith who can exert such power without mystical abilities… Could you perhaps restore it for me?”

Ding!

[Hidden Quest: Meeting the Lord completed.]

[A related quest is generated.]

[Related Quest: Restoration of the Marksman’s Hornbow.]

Grade: A

Restriction: Requested by the Lord.

Reward: 500 gold.

Penalty for failure: Decreased intimacy with Baron Vans.

Description: Restore his Marksman’s Hornbow.

The quest had quickly escalated from B-grade to A-grade, and the reward was 500 gold.

Success meant about 500,000 won!

It was definitely worth a try for Hyun-soo.

“I’ll give it a try. Could you prepare all the materials I mentioned earlier?”

“Indeed, most of these materials are precious in this area.”

Hyun-soo felt the same.

These materials were not meant for players to obtain.

“But that shouldn’t be difficult.”

Baron Vans was a lord, after all.

Confident in his words, Hyun-soo nodded.

“I’ll start working as soon as the materials are ready.”

***

In the lord’s castle forge.

The materials were prepared in no time.

Hyun-soo, looking at the giant buffalo horn, tendons, mulberry, bamboo, and oak before him, flexed his fingers.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve done restoration work.’

Hyun-soo was sure of one thing.

‘I don’t know about the world, but…’

In Korea, he and his father were the best restorers.

He had a history of restoring Haemosu’s Dragon Sword.

Moreover, he had made more than enough traditional Korean hornbows.

Crack, pop-.

And there was one thing he realized while examining the hornbow earlier.

‘It seems well-made, but made by a blacksmith below level 100?’

Eventually, even NPCs had levels.

The blacksmith who was a friend of Baron Vans’s father had given a gift that was of rare quality.

Hyun-soo thought that if he examined each aspect carefully, he could make something better.

Swoosh-

A picture unfolded in front of Hyun-soo.

It was a drawing of a bow that Baron Vans’s father had immediately ordered a subject to make upon receiving the gift.

‘There’s absolutely no guidance on how to restore it…’

Even if the method of restoration came to mind, there would be no notification on how to actually restore it.

Because he didn’t have the skill.

But that was unnecessary for Hyun-soo.

Through Mithril, Hyun-soo had realized something.

The materials determined the special abilities and attack power.

Whether the worst or the best outcome was achieved depended entirely on the blacksmith’s skill.

Before starting, Baron Vans came to visit.

“…I came because I’m worried.”

Baron Vans was honest, and Hyun-soo was not.

“It seems like it won’t be an easy task.”

“…Is that so?”

Hyun-soo, who hadn’t even wet his mouth, spoke.

“Yes, but if I achieve surprising results, could you give me all the remaining materials?”

“The remaining materials…?”

“Yes.”

Hyun-soo was actually coveting these materials.

The ones named ‘Beginner’s Preserve’ that he could never obtain.

What Hyun-soo wanted to achieve through this was one thing.

Restoration is restoration, but he thought about making another bow with the remaining materials.

“If you make me exclaim ‘Wow!’ with your work, maybe I could do that much for you? I am a lord, after all.”

Hyun-soo smiled satisfactorily.

What’s he going to do by making a bow?

What does a blacksmith do?

‘Sell it at the auction house.’

Suddenly, he became curious.

‘How much would a bow made from these materials sell for?’

The reason Hyun-soo thought this was because of a notification he heard upon arriving here.

[Hyun’s Forge subscribers have reached 300.]

It was definitely around 211 before. He hadn’t posted any artifacts at the moment.

Hyun-soo was quick to catch on.

‘My reputation is spreading in unseen places.’

Hyun-soo smiled slightly and was about to start.

Then.

[Drrrrrring.]

[Drrrrrring.]

The sound of a telephone bell was heard.

Ares could be linked to a cell phone.

It would notify him of incoming calls, and he could check them after logging out.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Foreigners are truly fascinating.”

Soon, Hyun-soo logged out.

And then, the VVIP capsule installation team installed a capsule at Hyun-soo’s house.

‘Wow…’

Hyun-soo was amazed to finally be able to use a capsule at home.

The installation technicians left after assuring to absolutely protect the customer’s personal information.

‘How about trying out the VVIP capsule?’

After logging back into the game, Hyun-soo appeared exactly at the place he was before.

Baron Vans was waiting in the blacksmith shop.

And, just like before, he could see the materials piled up in front of him.

Then he felt something strange.

‘Uh…? Why does it feel so real…?’

Ares was still a game after all. Every time he logged in, Hyun-soo felt a bit of unfamiliarity.

Especially when doing blacksmith work.

Precision is essential in blacksmithing.

But was it slightly less precise?

Suddenly, he remembered what Ji-hoon had said.

‘Wow… If you get a VVIP capsule, let me try it too. The synchronization rate of the VVIP capsule is almost 99.9%.’

‘…This?’

He knew that basic capsules had a synchronization rate of 85%.

Those at PC cafes were basic ones.

Hyun-soo touched the materials. They felt much more real than before.

No, now it really felt like touching the real thing.

‘That means I can work even more delicately, right?’

The subject of that experiment was right in front of him.

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Hyun-soo, who slowly opened his eyes, was shocked to see the hologram in front of him.

[Current Bid: 1,008 Gold.]

[Final bid in 10 seconds.]

[10, 9, 8……]

“1,000 gold?”

1,000 gold was a considerable sum, amounting to 1 million won.

“Wow, jackpot…!”

Was the value of artifacts in Ares far greater than he had imagined?

[Hyun’s first sword sold for 1,008 gold to Blam of the Golden Shield Guild.]

[The buyer leaves a blind review.]

‘A review?’

Hyun-soo looked puzzled as he checked the review.

[Hello, I’m Blam from the Golden Hammer Guild. It’s an honor to purchase the first artifact created by a blacksmith named ‘Hyun’.]

‘Why are they praising me like this?’

[I stretched my budget to buy this. But considering it has no usage restriction and it’s the start of the ‘Hyun’ brand, I made the purchase.]

[I hope we can continue good dealings in the future. If you are interested in an exclusive contract, please contact our Golden Hammer Guild anytime.]

“Ah…”

Hyun-soo understood why the price had exceeded his expectations.

‘The Golden Hammer Guild, huh…’

Hyun-soo had heard about the Golden Hammer Guild, a quite famous blacksmith guild in Korea.

Then, Hyun-soo clicked on the ‘Golden Hammer’ icon that appeared on one side of the auction board and entered that page.

“Wow, 780,000 subscribers…?”

The Golden Hammer Guild had a staggering 780,000 people who set up notifications for their items.

“How many do I have?”

He knew that level 100 blacksmiths typically had fewer than 10 subscribers on average.

Most blacksmiths naturally used the auction board.

It’s said that there are over 500,000 blacksmith users in Korea alone.

With everyone using the board, only well-known names gain subscribers.

[Subscribers to Hyun’s Forge: 211.]

“…?”

Hyun-soo was puzzled.

He had heard that increasing the number of subscribers on the auction board was even harder than leveling up.

And when he entered his own forge, Hyun’s Forge, his inbox was flashing.

Clicking on it, he found several messages.

[Hello, I’m Revel from the Blue Hammer Guild. The reason I’m writing is to discuss a contract with ‘Hyun’s Forge’…]

[Hello! I am Taehoon, the master of Taehoon Guild. Our Taehoon Guild is…]

[Hello?]

[Message from Red Anvil Forge…]

There were about five messages, each offering recruitment or proposing contracts.

“…”

Hyun-soo stood there for a moment, filled with new emotions.

In his father’s forge, it was rare to find people interested in weapons.

Especially in their country, where weapon ownership was prohibited, it was even more so.

But here, people wanted them, not complaining to the district office to “get rid of that damned forge!” but recognizing their value.

“1 million won…”

It was the precious money he earned from his first artifact sale.

Hyun-soo smiled slightly and turned off the auction board.

‘Not yet.’

He realized that the numerous messages meant his value was higher than he had thought.

There was no need to rush.

And Hyun-soo was confident that his value would only increase in the future.

Before he knew it, Hyun-soo had arrived at the lord’s castle.

“Who are you?”

One of the two guards, who had their spears crossed, asked.

“I have come with a recommendation letter concerning the restoration of the lord’s bow.”

The guard scanned the letter and nodded.

“There are two foreigners visiting the lord today. Follow me.”

Hyun-soo looked puzzled.

‘Two people?’

That meant another user was already visiting the lord, excluding himself.

Hyun-soo followed the guard.

***

“Is it really true, that there is absolutely no way to restore it here?”

Baron Vans of the Bardin Territory grimaced while sitting in his chair.

The reason was Bell, a foreigner who had visited the castle.

Bell looked like a skilled blacksmith at first glance.

“As you know, this place is called a beginner’s zone. Skilled blacksmiths from outside can’t enter here. Those who do are usually unable to restore it.”

At Bell’s explanation, Baron Vans nodded reluctantly.

“That’s true.”

Many foreigners had visited Baron Vans so far.

But none of them were able to clearly restore it.

First reason.

The freedom to enter the beginner’s zone was limited in the first place.

There were some, but they were mostly blacksmiths around level 50.

Usually, blacksmiths’ restoration skills can only be learned at level 80

 or above.

As Bell was about to add another comment, with a sigh in his expression, a moment came.

“Another foreigner has arrived.”

“Another one?”

“Yes, he comes with a recommendation from Instructor Rellson.”

Baron Vans was in a hurry.

A fire at the lord’s castle burned down my father’s heirloom!

If it could be restored, he would do anything they wanted.

In fact, since he was a lord, he didn’t meet just anyone.

Especially when it came to foreigners.

Foreigners are full of greed. Every now and then, when he went out to the village, he would hear things like:

“Lord, just 100 gold, please!”

“Lord, let’s be friends~!”

“Hey, why bother? He’s just an NPC.”

“Who knows? He might give a hidden quest. He’s a lord, after all.”

“Oh? Lord!”

They weren’t exactly pleasant.

Usually, Baron Vans didn’t trust or like foreigners, but now he was desperate to grasp at straws.

And soon, his face crumpled as he saw the incoming foreigner.

The guard then said to the foreigner,

“Sit down with respect.”

The foreigner was wearing armor that was rusted all over.

“So, you came for restoration too. What is your name?”

“My name is Hyun-soo.”

“Hyun-soo, to what extent have you reached?”

“Are you referring to the mystic power?”

Baron Vans slowly nodded his head.

“Unfortunately, I have not yet mastered the mystic power.”

“…”

Baron Vans’ face crumpled miserably.

The mystic power was the skill of foreigners, as mentioned by NPCs.

But he had not learned such power.

Soon, thinking of someone named Rellson, Baron Vans asked,

“Did you come straight from the hunting training ground?”

“That’s correct.”

Baron Vans felt it wasn’t worth speaking any further.

He let out a small sigh and turned his head away mercilessly.

‘As soon as this conversation ends, I must throw him out.’

Yes, this Hyun-soo was a level 1 foreigner, according to the foreigners.

Just one of the many greedy people he had seen in the village.

How he got the recommendation letter, he didn’t know.

But he had no intention whatsoever of entrusting the restoration to someone as insignificant and trivial as him.

With that, Baron Vans looked back at Bell, the blacksmith, and gestured.

Bell, who had been silent for a while, met Baron Vans’ eyes and glanced at the user named Hyun-soo.

‘What kind of trash is this?’

He’s a level 1, what is he thinking, coming here to restore the lord’s bow?

If he was coming, at least he should’ve done something about that rusted armor.

But it’s none of his concern.

‘I just need to do my job well. Heh heh.’

In fact, Bell wasn’t a blacksmith.

Though he looked like one, he was actually a ‘Crossing Thief’, one of the rogue classes.

Crossing Thief was a hidden class and could learn quite special skills.

The first was to change their appearance.

This applies to artifacts as well.

The second is not being restricted even if they break a bet or promise with someone.

The third is being able to cross any beginner’s zone with restrictions.

Bell, who had reached level 70, came here to take advantage of Baron Vans’ desperation.

‘Even if it’s completely burned down, it’ll be worth some money if sold, or I could restore it by commissioning another blacksmith and then resell it.’

And even for a thief, research was essential. He continued with the conversation he had been having.

“Let me repeat, it is absolutely impossible to restore it here. You need to take it outside and commission a skilled blacksmith.”

“Hmm… As you know, I am bound by the will of the great God Ares and cannot leave this land.”

NPCs who cannot move from their fixed position. They are called guardian NPCs.

Baron Vans belonged to such guardian NPCs.

‘This is a quest that no one can solve, hehe~’

Bell was excited.

Didn’t Baron Vans just say with his own mouth that he couldn’t leave?

That means he’s desperate to restore it but has no way to do it.

So?

“If it’s not rude, I would like to take it myself and commission a known blacksmith to restore it.”

“You will do it yourself?”

“Yes, since it’s impossible here, it should be taken outside.”

“Hmm, even so, it’s my father’s precious heirloom…”

Baron Vans’ concern deepened.

Even he thought restoration looked difficult.

Then suddenly, Baron Vans became curious about something.

“Do you know what type of bow it is and what materials it is made of?”

The bow, charred black, was so damaged it was hard to even identify what type of bow it was.

In response to Baron Vans’ sharp question, Bell said,

“Yes, this bow is a recurve bow, commonly used in my world. It can be fully restored. So please allow me to take it outside for restoration. If you’re not convinced, I could make an oath to Ares.”

Bell boldly suggested this, planning to break the promise using one of his skills, ‘False Promise’. 

Moreover, an oath to Ares is quite significant in this game. If not fulfilled, it results in penalties.

Using this as leverage, Bell was trying to gain trust.

As Bell mentioned making an oath to Ares, Baron Vans was shaken.

Indeed, that was true.

The territory Baron Vans ruled was a beginner’s zone, and it was impossible to restore such a precious heirloom here.

“…Is there no other way?”

Baron Vans eventually took the bait.

He wanted to restore it by any means.

But the person in front of him says it’s impossible to restore it here.

Eventually, Baron Vans agreed.

“How much do you need for the restoration?”

“300 gold should suffice.”

Baron Vans, who had been lost in thought with his eyes closed, slowly began to nod.

Then.

“…It can be restored.”

A voice was heard.

Slowly opening his eyes, Baron Vans turned his gaze to the source of the voice.

It was from Hyun-soo, a mere level 1 foreigner.

Baron Vans looked puzzled. So did Bell.

‘What nonsense is this, interrupting when everything was almost settled?’

Restored here?

According to Bell’s research, it was absolutely impossible to restore that bow here.

In fact, it was a quest not meant to be undertaken.

Baron Vans, with a stern face, stood up from his chair.

“I was discussing with a blacksmith of higher caliber than you, and you dare interrupt with such nonsense?”

But the foreigner named Hyun-soo remained unflinching.

Soon, Baron Vans drew his sword.

Swoosh-

“Can you stake your head on it?”

At that question, the foreigner named Hyun-soo momentarily closed his mouth.

***

Hyun-soo had been quietly listening to the conversation.

If someone else had already received the quest, it was right for them to talk and proceed first.

But something seemed off about the situation, especially whenever the user named Bell spoke.

Bell had said:

The bow was a type of archery bow.

Nonsense.

That bow was something Hyun-soo had made hundreds, even thousands of times in his forge.

“Can you stake your head on it?”

To Baron Vans’ question, Hyun-soo nodded.

“Yes.”

The type of the bow was a horn bow (角弓).

It was a traditional Korean bow.

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Hyun-soo received a B-grade quest to meet the Lord.

However, one must not think lightly of it just because it’s B-grade.

‘This is a connected quest.’

Depending on the situation, quests continue to connect and progress.

If one reaches the end of the connected quests, there’s a high probability that the quest grade will change.

‘There’s no reason for me to refuse.’

Moreover, Hyun-soo had to restore the old and rusted armor of the Light Sovereign anyway.

“I’ll do it.”

Soon, Rellson handed a recommendation letter to Hyun-soo.

“Safe travels, genius blacksmith.”

After greeting Rellson, Hyun-soo moved on.

A little while after he started walking, Hyun-soo entered the beginners’ village.

In this beginners’ village, players learn how to do various quests.

It’s essentially the final tutorial.

However, most people don’t proceed with it and quickly leave the beginner zone.

Hyun-soo spotted the distant Lord’s Castle.

But before heading to the Lord’s Castle, there was something he definitely had to do.

‘The urgent fire has been put out, but…’

Tomorrow, the VVIP capsule will arrive.

And Hyun-soo’s goal was not only to enjoy the game but also to make money.

Hyun-soo needed money to erase his burn scars.

‘For food, rent, gas bills, this month’s treatment costs…’

Excluding his father’s hospital bills, he needed at least 3 million won a month.

It was now certain that he could make money here, but the road ahead was long.

‘I need to earn at least 100,000 won a day in the game.’

Therefore, Hyun-soo considered using the ‘Auction Board’ available in the beginners’ village.

Through the auction board, a user can trade what they want to sell or buy.

‘My first sale.’

Hyun-soo’s heart fluttered strangely.

This was an easy way to most accurately gauge the value of an artifact he made here.

‘The first sword I made in this game.’

Hyun-soo pulled out his first sword from his inventory and smirked.

Before selling, he checked the market price of such artifacts.

“Between 70 to 120 gold?”

That’s about 70,000 to 120,000 won.

The value was lower than Hyun-soo expected.

He soon understood why.

‘It’s too low-level.’

In fact, in Ares, players level up the fastest from levels 1 to 30.

Those who level up by eating can reach that level in a week.

After checking the market price, he started the auction.

[Please set a seller’s name.]

Another good thing about the auction board is that complete anonymity is possible. You can set a different name from your character.

“Hyun’s Forge.”

[Hyun’s Forge’s booth is now created for the first time.]

[You can use the auction board anytime, anywhere.]

[Please list your auction item.]

He wrote the sales post.

[Hyun’s (現) First Sword.]

Description: It has no level restriction, so it seems suitable for beginners to use without any problems.

An alert appeared as he wrote the post.

[Please set a starting bid.]

“Maybe about 100 gold?”

100 gold has the cash value of 100,000 won.

Considering various conditions, this seemed about right.

If it’s more valuable, bidders will compete and the price will rise.

[The auction starts at 100 gold.]

“I hope it sells well.”

Hyun-soo checked various aspects of the auction system.

‘It’s quite unique.’

The Ares auction system has its special features.

There’s also a seller subscription system.

The seller subscription system allows you to subscribe to a specific seller and get alerts whenever that seller posts something.

‘Usually, there are about 10 level-100 blacksmiths.’

There are many blacksmiths and many items to sell.

Therefore, the more subscribers you have, the more famous you can be considered.

Additionally, people could comment under the posted items.

[Ji-hoon: Hyun-soo, let’s eat and then play the game.]

[Hyun-soo: Okay.]

Hyun-soo logged out before going to the Lord’s Castle.

***

Blam was a member of the Golden Hammer, a fairly well-known blacksmith guild in Korea.

Golden Hammer would craft artifacts and then sell or auction them off, later buying them back for dismantling and repair, and then reselling them.

They also took commissions.

These commissions were from politicians who wanted to play the game, or from the wealthy, or just people with some money to spend.

They were busy and had no time for gaming.

Yet, they still wanted to start off better than others in the early stages.

In Blam’s case, being a less significant person in the guild, he only took commissions from small and medium business owners or those who used to be ‘whales’ in games and wanted to spend money in this one.

Recently, Blam received such a commission from a small business owner.

‘-I don’t have time to play the game, but I still want to start off a bit more special than others.’

Blam, browsing the auction board, entered the ‘1~50 Level Artifacts’ board.

It’s essentially the board with the least transactions.

Upon entering, he saw a sword that was ranked ‘Today’s Top New Artifact.’

“Hmm, quite a lot of comments for a 1~50 level auction item. Why is that?”

With a puzzled expression, Blam clicked on the item to check its information.

(Hyun’s First Sword)

Grade: Rare

Durability: 1,000/1,000

Attack Power: 36

Limit: Level 1-30.

Special Abilities:

· Strength +2, Agility +1.

· Active Skill: Quick Draw.

Description: The best sword a level 1 player can use, made from the most basic materials.

“……?”

Blam tilted his head in confusion.

‘Who is this blacksmith named Hyun?’

One thing was certain; it wasn’t an NPC.

He first checked the current bidding price.

[Auction starting price: 100 gold.]

[Current bid: 214 gold.]

“……?”

The amount was quite high for an artifact in the beginner zone.

Blam checked the comments.

[Wow, a level 1 sword for 214 gold? These guys are crazy lol, they have no brains.]

[You’re paying 200,000 won for a sword you can’t use after level 30? Crazy~]

[So many rich kids in our country lololol.]

[Aren’t these kind of rare swords common… from quests or given by NPCs?]

After scrutinizing the item information again, Blam’s eyes widened.

“That’s because you guys are ignorant.”

It’s not about the external appearance.

Blam’s heart was racing.

‘I have to buy this.’

As he thought this, the small business owner’s commission left his mind.

Meanwhile, the bid was still increasing.

[Current bid: 228 gold.]

[Current bid: 236 gold.]

‘Is this attracting attention from other blacksmith guilds?’

Blam hurriedly messaged the vice guild master.

[Blam: Vice Master, how much should I bid for this?]

[Kay: What’s this?]

[Blam: An artifact on the auction board.]

[Kay: Keep following the bid. This is special.]

[Blam: Right?]

[Kay: Wait, I’ll check the board too.]

Soon, the vice master messaged back.

[Kay: The regular kids don’t get it, do they, Blam? You know why this bidding war started, right?]

[Blam: Of course. It says it’s the best sword made from the most basic materials.]

Regular players might just think it’s a special sword obtained by a skilled player.

But looking at each aspect, it’s impressive.

‘The best sword’ implies it’s the first of its kind for that level.

‘Made from basic materials’ means it was crafted from really unimpressive materials.

Artifacts are influenced by the blacksmith’s skill, but greatly by the materials used.

And this one was made from the most basic materials.

[Kay: It’ll be insane if enhanced.]

Yes, enhancement.

Ares also has an artifact enhancement system.

And this enhancement follows a universal rule in all games.

‘The more basic the material, the higher the chance of successful enhancement.’

If it’s really made from basic materials, the cost of enhancement is also low.

If enhanced well, it could be useful until level 50.

And so, Blam started to follow the rising bids.

Then, vice guild master Kay messaged again.

[Kay: Blam, the guild master says we must win this bid.]

[Blam: The guild master?]

Surprisingly, the master of the Golden Hammer guild was the 12th ranked blacksmith in Korea.

He usually didn’t bother with such menial tasks.

[Kay: Look at the name.]

[Blam: The name? Why?]

Blam thought about it.

“Hyun’s First Sword… Hyun’s… hmm…?”

Blam quickly sensed something odd.

“First? The first sword he made…?”

Blam’s eyes widened.

“The first sword he ever made is rare!?”

[Blam: Insane…]

[Kay: What does ‘first sword’ imply? It’s a hint that he’ll be selling more artifacts in the future. Who else would put ‘first’ in an artifact’s name? And the reason the guild master says to bid is this.]

In fact, Blam was still questioning why he absolutely had to bid for this item, despite everything considered.

[Kay: Considering its appropriate value, I think it’s worth about 300-400 gold. But think about what happens if this unknown user grows in the future? We would be known for purchasing the first artifact he sold at a high price. Even though there’s no connection between that person and us right now, let’s create a link through this.]

Ah…

Blam understood.

This mysterious blacksmith could turn out to be a goose that lays golden eggs.

Whether by bringing him into the guild or securing deals for his artifacts.

It was about getting closer to him in any way possible.

‘Does the guild master recognize such potential in this person…?’

It was remarkable that a beginner blacksmith had already caught the eye of the 12th ranked blacksmith.

Slowly but steadily, the bid continued to rise, and Blam kept up.

***

After having lunch with Ji-hoon and logging back in, Hyun-soo reached the vicinity of the Lord’s Castle.

Then.

[Please check the auction board.]

“Hm?”

Hyun-soo, who had turned off comment notifications to avoid distractions, looked puzzled. It seemed that he had left the auction board notifications on.

As far as Hyun-soo knew, there were generally three reasons for an auction board notification: either the bidding time limit had passed, no one had bid so the system was suggesting to lower the price significantly, or a high bid had been placed and it was advising to check it out.

‘Ah, please…’

Hyun-soo had wondered if the first sword he ever made in the game was worthless.

Thinking back, that day was the first time in a long while that Hyun-soo had wielded a hammer. Moreover, it was an artifact he made right after starting the game. Literally just whipped it up.

Hyun-soo opened the auction board and closed his eyes tightly.

He slowly opened his eyes and let out a gasp of astonishment.

“Wow…?”

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Special User Management Team.

[User Hyun-soo is now eligible to receive the quest for the legendary class, Light Sovereign.]

At the notification that appeared on the screen, Kim Tae-seok stood up in shock.

“Crazy…!”

Normally, after clearing the third stage, users are offered the Epic Class of Light Knight.

However, Hanul didn’t receive this offer.

Because he chose cumulative rewards and failed at the fourth stage.

And upon succeeding up to the fourth stage, in addition to the Light Knight Epic Class offer, one could receive a rare weapon and armor used by the instructor as a gift.

“Absurd…!”

Yes, this was an absurd situation that had arisen.

The first and second stages. Two goblins with a single blow.

And then, the third and fourth stages were attempted simultaneously.

“According to Instructor Rellson, Hyun-soo seemed like the right candidate.”

Even the intimacy between Instructor Rellson and Hyun-soo had completely changed compared to ten minutes ago.

In the highly flexible world of Ares, even the Special User Management Team faces unexpected situations.

But soon, Lee Ji-hee smiled bitterly.

“Did you actually predict that User Hyun-soo would ascend to a legendary class?”

Her words were true.

Of course, it was in a completely different way than they had thought.

“Now, User Hyun-soo will become a second-grade special user.”

The Special User Management Team handles special situations and sudden events.

The classes range from first to fifth grade.

Usually, up to the fifth grade doesn’t require much attention.

But from the third grade onwards, the story changes.

The two looked at the monitor.

User Hyun-soo was deep in thought before he responded.

– I refuse.

“…!?”

“…!?”

Kim Tae-seok and Lee Ji-hee were stunned.

In the monitor, Hyun-soo’s face showed no trace of regret as he smiled slightly.

Then.

Beep beep

A red light flashed on the monitor with a notification.

[User Hyun-soo has fulfilled one of the conditions for the God Class.]

[He is promoted to a first-grade special target.]

“God Class!?”

Kim Tae-seok couldn’t believe it.

There’s a class that none of the 2.5 billion population has achieved yet.

That is the God Class.

This class is the pinnacle in the game of Ares.

“One of the conditions for the Blacksmith Legend Class transfer was to reject an Epic Class once…”

To become a God blacksmith, one must refuse a legendary class offer.

Kim Tae-seok realized the seriousness of the situation.

“What are the other conditions to become a God Blacksmith?”

This was also top-secret information, known only to the team leaders.

However, since Kim Tae-seok couldn’t monitor Hyun-soo 24/7, he told Lee Ji-hee.

“There are various things, but for now, you need to achieve two incredible feats in the job field.”

“Incredible feats?”

“Creating the sword Light was his first achievement. More importantly, he needs to satisfy these two feats before reaching level 10.”

“Wow… That seems impossible to anyone.”

Lee Ji-hee clicked her tongue. The conditions themselves seemed too far-fetched.

But soon, she felt relieved.

“It’s a common rule to reach level 10 as soon as you leave the beginner zone, so it won’t be easy to fulfill those conditions, right?”

“Perhaps?”

Once the hunting zone is over, you immediately arrive at the village.

Leaving the village leads to the real hunting grounds, and that’s where leveling up happens.

Hyun-soo would level up quickly.

However, more importantly, it seemed there was nothing left for Hyun-soo to achieve.

Soon, Kim Tae-seok refocused on Hyun-soo in the monitor.

“More than that, I’m curious why User Hyun-soo refused the legendary class.”

Kim Tae-seok focused on the monitor again.

***

“I refuse.”

After a long thought, Hyun-soo answered. Instructor Rellson’s face, who had expected an obvious acceptance, was filled with confusion.

“Why? If you become a Light Sovereign, it would be a tremendous achievement. You would have the honor of leading the Light Knights as a Light Sovereign, and that’s not all.”

He hurriedly appealed how great it would be to be a Light Sovereign.

“Aren’t you an outstanding blacksmith? A Light Sovereign and a blacksmith. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Upon hearing this, Hyun-soo certainly thought it made sense.

However, his decision did not change.

Hyun-soo had been playing Ares for just about 10 real-time days.

Yet, during this time in Ares, he had felt many things.

It was like a mineral full of impurities, layered upon itself, which, when the impurities were removed, turned out to be a tremendous mineral.

‘I have value.’

He was keenly aware of his own worth.

He was convinced.

‘Even if I refuse the Light Sovereign now, I can still rise high as a blacksmith.’

Conviction.

It’s not arrogance. It’s the confidence that Hyun-soo can have because he is Hyun-soo.

There were several reasons for this.

“I like being a blacksmith. I’ve been holding a hammer since I was 10 years old.”

“No matter how much you like that job…”

“It’s not just about liking it. I still feel my heart race when I hold a hammer, and I feel insanely happy when I forge. Yes, I’m crazy about blacksmithing.”

Hyun-soo smiled brightly.

“Also, I came here to enjoy myself.”

Rellson and Hyun-soo’s eyes met. Rellson, who had been momentarily lost for words, let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha, haha, such a blacksmith-obsessed fellow.”

Then he laughed heartily.

“Marvelous, truly marvelous!”

Hyun-soo’s path, unwavering in the face of any offer.

“That’s why you were able to reach such a level at your young age.”

[Rellson learns about the true spirit of a master craftsman.]

[Your intimacy with Rellson reaches MAX.]

[You refuse the Legendary Class. Light Sovereign class transfer quest.]

[You receive other rewards for completing stages 2 to 4.]

[You gain 2 points in all stats.]

“Wait here for a moment.”

Soon, Instructor Rellson went somewhere and came back with a set of armor.

[You acquire the Old and Rusty Armor of the Light Sovereign.]

Hyun-soo immediately checked it.

(Old and Rusty Armor of the Light Sovereign)

Grade: Rare

Durability: 300/1,000

Defense: 83

Restrictions: None.

Special Abilities:

· +3 Stamina.

· ???

· ???

· Passive Skill: Damage Reduction.

Description: Armor once worn by the legendary Light Sovereign. After 300 years, it has deteriorated significantly and seems difficult to use for a long time.

Armor once worn by a legendary figure.

“300 years ago, this armor would have been even better than it is now, but it will still be great for you to use. Sorry that this is all the reward I can offer.”

Rellson genuinely looked regretful.

Hyun-soo examined the armor from all sides.

This plate armor, damaged in places and dangling in others, caught his eye, especially the ‘???’ with question marks.

“So it was more remarkable once?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, if it’s repaired and restored, it should return to its former glory.”

“Right, repair and restore… Huh?”

Rellson was momentarily speechless.

This armor was once great but had become a relic over time.

Local blacksmiths here couldn’t repair or restore it.

Because they were only beginner blacksmiths.

“You, you’re going to restore it?”

“Yes.”

“But how is that possible?”

“…Because it is.”

“The mystic power, you don’t have that, do you?”

The mystic power. That’s what NPCs call skills.

“Do I need to have it?”

“You do! As far as I know, blacksmiths learn restoration-related skills only at a certain level.”

Hyun-soo chuckled.

Yes, the system’s skills that those blacksmiths had would help him.

“I don’t need that.”

“…!?”

Hyun-soo knew why skills were necessary.

To restore something, one needs information about the artifact.

What it’s made of, how it’s constructed, what parts need replacing and repairing.

It’s impossible for regular users to judge that just by looking at armor.

But Hyun-soo was different.

‘The material seems to be an alloy. If I repair the dangling parts and remove the rust, it’ll be like new.’

He understood the worn-out leather and even the decorations of this armor in an instant.

‘This will be fun…’

A restoration project he hadn’t done in a very long time.

When was the last time?

‘Ah, the Dragon Light Sword.’

The Dragon Light Sword, rumored to have been used by Haemosu*.

The restoration was requested by the National Museum, and Hyun-soo personally restored and returned it.

Then, a thought crossed his mind.

‘…Could I also restore the Dragon Light Sword here?’

This thought brought an inexplicable thrill from deep within his chest.

The Dragon Light Sword, a legend in Korea.

However, Hyun-soo wanted to restore or recreate another sword more than the Dragon Light Sword.

It was the dream he first had at the age of 11.

‘The Royal Seal Sword of the Joseon Dynasty…’

The mere thought was electrifying. The idea of crafting a sword from history, even if only in a game, was thrilling.

But for now, he shelved that thought.

His immediate focus was on the armor of the Light Sovereign in front of him.

In a way, this armor of the Light Sovereign was like the Royal Seal Sword of the Joseon Dynasty, a relic of a legendary figure within the game.

However, Hyun-soo faced a challenge.

“There’s no blacksmith shop here… sigh.”

Unlike the wooden dummy training area, this place lacked one entirely.

Hearing his regretful remark, something flashed through Rellson’s mind.

“Why not?”

“…Pardon?”

Rellson wanted to help Hyun-soo.

Initially, he had underestimated him but came to acknowledge him.

The main reason was that his intimacy with Hyun-soo was at MAX.

“There’s one at the lord’s castle.”

“The lord’s castle?”

“Yes.”

Additionally, the possibility of restoration reminded Rellson of something.

It was something that no one had accomplished despite the passage of time.

“Do you have any knowledge about bows?”

“I have some knowledge.”

His father’s forge had dealt with many things.

“This place is a domain too, and there’s a lord and a castle. About a year ago, a fire broke out in the castle, and the lord’s cherished bow was damaged.”

Hyun-soo’s brows narrowed. He sensed the emergence of an unusual quest.

“However, high-level blacksmiths from outside can’t enter here, so countless people have failed to restore it. Impossible. Yes, it became an impossible task that no one could accomplish.”

Rellson had one reason for saying this.

He felt sorry for having underestimated Hyun-soo and wanted to make amends.

Moreover, Hyun-soo learned something while breaking the wooden dummies.

High risk, high return.

The more impossible the task, the greater the reward.

“I’ll write you a letter of recommendation. Why not go to the lord’s castle and try restoring the lord’s bow?”

Ding!

[Hidden Quest: Meet the Lord]

Grade: B

Requirement: Letter of recommendation.

Reward: 10 Fame.

Penalty for Failure: Decrease in intimacy with Rellson.

Description: Meet Lord Vans.

Rellson smiled slyly.

“Will you try it? Doing the impossible that others couldn’t.”

Trivia:

Haemosu was the legendary founder of Buyeo, an ancient kingdom located in what is now Manchuria and Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi, a historical text compiled in the 12th century, Haemosu was the son of heaven and descended to earth on a chariot of five dragons. He established Bukbuyeo (Northern Buyeo) and married Yuhwa, the daughter of Habaek, the god of the Amnok River. Their son, Jumong, later went on to found the kingdom of Goguryeo.

Haemosu is often depicted as a benevolent and wise ruler. He is said to have introduced many beneficial reforms to Buyeo, including agriculture, irrigation, and sericulture. He is also credited with establishing the kingdom’s laws and government institutions.

Haemosu’s story is a popular one in Korean mythology. He is seen as a symbol of divine intervention and the power of good over evil. His legacy continues to inspire Koreans today.

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Instructor Rellson swallowed hard.

He closed his eyes and then opened them repeatedly.

But as he saw the ashes scattering in the air, he realized that what was happening right before his eyes was real.

“What is this…?”

This was impossible.

A game played by 2.5 billion people.

How many players had surpassed Instructor Rellson?

Surely more than tens of thousands.

And from what he heard from other instructors, no one had managed to defeat a creature in one hit.

Even geniuses like Hanul needed two attempts.

Three attempts if they were extremely skilled.

Usually, it took 5-6 hits to kill a weakened goblin.

But now, a goblin was turning to ash in just one hit.

“You’re not laughing now, are you?”

Instructor Rellson’s pupils shook. Hyun-soo didn’t bother to say anything more.

Ding!

[Hidden Piece. One hit, one kill.]

[Gain 2 Strength.]

[You have met the criteria to attempt the monster hunting trial in the beginner’s zone.]

[You can proceed with monster hunting from stages 2 to 4.]

[You can receive rewards at the end of each stage.]

[You can accumulate rewards instead of receiving them after each stage.]

[However, if you fail the next trial after accumulating rewards, they will be lost.]

Accumulated rewards systems are usually much better than receiving individual rewards.

“Are you willing to take the trial?”

Hyun-soo nodded at Rellson’s trembling voice.

‘Is the sword that good? Yes, it must be the sword. And a critical hit.’

A critical hit, meaning critical damage.

It couldn’t be anything else.

Unthinkable for a level 1 player to kill a goblin with one hit that others needed five or six hits for.

Rellson steadied himself.

Then the next monster was summoned.

[Goblin Lv.5]

This time, it was a real goblin.

Bigger than the weakened one before.

For a level 1 player, the difference between a level 3 and a level 5 monster was like night and day.

Normally, it was very difficult to hunt even a weakened level 3 goblin without the instructors’ help.

“Kekekekeke!”

The goblin moved swiftly.

Another thing to note.

‘It’s just the sword, right?’

Hyun-soo only had special equipment for the sword; he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts given in the beginner’s zone.

Therefore, one or two hits from a level 5 goblin could result in a forced logout.

‘As expected, it’s really fast.’

Rellson smirked.

The speed of the fast-moving goblin.

The dagger thrust forward.

Too fast for level 1 players.

But not for Hyun-soo.

Dynamic visual acuity wasn’t a stat in Ares.

But as the agility stat increases, the enemy’s movements begin to become slightly visible.

To Hyun-soo, the goblin’s movements seemed too slow.

Dodging to the side, Hyun-soo struck again.

Puff!

[You have hunted a goblin.]

“…!?”

Again, it was a one-hit kill.

Rellson stepped back in surprise.

Looking down at his sword, Light, Hyun-soo realized.

‘It’s all about the gear in the game.’

But it was a result of his own efforts.

Hyun-soo checked his stats for the first time in a while.

[Hyun-soo]

Level: 1

Occupation: Unemployed

Strength: 35 Agility: 37 Stamina: 33 Wisdom: 19 Intelligence: 19 Dexterity: 353

Level 1 starts with all stats at 5.

Level 1 players usually leave the dummy training grounds and hunting training grounds in less than 30 minutes.

Because they are the most boring tutorials in the game.

But not for Hyun-soo.

Smelting and refining.

Tempering and hammering.

The stats improved through repeated efforts.

Unconventional rewards for extraordinary deeds.

Rewards for successfully breaking the wooden dummy.

Stat increase due to the epic sword Light.

Light’s attack power is five times that of the iron swords used by beginner players.

He didn’t get it while playing around.

The temperature in the furnace went up to over 1,500 degrees, and he tirelessly repeated his tasks in the heat.

The increase in strength and stamina stats due to the repetition.

And the increase in dexterity as well.

It wasn’t luck.

He deserved it.

Hyun-soo paid attention to the notification that came after checking his status.

[Stage 2 of the trial completed.]

[You can attempt stage 3.]

[You can receive the reward.]

[You can accumulate the rewards.]

Hyun-soo liked the idea of crafting something again in this game.

But today, after meeting Rellson, he reflected on the past.

People like Rellson are plentiful in the world.

Full of those who only believe what’s right in front of them.

‘Will there ever be a time when we are recognized?’

He remembered the image of his father, drenched in sweat, looking up at the sky.

Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

It was time to show the world.

That a blacksmith holding a hammer should never be underestimated.

That he might even rival the geniuses.

The first step was to break Rellson’s fixed notions.

And this first step was bold and brave.

Full of confidence, making it possible.

“Stages 3 and 4.”

Hyun-soo knew better than anyone who he was now.

He wasn’t foolish.

Not reckless.

More calculative than anyone.

“Start them simultaneously.”

[You are achieving something extraordinary for your level.]

This time, it wasn’t about the blacksmith.

“Are you sane…?”

Rellson’s voice choked mid-sentence.

The eyes of a man who had made a firm resolution were strong.

Again, he was confident and aware that his challenge was not reckless.

It was a first.

No one had ever attempted both stages 3 and 4 simultaneously.

A bold move that not even the geniuses had dared.

Seeing that determination in his eyes, Rellson decided to join in on this first step.

Twang!

As his fingers flicked, three monsters were summoned.

***

[An extraordinary event is occurring that does not correspond to the level.]

The alert triggered by user Hyun-soo had nothing to do with blacksmithing.

It was an alert for being too powerful for a level 1 player.

Kim Tae-seok and Lee Ji-hee’s eyes trembled.

“T-Team Leader…?”

She looked at Tae-seok with a trembling voice and a tense face.

“Usually, breaking level 3 grants an epic class reward, right? But what happens if you break level 4?”

Tae-seok had no answer.

Only assumptions.

In Ares, the greater and more exceptional the achievement, the better the reward.

Swallowing hard, Tae-seok said, “Maybe he’ll get a class even better than the Epic Knight.”

***

[Swift Goblin Lv.6]

[Mad Goblin Lv.15]

Hyun-soo observed the three summoned goblins.

Level 3 involved facing two swift goblins.

Level 4 was about facing the mad goblin.

Hanul had given up on level 4.

He almost defeated it but quickly realized his limits.

Swift goblins.

Twice as fast as the regular ones, they attacked from both sides.

One leaped with all its might, swinging its dagger.

Hyun-soo didn’t display flashy moves.

He was a blacksmith, not a swordsman.

But he struck the dagger with his Light sword held in both hands.

Clang!

Crack!

[The Goblin’s Dagger Shatters.]

The goblin’s dagger shattered into pieces, scattering around.

Rellson couldn’t believe what he saw. The fragments of the dagger littered the ground.

‘Breaking a sword with another sword…?’

How did he create such a weapon?

How?

At that moment.

Whirr-

Hyun-soo’s Light took on a sharper aura.

[Sturdy Sword]

[Increases Physical Attack by 12%, Physical Defense by 8% for 40 seconds.]

He swiftly cut down the goblin.

“Kyahaak!”

[You have hunted a swift goblin.]

At that moment, another swift goblin stabbed Hyun-soo in the side.

Thud!

‘It’s over…’

Rellson was sure of it.

For level 1 beginners, one hit from a level 6 swift goblin’s dagger was fatal…

“Ow, that stings.”

‘Stings!?’

[HP Drops Below 82%.]

Hyun-soo was unharmed.

Thanks to his high stamina stat, his HP had increased significantly.

Zing-

And again, one hit.

[You have hunted a swift goblin.]

Hyun-soo turned to face the mad goblin.

Even Hanul, the genius swordsman highly praised by Rellson, couldn’t kill it.

Boom-

The mad goblin rushed in, stabbing Hyun-soo in the abdomen and retreating.

[HP Drops Below 62%.]

And as Hyun-soo was about to check his wound.

Whizz-

A poisoned dart shot by the mad goblin struck his chest.

[HP Drops Below 43%.]

[Dizziness status effect applied.]

[Your vision becomes unstable.]

Hyun-soo’s vision violently shook.

Hanul had suffered from this poison dart too.

Seizing the opportunity, the mad goblin screamed and approached.

“Kekeke!”

It leaped powerfully.

Its shoulder drawn back.

Its target: Hyun-soo’s neck.

In that fleeting moment, Rellson was certain that Hyun-soo would be slashed in the neck and forced to log out.

‘There’s no escaping that.’

Considering Hyun-soo’s attack speed and his current posture, it seemed impossible.

It must be the consequence of the foreigner Hyun-soo’s overconfidence.

Then, Hyun-soo cracked a slight smile.

[Quick Blade]

[For 1 second, increases attack speed by 1.7 times.]

A passive skill with a 2% activation chance.

Hyun-soo’s sword gleamed blue.

Faster than the creature could strike him.

Whoosh-

Hyun-soo sliced it first in mid-air.

“Kehek!”

Before the screaming creature could fall.

Whoosh-

He struck again from below, slicing the mad goblin in two.

[You have hunted a mad goblin.]

At that moment, Hyun-soo collapsed backward.

The dizziness made it hard for him to steady himself.

“Huff, huff.”

Hyun-soo gasped for air.

After lying down for a while and letting the dizziness pass, he stood up.

Rellson watched him, his mind in turmoil.

Rellson was a hunting instructor, but he aspired to the higher echelons of swordsmanship.

He had always admired knights who became heroes in wars.

He believed that only those wielding swords were the greatest.

But now, his fixed notion was shattered.

Hyun-soo’s movements were clearly clumsy, nothing more than a beginner’s level.

Yet, his sword and body were not.

‘Is it because he created such an incredible artifact?’

He remembered the outsiders’ saying, ‘It’s all about the gear in the game!’

Then, looking at Hyun-soo standing in front of him, breathing heavily, Rellson was speechless for a while.

“…….”

He had just realized it.

Ares was a virtual reality game but had many realistic elements.

Standing before him, Hyun-soo’s right arm was noticeably thicker than his left.

Of course, as a naturally sturdy person, both of Hyun-soo’s arms were large.

But even at a glance, the amount of muscle seemed different.

His right arm, significantly bulkier than his left.

Rellson watched him for a while and then smiled bitterly.

“How many times?”

Hyun-soo looked puzzled.

“How many times have you swung a hammer for your arm to become like that?”

There were occasionally such individuals among knights.

Most of them were known as strong individuals on this continent.

Hyun-soo thought for a moment before responding.

“I haven’t counted.”

Right, no need to count.

His arm was proof enough.

Rellson slowly bowed his head.

“I apologize, sincerely. I underestimated you and your profession as a blacksmith.”

[Rellson gains a new understanding.]

[Your intimacy with Rellson increases.]

“You are truly a remarkable person. And your blacksmithing skills must be impressive as well.”

After bowing his head for a while, Rellson looked up and spoke.

“From now on, I think I’ll say this to outsiders.”

Hyun-soo looked at him, filled with excitement.

“Do you know what a blacksmith is? It’s a really cool and impressive profession!”

Hyun-soo smiled with satisfaction.

He wanted to change people’s perceptions like this, one by one.

That a blacksmith was not a profession to be underestimated.

And then.

“So, I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal?”

Hyun-soo looked curious.

“I should suggest becoming an Epic Knight, but I think you can reach even higher.”

Rellson’s voice grew excited.

“Of course, you’re a blacksmith, but with such strength, it’s enough. A knight who forges his own weapons and is strong! No, the leader of those knights!”

“……?”

Hyun-soo sensed something unusual.

“Have you considered becoming a Light Lord?”

Ding!

[You can now undertake the quest to change to one of the legendary classes: Light Lord.]

‘A legendary class?’

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Press Conference Waiting Room.

Upon hearing that an ecosystem disruptor was heading to the hunting training ground, the development team leader asked,

“What should we do? This user is quite unconventional.”

CEO Lee Se-jin understood the gist of the question better than anyone.

“What to do? Just let him be. It’s his own skill.”

Lee Se-jin of Blue Corp was a person of firm conviction.

In the waiting room, he learned about the recent events through Kim Tae-seok, the team leader of the Special User Management Team.

Rewards for unconventional actions.

The creation of the first rare artifact.

Mineral creation.

And finally, the making of an epic artifact.

And then, the shattering of the wooden dummy, a feat 2.5 billion people had failed at.

But this user had accomplished it.

If there was just one concern,

“…Wasn’t one of the conditions to achieve the Blacksmith Legendary Class to reject an Epic job offer once?”

The Legendary Class. A privilege of the chosen few.

User classes are categorized as Normal, Hidden, Epic, and Legendary.

Among the 2.5 billion players, not many have obtained this class, and those who did became famous rankers.

To obtain the Legendary Class, one must meet several conditions.

For a blacksmith, it’s rejecting an ‘Epic Job Offer’.

Blue Corp wanted to confirm something.

How desperate he was to become a blacksmith.

Whether he could resist temptation.

To see if he was worthy of becoming a legend.

“An Epic Job Offer, huh…”

Kim Tae-seok of the Special User Management Team grimaced with a bitter smile.

“Ah, speaking of which, the hunting training ground that Hyun-soo user is going to might have such an offer. Considering his current status and weapons, it might be possible.”

“The Epic Class Mad Knight?”

“Right.”

Mad Knight.

An extremely good Epic class, but nothing compared to the Legendary Class.

“To achieve this Mad Knight class, one must accomplish an absurd feat…”

That was the requirement for obtaining Hidden, Epic, and Legendary classes.

But Lee Se-jin seemed unfazed.

In fact, he thought that even if Hyun-soo got a Legendary job, it wouldn’t be undeserved.

He was a user with enough qualifications.

There was just one concern he couldn’t voice to Team Leader Kim Tae-seok or the development team.

‘He wouldn’t ascend to a God class, would he…?’

A realm that no one had yet reached.

The God Class.

But soon, Lee Se-jin shook his head.

‘The conditions to achieve the God Class are too difficult and complicated.’

He didn’t think he needed to worry about that yet.

***

After leaving the wooden dummy training ground, Hyun-soo immediately logged out.

Ji-hoon, waiting in front of the capsule, looked at Hyun-soo with envious eyes.

“You’ll be gaming in a VVIP capsule at home soon, right? You’ll get me one too?”

“Depends on how you do.”

“Man, I’m so grateful I could cry.”

Walking, Ji-hoon asked,

“Did you say your game’s beginner zone was the Bardeen territory?”

“Yes, why?”

“Man, you’re clueless. Do you know what kind of place Bardeen’s beginner zone is?”

“?”

Hyun-soo looked puzzled. He hadn’t yet researched his hunting destination.

Breaking the wooden dummy was his top priority.

Realizing this, Ji-hoon’s expression hardened.

‘Or is it a piece of cake for him now?’

He suddenly thought of the epic sword and stats the guy had.

“What kind of place is it?”

Just as he was about to answer, they reached a fork in the road.

“Go home and search it up yourself, see you next time.”

After parting with Ji-hoon, Hyun-soo went straight home.

Once home, Hyun-soo logged into the Ares community.

And he searched for information on the Bardeen beginner zone.

[Guys, I started the game in Bardeen’s beginner zone, is that bad?]

[Yeah, you’re screwed LOL.]

[Seriously, those who start in Bardeen’s beginner zone are in for a rough time LOL.]

[You started in Bardeen’s beginner zone? Close your eyes. What do you see?]

[Nothing…?]

[That’s your future, goodbye.]

[LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL.]

[Wow, Bardeen’s hunting zone is insanely difficult. Out of hundreds of beginner zones, starting there is just bad luck.]

[Aren’t all beginner zones with high difficulty the same?]

[Bardeen is different… In Bardeen’s beginner hunting zone, instructors teach you one-on-one…]

[One-on-one?]

[Because it’s insanely tough LOL.]

[Why is it tough?]

[In the lore, if you leave Bardeen territory, you start in Prime Kingdom, surrounded by monsters on three sides. So, they train you hard. Other beginner zones? Just hunt deer?]

[Yeah, deer. They don’t even attack, so it’s super easy.]

[In Bardeen, you start with goblins, LOL. Oh, why am I crying?]

[LOL, dude, you were a Bardeen user, huh?]

[Bro, post an update.]

[Goblins are too strong, died three times before escaping. They don’t let you go until you succeed in goblin hunting…]

[LOL LOL LOL LOL.]

[Seriously, it’s like training human weapons. Level 1, LOL.]

Hyun-soo shook his head, feeling like he understood why Bardeen’s beginner zone was so tough.

Yet, he couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

‘I find making things more fun than hunting… Isn’t there something I can make?’

But to leave the beginner zone, he had to go through this process.

With a sigh, Hyun-soo lay down in bed to sleep.

***

The next day.

Hyun-soo logged into Ares.

A short walk revealed a translucent blue barrier.

Crossing this barrier would start the tutorial at the hunting training ground.

Without hesitation, he crossed the blue barrier.

[You have entered the Hunting Training Ground.]

It was just like what the Ares community users had said the day before.

Upon entering the hunting training ground, Hyun-soo saw countless users receiving one-on-one training.

Soon, an instructor approached him.

“Hey, kid. Take this sword.”

The instructor was named Rellson.

Hyun-soo had faced many instructors before.

But Rellson was someone he hadn’t met yet.

[You have acquired a Rusty Iron Sword.]

Hyun-soo looked at the rusty iron sword.

‘Attack power is 17…’

His current weapon, the Sword of Light, had an attack power of 143. Hyun-soo put the rusty sword in his inventory.

“I’ll use my own sword.”

“…A blacksmith, huh?”

Instructor Rellson remarked, looking at the sword at Hyun-soo’s waist.

As Hyun-soo slowly nodded, Rellson let out a hollow laugh.

“What a pity, having such a trivial profession.”

“…?”

Hyun-soo’s face crumpled.

NPCs really had a variety of personalities.

Some with good nature.

Some with bad.

Some who believed their job was the best.

But Hyun-soo didn’t need to understand them.

In his childhood.

Hyun-soo was often teased at school for his father being a blacksmith.

‘-Can’t you ask your dad to make me some gear?’

‘-Hyun-soo, can you make items too?’

Of course, those who teased him got a taste of his wrath.

But those who came to his father’s forge often complained about not getting discounts.

‘-Tsk, tsk, that’s why you’re still running a forge in 2040.’

His father was an elite.

He once worked for a large corporation and became a blacksmith for a cool reason.

‘-I heard all the blacksmiths in our country had disappeared. I’ve admired blacksmiths since I was young, so I quit to become the last blacksmith.’

Blacksmiths shouldn’t be looked down upon.

We are valuable people.

But there was no immediate way to prove it.

But here, it was different.

He could prove what kind of sword this was.

Show how hard we’ve worked.

Demonstrate our value.

“Instructor.”

Hyun-soo’s voice grew fierce.

His father had said,

‘-Don’t hold back. Why should we?’

We are the blacksmiths who alone carry on the spirit of Joseon*.

Does this look trivial to you?

Instructor Rellson flinched at Hyun-soo’s cold voice and gaze.

‘What’s with this look…?’

This wasn’t the look of a mere outsider.

Instructor Rellson knew people with such eyes.

Those who had reached the top in their fields.

Could this be the look of someone who has reached the top?

No. These are the fierce souls who have the determination to reach such heights!

“You must have seen many geniuses, instructor.”

“Indeed? Many have passed through me, like Hanul, that foreigner.”

“…?”

Coincidentally, it seemed that the recent swordsmanship gold medalist Hanul had just completed the hunting training ground under this instructor.

“He was great, far beyond the dreams of a blacksmith like you. If only you had taken up the sword instead. You could have been a fine swordsman.”

Hyun-soo was beginning to understand the Ares game.

He speculated.

What would have happened with a user of Hanul’s caliber?

“He must have impressively hunted goblins, right?”

“Right, and not just that. He hunted many additional monsters I suggested right in front of me, you know? He even nearly hunted a level 15 Mad Goblin at the same level as you.”

Hyun-soo had looked up more about the Bardeen village that morning.

Occasionally, instructors would suggest stronger monsters to hunt for outstanding users.

Of course, this was common across all beginner zones.

In other places, they hunt deer, but here, they impressively hunt goblins.

Watching the instructor enthusiastically talk about Hanul, Hyun-soo smirked.

“Then, I’ll hunt more monsters here than Hanul did.”

Instructor Rellson looked at him as if he had heard something absurd.

***

Instructor Rellson thought he had misheard.

Hunt more monsters than Hanul, the swordsmanship genius?

In his entire career, Rellson had never seen such a genius.

An ordinary user would need at least five hits to kill a goblin, but Hanul could do it in just two. And his extraordinary movements and superb sword skills?

Moreover, instructors can propose additional challenges to outstanding users, up to a fourth stage. Killing this weakened goblin is just the first stage. Astonishingly, Hanul nearly succeeded in the fourth stage.

As an instructor, Rellson knew that globally, no one had cleared the fourth stage.

What kind of nonsense was this?

“You’re angry, huh? Hahaha, but you have to face reality!”

There’s a limit to being audacious.

“A mere blacksmith thinks he can hunt more than Hanul? That’s just ridiculous.”

Rellson held his belly laughing.

“Ahaha, sorry for upsetting you, I’ll cool your anger. Well, I’ll summon the monster.”

Snap-

Instructor Rellson snapped his fingers, and a goblin appeared.

[Weakened Goblin Lv.3]

“Just attack and kill this one. Remember, it usually takes five hits for ordinary foreigners to kill it. And be careful of its daggers or poison darts.”

The appearing goblin was small, about 120 cm tall, with green skin.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you if you’re in danger! Though, what would you know about swinging a sword, apart from making them?”

Rellson was excited.

It was fun to tease this user.

Moreover, Rellson was someone who strongly believed that the sword was supreme.

“First, let’s learn about creating an advantage.”

Hyun-soo drew his sword.

Swoosh-

The Sword of Light made a clear sound as it was unsheathed.

“Now, give it a light swing.”

Hyun-soo did just that – lightly swung the sword from top to bottom.

Thwack-

“Kieeeeek!”

The goblin’s body split in two from the effortless swing, with green blood spurting out.

The goblin had a look of not knowing what just happened to it.

Then, it cleanly split into two and oxidized into ash.

[You have hunted the Weakened Goblin.]

“……!?”

Instructor Rellson’s eyes widened in shock.

Even Hanul had taken two attempts to hunt a weakened goblin.

Hyun-soo shook off the green blood and smiled contentedly.

Welcome to the world of a Genius Blacksmith, a first of its kind.

TRIVIA:

Joseon, also known as Choson or Chosun, was a Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in 1392 and continued until the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910. The name “Joseon” translates to “The Land of the Morning Calm.”

Key features of the Joseon Dynasty include the development of the Korean script Hangul under King Sejong the Great in the 15th century, Confucianism becoming the dominant ideology, and the establishment of a centralized bureaucracy. During this period, Korea experienced significant cultural, technological, and scientific advancements.

The latter part of the Joseon Dynasty saw external pressures, including invasions by Japan in the late 16th century (Imjin War, also known as the Japanese invasions of Korea), internal strife, and the encroachment of Western powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The dynasty ultimately came to an end in 1910 when Korea was annexed by Japan, marking the beginning of the colonial period that lasted until the end of World War II in 1945.

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