Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 144

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Genius Blacksmith’s Game
Video Shoot (1)
It would be the most special existence.
Hyeon-su’s heart raced at this notification.
Hyeon-su had always imagined it.
Himself seated upon a throne, with a powerful wolf possessing smooth fur standing guard beside him.
Nel, watching this unfold, swallowed hard.
“The guardian of Guild Gwangmyeong has finally been born.”
Nel, having heard Hyeon-su’s stories, had already marked the entity within the wolf’s egg as its guardian.
Whether small—a guild or territory—or vast—a kingdom or empire—each organization and church possessed guardian monsters to protect them.
It was truly magnificent when creatures bearing symbolic meaning became guardians.
Soon the egg cracked completely open, and the entity revealed itself.
The creature, covered in pristine white fur, stood with an imposing presence the moment it emerged.
With eyes that seemed to encompass all things, the entity let out a mighty roar toward the world.
“Woof!”
“…?”
“…?”
Nel and Hyeon-su were bewildered.
The entity from within the wolf’s egg.
It appeared imposing (?) but was anything but.
A creature barely larger than the palm of a hand.
Mucus dripped from its black nose, and its perked ears twitched endlessly with curiosity.
“This… this breed is…”
Nel gasped.
It was an extremely famous breed that people of Our Country could never fail to recognize.
“Why did a Shih Tzu emerge from a wolf’s egg…?”
A Shih Tzu.
The fancy term for what was commonly called a white fluffy lapdog.
“Pant, pant…”
Finally meeting Hyeon-su, the creature’s small, adorable tail wagged like a helicopter at high speed.
“So… so cute…”
But when Nel tried to pet it, the creature barked forcefully once more.
[It roars.]
“Woof!”
Could the roar we know and this roar truly be the same thing?
In any case, the bewildered Hyeon-su carefully cradled the creature in both hands.
Its tail wagged vigorously once more.
[It is pleased.]
And with that, it dripped mucus again.
Wiping it away, Hyeon-su soon found himself released from his bewilderment.
“What are you good at…?”
It was too early to be disappointed.
Hyeon-su opened the creature’s information window.
(Undetermined)
Grade: ???
Type: Pet
Level: 1
Attack Power: 3
Defense: 2
Special Abilities:
·Passive Skill Eating Well, Excreting Well, Sleeping Well.
·Passive Skill Endless Growth.
Currently Awakened Abilities.
·Effect of Crafted Artifacts increased by 2%.
Potential: ∞
Description: The most special pet. It grows endlessly and possesses considerable appetite and affection.
(Eating Well, Excreting Well, Sleeping Well)
Passive Skill
Grade: ???
Level: None
·Truly sleeps excellently. After good sleep, mood improves.
·Truly eats excellently. Becomes happy when eating snacks.
·Truly excretes excellently. Becomes light as air after excretion.
Description: A pet possessing all three elements of the healthiest living.
(Endless Growth)
Passive Skill
Grade: ???
Level: None.
·Grows alongside you, influenced by your Achievements, accomplishments as a noble, and the development of your territory. Countless things affect its growth.
·Its limits do not exist, and its potential cannot be measured by any numerical value.
·There may be unopened powers yet to be revealed.
·It may possess or unlock special powers befitting its master.
·Each time growth reaches 100%, it unlocks one special power.
Description: The core ability representing the most special pet. Moreover, each power it unlocks is not merely the strength it should inherently possess, but also new powers tailored to match you.
Hyeon-su, who had asked what it was good at, soon felt the creature licking his nose affectionately.
“So your greatest talent is eating well, excreting well, and sleeping well…?”
“Woof woof!”
“Hehehehe….”
“Hohohoho….”
But there was something else that soon astonished Hyeon-su.
“It seems I’ve unlocked new powers tailored specifically for me. Some are already active, in fact.”
“What kind of powers?”
“A 2% increase in the effectiveness of crafted Artifacts. And my potential is infinite—I unlock one new ability with each level of growth.”
“Infinite?”
Nel was astonished.
She had never heard of any being—not even among Pets or Named NPCs—that possessed infinite potential.
Another thought occurred to her as well.
“Born from the very beginning with a 2% boost to Artifact effectiveness…”
The two of them understood something crucial.
They couldn’t make any definitive judgments about this creature yet.
A 2% increase in Artifact effectiveness was far more significant than it sounded.
Only by nurturing it would they truly discover what kind of power it possessed.
[Please assign a name.]
“It’s asking for a name.”
Nel responded with confident expression.
“I’m actually quite good at naming things like this.”
Hyeon-su looked forward to it.
Nel, who effectively served as the brains of Guild Gwangmyeong, spoke with such confidence.
“Poppy?”
“…?”
[It dislikes that.]
The creature’s reaction mirrored Hyeon-su’s own.
“Then how about General? Tofu? Kancho?”
[It dislikes that.]
The drooping Sigorzab Bell regarded Nel with an exasperated expression.
Then Hyeon-su, observing the creature, spoke up.
“Hmm… Since I’ve just acquired my territory and wish blessings upon everyone, how about ‘Bok-deung-i’—a name meaning good fortune?”
[It likes that.]
“Woof!”
“Oh, it likes it.”
Nel’s expression turned disappointed.
“Angela? Hansel?”
[It dislikes that.]
The creature in her arms let out a wide yawn.
A clear sign of disapproval.
“Let’s go with Bok-deung-i then.”
[Bok-deung-i has been named.]
Hyeon-su watched as Bok-deung-i, set down on the floor, rolled onto its back with belly exposed.
Still just a baby, its pink belly was fully visible.
When he brought his hand closer, the creature playfully nibbled at his fingers with its tiny, adorable teeth.
‘This form isn’t so bad either.’
Hyeon-su drew a small smile.
Then he confirmed that the promised time had arrived.
Of course, it was in Ares.
The person he was meeting was Ian.
‘He’s going to produce my video…’
With a faint smile, Hyeon-su gently stroked the head of Bok-deung-i, who slept in the center of Alhyeon Hall, before moving forward.
*
*
*
Hyeon’s Forge remained shrouded in mystery.
After crafting a masterpiece—the first legend beyond legend—Hyeon’s Forge had risen to this level.
[Hyeon’s Forge Subscribers: 1,310,013.]
[Current Ranking: 7th among Korean Blacksmith Shops.]
Articles about Hyeon’s Forge, still veiled in secrecy, were abundant.
The most frequently appearing article content was this:
[Hyeon’s Forge. What is the secret to crafting a legend beyond legend?]
Because of this, there were many such articles.
[The world’s greatest Blacksmiths. They refuse to acknowledge it until a convincing reason for Hyeon’s existence is revealed.]
Thus, Hyeon’s Forge was being denied.
Especially the Blacksmiths’ criticism was fierce.
Hyeon-su sat in the chair placed before Ian.
‘I hid Hyeon’s Forge because of danger.’
I couldn’t yet protect this power.
But now Hyeon’s Forge was preparing to emerge into the world.
Ian spoke.
“The more people who criticize, the more suspicion grows about you—it will actually become a good thing.”
Ian had once been an editor, and at another time a Broadcasting Station staff member.
He was quite skilled at the Broadcasting Station and was remarkable as an editor.
“That’s how viewers are. They curse passionately, but the moment it makes sense to them, they change to passionate support. Moreover, people love stories more than you’d think. If that story is one built on talent and effort, they’ll change in an instant.”
Ian had said he would film one session for him.
When he asked for his opening remarks, Hyeon-su thought carefully before speaking.
“I wanted to live.”
This was the video’s opening line.
Beyond that, Hyeon-su calmly explained the reason why Hyeon’s Forge had hidden its identity.
After filming ended, Ian spoke.
“Actually, I was only planning to produce one video for you, but I’ve changed my mind. I want to nurture you, Hyeon-su. I want to continue producing your videos going forward.”
Hyeon-su gave a bitter smile.
He wasn’t embarrassed. And Ian knew the reason why.
“I too feel good just watching. The fact that someone who was at the very bottom became the protagonist of the world message through only their own will and skill.”
Ian spoke with confidence.
“This video will be released to the world when criticism and suspicion of Hyeon-su reach their peak.”
Ian couldn’t even imagine the impact it would create.
‘The secret was nothing but skill.’
“Moreover, starting with this first video, if we periodically upload videos of Hyeon-su’s crafting, those videos could easily garner millions to tens of millions of views.”
It wasn’t impossible.
After all, mukbang videos from mukbang broadcasters regularly reached millions of views.
That meant Hyeon-su could generate enormous revenue.
“For that to happen, the first video needs to end successfully, and we must give viewers a ‘reason’ to watch.”
Every internet broadcast has a reason.
Subscriber counts often vary depending on what that reason is.
Unfair as it may seem, the reasons are many—being handsome or beautiful, eating well, speaking eloquently, and so on.
And Hyeon-su had grasped that reason.
“You’re saying the reason is being the only handcrafting creator.”
Ian nodded.
“Exactly. And specifically, creating works that those using mechanical crafting cannot replicate.”
Ian was being cautious.
He already knew Hyeon-su’s circumstances.
But even so, there was something essential for the video if possible.
“We need footage of actual crafting in reality.”
In other words, he needed weapons that Hyeon-su had actually crafted in reality.
Hyeon-su looked down at his right hand.
He was still undergoing training to adapt to using his left hand.
But compared to his past right hand, his performance had only reached 60%.
To accomplish what Ian was suggesting, he needed his right hand—capable of delivering 100% power like before.
“I’ll discuss it with my attending physician.”
“I apologize for making such an unreasonable request.”
But Ian’s proposal was for Hyeon-su and Guild Gwangmyeong.
So Hyeon-su wasn’t displeased.
“If crafting becomes possible, what should I create?”
Ian smiled slightly.
‘I can see his confidence and anticipation.’
It was Hyeon-su’s confidence stemming from the possibility of using his right hand, even briefly.
Ian then spoke.
“When Hyeon’s Forge unveils itself, it will become a global issue. Everyone in the world will see that first video. In truth, ordinary people don’t notice the subtle differences in crafted items.”
It was a clear fact.
They wouldn’t know how remarkable this sword was, how smoothly it was crafted, or why it was remarkable.
“That’s why a weapon with a unique appearance or a special story would be ideal. And if it can create buzz while only Hyeon-su can currently craft it, that would be even better.”
Even as he said this, Ian knew those weren’t easy conditions.
But then Hyeon-su smiled faintly.
“As it happens, I have just such a sword.”
As it happens?
Ian’s expression grew puzzled.
“Didn’t you see it on the news recently?”
The news?
Ian paused, searching his memory.
‘Wait, now that I think about it….’
The news report Ian had seen came flooding back.
‘An ancient artifact discovered in Daejeon has captured public attention. The artifact is believed to date back to the Three Kingdoms period, and what was found there…. From Baekje…. Most of it is damaged, making its original form impossible to discern….’
Ian’s eyes widened in shock.
He had never imagined it would be possible to craft something from the Three Kingdoms era.
Hyeon-su smiled faintly.
“I will recreate the Seven-Branched Sword of Baekje.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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