Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 147

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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
The Pinnacle Weapon (1)
Within a dungeon, three young faces darkened with displeasure.
[Ferocious Labyrinth Timed Attack Dungeon World Rankings.]
[1st Place United States 15 minutes 53 seconds.]
[2nd Place China 16 minutes 41 seconds.]
[3rd Place…]
[…]
[…]
[15th Place Korea 25 minutes 58 seconds.]
The essence of a timed attack dungeon lies in how swiftly one clears it.
Naturally, setting a new record grants exceptional rewards.
And the Ferocious Labyrinth was a place that leveraged such timed attack dungeons in a special way.
In the present moment, before server integration had occurred.
Users from nations across the globe felt a competitive spirit—a desire to test themselves against players from other countries.
This fierce Ferocious Labyrinth emerged to satisfy that hunger, and world records continued to be shattered.
This event-style Ferocious Labyrinth timed attack proceeded over a set period.
Naturally, users from our country participated as well.
The Ferocious Labyrinth had opened roughly a month prior, and users formed teams of four, able to enter whenever they wished.
Immediately after opening, an enormous number of users entered and challenged it, but that was no longer the case.
“The gap is too wide. There’s barely a week left until the timed attack dungeon ends….”
The reason was simple: the record disparity between other nations and our country was far too vast.
Among these three in their early-to-mid twenties, the others nodded in agreement with Han-ul’s words.
“Users at similar levels showing such a massive difference….”
The gap between 15th place Korea and 1st place United States exceeded ten minutes.
Timed attack dungeons had entry restrictions.
Between levels 290 and 310.
Thus, users of similar levels participated.
Of course, those who formed teams and challenged it for fun sometimes took an hour.
The rankings that emerged now were all among the finest users at that level bracket.
Yet even among these elite players, the gap stretched a full ten minutes.
“We’ve only got five attempts left to enter. We need to be careful.”
Moreover, one couldn’t simply enter repeatedly at random.
The total number of entries allowed was ten.
And one pursued the attempt count of whichever party member had used the most.
“If we mess this up, we’ll become a laughingstock….”
At Tae-hoon’s words—the fighter of their group—the others sighed.
These three had been friends for a long time and possessed remarkable histories.
[Han-ul Lv.306]
[Hye-ji Lv.303]
[Tae-hoon Lv.301]
These three individuals were Olympic medalists—a fact that defined them.
Han-ul was the gold medalist in Kendo, an Olympic sport.
Hye-ji was the gold medalist in Archery.
Tae-hoon was the gold medalist in Taekwondo.
Naturally, they had chosen professions befitting their accomplishments.
Han-ul became a Swordsman, Hye-ji an Archer, and Tae-hoon a Martial Artist.
“How did we end up like this…”
At Han-ul’s words, Tae-hoon let out a hollow laugh.
“We’re the unlucky trio, that’s why.”
The three of them were, quite literally, cursed by misfortune.
Typically, those with exceptional skill unlock Hidden Classes or Legendary Classes through quests, yet they had never received such a common opportunity.
Of course, their exploits in the Hunting Grounds were dazzling.
They were overwhelmingly powerful compared to others at their level.
Moreover, possessing considerable wealth, they had all equipped themselves with superior gear.
Consequently, they hunted in Hunting Grounds of higher difficulty relative to their level.
“Damn it, we all died in that Hunting Ground and dropped all our main weapons…”
The problem was that a boss monster had suddenly appeared, causing all three to Logout and lose their primary weapons.
Even attempting to repurchase such powerful Artifacts proved difficult to find.
Currently, Ares was experiencing a supply shortage relative to demand.
Money alone could not secure quality gear.
“Perhaps our decision not to join a guild played a significant role in this.”
The other two agreed with Hye-ji’s assessment.
Certainly, they had received tremendous offers.
The problem was that most guilds sought to exploit the three of them for achievement, so they decided to play independently as a trio instead.
The consequence was an inability to receive guild support.
“The Americans have the World Rank 1 Guild backing them—they’re all equipped with incredible gear and possess Hidden and Legendary Classes.”
Guild support proved far more substantial than anticipated.
There was another reason they could not close the time gap.
“Why does every person who joins us troll like this…”
The Ferocious Labyrinth requires four participants to enter.
They continuously recruited party members and entered the dungeon.
Yet invariably, that one person would troll throughout.
Alternatively, ordinary Users simply could not keep pace with them.
“Could it be the debuff effect of the cursed trio?”
“Hmm…”
All three released shallow sighs.
In any case, they now needed one person capable of clearing this dungeon alongside them.
“This time, let’s be selective in our recruitment—there are far too many fools chasing only the prize money.”
The first-place prize for this Ferocious Labyrinth was a staggering 400 million won.
Each worth 100 million won.
However, since it was the first-place prize, there weren’t many applicants, and those who did apply were peculiar individuals.
“Should we offer something different? People showed interest at first, but now nobody cares.”
Most had given up because the gap between first and second place was simply too vast.
Hye-ji pondered for a moment before recalling a particular material.
“What about Orichalcon?”
At her suggestion, Tae-hoon retrieved Orichalcon from his Inventory.
“You want to stake something this precious?”
The Orichalcon they possessed was no ordinary Legendary Mineral.
Highest Grade Orichalcon.
They had obtained it after clearing a Hidden Quest as a trio.
“Besides, we can’t use it anyway even if we keep it.”
The problem was that this Highest Grade Orichalcon required a material usage level of 400.
No matter which Blacksmith they brought it to, they would be told it was a material they couldn’t use.
Of course, after one or two years passed, it would become usable, but that was far too distant.
“Let’s stake only half of it.”
“Understood.”
“First, we need to extinguish the immediate crisis.”
After they agreed, Hye-ji posted in the Party Recruitment Area.
Time passed, and Hye-ji’s expression grew puzzled.
“No applications are coming in. Why…?”
All three wore expressions of bewilderment.
Of course, messages from small-time players had flooded in.
But those whose names were recognizable weren’t applying.
Then, after more time had elapsed.
“This person…”
Hye-ji’s expression shifted to one of astonishment.
“Who is it?”
She let out a hollow laugh as she spoke.
“You know Blacksmith Hyeon?”
The name of the hottest person lately had surfaced.
*
*
*
After finishing the video shoot and logging in, Hyeon-su surveyed the Balas Territory, which was undergoing reconstruction.
Just then.
“Hyeon-su!”
Nel came rushing over urgently.
Her usual composure, which she maintained better than anyone, was nowhere to be seen.
“What’s the matter?”
“There’s a place called the Ferocious Labyrinth Time Attack Dungeon….”
Nel explained it to me.
“What they’re offering is a mineral I’ve determined you desperately need right now.”
“A mineral?”
“Yes, take a look for yourself.”
[We’re recruiting one person to clear the Ferocious Labyrinth Time Attack Dungeon together. If you help us place within the top 5, I’ll give you the corresponding mineral. Unfortunately, there’s only enough to craft a single Sword.]
(Highest Grade Orichalcon)
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Level 400 or higher Blacksmith
Difficulty: Highest Grade
Special Abilities
·Sword Crafting: Cutting Power increases by 121%.
·Arrow Crafting: Piercing Power increases by 121%.
·Strength and Agility: Maximum increase of 36%.
·Attack Speed: Maximum increase of 70%.
·Critical Hit Probability: Increases by 40%.
·Durability: Increases infinitely.
Description: This is the legendary Orichalcon mineral. It weighs less than any other mineral, and its hardness is far superior, making it nearly impossible to damage. Furthermore, compared to Lowest Grade Orichalcon, you can only obtain about 1/100th of the amount.
“…Wow.”
I couldn’t help but marvel at it genuinely.
Orichalcon.
I had obtained this Orichalcon before.
The Orichalcon Short Arrow was born from that mineral, after all.
But the Orichalcon I had then was the Lowest Grade.
However, Highest Grade Orichalcon was at least 1.5 times better than the Lowest Grade.
“I can’t believe the difference within the same mineral could be this significant….”
I truly grasped just how vast the gap between Lowest Grade and Highest Grade truly was.
“The competition must be fierce, then?”
“No, the competition won’t be that high.”
Nel shook her head coldly.
“From what I can see, I believe you’re the only one who can handle this Highest Grade Orichalcon most excellently.”
Of course, even so, its value is immense.
But why is that?
“What’s the name of the Party Recruitment Area poster?”
“Hye-ji? That’s a familiar name.”
“It’s that gold medalist Hye-ji.”
I couldn’t help but be surprised. Nel explained the current situation to me.
“Rank 15?”
“Yes, they’re certainly talented, but they’re also called the Cursed Trio. Their luck is just too terrible….”
She stated the decisive reason.
“Netizens are seizing the moment to criticize you. Highest Grade Orichalcon is incredibly rare, but ultimately you can only obtain it by ranking in the top five. Joining that party means shouldering the risk together.”
I understood his point.
But I had already made my decision.
Unlike them, this Ore was the greatest treasure to me.
I spoke.
“I’ve recently set myself a new objective.”
An objective?
Nel wondered if it was about becoming a king.
But I smiled faintly.
“I want to stand at the pinnacle of all Users.”
Nel’s expression shifted to one of astonishment.
The image of me playing the game merely to survive had vanished entirely.
“I know I’m still insufficient to harbor such a dream now. But there is one thing I can be certain of. Though I may not yet be at the pinnacle of Users….”
Nel immediately gasped in admiration upon hearing my words.
“I can become a User wielding the pinnacle’s Weapons.”
The reason for Nel’s admiration.
‘Come to think of it, Hyeon-su doesn’t craft and use his own Weapons.’
Truly, Weapons of the pinnacle.
Chills ran down Nel’s spine.
‘The finest Ore and the finest Blacksmith coming together to forge his own Weapons.’
It was no mere dream.
Nel and I exchanged a few more words.
“Fortunately, there are still spots available. We need to move quickly.”
I departed at once.
My heart raced as I moved with swift urgency.
*
*
*
“Let us conduct ourselves with respect.”
The other two agreed with Hye-ji’s sentiment.
Blacksmith Hyeon.
The hottest name lately was coming here.
What was remarkable was that he, veiled in mystery, was revealing himself in person.
The call for respect meant not to disparage his appearance.
As much as Hyeon had shrouded himself in veils, rampant rumors circulated, and among them, the most prevalent was that he was an unattractive man in his fifties.
Was it not so?
Everyone desires to become a star.
The three of them believed the rumors, and indeed, in the game Ares where appearance could not be altered significantly, there were more Users who suffered disadvantages or were dismissed because of their looks than one might expect.
Then.
A User astride a massive black horse appeared.
This place was near the Ferocious Labyrinth, in the Party Recruitment Area.
“What?”
Female Users glanced repeatedly at the man dismounting from his horse.
Male Users gasped in admiration as well.
A brown coat—a rarity in the game Ares.
Combined with his impressive physique and handsome features that commanded attention.
And seeing the remarkable Artifacts adorning him, they wondered if he was an unofficial ranker.
‘Why is someone like that heading to a level 300 Hunting Ground?’
Soon he approached them and greeted them coolly.
“Hello, I’m Blacksmith Hyeon.”
The three of them widened their eyes in astonishment.

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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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