Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 161

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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
Artea’s Wish (2)
What is a new story?
New stories belong exclusively to those who accomplish what others cannot and lead the narrative brilliantly.
They receive far greater rewards.
However, they must overcome trials of proportional difficulty.
Hyeon-su had conquered countless new stories, and not long ago, he had even cleared a story designed for you.
That story for you was a tier above ordinary new stories.
In exchange, it was far more challenging.
And then came the notification.
[Another story begins.]
[This story will grant rewards far more amplified than a new story.]
I could discern from Artea’s actions that this was indeed another story.
Just as a new story involves crossing a mountain, this was a chain of Quests that unfolds across multiple mountains.
Artea’s tale had begun.
“I have been within Sage’s Tower in the Beres Mountain Range for three hundred years.”
Everyone knew this fact.
“But there is one secret that others do not know—I am trapped here.”
“Trapped?”
“Graut, Blood Demon.”
The world of Ares is vast.
And demons dwelling in the demonic realm existed as well.
“He imprisoned me here.”
Sorrow flickered in Artea’s eyes.
“Three hundred years ago, I was magnificent. Emperors of empires, saintesses, pontiffs, legends—all wished to meet me. Then one day, a man came seeking me out.”
“That was Graut, then.”
Artea merely nodded.
“He approached me in the guise of an ordinary human and immediately proposed that we engage in a battle of knowledge.”
Artea offered a bitter smile.
“He was formidable—I thought, so there exists someone in this world with such information and intellect. Yet he was nothing compared to me. That was when he revealed his true form.”
His expression suggested that the memory sent chills down his spine.
“I knew that demons sometimes descend in human form. He told me: ‘One who surpasses my knowledge by such a vast margin must be punished.'”
….
Hyeon-su gazed upon Artea, whose eyes held such sorrow.
The tales of demons who treat humans as mere playthings.
Artea had been caught within that very tale.
“He is also called the Demon of Knowledge, and he envied me. Whether I won or lost, he would have imprisoned me. Thus I became trapped within the Beres Mountain Range.”
Hyeon-su asked what troubled him.
“What happens if you leave?”
“The Beres Mountain Range is home to countless monsters. The moment I step outside, they will all descend upon me.”
Hyeon-su realized this task was far more difficult than he’d anticipated.
‘Every monster in this place rushes at Artea to kill her….’
And Hyeon-su shuddered.
Three hundred years.
‘Trapped inside here for all that time, unable to step foot in the outside world…?’
It was a horrifying thought. And he felt nothing but disgust toward the demon who toyed with humans for mere amusement.
“Do you know of the beautiful bird?”
Artea’s voice trembled.
“People loved the beautiful bird. One day, they wanted to see it up close, so they caught it and locked it away in a cage.”
“And without knowing how much pain and suffering the bird endured from being unable to fly, they would say, ‘What a beautiful bird.’ ‘Looking at it makes me feel good.'”
Yes, Artea now—she was trapped inside a cage.
“And I too once had family. Though it was only my Mother, and I already know she has passed away.”
Hyeon-su suddenly recalled his own Father.
He empathized with the sorrow of being unable to meet someone you long to see.
“Will you free me from this cage?”
[Linked Quest: The Cage]
Rank: S
Restriction: Those who have received Artea’s proposal
Reward: Skill Creation for You Alone
Penalty on Failure: Artea’s Death
Description: Artea has been trapped inside Sage’s Tower for three hundred years. If you help her gain freedom, you will receive a reward based on her unique traits.
The Quest rank was S.
And for Hyeon-su, Skill Creation for You Alone was far too tempting to refuse.
‘A skill created only for me.’
“I will do my very best.”
“Thank you. Now, let us find a way to leave this tower together….”
Right then.
The window burst open of its own accord, and a Black Arrow shot from within struck Artea directly.
Upon impact, the arrow did not pierce or embed itself—instead, it seeped directly into Artea’s body.
[Arrow of Anguish]
[Inflicts no physical damage.]
[However, intense pain persists.]
Struck by it, Artea let out a scream.
“Aaaaahhh, ugggghhh, kyaaaaaaah!”
Hyeon-su could not hide his shock.
“Uuuaaaaaah, kyaaaaaaah!”
And then an inhuman, alien voice echoed forth.
*
*
*
Graut, Blood Demon.
He was also called the Demon of Knowledge.
Long ago, when Graut first appeared in the world in human form, he heard tales of humans.
Stories of a human who knew everything in the world.
That such a name would be bestowed upon a mere mortal.
Graut immediately sought out that human and demanded a confrontation.
The result was utter defeat.
Graut envied Artea.
A demon who had lived for over a thousand years.
A human who possessed knowledge superior to his own.
Consumed by jealousy and resentment, Graut imprisoned him.
And decided to toy with him for eternity.
Why?
Mere amusement. The price for a wretched insect of a human surpassing him.
He would keep him caged and torment him for all his days.
And Graut was a vicious demon indeed.
He knew that Artea would harbor hope.
Hope that one day he might escape this place.
In truth, Graut’s imprisonment itself was not perfect.
A demon’s descent to the mortal realm inflicted tremendous penalties and caused a loss of power.
Artea had discovered this truth with his sage’s mind.
That beyond the Beres Mountain Range, Graut could no longer hold him captive.
But it mattered not.
That hope he harbored!
Graut had crushed it repeatedly.
Whenever Artea dared to think of escape, Graut would thrust his hand into the cage and toy with him cruelly.
Each time the bird would struggle, and Graut would laugh.
“How ungrateful. Artea, I made you the noblest and most beautiful being in all the world out of consideration for you.”
Graut was the one who had built Sage’s Tower.
“Think upon your suffering, and realize that nobility is not so terrible after all….”
Then.
“…I shall return this arrow to you.”
Graut heard a voice echoing from within the tower.
‘Interesting?’
Graut, who had been watching them, discovered that the one Artea had recruited for his escape was merely a Blacksmith.
He also understood why Artea had chosen him.
Even if he had appealed to the legends, they would never dare face a demon, fearing for their lives.
But this Outsider could be resurrected even in death, making him Artea’s only glimmer of hope.
Graut felt intrigue kindle within him.
Two horns.
His skin was black, yet he possessed an endlessly beautiful visage.
His eyes were sharply angled upward, their corners drawn in a predatory slant.
His high, prominent cheekbones and smooth jawline commanded admiration.
Demons were powerful.
And because of this, he possessed that distinctive composure.
Graut, Blood Demon, laughed with his arms crossed.
‘An arrow shot by a Blacksmith? How absurd. Is this the recklessness of humans?’
Humans were laughable.
Consumed by emotion, they couldn’t see even an inch ahead clearly.
“I look forward to this.”
Graut, Blood Demon, laughed.
*
*
*
[Graut, Blood Demon has appeared!]
[Graut, Blood Demon Lv.401]
[Demons cannot descend to the mortal realm in their complete form.]
[Graut, Blood Demon is in a weakened state of over 50% and exists as a fragment.]
[In fragment form, Graut possesses only half of his normal maximum HP.]
Artea couldn’t maintain consciousness through the excruciating pain that turned his vision white.
It was then that Hyeon-su embraced him and walked toward the wall.
Even through that agony, Artea felt profound shame at his own state.
“Several times before… *gasp*, this happened. Whenever I tried to leave, he would punish me like this.”
Hyeon-su said nothing.
He slowly lowered Artea to the ground and had him lean his back against the wall.
Then, with parched lips, I spoke my first words.
“…So it happened multiple times.”
“Yes, so don’t worry too much. I knew Graut was watching me, but I didn’t expect it to be this severe.”
Artea laughed, cold sweat dripping down his face as he grew accustomed to the pain.
“What’s the way to stop the pain?”
“…His descent to the mortal realm burdens him as well. He descended through the fragments he scattered. If we destroy those fragments, it will stop.”
Artea knew the truth.
Even as a fragment, even weakened, Graut was far too powerful.
“You should leave. Don’t draw the demon’s attention.”
In this moment, Artea worried for Hyeon-su.
“Let’s pretend our story never happened.”
[The linked Quest: The Cage is attempting to end by Artea’s decision.]
[If Artea gives up, no penalty will occur.]
“Heh, don’t worry about me. I’ve grown accustomed to it over three hundred years.”
Artea smiled as brightly as he could manage.
The time he and I spent together was brief.
“Come back to me once you’ve grown stronger.”
With that, he patted my shoulder instead.
“I’m fine, really.”
At that moment, Artea’s eyes met mine.
Eyes so dark they seemed to pull me in.
A bitter smile etched at the corners of his mouth.
“Are you truly certain?”
“….”
Artea could no longer contain his emotions.
He let out the feelings that had been building inside him.
“Hah… how could I possibly be fine…!”
Three hundred years. That was how long Artea had been trapped within this tower.
Dozens of times each day, he gazed out the window, yearning for the world beyond.
“…I believe in you, Artea. I know you’ll create the best skill for me.”
I offered him a small smile.
Turning my back to him, I walked toward the window. I spoke in a calm, measured voice.
“…I’ll return this arrow.”
The skill Reversal activated around me.
According to probability, two Artifact Crafting became possible.
“Wh-what are you…are you saying you’ll defeat that demon right now…?”
Artea could see it.
Ore and tree branches surged upward.
I grasped the Horn Bow that one of the tree branches had created.
[Jumong’s Horn Bow]
I raised my right arm and equipped the completed Gauntlet.
Click—
[Gauntlet of Strength]
Another source of power.
Divine Emergency Crafting.
Rising tree branches and the finest Orichalcon left over from before.
They forged a single arrow.
This arrow drew inspiration from the Blade of Supremacy.
According to the rampaging probability of the Blade of Supremacy, damage over 15 seconds would be determined.
Attack power would increase anywhere from 200% at minimum to 600% at maximum.
The Short Arrow crafted with that inspiration.
[An effect application rate of 86% has been applied.]
[It is Epic grade.]
[You were more immersed in creating this arrow than anyone could be.]
[You empathized with Artea’s sorrow and rage—all of it.]
[Blacksmith’s Soul activates.]
[It upgrades to Unique grade.]
[Rampaging Short Arrow advances by one tier.]
Artea could not fathom the power emanating from him.
He nocked the Short Arrow onto the Bowstring.
[Pinnacle Arrow applies.]
[A single arrow’s damage increases by 360%. Stacks possible.]
The subtle essence of Jumong’s Horn Bow.
[Strength increases by 121.]
[With the increase in Strength, penetration rises by 32%, physical attack power by 15%, skill damage by 22%.]
The subtle essence of the Strength Gauntlet.
[Rampaging Arrow]
[At a 2% probability, the arrow’s base attack power increases by 401%.]
[It persists for 15 seconds.]
The subtle essence of the seventh legend.
Artea stared at him in awe.
Hyeon-su, clad in a brown coat, drew the Bowstring with all his might after nocking the Short Arrow.
Artea heard a sound.
Creeeeak—
It was the sound of someone opening a birdcage door that had been locked shut.
He who opened the cage spoke in a gentle voice.
“Let us depart.”
The moment he released the Bowstring.
[The most perfect trinity.]
[An additional 10% attack power is imbued.]
[It will be the most powerful arrow ever created throughout history.]
[The title ‘Creator of the Most Powerful Arrow’ is generated.]
At last, a single arrow was loosed.

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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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