Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 174

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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
Enhancement (2)
(Jijon Blade +4)
Grade: Legend Beyond Legend
Durability: Infinite
Attack Power: 678
Restrictions: Creator has no restrictions, Swordsman Level 400 or above.
Special Abilities:
·All Stats increased by 2.5%.
·Critical Hit Probability increased by 80%.
·Cutting Power increased by 60%.
·Sword Mastery increased by 7 levels.
·Passive Skill Nine Strikes.
·Passive Skill Swordsmanship’s Essence.
·Passive Skill Once More.
·Active Skill Draw.
·Active Skill Rampaging Sword.
·With the effect, the Sword can be made to disappear or appear.
Description: A masterpiece created solely for Hyeon. No other Sword could ever surpass this one.
“Gasp!”
Hyeon-su was astounded.
It shone with the most brilliant radiance.
I could understand why that notification had arrived.
It was because the Jijon Blade had achieved +4 Enhancement.
In the first place, there was no Ore in Ares capable of enhancing a single Artifact to +4.
That is, precisely because of this, a notification I had never heard before had just arrived.
“Originally, Enhancement Stones were meant to be supplementary, but this goes beyond that level, doesn’t it?”
Enhancement Stones were the exclusive domain of high-level Users.
They were used when reaching the level and Artifact limits, to become even slightly stronger.
Some would spend hundreds of millions, even billions of Won to enhance further, to achieve a few more levels of enhancement.
That slight increase in strength determined victory or defeat among the Strong Ones, and rankings shifted accordingly.
Yet this Black Enhancement Stone granted even more benefits than existing Enhancement Stones.
Sword Attack Power increased by 50 or more.
All Stats increased by 0.5%.
Critical Hit Probability increased by 10%.
Cutting Power increased by 10%.
Sword Mastery increased by 1 level.
The Passive Skill Eight Strikes was upgraded to Nine Strikes.
Even if I had spent all seven Black Enhancement Stones, if one success like this could be achieved, wouldn’t that be enough?
Suddenly, something brushed past my consciousness.
‘I remember now….’
I gazed at the Sovereign Sword.
This Sovereign Sword was crafted for me alone—the most formidable blade that every User in the world would covet.
Yet through the Legendary Stone, I had been trapped by preconceived notions about the new-tier Artifact I needed to create.
‘The strongest and most superior sword in existence.’
That’s why I couldn’t make a decision, endlessly searching for legendary blades that surpassed the Sovereign Sword.
‘I shouldn’t be making a sword as strong as the Sovereign Sword—I need to forge a blade that carries the power of the Sovereign Sword itself.’
The Sovereign Sword alone in my grasp was already sufficient to make me formidable.
Carrying Sovereign Sword-tier power didn’t simply mean being that strong.
“A blade with that much influence.”
The realization struck me suddenly.
The Prisoner Camp.
Fifty Assassins bearing down, and the Ring-Pommel Sword that defeated them.
‘Admiral Yi Sun-sin possessed multiple swords.’
I withdrew the Legendary Stone from my pocket.
‘He primarily wielded the Ring-Pommel Sword, and I’ve already crafted that very blade while facing the Red Dragon Group.’
A legend that saved the nation.
Could there be a more magnificent legend than that?
Beyond the sword I forged back then against the Red Dragon Group, there were two other swords far more renowned.
The name of that blade.
“The Twin Dragon Sword.”
A legend incarnate.
Both in Ares and in Reality.
‘The Twin Dragon Sword vanished long ago.’
That’s precisely why it became legend.
Scholars still debated whether Admiral Yi Sun-sin ever wielded the Twin Dragon Sword.
Suddenly, a conversation with my Father surfaced in my mind.
‘Your old man doesn’t know such things.’
That was his answer when I’d asked whether Admiral Yi Sun-sin actually wielded the Twin Dragon Sword.
‘What’s certain is this—because people wanted to believe, history was born.’
We sometimes embellish stories, and they become recorded as history.
Moreover, the Twin Dragon Sword that disappeared a hundred years ago.
The fact that it truly existed was undeniable.
‘Why not craft it—the history that saved a nation?’
And I had already done so.
One of the two Twin Dragon Swords that exist in total.
What troubled me was this.
“Only my Father knows the method to craft the other one….”
My Father possessed extraordinary understanding of the Twin Dragon Sword, having taught me its creation method.
While crafting with him back then, I’d harbored such thoughts.
‘I want to craft a Twin Dragon Sword on my own.’
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve studied the blueprints Father drew for me.
I’ve lost count of how many blades I’ve discarded.
“…I craft swords quite well.”
But I craft bows even better.
That’s what gave birth to Jumong’s Horn Bow—a masterpiece.
Yet the Twin Dragon Sword is different.
“…The Twin Dragon Sword is the blade I understand most deeply and know best among all the Sword Crafting methods I possess.”
Whoooosh—
I unfold the paper.
Across the unfolded surface, that magnificent form begins to take shape with spirited strokes.
Curiosity compels me to ask.
‘When the sword of one more beloved than Haemosu and more renowned than Jumong is completed, what value will it possess?’
I cannot even imagine it.
Especially if it’s the value of something that has completely vanished from history.
And when the system witnesses it, how much power will it bestow?
At last, it begins.
Mythstone capable of crafting two Artifacts.
Ore sufficient to forge one of them enters the Furnace.
‘I see it.’
It was a path.
A path that might touch legend itself.
Just then, a whisper arrives.
[Nel: I’ve arrived at the Royal Capital. I’ll complete this brilliantly and return.]
The members of Guild Gwangmyeong have been summoned by the Royal Palace.
I understand why they were called.
‘His Majesty Barad is….’
It’s a constant succession of trials.
He summons them to verify something about them.
And I know the members of Guild Gwangmyeong will do their utmost.
‘During that time, I’ll do my best as well.’
This sword is different from all the weapons I’ve crafted before.
Every weapon I’ve made has been designed to strengthen individuals.
But this one will become a weapon for everyone.
*
*
*
[Guild Quest: National Strengthening]
Rank: A
Restriction: Those who have accepted King Barad’s proposal
Reward: 10% Contribution and 5 Soldiers Supported
Penalty on Failure: Intimacy with King Barad Decreases
Description: King Barad has summoned many talented individuals from across the realm to strengthen the kingdom’s power. Accumulate Contribution and receive soldier support.
This was the Quest received by Nel and the members of Guild Gwangmyeong upon arriving at the Royal Palace.
“…Allow the kingdom’s strength to grow through your own methods.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Countless talented individuals gathered for an audience with the king.
They simply needed to strengthen the kingdom through their own methods and accumulate Contribution.
Nel understood this was an opportunity.
‘A chance to obtain many soldiers!’
Soon, King Barad sent away those from across the realm.
Those who remained were the primary architects who built the current Goyad Kingdom.
Philip, the northern commander who had protected the Arahm Territory until recently.
Volson, who manages the finances of the Goyad Kingdom.
And the current Knight Order Commander, Bella.
King Barad observed each of them carefully.
At last, King Barad revealed his true thoughts.
“It reminds me of the past. My father also summoned you all, who were active throughout the realm, along with other talented individuals.”
Just as he had summoned those of the Balas Territory.
“No matter how exceptional a king may be, if those who protect him are not equally capable, he cannot hold that position.”
It was only natural.
King Barad had reached his position thanks to those before him.
He also owed much to Belo and Marquis Luxemburg, who steadfastly stood by his side.
King Barad had not yet decided to make Hyeon-su king.
There were far too many qualities he needed to see in Hyeon-su.
“I remember. The Previous King looked at us and smiled, saying ‘Not bad at all.'”
Bella’s memory of that time was vivid.
“One man, Hyeon, built the Balas Territory. But if his retainers cannot support him, that would be a grave problem.”
Moreover, such individuals would surely become the subject of the people’s gossip.
Especially since they were Outsiders, murmurs still persisted.
“Your Majesty, at what level of Contribution would you recognize them?”
“…About 70% of what you all have accomplished would suffice.”
This strengthening of national power was truly influenced by many factors.
As long as they could contribute to strengthening the kingdom’s power, that was enough.
However, expectations for Hyeon’s retainers were low.
“See for yourselves what sort of individuals they truly are.”
King Barad had already traversed the battlefield with them.
They were strong.
Yet the Goyad Kingdom had at least ten thousand such individuals when including NPCs.
“We accept your command.”
Three people stepped forward.
After they left, Barad gazed out the window with a bitter expression.
“Hyeon.”
I believe the Previous King harbored the same sentiments.
A throne demands coldness and clarity of judgment.
‘If they prove incompetent, I must teach them how to step aside.’
Of course, stepping aside did not mean casting them out entirely.
As Balas Territory flourished, their titles would rise in tandem.
In time, they might become stars of the kingdom, yet I intend to suggest placing other capable individuals in those positions.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
Even if Hyeon-su came to hate me, there was no help for it.
‘Hyeon-su is far too gentle and soft.’
Sometimes one must offer harsh truths to another.
And Barad was exhausted.
The aftereffects of answering “Friend, Help Me” still lingered deep within my bones.
I retired to my chamber to sleep and remained in the Royal Palace, devoting all effort to recovering my condition.
Days passed.
The period for accumulating contribution points had ended.
Talented individuals from across the realm.
Most of them were those who had risen from their respective territories.
Grouped as a single collective, their contribution points were determined.
Moreover, since the Royal Palace directly provided soldiers according to contribution points, this was an opportunity for them to strengthen their territories.
And shortly after Bella, Philip, and Volson entered, those from Guild Gwangmyeong arrived.
Those bearing the emblems of Anvil and Hammer upon their garments.
Barad regarded them as they bowed, his expression that of a king as always, and drew forth a single Sword.
The King’s Sword of Judgment.
With this very blade, Barad had once confirmed Hyeon-su’s progress.
And Barad concealed the results from Bella’s probing words about what percentage they had achieved.
These three had together accomplished a 1.3% enhancement to national strength.
The Previous King had dismissed them and spoken thus.
‘Excellent talents indeed, Barad.’
Only then did the King’s Sword of Judgment emit its radiance.
But.
Uuuuuuung—
“…?”
Barad was bewildered.
The Sword was resonating with tremendous force.
It was as though he were confirming the talent Bella for the first time, or wielding the Prime Minister Volson, or meeting the Knight Philip for the first time.
No.
The resonance was far, far stronger than any of them.
And then.
[The national power of Goyad Kingdom increases by 2.6%.]
King Barad’s eyes wavered. Yet his expression betrayed not the slightest tremor.
“Leave us.”
After dismissing them, King Barad found himself adrift in confusion.
Once they had departed, Volson spoke, reading the incomprehension in the king’s gaze.
“Your Majesty, would it not be wise to keep them here rather than return them to Hyeon?”
“???”
King Barad was taken aback. Volson—suggesting such a thing?
Seeking answers, he turned to Bella.
“Your Majesty once said it yourself.”
Words the king had spoken.
‘One man named Hyeon built the Balas Territory. Yet if his retainers do not support him, it would be a grave problem.’
Bella spoke with fervent conviction.
“It was not one man named Hyeon who created the Balas Territory as it stands now, but these capable ones alongside him.”
Philip added his voice.
“They will strengthen Hyeon’s kingdom.”
Volson continued.
“Hyeon should rejoice—that such extraordinary and remarkable talents dedicate themselves entirely to his cause.”
Three voices lavishing praise without restraint. Notably, their eyes burned with ambition reaching toward the heavens.
Bella’s words flowed onward.
“They will become pillars supporting him.”
The king marveled.
And wondered.
What had transpired to earn such extraordinary acclaim from these three?

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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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