Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 212

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

The Genius Blacksmith’s Game
Territory of Atlas (2)
In Kabel’s assessment, Pureum Corporation’s ability to drive the game forward was truly remarkable.
Recently, CEO Lee Se-jin answered people’s question of “Are there dragons?” with a yes.
But people were disappointed.
They had become convinced that the dragon’s level would be at least 800 or higher.
However, Kabel possessed more information than most, so he understood Lee Se-jin’s meticulous strategy.
He knew that Users could never actually encounter a real dragon, nor could they stand against one.
But Pureum Corporation already understood this.
They knew that Users dreamed of hunting dragons.
‘I’m no different.’
Aurelion, Ettin, Deathknight, Dullahan, Ogre—and so on.
These were monster names well-known to those who played the game.
But if you asked someone who knew nothing about games, you’d get this response.
‘What’s that, you gaming nerd!’
But dragons were different. Dragons were special creatures that even five-year-old children knew about.
Unable to show such a dragon immediately, they had chosen instead to indirectly reveal it to Users through the Dragon’s Tomb—a lesser version of the real thing.
‘Remarkable.’
Kabel genuinely marveled at this. He himself had only known the information, not the location.
Then Kabel turned around and recalled the image of Bok-deung-i, who must be delighted.
Several months had now passed since Kabel arrived in the Balas Territory.
The reason he had stayed was because of the Hidden Quest that Bok-deung-i gave him and their daily one-walk routine.
The daily one-walk with Bok-deung-i lasted a month, and just by taking walks, he had achieved a one-level increase in the Assassin skill.
After that, Kabel had tried to part ways with Bok-deung-i.
But a linked Quest appeared, making that impossible.
[Linked Quest: Bok-deung-i’s Training!]
Rank: A
Restriction: Those who have touched Bok-deung-i
Reward: 3 Stat Points
Penalty on failure: None
Description: Bok-deung-i has grown fond of you during a month of walks. Teach Bok-deung-i to excellently perform ‘sit, stand, wait, and bread!’ The training period is one month.
This Quest was excellent as well.
To high-level Users, 3 Stat Points held tremendous value.
Considering that an Elixir giving merely 1 Stat Point was worth astronomical sums, this was truly remarkable.
Because of this, Kabel remained longer.
Though he had hidden it, there was another reason.
After living with Bok-deung-i for several months, he had grown attached.
A voice came from inside again.
“This is a serious matter. Can we truly manage the Balas Territory and our newly acquired Territory with our current military strength?”
It was Nel’s voice. Hyeon-su spoke next.
“I think we need to select those among the territory residents who wish to relocate and bring them along. And I must confess, my own concerns are far from trivial. We need more exceptional Strong Ones.”
Kabel nodded without realizing it.
‘That’s right. Hyeon’s Blacksmith Shop needs more talented individuals.’
Hyeon-su spoke shortly after.
“The problem is we cannot accept just anyone. Given how famous I and Hyeon’s Blacksmith Shop have become, we cannot indiscriminately accept those whose true motivations remain unclear.”
Kabel nodded once more. Nel answered.
“Exactly. If we accept people without discernment, it will create serious problems. Especially since we’ve become targets of China. After the server merge, there’s a high probability that Chinese Users will strike us first.”
This time too, Kabel nodded.
Then he resumed walking.
Their concerns were entirely justified.
They needed more talented individuals, and with their territory expanded, they required Strong Ones capable of leading it forward.
‘This is no simple matter.’
And Kabel reflected.
‘Bok-deung-i will be able to provide more linked Quests. And Bok-deung-i will also head to Atlas, which will become the main territory. Therefore, I will volunteer to go to Atlas as well.’
Kabel still concealed his true intention, claiming he was going to Atlas for Quests.
And there was one more interesting fact.
Having left Lord’s Castle, Kabel noticed several people.
‘They will also travel to Atlas with us.’
The several individuals Kabel observed.
‘They will ease Hyeon’s worries somewhat.’
Who were they, and why did their eyes meet Kabel’s?
This had begun to occur not long after Kabel arrived at this place.
*
*
*
There was a saying that Ares contained 20% unofficial rankers and 80% official rankers.
Some people could not comprehend unofficial rankers.
“If you become a ranker and gain fame, you earn a lot of money and it’s great, so why do unofficial rankers hide themselves?”
Becoming a known ranker increased the likelihood of receiving advertisements and growing social media followers, creating opportunities for profit.
Then why did 20% of unofficial rankers exist?
When someone posed this question, a certain unofficial ranker answered.
“Many famous rankers gradually lose their rankings. Some might be exceptions, but most do.”
“Why?”
“Because they became famous. When they go to Hunting Grounds, Users recognize them. They have to film advertisements and do various other things. But unofficial rankers are different. Since they hid themselves from the start, they can devote themselves entirely to Ares and focus solely on hunting.”
“Ohhh….”
“And precisely because of this, unofficial rankers, though fewer in proportion than official rankers, tend to be more exceptional. And unofficial rankers aren’t fools either. They too want to become famous and have their faces known. But they don’t reveal themselves immediately because they understand they are diamonds.”
“Diamonds?”
“Yes, unofficial rankers can become public rankers at any time. The moment these unofficial rankers go public, the impact they create is enormous. You know why? Usually when these people are revealed, they have higher levels and are stronger than official rankers. That’s why there’s no rush for them. Yes, the time they spend as unofficial rankers is time spent polishing the diamond into something even more beautiful and exquisite.”
This was the reason for the existence of unofficial rankers.
And for reasons such as these, there was a person walking the path of an unofficial ranker.
His name was Bang-bae.
Bang-bae was a figure who could rival the number one ranked spear master in Korea.
He was continuously refining himself with greater precision and elegance.
Moreover, sensing his own limitations, he had visited Balas Territory to purchase weapons.
It was then that Bang-bae’s expression grew puzzled.
“Woof, woof!”
A pristine white Sigorzab Bell had appeared, its tail wagging vigorously as it gazed up at him.
And Bang-bae was someone who kept a dog.
Pet owners shared a common trait.
“Good boy, good boy, so adorable.”
They loved even dogs they didn’t know.
Then.
[Bok-deung-i’s Cuteness activates.]
Bang-bae felt something strange wash over him.
He had intended to touch that plump, rosy belly anyway, but his arm moved of its own accord toward the creature’s abdomen.
‘What is this…?’
It was an irresistible force.
And when he touched that belly.
[Your body fills with vitality and your mind finds peace.]
[You are a target of Bok-deung-i’s Cuteness activation.]
[You cannot harm Bok-deung-i.]
My weary body and mind melted away, and my thoughts became crystal clear.
The moment I touched Bok-deung-i, an inexplicable happiness surged through me.
Then.
Ding!
[Hidden Quest: One Daily Walk with Bok-deung-i!]
Grade: A
Restriction: Those who have touched Bok-deung-i
Reward: One spear master skill of your choice increases by 1 level.
Penalty for failure: None.
Description: You have been chosen by Bok-deung-i. If you walk Bok-deung-i for one hour every day for a month, you will receive a special reward.
Bang-bae’s eyes widened in astonishment.
‘What… what is this…!?’
Bang-bae could not hide his shock. There was one spear master skill he desperately wanted to raise.
‘I can choose and raise a skill?’
From that day on, Bang-bae registered Balas Territory as his return scroll checkpoint.
Whenever he returned from hunting, he would take the walk first.
But then…
“Hey.”
Someone approached.
That name was Raon. He appeared to be an ordinary territorial resident at first glance.
When he arrived, Bok-deung-i wagged his tail in delight.
“…It seems I’ve learned something about this creature, but it would be wise not to divulge this information.”
“…?”
Bang-bae was bewildered.
He had discovered that he wasn’t the only one receiving such a hidden Quest.
“Of course. A being capable of bestowing such absurd blessings would naturally be capable of inflicting equally absurd curses.”
Those with sufficient level understood this principle.
And there was even an additional notification attached.
[Bok-deung-i’s existence must not be revealed to many.]
[Should Bok-deung-i’s existence become known to many, all benefits obtained through him will disappear.]
[However, should Bok-deung-i wish it, this restriction may be lifted at any time.]
Thus, Bang-bae had no intention of ever disclosing this.
“What if I take him for a walk in the morning and you in the afternoon?”
Bang-bae readily accepted Kabel’s proposal.
And several days later….
“…?”
“…?”
The two of them could now see Bok-deung-i with another User.
That person had also been chosen.
Kabel spoke to Bang-bae, who was about to move.
“Observe that person for a week to understand their character before approaching.”
Bang-bae realized that Kabel had similarly observed him before approaching.
Bok-deung-i had approached quite a number of people and given them the Quest.
The two of them discovered several commonalities.
1. Most went to unofficial rankers.
2. Bok-deung-i would terminate the Quest if the person walking him had character flaws(?).
3. Those deemed good received follow-up Quests.
“What criteria does he use to judge someone as good?”
To Kabel’s question, Bang-bae answered from the perspective of a dog owner.
“There’s a saying among dog enthusiasts. There are no truly bad people among those who genuinely cherish and care for their dogs.”
It was a reasonable observation.
Bang-bae added further.
“Bok-deung-i would sense whether someone is good or bad better than anyone while walking with them.”
Yes, Bok-deung-i was testing them through these walks.
And so time flowed on and on….
A morning walker, an afternoon walker, an evening walker, and walkers at any time emerged.
“Let’s properly introduce ourselves. We’re all in the same boat, after all.”
They came to know one another.
[Information Broker Kabel Lv.374]
[Spear Technique Master Bang-bae Lv.370]
[Crimson Flame Mage Jane Lv.371]
[Territory King Glass Lv.364]
“…It’s quite something to meet Information Broker Kabel, someone renowned even among the unofficial rankers.”
“Crimson Flame Mage Jane—that name is equally impressive.”
“I’ve been wanting to meet Spear Technique Master Bang-bae as well.”
“They say whenever Territory King Glass touches a territory, it develops so remarkably?”
Unexpectedly, four of them had gathered.
At that moment, Jane, the mage whose very hair seemed to glow red like an ornament, made a proposal.
“Since we’re all here, shouldn’t we create a group name?”
They focused their attention on Jane.
“How about Boksammo?”
“Boksammo…?”
Jane smiled brightly and explained the meaning of Boksammo.
“Yes, it’s a gathering of those who love Bok-deung-i.”
After finishing his recollection, Kabel made eye contact with the Boksammo members.
They were nodding subtly, out of sight.
Kabel could tell.
They too would be joining him on the journey to Atlas.
Thus, without Hyeon-su’s knowledge, the organization called Boksammo was becoming part of Hyeon’s Blacksmith Shop.
*
*
*
Special User Management Team.
Tae-seok, who knew of Boksammo’s birth, posed a question.
“Why does Bok-deung-i take walks like that? Four times a day—you’d think it would get exhausting.”
Tae-seok had never raised a dog before.
However, Lee Se-jin and Lee Ji-hee, who worked alongside him, were different.
Se-jin had sent off a dog he’d raised for fifteen years. Ji-hee was still raising hers.
“You really don’t know? I think I understand.”
“I think I do too.”
The two of them wore mysterious, contented smiles.
Tae-seok’s expression grew puzzled.
Soon, Lee Se-jin spoke to him.
“The reason is precisely….”
*
*
*
Bok-deung-i, cradled in Hyeon-su’s arms, gazed up at him.
“Now we depart for the new territory, Atlas.”
At the master’s words, a pitifully small contingent of people set out toward the new territory.
‘Maaang….’
But Bok-deung-i could see them.
The members of Boksammo who looked upon him.
And Bok-deung-i gazed at Hyeon-su, who carried so much worry and concern.
The words he had always spoken to me came to mind.
‘Can I do this well?’
‘I need strength.’
‘I cannot fall.’
The innermost thoughts he laid bare to me, time and again.
Watching such a Hyeon-su, Bok-deung-i smiled softly as if to say, now rest easy.
“Mang-mang!”
The reason Lee Se-jin and Lee Ji-hee knew—why Bok-deung-i had gathered the Strong Ones while taking walks.
Had the creature been able to speak, it would have said this.
-I will protect you.
Yes, for that one reason alone. To protect Hyeon-su.

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