Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 226

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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
Housewarming (2)
The Goyad Kingdom and the Fraham Kingdom had once been nations on the brink of war.
Yet through a small connection named Hyeon-su, the two kingdoms found peace.
A centuries-long cold war terminated by a single man—what a momentous achievement this was.
Moreover, with the war’s end, Barad and Ben gained time to spare.
Sometimes Barad would cross into Ben’s kingdom, and sometimes Ben into Barad’s, and they would converse at leisure.
It was during one such period that a woman named Nel visited for tea.
Since Hyeon-su had spoken highly of her, both kings received her favorably.
Yet the word “housewarming” sparked the curiosity of both monarchs.
What she described as a housewarming was when those close to someone who had moved residences would visit that place, look around, enjoy delicious food, and then depart.
The kings, having understood it only in this way, fell into shock.
“It’s a housewarming gift.”
Something they had overlooked.
At the mention of a housewarming gift, both men listened intently, and Kabel spoke with practiced ease.
“A housewarming gift typically means presenting something needed by the one who has moved residences.”
“A gift for something needed by one who has moved?”
“Yes, it usually carries the heart of the guests, and it varies depending on their current circumstances.”
“It varies depending on their circumstances?”
“Indeed. Those without means bring something to convey their feelings, while those with considerable wealth often bring something quite valuable. There is no fixed answer as to what one must bring.”
“Do the gifts tend to remain memorable?”
Suddenly, Kabel recalled a post he had seen on a community forum.
A friend had brought dog treats to a housewarming.
Of course, it was an ordinary housewarming gift.
But since that household didn’t actually own a dog, the friend’s playful prank left a lasting impression.
Kabel smiled faintly.
“Yes, at the very least, they will long remember what was brought.”
Ben let out a sigh.
“Hah, I thought merely my presence would suffice.”
“I was of the same mind.”
The two looked down at themselves.
They looked exactly like beggars.
They had come this way intentionally.
They feared that someone might tail them, or worse, that Hyeon-su’s Atlas Territory might be discovered.
At this, Kabel spoke.
“Then could you not prepare a housewarming gift on the way there?”
“Ho, it can be prepared?”
The dozens of papers inscribed with dungeons that Kabel carried in his bosom instantly became tattered and aged.
It was the power of his skill, “Object Disguise.”
“These are maps discovered in Atlas Territory. They show the nearby dungeons. A housewarming gift is a matter of ‘heart.’ Through what you have obtained by the sweat of your brows, those who invited you to this housewarming will cherish your hearts for a long, long time.”
At that, Ben and Barad broke into small smiles.
It was indeed a splendid idea.
The two of them entered a Dungeon with Kabel shortly after.
It was to obtain the gift.
And Kabel couldn’t help but be astonished.
‘What am I witnessing right now?’
It took less than five minutes to clear a single Dungeon.
‘How is a level 380 Dungeon….’
Then he realized one crucial fact.
These two were level 480.
Moreover, both of them possessed Legendary Artifacts created by Hyeon.
Furthermore, being level 480 alone didn’t make one strong.
They were among fewer than ten Ultra-Named NPCs on the Korea Server, and they were legends.
The reason these Ultra-Named NPCs and Ultra-Named Monsters were formidable lay in their distinctive characteristics, overwhelming power, and skill that set them apart from those of the same level.
Not even a speck of dust clung to the two as they emerged from the Dungeon.
“Tsk tsk, I’m telling you, those sword-wielders are pathetically weak?”
“…Spear-wielder, are you not aware that while you killed the boss monster, I was fighting hundreds of monsters?”
“Those are creatures I faced when I was ten years old.”
“…I’ll show you this power properly in the next Dungeon.”
The two were even burning with competitive spirit.
“….”
At this moment, Kabel was feeling it.
‘This is a carry. No, it’s not just a carry—it’s a bus running like a madman!’
Kabel was hearing something utterly absurd.
[The acquisition amount of Seed of Life is too great.]
[It will be measured comprehensively.]
Moreover, the passenger on this bus wasn’t himself.
Hyeon-su was in Atlas right now, yet here he was riding an absurd bus.
Thirty minutes.
In those thirty minutes alone, over ten Dungeons had been demolished.
“Ah, that sword-wielder is really slow!”
“What are you talking about? While you faced five, I faced seven.”
The two prideful kings were burning with even fiercer competitive spirit, and the pace of their hunting accelerated.
And then.
“In your judgment, who is stronger?”
“Heh heh, naturally me, wouldn’t you say?”
“Me, right?”
“Heh heh, it should be me, shouldn’t it?”
“….”
The killing intent of the two kings as they gazed at him struck Kabel directly.
‘Breath… I can’t… cough…!’
Kabel, having taken the killing intent of two kings head-on with his entire body, lost consciousness.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Come to your senses.”
“Heh, what a weakling.”
It was true.
By the standards of these two, Kabel was indeed weak.
*
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*
‘If a major problem arises, I will take responsibility for it.’
This was what Director Tao of the Chinese Branch said during the video conference about giving Atlas to the MVP.
Of course, the MVP in question had to meet their high standards, and Tao secretly hoped.
That the Atlas Territory planned by the Chinese Branch would go to their own citizens.
Many ancient territories were planned across countries around the world.
But Tao was confident.
‘When five years have passed, the most excellent territory will be Atlas.’
To balance things out, it would start slow at first, but with continued growth, it would become the greatest grand territory—he was certain of it.
The power contained within Atlas Territory was truly boundless.
Ancient sleeping things awaken.
The phrase fit perfectly.
Yet contrary to the prediction that it would take five years, it was accelerating rapidly.
Moreover.
[User Hyeon-su approaches what the Saint has left behind.]
The Saint.
A notification that appeared before Tao and Team Lead Wang.
This notification was different from the awakening of things within Atlas.
The master of Atlas and the new Lord.
He was obtaining a portion of the formidable power of the king who had reached the Sage King.
‘This power will greatly aid the path of the Sage King, who must embrace many talents.’
Tao had hoped a Chinese User would obtain this.
And even if they did, it would be much later.
The reason this miracle was occurring.
“Does this even make sense, Director?”
Gulp, gulp—
Team Lead Wang, his eyes bloodshot, downed a venti-sized iced Americano in one shot.
“How can a single User’s residence…!”
He cried out in despair.
“Legends are appearing, and why didn’t the Korea Team report this?”
Director Tao himself could barely maintain his composure.
Why?
I would bear all this responsibility myself.
Gulp, gulp—
He too forced himself awake with a shot of coffee.
“Why would anyone report a User’s acquaintance with an NPC?”
Director Tao’s words were reasonable.
But still….
“They’re simply unusual.”
Yet Tao harbored a small hope.
“He’s approached legendary stats, but hasn’t obtained them yet, has he?”
Yes, approaching meant it could still fall through.
User Hyeon-su obtaining the power the Saint left behind was a result of the absurd number and speed of Seeds acquired.
But if this pace continued, he wouldn’t be able to obtain it….
[Atlas’s Seed acquisition rate is explosively surging and accelerating further.]
[Acquisition rate is difficult to measure.]
[Acquisition rate is difficult to measure.]
[Acquisition rate is abnormal.]
“What in the world is happening now?!”
But soon Tao, Team Lead Wang, and the Chinese Special User Management Team could only scream in despair.
*
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*
Saint Aria is the most sacred woman and the world’s greatest Priest-class, recognized by all.
This is an undeniable fact.
Users joke that a single heal from Saint Aria could awaken even the dead.
Moreover, her true value does not lie in healing.
She could transform an ordinary Holy Knight into the greatest Holy Knight in an instant.
This was because her buff and debuff abilities transcended common sense.
Some have said this.
When war breaks out, the ones who shine brightest on the Battlefield will not be the strong Legends.
It will be the Saint, and she will overturn the tide of war.
Thus, the greatest and most noble Saint Aria shared tea with a woman named Nel.
‘Lord Hyeon-su has become the master of Atlas.’
A Legend of the Ares Church.
When the Ares Church falls into danger, the Saint will save them.
Aria, who believed in him, marveled.
She even had these thoughts because she was the one who bestowed the Saint’s blessing upon Hyeon-su.
‘It is destiny created by God.’
Aria then asked.
‘Why do you tell me such things? Is it for the sake of friendship between the Papal See and Lord Hyeon-su?’
The woman named Nel was direct.
‘Lord Hyeon-su saved Saint Aria’s life long ago. But he is different from ordinary people.’
Aria nodded in agreement.
‘Most people would have tried to exploit Saint Aria using that as leverage. But for Lord Hyeon-su, it was simply something that had to be done, and then it was over.’
It was the truth.
After that, Aria found herself drawn even more to Hyeon-su, who had ended it there—unlike the other greedy Outsiders.
‘However, while Lord Hyeon-su is not, I am a greedy Outsider.’
Aria marveled.
Whether she became a villain or merely a merchant.
‘My greed lies in raising my Lord to the throne. Atlas is plagued with pestilence and incurable disease spreads there. I am telling you not to abandon Hyeon-su, the benefactor of this greedy former Saint.’
Nel was saying that she would keep Hyeon-su as a good lord while she herself would carry everything forward.
Aria had laughed at that moment.
She had found a good person.
Then she realized something.
‘A good person standing beside a good person.’
One who possessed mysterious power.
Moreover, from the perspective of the Ares Church, it was right to deepen ties with Hyeon-su, who had become the new master of Atlas and might realize the path of the Saint.
‘Long ago, just as the Saint was the only person the Ares Church could exchange with.’
She was not being moved by Nel’s words.
Gratitude toward Hyeon-su.
And the future relationship with Lord Hyeon-su.
Moreover, to fight against the evil that might come in the future, Aria headed toward Atlas.
By her side was merely a single Holy Knight.
However, that Holy Knight was Pao, the strongest knight of the Ares Church, approaching legend.
And the two were pushing through the undergrowth, heading toward Atlas.
But then.
An old man and a muscular man with a massive frame appeared.
“Are you going to a housewarming too?”
A housewarming?
Aria tilted her head at words she had never heard before.
The old man clicked his tongue.
“Good heavens, how can you go to a housewarming empty-handed!?”
The muscular man beside him chimed in.
“That’s right, how can you go empty-handed? We’ve been preparing and planning everything. Isn’t that so?”
The old man and the muscular man turned their heads slightly toward the ordinary-looking territory resident.
The territory resident, whose face had gone pale, was nodding frantically at the speed of light.
*
*
*
One hour later.
[You are currently progressing through the Territory Quest: Gathering Seeds of Life.]
[At exactly 12 o’clock, you learn the total number of Seeds of Life acquired throughout the day.]
Hyeon-su moved between the four thousand Blacksmiths, instructing them.
Nothing extraordinary.
He had simply provided them with the most fundamental framework that would prove helpful moving forward.
As he did so, Hyeon-su came to an abrupt halt upon hearing the notification.
It was nearly 12 o’clock.
The Seed of Life Quest revealed at exactly 12 o’clock how many seeds everyone had collectively obtained throughout the day.
Yesterday’s result had been dismal.
‘121 seeds.’
Because of this, Hyeon-su had decided to temper his expectations.
‘Since I already possessed over 500 seeds, they said I could awaken it slowly at that rate, right?’
He sought solace in that thought.
Hyeon-su cast aside his anxiety and waited calmly for 12 o’clock.
‘If we could manage around 300 seeds today, that would be excellent….’
With four thousand Blacksmiths now working together, it was natural that today would differ from yesterday.
But then Hyeon-su’s eyes widened in astonishment.
‘What is this…?’
The number displayed far exceeded anything he had anticipated.

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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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