Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 233

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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
Server Integration (2)
Two weeks prior.
Pureum Corporation’s Global Promotion Team had encountered a formidable obstacle.
That obstacle was the story itself.
Ayaka twirled her ballpoint pen thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.
‘We’ve managed to feature a brilliant star in the teaser.’
Of course, this was Ayaka’s personal assessment.
Though not yet revealed, if the world discovered that User Hyeon-su was the main protagonist of the teaser, there would be global backlash.
The criticism would stem from the fact that he wasn’t a citizen of their own countries.
That a Korean was participating in a Korean game.
That User Hyeon-su, while indeed ranked first, had been selected over users with higher rankings across the entire world.
However, if the teaser turned out well, this criticism would transform into acclaim.
The Global Promotion Team had even prepared a manual for protests from world-ranked players.
‘Unfortunately, we must inform User XX that you do not align with the image we are pursuing and have been excluded from the server integration teaser candidates.’
In plain terms, it meant this.
‘You’re not the face we need.’
The truth.
Ayaka had secured a brilliant star for the teaser.
The foundation of this decision rested primarily on Hyeon-su’s appearance.
Even if the world’s most famous ranker appeared, those who were unattractive or short would struggle to become the lead.
Conversely, Ayaka had already recognized that User Hyeon-su possessed the most photogenic presence.
She was the only person who had watched the fan-made video footage.
‘It was extraordinary, that….’
Regardless, despite possessing the finest material, the story refused to materialize easily.
“What if we showed User Hyeon-su walking toward the throne while millions of subjects cheer? You too could become like this!”
“Clichéd.”
“What about depicting User Hyeon-su gathering hundreds of thousands of troops and marching toward China’s Sword Emperor?”
“Tedious.”
“There’s also this option. User Hyeon-su falls in love with a princess, and in the final scene, he becomes king….”
“Would you rather die?”
In any case, Ayaka had sunk into deep contemplation.
‘The first suggestion—walking toward the throne with millions of subjects cheering. That’s certainly the safest and most impactful option.’
But another thought persisted.
‘Can this surpass the first teaser?’
One of the immutable laws known to all directors and viewers.
The second rarely surpasses the first.
Of course, exceptions do occur occasionally, but they are rare.
Ayaka’s determination to break her head over this was precisely because she wanted to be one of those rare exceptions.
It was then that a team member spoke up.
“Team Lead, you seem to be pushing yourself too hard.”
“…Is that so?”
At those words, Ayaka realized she was being crushed beneath the weight of her own expectations.
I will create a second work that surpasses the first.
Consumed by this obsession, the scenario had stalled completely.
‘Ayaka, if you approach writing thinking “I must write something extraordinary. This time I’ll create something incredible and finally earn recognition,” the prose becomes difficult and unreadable.’
These were words spoken by Park Min-gyu, a writer among Ayaka’s acquaintances.
‘You’ve failed consecutively, haven’t you?’
‘…Yeah, I failed because I did exactly what I just told you. Heh.’
‘…?’
‘….’
In any case, Ayaka felt the necessity to let go.
Then, suddenly.
“…Should I call Hyeon-su?”
Ayaka rose from her seat.
Of course, she wasn’t holding great expectations.
She simply knew that Hyeon-su was one of those walking the path of kings.
She wanted to hear his perspective on the matter.
After she stepped out.
“It seems we’ll go with the first one.”
“That’s right, Hyeon-su is just a participant after all.”
“Team Lead Ayaka really….”
They harbored no expectations whatsoever.
*
*
*
Ayaka called Hyeon-su from the rooftop.
She relayed the three concepts that had emerged from today’s meeting.
-That’s trite.
“Then what about this….”
-That’s tedious.
“What about the princess and….”
-…Suddenly?
His three responses mirrored Ayaka’s own thoughts exactly.
-The first one seems the best. But I’m not an expert in that field either, so what would I know.
Hyeon-su was humble.
-I’m not sure if it will help, but… I can tell you about how I became a successor, so perhaps it might spark new ideas.
What followed was the story of Hyeon-su and Sword King Barad.
From their first meeting to everything that had transpired since.
‘…The fact that Hyeon-su is the successor to a king is surprising in itself.’
This was a fact she hadn’t known. The entire world wouldn’t know it yet, just as she didn’t.
And Sword King Barad was even said to be Hyeon-su’s close friend.
Suddenly, fragments of conversation flickered through her mind.
“Hyeon-su, thank you. You’ve been a tremendous help.”
-…Really? There wasn’t anything particularly special about it though?
“But it is special?”
Being directly involved, she hadn’t realized what made it special.
The story between Sword King Barad and Hyeon-su was something no other User could ever create.
“I think a great scenario will come from this.”
Ayaka rushed into the conference room.
“The call went well….”
Her team members couldn’t finish their question.
Ayaka had begun typing furiously on her laptop as if possessed.
One hour later.
“Look at this.”
From the opening to the end, Ayaka had written it all in one breathless rush.
Her team members tilted their heads curiously as they read through the story.
And soon they all gave the same reaction.
Ayaka could see it.
Their thumbs raised in unison.
“This is entertaining!”
“It’s not stale or boring at all—it’s excellent!”
“And it even includes the concept that through the entangled relationship between User and Named NPC, a User could become the master of Ares itself!”
Once the story was finalized, everything proceeded at lightning speed.
Ayaka and her team rapidly produced the teaser trailer.
And two days before the server integration.
Watching the completed video, Ayaka gasped in admiration.
‘Congratulations, Hyeon-su.’
Though Hyeon-su wasn’t there, Ayaka wanted to say it.
‘You’ve become the protagonist of something truly wonderful.’
*
*
*
[Second Ares will begin at 7 AM.]
[You can watch the teaser trailer when the server integration opens.]
All servers of the virtual reality game Ares shut down at midnight.
The entire world was ablaze with anticipation.
-I’m going to sleep early and wake up early.
-Why?
-Because I need to watch the server integration teaser.
That’s what the experts were saying.
Journalists rushed to publish their articles.
-Who is the protagonist of the teaser?
-Pureum Corporation. Known to have cast an actual User, which is generating buzz.
-Ares Users worldwide. Expectations skyrocketing for the teaser’s cast.
Community reactions were different.
-Nah, I’m not expecting anything? There’s no second that’s better than the first, right?
-Honestly, the fact that we still don’t know who from the world’s top-ranked players is in the teaser means they just grabbed some random person lol, you know why they grabbed some random? Because they knew it would flop lololol
-I agree… They must have lacked confidence.
-Yeah, yeah.
-Not expecting anything.
-But why aren’t you sleeping yet?
-Can’t sleep.
-This guy’s excited!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
-You said you weren’t expecting anything, you liar.
-I-I’m not expecting anything, but I’ll still watch!
What was certain was that despite claiming they weren’t expecting anything, people worldwide had been counting down the days until the server integration.
And morning arrived.
-Finally…!
-Let’s go start Second Ares!
-Emperor fans, logging in from 7 AM… Tch, I’ll be the fastest to log in! I’m already waiting in front of my Capsule 10 minutes early lol
-That irony was perfect lol
Just as people worldwide waited in front of their Capsules.
The 7 AM they had been waiting for arrived.
Countless people across the globe entered their Capsules.
Whoooosh—
As always, they spoke their ID and password.
They were all tremendously excited.
And as the black screen descended, a notification sounded.
[Chapter 1: Adventure. And After.]
They felt their hearts trembling with anticipation.
They grew curious about what came after Chapter 1: Adventure.
[The teaser begins.]
All Users’ vision turned black.
*
*
*
The viewers’ vision brightened.
They erupted in cheers at what was revealed.
A man so familiar to viewers across the entire world.
Sword King Barad stands before his son’s grave.
-I have grown old.
As Barad turns his body, his white cloak emblazoned with the symbol of his sword flutters in the wind.
-The continent is now connected, and many great powers covet Goyad with hungry eyes.
Barad’s voice rings out like a narration.
Wind sweeps toward Barad with his eyes closed, scattering his hair.
-I need a successor to carry on after me.
-To build a Goyad Kingdom that will not crumble.
-To create a Goyad that will not waver.
And then an unidentified man whose face remains hidden comes into view, standing before him.
Barad looks at him and speaks.
“Will you walk it? The path of a king?”
Immediately, background music begins to play as Barad slowly closes his eyes.
Flash—
The moment he opens his eyes, the scene shifts to combat.
The instant Barad kneels in the sky, exhales his breath, and activates his sword’s cry.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
Hundreds of blue blades collide with Spear Heaven.
Spear Heaven’s spear pierces through them all in a single breath and passes beyond.
“Ghost Step.”
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
Blue sparks fly from the Sword King’s blade, and crimson sparks burst from Spear Heaven’s spear.
Ting—!
The moment the Sword King deflects Spear Heaven’s spear.
Immediately, his opponent changes.
-Many seek my position, yet I grow weaker in the strength to hold it.
Ultra-Named NPCs renowned from each server across the world.
First among them, the King of the Dead, Emperor.
“Kahahahahaha!”
Barad charges toward him who has summoned thousands of undead, sweeping through the monsters.
And as he rushes forward, the appearance of his enemies continues to change.
Clang—!
Clang—!
Clang—!
With each exchange of blows, Barad’s face rapidly ages before our eyes.
And the background around him shifts through spring, summer, autumn, and winter—eight seasons passing in a single second—as his exhausted form flickers past.
And then the screen changes again.
A scene depicting Barad’s appearance twenty years hence.
All the Strong Ones rush at him simultaneously as he stands there in a daze.
—Am I to be robbed like this?
Then.
“Gather.”
The viewers doubted their own ears.
Countless Strong Ones who had been rushing at Sword King Barad.
The incantation that pierced through their ranks was far too familiar.
He who blocked the Sword King’s path dragged the Twin Dragon Sword forcefully behind his back, observing those clustered in one place.
Crash—!
The moment his sword collided with the weapons of countless Strong Ones, a tremendous spark erupted and the screen shifted.
A vast plain.
To Sword King Barad’s left stood Bella, to his right Luxemburg, Valo, Constinu, and the patriarchs of the renowned Sword families.
Behind them stood tens of thousands of troops.
And before them.
—An insignificant figure who had walked slowly now stood at the end of that path, challenging me.
The viewers, though they had already sensed it, took in the sight of him treading upon the earth.
Draped in a brown coat, in one hand the Twin Dragon Blade.
And a man armed with a black artifact known as the Calamity Artifact walked before them.
At last, his face was revealed.
It was User Hyeon-su.
“Have you finally arrived at the end of this path?”
“Yes, today is the day.”
Behind him as he walked alone, the light of countless summons gathered.
Nel appeared beside them, and Hyeon’s Forge behind her.
And further back, Blacksmiths filling the vast earth with the emblem of crossed hammer and sword, and the procession of a mighty army.
Sword King Barad and Hyeon-su lowered their knees simultaneously.
“Shall we begin?”
“Yes.”
They drew their blades in unison.
That instant.
Crash—!
Crimson sparks and obsidian sparks filled the entire screen as it slowly darkened.
Through the dimming screen, the figures of the King and the challenger Hyeon-su collided at speeds invisible to the eye.
Soon the screen faded to complete darkness, and silence descended.
In the silence, Sword King Barad’s voice echoed.
—Who shall walk.
—The path of the King.
—Any may walk it.
The viewers now understood.
—Chapter 1. Adventure Concluded.
—Chapter 2. The Path of the King Begins.
In the Second Ares, Users would walk the path of kings.
[The preview concludes.]
And it ignited the viewers’ primal sense of anticipation.
‘A world where Users become kings in Ares…?’
It didn’t matter that he wasn’t the one.
In the first adventure, Users never became the masters of Ares.
But the Second Ares suggested that Users could become the masters.
“That’s insane…”
Exclamations burst forth from the viewers.

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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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