Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 236

—————
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
What Goes Around Comes Around (3)
-Want information no one else knows? Information that seems beyond anyone’s reach? Then commission an information broker. He knows everything in this world. However, you’ll never meet him. He’s never revealed his face to a single soul.
A statement made by a famous ranker about a man named Kabel.
Just as the ranker said, Kabel was the world’s most renowned information broker and assassin.
Perhaps his power exceeded even that of Lee Hwan, Korea’s number one ranker.
What created such a Kabel was his unwavering code of principles.
Having established multiple iron rules, he had never broken a single one, and through them, his face remained unknown to the world while his reputation as an information broker remained flawless.
That’s how important these principles were.
Through these iron rules, Kabel built his clients’ trust, and through them, he became who he is today.
Yet those principles were broken multiple times within one territory after meeting a certain existence.
First rule: Never stay in one territory for more than a month.
This was broken. By someone called Bok-deung-i. The reason for this rule was to avoid forming attachments with anyone, whether NPC or User.
Second rule: Never betray a client.
This too was broken.
Also because of Bok-deung-i.
At some point, I came to cherish that one, and I wanted to protect them.
This was one of the reasons I left.
‘Only then can I protect you.’
Merely staying wouldn’t make me stronger.
The third iron rule. Sorrowful and cruel, yet the straightforward principle that forged the current me.
‘Build no bonds.’
It had to be this way.
An orphan by origin, I was accustomed to loneliness.
Emotions born from bonds corrupt human reason and prevent sound judgment.
Hyeon’s Forge? Hyeon-su?
While observing, I thought them distinctly special.
‘By staying here, I learned the scent of humanity, and I learned the power that the bonds of the Strong Ones create. If someone asked me where I belong, or insisted I must belong somewhere, I would choose Hyeon’s Forge.’
That was merely under the assumption that I had to belong somewhere.
Yet now, the third iron rule that created this Kabel wavered.
It began with a magnificently crafted dagger that Hyeon-su had given me.
I steadied my still-trembling body.
Though greatly startled, the way I quickly composed my emotions was characteristic of me.
Once more, I confirmed the Artifact shaking my greatest iron rule—to build no bonds and make no small compromises for building those bonds.
(Dagger of the Villain)
Grade: Legendary
Durability: 8,000/8,000
Attack Power: 567
Restriction: Level 350~500 Assassin
Special Ability:
·All Stats +1.7%
·Additional damage increased by 50% when Assassination skills activate.
·Critical Hit probability increased by 60%.
·Active Skill Blink.
·Active Skill Blade Slash.
·Passive Skill Five Daggers.
·Passive Skill Six Stabs.
·The Villain’s Dagger is something special.
·It grows by absorbing blood each time you assassinate someone judged to be one of the Strong Ones, up to ten of them.
·Number of Strong Ones killed so far: 0/100
·Growth possible: 10 times.
·Each time it grows, Attack Power and Critical Hit probability increase by 3%.
·Each time it grows, the number of Six Stabs increases by 1.
Description: Crafted by Master Craftsman Hyeon for an unnamed friend, created with understanding and analysis of an Assassin’s advantages. The Villain’s Dagger grows as it drinks the blood of many Strong Ones slain, and it may eventually reach Transcendent grade.
No matter how many times I look at it, this Artifact is unbelievable.
The moment I grasped it in my hand, a crimson aura visible only to me flowed across my palm.
‘A Dagger that grows stronger the more Strong Ones I kill…?’
Yes, this Artifact was clearly Legendary grade, yet it also wasn’t.
[The Villain’s Dagger, having found its master, will verify the number of Strong Ones killed and apply the growth accordingly.]
Simply confirming ownership of this blade would make it better than it is now.
‘The base Critical Hit itself is already 60%, and if it grows all the way, the Critical Hit probability embedded in the Artifact reaches 90%…?’
For an Assassin, Critical Hit is the most crucial aspect.
Typically, when Assassins land a Critical Hit, they apply 50% more damage than general classes.
For Assassins compared to general classes, a single strike was paramount, and that’s why Dagger Mastery existed.
And what’s even more astounding.
‘A consecutive attack Passive Skill.’
Consecutive attack Passive Skills are what rankers love most.
Ordinary Users typically own Artifacts that apply 2-3 consecutive hits of damage from a single attack.
But wealthy rankers struggle to increase this number, usually purchasing ones with 4-6 consecutive attack Passive Skills attached.
Yet this one applies Six Stabs right upon acquisition.
‘If I complete all 10 growths in that state, a single attack would deliver 16 stabs…?’
Can you imagine it?
A skill that deals 16 hits of damage from just one attack!
Of course, the activation probability of the Passive Skill Six Stabs is only 3%.
But if it triggers even once, I can kill most enemies.
‘When fully grown, it reaches Transcendent grade.’
An Artifact that inspires nothing but amazement and awe.
Moreover, I planned to use information to challenge Asura, the legendary Assassin on the China Server.
‘If I succeed in challenging Asura, I’ll become another Continental Legend alongside User Hyeon-su.’
But Kabel was only afraid.
Crafting the Transcendent-grade Twin Dragon Sword had been as difficult for Hyeon-su as the path of Asura that Kabel would now walk—neither was a simple journey.
‘If I grip this dagger and move forward, my chances of success will increase dramatically.’
Greed surged within Kabel.
As the most renowned Information Broker Kabel, he understood this intimately.
‘Will I ever be able to obtain a dagger like this in the future?’
Absolutely impossible. Even if it were possible, it wouldn’t happen for at least two years.
“Satisfied?”
Hyeon-su’s voice pulled Kabel from his reverie.
Within that greed, Kabel made a decision in his own way.
“Two billion. I’ll transfer it immediately.”
By paying more than fair value, he was adhering to his iron principle of leaving no debt of gratitude.
“This dagger is certainly exceptional and can indeed reach Transcendent-grade. But there’s one drawback—it evolves based on the number of Strong Ones you’ve killed so far. And the standard for what counts as a Strong One will increase each time the dagger grows.”
Hyeon-su nodded slowly.
“That’s why there aren’t many people who can elevate this dagger to Transcendent-grade.”
He didn’t add ‘except me’—Kabel left no clues for others to deduce from.
He simply wouldn’t provide evidence that could lead to his own estimation.
“Considering the average Legendary-grade price has dropped to seven hundred million, and factoring in the merit of growth, this should be worth approximately one point three billion. But by paying an additional seven hundred million, this transaction would be—”
Hyeon-su shook his head.
“I’ll take one billion.”
“What are you saying? I’ve never seen someone refuse when offered more money. I’m giving you two billion, so right now—”
“If you offer more than one billion, I won’t sell it.”
“….”
Kabel’s mouth clamped shut.
Hyeon-su smiled faintly.
“You said it was worth one point three billion, right? Let’s just discount it and settle on one billion.”
“Why would you go that far—”
As Kabel began to speak, he understood.
The description clearly written on this dagger.
‘Crafted by Master Craftsman Hyeon for an unnamed friend….’
And in that moment, Kabel realized nothing would be settled here.
Kabel was an orphan, a man who had made himself solitary.
“I won’t tell anyone, so don’t worry. I just hope you achieve what you desire. I mean it sincerely.”
He meant it sincerely.
That sincerity was reaching Kabel’s heart.
Even if he never returned, Hyeon-su would cheer for him from behind.
‘Is this what it means to have a friend?’
Even if they never met again, someone cheering from afar—Hyeon-su was planting a new emotion in Kabel’s heart.
Hyeon-su whispered a code number into his ear.
“Transfer it. I’m leaving.”
Watching him go, Kabel understood one more truth.
‘He’s already figured it out, hasn’t he?’
That dagger was worth roughly 1.3 billion on its own, but the moment Kabel wielded it, its value would exceed 2.5 billion.
He was the only person capable of elevating this dagger to transcendence.
From Kabel’s perspective, Hyeon-su already seemed aware of this fact.
And.
‘A clever one.’
The understanding that Kabel would never forget this debt of gratitude.
With this dagger, Kabel had drawn one step closer to the new path—Asura.
Suddenly, something flickered through Kabel’s mind.
He withdrew a piece of paper and wrote something upon it.
After folding it, he positioned himself before Hyeon-su just as the latter had done, extending the note.
“It will prove useful.”
A single gift from Information Broker Kabel—the finest information dealer of all.
“…I don’t know what it is, but I’m grateful.”
“I’d appreciate it if you checked after I’ve left.”
They began walking in opposite directions.
*
*
*
[You have sent a gift.]
Kabel, who had sent Gold to Hyeon-su, grew distant from Bok-deung-i’s whimpering cries.
Once he’d traveled far enough that Bok-deung-i’s voice could no longer be heard, Kabel designated himself as the user of the Villain’s Dagger.
[You have become the owner of the Villain’s Dagger.]
[The effects of the Villain’s Dagger are applied.]
[You have slain fifty-seven individuals deemed Strong Ones by the system.]
[The Villain’s Dagger grows five times.]
[It evolves into a rank beyond Legend.]
Just as I thought.
Only Kabel was the perfect master for this dagger.
Kabel turned and gazed toward the distant Atlas.
‘Not bad at all.’
Kabel had gained a friend in Hyeon-su.
Though it was a forced friendship, it was an emotion Kabel had never experienced before in his life.
That was precisely why.
The contents he had written on that note.
‘I am certain that it will accelerate your growth immensely. And that it will become a stepping stone toward truths you have yet to discover.’
Kabel continued walking.
‘I have prepared two gifts in return.’
One was a gift for Hyeon-su’s growth. As for what power the next gift would wield, Kabel had absolute faith.
‘That power will protect you, Bok-deung-i, and Atlas from the dangers that await.’
*
*
*
The supreme ruler of Ares.
A User who had been the most influential individual for three consecutive years.
The idol of all Users, both unofficially and officially ranked first in the world.
Bahala—the sole User approaching level 500. Yet he harbored a singular concern.
“Am I supposed to figure this out myself? Pureum Corporation seems to have rather questionable taste.”
He gazed upon the Sword Babylon, renowned for cleaving demons asunder.
In ages past, Babylon—the blade that had once severed demons—stood as the greatest of swords, and the moment he grasped it, the notification itself bore witness to this truth.
[A Legendary Sword that no other blade can compare to.]
Yet Bahala laughed bitterly.
For the Legendary Sword Babylon had lost its luster and corroded completely, its form no longer discernible.
[Repair is impossible.]
Moreover, it was an Artifact that could not even be repaired.
“I obtain a Transcendent-grade Sword, yet I cannot wield it. How absurd.”
Bahala too possessed a dream to achieve, a Quest that demanded completion.
This sword was necessary to clear that Quest, but it seemed it would take years before that became possible.
It was as he returned the sword to his Inventory with a bitter expression that it happened.
‘What is this?’
A whisper reached him from someone.
Bahala’s eyes trembled as he confirmed it.
[Information Broker Kabel: There exists only one person in this world who can repair Babylon.]
The message came from the world’s greatest information broker.

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