Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 252

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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
Babylon (8)
Substitutes exist no matter where you go.
The moment those thrown into the Dungeon realized Kabel’s information was flawed, they found an alternative.
Unfortunately, the substitute possessed only 60% accuracy compared to Kabel’s flawless 100%.
‘Kabel simply possessed extraordinary information-gathering abilities.’
Yet even this 60% accuracy was remarkable.
To obtain desired information with a 60% success rate.
The second-rate information broker, Luxo, had said this.
‘The method to find Hyeon’s Forge is to search remote locations.’
‘There are reports of Territory residents entering and exiting from certain remote areas. You must pursue those movements, and based on that, I shall gather information and guide you.’
One month had passed since the server integration.
The mere existence of Territory residents in places unknown to others was suspicious enough.
Musashi from Japan had received information about four locations.
‘If it were Kabel, he would have pinpointed the exact location. And he would have sold it to only one person.’
But Luxo was different.
For money, he sold information to others besides himself.
Strong ones from other worlds would also purchase information from Luxo and reach the same destination.
‘The opportunity is now.’
Musashi’s eyes gleamed. He and the continental elite were unaware that Chinese Users had been swept away in the Endless Maze.
At that time, Hyeon-su had recorded everything.
But he had not released it. To keep them unprepared and careless.
Ironically, the Chinese Users themselves remained silent.
First, out of shame; second, because they harbored hope that since Hyeon-su hadn’t yet released the footage, it might be buried forever.
In any case, Musashi believed now was the only chance to monopolize Hyeon’s Forge.
Other packs of hyenas would soon catch the scent and tear him apart from all directions.
Before that happened, Musashi intended to crush Hyeon-su and seize control of Hyeon’s Forge with his guild members.
He planned infinite slaughter until they submitted.
‘If I monopolize Hyeon’s Forge, I can become the world’s greatest.’
Musashi stepped into the location marked on the map.
He frowned at the sight of an unknown figure.
‘A User? An NPC?’
No information appeared.
“You cannot pass here.”
The Man spoke.
Those words made clear he was a definite enemy.
‘Why is he blocking? For Hyeon’s Forge? Or does Second Ares have NPCs whose information hasn’t been disclosed?’
This place was merely one of many suspicious points.
[Musashi: Cuts through in one swift motion and advances.]
He felt no fear. There was only one opponent.
Thirty ninja, led by Musashi, simultaneously gripped their hilts and soared into the air.
A movement as nonsensical as that of an Assassin.
[Musashi: All of you, activate Ninja Step.]
Ninja Step.
A power that closes the distance to an enemy in a single breath.
Just as they in mid-air attempted to close the distance in an instant.
“Before a single Sword.”
[All enemies within a 30m radius are slashed.]
[Additional attack power of 660% damage is unleashed.]
[100% accuracy guaranteed.]
Skreeeeeeeee—!
All the ninja, including Musashi, were slashed in mid-air.
[HP drops below 49%.]
Musashi couldn’t believe what unfolded before his eyes.
The ninja’s blood sprayed upward into the sky.
‘No matter how low the ninja’s total HP pool is, this is….’
In an instant, his own HP fell below 50%.
And the ordinary ninja dropped below 20%.
Considering their average level was 400, it was absurd.
The fact that thirty of them took damage simultaneously at that!
‘What in the world is this bastard!’
Meanwhile.
Bahala, who had just used “Before a Single Sword” dwelling in Babylon, marveled.
‘100% accuracy, this is insane.’
And a 100% accuracy skill that slashes everything within a 30m radius.
In other words, even if hundreds were within 30m, it would slash them all.
‘It’s not merely specialized for demon hunting. Hyeon-su embedded much into this Sword so the wearer could use it in everyday combat.’
Bahala felt his chest tremble.
‘It’s thrilling and fresh.’
Had it been ordinary circumstances, Bahala would have dropped Musashi’s HP below 70%, not just 50%.
Simply by wielding a Legendary Sword, he had become significantly stronger.
The emotion he currently felt.
It resembled that of a certain User in Korea.
He was none other than Lee Hwan.
Hyeon-su didn’t know it, but a heart similar to that of Lee Hwan, who was becoming the leader of the Hyeon-su Sect(?), had momentarily taken root within him.
Then Bahala let out a soft chuckle.
‘You cheeky little thing.’
[This is considered a Territory War.]
[You can acquire Territory Contribution.]
[An individual is facing multiple opponents.]
[Multiple Strong Ones are assessed as high-level forces.]
[When an individual faces multiple strong opponents, they can acquire higher contribution points.]
Hyeon-su urged Bahala to join the Guild, even if only temporarily.
‘Bahala. Listen to me. This is an opportunity.’
‘An opportunity?’
‘Near Atlas, the strongest warriors of the Continent will gather. In a Territory War state, if you slaughter them, you can gain experience, right?’
‘That’s true.’
‘And they’ll be fighting alongside the strongest elite from a single server. In other words, those giving semi-boss-level experience and those giving boss-level experience will come in succession. Does such an opportunity even exist?’
‘It doesn’t.’
‘Exactly! So you need to join the Guild temporarily and participate in the Territory War, got it? I’m saying all this for you. When we don’t even know if we can catch Lucifer, you can’t pass up an opportunity like this, understand?’
‘You’re certainly right.’
Bahala was convinced.
He felt somewhat moved by Hyeon-su’s genuine support for his becoming a Sword God(?)
But as he read the notification, he realized something.
[Territory contribution points begin accumulating at an absurd rate.]
Bahala.
Ranked first in the world. This was the moment he had become someone who merely accumulated Territory contribution points.
‘Of course, my growth matters too.’
Thus, Bahala intended to sweep away all the semi-boss and boss-level beings coming to this place.
*
*
*
Nel was astonished.
[Territory contribution points explode at an absurd rate.]
[A member of Hyeon’s Forge Guild is rampaging madly.]
[Unprecedented explosive contribution points are being acquired.]
A famous saying of Admiral Yi Sun-sin came to mind.
‘If one person guards a chokepoint well, they can make a thousand enemies tremble.’
And while that one person guards the chokepoint, Hyeon’s Forge establishes the foundation to be protected.
‘No Territory War could ever gather such powerful forces.’
Yet one transcendent figure overwhelming them all would cut through every last one of them.
The contribution explosion notifications now produce such results.
[Hyeon’s Forge has become the first to exceed 100,000 Territory contribution points.]
The contribution shop opened after the Second Ares was unlocked.
It exists in every Territory.
And the contribution shop sells items that can make the respective Territory more exceptional.
Of course, ‘Soldiers and Territory residents’ are not sold.
But there are truly diverse goods available.
‘Potion of Soldier Growth.’
‘Trained Monsters.’
‘A Potion of Troop Enhancement.’
Moreover, the Chinese Users and the suppression of the Rebel Forces had already accumulated an extraordinary contribution score.
In this situation, Bahala’s exploits were the first to exceed 100,000.
This led to yet another reward.
[You obtain a hint regarding the Royal Territory Shop.]
[Once you accumulate 150,000 contribution, the Royal Shop will open.]
“…!?”
Moving forward toward something distinct from others.
‘You understand, don’t you?’
Bahala was merely a first line of defense.
Rather, those repelled by Bahala circle back and return once more.
But by then, Hyeon’s Forge will have secured a foundation to protect itself through even higher contribution scores.
Nel gazed blankly at Hyeon-su as he concentrated in the Blacksmith Shop.
He was now seeing one step ahead of her.
‘Are you truly becoming a true lord?’
With each passing day, his growth as a lord continued.
And.
Clang, clang, clang—!
The cheerful ringing of the hammer made it clear.
He was advancing one step further, both as a lord and as a Blacksmith.
*
*
*
-Master Craftsman Hyeon first transcended and ascended to the 10 Legends. I too cannot forget that world message. But the next world message for Hyeon will come years from now. Perhaps, we may never hear it at all.
-Experts also say that the Twin Dragon Sword was merely a masterwork created through truly rare and magnificent Ore he possessed, backed by fortune.
-Is there anyone who doesn’t know it was created because luck was on his side?
-Isn’t that the nature of the Blacksmithing skill itself?
-Reaching the summit faster than anyone else means reaching your limits faster than anyone else.
Such was the world’s evaluation of Hyeon-su.
Even in the recent Restoration of Babylon, no world message rang out.
A User’s world message has conditions.
If you have already achieved something of that level, the world message does not sound when you accomplish something of the same caliber.
For that to be possible, either a year must have passed or you must achieve an even higher realm.
The world’s evaluation held some merit.
The Blacksmithing skill’s success rate drops exponentially when crafting high-tier Artifacts.
But they were wrong.
Hyeon-su is not skill-based.
Moreover.
‘Why do they evaluate me?’
Those whose faces I have never seen are evaluating Hyeon-su.
Hyeon-su delves deeper into profound focus and concentration.
What I am attempting to craft is no trivial endeavor.
‘Trait Storage’.
I feel it viscerally.
‘If I store this at 100%, wouldn’t it become an ecosystem-disrupting Artifact?’
Yet my current aim is merely to supplement my own shortcomings.
As Bahala said, I was weak by that standard.
Moreover, when compared to the peak-tier individuals Bahala now faces, I cannot guarantee victory.
Most of my abilities are rooted in Swordsmanship.
But Trait Storage can reshape that very foundation of Swordsmanship.
Gradually, the outline becomes clear.
What I wish to create is a Dagger.
Not one meant to be wielded in combat.
‘This Dagger will become a necklace.’
Before long, I reach the final stages of completion.
Black and white mingle in a pale dark hue upon the blade’s edge, where the character for ‘Desire (慾望)’ is engraved.
The moment I finish, I grasp this magnificent Dagger in my hand.
Yet this completion is not the end of its creation.
“Shrink.”
The blade shrinks in my palm to a size fit for wearing around the neck.
Soon, as the notification arrives, I break into a wide smile.
‘Can you hear it, Bahala? The sound of me catching up.’
Sometimes, notifications are expressed in ways Users can readily comprehend.
Precisely like this.
[A masterwork of legendary proportions has been created.]
[It is the finest transcendent Artifact in existence.]
[Transcendence beyond transcendence.]
[Congratulations.]
[You are the first User to reach the pinnacle of transcendent Artifacts.]
[World Message.]
[Your Achievement will be announced to all Users worldwide.]
[You may choose to remain anonymous, or use your desired name, or your character name.]
“Master Craftsman Hyeon.”
Watching the World Message resound, I smile faintly.
Before examining the Dagger, I had already decided on the Artifact’s name.
“Dagger of Desire.”
The birth of the first Desire series that would come to represent me.
Yet there was one regret.
It was that because the Dagger of Desire is a necklace, I cannot equip the Necklace of Calamity.
The Necklace of Calamity, truth be told, holds little utility beyond a single effect.
But the effect was far too potent.
‘Absolute Dominion.’
The control skill that had briefly subjugated Hydra.
I could no longer use it.
Then an unexpected notification echoed in my mind.
[Surpassing one’s own masterwork is an extraordinarily difficult feat.]
[To accomplish this and become the first to create transcendence beyond transcendence is truly unprecedented.]
[The system now searches for the skill most urgently needed and adds it to the Dagger of Desire.]
‘A new skill being added?’
At the next notification, Hyeon-su let out a cry of elation.
[Artifact Skill Absorption has been added.]

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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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