Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 259

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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
Royal Shop (6)
Bahala, who had been clashing with Lucifer, froze.
Amidst the lingering splash damage effects of Annihilation Evil.
[This is attack power that even the Sword God cannot aspire to.]
[The Sword God is special.]
[Rather than despair upon facing someone’s immensity, one must press forward.]
Standing there were Hyeon-su and the falling Legion Commander Robbs, etched into his vision.
The notification bewildered Bahala.
The targets of this notification that said ‘even the Sword God cannot aspire to.’
These were the notifications he had heard when facing legends across the Continent when Bahala was merely in the level 300s.
And after exceeding level 400, this had never sounded once.
This notification was one heard when feeling a tremendous wall.
‘Now, I’m feeling a wall?’
Of course, Bahala also understood.
That was merely the subtlety of a percentage that manifested power with extremely vile odds.
But because he stood at the highest place, and because he knew it was Hyeon-su who obtained it, he could not deny it.
‘That is ultimately Hyeon-su’s power.’
And no matter how strong that power was, it could not kill a Legion Commander in a single strike.
The reason that became possible.
Even while afflicted by status abnormalities, he had driven Legion Commander Robbs into the splash damage range.
And because he refused to retreat despite knowing he would inevitably lose, finding a way instead—this could happen.
It pierces through.
“You’re too weak.”
“….”
“By quite a lot.”
Those words that had gouged his chest when Hyeon-su desired his companionship.
They take root.
‘When will I be able to deal damage like that in a single strike?’
The one standing at the highest place was Bahala.
Today, the one thing he had been highest in was stolen by another.
‘Is it two?’
Thinking about it, until the number one spot this year—it was already the second time.
Bahala thought.
‘I want to fight you a year from now.’
The fighting spirit of Bahala, rank one with no worthy opponent, boils.
Then Bahala quickly organized his thoughts.
‘Losing focus during battle… hm?’
Bahala, who had turned his head, was taken aback.
The lesser demon who had been fiercely battling him until just moments ago.
Eyes that saw only the blade, with no distinction between white and black.
The one whose whites had appeared somewhere along the way was now staring at Hyeon-su with an expression even more shocked than his own.
*
*
*
Wait—the brainwashing was fading.
Yet Lucifer could not cease his combat, locked in endless collision with the man before him.
In that moment, the remnants of a splash momentarily stole his gaze, and he witnessed a man being brutally trampled.
Having seen it in the gap where his brainwashing dissolved, Lucifer fell into a misconception.
Lucifer understood the hierarchical system of the Demon Realm better than anyone.
An ordinary Demon Race member. They exerted power around level 350.
Weak for a demon? No.
Literally, an ordinary Demon Race member exerted power of 350.
Among ordinary humans, there were none who exerted even 100 levels of power.
In any case.
Ordinary Demon Race: 350.
Trained Demon Race: 400.
Another tier existing above that.
Combat demons equivalent to knights in human terms exerted 450.
And above that, commanders of legions exerted power between 480 and 550.
Moreover, legion commanders were superior to other races of the same level.
The very nature of demon blood was such.
A combat race specialized solely for battle.
A species surpassing humans by vast margins in regenerative capacity and superior even to dark elves, who were born for combat.
And because they were legion commander-grade, even when wounded, recovery occurred almost immediately.
Yet.
Screeeeeech—!
It was merely a single strike.
Thud—
His head fell.
The cross-section of that severed head was impossibly clean, and it did not even recover as if announcing death itself.
Lucifer fell into profound shock, and one of Hyeon-su’s powers activated upon him.
(Master’s Grace)
Unique Title
Grade: S
Special Ability:
·Activates with an 8% probability when you deem someone has received an unforgettable favor from you that they will never forget for life.
·Upon activation, they develop a desire to be with you or possess deep respect and loyalty, and may also develop other emotions.
·They may choose to become your retainer.
As written, a power that activates when you deem someone has received an unforgettable favor.
Lucifer had long endured harassment from Legion Commander Robbs’s inferiority complex and jealousy.
Under the guise of some test from Gremory, Robbs would slash his own body with a blade and cackle, “How’s a lesser demon’s regeneration?”
Trampling his head underfoot was routine.
Most of all—the command to erase with his own hands the kingdom where his family dwelled, and his father, whose survival remained unknown.
Even Lucifer, once called the Undefeated Knight, was merely human with emotions.
Regardless of the Man’s intent in severing Robbs’s neck in a single stroke, years of rage and resentment dissolve.
And he had just spoken.
‘I too am a Legend.’
The pinnacle mortals could reach.
Yet ironically, the aura emanating from the Man felt unremarkable.
But do you know what that means?
‘Because he possesses meager power, he can still grow.’
Dreams take root. Hope blooms.
Lucifer slips back into brainwashing, his whites darkening to black.
‘Grant me the chance to exact my revenge.’
He had thought it before.
That he would do anything if given the opportunity for vengeance.
But already his eyes darken again to pitch black, and he reverts once more to a lesser demon.
*
*
*
‘I am a Legend, yet I felt a colossal wall before other Legends.’
An undeniable reality.
Standing at the same height, I knew I could not walk shoulder to shoulder with them.
The notifications I had heard, Hyeon-su’s current low level, and the Continentals’ reactions all served as proof.
Yet.
[Legion Commander Robbs, who massacred humanity, was the object of terror for countless humans.]
Today, I breach one wall.
[You have hunted Legion Commander Robbs.]
Beyond that crumbled wall lie higher ones, but now a singular conviction and confidence takes root.
‘I will tear down those walls one by one.’
A low level means.
‘There is room to grow faster than other Legends.’
If my sole Achievement as a Legend was crafting a Transcendent-grade Artifact,
‘it means I can forge new Achievements through countless battles and stories ahead, advancing ever forward.’
At last, I understand.
I was not lacking as a Legend—I simply have yet to build upon it.
Indeed, in this moment, Hyeon-su, whose level lagged behind other Legends, grows stronger.
[You receive the privilege of defeating a Legend.]
[Experience gain tripled. Drop rate tripled.]
[You have acquired 4,310,010 experience points.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
Extraordinary experience. A single Achievement for soloing a Legend grants twelve level-ups.
Twelve levels in the 300s is undeniably a remarkable figure.
[You have acquired 531,689 Gold.]
Added to that were five hundred million won in Korean currency and various items.
[You have acquired the Legion Commander’s Training Manual.]
[You have acquired Legion Commander Robbs’s Whip.]
I anticipated more besides.
That expectation connected to my initial purpose in coming here.
When I first encountered Robbs, I witnessed the black light of the legendary Skill Harvest.
[Legendary Grade. You can acquire the Legion Commander’s Horn.]
[Legendary Grade. You can acquire the Legion Commander’s Blood.]
The notification informed me I could obtain two such materials.
Unfortunately, I had struck Robbs only once.
‘Nothing….’
Harvest succeeds with a 3% chance to obtain materials from the target upon a successful hit.
Though disappointing, I remained sufficiently satisfied.
[When this Achievement is revealed, bards will compose songs praising you.]
[Poets will write verses about the Master Craftsman.]
[Those who have lost family will follow the legend that endures. They will hold respect and gratitude for the Master Craftsman and spread your name far and wide.]
[Certain Legends of this age who denied you will come to partially acknowledge you.]
Ding!
[Legendary Quest: Legend Defeats Legend Complete.]
[Legendary Skill. You have acquired Master Craftsman’s Pride.]
(Master Craftsman’s Pride)
Grade: Legendary
Level: 1
Penalty: None
Mana Cost: 100
Effects:
·Those fifty levels or more below you fall into status abnormality merely by facing you.
·They will sense your pride in rising from the depths to Legend and weaken under the status abnormalities of ‘helplessness,’ ‘awe,’ and ‘self-loathing.’
·Displaying your pride once more during combat can inflict additional weakening.
·Depending on circumstances, Master Craftsman’s Pride manifests even against those of equal or higher level.
·At times, your pride will resist even any status abnormality.
·An on/off function exists.
A fine title, distinct from the effects arising from my legendary stat dominance.
Hyeon-su had experienced Overwhelming mostly during combat.
Of course, if Hyeon-su’s Overwhelming stat increased significantly, things would differ, but that was the current reality.
However, this Master Craftsman’s Pride manifests upon first encounter.
Moreover, if Pride is displayed once more during combat, it can further weaken the opponent.
And what differs entirely from Overwhelming is that Master Craftsman’s Pride is directed solely at ‘enemies’.
Since Overwhelming is a superior version of Charisma, it applies to allies and territorial subjects alike.
If a lord’s dignity is Overwhelming, then Master Craftsman’s Pride is breaking and subjugating the enemy’s momentum.
However, one drawback existed.
‘Required mana: 100?’
This required mana seemed to target only one individual.
Overwhelming an opponent with merely 100 mana?
But one could view it differently.
‘When thousands gather, or when there are hundreds of monsters, my MP would be depleted before I even realize it, wouldn’t it?’
No skill could be completely broken.
Perhaps this was the difference between NPCs and Users.
Now I focused on something else.
I watched Lucifer fiercely clashing with Bahala.
‘Both my faction’s grace and my liege’s favor resonating simultaneously….’
That meant the probability of obtaining Lucifer was high. The mere thought made my heart race.
But an absurd reality also existed.
‘It’s impossible.’
Lucifer was ultimately a target I had to kill.
‘Bahala, stop making my retainer!’
I couldn’t cry out such words.
The moment I gave him time to consider that, both Hyeon-su and Bahala would be forced to logout.
Lucifer was that monstrously strong.
What was even more remarkable was that the sword strikes between Bahala, who walked the Path of the Sword God, and the lesser demon Lucifer were being exchanged.
‘In terms of skill, he’s on par with Bahala.’
From the start, this path was where Bahala’s class Quest took absolute priority.
[Party member Bahala’s HP has fallen below 70%.]
“Kugh!”
Bahala had reduced Lucifer’s HP by 6% while taking 30% damage himself.
For me, it was unavoidable—a choice I had to make.
Skaaaaah—
I joined the fray.
My chest ached and burned with heat.
I had to kill with my own hands someone who might become my retainer.
Even if I was weaker than Bahala, my stats reached the level of a high-ranker around level 430.
And with the influence of my broken artifacts, my intervention shifted the tide.
Skagagagagagak—
The transcendent blades swung from both sides inflicted damage upon Lucifer’s body.
[Lucifer’s HP has fallen below 3%.]
We had reached the climax at last.
‘Finally, I advance toward a new Path of the Sword God.’
Bahala was consumed by tremendous anticipation.
‘Farewell, Lucifer.’
A sharp, tearing sound echoed through the air.
I sliced through his flank and felt a bitter sting wash over me.
[Lucifer’s HP has fallen below 2%.]
I raised the Twin Dragon Blade for the final strike, then froze.
Joy and despair descended upon me simultaneously.
‘This is insane…!’
First came the joy.
Ding!
[Hidden Quest: Lucifer’s Liberation]
Rank: SS
Requirement: Those who have driven Lucifer to the brink of liberation.
Reward: Lucifer returns to human form.
Penalty on failure: Lucifer cannot be liberated.
Description: Lucifer is a formidable human knight who has never known defeat. The demon Gremory, impressed by his talent, abducted him and injected demonic essence, transforming him into a lesser demon. Should you succeed in slaying him, Lucifer as a lesser demon will perish, and he will reclaim his true form from the past.
The completion of every puzzle.
The despair that followed made curses spill from both my lips and Bahala’s.
“Damn it!”
“Insane!”
[The demon Gremory descends.]
Robbs’s corpse.
From within it, a towering woman with two massive horns manifested in an instant.
A woman captivating before all else, despite being a demon.
Yet her power stood in stark contrast to her allure.
[Demonic Descent]
[Status Abnormality: Extreme Despair has been applied.]
[Status Abnormality: Extreme Frustration has been applied.]
[Status Abnormality: Extreme Terror has been applied.]
[Status Abnormality…]
[Status Abnormality…]
Amid the endless notifications.
[Demon Gremory Lv.604]
The two of us were overwhelmed by the power of a transcendent being.

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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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