Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 279

—————
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
Independent Nation (1)
I would establish an independent nation.
This meant breaking free from Goyad’s grasp.
Hyeon-su had a clear reason for considering this.
‘My growth is too rapid. Overwhelmingly so.’
There had been physical growth, but also growth in standing within Goyad.
The side effects that emerged in such circumstances.
‘Which side will the three marquises stand with?’
The future king, or the king they had served?
Of course, if it were the three people Hyeon-su knew, they would stand beside whoever could bring greater prosperity to Goyad.
That was his subjective opinion.
This subjective opinion was the problem.
‘Individual thoughts ultimately differ.’
Thus, the marquises could each exert their strength for different people.
The problem was that this would cause the common people and soldiers to split into factions as well.
It was unavoidable.
‘Even in reality, princes of pure bloodline stage rebellions to become king faster.’
Similarly, while designating a successor was Barad’s will, multiple factions seeking to depose Barad could also approach Hyeon-su.
Such was politics.
Sordid and reeking.
Of course, he knew the three marquises would not act so, but if they did, Goyad’s national strength would weaken.
Moreover.
‘I’m living in this present age. So I’ll do things my way.’
I didn’t want to put my friend Barad in danger.
Did they all do it that way during the Joseon Dynasty? And this medieval-inspired place was similar?
‘That’s not my concern.’
Hyeon-su would become king in his own way.
Thus, the plan formed in my mind was an independent nation.
‘Of course, it’s merely a nation in name—or rather, it won’t even meet the conditions to become a nation. Yes, for now, let’s aim for an independent grand territory.’
What was needed for that.
Individuals of the same caliber as the three marquises who made present-day Goyad what it is.
Or people like Sword Master Lysen were necessary.
Moreover, the moment I oxidized Fenrir to ash gray, I had a premonition.
‘Even Named NPCs will now target me.’
A good way to raise one’s reputation was to trample on ‘rising saplings.’
Those already established in their positions didn’t fight each other.
Because they knew how strong they were.
But rising saplings still lacked experience, and Hyeon-su, still known to govern a ‘pathetically small territory,’ was merely good prey.
‘And I craft Artifacts well too.’
How could one not be tempted by such circumstances?
Thus, countermeasures were necessary, and preparations for them were already underway.
First, my own growth.
‘For an independent nation to wield true power, what matters most is possessing strength—like Prince Barad of the small kingdom.’
After killing Fenrir, I barely had time to properly check the notifications.
It simply granted massive experience points, befitting a legendary monster.
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up…]
I jumped from level 403 directly to 415 in one breath.
Level 400s.
This was now among the highest tiers even among high-level ranges.
Which meant the experience required for five levels at level 300 now barely granted a single level at level 400.
And critically, Fenrir proved different from its appearance.
‘Pathetic….’
All it dropped was Gold.
Admittedly, a staggering sum reaching 400 million Won.
Even the Gathering skill failed to activate.
Yet my lips soon curled upward.
‘Hehehehe!’
The territory residents passing by flinched at the sight of me standing silently, laughing inwardly, but I paid them no mind.
The reason.
‘The ability to turn a pauper into a wealthy man!’
I recalled the moment I had killed Fenrir.
*
*
*
[Fenrir’s HP reaches 0.]
The instant the notification sounded, I stabbed its neck with the Dagger of Greed hanging around mine before it could turn to ash.
[Trait Storage activates.]
[Please designate the trait you wish to obtain.]
[No designation made.]
[Attempting Trait Storage with 10% probability.]
[Acquiring randomly.]
Until now, my Dagger of Greed’s Trait Storage had failed every single time.
Against Legion Commander Robbs, against the demon Gremory.
But with the legendary monster Fenrir, it was different.
[Random storage succeeds.]
Random.
It’s all or nothing.
In truth, Fenrir was a rather disappointing monster in terms of characteristics.
Of course, it was impressive that it wielded special magic unlike typical monsters.
But the skills were nothing more than things anyone could acquire with enough gold.
What I was banking on was this.
‘There might be powers I don’t know about.’
The problem was that even these unknown powers could be a double-edged sword.
Either something worthless would emerge, or something quite valuable.
[Fenrir Charge has been stored.]
And the first one stored in the Dagger of Desire.
Its name seemed rather unremarkable.
‘Fenrir Charge? Pikachu’s Tackle would be better.’
Moreover, stored powers are displayed with 60% of their strength applied.
(Fenrir Charge)
Active Skill
Grade: Legendary
Cooldown: One Month
Level: None
Mana Cost: 7,000
Penalty: None
Effect:
·Fenrir charges madly and tramples everything in its path.
·Upon trampling, inflicts an additional 250% attack power.
·Splash damage is applied near the trampled area, inflicting an additional 250% attack power.
·Charges for 8 seconds.
When I first saw this, I wondered if it was actually good.
‘Tramples? What’s the point of trampling?’
That was all there was to it.
Of course, this was only with 60% of the effect applied.
In other words, at 100%, it would trample with 400% power, and the splash damage would be identical.
‘Why didn’t Fenrir use this?’
As I wondered if it was useless, a chill ran down my spine.
‘…It couldn’t use this. That’s why it didn’t.’
Dealing only 60% damage meant the mana cost was also reduced.
In other words, the original mana cost exceeded 10,000.
My total MP was barely over 7,000, far short of 10,000.
And no matter how much of a monster I am, I can’t carelessly use skills requiring over 10,000 mana.
Another question.
‘Does Fenrir charge when summoned, or do I charge…?’
The image of me charging was ridiculous.
‘Hyeon-su, charge!’
I recall the image of myself rushing forward while shouting like a middle schooler caught in a delusion of grandeur.
Soon I shook my head.
Given that it was described as Fenrir’s charge, the probability of Fenrir being summoned was high.
And my uncertain eyes widened in realization.
“…Wait, this.”
I had discovered the truth.
This was a trash-tier characteristic when used against a single target.
But.
‘What if it had manifested among fifty thousand Blood Ghost Squad members?’
If Fenrir’s massive body charged and trampled through them, it could inflict considerable casualties.
Of course.
‘…I need to be careful about consuming 7,000 mana.’
But I could think of it this way.
‘As I grow stronger, my total MP increases.’
Therefore, the stronger I become, the more powerful this characteristic will be.
I had obtained the ultimate skill for large-scale warfare.
Of course, I could only use it once a month.
‘Hehehehe.’
How could I not laugh at this?
I had hit the jackpot from a mob that gave nothing.
But that wasn’t what I had been anticipating most.
Setting aside the memories of hunting Fenrir, I focus on what I had truly been waiting for.
[Contribution measurement is complete.]
The notification appeared, but I hadn’t confirmed its contents due to my conversation with King Barad.
[You have slain 800 Blood Ghost Squad members single-handedly.]
[Through Gremory, you have slain approximately 15,000 Blood Ghost Squad members.]
[Through superior command, you have annihilated over 14,000 enemy forces.]
[Your vassal Lucifer has slain 52 commanders and the supreme commander.]
[A 2x contribution multiplier has been applied.]
[You have hunted the legendary monster Fenrir single-handedly.]
[A 3x contribution multiplier is applied to Fenrir’s hunt.]
[King Barad acknowledges your merit and grants you substantial contribution.]
[All contributions are tallied.]
Including the final contribution bestowed by King Barad.
I had anticipated a foundation to establish independent power.
Yet I was taken aback by the figure displayed before my eyes.
[You have acquired 1,153,010 Territory Contribution.]
*
*
*
“1.115 million…?”
Nel couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
She was someone who trusted data more thoroughly than anyone else.
This siege warfare.
And the Continental Wars that had erupted across various regions of the world elsewhere.
Ordinary Guilds accumulated approximately 60,000 to 100,000 contribution points.
Superior Guilds accumulated approximately 100,000 to 180,000 contribution points.
And the remarkable Guilds that possessed numerous rankers had accumulated an average of approximately 200,000 to 350,000 contribution points.
Yet Hyeon-su had accumulated over 1.1 million contribution points.
‘…Yes, that’s how it was.’
Nel recalled the words of the experts who had been discussing the siege warfare.
Strength is relative.
To break the existence of that relative strength, what’s needed is someone who possesses strength befitting that task.
Furthermore.
‘Rewards are also relative.’
Depending on who moves for the reward, there can be a two-fold, five-fold difference.
Yes, one could speak of Bahala.
How was Bahala so uniquely dominant?
Relative strength?
He ignored it all.
A single individual with unparalleled strength had been able to monopolize rewards reaching four to five times that of ordinary Users.
And Hyeon-su had now ascended to that same rank.
Nel couldn’t even imagine it.
‘With 1.15 million, what kind of individuals could possibly be awakened?’
Atlas was a territory led by the Holy Sovereign, where the strongest individuals were concentrated.
“…Who will you awaken first? Or rather, shall we purchase Talent Appraisal first?”
Talent Appraisal required 200,000 contribution points.
“There’s no need for that. It’s unnecessary.”
Unnecessary?
Confirming what talents existed was a very good thing.
And it was a way to gather contribution points targeting them.
But Hyeon-su saw further ahead.
“If I awaken the single most outstanding individual and he pledges his loyalty, he will tell us what talents exist here.”
“…That’s a valid point. Then perhaps…”
Nel admired the insight.
She had realized who Hyeon-su intended to awaken.
He was someone I had encountered not long after arriving in Atlas.
And there was anticipation in daring to awaken ‘him’.
“Let’s go awaken Bon.”
His name was Bon.
He had been the commander leading Atlas.
More precisely, he was the leader of the Black Wind Squad.
[Will you purchase Black Wind Squad Leader Bon and 2,000 Black Wind Squad members for 800,000 Contribution Points?]
An absurdly large amount of Contribution Points was required.
Yet as Hyeon-su boldly made the purchase, Nel asked a question.
“Do we really need to spend all of it like this?”
“…It’s much cheaper if you bundle them together.”
She had no choice but to accept that reasoning.
[Bon and the Black Wind Squad awaken.]
*
*
*
On the outskirts of Atlas.
Statues that had risen from the earth began to crack.
Fissures gradually appeared across the statues.
Among them, Bon was seething with rage.
‘…What was he thinking, waking me like this?’
Even in sleep, Bon could sense it.
Only two months had passed since meeting the new Lord, this man named Hyeon-su.
When Bon had fallen back asleep that day, he had harbored such thoughts.
‘When I awaken, will he be able to earn my loyalty?’
Yes, what he should be doing now was not waking him out of necessity.
‘He should only wake me when he can prove himself worthy of being my master.’
The weak cannot command the strong.
For that to be possible, one must possess noble blood.
The man I saw two months ago was merely a fledgling.
In fact, though his soldiers were swept away by that man’s attacks, I suffered no significant damage.
To wake me merely two months after that time.
‘He’s been blinded by power.’
And Bon’s eyes were special.
His eyes could see the dead—spirits of the departed.
The souls of those he had recently slain, or even beings sealed away by him.
Thud-thud-thud—
And as Bon’s eyes opened, he intended to laugh mockingly at all those he had ever killed.
It was arrogance and a grave miscalculation.
[Eyes of the Dead]
As Bon’s eyes opened, he was startled to see Hyeon-su approaching him, dressed in a brown coat, regarding him with a gaze befitting a king.
‘What am I seeing right now?’
The spirit hovering above his head.
A magnificent transcendent being with enormous horns. The demon Gremory gazed upon me with the contemptuous stare one reserves for insects.

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