Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 280

—————
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 State (2)
The Great Territory, Atlas.
That was what people called Atlas in the distant past.
Everyone in the world acknowledged it.
Because the great Territory of Atlas could stand against any ordinary kingdom in battle.
In precedent, Atlas Territory had once fought against a nation.
Though it could not be called a complete victory, Atlas Territory had indeed emerged victorious.
Not a kingdom, but merely a territory.
This was possible because the Holy Sovereign commanded many of the Strong Ones.
Those formidable warriors could sweep away over a hundred Knights by themselves.
And when overwhelming with inferior numbers, enemies naturally lost their morale.
That was what Atlas was.
Only one-twentieth the scale of a kingdom, yet never inferior in raw power.
Yet even this place vanished in vain.
Commander Ben recalls it.
The most representative transcendent being of this land—a Dragon.
By that single Dragon, the once-magnificent Atlas Territory was obliterated in an instant.
And only a new master, not Harun, could awaken us again.
Thus Ben and all those sleeping in this place desired one thing.
‘Whoever leads us, we care not. We only wish they could face transcendent beings with confidence.’
That was Ben’s thought as he scattered into ash.
Yet at that time, Ben could not help but laugh bitterly.
‘…Humans stand at a clear limit. It is impossible for mere humans to capture a transcendent being.’
The very imagination he harbored was fundamentally impossible from the start.
*
*
*
Ben remembers.
The youthful man from two months ago.
Barely having become a Lord, he was one whose dignity, charisma, and very qualifications as a Lord were questionable.
Is a Lord made simply by being strong?
No—even a Lord afflicted with a mortal illness possesses an aura that ordinary people cannot approach.
Yet from him, Ben felt no such aura whatsoever.
But when Ben’s eyes opened, he saw that man walking forward with commanding confidence, and was overwhelmed by that presence.
[Overwhelming Presence]
The Overwhelming Presence stat had increased by over 500 points.
A legendary stat at that. Now exceeding 1,000, the power of Overwhelming Presence was formidable.
“Ugh….”
“Mm….”
The Black Wind Squad, those mighty warriors who had just awakened and protected Atlas, groaned merely at the sight of him.
Moreover, Hyeon-su possessed something extraordinary.
The pride of the Master Craftsman—a power only legends could wield.
Bon could resist some of it.
But the Black Wind Squad could not.
Furthermore, status abnormalities prove fatal when applied to enemies, yet they manifest differently for those who might become allies or harbor no ill intent.
The Black Wind Squad felt an overwhelming pressure wash over them as they watched Hyeon-su approach.
‘How can such an aura exist….’
‘It steals the breath….’
They searched for reasons.
‘Though young, his gaze is unwavering—straight and true.’
‘Look at that broad-shouldered frame. Is it natural talent? That too is correct. But….’
The Black Wind Squad were exceptional beings.
Their eyes surpassed those of ordinary soldiers.
Those eyes traced across his body.
‘The calluses embedded deep in his palms are enormous. How many times must one repeat to achieve such a state?’
‘His left and right arms differ in size. For what field did he labor so intensely?’
‘His gaze resembles that of one who has walked the line between life and death countless times.’
Yes, the aura emanating from Hyeon-su resembled something far different from a lord.
It bore striking similarity to a great general who would not waver even before a million-strong army.
This was precisely the Master Craftsman’s pride manifesting among allies.
And until now, Bon had accepted it without much thought.
In two months, he’s developed quite a sharp gaze—that was all.
Naturally.
Though the Black Wind Squad was formidable, the level gap between Bon and Hyeon-su remained vast.
Yet through his specialty, the Commander’s Eye, he had considered examining those he’d hunted recently and pointing out just how arrogant he’d become.
And upon seeing the colossal demon Gremory hovering above Hyeon-su’s head, Bon faltered.
‘….’
He had wished for it.
Someone capable of slaying transcendent beings.
That someone magnificent to be the lord who would lead them.
In this moment, Bon doubted.
This Commander’s Eye possessed a flaw.
That flaw being:
‘Even if I merely contributed, the one he killed appears.’
Even if he’d only landed one or two strikes.
So Bon, who had denied it and believed he’d made only the slightest contribution, fell silent.
The demon Gremory above Hyeon-su.
With fists clenched tight, wearing an expression that screamed, ‘Ah, I can finally confirm this….’
His face spoke volumes.
‘How the hell am I supposed to kill this bastard?’
To anyone watching, didn’t Hyeon-su look furious that he’d had to kill it?
‘But it’s even worse than that…?’
A commander’s eyes could also discern the difference between something killed and something sealed.
Gremory’s specter.
Its outline was far more distinct than a typical spirit.
In other words, it indicated a state of sealing rather than a dead soul.
‘Sealing a super-being is already an extraordinary feat.’
Yet even this fell short. Moreover, the fact that he had ‘sealed’ rather than ‘killed’ Gremory created another troubling aspect.
‘Is it over?’
Had he grown arrogant from sealing a demon?
Then, as Gremory’s specter dispersed, he could see another specter revealed beneath it.
“….”
A massive presence slowly rising to its feet, like a mountain itself.
‘Grrrrrrrrr…!’
‘Fenrir?’
A legendary monster’s popularity meant that slaying it only deepened the understanding of its magnificence.
Fenrir and Atlas had lived in the same era.
Just how immense were Fenrir’s defense and HP pool.
And Fenrir too seemed filled with hatred toward Hyeon-su.
“….”
*Gulp*
It was certain.
Fenrir had found its rest at the hands of the man before him.
The man who now stood before him.
Bon, whose expression had momentarily shown bewilderment at the sight, could now see the hand being extended toward him.
“Give me your loyalty.”
“…!?”
This was the power of the Holy Sovereign, which Bon understood better than anyone.
It was a form of oath of allegiance, and through those who submitted, the lord grew stronger.
Bon gazed at that hand and made his decision.
*
*
*
[Eyes of the Specter activate.]
It was a power Hyeon-su could have resisted if he’d chosen to.
But he did not.
‘Allowing him to glimpse the achievements I’ve accumulated will work to my advantage.’
And through this, Bon would see Gremory.
Thus Hyeon-su judged it entirely feasible.
‘At the very least, I’ll make Bon follow me, even if not out of loyalty.’
With that thought, I extended my hand.
Inner Loyalty activates the moment contact is made, compelling obedience based on the target’s circumstances and reasons.
‘Just how much stronger would I become if Bon pledged his loyalty to me?’
Lost in such fantasies, my expression twisted.
“I have no intention of taking that hand.”
[Bon does not pledge loyalty to you.]
I was bewildered.
I couldn’t understand what had gone wrong.
‘Over these two months, I’ve cultivated strength that should satisfy Bon. Isn’t this enough to serve as Lord of Atlas Territory without shame?’
Most of my plans up until now had proven accurate.
I had believed the plan to make Bon completely my subordinate would succeed as well.
But Bon’s next words were reasonable.
“Did you not realize that the Atlas I desire is not merely a territory where a single lord is strong?”
“….”
Only then did I understand.
Atlas required not only a strong lord, but also powerful subordinates to support him—only then would it be truly complete.
Bon already knew this from experience.
“…The lord and territory I desire are those that do not cower even before transcendent beings. Moreover, it is wise to avoid transcendent beings if possible. However.”
This revealed that Bon was no ordinary figure—he had once led the Black Wind Squad.
“Sealing a demon means you will encounter that demon again in the near future.”
It was an undeniable truth.
Even now, I receive such notifications periodically.
[You are the one who sealed the demon Gremory.]
[When the demon Gremory awakens, she will invade Atlas Territory leading the 22 Legions.]
[587 days, 12 hours, 54 seconds remaining.]
[You must prepare for Gremory’s invasion.]
The greatest danger Atlas would face was already unfolding.
“Sealing a demon means she was in a weakened state. And the demon Gremory is a legion commander’s demon. It appears you killed her in that diminished form. Can you stop her?”
Bon posed the question.
“The 22 Legions and the demon Gremory.”
Bon could already envision that day.
No matter how fast, no matter how hard he pushed alone.
He could not stop the demon Gremory and the 22 Legions.
“That is why I refuse.”
If he pledged loyalty, Bon would do much for this place over the coming year.
He would train the soldiers to become far more formidable.
He would strive to earn vast wealth to restore Atlas Territory to its former glory.
Yes, obtaining Bon’s loyalty meant something profound.
At the very least, he did not serve anyone carelessly—and if he did serve, he would dedicate his entire existence to that cause.
“There is no fool loyal to a territory that will crumble in an instant.”
That is why Bon does not remain loyal.
Yes. The Achievement that Hyeon-su accomplished—sealing Gremory.
That is what binds Hyeon-su’s ankles.
Moreover, when Hyeon-su purchased Bon and the Black Wind Squad, he received this notification.
[Your loyalty is insufficient to bind them.]
[You may awaken them, but they may not remain loyal, and they may return to dust.]
[We recommend purchasing after raising 100 levels.]
Power should belong to those who possess it.
Yet Hyeon-su has broken this principle through growth far too rapid.
And just as that notification warned, such consequences now threaten to manifest.
[Bon and the Black Wind Squad wish to return.]
[The Territory Contribution Points used cannot be recovered.]
A penalty for one who sought to possess what cannot be possessed.
But Hyeon-su had no intention of surrendering.
He would not resort to pleading or uttering words like “please stay by my side.”
Instead, he acknowledges the truth.
That making Bon his ally so easily is no simple matter.
Yet not everything can be made perfectly right.
If a plan has gone awry, one simply corrects it.
To realize the plan to set things right, I speak.
“…You are mistaken, Bon.”
Mistaken? What could possibly be wrong?
Bon thought the Lord, who could not comprehend everything he had said, was perhaps more foolish than expected.
But the next words startled him.
“I have already made preparations, the groundwork for that moment is nearly complete, and you are merely one component of those preparations.”
He is merely one component?
The meaning of those words became clear.
It meant that the current Atlas Territory, the Black Wind Squad and himself, are all magnificent enough to captivate.
“Choose.”
“…?”
“I will have your Black Wind Squad face my territory’s forces. I will even give you the choice of terms.”
An intriguing proposition.
It meant that the current Atlas Territory is preparing for demonic incursions, and that the Lord and his retainers are being reforged into a stronger territory together, exactly as he had desired.
‘How tedious.’
Bon believed he was making a desperate last grasp to hold on.
“Kalm, step forward.”
“Yes.”
[Black Wind Squad Vice-Commander Kalm Lv.451]
He sends forth his most exceptional warrior.
A Strong One capable of cutting down fifty ordinary Knights.
A master of swift swordplay.
And a man with a temperament as crude and careless as Bon’s.
“You heard? Choose whoever you like.”
“Yes, I shall make my selection.”
Kalm, the vice-commander of the Black Wind Squad, was actually annoyed as well, and he understood Commander Bon’s sentiment a thousand times over.
‘It’s better to sleep than to live again and feel the pain of helplessness.’
That’s why he intended to finish this quickly and depart once more.
Kalm smiled faintly.
“My new Lord.”
“…?”
“You said to choose, my Lord, but you never specified it had to be a ‘soldier.'”
Hyeon-su’s eyes widened. He realized Kalm was employing clever wordplay.
Kalm pointed to a target.
The moment Hyeon-su saw who was designated, his face turned ashen.
“Of all people….”
His expression was that of someone realizing they had made a mistake.
Kalm clicked his tongue inwardly. One must be careful with the Lord’s words, yet here he was. Click, click.
But Hyeon-su was a man of hidden depths.
‘Hehehehe, hehehehe….’
Looking at the person he had indicated, he laughed like a madman.
Ahahahahaha!
Yes, of all people—why had he chosen him?
“I shall fight the man walking the dog over there.”
There stood a man holding a leash.
[Asura Kabel is designated.]

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