Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 295

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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
The Beacon (9)
[Atlas Territory’s financial status is at its lowest.]
Hye-in was struggling desperately to change this dire notification.
Financial status at its lowest.
This was the stage where Atlas Territory’s residents experienced severe hunger.
‘On top of that, preparing for the Great Atlas battle….’
My head throbbed as if it might split open.
In this situation, Hye-in had no choice but to enter the Dungeon with her guild members.
The Users’ strength was also needed for the Great Atlas battle.
Thus, they could not stop leveling up.
Hye-in’s face contorted just as she was about to enter the Dungeon.
[Lord Hyeon-su promised to give a portion of the true World Tree to the Fraham Kingdom.]
[If the promise is not fulfilled, relations with the Fraham Kingdom may deteriorate.]
[Lord Hyeon-su received support of 100,000 troops from the Goyad Kingdom and must pay compensation to the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers.]
[If payment is not made, the people’s resentment may be incurred.]
“…?”
Through this notification, I realized that Hyeon-su had made a reckless move.
Of course, Nel had also received the notification that Lucifer had departed.
And she knew that Hyeon-su had suffered humiliation. Thus, Hyeon-su asked Nel if he could proceed with this matter.
Nel expressed her wish that he would wait until they grew stronger and Atlas Territory had some breathing room.
But Hyeon-su’s insistence left Nel’s heart troubled.
She focused on conquering the Dungeon with her guild members, and after it was over, she spoke.
“There’s something we need to discuss. Let’s meet at the Cafe.”
*
*
*
“In two weeks, the Territory’s residents may even begin to starve. Our Atlas Territory has now accumulated debt to both Goyad and the Fraham Kingdom.”
“The residents might starve?”
The guild members grasped the severity and understood why they had gathered at the Cafe.
“Yes, regarding this matter, I believe we need to seriously confront Lord Hyeon-su about it.”
She too did not desire this.
But sometimes such moments are absolutely necessary.
No one can be perfect.
It cannot be denied that Hyeon-su’s assault on the Blood King was driven by emotion.
Because Atlas Territory owed debts to both Goyad and Fraham, the hunger could persist for an even longer time.
“We must make him understand that the lowest financial status is truly serious. The transition from lowest to worst can happen in an instant.”
“What happens if it becomes worst?”
At Hyeok-su’s question, Hye-in answered honestly.
“There will be deaths from starvation.”
“…!”
“…!”
The guild members gasped in shock.
Hyeon’s Blacksmith Shop bore the responsibility of protecting them. The realization that people could starve to death in such circumstances struck them hard.
Moreover, they recognized their own failings—it wasn’t just Hyeon-su who deserved blame.
“I’ve been far too consumed with my own growth.”
“The territory is filling with the hungry, and winter approaches. I was blind to it all. Forgive me.”
“What if I covered the costs?”
The words came from Tae-ha, youngest son of a conglomerate family.
Hye-in shook her head.
“That would only be a temporary measure. We cannot draw game finances into reality, nor can we allow this cycle to repeat.”
Of course, Hye-in was prepared to tap real-world funds if people truly began to starve.
Tae-ha, grasping the gravity of the situation, spoke again.
“Then I need to be harsh with him—though I’m deeply ashamed as well.”
“I didn’t realize it would come to this. Hyeon-su’s path was the best choice, but I failed to see what truly mattered.”
“Yes, very harsh. We must make certain he never acts unilaterally again.”
Resolve burned within them.
Just then, a message arrived for Hyeon-su.
[Kang Hyeon-su: Nel, where are you? ^^]
Hye-in took a deep breath and replied with a stern expression.
[Kim Hye-in: I was in a Dungeon. After clearing it, I logged out. When I log back in, I’ll be in Atlas. Where are you?]
[Kang Hyeon-su: On my way back.]
[Kim Hye-in: Good. We need to talk. Let’s meet in Atlas.]
Click.
Hye-in set down her Mobile Phone, her expression turning cold.
“Everyone, log in.”
“Understood.”
“We’ll meet in Atlas.”
They parted ways to log in, reconvening in Atlas moments later.
Among them, Risel felt the greatest sense of duty.
As Hyeon-su’s peer and friend, he could speak to him most candidly.
Witnessing the territory’s people, he burned with anger at the thought of starvation befalling them.
The moment he logged in, Risel saw Hyeon-su approaching with a bright smile.
“Everyone, it’s been—”
“You bastard!”
“…?”
Risel erupted, his voice sharp. Startled, Hyeon-su’s expression turned bewildered as Risel gestured around them and spoke.
“The territory is in this state, and you go ahead and do exactly what we told you not to!? Huh!? What were you thinking!?”
Risel led the charge in condemning Hyeon-su.
A notification chimed somewhere amid the rising anger, but he was too furious to hear it.
Someone tugged at his collar.
“Um, Risel… that is…”
“Ah, let go, Hyeon-su. If you keep acting like this going forward…!”
Hearing this, Hyeon-su understood perfectly.
His unilateral decision had been correct, but the promise of the World Tree to Fraham Kingdom and military support to Goyad Kingdom would indeed burden Atlas in the future.
Hyeon-su spoke to his guild members.
“My thinking was shortsighted. I’ll be more careful going forward. Thank you for pointing out my shortcomings like this.”
Meanwhile, Han’s gloomy expression was distinctly visible.
However, Risel believed that when you had to point something out, you had to point it out.
“Don’t do it next time!”
“Yeah, thanks for telling me what I’m lacking.”
Had he been too harsh?
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Nel tapped him from beside.
“No, I told you not to do it?”
“…Why, why?”
Risel’s expression turned puzzled.
Then he realized they had all agreed on something, yet only he was doing it.
“A notification…”
“A notification…?”
Soon Risel saw the notification and was shocked.
[You have recruited the Undefeated Knight Lucifer to Hyeon’s Blacksmith Shop.]
“…?”
The Undefeated Knight.
That legendary knight had returned to Hyeon-su’s side.
And he bore the true title of the Undefeated Knight.
The real reason Nel and the guild members had criticized Hyeon-su for being reckless was because of Lucifer’s loyalty to Brad.
By their common sense, since Lucifer held such loyalty to Brad, Hyeon-su’s intervention didn’t quite make sense.
But now that he had brought him here, the situation had changed, and Lucifer hurried over and asked.
“…What’s going on? Did he bother you?”
Shing—
“…?”
Just days ago, Lucifer was someone who would laugh off even if Hyeon-su tripped while walking. “Puhaha!”
Now he was genuinely concerned and looked ready to draw his sword.
“No, it’s my fault. Risel, thank you for saying that. I’m not sure if this will be any comfort, but somehow we ended up bringing people who can help us along.”
“…?”
Risel’s expression turned puzzled, then quickly flustered.
Buuuuuu—
The horn trumpet sounds of those who arrived late.
Not the false one million army, but a true one million of them were entering Atlas.
They carried farming tools like pickaxes and shovels on their shoulders as they shouted.
“Let’s develop Atlas to its fullest!”
“Let’s go!”
[Until the one million people of the Enya Kingdom find rest, I shall contribute to the expansion of Atlas.]
“….”
Risel was at a loss for words.
Even with just a thousand people in the great hall, it was packed to bursting.
An endless procession of one million was now flowing into Atlas.
And these people would help with Atlas’s expansion for merely a few days?
Considering the salary value of a single person, it was an astronomical sum.
Was that all?
Hyeon-su carefully broached the subject.
“Fortunately, we also obtained funds.”
All the guild members’ attention snapped to him.
Just how much?
The reason the guild members had tried to stop Risel was because they had already received the notification.
[Atlas’s finances have changed from critical to optimal!]
Changing from critical to optimal was an extraordinarily difficult feat. When the notification came through, everyone froze.
[Hyeon’s Blacksmith Shop’s vault is filled with 7,113,100 Gold.]
“…?”
“…?”
“…?”
Seven billion one hundred thirteen million won in Korean currency.
This happened just two days after Hyeon-su returned from the Enya Kingdom.
“If we use 3.5 million Gold to purchase food and 3.5 million Gold to buy raw materials, having one million people expand for four days should work wonderfully.”
“*Hiccup!*”
A hiccup escaped from Risel as he heard this.
Hyeon-su spoke.
“Even with such results, it must have been due to luck. I apologize to all of you, guild members.”
Hyeon-su bowed his head once more.
A flustered Risel looked toward Nel as if seeking help.
Nel, who had betrayed him(?) in an instant, made a heart shape with her fingers.
“…I, I love… no, I like you.”
“…?”
A shift faster than light itself!
Hyeok-su gently grasped both his hands and spoke.
“…Don’t mind what she says. I knew you could do it, you know? She seems to be in a bad mood lately. Anyway, what a hysteric.”
Hye-ji chimed in.
“Why are you saying such things to our Hyeon-su!”
Tae-hoon spoke.
“Long live Hyeon-su!”
“Long live!”
“….”
Hyeon-su spoke.
“No, I was truly at fault, Risel. Thank you for pointing it out so sharply. I will strive to improve and grow from this moment forward.”
Risel, suddenly cast as the villain, spoke.
“…I wish to be alone. Please, all of you, disappear.”
A whisper came through.
[Nel: Go off by yourself over there.]
“….”
Risel retreated to a corner by himself. It was a beautiful day.
In any case, with sufficient resources and sufficient manpower secured, Atlas transformed rapidly.
“We will construct more buildings and establish shops as well.”
“Is that possible in just four days?”
“We have a million people, though?”
“…Ah.”
[The number of residences and shops in Atlas Territory increases by 321%!]
“To expand the fields, we need to till and improve the soil.”
“In four days…?”
“With a million people, it’s possible.”
“Ah….”
[The size of Atlas Territory’s fields expands to eleven times its original scale, dramatically enlarging the territory!]
“We will procure all manner of food necessary to survive the winter.”
“In four days?”
“Yes, with a million people, it can be done swiftly.”
[Atlas Territory stores over 10,000 kg of meat from various animals capable of surviving the winter!]
Four days passed.
“…May you all sleep peacefully.”
With Aria’s prayer concluded, they left behind the most precious thing in the world and closed their eyes in the most peaceful repose.
Their blessings and aid descended upon Atlas Territory, forging a new history.
[200,000 people now reside in Atlas Territory.]
[Housing satisfaction is at maximum.]
[Food storage is at maximum.]
[Financial status is at maximum.]
[Congratulations.]
Merely three months.
I stood upon a path no one else had ever achieved.
[Atlas Territory is promoted to Great Territory for the first time!]
[You may now ascend to the rank of Marquis.]
Ding!
[I do not ascend to Marquis.]
“I declare it.”
Before two hundred thousand subjects, I speak.
“The Great Atlas Territory is hereby established as an independent realm, severed from Goyad.”
I step completely out of Goyad’s shadow and begin forging my own power.
That was it.
This was once a great territory, but now it marked the birth of the world’s smallest kingdom.
And this was the moment Hyeon-su had been waiting for.
Many watched with bated breath, their concerns mounting.
The Special User Management Team of Pureum Corporation.
“Is this… truly happening?”
And Lee Se-jin in the executive office.
“Something impossible has come to pass, yet what he accomplished is undeniably real.”
And somewhere, the Five Seat Kings began to tremble at the tale taking shape.
Lucifer approached Hyeon-su, who had just proclaimed his complete independence.
[Your vassal Lucifer spoke not a word of the past.]
[Now, his loyalty to you burns bright.]
“I have something to tell you.”
Hyeon-su gazed at Lucifer with eager anticipation.
“I shall teach you the way to become a Tyrant King.”

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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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