Genius Blacksmith’s Game - Chapter 52

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

 

The Genius Blacksmith’s Game

 

 

 

 

The King’s Test (2)

 

 

 

Sword King Barad.

Called one of the continent’s ten legends, he had felt chills only three times in his life.

Age eight. The day he committed his first murder by piercing the throat of an assassin targeting him.

Age twenty-nine. The day he defeated the Sword King of that era and earned his legendary name.

And just yesterday. When he learned that the one he believed to be an outstanding warrior.

Was actually the creator of the sword he had been searching for, and that he was merely at the level of participating in the Super Rookie Tournament.

‘How could such a thing be possible?’

Even by the Sword King’s common sense, it was incomprehensible.

Lord said he wasn’t an unofficial ranker Blacksmith?

“I greet His Majesty.”

Before meeting Blacksmith Hyeon, Cus, the kingdom’s greatest Blacksmith, entered his office.

Though not as skilled as Daeng, the Tower Master of Swords in Prime Kingdom, he was the finest Blacksmith in Goyad Kingdom.

“He is both a warrior and a Blacksmith. It could also be said this way. He is neither a warrior nor a Blacksmith.”

His own thoughts were the same.

“Outsiders are classified by grades according to something called levels. Blacksmiths at the level of participating in the Super Rookie Tournament are merely beginner Blacksmiths. That sword that supposedly cut through His Majesty’s sword. I don’t know how it was crafted, but it must have been temporary.”

“Temporary…”

“Outsiders sometimes use Mystical Power in limited ways.”

Blacksmith Cus was so negative it seemed like he was jealous of Hyeon.

However, Barad’s thoughts aligned with his.

“What I’m most concerned about is what they call probability.”

“What do you mean by probability?”

“Their crafted items vary each time. Those who kept churning out useless Artifacts one day create Artifacts beyond their common sense. It must be due to the probability inherent in Mystical Power.”

“Give me an example.”

“They say things like ‘I was lucky today while making weapons of this land and crafted a good Artifact.’ It’s said that such power is embedded in their Mystical Power.”

Barad nodded.

“5% probability of crafting Rare weapons.”

“……”

“That is their Mystical Power.”

Barad asked at this point.

“Are our Blacksmiths different?”

“Completely different. Unlike their Mystical Power, we create through experience, know-how, and knowledge. Of course, we too sometimes have lucky days like them. Days when we’re more outstanding than usual and gain different insights. On such days, we create higher-level Artifacts and leave masterpieces.”

Barad realized what he was trying to say.

“We create based on fundamentals and experience, while they rely on probabilistic power?”

“Yes, when you actually talk to them, most are ignorant about Blacksmithing work.”

He agreed with that assessment.

“The sword His Majesty desires has failed to be crafted by countless Blacksmiths. I was no exception. And the materials given to them are precious ones that even our kingdom obtains in extremely small quantities. But to entrust a commission to a beginner Blacksmith…”

Cus couldn’t continue his words.

Barad nodded. His question wasn’t to ask for opinions but to confirm whether his own thoughts were correct.

A warrior or Blacksmith who won the Super Rookie Tournament.

The materials for the weapon Barad needed were running low.

Once those materials were exhausted, it would become difficult to make more even if he wanted to.

“I think it would be good to do this.”

Cus offered him small advice.

“Rather than giving him those materials, it would be better to give him materials several grades lower and test him.”

Barad nodded.

He couldn’t just give those precious materials to anyone.

“I shall test him in my own way.”

Having sought his advice, Barad left the office.

Barad walked to the audience chamber and sat in his Chair. Soon after, Blacksmith Hyeon entered.

Even seeing him again was admirable.

Short black hair harmonizing with brown eyes. What particularly caught attention was his physique.

Broad shoulders and an indifferent expression.

Watching his gait, he seemed like an outstanding warrior and noble aristocrat.

“Blacksmith Hyeon. I greet His Majesty Barad.”

He knelt on one knee and showed proper courtesy.

“It took you long.”

“The journey to see you was arduous.”

Lord was in the Sword Graveyard and he wouldn’t meet such people, so it was understandable that the journey wasn’t easy.

Barad immediately got to the point.

His eyes became sharp like a hawk’s.

“There is a sword I desperately need.”

“May I know what kind of effects this sword should have?”

“I need a sword that can protect me from hot flames that can melt anything.”

“Are you referring to a sword imbued with ice attribute power?”

“That’s right. A sword also imbued with the power to cut down enemies that breathe scorching heat. Can you make it?”

Barad’s question was sharp.

He doubted Hyeon. Not just because of his conversation with Cus.

Being an Outsider, he thought he might run away with the Ore he would give him.

Or perhaps he just came to meet the king.

Of course, all these seeds of doubt stemmed from him being a beginner Blacksmith.

To that question, he cleverly deflected.

“…I will do my best.”

Barad smiled bitterly. Then he signaled to a Retainer standing to one side.

The Retainer placed a large Box in front of The Man.

The moment the Box was opened, cold air flowed out.

“Han-cheol (Cold Iron). That is the name of the Ore.”

 

 

 

[You have obtained Rare Ore Han-cheol (Cold Iron).]

 

Having had an audience with Barad, Hyeon-su could see the Ore scattering a subtle blue light.

‘Han-cheol…?’

Han-cheol. A familiar name. Hyeon-su grew up enjoying fantasy and martial arts novels in his childhood.

And he knew that this Ares had various settings.

‘If this is the Han-cheol I know, then Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron could also exist here, right?’

Hyeon-su tried to calm himself. New Ore always made a Blacksmith’s heart race.

“Check it.”

As Barad’s words fell, Hyeon-su examined it.

 

(Han Iron)

Grade: Rare

Restriction: Level 200 or higher Master Blacksmith.

Difficulty: Medium.

Special Abilities

·Fire resistance increased by 23%.

·Ice attribute skills enhanced up to Rare grade.

·Sword cutting power increased by 41%.

·Durability 7,000

Description: A special ore buried in cold ground for a long time, containing frigid energy that creates abnormally high cutting power.

 

‘It’s real, this is the Han Iron I knew.’

Of course, the settings for Han Iron would all be different.

The setting in this Ares is that it’s Han Iron containing cold energy.

Moreover, the high cutting power for a Rare grade is breathtaking.

‘Instead, while the cutting power is high, there are no special abilities that boost stats, and although it contains cold energy, most of that ability is concentrated in cutting power.’

Hyeon-su quickly finished analyzing this Han Iron. And he had this thought.

‘Could Ten Thousand Year Han Iron really exist?’

And perhaps he might obtain it himself, a small hope arose.

Barad spoke.

“Han Iron is precious iron that can only be obtained in our Goyard Kingdom. I wish to see if you are qualified to make a sword.”

Kus had given him the ore and told him to test his qualifications.

But now Barad wanted to test in a different way what level of skill this blacksmith possessed.

According to Kus’s words, he wasn’t leisurely enough to give much expectation and time to a novice blacksmith.

“When you make a sword containing cold energy, that frigid air will naturally spread around.”

He pointed below himself with his index finger.

“Make a sword whose cold energy can reach this spot. If you do, I’ll give you the real materials for the commission.”

 

Ding!

 

[Chain Quest: The King’s Test]

Grade: S

Restriction: One proposed by the King

Reward: Able to receive the real commission.

Penalty upon failure: Banishment from Goyard Kingdom.

Description: Craft a sword that emits cold energy to become eligible for the real commission.

 

That was the end.

Blacksmith Hyeon. Upon meeting him, Barad felt an emotion he had never experienced in his life.

However, the fact that he wasn’t even a Warrior-Blacksmith, and that he was merely a novice blacksmith relying on probability, cooled his expectations.

But Hyeon-su smiled slightly.

“It shouldn’t take long.”

Barad looked puzzled at those words.

“I’ll craft it right here, right now.”

He grasped the Han Iron in his hand.

Barad, who was about to rise, stopped. Sitting back down, he looked at the Outsider named Hyeon-su with indifferent eyes.

He realized what the man was trying to do.

‘That’s it.’

Not long ago, he had created the gauntlet and Damascus Crescent Blade. That power.

Barad had mistaken that power for a Weapon Master’s.

The man asked again.

“How far did other blacksmiths make it reach?”

“The kingdom’s greatest blacksmith, Kus, made the cold energy reach right here.”

How chilling that sword was.

Just holding it, the cold energy could be felt all the way here.

Even that hadn’t satisfied Barad.

Only at that level could he give precious materials.

Barad crossed one leg and rested his chin on his hand.

With an expression of completely lost interest.

A novice blacksmith’s crafting process.

It was tedious to have to watch that power dependent on probability, even if only for a moment.

Finally, he began crafting.

The moment crafting began, Barad was momentarily mesmerized by its beauty.

The ore with a subtle blue glow shot up into the sky, melted instantly, and became pure iron.

That iron melted to become a red sword blade, and that blade cooled to become a sword edge tinged with blue.

All happening within 5 seconds.

The Han Iron he had given became a smooth sword within 5 seconds.

And.

Crackle-!

The King couldn’t take his eyes off him. No, he couldn’t. And the man named Hyeon-su was also looking at him, meeting his gaze.

Only after that freezing sound ended did Barad, who had been maintaining his poker face, ask a question.

“…Remarkable power. I truly can’t tell if you’re a warrior or a blacksmith.”

Though the King maintained a calm expression, he was feeling the cold energy enveloping his body.

“I’m a blacksmith.”

“I see.”

He who had been staring into Hyeon-su’s eyes finally turned his head.

The entire audience chamber was covered in frost. The water the retainer had prepared was frozen.

Even the sparkling chandelier was covered with cold frost. Many things, no, the entire audience chamber was frozen.

But this wasn’t what mattered.

It was impressive. But the identity of this was what mattered.

“Is it by probability? Or can you unleash this strange power as a one-time thing?”

“Neither.”

Neither of those two? Could that be possible?

Wasn’t he just a novice blacksmith?

“Then?”

Hyeon-su smiled confidently.

“It’s skill.”

The King was amazed.

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