The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 30

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 30

“Finally, the finale.”

A sparkling item.

When I picked it up and checked, it was a scale of the Geumgang Agwi.

[ Scale of Geumgang Agwi ]

– Type: Item

# A scale of the Geumgang Agwi that reigned as the boss of the final floor of the Growth Tower.

# Its hardness transcends imagination.

A simple description.

However, this was also sufficient.

‘The name itself is Geumgang. With this level, not only its value as a material, but even if it had no value as a material, its symbolism alone as proof of conquering the Growth Tower would be worth whatever price is asked.’

Of course, that doesn’t mean I plan to sell it at an auction or anything.

There are many ways to make money.

So I intended to use this as material somehow through sufficient research.

It was the moment I put the Geumgang Agwi’s scale into my inventory.

[ You have obtained 12 ‘Scales of Geumgang Agwi’ items. ]

What was one scale became 12.

This type of material item is recognized as one when first picked up, but the moment it’s put into inventory, the quantity is randomly determined.

’12 is decent.’

With bad luck it’s 1, with good luck up to 20 is normal, so 12 is quite decent.

Of course, since the obtainable range differs for each item, there’s no fixed value.

Now that all checking and collection was finished, it was time to go outside.

Choi Hyun headed toward the exit portal with light steps.

* * *

The exit portal wasn’t created only inside the tower.

At the same time a portal for Choi Hyun was created inside the tower, one was also created outside.

Seeing this, Association personnel quickly created access control lines to prevent people from rushing in, and police and other officials also began controlling personnel in preparation for accidents.

And finally, it was the moment Choi Hyun emerged from the portal.

“He’s out!”

“Mr. Choi Hyun!”

“Mr. Choi Hyun!”

“Please look this way!”

Pop pop pop pop!

Bursting camera flashes.

Shouting voices.

All of it was for Choi Hyun.

Choi Hyun slowly emerged from the portal.

Outside was pitch-black night.

However, thanks to the crowds that had gathered and the lights that were on, it was like bright daylight.

‘Perfect day for an interview.’

Then an official from the Association approached Choi Hyun.

The official explained the current situation and then asked if he would do an interview now since reporters were waiting.

The answer was naturally yes.

Following the official’s guidance, he went and stood at the prepared interview line.

Just like before departure, this time too he was given a bundle microphone.

“This is Choi Hyun. Thank you all for waiting for me until this late hour.”

Pop pop pop pop!

“Hunter! I have a question!”

“The Growth Tower you conquered this time…!”

“What was the being that appeared on the 50th floor…!”

“What’s your secret!”

“Are you really a Blacksmith Class?!”

Questions poured out.

The content was predictable.

Choi Hyun looked at the reporters for a moment, then answered lightly.

“It’s late. I’d like to answer all questions here, but for detailed Q&A, I’ll arrange a proper interview session soon. In that sense, I’m currently maintaining a good relationship with Daesan Guild.”

“Daesan?”

“Daesan as in Daesan Group?”

“Huh?! Why suddenly Daesan?!”

“Since when have you been connected with Daesan?!”

Among the pouring questions, Choi Hyun reacted to just one thing.

Precisely about Daesan.

Having achieved his purpose, Choi Hyun bowed lightly and tried to leave the scene with the official’s help.

Then a familiar face appeared beside Choi Hyun.

It was Han Yu-won, Jang Hae-hyeon’s direct secretary and Secretary Manager.

“I’ve come to escort you. Please come this way.”

“I thought Hyeon-geun would come even if someone did, but you came personally, Manager?”

“Hyeon-geun is also on standby. Since the situation is what it is, I came to escort you personally.”

Thanks to that, he could move comfortably.

The prepared vehicle was a large sedan, and upon boarding the car, he could see one more welcome face.

It was Jang Hae-hyeon.

“You’ve worked hard, Advisor.”

“I didn’t expect even the President to be here.”

“How could I sit quietly at home when such a big event happened?”

“You could have just stayed home… I was actually about to contact you anyway.”

“What’s the big deal about you contacting me. You must be tired, so you can rest well today and we can talk in detail tomorrow. Or you can rest for several days if you want.”

“Haha, how could I do that when you came out to meet me personally? Anyway, we have some time while going home, so let’s chat lightly during that time. I have things to tell you too.”

“I’d be grateful if you would. Before that… first let me express my gratitude. To think that the first interview you gave upon coming out mentioned our Daesan. I never even thought of that.”

At those words, a smile spread across Choi Hyun’s lips.

“We’re partners, aren’t we? In that sense, it’s really regrettable. If only guilds were listed like companies, the stock price would have risen quite a bit.”

“Instead, Daesan Group’s stock price will rise as a spillover effect. But how on earth did you do it? I thought the Growth Tower was impregnable since even China’s Martial God Yang Hui couldn’t conquer it.”

“I just worked hard and it turned out that way. I didn’t know the 50th floor was the final floor either. In that sense, I’ve gained a goal for my future activities starting from conquering the Growth Tower this time.”

“A goal?”

“Yes, to put it simply, I’m thinking of ending the Age of Great Change while I’m at it.”

“What?”

“I’m serious. There were things the System showed only to me at the top of the tower. Seeing that gave me conviction. The thought that perhaps I could end the Age of Great Change.”

“No, what do you mean…”

Jang Hae-hyeon’s mouth falls open.

Did I hear that correctly? That’s exactly the expression he has.

Of course, what I saw and heard at the top of the tower is a lie.

But it’s fine.

After all, using the Growth Tower as a bridgehead for hunter activities was because of the special nature that no hunter in humanity had ever passed the 49th floor of the tower.

‘In other words, only I know what happened on the 50th floor.’

In other words, even if I lie, no one would know.

Because no one has been to the 50th floor.

‘Well, if someone goes to the 50th floor later, the story would change…’

Is that possible?

Even Yang Hui, whom China openly supported, failed?

In that sense, using the Growth Tower as a bridgehead was an indispensable choice, and it wasn’t just because of the 50th floor alibi.

It was also because of the fame of being the first to break through the 49th floor.

‘To handle people more comfortably, I need reputation and ability that no one can dare challenge. In that sense, there’s no reputation and ability quite like conquering the Growth Tower.’

Top score on the Hunter exam?

That doesn’t even come close to reputation and ability.

But conquering the Growth Tower is an Achievement that even China’s Yang Hui couldn’t accomplish.

So there’s no Achievement quite like this.

And now that I’ve just achieved that Achievement, it’s time to slowly set the plan in motion.

The start was to be perceived as a divine existence by people.

‘Well, even if I don’t particularly try, they’ll worship me on their own.’

That’s just how people are.

When someone incredibly amazing appears, they first praise them to the skies.

Especially if it’s their own countryman, they’ll get drunk on so-called national pride and try to deify them even more.

‘As long as I don’t cause any major incidents, my influence will become stronger than anyone else’s in the world.’

No, frankly speaking, even if I cause incidents, as long as I’m good at conquering dungeons and gates, Choi Hyun’s influence will remain intact.

Because that’s how the times were.

A simple example would be cult leaders.

Even in the pre-Cataclysm era, they manipulated people with their silver tongues and captivated countless followers without magic or skills, even without performing miracles directly.

However, Choi Hyun would directly perform miracle-like deeds and benefit humanity.

Then who would dare doubt or envy Choi Hyun?

Choi Hyun continued speaking.

“Due to System restrictions, I can’t tell you the details, but the Growth Tower held secrets that could end the age of Cataclysm. I saw it, and I plan to use that secret to put an end to the age of Cataclysm as quickly as possible.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence filled the car.

Jang Hae-hyeon was beside him.

Jin Hyeon-geun was in the driver’s seat, Han Yu-won in the passenger seat.

All of them swallowed dry saliva as soon as they heard Choi Hyun’s words.

Their hearts pounded as if they had heard a revelation.

Then Han Yu-won was the first to break the silence and speak.

“Um… I’m sorry, but if you would permit it, may I dare ask just one question?”

“Please go ahead.”

“How do you plan to put an end to it?”

A smile formed on his lips at Han Yu-won’s question.

Showing curiosity was itself a precursor to belief.

That made sense because Han Yu-won, as an experienced secretary, would never presumptuously interfere in such a situation.

She had always been that way, had educated her subordinates that way, and would continue to be such a person.

Yet despite the conversation between her master and the existence that made her master struggle, this person who would never do such a thing boldly committed the act of asking a question.

Choi Hyun answered.

“Due to restrictions, I can’t tell you everything, but soon another world-shaking Cataclysm will come. To prevent it, we need to conquer as many dungeons and gates as possible, and executing that first is the top priority goal from an overall perspective.”

“Another Cataclysm?”

“Yes, the tower said so. That another Cataclysm will come. So humanity must prepare for it.”

“…How?”

“I’ve already made a plan. But one thing is certain: I won’t announce this fact to the world.”

“Pardon?”

This time it was Jang Hae-hyeon who answered.

“Why not?”

“Because saying another Cataclysm is coming would cause chaos in the world.”

“Then why are you telling us?”

“Because you’re trustworthy people.”

“Ah…”

The word “trust.”

At those words, Jang Hae-hyeon momentarily had many things he wanted to say, but they disappeared.

In the ensuing silence, this time it was Jin Hyeon-geun who spoke.

“This may be presumptuous… but may I also dare ask just one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“But how do you plan to handle all those dungeons and gates without revealing this fact to the world? With my limited insight, I simply can’t imagine it.”

“I’ll use people from around the world.”

“People from around the world?”

“Yes. I’ll raise humanity’s level to the maximum so that the currently generated dungeons and gates can no longer be humanity’s match.”

“How?”

“With equipment made by Daesan.”

“Ah!”

At that moment, goosebumps rose on the bodies of the three people excluding Choi Hyun.

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