The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 31

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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 31

It wasn’t just goosebumps,

they erupted all over his body.

Because of this, Jin Hyeon-geun almost stepped on the brakes.

Choi Hyun’s words continued.

“People prioritize personal desires over public interest. This is purely instinctual and difficult to control. So I plan to use that in reverse. If we supply higher-quality equipment to the market at affordable prices, and everyone ends up wearing high-spec gear, the dungeon and gate clear rates will skyrocket ridiculously. Because dungeons and gates are profitable.”

After that, the relationship between the System and humanity would change. Just like how humans became the world’s apex predators after developing weapons.

Especially after guns were invented, no beast could match humans.

This was an idea Choi Hyun had conceived before his regression, and even when all the all-stars gathered and put their heads together, they couldn’t come up with an idea that could beat this one.

“That’s right.”

“Certainly, even if we gathered hunters for a great cause and trained them, since lives are at stake, it would be difficult to control them readily.”

“But if we release good equipment at cheap prices, hunters short on money will jump into gates and dungeons on their own.”

“In the end, what moves people is desire.”

“And if Daesan releases that equipment…”

At that moment, Jang Hae-hyeon’s eyes narrowed.

“But, Advisor. The plan you mentioned seems like a really good plan, but for this plan to be realized, wouldn’t we need to continuously release products of that caliber? Although our Daesan Guild currently has a firm grip on the domestic hunter equipment market share, to be honest, that’s only limited to the domestic market, and globally speaking, it’s somewhat disappointing.”

It was true.

Among current hunter equipment manufacturing countries, the US held the number one market share, China was second, and Japan and Korea were tied for third.

‘Even that is a close competition.’

Choi Hyun nodded.

“I know. That’s how it’s been until now. But from now on, I plan to get involved in all equipment research and development, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

“You personally, Advisor?”

“Yes, only I can do this work. Just watch. I can’t reveal everything due to restrictions about what power I gained from seeing in the Tower, but I received a very significant reward related to the Blacksmith Class. I plan to release that through Daesan.”

“Ah… then that’s fortunate. Actually, we’re already burning through our research team, so I was worried about how to push things further.”

“From now on, you’ll need to hire as many Blacksmith Players as possible rather than researchers. I plan to get involved in everything – product manufacturing, repair systems, material processing, material procurement, and so on. Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t gotten permission from the President yet. If it’s inconvenient, you can tell me even now…”

“No, not at all! You’re the first person in humanity to clear the Growth Tower, and it’s already a great honor that you’re letting us join your future journey.”

“Thank you for saying that. In that sense, I can say this for certain. No matter how much it’s for humanity’s public interest, I have no intention of proceeding with work that would cause losses to the company. I’ll supply equipment at affordable prices while ensuring we make a solid profit.”

“It would be a lie to say I didn’t want that. But I don’t expect huge profits. If we can really put an end to the Great Upheaval era as you said, Advisor, we can actually endure some losses. Daesan isn’t such a small company.”

As expected of Jang Hae-hyeon.

This is why I chose Jang Hae-hyeon.

A family of independence activists rooted in manufacturing was different in every way.

Then Han Yu-won quietly asked.

“May I ask one more question?”

“Of course.”

“Raising the average level of hunters through high-spec equipment supply seems like a good plan to me too. But certain dungeons or gates can’t be solved just by having good equipment – what do you plan to do about places like that? For example, places like the Black Areas currently managed by the government.”

Black Areas.

These referred to ultra-dangerous zones that were deemed impossible to clear and were completely isolated from society by deploying military and civilian hunters.

This system was commonly implemented by all governments worldwide, and they periodically attempted to clear them to minimize civilian damage.

‘Though the success rate is almost negligible.’

So isolation was the best option for now.

Of course, since this was still the era of the First Great Upheaval, their numbers were still remarkably few, but as the Second Great Upheaval approached, the number of Black Areas would increase exponentially worldwide.

‘And the moment isolation fails and Black Areas go berserk, nations collapse.’

Such processes repeated until the Third Great Upheaval came, Chaos Gates were explosively generated, and the world finally met its doom.

Terrible memories from the past flashed through Choi Hyun’s mind, and he soon nodded and said.

“I plan to personally tackle those places.”

“What? You, Advisor?”

“Someone has to do it. What I learned in the Tower is that as Black Areas increase, the next Great Upheaval will become more dangerous. So someone needs to become a focal point and professionally clear Black Areas.”

“And you’ll take on that focal point role?”

“Yes, I called it a focal point because I plan to gradually gather companions. No matter how hard I try, I can’t solve everything by myself.”

“But will people readily… no, will hunters capable enough to catch your eye want to join your journey? That path is expected to be extremely treacherous.”

“That’s right. If they just wait quietly, someone will solve the Black Areas, and if they just wait, cheap and good equipment will be distributed – so why would they risk their lives?”

“Not everyone will be like that. Pandora’s box was full of disasters, but what was at the very bottom was hope. And…”

Choi Hyun said with a smile.

“I’ll create the environment and atmosphere to make them want to join me. In the end, what’s important is stimulating desire to make them move on their own. There will definitely be such people. Those hungry for fame, those who want to become stronger – people are diverse. And if I supply special equipment only to those who join me, won’t more people want to participate?”

Flowers blooming in mud, light covered by hands, an awl in a pocket – there are things that cannot be hidden even if you want to hide them.

Even if the purpose is the special equipment that Choi Hyun provides, hypocrisy is still goodness, and performed hypocrisy is much better than unperformed goodness.

Everyone seemed to gain confidence from Choi Hyun’s confident appearance, as a sense of mission began to bloom on each of their faces.

Jang Hae-hyeon said.

“Daesan will support your work with all our resources, both material and spiritual. So what should I help you with first?”

“First, since I postponed the interview at the Tower entrance earlier, we should do an official interview. But I’d like to postpone the date a little.”

“Want to rest a bit?”

“No, that’s not it. My repair skill level is currently level 6, and this is the highest grade among repair specialist blacksmiths right now, right?”

“Right? Currently among repair specialist blacksmiths, the 6-star skill Fusion Repair is the highest grade… yes?”

“Yes?”

“Level 6, you said?”

In the natural conversation, Jang Hae-hyeon also didn’t sense anything strange and answered naturally.

However, while answering, he realized.

That something was strange about Choi Hyun’s repair skill level.

And all three people noticed this strangeness simultaneously.

“S-Secretary Jin. Please pull the car over to the shoulder for a moment.”

“Ah, yes!”

The car stops.

Jin Hyeon-geun was especially surprised.

Because the last time he checked, Choi Hyun’s repair skill level was level 5 Disassembly Repair.

But it became level 6 in the meantime?

When exactly?

You haven’t even visited the workshop yet since you said you’d challenge the Growth Tower?

Surprised Jang Hae-hyeon asked.

“No, Advisor. Is your repair skill level really level 6?”

“Yes, it was originally level 5, but I fulfilled the missing conditions in the Tower. So as soon as I met the conditions, I raised it to level 6.”

“How does that… does that make sense? How did you raise your repair skill level in the Tower?”

“I was self-sufficient. I kept repairing and using the sword I got in the Tower. Especially during the final boss battle, I fought for nearly 12 hours – if I didn’t have repair skills, I would have failed long ago.”

“My goodness…”

“Anyway, if you give me some time, I think I can raise my repair skill to level 7. It won’t take long. I already asked Secretary Jin to gather related items in advance, and using those, it’ll be quick.”

“I-I see… But may I ask why you want to raise your repair skill level before the interview?”

“When we do the official interview, the whole world will pay attention, and if I reveal my blacksmith specs then, it’ll be perfect for imprinting my abilities as a blacksmith on everyone. There’s no blacksmith with level 7 repair skills yet, and if I’m the first to claim that position and Daesan is my partner? Then I’ll be able to proceed more easily with the high-spec equipment mass production project I plan to pursue.”

“My goodness… Advisor, you have it all planned out?”

“Time is gold. I need to move systematically. Currently, people are only paying attention to my combat abilities, but to run the equipment mass production project, I’ll need many good blacksmiths. And when it comes to gathering talent, the best thing is the company’s conditions, but more important than that is a vision that makes talent’s hearts race, right?”

And that vision can also be a person.

Choi Hyun wants to become such a vision.

“With the merit of working alongside the industry’s top and living legend, blacksmiths from around the world will definitely flock here. In that sense, please drop me off at the workshop, not home.”

Choi Hyun says with a smile.

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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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