The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 57

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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 57

 

Thanks to the enthusiastic support, I was able to easily get my hands on six promising alchemist prospects.

 

Of course, we hadn’t signed contracts yet, but I had no doubt they would.

 

Because they knew that the Choi Hyun they saw was currently the most reliable and solid backing in the world.

 

‘Where else could you find a guarantor like me at this point in time.’

 

Choi Hyun asked.

 

“Good. Then, even though we haven’t signed yet, let’s think of ourselves as working together from now on… But why did you suddenly dream of Breaking Bad? Were you short on money?”

 

“No, that’s not it…”

 

“To be honest…”

 

“Actually…”

 

Among those who were being cautious, the youngest, 21-year-old Lee I-hyeon, spoke calmly.

 

“We wanted to become big shots.”

 

“Big shots?”

 

“Yes, we all liked chemistry enough to come to Korea University’s chemistry department, and we happened to awaken, so after long discussions we decided to become alchemists.”

 

“Are alchemists and chemistry related?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…With that reason, you could have just chosen other classes, right? You could become big shots just by utilizing your major.”

 

“We thought the peak was different.”

 

“Peak?”

 

“We thought that utilizing our major, the biggest we could become would be winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry at most. But if there’s a System that makes the impossible possible and can’t be proven by science, we judged that becoming alchemists and becoming big shots would have a higher peak.”

 

“But this was the start…?”

 

“Honestly, this project was started purely for fun, so we have nothing to say. We were also thinking of using any money we made as a foundation for other research.”

 

“Oh my…”

 

The words “oh my” came out without me realizing.

 

These were motivations that would have earned a hundred smacks on the back if their mothers had heard.

 

Of course, such oddballs did change the world.

 

Even Stein, humanity’s greatest 9-star Alchemist Player who was with us at the end of destruction, said he had secretly made some in the past.

 

‘Well, without motivations like these, who would be crazy enough to choose a dangerous profession like alchemist in this dangerous world.’

 

Choi Hyun nodded and said.

 

“Well, sure. Still, as a fellow production class, it’s not a completely incomprehensible reason. In that sense, what kind of research do you want to do?”

 

“We’ve already set a common big goal.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“We want to try making the Philosopher’s Stone.”

 

The Philosopher’s Stone.

 

It’s the common goal of those who pursue alchemy, and in some places it’s also described as a stone that grants wishes.

 

But the basic definition is a legendary alchemical substance that turns cheap metals into gold.

 

That’s why it’s also called the Stone of Transmutation.

 

‘Actually, Stein was the first to create the Philosopher’s Stone.’

 

The power of the Philosopher’s Stone is tremendous.

 

Frankly speaking, with just the Philosopher’s Stone, there was nothing that couldn’t be transmuted into the world based on the law of equivalent exchange.

 

That’s why people often called it a stone that grants wishes.

 

Depending on how it was used, the Philosopher’s Stone had the power to even revive the dead.

 

‘Well, even if it was called a wish-granting stone, it ultimately couldn’t turn back time.’

 

Choi Hyun nodded and said.

 

“It’s something all alchemists dream of. Of course, it hasn’t been created among Players yet, but I think someday someone will make it.”

 

“We think so too. The way the world is, all sorts of things come out, right? All kinds of items related to myths and legends appear in the form of traits, items, and skills, so why wouldn’t the Philosopher’s Stone exist?”

 

“Good. So the common goal is the Philosopher’s Stone, what about your individual goals?”

 

Then Kang I-hyeok answered first.

 

“Mine was the Philosopher’s Stone from the beginning.”

 

Then the others answered one by one.

 

“I want to make Panacea, called the cure-all medicine.”

 

“I want the Elixir that grants immortality.”

 

“I want to make Homunculus, an artificial human.”

 

“I might get criticized for this… but I want to try making Chimera, a synthetic creature.”

 

“Do you know Automaton? It’s an automatic doll that moves by itself. I want Automaton.”

 

Six alchemists.

 

And six goals.

 

However, among the things that came from their mouths, what Choi Hyun needed wasn’t mentioned.

 

So he thought it was disappointing but also fine.

 

Choi Hyun said.

 

“You all have different goals. It’s really interesting that none of them overlap with mine either.”

 

“What’s your goal, Hunter… no, you’re the boss now. What’s your goal, Boss?”

 

“Golems.”

 

“Golems?”

 

“Yes, my goal is to make many strong golems and clear Areas using only golems.”

 

It was true.

 

The most ultimate goal among the reasons for recruiting alchemists in the first place was mass production of combat golems.

 

‘Golems are beings that can be churned out like mass-produced goods while being powerfully controlled.’

 

Of course, like they said, he had seen Homunculus, Chimera, and Automaton as well.

 

Sometimes he met them as enemies, and sometimes he had seen allied alchemists create them.

 

But Stein had said.

 

Among soldiers that are cheap, easy to manage, and can be mass-produced, golems are definitely the best.

 

That’s why he tried to gather alchemists for mass production of golems.

 

‘Plus, the difficulty of achievement is also the easiest.’

 

It was when Choi Hyun finished speaking.

 

“Oh…”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Wow…”

 

“That’s cool.”

 

The alchemists expressed admiration.

 

They had to.

 

The goals they presented were for their own dreams.

 

But Choi Hyun’s goal was for everyone.

 

Choi Hyun smiled and said.

 

“I don’t know if you saw the interview video, but the reason I joined Daesan is the same. Increase the Area clear rate by supplying good equipment at low prices. Golems are for the same reason. So I propose to you all. Since I’m hiring you, please work for my dream. Then I’ll also fully support your dreams.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

“Please take care of us.”

 

“Thank you for hiring us!”

 

“We’ll work hard!”

 

The alchemists bowed their heads in gratitude.

 

Then someone knocked.

 

The visitor was Jin Hyeon-geun.

 

He appeared carrying a large box and put it down on the table, saying.

 

“Director, I brought what you asked for.”

 

“Good work.”

 

Choi Hyun got up from his seat and took out the contents from inside the box.

 

What he took out were juggling balls.

 

“These are juggling balls. Practice juggling while you’re receiving treatment and resting. The passing standard is successfully doing 35 rounds with 15 balls, and the standard for 35 rounds is when the first ball goes around 35 times.”

 

“What?”

 

“Suddenly?”

 

“I can’t juggle though…?”

 

“I know. Most people probably can’t. But you need to.”

 

“Why, why do we have to?”

 

“Do you know about Dexterity and Hyper Focus skills?”

 

Kang I-hyeok acted like he knew.

 

“I think I’ve heard of them. Skills that give extra experience for manual work and stuff like that, right? Hyper Focus has a similar effect.”

 

“You know well. If you can get skill pages, get them and learn. If not, practice juggling and figure it out yourself. But skill pages will be hard to obtain. I couldn’t get them either, so I learned through juggling. So for the remaining time, continue receiving treatment well and practice consistently until your official start date. That way you can teach the alchemists who come later too.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The alchemists fell silent.

 

“Well then.”

 

Choi Hyun gave a brief nod and left the infirmary with Jin Hyeon-geun.

 

* * *

 

A few days later.

 

[ The Dungeon Core has been destroyed. ]

 

[ Dungeon ‘Rotten Goblin Breeding Ground’ has been conquered. ]

 

[ The dungeon conqueror is Player ‘Choi Hyun’. ]

 

[ ‘Choi Hyun’ has been selected as the top conqueror. ]

 

[ Additional experience will be provided to the top conqueror. ]

 

[ 1 bonus stat has been provided for being selected as top conqueror. ]

 

[ You have successfully conquered alone a dungeon that no one else could conquer. ]

 

[ For achieving a great Achievement, the System gifts you 3 bonus stats. ]

 

[ Your level has increased. ]

 

[ You have acquired 1 bonus stat. ]

 

[ Thousand Martial Physique activates. ]

 

[ Strength, Stamina, Mana, and Sense stats each increase by 1. ]

 

[ Since the dungeon has been conquered, all traces of the dungeon will completely disappear after 24 hours. ]

 

Notifications surged upward.

 

Afterward, he collected the dungeon core fragments and checked his status window.

 

[ Choi Hyun ]

 

– Lv : 45

 

– Class : Blacksmith

 

– Traits : ＜Demon’s Eye＞＜Repair＞＜Curse of Memory＞＜Anonymous Craftsman＞＜Thousand Martial Physique＞＜Materials＞＜Noble Spirit＞＜Qualification of Beyond＞＜Invader＞

 

– Strength : 50

 

– Stamina : 50

 

– Mana : 50

 

– Sense : 50

 

– Dexterity : 169

 

– Unallocated Stat Points : 5

 

Choi Hyun’s lips curved upward as he looked at the information.

 

In the few days since the Daerim Faction incident, he had conquered a whopping 10 dungeons.

 

In that process, he had gained 13 levels, and including what he just obtained, he had earned 53 bonus stats alone.

 

An astounding growth rate.

 

The acquired bonus stats were naturally invested in Dexterity.

 

With this, his accumulated Dexterity stat reached 174.

 

‘174 Dexterity at level 45, that’s really an absurd number.’

 

He couldn’t help but laugh.

 

But he deserved it.

 

That’s because all 10 dungeons he had tackled over four days were classified as Black Areas.

 

Thanks to this, every time he conquered a dungeon, he received 3 additional bonus stats from the Achievement buff, and these accumulated to create the current result.

 

And that wasn’t all.

 

Choi Hyun’s vigorous Black Area conquest activities had now spread widely throughout society, becoming known to everyone, and as a result, Choi Hyun’s popularity had firmly established itself at the undisputed top level in the country.

 

“Thank you for your hard work, Hunter.”

 

“As expected of you, Hunter.”

 

As he emerged from the dungeon, Jeong Cheol-min and Oh Seok-hyeon were waiting.

 

This was now a natural scene.

 

Choi Hyun smiled and said.

 

“Thank you both for your hard work. Then, as I mentioned yesterday, we’ll stop here for today.”

 

There was still a long time before the two men’s work hours would end.

 

But even so, the reason Choi Hyun stopped conquering Black Areas was because there was an important event.

 

“Ah, of course. It starts today, right? The sale of Daesan’s new equipment?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. If you need any, I’ll send some for you two as well.”

 

“Ah, it’s fine. We’d be in big trouble if we carelessly accepted such things. Well then, you must be busy, so please go ahead. We’ll send you the confirmation documents by the end of today.”

 

“Thank you, then.”

 

Soon the car departed, and after a while, a call came from Jang Hae-hyeon.

 

“Yes, President.”

 

– Are you coming?

 

“Yes, I think I’ll arrive on time.”

 

– I called just in case, see you later then.

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

The call ended.

 

At the same time, he changed into neat clothes.

 

Jin Hyeon-geun looked at Choi Hyun through the rearview mirror and said.

 

“Congratulations once again, Director.”

 

“Thank you. Please continue to take good care of me.”

 

“Yes, just leave it to me!”

 

Jin Hyeon-geun answered energetically.

 

His eyes were shining.

 

Because today was the day Daesan’s equipment would begin full-scale sales and simultaneously the official launch ceremony of Paragon Guild. Moreover.

 

‘It’s also the day we officially start recruiting Paragon Guild members.’

 

Probably unprecedented aggro was expected after the Growth Tower conquest interview.

 

Vroom-

 

The car carrying Choi Hyun smoothly headed toward Seoul.

—————
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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