The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 63

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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 63

After several hours of forced juggling practice together.

Finally, someone cheered.

“I, I got it!”

At the news that someone succeeded, everyone’s attention focused on one spot.

It was eldest brother Kang I-hyeok.

Kang I-hyeok flapped around like a live fish in joy.

“I got both Dexterity and Hyper Focus!”

“Oh, from what I remember, you haven’t passed the benchmark yet, but you still managed to acquire them?”

“R-right? Anyway, I learned both of these, so I can stop now, right?”

“Yes, I had you do this to get those in the first place. You pass.”

“Yes!”

Juggling practice.

He really didn’t want to do it, but finally got approval to stop.

As Kang I-hyeok jumped for joy, everyone looked at him with envious eyes.

“What are you looking at, you guys! Hurry up and practice!”

Kang I-hyeok giggled as he teased his younger brothers.

Like a wicked circus master.

Then Kang I-hyeok quickly rubbed his hands together and bowed to Choi Hyun.

“President, so what should I do now?”

“Your attitude of constantly seeking and performing tasks is very admirable. In that spirit, what level is your Synthesis skill right now?”

“Level 3. Not just me, but everyone.”

“That’s because you all practiced together?”

“Yes, it wasn’t intentional, but since we all moved together, it turned out that way.”

“Hmm, level 3…”

Level 3.

Not bad.

At the current point in time, the world’s best alchemist’s Synthesis level was 5, and the domestic best was 4.

But these guys were at 3, which was by no means a low number.

It was all the result of their suffering in the Daerim Castle Basement.

Choi Hyun nodded and said.

“You know the world’s best is level 5, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“In that sense, our first goal is to raise the Synthesis skill to level 5.”

“L-level 5?”

“Philosopher’s Stone, Chimera, Automaton, Golem, Elixir, Panacea… Whatever it is, the foundation is synthesis, right? So for alchemists, other traits and skills are secondary, and the Synthesis skill level is absolutely the most important.”

“Yes, I understand that.”

“In that sense, this.”

He handed over a practice sheet.

Kang I-hyeok took it and asked.

“What is this?”

“It’s a puzzle blueprint.”

“A puzzle?”

“The official name is Alchemist Puzzle… Simply put, it’s a puzzle for practicing synthesis techniques. You create materials according to the formulas written here and achieve the final form of the puzzle. Since you’re level 3, I prepared one specifically for level 3.”

Alchemist Puzzle.

It was the same as the Smith Puzzle, an item with the same purpose that Stein made after seeing Choi Hyun create one.

Kang I-hyeok looked over the design formula and said with a confident expression.

“This looks like I could do it quickly?”

“It would be good if you could do it quickly. But it won’t be easy. The foundation of synthesis is how excellently you can synthesize results with completeness, right? So the completeness of the results must always be 100% or higher… That is, S-grade must come out, but with Alchemist Puzzle, all the puzzle pieces you need to make must be S-grade for proper assembly.”

“S, S-grade?”

“That’s why it’s called a practice puzzle. Frankly speaking, to raise your Synthesis skill level, you need to synthesize countless objects, but rather than doing that, properly completing this will be easier and more efficient.”

Saying that, he took out several more practice sheets.

“These are puzzle blueprints for levels 4 and 5. Naturally, clearing the level 4 exclusive one makes you level 5, and clearing level 5 makes you level 6. The reason I gave you the level 5 exclusive blueprint is because the first goal is level 5 and the next goal is level 6.”

“Ah… But is there a specific reason it needs to be level 6?”

“There is. You need to be level 6 to stably handle the materials I want and create the level of golems I want. And the things you’re aiming for will probably require at least level 8 to achieve.”

“L-level 8…!”

The word max level.

Then suddenly, such a question arose.

“But President, how do you know all this? From what I know, you haven’t been a Hunter for very long either.”

“The secret lies in the Growth Tower. I’ll give no comment beyond this.”

“Ah…!”

The Growth Tower.

What a convenient alibi to use as an excuse.

“The related materials are in the warehouse, so work hard everyone. By the way, you need to acquire Dexterity and Hyper Focus before you can challenge the puzzle. And when everyone’s Synthesis level reaches level 5, I’ll give bonuses too, so work hard.”

“Yes! Understood! Just leave it to us!”

“The guild membership contracts will be contacted separately by HR staff tomorrow. So, is there anything else you’re curious about or need?”

“No! Thank you always!”

“Good. Oh, and by the way, to give you something that can serve as motivation to work even harder, I want to make you all the world’s best alchemists, then with you at the forefront, get all domestic and international alchemists to join our guild. When that happens, an alchemist department will naturally be created and you’ll become executives, right?”

“E-executives?!”

“Currently, even the best domestic alchemist guild has a big gap compared to world level. I want to become the best not only domestically but internationally. That way I can create golem armies much more easily. Just imagine it once. A future where you become executives of Paragon and the best alchemists, mass-producing Philosopher’s Stones and manufacturing Elixirs.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

At Choi Hyun’s vision presentation, dreams and vitality began to shine in the alchemists’ eyes.

“We’ll work hard!!”

“Good work, everyone.”

Choi Hyun greeted them and left.

Finally, today’s schedule was over.

‘I should get some sleep for once.’

Bzzzz-

Just then, his phone rang.

It was an email notification, sent by Jeong Cheol-min.

Materials about newly appeared dungeons and gates.

That wasn’t all.

There was also information about places newly designated as Black Areas this time.

But among them, one place caught Choi Hyun’s eye.

‘Ah, this became a Black Area around this time?’

A familiar name.

He changed his plans.

If this was the case, he should go there first.

For that, he needed to rest well.

Choi Hyun hummed as he headed home.

* * *

Morning.

Upon waking, Choi Hyun obtained a number and made a call.

– …Hello?

A familiar voice heard through the receiver.

Choi Hyun answered.

“This is Kim Ha-geom’s phone, right? This is Choi Hyun from Paragon.”

– Who… Yes, yes? President Choi Hyun?

“Yes, I gave you my business card, but I didn’t know Ha-geom’s number yet, so I looked it up separately and contacted you. I’m sorry.”

– Oh, oh, no! I should have contacted you first, I’m sorry. But what brings you to call so early in the morning?

“Oh, it’s nothing major, but there’s a place I’d like to go together, so I was wondering if Kim Ha-geom could come too.”

– I can go. I’ll definitely go.

“I didn’t even tell you where it is yet?”

– Wherever it is, I’ll definitely go.

“I like how straightforward you are. But the place I’m planning to go is a Black Area, so you’ll probably need permission from your guild.”

– Ah, if that’s the case, please wait a moment. I’ll call you right back.

The call ended.

And shortly after, the phone rang again.

– Hello? President?

“Yes, I’m listening.”

– I just withdrew from Master Guild a moment ago.

“Huh, already?”

– Actually, yesterday President Kang asked to have a talk, and we did, but with his attitude yesterday and the bet and all, I was already leaning toward withdrawal anyway. There will be some penalty fees, but I’m handling that together with my shares all at once, so it’s no problem.

“Still, it seems like you processed this too hastily…”

– It’s really okay. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.

“No. Come straight to the dungeon. I’ll send a car, so let’s meet in front of the Black Area. I’ll finish all the visit procedures and such beforehand.”

– Understood! But is the place you’re going a Gate or a dungeon? How many days should I plan for the challenge? I need to prepare a bit too.

“I’ll take care of the minor preparations. Just bring yourself.”

– Yes, understood!

Kim Ha-geom hung up the phone with a bright smile.

Could he really be that happy?

How happy must he be to not even ask what the name of the Gate is?

Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.

After all, the person who will eventually conquer that place will be me, not Kim Ha-geom.

Then Choi Hyun started making calls to various places, and shortly after, Jin Hyeon-geun appeared to pick up Choi Hyun.

* * *

War Memorial located in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.

Jeong Cheol-min and Oh Seok-hyeon, along with various other officials, were there.

Because starting today, the Gate located here was designated as a Black Area and would be managed by the state.

As a result, working hunters, soldiers, and various equipment and workers to build a management office began coming in.

Two large black sedans appeared at that location.

It was Choi Hyun and Kim Ha-geom.

As the two got out of their cars, the waiting officials began to stir.

“Huh?”

“Wow.”

“It’s really Choi Hyun?”

“It’s really Kim Ha-geom?”

“How did the two of them come together?”

“Did they come to try the Gate one last time before construction starts here?”

“But how did they come together like that? Is that even possible?”

People stirring with excitement.

Through them, Oh Seok-hyeon and Jeong Cheol-min rushed out to greet the two.

“You’ve arrived, Hunters!”

“Section Chief, you came early too. This is Hunter Kim Ha-geom I mentioned on the phone earlier.”

“Oh my, working in this field, I can’t not know the Sword Saint. But I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

“I actually haven’t known him long either. And starting today, Ha-geom’s affiliation changed from Master to Paragon. That’s why we came together.”

At that moment.

“What?”

“Pardon?”

Oh Seok-hyeon and Jeong Cheol-min’s mouths fell open once again.

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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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