The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 64

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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 64

“Ah, no, wait a minute. What did you say?”

“Really?”

Even hearing it with their own ears, they couldn’t believe it.

This wasn’t a small matter.

Because Kim Ha-geom was practically Master Guild itself.

“But wait, I didn’t even see any news about it…?”

“I didn’t see anything on the internet yesterday either…?”

Kim Ha-geom answered their words.

“Ah, I quit this morning, so that’s why. I just finished signing the electronic contract to join Paragon and was on my way here.”

“E-electronic contract?”

“Yes. I was in a hurry, so I asked them to do it quickly.”

“My goodness…”

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

Electronic contract.

It was possible to do.

But when a big shot like Kim Ha-geom transfers guilds, dozens of cameras are mobilized and it makes the media almost like breaking news.

Especially if it’s not just a transfer but leaving a guild entirely.

Yet he had done not one but two such major things, and in the morning no less, quickly handling them with electronic contracts before showing up?

“There’s nothing particularly surprising about it. I wanted to go to Paragon, so what.”

“You wanted to, Sword Saint?!”

“Yes, he’s someone I have a lot to learn from… Oh, by the way, this isn’t empty words – I really moved because I want to learn. I lost to the President in a duel yesterday. Completely, at that.”

“What?! The Sword Saint lost in a duel?! Ah, I’m so sorry. I was just so surprised for a moment…!”

Oh Seok-hyeon hastily covered his mouth.

Jeong Cheol-min couldn’t even make a sound.

Then Choi Hyun mediated the situation.

“Now, now… You must have many questions, but let’s discuss the details later. We came here to work, so let’s work first. Anyway, for that reason, Ha-geom and I, being from the same guild, plan to challenge this Gate.”

“Understood. Then we’ll make sure to control the media well so nothing leaks out this time too.”

“And I’d like to use this opportunity to thank you once more. Since Black Areas are difficult to manage, construction work and various other tasks requiring money start the moment they’re designated, but you contacted us just before construction was about to begin…”

“I only knew because you informed me by email. Good things are good things, right? Shall we go right away then?”

“Yes, let’s do that!”

Four people standing in front of the Gate.

As expected, the Gate portal’s color was red, symbolizing an extermination battle.

Kim Ha-geom’s eyes narrowed.

“You do know where this place is before coming, right?”

“Yes, that’s exactly why I called you, Ha-geom. I had to come here with you specifically, regardless of anyone else.”

“I can guess the reason… but I understand for now.”

Then Choi Hyun created a party.

[ A party is being created. ]

[ The party leader is Choi Hyun. ]

He then invited Kim Ha-geom, forming a 2-person party.

The party system was important.

For places like Gates that required portal travel, only people designated as party members could move together.

Also, forming a party ensured that everything from difficulty adjustments to loot distribution was handled reliably by the System.

Having finished the party settings, Choi Hyun gave a short bow.

“Then we’ll be going.”

As they stepped onto the entrance line, both figures disappeared.

Right after they vanished, people who had been watching from nearby muttered.

“Wow.”

“I’ve lived long enough to see all kinds of combinations.”

“This really is legendary level.”

Then Oh Seok-hyeon, who had been watching with them, said.

“But what happens to Master now that Kim Ha-geom is gone?”

“Still, they have plenty of major hunters left, don’t they?”

“Hmm, but if it were me, I’d feel uneasy enough to look into it and follow Kim Ha-geom to Paragon somehow.”

“You think so?”

“That’s how the trend is going. Paragon’s conditions are pretty good, right?”

“That’s true. But I didn’t know Kim Ha-geom had that kind of personality.”

“Right. I thought he was the quiet, taciturn, dignified type, but I was surprised to see him talk so easily about his defeat.”

“Maybe losing once changed his personality?”

“Could be? But anyway…”

Oh Seok-hyeon narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“As far as I know, Kim Ha-geom couldn’t clear this place, but did President Choi bring him here knowing that?”

“You’re right. He even challenged it several times but failed every time.”

“Well, he must have his reasons.”

The two nodded their heads.

* * *

[ Entering Gate, ‘Tomb of the Demon Swordsmen’. ]

Their vision changed completely.

The place they found themselves was near a cliff, and at the cliff’s edge, countless tombs could be seen.

[ The mission will begin when you shout ‘Start’. ]

[ Invaders is activated. ]

The format was the same.

The mission would start when they shouted ‘Start’.

At the same time, the Invaders trait was activated.

Kim Ha-geom, who received the Invaders effect together through the party system, tilted his head after seeing the notification.

“Invaders? What’s this?”

He answered his question as if it was nothing special.

“It’s something I got from a Black Gate called Invaders’ Playground before.”

“Invaders’ Playground? Ah, you cleared that place too, right? But I’ve been there before – how did you clear it?”

“I dodged some arrows while parrying, then killed all the Invaders as soon as I got Parrying 2. It ended early when I did that.”

“…?”

Kim Ha-geom’s brow furrowed.

“Wasn’t that a survival Gate?”

“Yes, but there was no need to fill the full 12 hours – it ended early when I killed all the enemies.”

“I’ve never seen anyone clear a Green Gate that way in my life.”

“Oh, really?”

At this point, there was no one else who had cleared a Green Gate that way?

He hadn’t paid attention to that detail.

But what did it matter.

It wasn’t like he had committed a crime.

Choi Hyun pointed toward the cliff’s edge as if it was nothing special.

“Anyway, you’ve been here before, right?”

“Yes, I came several times. And failed every time.”

“Why do you think you failed?”

“…Because I was lacking.”

Tomb of the Demon Swordsmen.

It was exactly as the name suggested.

This was a place where dead Sword Ghosts appeared as undead.

That’s why it was an extermination battle.

Because it would end once all the resurrected Sword Ghosts were defeated.

But it was never easy.

That was because this place only allowed a maximum of 3 people to enter, and the Sword Ghosts that were thought to be undead were actually only classified as undead but were completely immune to holy attributes, and even had very strong magic resistance – they were special creatures.

And that wasn’t all?

On top of having basic holy attribute resistance and magic resistance, their fundamental swordsmanship skills were also tremendous.

That’s why no one had been able to conquer it.

Choi Hyun said with a smile.

“I won’t deny it. This place is themed around swordsmanship from the start. That’s also part of why I brought Ha-geom here.”

“Why?”

“Why else? I came here to train Ha-geom.”

“Training?”

“You said you wanted to learn, right? Then you need to know your shortcomings, and the Sword Ghosts are perfect as sparring partners. How could I pass up such an opportunity?”

“That’s… true.”

“In that sense, what level is your swordsmanship right now, Ha-geom?”

“Level 6.”

“What swordsmanship is it?”

“It’s called Wonryu Swordsmanship, belonging to Wonryugong.”

“Wonryugong…”

He searched his memory.

He remembered.

Wonryugong was a fairly decent mass-produced martial art based on Wonryu Footwork and Wonryu Mind Technique, where you could choose from numerous martial arts like Wonryu Swordsmanship, Wonryu Archery, Wonryu Fist Technique, and others.

‘If Samjae Swordsmanship is third-rate, then Wonryu Swordsmanship is about second-rate.’

Still, the name value itself was better than the nameless techniques Choi Hyun had learned.

Nameless techniques were literally synonymous with the lowest-grade martial arts that had no lineage or foundation.

Choi Hyun nodded and said.

“Are you satisfied with Wonryu Swordsmanship?”

“Rather than satisfaction, I was just using it. It’s the technique I’ve used the longest and the one I’m most familiar with. Of course, just because it’s familiar and old doesn’t mean I’ve ever neglected my training.”

“That’s how your swordsmanship level goes up, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But I heard you were stuck at level 5 for the longest time and only recently reached level 6. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then you’ll probably never reach level 7.”

Kim Ha-geom’s eyes widened at the statement that he wouldn’t be able to reach level 7.

“Why?”

“Wonryugong is about second-rate in terms of grade. Of course, second-rate isn’t bad, but it means the potential is fixed. So usually by level 6, your swordsmanship should contain your own individuality.”

“Do I lack individuality?”

“You’re just ordinary.”

He was ordinary.

No matter how much he recalled, it was just common movements you could see anywhere.

Choi Hyun’s explanation continued.

“The System isn’t stupid. While the System did distribute martial arts, skills change in various ways depending on how Players utilize them. So now you need to incorporate individuality into your swordsmanship and carve your own path. And today.”

Choi Hyun pointed to the graveyard and said.

“I’ll help you find your individuality so you can use Ha-geom Style instead of Wonryu Swordsmanship.”

“Ha-geom Style…!”

Having “Style” at the end of a martial art meant lineage, school, or style.

It was literally named Ha-geom Style because it was swordsmanship created utilizing Kim Ha-geom’s individuality.

At the mention of Ha-geom Style, Kim Ha-geom’s eyes began to sparkle with life.

“Thank you, I’ll work hard.”

“Good. Then shall we start right away?”

He immediately started the mission.

[ You are standing before the tomb of Sword Ghosts who have lingering attachments to this world. ]

[ If you defeat all the Sword Ghosts, the mission will be cleared and the Gate will be conquered. ]

[ Each time you defeat a Sword Ghost, you must shout “restart” to continue the battle. ]

[ Starting the mission. ]

The mission began.

At the same time, an escape portal was created behind them.

Rumble rumble rumble-

One tomb crumbled and a Sword Ghost began to resurrect from underground.

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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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