The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 73

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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 73

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

Everyone present had their thoughts come to a complete halt.

Accept a new recruit?

No, setting that aside, isn’t that the troublemaker Maeng Bu-yong?

Why is that person here?

Then Choi Hyun approached with a smile.

“Haha, Hunter Maeng, you’re quite an interesting person. Everyone, let me introduce you. As you know, this is Hunter Maeng Bu-yong, the Fighting God. He’s also become a member of our Paragon Guild starting today.”

“What?!”

“Excuse me?!”

“Ma, Ma, Maeng Bu-yong?”

Everyone was shocked.

It was an understandable reaction.

This was all the result of what Maeng Bu-yong had built up over time.

Choi Hyun still smiled as he spoke.

“Yes, we’ve finished the contract paperwork, so he’s officially a guild member. And he says he won’t be wandering anymore and will settle down at our Guild Headquarters, so please take good care of him. Especially you Alchemists, if you ever need Hunter Maeng’s help, please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance anytime.”

“Ah, yes… Understood.”

“Well, let’s leave the introductions at that… Ah, Hunter An, shall we go write up your contract now? You haven’t signed yours yet, right? Sorry for making you wait so long.”

“Oh, not at all! I was juggling while waiting. I’m fine.”

Soon Choi Hyun and An U-ju disappeared.

Maeng Bu-yong was left standing there alone.

The Alchemists avoided eye contact and went to a corner to practice juggling.

The only one left in front of him was Kim Ha-geom.

One of the few people who wasn’t afraid of Maeng Bu-yong.

That didn’t mean they were close though.

Kim Ha-geom approached and asked.

“Hey, what’s your deal?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you here? And joining a guild? Settling down? You’d never do stuff like that.”

“I ended up doing it.”

“So why?”

“Is that important?”

“It is important. Don’t I know you? I don’t know what scheme someone as selfish as you has for joining Paragon, but if you cause any trouble for the President, I won’t let it slide. Got it?”

“I would… to That One?”

Suddenly Maeng Bu-yong’s body began trembling.

Then as if struck by chills, he carefully hugged his own body.

“I, I would… to That One…? How dare I…?”

“Wh, what’s wrong with you?”

“No, no… I would never… cause any trouble for That One… never… I mustn’t… never…!”

“Hey…?”

“Juggling…! I need to juggle…! The President told me to juggle when he left…! Juggling…! Ju, juggling…!”

“Uh, huh? Oh, r-right… the juggling balls are over there….”

Maeng Bu-yong shuffled over and started juggling.

With that expression as if he’d seen a ghost, Kim Ha-geom felt indescribable emotions as if he was looking at a completely different person.

‘Wh, what the…?’

What the hell happened?

Why is that troublemaker acting like a war veteran with PTSD?

However, only Maeng Bu-yong and Choi Hyun knew the reason for his behavior.

* * *

“Thank you, I’ll work hard!”

An U-ju, having finished signing the contract, bowed deeply in greeting.

“I’m the one who should be asking for your continued support.”

“I’m really excited. When you deflected all my arrows in the training hall, I couldn’t believe it even seeing it with my own eyes.”

“Haha, that wasn’t anything difficult… But you didn’t ask for any signing bonus or anything else. Are you sure there’s nothing you need?”

It was exactly as he said.

An U-ju hadn’t demanded anything.

The reason was because of Kim Ha-geom.

She recalled the conversation she’d had with Kim Ha-geom while waiting for Choi Hyun.

“That One is a genius.”

“I know he’s a genius too.”

“No, he’s more of a genius than you think. So as guild members, we shouldn’t be looking to gain something, but should treat That One like a master and think about learning and gaining even one more thing from him.”

“To that extent?”

“Have you ever done a raid with the President?”

“No?”

“I went to the Tomb of the Sword Ghosts. You know what kind of place that is for me, right?”

Of course she knew.

They were close enough to occasionally drink together and share various stories.

“But I took down a Sa-beon Sword Ghost there using pure swordsmanship. It happened right after receiving That One’s teachings and weapon maintenance.”

“Teachings? Weapon maintenance I understand, but the President’s class is Blacksmith – what teachings could he give to you, a Sword Saint?”

“Does it sound like a lie?”

“No, it’s not that, but still, you know what I mean?”

“Don’t be skeptical. Just believe it. And beg and plead for teachings, try to look good so you can ask for weapon maintenance whenever your stats change. Don’t demand anything else. Do you think we’re qualified to do that? Just work hard and try to look good. Then we’ll be able to catch up to American or Chinese Hunters in no time.”

“To that extent?”

She was even more puzzled because he was someone who usually didn’t joke around or speak empty words.

So she answered carefully.

“Yes, I don’t need anything else. Instead, I want to receive direct teachings from the President.”

“Teachings?”

“Yes, the President said so himself – that it’s a miracle I’ve survived this long with my level of skill. And I heard everything from the Sword Saint. That you gave him teachings at the Tomb of the Sword Ghosts. So please give me teachings too. I want to become stronger. I want to become stronger so I can carry out the duty you mentioned without hesitation.”

An U-ju bowed her head again.

Choi Hyun’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the top of her head.

‘The Kim Ha-geom effect is definitely working.’

The Tomb of the Sword Ghosts was conquered at a coincidental timing, but he had planned to take whoever came first, whether it was An U-ju or Kim Ha-geom, and use them as an example.

But Kim Ha-geom became that target, and things were proceeding as planned, showing results.

Choi Hyun smiled and said.

“Hunter An.”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I’m gathering party members.”

“Party members?”

“Yes, a party that could be called the absolute elite across both domestic and international standards, to challenge areas that others wouldn’t dare attempt to conquer. And I’m considering Hunter An U-ju as a candidate for one of those positions.”

“An elite party… Thank you for thinking of me that way.”

“No. You should listen to Korean until the end. I said I’m considering you as a candidate, but I haven’t said I’ll accept you yet. Because I plan to constantly replace the members of this elite party based on their abilities.”

“Constantly replace them?”

“Yes, as I mentioned earlier, my party plans to challenge only those areas that everyone else has given up on. So we must have only the best. There’s nothing sadder than losing comrades because of personal feelings.”

“So?”

“You asked for teachings, right? Of course I’ll provide them. But if you want to receive proper teachings from me, your goal should be to become the best specialist in ranged dealing, at least domestically and internationally.”

“The best specialist… I can do it. Please tell me the standards, and I’ll do my best to meet them.”

“The standard for the best is simple. If you’re the best archer, you must be able to shoot farther and faster than anyone else, and hit accurately in any situation. For example, you’ve heard stories of a single sniper stopping an entire battalion, right? That’s the kind of archer I want.”

“Isn’t that setting the bar too high?”

“It is high. That’s why I called it the best. If you’re not confident, you don’t have to take on the challenge. I’ll still provide guidance, and you might become the best in the country. But with just domestic-level skills, I can’t include you in the party I have in mind.”

“…”

An U-ju’s mouth closed.

She had vaguely thought about joining Paragon, receiving Choi Hyun’s guidance, and improving.

But the Choi Hyun she was actually talking to had aspirations beyond her imagination.

“I won’t force you. However, if you decide to join, I’ll support you in every way until the day you reach the top. What I want is the end of the age of great upheaval.”

The atmosphere changed.

She had never experienced this kind of atmosphere before.

It was suffocating.

No matter who she met or what gatherings she attended, she had never felt this kind of pressure, but this sensation was like facing an insurmountable boss monster.

But perhaps because of that?

Thump thump thump-

An U-ju’s heart began to race for the first time in a long while.

Without realizing it, a smile spread across her lips.

Growth, adventure, and the pinnacle.

She felt a strong conviction that if she took the hand of this man before her, she could achieve all of that.

She didn’t need honor or rewards.

If she ran following Choi Hyun, such things would naturally follow.

Suddenly, she remembered what she had said to President Lee Yong-u.

That she didn’t want to be a fake hunter who was all looks.

Then she would have to prove herself.

That way she wouldn’t be embarrassed.

“I’ll do it.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, really.”

“I definitely informed you of the terms and conditions, right?”

“My ears work just fine. I heard properly and understood too.”

“Understood. Then I’ll trust Hunter An once.”

An U-ju’s chest began to swell with emotion.

“So what should I start with? Strength training? Long-distance shooting practice? Rapid-fire practice? Just say the word! I’m ready anytime!”

“Juggling.”

“Pardon?”

“First, learn ultra-concentration and dexterity. Proper training comes after that.”

“Ah…”

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

Thud.

After the conversation ended, An U-ju was promptly sent away.

“Now then…”

After An U-ju left, Choi Hyun prepared to move.

“It’s finally my turn.”

He changed locations.

His destination was Choi Hyun’s private workshop prepared within the Guild Headquarters Building.

When he pressed the button, the warehouse door opened.

Inside, various items and materials were piled up by category, as much as in the workshop he used before.

Choi Hyun summoned and gripped the Hammer of Materials as he spoke.

“Shall I finally start working on the skill leveling I’ve been putting off?”

After a long time, vitality began to return to Choi Hyun’s eyes.

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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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