Genius Blacksmith's Game

Crazy Rookie is known as a weapon master.

It wasn’t something Crazy Rookie claimed himself, but because of statements from trustworthy experts and rankers.

They said this because of the Gauntlets of Strength he had summoned at the Super Rookie Tournament held in the Kingdom of Goyard.

He summoned the Gauntlets of Strength toward an approaching stone golem and blew it away with an arrow.

Of course, among a small number of users, some threw out a question mark: “Wait, wasn't that crafting, not summoning?”

But the remarks of that small number of users were dismissed.

The reason they were dismissed came down to one thing.

-That would mean Crazy Rookie is a non-combat class, so have you guys ever seen a user that strong in a non-combat class?

He achieved an unprecedented special result at the Super Rookie Tournament and got the nickname Crazy Rookie.

A name given because he far surpassed all Super Rookies up to that point.

High-rankers and experts piled on, too.

-A non-combat class—especially a crafter, rumored to be the weakest in the food chain—producing the kind of power Crazy Rookie showed is something that looks close to impossible.

-Looking at balance, it’s impossible unless a single user possesses a dual class.

-And considering that Crazy Rookie’s level at the time was around 50, the very idea that he had a dual class at that level doesn’t make sense either.

People tend to believe the words of those who seem more credible, more expert, and more outstanding.

And so the opinions of that small number of users were dismissed far too easily.

Because of that, even the commentators and /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ MCs broadcasting the continental war live were also guessing that he was a weapon master.

But the world message that rose up the moment that enormous grip was seized in Hyunsoo’s hand.

-W-What, what is it?

-Why is there a world message.......

The timing was too perfect. It could look like weapon summoning, but that notification showed it was closer to crafting completion.

And the fact that, at the end, it rang out that Blacksmith Hyun was the maker.

-B-B-Blacksmith Hyuuuuuun!!!!

-W-What are you talking about!?

-I can’t believe it even while I’m looking at the notification!

-Are you saying Crazy Rookie and Blacksmith Hyun were the same person!?

That shock wasn’t something that happened only inside the continental war.

Electronic billboards positioned all over the world, where people walked.

A breaking news ticker flashed across the screens at high speed.

-The first creator of a Transcendence artifact, Blacksmith Hyun.

And then, on the second line, another breaking-news alert appeared right after it.

-Crazy Rookie Hyunsoo. Revealed as Blacksmith Hyun.

“......What?”

“Holy shit!?”

“Crazy Rookie is Blacksmith Hyun!?”

“H-How can that be?”

This massive shock was spreading to all corners of the world.

*****

AJ Internet Broadcasting Station was also transmitting a broadcast in partnership with Pureum Co., Ltd.

In addition, the ratings for the continental war were shown as the combined ratings of all broadcasters and internet stations.

The highest ratings during the continental war reached 34.1%.

But as time passed and viewers realized the continental war had ended, they were leaving in a flood.

18.7%.

By the very end, it had dropped to about this much.

That was unavoidable.

The continental war was broadcast worldwide.

Because of that, in some countries it was time to sleep, and in other countries it was time to go to school or go to work.

Even those who had been watching by carving out time returned to their duties once defeat seemed certain.

However, the aftermath of multiple shocks appeared in the ratings.

“Ratings back over 20%!”

“Ratings 22%......!”

“Ratings 23%!”

“D-Director!”

“The viewers who left are coming back!”

“They’re turning their TVs back on at high speed all over the world!”

“T-This is insane!”

The control room of AJ Internet Broadcasting Station, with dozens of monitors floating.

Producer Kim Minwoo spoke in a trembling voice.

“Is it this much? The power of Blacksmith Hyun?”

Director Lee Taeho shook his head.

“No. It’s also because of the expectation that they might get to see the first Transcendence-grade artifact.”

“......?”

Producer Kim Minwoo imagined it.

Himself, asleep because he had to go to work tomorrow. A phone call from a friend.

‘Hey, a first Transcendence-grade artifact just came out! And it’s one Blacksmith Hyun made! In the continental war, too!’

Would he not watch?

‘......Sleep be damned, I'm watching that.’

“And another reason the world is flooding in is to see Hyun, the blacksmith.”

That was true.

There were many figures across the world with influence on the level of Blacksmith Hyun.

No—there had been.

“Now that a user who rose to First Legend has been born, the world will come to see the power of the First Legend user.”

Right. It was because of those compounded reasons.

“R-Ratings over 34%!”

“We’ve surpassed the continental war’s all-time ratings!”

Hearing those shouts, Producer Kim Minwoo exclaimed in admiration.

“We were completely fooled.”

Because the first station to broadcast the Crazy Rookie + Hyun collaboration had been AJ Internet Broadcasting Station.

Then Director Lee Taeho said,

“It’s frightening.”

“......What is?”

“With this kind of reaction, just how far will Hyun’s Forge climb?”

Producer Kim Minwoo swallowed hard.

He became curious as well.

What Hyun’s Forge would become after the continental war truly ended.

*****

After the world message rang out, it wasn’t only the commentators who got flipped upside down.

Viewers around the world were also in shock, posting messages.

Among them, Korean viewers stood out.

-Which asshole said Blacksmith Hyun was some fat guy in his 50s, get out here!

That first shock was because it wasn’t the image of Hyun they had imagined.

-Hyun...... you bastard.......

-You’ve got everything.......

-Fuck, just try becoming MVP, seriously. Why are you turning the Ares Gallery into a depression gallery!?

-HUFF HUFF

The second shock. To be exact, there was anticipation.

If you became legend, you would receive bonuses to all stats and skills.

Even though Pureum Co., Ltd. hadn’t announced it, users were certain they would become stronger by becoming legend.

But the viewers’ reactions turned a bit differently.

-Don’t you get stronger if you become legend?

-No—because he’s a blacksmith, he won’t get stronger.

-Yeah, exactly. Because he’s a blacksmith, he won’t get stronger—but his blacksmith skills probably got way better, right?

If a swordsman becomes Sword King, everything about being Sword King is maximized—an unchanging law.

In the same way, if you became a legend Master Craftsman, then it was truth that the field would be maximized.

However, the viewers didn’t know.

Even if Hyun had revealed his identity, his real worth still hadn’t been revealed.

[Congratulations.]

[You have risen to legend for the first time in the world.]

[As the legend of blacksmiths, you will become the one who leads them.]

[You can create the epithet you desire.]

[However, it must be related to blacksmithing.]

It was a moment he had waited for a long time.

Because of that, Hyunsoo didn’t hesitate.

[Ten Legends. Master Craftsman Hyun is recorded.]

[You acquire the title First Legend.]

Hyunsoo, too, knew that unchanging law.

[Skills and stats related to blacksmithing increase......]

And then.

[This is an abnormal character window.]

[Compared to a normal blacksmith, there are almost no blacksmith skills possessed.]

A truth the world still didn’t know.

‘That I’m a skill-type blacksmith.’

That broke the basic frame and created a new anomaly.

[In blacksmith-related fields, only the most basic things become outstanding.]

[Artifacts crafted by a Master Craftsman have effects 10% better.]

[The crafting speed of a Master Craftsman is reduced by 10%.]

[You acquire 300 Dexterity.]

[You acquire 500 Fame.]

‘Only this much?’

For becoming First Legend, it felt lacking.

He soon learned the truth.

[You are a true Master Craftsman recognized by the system.]

[It is differentiated from the rewards the system can give.]

[The system discovers a singularity.]

[You possess power that cannot be compared to an ordinary blacksmith.]

[A total of 150 stat points are evenly distributed so you can become stronger.]

The system gave Hyunsoo rewards by twisting it in reverse.

It judged there wasn’t really anything it could give him as a blacksmith.

Also.

The thing Hyunsoo was most worried about.

In the end, it had been crafted through the mystery of emergency crafting.

Because of that, he had to lose this Twin Dragon Sword after 30 seconds.

However.

[The first grade does not disappear.]

“......!?”

The system applauds the one who creates a first.

[It is the Transcendence grade.]

[You acquire 15 to all stats.]

The effect of forging a true Transcendence artifact, an attack-type Twin Dragon Sword, was shining.

And although he had succeeded in crafting it with his own hands, Hyunsoo couldn’t stop marveling.

It was similar to the buff-type Twin Dragon Sword, but subtly different.

‘The power residing within it itself is far beyond common sense.’

Hyunsoo moved toward the place where the flag was.

All Korean users were logged out, and only him and the Chinese users remained.

CREEEEAK-!

As he opened the door and entered, Hyunsoo could see the Chinese users growing flustered.

-The number of Chinese users currently alive is around 50.

-The number isn’t what matters. A significant portion of them belong among the strongest of the 1,100 Chinese participants.

“You......” 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Pond’s eyes were shaking violently.

Up until just now, he had been mocking Hyunsoo.

Because the one who was an issue in Korea didn’t look like much in terms of skill.

But if it was a case like this, the story changed.

“Yeah.”

A massive greatsword, three feet long.

Hyunsoo held it upright at a right angle in front of his face, the blade showing as he spoke.

“I’m Blacksmith Hyun.”

There was no need to hide it anymore.

That single sentence he spat out with his own mouth smashed apart every doubt of “No way,” “Really,” and “Is it?”

The flustered reaction of Pond and the Chinese users lasted only a moment.

A large portion of the artifacts each of them possessed.

Pond had two, Liu also had two.

In addition, one on a Chinese assassin user named Yongwol.

And another on a mage user named Houshen.

Six legend artifacts in total.

And the unique artifacts that were closest to legend, worn by each of the roughly 50 people.

That count alone came out to roughly 70.

“China put its life on the line for the continental war. Just because you have one new sword doesn’t change anything—you’re weak, Hyun. Your duty is blacksmithing! What can a blacksmith do in this situation?”

An obvious fact.

Compared to the users present here, Hyunsoo was weak.

“You’re right. I am a blacksmith..”

Pond and the Chinese users tried to move.

But already faster than them, it was engraved onto the Twin Dragon Sword he had held upright, the blade face shown in front of his face.

[Twin Dragon Sword]

It was the name of the blade, and also the name of a skill.

“Don’t deny it. You already know.”

At that moment, the Chinese users were thrown into confusion.

[You fall into Stun.]

[You cannot move.]

They were different from the necromancer and summoners Hyunsoo had crushed with overwhelming pressure.

From the start, their resistance to status effects was more than three times higher than theirs.

However, everyone there stopped before the majesty of that greatsword.

And the lines engraved onto the blade fully revealed themselves.

[Having forged the Twin Dragon Sword, its bearing is majestic for all ages.]

“A single user with level 500 defeats ten users with level 400.”

[There is a vow sworn to mountain and sea......]

“And one Transcendence blade is worth more than ten legend blades.”

[The loyal righteous fury is the same in the past and the present.]

“And a hundred uniques can’t compare to one Transcendence blade.”

Pond, frozen by Stun, snarled.

“What kind of fucking...... bullshit......!”

He agreed with those words.

Everyone here did, and Hyunsoo swung the Transcendence Twin Dragon Sword he had drawn back behind him.

“This is the bullshit I’m talking about.”

At that moment, the Chinese users panicked.

SHRRAAAAAK-

The Twin Dragon Sword never touched them. Instead, the 'majesty of the ages' struck them directly.

[Legendary Artifact: Sword Emperor Bolond’s Gift has shattered.]

[Legendary Artifact. Poison King Hydra’s awl shatters.]

[Legendary Artifact. The Golden Blacksmith’s armor shatters.]

[Legendary Artifact. Pailon’s dagger shatters.]

[Legendary Artifact. Nylon’s staff shatters.]

[Legendary Artifact. Kailan’s boots shatter.]

CRRRAAACK-!

Six legends shattered. Beyond that, roughly seventy uniques began to shatter before a single blade.

Just as Pond said. Hyunsoo understood better than anyone what kind of power he possessed.

‘I am a blacksmith.’

So he would fight in a blacksmith’s way.