Genius Blacksmith's Game

The most recent legendary artifact that appeared sold for ₩800,000,000 in cash.

The reason I remember it is because the news wouldn’t shut up about it.

‘The legendary artifact from the VR game Ares has been traded for ₩800,000,000, drawing huge attention.’

Every channel ran the story. We live in a world where item trading is legal.

That’s how much the VR game Ares sends shockwaves into reality.

That was the highest sale price, right?

Of course, this is literally just a crafting method. Even if you have the method, that doesn’t mean it will actually be crafted.

But it does mean the odds go up.

Hyunsoo checked.

( Legendary Bow Crafting Method )

Grade: Rare ~ Legendary

Attack: 280 ~ 604

Crafting Restriction: Artisan-tier, Level 300+

Materials: Trunk of the World Tree, Elf’s Essence, etc. (substitutable)

Specials:

· Accuracy up to +79%.

· Agility up to +6%.

· Endurance up to +8%.

· Bow Attack Speed up to +39%.

· Active Skill: Arrow of the Storm.

· Passive Skill: 100% Penetration.

Description: A legendary bow crafting method passed down in the Blacksmith’s Tower.

Hyunsoo couldn’t help but be impressed. Attack power high enough to break common sense.

What was especially jaw-dropping was this:

The stat increases are attached as percentages...?

Up to now, the artifacts Hyunsoo had made mostly had flat numbers attached.

Things like Agility +4 or Endurance +1...

That was partly because Hyunsoo’s level was low.

Assume a Level 100 user who has gone all-in on Agility—he has a total of 500 Agility.

At that point, even a 1% increase raises the stat by “5.”

But as written here, if you get a +6% increase, that’s a total of +30 Agility.

And that was taking a Level 100 archer as the baseline. What if that archer were Level 300?

That’d be +90 stat points, wouldn’t it?

Moreover, since percentage effects scale upward as levels rise, they create a compounding “+” effect.

Too bad I don’t have the materials.

Even with the method, he couldn’t craft it. Because he didn’t have the materials.

Trunk of the World Tree...?

Hyunsoo had never even heard of that material itself.

Should I sell it?

He knew crafting methods themselves also traded for very high prices. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Granted, they usually go for about one-tenth of the actual artifact’s price, but he could still get at least ₩80,000,000.

But Hyunsoo shook his head.

If he considered the possibility that he himself might craft it later, he shouldn’t sell for a short-term profit.

[Affinity with Colson is MAX.]

“This is the Gold I promised.”

[You have obtained 5,000 Gold.]

Gold worth a whopping ₩5,000,000. Hyunsoo showed a small smile.

Colson rose to his feet. At first, he’d been intent on putting Hyunsoo under him no matter what.

But now, that had changed. He met eyes with Deng.

So you finally realized it?

That the Successor of the God of Blacksmiths is not someone you keep under anyone.

That you’re supposed to watch him grow, step by steady step.

“Go out into the world. When you have climbed higher and stand on an even greater height, come find me.”

Hyunsoo was quick on the uptake. What Colson meant was that once Hyunsoo raised his level to some extent, Colson would guide him so he could pursue things related to the God.

He praises me, but he’s not just going to hand everything over, huh?

Hyunsoo gave a wry smile.

Meanwhile, the other Blacksmith Tower Masters didn’t look pleased. They couldn’t understand Colson’s sudden about-face.

They were still full of nothing but the desire to keep Hyunsoo under their command and make him work.

“It will take them a long time to realize it.”

In Colson’s case, he had understood Hyunsoo’s value by actually crossing swords with him.

In addition, there was the enlightenment triggered by the Title effect of “God of Blacksmiths.”

“I’ll put this crafting method to good use.”

“...It is a method I could not complete. I believe you, Hyunsoo, can. Then I hope we meet again.”

With that, Colson gave a small nod and turned away. The other Tower Masters followed with him.

After they left, Deng spoke.

“If you’re curious about anything, come find me on the top floor anytime.”

After Deng left as well, Hyunsoo organized his thoughts.

He’d gotten quite a lot out of the Tower.

And Hyunsoo felt an urgent need for cash right now. Tomorrow was the day the hospital bill for his father was due.

I made ₩5,000,000.

Even so, Hyunsoo couldn’t help but feel it was a bit lacking.

Hyunsoo opened his inventory.

( Orc Warrior’s Greatsword )

Grade: Rare

Durability: 2,570 / 4,000

Attack: 207

Restriction: None for maker, Level 10 ~ 80.

Specials:

· Strength +6, Endurance +5.

· Movement Speed −10%, Attack Speed −20%.

· Active Skill: Orc Warrior’s Warcry.

· Passive Skill: Greatsword Slam.

Description: A fairly decent greatsword used by an Orc Warrior.

To be honest, it was an artifact Hyunsoo didn’t need.

I’ll sell this on the Auction Board.

Next, he hesitated over Hyun’s First Custom Craft Sword.

I used it three times, so I can only use it seventeen more.

The first custom-made sword that had just cleaved Colson’s blade. It was a complete consumable.

I might have occasions where it helps me a lot, too.

But even so, it wasn’t something he could call absolutely necessary.

He already had Radiance, which was outstanding for his level.

And apart from the condition that it could cut swords, this custom craft sword was basically a pretty useless junk item.

I should sell this too.

If he had the materials, he could probably make an artifact like this again.

Granted, it had used some pretty good materials, so it wouldn’t be easy.

Hyunsoo listed two items.

[Orc Warrior’s Greatsword]

[Description: A greatsword obtained by hunting an Orc Warrior. Seems good for warriors with high Strength and Endurance.]

[Hyun’s First Custom Craft Sword]

[Description: A special sword with an effect that cuts swords. Unfortunately, I used it three times already, so it can only be used seventeen more times.]

[Starting the auction at 300 Gold.]

The Orc Warrior’s Greatsword looked so standard that he set it at 300 Gold.

And for Hyun’s First Custom Craft Sword, Hyunsoo hesitated a bit.

It’s a consumable...

Consumables are worth about one-tenth of a permanent artifact.

Because they eventually vanish.

A common reason people pay good money to trade artifacts is that they can use them and then resell them to others.

But this was literally like a “potion.” Even so, considering the rarity, he listed it at a fairly high price.

[Starting the auction at 1,500 Gold.]

After listing the two items, Hyunsoo logged out. Tomorrow he had to go to his father’s hospital, so he planned to sleep and then head out.

****

The next day.

Doctor Kim Jinseop stood in front of a patient room with a sigh.

The name “Kang Hyuntae” was written there.

He cracked the door open, glanced at Kang Hyuntae with an oxygen mask on, then closed it and walked on.

Jinseop went straight to the administration office.

“How much is patient Kang Hyuntae’s bill this month?”

“About ₩6,000,000.”

The admin staffer wore a bitter look.

“A little while ago, it was six months overdue. It was all paid off recently.”

A hospital isn’t a charity. When the bill had been overdue, administration had to notify Hyunsoo.

‘If you can’t pay the overdue bill, you’ll have to transfer to another hospital.’

After receiving that notice, Hyunsoo had come back with the money not long after.

“Did you hear how he managed it?”

“Yes. I heard he sold the forge.”

“......”

Jinseop couldn’t say more. The nurse, also looking bitter, asked:

“Why?”

“It’s nothing.”

Kim Jinseop shook his head with a wry smile.

Yesterday he’d heard good news. The U.S. had developed an injection that could wake people from a vegetative state.

Of course, just because something has been developed doesn’t mean he recommends it right away.

There could be side effects.

But they announced that there were “no side effects whatsoever.”

After checking the components and treatment mechanism, Jinseop also concluded there were no side effects.

However, two issues weighed on him.

One, although many cases had woken from a vegetative state with this treatment, there were also cases where they did not.

Two, the cost was astronomical for something that might or might not work, with no 100% guarantee.

It’s not exactly easy to pay ₩10,000,000 a month for an injection...

As a physician, he wondered whether it was right to recommend that to Hyunsoo under those circumstances.

I wonder how he’ll handle this month’s bill...

Sighing, Jinseop headed to his office.

****

After finishing all the backed-up house chores, Hyunsoo went straight to the hospital where his father was.

The 5,000 Gold he’d received from Colson was immediately exchanged, so he could just barely cover this month’s bill.

At administration, Hyunsoo handed his card to the staffer who pestered him every month about the bill.

“This month’s hospital bill.”

“Ah, yes!”

It was the same nurse who’d spoken with Jinseop earlier.

She figured he still had quite a bit left over from selling the forge. She hurried through the payment and handed him the receipt.

Hyunsoo hesitated for a moment, then asked:

“Um...”

“Yes?”

“How much is a VVIP room per month?”

Most people share a similar wish. I hope my family can be in a slightly better environment!

Hyunsoo was no different.

I mean, I’m a God-class, at least...

Hyunsoo had heard that high-rankers earned astronomical sums.

“About ₩20,000,000 a month.”

“Ah, that’s expensive...”

But the cost of a VVIP room was absurdly high. With a bitter smile, Hyunsoo sighed and left administration.

Sheesh, even if it’s expensive, there should be a limit.

Hyunsoo also needed money to remove his scars.

It wasn’t easy to move toward the best path he wanted. He opened the door to his attending physician Kim Jinseop’s office.

Inside, they talked as usual.

Mostly small talk.

What he’d been up to lately.

How much the treatment cost.

That the burn scars could be removed sufficiently, and so on.

“Ares?”

“Yes.”

Jinseop looked a bit puzzled. He didn’t game because he didn’t have the time.

But hearing that his patient was earning money through a game was fairly surprising.

Well, I hear people like that have been increasing lately.

It made sense, since Ares was another world.

“Thanks to that, I managed to scrape together this month’s hospital bill too.”

Seeing Hyunsoo’s sheepish expression, Jinseop gave a wry smile.

“You must be pretty talented.”

“...I guess so.”

Hyunsoo didn’t mention that he was God-class. He wasn’t the type to announce that, and he didn’t think it would be a good idea anyway.

Then, carefully, Jinseop broached the topic.

“A treatment for patients in a vegetative state has come out.”

“Sorry?”

Hyunsoo listened to the explanation. As he did, his heart ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ pounded like crazy.

That my father might wake up...?

In practice, a vegetative state is practically a death sentence. Unless there’s a miracle.

But now you’re telling me he can be treated?

“Of course he should get it! H-How much is it!?”

“About ₩10,000,000 a month, I think.”

“...?”

But at that astronomical amount, Hyunsoo was left speechless.

₩10,000,000 for the treatment, and with the hospital bill that’s ₩16,000,000...

Hyunsoo was only twenty-three. It was far too much money.

We can’t start that treatment yet...

Just then.

[The bidding time has elapsed.]

[Please check the final bid.]

Hyunsoo’s phone was linked with Ares’s Auction Board. With a puzzled look, he checked the text.

First, the Orc Warrior’s Greatsword.

[Orc Warrior’s Greatsword has been sold to Fried Udon for 388 Gold.]

As expected, the Orc Warrior’s Greatsword didn’t fetch that high a price.

How much did Hyun’s First Custom Craft Sword sell for?

Hyunsoo checked that next.

[Hyun’s First Custom Craft Sword has been sold to Lord for 53,310 Gold.]

Fifty-three thousand three hundred ten Gold. In other words, ₩53,100,000.