Genius Blacksmith's Game

Hyunsoo marveled as he looked at the ore in the chest.

Orichalcum?

Orichalcum would be a mineral commonly known to the public.

“In truth, the ore I intended to give you was mithril—of the special ores I possess, that was it.”

Although it had been from the Beginner Zone, Hyunsoo had once used mithril to craft Radiance.

But this was in an entirely different league from mithril.

“This Orichalcum is a precious thing handed down by my forebears for generations.”

“Then it’s a family heirloom, isn’t it? This is too precious...”

At Hyunsoo’s worried look, Kern laughed.

“What good is that? It sat neglected in a storeroom for hundreds of years. Our forebears would understand—bestowing it upon a benefactor.”

“...Thank you.”

Hyunsoo gave a small smile.

Then, receiving the Orichalcum, he first examined its appearance.

It had not yet gone through refining or smelting, so at a glance it looked like a stone that exuded a mysterious aura.

After checking the exterior, he opened the information.

(Orichalcum, Lowest Tier)

Grade: Legendary

Restriction: Artisan Blacksmith, Level 300+

Difficulty: High

Special Abilities

· When crafting a sword: Cutting Power +82%.

· When crafting an arrow: Penetration +81%.

· Strength, Agility up to +35%.

· Attack Speed up to +70%.

· Durability increased to Infinite.

Description: Orichalcum, a mineral of legend. It is lighter than any other ore, yet its hardness is far superior, suffering virtually no damage.

Insane...

It was a mineral of such excellence as to beggar belief.

More astonishing was that being light while possessing the highest hardness flew in the face of common sense.

If there was anything to regret, it was that this Orichalcum belonged to the lowest tier.

Usually, even within the same mineral, there are grades—Lowest, Low, Mid, High, and Highest.

“I’m sorry it’s such a small amount.”

It certainly was. Even at a glance, the quantity of Orichalcum was exceedingly scant.

With this Orichalcum, he couldn’t forge even a single dagger.

“It’s fine. I can combine metals.”

Then a chill prickled up Hyunsoo’s arms.

What if I forged a sword from 100% Highest-tier Orichalcum? What would happen?

GULP—

He swallowed.

“...Might I ask where this ore was obtained?”

“I’ve heard it was gotten from elves.”

“Elves?”

“Yes. I only know that my forebear obtained it in the land of the elves. I do not know the exact details.”

Seeing Kern’s apologetic expression, Hyunsoo shook his head.

“Just telling me that much is a help. Thank you.”

Hyunsoo soon noticed Kern’s face clouding.

“...Could you remain in our Cassel Territory? If you stayed, I’d see to it you lack for nothing.”

This was a promise as Lord, and it also meant he could grant Hyunsoo a good post.

He was their benefactor.

But Hyunsoo bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. There’s somewhere I have to go.”

“Somewhere you must go... may I ask where?”

“I intend to meet His Highness Barad of the Kingdom of Goyard. I heard he’s seeking me.”

Kern’s face filled with surprise.

The Sword King Barad...?

Though not the king of the Prime Kingdom, Kern knew well the tales of the Sword King Barad.

That such a great person is seeking this man?

Kern understood. This outlander named Hyunsoo was a vessel he could not contain.

And Kern sincerely wished Hyunsoo well.

He sensed it would be more valuable for him to meet King Barad than to stay here.

“I understand. I’ll have a carriage prepared for you. Go well, and visit Cassel Territory again anytime.”

To the very end, Hyunsoo received Kern’s consideration.

After offering his thanks, he stepped outside and climbed into the prepared carriage.

“The journey to the capital of the Kingdom of Goyard will take some time. You should get some sleep.”

The coachman’s voice was kind. He could feel that he was the benefactor of Cassel Territory.

Looking back, he saw Cassel Territory receding in the distance. There was a pang of regret, but meeting the Sword King Barad would become a turning point in Hyunsoo’s life.

A king, no less—one of the Ten Legends of the continent.

He still couldn’t even fathom what kind of reward he might receive if he crafted the sword Barad wanted.

Lost in such thoughts, Hyunsoo dozed and woke to find they had already entered the capital of the Kingdom of Goyard.

“Thank you for the ride.”

After finishing his thanks, Hyunsoo headed straight to the place where he could submit his entry for the Super Rookie Tournament.

There, a man from the Kingdom of Goyard named Bekel was accepting entry applications at a desk.

“Here’s my application.”

The man named Bekel nodded as he took the form.

“The Super Rookie Tournament begins in two days. The champion’s reward is 1,000 Gold, with additional terms negotiable.”

1,000 Gold.

A fairly large sum, reaching ₩1,000,000.

“May I ask what ‘negotiable beyond 1,000 Gold’ means?”

“A good question.”

Bekel gave a slight smile.

“Negotiable means the reward will vary depending on how much Contribution you accrue. A championship is not a championship all the same. The Super Rookie Tournament has already been held several times.”

Hyunsoo listened closely.

“And the champions each achieved different Contributions. The highest Contribution achieved was 29%, which stands as the record. On average, champions achieved about 15% Contribution.”

Hyunsoo began to get a feel for Contribution and “negotiable.”

“You mean that even among champions, those with higher Contribution can receive better rewards through negotiation?”

“Correct. The previous champion posted the highest Contribution ever. Through negotiation, he received 3,000 Gold.”

“He got triple the payout?”

Hyunsoo’s eyes flew wide. The reward had, quite literally, tripled.

“That’s right. Do you now understand the negotiable part?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll accept your application. The tournament will open at 9 o’clock, two days from now.”

[Participation in the Super Rookie Tournament is confirmed.]

With his entry confirmed, Hyunsoo asked the most important question.

“If I win again this time, can I meet His Highness Barad?”

At that, Bekel gave a wry smile.

“So you’re another outlander who wishes to see His Highness Barad. Unfortunately, that’s not possible.”

“What?”

A bad feeling crawled up Hyunsoo’s spine.

“Starting with this tournament, His Highness Barad will attend as an observer, but he will not meet the champion.” 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

It was like a bolt from the blue.

In truth, there were basically two ways for Hyunsoo to meet Barad.

Win the Super Rookie Tournament and meet him.

The second was to use the high-ranker Lord to get an introduction.

Thinking the first path might be cut off, Hyunsoo tried whispering to Lord.

[Hyunsoo: Hello.]

[Lord is currently in an area where whispering is unavailable.]

“...?”

Hyunsoo’s face scrunched.

Should I use an Auction House note?

But Hyunsoo recognized that ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) even meeting Barad via Lord would take quite some time.

Ordinary people don’t log into the Auction House.

Unless they need something, they don’t access the Auction House.

Of course, he could wait. But it might turn into an indefinite wait, and for Hyunsoo it would be nothing but a waste of time.

“Is there no way to have an audience with His Highness?”

Bekel was firm.

“There isn’t. The reason His Highness no longer meets the Super Rookie champions is because he finds no value in doing so. His Highness is the one who rules this nation. No matter how remarkable the talent, in His Highness’s eyes they’re still green youths.”

Bekel gave a wry smile.

“I’ll be frank.”

In a gentle voice, Bekel spoke to the visibly shaken Hyunsoo.

“You are still very unseasoned. Even I, and the foremost nobles of the realm, can scarcely gain an audience. How could you, then? Give up.”

But then, as he nodded, a peculiar light rose in Hyunsoo’s eyes.

“Fortunately, I’ve just thought of a way to meet him now.”

“Hm?”

Bekel looked puzzled.

Soon, smiling slightly, the outlander named Hyunsoo asked:

“Could you tell me where the rental forge is?”

“The rental forge is over that way.”

“Thank you.”

And the outlander named Hyunsoo moved off at a brisk pace. Watching his retreating back, Bekel sighed.

“They’re all the same.”

Humans all believe they’re special.

Bekel was a man of the kingdom and had long served the royal house.

Even he had no way but to behold the king from afar.

Then Bekel cocked his head.

What ‘way’ was he talking about?

****

Nell had decided to become the first guild member of Hyun’s Forge.

Of course, Hyun’s Forge had not yet been founded as a guild, but she and Hyunsoo were steadily exchanging whispers and the like.

And Nell intended to do everything to lift Hyunsoo as high as possible.

Nell knew it too.

Making Hyunsoo the best will be the most brilliant ornament on my career.

Raising him was raising her own value.

And soon, while exchanging messages with him, Nell knit her brows.

[Hyunsoo: ...So it seems the Sword King Barad won’t meet the champion.]

“He won’t meet them?”

Hyunsoo had said he would meet the Sword King Barad. At the time, Nell had felt a thrilling shiver.

But thinking it over, she herself felt there would be little need to meet champions.

The Sword King Barad was one of the Ten Legends.

Yes, he was the one who created the tournament, but the Super Rookies were, at the end of the day, green.

Isn’t it something already that he even attends?

[Nell: Then will you reach out to that Lord and meet him that way?]

[Hyunsoo: No. I just thought of a method, so I’m heading to the rental forge.]

“You just thought of a method?”

A Level 50 player had a way to meet a king?

[Nell: What method?]

[Hyunsoo: The Super Rookie Tournament decides the champion based on Contribution.]

Nell knew this too.

When she heard that Hyunsoo would enter the Super Rookie Tournament, she dug up the details thoroughly.

In case even a little bit of it could help him.

[Hyunsoo: I hear the all-time champion’s Contribution was 29%.]

That too was a well-known fact.

[Hyunsoo: Then what if I push my Contribution past 50%?]

“Excuse me?”

What had she just heard?

He would achieve 50% Contribution in the Super Rookie Tournament?

[Hyunsoo: In any case, it’s certain King Barad will be observing.]

Biting her nail and thinking, Nell found herself nodding.

“It’s not an impossible idea...”

From the start, the Super Rookie Tournament was meant to discover talent.

The one who created the tournament was King Barad himself.

If he had said he would no longer meet them and only observe, that was proof that no one had yet satisfied Barad’s eye.

Past 50%...

She turned it over.

If he went past 50%? If that really happened?

“No—what if...”

What if it wasn’t merely 50%, but even higher? Then things could unfold as Hyunsoo envisioned.

Insane...!

In the end, Barad too would need truly outstanding, powerful talent.

There was something even more astonishing.

“You’re a blacksmith...!”

So how did he plan to push Contribution past 50%?

[Nell: Do you have a method?]

[Hyunsoo: Yes. :)]

[Nell: Can you tell me what it is?]

[Hyunsoo: The thing I do best.]

Nell wore a puzzled look.

The thing he does best? Ah...!

The thing Hyunsoo did best—Artifact crafting. That made Nell curious all over again.

“What on earth are you going to make...?”

Her heart pounded.

What this crazy blacksmith would show at the Super Rookie Tournament.

Smiling, she said:

“Do it. Make the king want to meet you.”