Genius Blacksmith's Game

Bark finished the handshake and said,

“I want to pay for the shield you made me.”

“That was something I gave you as a gift.”

“If it were just an ordinary shield, I would’ve gladly taken it. But this shield is anything but ordinary, you know?”

Bark gave a wry smile.

“If I just take it, I’m going to feel burdened.”

Hyun understood him. And he knew Bark was considering his circumstances.

“In that case, I’ll gratefully accept.”

He also knew Bark was the kind of person who found it more comfortable to pay money than to carry a weight on his conscience.

The Bark Hyun knew was a real-estate tycoon.

A man with assets in the tens of billions.

No, that was just Hyun’s guess—he could easily have far more than that.

“I already looked up the current going rate. I’ll wire ₩400,000,000 into your account today.”

Hyun felt good at the unexpected windfall.

‘That brings it up to ₩2.5 billion...’

That was still the amount Hyun had to pay the hospital.

“What matters most right now is rocketing Hyun’s Forge up in prominence. What are you planning to do next?”

At Bark’s question, Nell stepped forward.

“We’re planning to start taking crafting commissions.”

“Oh?”

Bark’s smile turned interested. Hyun’s heart was pounding as well; this was something he’d been waiting a long time for.

‘The first crafting commission is the single most important chance to make Hyun’s Forge known to the public.’

Up to now, Hyun had never once accepted a commission for Hyun’s Forge.

That was why the air of mystery around it was still intact.

“Because this is the most important matter for Hyun’s Forge, we need to get a lot out of this commission.”

With a cautious expression, Nell looked at the two men.

“We need to make ourselves known to as many people as possible, and we also have to generate a big profit from this commission. For that, the most important thing is the client.”

“The client?”

Hyun looked puzzled.

“Yes, the client needs to meet several conditions. First, they have to be someone who’s extremely favorable to us. Only then can they spread the finished artifact’s information as widely as possible.”

Hyun nodded.

“Next, they need to be one of the hottest users right now, they must never have been caught up in scandals, and if they’re a woman it’d be good if she’s pretty, if they’re a man it’d be good if he’s handsome.”

Listening to that, Hyun let out a hollow laugh.

“Does a person like that even exist in real life?”

At that, Nell gave him an unreadable smile and looked right at him.

“There’s someone very close by. Someone who’s currently one of the hottest, has decent looks, and has never been wrapped up in scandal. Someone who isn’t just favorable toward us, but actively wants to rocket Hyun’s Forge to the top.”

Bark stroked his chin and looked at Hyun. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Oh, I’ve got one nearby too. He’s about one meter eighty-five tall, his face is very handsome, and above all, he won a tournament recently with an overwhelming performance, didn’t he?”

Hyun looked puzzled as he saw both their gazes turn toward him.

Something about this felt very familiar, and with something dawning on him, Hyun pointed to himself.

“...Me?”

****

Because Ares had become a global mega-hit, Pureum Co., Ltd. and various broadcasting stations had signed partnership agreements.

On top of that, not only terrestrial TV, but internet broadcasting stations also aired their shows through JoyTube.

One of those was AJ Internet Broadcasting Station.

Producer Kim of AJ Internet Broadcasting Station was biting his ballpoint pen.

“The hottest Crazy Rookie and Hyun’s Forge appearing together these days... If it really works out like that, it’ll be a massive hit.”

Producer Kim exchanged a wry smile with Writer Lim sitting across from him.

This was the gist of the current project.

“Crazy Rookie commissions an artifact from Hyun’s Forge and then uses it to clear a dungeon. Sounds really fun. The problem’s the casting, right?”

“Yes, even if Crazy Rookie is one thing, the owner of Hyun’s Forge is totally shrouded in mystery.”

“That’s why I said his face doesn’t even have to appear, he just has to send the commissioned artifact.”

“Right.”

“Haah, if this actually goes through, it’ll be a massive hit...”

A collaboration between Crazy Rookie and Hyun’s Forge!

It was a perfect picture.

The problem, of course, was the casting.

‘In cases like this, it’s always one of the two whose casting falls through...’

Just then.

“Huh? P–Producer, sir!”

“Hm?”

Producer Kim looked puzzled.

“We just got a message from Hyun’s Forge. They say they’re fine with sending the commissioned artifact without showing their face.”

“Does that mean we get to air his first crafting commission?”

And then, the writer’s face suddenly twisted in shock.

“Gasp, insane...!”

“What now?”

Producer Kim looked at her with a face that clearly said, “No way.”

With an expression of ecstatic delight, she said,

“Crazy Rookie also just contacted us saying he’ll appear!”

“Nice!”

Producer Kim clapped his hands before he even realized it.

Crazy Rookie and Blacksmith Hyun.

A broadcast appearance by the two hottest people in recent days might just act as CPR for the dying viewer ratings of AJ Internet Broadcasting Station.

****

“Me?”

Hyun looked slightly puzzled at the idea that he would be the one receiving the crafting commission.

To him, it sounded like they were telling him to play a double role.

“Right now, the viewers think Crazy Rookie and Blacksmith Hyun are not the same person.”

That was certainly true.

But Hyun had a concern.

“I’ve already been suspected once in the past. Is that going to be okay?”

“It’ll be fine. We’re going to appear on that internet broadcast.”

She handed him a file folder.

On the first page of the report-like document, the words “AJ Internet Broadcasting Station” were written.

“AJ Internet Broadcasting Station sent a joint appearance offer to Blacksmith Hyun and Crazy Rookie. The content they proposed is dungeon-clearing.”

“Isn’t it impossible for Blacksmith Hyun and Crazy Rookie to clear a dungeon together?”

“Fortunately, the broadcasting station said it’s fine if Blacksmith Hyun just sends artifacts suitable for a dungeon clear. They say they want to respect our aura of mystery or whatever.”

It was an interesting story. And Hyun was curious what sort of board Nell was setting up.

Whether she was truly competent and meticulous.

“When viewers post suspicious comments, AJ Internet Broadcasting Station will respond. ‘This content is something we proposed to the two of them.’”

“...Wow.”

Hyun was impressed.

Because the internet broadcasting station themselves would come out and say that these things happened because they directly made the proposal.

And they would also attach proof materials, so people would have no choice but to erase their suspicions.

Nell went on.

“I imagine you’re also thinking about this. That if it’s later revealed that the two of you are the same person, you might receive public backlash. Don’t worry about that. The surprise that the two of you were the same person all along will suppress all that backlash.”

Hyun ran a simulation in his head.

Sure enough, if they did it the way she said, it would be safe.

And it looked like they would be able to get the exact effect they wanted.

Now the important thing was information on AJ Internet Broadcasting Station, which would be airing the first crafting commission.

“What kind of place is AJ Internet Broadcasting Station?”

“In the early days of Ares, it was the broadcasting station with the highest viewer count. Their all-time peak viewer number was close to 200,000.”

“Whoa.”

For an internet broadcasting station, 200,000 viewers was an extremely high figure.

“But these days, they can’t even get 40,000. Three years ago, AJ Internet Broadcasting Station produced content using level 80–100 users, but viewers now don’t care about level 80–100.”

It couldn’t be helped.

At the time, they might have been high-level, but now they were nothing more than users who had just barely gotten out of the beginner stage.

“These days, you need to be at least around level 300 for viewers to care, but AJ Internet Broadcasting Station is still producing similar content. Of course their viewer ratings will drop. But because you’re appearing, I’m hoping we can stir up a huge issue.”

After listening to her explanation, Hyun thought positively.

‘Do I actually not have a choice?’

Crazy Rookie’s level was low, so it couldn’t be helped. Soon, Nell spoke.

“Does the broadcasting station matter? What matters is the guests.”

She had a point.

“I’ll send our approval message right now.”

Hyun conveyed his intent to accept AJ Internet Broadcasting Station’s offer.

The reply came back quickly.

[Hello. This is Producer Kim Minwoo from AJ Internet Broadcasting Station. It’s a pleasure to be working with you, Crazy Rookie. We’re planning to conduct a short interview tomorrow. It’s fine if it’s in reality, and it’s fine if it’s in virtual reality. However, in virtual reality you will appear almost exactly as you are in real life. To reduce the hassle of traveling, it will be held in a personal space linked with Ares.]

Even if it was in virtual reality, he would be dressed as if he were in real life and appear exactly as he really looked.

‘The scars won’t show.’

[I think it would be better to meet in Ares.]

[We’ll send you an invitation at 1:50 p.m. tomorrow, and once you accept, you’ll immediately be moved to the personal styling space. After you change into whatever style you want, we’ll hold the interview at 2:00.]

Once he finished the conversation as Crazy Rookie, a message also arrived for Hyun’s Forge.

[Blacksmith Hyun, a pleasure to meet you. AJ...]

The content was similar.

[Excuse me, but how should we proceed with the interview?]

The setting was that Blacksmith Hyun would only send the commissioned item and not appear himself.

Hyun came up with a clever solution.

[I’ve already done a deal once with Crazy Rookie, so we’re acquainted. I’ll send a whisper to Crazy Rookie and have him answer in my stead.]

Hyun had handled it cleverly.

“I’m going to go test these pieces of armor.”

Bark turned into light and disappeared first. After warning him about the things he should be careful to say, Nell logged out as well.

Left alone, Hyun took a moment to calm his trembling heart.

‘Will I be able to do well?’

He wasn’t used to appearing on broadcasts.

On top of that, he was worried whether his participation would really be able to pull in a lot of viewers.

And then, the next day at 1:50 p.m.

[An invite to AJ Internet Broadcasting Station’s virtual space has arrived.]

[You will first be moved to the styling space.]

Hyun turned into light and disappeared.

****

[Preparing for broadcast.]

The AJ Internet Broadcasting Station channel. The viewers who had logged in early were waiting for 2:00 p.m. to arrive.

–It’s starting soon, the legendary AJ show “Room of Truth.” lolol

–No one escapes from the Room of Truth, right? Man, AJ, these guys have a talent.

–For real, every guest they bring on always turns out ugly.

–I heard Crazy Rookie’s coming on today? What if he looks like a total psycho lolol?

AJ Internet Broadcasting Station was famous for its so-called Room of Truth.

Because in the interviews that started at 2:00 p.m., the true faces of most users turned out to disappoint the viewers.

When users heard some player’s story, they imagined his face based on his techniques and dazzling skill.

But many of them shattered those expectations.

And for some reason, that was especially true of the guests who appeared on AJ Internet Broadcasting Station.

–Their gacha luck is absolutely atrocious, fr.

–Just watch, the viewer count’s going to drop the moment the face reveal happens again lolol

The interview acted as a kind of teaser. That ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) was why you could say the face was important, too.

–What’s the viewer count right now?

–6,900.

–I’m betting it drops to 5,000 today lolol

–Blacksmith Hyun’s supposed to be on too, but his face won’t show.

–What’s up with that?

–Rumor says he’s a 50-something uncle with a 160 cm beer belly.

–But that’s got potential, why else would he be hiding his identity?

–True.

While they were waiting like that—

[The broadcast will begin in 5 seconds.]

–Let’s go to the Room of Truth!

–Let’s go for tanking those ratings!

The viewers flooded the chat in time with the countdown.

–3!

–2!

–1!

FWAAAASH—!

The “Preparing for broadcast” notice vanished, and the scene lit up all at once as if the lights had been turned on.

There was a man standing there.

–...?

–What’s this?

–You serious?

–Is that him???

Looking at the man on the monitor, the viewers spoke.

–Why is he good-looking...?

–He’s decent enough that I want to lock him in the Room of Truth.

The viewer count began to climb.