Genius Blacksmith's Game

As he began repairing Fenrir’s Damaged Helm and Fenrir’s Torn Cloak, Hyunsoo felt a pang of regret.

‘This is different from the Bell of Lamas.’

For the Bell of Lamas, he had melted it down and recreated it to reuse divine power.

Because of that, he could use God’s Custom Crafting.

But this helm and cloak were different.

This was literally the concept of repairing.

What Hyunsoo regretted most was the effects.

‘If I’d recreated them, I could’ve tailored those effects to fit me perfectly.’

There were too many useless effects.

First off, Axe Mastery up by 2.

Axes weren’t popular artifacts among combat classes.

And Hyunsoo also didn’t feel any need to use an axe going forward.

Then there was increased Magic Defense and Lightning-element Resistance.

‘Magic Defense is still okay, since it increases defense against magic.’

Even so, at Hyunsoo’s current level, raising normal Defense was better.

And especially, Lightning-element Resistance was the worst.

Hyunsoo wasn’t going to be fighting lightning monsters on purpose right now.

But then he remembered the concept of effect application rate.

‘Depending on how I repair or craft, the effects I want get maximized.’

It was a shame, but Hyunsoo still trusted his own skill.

While going through repair and restoration at the same time, he decided to push Defense as high as possible.

Just then—

[The title God of Blacksmiths shines.]

[You have obtained God’s Custom Repairing.]

Hyunsoo’s heart pounded.

It had been a while since obtaining God’s Emergency Crafting.

This meant Hyunsoo had now unlocked three of the God of Blacksmiths skills.

Custom Crafting, Emergency Crafting, Custom Repairing.

And he expected a lot from this effect.

(God’s Custom Repairing)

Active Skill

Grade: God.

Level: 1

Effect:

·Repairs or restores artifacts. Or recreates them, deleting existing unnecessary functions and inserting new effects.

·However, you cannot insert ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) absurd effects.

·You can insert the effect you want up to a maximum of 100%.

·If repaired with skill superior even to the artifact’s maker, the effects may increase, up to a maximum of 20%.

“Damn......”

Hyunsoo murmured in admiration. A power that triggered for blacksmithing work.

And some conditions must have been fulfilled, too.

Maybe because he already had manual repair experience, or maybe because he’d reached level 100.

[God’s Custom Repairing begins.]

When he activated it, the artifact’s information opened as a hologram.

Then a screen appeared where that information could be edited.

He removed what was unnecessary and maximized what he needed.

That way, over two days, Hyunsoo perfectly repaired the two artifacts.

[You repaired it with skill superior to the original maker.]

[Fenrir’s Damaged Helm’s effects are 4% stronger, and it regains its original form.]

[Grade: Unique.]

[You repaired it with skill superior to the original maker.]

[Fenrir’s Torn Cloak’s effects are 8% stronger, and it regains its original form.]

[Grade: Unique.]

“Damn......”

Hyunsoo smiled in satisfaction.

Upgraded to Unique grade!

Honestly, Hyunsoo had expected it.

With artifacts that ruined—

And originally unrepairable artifacts at that—

If they could be repaired at all, he’d guessed they would jump higher in grade.

He checked the two newly changed artifacts.

(Fenrir’s Helm)

Grade: Unique

Durability: 6,000/6,000

Defense: 249

Requirement: No restriction for the maker; Combat classes level 250 or higher.

Special Abilities:

·Strength 1%, Vitality 1% increase.

·Active Skill King’s Howling.

·Passive Skill Tear-to-Shreds.

·When wearing two out of the three set artifacts, all effects increase by 7%.

·When wearing all three, all effects increase by 15%.

·Something special may happen.

Description: Fenrir’s Helm had been so greatly damaged that it had completely lost its original form. It regained that form through a blacksmith with superior skill.

(Fenrir’s Cloak)

Grade: Unique

Durability: 1,000/8,000

Defense: 333

Requirement: No restriction for the maker; Combat classes level 250 or higher.

Special Abilities:

·Sword Mastery increases by Lv.2.

·Bow Mastery increases by Lv.1.

·Attack and Defense increase by 10% against wolf-related monsters.

·Active Skill Wolf Step.

·Passive Skill Wolf King.

·When wearing two out of the three set artifacts, all effects increase by 7%.

·When wearing all three, all effects increase by 15%.

·Something special may happen.

Description: Fenrir’s Cloak had been torn so much that it had completely lost its original form. It regained that form through a blacksmith with superior skill.

Hyunsoo equipped them right away.

[You have equipped Fenrir’s Helm and Fenrir’s Cloak.]

[Set effect applies, increasing all effects by 7%.]

Hyunsoo felt proud. Before, wearing two artifacts raised effects by 3%, but now it was 7%.

And if he wore all three, what used to be 10% would rise to 15%.

On top of that, the helm’s Defense jumped from 148 to 249, and the cloak’s Defense rose from 201 to 333.

‘With this much Defense gap, the incoming damage reduction will be huge.’

Even the newly changed effects were pretty satisfying, and what he liked most was the appearance.

Then Hyunsoo frowned in confusion.

‘What’s this?’

The line written in the effects.

‘Something special may happen.’

It was written on both artifacts.

“Is it because I repaired an unrepairable?”

Ares had little hints like that.

“Maybe it happened because I repaired what the original maker was supposed to repair.”

Of course, right now Hyunsoo had no idea what that effect was.

He’d find out with time.

Hyunsoo immediately headed off to pay audience to Sword King Barad. But he realized he was pretty noticeable.

So he bought a mask from a street stall.

Walking like that, users started murmuring.

“Looks like some unofficial ranker?”

“Whoa... those artifacts are seriously cool.”

“Doesn’t he look like a wolf?”

Hyunsoo arrived at the castle, received guidance from Bella, and entered the garden.

Inside the garden, coincidentally, there were wolves.

[Wolf King]

[You radiate kingly dignity at monsters judged to be beast-type.]

[If their level is higher than yours, they tremble in fear for 4 seconds.]

[If they are similar to your level or within 30 levels above, they feel the fear status effect.]

Kiiing, whine, kiiiing......

Seeing the wolves backing away, Hyunsoo froze.

He hurriedly took off his mask and offered greetings, and Barad said,

“Allow me to introduce him, my friend. This is Hyunsoo.”

For no reason, Hyunsoo felt proud.

[Affinity with Vallo has increased.]

The high noble standing beside His Majesty drew an unreadable smile. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“So that’s how it is. Now I see Your Majesty’s intent. If anyone tries to bend Your Majesty’s will, I will do what I can. I’m looking forward to it as well.”

Yes, Vallo was looking forward to it.

How far that man would rise in this kingdom.

And he recognized His Majesty’s cleverness.

‘How fortunate that something as small as territory can bind him.’

Soon, Vallo bowed his head and withdrew.

Then, like friends, Hyunsoo and Barad exchanged stories for a bit.

Before long, they got to the point.

“There is a small territory in the west called Vallas. Even a few decades ago it flourished, but not now. Among the nobles, there are even talks to abolish that territory itself. But I am the king.”

In Barad’s eyes as he spoke, love and resentment coexisted.

He was a man who sometimes hated his people, yet cherished them.

“They will lose their homes and leave. I want you to go there, confirm why it turned out that way, and revive the territory.”

While Hyunsoo listened silently, Barad continued.

“Make sure that place doesn’t fall. Even if you only achieve 20% development, I plan to grant you a great reward. I will pay you 20,000 gold per 10%.”

A strange light flashed in Hyunsoo’s eyes.

‘That means 20 million won per 10%, right?’

But Hyunsoo realized something.

No matter what, it was still a territory.

Even a small one developing by 10% wasn’t an easy thing.

‘He’s telling a mere level-101 user to develop a territory?’

Then Hyunsoo caught on.

‘There might be something only I can do there.’

Barad added,

“I have arranged to loan you one old forge there, so you should be fine if you go.”

Hyunsoo needed a base anyway, even if it was temporary.

A notification appeared to him—‘Quest: Develop Vallas Territory’—and Hyunsoo accepted.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After greeting Barad, Hyunsoo departed straight for Vallas Territory.

When Hyunsoo arrived, he understood why Barad had sent him here.

On both sides, long rows of forges stood.

‘A blacksmith territory...?’

Yes. Vallas Territory was a blacksmith territory. Hyunsoo came to the temporary forge Barad had told him about.

“H, haha......”

After arriving at the place Barad mentioned, Hyunsoo could only let out a hollow laugh.

Creeeak—

THUD—

As if greeting him the moment he arrived, the forge’s old signboard fell to the ground in front of him.

The forge was the smallest around, and inside looked like it needed a full overhaul.

Hyunsoo rolled up his sleeves and went inside.

****

Per, an old man who ran a small forge, looked at the forge that had received a new master.

From what he’d heard when the man came in, his level was 101, wasn’t it?

Someone who had just gone from beginner blacksmith to intermediate blacksmith.

Come to think of it, the forge fit him perfectly.

It wasn’t even a purchase but a loan, which showed his financial situation.

But soon, other people arrived.

A very beautiful woman wearing beginner clothes said,

“Hohoho, a perfect disguise, right?”

“Yes, perfect.”

After that, a middle-aged man who looked like a tanker entered, armed in old armor.

“It reminds me of my beginner days.”

Per chuckled at the sight.

‘They don’t seem like bad people, but they’re strange folks.’

By the way they talked, they sounded like hidden masters living in seclusion somewhere.

But in reality, Per knew their master was a level-101 beginner blacksmith.

And what was this kid now?

“Hyunsoo!”

A boy with his face smeared in black grime came running with a pickaxe slung over his back.

“This guy is Miner Banya.”

The still-young boy, the woman, the middle-aged man, and the forge’s owner greeted each other.

And before long, they walked out to stand side by side, looking at the perfectly refurbished forge.

“It’s finally starting.”

“Yeah.”

The miner boy named Banya was even more honest.

“It’s a loan right now, but later let’s buy our forge and expand it one by one.”

The middle-aged man laughed warmly.

“Of course. That’s more than possible!”

The woman smiled too.

“I’ll support us hard from behind, hoho!”

And the young blacksmith in the center grinned widely.

“Let’s go high up!”

Per watched them and laughed out loud.

He didn’t see them badly.

It just reminded him of his own youth.

Even without skill, even weak, even insignificant, overflowing with nothing but spirit—shouting that they’d climb high.

But he didn’t know.

That a level-101 blacksmith would one day save his life.