Video Shooting (1)

It would be the most special existence.

Hyun-soo's heart raced at the notification.

He had always imagined it.

Himself seated on the throne, with a powerful wolf of sleek fur standing guard at his side.

Nel, watching this unfold, swallowed hard.

"The guardian of Gwangmyeong Guild is finally born."

Having heard Hyun-soo's tales, Nel had already pegged the being inside the wolf egg as their guardian.

From guilds and territories on a small scale, to kingdoms and empires, even churches on a grander one—each had guardian monsters protecting them.

It was truly magnificent when those with symbolic meaning took on the role of guardian.

At last, the egg cracked completely open, revealing the creature within.

With pristine white fur, it stood tall and proud the moment it emerged.

Its eyes, as if embracing the entire world, let out a mighty roar toward the world.

"……?"

"……?"

Nel and Hyun-soo were both baffled.

The being from the wolf egg.

It looked majestic(?), but the reality was far from it.

A little bigger than the palm of a hand.

Snot dripped from its black nose, and its perky ears twitched endlessly with curiosity.

"Th-this breed……."

Nel was stunned.

It was a famously iconic breed no Korean could be unaware of.

"Why did a Shiba Inu come out of a wolf egg……?"

Shiba Inu breed.

The fancy term for what was commonly called a white pooch.

"Hek hek……."

As if thrilled to finally meet Hyun-soo, its tiny, adorable tail spun like a helicopter.

"So…… cute……."

But when Nel reached out to touch it, the little one barked fiercely once more.

Was this the same kind of roar we knew?

In any case, after the initial shock, Hyun-soo carefully scooped it up with both hands.

Its tail wagged furiously, as expected.

And then, snot dripped down again.

Hyun-soo gently wiped it clean, shaking off his bewilderment.

"What are you good at……?"

It was too early to be disappointed.

Hyun-soo checked the creature's information.

Hyun-soo, who had asked what it was good at, soon felt it licking his nose.

"So, what you're best at is eating well, sleeping well, and pooping well……?"

"Haha……."

"Hohoho……."

But soon, something surprised Hyun-soo.

"It says it can unlock new powers tailored to me. And one is already active."

"What is it?"

"+2% effect on crafted artifacts. Potential is infinite, and it unlocks a power with each growth cycle."

"Infinite?"

Nel was shocked.

She'd never heard of infinite potential in pets or even named NPCs.

One could also think:

"Boosting artifact effects by 2% right from birth……."

They both realized it.

They couldn't judge this little one yet.

A 2% boost to artifact effects was huge.

Raising it would reveal its true power.

"It wants a name."

Nel spoke with confident expression.

"I'm good at naming things."

Hyun-soo watched expectantly.

Nel, the de facto brain of Gwangmyeong Guild.

"Ppoppi?"

"……?"

The creature's reaction matched Hyun-soo's.

"Then General? Tofu? Kanchyo?"

The floppy-eared Shiba Inu gave Nel a look of utter bewilderment.

Then Hyun-soo, gazing at it, spoke up.

"Hmm…… We've just acquired the territory, and to wish fortune upon everyone—how about Bokdeongi?"

"Oh, it likes it."

Nel looked disappointed.

"Angela? Handsome?"

Cradled in his arms, it let out a massive yawn.

A blatant sign of disapproval.

"Bokdeongi it is."

Hyun-soo set Bokdeongi down on the floor and watched it flop onto its back, belly up.

Still a baby, its pink tummy was fully exposed.

When he reached out, it playfully nibbled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his finger with its tiny teeth, clearly delighted.

'This isn't so bad.'

Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

Then he noted the appointed time had arrived.

In Ares, of course.

The person he was meeting was Ian.

'He's going to produce a video for me…….'

With a small smile, Hyun-soo stroked the sleeping Bokdeongi's head in the center of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hatching room and stepped away.

Hyun's Forge remained shrouded in mystery.

After crafting masterpieces—including the first Legend Above Legend—it had risen to this level.

Articles about the veiled Hyun's Forge were everywhere.

The most common one:

And so, articles like this abounded:

Thus, Hyun's Forge faced denial.

Especially harsh criticism from fellow blacksmiths.

Hyun-soo sat in the chair before Ian.

'We hid Hyun's Forge because of the danger.'

He couldn't protect this power yet.

But now, Hyun's Forge was ready to reveal itself.

Ian said,

"The more the denouncers, the greater the suspicion around you—the better it will be."

Ian had once been an editor, and before that, a skilled broadcaster.

Quite talented in both.

"Viewers are like that. They curse fervently until convinced—then turn passionate. People love stories, especially ones of talent and effort. They'll flip in an instant."

Ian had promised one video shoot.

For his opening line, Hyun-soo pondered and said,

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I wanted to live."

This would be the video's first line.

Beyond that, Hyun-soo calmly explained why Hyun's Forge had stayed hidden.

After filming, Ian spoke.

"I planned just one video for you, but I've changed my mind. I want to build you up—keep producing your videos going forward."

Hyun-soo gave a wry smile.

Not embarrassed. Ian knew the reason.

"Watching you cheers me up too. The guy at the bottom becoming the protagonist of a world message through sheer will and skill."

Ian said confidently,

"This video will drop when criticism and doubt peak."

Ian couldn't imagine the impact.

'The secret was pure skill.'

"And from this first video, uploading your crafting clips occasionally? Views could hit a million low, ten million high, easily."

Not impossible.

Mukbang streamers hit millions per video.

Hyun-soo could generate massive revenue.

"For that, the debut must succeed—and give viewers a 'reason' to watch."

Every internet broadcast has a hook.

That hook determines subscribers.

Unfair, but looks, eating skills, eloquence—many reasons.

And Hyun-soo caught it.

"You mean the 'sole handmade crafter' hook."

Ian nodded vigorously.

"Exactly. Especially crafting beyond machine methods."

Ian was cautious.

He knew Hyun-soo's backstory.

Still, if possible, the video needed it.

"We need real-world crafting footage."

Meaning gear crafted by Hyun-soo IRL.

Hyun-soo glanced at his right hand.

He was still training his left, but performance was only 60% of his old right hand.

To meet Ian's vision, he needed 100% from the right.

"I'll talk to my doctor."

"Sorry to push too hard."

But Ian's proposal benefited Hyun-soo and Gwangmyeong.

Hyun-soo wasn't offended.

"If crafting's possible, what should I make?"

Ian smiled faintly.

'Confidence and anticipation.'

From the possibility of using his right hand, even briefly.

Ian replied,

"Unveiling Hyun's Forge will be a global issue. Everyone will watch the debut. Laypeople don't spot subtle differences in crafts."

Cold fact.

They don't grasp a sword's excellence, smoothness, or why.

"So, gear with unique looks or special backstory is ideal. Creates buzz, especially if only you can make it."

He knew it wasn't easy.

But Hyun-soo grinned.

"Perfect timing—I have just such a sword."

Perfect timing?

Ian looked puzzled.

"Didn't you see the recent news?"

News?

Ian racked his brain.

'Wait, come to think…….'

Ian recalled the news.

Ian's eyes widened.

He hadn't imagined recreating a Three Kingdoms relic.

Hyun-soo smiled.

"I'll craft Baekje's Seven-Pronged Sword."