Weapons of the Pinnacle (1)

One dungeon. The faces of three men and women looked grim.

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The core of a time attack dungeon was how quickly you cleared it.

Naturally, setting a new record came with exceptional rewards.

And the Fierce Labyrinth was a place that made special use of such time attack dungeons.

With server integration yet to occur...

Users from countries around the world were burning with competitive spirit, eager to pit themselves against players from other nations.

To satisfy that urge, the Fierce Labyrinth had appeared—a global record board that updated in real time.

This event-style time attack in the Fierce Labyrinth ran for a set period.

Naturally, Korean users had jumped in too.

The Fierce Labyrinth had opened about a month ago, and teams of four could enter anytime.

Right after opening, a flood of users had rushed in to challenge it—but not anymore.

"The gap's too huge. We've got less than a week left before the time attack ends..."

The reason? The massive gap between other countries' records and Korea's.

Han-ul's words drew nods from the others in the early-to-mid 20s group.

"For users around the same level, this difference is insane..."

The gap between 15th-place Korea and 1st-place USA was over ten minutes.

Time attack dungeons had entry restrictions.

Levels 290 to 310 only.

So these were players of similar levels competing.

Sure, casual teams just having fun might take an hour.

But the rankings showed the top users in that level bracket.

And even among those elites, the gap was a whopping ten minutes.

"We've only got five entries left. We have to be careful."

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You couldn't just keep jumping in randomly, either.

Total entries per party: ten.

And it tracked the member with the most uses.

"Screw up, and we'll be the laughingstock..."

Tae-hoon's words as a fighter drew sighs from the rest.

These three had been friends for years and boasted impressive resumes.

These three were Olympic medalists.

Han-ul: gold in kendo, newly added as an Olympic event.

Hye-ji: archery gold.

Tae-hoon: taekwondo gold.

So they'd chosen fitting classes.

Han-ul: swordsman. Hye-ji: archer. Tae-hoon: fighter.

"How'd we end up like this...?"

Tae-hoon let out a hollow laugh at Han-ul's words.

"'Cause we're the Luckless Loser Trio, duh."

They were cursed with rotten luck, plain and simple.

Skilled players usually unlocked hidden or legendary classes via quests—but not them. Never even one.

Of course, their hunting prowess was dazzling.

They dominated peers at their level.

With decent funds, they'd geared up in top gear too.

So they'd hunted in spots above their level.

"Argh, how do we all wipe in a hunting ground and drop our main weapons?!"

The problem? A surprise boss wiped them, and they dropped their mains.

Replacements? Good artifacts like those were scarce.

Ares couldn't keep up with demand.

Money couldn't buy top gear anymore.

"Maybe skipping guilds was part of it."

The two men nodded at Hye-ji's point.

They'd gotten tons of offers.

But most wanted to exploit them commercially. So they stayed independent, just the three.

Downside: no guild support.

"Heard the US team has the world #1 guild backing 'em. Insane gear, hidden/legendary classes."

Guild support was huge.

Another reason for their time gap: trolls.

"Why's every rando ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we get a total troll...?"

The Fierce Labyrinth required foursomes.

They'd kept recruiting for parties.

But that fourth slot? Always a troll—or a normie who couldn't keep up.

"Cursed Trio debuff?"

"Ugh..."

The three groaned softly.

Anyway, they needed one solid player to clear with now.

"Be picky this time. Too many bounty chasers."

Top prize: 400 million won. 100 million each.

But as #1 bait, few applicants—and weirdos.

"Offer something else? They bit early on, but now crickets."

Gap too wide; most gave up.

Hye-ji pondered, then remembered one item.

"How about Oliharukon?"

Tae-hoon pulled it from inventory.

"This precious stuff?"

Theirs wasn't plain legendary ore.

Top-grade Oliharukon.

From a hidden quest clear.

"We can't use it anyway."

Issue: level 400+ blacksmiths only.

No smith could wield it confidently.

In 1-2 years, maybe—but too far off.

"Half portion."

"Fine."

"Quench the fire first."

With agreement, Hye-ji posted to party recruitment.

Time passed. She frowned.

"No apps. Weird..."

The three looked puzzled.

Lowballers messaged plenty.

But big names? Silent.

More time elapsed.

"This guy..."

Hye-ji's eyes widened.

"Who?"

She chuckled dryly.

"You know blacksmith Hyun?"

The hottest name lately dropped.

***

After filming, Hyun-soo logged in and toured Ballus Territory amid reconstruction.

Then.

"Hyun-soo-niim!"

Nel rushed over, frantic.

Rare sight from her usual poise.

"What's up?"

"There's this Fierce Labyrinth Time Attack Dungeon..."

She explained.

"They posted something you need badly: prime ore."

"Ore?"

"Check it."

"...Whoa."

Hyun-soo was purely awed.

Oliharukon.

He'd gotten some before.

Born the Baby Arrow from it.

But that was lowest-grade.

Top-grade? 1.5x better at least.

"Same ore, but this gap..."

He felt the chasm anew.

"Competition must be fierce?"

"Nah, won't be."

Nel shook her head coolly.

"Only you can wield this top-grade stuff properly."

True, its value was immense.

But why no rush?

"Show the recruitment post name?"

"Hye-ji? Rings a bell."

"The gold medalist archer."

Hyun-soo blinked. Nel briefed him.

"15th?"

"Yeah. Talented bunch, but called the Cursed Trio. Bad luck..."

She hit the crux.

"Netizens are piling on. Ore's rare, but top 5 needed—and you share the risk."

Hyun-soo got it.

But he'd decided.

For him, unlike them, this ore was perfect.

Hyun-soo said,

"Lately, I set a new goal."

Goal?

Nel thought: kingship?

But he smiled faintly.

"Wanna stand at the peak of all users."

Nel's eyes widened.

Gone was the Hyun-soo just surviving.

"I know I'm not there yet. But one thing's sure. Not user peak now, but..."

Soon Nel gasped at his words.

"...A user wielding a weapon of the pinnacle? Yeah."

Why her awe?

Hyun-soo crafts and uses his own ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gear.

True pinnacle weapon.

Chills ran down Nel's spine.

Best ore meets best smith—for his own weapon.

Not a dream.

They chatted briefly.

"Slot's open still. Gotta hurry."

Hyun-soo dashed off.

His heart raced with his speed.

***

"Don't screw up."

The other two nodded at Hye-ji.

Blacksmith Hyun.

Hottest guy coming here.

Shock: the veiled legend showing face.

"Don't mock looks" meant that.

Rumors swirled; top one: ugly 50s dude.

Makes sense?

Everyone wants star looks.

They bought it. In Ares, unchangeable faces hurt—many ignored for it.

Then.

A user on massive black horse appeared.

Near Fierce Labyrinth recruitment spot.

"Huh?"

Female users glanced.

Males gawked.

Rare brown coat in Ares.

Plus killer physique, handsome face.

Artifacts screamed unofficial ranker.

Why's he in 300s zone?

He approached coolly.

"Hey. Blacksmith Hyun."

Their eyes bulged.