Arte's Aspiration (5)
Avalanche is a double-edged sword.
It has the advantage of sweeping away monsters in one fell swoop, but that massive cascade could swallow even us.
And now, it was hurtling down at tremendous speed, closing in fast.
Kuududududu—
Calamity Leap
Hyun-soo scooped up Arte and launched into the air with Calamity Leap.
Kieeeek—!
The flying monsters, hurled skyward by the avalanche's onset, twisted midair toward Hyun-soo and Arte.
Landing on the ground meant getting swept away by the tidal wave of snow, and fighting while holding Arte in Calamity Leap state was impossible.
This is a moment of crisis.
Hyun-soo was the type to establish a thorough plan and advance one step at a time.
Suddenly, he recalled a conversation with his father.
'Dad, where are we going today?'
'Yeosu today.'
Just as he'd forged the Je-ya Bell and Bosin-gak Bell, designated national treasures.
Just as he'd restored the Four Signs Sword, Chiljido, and Dragon Light Sword.
There were things only handmade blacksmiths could create.
Yeosu in South Jeolla Province.
Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province.
Sacheon in South Gyeongsang Province.
Geumnam-myeon in Hadong.
And countless other places across the country.
In a world growing ever more modern, people increasingly cherished the old ways.
"Arte, you said skill levels can be raised, right?"
Arte's powers were mostly buffs.
"Lend me that strength."
Arte wondered if he had some clever scheme.
Arte's Blessing
Designate a skill at level 2 to raise it.
Hyun-soo applied that power to God's Emergency Fabrication.
Truth be told, this was his first time trying Emergency Fabrication on something that wasn't an artifact.
But artifact or not, the principle was the same.
God's Emergency Fabrication used temporary granted materials if none were available.
Those temps were usually the most mundane stuff.
But this mountain was overflowing with its key components.
God's Emergency Fabrication begins.
Activating the skill, Hyun-soo closed his eyes briefly.
A blueprint unfolded in his mind.
Complex, intricate materials filled it.
But for those who sought the most perfect version, blacksmith Hyun-soo had studied, understood, and memorized this design hundreds, thousands of times.
Flash—
It finally began.
Its key materials.
The trees of the Beres Mountains, rooted deep in the earth, were uprooted pillar and all.
They were swiftly shaved into hundreds of differently shaped components.
The Sage's Tower that had imprisoned the sage.
Those tower pieces warped and soared into the air.
They heated red-hot, melting like lava.
And within the genius blacksmith's knowledge, they became joint materials.
Hundreds of iron fittings floating in the air for joints—screws, nails, and the like.
Finally, the hundreds of wooden pieces flew to their positions.
The iron fittings did the same.
They merged into one, resounding with endless clamor.
Didingdingdingding—
Kukukukukukung—!
The secret of Emergency Fabrication was inputting the strike count, and it hammered accordingly.
Hyun-soo entered them without a moment's hesitation.
And slowly, its form took shape.
Arte's eyes trembled.
"H-how can you craft something like this in an instant...?"
Total length: 20 meters.
Taller than giant monsters by far.
Dragon-head prow at the front.
This is the most perfect crafting method.
Effect application rate shone brightest at perfect crafting.
Effect application rate: 98%.
Arte took it in and asked,
"What is that thing?"
Its form was utterly bizarre.
Hyun-soo gave a small smile.
◈ "Only twelve ships."
◈ Still have twelve
◈ "With those twelve ships, they defeated 330 enemy vessels and saved the nation."
◈ The most perfect creation.
"It's a turtle ship."
Arte marveled. The ferocious aura emanating from the ship defied common sense.
Kieeeek—
The griffin flock closed in.
The turtle ship, hovering in midair, plummeted into the mountain's snowy tsunami.
Hyun-soo, aboard with Arte, said,
"Hold on tight."
At last, the massive vessel touched down on the snow.
Kuugugugugu—
The miracle of the seventh legend revealed itself.
Defense 3x that of a normal ship is applied.
No physical impact will easily shatter this vessel.
It was wondrous.
Three times a normal ship's defense.
Impossible in reality. But Ares rewarded perfect creation.
And Hyun-soo's Custom Forge dictated the reward's form.
'Why hold on?'
Arte looked puzzled.
Contrary to the warning, the ship was so perfect it didn't shake at all.
Here, the second miracle emerged.
Turtle Ship Acceleration
The turtle ship advances at 2x speed.
Whoosh—!
The sails unfurled.
Fierce winds blew south—straight below.
Pangpaeng—!
Kieeeek—
The griffins lunged to attack.
But with sails taut, the accelerated turtle ship shot forward.
Kuugugugugugu—!
Arte felt the ship shudder violently, plunging downward.
The scenery whipped past.
Then his eyes widened.
Dozens of trees and rock piles ahead stood firm even against the ongoing avalanche.
"U-uaaaah!"
Arte hurriedly shielded his face, expecting the ship to shatter.
But Hyun-soo had seen all of the mountain.
The reason for maxing defense in Custom Forge revealed itself.
Kwajijijijik—!
Crushing trees and boulders alike, the turtle ship pressed on.
Flying monsters couldn't match its speed.
Avalanches weakened as they descended.
Hyun-soo had calculated it all; the ship vibrated massively.
Kuugugugugugu—
Turtle Ship Second Acceleration
The turtle ship advances at 3x speed.
Kwaaaaah—!
Self-propelling, the turtle ship accelerated without slowing.
Arte was awestruck.
The Beres Mountains, his prison for 300 years.
Yet this single ship whisked him to a new world in the blink of an eye.
Leveled-up Emergency Fabrication lasted 50 seconds.
In just 20, they'd descended nearly half the mountain.
Just passing scenery sufficed. Leaving the tower's vicinity filled Arte with joy.
At last, he resolved himself.
Hyun-soo stood at the prow, vigilant.
Arte's hand touched his back.
Skill creation for you begins.
***
Hyun-soo turned curiously.
"Don't look back—it's embarrassing."
Arte's voice was gentle, utterly changed from their first meeting.
"Normally, I'd give it only after full escape."
They hadn't escaped yet.
"Truth is, they call me weirdo Arte."
The reason for the nickname.
"You know? I promised skill creation—no grade specified."
"......"
Hyun-soo gave a wry smile.
Arte might've just tossed him a single rare skill.
"Skill creation is my trait, but I can't churn them out recklessly."
If he could, he'd be called a god.
That was how grand and mighty skill creation was.
"Lifetime: 100 rares, 30 epics, 5 uniques. And."
Warmth emanated from Arte's fingertips.
"Every 10 years, exactly two legend skills."
Hyun-soo heard it.
Legend power descends upon your body.
"......!?"
Hyun-soo was stunned. Arte was giving him his most precious legend at this moment.
"This aura will read your info and grant the most fitting power."
Skill creation akin to Custom Forge.
"Remember: your power is still feeble."
Meaning his level.
"Like the Sword King's, the Spear Heaven's—this may grow too."
Additional power followed.
3 temporary skill creations for you descend.
"These are one-use consumables. They're in you—use when needed. They'll wield unique powers within proper bounds."
In short, three disposable skills, usable as Hyun-soo wished.
"Oh, legend skill creation takes time."
Hyun-soo felt it.
Arte's hand gently stroked his back.
"When you said you'd climb the mountain, I doubted and denied. When you pierced the blizzard, I truly admired. Treating my baldness brought joy. Shooting that arrow at Grout to pay him back earned gratitude."
Hyun-soo smiled faintly. In their short time, they'd grown close; Arte now acknowledged him.
"You gave your all. May I ask why?"
Hyun-soo spoke the truth scratching at his throat.
"......I wanted you to visit my mother's grave."
Of course, the biggest reason was the reward. But this was true too.
Hyun-soo shared his story with his father.
"I can't talk to my father even when he's right in front of me. And you had to part from your mother 300 years ago, not knowing why."
Arte must've worried about her his whole life.
Such tales bred empathy, a singular power.
Arte spoke softly.
"Thank you. No worries now, even if one seat stays empty."
Hyun-soo looked puzzled.
Arte spoke as if departing soon.
And the hand on his back began to tremble.
"Become a legend. I step aside here."
"......?"
Hyun-soo turned. His face twisted.
A single sword pierced Arte from behind.
The one hoisting him discarded Arte like a bug.
"Kuhuk...!"
A figure coalesced from black aura there.
Demon Grout descends.
No trace of demonic energy.
Blood Demon Grout is weakened.
Blood Demon Grout is weakened.
Blood Demon Grout is weakened.
Demons never descended to the surface in main body form.
Without demonic energy, they weakened drastically.
They stayed away to guard against risks.
But not this time.
"To force my true body here."
One man inflicted pain Grout had never known.
Rage and grudge made him brave the danger.
Hyun-soo had boosted the ship's speed to escape before it arrived.
Yet it had descended early and waited.
Now, weakened Grout unveiled full power.
Seeing it, Hyun-soo urgently turned to Arte.
Drops below 13%.
"Kuhuk!"
Arte vomited blood, his face draining pale.
Hyun-soo kicked off the ground, charging Grout.
From him stirred one vast power Arte had left.
Skill search complete.
Creation takes time.
Creation of Karma begins.
He didn't know then.
That one skill would alter the battle's tide.
And it rang out.
The final story begins.
The end of this episode.
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