Arte's Aspiration (13)
Most of the artifacts Hyun-soo had created were tied to stories.
The Dragon Light Sword of the sea hero.
Jumong's Composite Bow.
The bipod sword of Yi Sun-sin.
Poseidon's trident, and so on.
'The system grants power befitting the story if it's recreated in the most fitting and perfect way.'
What was Saga Stone?
'A mineral that unleashes maximized power when infused with a story.'
It was clearly the mineral most suited to Hyun-soo.
"Take a look."
Grade: Legend
Restrictions: Level 400+ Blacksmith
Difficulty: Supreme
Special Abilities:
· Artifact effects increase from a minimum of 50% to a maximum of 350%, depending on how perfectly the story is recreated.
· When forging a sword, it might grant just 50% cutting power with no story, 50-100% with a decent one, or 100-250% if you've woven a story no one else could imitate.
A special mineral capable of holding stories.
'Regular minerals list fixed percentages for sword attack power, cutting power, piercing power, and so on after forging.'
But this Saga Stone had no such details.
"That should be enough for two artifacts."
"I'll use it well, Arte."
He needed to think carefully about what to create.
And there was something Arte wanted to check.
"Can I see the power of the legend born from me?"
"Of course."
Soon, Arte examined the power of Karma dwelling within Hyun-soo.
"This bond will grant you even greater power in the future. Do you see 'Something special may occur'?"
"Yes, I do."
Hyun-soo was familiar with such descriptions.
"This is the special event happening—a new power befitting the name Karma."
It was welcome news for Hyun-soo.
The skill Karma was already excellent as it was.
Of course, its activation probability was absurdly low.
And the name Karma itself hinted at boundless potential.
'Maybe...'
Hyun-soo felt anticipation.
It might even unlock a power for acquiring talented individuals.
Arte, watching Hyun-soo, spoke with a bittersweet expression.
"I cherish you. But understand that doesn't mean I can reveal everything about the world."
Arte was like Barad and Ben.
He knew simply handing things out wasn't enough.
Power belonged to those who possessed it, and information to those worthy of it.
There were also some system restrictions.
Crucially, Arte wasn't bound as a vassal but stayed as a friend to help Hyun-soo.
"I'll share what you're curious about, but depending on the information, I might not be able to, or I may demand a price."
"I wouldn't want to take your knowledge for free either, Arte."
Hyun-soo's words brought a smile to Arte's face.
Most people would have said, "I want all the information."
But Hyun-soo knew such relationships didn't last.
And Arte wasn't just saying no.
"I plan to establish an academy in Ballus Territory."
"...An academy?"
Hyun-soo was impressed.
One of the biggest contributors to territory development was an academy.
It instilled knowledge in the young.
The problem was finding good teachers to establish and run one—it was like plucking stars from the sky.
But if it was Sage Arte?
Sage Arte establishing an academy will increase the probability of discovering superior talents by over 60% compared to a normal territory.
"We'll start small, but it may grow over time."
A great academy naturally drew people in.
Ballus Territory needed development, and most of all, immigrants.
'An academy could even attract nobles' children, securing substantial taxes.'
This was what thrilled Hyun-soo most.
By the time he became king, the academy run by Sage Arte would be of a scale defying common sense.
It would lend immense power to his kingdom.
A short while later, Sage Arte headed to the residence prepared for him.
Left alone, Hyun-soo still had something to check.
The subscriber increase from the world message.
He'd deliberately waited until things quieted down.
Staring at the computer nonstop would only tire him out.
And Hyun-soo had never forgotten his promise with Rown, master of the number-one forge Black Anvil.
From: Rown
"Hyun, come to where I am. I'll be waiting. And if the day comes when you take first place, will you make me an offer?"
"I'm offering a vice-guild master spot—feel like joining?"
This meant Hyun's Forge could absorb Black Anvil.
'I might end up with a gutted Black Anvil.'
Of course, Rown, the number-two blacksmith, held great power.
But would Black Anvil's guild members join just because he did?
The easiest way to convince them was subscriber count.
Hyun-soo was hiding how strong and exceptional a blacksmith he was.
Yet he'd triggered a world message by demon-hunting for a reason.
And he was certain it would bring even more subscribers.
The issue was the ripple effect.
'How much did it rise? 200k? 300k?'
Subscriber counts followed a total quantity law.
Like experience needed for level-ups.
The more subscribers you had, the slower new ones came.
'Still not enough for first place, probably.'
Last check, he had about 2.3 million, placing second.
Number-one Black Anvil had recently surpassed 3 million, per the news two weeks ago.
Hyun-soo logged out.
After a deep breath, he moved to check the auction house.
Then.
Bzzz—
His phone buzzed.
He subscribed to internet news via smartphone.
A headline caught his eye.
"...Huh?"
Hyun-soo shot to his feet.
The content was astonishing.
A few days earlier.
The world had erupted.
Most portal sites featured the story.
Breaking news poured in endlessly.
Blacksmith Hyun topped real-time searches on every portal.
Korean communities were ablaze too.
And Hyun-soo had partially anticipated the aftermath of the world message.
People hadn't believed Hyun actually hunted the demon from the start.
Of course, the usual expert teams chimed in.
The experts, perhaps stung, added more.
The expert team posted screenshots of articles from around the world.
The biggest splash came from this.
Ares, the VR game that changed the world.
World Ares.
Over a hundred branches worldwide.
And World Ares was Ares's independent daily, unaffected by branches.
Its job was simple: Deliver Ares-exclusive news to 2.5 billion players.
Annually, it selected the 100 most influential players worldwide.
Making the World Ares 100 was every player's dream.
Today, Blacksmith Hyun became the first Korean on it.
Community users were checking directly.
Even before Hyun-soo checked subscribers, communities were on fire.
Standing, Hyun-soo marveled.
Hyun-soo could hardly believe it.
'Me, on World Ares...?'
He recalled his guildmates beaming every time they saw him.
'Hiding this must've been tough on them.'
His heart pounded wildly.
Subscriber total quantity law.
He'd figured 200-300k gain.
That changed completely.
Prior Hyun's Forge subs: 2.3 million range.
Black Anvil at 3 million.
Hyun-soo accessed the auction house.
With trembling heart, he checked subscribers.
Click!
"W-whoa!!"
He yelled involuntarily.
The surge was tremendous.
Current Korean Forge Subscriber Rank: #2
Nearly 500k new subscribers.
Hyun-soo's fist clenched tight.
Gap to #1 Black Anvil Forge: 213,041 subscribers.
Domestic top forge spot was within reach.