Enhancement (2)

“Gah!”

Hyun-soo was stunned.

It shines the most brilliantly.

He now understood why that notification had rung out.

It was because he had successfully enhanced the Supreme Sword to +4.

In the first place, no ore in all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Ares could enhance a single artifact to +4.

That was why a notification even Hyun-soo had never heard before had played.

“Reinforcement stones are supposed to be supplementary, but this goes way beyond that, doesn't it?”

Reinforcement stones were the exclusive domain of high-level users.

They were used to grow just a little stronger once they hit level and artifact limits.

Some even blew through hundreds of millions or billions of won just to push a few more enhancements for that edge.

That tiny bit of extra strength could decide victory over the strong and shift rankings.

But this Black Forge Stone went even further than standard reinforcement stones.

Sword attack power +50 or more.

All stats +0.5%.

Critical hit chance +10%.

Cutting power +10%.

Sword Mastery +1 level.

And the passive skill Eight Strikes had upgraded to Nine Strikes.

Even if he burned through all seven Black Forge Stones, one hit like this jackpot made it all worthwhile, didn't it?

Suddenly, a thought flashed by.

I got it…

Hyun-soo gazed at the Supreme Sword.

This Supreme Sword was the strongest blade, made for him alone—and coveted by every player in the world.

Yet he'd been trapped by preconceptions, fixated on creating a new grade of artifact via the Saga Stone.

The strongest, most outstanding sword in the world.

That's why he'd been scouring myths for something surpassing the Supreme Sword, unable to decide.

It's not about making a sword stronger than the Supreme Sword—it's about making one that holds Supreme Sword-level power.

Hyun-soo was already plenty strong with the Supreme Sword in hand.

Holding Supreme Sword-level power didn't mean matching its strength exactly.

“A sword with that kind of influence.”

The flash of insight struck.

Prisoner camp.

Fifty ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠charging assassins—and the Hwando that repelled them.

Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin wielded many swords.

Hyun-soo pulled out the Saga Stone from his pocket.

He mainly used the Hwando, and I've already forged one to fight the Red Dragon Squad.

A legend that saved the nation.

Could there be a finer legend than that?

Plus, there were two swords even more famous than the one he'd made against the Red Dragon Squad.

Their name.

“Twin Dragon Swords.”

Swords that were legends in themselves.

In Ares, and in reality too.

The Twin Dragon Swords vanished long ago.

That made them even more legendary.

Debate still raged over whether Chungmugong had truly wielded them.

Suddenly, a conversation with his father surfaced.

You wouldn't know about stuff like that, kid.

It was his father's reply when he'd asked if Chungmugong had really used the Twin Dragon Swords.

One thing's certain: it became history because people wanted to believe it.

We sometimes embellish tales, and they get recorded as history.

And the Twin Dragon Swords, lost a century ago—that much was fact: they had existed.

Shall I try recreating the history that saved a nation?

And Hyun-soo had already done so.

One of the two Twin Dragon Swords that existed.

The only regret was this.

“Father's the only one who knows how to make the other one…”

His father had an incredible grasp of the Twin Dragon Sword he'd taught him to forge.

Back then, while forging it together, he'd thought:

I want to make a Twin Dragon Sword on my own someday.

He couldn't even remember how many times he'd pored over his father's blueprints.

Or how many blades he'd scrapped.

“…I make pretty damn good swords.”

But he was even better with bows.

The result: his masterpiece, Jumong's Composite Bow.

But the Twin Dragon Swords were different.

“…Among all the sword forging methods I know, the Twin Dragon Swords are the ones I understand best.”

Shwaaak—

He unrolled the paper.

Its magnificent form began to take shape vividly on the page.

Out of curiosity, he wondered:

What value would a sword ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hold from someone more beloved than Hae Mo-su, more renowned than Jumong, once completed?

He couldn't even imagine.

Especially if it was something completely lost to time.

And how much power the system would grant upon seeing it.

At last, it began.

The Saga Stone, enough for two artifacts.

Ores for one blade went into the furnace.

I can see it.

It was a path.

A path that might reach legend.

Just then, a whisper arrived.

Gwangmyeong Guild members had been summoned by the royal family.

He knew why they'd been called.

Lord Barad…

It was always a test.

He'd summoned them to verify something.

And Hyun-soo knew Gwangmyeong's members would give their all.

While they're gone, I'll do my best too.

This sword was different from all his previous weapons.

Every weapon Hyun-soo had forged strengthened an individual.

But this one would strengthen everyone.

***

This was the quest received by Nel and the Gwangmyeong members upon arriving at the palace.

“…Strengthen the national power in your own way.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Countless talents gathered for an audience with the king.

They just needed to strengthen the nation in their own methods and rack up contributions.

Nel knew this was her chance.

A chance to bring back lots of soldiers!

Soon, Barad sent out the talents from across the nation.

Those remaining were the prime contributors who had built the current Goyad Kingdom.

Philip, the northern commander who had defended Arham Territory until recently.

Bolson, who handled Goyad Kingdom's finances.

And current Knight Commander Bella.

Barad took in each one with his eyes.

At last, he revealed his true intentions.

“It reminds me of the old days. My father also summoned you all alongside other talents from across the nation.”

Just like he'd called in the Ballass Territory folk.

“Even if the king is outstanding, he cannot stand if those protecting him fall short.”

An obvious truth.

Barad had reached this seat thanks to those before him.

And thanks to Bella and Marquis Lookburg steadily at his side.

Barad still hadn't decided to make Hyun-soo king.

There were too many qualities he needed to see in him.

“I remember. His late Majesty smiled at us and said, 'Not bad at all.'”

Bella recalled it vividly.

“One Hyun built Ballass Territory. But if his retainers fail to back him, that's a huge problem.”

And such people would become the talk of the populace.

Especially as outsiders, whispers still lingered.

“How much contribution do you plan to require from them before acknowledging them, my lord?”

“…About 70% of what you all achieved should suffice.”

This national power enhancement was influenced by all sorts of things.

As long as it contributed to strengthening the nation, it counted.

But his expectations for Hyun's retainers were low.

“Go see for yourselves what kind of people they are.”

Barad had already fought battlefields with them.

They were strong.

But in Goyad Kingdom, there were at least ten thousand such folk, NPCs included.

“We shall obey.”

The three stepped forward.

After they left, Barad gazed out the window with a bitter expression.

“Hyun-ah.”

He believed his father had felt the same back then.

A king's seat must be cold and ruthless.

If they're incompetent, I must teach them a lesson in governance.

Of course, "expelling" them didn't mean literally banishing.

As Ballass Territory grew, their titles would rise too.

They might become kingdom stars later—but he'd suggest replacing them with more capable folk.

It left a bitter taste.

Even if Hyun-soo came to hate him, it couldn't be helped.

Hyun-soo is too soft and gentle.

Sometimes, someone had to give harsh words.

And Barad was exhausted.

The aftereffects of responding to Hey Friend, Help Me lingered deep in his bones.

He retired to his chambers for sleep, staying in the palace to focus on recovery.

A few days later.

The contribution accumulation period ended.

Talents from across the nation.

Most were from various territories.

Contributions were judged by groups.

The palace also directly provided soldiers based on contributions—a chance to strengthen their territories.

Soon after Bella, Philip, and Bolson entered, Gwangmyeong's members followed.

Wearing the anvil and hammer emblem.

Barad prostrated them with his king's gaze and drew a single sword.

The king's sword of judgment.

He had used it before to check Hyun-soo's development degree.

And Barad ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hid the results from Bella's probing question about their achievement percentage.

These three had together boosted national power by 1.3%.

His late father had said after sending them out:

Fine talents, Barad.

At last, the king's sword of judgment began to glow.

But.

Woooong—

“…?”

Barad was flustered.

The sword was resonating strongly.

It was like the first time verifying talent Bella, or introducing Prime Minister Bolson, or meeting Knight Philip.

No.

A far stronger resonance than any of them.

And.

Barad's eyes shook. But his exterior showed no tremor.

“You may go.”

After dismissing them, Barad was bewildered.

Once they left, Bolson spoke up, eyes full of incomprehension at the king's judgment.

“My lord, why not send them back to Hyun and keep them with us instead?”

“???”

Barad was dumbfounded. Bolson saying such a thing?

He looked to Bella for answers.

“You said it yourself, my lord.”

Barad's own words.

One Hyun built Ballass Territory. But if his retainers fail to back him, that's a huge problem.

Bella said in an impassioned voice.

“It wasn't one Hyun who made Ballass Territory as it is now—it was those capable folk together with Hyun.”

Philip chimed in.

“They will strengthen Hyun's kingdom.”

Bolson added.

“Hyun should be thrilled. That such outstanding talents are giving their all for him.”

The three spared no praise. (Note: Their standards were sky-high.)

Bella continued.

“They will be the pillars.”

The king was impressed.

And curious.

What on earth had happened to earn such rave reviews?