Enhancement (11)
Hyun-soo could create his own Calamity.
Calamities possessed all sorts of special powers.
The fifth Calamity, Jack, wielded telekinesis.
The fourth Calamity, Ronso, had the power of flight.
The first Calamity boasted absurd defensive prowess.
Having experienced them firsthand, Hyun-soo knew that each advantage held by the Calamities could become a tremendous force if acquired.
Your own Calamity will become a power solely for you, and you can create and apply it to yourself at any time.
This wasn't an artifact—it was more like a skill.
Hyun-soo also realized something.
'Legendary grade...'
This would grant him his fourth Legendary power, following Sword King's Swordsmanship, Ghost Step, and Karma.
And "your own Calamity" felt similar to Arte's skill creation.
The difference was that it let him craft the exact power he desired.
'Insane...'
Hyun-soo knew this wasn't mere luck.
'This is a reward I earned fairly through my achievements.'
Defeating all four Calamities was undoubtedly unprecedented.
He planned to think carefully about what Calamity to create.
For now, he checked the newly acquired gauntlet.
◈ Durability: Infinite
◈ Defense: 374
◈ Level Restriction: 300+
◈ Sword Mastery +2
◈ Greatsword Mastery +4
◈ Sword Weight -50%
◈ Passive Skill: Cuts Through Anything
◈ All Effects +5% When Wearing Additional Calamity Artifacts
The Calamity Gauntlet was unfortunately only Unique grade.
And gauntlets were supplementary gear, after all.
But he wasn't disappointed.
'I can make something better than this myself.'
What impressed Hyun-soo was Rogal's Calamity power.
Cuts Through Anything.
This power, which activated at a 3% chance, boosted cutting power by 250% in an instant.
The Twin Dragon Swords, optimized for slicing enemies.
'If this gauntlet pairs with the Twin Dragon Swords...'
The synergy would be beyond imagination.
Then, a thought struck Hyun-soo.
'...Father needs to wake up for one more reason now.'
Hyun-soo often found reasons like this to wish for his father's awakening.
The Twin Dragon Swords he'd just made were buff versions for everyone.
'I wonder how much power an attack-type Twin Dragon Sword would unleash.'
And with this gauntlet's synergy, how overwhelming would it be?
Helinya dropped nothing else.
Following the laws of Calamities.
'A beggar besides dropping Calamity artifacts...'
But he wasn't disappointed.
Too many donation notifications.
You can check donation amounts after the broadcast ends.
'How much is it?'
He'd seen it when unleashing Sword King's Swordsmanship.
Famous users promising donations if Hyun's Forge succeeded in the Helinya raid.
The notifications had overwhelmed the chat entirely.
And more viewers were always better.
Indeed. This ripple effect would naturally boost Hyun's Forge subscribers.
Hyun-soo took a deep breath at Nel's words.
'How many are there for it to be like this?'
When he first checked, viewers were around 1.1 million.
An exceptional number even for this year.
Current Viewers: 2,241,000
"...?"
Hyun-soo was stunned.
'This many?'
Suddenly realizing this many viewers had watched him tightened his fist.
Hyun-soo had started from the very bottom.
Now, the whole world marveled at him.
Donations were essentially promises.
But missions from famous users had to be honored.
Even regular users felt the same.
'Why wouldn't they?'
The broadcast ended.
Yet viewers weren't dropping.
The key Helinya hunt was over—why?
"...?"
A kingdom message had rung out.
This turned into a quest.
Hyun-soo had received the 'Kingdom Quest: Salvation' upon logging in.
The Salvation quest raised contribution based on aiding Goyad Kingdom's crisis.
Hyun-soo had guessed he'd earned massive contribution from giant ant kills via notifications.
Contribution rose from various complex factors too.
Hyun-soo had grown accustomed to broadcasts.
He knew what people liked.
He checked his contribution.
'No big deal to share this much.'
He displayed it for viewers.
Total Contribution: 141%
And that wasn't the end.
You have defeated the first Calamity, Helinya.
Helinya had grown stronger by absorbing the second Calamity, Rogal.
You earn higher contribution than previous Helinya hunts.
Contribution +101%.
Total Contribution: 242%.
Hyun-soo now understood why viewers lingered.
Sword King Barad appears!
They were curious about his rewards.
Unfortunately, Hyun-soo had no intention of showing them.
Nel seemed to think the same.
Viewers caught on.
Famous users and high-rankers rarely revealed rewards, artifacts, or skills publicly.
It often became a weakness.
Viewers were users too, after all.
Hyun-soo agreed.
Still.
"I'll turn it back on after receiving rewards."
He wanted to say goodbye properly.
Broadcast ended.
As the barrier vanished, Barad led the kingdom nobles into Voldrom Fortress.
To Barad's left sat Marquis Lookburg.
To his right, Marquis Bello.
Behind Hyun-soo stood Marquis Constantinu and the surviving talents.
Even Hyun-soo didn't know what rewards he'd receive.
'They might give quite a few troops.'
What he'd accomplished was monumental.
Barad asked Hyun-soo about his contribution.
Hearing it, Barad couldn't help but marvel.
'How in the world...'
He couldn't even fathom what reward to grant.
Funds to run Ballas Territory for years?
Insufficient.
Troops, then?
'That's fine. But...'
To Barad, it still fell short.
Then Barad noticed something odd.
It was the expressions of Marquis Constantinu and the 600 kingdom talents behind Hyun-soo.
They brimmed with emotion.
Constantinu wore an enigmatic look.
One of the kingdom's three stars.
Constantinu was the prickliest, with no prior ties to Hyun-soo.
He'd even told Prime Minister Nel directly.
To build bonds with them at Voldrom Fortress.
But crisis brought opportunity.
"Marquis Constantinu, what's with that expression?"
Barad was direct.
Constantinu looked flustered.
He hadn't realized his own expression moments ago.
Constantinu had barely survived.
His promised guardians fled; escape seemed impossible.
Even Hyun's Forge and Hyun-soo's arrival sparked no hope.
Constantinu pondered.
What excuse for his expression?
What had it even been?
Then he decided.
No hiding.
The look as he gazed at Hyun-soo.
"I see a new king."
"...!"
Barad was shocked.
Even if Hyun-soo was a marked heir candidate, saying it before Barad was bold.
Yet the situation made it fitting.
Constantinu understood the king well—this was his highest praise for Hyun-soo.
It decisively shaped Barad's rewards, which he'd agonized over.
"Hyun-soo, hero who saved the nation—receive this."
Hyun-soo bowed deeply.
'What on earth will I get...?'
Hyun-soo too was startled by Marquis Constantinu's outburst.
"I grant thee 450 soldiers and 50 knights."
You receive 450 soldiers and 50 knights.
They are royal troops, 10-20 levels higher than standard soldiers and knights.
Hyun-soo marveled.
Elite royal forces, raised by the kingdom.
Hyun's Forge now had the power to protect its light.
Hyun-soo moved to express thanks.
But Barad continued.
"Furthermore, I grant Viscount Hyun-soo a new title."
Hyun-soo, Nel, and all of Hyun's Forge were stunned.
"Earl Hyun-soo. That shall be thy name henceforth."
Barad eyed left's Bello, right's Lookburg, and rear's Constantinu Marquis.
Earl titles required marquis approval and public sentiment.
Your affinity with the people is high.
Many who heard your tales spread your legends.
You've saved the kingdom multiple times and are becoming its hero.
You are now a true hero, supported by many.
Moreover.
"We support."
"We shall support."
After Bello and Lookburg's replies.
"...We support with all our might."
Constantinu affirmed.
Congratulations.
You are the second user to become an Earl.
Earls receive 100,000 gold monthly from the state.
You may command up to 2,000 soldiers.
Korea's server had only Hwarang Guild's master as Earl— no longer.
Hyun-soo didn't know, but this was just the foundation for greater rewards.
Something Barad had long awaited, never fully confided even to others.
He'd brushed it off as one in dozens.
"I designate Earl Hyun-soo as my heir."
You have become the king's heir.
You may become king.
Acquired title: Heir to the Throne.
With a noble sweep of his gaze, Barad drove the nail.
"This is a royal decree."