Continental War (1)
Hyun-soo's attending physician, Jin-seop, could never forget the day he first met him.
Back in that initial consultation room, Hyun-soo had been drowned in despair.
He'd been so lost in his thoughts that the image still lingered vividly in Jin-seop's mind.
'But he overcame it.'
Thinking of him brought a smile to Jin-seop's face.
Was it the unyielding will of that young man, far younger than himself?
Before he knew it, both Hyun-soo and Hyun-tae had become precious patients to him.
That was why Jin-seop had attended this year's vegetative state symposium.
At the symposium, Jin-seop was somewhat surprised.
The world's most renowned expert in vegetative states, Dr. Michael, had begun with a shocking announcement.
"Many of you here are likely administering the 54-K treatment to your patients."
It was the injection Kang Hyun-tae received regularly.
This incredibly expensive shot, requiring a fortune per dose, was known for its slim chance of awakening vegetative patients.
"Recently, unusual phenomena have been reported with the 54-K treatment—about 1 to 3 percent of cases. It might not be welcome news for the families of those patients or for us doctors."
It was rare to see the typically stoic Dr. Michael's face flush with excitement like this.
As all the doctors leaned in, he displayed an injection and continued.
"The reports indicate that some patients receiving this treatment are temporarily awakening."
"……!?"
The doctors buzzed in shock.
Jin-seop was among them.
He hurriedly asked, "What do you mean by 'temporarily'?"
"Exactly as it sounds. They wake up briefly. Astonishingly, those who awaken show no memory loss and can move their bodies well enough for daily activities. The shortest lasted six hours; the longest, two days. Then they revert to their vegetative state."
It was astonishing news.
"Were there any side effects?"
Michael gave a small smile.
"Even more of them fully awoke months later. A very tiny fraction, but still."
Jin-seop, unable to hide his excitement, nodded in agreement as Michael held up the syringe.
"I've decided to call it the miracle of a single day."
The symposium had been held in Korea.
On his way back afterward, Jin-seop found himself wrestling with a dilemma as a doctor.
'Should I tell them?'
He shook his head.
It was undoubtedly hopeful, positive news.
But the miracle of a single day happened to only the tiniest fraction of patients.
He judged that such faint hope could poison the families instead.
Returning to the hospital, Jin-seop headed straight to the VVIP room.
The most expensive and sunlit room in the hospital.
Hyun-tae was basking in that sunlight.
"I don't know who your son takes after to be so remarkable."
Jin-seop gave a wry smile.
He often chatted like this during his rounds, speaking to Hyun-tae.
Even vegetative patients could sometimes hear, a tiny few of them.
Proud of Hyun-soo, he shared stories in hopes he'd hear.
"It's almost been five years now."
Jin-seop took in the peaceful sight of Hyun-tae, eyes closed serenely.
With a faint smile, he left the room.
***
Early morning.
Hyun-soo got up and prepared cereal.
While eating, he tuned into the Ares-exclusive channel.
A Korean Ares expert and MC were discussing the impending continental war.
-How is China preparing for this massive event?
-China seems thoroughly prepared for this unprecedented event. The standout is artifacts.
-Artifacts?
-Yes, with their huge population, they have a massive number of top blacksmiths. World blacksmith rank 3, Wang Kang, is participating in the continental war, and his forge is reportedly customizing artifacts for participants beforehand.
-What about our Korean users?
-Our forges are active too, but with our smaller population compared to China, it's tough to compete...
Hyun-soo turned off the TV.
It was a predictable move.
Top domestic forges like Black Anvil were said to be firing up furnaces nonstop.
But ten people stoking fires wasn't the same league as two hundred.
That was why Hyun-soo felt the need for the offensive Twin Dragon Swords.
Three legend artifacts could match a legend-above-legend.
But what if it was transcendent grade?
A true transcendent would outvalue ten legends.
He felt no patriotic duty to his country.
Simply, the more dire the situation, the more the offensive Twin Dragon Swords would shine.
Finishing his cereal, Hyun-soo logged into Ares.
A sword that might rival a hundred uniques.
He sketched blueprints for the offensive Twin Dragon Sword.
Being offensive, he sharpened the blade keener and designed it lighter than the buff version.
'This should be excellent.'
Time was short. After forging two pairs with high-quality ore for practice, he'd use Saga Stone for the real ones.
Hyun-soo began the long, arduous crafting.
And finally, the first offensive Twin Dragon Sword was complete.
Epic grade.
Effect application rate of 64% applied.
Honestly, it wasn't a bad sword.
For a greatsword, the balance was superb, allowing light swings.
Its destructive power could even cleave rock.
But it was squarely epic grade.
'Four days gone.'
Fortunately, the God-Forged Crown's 20% crafting time reduction left two more chances.
Hyun-soo turned crisis into opportunity.
More meticulously, more passionately, he immersed in the second Twin Dragon Sword.
Epic grade.
Effect application rate of 70% applied.
"Ugh..."
Hyun-soo's face twisted.
His mind raced.
Only five days until the continental war.
And he found the reason.
Player-crafted artifacts struggled to reach high grades if they'd made something similar before.
Take a blacksmith who'd made a legend.
If they tried the exact same method and materials a week later, would another legend emerge?
'They could mass-produce legends like a factory.'
To achieve high grades on similar items, two factors were key.
Either much time had passed since last making it, and even if similar, it held something special.
Or this method.
'Craft it vastly superior.'
Ares' system rewarded player growth.
If a previous similar craft was rare, but later done more skillfully, with deeper understanding, even a similar item could grade higher.
'So, to make the offensive Twin Dragon Sword transcendent now, I need to surpass the buff version.'
A flicker of fear passed.
He'd only mastered one sword's method out of the pair.
Suddenly, his father's words echoed.
'Hyun-soo, you'll start by imitating, but once your skill matures, you'll craft something truly your own, the pinnacle.'
They etched into his heart.
Hyun-soo might have felt pressured imitating an unknown Twin Dragon Sword.
Now, he could craft his own pinnacle.
He added the final ore. At last, crafting his personal Twin Dragon Sword.
This will likely be the most perfect crafting method.
As he shaped the greatsword, his genius blacksmith experiences and knowledge infused it.
With little time left before the continental war.
Clang—
Clang—
Hyun-soo burned hotter.
He felt joy.
Not imitating, but birthing his own Twin Dragon Sword—it set his heart racing.
High effect application rate.
He engraved patterns on his unique Twin Dragon Sword.
Hyun-soo anticipated.
This was a creation into which he'd poured his soul.
And amid his expectation came the message.
The ninth legend is written.
His tension melted away.
Yet Hyun-soo thought this Twin Dragon Sword was incredible.
'......It was transcendent grade.'
The buff Twin Dragon Sword had been that absurd.
Expecting two in under a month might have been greed.
But confidence bloomed.
'That my originals can one day reach transcendent.'
Regret lingered, true.
But it used no Saga Stone—just fine ore.
With superior materials, it might have been legend-above-legend.
Hyun-soo logged out immediately.
Someone to share this bittersweet feeling with.
He visited the hospital.
Entering the room, Hyun-soo recounted recent events to his father.
"Still, it was legend grade. Ares' system doesn't reward high grades for similar crafts in short time, yet here I am. From mere imitation to crafting my true originals."
Hyun-soo knew.
"What exactly is the Twin Dragon Sword you know, Dad? Does it surpass my buff version?"
It must.
His father had said:
'The first Twin Dragon Sword isn't for swinging. It symbolizes nation and Chungmugong.'
Thus, made for all.
The second was the actual swinging sword.
Hyun-soo gave a bitter smile.
"......I'm curious about the crafting method for your second Twin Dragon Sword."
He shared much with his father.
"Guess I should head out. No real Twin Dragon Swords, but I thought of a way to create an upset. Gonna tweak those calamity artifacts I got. Only a day left, but they'll make a big difference."
Caressing his father's hand, Hyun-soo rose.
"I'll come again. Oh, and watch the broadcast."
The VVIP room had a wall-mounted TV.
With a small smile, Hyun-soo left.
Time passed in the room.
Night yielded to morning.
The nurse entered and turned on the TV.
-The continental war is about to begin.
-The world is heating up.
The nurse wiped Hyun-tae with a damp cloth, then grabbed the remote before leaving.
She shook her head.
She was wise. Lowered the volume slightly and exited.
-We're eager to see what miracles our Korean users pull against China's powerhouses!
-Guild members from Hyun's Forge, who stirred buzz recently, are visible too.
-Not drawing much attention.
-With all the top rankers gathered.
-The fierce war between the two nations begins now!
Amid the commentators' voices echoed mechanical beeps in the room.
Beep— Beep— Beep— Beep—
Vital signs monitoring his heartbeat.
Then.
A twitch.
The finger of one long asleep moved.