Reunion (1)
The Continental War was a battleground where the top players from two nations clashed.
And Purum Corp had set it up so that China's Rheag Continent was invading the Asgan Continent.
The war unfolded on a small island not far from the Asgan Continent.
This island was a real-world location, with only fortresses and bridges created by the event.
Players could reach the Continental War site if they really wanted to.
But no one came.
Were the developers idiots?
The reason for holding the Continental War on a real island was to add realism.
The island was a strategic hub for the Asgan Continent, and the Rheag Continent had to pass through it to reach other continents.
Moreover, a tremendously powerful barrier enveloped it, making the interior completely invisible.
And to prepare for any stray players who might show up, Purum Corp had nailed it down with an official notice.
Continental War Notice
The Continental War venue is protected by an unbreakable barrier that even the world's top rankers cannot destroy. Furthermore, the island's location will be revealed only after the war concludes.
The island existed in reality, but no one knew its location, and even if they arrived, they couldn't breach the barrier.
Two people who knew about it were there.
Asgan Continent's two absolutes: Ben and Barad.
An island reachable in moments by small boat if you knew the route.
Much like Korea's Jeju Island.
Ben, Barad, and Kang Hyun-tae arrived there.
"......I don't have much time."
The barrier blocked everything; the interior was completely hidden.
Kang Hyun-tae also knew himself better than anyone.
His attending physician had muttered it before.
'I hope a miracle happens for Patient Kang Hyun-tae someday.'
That brief awakening miracle.
Shortest six hours, longest two days.
Real-world time, so relatively longer in-game.
Ben and Barad saw the usually composed Hyun-tae growing anxious.
It was only natural.
No one could stay calm in his shoes.
"Sword nut, think you can break it?"
Barad eyed the barrier briefly.
Impossibly sturdy and solid. Even he couldn't shatter it alone.
Plus, it had regenerative power; even if broken, it would seal again.
Barad shook his head and grinned.
"Well, with some backup from this no-account spear nut, maybe."
Yes, together, they might manage.
"On three."
Hyun-tae knew they were kings. As he stared in surprise, Ben chuckled.
"I've got this close friend, see. His old man's story's drilled into my ears—always with red eyes and a smile."
"Same here. My buddy nags me to death with it."
Anyone would do the same.
If your close friend's vegetative father woke up and called, saying he wanted to see his son?
Everyone would drop everything.
These two were just a bit exceptional.
"Hurry through the gap we open."
The duo's concentrated power slammed into the barrier, sending massive vibrations echoing through the arena.
Meanwhile.
Purum Corp's CEO Lee Se-jin was already watching, as were all the global branch managers.
The US branch manager, John, was losing it.
This was an unforeseen variable.
But Lee Se-jin was firm.
"Yes."
US branch manager John furrowed his brow.
But Lee Se-jin was thinking this.
"Does anyone know a player besides Hyun-soo who could call on two legends for help?"
The branch managers fell silent. Two?
Not even one.
"Ares pursues high freedom. And using a real Ares location for the Continental War space, then turning it into quests post-war—it was your proposal, John."
Cold hard fact.
Lee Se-jin was the prepared type.
He hadn't foreseen this, but he'd suggested a fully virtual space as a contingency.
John's idea had garnered much support.
Even as CEO, it was John's motion with majority votes.
Most crucially, the participating nations: China and Korea.
Silent China branch manager Tao spoke up.
His uncontrollable smirk was visible on screen.
Lee Se-jin saw through the shallow ploy.
'Planning a story: We won the Continental War despite this hilarious mishap.'
China was already certain of victory.
Other managers chimed in.
Lee Se-jin was meticulous.
"We'll post an official apology. And from now on, redirect all cameras showing user Hyun-soo to the Chinese players."
China's Tao replied.
Utter confidence in victory.
After the video call ended, Lee Se-jin issued rapid orders via phone.
The screen returned to the Continental War.
People forgot him instantly. The war's end was near.
Lee Se-jin could only watch the crumbling barrier.
Kang Hyun-tae had heard Hyun-soo's stories for four years.
He had to listen.
The tales of his son, left alone in the world.
Of course, they were but a fraction of what Hyun-soo shared.
His voice came faintly, sporadically.
Year one, two, three.
Hyun-soo's voice laced with despair.
Have to sell the forge. Burns make work impossible.
Miss you so much.
Lying helpless in hell, he'd endured hearing those words.
Then Hyun-soo changed.
'Started this game called Ares.'
Laughter crept into his voice.
'They say it's amazing, the blacksmithing you taught me.'
'Made my first legendary artifact today.'
'Dad! Listen, I got the forge back!'
'......Dad, I've got a new goal.'
Hyun-tae rejoiced hearing them.
The day he woke to Continental War TV noise, one thought consumed him.
'I want to see my son.'
He rushed here. But en route, fear gripped him.
What to say to the boy he'd left alone for four years?
Am I shameless?
But he had to do this.
He knew his son better than anyone.
Knew where he aimed.
So he said it.
"Hyun-soo, rise."
As if his fears were unfounded, Hyun-soo embraced him fiercely, despite doing nothing for him.
Whoosh—
Hyun-soo's mind fully returned in the embrace.
Pouring all his strength into this long-dreamed moment.
"Sob, ugh, Dad......"
Words tickled Hyun-soo's throat.
That he'd been so damn tired. But he swallowed them.
Hyun-tae cupped his weeping son's cheek.
Gripped his scarred hand.
Once small, now far larger than his own.
Hot words passed between them.
Forced logout in 20 seconds.
Hyun-tae said,
"I'll sleep again soon. But don't worry. I'm certain I'll wake for good."
Hyun-soo's face twisted in confusion as Hyun-tae handed him what he'd drawn.
"The Twin Dragon Swords fabrication method."
But Hyun-soo couldn't process it now.
Nothing mattered more than his father before him.
Forced logout in 5 seconds.
Forced logout in 4 seconds.
Hyun-tae spoke urgently.
"No one in the world could craft it from just seeing the method. But among those I know, one."
Hyun-tae smiled faintly.
"Only you can."
Crunch—
Hyun-soo hugged him again.
As his father dissolved into light, he clutched him tight.
Feeling him scatter in his arms.
Hyun-tae knew Hyun-soo best.
So his final words.
Those words awakened Hyun-soo's spirit.
Hyun-tae vanished completely from his embrace, smiling brightly.
The confusion debuff ended.
Hyun-soo began walking toward the castle, step by step.
His father, met after four years, was the same as always.
His final words before vanishing steadied Hyun-soo's heart.
He'd already memorized the fabrication method his father gave.
One glance was more than enough.
Hyun-soo was certain.
I'm this world's last Master Craftsman.
Now, he would become king.
Saga Stone surged skyward.
Hundreds of cameras operated in the Continental War.
They began tracking Hyun-soo.
But they didn't know.
Sizzle—
Refined and purified in the sky, the great blade emerged.
Crimson-hot vermilion edge.
Resembling the buff Twin Dragon Sword, but thicker, sharper, more special.
Saga reacts to the most perfect fabrication method.
After repeated fabrications, it vastly surpasses its own limits.
Beneath it, a black grip three times longer than a normal longsword appeared.
Finally, sky-forged blade and grip united into the ultimate perfect sword.
Clang—
Pattern etched on the blueprint as vermilion cooled to brightest steel, glowing black.
Rumble—
The quaking earth shook viewers' screens.
After joy and sorrow of reunion, his father's parting words etched deep.
"Hyun-soo, become king."
Hyun-soo knew better than anyone: the same old "don't break, push forward."
He would prove it.
True Transcendence is inscribed.
Etched into Ares history, as his father said, he became king.
The king's name: Master Craftsman Hyun.