Reunion (9)
MVP rewards allow you to choose one of three options.
1. A top-grade legendary artifact of your desired type.
2. A top-grade legendary skill of your desired type.
3. Ore and crafting materials of a new grade.
Experts around the world had called the third reward itself a throwaway option.
The Continental War was essentially a feast for combat classes.
But if even the rewards didn't cater to production classes, there'd be backlash.
People also said no idiot would ever pick the third one.
The reason was simple.
The rarity of a new grade—the world's first material unknown to Ares—was off the charts.
The problem? Even legendary-grade ores could only be handled by artisans and above.
A brand-new grade?
'What's the point of having it if you can't even use it?'
Se-jin could tell Hyun-soo had chosen that reward, just as he'd predicted.
One great thing about this MVP reward was that other viewers had no idea what the winner picked.
Lee Se-jin had once compared transcendent-grade materials to snack bags.
For an average blacksmith or player, it was like a nitrogen-packed bag of overhyped junk food.
'But when Player Hyun-soo opens that snack bag, it'll be stuffed full of treats.'
Plus, the MVP reward wasn't what Hyun-soo thought it was.
'He was probably expecting some specific flavor.'
A sweet treat handed to him by someone else.
But he was wrong.
This was the privilege of picking any snack from the store shelf.
And that's exactly what Hyun-soo had.
His eyes were lighting up with astonishment.
Se-jin smiled invisibly.
The rewards weren't over yet.
"All Continental War participants will receive experience point rewards, distributed after the event based on contribution."
MVP was crucial, but the other rewards mattered too.
"Additionally, the victorious Korean server as a whole will enjoy 2x experience gain and 2x artifact drop rates for the next three days."
The commentators chimed in with amused tones.
Korean viewers' reactions were hilarious.
Se-jin glanced toward the camera feed and announced,
"Now for the final reward. Many guilds participated in the Continental War."
Everyone focused intently.
This last one was as big a deal as the MVP reward.
It was for the guild with the participating members.
"And Hyun's Forge guild has claimed it. Congratulations to all."
"See you in the US vs. Russia Continental War."
CEO Lee Se-jin dissolved into light.
The close-up shifted to Hyun-soo flashing a small smile at the viewers.
The screen slowly faded to black as the Continental War broadcast ended completely.
The Continental War has ended.
You may exit the Continental War arena upon logout.
Left alone, Hyun-soo couldn't calm his pounding heart.
His expectations had been completely off.
He'd thought he'd get some transcendent-grade ore or material.
And he'd wondered what kind it might be.
'This is way better.'
◈ Select and receive materials in your desired form.
He clicked the item that appeared in his inventory.
You may select and receive materials in your desired form from this material chest.
From this chest, Hyun-soo could get exactly what he wanted.
'Ore for making swords.'
'Wood material like a mini world tree for bows.'
Another reason this reward rocked was you could get materials tailored to your needs.
Everyone has something they desperately need at some point.
For a blacksmith like Hyun-soo, there'd come a time when he'd crave a specific material.
'Pull out a transcendent-grade one then...'
What to make, what to pull—he'd have to think long and hard.
Hyun-soo also got notifications for his Continental War contribution rewards.
You have acquired 2,110,010 experience points.
Back when he'd hunted the Blood Demon Grout, the EXP had been around 3.3 million.
'Even 2.1 million is insane...'
Hyun-soo's level hit 345.
He checked the MVP title.
"...?"
Reading the MVP title, Hyun-soo was baffled.
'Why is this only S-grade?'
The percentage boosts across the board were solid, sure.
But the percentages were too damn low.
The line at the bottom explained it.
'Creates one skill deemed suitable for you...?'
Hyun-soo's eyes widened.
The Continental War organizing team was a joint effort between the Korean and Chinese branches.
They handled fine-tuning settings, linking with broadcasters, setting rewards—the works.
The first war, Korea vs. China, had its shortcomings as a debut.
Jincho from the reward-setting team trembled violently.
The Chinese Jincho had argued endlessly with the organizers.
'Top-grade legendaries and skills are great, sure. But for the MVP across both nations—isn't it a bit lacking?'
People figured the MVP would snag 1 billion won in cash plus one top-grade item or skill.
That one top-grade was worth about 1.1 billion—total around 2 billion won.
Think back to the World Cup.
The 2022 winners got about 55 billion won in prize money.
Even split among players, that's over 5 billion each.
So Jincho proposed:
'Add a hidden piece kind of reward for MVP.'
First, make it a title, not just the MVP label.
Second.
'Let them create one skill suited to them.'
Koreans bought into Jincho's pitch—it was convincing.
Everyone agreed the MVP rewards felt light.
But they considered CEO Lee Se-jin's warning: 'Too much free stuff breaks balance.'
'For this MVP skill creation, tie it to their contribution.'
Jincho was pumped in the meeting room.
'We balance it by their achievement level! That sells the CEO's "results matter" line perfectly. And set the bar sky-high.'
Perfect.
Jincho boasted it'd hit all the right beats.
First beat: Prove his competence.
Second: Help China's apex Fond (even if Koreans didn't know).
'Even if the bar's insanely high...'
That power only kicked in with absurd contribution for decent skills.
And Jincho was 99.9% sure China would win.
As Fond's diehard fan, he figured Fond's performance would nab MVP and an epic-level boost.
That's why the hidden reward had such a brutal threshold.
Now, post-war, Jincho gnawed his nails to stubs.
'That power meant for Fond... why... WHY...!'
Especially terrifying: Player Hyun-soo's contribution shattered norms.
Proof? The EXP haul.
Fond was slated for ~700k EXP for an epic.
"...Team Leader Jincho, the branch head wants you."
Jincho's eyes bulged.
He'd pushed it partly for Fond, despite team leader duties.
Now it went to the guy who crushed China.
Heading to the branch head's office, Jincho prayed.
'Please be trash, trash, trash...!'
It gave job-fitting power.
All he could do was hope for crap low-grade stuff.
In the branch head's office, Jincho greeted Tao.
Tao massaged his throbbing temples at the monitor.
"Congrats, Jincho. You just gave Hyun-soo wings."
Tao looked like his head was splitting.
As Ares insiders, they knew Hyun-soo's gaps.
Tao spun the monitor.
"See for yourself—what that sky-high-threshold MVP skill spat out!"
Jincho stepped closer. Hyun-soo had already claimed his skill.
His eyes went saucer-wide.
Tao's words hit a thousand times over.
"......"
The proposal Jincho pitched had given Hyun-soo wings.
"You idiot!"
Jincho got reamed like a dog... no, drowned in curses and stuck writing apology reports.
MVP title shines.
Creating a blacksmith skill.
Honestly, Hyun-soo wondered if the Blacksmith God resented him.
First divine class.
Uniquely OP, no doubt.
But his blacksmith skills? Pathetically few.
Blacksmiths at his level had 10-12 dedicated skills.
He had half that.
Sure, his half were superior.
Still, it felt cursed—scarce chances to gain more.
Even hitting top-10 legendary master craftsman, the system deemed combat growth better.
That power-up did lead to Continental War victory.
But regrets lingered.
'C'mon, at least toss me a legendary blacksmith skill!'
He feared this MVP blacksmith skill creation would jinx him too.
'Those Pureum bastards are ruthless...'
Then.
MVP skill creation varies by your accumulated contribution.
Expect nothing, regret nothing.
His grumpy face perked up like a meerkat.
Skill creation rate 77%... 91%... Skill creation complete.
Seeing the skill pop up, Hyun-soo's heart raced.
He desperately lacked in one area.
Finding good materials was a nightmare.
Skill alone didn't cut it.
Materials had to back it up for greatness.
And here came the perfect skill for him.
Gathering
Confirming it, Hyun-soo gasped in awe.
"Whoaaaaaaa......"
It deserved exactly that level of hype.