Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Achievement of the Blacksmith's Tower (2)
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‘Hyun-soo, would you believe me if I told you there was a sword that could cut stone?’
His father had asked him this when Hyun-soo was fifteen.
Naturally, Hyun-soo had replied that no such sword could possibly exist in the world.
‘Amazingly, it did. A sword whose edge wouldn't be damaged even if struck against a boulder, a sword said to even split bullets. The Damascus sword.’
‘The method for crafting the Damascus sword was completely lost long ago, in the 15th century. Even the kings of the Middle Ages tried to uncover its forging method, but they failed. In the 20th century, many master swordsmiths attempted it, but they too failed.’
His father had smiled, somewhat sheepishly.
‘This old father of yours has a dream. To perfectly recreate this Damascus sword, better than any other blacksmith in the world.’
Hyun-soo had admired his father for that.
Even at over fifty years of age, he still had a dream he wanted to achieve.
‘Shall we begin?’
A sword that could cleave stone. He would try to make a Damascus sword.
The hammer from Daeng, the Tower Master of the Blacksmiths’ Tower, would surely be a great help to him.
Looking around the smithy, Hyun-soo was impressed.
The Magic Smithy was completely different from the one in the beginner zone.
When he was restoring the composite bow, he hadn't needed to use the smithy's equipment.
The only proper smithy he had used was Ren's Smithy in the beginner zone.
‘It was in terrible condition.’
To be honest, Ren's Smithy in the beginner zone was so dilapidated that it was easy to see why it was called the beginner zone.
The hammer was so old it was covered in rust, and the anvil was cracked and looked like it could shatter at any moment.
But everything in the Magic Smithy was top-notch.
There was no rust, no cracks in the anvil.
Furthermore, recalling what Han had said, there were no restrictions within this place.
Hyun-soo swiped through the dozens of materials that appeared before him as a hologram.
Materials for making a dagger.
Each one he selected materialized and was placed before him.
Just then, a notification sounded.
[You may select the dagger you wish to craft.]
[Crafting the most basic dagger is recommended.]
According to Han, one could receive help from a mysterious power—that is, the system—while crafting inside.
It made sense. How else could outsiders who knew nothing be expected to craft a dagger?
Just in case, Hyun-soo said it.
“Damascus Dagger.”
[The Damascus Dagger can only be crafted by a Master Blacksmith or higher.]
[Crafting the most basic dagger is recommended.]
Hyun-soo let out a bitter smile.
A Damascus Dagger did exist within this game, Ares.
But was that Damascus Dagger crafted using the perfect method?
The method from the 15th century? No, that itself was impossible.
The crafting method for the Damascus sword had long since vanished.
The Damascus sword that existed in Ares was not the real thing either.
His father had spent a long time searching for a way to make a Damascus sword.
And finally, he had found the answer.
‘Hyun-soo, the original Damascus crafting method has completely disappeared from this world.’
The crafting of Damascus was likely done in such and such a way.
Many speculations abounded.
Even his father hadn't been able to find the perfect method.
‘If it doesn't exist, why can't I just create it myself?’
The reason people sought the Damascus sword.
A handkerchief would be sliced just by being dropped on its blade.
Its edge wouldn't dull even when struck against stone.
And it could withstand any impact.
And finally, his father had perfected it. His very own Damascus sword.
‘I will pass down this Damascus sword crafting method to you.’
He began.
“Turn off all notifications.”
He didn't need any help from the system.
This was his father's one and only Damascus crafting method, the legacy he had left him.
The furnace roared to a blistering heat.
After a set amount of time, he could see the red, molten iron flowing out.
Hyun-soo began the crafting process, following the exact method his father had left behind.
Claaang—
Claaaaang—!
Claaang—
As time passed and he began forging, a notification appeared.
[A Damascus sword is being crafted using an unconventional method that defies common sense.]
[Though it differs from the established Damascus sword crafting method, this method is also excellent.]
Of course it was.
His father was the one who had created a sword that could be called the most outstanding Damascus sword in the world.
Claaaaang—!
Hyun-soo continued to hammer without rest.
***
[A sword is being crafted using an unconventional, nonsensical method.]
[However, though it differs from the established Damascus sword crafting method in Ares, this method is also excellent.]
“...!”
The Special User Management Team.
Kim Tae-seok and Lee Ji-hee wore expressions of utter shock.
*Though it differs from the established Damascus sword crafting method, this method is also excellent.*
Lee Ji-hee entered information about the Damascus sword into the supercomputer, Ares.
[A complete crafting method does not exist; only various hypotheses and speculations remain.]
[In the modern era, people have taken to creating Damascus swords using their own methods.]
After reading the supercomputer's explanation, Lee Ji-hee understood.
From the beginning, the Damascus sword had become something of a fiction in the modern age.
It was impossible to create it using the original, authentic method of the past.
In other words, in the modern era, it could be defined like this:
The one who creates the most outstanding Damascus sword using their own method is the same as one who has created a true Damascus sword.
And then, a thought suddenly struck Lee Ji-hee.
“Team Leader, if this is the case…”
Kim Tae-seok, whose eyes met Lee Ji-hee's, nodded.
The users of Ares receive help from the system.
But as they receive the system's help, the users grow alongside it.
No matter how much help they get from the system, they learn, study, and accumulate knowledge from it.
Because of this, among users who were Master Blacksmiths or higher, there were quite a few who would occasionally create their own original artifacts.
Such individuals were usually rewarded.
But Hyun-soo was a little different.
Right now, Hyun-soo had reached that level at only level 1, and even among such blacksmiths, he was approaching the creation of the most outstanding and original Damascus sword.
Ares had prepared rewards for users who created their own original works.
But there was an interesting fact here.
“If user Hyun-soo successfully crafts that Damascus sword, does that mean he'll receive the best reward among them?”
Kim Tae-seok said, looking at Hyun-soo on the monitor.
“That’s right. He'll receive the greatest reward, the Blacksmith's Soul.”
“Wow…”
Lee Ji-hee let out a gasp of admiration.
The Blacksmith's Soul.
A skill that would grant a blacksmith the greatest power.
It was possible that Hyun-soo might just obtain it.
***
Before long, Hyun-soo's crafting of the Damascus sword was nearing its end.
Hyun-soo's father had taken the Damascus sword he had made and met with appraisers from around the world.
They all said the same thing.
‘Your Damascus sword is the real thing.’
‘Even the Damascus swords made in the 15th century probably weren't this good.’
That was how highly his father's Damascus sword was acclaimed.
But his father's Damascus sword had burned down along with the smithy.
Hyun-soo prepared for the final stage of the Damascus sword's creation: polishing.
It is during the polishing process that this Damascus sword reveals its true form.
As he quenched it for polishing, a wave pattern naturally formed on the surface of the blade.
A pattern created by the crafting process itself, not one that was artificially made.
Hyun-soo slowly lifted the dagger.
‘A collaboration.’
This could be called a collaboration between his father and him.
The blade looked as sturdy as a military knife.
When he tapped it with his index finger, a deep *thrummm* sound echoed out.
Finally, the completion notification sounded.
[You have crafted an item in a superior manner with a method that is differentiated from the established crafting method in Ares.]
[The grade is being assessed.]
[Grade: Epic.]
[Please name the sword.]
[It will be destroyed after a certain amount of time has passed after striking the Stone of Talent.]
“Damascus Dagger.”
Hyun-soo was a bit disappointed.
Because this dagger was made in the Magic Smithy, it would soon be destroyed.
He was also disappointed by the fact that although he had crafted it exceptionally well, he hadn't been able to create something beyond the limits of the Epic grade.
Just then.
[The artifact crafted with a new method has been judged to be superior to the existing method.]
[Hidden Piece: One Who Walks the Path of a Creative Blacksmith.]
[You have acquired the skill, Blacksmith's Soul.]
‘Blacksmith's Soul?’
Hyun-soo wore a puzzled expression.
[As a reward for acquiring Blacksmith's Soul, it will be activated immediately for a single use.]
[The grade of the Damascus Dagger will be elevated by one tier.]
[The Damascus Dagger has been upgraded from Epic grade to Unique grade.]
[You will receive a reward for being the first to craft a Unique grade artifact.]
[You have acquired All Stats +3.]
[You have acquired Dexterity +50.]
[You have acquired Fame +100.]
“...?!”
Hyun-soo's eyes widened in shock.
‘A skill that raises an artifact's grade by one tier?’
He immediately checked it.
(Blacksmith's Soul)
Active Skill
Grade: Legendary
Level: None
·Activates when creating an original creation or when crafting an item in a superior manner despite differing from the established crafting method.
·Activates when it is determined that your soul is imbued in the work, through dozens of factors such as mindset, effort, passion, and tenacity.
‘Legendary grade?’
Hyun-soo was amazed.
The skill called Blacksmith's Soul was, in a word, game-breaking.
‘What would happen if this was applied to a Unique grade item…?’
If that happened, a Legendary artifact might be created.
As far as Hyun-soo knew, less than a hundred Legendary artifacts had been released so far.
Because of that, he knew their value was at least in the hundreds of millions.
‘I may not have gotten to keep the artifact, but I got a game-breaking skill, so I should be satisfied.’
As Hyun-soo left the Magic Smithy with the completed dagger, Han greeted him.
“You may now strike the Stone of Talent.”
Nodding, Hyun-soo stood before the Stone of Talent.
And he gripped the dagger tightly.
A dagger he was able to create thanks to what his father passed down to him.
Using that dagger, he struck the Stone of Talent with all his might.
Sliiiice—!
Hyun-soo felt it clearly.
That sound and sensation.
It was definitely the sound of the Stone of Talent splitting.
And then,
Craaaaaack—
The stone split into two.
Hyun-soo looked down at the Damascus Dagger in his hand with a pleased expression.
When he turned his head, the job advancement NPC, Han, was staring with a look of pure horror.
Just then.
*Creak—*
The door suddenly opened, and a man entered.
The man who entered was of a sturdy build and looked to be around fifty years old.
What was unusual about him was that he was barefoot and panting heavily, as if he had run here in a great hurry.
[Daeng, Tower Master of the Sword Blacksmiths Lv. 375]
‘That person is Daeng?’
Soon, the man named Daeng asked.
“That dagger, may I take a look at it?”
***
Daeng, who had rushed over without even remembering to put on his shoes, was honestly shocked.
The unknown blacksmith he saw the moment he opened the door looked far too young.
Panting heavily, Daeng requested to see the man's dagger.
The man handed the dagger over to Daeng as if it were no big deal.
Daeng, who calmed his breath that had risen to his chin with a deep inhale, received the sword and checked its information.
(Damascus Dagger)
Grade: Unique
Durability: 8,000/8,000
Attack Power: 284
Restriction: None for the creator, Level 1~140.
Special Abilities:
·Strength +2%, Agility +1%.
·Cutting Power +54%.
·30% chance of landing a critical hit.
·Passive Skill: Stone-Cleaving Dagger.
·Active Skill: Blink.
Description: It surpasses the dagger made by Daeng, the Tower Master of the Blacksmiths’ Tower, and is recorded as the best in history.
“…”
Daeng’s entire body trembled. An unknown thrill coursed through him.
Thirty years ago, he had crafted an Epic grade artifact dagger, been recorded as a legend, and had risen to this position.
At the time, that sword's attack power was 198.
But this dagger's attack power was a whole 100 points higher than the one he had made.
‘No, it's not just that. Every single aspect of it vastly transcends what I made!’
As cold sweat trickled down his back, a thought flashed through Daeng’s mind.
The Tower Masters of the Blacksmiths’ Tower had been waiting for a long time.
For one who would succeed the former God of Blacksmiths and finally walk the path as the heir to the new God of Blacksmiths!
‘Could it be…’
The man before him might just have the makings of a God of Blacksmiths.