Seed of Life (3)
‘Just one year?’
The tower masters, led by Daeng, had only recently achieved their lifelong dream of crafting a legendary artifact.
Yet there was a realm they could never reach, no matter how long they lived.
‘To forge an artifact of a new grade?’
They had heard that Hyun-soo had become a Master Craftsman.
But the tower masters were unaware of the process.
Then Nel had come to them.
As she tilted her teacup and casually spoke, the tower masters caught on.
‘He may be someone you ought to serve. Shouldn’t you go to him as devotees now?’
Daeng was shocked by how deeply he agreed—and by something else.
Excluding himself and Colson, the tower master of the bow blacksmiths, the other three had denied the existence of myth-grade artifacts.
Yet even they now acknowledged that myths were beginning, thanks to the emergence of artifacts from a new grade.
‘The Heir’s power is too immense.’
What impressed Daeng even more was his insight into Hyun-soo’s true nature.
The God of Blacksmithing, Asuka, was uncompromising.
He granted no divine powers, not even to his Heir.
And Daeng, who knew this was Hyun-soo’s greatest strength—his own skill—vowed never to deny myths again.
Daeng and the tower masters rose from their knees.
“Heir, we can only stay for two weeks.”
Fundamentally, they belonged to the Prime Kingdom.
Though not closely tied to the royals, their relocation would spark diplomatic issues between Prime and Goyad Kingdom.
Thus, exactly two weeks.
That was the limit of their aid.
“More than enough. I must repay you in kind.”
Hyun-soo gazed at the four thousand blacksmiths.
They could become his devotees—or his people.
Devotees served a god.
Even from afar, they would serve him.
He knew how to earn their blind faith.
“Craft farming tools, everyday implements, weapons, and armor artifacts. You’ll also help build structures. Those who finish crafting will rotate with the builders.”
Hyun-soo planned to refine their skills over those two weeks.
Alongside him, all four thousand blacksmiths—and five artisan-grade masters—joined the effort to obtain the Seeds of Life.
Blacksmiths also had expertise in construction.
More precisely...
‘Blacksmiths gain a passive skill for diverse crafting.’
And that included building.
Tower master Daeng said, “Rek, tower master of the shield blacksmiths, was once a house builder.”
“Is that so? One of my own has a knack for buildings too.”
That was Bak.
Bak and Rek were sketching blueprints as they talked.
Hyun-soo’s heart raced.
They had been just under 150 people striving for the seeds.
Now, over four thousand led the territory’s revival.
And one question came to mind.
“Daeng, how much do buildings from 800 years ago differ from today’s?”
“Vastly. Back then, development was extremely low. Now, they’re safer, sturdier, warmer in winter, cooler in summer.”
Buildings were homes for the territory’s people.
They were walls defending the land, grandeur displaying its might.
‘They might even surpass what we built in Atlas.’
What would that do to the seeds?
Hyun-soo grew curious.
Then, he encountered a welcome face after some time.
It was Ballam, the messenger of the God of Blacksmithing.
Ballam had once doubted Hyun-soo at their first meeting.
Learning he was the only devotee in the world had nearly made him abandon his faith.
“My god, I can’t believe what’s unfolding before my eyes. Advance slowly but surely like this.”
Hyun-soo nodded.
It might take ten or twenty years—who knew?
But become the omniscient god.
“What are the ways to become a god?”
“Simple enough.”
Ballam smiled.
“Gather many devotees. Not just blacksmiths.”
He looked around.
“Outstanding warriors of diverse powers must become devotees, gathering until your faith is complete. Hyun-soo Church would suffice for a name.”
“Hyun-soo Church...”
Ridiculous. Embarrassing.
‘Not easy, having devotees.’
He pondered the meaning.
Didn’t it mean yearning desperately, desiring earnestly, revering that great power?
Hyun-soo felt he had no devotees beyond blacksmiths.
But he was wrong.
‘This offensive Twin Dragon Swords is the best—always such a thrill!’
Unbeknownst to him, someone was daily awed, becoming a devotee(?).
I-hwan, Korea server’s rank 1 player.
He couldn’t forget that feel.
From the offensive Twin Dragon Swords rented via Nel during the continental war.
Top-tier legend.
Perfectly synergizing with his mastery!
Time had passed since the war, but he couldn’t quit them.
Today was no different.
After briefly returning the pricey swords, hunting felt dull amid monsters.
‘Not this feel.’
‘It should slice clean like shwick.’
‘Aah, not this damage output!’
There’s a saying.
Once started, you can’t stop.
Switching to other legends after returning the offensive Twin Dragon Swords, I-hwan despaired at the gap.
‘Hunting speed down 30%? Ridiculous!’
He’d always thought rentals too expensive.
But today, the thought crept in.
‘Expensive? I’ve got money to burn.’
Rationalization.
No matter the cost, he was Hwarang Guild master and Korea’s rank 1.
Nel had charged 20 million won per hour during the war.
Now, just 2 million—1/10th, due to normalcy.
Still insane, but...
Sudden hike? What law allows this?
But I-hwan thought:
‘Still gotta rent. Slicing with offensive Twin Dragon Swords feels too good. Until I get something better.’
Like “just today, then quit.”
Soon, his eyes lit up.
10% off?
Hyun-soo the player had such a kind heart?
Discounting despite knowing his wealth?
‘Long-term customers are the best, huh?’
I-hwan resolved to be a steady one.
The rented swords arrived.
Swinging them, monsters shredded shwick-shwick. He marveled.
“Hyun-soo, he’s a god!”
Hyun-soo didn’t know, but he’d already forged one fervent devotee.
***
‘This is pretty lucrative?’
Nel, having rented to sucker(?) I-hwan again, smiled.
‘Suggest renting items too precious to sell, too good to keep.’
Rentals beat sales.
Offensive Twin Dragon Swords at 15 million won daily? 400-500 million monthly.
Long-term profit.
Blind to the future her idea would spawn, Nel finalized plans to grow Hyun-soo Church devotees.
Her tea time continued.
Back from the Holy See, she was surprised.
‘Visiting every day off?’
No need to trek between kingdoms.
“Sword nut, fetch some tea and snacks.”
“Eat it yourself, bow nut.”
“Don’t you respect elders?”
“I know elder-smacking.”
“……?”
Bickering, but they seemed close.
‘Kings’ seats are lonely...’
Hard to keep close friends; all fawn, all submit.
With former foes at peace, the two kings savored rare leisure.
“So, what brings you?”
Barad asked.
“Our world has traditions. When moving or changing homes, close friends do this.”
The kings listened intently. Their tradition?
“Housewarming.”
“Housewarming?”
“Yes.”
Nel didn’t know yet.
The massive ripple their housewarming would cause.
***
Bokdeongi fan club members met weekly at the usual spot.
Nothing special.
New quests from Bokdeongi?
Or...
“Bokdeongi’s output is down but firmer. Means healthier than last week.”
Was Bokdeongi healthy this week?
At Kabel’s thorough report, fans marveled.
“Impressive intel.”
“We’d never know without you, Kabel.”
“Mistakes or oversights leaving a pup’s health unknown? Unacceptable for owners.”
Kabel’s meticulous eyes gleamed.
Fans praised “Classic Kabel.”
Of course...
‘Why am I impressed by this...?’
‘Pup poop...?’
‘Kabel’s pup poop truth...’
Momentary regret hit.
Anyway, meetings meant group walks.
Soon, awaiting Bokdeongi, they panicked.
“Mang-mang!”
Bokdeongi appeared, mini bone dragon Kyukyu on back.
Declaring proudly:
Kyukyu is my little sibling.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
Walk targets doubled.
Anyway, they chatted on the stroll.
“Seeds of Life quests everywhere.”
“Blacksmiths aiding construction, gear crafting.”
“Huge haul, but that’s it.”
Kabel and others understood Hyun’s Forge’s limited numbers.
“Doesn’t concern us.”
“Right.”
They had seed quests too.
But zero benefit for them.
No intent to join.
Then—
Whoosh-!
All four got alerts simultaneously.
The long-awaited one.
Confirming, they eyed Bokdeongi.
‘This guy’s consistent...’
‘Too adorable.’
‘……Now we have to join?’
Collect Seeds of Life for Me
📍 Grade: S
📍 Restriction: Those who have touched Bokdeongi
📍 Reward: Essential stat for your class. Scales with seeds collected.
📍 Penalty on Failure: Bokdeongi disappointed
💬 Description: Bokdeongi hopes you’ll join the Seed of Life collection too.
“No cap on stat gains.”
“Telling us to hoard seeds like mad.”
“Yeah, give it our all...”
They watched tail-wagging Bokdeongi, smiling faintly.
“Guess we’ll collect with all we’ve got.”
They headed to their paths.
***
Bokdeongi, Kyukyu on back, watched fans depart.
“Kyuu?”
Tail wagging, answering ‘Good people?’
“Mang!”
Yes, good people.
Bokdeongi knew, watching them go.
Each was specialized for seeds beyond Hyun’s Forge now.