Accounts Settled, Debts Repaid (2)
Hyun-soo had awakened 23,000 territory residents and 4,000 soldiers using the Seeds of Life.
This was the largest number among all users holding a count title in the world.
Hyun-soo compared it to the world average.
On average, soldiers were level 250, and knights around level 320.
But Atlas's soldiers and knights were different.
The average level of Atlas soldiers was 265.
Only 30 knights had awakened so far, but their average was 330.
An average 10-15 levels higher.
This was the kind of power that decided victory or defeat in real combat.
Next, he checked the average troop numbers held by other counts.
Currently, Kalli, world rank 2 and another count, had 20,000 residents and about 3,000 troops.
Fond, whom Hyun-soo had faced before, also commanded many.
'He had 2,000 guild members alone.'
Plus around 2,000 NPC troops.
Even combining numbers, Hyun-soo held the advantage.
But Hyun-soo knew one fact.
'They're waiting for server integration. Catching me would boost their fame.'
And.
'They think I'm still small and insignificant now.'
Of course, that had been true just days ago.
Even if Hyun-soo awakened much of Atlas, losing to them was taken for granted.
They commanded not just NPCs, but rankers and high-level users in droves.
'But I won't lose.'
Most blacksmiths from Ballus Territory had come over.
Plus tower masters from the Blacksmith Towers and vassals like Per.
Regrettably, the 4,000 blacksmiths led by the tower masters had returned home.
But the hundreds of blacksmiths Hyun-soo had nurtured in Ballus shone anywhere.
He placed massive bones before them.
Kuung—
"Epics for soldiers, uniques for knights. Blacksmiths from supreme to artisan grade will craft the unique-grade bones, and general blacksmiths the lower ones."
Per asked.
"What are these bones, exactly?"
"Bone dragon bones."
The tower masters and Per were utterly shocked.
"Th-this incredible bone... just for soldiers and knights?"
"Yes. I have the legendary-grade dragon bones, so these are for soldiers and knights."
"Incredible."
Daeng's honest impression.
"What territory's troops could dare equip artifacts forged from dragon bone...?"
It was the truth.
The tower masters explained the advantages of dragon bone.
"Dragons are lords of magic. Even their byproducts defy common sense with embedded magic defense. Soldiers and knights wearing these will boast immense resistance to magic, mystical powers, and skills."
Another tower master chimed in.
"And that's not all. Legends say dragon bone pierces anything. Light yet sturdy—spears thrown from it fly far and penetrate in one strike."
"Even adapting it for the Baby Arrows Lord Hyun-soo favors would yield absurd power."
All they could do was marvel.
"Over the next 10 days, craft artifacts from this dragon bone. I'll teach the blacksmiths the methods."
Hyun-soo had already verified dragon bone usage.
Surprisingly, it wasn't unique—just like regular bone crafting. Easier, even.
For general blacksmiths too.
Blacksmiths' morale surges dramatically.
"Thank you for this honor, Heir of the God!"
For them, even touching dragon bone was glory, fueling their drive.
Hyun-soo finished primary preparations against incoming foes.
Next, he called Bella, the Olympic trio, and the Gale Unit members.
"Intensify soldier training. Teach specialized fields to make them excel in all."
Bella marveled.
She'd seen the Olympic trio train soldiers in the kingdom capital.
'Their skills are top-tier.'
Even if weaker than her, they'd bolster soldiers' and knights' weaknesses.
'Their swords will sharpen, archery accuracy and power rise.'
'And learning taekwondo means self-defense without weapons.'
Bella felt it anew.
'This territory's strength is unimaginable.'
Bella saluted as representative.
"Yes, sir!"
Thus, Hyun-soo prepared for danger, and Hyun's Forge geared for emergency.
Nel approached.
"We must tighten further. Post-server integration, territory wars will erupt uncontrollably everywhere."
Obvious.
Players worldwide itched to clash with other nations.
"Wars with kingdoms will be frequent; we'll face crises... but also opportunities."
Hyun-soo knew that chance.
"Spoils of war, right?"
"Exactly."
Territory war victories promised rich spoils.
After Nel left for her duties, Hyun-soo spent days teaching bone crafting to blacksmiths.
A week before server integration, he judged they no longer needed teaching.
Time for his own work.
His gaze fell on Raon walking Bokdeongi.
Two months ago, Nel had cautiously said.
'A resident named Raon seems suspicious.'
'He is suspicious.'
'You knew? Then why leave him be?'
'He's an ally. And Bokdeongi knows best.'
Recently, before Ben left.
'No clue why, but he helped prepare our housewarming gift. His power nears legend.'
Ben smiled faintly.
'If malicious, trouble would've come sooner. It's fate. Heh heh.'
Hyun-soo agreed.
Fate.
A good one.
And whenever Bokdeongi walked with Raon.
Bokdeongi is happy.
The gruff-looking mystery man Raon.
Now presumed a user, a small smile graced his lips during Bokdeongi walks.
'Server integration starts massive changes.'
Seeing Raon treat Bokdeongi extra kindly with more snacks, Hyun-soo realized.
'He's planning to leave.'
Inevitable.
Crossing continents meant chances to achieve what he couldn't before.
'Like this?'
Without his housewarming gift help, Atlas wouldn't be this strong.
His value—intentional or not—was beyond money.
'Only one thing I can do.'
Hyun-soo's chest burned.
What he did best.
Repaying priceless value: an artifact.
'Assassin, from his gait.'
Recalling Ben's words, he entered the forge.
'This will be an artifact for a nameless friend.'
He didn't know who or why here.
But even nameless, friendships form without knowing all.
Material: legendary dragon bone.
Daggers used little anyway.
'Make the best dagger possible.'
If it held immense power, it'd draw him back.
So he gave his all.
Crafting began.
Bone for grip, finest ore for blade.
Days of crafting and dismantling to refine the dagger.
'Not this.'
'Lacking.'
'Better.'
An artifact to bring a nameless friend back.
A one-of-a-kind dagger.
But no easy answer. He thought of assassins.
'Assassins hide stealthily, slaying the strongest foes.'
Recalling him, he crafted.
'What if a dagger that grows stronger, better by killing stronger targets?'
'If real, he'll use it forever.'
'No better replacement. Seeking one? He'll return here. Knowing only I can surpass it.'
Three days wandering, one in agony—crafting started.
The artifact took form.
Peerlessly superb.
It heated his heart as it formed.
Hyun-soo loved crafting new artifacts in Ares.
'First time challenging legend with a dagger.'
Knowing he hadn't left yet, he finished at the end.
But the notification startled him.
Unique grade.
Why? He found the answer.
'Too amazing an ability? I couldn't catch up in crafting?'
Rushed craft.
Honestly, over 90% of Ares grades were luck-based.
Bad luck.
Hyun-soo felt chest tightness.
Then.
Blacksmith's Soul activates.
In the notification, Hyun-soo learned one fact.
You immersed more than ever crafting this dagger.
The reason stemmed from your heart for your nameless friend's future.
You obsessed more than any moment, striving for a better artifact, burning your soul for friendship with this unknown soul—and completed it.
The eleventh legend is written.
'Not just wanting him back.'
Hyun-soo truly saw him as another friend.
So he was glad.
'I can give him this dagger.'
Then he sensed movement in the forge and turned to see resident Raon.
Hyun-soo blocked his path.
Kabel stared at the dagger in Hyun-soo's outstretched hand, shocked.
'He knew...?'
First reason for shock.
And the notification confirmed he was the nameless friend.
"How'd you know I was leaving?"
"...You've been hugging Bokdeongi and tearing up every day for a week. Whole neighborhood knows."
"......"
His perfect cover had a fatal flaw.
He eyed the offered dagger.
Impressively sleek at a glance.
The blade, thick and sturdy like a Damascus longsword, thicker than standard daggers with a curved tip.
Dragon motif crouched on the blade, connected to the white bone grip.
Gulp—
Swallowing hard.
But Kabel shook his head.
"I don't make bonds or leave traces."
Assassin code. Info broker creed.
Here too. Bokdeongi might draw him back, but no obligation to Hyun-soo.
"Can't you at least check it out of courtesy?"
That much, yes.
Clack—
Kabel took the dagger with a blank expression.
'As an info broker, I've cataloged countless legendary artifacts. No mere legend can bind me...'
Kabel panicked. His poker face cracked; his rigid body trembled.
'What is this...?'
He knew over a hundred legendary artifacts.
Even the first transcendent, Twin Dragon Swords.
'Insane... A dagger surpassing any legend. Even transcendent potential?'
His heart wavered.
The unshakeable info broker, top assassin—shaken by this artifact.
'How does such an artifact...'
He shuddered at Master Hyun-soo's power.