Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The God of Blacksmiths (2)
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The masters of the Blacksmith's Tower cried out in astonishment.
“How could this be...”
“Why would the sword bestowed by the god...”
As Hyun-soo opened the door to the ritual chamber and stepped inside, the top floor was engulfed in vibrations.
The sword embedded in its center.
The same sword that hadn't budged when Daeng, the master of the Sword Blacksmiths, tried to pull it, had now freed itself and was floating before the stranger, Hyun-soo.
“...He did it.”
Daeng, the first to understand why, had a face filled with ecstasy.
Anyone could tell what the sword's posture meant.
Hurry and take hold of me!
You are worthy!
Ah, I'm going mad with joy to have met a blacksmith like you!
“Just how magnificently did he complete it...”
Daeng trailed off, looking at the other masters. Their faces were already filled with greed.
Their eyes swarmed with the desire to possess that man, one way or another.
From now on, the masters of the Blacksmith's Tower present here would scramble to claim him.
They must have realized how much they could gain by having him under their wing.
Even as a descendant of a god, he was just a fledgling for now. Of course, he was still an incredible being, starting on a different level from ordinary people.
A being who would shine brighter and brighter as time went on.
Of course, he too coveted the man.
But not now. He needed to go out into the world, experience more, and grow.
If he were to join one of the towers, he might grow quickly, but he would ultimately become bound to it.
‘Is the choice his to make...?’
Daeng saw no way to stop them right now. He could see Hyun-soo reaching out to grasp the sword.
***
‘Finally, a legendary class...!’
As Hyun-soo reached for the sword, his chest burned with heat.
He simply loved the profession of a blacksmith.
He had dedicated his entire life to this blacksmithing work that no one else would do.
Even though it was a game, the fact that he could become a more special blacksmith than others brought him joy.
He was also curious what the legendary class would be called and what path it would lead him down.
Finally, Hyun-soo grasped the sword.
[The sword left by the God of Blacksmiths admires your achievements.]
[You will become a beacon on the neglected path of the blacksmith.]
[You will show a new kind of strength on the path of the blacksmith, once despised as weak.]
[The name of that class.]
[Descendant of the God of Blacksmiths. Descendant of Aska!]
Hyun-soo, who had been expecting a legendary class, was taken aback.
‘Is there such a class?’
A God Class.
It was a class he'd never heard of in his life.
Players already knew about legendary classes before their debut, thanks to a statement from CEO Lee Se-jin.
‘Legendary classes. They will become the dream class for all players.’
Players all over the world went wild.
Fueled by the hope that they, too, might obtain a legendary class.
But a God Class?
An additional notification sounded.
Ting!
[Congratulations.]
[The first-ever God Class.]
[You have changed your class to Descendant of Aska.]
[The Descendant of Aska is special.]
[You are a blacksmith, but also a strong warrior.]
[Your stats will now change to allow you to become a strong warrior...]
[Correction.]
[Your stats are already more than sufficient for a strong warrior.]
[The reward will be changed to +10 to all stats, which is superior to the original adjustment.]
Hyun-soo couldn't wrap his head around it.
‘Plus ten to all stats...?’
Hyun-soo had a total of seven stats: the five basic stats, plus Dexterity and Charisma.
This meant a total increase of 70 stat points.
Considering players received 5 bonus stat points per level-up, he had just gained the equivalent of 14 levels.
And the notifications weren't over yet.
[You will now receive the God of Blacksmiths' skill correction, starting at Artisan level or higher...]
[Correction.]
[Your blacksmithing skill has already been judged to be above Artisan level.]
[The reward will be changed to an additional active skill.]
[You have acquired the title .]
[You have acquired God's Custom Production, a skill previously obtainable only at level 100.]
‘It's a class I've never heard of, but...’
He was certain. This class would far surpass any legendary class.
He first checked the title.
(God of Blacksmiths)
Unique Title
Grade: SSS
Special Abilities:
·Mastery proficiency increases according to the type and grade of artifact crafted.
·Example) Crafting a sword increases Sword Mastery; crafting a shield increases Shield Mastery.
·The stat increase effect from crafting the first artifact of each grade is maintained.
·Example) Crafting a Rare artifact increases all stats by 1, Epic by 2, Unique by 4, and Legendary by 6. This applies to only one artifact per week.
·No restrictions on using artifact materials.
·Artifact enhancement success rate +50%.
·When you perform an amazing feat as a blacksmith, others may respect you more or gain an epiphany.
·Performing any action related to blacksmithing may unlock additional skills.
‘Huh...?’
Hyun-soo blinked.
‘Did I see that wrong?’
But even after rubbing his eyes, it didn't change.
The title was SSS-grade.
‘I've never heard of anyone with an SSS-grade title...’
Of course, he had heard of players with SS-grade titles.
But there were fewer than twenty of them in the entire world.
Still, players were certain that someone with an SSS-grade title would eventually appear.
‘And that player is me?’
Hyun-soo suppressed his pounding heart and mulled over the title's effects.
‘My mastery increases just by crafting things?’
Mastery.
All players gained something called a mastery upon changing their class.
Swordsmen got Sword Mastery.
Archers got Bow Mastery.
Tanks got Shield Mastery.
Chefs got Cooking Mastery.
There were dozens of types of masteries.
The important thing was that this mastery, obtained upon changing class, was the core of each profession.
The moment a player became a swordsman, their sword attack power increased by about 30% compared to a player who hadn't changed classes.
This was due to the power of Sword Mastery.
Even though it was only a beginner-level Sword Mastery, it still provided that much power.
‘But for me...’
If I make a sword, Sword Mastery.
If I make a bow, Bow Mastery.
‘If I make a shield or armor, Shield Mastery will increase? Doesn't that mean I can get stronger even as a blacksmith?’
On top of that, the title allowed him to keep receiving the reward for crafting the first item of a new grade.
When Hyun-soo crafted a Rare artifact, all his stats had increased by 1.
This was common to all blacksmiths.
It was a reward prepared for the blacksmith profession.
But after the first time, they no longer received this reward for making Rare-grade items.
However, the Descendant of the God of Blacksmiths class allowed him to receive that reward permanently, albeit limited to one item per week.
‘This is unbelievably broken...’
Hyun-soo's jaw dropped.
He felt that with this title alone, he could advance far beyond any ordinary class.
‘And now I'm not restricted by material level limits anymore...’
When Hyun-soo had obtained mithril ore in the beginner zone, it had taken him a very long time due to the level restriction for using it.
But that restriction was now gone.
Materials for level 100.
Materials for level 300.
It meant he could craft equipment without any level restrictions.
‘It truly transcends legendary classes by a long shot...’
After checking the title, he also examined God's Custom Production.
(God's Custom Production)
Active Skill
Grade: God
Level: 1
Effect:
·Provides guidance to custom-craft an artifact that a target currently needs most.
·Allows you to custom-craft an artifact that you currently need most.
·Allows you to imbue a desired effect into the artifact you wish to craft.
·However, absurd requests cannot be fulfilled.
·The desired effect can be imbued up to 100% of its potential.
‘Hmm...’
Hyun-soo looked puzzled. While the title was obviously amazing at a glance, he felt he needed to learn more about this skill.
Then, Hyun-soo saw the sword he was holding automatically enter his inventory.
[Class Quest: The Sword Left by the God of Blacksmiths can be undertaken at level 100.]
Players who changed their class could receive class quests whenever they leveled up or met certain conditions.
He knew that ordinary blacksmiths usually learned only two skills upon changing class: 'Auto-Crafting' and 'Beginner Blacksmith's Skill'.
He also knew they acquired additional skills by leveling up or completing class quests tied to level milestones.
As Hyun-soo leveled up and progressed, more aspects related to the God of Blacksmiths would be unlocked.
Just looking at the title, it already far surpassed what ordinary players had.
‘There's no need to rush.’
This alone would be a great help to Hyun-soo.
After checking everything, he came out, only to find a blacksmith blocking his path.
It was Colson, a tower master whose clothes were adorned with the symbol of a bow.
***
Colson, the master of the Bow Blacksmiths, was a greedy man who knew well how to handle strangers.
They couldn't see the future for the reward right in front of them.
And that wasn't all.
They yearned to build connections with or serve under someone in his position in this land.
Knowing this, Colson stepped forward and spoke.
“Congratulations, Descendant of the God of Blacksmiths.”
“Thank you.”
The stranger named Hyun-soo gave a small smile. Colson wanted to take this stranger, Hyun-soo, with him.
To do so, he cast his bait.
“Young man, would you not come with me to the Tower of the Bow Blacksmiths? I will do my utmost to aid your growth, and what's more, I intend to recommend you for the position of vice master.”
[Colson has offered you the position of Vice Master of the Bow Blacksmiths.]
[The Vice Master of the Bow Blacksmiths is a position equivalent to at least a Baron.]
[The Vice Master of the Bow Blacksmiths receives an annual tribute of 50,000 gold.]
[The Vice Master of the Bow Blacksmiths can operate a smithy with 500 blacksmiths under their command.]
“...?”
Hyun-soo looked surprised.
The position being equivalent to a baron was one thing, but the most tangible benefit was the money.
‘50,000 gold a year?’
Time in Ares moved three times faster than in the real world.
Which meant he would effectively earn 150,000 gold.
In other words, Hyun-soo could earn 150 million won a year just by becoming the vice master.
Watching this, Daeng's expression filled with regret. He knew what Colson was thinking.
‘He plans to keep him under his thumb and use him thoroughly.’
A vice master's rank was ultimately lower than a master's. He would have to live in subordination.
Daeng knew Colson better than anyone.
He would thoroughly exploit the one with the title of the God of Blacksmiths to solidify his own position.
But Daeng desperately wished for the myth to be realized. There was a saying in the myths.
The God of Blacksmiths is one who will lead all tower masters, and by extension, all blacksmiths.
He was not meant to remain a mere vice master.
In other words, if Hyun-soo became vice master, he would only make a name for himself as a bow blacksmith within that tower.
His growth would stagnate.
But this was his choice alone.
To stop him might be nothing more than Daeng's own greed.
Just then, Hyun-soo answered.
“I'll pass.”
“...?”
Colson looked bewildered.
Why?
“Young man, think it over. The position of vice master is one that any stranger would be desperate to have. Even Blacksmith Smith, who is now better than the current masters, coveted the vice master position in his day.”
“No, I have no intention of serving under anyone. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from such offers.”
Daeng's eyes wavered as he watched him. Colson didn't see it, but Daeng read the expression on the stranger Hyun-soo's face.
That expression said it all.
‘How could a tiger cub place itself under a cat?’
Realizing this, Daeng burst into a wild laugh.
“Ha, hahaha, hahahahaha!”