Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Blacksmith's Duel (3)
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The blacksmith's duel with Colson.
Hyun-soo had accepted the duel because he believed it was possible.
Before accepting his proposal, he had opened God's Custom Production and checked it thoroughly.
God's Custom Production, true to its name, allowed a user to craft an item exactly as they desired.
But he had a feeling there would be conditions attached.
‘The conditions must be related to the materials.’
One way for a user to create an artifact they needed was to use materials related to it.
‘Though even using such materials is no guarantee the effect will be included.’
In any case, he could get the materials he wanted in this blacksmith's duel, and an idea came to him.
‘Could I add a skill that can cut through swords?’
It was the thought that such an idea was possible that made Hyun-soo accept.
And as soon as he entered the smithy, he put it to the test.
[Commencing God's Custom Production.]
[You can custom-produce for someone else or for yourself.]
[Through custom production, you can add desired effects, and depending on the probability, the desired effect can manifest up to 100%.]
‘Add a skill that can cut through swords.’
[Searching for a skill that can cut through swords.]
[Applying a skill that can cut through swords is not easy.]
[However, by lowering various aspects such as attack power and stat bonuses, its effect can be dramatically enhanced.]
‘Ah…’
Hyun-soo understood immediately. Even to him, the very idea of a skill that let a sword cut through another sword was absurd.
It meant he would have to sacrifice other supplementary aspects to achieve it.
‘In this duel, the only thing that matters is inflicting a high degree of damage anyway.’
This was an exceptional situation.
He could go all in.
[Attempting to add a skill that can cut through swords by sacrificing attack power, stat bonuses, and various skill effects.]
Then, Hyun-soo suddenly muttered to himself.
“This is insane…”
Looking at it this way, this custom production skill was so absurd it was breathtaking.
‘It’s like creating a skill, isn’t it?’
Of course, it was an ability bound to the artifact. But it still meant that, to some extent, creating a skill was possible.
Just as he was realizing how incredible the power of a Descendant of God was, another notification appeared.
[To enhance the desired effect, various factors are involved, such as your skill, insight, and luck.]
[Depending on these various factors, the effect can be applied up to a maximum of 100%.]
Hyun-soo noticed the catch in this statement. It could be 1%, or it could be 10%.
It meant that if he did really well, it could even be 100%.
[The materials required to craft this artifact are being displayed. Iron, Mithril, Orichalcum…]
Hyun-soo chose iron from the list.
In this blacksmith's duel, he could use a variety of materials freely.
However, there was no mithril or orichalcum.
That was because mithril and orichalcum were extremely valuable and rare minerals to begin with.
‘It may be iron, but it’s very high-quality, top-grade iron.’
Furthermore, it was the material Hyun-soo was most familiar with.
Hyun-soo began crafting the sword.
Then, a notification appeared.
[Proceeding with God's Custom Production.]
[Please apply a sword crafting method from within the creator's knowledge to create a skill that can cut through swords.]
[The effect's application rate may change accordingly.]
‘Knowledge from my own thoughts on how to make a skill that can cut through swords?’
That meant the sword's cutting power had to be raised to an absurd degree. In exchange, he might have to give up its strength.
In that moment, Hyun-soo's mind raced.
Claaaang—!
‘The reason I'm making this artifact.’
He thought about it.
This artifact wasn't something Hyun-soo would use as his main weapon, like Gwangmyeong.
Sacrifice one thing, and maximize another.
Claaaaaang—!
Through the forging process, he honed the sword's edge even more.
‘My knowledge will maximize the effect.’
Just as he had learned, and just as his experience dictated.
[Your knowledge is exceptional for applying the skill to cut through swords.]
[Your experience is astonishing.]
[Your understanding is excellent.]
[Effect application rate increases by 5%.]
[Effect application rate increases by 7%.]
Before he knew it, it was nearing completion.
The blade was far sharper, but unfortunately, the sword's strength itself was weak.
But for the current situation, it was the most 'custom-fit' artifact.
Ting!
[An artifact imbued with God's Custom Production is complete.]
[The experience and knowledge of a blacksmith with skills beyond a Master Craftsman have been infused, raising the effect application rate to an absurdly high level.]
[Effect application rate: 65%.]
[Grade: Rare.]
[Please name the sword.]
[The 'God of Blacksmiths' title shines.]
[Would you like to apply the all-stat increase from crafting an artifact, which can only be activated once a week?]
“Yes.”
[You have acquired +1 to all stats.]
[Beginner Sword Mastery Lv.1 proficiency has increased by 19%.]
[You have acquired +10 Dexterity.]
The sword's name was ‘First Custom Production’.
Part of it was to brand Hyeon's Smithy, but it was also so he could later check how much he had grown with each step.
Hyun-soo immediately checked the First Custom Production Sword.
(Hyeon's First Custom Production Sword)
Grade: Rare
Durability: 1,000/1,000
Attack Power: 177
Restriction: None for the creator, Level 200-350.
Special Ability:
·Active Skill: Sword that Cuts Swords.
Description: A custom-made sword solely for cutting other swords.
“...?”
To be honest, it was bad. So bad that Hyun-soo frowned.
‘It's a Rare grade, sure, but…’
The level restriction is 200-350.
As far as he knew, level 200 restricted items usually started with an attack power of 250.
But this one's attack power was practically cut in half.
It didn't even have the common +1 Strength or +1 Stamina. There was only one unique feature.
‘The existence of the 'Sword that Cuts Swords' skill. Is this the risk of going all in…?’
He immediately checked the 'Sword that Cuts Swords' skill.
(Sword that Cuts Swords)
Active Skill
Mana Cost: None
Uses: 20/20
Description: Upon activation, there is an 80% chance to cut through a Normal grade sword, a 60% chance for a Rare grade sword, a 25% chance for an Epic grade sword, and a 10% chance for a Unique sword.
‘Damn…’
Hyun-soo was stunned. Even excluding any other special abilities, this was broken.
‘This one skill makes the artifact a game-changer.’
Where else could you find a sword that could cut through an enemy's weapon?
Of course, this First Custom Production Sword was a consumable item.
Once all 20 uses were expended, it would be destroyed beyond repair.
However, this alone made the sword's rarity defy common sense.
The problem was whether he could win this duel.
‘A 10% chance isn't easy.’
Even assuming they clashed swords three times, he would need luck on his side.
Just then.
Colson, seemingly finished as well, wore a triumphant expression.
Hyun-soo gripped his First Custom Production Sword and faced him.
Colson once again invited him to work under him, and when Hyun-soo refused, he spoke.
“So stubborn. Just by looking, it's clear the grades of the artifacts you and I have made are worlds apart.”
“...”
Normally, that would be true.
In Ares, an artifact's grade was absolute.
Under the same conditions, with the same skill, when everything was equal.
A person wielding a Normal grade sword could never defeat someone with a Rare grade sword.
And yet…
‘The class that makes it possible is a God Class…’
And so the duel began.
[Sword that Cuts Swords.]
[Activation failed.]
His failed, while Colson's Weapon Breaker, which damaged his sword, succeeded.
The second time was the same.
[Sword that Cuts Swords.]
[Activation failed.]
A cold sweat ran down Hyun-soo's back.
As he looked at Colson's arrogant expression and swung his sword for the last time.
[Sword that Cuts Swords.]
[Activation successful!]
[Cutting the enemy's sword!]
A pure white light formed on his sword.
The moment the two swords met, a cutting sound rang out.
Shhhk—!
His sword was literally cut in two.
Seeing his fallen sword, Colson's pupils trembled violently.
He couldn't believe it.
He couldn't understand it.
And he replayed Colson's words in his mind. 'The grades of the artifacts you and I have made are worlds apart.'
It was true.
He himself had been trapped by that preconception. But God's Custom Production had just shattered it.
He didn't know why.
He only spoke because he felt he, too, had learned something new.
“Swords aren't decided by grade alone.”
Just then.
An incomprehensible notification flashed.
[God of Blacksmiths.]
[When you accomplish something amazing as a blacksmith, others may come to respect you more or gain an epiphany.]
It was the effect attached to his title.
The one where someone might come to respect him or gain an epiphany.
And Colson just stared at the back of Hyun-soo, who had turned away.
He slowly knelt and picked up his own sword, Heukya, which had been completely severed.
A cleanly severed sword.
The words he had spoken.
‘Swords aren't decided by grade alone.’
Suddenly, an unknown emotion welled up inside him.
Looking at Hyun-soo's back, Colson bit his lip.
In his youth.
Colson had harbored a dream because of the words of his father, a blacksmith in a small rural village.
‘Someday, the God of Blacksmiths will descend upon this land.’
The stories his father told of the God of Blacksmiths were enough to stir young Colson's heart.
‘He will be the one to shatter our common sense, bestow new teachings upon the blacksmiths of this land, and lead us.’
Hearing this, his eyes had sparkled, and his father had placed a hand on his shoulder.
‘And that opportunity is given to everyone.’
The story that a human could become a god.
The boy Colson, full of dreams, came to admire a god.
He wanted to reach that position.
When he came to the Tower of Blacksmiths.
Ah, he realized, I am a genius.
Then one day, an unparalleled genius named Daeng appeared.
And from that day on, his dream began to fade.
Money was good.
Power was good.
But now, this stranger named Hyun-soo had shattered his common sense and forced his way in.
Staring at his back, he asked.
“...Can I…”
Hyun-soo was already looking at Colson.
“Can I also make a weapon like that?”
“...”
Hyun-soo didn't answer for a long time. But he knew the power this virtual world of Ares held.
“Someday.”
That nothing was impossible.
[Colson has gained an epiphany through you, realizing that he too may be able to advance further.]
[Perhaps he may become a blacksmith of a higher realm in the future.]
[You have acquired +20 Dexterity.]
Colson's heart grew hot. The dream he had forgotten and his father's words came back to life.
He is the one who will shatter our common sense.
The one who will lead all the Towers of Blacksmiths.
Finally, it was being realized.
Colson knelt on one knee.
“Colson, Master of the Tower of Bow Blacksmiths. I greet the God of Blacksmiths!”
But Colson knew he was one who still had a long way to go.
There was only one thing he could do. To offer what little help he could on his journey.
“Please, accept this.”
[Quest: You have completed the Blacksmith's Duel with a phenomenal result.]
[You have obtained the 'Legendary Bow Crafting Method,' one of the ten treasures of the Tower of Blacksmiths.]
‘A legendary bow…?’
Hyun-soo's pupils trembled. A legendary artifact, of which not even a hundred had been released in Ares yet.
Moreover, Hyun-soo clearly remembered the recent auction price of a legendary artifact.
‘800 million won…!’
A thrill shot through Hyun-soo.