Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Irreparable (4)
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Master Craftsman.
All production classes have ranks.
Beginner, right after changing class.
Intermediate after exceeding level 100.
250 is Advanced.
300 and above is Superior.
And beyond that is a rank that is acclaimed wherever you go.
‘Artisan.’
We call those who are exceptional at making, crafting, or creating art, artisans.
It was the same in Ares.
Currently, there were a few artisan blacksmith players in Ares, less than five in the entire world.
And then, Master Craftsman.
A title for the most outstanding individual in their field.
[You have witnessed the production process of a Master Craftsman Blacksmith.]
[His refinement is beautiful.]
[His smelting is wondrous.]
[His forging is precise.]
[Advanced Blacksmith Mastery proficiency has increased by 22%.]
She knew.
Right now, nowhere in Ares had any class reached the level of Master Craftsman.
What did it take to become a Master Craftsman?
You had to be at least level 500.
A number that was absolutely impossible at present.
Yes, it was an impossible number system-wise, level-wise, in the game of Ares.
But not in terms of skill.
‘How can this be?’
On TV, we often see artisans at work. Most of them were in their 40s or 50s.
Of course, some artisans are also called master craftsmen. But none of them were as young as the player named Hyun-soo.
While she was lost in confusion.
KABOOOM—
A massive explosion echoed.
Magic had struck nearby.
Her pupils shook as she watched the thick smoke billow up.
“Oh, no…”
The shop where she had first received the quest.
That shop was completely blown to pieces. Then, a single tear of relief trickled down.
The uninjured shop owner was visible nearby.
But the fall of this place could soon become a reality.
‘There's no time…’
Even though she was helping, she felt the pressure of time running out.
Just then, Hyun-soo spoke.
“…I'm starting to craft the bell now. It's going to be intense.”
Hyun-soo felt it too. There wasn't much time.
He had to make this bell to earn the down payment to buy the smithy's land.
And so it began.
Nel watched his blacksmithing, which had become even faster.
In the blink of an eye, it was evening.
And then morning came again.
Nel staggered from exhaustion.
Then it was noon, and evening once more.
“…”
But Hyun-soo didn't stop.
And so, the sun rose again.
Watching his back, Nel finally understood.
She thought she could see why he had reached the rank of Master Craftsman at such a young age.
It had already been two days.
No, to be exact, four days. He hadn't slept a wink.
***
“What do you mean?”
Lee Min-gyu, the head of the Story Team, who was visiting the Special Player Management Team, wore a puzzled expression.
“The update might be changed?”
Kim Tae-seok gave a bitter smile as he looked at the monitor.
“Exactly what I said. This update might get scrapped.”
The number of players visiting the Kassel Territory was decreasing exponentially.
New content was needed, and the Story Team had planned for the Kassel Territory to be a land lost to the undead.
The new content was this:
A story where players, along with the surviving Lord Kern, would fight to reclaim the Kassel Territory!
Of course, the Kassel Territory would become a wasteland.
But now that update might be scrapped?
“Are you saying this because that player can repair the Bell of Ramas?”
Lee Min-gyu also knew about the player Hyun-soo.
Min-gyu chuckled.
“Team Leader Kim, you're worrying for nothing. You know that at this stage, they can't stop it even if the Bell of Ramas is repaired.”
“Right, they can't stop it.”
Tae-seok just gave a bitter, silent smile.
From that smile, Lee Min-gyu realized something was off.
“…It's not what I'm thinking, is it?”
“…It is.”
“How is that even possible…?”
“In theory, it's simple. The second creator just has to be more skilled than the one who made the Bell of Ramas.”
“No, that's only easy in theory!”
Lee Min-gyu denied it.
“So, what about the bell that's being made right now?”
“…It's vastly superior.”
“What?”
Lee Min-gyu's eyes wavered.
Vastly superior?
Could it really be that much better?
It's an irreparable artifact, after all.
“It's currently at 92% completion. But it's already overwhelmingly better than the original.”
“…”
Lee Min-gyu couldn't hide his astonishment.
“Is this possible?”
The reason he asked was this.
The Bell of Ramas was an Epic-grade item.
However, wide-area artifacts that affect an entire territory shouldn't be seen as just Epic.
They're usually considered one rank higher.
Yes, the Bell of Ramas was practically a Unique-grade artifact.
And this new one is vastly superior to that?
“And on top of that, it's a Custom Production.”
Kim Tae-seok nodded.
“Then what kind of power will that bell even have…?”
Lee Min-gyu couldn't bring himself to leave the Special Player Management Team's office.
He was too curious about the new bell that was about to be completed.
***
[Today's update is scheduled to begin.]
Nel, waking up with a look of exhaustion, touched her forehead.
‘I feel like I'm going to die.’
But the man before her was still continuing his work. Nel stared blankly at his back.
‘Amazing. He's insane. How can he make a bell of this quality just with skill?’
She looked at the bell, which was now almost complete.
‘There are so many incredible people in the world.’
She gave a bitter smile.
The most incredible person she had heard of recently was the one who broke the wooden doll.
‘How on earth did they break the wooden doll…?’
Then, several fragmented thoughts flashed through Nel's mind.
It had only been about two months since the wooden doll was broken. And the player named Hyun-soo before her was level 40.
‘Huh…?’
Blacksmith Hyeon.
There were still countless rumors about him, but most of them were similar.
He was still a low-level player.
The first sword Hyeon posted was proof of that, and the second was the Orc Warrior's Greatsword he posted.
The Orc Warrior's Greatsword was an artifact worn by level 50 players.
People were searching.
For who on earth broke the wooden doll!
They were also searching.
For who Blacksmith Hyeon was.
And out of curiosity, they were creating countless theories.
‘Blacksmith Hyeon has obtained a class higher than Legendary.’
‘Blacksmith Hyeon. He has a Legendary class blacksmith with him thanks to a fortunate encounter.’
‘Hyeon might be an unranked blacksmith. Someone pretending to be a beginner to hide his identity.’
Amidst all those rumors, Rune of the Golden Shield Guild had said they should offer 400 million, but Nel had refused.
‘I won't believe it unless I see it with my own eyes.’
Yes, she wouldn't believe it unless she saw it with her own eyes. And now, she had realized.
There was one player who was the hottest topic in the world right now.
The one who broke the wooden doll.
And there was a second player who was the hottest topic among blacksmiths.
Blacksmith Hyeon.
Goosebumps erupted all over her body.
But this was only her speculation.
However, the name Hyun-soo lent weight to her theory. Just in case, she called out to him.
“Blacksmith Hyeon…?”
At her voice, Hyun-soo turned his head. He didn't answer, just gave a small smile.
‘…It was real!?’
At that moment.
Fwaaaah—
A light of completion seeped into the artifact.
Having completed the new bell, Hyun-soo ran his hand over it.
In the center of the white bell, the name 'Hyeon (現)' was engraved.
‘It's beautiful…’
Nel took a step toward the unbelievably radiant object.
Having made it together, she had some right to it. Nel's arm trembled slightly as she reached for the bell.
Nel knew the original Bell of Ramas well.
‘Undead weakened by 20%, attack and defense of those who attack undead increased by 6%...’
These were the main effects of the Bell of Ramas.
She checked the newly created bell.
(Hyeon's Second Custom-Made Bell)
Grade: Unique
Durability: Infinite
Special Abilities:
· Weakens all undead within a 7km radius by 35%.
· Increases Attack and Defense by 13% for those fighting undead.
· Active Skill: Flame of Purification.
Description: Hyeon's second custom-made artifact, recreated from an irreparable artifact.
‘This is insane…’
Goosebumps erupted all over Nel's body.
‘I wondered why he was repairing it…’
Did he make an even better artifact?
She had never even heard of repairing an irreparable artifact.
He melted it down, recreated it, and made an artifact of an even higher grade.
Wide-area artifacts are normally considered one grade higher.
Yes, this is…
‘It could even be considered a Legendary artifact?’
Furthermore, after checking the skill called Flame of Purification, Nel was left speechless.
‘Heh, hehehehehe…’
Its durability was infinite, and the undead weakening effect was even better.
And this skill…
‘This is absurd…’
It was too good. At this moment, only one thought entered Nel's mind.
She was the one who had opposed recruiting Blacksmith Hyeon. To be precise, she had rejected the uncertain Hyeon.
She said.
“You…”
Hyun-soo looked puzzled.
“I want you so badly it's driving me crazy…!”
Her desire boiled over.
***
The Lord of Death.
A monster, an intelligent undead.
The level 330 Lord of Death wore a tattered black robe and held a single sword.
His rotting flesh, visible through the robe, proved he was undead.
A small sneer crossed the Lord of Death's lips.
It's over.
This territory is now mine.
My minions have already taken over the area before the castle walls, and the gate is almost destroyed.
Yes, now I just need to kill this one.
“Cough…”
Was he the human called Knight Commander Kal?
Persistent.
His armor is already completely shattered, and he looks like he doesn't even have the strength to hold his sword.
Furthermore, he, who I presume is right-handed, is holding his sword with his left hand.
Have I cut him dozens of times already?
“…I will not.”
Shedding tears of blood, he glares at me with venomous eyes.
“I will not surrender our Kassel Territory…!”
Ah, what a magnificent knight. But a crazed cackle, *ke-ke-ke*, escapes the Lord of Death's lips.
The difference in power is clear.
He can never defeat me.
I am still unharmed, while it wouldn't be strange if he dropped dead right now.
“This is where I was born, where I was raised…”
Human pride is truly magnificent.
“And it's where my people are.”
And utterly insignificant.
The fool charges.
But the knight seems to know it too.
Shhhk—
His sword cut me.
It doesn't hurt, and the damage isn't great.
But in that moment, the knight gave me his final opening.
I move my rusted sword.
That sword will pierce the knight's neck.
But then.
Doooong...
“...!”
An unknown bell toll echoed.
What is that?
The Bell of Ramas was destroyed.
I destroyed it myself. I used a special artifact to shatter it completely.
Then what is that bell?
But a scoff formed on my lips.
Nothing will change even if that bell exists.
I have brought all my forces, and the Bell of Ramas only weakens them by 20% at most…
DOOOOONG—
“...Kuaaaargh!”
Szzzzzz—!
The moment the slowly spreading toll reached me.
Clang—
He couldn't help but drop his sword.
Smoke rose from his body as if he were burning, and a fierce pain washed over him.
‘Th-this is…’
This is not the bell I knew.
It is a far more powerful and incredible bell.
I looked around.
“Kieeeeeeek!”
“Kyaaaaargh!”
“Kihiiiiiiiik!”
My minions are writhing as they burn from its power.
But he turned his head.
No, if that's the case, I just have to destroy it.
The artifact I obtained.
The Dead Man's Wish could still be used one more time.
Just like I destroyed it last time, I will destroy it again.
“Kuaargh!”
Even while covering his ears, he located the source of the sound. On top of the wall, a man and a woman were looking at him.
There.
Fwoosh—
A black book opened before the Lord of Death.
The Wish of Death unfolds.
The wish is 'the destruction of that bell.'
Shhhffff—
The pages turn.
One page, two pages, three pages.
Fwoooooosh—
The power of the book finally flew toward the bell.
TAAAAANG—!
But the black energy was repelled, unable to reach the bell.
“…!?”
It cannot be destroyed.
It's an artifact that is simply impossible to destroy.
Can such a thing even exist?
But then, a blacksmith standing on the wall looked down at him.
I could tell.
The man was nothing but a trivial being. And yet, the man holding the hammer sneered at me and said.
“Get lost.”
He struck the bell with his hammer with all his might.
DOOOOOOOONG—!
[Flame of Purification]
[Can only be activated against Undead or Evil beings.]
[Designate a target to immediately and unconditionally decrease their HP by 70%.]
[The target will be stunned for 3 seconds.]
[The activator's attack power against Evil beings increases by 450% for one attack.]
Fwooooosh—
A massive flame of holy power ignited on my body.