Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Repayment (2)
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“One million gold. That is the amount our royal family has assessed.”
One million gold for Hyeon’s sixth custom-made sword.
Hearing this, Hyun-soo’s heart began to race.
He would have been happy with just 500,000 gold.
‘One million gold is a billion won…!’
In about two weeks of game time, which was roughly four to five days in reality, Hyun-soo had earned an astronomical sum of money.
“Deliver this to him.”
Barad wrote the amount on a parchment check and handed it to a subordinate.
[You have acquired 1,017,600 gold.]
Hyun-soo couldn’t hide his amazement. Seeing his overwhelmed expression, Barad let out a small laugh.
“I instructed the prime minister to add thirty percent.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Hyun-soo realized that his one death had brought him a value of over 300 million won.
And surprisingly, the rewards didn’t end there.
Barad looked at Hyun-soo as he descended the stairs.
“I think I shall try to live my life to the fullest, just as you said, so that I will not be ashamed when I meet Ban in the heavens.”
Before he knew it, Barad was standing in front of him.
“And I hope you continue to do the same. Live with all your might to awaken your father, just as you wish.”
Barad envied Hyun-soo for having the hope that he might one day awaken him.
And at the same time, he cheered him on.
He hoped with all his heart that Hyun-soo would succeed in saving his father.
That’s why he said it.
“Will you come and visit me from time to time?”
Barad felt he would grow curious with each passing season.
About his news, about his stories.
“I’d like for you to stop by and tell me what’s been happening, what kind of people you’ve met, without any pretense.”
Of course, he would also invite him to stay.
“Will you do that?”
Hyun-soo smiled.
“Yes, and I hope Your Majesty will also share stories of your life on the days I visit.”
A smile formed on Barad’s lips. Just moments ago, he had been thinking of granting Hyun-soo another reward.
It was a blessing.
A special power that high-ranking NPCs could bestow upon the outsiders.
In Hyun-soo’s case, he had received the Hero’s Blessing from Expedition Captain Hans.
The quality of these blessings varied depending on the level of the one who granted it.
Barad had intended to bestow the ‘Blessing of the Sword,’ a rather fine blessing.
But his conversation with Hyun-soo changed his mind.
‘Beings who share their stories without pretense.’
Barad knew what such beings were called.
He had always called him this:
Blacksmith Hyeon.
But now, it was different.
“I will be sure to do so. Hyun-soo.”
Hyun-soo looked into those deep eyes.
Just that one change in address made him feel that their relationship had shifted dramatically.
At the same time, Barad extended his hand, and Hyun-soo took it.
“I wish to call you my friend.”
[The Blessing of a Friend now resides with you.]
[You have gained +8 to all stats.]
[Sword Attack Power +15%, Sword Cutting Power +10%, Sword Penetration Power +10%.]
Hearing the notification, Hyun-soo was utterly astonished.
‘Plus eight to all stats…?’
On top of that, the other effects related to swords had increased by an absurd amount.
‘I’ve gotten so much stronger from this one creation.’
Even when he had crafted the legendary sword, he had gained +6 to all stats, 100 Dexterity, and 300 Fame.
During the crafting period, he had achieved the feat of raising his total stats by 16 points.
But Barad’s rewards didn’t end there.
“I may call you friend, but I cannot rush to your side at a moment’s notice, nor do I intend to grant your every wish.”
Hyun-soo didn’t feel the least bit disappointed by those words.
The friendship he spoke of was about sharing stories without pretense.
Hyun-soo had liked the sound of that; he wasn’t expecting anything more.
But he was wrong.
“So I shall do just one thing for you.”
It wasn’t that Barad wanted to give him nothing, but that he was saving the most valuable gift for last.
“I will pass on my swordsmanship to you.”
*Tiring!*
[Skill Quest: Swordsmanship of the Sword King]
Grade: S
Requirement: One who has received Barad’s offer.
Reward: Swordsmanship of the Sword King.
Penalty for Failure: Decrease in affinity with Barad.
Description: The Sword King, Barad. Learn his swordsmanship through training. Acquire the skill upon reaching a training proficiency of 70% or higher.
“The swordsmanship bestowed upon you will differ based on how far you progress in your training. Even 70% will be quite remarkable.”
It was the swordsmanship of the Sword King himself. The swordsmanship of the greatest living NPC.
“We shall begin in two days.”
Hyun-soo immediately left the audience chamber and logged out.
[You have logged out.]
After logging out, Hyun-soo immediately exchanged the money he had earned.
The 1.017 billion won he had just earned, combined with his prize money from the Goyard Super Rookie Tournament, totaled around 1.03 billion won.
First, Hyun-soo went to the bank to set his account’s transaction limit to the maximum, then he stopped by a department store.
After buying a few things at the department store, Hyun-soo went straight to the hospital’s administration office to move his father to a VVIP room.
A short while later, he met Hoseok and transferred 1 billion won to the bank account.
Hoseok looked bewildered after checking the transaction details.
Just then, Hyun-soo held out a shopping bag from the department store.
“I knew, actually. I knew you were the one who kept stopping them from kicking me out, Team Leader Hoseok.”
Hoseok had come to tell Hyun-soo not to get cocky just because he’d earned a little money.
But the shopping bag Hyun-soo offered contained a shirt.
Seeing the shirt, Hoseok was at a loss for words for a moment.
‘How did he earn this?’
He thought for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. He was certain Hyun-soo wouldn’t have earned it through dishonest means.
“I know the hospital doesn’t usually accept these things, but please take it.”
At that moment, Hoseok felt incredibly ashamed of himself.
Hoseok moved Hyun-soo’s father, Kang Hyun-tae, to the VVIP room.
Hyun-soo gave small gifts to each of the nurses and a small potted plant for the office of his father’s physician, Dr. Jin-seop.
Just as he was about to leave through the automatic doors, Hoseok ran up to him and said.
“Hyun-soo, I’m really proud of you. Truly.”
It was Hoseok’s sincere feeling. Hyun-soo bowed deeply to him and left the hospital.
After leaving the hospital, Hyun-soo immediately called Ji-hoon.
“What’s up?”
“I’m treating you to a meal.”
“A meal? What are you buying? Some cheap takeout?”
Ten minutes later.
*Sizzle—*
“Wow, the day Kang Hyun-soo treats me to Hanwoo has finally come. I must be blessed to live this long. *Munch, munch.*”
Watching Ji-hoon greedily devour the premium Korean beef, Hyun-soo felt like he was finally repaying him for all the help he’d received.
He then handed over a pair of shoes for his friend, who had a job interview soon.
“Is… is this a pair of Vermes shoes?”
Ji-hoon was shocked. Vermes! A luxury brand only the rich could afford!
“Boss, I will serve you for the rest of my life.”
“Alright, just do your best.”
After meeting Ji-hoon, Hyun-soo withdrew some cash.
There was one last person he absolutely had to repay. Hyun-soo walked toward his home.
***
Mrs. Kim Hye-sook, the landlady of the small two-story house, was packing up containers of side dishes.
“Geez, why are you packing so much? Who’s it for?”
“Who do you think? For young Hyun-soo on the second floor.”
Hye-sook’s husband chimed in.
“Hey, put a good amount of the braised beef in there, and the green onion kimchi, too.”
Hye-sook sighed as she packed the food.
“Sigh, I feel so sorry for young Hyun-soo.”
Having known Hyun-soo for a long time, Hye-sook was now in a position where she had to sell the house.
“If only I hadn’t hurt my back.”
Her husband rubbed his lower back. The truth was, Hye-sook’s family was also struggling financially.
Why else would they sell the two-story house they had owned for so long?
“He’s such a sweet young man, like a son to me. I wonder if he has anywhere to go.”
Just then.
*Ding-dong—*
The doorbell rang.
“Who could it be at this hour?”
With a curious expression, Hye-sook went outside to find Hyun-soo standing there.
Hyun-soo was dressed quite neatly.
“I was just packing some side dishes for you, young man. What’s going on?”
Hyun-soo carefully held out an envelope.
Hye-sook’s eyes widened when she saw what was inside. It contained a large sum of money.
“Wh-what is this?”
“It’s the rest of the rent for all the times you let me pay half.”
“What?”
Hye-sook forcefully pushed the envelope back into Hyun-soo’s hands.
“Oh, stop it. I don’t need this. You just go and live well, young man.”
To that, Hyun-soo said.
“I earned a lot of money this time. And I think I’ll be earning a lot more from now on. Enough to pay for my father’s treatment, and my own.”
Hye-sook was greatly surprised.
She never thought Hyun-soo was the type to do anything bad.
And when Hyun-soo told her what he did for a living, Hye-sook clapped her hands.
“Oh my, that’s wonderful! That’s just wonderful!”
Hye-sook genuinely hugged Hyun-soo and celebrated with him.
“What!? Our young Hyun-soo is rich!?”
“I still have a lot of debt to pay off, but I think I’ll get there soon.”
“That’s great! I knew you’d do well, hahahaha!”
Kim Hye-sook sincerely congratulated Hyun-soo on his success. And just like always, she packed him a generous amount of side dishes.
Carrying the food up to his shabby home, Hyun-soo smiled softly.
‘I’m confident now.’
Confident that he could earn a lot of money.
So it was okay to spend this much.
He decided to leave his semi-basement one-room apartment and stay temporarily in a newly built studio apartment nearby.
Now, he had to focus on what came next.
‘First, I’ll master the Sword King’s swordsmanship, then go to the mine with the Hundred-Year Cold Iron. After that, I’ll take my first commission from a user.’
His first user commission.
It would be a turning point for Hyeon’s Smithy on the auction house.
‘The Sword King’s swordsmanship…’
Hyun-soo connected to Ares.
***
As soon as his body had recovered to some extent, Barad announced he would participate in the speech ceremony.
The ceremony was a rather important festival in the Goyard Kingdom, but Barad rarely attended.
[Whoa, why’s Baradass showing up at the speech ceremony?]
[What’s Baradass?]
[Barad + Badass lolololol.]
The speech ceremony was also broadcast live online.
Furthermore, although he was an NPC, Barad had been voted the most handsome NPC in Ares.
Commoners and users alike flocked to see him, and the number of viewers on the live stream reached 50,000.
Watching His Majesty Barad, Bella couldn’t understand.
‘His body still hasn’t fully recovered, so why would he suddenly decide to attend the speech ceremony?’
She had also heard that after two days of rest, he would immediately begin teaching Hyun-soo the sword.
As countless people waited for Barad’s appearance.
Barad, clad in silver full plate armor, walked onto the stage.
Barad.
The word ‘friend’ was very unfamiliar to him.
But being with the young man named Hyun-soo put his mind at ease.
He also cheered for his future.
And since Hyun-soo cheered for him as well, what else could this be if not friendship?
Barad was clever and knew exactly how to repay him.
[Yooo, there he is, Baradass!]
[He looks so cool.]
[Dude, 70k viewers already, damn.]
Barad walked to the front.
He placed the scabbard he was wearing on the lectern with a thud.
Positioning it so the character ‘Hyeon’ (現) was clearly visible.
Then he looked out at the people.
“The speech begins now.”
Bella couldn’t hide her shock.
‘Could it be…?’
What does a blacksmith need most?
For it to be widely known that they are the creator of outstanding weapons.
[Yo, Barad’s sword is different.]
[What’s with that sword? Is that real frost coming off it?]
The broadcast station noticed the situation and began to zoom in on the sword.
The close-up clearly revealed a single character on the scabbard.
Hyeon (現).
[Hyeon? Who’s Hyeon?]
[Holy shit, you’re telling me Blacksmith Hyeon made Barad’s sword?]
In that instant, the number of subscribers to Hyeon’s Smithy began to rise rapidly, and online articles popped up.
[SHOCKING: Blacksmith Hyeon, the creator of Sword King Barad’s sword!]
[Blacksmith Hyeon. Who is he?]
On the portal search site, Neiva.
For one hour, the name ‘Blacksmith Hyeon’ (現) ranked 19th in the real-time search rankings.