Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: The Nobility (1)
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The Special User Management Team.
Team Leader Kim Tae-seok was relieved.
Saintess Aria.
A woman whose influence rivaled that of the continent's ten legends.
He was relieved because, although she felt grateful to Hyun-soo, she wasn't going to grant him her blessing.
The Special User Management Team could infer the rewards an NPC would grant a user through system notifications.
But as Saintess Aria and Bellia continued their conversation, Aria's feelings began to change.
“Bellia is the only outsider the Saintess trusts. And for Bellia to speak so highly of him means a lot. Plus, hearing about your own accomplishments from someone else often makes them feel more real.”
That was employee Lee Ji-hee’s take.
Kim Tae-seok now thought that the Saintess's blessing might be bestowed after all.
“It’s practically the greatest blessing in Ares.”
The Saintess was the most powerful priest.
And Hyun-soo had received many blessings before.
The blessings of Squad Captain Hans, the Lord of Kasel, Sword King Barad, and Lord Bellin.
But among all of them, the Saintess's blessing was supreme.
And there was something Tae-seok couldn't understand.
“Why is Bellia speaking up for him like that?”
Bellia and Hyun-soo hadn't known each other for long. But Ji-hee, being a woman herself, quickly grasped the sentiment.
“I think I know why.”
“Why?”
“Bellia said it herself, didn’t she? That she wants to be with Hyun-soo.”
“Ah…?”
It was just as she said.
Bellia was appealing to the Saintess because she wanted to be with Hyun-soo.
But it wouldn't be easy.
“The Child of the Saintess is someone who belongs to the Ares Church.”
The Ares Church was a sacred organization, and the Child of the Saintess was a class that required one to remain within it.
Furthermore, while it granted immense power, leaving the church without permission would result in the class being revoked.
Therefore, unless Aria permitted it, it would be difficult for her to join Guild Gwangmyeong.
***
[You have connected to Ares.]
[The Saintess's benevolence has resisted the curse of death upon you.]
[The Prayer of Birth imbues the Tiger Blade.]
[The Tiger Blade regains its complete form.]
Having been logged out and reconnected, Hyun-soo wore a surprised expression at the notifications he heard.
The Papal Office of the Ares Church.
Waking up in a luxurious room, Hyun-soo found the Tiger Blade placed neatly to one side.
‘Is the power called the Prayer of Birth the one the God of Blacksmiths told me about?’
Hyun-soo looked somewhat astonished. The curse that Jack had inflicted on him was also completely gone.
He felt a bit disoriented.
Just then, Bellia entered.
“You’ve reconnected. That’s great. And thank you so much. Thanks to you, several of my skills and stats have improved.”
Bellia had awakened as a superior priest upon completing the quest.
“I heard from Nel that you run a guild called Gwangmyeong. How is it? Is it fun?”
Amidst the barrage of questions, Hyun-soo felt an unexplainable emotion.
He could see a considerable amount of disappointment on Bellia's face.
She kept asking only about him and Gwangmyeong.
After talking for a while, Bellia said,
“The Saintess asked that you see her when she wakes up. She said she would reward you. She had an expression that suggested she would grant whatever you ask.”
Bellia looked as happy as if it were her own matter.
“What are you going to ask for, Hyun-soo?”
At her curious smile, Hyun-soo looked at her for a moment before speaking.
“What I need most right now.”
“What’s that?”
Hyun-soo just smiled without answering.
Bellia was about to press him but shook her head.
‘It would be rude to ask, but I’m so curious…’
What on earth could Hyun-soo want?
Soon after, Hyun-soo picked up the Tiger Blade and made his way to meet Saintess Aria.
Standing together before the audience chamber, Bellia pointed outside.
“I think I should stay out here.”
“I understand.”
Hyun-soo opened the door to the audience chamber and stepped inside.
There sat Aria, the most noble woman in the world.
[Your intimacy with Saintess Aria is at MAX.]
This was good news for Hyun-soo.
“The Ares Church is the largest of its kind. Furthermore, you rescued me—an achievement that must have greatly surprised Lord Ares himself.”
A small smile played on Aria’s lips as her finger moved.
A white box appeared before Hyun-soo.
“It’s something the God of Blacksmiths left with the Ares Church.”
When he opened the box, he found an old book and a white mineral.
Hyun-soo immediately picked up the book.
[You have acquired one of the God of Blacksmiths’ secret techniques: Reverse (反).]
Reverse. A character meaning to return something.
The one-time, level 6 Emergency Production skill Hyun-soo had used before was a hint.
A hint as to what kind of secret technique he would obtain.
This power was likely similar to that.
Hyun-soo checked it immediately.
(Reverse (反))
Active Skill
Grade: Divine
Level: 1
MP Cost: 800
Penalty: None.
Effect:
· Within 30 seconds, you can produce artifacts you have previously crafted.
· You can use one of the artifact’s special abilities a single time.
· The number of artifacts you can produce varies by probability.
· 70% chance to produce one artifact.
· 20% chance to produce two artifacts.
· 2% chance to produce three artifacts.
Hyun-soo was amazed.
‘This is an incredible power.’
The God's Emergency Production he had used before was merely a hint.
At that time, Hyun-soo had crafted three artifacts simultaneously.
If he could wield that much power every time he used this skill, it would literally break the game's balance.
Moreover, there was another advantage for Hyun-soo.
‘I get to keep God's Emergency Production as it is.’
Hyun-soo could use both God's Emergency Production and Reverse.
‘It’s based on probability, but it’s still an absurdly powerful skill.’
The Smelting Sword.
The Tiger Blade.
The Sword of Sword King Barad.
Just being able to use the functions of swords of this caliber a single time was incredible.
Of course, there was also the chance of getting nothing.
Next, he checked the most important item.
(Asnium)
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Blacksmith Level 350 or higher
Difficulty: Highest
Special Abilities
· Divine Power increased by 240%.
· Healing skills increased by up to 70%.
· Buff skills increased by up to 70%.
· Attack skills imbued with Divine Power increased by up to 200%.
· Simply possessing Asnium will restore 15% of your HP if it drops below 10%.
· Durability increased up to infinite.
Description: One of the three minerals left by the God of Blacksmiths, it is the mineral that holds the most divine power in the world.
It was truly a phenomenal mineral.
Moreover, with this amount, it seemed possible to craft at least two artifacts.
Once Hyun-soo finished his inspection, Aria spoke.
“That is the reward left by the God of Blacksmiths. Our Ares Church wishes to grant you an additional reward.”
Aria wore a benevolent expression.
“Tell me what you desire, Hyun-soo.”
Aria thought of the countless treasures, titles, and various other things the Ares Church could offer.
Just then, Hyun-soo spoke.
“I would like to bring Bellia into our guild.”
Bellia, the Child of the Saintess.
At the mention of her name, Aria’s expression turned to one of surprise.
“May I ask why?”
Hyun-soo smiled faintly.
“Bellia came to my chambers. Like a curious child, she asked me about my guild. She looked happy then, but she couldn't bring herself to say what she truly wanted. I concluded that there must be a restriction tied to her class as an outsider.”
Aria’s lips parted.
She had honestly thought he was asking because he coveted Bellia's power.
“It is true that I need her power. But, Your Holiness.”
Hyun-soo said in a polite tone.
“A bird in a cage is beautiful, but it cannot fly. I want to open the cage door and show her. Show her that there are other joys in this world of Ares.”
Aria was at a loss for words.
It was an emotion she had never felt before.
‘Why is this?’
His words could be just that—words.
But in his story, mere as it might be, she had seen something immense.
‘Why…?’
The Ares Church has its Popes.
The Popes live their lives chasing a single title bestowed by Ares.
But why…
‘Why do I see in a blacksmith a name that even the Popes have not attained?’
The name of a benevolent king.
Yes, that was what she saw in the master of a still-small guild.
Aria was finally certain.
‘One who will illuminate the world…’
It might just be a flight of fancy.
Besides, Aria had already decided to send Bellia to Hyun-soo even before he had mentioned it.
She smiled brightly.
“I entrust the Child of the Saintess, Bellia, to you, Hyun-soo.”
Aria thought it was all too beautiful.
Bellia had said she wanted to be with him. The guild master had spoken to gain her.
And because of the great potential she saw in him, Aria made a decision about something she had been contemplating.
The greatest blessing a Saintess could bestow.
A name that only one outsider who came to the Ares Church could obtain.
“I grant you the Blessing of the Saint.”
Yes, a Saint. Hyun-soo was a man not unworthy of that name.
[The Blessing of the Saint has been bestowed upon you.]
[You have gained 250 Divine Power.]
[You have gained 200 Charisma.]
[All stats have increased by 10.]
[A Saint is special.]
[You will gain Divine Power each time you perform an act deemed saintly.]
Hyun-soo was in awe.
The base stat increases were excellent, but the fact that he could continuously raise his Divine Power by performing saintly acts was incredible.
“Furthermore, our Ares Church would like to purchase the Tiger Blade from you. We will pay 30% above the average price. Would you be willing to sell it?”
“Yes, I will.”
Hyun-soo got the feeling that Aria wanted to be on his good side.
“And I was planning to send Bellia with you even if you hadn't asked. I will grant you one wish, whatever it may be. Take your time and think about it.”
The conversation was now over.
Aria looked at Bellia, who was sitting outside, gazing at the flowers.
Hyun-soo also smiled faintly and walked toward the girl with the downcast expression.
***
Looking at the flowers, Bellia felt like she was about to cry.
[The Child of the Saintess cannot join a guild without the Saintess's permission. Unauthorized joining will result in the revocation of the class.]
Bellia had never once regretted becoming the Child of the Saintess.
But now, she felt a little regret.
It was strange.
The guild members who were genuinely worried when Hyun-soo collapsed from the curse.
And the man named Hyun-soo, who had made the impossible possible. Her chest felt tight and sore.
‘This is strange…’
They looked like they were having fun. And she liked how they genuinely cared for and cherished one another.
‘I want to be with them.’
But she was the Child of the Saintess. It seemed that it wouldn't be as easy as it sounded.
Just then, someone approached.
He told her about his conversation with the Saintess.
About the one thing he wanted.
[Saintess Aria permits you to join the guild.]
Learning this, Bellia suddenly felt shy.
Without realizing it, she clasped her hands behind her back and looked at the man with a flushed face.
The blacksmith, with his calloused hands, extended one to her.
“Welcome, Bellia.”
Bellia took his thick hand in hers.
“Please take care of me, Master.”
[Bellia has joined Guild Gwangmyeong.]
It was the moment Guild Gwangmyeong recruited the best healer in Ares.
Just then, Hyun-soo spotted a hawk flying toward him.
It was a messenger hawk sent by Sword King Barad.
After reading the note tied to the hawk's leg, Hyun-soo’s expression grew serious.
‘Bella is dying?’
Hyun-soo sought another audience with Saintess Aria.
He was tense.
The power he was about to ask for was not one that even Saintess Aria could wield lightly.
But Aria smiled magnanimously.
“Let us go together. However, my Holy Knights will accompany us.”
Immediately, Hyun-soo, Aria, and the Holy Knights set off for the Goyad Kingdom.
At that same time.
As a young woman lay on her deathbed, a group was entering the capital of the Goyad Kingdom.
It was Marquis Lükburg and his nobles, the opposition faction that coveted Sword King Barad's position.
“Sword King Barad has been grooming Bella as his puppet successor.”
It was a fact known to all.
Barad, having lost his own child, was struggling to prevent Lükburg from becoming his heir.
“Bella. It's true the girl has talent befitting a Sword King.”
Though she was a puppet, Bella seemed a fitting choice for a country known as the land of the Sword King.
And now, that girl was about to die.
A thick smile spread across the faces of Lükburg and his retainers.
“Who does he think the Saintess is?”
How could Sword King Barad possibly summon a woman whom even the Emperor could not command to come at will?
“Looks like the tiger's fangs will all be pulled today.”
Marquis Lükburg and the nobles did not know.
They didn't know it wasn't the tiger's fangs, but their own, that were about to be pulled.