Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Qualification of Gold
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Hunter Association Headquarters VIP Situation Room
I'm utterly speechless at the jaw-dropping sight I've never witnessed before in my life.
"Do-ha."
Irmi's expression is one of utter bewilderment as she points at the screen.
"Do you... want to see this? The moment they failed to clear the Corrupted Gate, they rushed straight here and have been like that for four hours already."
On the screen, in the Association lobby, the leaders of Korea's massive guilds—who command the nation's hunter scene—are down on one knee on the floor.
They look utterly wrecked.
Their half-destroyed, tattered armor looks like they just crawled out of the battlefield, covered in splotches of dark red bloodstains.
Some of them are still bleeding profusely onto the floor, refusing treatment and standing there like statues.
"Blacksmith! Forge a weapon for us too!"
"We were fools! We'll cast aside our pride—just give us a chance!"
"Our guild members are dying! Please!"
Mitu, Haedam, Weishan, Genesis.
The top-ranking guild leaders have thrown away their S-grade dignity and social status, pleading desperately.
'Whoa.'
Are these really the majestic heroes I saw on TV?
They always strutted around with their heads held high, but facing utter powerlessness before the Corrupted Gate has humbled them.
The guilt of watching their subordinates get hurt and die because of their own shortcomings radiates through the monitor.
This isn't mere begging—it's a desperate cry for salvation.
"Shouldn't... they at least get treated first? They'll collapse like that."
"I sent medical staff, but they're refusing everything. They won't budge an inch until they hear a firm answer from the blacksmith. They're saying they'll die right there if they have to... It's heartbreaking."
Irmi sighs and shakes her head.
"Dragging them out by force is impossible—they're too powerful. And... honestly, I get where they're coming from. Just brushing against corrupted magic rots your flesh, and Do-ha's gear is the only thing they can trust."
Breaking: No. 1 Ranked Mitu Guild Leader Waiting in Association Lobby Covered in Blood
Whoa... They just retreated from the Corrupted Gate without killing the boss and came straight here.
He's shoving away the healers trying to treat him and just asking for the blacksmith.
He's gotta be desperate. That guy's famous for his massive ego.
No. 1's pride is in the gutter. How desperate do you have to be?
Survival comes first.
Kim O-jun and Sylphsong are flying high, but he couldn't even pierce monster hide. Must be a huge shock. The sense of deprivation has to be insane.
Can't hate on this. He's doing it to save his guild members. A leader's a leader.
Blacksmith bro, make him one. He looks legit desperate.
Does an S-grade really become that powerless without a good weapon? The corruption debuff must be brutal.
Regular hunters die on a graze, and even S-grades are punching bags without gear.
Watching them wait while bleeding like that doesn't sit right with me.
Sure, it's karma from their greed, but this is a national emergency. If they fall, the damage hits the citizens full force.
Like it or not, they're Korea's shield.
"Haa... Fine."
Decision made.
"I was going to make a sword next anyway. Hard to ignore them when they're going that far."
"Really? But considering what they did..."
"I know. But the system told me a bigger disaster is coming. We need their power."
"I see... Understood."
"Just tell them: no more showing up like this. And this weapon will be special."
"Special how?"
"You'll see. It won't be for just anyone."
I head straight to the forge.
[Entering the Forge.]
The moment I close the door, outside noise cuts off, and scorching heat fills the space.
Grabbing the hammer brings a vivid blueprint to mind. This time, a sword for a king.
Ornate, powerful, one no unworthy soul could even gaze upon.
[Artisan's Aura infuses!]
I pull out the most ordinary F-grade iron ingot from my inventory.
It looks like rusted scrap metal you could find anywhere.
But materials don't matter.
My hands, the system, and the vision I pour in will transform its essence.
'Firm yet flexible.'
'A king's authority must be absolute.'
Clang! Clang!
The hammer rings through the forge.
The plain gray ingot glows red with each strike, impurities burning away as black smoke.
Pure mana iron fills the void, shining on its own.
Sizzle.
Golden steam rises as water evaporates during quenching.
Alchemy. A miracle.
The F-grade ingot reborn as mythical metal.
'A sword no unqualified hand can wield.'
Claaaang!!!
A final strike sends a golden pillar shooting toward the ceiling.
Not just a great success. A sign the system has unlocked new territory.
[First weapon forged with the Trial System!]
📋 Options:
1. Slight increase to Golden Aura proficiency and damage.
2. Reduced Golden Aura consumption, increased power.
⭐ Traits:
Telekinetic Sword: Control the sword freely without touching it.
Emperor's Dignity: Instills fear in lower-grade monsters.
⚡ Skills:
Aura Blade E: Fix aura to the blade, boosting cutting power.
Super Speed E: Doubles reaction speed momentarily.
⚠️ Special:
Equipment Activation EAnti-Theft System
Caution: Trial Qualification
• This weapon chooses its own master.
• If the wielder's job doesn't match or they lack qualification, a [Trial] activates.
• Passing the trial grants [Golden Aura] and a duplicate weapon of identical performance.
• Quitting or failing means no retries—ever.
• Difficulty: Extreme
"There it is."
A weapon money can't buy—one proven only by skill and willpower.
Isn't this exactly the qualification those guild leaders bleeding outside need?
If they truly crave strength, they must overcome this wall.
Without this weapon, they'd never wield Golden Aura in their lifetime.
Aura tied to jobs is for the chosen only.
And the system grants it through trials.
I step out with the completed golden sword.
"Here you are. Sorry to keep you waiting."
The lobby air shifts instantly.
The exhausted guild leaders snap their heads up, eyes wide.
That hypnotic golden glow rekindles forgotten awe.
A dragon motif adorns the blade, red mana shimmering from the hilt like haze.
Holy energy spreads through the blood-soaked lobby.
This isn't a sword—it's salvation.
"Is that... the weapon we asked for?"
The Mitu Guild Leader staggers to his feet.
Blood spurts from reopened wounds, but he doesn't seem to care—his eyes are filled with the golden sword.
With that...
If he could just wield it, he'd reclaim the top spot. Certainty that it would shred corrupted monsters and protect his guild.
I stand before them and explain calmly.
"This sword isn't for one person."
"Then?"
"This is the original. Anyone who passes the activated [Trial] will receive an identical weapon from the system."
Their eyes light up.
No need to compete. Prove your worth, and everyone gets one. No auctions eating into each other.
But I add a cold warning.
"With one condition."
"Name it. Anything—for this sword, any price."
"No. The system demands no money or power. Only qualification."
I display the system window for them.
• Challengers face 3 stages of extreme trials in a virtual space.
• Death inside: Pain lingers upon instant revival; attempts accumulate.
• Clear all 3 for rewards.
• Declaring [Quit] once bans retries forever.
• Difficulty: Immeasurable
"Die inside, no problem—your body revives. But if your mind breaks and you utter 'quit' from my mouth, the chance is gone forever. You won't touch this sword again."
Silence falls.
Immeasurable difficulty. Permanent loss.
Endless loops of remembered death pain.
A normal person would balk.
But they have no choice.
Endless torment or not—what can they do?
The Mitu Guild Leader steps forward, eyes gleaming with resolve.
A strange smile on his lips.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
He's Korea's No. 1.
Money fixes nothing exciting. Proving it with skill? His blood boils.
He'll prove his strength and claim that sword proudly.
"This sword's first master is obviously me. I'll prove it."
His voice doesn't waver.
He's survived countless brushes with death. Every monster falls eventually. As long as he doesn't die, he'll win.
A mere virtual reality from the system can't break an S-grade's mind.
Blind to his arrogance.
"Let's begin."
He grabs the hilt.
Vwooom!
Light from the blade engulfs him. His form freezes in intense glow.
His vision goes pure white.
[Trial Stage 1 Begins]
[Trial Stage 1: Ancient Dragon - Physical Terror]
He doesn't yet know—this is true hell, even for an S-grade hunter.