Hyunsoo marveled as he looked at the ore in the chest.
Orichalcum?
Orichalcum would be a mineral commonly known to the public.
“In truth, the ore I intended to give you was mithril—of the special ores I possess, that was it.”
Although it had been from the Beginner Zone, Hyunsoo had once used mithril to craft Radiance.
But this was in an entirely different league from mithril.
“This Orichalcum is a precious thing handed down by my forebears for generations.”
“Then it’s a family heirloom, isn’t it? This is too precious...”
At Hyunsoo’s worried look, Kern laughed.
“What good is that? It sat neglected in a storeroom for hundreds of years. Our forebears would understand—bestowing it upon a benefactor.”
“...Thank you.”
Hyunsoo gave a small smile.
Then, receiving the Orichalcum, he first examined its appearance.
It had not yet gone through refining or slting, so at a glance it looked like a stone that exuded a mysterious aura.
After checking the exterior, he opened the information.
(Orichalcum, Lowest Tier)
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Artisan Blacksmith, Level 300
Difficulty: High
Special Abilities
· When crafting a sword: Cutting Power 82%.
· When crafting an arrow: Penetration 81%.
· Strength, Agility up to 35%.
· Attack Speed up to 70%.
· Durability increased to Infinite.
Description: Orichalcum, a mineral of legend. It is lighter than any other ore, yet its hardness is far superior, suffering virtually no damage.
Insane...
It was a mineral of such excellence as to beggar belief.
More astonishing was that being light while possessing the highest hardness flew in the face of common sense.
If there was anything to regret, it was that this Orichalcum belonged to the lowest tier.
Usually, even within the sa mineral, there are grades—Lowest, Low, Mid, High, and Highest.
“I’m sorry it’s such a small amount.”
It certainly was. Even at a glance, the quantity of Orichalcum was exceedingly scant.
With this Orichalcum, he couldn’t forge even a single dagger.
“It’s fine. I can combine tals.”
Then a chill prickled up Hyunsoo’s arms.
What if I forged a sword from 100% Highest-tier Orichalcum? What would happen?
GULP—
He swallowed.
“...Might I ask where this ore was obtained?”
“I’ve heard it was gotten from elves.”
“Elves?”
“Yes. I only know that my forebear obtained it in the land of the elves. I do not know the exact details.”
Seeing Kern’s apologetic expression, Hyunsoo shook his head.
“Just telling that much is a help. Thank you.”
Hyunsoo soon noticed Kern’s face clouding.
“...Could you remain in our Cassel Territory? If you stayed, I’d see to it you lack for nothing.”
This was a promise as Lord, and it also ant he could grant Hyunsoo a good post.
He was their benefactor.
But Hyunsoo bowed his head.
“I’m sorry. There’s sowhere I have to go.”
“Sowhere you must go... may I ask where?”
“I intend to et His Highness Barad of the Kingdom of Goyard. I heard he’s seeking .”
Kern’s face filled with surprise.
The Sword King Barad...?
Though not the king of the Pri Kingdom, Kern knew well the tales of the Sword King Barad.
That such a great person is seeking this man?
Kern understood. This outlander nad Hyunsoo was a vessel he could not contain.
And Kern sincerely wished Hyunsoo well.
He sensed it would be more valuable for him to et King Barad than to stay here.
“I understand. I’ll have a carriage prepared for you. Go well, and visit Cassel Territory again anyti.”
To the very end, Hyunsoo received Kern’s consideration.
After offering his thanks, he stepped outside and climbed into the prepared carriage.
“The journey to the capital of the Kingdom of Goyard will take so ti. You should get so sleep.”
The coachman’s voice was kind. He could feel that he was the benefactor of Cassel Territory.
Looking back, he saw Cassel Territory receding in the distance. There was a pang of regret, but eting the Sword King Barad would beco a turning point in Hyunsoo’s life.
A king, no less—one of the Ten Legends of the continent.
He still couldn’t even fathom what kind of reward he might receive if he crafted the sword Barad wanted.
Lost in such thoughts, Hyunsoo dozed and woke to find they had already entered the capital of the Kingdom of Goyard.
“Thank you for the ride.”
After finishing his thanks, Hyunsoo headed straight to the place where he could submit his entry for the Super Rookie Tournant.
There, a man from the Kingdom of Goyard nad Bekel was accepting entry applications at a desk.
“Here’s my application.”
The man nad Bekel nodded as he took the form.
“The Super Rookie Tournant begins in two days. The champion’s reward is 1,000 Gold, with additional terms negotiable.”
1,000 Gold.
A fairly large sum, reaching ₩1,000,000.
“May I ask what ‘negotiable beyond 1,000 Gold’ ans?”
“A good question.”
Bekel gave a slight smile.
“Negotiable ans the reward will vary depending on how much Contribution you accrue. A championship is not a championship all the sa. The Super Rookie Tournant has already been held several tis.”
Hyunsoo listened closely.
“And the champions each achieved different Contributions. The highest Contribution achieved was 29%, which stands as the record. On average, champions achieved about 15% Contribution.”
Hyunsoo began to get a feel for Contribution and “negotiable.”
“You an that even among champions, those with higher Contribution can receive better rewards through negotiation?”
“Correct. The previous champion posted the highest Contribution ever. Through negotiation, he received 3,000 Gold.”
“He got triple the payout?”
Hyunsoo’s eyes flew wide. The reward had, quite literally, tripled.
“That’s right. Do you now understand the negotiable part?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll accept your application. The tournant will open at 9 o’clock, two days from now.”
[Participation in the Super Rookie Tournant is confird.]
With his entry confird, Hyunsoo asked the most important question.
“If I win again this ti, can I et His Highness Barad?”
At that, Bekel gave a wry smile.
“So you’re another outlander who wishes to see His Highness Barad. Unfortunately, that’s not possible.”
“What?”
A bad feeling crawled up Hyunsoo’s spine.
“Starting with this tournant, His Highness Barad will attend as an observer, but he will not et the champion.”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
In truth, there were basically two ways for Hyunsoo to et Barad.
Win the Super Rookie Tournant and et him.
The second was to use the high-ranker Lord to get an introduction.
Thinking the first path might be cut off, Hyunsoo tried whispering to Lord.
[Hyunsoo: Hello.]
[Lord is currently in an area where whispering is unavailable.]
“...?”
Hyunsoo’s face scrunched.
Should I use an Auction House note?
But Hyunsoo recognized that ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) even eting Barad via Lord would take quite so ti.
Ordinary people don’t log into the Auction House.
Unless they need sothing, they don’t access the Auction House.
Of course, he could wait. But it might turn into an indefinite wait, and for Hyunsoo it would be nothing but a waste of ti.
“Is there no way to have an audience with His Highness?”
Bekel was firm.
“There isn’t. The reason His Highness no longer ets the Super Rookie champions is because he finds no value in doing so. His Highness is the one who rules this nation. No matter how remarkable the talent, in His Highness’s eyes they’re still green youths.”
Bekel gave a wry smile.
“I’ll be frank.”
In a gentle voice, Bekel spoke to the visibly shaken Hyunsoo.
“You are still very unseasoned. Even I, and the foremost nobles of the realm, can scarcely gain an audience. How could you, then? Give up.”
But then, as he nodded, a peculiar light rose in Hyunsoo’s eyes.
“Fortunately, I’ve just thought of a way to et him now.”
“Hm?”
Bekel looked puzzled.
Soon, smiling slightly, the outlander nad Hyunsoo asked:
“Could you tell where the rental forge is?”
“The rental forge is over that way.”
“Thank you.”
And the outlander nad Hyunsoo moved off at a brisk pace. Watching his retreating back, Bekel sighed.
“They’re all the sa.”
Humans all believe they’re special.
Bekel was a man of the kingdom and had long served the royal house.
Even he had no way but to behold the king from afar.
Then Bekel cocked his head.
What ‘way’ was he talking about?
****
Nell had decided to beco the first guild mber of Hyun’s Forge.
Of course, Hyun’s Forge had not yet been founded as a guild, but she and Hyunsoo were steadily exchanging whispers and the like.
And Nell intended to do everything to lift Hyunsoo as high as possible.
Nell knew it too.
Making Hyunsoo the best will be the most brilliant ornant on my career.
Raising him was raising her own value.
And soon, while exchanging ssages with him, Nell knit her brows.
[Hyunsoo: ...So it seems the Sword King Barad won’t et the champion.]
“He won’t et them?”
Hyunsoo had said he would et the Sword King Barad. At the ti, Nell had felt a thrilling shiver.
But thinking it over, she herself felt there would be little need to et champions.
The Sword King Barad was one of the Ten Legends.
Yes, he was the one who created the tournant, but the Super Rookies were, at the end of the day, green.
Isn’t it sothing already that he even attends?
[Nell: Then will you reach out to that Lord and et him that way?]
[Hyunsoo: No. I just thought of a thod, so I’m heading to the rental forge.]
“You just thought of a thod?”
A Level 50 player had a way to et a king?
[Nell: What thod?]
[Hyunsoo: The Super Rookie Tournant decides the champion based on Contribution.]
Nell knew this too.
When she heard that Hyunsoo would enter the Super Rookie Tournant, she dug up the details thoroughly.
In case even a little bit of it could help him.
[Hyunsoo: I hear the all-ti champion’s Contribution was 29%.]
That too was a well-known fact.
[Hyunsoo: Then what if I push my Contribution past 50%?]
“Excuse ?”
What had she just heard?
He would achieve 50% Contribution in the Super Rookie Tournant?
[Hyunsoo: In any case, it’s certain King Barad will be observing.]
Biting her nail and thinking, Nell found herself nodding.
“It’s not an impossible idea...”
From the start, the Super Rookie Tournant was ant to discover talent.
The one who created the tournant was King Barad himself.
If he had said he would no longer et them and only observe, that was proof that no one had yet satisfied Barad’s eye.
Past 50%...
She turned it over.
If he went past 50%? If that really happened?
“No—what if...”
What if it wasn’t rely 50%, but even higher? Then things could unfold as Hyunsoo envisioned.
Insane...!
In the end, Barad too would need truly outstanding, powerful talent.
There was sothing even more astonishing.
“You’re a blacksmith...!”
So how did he plan to push Contribution past 50%?
[Nell: Do you have a thod?]
[Hyunsoo: Yes. :)]
[Nell: Can you tell what it is?]
[Hyunsoo: The thing I do best.]
Nell wore a puzzled look.
The thing he does best? Ah...!
The thing Hyunsoo did best—Artifact crafting. That made Nell curious all over again.
“What on earth are you going to make...?”
Her heart pounded.
What this crazy blacksmith would show at the Super Rookie Tournant.
Smiling, she said:
“Do it. Make the king want to et you.”
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