The Genius Blacksmith's Game
Hyunmu. (2)
There was a being that dominated the swamps of the southwestern continent, reaching tens of meters in length and called the swamp-bearing snake.
Hundreds of outstanding strong individuals.
The knights of the Parion Empire attempted to subdue them, but failed every time.
The snake, possessing high regenerative abilities, swallowed a human whole and endlessly restored itself.
That giant snake met its death at the hands of a young divine being.
He brushed the blood off his spear and answered the question from the merchants he had saved: "Who are you?"
Ruma.
The title Changseong originated among merchants.
His spear, which seemed to transcend human power, illuminated the entire swamp, and the story began with the claim that his spearmanship, having crossed the line of death hundreds of times, rivaled that of Ben, who was called the Azure Sky.
Even after that day, his legend continued.
Grombear, who threatened and terrorized the nomads of the northern mountains.
Grombear, who was called the predator of the entire mountain range, died with holes all over his body from a human who was barely 2 meters tall compared to him.
He told the nomads who had suffered until now to drag the corpse of Grombear and sell its hide to settle for the damages they had suffered.
His story continued to be told.
Harpy Island, home to herds of thousands of harpies.
The creatures that always damaged a kingdom's crops were in groups, cunning, and fast.
As they failed to subdue him, people began to starve in the kingdom, and the Harpy King's wings were torn by Changseong.
In addition, there is the anecdote that the sea was drenched in the blood of a 'water dragon' that killed countless people in the sea.
The story continued to be told that a legendary monster called the Wyvern of the Waves was brought down with a spear.
Many people admired him, and the story spread to the Pharion Empire; even the people of that powerful great empire knew his name and respected him.
Such a Ruma had now become the commander leading the Farian Empire army.
***
Eunryeong-gun (銀嶺滍).
It is the name of the army that will advance into the country of Hyun together with Changseong Ruma.
Each soldier was wearing silver plate armor and carrying a helmet or shield.
It was given that name based on the meaning of an army as steadfast as a silver mountain range.
The morale of the Eunnyeong Army, currently numbering 200,000, was sky-high.
To think I would meet the legendary hero I’ve been hearing about for years.
“Now, the Kingdom of Hyeon is finished. Lord Changseong Ruma will bring down the enemy leader.”
If the enemy commanders fall, the troops naturally become a disorganized rabble.
You're really cool…….
Moreover, Changseong Ruma was wearing the Silver Star Armor handed to him by the Parion Empire.
The Silver Star Armor was a set artifact consisting of four parts, and the sight of Ruma, clad in splendid silver armor all over his body and holding the spear he usually enjoyed using, captivated the entire Silver Dragon Army.
The Eunryeong soldiers expressed their bewilderment.
This was because a figure wearing a helmet and dressed in the exact same attire as them was by Changseong Ruma's side.
“To think he is by the side of Changseong Ruma, is he also an exceptionally strong warrior?”
It's the exact opposite.
“What do you mean, ‘oppose’?”
He is Lord Ruma's meat shield.
“……Meat shield?”
Meat shield.
In other words, he is one who sacrifices his life to save his master.
It was familiar to the soldiers as a shield.
Cannon fodder is usually prisoners captured by the enemy or disabled defeated soldiers.
As such, a meat shield belongs to the lowest rank, just like an arrow fodder.
“Even though he is a shield, he is a man of respect. When I went to recruit Lord Ruma of Changseong, that shield named Rook insisted that he would go with me no matter what.”
“Why?”
“I’m saying that when Ruma is in danger, he has to throw himself in front of her to save her.”
"ah……?"
"her……?"
The soldiers were impressed.
Of course, they were members of an elite unit called the Silver Army, but even so, they were just low-ranking soldiers.
To such people, the sight of Meat Shield Look accepting his own life and remaining faithful to his mission looked cool.
If I die in this war, I intend to bury my author.
That’s a good idea.
“Amam…….”
Everyone looked at Look, who was by Changseong Ruma's side, with pity.
And Changseong Ruma met Luxiu's eyes, who was looking at him with sad eyes.
“Surely you aren’t planning to attack our county’s country?”
“…….”
“I hear that Hyunsu was the one who told you the locations of the Uroboros, the Grombear, and the Stormy Wyvern you hunted, wasn't he?”
Ruma's eyes wavered.
“The truth is, you became much stronger by hunting Urbors and grew day by day as a result; surely there is no way you would be such an ungrateful, worthless scumbag stabbing your benefactor in the back, is there?”
“Nah, come on. No way…….”
"Did you give me the look to take the commander position just to do this?"
“Then when else would I use you if not at a time like this? You’ve even grown significantly stronger recently, training with me. In a way, aren’t I no different from a benefactor?”
“I understand that the money Prince Hyunsu brought to the slash-and-burn village alone amounts to hundreds of thousands of gold. While you were training to kill me and the villagers were starving, Prince Hyunsu provided food. Let’s leave my part at that. But what fault is there in Prince Hyunsu’s doing?”
“Prince Hyunsu is your benefactor. But what have you ever done for Prince Hyunsu? Huh? Say something. Say it already!”
Now that I think about it, you're right.
"A commander is someone who assumes full command of an army. Especially when war breaks out, a commander's orders are 'absolute,' even if they make the wrong choices."
"yes."
“I will guide Eunryeong-gun through a fast and dangerous shortcut.”
A fast and dangerous shortcut is bound to be extremely arduous.
Before setting out, Ruma saw Luxiu standing in his position.
I wasn't actually persuaded. That's what I intended to do anyway.
Nevertheless, the reason I didn't say anything is that I didn't feel there was a reason to.
However, through that silence, I came to know one fact.
Luxio was the one called the undefeated knight.
Even today, he was protecting his Highness by any means necessary.
We are setting out.
Just two people advanced, carrying the army.
The mountain leading directly to the country of Hyun was covered in pitch-black soldiers.
The Shadowless Corps, 5,000 elite troops repelled by the Sky of Swords and the Old Mountain Keeper.
After that, the Farian Empire army was endlessly pushing in troops.
In particular, the Parion Empire minimized the loss of NPCs.
The Pharion Empire is the nation chosen by the most users.
In fact, the total ratio in Ares was as high as 27%.
Even including hundreds of kingdoms and empires, it was a huge number, and there were over 200 million users in the Pharion Empire alone.
Among them, there were naturally many high-level users exceeding level 550.
An era where the standard for high rankers reached level 600.
It is an era where even level 550 users are recognized as quite strong.
They could take on three of Parion's soldiers and are considered to be inferior to knights.
To those people, an A-class quest was issued that was lower than the quest Pond and Liu had received.
[Hidden Quest: The Guardian of the Mountain Range]
Grade: A
Restriction: Users of the Pharion Empire level 550 or higher.
Rewards: Legendary Artifact Sergeant and Baron.
Penalty: Decrease in contribution.
Description: The Pharion Empire has broken out in war with the Country of the Prefecture. However, it appears that an entity is currently blocking the mountain path leading to the Country of the Prefecture, and despite the dispatch of additional Pharion Empire troops, they are struggling to gain an advantage. Please eliminate this individual and help the Pharion Empire troops advance into the Country of the Prefecture.
The content was similar to what Pond and Liu received, but the reward was different.
For level 550 users, legendary artifacts and the title of the Pharion Empire were life-changing opportunities.
Level 550 users who had become soldiers were endlessly appearing on the mountain.
And the mountain keeper was amazing.
The collapse of the heavens.
A mountain keeper hiding somewhere in the mountain brought down the entire mountain.
The sight of thousands of swept users oxidizing into ashes was awe-inspiring.
Vine climbing.
He seemed like the ruler of the mountain.
Hundreds of vines grabbed the ankles of those climbing the mountain and dragged them down.
Rock formation
Finally, when hundreds of users surrounded the mountain keeper, he plunged his sword into the ground, sending a massive wave of energy around him that swept away the users.
Regular absorption.
The mountain keeper did not tire. He continued to draw strength from the mountain.
He was becoming etched in the minds of the users of the Parion Empire as a figure of terror.
However.
Push forward.
Do not stop driving the mountain keeper.
The situation changed dramatically with the emergence of high-rankers.
Pond, the Emperor of Swords, could grant buffs exclusively to users of the Parion Empire.
Swoosh-!!!
Hundreds of light swords fell from the mountain and gave a buff.
Keep going, keep going.
Do not stop.
Advance.
They endlessly advanced the users and were waiting for the right moment.
Like a pride of lions crouching behind after sending out a pack of hyenas.
When users are swept away by the mountain keeper.
Crescent Sword.
Kwaaaaaak-!
Hydra's Drill.
Successfully inflicted a fatal wound on the mountain keeper.
“Wow, even though we’re on the same team, that’s so sneaky…….”
Sugaaaaak!
Pond blew off the user's head.
“It’s a matter of life and death; what’s so despicable about that?”
Pond's words were true.
Pond and Liu ambushed the mountain keeper while users were continuously dying.
Drip, drip drip drip-
They were killing the mountain keeper as if their blood were running cold.
And Lysen was completely exhausted.
How much time has passed?
It seemed like a week had passed since they started swarming in.
It is impressive that you have endured this period.
at that time.
Piuuuuung-!
Kwaziiiik-!
An arrow shot by a user struck the leather armor Lysen was wearing under his mountain keeper's outfit.
Pew p
He felt the leather armor he was wearing crumbling.
Also, blood was flowing from various parts of his body.
Lysen pulled out the arrowhead and gave a wry smile.
“Where is it?”
“Where are you hiding?”
“I think I’ll be able to catch it soon, and the legendary artifact is mine!”
Their voices were getting closer.
Raisen sensed his impending death. He knew that even if it meant dying, he had to cut down at least one more enemy.
Lysen tore the mountain keeper's clothes.
Thump thump-
As the debris of the leather armor rained down, Lysen's upper body was clearly exposed.
When did I get this old… Does this mean I’ve lived long enough? Hahahaha…
Lysen felt ashamed of his body, which was slightly bent at the waist and gaunt.
His corpse would roll around in the mountains like this—shameful, emaciated, and covered in age spots…
But it was okay.
As for his own ending…
only…….
"Just because you've lived long enough, if you treat your body carelessly, I will cry. I will be watching over you from anywhere."
Hyunsu's words lingered in my mind.
When I think of the young, small, and sentimental king, my eyes well up with tears.
May you be in good health… …
The old man rose from behind the rock, speaking with sincerity.
A voice was heard.
[The god who loves to make scolds you.]
I told you I was watching you, sir. I told you not to do that, didn't I?
The voice that was heard was clearly Hyunsu's voice, and it was trembling.
“H-hahaha…….”
Lysen just laughed.
I was embarrassed to have been caught, but I was glad to hear his voice on my final journey.
Back then.
Kiiieeeeeeee-!!
A bird descended at a rapid speed.
[The God who loves to create wishes you victory.]
I made many things in the land of the dwarves. As I began crafting using a mineral called Hyunmu Iron, which parasitizes and holds the power of the Hyunmu, I thought of one person.
It is none other than the Elder. Hyunmu. A divine beast whose name means to protect and guard. It is a divine beast that simply protects and guards without expecting anything in return. You are the only one worthy of this armor.
The legendary bird, the Manli bird.
Whoosh!
In front of Lysen, the Manlisae detonated a massive flame to hide the old man from the sight of all enemies.
Even the Ten Thousand-Mile Bird is ultimately a carrier pigeon.
The feathers of the Manli bird burst into flames in an instant, creating a single armor.
It was plate armor.
It might not suit a mountain keeper, but he didn't look that uncomfortable moving.
Shhhhhh-
The scattering cold air made Lysen's heart race again.
Click-
Click click
Lysen, who looked shabby and skinny, put on his armor.
At this moment, Lysen speaks with conviction.
“In my entire life, I have never felt this way.”
[The god who likes making things makes a puzzled expression.]
I have a feeling that I will never lose.
[The God who loves making is with you.]
