The Genius Blacksmith's Game
To my descendants. (6)
All the branch managers remain silent, just as Sejin said, and continue to watch the screen he displayed.
Dragon killing sword.
The dragon-slaying sword.
In reality, it does not actually exist in this way.
Therefore, this Dragon Slayer Sword could be a sword created with the unique interpretation, originality, and appearance of the user named Hyunsu.
perhaps…….
It might become something like the legends of reality.
Real-life legends.
Korea's Yi Sun-sin destroyed hundreds of ships with only twelve.
This is because it utilizes the originality, interpretation, appearance, and sea-dominating prowess of the Turtle Ship.
As such, the Dragon Slayer Sword might be able to defeat dragons that are impossible to raid.
Yes, it might become a legend in Ares that will go down in history forever.
However.
Even the branch managers at that time viewed it as merely an illusion, as it was before the Dragon Slayer Sword was used.
Because such a thing cannot happen easily…
That is why it is a legend.
No matter how much Hyunsu has accomplished so far, killing a dragon with the Dragon Slayer Sword is a completely separate matter.
Therefore, the branch managers believed that the reason they did not give up was because of the potential of the 'Dragon Slayer Sword'.
Hyunsu spoke from beyond the screen.
However, there is one condition for crafting the Dragon Slayer Sword.
-what?
I'll join the Varga raid too. I have something to return to that guy.
That remark made Bahala's eyes widen.
It is not just Bahala.
The branch managers were also surprised.
To think that User Hyunsu is also joining the Varga raid… …
-Why on earth would you do such a foolish thing… …?
Bahala and Hyunsu were distinctly different.
In the case of Bahala, the class itself was about eliminating entities that posed a threat to the world.
The thing the Sword God irresponsibly passed on.
The still weak descendant of the Sword God had the mission to overcome it.
On the contrary, Hyun-su does not have such a mission.
However… … .
I absolutely have to go, too. That's what I decided.
They didn't know, but Sejin knows.
Hyunsu saw the elves who had been oppressed in Elvenheim.
I understood the pain they must have felt for having gifted me the World Tree.
Also, the elves were now beings close to Hyun-su, and at the time, Hyun-su could do nothing but run away.
Hyunsu wanted to repay that.
Apart from that, it seemed like nothing but a foolish thing to do.
Bahala also spoke from beyond the screen.
Think again. It won't be an easy fight. Moments when you want to give up will keep coming, and we might keep dying. We might experience countless level downs, and because you joined, you might be pointed at and criticized for failing to raid even a dragon. The problem isn't your fault or mine, but the position we stand in.
We will be criticized without reason and may have to bear a heavier penalty than anyone else.
Also, as you may have seen firsthand, Dragon Varga might cast a curse on you and exert some form of oppression.
Barga's Curse.
Dragon Varga is unique among dragons for being able to cast curses.
This is the reason why John, the U.S. branch manager, insisted that an update was necessary.
Even Bahala fell under that curse and became virtually unable to stand against the dragon…
at that time.
Branch Manager Yu Hwan stood up from his seat with a surprised expression.
Why has the curse on the Heavenly Altar been lifted?
Bahala's black glass was cracked like a window pane on the verge of breaking.
However, the crack had disappeared, and instead, a faint red light even emanated from the repaired state.
It proves at a glance that it has been upgraded.
User Hyunsu has released the seal using Hammer Musou and the power of the Phoenix.
-……yes?
Didn't we expect it would take at least two years for Bahala to break that seal?
You mean you untied it right away?
The branch managers were surprised.
The user Hyunsu surprises me every time.
He always accomplishes what is thought impossible.
Again, everyone looks at Hyunsu on the screen.
"I’m still going. You know I’ll be criticized for not being able to raid after suffering countless level downs? I’d rather fight than run away. I won’t give up, Bahala."
All the branch managers felt their hearts race at those words, yet also felt ashamed.
The creators of Purum Co., Ltd.!
The branch managers felt a sense of pride as they listened to such words while being carried on Sejin's back.
When such people avoid it… … .
Users playing the game Ares did not run away.
The two looked at each other and laughed awkwardly, and Bahala said.
Then I guess I need to name the raid team.
There is one name that comes to mind.
-Actually, I also have a name that comes to mind.
The two people looked at each other and spoke at the same time.
-Lantern.
The users' lamps illuminate the world once again.
Tick-
Sejin ended the video.
“The first raid team. Based on the conversation between the two, it is presumed that 'Lantern' will be gathering a raid team. Those selected by Bahala, and those selected by the user Hyunsu, will participate in the raid team.”
You're saying it's a raid team… selected by the two of you?
It is surprising in itself that two people become raid leaders and select.
“Yes, it appears that rather than simply being a group of the strong, they will be composed of individuals specialized in dragon raids. Even with this, will you give up?”
The branch managers were silent for a moment.
Although the possibility is still considered low, Hyun-su and Bahala have not given up.
Do you think those two will be able to pull it off?
“I don’t know. I suppose I’ll have to leave my fate to those two.”
To think that my fate must be entrusted to two users… …?
However, the branch managers' minds were wavering, and John spoke sharply.
Users are currently in a state of panic. The number of people trembling with anxiety is increasing, and "Dragon Varga" is trending in search results in real time. What do you intend to do about this?
Now that the world has become aware of the existence of Dragon Varga, we are assigning raid team formation and dragon raid quests to high-level users who were qualified to participate in the Continental War. We are preparing substantial rewards based on those quests and contributions.
Are you suggesting that we proceed as if the appearance of Dragon Varga itself was induced?
"you're right."
-Hmm…
It does seem like not a bad idea. No, come to think of it, it is a good idea.
The fact that even Purum Co., Ltd. did not anticipate this situation will lead to panic, but the event prepared by Purum Co., Ltd. will act as a buffer to alleviate the panic.
However, there is something I am concerned about.
The French branch manager asked a question.
It appears that Lantern has already been confirmed as the first official raid team. Since Bahala and Hyunsu are on the first raid team, who exactly is participating in this raid?
That makes sense.
It seems the prevailing opinion is that the two of them will monopolize it all anyway.
“……They will choose whether the raid team will be official or unofficial. Users will simply have to speculate. It is highly likely that they will assume Bahala will proceed with her own team, and Hyunsu with his own. Therefore, the party formed by Hyunsu and Bahala, 'Lantern,' will consist of only a 'very small elite.'”
A very small minority?
How can you guarantee that?
“……Rewards are bound to be distributed as the party size increases. Hyunsu and Bahala know this fact best. Unlike other users, Hyunsu and Bahala have faced Dragon Varga firsthand. Knowing that ordinary users cannot even scratch Varga, they wouldn't even include them in the Lanterns in the first place.”
Conversely, regular high-level users and high-rankers are different. Since this is an unprecedented situation, it is presumed that they will gather as many people as possible. This implies a very high probability that they will gather by country and be composed of efficient individuals. Furthermore, unlike 'Lantern,' they will likely form raid teams of at least 50 people. This is because… even if they divide the contribution among 50 people at their level, the rewards are enormous.
In other words, CEO Lee Se-jin, you are saying that even without placing restrictions on raid teams, users will gather the most efficient raid team members.
That is correct. However, that does not mean it is unfair. It appears that Team Lantern will have only a tiny fraction of users participating, but will share in the correspondingly massive rewards. Conversely, the rewards for other teams will be diminished as their numbers increase. We can simply set up additional rewards based on the highest contributors.
-What kind of compensation is it?
It will likely be a reward from raiding the dragon. It needs to be more extraordinary than any monster so far, and we will have to decide on that now.
Then, what if we fail the raid?
That will have to be left to the users and NPCs now.
If the users back down, the NPCs will join the battle.
Of course, the number of victims is not estimated, but at least as Sejin said.
We could unite users through an event called Dragon Raid and increase the raid probability.
A significant number of branch managers looked fully convinced, and what swayed their hearts were two users who had not given up.
The same goes for Branch Manager John.
I would also support that approach.
John spoke on behalf of the other branch managers.
Soon, all the branch managers cast their votes in favor.
event.
It was the moment the Dragon Raid began.
***
“……This time it’s different. I can’t just whip it up in a flash. I have to take a long time to craft the Dragon Slayer Sword.”
It was Hyunsu's judgment.
Up until now, I have crafted countless artifacts using materials placed in the Kingdom of Strings… or purchased through the auction house.
However, the Dragon Slayer Sword is different.
You have to use the most perfect ingredients to have a chance of winning.
Even now, the odds are low.
At times like this, it was right to craft the Dragon Slayer Sword using the most perfect and suitable materials.
Also, Bahala was prepared to procure the materials.
Hyun-su activated 'God's Customization' for the first time in a while.
[Starting God's custom production.]
[You can have items custom-made for someone else or for yourself.]
[You can add desired effects through customization, and depending on the probability, the desired effect can be manifested up to 100%.]
"Custom-made for the user Bahala in front. I want the form to be a saber, specifically a dragon-slaying sword optimized for dragon hunting. Also, considering the dragon's total HP is ridiculously high, it should be a sword with enough power to drastically reduce it."
[Looking for materials good for attacking dragons or reptiles.]
[I am looking for a material that has the power to inflict fatal damage despite having high HP.]
[The materials required to craft the artifact are listed.]
[We find the best ingredients.]
"I got a notification saying they found the best ingredients?"
“……Is this the first time this has happened?”
"that's right."
Good.
It is a good thing to have the strongest material for crafting the Dragon Slayer Sword.
Bahala was filled with great anticipation.
“What is that ingredient? And where is it?”
Soon, Hyunsu projected a material as a hologram.
It was close to mineral rock.
It was a blackish-gray color, and it was something I had never seen before, with layers of grain etched across its entire surface that looked as if scales had been swept upwards.
Yes, it looks just like a dragon's scales are upside down.
“Its name is Yeokrin. Its owner is the Dragon King.”
“The Dragon King? If he is the Dragon King, isn’t he the King of Talassian?”
The destination was set to Talassian, a country deep in the sea.
