The Genius Blacksmith's Game
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The deep-sea kingdom of Talassian exists in the lowest layer of the ocean where light does not reach.
The sea of Talassian is not blue but a dark blackish-blue, and the water shines faintly.
There were also places where cities were formed as if hanging in layers along the underwater canyons.
Towers made of giant coral and deep-sea crystals rose up here and there.
The currents brush past the gaps.
Talassian is certainly a beautiful, wonderful, and long-hidden place.
Because they are located deep in the ocean, unlike other races, they have not been dominated despite being a minority group.
However, currently.
The water of Talassian, which had a dark blue-black hue, had a light pink tint.
The people of Talassian knew that the blood of the dead was polluting the water.
The pulsating of the conch sweeps across the entire Talassian.
Over ten thousand people died.
Two villages disappeared due to the dragon Varga.
The human prosecutor who fought for us is not returning.
We have to stop the dragon.
However, the people of Talassian could not even dare to attempt it.
Who dares to stop a dragon?
You can't stop a dragon.
We will be dominated.
Those trembling in fear were slowly accepting it.
Someone says.
Why on earth did you choose us of all people?
And that voice reached as far as the royal castle.
Royal Palace
The Black Coral Palace built in the center of Talassian.
In that place where boiling heat and freezing water pressure coexisted, there was a being known as the King of the Deep Sea who ruled over all life forms within this ocean.
Dragon King
He is a person with such an intimidating aura that it would crush anyone's breath if they met him for the first time.
The upper body resembles a giant catfish.
Its broad, heavy head looks as though it has endured ocean pressure for a long time.
Its long, drooping whiskers read the currents and vibrations of the deep sea, and even read the sound of the conch shells spreading out.
His eyes were small like a catfish's, but they were not cloudy at all.
Rather, it was quiet and deep like an abyss.
He was bipedal.
The two legs are stable, as if rooted to the earth, without shaking even in the water.
What wrapped the Dragon King's body was a blue dragon robe.
It is flexible like silk, and the surface is subtly engraved with dragon scale patterns.
Also, the dragon robe was adorned with a pattern that seemed to symbolize the dignity of the king, consisting of inverted scales.
The tip of the scale, which should have pointed upward, was bent downward, and a sharp crack line extended like lightning.
It is the pattern of the reverse scale, which means the 'scale' growing upside down on the dragon's neck.
He sat on a throne made of seashells, splendid pearls, and other rare things of the sea.
In front of him stood a prince who looked exactly like him but was much younger.
It is no coincidence that we were chosen.
The Dragon King wore a sad expression as he looked at the water stained red.
“If it’s not a coincidence, then what is the reason…?”
Prince Von.
He looked puzzled at his father, the Dragon King's words.
Soon, the flipped scales appeared right in front of the Dragon King.
It looked like scales or even minerals.
Something that only the Dragon King possesses.
It is because of this royal scale.
The dragon's scales.
Usually, the "dragon's scales" are likened to rebellion.
However, this Talassian's Achilles' heel is none other than the 'dragon's weakness.'
“I did expect something like this to happen someday. Dragon Kings are born with a destiny.”
fatality.
Irresistible fate.
“What on earth is this fate, Father?”
The plan is to kill the dragon by exploiting its "reverse scale," which is known as its weakness.
“……!”
Prince Fon wore a surprised expression.
“This Reverse Scale unleashes immense power, at least when it comes to dragons. That is why Varga attacks us, fearing this scale. If he can obtain the scale, nothing will remain to threaten the dragons.”
“Then… isn’t there hope? Can’t we defeat the dragon?”
Phone was happy.
You can stop the dragon.
If we even kill the dragon, we will gain fame and regain peace.
However, the Dragon King spoke with a dead look in his eyes.
“Who is it? Am I the one? Or are you, Prince, the one?”
“……What do you mean by that, Father?”
“The Dragon Scale is a one-time use. It amounts to nothing more than inflicting a massive fatal wound on the dragon. Even if a fatal wound is inflicted, who could possibly kill the dragon?”
"Can't my father and I join forces?"
“Do you believe we can hunt a dragon by joining forces?”
"father……?"
“……You wouldn’t know. Pon, you’ve never actually seen a dragon…….”
The Dragon King is different.
I have actually seen a dragon.
The dragon is the very thing that possesses a formidable power beyond their ability to overcome.
“The Dragon’s Wrath? Even if we fell victim to it, the dragon will kill us all too easily.”
Phone couldn't say anything.
This was because immense fear was felt from the Dragon King.
Did Father really fear dragons this much?
Soon, the Dragon King saw the water stained with blood.
“Pon… that isn’t the problem. If we kill the one coming now… other dragons will come for revenge.”
“…….”
It was something Phone hadn't even thought of.
“What are we supposed to do when we no longer have a deep wound?”
It will perish.
Every single one of them will die.
“This dragon scale is a curse. A curse that has been passed down through our family…….”
The Dragon King laid everything down and spoke.
I will offer my deepest wrath to Varga.
"……father!"
To offer oneself means that the Talassian intends to worship the dragon.
Overnight, all the Talassians are reduced to slavery.
The Dragon King will bow to the dragon and kiss its toes.
“Go away. My mind remains unchanged.”
Phone's eyes wavered as he was about to shout at his father once again.
Clear sadness and fear coexisted in the Dragon King's eyes.
His body was trembling with fear.
Unlike my father, I will fight to the end.
Although Fon had been a good son who had never once disobeyed the Dragon King, this time was different.
Phone roughly turned his body.
“You do not know…… the terror of a dragon…….”
The Dragon King muttered as he watched Phone's retreating figure.
***
Force.
I am a user in my early 30s.
The special thing is that the place where Force stands on the ground is the underwater world.
He had striking blue hair and was wearing armor that looked like it was made of seashells and turtle shells.
Force was also looking at the red-stained water of Talassian.
[The Dragon King declares that peace will come to Talassian.]
Words that the war will soon end spread out on the beat of a horn.
Force was surprised by the notification that came through.
“Um, the war is ending?”
Did the Dragon King find a solution?
“Of course! There’s no way our King wouldn’t find a way.”
It's all over, haha!
The Talassians, wearing armor similar to the Force and having an appearance almost identical to humans but with folded fins, cheered.
They were knights of the Order of the Abyss.
“Force, you worked hard!”
“Haha, we’re able to live now!”
Right, everyone worked hard.
Force smiled awkwardly.
The war is ending? How can you end a war against a dragon? Did the dragon get tired of it or something?
No, that couldn't have happened in Force's mind.
Also, the knights in this place have not yet seen Dragon Varga.
Unlike him, Force had seen Dragon Varga from a distance.
Absolutely… the Dragon is not someone the Dragon King can do anything about.
Of course, the Dragon King is strong, too. He's the strongest NPC I've ever seen in my life.
However, the dragon was on a different level.
It goes beyond the concept of simply being the strongest; it is an unkillable being.
But how?
Force wore a look of incomprehension.
He was a diver in real life, and at level 30, he accidentally went diving and was sucked into a vortex, ending up in Talassian.
Talassian was a very beautiful place, and unlike humans, the people were kind.
However, they are extremely vigilant.
It took him a very long time to become close to them, even for himself…
But once you get close to them, they are really good people.
That is why Force was even more suspicious and wary.
It is because I was worried they might get hurt.
Should I take the post down?
You never know.
I wonder if I am harboring unnecessary worries.
In fact, Force was the one who informed the users that Dragon Varga had appeared.
Dragon has started appearing in real-time search rankings.
Force wanted the users to help Talassian.
However, users were not easily switching over to Talassian, and there seemed to be other reasons as well.
You don't want to cross over and get killed by a dragon, do you?
Because if you drop an artifact in the deep sea, you might not be able to retrieve it.
at that time.
"insect!"
The knights saluted.
Force, who had been lost in thought, also woke up in a hurry.
Prince Pon was at the place where they saluted.
Force also saluted at the appearance of Pawn, who was more noble and intelligent than any other Talassian.
Would you like to talk to me?
Are you talking about me?
“Yes, I’m talking about you. You, the foreigner.”
Force wore a puzzled expression.
royalty.
And to think that Prince Phos, who is to become the next king, is talking to him after the Dragon King's death?
The two people took a step.
[The Dragon King intends to hand over Talassian to the Dragon Varga to create a new peace under his rule.]
[The truth is revealed!]
[Dragon Varga will want 30% of the Thalasians sacrificed.]
[They will want you to offer more than 80% of your gold and jewels.]
[The Thalassians who have submitted to Varga will be afflicted with the curse of labor by the dragon Varga, and will be forced to labor until death.]
Users sometimes hear truths indirectly that NPCs do not know.
This is the content Force received from the phone.
Phone said with a serious expression.
Father intends to offer Talassian to Varga.
Force's face turned pale.
The force is that I have only played here since level 30.
Judging by the notifications, it was no different from the imminent destruction of Talassian.
Yes, it will be destroyed and become a new kingdom.
“What is the reason you came to see me?”
“You must be connected with outsiders. Bring in some strong people from the outside.”
Are you talking about the strong?
"Yes, I must stop Father."
Are you planning to stage a rebellion?
“……If necessary, we’ll have to stop it even if it means doing that.”
Prince von was a good man. It is surprising that such a Prince von made such a decision.
Right, you've finally come to your senses!
On the other hand, Force rejoiced.
The Talassians were also the ones who were very narrow-minded.
If you act flexibly like this, you might still be able to stop the Dragon King.
However, there is a condition.
"The conditions?"
“Right. At the very least, he must be someone who gets along well with various races.”
"yes?"
“…Humans are a scary race, aren't they? What if they stab you in the back?”
Talassians are timid.
He is afraid of outsiders.
This is the reason that has been hidden for a long time.
However, Force thought that there were no humans who had formed ties with other races in the first place.
"ah……!"
Phone made a face as if he had realized something.
That's right!
You've finally really come to your senses!
“The closer you are to them, the better. Ah, I would also like you to ask them to get a palm seal from you.”
“……?”
I'm ruined.
"A user who can bring in seals from other races… …? Where would such a user even exist in the first place?"
Force thought there were no such users.
The Dragon King knew how Prince Pon would react.
The reason why it wasn't blocked despite this.
If you can stop it that way, then do so… … .
It is because I consider the phone a small hope.
It is only natural that there may be people with different opinions.
However, the Dragon King had no intention of backing down either.
“I, too, must accept help from humans. Go.”
Carrier pigeon in the sea.
A small winged turtle started to fly away.
