by Park Saenal
Erina had completed the dagger one step ahead of me. The host checked her dagger and was impressed.
“This is a really great work! Making this in less than three hours, I can only admire this wonderful work! Now!”
“What type of work was created that could cause such surprise?”
“Don’t look alone. Show it to us!”
The crowd was in an uproar as they were curious about the finished work. After the host confirmed that their curiosity reached the peak, he focused the crowd’s attention on the display board installed at the back of the stage.
“Okay! Check it out!”
On the display board, Erina’s dagger appeared. It was very sharp yet had a great balance. It was a superior dagger that would be able to exert an exceptional attack power. The handle was made of brass casting with a beautiful pattern engraved on it, making it a beautiful ornament as well.
“Ohhhh!”
“The dagger resembles the owner! I have never seen such a pretty dagger. I want to see!”
“That is a secondary matter. The performance is extraordinary just looking at it. I really want it.”
The crowd was enthusiastic. Now it wasn’t just the men showing a favorable opinion towards Erina, but the female users as well. The detailed information of the dagger appeared.
[Dagger of Bewitchment]
Rating: Epic
Durability: 60/60 Attack Power: 122~127 Attack Speed: +8%
* There is a certain probability of bewitching the enemy.
* The durability will be quickly consumed when blocking an attack.
A dagger produced using the delicate skills and superior aesthetics of an excellent blacksmith.
The lethal beauty can sometimes steal other people’s hearts.
The sharp blade has a high attack power, but the drawback is that it lacks robustness.
User Restriction: Level 100 or higher. More than 200 agility. More than 30 strength. Intermediate Dagger Mastery.
The disadvantage was its durability, but this was a truly excellent dagger. The attack power was incomparable to a common dagger. It also had the bewitchment option. Bewitchment was a powerful skill that turned a target into a non-resistant state for three seconds. It was appropriate as an assassin’s weapon.
The users were convinced.
“The result is clear! Erina definitely won this game!”
Even the Winston residents felt desperate.
“Ah… that woman is a great blacksmith. Grid is a blacksmith recognized by Khan, but is it possible for him to create something better?”
Rabbit and the other Mero Company officials looked convinced that victory was in their grasp. But I didn’t shake. Khan was the same.
Khan laughed. “That girl has tremendous skills for her young age. They are excited right now. But it won’t be like that in the future. Isn’t that right?”
The sheath and hilt were finished. I nodded as they were combined with the blade.
“Of course. I represent the ugly people of the world. I will never stop.”
Khan frowned. “Represent the ugly people? What does that mean? You are fighting on behalf of the smithy, the smithy!”
“…Ah, excuse me. I forgot. Now, shall we go and keep the smithy?”
The dagger was completed. I was thrilled to see the information about the dagger and showed my dagger to the host. The host didn’t even look at my dagger properly as he spoke to the crowd.
“This team spent a lot more time than Erina, despite having two people. He can’t hide the fact that the result of this game is too obvious!”
“Hahaha! Yes! It is shameful for two men to go against a woman, but it has come to an end!”
The crowd agreed.
I scoffed at all of them. “Look at my work and be careful not to have heart attacks from shock.”
At that moment. Soldiers armed with swords and spears climbed onto the stage. Then they confiscated my dagger.
“W-What?”
As I was confused, a heavily armed knight shouted.
“I have received information that you are working with a criminal called Huroi, arrested eight days ago for trying to harm Winston! You’ll have to be questioned about this!”
“Huroi?”
Was he talking about Huroi who received the ‘For the Residents of Winston’ quest? He was captured and failed the quest?
‘That useless bastard. No… why am I associated with him?’
I resisted. “What are you saying? I don’t know that person! Let me go!”
The knight pulled out his sword at my defiance and warned me, “I suggest that you don’t resist.”
“Yes…”
If I did something, this bastard really would kill me. A sword was pointed at my neck! I was unarmed and forced to follow as the soldiers dragged me down the stage.
Khan called out. “What are you doing? Why are you unfairly framing a person?”
The knights and soldiers ignored Khan. Khan eventually ran to where the Mero officials were sitting. Then he shouted to someone.
“Valmont! You cowardly wretch! You know that you won’t win the game, so you are trying to finish it in this manner! You aren’t afraid of the Winston residents?”
However, Khan’s shouting was useless. The middle-aged man didn’t respond as if he was just hearing an annoying dog’s barks.
Thus, I was brought by the armed forces to the castle.
***
‘This is impossible!’
Rabbit had spent 20 years as a merchant. In the meantime, he had handled numerous excellent products. That’s why he was astonished the moment he checked the dagger made by Grid.
‘This isn’t an ordinary item! Erina’s dagger can’t be compared to it. We… we lost. I didn’t think he would have that much skill!’
Valmont, sitting beside him, muttered in an angry voice. “We lost.”
Valmont also noticed it right away when he saw Grid’s dagger. His eyes were as good as Rabbit’s when it came to seeing spectacular items.
Rabbit bowed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been more vigilant.”
Valmont forgave him for failing this time. There was no choice. “It isn’t your fault. You hired an amazing blacksmith. But the opponent was too strong. It is different from his appearance.”
Valmont had declared their victory when he first saw Grid. He guessed Grid was just a lowly blacksmith. But the result was clear and simple. This failure couldn’t be blamed on Rabbit. Grid was just an amazing person.
“He disguised himself as a trash person so that he could make his opponent underestimate him… He really isn’t stupid. This competition needs to be properly handled. How can I accept this result?”
Valmont wanted the smithy. It wasn’t acceptable for a merchant to give up on the profit from the smithy because of a game.
Rabbit tried to persuade him. “But we have already publicly announced this. If we don’t accept the result, the public sentiment will be irreversible.”
Valmont raised his voice. “You are speaking nonsense. I will absolutely never give up the smithy!”
Rabbit could no longer stop Valmont. How could he be so confident in this bad situation? There must be something.
Then Valmont smiled wickedly. “In the first place, the crowd doesn’t know the result yet. Unlike us, they don’t have the discerning eye to see that it is a great item. Unless the details are checked, it is impossible to know that Grid’s dagger is far superior to Erina’s dagger. Sir Philipson!”
Philipson was the knight of Baron Lowe, the lord of Winston, and he was here as Valmont’s escort. It clearly showed how great Valmont’s current position in Winston was.
Valmont gave an order to Philipson. “Arrest him right away on charges of being the friend of Huroi, who was caught recently. You must confiscate the dagger that he made. This information of that dagger must not be disclosed to the public!”
“I understand.”
Then Philipson’s soldiers intruded on the
stage. They quickly seized the dagger and arrested Grid.
Chapter 41
Chapter 41
“A disgraceful person. Trying to beat me like this.”
Valmont chuckled as he watched Grid being arrested before speaking to the silent Rabbit,
“How is it? He is arrested before the result came out, so there is no concern about losing public sentiment?”
“…That’s right.”
Valmont’s actions were understandable from the point of view of the leader of the Mero Company. If it were the usual Rabbit, he would’ve done the same thing as Valmont. But now, he didn’t feel comfortable.
‘That youth called Grid…’
Grid created such a great work in just three hours. A blacksmith of that degree might truly be the best on the continent. Becoming the best in his field at such a young age? He truly was a unparalleled genius.
‘He has tremendous growth potential. If I could cooperate with that young man, I will be able to accumulate an unmatched wealth…’
Rabbit was a person who only moved for profit. His merchant’s instincts meant he showed a profound interest in Grid.
On the other hand, Euphemina was still on the stage.
‘It is clear who the victor is.’
She thought she had an incredibly high chance to win after making the Dagger of Bewitchment. The Dagger of Bewitchment was an outstanding work. However, she soon realized that she was mistaken.
The work that Grid made was far superior to her own at first sight. Euphemina knew she would lose and fail the quest the moment the information appeared on the display board. But at that moment, Grid was arrested? It was really exquisite timing.
‘It is disgusting but…’
Euphemina descended the stage, walked over to Rabbit, and said,
“The development was strange and the actual result might be different, but the crowd is convinced of my victory. Even though the game has been stopped, the crowd thinks I won. Isn’t that alone sufficient to achieve the Mero Company’s aim? So I want the reward.”
Rabbit nodded and said, “It is as you said. I will keep the promise.”
[Quest success!]
[1,500 gold has been acquired.]
[Title, ‘Competitor’ has been acquired.]
[Fighting spirit stat will be opened.]
[Good luck stat will be opened.]
[The skill ‘Rolling Dice’ will be generated.]
Euphemina’s expression brightened as she received the rewards. She checked the newly create stats and skills.
[Fighting Spirit]
The lower the health, the greater the attack power and mental state.
* The higher the number, the higher the effect.
* Stat points can’t be distributed to this stat.
[Good Luck]
The likelihood of lucky phenomenon will increase.
* The higher the number, the higher the effect.
* Stat points can’t be distributed to this stat.
[Rolling Dice]
Roll a dice and a phenomenon will occur, depending on the number that is rolled.
* If the target is yourself or an ally: There will be a beneficial effect if the number 4 or higher is rolled. There will be a harmful effect if the number rolled is 3 or lower.
* If the target is an enemy: There will be a beneficial effect if the number 3 or lower is rolled. There will be a harmful effect if the number rolled is 4 or higher.
‘Isn’t this a completely random skill?’
Fighting spirit and good luck. The effects of the two stats were so great that she forgot about the painful ‘Agent of Revenge’ quest for a moment. But the Rolling Dice skill was ambiguous. It would be nice if the good numbers were rolled when she used the skill, but what if the numbers were bad? That would lead to a terrible situation.
‘However, if I increase my good luck stat, the probability of a beneficial number being rolled will rise. I’ll be able to use it someday once my good luck stat is higher.’
Euphemina thought positively and prepared to say goodbye to Rabbit, but she hesitated and asked.
“By the way, why was that person captured?”
“He was witnessed conversing with an enemy of Winston.”
“They suspect he is an accomplice?”
“Right.”
“Oh…”
Grid had randomly ridiculed her. If possible, she wanted to beat him, but then he had been arrested.
‘Thanks to that, I managed to clear the quest.’
It was really lucky. But then she felt regret.
‘I wanted to know his identity…’
If he really was a unique class, it would be beneficial in many ways to get to know him.
‘No, no. I don’t want to see him again. Isn’t his nature too horrible? I will just get more wrinkles if I get close to him.’
Euphemina shook off the lingering regret and was about to leave, but then Rabbit called out to her, “You, in fact, you aren’t a blacksmith, are you?”
“…….?!”
Euphemina panicked and stuttered with confusion.
“W-What are you suddenly saying? Didn’t I make the dagger? How can I create something like that unless I’m a blacksmith?”
“I noticed that Eria wasn’t your real name. In addition, I don’t believe you are a blacksmith with those white, fine, delicate hands.”
Due to the nature of the class, blacksmiths had scorched hands that were full of calluses, but Euphemina looked completely different from a blacksmith.
“In addition, the way you handled the bellows was very crude. Even a beginner blacksmith would be more skilled.”
“……”
“I noticed it more after you brought Khan to the stage, and then confirmed that you moved exactly like Khan. Perhaps you are capable of duplicating the techniques of others.”
Euphemina could try to refute Rabbit’s criticism. But she remained silent. She noticed that it was the prelude to a new quest.
“So? What are you trying to say?”
Rabbit cut to the chase. “Will you help me? Go and rescue Grid.”
“Huh? Why? Isn’t he your enemy?”
Rabbit shrugged. “There is no eternity in front of money.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
Euphemina required a detailed explanation. Rabbit led her to an unfamiliar alley. He thoroughly checked that there was no one around and opened his mouth.
“The Mero Company is greedy for the maximum benefit from Winston, making it a ticking time bomb. It wouldn’t be strange if Earl Steim received accusations against the Mero Company at any moment. In other words, there is a dark cloud in the Mero Company’s future. It is time for me to leave it.”
Rabbit’s eyes shone.
“As soon as I saw Grid’s skills, I realized where my new job would be. Khan’s smithy. I’ll take a job at Khan’s smithy. Then I will form a team with Grid. I will distribute Grid’s works using my network of contacts and my business skills. If I assist Grid well, I believe that Grid and I alone can generate a revenue that is equal to a small or medium business company.”
“T-That much?”
Euphemina’s eyes also shone. One user had the potential to generate top-level profits! It was indeed amazing.
‘Who is the current first place merchant?’
Euphemina searched through her memories and recalled the person.
‘That’s right, Beiga. He became first place three months ago. But I heard the scale of his company is so small that he isn’t able to make a profit compared to the NPC merchants…’
In other words, the first ranked merchant couldn’t even operate a small company properly at the moment. However, Grid was able to generate the revenue of a small company just by making items.
‘I know he doesn’t have a regular class but to think it is to this extent…’
Rabbit explained his plan to Euphemina.
“These are the prerequisites to get a job at
the Khan smithy. First of all, the fall of the Mero Company and Winston’s lord. Secondly, makeover my image. Finally, the most important thing is to rescue Grid. If I can save Grid and cause the downfall of the Mero Company and Winston’s lord at the same time, I will be able to appeal myself to Grid and the residents.”
“So you need my help?”
“Yes. I have been watching your abilities. They will be sufficient.”
[Quest ‘Help Rabbit’s Job Seeking Plan’ has been created.]
[Help Rabbit’s Job Seeking Plan]
Difficulty: S
Rabbit is uncertain about the future of the Mero Company. He predicts that the Mero Company will soon fall, but he would rather break it with his own hands so that he will get a new image.
Help Rabbit rescue Grid and cause the downfall of the Mero Company and Winston’s lord!
Quest Clear Conditions: Rescue Grid trapped in the dungeon of Winston Castle. The fall of the Mero Company and Winston’s lord.
Quest Clear Reward: 5,000 gold. Affinity with Rabbit and the Winston residents will rise to the peak.
Quest Failure: Level -2. Rabbit’s death. All quests associated with Rabbit will be permanently destroyed.
[Would you like to accept the quest?)
‘I can’t believe it…’
Euphemina was speechless as she confirmed the quest. Quests that gave titles or S-grade quests weren’t easy to find. But these type of quests were happening in succession after being linked with Grid. At the very least, this proved that Grid was an incredibly huge person in Winston.
‘Grid… it is true that his nature is bad, but he has great abilities and presence. I think it would be wise to build up a relationship through this matter.’
Euphemina decided to accept the quest.
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
[The quest has been accepted.]
Just because a man wanted to switch jobs, the leader of a huge company and the lord of a territory were in trouble.
***
The residents of Winston gathered in Khan’s smithy.
“The rumor that Huroi was caught while leaving Winston is true.”
“Then the lord already knows what we entrusted to Huroi right? It is a big deal. The surveillance will tighten and a second Huroi won’t appear.”