by Park Saenal
But Yura had no intention of stepping back. There was a total of 143 believers isolated in this temple, and she had to save all of them to clear her quest. Only then would she be reborn as the Eighth Servant.
“Great god of the darkness, your humble servant calls you. Fill this place with darkness and plant fear in the enemies’ hearts, show your power to those who worship you.”
The whole area started to fill with darkness. Despite the sun shining in the sky, it turned darker than night. As the 1,500 troops fell into confusion and panic, Yura showed off her strength.
“Dark Storm!”
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
A huge storm of darkness descended and swallowed the army. Yura didn’t doubt that more than a quarter of them would die or be seriously injured. Then she stopped as she was trying to chant another attack spell.
“……!”
It was a ridiculous situation. The knight called Phoenix rushed out of the storm towards Yura, who hurriedly cast a defense spell.
Kaaaang!
Phoenix’s strike hit a diamond wall, scattering brilliant sparks every which way. This was the Diamond Barrier that exerted overwhelming defense against physical attacks! Phoenix shouted from in front of the barrier,
“Don’t even think of touching the soldiers! Your opponent is me! Perfect State of Self-transcendence!”
Kuwaaaang!
A purple energy rose from Phoenix’s body. And!
Kkikikikik!
“What…?”
Phoenix’s sword started to cause cracks in Diamond Barrier. It was impossible. This was the diamond barrier that could even withstand strong physical strikes from boss monsters. How could a mere knight break it?
Jjeok.
Diamond Barrier was split in half. Phoenix moved through Diamond Barrier and attacked with an expressionless face.
“Hell!”
Yura cast a spell that would cause fear in a single target.
Shaaaaaah.
A black powder covered Phoenix’ body. He would soon be defenseless due to fear. But Phoenix was fine as he attacked Yura without any hesitation. For a limited time, his stats had doubled and the skill gave him resistance to abnormal conditions. This drove Yura into a crisis.
Yura recalled someone else who was perfectly resistant to her magic when she looked at Phoenix.
‘Grid…?’
It was ironic. In the past, Yura had interfered with Grid’s S-grade quest and caused him to fail, and now her quest was being hampered by a sword that Grid made.
Seokeok!
Yura groaned and whispered the spell that had been completed before Diamond Barrier. “Darkness.”
Exactly 17 days ago, Yura achieved 100,000 faith and she heard the voice of God Yatan in her ears.
‘I will give you a new power if you pray.’
Yura prayed to him. She asked for the strength to fight those resistant to black magic! It was a new form of power developed thanks to her experience meeting Grid. That power was now being used.
***
I disposed of all my items, including Mamon’s Greatsword and Mengel’s Plate Armour that were in the warehouse. As a result, I had around 240,023 gold. I registered 220,000 gold on the item trading site and sold it to users for cash.
In the process, something occurred. The item trading site took away 5% as the transaction fee. Wasn’t 5% a small amount? How ridiculous! 5% of 264 million won was 13.2 million won! I earned this money with my blood and sweat, only for the trading site people to sit there and snatch some away!
“There are many ways to profit off people.”
I honestly admired it. If I had been a little bit smarter, I would’ve been able to live like that…
Anyway, I used 10 million out of the 250,800,000 won to pay Mother’s Heart is Happy Financial Services and gave my father a bankbook containing the remaining 240,800,000 won. My parents checked the bankbook and couldn’t believe it.
“This… is it a fake account?”
My mother was suspicious.
“Did you do something strange?”
My father doubted me.
“Oppa… did you sell your organs? Lift up your shirt. I will check if you have any surgery marks.”
Sehee thought something strange!
They didn’t believe me at all. I inwardly boiled with anger. But I understood the reaction from my family. Despite going to university, I was a 26-year-old with a debt and who was obsessed with a game. It was unrealistic that such a son would suddenly appear with a bankbook containing a lot of money.
After a while, my family acknowledge the reality and finally opened their mouths.
“It is good that you can earn money doing something you like. Your hard work playing the game for the past year wasn’t in vain. Yes, a world where you can do anything you want… My heart is somewhat settled now that you’ve found your aptitude.”
“Youngwoo, I was talking to my friend and she told me about her friend’s son. If you earn enough money with Satisfy, you can become a huge ranker. Maybe you can eventually appear on TV? Yes? My son is going to appear on TV?”
“Oppa is actually good at something… Hrmm~ well, it is great. I know that few among the two billion users playing Satisfy earn a huge amount of money. Oppa proved that you are a great person among those two billion people… well, you are somewhat qualified to be my Oppa.”
It felt like their gazes towards me had significantly changed. Their previous consistently disappointed looks towards me now said ‘my son is good’ and ‘I should treat Oppa better.’
‘I am proud… Huhuhut.’
Sehee interrupted my excitement as she said, “Don’t laugh. It makes me upset.”
“……”
Chapter 64
Chapter 64
My family was relieved of the immediate crisis because of the money I earned. I was able to avoid the worst situation, where our assets would’ve been seized by paying the overdue interest caused by my father’s friend running away.
“Hum hum hum~”
My mother hummed to herself with a bright expression. Sehee also felt good as she held hands with my mother. As I watched the warm sight of my mother and daughter walking together, my father spoke next to me.
“I’m indebted to my son. I’m sorry.”
“No, indebted? Why are you saying that to me?”
“…Hey, this is a matter of a man’s pride.”
“…”
Somehow, I felt like I could understand my father. I shut my mouth as my father placed an arm over my shoulders.
“The rush is gone, so don’t worry about the future. Your mother and I will work hard and pay off the remaining debt within three years. I will also repay the 240 million won that I borrowed from you. Your mother and I are capable of at least that much. So don’t worry about it anymore, and just do what you want to do. You’re 26, one of the most important periods in your life. I will make sure that your path is clear, so do your best. If the path you decided to walk if playing a game… try to be the best there. I’m cheering you on.”
My father said so, but the remaining 600 million won was too much for my parents to pay back. Even if my father didn’t like it, I would be sure to help him. This was atonement for being a bad son.
But before that, I had to clarify one thing. “Father, I gave you 240,800,000 won, not 240 million. Don’t forget the 800,000 won.”
“…”
The sky was blue. My heart was blue. The useless son was transforming into someone dependable after obtaining a legendary class and making a legendary item. I felt fulfilled as I grew as a person.
…Although I still didn’t escape a debt.
‘I’ll give up on going to the reunion this year.’
The atmosphere in Winston was chaotic.
“Did you hear? The Yatan Temple defeated the troops again. Captain Phoenix was seriously injured…”
“No way? Captain Phoenix is the strongest knight! He lost, even though he led the army hi
mself?”
“It’s rumored that the opponent was one of the Seven Servants.”
“W-What? Did Winston earn the wrath of the Seven Servants? What will happen to Winston in the future?”
“Ah… we barely escaped from the Mero Company, and now we have to go through something like this…”
Not long ago, a Yatan Temple was discovered in the outskirts of Winston. Lady Irene dispatched troops three times to get rid of the temple, but all three times were a failure. The opponent was one of the Seven Servants who could make a child start crying… Honestly, I didn’t really care.
“That story has nothing to do with me.”
I left behind the anxious residents and entered Khan’s smithy. Then I thought about my future as I touched the 20,000 gold I had left.
‘I’ll get big profits when completing an item with a high rating. On the other hand, I will receive big damage if the item has a low rating.’
Thanks to the Legendary Blacksmith’s Craftsmanship Skill and Legendary Blacksmith’s Breath, the stats of an item could increase by 19%. But I might not be able to obtain the original value if I made a level 160 normal rated item.
In other words, making an item with high usage conditions wasn’t always profitable.
‘I should make an item that won’t cause huge damages, even if it ends up being normal rated.’
It was a reality that when I created items, the normal rating almost always popped up. Taking this into consideration, I decided to make a level 140 item that would still earn me a profit even if it had a normal rating.
‘I need to pay off the debt quickly.’
I had to work very hard to pay off the 600 million won debt and the interest each month. I looked at my status window before starting work.
Name: Grid
Level: 45 (3,400/238,000)
Class: Pagma’s Descendant
* The probability of adding additional options when making items will increase.
* The probably of item enhancement will increase.
* All equipment items can be worn unconditionally. However, there is a penalty depending on the rating of the item.
Title: One who Became a Legend
* Abnormal conditions don’t work well on you.
* You won’t die when health is at the minimum.
* Easily acknowledged.
Title: First Unique Item Maker
* Dexterity +200
Title: Only Legendary Item Maker
* Dexterity +350
Title: Knight Slayer
* Stamina +100.
* Strength +30
Title: Apostle of Justice
* All stats +10.
* The Apostle of Justice’s bravery is unmatched.
Health: 5,682/5,682 Mana: 504/504
Strength: 393 Stamina: 411 Agility: 195 Intelligence: 168
Dexterity: 838 Persistence: 190
Composure: 143 Indomitable: 162 Dignity: 143 Insight: 143
Courage: 87
Stat Points: 0
Weight: 842/11,660
All my stats had risen tremendously after creating various epic items and the one legendary item. In particular, my dexterity and persistence stat had increased significantly during the process of making items.
I had surpassed the stats of a level 80 warrior a long time ago. Thanks to this, I wanted to run to the hunting grounds straight away.
‘With these stats and the Ideal Dagger… I can easily hunt level 100 monsters after making a few pieces of armor.’
It was exciting to swing a sword at monsters. I could acquire items and experience, eventually leveling up. The excitement that could only be found when raising my level through hunting! It had been months since I felt that feeling!
‘…Forget it. I have to earn money.’
I held a hammer instead of a sword. It was an old hammer that I had been using for many months now!
‘The durability is falling faster… Hrmm, should I make a new one?’
I didn’t know how to make a hammer, but I could make a simple one with my capabilities. I put iron in the furnace for the sake of making a hammer. Khan asked from where he was watching on the sidelines. “What type of work are you making this time?”
“Hammer.”
“Huh?”
“I’m making a hammer.”
“Huh…? Are you going to use the hammer you’re making?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and Khan spoke with confusion. “You’ve been using that hammer for the last few months, so I thought there was a special story regarding that hammer…”
“Story? There isn’t anything like that. This is the only hammer I have, so I just used it. There’s no special meaning.”
“No, then why didn’t you make a new hammer sooner?”
“Ah, what a surprise! Why are you shouting all of a sudden?”
Khan explained. “There are four important things when making battle gear! First! Outstanding techniques. Second! The materials. Third! Patience and devotion. Fourth! A hammer with a good performance. But you have been using that garbage like hammer for no special reason! This is really ridiculous.”
“…What?”
I brought up the details of the hammer I used.
[Blacksmith’s Hammer]
Durability: 50/70 Attack Power: 18~25
A hammer used by a blacksmith to make items, but it can also be used as a weapon.
Conditions of Use: None.
Weight: 60
I got this hammer from Bairan Village and there were no special features. I always thought that all production hammers were the same. But Khan’s response told me differently. I tried appraising Khan’s hammer.
“Legendary Blacksmith’s Appraisal.”
[The blacksmith who becomes a legend that appraises items with an excellent discerning eye. If a hidden feature exists in the target item, it will be found.]
[Excellent Blacksmith’s Hammer]
Rating: Rare
Durability: 166/250 Attack Power: 40~50
Odds of Making a Rare Rated Item: +10%
A blacksmith hammer that Khan inherited from his father. It can still be used on a daily basis because he uses it carefully.
User Restriction: Level 80 or higher. More than 60 strength.
Intermediate Blacksmith skill.
Weight: 80
[A hidden function doesn’t exist.]
[You have grasped the materials that make up the Excellent Blacksmith’s Hammer, the production method and the intentions of its creator.]
[Your understanding of the Excellent Blacksmith’s Hammer is now at 100%.]
[You have learned how to make the Excellent Blacksmith’s Hammer.]
“Wow…”
It was true. Hammers also had several ratings and options. If I knew this, I would’ve thrown the crappy hammer away and made an epic rated hammer!
“I thought that all production hammers were the same.” I shouted towards the air, before looking at Khan. “What? Why? Why didn’t you tell me that hammers were so important? How long were you going to watch while I used this old hammer?”
Khan was embarrassed.
“You’re Pagma’s Descendant, so I never imagined that you wouldn’t even know the basics… As I said earlier, I thought you were using the old hammer because there was a special story…”
“Ugh!”
Now wasn’t the time to blame Khan. I hurriedly started making a hammer. Normal rated hammers emerged, but I continued sweating and was able to make an epic rated hammer on the sixth attempt.
[Unknown Blacksmith’s Hammer]
Rating: Epic
Durability: 350/350 Attack Power: 70~80
Odds of Making a Rare Rated Item: +17%
Odds of Making an Epic Rated Item: +7%
A blacksmith’s hammer made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his experience and reputation is somewhat lacking.
This is a hammer produced by the craftsman himself, so it isn’t su
itable for other blacksmiths to use.
Conditions of Use: Pagma’s Descendant
Weight: 80
Was it because I specifically designed it? Only Pagma’s Descendant could use it. Out of two billion Satisfy users, it was an item only I could use. But the options weren’t so great compared to the conditions of use.
‘If it’s only for Pagma’s Descendant, it should increase the rate of making unique and legendary items… In any case, this is a stingy game. Huh? The item description changed?’
Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Until I made the Sword of Self-transcendence, the details of all the items I made were accompanied by the modifier: made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but lacks experience and reputation.
But now it had changed to ‘a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his experience and reputation is somewhat lacking.’ I felt a little bit recognized. Anyway, I got a new production hammer, so I was more likely to make rare and epic rated items. In addition, the probability of making normal rated items was relatively low.
It was fortunate that I realized the importance of a production hammer and managed to obtain a new one, even if it was delayed.
I was about to launch my operation to make more money.
‘I’ve replaced the hammer so should I now make epic, unique or legendary items?’
Khan interrupted me as I was about to start. “Grid, will you come to my son’s grave with me? Actually, today is the anniversary of my son’s death.”
I didn’t want to waste time at an unnecessary place when I could be making items to sell. But Khan’s request couldn’t be dismissed. Khan was my only friend in reality and Satisfy.
‘An NPC is my only friend… how depressing…’
I decided to postpone my work.
“Let’s go.”
***
At a small hill north of Winston. There were around 10 graves on the hill.
‘This is too small to be a cemetery…’
Khan saw my look and explained. “This is the cemetery where not just my son, but my ancestors are buried.”
“I see.”
Khan stood in front of his son’s gravestone and smiled. Khan missed his son.
“My son… He had excellent qualities as a blacksmith. I had no doubt that he would become a great blacksmith who would surpass me, and maybe even have the same reputation as Albatino. Unfortunately, he died early.”