There were many differences between the Western Versailles Continent and the other regions. Powerful centralized nations were positioned in the Central Continent. They were nations that boasted rich lands, mines, and populations. Emerging nations with outstanding potential were positioned in the East, and the South developed magic. There was vigorous pioneering and adventuring in the North. Because the Versailles Continent’s area was so large, there were still places where people had yet to set foot in, even in the Central Continent.
The West had a strong nationalist disposition, so it was mostly settled by guilds that recruited native people. In other regions, even if you started in a specific city or village, you could escape the region’s influence simply by moving your hunting ground. However, you could not do so in the West, which had many grasslands and deserts. There were many strong Warriors who were tied by blood to nomadic people, so they boasted strong cohesion. Excluding wanderers in the Central Continent. For the most part, guild issues were decided by the native people. Their strength was inferior in comparison to the Central Continent, but the size and numbers of individual guild territories were not small.
“That’s a relief. Who are we contacting in the North?”
The Executive Director was personally heading a meeting in the CTS Media conference room.
“The representative of the North would be Weed’s Morata. In the past, we had a business relationship.”
“Who contacted him? Who was the person in charge?”
“The President’s Secretary, Yoon Na-hee.”
“Oh? Why did the President’s Secretary herself contact him?”
“There was the matter of the President personally deciding to purchase the Continent of Magic account. The casting for the 8 Heroes program was also entrusted to her.”
“It’s really such a shame. If we had just kept broadcasting, it would have been a big hit…”
The 8 Heroes had managed to bring in decent ratings. However, they had stopped starring Weed because the initial response hadn’t been good. After that, Weed had then won the battles against the True Blood Vampires, the Undead Legion, and the Bone Dragon.
Because their competitor KMC Media had gotten to broadcast those instead, there had even been an incident where PD in charge had written a letter of resignation. CTS Media’s President had inevitably noticed.
“For now, we’ll have Ms. Yoon Na-hee contact Weed.”
“I will take the steps to do so.”
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Chapter 2 : Blacksmith of Magic Swords
Kuruso, the city of Dwarven craftsmen, had become famous because of Weed and was being visited by many players. They were impressed when they saw Kendellev’s restored water sculptures and went around looking at the cool weapons and armor.
“Hah, I could buy it if I had a little more money… Mister Dwarf, can’t you cut the price down a little?”
“Not even one copper.”
Haggling players and Dwarves could easily be found. The goods sold by the Dwarves in Kuruso were extremely expensive, even for accessories. People couldn’t easily decide to buy. For Merchants, accessories were more valuable trade goods than jewels or gold. They could be sold in any village, and they were good since one could receive a higher price by treating the residents well.
There were Dwarves who liked that Kuruso had become a bustling village, but some Dwarves didn’t leave the smithy and were engrossed in their craft.
“Hmmm.”
Fabio sharpened the completed sword on the grindstone.
Raasp raasp
The sword has been sharpened to a keen edge.
Sword Grinding skill activated!
Damage has increased by 41%
The Sword Grinding skill!
It wasn’t a skill only Weed could use, but a technique that could be grasped by any Intermediate Blacksmith. Of course, since Fabio had never learned Tailoring, he didn’t know techniques such as Ironing and Hand Washing.
“It has become quite sharply honed.”
Fabio turned the sword back and forth, trying to find flaws. The blade was slick enough to perfectly reflect the bearded Dwarf’s face!
The most famous player on the Versailles Continent among Blacksmiths was Fabio. His specialty was perceived as armor and shield production, but he was concealing the fact that he actually made swords.
Whenever one of his swords occasionally went out into the world, they created a sensation. They were to the point where people engaged in searches to find the Blacksmith who made the sword.
Weaponry of an entirely different level from the works of ordinary Blacksmiths!
It was normal to acquire weapons through hunting once you reached a certain high level, but the swords made with Fabio’s devotion were enough to incite wars between countless players. Having an excellent blade changed the hunting speed. The obsession for weapons and armor in Royal Road was fearsome.
Fabio made swords and occasionally released them into the world for fun, but he thoroughly hid the fact that they were of his make. He moved so secretly that he could be mistaken for a Blacksmith in retirement.
“The Sword Grinding skill is really quite good.”
Fabio set down the sword, satisfied.
It was only temporary, but the skill raised damage. At Advanced Blacksmithing 8 and Advanced Sword Grinding 6, he could even bring up a sword’s damage by a maximum of 85%. However, the side effects were severe.
“If the sharpness is raised excessively, the sword’s durability falls quickly and it goes bad easily.”
Used conservatively, there was no problem with 40% damage or so.
“A finished sword is truly beautiful.”
Previously an ordinary salary-man in real life, as soon as Royal Road appeared, he had been immediately captivated. There were many professions, but the one that had moved him was Blacksmithing.
One could say that, in the very beginning, Royal Road was chaos. The majority of the players didn’t even know how to fight Rabbits well. The appearance of a single Orc would send them fleeing all the way to the village gates, and instances where scores of players died together were not uncommon.
It was a time when one ordinary longsword brought enormous envy and jealousy.
Fabio decided to choose the Blacksmith.
“It was a good choice.”
He couldn’t leap into the fray of battle, but he didn’t regret his choice. He improved his Blacksmithing skill through concentration after making a decision faster than others.
After becoming the most outstanding Blacksmith in the Dwarven village, there was no end to his work opportunities. As his name spread to the city, customers sought him from afar to entrust work to him.
There was always more demand than supply in the field of Blacksmithing. For the best Blacksmith, there was nothing more to be said. He accumulated money while taking enormous service fees, which he then reinvested into acquiring ores to make armor.
A profession that handled and hammered red-hot iron in front of a blazing furnace! Though it was lonely work, he endured and continued to forge.
With the best materials as a basis, he made contracts with upper tier players and supplied armor to them. As he made appearances on television, his supporters increased enormously. He was an idol figure for beginner Blacksmiths.
It wasn’t publicly known, but Fabio was the true leader of the guild called “Iron Road.” He managed his guild while making them equipment. With more friends than enemies, he even wielded both tangible and intangible influence. Among players of the Dwarven race, there weren’t many who could refuse a single word of his.
“Still, the worth of a Blacksmith is in making good weapons.”
CLANG!
Fabio roughly tossed the sword he had just crafted aside. Swords were piled up like mountains around him.
“This time, again, the sword fell short of my expectations. The ultimate sword that can cut through anything, no matter what it is. I must make a sword befitting of being called the best in the Versailles Continent.”
A Blacksmith’s hidden skill set!
While walking the path of a Blacksmith, Fabio had learned unique techniques.
Mineral Smelting Advanced 3 (25%): A technique where ores made of various materials can be completely refined without impurities for use.
Can be called a technique that forms the basis of a Blacksmith. Must understand the will of fire, air, and metal.
Among Blacksmith’s hidden skills, Mineral Smelting was the very first one he acquired. It was a technique Fabio had learned when he changed his profession to Ironblood Blacksmith.