Morbit continued to elaborate on the rewards awaiting the contestants. “The grand champion will receive 500 gold coins, along with additional prizes. Those who excel in each category will be awarded 100 gold coins. Moreover, they’ll have the chance to work at the palace,
handling special commissions from the royal family.”
As the host described these grand prizes, thunderous applause erupted, filling the area with such intensity that it felt as though the very ground was shaking.
“Alright,” Max began once the enthusiastic crowd had settled down, and the contestants were prepared. “You each have seven days to complete your work, including time for logging out. Utilize your strategies wisely and make the most of this period.”
Morbit added reassuringly, “Don’t worry about the materials. We’ve prepared everything you might need, all readily available for you to use.”
The participants moved forward, eager to select the blueprint or recipe they would be crafting in the final round. Having ranked highest in the initial round, Broken naturally had the first choice.
With a confident stride, he approached the table at the center of the arena, where two royal blacksmiths stood, overseeing the final stage of the competition.
“What blueprint will you choose, Broken?” asked one of the royal blacksmiths.
Broken surveyed the array of intricate blueprints laid out before him-helmets, chest plates, gauntlets, trousers, boots, swords, shields, daggers, and spears. Each design exuded complexity and required an Advanced Rank Blacksmith to craft, with a level requirement of 200.
He marveled at the craftsmanship embedded within each piece, knowing that each item represented a formidable challenge. “This is going to be tough,” he thought.
At the moment, Broken was only at level 96, which meant he could use items with a maximum level requirement of 196. However, it wouldn’t be long before he reached level 100, allowing him to use level 200 items. This prospect filled him with confidence, believing he could eventually wield whatever item he crafted in this competition.
The kingdom had set a very high bar for the contest. Only blacksmiths of the advanced rank could participate in the final round, significantly limiting the number of eligible participants. Should anyone of a lower rank somehow make it this far, they would be disqualified automatically.
Broken was fortunate in his skill; he had access to a variety of weapons within the game, including swords, bows, and more. Yet, he found himself hesitating, unsure of what to choose. He decided that selecting another weapon type might be his best bet. Opting to craft a piece of an armor set seemed impractical to him since collecting the entire set during the competition was unlikely. Picking a weapon would be a more optimal choice, given the circumstances.
“Hurry up, young man,” the royal blacksmith’s voice cut through his thoughts. “You only have ten minutes left to decide.”
Broken was highly proficient with a sword in combat, and as a backup for long-distance encounters, he was also skilled in using a bow. Though he felt a strong temptation to obtain a magical weapon, he was reluctant to allocate too many Stat Points to Intelligence this early in his journey.
“I’ll pass on magic weapons for now,” he decided.
Daggers and swords might appear similar in design, but the fighting styles associated with each were vastly different. He acknowledged that they couldn’t truly be considered the same. Taking a deep breath, he paused to weigh his options.
“Whatever I choose, it will still take me some time to get accustomed to it,” he mused.
“I think I should choose a weapon that’s effective in close-quarters combat. There will be moments when Dendros, the spirit within the Moonvine Knuckles, can only depend on the Knuckles themselves. Having a backup weapon for close-range fights is crucial.”
Broken quickly grabbed the blueprint he wanted and gave a resolute nod. “Thank you,” he said to the blacksmiths before heading off.
The two royal blacksmiths exchanged puzzled glances as they scrutinized Broken’s choice. “I heard he had a legendary weapon,” one of them remarked. “Could it be that he crafted it himself?”
The other blacksmith shook his head in doubt. “I wanted to believe it was his work, but after watching him pick that blueprint, I’m not so sure. He doesn’t seem to have much expertise.”
“What’s your take on him?” the first blacksmith inquired.
“If he wants to win, he should choose gloves. They’re the easiest to craft within the given time. But he’s too naive and greedy; it doesn’t seem like he’s thinking things through.”
“I agree,” the first blacksmith conceded. “We don’t need to worry about him anymore. He’ll likely end up last and won’t claim any prizes in this competition.”
Broken quickly gathered all the necessary materials for his new weapon, marveling at the quality of each one. He couldn’t help but be amazed at his fortune for being able to get his hands on such rare items.
Flipping through the blueprint, a feeling of determination rose within him. He was aware of the risks, but if successful, he would be able to craft something extraordinary.
[Wavebreaker Spear Blueprint]
[Grade: Elite – Legendary]
[The Wavebreaker Spear is a formidable weapon capable of piercing the toughest armor with ease. It possesses a unique ability to generate a powerful wave, able to repel even the mightiest of armies. Additionally, its long handle makes it perfect for spearfishing in the sea!] [To craft this item, you will need steel, titanium, a pure water crystal, a sea creature’s fin, and a sea creature monster core.]
[A hidden feature has been discovered in this blueprint. By adding an extra Monster Soul Stone to the materials, it is possible to mutate the soul, granting the spear unexpected and advantageous enhancements.]
[Crafting this item requires the skill of an Advanced Blacksmith.]
After studying the blueprint for the spear he had chosen, Broken felt a nervous twinge in his stomach. The spear’s value was immense, especially given that it had legendary-grade potential. Having access to this blueprint was already a tremendous accomplishment, as it was incredibly costly and rare.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how the royal family managed to get their hands on such a valuable blueprint,” he murmured to himself.
As he examined the blueprint more closely, Broken discovered a hidden feature that caught his eye. “If I add one a monster soul stone to the materials, I can unlock an exciting upgrade,”
he said.
“Luckily, I still have one monster soul stone in reserve,” he thought. “I’ll use all the resources I have for this project. If I succeed, I’ll be able to wield this weapon myself.”
The monster soul stone he had was from a Wild Boar, one he had acquired while hunting with RememberMe and the others in his early adventures. “I wonder how they’re doing these days,” he mused.
A few minutes later, the participants had taken their positions. The large arena was now much less crowded, with everyone spread out and each one watched over by a committee frёewebηovel.cѳm
representative.
Morbit spoke with enthusiasm, “Alright, everyone is in place. I hope you all make the most of the time you’ve been given and deliver your best results.”
Max then added, “Let’s give a round of applause to kick off this great competition.”
Right on cue, the sound of a trumpet blared, marking the beginning of the final round.