Genius Blacksmith's Game

The Olympics. The World Cup.

The global sports events that had thrown the entire world into a frenzy had one thing in common.

They had mascots.

Mascots.

They became characters symbolizing their respective tournaments, or sometimes represented clubs, sports teams, and so on.

Continental War: World Championship was content enjoyed by the entire world, and it resembled the Olympics of the past.

So naturally, there was a category related to mascots, and the commentators began explaining it.

-The Mascot Selection Match will have countries around the world send out mascots that represent their nations. Everything from summoners’ summons, tamed monsters, and beings classified as pets will participate and compete. It is the first match announcing the opening ceremony, and it is also a special exhibition.

-Naturally, medals will be awarded according to rank, and the reason it is called a special exhibition is because it selects the “mascot” of Continental War: World Championship.

-With close to one hundred countries participating, outstanding summons, pets, monsters, and more, the likes of which are difficult to see around the world, are expected to compete. Among them, only one will establish itself as the mascot of Continental War: World Championship.

-A giant balloon of the being selected as the mascot will rise over Jamsil Olympic Stadium, and while the event proceeds, users connected to Ares will see the mascot drawn everywhere.

-Also, the mascot will sign a proper contract with Pureum, be commercialized as a character, and sold, so the revenue will be enormous.

-Various goods, advertising broadcasts. Even after Continental War: World Championship ends, many children will buy those goods, and it may become a key move that empties their parents’ wallets.

-Because that revenue goes to the mascot’s owner, everyone has no choice but to look forward to it.

Viewers around the world also showed their anticipation.

-So if we turn on the TV, it means our Russian mascot is going out into the world?

-This will obviously be a monster or pet belonging to the great Chinese people.

-What are you talking about? The United States was the country of Disney to begin with. Since America is a great power, it has the highest chance of becoming the mascot.

Like that, people all around the world had no choice but to take interest, and the format was announced.

-The beings participating in the Mascot Selection Match simply need to show off their own specialties, and at times, they may compete in strength as well.

-Scores will be determined solely through viewer voting.

-The pet that records the highest score will become the mascot of Continental War: World Championship.

-The Mascot Selection Match begins in exactly one minute!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The whole world let out fervent cheers for the Mascot Selection Match that was about to begin.

*****

A massive colosseum.

In the circular colosseum, one monster or pet challenging for the title would participate from each country.

The order was decided at random, and by coincidence, Korea’s turn came late.

[Japan’s mascot challenger will appear.]

BAAAAAANG!

As a piece of wood fell into the colosseum, smoke exploded from it, and from inside emerged a single bipedal turtle.

The creature resembled a ninja representing Japan. It wore an eyepatch over one eye and carried two Japanese swords on its back.

SWISH-SWISH-SWISH!

After swinging its two swords, performing tumbles and various other acrobatics, it finished showing off its specialty.

The bipedal turtle was small, barely around 130 centimeters tall.

Someone watching said, “Cute......” and Japan’s citizens cheered things like “So cute!” and “Super cute!” in delight.

But the instant its revealed level appeared, the entire world learned that this bipedal turtle-type monster and pet—

the creature that anyone could see had been modeled after a Japanese ninja—

was by no means ordinary.

[Toasty Lv.543]

-Toasty is one of the Legendary monsters, and a unique species at that.

-There are rumors that it can cut down most knight commanders.

-Its cute appearance contrasted with its high level is leaving viewers around the world bewildered.

-According to the stories we’ve heard, Toasty’s main duties are assassination and infiltration.

-In other words, Toasty is a small but strong being.

-The viewers are scoring it right now.

-The score is calculated by combining various categories. Mascot quality, the pet’s strength, and so on will be voted on and compiled.

-Of course, the scores can be given again later after all pets have been viewed from start to finish. That means you must keep in mind that scores may rise later.

-Toasty’s current total score will now be revealed.

[Japanese Mascot Challenger: 58 points.]

-I would say that is a fairly solid score.

-Since countries all around the world are participating and many more beings will appear, the viewers seem to be holding back their scores.

Toasty, arms folded, took one step back.

The next one to appear.

[The United States’ mascot challenger will appear.]

It was the challenger sent out by the United States, one of the great powers of Ares.

KIEEEEEEEEEEE!

Above the colosseum.

The cry of a bird seized the eyes of the commentators and viewers.

The participants from each country fell into awe as they watched a single eagle descend from the sky.

“Insane.”

“I’ve never seen an eagle that big before.”

“As expected of the United States.”

The commentators also spoke excitedly.

-It’s Skyner!!!

-Skyner is known as the king of eagles. Skyner, a giant eagle, is known to command all flying animals.

-Literally, the sovereign of the sky. The anecdote that it carried hundreds of knights and devastated an enemy camp has grown beyond Legend and into a Transcendent tale!

[Skyner Lv.565]

FLAAAAAP!

The appearance of the giant eagle.

Every time the creature flapped its wings, clouds of dust rose.

Skyner landed on a pillar and looked around with arrogant, noble eyes.

Moreover, since its body height reached the level of Fenrir’s, the public was overwhelmed.

Only two countries had appeared so far, but viewers smiled as they watched beings that delighted their eyes.

-Toasty is cute. Especially since it’s only 130 centimeters tall, but still a Legendary monster. That’s amazing.

-What about America’s Skyner? It’s the sovereign of the sky. According to rumors, it can even snatch wyverns out of the sky and tear them to death.

-Goodness...... I never thought I’d get to see monsters like this......

This was the fun of the Mascot Selection Match.

It allowed users to feel a kind of enjoyment they normally could not experience.

Soon, the score for America’s giant eagle, Skyner, was decided.

[United States Mascot Challenger: 63 points.]

The next one began with a spear falling from the sky.

[Russia’s mascot challenger will appear.]

-......What is that?

-A spear?

PZZZZZZZT!

The spear embedded in the ground scattered massive sparks.

PZZZZZZZZZZT!

As enormous currents of electricity scattered, a certain being began rising from the spear.

-I-It’s the Azure Dragon!

-Russia has taken the Azure Dragon that exists on the Chinese server!

-The appearance of the Azure Dragon, which has constantly existed even in ordinary history and mythology, is far too cool!

The Azure Dragon, appearing third, revealed the most magnificent figure so far.

[Azure Dragon Lv.591]

The Azure Dragon, appearing with a white mustache, looked at Toasty and Skyner with an aloof gaze.

The bipedal turtle Toasty naturally shrank back.

“Toasty...... Toasty......”

But Skyner did not.

The sight of the two beings meeting each other’s gazes with lofty dignity captivated the entire world, and the Azure Dragon’s score was revealed.

[Russian Mascot Challenger: 71 points.]

-Only three have appeared so far, but the heat is incredible!

Like that, challengers for the mascot title continued to appear.

Taiwan sent a Death Knight.

The Death Knight, appearing with a sword that scattered radiance in its hand, suited its epithet perfectly and drew the attention of countless people.

Aside from that, a Dullahan King, a Twin-Headed Ogre, a drake, and dozens of other pets appeared endlessly, pleasing the viewers’ eyes.

But most of them failed to surpass the scores of the United States and Russia, staying in the 30-to-40-point range.

And then.

-China is coming up soon.

-Unfortunately, China lost the Azure Dragon. Their pride has likely taken a major blow, since Russia successfully captured and now commands a Legendary monster living in their own country.

The common sense that China, with its population of 1.3 billion, would naturally possess even more monsters was shattered.

Because Russia commanded the Azure Dragon active on the Chinese server.

-I suspect Russia may take the victory.

-The Azure Dragon’s majesty is far too overwhelming.

-I agree.

But as he listened to the commentators, one man was laughing at the entire world.

*****

Poison King Liu.

Not long ago, he and China’s top rankers succeeded in sealing one creature away.

After they succeeded in sealing it?

He put it to sleep inside his sword.

There was one reason why hundreds of Chinese rankers had struggled desperately to seal this monster that day.

I thought there would be a match of this kind in Continental War.

China had staked everything on Continental War: World Championship.

The Chinese government had even supported the potion costs of more than five billion won used to seal the creature at the time.

Also, the value of the mascot and victory might exceed tens of billions of won and perhaps possess the power of hundreds of billions.

That thing cannot be controlled.

Not by his power, nor by anyone else’s power.

If he had summoned it under normal circumstances, it might have killed him, its summoner, as well.

But in this case, it did not matter if it killed him.

-What will China show us after losing the Azure Dragon!?

Amid the commentators’ voices.

On the screen, a sword fell from the sky into the colosseum and embedded itself in the ground.

THUNK!

*****

[China’s mascot challenger will appear.]

THUNK!

People could not hide their disappointment.

It was because of the sword embedded in the ground, just like when the Azure Dragon had appeared.

But the green smoke flowing from the sword embedded in the earth threw the world into confusion.

Along with it.

SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—

-Rain?

-It’s raining.

The whole world could not hide its bewilderment.

Fog settled around the area, and a strange phenomenon occurred because of the rain that had begun to fall.

HISSSSSSSS—

“KIEEEEEEEEK!?”

“KYA-HAAAAAAK!”

“KROAAAAAAAK!”

The bodies of the mascot challengers struck by the falling rain began to smoke as if they had been hit with hydrochloric acid, causing them agony.

-......Under the rules of the Mascot Selection Match, there is no provision saying they must not attack one another.

-In fact, it’s the opposite. Displaying their respective powers through combat will be one way for mascots to gradually raise their scores.

-We couldn’t have understood all of them just by looking at their appearances, after all.

-But this is the first time one has appeared by launching such a large-scale attack the moment it entered.

The whole world tensed.

And the sight of Legendary monsters suffering under the falling rain was more than enough to shock everyone.

Then, the instant a being emerged from inside that sword with a bizarre creaking sound, the entire world was stunned.

[Divine beast. Hydra has appeared.]

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

[Danger.]

“KIEEEEEEEEEK!”

“KYA-HAAAAAAAK!”

“KHEEEEEEEEEEK!”

A being with nine snake heads.

Not merely a Legendary being, but a topmost species far above that.

A creature called the highest evil in the Ares worldview.

[Divine beast. Hydra Lv.686]

Its appearance paralyzed the entire world, and the entire world let out shock and admiration at the same time.

-Hydra!?

-They command Hydra? It’s definitely lower level than the Hydra we know, but judging by the fact that it says divine beast Hydra, it looks certain!

Soon, something even more shocking began to happen.

CRUUUUNCH!

One of Hydra’s heads bit into a pet.

-H-Hydra has begun attacking the mascots!

A single Hydra began attacking the mascot challengers sent from all around the world with its nine heads, plunging everyone into shock.

It was the moment the entire world sank into dread and fear at the strength of Hydra being broadcast.

At that, the commentators spoke quickly.

-Now that divine beast Hydra has appeared, I’m even beginning to think further mascot selection may be meaningless.

-If it were me, I think forfeiting might be better.

-Which participating nation is next?

-......Of all countries, the next participating nation is our Korea.

-......

-......

It was the moment the people of Korea despaired.

At the same time.

Korea’s mascot challenger, Lucky Lump.

Hyunsoo was holding him as if he were precious.

Hyunsoo, watching the monitor, said,

“......If you’re scared, you don’t have to go out. You won’t really die, but you may feel pain that feels like truly dying. You may not be able to handle it. I want you to forfeit.”

But Lucky Lump, held in his arms, stepped down to the ground.

When Hyunsoo set him down, the creature looked up at him and smiled brightly.

“Woof woof!”

[Lucky Lump says he is okay.]

[Lucky Lump says he is not scared.]

At that, Hyunsoo also smiled brightly.

Lucky Lump began walking toward the inside of the colosseum.

Lucky Lump was no longer afraid, and he was confident.

Not long ago.

[Evolution has been completed.]

Because the Dragon’s Heart had awakened him from his slumber.

“Woof woof!”

A small mixed-breed country dog ran forward, wriggling his butt.

Lucky Lump felt that the time had come to show who he was.

PAAAAAAAAAAT!

Lucky Lump, enveloped in light, transformed into his original form.

A single noble wolf with glossy white fur.

BAAAAAAAAANG!

Another divine beast, wrapped in light, raced toward the colosseum like a flash of lightning.