Chapter 787 - Legacy vs. Power
It was actually a satisfying result for Leon. At the very least, someone else in the competition had also managed to craft a Unique-grade item.
This outcome raised a new question for both Leon and the audience—who would win between Broken and Lanceshot?
Since both had created items of the same grade, it was no longer just about rarity—it would come down to other factors.
As expected, the official judges quickly gathered for a private discussion, carefully evaluating both items before making their final decision.
While the judges deliberated, the top-ranking contestants were called onto the stage.
This included the two Unique-grade crafters—Broken and Lanceshot—as well as ten other participants who had successfully crafted Epic-grade items.
Now, standing in a line before the crowd, they all waited for the final announcement.
The host, as always, played his role well—fueling the excitement, stirring up the competition, and injecting just the right amount of unnecessary rivalry to keep the crowd engaged.
"Lanceshot, this is exactly the kind of outstanding result we'd expect from an Expert Rank Blacksmith—a Unique-grade item! What do you think your chances of winning are in this competition?"
Lanceshot smiled confidently, his tone carrying the weight of someone who knew his worth.
"Well, it's a gloves-type item that grants the wearer a chance to double-cast physical-based skills for increased damage output. It's an incredible piece, perfect for melee combatants who rely on physical attacks. If this were auctioned in Immortal Legacy, I have no doubt it would attract insane bids. So yeah, I trust the judges will give it the recognition it deserves."
The host's eyes lit up with excitement as he responded enthusiastically, his voice booming across the stadium.
"Whoa! Now that's confidence! An item tailored for high-level combat, an absolute game-changer—no doubt, a blacksmith's masterpiece!"
He turned swiftly toward Leon, shifting the energy back onto him.
"And what about you, Broken? Same question—what do you think your chances of winning are?"
Leon's response was calm and measured, his words carrying a quiet certainty.
"Let's see what the judges decide. I know they're professionals in this field."
The host, clearly unsatisfied, leaned in with a playful smirk, pressing further.
"That's it, Broken? No bold predictions? No fire? What about your confidence in winning?"
Leon felt a flicker of irritation. Did they really expect him to play into the hype just for the sake of making the crowd go wild?
The truth was—he knew he would win. Like hell he wouldn't. His item held far greater value than a simple damage-boosting glove. But instead of taking the expected arrogant approach, he chose something smarter—a response that was both elegant and unwavering.
He gave the host a small, sharp smile.
"I don't need to believe I'll win," Leon said, his tone even. "I already know the answer."
The host's grin widened, sensing an opening. "Oh? And what makes you so sure?"
Leon tilted his head slightly. "Because my item isn't just powerful—it's history. It's already proven itself where it matters. And unlike some people here, I don't need to talk about hypothetical bids in an auction to justify its worth."
The crowd let out a collective "Ooooh!", reacting to the subtle jab.
Even Lanceshot's expression twitched ever so slightly.
Leon simply shrugged.
"I don't craft for bids. I craft for legacy. And when the judges announce the results, we'll see which one holds more weight."
This time, Leon could see that the host was finally satisfied with his response. With an excited grin, the host turned back to the audience and spread his arms dramatically.
"Now that's the kind of answer we love to hear! Confidence, but backed by proof. A fight between a blacksmith for power and a blacksmith for legacy—which one matters more? Well, we're about to find out!"
The crowd erupted, fully invested in the competition now.
And just a few moments later, the host finally received the official results from the judges.
With a dramatic pause, he raised his mic and spoke.
"Alright, everyone, the judges have made their decision… Let's start with Lanceshot's item. The judges' evaluation is…
His crafted gloves are a Unique-grade item with an impressive double-cast effect, increasing physical damage output for close-combat warriors. The synergy it provides with high-speed melee fighters makes it an exceptionally valuable piece in battle!
A powerful, well-crafted item that would be a game-changer for many warriors!"
The crowd cheered loudly, impressed by the judges' assessment of Lanceshot's work.
The host let the applause roll for a moment before raising a hand to quiet them down.
"But what about Leon's crafted item? Now, here's what the judges have to say…"
A pause. Then, the large screen flickered to life, displaying footage from the Dissidia Kingdom War.
The moment when Leon, high above the battlefield, activated his crafted shield device—and a massive golden barrier engulfed the entire capital, protecting it from the meteor strike that would have obliterated everything.
The screen then shifted, showing the thousands of players who had raised their hands, channeling their energy into the shield—uniting together to defend the kingdom.
The host turned back to the crowd, his voice filled with excitement.
"Isn't this incredible?! This isn't just a piece of equipment—it's an artifact of war! A symbol of one of the greatest battles in Immortal Legacy's history!"
As the footage played, reactions poured in from audiences who had been there during the war—
[Blackout15]: "Dude, I literally thought we were gonna die before that shield activated!"
[McKenneth_Pearison]: "I remember throwing my whole health bar into that thing and praying it worked!"
[Daoist13cd1x]: "BRO, I was just a low-level player back then, but standing under that golden barrier made me feel like I was part of something HUGE!"
[Sean_Weil]: "That moment when EVERYONE raised their hands together… goosebumps, man. Goosebumps."
[Darrbeast]: "Still the most INSANE moment in the game. No contest."
[Drakon2121]: "And this man crafted the item that MADE IT POSSIBLE? GIVE HIM THE DAMN WIN ALREADY!"
The energy in the stadium skyrocketed, players reliving the legendary moment as the screen played it back in full glory.
The stadium was filled with anticipation, the cheers of the crowd still echoing from the Dissidia Kingdom war footage playing on the massive screen.
The host, standing center stage, took a deep breath—his voice lowering for dramatic effect, pulling the audience into the moment.
"And so… after intense deliberation, after considering craftsmanship, impact, and historical significance…"
He let the tension build, pausing just long enough for the contestants on stage to hold their breath.
"The winner of the Blacksmith Crafting Competition is—"
Another pause.
Then—
"BROKEN!"
A massive wave of cheers exploded from the stadium. The sound was thunderous, shaking the very air.
"That's right!" The host's voice boomed over the roaring crowd. "With an item that didn't just offer power but changed the very course of history, the judges have decided—legacy wins over function! A blacksmith who doesn't just create items—but forges legends!"
The camera zoomed in on Leon, standing calm, composed, as if the energy of the stadium didn't faze him.
But around him, the other contestants had mixed reactions.
Lanceshot, arms crossed, let out a long exhale, forcing a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Tch… Seems like storytelling matters more than pure crafting skill in this competition."
Titonor muttered under his breath. "Hah… as if the judges were gonna let the guy who saved Dissidia Kingdom lose."
Another blacksmith simply shrugged. "Not gonna lie… I was mad about the auto-crafting thing, but after seeing the footage again? Yeah. He deserves it."
The cheers finally began to settle, and the host turned back to Leon.
"Broken! As the champion of this competition, the floor is yours! Do you have any final words for your victory?"
Leon took a step forward. He wasn't smiling, nor was he overwhelmed by the win. Instead, his expression was steady—controlled confidence, the kind that came from knowing he had earned this.
His gaze swept across the audience, his voice clear despite the lingering excitement in the air.
"The item I crafted was only one part of the war. It worked because thousands of players stood behind it. It wasn't my power alone that saved Dissidia—it was all of us working together."
A brief pause.
"So if you want to know what truly makes an item great?" His eyes flickered under the stadium lights.
"It's not just about stats. Not just about rarity. It's about the impact it leaves behind."
With that, he stepped back, the crowd erupting once more in cheers.
As Leon finally slipped away from the overwhelming attention, he let out a slow exhale, just as King and Freya approached him.
"Good speech. Where did you learn to talk like that?" Freya asked, her expression mildly amused.
"It just came out of my mouth. Hopefully, it didn't sound weird," Leon replied casually.
King grinned, giving him a double thumbs-up. "That was awesome, Leon. I got chills listening to it."
"Thanks, King."
Not that it was surprising—King always gave answers like that. Find your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire
The three of them started walking away from the crowd, trying to escape the lingering excitement of the competition. But then, Freya spoke up, her voice carrying something between intrigue and urgency.
"Leon, I've set up a meeting between you and someone."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Someone?"
Freya turned to him, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Yes… don't worry. You won't have a hard time talking to this person."
Leon frowned slightly. "Who?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she led him to a café near the competition venue.
And when Leon stepped inside, he immediately spotted the person she was talking about. A man, looking to be in his twenties, dressed in a simple white shirt.
And…
A wheelchair?
What do you think?
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