‘This doesn’t make any sense. Such a thing can only happen after waking from a dream…’
Yang Deok-su lowered his gaze in a daze.
Fragments of a neatly broken dagger lay scattered on the floor.
“How on earth could my dagger, with 200 durability, have broken like this?”
Thirty years as a master blacksmith.
Fifteen years devoted to item crafting through tempering.
Having spent his entire life working with metal, Yang Deok-su couldn’t comprehend the situation.
“Now this money is yours, right, Young Master? Then I’m off.”
Suho pocketed the Flame Thorn Magic Sword and shook the bundle of cash.
“W-wait! Hold on a moment!”
Yang Deok-su’s voice trembled.
He was slowly realizing that his judgment might have been wrong.
His thoughts converged on one conclusion.
‘If it’s not trickery, then that red sword… it really is…’
That sword must be several times better than Yang Deok-su’s dagger.
‘A masterpiece! It truly is a masterpiece! I could swear it was a crafted item, but how… who?’
Yang Deok-su pondered without waiting for an answer.
Suho began to take a step back.
‘I’ve made some easy money, so no loss on my part. Time to get out of here.’
Yang Deok-su had almost given up.
But just as Suho was about to leave the workshop, Yang Deok-su shouted.
“Wait a moment! Look at this!”
Suho tried not to turn around.
At least until he heard Balryong’s voice.
“Choo—this is definitely worse than what you bought earlier.”
Yang Deok-su pulled something from his bosom.
Suho felt an unusual aura emanating from it.
“Even if you’re leaving, at least take a look at this first.”
Yang Deok-su approached and pushed the item forward.
Suho took it.
It was a fist-sized deep blue orb.
[Core of Regeneration]
- A sphere imbued with potent magical power. It is tough and possesses an inherent nature to restore itself, making processing extremely difficult.
- Material Item
- Item Grade: Rare
- Durability: 990
“This is?”
“That’s something I received a few years ago as payment for crafting a weapon for a Ranker. It’s a material dropped from a Fifth-Rank Dungeon Boss Monster.”
Like Skill Runes, material items also have tiers.
If the grade is the same, materials dropped from higher-rank dungeons and stronger monsters are superior.
So this would be one of the highest-grade materials obtainable in the Republic of Korea.
‘Impressive. No need to worry about processing.’
The material caught Suho’s interest.
Even if he wandered around Insadong’s item district, it would be difficult to find anything comparable.
“So? What are you planning to do with this?”
“Let’s make one more wager! This time, I’ll bet this.”
Yang Deok-su pointed at the [Core of Regeneration] and shouted.
“What about the bet’s terms?”
“The bet is that we each take the materials we bought earlier and craft an item. Later, we compare which side made the better product. That side wins.”
If two materials can be obtained, the wager is manageable.
“And what about my bet?”
“You don’t have to put up anything.”
“What do you mean?”
Yang Deok-su threw a question instead of a bold declaration.
“The dagger you brought earlier, that was a crafted item, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then if you lose the bet…”
Yang Deok-su’s eyes gleamed fiercely.
‘Someone amazing must be near this young man. I’m sure of it!’
A reclusive genius?
Or perhaps a renowned master blacksmith from abroad?
Hunters often escape from China; maybe…
‘I have to meet that person. I have to ask how they made such an item!’
Even just exchanging opinions would help Yang Deok-su’s blacksmithing skills.
With that in mind, Yang Deok-su said,
“Let me meet the blacksmith who made your dagger.”
Suho paused to think for a moment before replying.
“So, if I lose, you want me to introduce the item’s creator?”
“That’s exactly it! I don’t ask for anything else.”
Suho made a peculiar expression.
‘I’m not confident about this.’
He truly lacked confidence.
There was no sign of a possible victory.
“Fine, let’s do it. Don’t complain later.”
“Likewise! If you try to back out then, I won’t stand idly by either. I’m Yang Deok-su, remember?”
“Yes, Old man Yang Deok-su. I’ve noted your name carefully, so I’ll keep the [Core of Regeneration] as collateral. Is that alright?”
“Good. Then give me some of the materials you bought earlier so you can start crafting.”
“Here you go.”
“Alright. Then the date and place to compare the items is…”
The rules for the wager were set.
They exchanged contact information.
“See you then.”
“Yeah, see you then! Don’t mess this up!”
Yang Deok-su put on a confident face and quickly walked away.
Suho alternated his gaze between Yang Deok-su’s departing figure and the [Core of Regeneration].
‘Could he be a donation angel?’
His personality was a little odd, so maybe not an angel?
***
“You want me to make something with this material, huh? I have to do my best but not overdo it.”
Tarunga held the [Iron Turtle Carapace] with a troubled expression.
Suho felt the need for a further explanation.
“Yes, making it at the level of a Red Gray Guardian would be difficult. But it’s even harder to make an item from this material at that tier, right?”
If it ended up being hero-grade, he wouldn’t be able to show it to Yang Deok-su.
“If you want, I can try making a few. Maybe Dalkong and Blton can help too…”
“No! I said don’t make it like that. Make it slightly weaker than the Flame Thorn Magic Sword. Is that possible?”
“Of course. That’s an easy level to make with just a bit of effort. Hehe.”
“That’s exactly the level I want, so don’t overdo it. Honestly, there’s a place where you really need to put in the effort.”
Tarunga’s eyes flickered with curiosity.
Suho transmitted the [Core of Regeneration].
“Oh, this is?”
“It’s better than the material before. Please do your best with the item made from this. I intend to use it myself. I appreciate your effort.”
“Hehe, this is the real deal, huh? Understood. I will devote all my strength to making an item worthy of your expectations.”
Dalkong and Blton, who were listening nearby, quickly chimed in.
“I’ll do my best too. If materials run short, I’ll even go hunting monsters!”
“The design of the walls and internal facilities is almost finished, so we have time. I’ll stay up all night to help!”
The two dwarves spoke earnestly.
Suho responded with a thankful expression.
“Thank you all. Since you three are working together, I’ll hold my expectations high as well.”
An item matching the Red Gray Guardian level was likely to emerge.
His anticipation soared.
“Giant, the items you mentioned for sale have been completed. When should I deliver them?”
That was Tarunga’s voice.
“They’re finished already? Can you bring them now?”
“I’ll bring them right away.”
Tarunga dashed off to pick up the ‘high-grade’ items to sell aligned with the shop’s opening.
The other tribal leaders clenched their fists and returned to prepare for work.
“The material you got from that old man must be handed over if you lose the bet, but you entrust crafting immediately?”
Balryong, who had been silently watching, asked.
“Do you think I’ll lose?”
“Krook—well, as always, the truth of all things confirms there’s no sign of victory for me.”
“Exactly.”
…
[Suho Item & Miscellaneous Store New Product Launch Event!]
- Hello, customers! Previously, I mentioned the store’s relocation, and now I’ve come with better news. I’ll introduce the detailed options of the ‘high-grade’ items I spoke of earlier. Photos and options are attached below, so please take a look and show your interest.
- Note that sales will proceed according to the store’s opening, so please wait until then.
Suho attached photos and wrote down the item options.
[Machete of Vulguul]
- A machete crafted by an excellent artisan. Thanks to its outstanding strength and perfectly balanced blade, it’s useful not only in combat but also for logging and butchering.
- Item Grade: High
- Physical Attack Power: 220
- [Lower-tier Cutting Power Enhancement][Lower-tier Durability Enhancement]
- Health +10
- Durability: 380
Suho grinned and pressed the post submission button.
“This might be a bit over the top.”
Compared to the ‘normal’ grade items sold so far, the machete was far superior.
“But I can handle this. It’ll be fine.”
After battling Park Young-il, Suho realized his true strength.
He could fight hunters at the Third-Rank Dungeon level with confidence.
However, hunters above Fourth-Rank Dungeon level were just over 10% of the country’s total.
So he finally gained confidence to repel even powerful threats.
“If it’s high grade, large guilds won’t greed after it too much, so that should be fine.”
The main concern was the dwarves’ exposure.
But it should be okay.
The store owner had connections with ‘a talented blacksmith who wants to keep a low profile.’
That rumor had been formed in the comments.
“I’ll accept some risk.”
Suho also decided after seeing Wilson’s world.
As he was organizing his thoughts, a strange feeling came over him.
‘Hmm? Someone?’
The sense of danger alerted him that someone had appeared outside the shop.
More precisely—
“What are you doing pressed against the glass?”
Someone was pressing their face against the glass window, staring inside.
“Haak—w-want it.”
What?
Startled, Suho opened the door and stepped outside.
“Hunter Yang Sujeong, what on earth are you doing there?”
“I, I just want to touch it.”
Yang Sujeong, a grateful regular customer who always left reviews, hadn’t noticed Suho coming out.
Her eyes were glued to the shop window, trying desperately to peer inside.
“Hunter Yang Sujeong?”
Suho reached out to tap her shoulder.
Tap.
“Ukah!”
Startled, Yang Sujeong quickly stepped back.
“Why are you standing out there like that?”
“…Machete.”
“Eh?”
“I want to see the machete.”
“Oh, alright, come inside for now.”
“The store isn’t open yet.”
Though she seemed to have lost her mind, Yang Sujeong curiously showed proper manners at an odd timing.
“It’s okay. Since you’re a regular, I’ll just think of you as visiting.”
“Th-thank you!”
Yang Sujeong hurried inside.
She could have looked around the shop, but instead, she scanned around until she found the machete.
Suho brought it over and handed it to her.
“Here, take a look.”
“Okay.”
Yang Sujeong took the machete Suho offered.
Clutching the handle tightly, her body trembled.
Swish—swish—
She waved it through the air.
Then carefully brought the blade close to her eyes.
The blade kept getting closer to her face.
“Ah!”
“What are you doing?”
Suho exclaimed in surprise.
“Ah! Sorry!”
Yang Sujeong quickly put the machete away and bowed.
‘Why are you suddenly trying to lick the sword?’
Suho made a bewildered face while Yang Sujeong hugged the machete tightly and said,
“Sir, you’re not selling this yet, right?”
“No, it will be sold when we open.”
“How many will you sell at once?”
“I’m thinking about five per week. The quantity isn’t guaranteed.”
“I see. Can I make a reservation…?”
Yang Sujeong asked with hopeful eyes.
“We sell to whoever comes first on the day, but for Hunter Yang Sujeong, I’ll reserve some for opening day. You’re our best regular and always leave reviews.”
“Oh! Thank you, sir! I promise I’ll write a review!”
“Yes, but please write the review after opening. Not before.”
“Ah! Got it.”
“We can’t have misunderstandings since you’re buying at full price.”
“Hehe, thanks. Then I guess I’ll come on opening day.”
“Yes, see you then. Thank you for your continued support.”
“Thank you for selling good items!”
Yang Sujeong left.
She licked her lips while looking at the machete until the very end.
Balryong, who was watching the scene, said,
“You really do have a unique ability.”
“….?”
“It seems you have the power to attract strange beings. Krook—”
“Have you ever thought you might be one of those?”
“What?”
***
Suho took the item in his hands.
“Tarunga, isn’t this too good?”
“While crafting, I got excited and it turned out that way. Sorry about that.”
“They’re different types, but to me, it looks better than the Flame Thorn Magic Sword.”
“Ha ha… well…”
“You didn’t have to put this much effort for the wager, but since it’s come to this, I’ll use it myself.”
“No need to apologize.”
“No, I’m grateful. You worked hard.”
“I’ll devote all my effort to making the item from the Core of Regeneration, and I’ll make sure it suit the Giant’s heart!”
“Thank you.”
Suho stepped back in front of the refrigerator.
“Then shall we finally decide the match?”
It was time to settle the duel.
A battle where losing wasn’t an option.