Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Selling the Crimson Flame Staff (1)
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"Whoa... that was awesome."
The decision to immediately attempt imbuing the staff with an attribute right after two failed attribute imbues.
This was truly a godsend move.
A moment comes when every man must make his choice.
And a blacksmith must always be intimate with fire.
I satisfied both and made the fiery call, obtaining the Crimson Flame Staff.
"Grr~"
The result was cheers and gasps from the Gallery users.
My original goal was to boast...
Unfortunately, there weren't many who could envy me.
Blacksmiths, at best—pseudo-blacksmiths.
And among them, only a rare few pseudo-blacksmiths capable of crafting C-grades would envy my B-grade creation.
Those who couldn't even make C-grades seemed more awestruck than envious.
And the other hunters, naturally, had every reason to rejoice.
In a world with abysmal equipment drop rates and nothing but inept pseudo-blacksmiths, someone who could finally craft B-grade gear had appeared.
I basked in everyone's envy and praise, lurking in the Gallery for about an hour.
All the while, steadily.
I checked the nicknames of every incoming message.
[Solo Level Up]
"...I'm busy right now, so I'll play later."
Hyeji's out for a bit.
I'm waiting for people who can buy the Crimson Flame Staff at a premium price.
Whoever buys my Crimson Flame Staff will probably become my first regular customer.
Taking that into account, it'd be great if Chae Yeonhwa bought it.
But first, I need to hear their offers.
...
"At this rate, I'll end up doing another six-in-a-row crafting session!"
I won't have to worry about it after buying the computer anyway, so no need to stress.
"Heh heh heh..."
My Forge skill is currently running non-stop.
On the new computer I just bought, to be precise.
More accurately, the first computer I bought is now the sub unit, and the high-spec beast I got from selling two C-grade pieces is the main rig.
The reason I needed another one despite already having a computer.
One for my leisure time.
The sub monitor running 24/7.
It's for the macro that auto-crafts 5+1 equipment every five hours.
"Heh heh heh heh..."
Now I can enjoy the recommended adult sleep time of 7-9 hours straight.
Thanks to the macro system that crafts equipment on its own every five hours!
"Equipment gets duplicated~"
Surprisingly, the Forge works individually even when linked to multiple devices.
If it hadn't, I'd still run the macro with some hassle, but since it does, it's pure profit.
About an hour after revealing the Crimson Flame Staff to the world, lurking, and checking messages.
Finally, the message I'd been waiting for arrived.
[Flame Wizard]
Unexpectedly, the first contact came from Christopher Akamont of Magma Guild.
Wonder where Fire Stick went at such a crucial moment, after commenting so enthusiastically...
Even as the seller, I felt oddly disappointed for him.
Oh well... nothing to be done.
I wasn't set on selling to Chae Yeonhwa exclusively anyway.
I immediately checked the message.
[Hello. This is Christopher Akamont, Guild Master of Magma Guild.]
[First, congratulations on your B-grade equipment creation. The effort and dedication poured into achieving such results are beyond measure. Magma Guild sincerely wishes to purchase your equipment. We hope to discuss terms.]
"Oh..."
A proposal in such polite language.
Maybe because the crafting method is just point-and-click.
Still lacking real-world sense, I'd imagined something like "How much?"
A bit dumbfounded.
Can't send the response I had in mind now...
[Make an offer first.]
Why not.
Just do it.
I'm the one in control anyway—won't it be easier for them if I take it cheerfully?
I'm being considerate.
A bit curt and uncooperative, but with a warm heart—classic blacksmith style.
...
They seem deep in thought over my loaded four syllables.
I'll do something else while waiting for a reply and closed the chat.
"Oh."
Then, another awaited message popped up.
[Fire Stick]
Finally, Crimson Lotus Guild's Guild Master Chae Yeonhwa sent her offer.
After seeing Magma Guild Master's message, expectations were high.
How polite and heartfelt would it be, to take this long?
The dignity of Korea's number one guild—what would it be like?
I eagerly checked the contents.
⬆️
[Haven't made the flame staff yet???]
[You can make it, right???]
[Boastful Blacksmith rocks! Fighting!]
[If you wanna join Crimson Lotus Guild, I'll add you right away! I'm the Guild Master, actually!!!]
...
[Boastful Blacksmith, I'll buy that!!!]
[Sell me the Crimson Flame Staff!!!]
[It's not sold already, right?????]
[Boastful Blacksmith???]
[Aww... I was asleep ㅜㅜㅜㅜ Just woke up and checked!!!]
[Knock knock...]
"Ah..."
I really don't want to compare, but I can't help it.
Is this the current state of a Korean top guild...?
Well, being able to chat casually with the Guild Master could be a pro.
Crimson Lotus Guild is so MZ and trendy.
With such transparent enthusiasm, even my soft heart can't help but respond honestly.
[1,000 billion. Won't sell for less.]
I dream of becoming a trillionaire.
——
I gave Chae Yeonhwa a brutally honest 1,000 billion offer, then sent the exact same to Magma Guild Master.
I'm a fair blacksmith.
[...Apologies, but that price is difficult. If unadjustable, regrettably, we cannot proceed. Thank you for your firm stance.]
"Ah..."
What? Am I not the one in control?
1,000 billion is big, but from Magma Guild Master's view, it should be worth the investment for that gear.
I'd researched the market—B-grade flame staffs are ultra-rare—so I priced accordingly, yet rejected without much deliberation.
Perplexed, I searched up Magma Guild Master.
"Ah."
Now it makes sense.
I didn't know, but Christopher Akamont already owns a B-grade flame wand.
'Gonna dual-wield a wand and staff?'
Still pursuing mine suggests weapon swapping in combat or a spare.
If so, no need for overkill spending—fair enough.
This is a problem...
Chae Yeonhwa has to buy it now.
Or I'll look desperate haggling down my own price.
"Please...!"
...
Fortunate, I suppose.
Chae Yeonhwa met my expectations.
No—exceeded them.
⬆️
[I'll buy it!!!]
[But... installments possible...?]
[1 year... no, 2 years grace period?]
[500 billion upfront right away! Remaining 500 billion in installments over 2 years!]
She really wants it bad.
Scraping together funds she doesn't have to buy it now.
1,000 billion was high for rarity, half-jokingly...
But she bit— no reason to back down.
[Installments make 1,000 billion tough.]
[Not greedy—5% annual interest on remaining 500 billion, total 1,050 billion.]
Strike while the iron's hot.
Who knows when another mark like this comes along.
[G..Good! Contract now!!!]
[Possible right away??? Come to Crimson Lotus Guild or give address—I'll come personally!]
Seal the deal before she changes her mind.
Time to contract immediately.
But no need to rush preparations.
[Regular Customer Registration]
I instantly entered Chae Yeonhwa's nickname 'Fire Stick' and registered her as a regular.
[Huh?? What's this? Did you do this, Boastful Blacksmith?!!]
She messaged asking about the notification.
[Yes. Accept and you can contract and get the Crimson Flame Staff right now, immediately.]
I emphasized "right now" on purpose.
Gallery user 'Fire Stick' registered as Regular Customer!
First successful Regular Customer registration! [Regular Customer Service] unlocked.
As expected, she accepted immediately, registering as a regular.
"Hm..."
The newly unlocked Regular Customer Service feature.
Not on main screen or registration screen.
...
—
[Fire Stick]
—
No choice—clicked Fire Stick in the Regular Customer List.
The new feature I'd been looking for appeared.
"Heh heh heh heh... Crimson Flame Staaaaff..."
"Perfect match for me, Crimson Lotus Guild's Guild Master~"
Clicked Regular Customer Service—and suddenly, a voice echoed in my head.
"Hello?"
"Hm?"
"Are you... Fire Stick by any chance?"
"Eek—!!! Wh..who are you?!!"
The first perk of regulars: two-way communication via telepathy.