Chapter 37: Exploration Preparations
“What do you think? Doesn't this make you feel like we could at least venture into the forest entrance?”
Hoya seemed to ponder my words for a moment. Then, with a slight nod, he tapped the ground three times and meowed.
Meow! Meow meow!
“So, you're saying we should at least build up the ability to fire off three shots in rapid succession before going in? Yeah, I'm on board with that.”
The Wind Recurve Bow I'd just crafted was an incredible item by my standards. But having it didn't make me invincible, of course. First off, I needed to level up my archery skill to use it proficiently.
And even before that.
“Gotta head to work. Let's go.”
Nyaang.
Having to commute every day was a bit of a drag, in a way. Still, I felt a twinge of regret about leaving the company after everything I'd done there.
“Hoya, should I just skip work?”
Nyaang.
“Yeah, it's my call. Let's take some vacation time. Burn through all the unused days.”
I started getting ready for work, then changed my mind, stripped off my clothes again, and called the manager.
"Choi, what's up?"
“Hello, Manager.”
"You're not calling first thing in the morning for nothing. What's going on?"
“Yes, there's a family matter, so I need to take some urgent leave.”
"How much?"
“I'd like two weeks for now.”
The manager must have been floored by my sudden request for two weeks off. Surprisingly, though.
"I don't remember it clearly, but it feels like you've done something big for me before, Choi. And you haven't taken any vacation time. Take this chance to rest up properly and sort out whatever family issue it is. Still..."
“I'll have my friend deliver the watermelons.”
"Hahaha, you think it's about the watermelons? Anyway, rest well. I'll let Kang know."
“Thank you, sir.”
What I'd just pulled off was something no ordinary employee could dream of—unless a family member had passed away. But I'd never properly taken vacation time before. And even if he didn't remember consciously, the manager seemed to instinctively sense that I'd saved his life. Thanks to that, I scored two weeks off.
It wasn't just laziness keeping me from going to work. I was starting to realize that if I didn't get stronger, the people around me could be in danger. I wasn't some boy detective Kim, but accidents could happen anywhere I was, so I needed to prepare.
Nyaang?
Hoya gave me a look like he found it ridiculous.
“Honestly, yeah, hating the commute is the biggest part. I admit it.”
Okay, that was the main reason. Who wouldn't? Commuting sucked. Plus, I needed to prep for starting my own business.
I called Seon-woo again, grabbed some watermelon juice, pineapple jam, and black bean tofu, and headed to his shop.
“You open yet?”
“Yeah, mostly afternoons.”
“Business good?”
“You bet. Can't keep stock. Word's spreading, more folks coming in. Funny thing—they don't post about it on SNS. Know why?”
“They don't wanna share it widely. Just tell close friends.”
“Oho, genius alert?”
“You'd faint if you knew my Intelligence stat.”
My Intelligence was literally ten times a normal person's. Didn't make me feel like a genius, though.
“Whoa, leveled up a bit, huh?”
“Hear my level and you're done for. Wanna know?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Kid won't bite. Heh heh.”
“As if. Kekeke.”
Seon-woo naturally assumed my level was low. I wasn't ready to crush his hopes yet. I'd do it later—make him roll on the floor laughing so hard his stomach hurt.
“So, you just gonna keep making juice and jam in there?”
I nodded at his question.
“That's your healing?”
“Kinda. Focusing on crafting, and it makes money—sounds like healing to me.”
“Fair enough.”
“When you heading in?”
“You want me as your island slave?”
“Sharp one, ain't ya?”
“Pass. Staying out for now.”
“Access rights?”
“Gotta get those eventually.”
I handed him a bowl of minotaur tail soup.
“Try this first.”
Seon-woo's stats had gone up in a few areas from what I'd given him before. But that wasn't enough for gate access. Skills triggered the access request, like with my family. So I'd brought the minotaur tail soup to grant him remote access.
“What's this?”
“Just eat it.”
He dug right in. Moments later, a notification popped up.
Do you permit gate access rights as the gate owner?
'Permit.'
As I granted Seon-woo access, surprise flashed in his eyes.
“What the—?”
“Random skill unlock. First time only.”
“Whoa, total cheat.”
“Aren't all these cheats?”
“True that.”
“Then be grateful, punk.”
“Infinite thanks!”
Seon-woo bowed dramatically, grinning. Come to think of it, we'd been friends forever. Back in middle school, I nearly died. We were on a school picnic up the mountain, I slipped off a cliff—Seon-woo was right there. He wasn't the one who fell, but he rappelled down using his clothes as a rope. Instead of calmly waiting for rescue, he grabbed me, sobbing and yelling his head off. Annoying as hell, but knowing a friend would risk his life like that was comforting. That's when we became inseparable.
Why bring it up now? The system seemed to confirm he was my one true friend.
Observation skill used.
Preservation (Passive) Lv. 1
Items you own do not spoil. Lv. 1 prevents spoilage for 60 days.
[Kim Seon-woo (Lv. 1)]
Job: None.
Even after level reset to 1, many stats were higher than at his old level. Dexterity oddly hadn't reset. The real gem was Preservation.
“What's this?”
“Don't give me that high-and-mighty look. It's random.”
Totally random. Just look at my family's skills.
“For real?”
“Why would I lie to you?”
“Fair. Not bad, actually. Perfect for business.”
No spoilage was ideal for Seon-woo right now. When I handed him items, ownership transferred, so his stock stayed fresh 60 days.
“Could sell fridges.”
“Who'd buy 'em?”
“Oh, right?”
“Obviously. Good thing the tofu won't spoil.”
Tofu spoiled easy. Unlike watermelon or pineapple with instant effects, it didn't sell hot yet. So, perfect skill.
“Gonna try soy milk too.”
“Smart. But aren't you overworking on the island?”
“Then come help.”
“Nah. Not going back in gates anytime soon.”
What happened to him in there? Felt like he might've ditched access for more than just me.
“Anywhere people gather, trouble brews.”
Seon-woo nodded, sipping watermelon juice.
“Even online games—guilds, clans, always drama. Real life with profit? No way.”
Human nature, maybe. Crowds meant problems. Was my gate peaceful for that reason?
“Anyway, two weeks vacation?”
“Yup.”
“Good call. Rest up.”
“Rest? Gotta do stuff.”
“Why push so hard?”
“'Cause I'm the gate owner. Need to ensure it's safe first.”
“You hunting?”
“Yeah.”
“Call big bro if needed. I'll help.”
“Didn't you wanna chill?”
“Yeah, but call if desperate.”
“Like crying by my side again?”
“You punk!”
“Kidding. Heh.”
“You're insane. That's why I call you that.”
Seon-woo laughed.
“Heading out.”
“Later.”
I left his shop, scouted for blacksmithing materials around town, then headed home.
Progress on the gate's blacksmith was steady. Dwarven smithing techniques made it meticulous, with lots of constraints. Forges weren't simple, after all.
“End's in sight.”
Three days outside later, it was nearly done. Karak worked hardest, cows too—they pulled heavy labor.
“Ta-da!”
The forge was complete. System confirmed.
Burti-style Basic Forge completed.
Burti Blacksmithing (Active) skill level increased to 2.
Burti-style, as expected—I'd aimed for that.
Why build it? Two reasons. First, weapons. Wooden swords wouldn't cut it for the forest entrance; too risky for my life. Bow was ranged; needed melee too. Japanese swords outside couldn't even slice minotaurs well. Western swords? Long delivery, not impressive. Conclusion: make my own. Got the skill, time to use it.
Second, similar—armor. High Stamina or not, raw hits were dangerous.
“Let's melt those down first.”
First iron: saved minotaur axe heads. For new weapons and gear.
“Azazaazaa! Forest entrance, here we come!”