Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Lee Do-won (3)
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"You don't seem like the type who has a boyfriend."
"Do I? But I did."
"Hmm."
The woman slowly eyed my face with half-lidded eyes, as if licking it over.
Those straightforward eyes that seemed to peer right into a person's soul.
Some people have a talent for completely seeing through another's temperament. She seemed like one of them.
"...So, what's your business?"
She habitually licked the corner of her mouth like a snake and smiled with her eyes.
Star leaned against the counter, sticking out her hips, and turned her head to look at me.
"Hello."
"Hi. I'm the type who dives deep with a customer once, so if you're wearing other artifacts... it kinda annoys me. Just a heads-up."
Her words weren't overly aggressive.
They could pass as a joke if you wanted them to.
Just as I thought she wasn't too picky, Star tapped the gun next to her.
"...I can really shoot it. Careful."
...Never let an artifact that hasn't passed through her hands be visible.
I took off the mask I was wearing and casually set it on the counter.
"Good, we can talk. But that's the exception."
The woman picked up the mask from my hand and rubbed its surface, letting out a heavy breath.
"...Couldn't tell with the mask, but you're pretty young, huh?"
"I'll take that as a compliment on my looks."
"Go ahead. Not wrong."
She seemed more interested in the mask than my face. As soon as our chat wrapped up, she slipped on her glasses and examined it.
"Hmmm.... Um."
In her see-through purple pajamas, she looked downright erotic.
"...Stuff I don't like is total garbage. But I love artifacts made by real pros. Like this gem..."
She scratched the gem's surface with her nail.
Mana poured from her hand, making the gem glow faintly as letters inside emerged.
"...Where'd you get something like this?"
"Long story. Ended up with it."
"Not through legit channels, I bet... No way art like this just drops from the sky."
Well, it kinda did drop from the sky, if you thought about it.
I hit the jackpot pulling gacha after dinner without a second thought.
Wonder if she'd buy that.
I stayed quiet and nodded.
"It's gorgeous... This alone could handle five engravings. Oh, engraving-wise, obviously."
"I didn't say a word."
"...Hehe, really? With your girlfriend, I figured you'd be used to shady, lowbrow talk."
I immediately turned to Star.
Shady, lowbrow talk... From her?
Star's utterly clueless gamer eyes stared back at me.
"Huh?"
She glanced between the woman and me, her face turning red as she frantically shook her head.
"N-no! I'm not the type to just blurt stuff like that!"
"Star noona's a total perv, though. Last time, she said she only picks big-dick scenes in manga..."
"Aaaah! No! The guild said I'm pure!"
"Hehehe."
The woman chuckled as if Star's reaction was adorable. Fair enough—Star had this weird charm that made you want to tease her.
Braided hair like a chick's, voice perfect for voice acting.
Not many gamer girls rocked that look.
"Anyway, the mask's intriguing too... But that gem? Masterpiece. It's running on a trait that's not its original purpose, and nailing the job perfectly."
Hyperion's Gem.
Originally an artifact meant to boost my experience gains and pump my mana straight to 10.
"...You spotted that right away?"
"Underestimating me?"
"Hell no, that's impressive as fuck."
"...Rewind."
Her face chilled for a split second, so I quickly switched gears and gave her a thumbs-up.
Star was right—she was a bit all over the place.
"The gem's done its job now. It's not activating anymore; all mana allocation's on preserving durability."
She stroked the gem tenderly, gazing at it with the regret of someone eyeing an ex-lover.
"...Sigh. If it were in my hands, I'd disassemble it."
Horrifying words.
Anyone could tell she wanted it bad.
I crossed my arms and mulled it over.
I'd be buying artifacts left and right going forward—building a connection here wasn't a bad idea.
The mask was useless to me anyway.
If its gem potential was wasted on toning down my charm... that was the worst possible use for an artifact.
No wonder she looked so wistful.
"Want it? I'll give it."
It worked great for hiding my charm and face, but honestly, that was it.
"For real?"
Her eyes went wide as saucers, genuine shock on her face.
Seeing surprise on that decadent, witchy visage was a fresh sight.
"You sure? Didn't you wear that thing everywhere? Your favorite."
"Eh... It wasn't that effective anyway."
The rumors online and at the academy had long painted me as the mask guy with sketchy skills.
It was about time to shake things up.
"Kinda attached. But if it's needed, gotta give."
"..."
"Price has to be right, though. Sentiment makes it pricey."
"Obviously. Taking something like this without paying proper? Against my code. Oh, right—introductions?"
She took off her glasses and extended a pale hand.
I shook it, and her palm felt ice-cold, like gripping a chunk of frost.
"Cold hands, right? Everyone says so. What's your name?"
Her tone had warmed up in that brief moment. The gem must've been that precious.
Artifacts of this grade weren't easy to come by.
"Lee Do-won."
Least I'd use that name when acting as a hunter.
That's what I meant by it.
But she wasn't buying it—her eyes narrowed, lips curling in a chilly smile.
A beautifully wrecked grin.
"...Real name?"
"Lee Si-heon."
No dice.
I judged and spilled my real name on the spot.
"Use your real name with me. No secrets here—felon, demon lord, whatever. In return, I'll spill everything I can. As my customer."
"Got it."
"Gem-giver gets a pass this time... You look like you could handle eyeing that gem thrice a day without cracking."
She didn't let go of the handshake.
Her other hand slowly stroked my fingers, nails, and the back of my hand, like she was reading my fingerprints.
Tingly chills ran through me.
"Seri."
"Your name?"
"Yeah. Let's stick together for life."
"...Life?"
"Can't have a customer I've marked using someone else's work. My skills? Guaranteed. Trust me."
Obsessed in her own way.
Her confidence in her craft was damn appealing, though.
Seri looked me straight in the eye for the first time—not at Star—and continued.
I sensed a solid business trust in that gaze.
Guess this was her style.
"So, what's the business today?"
"Looking for some sturdy clothes."
"Sturdy clothes... Easy. Leave the design to me. Anything else?"
"Something that hides my looks as much as possible. Identity concealment."
"...You don't strike me as the secretive type. Fine—customer's call."
Seri perked up, pressing her middle finger to her lower lip and licking it with her tongue.
A long, snakelike tongue traced her fingerprint, leaving it glistening with saliva.
"Magic stones are plentiful lately—no worries. Normally... top-grade ones are short supply. I usually won't start without you providing."
"I see."
"Got what I need now... I'll hook you up. Separating the gem and mask first, then work begins. Swing by in a day."
"Quick turnaround."
"...That's how I roll."
Seri had charisma.
Her mouth corner, thick with vitality, curved like a crescent moon as she donned her glasses and lifted a needle and engraving tools.
"I'll add some engraving to the mask instead of just yanking the gem. Hiding identity's the goal—stripping useless functions and repurposing."
She picked up the gun right beside her with one hand.
"Now scram."
Seri stared me down as she said it.
Star tugged my clothes once she confirmed the talk was done.
Whoosh.
Star jerked her chin toward the door.
I nodded instead of answering, gave Seri a goodbye, and stepped out.
Creeeak.
The door shut again. Star shuddered and pointed behind her.
"Saw her grab that gun?"
"Yeah."
"...Think where she uses it? Gun with firepower to drop a monster, if she wants?"
"..."
That story from earlier.
The artisan had a crazy side—rumor was she masturbated with her guns.
"Squeezes one out before work. Her ritual."
"...Gonna wreck the gun. Don't most artisans hate damaging their own creations?"
"Beats me? Point is, you can't logic her out. Or... maybe that gun's actually made for jacking off."
"Drops monsters, though?"
"...Exactly why it's insane."
"Oh my god."
And she survives shooting that inside herself?
Topic I didn't wanna dwell on.
We descended the noisy stairs and walked the alley, mulling over the woman.
"Anyway, get on her good side and she's super nice. Steer clear of her principles, and she throws in extras. Total perfectionist—delivers way above the price."
"Noted."
"But that gem—you sure it was okay to give? Thanks to you... we're regulars now, no sweat. First time I met her? Total cold shoulder. Ugh... Still pisses me off. Know how hard I hustled on foot to seal that deal?"
She sighed and launched into tales of their first meeting and her days as a lowly Hunter Association grunt.
Her office worker stories were fun—felt like getting to know Star better.
Azalea said hanging with me was a blast. Star was that for me.
Not that others weren't fun—just Star clicked weirdly, lots in common.
Above all, we both loved games.
Before this world, I was a diehard bad-game player glued to my room.
Star was cut from the same cloth.
"Convenience store ramen on the way?"
"Sure."
Our fellow game nerds' banter wrapped up, and we parted ways.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "So....... This is the outfit?"
"Yup."
The next day.
I hit her shop at the same time.
The clothes and mask were fully remade, of course. Tucked in the counter's darkest corner like a prized relic, the red gem glowed.
Unlike when it was in the mask, it looked positively vibrant now.
But the clothes.
I gave the outfit Seri handed me a once-over.
Undershirt and top, pants, knee-length robe. And a totally revamped mask.
Even dangly belt accents for flair.
I squinted at the coat—it chased style more than expected.
Summer or not, whatever. Long garb was king for concealment.
But something felt off.
Less cool, more... awkward.
"...I wear this?"
"Cool, right?"
Her dreamy eyes brimmed with affection for the outfit.
Like gazing at her own kid.
Magic circles were artistic masterpieces. Durability could shrug off serious hits.
'Performance is top-tier... Really top-tier.'
It screamed "final boss robe for hiding true form" from some game.
I'd nod if shadowy chains laced with dark energy burst from the back.
Guess the witch genuinely thought it looked badass.