Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Limited Edition Weapon No. 1
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Under the soft glow of the streetlights.
Inside the bustling Goto Mall.
"Hmm."
Gi So-yul sat on a nearby bench, lost in deep thought.
She was currently in a state of great turmoil.
'……Joo Dong-hoon.'
It wasn't that the man particularly lingered in her mind.
But even so, she felt inexplicably annoyed.
There was no reason.
Or rather, it might be more accurate to say she just didn't know.
'How could there not be even a single message?'
When the man had said he was grateful for the protection up until now, but now wanted to stand on his own.
She had nodded.
Even when he took the reward from the dungeon that Pa-rang had found, she coolly acknowledged it.
She had only asked to observe his training, claiming no other rights.
And that was it?
She had even told him that his recklessness worried her, and to call on Pa-rang if any crisis arose.
That was how he had departed for the medium dungeon.
'That was fine up to there.'
But after returning, there had been no contact at all.
No news.
She had only learned he had arrived from a newspaper article about the "Demir Workshop."
[An unusual workshop interior designed by peculiar skeletons themselves! Who is the owner?]
[The Demir Workshop that produced the 'Demir Supply Set' that was all the buzz at the recent auction! When will the new items be released?]
[Demir Workshop stays silent for over two weeks, only the sound of hammering echoes. Netizens' anticipation builds!]
'A man who uses skeletons like that.'
As far as she knew, there was no one else in the country but Joo Dong-hoon.
No necromancer in the world primarily used 'skeletons.'
"Tsk."
That's why it stung.
She had worried about him, in her own way.
He could have at least sent a casual note saying he arrived safely.
"Hoo."
Just as irritation at her own emotions began to bubble up, wondering why she felt so unsettled.
"Hey, Amje."
Someone sat down next to her and muttered.
One of Seoul's Five Stars.
Rank 829, White Pig.
"Sitting there all mopey? That's not like you."
"Yu Sang-don? How did you know I was here……?"
"It's Goto Mall. When the world's sneakiest assassin shows up in my territory, I have to keep an eye on it, right? My underlings were getting antsy."
Yu Sang-don smirked.
"So, the reason the great Amje graced us with her presence is that guy, right?"
"Huh? What guy?"
"Demir Workshop owner."
"……."
"What, obvious. I was shocked too. The young man you introduced me to turned out to be the owner of the hot new workshop. Normally, my White Pig crew would have leaned on him……."
"You held back because of me?"
"Yeah, haha. No amount of money is worth more than your life."
Yu Sang-don playfully stroked his own neck.
"What a joker……."
Gi So-yul let out a small chuckle.
For all his talk, someone like White Pig always traveled with at least one bodyguard.
With his wealth, hiring top 100 rankers from overseas was a piece of cake.
Moreover.
Seoul's Five Stars shared a tight bond, never drawing blades on each other.
They were fellow rankers who had risen through Dungeon Maker Delilah.
An alliance formed for those recommendation slots.
It was currently the most trusted relationship in Gi So-yul's life.
"Hey, friend. If you're here, why waste time sitting around? No way the mighty Amje is hesitating to go first out of pride, right?"
"……."
"Eh? That guilty look—it's true? A hundred percent?"
"……Hoo, let's not talk about it."
Gi So-yul sighed and dodged the question.
She avoided his eyes too.
Truth was.
Everything White Pig said hit the mark.
Seeing this, Yu Sang-don clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, don't be like that. Go see him first. Honestly, I get where that guy's coming from."
"You get him?"
"Look. We're cohorts and fellow rankers, so it's easy for us…… but do you know how scary you are to normal people?"
"Me?"
"Pfft, really don't know?"
"……."
"You're ranked number one on the list of people the world fears most because of your assassin unique ability. Plus, your brother is Ki Pa-rang! The famous divine archer! Rank 58! And his personality is so prickly. He avoids the media, barely talks, super aloof. Look at that face. If he doesn't like something, he'll slice your throat without hesitation…… Whoa?"
Mid-sentence, Yu Sang-don flinched back.
Gi So-yul's eyes had narrowed.
"Yu Sang-don?"
"Eek?"
"You're not just spilling your usual inner thoughts, are you?"
"Ahahaha, anyway, that's it. I gave my advice, so enjoy your Goto Mall trip! I have business to attend to."
With that, he vanished into the crowd.
"……."
Gi So-yul let out a faint sigh.
White Pig's words lingered in her mind.
'Is that really it?'
She thought it might be.
Even she knew her personality was far from gentle.
'Besides.'
There hadn't been anyone worthy of approaching her in the first place.
She had blocked such situations from the start.
'Alright, let's go. I can just say I'm here to commission a weapon.'
She stood up abruptly.
Pondering here wouldn't yield answers.
She needed to meet him, greet him, and casually ask to ease her troubled heart.
Whoosh!
Her figure vanished in an instant.
Only the scent of peony lingered on the bench.
* * *
Clang! Clang!
Arriving at the Demir Workshop, Gi So-yul heard the crisp sound of hammering.
"……."
She usually concealed her presence.
But not this time.
She strolled along with just a hood over her head.
After all, with Goto Mall's overlord White Pig aware of her, no hunter would dare touch her.
Clang! Clang!
From outside the door.
She listened to the hammering that had been going on since earlier.
'Hammering away without coming out for nearly two weeks?'
What on earth had happened.
To make him hole up in there, skipping the training he usually loved?
As she thought this.
Someone emerged from the neighboring shop.
A middle-aged lady.
"Tsk, miss, you here to see that young man from next door too?"
"Pardon?"
"Forget it, better turn back. That kid's holed up in there, not budging an inch. No idea what he's making. Even reporters banging on the door get no answer."
"Ahaha, is that so?"
Gi So-yul nodded with a smile.
"But I think it's fine now."
"Huh?"
The lady tilted her head.
Gi So-yul chuckled under her hood.
She didn't need to peek inside; she could sense his energy.
He had just finished his cross-legged meditation with the Pure Blue Heart Technique.
"See? The hammering. It's stopped."
"Ooh? You're right!"
"Then I'll head in."
Gi So-yul stepped forward.
Sniff sniff.
As she entered, she caught a scent.
Something similar to her own.
Cold and sharp.
Knock knock!
She knocked on the inner door first.
Then spoke.
"Is this the hot new workshop? Do you take commissions?"
A question hiding her true intent.
"Oh, Amje?"
The man greeted Gi So-yul with a delighted expression.
"……."
She pouted.
That delight didn't reach her at all.
'If that's the case, you could have contacted me sooner.'
Fine, whatever.
It wasn't like she had high expectations anyway.
She was just here to commission a new weapon.
"Yes. Long time no see, Joo Dong-hoon."
"Wow, perfect timing. It's so weird. I was just about to go find you."
About to go find her?
Yeah, right.
Her pouted lips twisted further.
But.
"Here, take this."
"Yes?"
Her pupils dilated at what he handed her.
"It's the dagger I was just finishing. Truth is, you helped me out a ton, Amje. I wanted to show my gratitude. You know my creed? Pay back favors and grudges at least double."
"……Yes?"
She was flustered.
'No way.'
All that hammering this past week……
Staying up without sleep, forging like mad……
'This? He was making a weapon for me?'
Gi So-yul dazedly accepted the dagger.
The dark sheen on the blade screamed refined elegance.
The engraved patterns and design were a beauty unlike anything on Earth.
It felt like it didn't belong to this world.
Cold aura emanated from the blade, yet there was undeniable warmth within.
'What…….'
Cold sweat beaded on her palm.
A sensation she hadn't felt in ages.
She had received gifts before, but never this emotion.
"Ah, of course, it's not totally free. I poured everything into making it, so at least help with some promotion?"
"……Y-Yeah."
So flustered, her words stuttered.
But the shock was just beginning.
[Ding!]
Item info appeared in her vision.
[Item: Dagger for an Assassin]
[Grade: S]
[Type: Dagger]
[Description: A weapon forged by the legendary blacksmith Demir and his master, inspired by a certain assassin! It boasts performance transcending the design through astonishing focus and passion.]
[Effect 1: Agility +50.]
[Effect 2: Attack Speed +200%.]
[Effect 3: Damage +500% on first strike after stealth.]
[Effect 4: Ice magic resistance +30%.]
"Wha—insane!"
A curse slipped from Gi So-yul's mouth unbidden.
"How is this S-grade?"
S-grade items were mythical.
Unattainable even if sought.
So rare that their value had no ceiling based on performance.
The truly good ones were priceless.
'And the stats are ridiculous!'
Undoubtedly.
Far superior to her current dagger.
The man spoke with a proud smile.
"Not bad, right?"
"This is way beyond not bad!"
What happened in that medium dungeon.
To produce an S-grade item in less than a month.
Unbelievable.
Of course, more than that.
[Description: A weapon forged by the legendary blacksmith Demir and his master, inspired by a certain assassin!]
This description nagged at her.
She knew "a certain assassin" meant her.
Her scent was indeed infused in the dagger.
He had expressed genuine gratitude.
"……."
Overwhelmed, Gi So-yul couldn't find words.
She had never voiced thanks to anyone.
"I'll treasure it."
That was all she could say.
She also realized in that moment.
Her troubled heart had vanished.
"Yeah, use it well. It's the first limited edition weapon from our Demir Workshop, No. 1."
"……No. 1?"
She deflated.
No. 1 implied he could make more S-grades like this.
No strength left to be shocked.
'As expected.'
Since joining the old man.
No, even before meeting him.
This man's potential was limitless.
She had simply recognized it.
As Gi So-yul fiddled with the dagger, a smile curling her lips.
Knock knock!
A knock echoed from the workshop door.
"Excuse me. Is anyone here?"
"Yes, who's there?"
To Joo Dong-hoon's reply, the voice outside continued.
"I'm Ryu Jin-ho from the Oseong Workshop's secretarial team. Could we discuss the building occupancy issue?"
Oseong Workshop?
Gi So-yul's brow furrowed.