Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: First Outing
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The sun had set, and stars dotted the night sky.
After Lulu and Arin, who had clung to me like gum all day, finally fell asleep...
I decided to sort out the tasks I needed to handle before bed.
PhD. What exactly is the penalty Karin received?
It's a curse called 'World of the Blind,' an immeasurable grade.
I called her blind for simplicity, but she's not actually blind.
Precisely, it's a curse where opening her eyes shows a different world, not ours.
A different world?
I don't know exactly where.
Karin says that when she opens her eyes, she sees another world painted entirely black. Looking at it makes her want to gouge her eyes out instinctively.
That's why she always keeps her eyes closed, hence calling her blind lol.
...That's kinda scary.
Honestly, even I'm a bit scared by this;
"A curse of an immeasurable grade that lets her see another world...?"
It seemed like something that far exceeded my imagination, just like that '[Censored]'s Scale Fragment' I got before.
If that's the case, completely removing the penalty might be impossible.
Even if I could make something, it might come with its own massive penalty, making it worse than doing nothing.
PhD, by any chance, is there a 'cannot be healed' penalty on it?
No, that's not it. But none of the methods I know worked.
Then it doesn't seem like something easily solvable. Instead of removal, I'll aim for mitigation.
Yeah. Even mitigation would be a huge help for Karin.
That settles the potion for Karin.
Next up...
PhD, I've got a question.
Yeah?
I'm thinking of making a heart-strengthening potion. Any good ingredients?
Heart-strengthening potion?
The fighting spirit skill strains my heart when used properly.
For that, an ogre heart comes to mind right away?
Ogres are so tough they don't die easily, and with your potions, you might get a regeneration skill.
(Thanks. Thumbs up, PhD content.)
...I've got a rough plan for the potion needed for the Orc Lord's fighting spirit.
"Good thing I didn't get caught."
If the PhD knew the truth, I'd have been nagged for ages about how I got it.
Lucky I slipped by with my prepared excuse.
It was a bit early for bed, so as I thought about tinkering with recipes in the meantime...
Jobby. Busy tomorrow?
Just making potions and climbing the tower, so not too busy. Why?
Then tomorrow, bring the kids to the Management Agency to register as climbers.
I've handled all the procedures, so just show your skills.
Not hard, but... do I have to?
Honestly, the Management Agency rubs me the wrong way. Don't wanna get involved.
No choice, even if you dislike them.
If an unregistered account has exchange transaction history, National Tax Service agents will come knocking. Better do it before then.
Wait, they can just go that far?
It's tax-related, so yes lol.
This is a universal law in every country, not just ours.
From what the PhD said next...
Apparently, a Korean climber once got "rescued" (not really) from a kidnapping because they demanded unpaid taxes.
So get it done before things escalate.
Our National Tax Service is relentless;
These guys get off on squeezing taxes like perverts.
The hardest part of washing my identity was dodging the NTS;;;
The PhD claimed the National Tax Service is a group of perverts obsessed with collecting taxes no matter what.
No mercy here, no bribes work, so he stressed never to get tangled up.
"...The National Tax Service is scary."
Even in chaotic Korea, they seem like dutiful public servants fulfilling their role.
But hearing they get excited over collecting taxes makes me not want to get close.
Anyway.
There's nothing good about getting on the NTS's bad side, that's for sure.
I told him I'd head to the Management Agency first thing tomorrow, ending the chat.
For tomorrow's sake, I decided to hit the hay early tonight.
The next morning.
"Little bells. We're going out today."
"Outing meow! Exciting meow!"
"My first outing ever!"
I fed Lulu and Arin, who were thrilled about their first outing, dressed them in the custom-made kids' clothes the PhD specially ordered, and headed to the nearby Management Agency.
"Ah, Benefactor, right? We got word you'd visit today. Follow me."
The process went smoothly after that.
As the PhD said, showing Lulu and Arin's skills wrapped up the climber (summoner) registration review.
A short wait later, they handed over the registration cards, saying it was complete, and we left the building.
"...Smoother than expected?"
Honestly, it was too smooth.
I'd braced for some incident or a Management Agency villain showing up.
But the staff were incredibly friendly.
Even giving candy to Lulu and Arin—they were good people.
"Maybe it's not that messed up yet?"
Come to think of it, I recall the gallery mentioning the Management Agency split into two factions.
Maybe this branch is the one trying to prevent Korea's collapse.
Anyway.
Registration finished quicker than expected, and as I thought about heading home...
"Daddy meow. Where to now meow?"
"Shall we look around somewhere else?"
"Hmm... Let's see..."
They seemed disappointed that their first outing might end like this.
Their fidgeting fingers and subtle anticipation were adorable, so I racked my brain and came up with something.
"There's a workshop belonging to one of Daddy's acquaintances nearby. Wanna check it out?"
Remembering the address Heonkyu had given me last meal, promising to make me a kitchen knife, and it being close by.
I figured I'd pick up a decent weapon for myself while fulfilling my promise to get Arin some gear.
So, off to the Heonkyu & Garam Workshop.
"Hurry, Daddy meow!"
"We'll race you, Daddy!"
The clueless little ones dashed ahead, udada, then turned back at intersections to wait for me.
Repeat for about ten minutes, and we found a five-story building with a "[Heonkyu & Garam Workshop]" sign, opened the door, and went in.
Tinkle~!
"Welcome... Oh? Cute little misses? What brings you to our workshop~?"
Passing display shelves of magic tools and climber gear, I spotted Garam at the counter in the back.
The two girls hung off the counter and said:
"Here to meet Daddy meow's acquaintance meow!"
"Hand over Daddy's acquaintance quick! He's making my gear!"
"Hmm~? What's that about... Ah! Rowoon! You finally came!"
"Ah, uh..."
[Skill 'Serene Reflection' has automatically activated.]
['Silent Waters' state applied: Mind calms, all negative emotions vanish.]
"...I was nearby on errands and remembered, so I stopped by. Sorry for coming unannounced."
"No worries~ We'd welcome you anytime, Rowoon."
"Thanks for saying that."
"Of course~ Come by casually from now on."
With the skill's backup, I exchanged smooth greetings with Garam.
She soon excused herself to fetch Heonkyu.
We passed the time playing with the kids' magic tools they'd gifted us.
Moments later.
"Does this star-shaped sunglasses look good on Lulu meow, Daddy meow?"
"Mine's heart-shaped!"
"Both look great..."
"Rowoon hyungnim! Your little bro Heonkyu is here!"
"...Huh?"
"Ahh! Rowoon hyungnim!"
"!!!"
Soot-covered, sweat-drenched Heonkyu came barreling out, spotted me, and grinned brightly, going in for a hug...
"Whoa! Sweat! Soot! If that gets on me, we're done!"
...But he didn't.
No matter how happy, a drenched guy's hug was a no-go.
I desperately blocked him.
"Ah...! Sorry. Got too excited seeing hyungnim..."
"I get you're happy, so stay back. And drop the 'hyungnim' already. I'm 23 now."
"C'mon, just seven years? That's fair game for hyungnim!"
"No, it bothers me. No more hyungnim from now on."
"Ahh... No hyungnim... How about dongsaengnim then...?"
"...No dongsaengnim either. Just call me Rowoon casually. You're a dad now too—loosen up this time."
"Haha... Alright, Rowoon? But then call me Heonkyu hyung casually too."
"Sure thing, Heonkyu hyung."
"Hahaha! Yeah, Rowoon!"
I pointed out the burdensome formality I'd felt since last time but hadn't mentioned.
He seemed to be waiting for it, biting eagerly, and we became bros.
We briefly caught up on recent events before getting to the point.
"So you came here for something, right? What to make? Sword? Spear? Bow? Pauldrons? Shield? Name it! I'll drop everything and make it first!"
"Calm down, Heonkyu hyung. No need to go that far."
"No, Rowoon. He's right."
"Huh?"
"That's the contract we made. Speak freely. Or... you don't want us penalized, do you?"
"Of course not...?"
"Then just say it casually?"
...They weren't like this at first.
Since having a kid, the couple's competing to give stuff away—total chaos.
Anyway.
If they insist, refusing more would be rude, so I was honest.
"First, I need a sturdy axe tough enough to tempt an orc."
"Axe sturdy enough for an orc? Uh... just to check, who's using it?"
"Ah, me."
"You, Rowoon? Hmm... Wait a sec, will ya?"
"Sure?"
What?
Heonkyu hyung pondered seriously after hearing my axe request.
Then said he'd grab something and headed down the basement stairs.
"Nngh...!!!"
Soon, he thudded down a massive, rusted double-bladed axe in front of me and said:
"Whew, heavy."
"What's this...?"
"This... Words won't explain it—better experience it. Grab the handle."
"?"
What to experience? I wondered briefly.
But following his words, I gripped the rusty double-bladed axe's handle.
Item info popped up, and I instantly understood what he meant.
[Forgotten Double-Bladed Axe of Struggle][???]
-[???] : -Unlocked upon meeting binding condition-
-[???] : -Unlocked upon meeting binding condition-
-[???] : -Unlocked upon meeting binding condition-
-[???] : -Unlocked upon meeting binding condition-
※Binding Condition: Infuse the weapon with your [Fighting Spirit] and prove ownership.
"No way... Ego gear?"
"Right. Insane conditions, so it was dirt cheap. Bought it for research, but after the cape, no use, so it sat in storage."
"Why give it to me...?"
"Hmm... Hard to say, but... my blacksmith instinct? Felt like you could use it."
"Ha, haha... That's..."
※Binding Condition: Infuse the weapon with your [Fighting Spirit] and prove ownership.
Heonkyu hyung's instincts are spot on, as expected from a top blacksmith.