002 - Childhood Friend
002 - Childhood Friend
"I'm so full."
After the meal.
I rubbed my bulging stomach and smiled happily.
I don't know about other things, but there's a reason I consistently get side dishes from Jia.
They're delicious enough to put any regular side dish shop to shame.
Especially the seasoned bean sprouts.
I don't know how she seasons them so well.
"It's good to see you eating well, but... by any chance, did you starve today?"
Jia asked with a very worried expression.
Hmm. Honestly, I did eat a bit too ravenously.
The side dishes were delicious, and it was true that I had starved.
"Ah, that's..."
I couldn't answer right away.
Of course, they say childhood friends have no secrets between them.
But I couldn't exactly tell her that I got fired from my part-time job, felt depressed, tried to make ramen, got hit by a hammer, and woke up at night, could I?
"I was feeling down because I got fired from my part-time job. Maybe that's why I had absolutely no appetite."
So I beat around the bush a little.
Fortunately, Jia seemed to understand and nodded.
"Ah... I see. You were eating so fast I got worried. Even if something like that happens in the future, don't starve yourself."
"Yeah, I got it."
"And make sure to contact me when you run out of side dishes. Don't leave your fridge empty."
Her expression had been sour ever since she opened the fridge earlier; it seems that really bothered her.
But, it can't be helped.
I can't take up Jia's time just for my side dishes.
"How can I contact you... You're busy."
"Are you saying that again? I told you I'm fine. Besides, if I don't have work, I just space out at the guild anyway."
Liar.
Even if she says that, she must be busy.
Jia is my childhood friend from the same orphanage, and the guild master of the rising guild, 'Shinwol'.
I even heard she's preparing for the S-class hunter test these days.
'How could she not be busy?'
Even though she awakened way before me.
And she's an A-class hunter and a guild master.
I'm grateful enough that such an amazing person brings me side dishes every now and then just because we're childhood friends.
It's a huge relief that my relationship with Jia hasn't changed even though I've turned into a girl.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
Jia was resting her chin on the table, staring at me blankly.
"Huh?"
"You said you got fired from your part-time job. If you want, you can just work at our guild."
It was an offer I had received when Jia first founded the guild.
Except for the fact that it would be nepotism, there was nothing bad about it for me.
I'd earn way more money than a convenience store part-time job, and since it's office work, it wouldn't be too grueling.
Still.
"I'm fine."
I refused back then, too.
It's because of a belief, or maybe a strange stubbornness.
Besides, I've even awakened now.
As long as I can make equipment, I won't have to worry about money for a while.
"Our guild takes care of you way better than other part-time jobs, so think about it..."
"I awakened."
Jia was speechless for a moment at my words.
She looked at me with wide eyes, as if asking what kind of nonsense I was spouting.
"What, for real? You're not joking, right?"
"It's real. I can't show you my status window, and that's the problem."
"Why would you show me that? Did you not do the preliminary verification?"
Preliminary verification?
Come to think of it, I think I heard on the Hunter Gallery that something like that exists.
That there's an app that lets you use hunter-exclusive functions once you verify your Awakened status using the sensor on your phone.
"...You, you idiot, seriously. Hurry up and turn on your phone."
I obediently followed Jia's words and turned on my phone.
"Install Hunter Pass. Then just do the verification as it says."
I went to the store and installed Hunter Pass.
A verification screen popped up with a notice that only Awakened individuals can use it.
And after entering my personal information, I placed my finger on the indicated spot.
Beep-beep-beep—
Verifying Awakened status...
Magic power confirmed.
Verification complete.
Registering Yoo Eunha's information to the server...
Registration complete. Welcome.
Then, a profile with my job and name appeared on the screen.
"Let's see, uh, what is 'Creator'? It's a job I've never seen before."
Jia was already glued to my side, peering at my profile with fascination.
It's a relief that my skills aren't revealed.
The job is weird enough, and if she heard I had an EX-rank skill, she'd definitely make a fuss.
"It, it's just something like a blacksmith."
"Blacksmith? Ah... it's a derivative job."
Derivative job.
It refers to a job where a specific part of a base job is specialized or modified.
I heard Jia is a Dark-attribute specialized mage, so she can only handle skills in that category.
Of course, Creator and Blacksmith seem to be a bit different in nature.
Anyway, it's good that it passed.
"But how can our Eunha be a blacksmith? You have to, like, hammer materials and stuff."
Jia kneaded my arms here and there as if she didn't trust me.
"Look, you're so scrawny. What are you going to do, seriously."
"St, stop. That tickles."
I hurriedly pulled my arm out of Jia's hands.
Even though we've been this close before, we were never the type to have physical contact.
It seems Jia's sense of personal space has changed since I became a girl.
Maybe it's because the memories of when I was a man are still in my head, but I felt a bit embarrassed.
"Ah, that's it. Since you've awakened, join our guild. If Eunha wants, I'll even build you a smithy. But absolutely no using dangerous tools!"
How is a blacksmith supposed to make equipment without dangerous tools?
Of course, since Creator only needs coins, it doesn't matter.
No, why would you recruit such a rare blacksmith if you're not going to let them make equipment in the first place?
Even if we're childhood friends, I can't understand this part.
"I'll handle it. And at least for now, I have no intention of joining Shinwol."
And forever. Until I'm confident in my abilities, there's no way I'll join Shinwol.
The day Jia founded the guild, I decided it myself.
It won't change. I don't want to be a burden.
"I just awakened. I don't want to ride on Shinwol's coattails as a nepotism hire. I'll work hard and reach the same level as Jia on my own. Ask me again then."
At my words, Jia sighed softly as if she couldn't help it.
"You and your stubbornness. Well, Eunha has always been like that."
Jia held out her pinky finger.
"Instead, you have to come to our guild someday. Promise?"
I silently hooked my finger around hers.
This is the kind of childhood friend she is.
A kind childhood friend who wants to help me no matter what.
So I can't live my whole life just receiving help.
Someday, I want to repay her too.
I let go of her finger, looked at Jia, and smiled bashfully.
"Eunha, you... seriously."
Then.
[Target: Lee Jia's favorability has increased by 5.]
[Level Up!]
[Hand of God LV 0 → Hand of God LV 1]
Suddenly, a notification rang out along with a system message that I had leveled up.
'Suddenly, at this timing?'
TIP. You can now acquire coins.
Ding!
[1 coin has been awarded to commemorate your first level up!]
'I... didn't do anything.'
I just chatted with Jia like usual.
Why did her favorability suddenly go up?
Was favorability something that went up this easily in the first place?
Leveling up... maybe it's not as hard as I thought.
"What are you thinking about?"
I came to my senses at Jia's voice.
"Ah, it's nothing. I just spaced out for a second."
Jia had already gotten up from her seat and was packing her things.
"Is that so? Anyway, I'll get going. If anything happens, make sure to call me. Eat well."
Jia, who was walking toward the entrance, suddenly turned back and said.
"Don't ever follow strange people. And don't go around spreading the news everywhere just because you're excited about awakening."
"I won't. It's not like I'm a kid."
"In my eyes, you're still super cute, though."
"What are you saying..."
Hearing that I was cute felt strange.
Maybe because I heard it from someone who was just a normal childhood friend until yesterday, it felt even more so.
It felt like I had become Jia's younger sister or something.
It's going to take a while to get used to this.
I saw Jia off with a bashful smile.
At the same time, I used the Observation skill.
[Lee Jia]
[Shinwol / A-class Hunter / Dark-attribute Mage]
[Favorability 150 → 155 (+5)]
The information I can check is just what I already know.
At least the fact that favorability doesn't end at 100.
Considering that Jia, who thinks of me as a close friend, has that much favorability.
Fixing favorability at 50 with the 'Beloved One' effect wouldn't be much help.
That's a bit of a shame.
After Jia left and I was alone, I immediately checked the unlocked ability.
[EX: Hand of God (LV.1)]
Coin: 1
Cooldown: 6 days 23 hours
Use a coin to randomly craft equipment.
(Information cannot be checked due to low level.)
(Information cannot be checked due to low level.)
(Favorability required for next level: 20)
As I leveled up, I became able to acquire coins automatically.
The cooldown is a week, which isn't bad.
Although the hurdle for the favorability required for the next level suddenly jumped up.
Looking at just today, I think I can fill it up quickly if I sell equipment and mingle with other hunters.
Of course, I think I'll have to make a big decision then. But since I have this face, I think it'll work out somehow.
Anyway, that's not what's important right now.
I actually got a coin!
That means I can craft one piece of equipment.
Usually, pulling gacha one by one is better for flexing.
There's no reason not to do it right away.
"Alright. Then, shall we begin?"
I summoned Hand of God in my mind.
[System - Hand of God]
[Craft]
I pressed the craft button without hesitation.
[Using 1 coin to craft equipment.]
Flash—!
Light spread around, and something slowly began to be forged before my eyes.
It was so dazzling that it was hard to keep looking at it.
Still, I peeked at it to capture the first moment.
Clang, clang, clang!
Along with the sound of hammering, the light gradually turned into the shape of a sword.
Eventually, when the glare cleared.
Thud, a sword fell into my hand.
[Equipment crafting complete.]
A black blade that looked like it could cut anything.
Flames burning silently above it.
Quietly, as if waiting for the moment to swallow something.
The sword was flickering as if it were alive.
Forgotten Flame 'Laevateinn'
Rank : S
Quality : Top-tier
[Potential]
- 'Fierce Flame' The flames ignore the opponent's defense and deal damage.
- 'Hellfire' All of the user's fire-attribute skills are enhanced.
- 'Holy Flame' If the user enters an 'Exalted' state during battle, they become immune to all status ailments.
[The flame of the end did not go out. It was just waiting for the next sacrifice.]
Huh.
I think I've made something incredible.