005 - S-Rank Hunter Han Seo-ha (2)
005 - S-Rank Hunter Han Seo-ha (2)
A week had passed since I sold Laevateinn to Hunter Han Seoha... no, Seoha eonni.
I didn't really do anything special during that time.
I just rolled around lazily at home every single day.
Of course, I did gain a whopping 5 billion won, but...
Since I had no idea what to do with such a huge amount of money, I first bought a portable gaming console I'd always wanted and played with it.
However, because I played way too enthusiastically...
Going to the Hunter Association for my rank measurement was postponed to later.
'Well, since Creator is a production class anyway, I probably won't get a high rank.'
Having a high Hunter rank is nice because you get a lot of public attention and various benefits from the Association, but...
Production classes generally receive lower ranks compared to combat classes.
Besides, I'm the type of person who would rather have people focus on my equipment anyway, so it didn't really matter to me.
'By the way, rumors have already spread everywhere.'
Along with the news of Seoha eonni soloing an A-rank Gate, attention was drawn to her new weapon.
After all, since Laevateinn causes the surrounding area to shimmer, it was a natural outcome.
[Title: I'm telling you, that's an S-Rank weapon]
[Author: Blacksmith Wannabe]
I asked the exclusive blacksmith hyung at the Baekya Guild
and he said the weapon Han Seoha changed to this time is 100% S-rank
But apparently, the appearance doesn't look like it was made by a Korean blacksmith?
- Then where did she procure that from?
L Blacksmith Wannabe: Presumed to be America. Japan doesn't make swords like that
Thanks to Seoha eonni not mentioning a single word regarding Laevateinn, nobody could figure out who made it.
Now, it seems rumors are even circulating that it was brought from overseas.
Thanks to that, I suddenly became a blacksmith somewhere in America.
'...I'm not even good at English though.'
Well, anyway.
In any case, a week passed smoothly without anything major happening, and I gained another coin.
Since I pulled an S-rank on my first creation, I didn't have high expectations this time.
Still, getting good equipment wouldn't be a bad thing.
[System - Hand of God]
[Crafting]
When I pressed the Craft button without hesitation, a familiar system message popped up.
[Consuming 1 coin to craft equipment.]
Pat—!
Unlike last time, a faint light seeped out.
It was to the extent that looking directly at it caused no problem.
Kkang, kkang, kkang.
The hammering sound was also somewhat underwhelming.
In an instant, the light shaped itself into a dagger and slowly descended into my hand.
It was a small dagger with a cute teddy bear engraved on the blade.
[Equipment crafting complete.]
Very Slightly Special Teddy Bear Dagger
Rank: C
Quality: Highest
[Potential]
- 'Very Slightly Sharp' Deals additional damage due to being very slightly sharp.
[A dagger with a cute shape. There is probably no special effect.]
"This one... is a dud."
Well, one can't always be lucky.
Still, it's not like there's a huge flaw in its performance.
But with an appearance like this, I don't know if this child can find a master.
"Should I just use it as a kitchen knife?"
That afternoon.
I went to a cafe to meet Seoha eonni.
Originally, she suggested meeting at a restaurant with a difficult name, but since that felt a bit overwhelming, we compromised on this place.
Of course, even this wasn't an ordinary cafe, as it had separate private rooms.
"Congratulations on soloing the A-rank Gate."
"It's all thanks to you. I could never have done it without Laevateinn."
Satisfaction dripped from Seoha eonni's voice.
When I saw her last time, her expression hardly showed any emotion.
Today was different. She clearly looked in high spirits.
"What did I even do... Anyway, I guess Laevateinn fit your hands well?"
"It was perfect. It felt as if it was custom-made just for me. There wasn't even any need to adjust to it."
With those words, Seoha eonni babbled on, explaining performance details of Laevateinn that even I hadn't known about.
Not only could she easily take down defensive golems that used to be difficult,
but when combat dragged on and triggered the 'Exalted' state, she didn't suffer from any status ailments at all.
High-tier Gates are either freezing cold or scalding hot depending on the terrain, and completely ignoring those environmental factors apparently helped her tremendously.
"That's a relief. Laevateinn really found a great master too."
Maybe because the sword I crafted received so much praise, a chuckle escaped my lips.
At that moment, Seoha eonni tilted her head slightly.
"No. The weapon itself is perfect. It would have been the same even if another hunter had held it."
Seoha eonni's voice lowered slightly.
And then her gaze remained fixed on my face.
"...Let me ask you this time for real. Just what on earth is your true identity?"
"I'm just an ordinary Creator."
That was the only thing I could say.
This time, I had merely happened to craft Laevateinn out of luck.
Next time—no, in the future, I might not be able to continuously craft such powerful equipment.
Just today, I crafted a C-rank Teddy Bear Dagger.
Considering that, compared to other blacksmiths who consistently make high-quality equipment, I am still lacking.
"...So you're determined to keep it a secret no matter what, huh."
Seoha eonni muttered softly under her breath and smiled as if she had decided on something.
"I'll give you any materials you want. If you need it, I'll even provide a large forge for you. I can pay you several times more than other guilds. How about working exclusively for me?"
It was an unexpected proposal.
Well, high-caliber blacksmiths often work exclusively for guilds, but...
I still don't have any distinct achievements other than Laevateinn.
Furthermore, my job class is the mysterious 'Creator'.
To think she's planning to invest in someone like me based purely on potential high points—I couldn't understand her thinking.
"You have a face that says you don't understand."
"You don't even know what kind of person I am, so why offer that?"
"That doesn't matter. It's just that if I saw you working for another guild, I think I'd be pissed off."
Why would she be pissed off?
Were we really at that kind of relationship?
Since her favorability went up by 10 last time, it's at exactly 60 right now.
That level isn't even friend status yet.
Of course, for me, working exclusively for an S-rank hunter—and an independent one not affiliated with a guild at that—would certainly be convenient and nice, but...
Since I couldn't craft whatever equipment she wanted just because she gave me materials due to my skill, I couldn't accept the proposal.
"I'm sorry. That might be a bit difficult."
As I shook my head and conveyed my refusal,
Seoha eonni's hand paused on top of the table.
She even looked somewhat slightly angry.
"Why? I can give you the absolute best treatment in every way. If it's money, I have plenty. If you want, I'll even act as your personal bodyguard when I have free time."
"It's not that your terms are lacking. It's just that working exclusively for someone still feels a bit burdensome to me."
I spoke as gently as possible so as not to hurt her feelings.
If I were an ordinary blacksmith, I would have crafted equipment under an S-rank hunter while receiving good materials.
However, I am a Creator, not a blacksmith.
It's better for me to make and sell things alone without belonging anywhere.
Seoha eonni let out a deep sigh.
"Sorry. I got way too excited, which isn't like me."
"It happens. Thank you for the offer."
"Sure. I'll welcome you as my exclusive anytime, so tell me if you change your mind."
I nodded and took a bite of the untouched cake.
'Hehe, delicious.'
I don't know why, but ever since becoming a woman, sweet things have tasted so good.
Originally, I wouldn't even look at stuff like this.
Well, good things are good things.
As long as it tastes good, that's all that matters.
While I was eating enthusiastically, Seoha eonni didn't say a word.
Right around the time the plates containing various desserts emptied one by one,
Seoha eonni looked at me again.
"Speaking of which, regarding our contract from last time... We agreed to meet like this for the time being. I think we've already covered everything about Laevateinn earlier, so what do you plan to do from now on?"
"Right..."
Honestly, meeting up like this was just an excuse I made up thinking her favorability might go up.
It wasn't like there was a specific reason.
"Well, I'm fine with just having casual conversations too. There are still many things I'm curious about regarding you."
Fortunately, Seoha eonni didn't seem to mind much either.
"Okay. Let's do that."
"Alright. Do you have any other plans today?"
"Ah, I have to sell a dagger."
Actually, the C-rank dagger I crafted earlier.
I thought about using it as a kitchen knife,
but fortunately, when I put it up on the exchange, someone said they'd buy it.
"A dagger?"
Seoha eonni tilted her head.
"I made one yesterday."
"Hmm... Can you show it to me?"
I pulled it out of my bag and placed it on the table.
Seoha eonni's gaze traveled down along the blade and stopped at one spot.
"...It's ordinary."
And then the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
"Is the appearance to your taste?"
"Th-That's just... it happened while crafting."
"It's fine. I like cute things too."
I told you it's not my taste.
Her expression showed she absolutely didn't believe me.
"Then I'll accompany you. I cleared my schedule today on purpose."
"There's no need to..."
"Didn't you ask to meet up first?"
I had nothing to say to that.
Because it was true that I brought it upon myself.
"Do whatever you like."
.
.
.
"Cute lady. Knock off 100,000 won for me."
"I already listed it cheaper than the average market price."
"Ayy, just give me a little discount."
"No. If you keep doing this, I'm just going to sell it to someone else."
And then I ran into an annoying customer.
After selling equipment to Seoha eonni, I got unnecessary confidence, so I took a profile and did a direct transaction again...
When I realized his job class wasn't even a dagger user, I should have canceled the deal right away.
Furthermore.
TIP. 'Beloved Child' does not trigger on low-tier targets.
I also found out that the favorability adjustment doesn't always trigger unconditionally.
This became a pain.
"Ha... This bitch really won't listen to words. Just because her face looks cute, she doesn't seem to know how scary people can be."
The rude customer slowly approached me.
What is this guy doing, seriously?
At that moment.
Peo-eok—!
A tremendous sound came first, and then my view was blocked.
It was Seoha eonni's back.
She must have been watching from behind and rushed over when things sensed off.
And before I knew it, I was wrapped in eonni's arms.
Huh?
A rich scent of perfume brushed against the tip of my nose.
"Which guild do you belong to, you?"
Her voice was lower than usual, and disgusted revulsion could be felt within it.
"H-Heeek..."
At that, holding his solar plexus, the rude customer bolted away in a hurry.
Judging by the sound alone, his ribs must have broken.
Well, since he ended up like that while being a jerk, serves him right.
"Thank you, eonni."
Looking up at Seoha eonni, I offered a grateful smile.
Only then did Seoha eonni let go of me and step back.
Her face was significantly redder than usual.
"...It's nothing."
[Target: Han Seoha's favorability has increased by 25.]
[Level up!]
[Hand of God LV 1 → Hand of God LV 2]
TIP. From now on, you can select the type of equipment to craft.
Huh.
I really didn't do anything this time though?