Chapter 5

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 5

Chapter Title: The Association and Guilds Clashed Over Me

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I couldn't help but chuckle at that last comment.

Dating? What nonsense.

Of course, she was undeniably beautiful, the kind of beauty that no one could deny.

But that thought had only flickered through my mind for the briefest instant before vanishing.

Her image on the screen.

After the battle ended, quietly catching her breath in the darkness.

Silver hair spilling through the gaps in her torn armor, her silhouette perfectly outlined beneath the snug combat gear— what I felt in that moment went beyond mere beauty.

It was an overwhelming presence, the aura of a battlefield dominator that words couldn't capture, a weight no one could dare approach.

Thinking of something as trivial as romance while seeing that would be an insult to her, a needless extravagance.

All I wanted was for her, finally unburdened after ten long years, to soar even higher.

As her weapon's creator, there's no greater reward than seeing its owner happy.

I lifted the glass vial in my hand. Inside, black Shadow Aura swirled slowly like ink.

"Shadow Aura... There'll come a day when I use this."

I figured coating a weapon with it would maximize stealth capabilities, and mixing it into armor could grant a trait that naturally deflects physical attacks.

If it were part of a set item build, it'd be a huge boost for sure.

"Time to get to work."

For the hunters waiting for me today.

And for the people who believed in me and were patiently waiting.

Staring at the quest window, a deep thought suddenly crossed my mind.

What is the end of all this?

Are the red and blue auras we know the only ones?

This Shadow Aura that just appeared made me wonder if there were still unknown attributes out there, undiscovered by the world.

And perhaps combining and wielding them was the path I needed to take.

Let's make something. Armor first.

As I reached for my hammer, the events from earlier flashed through my mind.

A few hours earlier, in the Association hallway.

"Mr. Lee Do-ha, do you have a moment?"

A clear yet weighty voice pierced my ears.

I turned to see Sylphsong standing at the end of the right hallway.

The warm afternoon sunlight poured through the window, illuminating her.

As she lifted her head, the fluorescent lights swept ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠softly over her sharp jawline and nose bridge.

Normally, she'd look like a shard of ice, razor-edged.

But today, her expression was unexpectedly serene and gentle, like a lake after spring snow had melted.

A few passing hunters stared in awe before hurriedly bowing their heads and moving on.

Her untouchable aura made lingering gazes feel rude.

"You look different today."

"Do I?"

She gave a soft smile.

Not a fake curl of the lips, but a genuine one where her eyes crinkled warmly—a relaxed expression I could never have imagined before.

"Your smile suits you. Much better."

"...It's all thanks to you."

She hesitated a moment before pulling a small glass vial from her pocket and offering it.

Inside the transparent bottle, something like black mist writhed like a living creature.

"This is...?"

"Shadow Aura. I extracted the energy that naturally flowed out while using the dagger."

My eyes widened.

Aura extraction was an advanced technique only a handful of S-grades could pull off, and it shaved off their own mana, so it was a precious gift reserved for those with deep trust.

"Whoa, are you sure you can give me something this valuable? This is part of your power."

"I know you'll put it to better use. I've already received more than enough."

Her gaze fell on the dagger at my waist.

"Thanks to this dagger, my ten-year winter has ended. A few drops of aura can't repay that debt."

Her tone was casual, but the sincerity hit like a boulder.

"Thank you. I'll treasure it."

"Then I'll head out so I don't disturb your work. Don't push yourself too hard."

She bowed lightly and turned away.

Clack, clack.

Watching her retreating figure, a faint smile formed on my lips unbidden.

I felt like I understood her a little better now.

Not as the S-grade hunter Sylphsong, but as a person who just wanted to set down her heavy burden.

Seeing that lonely back, so unreachable, I suddenly wanted to approach, pat her shoulder, and say she'd done well.

Right after the forge door closed, in the hallway.

As soon as Sylphsong stepped out, someone emerged leisurely from the shadows, as if waiting.

"Oh? Since when did you start looking after Mr. Lee Do-ha like this?"

The smooth voice slithered like silk from a snake— Irmi, the Association Headquarters Chief.

Sylphsong paused but turned to face her without surprise, her eyes calm as if she'd expected it.

"And what brings you here, Chief Irmi?"

"Me? Just for the Association's well-being, of course."

"...It's a token of professional gratitude."

"Professional, huh."

Irmi twisted her red lips into a smirk.

"A report would suffice. No need to shave off your own mana to extract Shadow Aura and deliver it personally. Isn't that something lovers exchange?"

Her words struck right at the heart.

Sylphsong's brow furrowed slightly, and the air around them chilled instantly.

"You're no different."

Sylphsong shot back coldly, unflinching.

"If it's the President's orders, just assign a subordinate. No need for the Chief to lurk in shadows 24/7 for personal protection."

"......"

"Besides, you seem to hover around Mr. Lee Do-ha far longer than work hours. Personal interest? Or surveillance?"

Tension crackled between them.

One exuded cold that could freeze everything; the other, darkness that could swallow it all.

The hallway lights flickered unstably with a buzz.

Irmi chuckled first and stepped back.

"Fine, let's be honest."

She crossed her arms and tilted her head.

"Even if you like him, I'll always be closest to Mr. Lee Do-ha. Professionally and physically. Shadows exist wherever there's light."

A blatant provocation.

A declaration that she was always with him, and it wasn't a place Sylphsong could trespass.

Sylphsong's eyes darkened coldly.

"Being close doesn't mean you're close in heart."

"Same goes for you, doesn't it? Someone holed up in a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cave for ten years—do you even know how to win a person's heart?"

"......!"

The two women glared at each other.

Invisible sparks flew. If this weren't the Association hallway, a pillar or two might have been uprooted.

Moments later, Sylphsong snorted and turned away first.

"We'll see who ends up more essential to him."

Irmi watched her go with a leisurely smile.

'This is getting interesting.'

Not just a mere craftsman, but someone with a mysterious pull on people.

A new rival had appeared, but she had no intention of losing.

Irmi straightened her clothes and knocked on the forge door.

Knock knock.

"Do-ha, got a minute?"

"Oh, Chief? What's up?"

I opened the door to find Irmi wearing the sweetest smile in the world, no trace of her earlier ferocity.

"Lunch together? The Association cafeteria menu's great today. Special menu, they say."

"Oh, really? But I'm just about to start working."

"Just 30 minutes. You have to eat."

She naturally took my arm and pulled.

"Taking care of your health is part of my job. If you collapse, it's a huge loss for the Association."

An ironclad excuse I couldn't refuse.

Besides, her eyes were soft but firm.

"A... alright."

I reluctantly set down my hammer and stood.

From behind a pillar down the hall.

Sylphsong hid in the shadows, watching the two head to the cafeteria amiably.

Irmi's hand deliberately on my arm burned into her vision.

"This way, Do-ha. Careful."

"Ah, thanks."

Crack.

A crack spiderwebbed across the marble pillar Sylphsong gripped, and white frost began forming on the hallway floor.

'Fox of a woman...'

Her eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

The prelude to a war fiercer than any raid had begun.

Everyone desperately clamoring for armor.

For hunters, nothing mattered more than survival.

It was strange.

He seemed to do nothing, yet events always revolved around him.

This world was structured to collapse if one person didn't hold it up alone.

The blacksmith's armor slave season—kidnapped, no, voluntary confinement.

Now commencing.