Chapter 89
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: A Secret Sponsor (4)
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Yu Geonha glanced back and forth between me and the mana turret I was pointing at.
Then, in a voice striving for composure, he asked.
“Are you talking about the mana deployment turret?”
“Yes, I'll take this one. Is delivery service available?”
Even with a lightening enchantment applied to its subspace storage, it looked to be over 100 kg, which is why I asked.
But perhaps my words were a bit too casual.
Not only Yu Geonha but Yoon Sua as well froze with surprised eyes.
“Will that suffice? No, wait. Do you even have any use for that in the first place?”
Of course, I wouldn't be using it myself.
This was for defense rather than offense, specifically for base defense.
It was an item with low practicality for use in gates or dungeons.
Despite being streamlined like this, it hadn't overcome the limitation of being an installation-type weapon.
However.
“Should I say it's for me... Yes. I plan to use it in actual combat.”
Its nature as an 'installation-type' rather than a simple item opened up a new option.
So I added another question.
“By any chance, would it be possible to acquire more turrets like this?”
“No, that would be difficult. This is a relic of a bygone era. In a world with nuclear submarines, there's no reason to build a steamship, is there?”
“Then, forgive my impertinence, but I'm referring to the artisan who created this. Is there anyone who inherited their skills?”
“You're talking about an apprentice.”
“That's right.”
This mana turret was the product of all sorts of complex formulas and meticulous design.
It was an item imbued with a so-called 'artisan' spirit.
Even Sancheon would probably be speechless with admiration.
Most active item crafters today would struggle to replicate even a tenth of its quality.
“Hmm... There is one. I'll let you know.”
Yu Geonha nodded and added.
“But don't blame me if you go and get the door slammed in your face.”
Slammed in my face?
“That artisan was famous for being hard on his apprentice.”
So that's what it was about.
“I understand. Thank you, Chairman.”
“Pick one more.”
Yu Geonha turned away without even waiting for a reply.
Thanks to that, he didn't see my troubled expression.
‘One more?’
It was truly, truly unfortunate for Yu Geonha, but…
among all these items, there wasn't a single 'masterpiece' that I could find useful.
Each one was an item comparable to A-rank, but none of them really stood out.
‘Should I just pick something at random and take it?’
It would be a difficult item to dispose of carelessly, so it was destined to be stashed away in the Great Warlord's pocket anyway.
Just then, Yoon Sua, who was standing beside me, carefully asked.
“Hanul-nim, would it be alright if I recommended one?”
‘That's right.’
I had completely forgotten. This was the reason I brought Yoon Sua along.
“Yes, please do.”
Yoon Sua quickly returned with an item.
What she handed me was a bracelet made of polished metal.
The edges of the bracelet were engraved with lines that led to a small circular groove in the center.
As I took the item, Yoon Sua's explanation followed.
“It's a skill bracelet equipped with a mana discharge ability.”
‘Sage.’
[The Sage is analyzing the detailed information of the skill bracelet...]
I entrusted the high-priority analysis to the Sage and watched Yoon Sua as she continued her explanation.
“I've never properly seen your combat style or abilities, Hanul-nim. But I am well aware of your potential mana.”
‘Come to think of it, she was there during the mana measurement.’
This was the first time I'd gone anywhere with Yoon Sua, aside from the mana measurement.
‘Thinking about it, was I too selfish?’
I brought her here to get an item recommendation, but I hadn't told her a single thing about my abilities.
“I believe you, of all people, could make full use of this item, Hanul-nim.”
Despite that, Yoon Sua's gaze upon the bracelet in my hand held conviction.
“This skill bracelet was made by an artisan I know well. When the skill is activated, it shoots out a mana arrow similar to a lightning bolt, with high piercing power and a very fast casting speed.”
A mana arrow.
“Actually, for items like this, the delay between skill input and casting is the most crucial factor. In that regard, this is an item of exceptionally high quality.”
“I see.”
“You might think I'm just casually recommending it for self-defense, but that's not the case. There are definitely times during an expedition when you need a skill-casting item with a simple mechanism like this.”
‘As expected, there was a reason Sanarae recommended Yoon Sua.’
Yoon Sua not only had extensive knowledge about items but also possessed a wealth of experience incomparable to my own.
So she would have an eye for items that are useful for a 'Hunter,' regardless of their rank.
As I nodded, the Sage's analysis window appeared.
[Pierce Bracelet - A-Rank]
[An item crafted by processing the essence of a monstrous eel. All Stats +5. Allows the user to cast Mana Discharge.]
[Mana Discharge - Concentrate mana and fire it in the form of an arrow. The more mana concentrated, the greater the range and destructive power. May cause exhaustion after use.]
The boost to all stats was nice, and Mana Discharge was a useful skill for me, as I had no long-range attacks other than 'Repayment'.
Plus, the fact that its range and power increased the more I concentrated my mana—in other words, the more I focused—was also appealing.
Normally, items like this have a limiter to prevent the risk of 'mana exhaustion', but this one seemed to have no such restriction.
“That bracelet has the highest price tag among all the items here, you know.”
The old man, who had approached from behind at some point, threw in a comment.
Yoon Sua bowed her head with a troubled expression.
If he was saying that, it must be worth at least 1 billion won.
“It's 3.5 billion. It contains the essence of an eel procured from an S-rank gate in Indonesia. The production cost alone easily exceeds 1 billion.”
My guess was wrong. Well, if that's the case, so be it.
I smiled brightly and put on the bracelet.
“Then, may I take this one?”
Yu Geonha, expressionless, nodded.
“Of course. A promise is a promise.”
* * *
Yu Geonha came out to the front of the department store to see us off.
Standing like a machine and waving his cane once could be considered a send-off, I suppose.
Being seen off by the second-most powerful chairman in the financial world. It was probably an experience most Hunters would never have in their lifetime.
- If you ever need 'help' in the future, contact me anytime.
Those were Yu Geonha's last words to me as I got into the van.
Help. Looking at the items piled at my feet and the Pierce Bracelet, it certainly felt real.
I was really being sponsored by the second most powerful figure in Korea's financial world.
By the Samwol Group.
As I was lost in thought about its value, Yoon Sua suddenly spoke to me.
“Thank you for inviting me along today, Hanul-nim.”
“Ah, the pleasure is all mine. I'm sure you're busy, so thank you so much for coming with me.”
“Oh, not at all! Hanul-nim, you are a benefactor to me... no, to the Pungbaek Guild. I'm just glad I could be of help in this small way.”
Hmm, I won't deny it. If I hadn't cleared the Ogre's Sanctuary, Yoon Sua wouldn't be out and about so leisurely.
Suddenly, Yoon Sua carefully continued.
“By the way, Hanul-nim, by any chance.”
“Yes?”
“Um... about Hunter's Den.”
Hunter's Den? Why is she suddenly bringing that up now?
The unexpected topic made me stare at her in confusion.
Yoon Sua was awkwardly looking out the window, not at me. She moved only her lips to ask.
“By any chance, what was your class number at Hunter's Den...?”
“My class number?”
“Yes.”
It was a bit random, but I figured she might be curious, so I answered normally.
“I was in the 162nd class.”
Yoon Sua's eyes widened slightly.
“I... see.”
Come to think of it, what class was Yoon Sua in?
I knew she had completed Hunter's Den at a young age, but I wasn't enough of a fan to have memorized her class number.
Besides, she was a case where her talent blossomed while she was already active as a Hunter.
At Hunter's Den, she was said to have been just one of many ordinary Awakened Beings.
“By any chance,”
Yoon Sua's lips parted slightly.
“...Never mind. Thank you for telling me, Hanul-nim.”
But with those words, she closed her mouth.
Soon after, the van stopped in front of my officetel, and I got out, saying my final goodbyes.
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
“Yes, Hunter Kim Hanul. You worked hard too. And if it's alright with you, next time, we could...”
Just then, my smartphone rang.
[Yoon Suhyeok: I'm counting on youuuuuu]
“Let's find a good time for that later.”
I casually dismissed the meddlesome guy's text and nodded.
* * *
“Let's see.”
The mana turret had been moved to my officetel's office via the teleporter installed in the Black Market.
Thanks to that, all I had to do was bring this iron chair to my home.
THUD!
“Nyaaaah?!”
San-gun, who had been running towards me, jumped in fright and clung to my leg.
When I set down the mana turret, a roar like an earthquake echoed through the room.
It's a good thing I have the noise-canceling barrier between floors.
“Whoa, this thing is insanely heavy.”
Its size was modest, but its weight was anything but.
“Now, shall we begin? Gono, come out.”
Poof!
Gono appeared with a puff of mist.
He must have just woken up; his eyes were mismatched again. Seriously, does this guy do nothing but sleep in the Lord's Castle all day?
“Wake up and take out your sack.”
“Kiruk? Kiruk.”
Gono yawned and obediently took out his sack.
Hmm... The size looks a bit iffy.
“Gono, hold the sack open. I'm going to try putting this in.”
“Kiruk?”
When I pointed at the chair, Gono opened the sack with a dubious expression.
It seemed even he wasn't sure if it would fit.
“I'm putting it in.”
I heaved the mana deployment turret up and shoved it into the sack.
And after struggling with it for a while, I finally managed to seal the top of the sack.
“Alright, now take it to the Lord's Castle. Don't you dare abandon it halfway because it's too heavy.”
“Kiruk!”
Gono snorted, as if asking what I took him for.
But as soon as he shouldered the sack...
“Ki, Kiruguuk?!”
The confident look on his face vanished.
It seems the weight increases once it's inside the sack.
I patted the head of the whimpering, struggling Gono.
“Keep at it.”
* * *
Exactly three hours later, Gono managed to return to the Lord's Castle with the mana turret.
Since it wasn't a living being, it took less time than with the gnome last time.
“Alright, let's see.”
I swallowed dryly and connected to the Lord's Castle.
Cautiously checking inside the Audience Chamber...
“It's there, it's there!”
A previously unseen iron chair sprite was sitting in a corner.
Great, the transfer was a success! Now there's only one problem. Whether it can actually be operated.
I dragged the iron chair sprite and placed it just below the castle wall near the main gate.
Then, I dragged a dark elf waiting in the barracks over to the chair.
At the same time, a sprite window popped up.
[Assign a dark elf to the mana deployment turret?]
I immediately selected 'Assign'.
[A dark elf has been assigned to the mana deployment turret.]
“Oh, ooh!”
Along with the information window, the dark elf sat in the chair, and the mana deployment turret's sprite changed.
“So because it's an installation-type item, it's treated as a structure!”
It was the moment a half-doubted trick actually worked.
With excited eyes, I tapped on the newly changed turret.
I was just intending to check the turret's information.
But before my eyes, a completely unexpected sprite window appeared.
“Huh?”
It works like this?