Chapter 236
Chapter 236
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: In Tarrak (1)
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The northern metropolis of Tarrak in the Tulk Kingdom had somehow become a gathering point for several avatars.
Beyond the Steel Fortress to the north lay the Northern Mountains, rich in rare monster cores, minerals, and herbs.
To the southeast stretched the trade route connecting to the Azerion Empire, which dominated the central continent.
And to the southwest were the high-quality iron ore mines, the pride of the Aonia Earldom, making it a hub boasting numerous skilled artisans.
That’s why I chose this place as the starting point for the Hubert Merchant Company.
A blessed location where the mercenary and arms industries thrived, and it held an excellent position in trade as well.
Before long, the Hubert Merchant Company had grown into one of the top merchant groups even in such a city.
Of course, it wasn’t purely the result of fair competition.
It would have been impossible for a merchant company founded just a few years ago to expand this quickly through normal means, so that was only natural.
“Hmm.”
Hubert gazed down from the rooftop of the company headquarters, taking in the bustling crowds below.
It had all started with the massive initial capital provided by Hans’s support.
Recruiting talent and aggressively acquiring other businesses with that capital had quickly put his company on track, and as co-representative Harley’s influence grew, it served as a shield against external threats.
Building friendly relations with the local count’s family and flaunting ties to the Church through Heinrich played a big role too.
The vampires under Heinz 2nd’s command had given them the upper hand in underhanded dealings.
And they hadn’t hesitated to ruthlessly punish those pulling strings from the shadows, making examples of them.
Plus the top-tier spices and rare goods brought from Earth, and the high-quality products supplied with quality controlled via Appraisal.
His bold investments and business moves, informed in real-time by intelligence on Immortal King raids, had succeeded every time.
The Tulk Kingdom Merchant Alliance, which had constantly tried to check him, saw its influence crumble overnight due to the opportunistic intervention of the undead army.
Success after success, as if the heavens themselves were aiding him.
In Tarrak’s merchant circles, they even called Hubert “the man blessed by the God of Wealth.”
It wasn’t so surprising, then, that he had become the head of the largest merchant company in the Tulk Kingdom’s north, with considerable standing even abroad.
And that prosperity was still ongoing right now.
The Hubert Merchant Company’s golden age was in full swing.
“Ah! Sir, there you are!”
As he absentmindedly watched the people below, a familiar young woman’s voice reached his ears.
Hubert slowly turned to see the girl approaching the rooftop railing.
“Diana.”
Gone was the small, scrawny girl from their first meeting, who hadn’t eaten well. Now she exuded a healthy vitality that made her seem even more mature than her age.
Having earned everyone’s recognition after parachuting into her position and advancing steadily, Diana now served as his personal secretary.
“There are some matters that need your approval by the end of the day! It’s the proposal you proposed for expanding the ‘Dancing with Orcs’ restaurant chain to other locations, and...”
She approached his side, briefing him competently with a binder in one hand, like a capable career woman.
She’d look perfect in glasses, radiating professionalism.
She said she’d been studying hard even before coming here... No, this goes beyond studying. It’s talent backed by effort.
He’d initially assigned her tasks just to utilize that superhuman sense of smell, but she’d exceeded expectations in business acumen.
Her efforts undoubtedly contributed significantly to the Hubert Merchant Company’s recent surge.
I was a bit disappointed that Hubert’s own growth had stalled, but this smooth expansion isn’t bad at all. As long as it helps in some way, that’s fine.
The avatar Hubert aimed to become a continental merchant overlord.
He was the second avatar created after Harley, but his individual development hadn’t been satisfactory.
He hadn’t expected much in combat from the start, but by now, he’d thought he’d pick up merchant-related skills like Bargaining or Eloquence at least...
Who would’ve thought not a single one would appear even after the company grew this big.
Come to think of it, though, he could understand why.
Skills were essentially superhuman abilities.
Merchant skills relied more on personal insight, judgment, and interactions with others rather than special powers.
It was different from cultivating martial arts or magic, which were inherently supernatural and led to related skills.
If there were a Bargaining skill that let you haggle prices down further, it’d be less a merchant’s talent and more mental magic.
Maybe such skills existed for those who truly walked the merchant’s path, and he just hadn’t noticed, but speculating now was pointless.
He was the captain steering the massive ship called the Hubert Merchant Company, not a frontline operator anymore.
Still, it’s not like there’s been zero progress.
Just moments ago, Hubert had finally acquired a new skill—not merchant-exclusive, but new nonetheless.
To be precise, his long-used Appraisal had reached a proficiency threshold, evolving into a new skill upon merging with the stat-enhanced Keen Insight.
“I spoke with Uncle—no, Mr. Bolt, who handles ingredients for ‘Dancing with Orcs,’ and we could adjust the supply prices more efficiently...”
The evolved skill, Analysis, was an upgrade over Appraisal, enabling things previously impossible.
Watching Diana chatter excitedly, he immediately used Analysis on her.
<Diana> -Affiliated with Hubert Merchant Company. Despite her young age, she shows exceptional business talent. Aware of her shortcomings, she constantly learns and strives to grow. Thrilled at the chance to help her savior. Ate a bacon sandwich for lunch today. -Key Traits: Uncanny Sense of Smell, Blind Loyalty, Devoted Family Love, Genius Business Acumen, Extraordinary Mental Prowess, Average Physical Ability, Desperately Unlucky -Trust Level: 98% The biggest difference.
Unlike Appraisal, which worked only on objects, the evolved Analysis could be used on people too.
The detail seems to depend on how well I know the target, but even this is impressive.
He’d come up to the rooftop earlier specifically to test it on passersby.
The info on them was basic: things like “Anxious about missing a delivery deadline” or “Lying to hide an affair.” Only two or three key traits showed up.
Trust levels didn’t even appear for strangers, and even for company employees, rarely exceeded 60%.
Seeing that made Diana’s 98% trust level seem absurdly high.
Her “Blind Loyalty” trait confirmed it.
Everything else makes sense, but... Desperately Unlucky?
Hubert stroked his chin, watching her brightly continue her report.
Considering her past, it fit perfectly.
Even before Aaron’s kidnapping, her keen smell and desperate efforts had barely kept dangers at bay.
Had they not met that day, she’d have lost her brother, ended up alone, and lived a tragic life.
But she doesn’t seem that unlucky now. Why’s it still a key trait? ...Huh?
Then he recalled how her family ended up in Tarrak.
A greedy tutor’s scheme had put them in peril.
If Heinz 2nd hadn’t intervened...
The kind uncle and aunt who welcomed the poor siblings would have lost their shop and home, and their only daughter Rafi might have died without proper treatment.
If things had gone that far, would the Bolt family have avoided resenting Diana? Could she have forgiven herself upon learning the truth?
...If I’d been even a little late, that happy family would’ve been shattered.
The variable was himself, an otherworlder awakener who disrupted even fate’s “misfortune.”
“...Then, please approve it!”
With her explanation finished, she thrust out the binder and pen with cheerful energy.
Hubert gazed at her bright smile for a moment, then nodded slowly and took them.
Multitasking thoughts was as natural as breathing for him, so he hadn’t missed a word of her briefing.
Anyway, Analysis is pretty useful. Perfect for handling subordinates.
Now he could easily select loyal, capable underlings.
Developing it further might even reveal more about Diana’s smell and misfortune.
Until then, keeping her close to shield her from mishaps seemed best.
“We’ll proceed as planned, sir!”
“Yes, do that.”
This girl, his first connection in this world—obedient and hardworking—held special meaning for him too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The only workshop in Tarrak’s expensive central district.
Unlike those in the industrial zone, this one had been prepared solely for “Zaonic Steelstone” on the lord’s orders.
Kaang—! Kaang—!
Naturally, the facilities and scattered tools were all top-grade, and not a single prepared material was subpar.
And Zaonic was a dwarf, of the race called artisans.
“Heh, it’s astounding every time. What kind of monster is this...”
Yet the workshop’s owner stood idle, staring somewhere with a hollow chuckle.
Due to the absurd growth of the guy he’d been teaching from the basics until recently.
I knew he was a genius from the start.
Teach him one thing, and he’d grasp ten.
Not long after picking up the hammer, he’d even received the forge’s blessing—what more proof of talent did you need?
He was burning world tree branches, notoriously hard to obtain, like common firewood.
And his stamina was insane; Zaonic often collapsed first trying to match his pace.
Sigh, back in my prime, I was that energetic too.
Zaonic shook his head, reminiscing about his glorified youth.
Even by those standards, this was excessive.
And his willpower is unmatched.
Once immersed in work, he shed all distractions, focusing solely on perfection—mechanical, like a golem rather than a living being.
Of course, neglecting food and sleep for work was common among artisans, but even by Zaonic’s experienced standards, Howard’s intensity felt alien.
He was already growing monstrously, and then...
A few days ago, it had crossed the limits of comprehension.
His second hammer strike felt like the twentieth; the third refined it another dozen times over.
As if living dozens of times faster in his own time stream.
Yes, it wasn’t growth—it was evolution.
After days of this enigma, Zaonic stopped teaching directly, merely observing and offering occasional advice.
Howard had ascended from apprentice to a full-fledged artisan worthy of respect.
Zaonic still outclassed him in skill, but at this stage, their differences were just “different,” not “wrong”—guidance held little meaning.
“Hoo—!”
Another forging session ended.
Howard emerged from his trance, wiping sweat with a towel and a deep sigh.
Before him lay a single arm of armor plating, still radiating heat. It reflected the flickering forge light off its sleek curves, gleaming with eerie metallic sheen.
“Come on, isn’t it time you told me what you’re making? It’s too complex inside for ordinary armor. Heh, where’d he learn such bizarre designs?”
As Howard’s work wrapped up, Zaonic grumbled softly from behind.
He’d asked several times already, frustration clear without a straight answer.
“Euhahat! This?”
Ignoring the lingering heat, Howard caressed the smooth part with a pleased smile.
He’d half-doubted it before, but completing even one arm confirmed its potential.
I hadn’t said anything because it might not work.
It was just a prototype now, and even after completion, it’d need frequent upgrades for real combat...
But if he could finish it, such hardships were trivial.
Because this was—
“Iron... Ahem.”
The embodiment of his dream, vowed to create the moment he pledged the artisan’s path.
“An all-purpose full-body combat suit.”
Exactly that.