NPC-Made Items
It wasn't particularly strange for an NPC to create something.
Cooks whipped up food, blacksmiths forged all sorts of things from iron, and occasionally, quirky NPCs even invented their own unique gadgets.
But potions were different.
Potions were items.
Items meant things that came exclusively as rewards. Creations of the tower itself.
For example, the ring Choi Mi-na wore. It wasn't just any old ring—it was a reward from clearing a tower floor. Not some scrap metal hammered out by a blacksmith, but a gift straight from the tower.
An item.
That's why it had special effects, and why it could be appraised with the appraisal skill.
"...So you're saying she's an NPC tied to the tower?"
"No idea."
Choi Kang-hyuk pulled a bouquet from his inventory.
The very bouquet I'd given him our first meeting. He'd tossed it once but picked it back up recently.
"What's that?"
"An item."
Choi Kang-hyuk lobbed the bouquet to Choi Mi-na.
She caught it one-handed.
A bouquet that faintly reeked of chicken skewers. Wrapping paper stained with sauce, flowers now wilted and utterly pathetic.
"This?"
Tower-issued items never looked like garbage. At the very least, they appeared legit. Even if they were worthless.
"The association's appraiser checked it out."
A bouquet that somehow smells like chicken skewers. Cute girl! Reina threw this together. Wonder if it's okay to give it to a climber... Hope she doesn't get slapped. Now it's all wilted and pathetic... Probably best to just toss it.
A description that looked like a joke at first glance.
But the fact that it could be appraised meant it was a real item.
"...Reina made it."
Choi Mi-na read the description quietly.
She hadn't seen every item description in the world, but this was a first.
"NPCs can make items?"
There were quest items, sure. And NPCs sometimes had them.
But an NPC creating a quest item? Never heard of it.
"If this is real..."
"A discovery for the ages."
Everyone had concluded items couldn't be crafted.
Choi Mi-na pulled a potion from her inventory. Not one of mine—a handmade one imported from China. Black liquid that looked nauseating just to see, but it worked. Minor wounds healed right up after a sip. Fractures took a day with a splint, but they mended.
Still, it always left a queasy feeling. And appraisal skill didn't work on it.
"Thought items couldn't be made..."
"They can."
Choi Mi-na stowed the potion. Just because it worked on climbers didn't make it an item. Items had to be certified by the tower.
"If even this bouquet counts as an item, maybe..."
She could make other items too.
Choi Mi-na thought as much.
"I'll focus on the quest. You go find the NPC and dig for info."
"Me?"
Choi Mi-na was surprised. Normally, he'd handle something this big himself.
Choi Kang-hyuk averted his gaze slightly and muttered, "...She seems scared of me."
"Pfft."
Choi Mi-na burst out laughing.
He did look fierce. Rumors sometimes got twisted because of it.
NPCs wouldn't know the half-joking gallery rumors about him, so it had to be his looks.
Choi Mi-na stood from the bench.
"Got it. I'll pass the word to the others."
She'd temporarily hand command to Choi Kang-hyuk while scouting the city. She posted as much on the gallery.
Everyone was resting but still checking it—likes and confirmations rolled in fast.
"See you tomorrow then. Take care."
She waved.
Choi Kang-hyuk nodded.
He seemed gruff, but he was warm to his own people.
That was Choi Kang-hyuk.
"So... how do I butter up that girl?"
He scratched his head.
NPCs usually loved stuff from outside the tower.
"Modern goods should do it, right?"
Choi Mi-na called one of her guildmates and requested various modern items.
...
NPCs performing tasks cannot access the Tower Gallery. Finish your work first, then relax! Don't tell me... you're slacking off?
Cute girl! Reina gifts something to a climber!
The task alert that now signaled midnight.
I straightened up the moment I saw it and shut my eyes.
No point keeping them open—it was just a loss for me. Gallery time was off-limits anyway.
Thinking that way reminded me of the days without climbers.
Back then, I could browse past midnight...
Sleep in late...
"Climbers, you..."
Jerks.
They barge into a perfectly fine tower and stir up chaos.
Now I'm the one suffering.
About 10 minutes a day.
If it got worse, I might snap. Turn from petty annoyance to full rage mode.
Maybe spam dislikes.
So I prayed for just another 10-minute day tomorrow and closed my eyes.
Chirp chirp.
Birdsong announced morning. I snapped my eyes open.
Lightning-fast: hair fixed, clothes on, window open for ventilation.
Ready to head out.
"Climbers... time to face the climbers."
Muttering like a creep, I stepped outside.
Diligent climbers were already mobilizing for quests.
I cleared my throat and approached.
They lit up at the sight of me.
"Eek."
I paled.
Choi Kang-hyuk—absent yesterday—was in the group.
I grimaced and slowly approached him.
"A gift."
I handed him a potion.
He took it silently.
Shoved potions at the rest and bolted without looking back.
Just sharing space with Choi Kang-hyuk shaved years off my life.
"Phew."
Today's task: nailed.
Now shut the window, cut off the world, and gallery time.
I hurried home.
"Ahem."
Halfway there, Choi Mi-na stood blatantly blocking my path.
Choi Mi-na.
I knew the face well. It flooded the gallery.
S-rank climber, Strongest Guild master—her face was everywhere. And she posted selfies too.
Her nickname screamed it: StrongestBeautyChoiMiNa.
She oozed confidence in looks and figure. Totally justified eye candy.
Seeing her in person? Looks off the charts. Glowing skin, no makeup needed. Glamorous curves.
Pre-reincarnation me wouldn't have dared meet her eyes over instant ramen.
"Sorry, but potions are done for today."
I sidestepped with an explanation.
Handing out 100 potions daily—asking for more was like demanding longer work hours. No thanks.
Gallery time was already slashed; I wasn't giving up more.
I walked past.
Not expecting the snub, she hurriedly called out. "W-wait a sec."
"I'm busy."
"Can we talk a bit?"
She blocked me again.
"No."
"Come on, just a quick chat."
She clung persistently.
If it were Choi Kang-hyuk, I'd be on my knees begging mercy. But this was Choi Mi-na.
Most humane S-rank. Once called the Goddess of Mercy.
"Sorry, really busy."
I politely refused.
Surely she'd back off now?
The Choi Mi-na I knew wouldn't push.
"I just want to thank you for the potion and repay the favor."
Wait, these climber bastards take my potions and zip their lips?
Choi Kang-hyuk goes without saying—the others too.
Infuriating.
Maybe cut portions starting tomorrow?
As I pondered my "punishment," she pulled out all sorts of stuff.
"This is what I have... Wanna eat together and talk?"
"Uh..."
I froze at the unexpected sight.
No way... cola?
And next to it, potato chips? Chocolate, bread too.
A mountain of modern snacks.
How long since I'd tasted these? Over a year?
She noticed my gaze and pressed. "Mind a quick talk...?"
Impossible to refuse.
Who could? Not even a saint.
I nodded cautiously. "If it's quick, I might have time."
Escape route primed, I stepped beside her.
"I'm Choi Mi-na."
"Reina."
My first name exchange with a climber.
Cute girl! Reina and a climber exchanged names for the first time!!! What a moment!!!!
Spend fun time with a climber!!! (At least 2 hours!) And don't refuse their requests!!!!!! Time to get some cuteness love (ง •̀_•́)ง
I muttered quietly so Choi Mi-na couldn't hear. "...What're you giving me?"
Last time it was comment privileges. Now?
Posting rights at least, right?
A very 'special' reward is coming up.
What's worth all this fuss?
I squinted.
Synthesis Skill Level Up
"...Huh."
I stopped mid-stride.
Synthesis skill level up?
System could do that?