Chapter 13
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 13. Encounter (2)
—Clang!—Clang!—Clang!
A clear and pure sound echoed through the workshop.
My routine these days is simple.
Wake up and browse the gallery. Make potions for climbing. Make armor with the Mithril received as rewards. Climb the Tower. Browse the gallery before sleeping.
Repeating this routine, I have already cleared up to the 9th Floor of the Tower and have the 10th Floor right before my eyes.
The journey up to the 9th Floor was similar on each floor.
It was a quest to protect a village from monsters on each floor continuously.
Naturally, the difficulty increased gradually, and eventually, on the 9th Floor, my Maximus Unit 3 Leather Top met its end.
What I realized while climbing to the 9th Floor was that floors 1 to 9 share the same timeline.
From around the 5th Floor, people recognized me even when I went to unknown villages.
These are my stats grown like that.
Name: Kim Si-woo
Level: 19
Class:[Primeval Maker (Legendary)]
Skills: [Primeval Craftsmanship Lv2], [Primeval Workshop Lv2], [Grace of the Primeval Maker Lv2], [Touch of the Primeval Maker Lv2]
Achievements: [Legendary Class]
HP: 820/820 MP: 125/125
Vitality: 32
Strength: 34
Agility: 31
Intelligence: 18
Dexterity: 35
Remaining Points: 0
It seemed I was gradually shedding my newbie appearance.
Perhaps because the experience required increased, only [Touch of the Primeval Maker Lv 2] leveled up among the skills.
According to a gallery guide post, floors 1 to 10 are considered a tutorial, and a boss exists on the 10th Floor.
So to make thorough preparations, I am hammering again today to upgrade all my armor.
"I know!!"
I know, but it's too hard!!
With swords, I didn't think about curves much.
I just had to hammer according to the guidelines, but moving on to armor, the difficulty didn't just double, it squared.
Hit too hard and it bends, hit too weak and curves don't form.
And this damn Mithril has a higher melting point than Pale Moon Stone and cools down much faster.
So I have to hammer quickly and accurately when the heat is up.
If concentration breaks for a moment.
—SCREEEECH!!!
A sound signaling failure immediately hit my ears.
My clothes were long soaked with sweat, and sweat dripped from my hair drop by drop.
Before I knew it, it was the final step, and having made countless ones so far, I know without looking.
That this is Normal grade.
—Ding~!
[Mithril Plate Armor]
Grade: Normal
Armor created by the Maker SW, who is still a simpleton but possesses high potential, with his lacking ability. The basic characteristics of Mithril were preserved, but completeness is low due to lack of detailed processing. Still, it is lighter and sturdier than regular steel armor.
Durability: 100/100
Defense: +105
HP: +100
*Magic Resistance: 15%
*Physical Resistance: 10%
*Movement Speed: -2%
Usage Conditions: Level 10 or higher. Strength 15 or higher.
"...Ha."
With this, the 20th Mithril Armor is complete.
Accompanied by Normal.
...F*ck.
"Materials are running low now... Let's go get some fresh air."
Leaving regret behind, I exited the workshop and came out of the house.
I walked the streets breathing the cool dawn air.
"What was the problem?"
Walking while deep in thought, I arrived at the intersection where I almost died meddling last time.
But this time, a woman with red hair wearing a mask was constantly pacing around.
"That person is there again?"
It was someone I saw often while climbing the Tower these days.
Originally, I just ignored her, but at this point, something felt fishy.
It wasn't just a day or two either.
Since it bothered me, I wrapped the cloak around me and approached secretly.
Seeing up close, it was Hong Chae-yeon, the head of Red Scale Guild.
Even if I'm ignorant of current affairs, I roughly knew famous Korean Hunters.
This is the power of gallery browsing.
Anyway, curiosity arose about what the head of a guild was doing in a place like this at dawn.
Watching from a bit to the side, she had her head down and a tearful face.
Moisture filled her amber eyes visible beyond the black mask, which could be mistaken for gold.
Then it flowed down her cheek.
Oh...
Peeping at someone crying isn't a good taste, but.
She's pretty...
While I was appreciating Hong Chae-yeon, a powerless sound flowed from her lips.
"...Su-yeon, what should Unni do."
Su-yeon?Sister?
I think I heard it briefly, but I didn't remember well.
Thinking it was nothing special, just as I was about to return.
A familiar name was heard in my ears.
"Mr. SW, just where are you..."
Yes? I'm right next to you though?
Considering Hong Chae-yeon's monologue and the rough situation.
It seems a child named Su-yeon needs the potion I made.
And unexpectedly, I obtained information.
That this person was the one active as the gallery veteran 'TowerGPTA'.
This is a bit surprising...
Come to think of it, should I call her Noona (Older Sister) instead of Hyung (Older Brother) now?
Ah, is she younger than me? Don't know about that.
Anyway, the point seems to be that she needs my potion because of the child named Su-yeon...
Hong Chae-yeon, seen beyond the screen, had a confident and bright face even behind the mask.
But now, she looked like someone on the verge of collapsing.
I scratched my head and thought.
Ha... If I didn't know the circumstances, fine, but now that I know, it feels uncomfortable to just leave.
Why am I so kind?
I won't be able to live out my natural lifespan...
Sigh... I don't know anymore.
In the first place, I had high favorability towards the person called TowerGPTA.
And evoking sympathy for family on top of that, how can I endure without helping.
I also needed the most important trading partner.
Trusting the cloak, I stuck right behind Hong Chae-yeon.
Now, lower the voice a bit.
Ahem ahem.
Ready, Action!
In a transaction, the desperate person is unconditionally the underdog (Eul).
Therefore, I went in strong.
The concept is an underground Maker.
"Red Scale's Head, Hong Chae-yeon."
"...?! Wh... Who is it?!"
Seeing nothing but hearing a voice, Hong Chae-yeon was flustered.
"If you move even a little, I will leave immediately. And asking who, weren't you looking for me so much?"
Blocking in advance just in case she attacks suddenly, because that would mean instant death for me.
"SW... nim?"
"Right. You said you need my potion?"
"...Yes. If you just sell it, I will buy it at 10 times, no, 100 times the original price."
"Are you treating me like a beggar chasing only money right now?!"
Here, I wanted to say 'Hehe okay Noona, if you give money I'll make any amount!'
I felt like that but held it in.
Because I am a Maker active in the shadows right now.
"N... No...! It's a misunderstanding... I just wanted to show my sincerity..."
"Sincerity? Sincerity is good. But I want to see something more important than sincerity."
"If it's something important...?"
"Trusting what should I sell you the potion? Actually, I'm looking for a broker to sell my items, but everyone is unsatisfactory."
Mentioning a broker I never looked for even once.
"I have nothing to show you trust or credit right now... However."
"I told you there's no chance if you move?"
I was startled when Hong Chae-yeon suddenly raised her hand.
I thought she was just going to set fire because she was displeased.
"...S... Sorry. May I take off my mask for a moment?"
"Go ahead."
When she took off the mask, I could see Hong Chae-yeon with burn scars covering more than half of her face.
"...Pretty."
"...!"
Even with the burn scars, she was incredibly pretty.
Enough to make me forget I was acting a concept.
For some reason, Hong Chae-yeon's cheeks seemed to turn slightly red.
Hong Chae-yeon exhaled again and continued her answer.
"I am dying due to my own ability... I am barely surviving with the help of Healers... The only thing I can show you is this weakness of mine..."
"Why show me such a thing? What would I use knowing your weakness? Still, better than other idiots."
I paused a little and said.
"My requirement is simple. If I bring crafted items like equipment or potions, you sell them. Let's talk about the ratio next time we meet."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Hong Chae-yeon bowed 90 degrees repeatedly expressing gratitude.
"Ah, just want to tell you, if you plan to run away with my crafted items or money, you better be prepared not to get caught."
"...I am not foolish enough to do something stupid in a transaction."
"Good. This is the contract advance payment. Let's meet here again next time."
I took out some of the potions I made whenever I had time from the inventory and gave them to her.
"...W-Wait...!"
I think she said it's too much, but I don't know.
I ran out of lines for the concept acting.