Chapter 29
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 29. Preparation (1)
The heat in the workshop was burning hot.
I rolled up my sleeves and looked at the materials placed on the workbench.
Pale Moon Sword, Mithril Armor, Staff of the Crimson Lord.
Because I only made big things all this time, the basic weapon lineup was actually lacking.
A true artisan does not blame his tools when making things.
"Guide, shall we go today too?"
"Let's go from long-range ones. Let's go with a spear."
I picked up an iron ingot with tongs and put it in the furnace.
I placed the red-hot iron ingot on the anvil.
The core of a spear is having both piercing penetration and cutting sharpness simultaneously.
I lifted the hammer.
—Clang!—Clang!—Clang!
A rhythmic sound filled the workshop.
The heated iron stretched like taffy and took on a sharp leaf shape.
Up to here was similar to making a sword.
The problem was the socket part to connect with the shaft.
I exactly struck the points indicated by the guideline.
The process of rolling the iron plate round to make a cylindrical socket required more delicacy than I thought.
If I gave a little wrong force, the circle distorted or the thickness changed.
"Phew... Let's concentrate."
I tapped carefully as if breathing life into each hammer blow.
The seam part melted and stuck together, becoming one lump.
It was time for overall heat treatment to finish.
I only dipped the tip of the spearhead in water.
—Sizzle!
White steam rose and the blade part turned silver-gray.
I took it out immediately and put the rest into the oil tank.
Along with the sound of boiling oil, the spearhead production ended.
I inserted the spearhead into the pre-carved hard ash wood shaft and hammered a fixing nail.
—Ding!
"Good! Next."
No time to rest.
This time it's a dagger.
A dagger must be stealthy and fast.
As it's a weapon mainly used by assassins or thieves, the center of gravity is its life.
I pounded a small iron ingot to form a sleek shape.
Then I applied the blade to the whetstone and ground it very finely.
Sparks flew and the side of the blade was carved away.
The guideline displayed the center line of the blade in red.
The point that doesn't tilt to either side when holding the dagger's center with one finger.
The thrill of finding that point couldn't be described in words.
Finally, I applied a matte finish to the blade surface.
It won't do if an assassination weapon flashes.
I used the 'Etching' technique of corroding the surface by dipping it in acid solution to eliminate light reflection.
—Ding!
"Hehe... The stats are sweet."
Like that, I made a bow and a blunt weapon, took a rest, and then worked hard making spares for each equipment.
"Kuh... How much is all this."
I smiled proudly looking at the weapons piled on the floor.
Since it was a reward for Normal grade crafting, the reward stats weren't large.
But as the saying goes, many a little makes a mickle (drops make an ocean), it will definitely be of help even a little.
You say dust is just dust even if gathered?
Are you a T (Thinker in MBTI)?
Shaking off strange distracting thoughts, I sent a text to Hong Chae-yeon.
Now there was no reason to meet in a dark place like a criminal transaction scene.
I picked up the phone Hong Chae-yeon gave me.
[SW: Goods are ready. Where shall we meet? That alley again this time?]
As soon as I pressed the send button, the '1' disappeared in less than a second.
Seems like she practically lives holding her phone.
[Hong Chae-yeon: Ah! Mr. SW! Did you make them all already? You are really fast.]
The reply was fast, but it took a little time for the next message to come.
The 'typing' indicator kept appearing and disappearing.
Probably agonizing over the location.
Certainly, since my identity was revealed, we couldn't meet just anywhere.
Cafes or restaurants had too many eyes, and even if the guild office's security was strict, it was hard to avoid the employees' eyes.
—Buzz.
[Hong Chae-yeon: By any chance... if it's not rude, could you come to my house?]
[Hong Chae-yeon: Considering Mr. SW's personal protection and security as the top priority, that's the only place I can think of where outsiders' access is completely controlled.]
[Hong Chae-yeon: The address is... .]
"The Palace...?"
I doubted my eyes seeing the address.
That penthouse said to be the most expensive in South Korea?
The place where chairmen and top stars live.
Well, a large guild master would have that much wealth.
Rather, it seemed much safer and more comfortable than a secluded alleyway.
[SW: Understood. Let's go there.]
[Hong Chae-yeon: Thank you! I will wait on the 1st floor. Please contact me when you arrive.]
I swept the items into the inventory and neatened the clothes I bought yesterday.
As soon as I got out of the taxi, my mouth dropped open.
It was so dizzyingly high I had to tilt my head back to see the top.
The exterior flashing with gold was overwhelming.
Seeing Hong Chae-yeon on the 1st floor, I immediately approached carefully.
It wasn't the suit attire I always saw.
She was wearing a comfortable-looking white knit dress with a cardigan.
With her glamorous red hair loosely tied down, she looked more like an innocent college student than the guild master of a large guild.
Hong Chae-yeon recognized me too and greeted me gladly.
"You arrived?"
"Ah... Yes. Hello."
I took the elevator with Hong Chae-yeon.
When it was just the two of us awkwardly in the elevator, Hong Chae-yeon opened her mouth.
"I'm sorry. I worried if asking you to come over was too rude a request."
She continued speaking while fidgeting her fingers.
"Cafes or hotels have many eyes... and Mr. SW dislikes revealing his identity, so looking for the safest place, I could only think of my house...."
She seemed restless, afraid I might be offended.
I waved my hand and laughed.
"No, it's rather good. I hate crowded places too. And...."
Having already arrived inside Hong Chae-yeon's house, I looked around and admired.
"Your house is really nice."
At my compliment, her expression brightened.
"I'm glad. Please come in comfortably. I'll bring out some tea."
I sat on the living room sofa as she guided.
The sofa leather was so soft it felt like my butt was being sucked in.
Refreshments were already prepared on the table.
Leaning back on the plush sofa, I thought.
It really is nice.
I was happy making 1 billion, but coming here, I was still a frog in a well.
A penthouse like this probably costs more in maintenance fees than my old salary.
If I earn hard too, can I live in a house like this someday?
Making and selling items like now and getting rewards from climbing the Tower, it wasn't an impossible dream.
Having secured a sales route through Hong Chae-yeon, now all that's left is to rake in money.
Just imagining it made the corners of my mouth go up.
Then Hong Chae-yeon approached holding a steaming teacup.
"It's Luminaris Bloom Tea. Since it has no caffeine, it'll be good to drink without burden."
She set down the teacup while sitting on the sofa opposite me.
A subtle scent tickled my nose.
I was about to lift the teacup but paused.
Hong Chae-yeon sitting opposite.
The comfortable space called a house, an unadorned face without makeup, and the subtly wafting scent of shampoo.
I forgot, lost in thoughts about the house.
...Did I just enter a house where a woman lives alone?
And not just any woman, but the house of Red Scale's Guild Master, Hong Chae-yeon.
Just the two of us.
Crazy.
Cold sweat flowed down my spine.
Me, a man, Kim Si-woo?
Dating experience: NO Forever single: YES
These are my specs.
I tried hard to act calm and lifted the teacup.
My hand trembled minutely, so the teacup and saucer clattered against each other.
"......."
"......."
Hong Chae-yeon looked at me with worried eyes.
"Are you... uncomfortable anywhere? Is the AC temperature too low?"
"Ah, no! It's perfect. Haha. I guess I was nervous because the house is so nice."
I let out a stupid laugh and took a sip of the tea.
The hot tea going down my esophagus helped me come to my senses a bit.
Hong Chae-yeon smiled softly, perhaps taking my words at face value.
"Please be comfortable. We... are sharing a secret now, aren't we?"
Sharing a secret.
I don't know why those words sound so strange.
I cleared my throat and changed the atmosphere.
"Ahem. Let's check the goods first."
I hurriedly opened the inventory.
To break this awkward and ticklish air, talking about work was the best after all.