Chapter 30
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 30. Preparation (2)
I opened the inventory and took out the weapons I had hammered and made all night in the workshop.
—Clatter!
Seeing the weapons pouring out by the dozens per type, Hong Chae-yeon's eyes gradually widened.
"All this... you made this time?"
She got off the sofa and squatted on the floor to examine the weapons.
She didn't seem to care that the hem of her white dress was dragging on the floor.
Picking up an iron spear and inspecting it closely, she let out an exclamation.
"Oh my.... The finish is perfect. It's definitely different from other crafting Hunters.... It feels like you made it yourself."
I flinched inwardly.
She flicked the spearhead with her finger.
A clear ringing filled the living room.
"The usage condition is Level 1, but the performance rivals a Level 10 weapon? No, looking at durability and special options, it's beyond that."
She gripped an iron dagger, lightly slashed the empty air, and pulled a bowstring to check the elasticity.
Even to her eyes, having seen countless items as a Guild Master, my goods seemed to be a passing grade, no, beyond that.
She looked up at me with confident eyes.
"With this level of specs, they are items that low-level section Hunters will be dying to buy. I guarantee, I will get top prices this time too."
At her confident words, I scratched the back of my head shyly.
"Haha. I look forward to it."
"Just trust and leave it to me."
As work talk ended, silence fell again.
I couldn't put the weapons back into the inventory, nor could I keep looking at the floor.
I just fiddled with the teacup.
—Clatter.
Hong Chae-yeon also picked up and put down her teacup, perhaps feeling awkward.
Our gazes clashed and separated in the air several times.
Then Hong Chae-yeon cleared her throat and broke the silence.
"Ahem...."
She set down the teacup and looked at me.
Her amber eyes were shining mischievously.
"Come to think of it, we haven't even properly introduced ourselves, have we?"
"Ah...."
Come to think of it, we hadn't.
I knew her name, but she didn't know my name or age.
Because I was just called by the initial 'SW' or 'Mr. Maker'.
"You know my name, right? It's a bit unfair that only I don't know... and constantly calling you Mr. SW feels a bit distant."
She opened one eye slyly and looked at me.
That appearance looked quite... cute.
I chuckled, stood up from my seat, and reached out my hand.
"Haha... That is a bit so. I will formally introduce myself."
I looked straight into her eyes and said.
"I am Kim Si-woo. My age is 27. As you know, my class is a Maker."
At my words, Hong Chae-yeon stood up and held my hand.
Her hand was smaller and softer than I thought.
"Nice to meet you. I am Red Scale Guild Master, Hong Chae-yeon."
We met eyes while holding each other's hands for a moment.
Then Hong Chae-yeon's eyes grew round.
"Huh? Wait a minute."
She tilted her head and asked.
"Did you say 27 years old?"
"Yes."
"Oh my...."
Hong Chae-yeon covered her mouth and made a surprised expression.
"We were... the same age?"
"...Is that so?"
A dumbfounded answer came out without me realizing.
Of course, I knew from the gallery or news that she was a young Guild Master, but I didn't care about the exact age.
Since she is the head of a large guild, I naturally thought she was older than me, or at least felt like an adult due to social status.
To think we are the same age.
Suddenly she felt much closer.
Hong Chae-yeon glanced at my reaction, then fiddled without letting go of the hand she was holding.
"Excuse me, Si-woo-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Since we are the same age... shall we speak comfortably (drop honorifics)?"
"......Uh?"
I stared at her blankly for a moment.
She seemed to want to get along like comfortable friends rather than using stiff polite words.
Well, from her perspective, she probably doesn't have many friends her age, so I thought it could be so.
I hesitated for a moment and nodded.
"......Let's do that."
At the awkwardly uttered casual words, Hong Chae-yeon's face brightened radiantly.
"Hehe."
She smiled brightly like a child.
Seeing that smile, my tension loosened without me realizing and I smiled back.
It felt like a warm spring breeze blowing into the bleak business relationship.
"So about that... there is no news about the Ice Crystal Flower yet."
Hong Chae-yeon fiddled with the teacup and sighed deeply.
Perhaps because it was right after we decided to drop honorifics, her voice sounded much softer and closer.
I put down the teacup and asked.
"What do the information brokers say?"
"They say they've never seen it even searching the whole world. To the point where even academia doubts its existence."
Her expression sank darkly.
The face of a person who had hope and hit a wall again.
I was about to offer words of comfort but closed my mouth.
Because I can't create a non-existent material.
Then her eyes sparkled as if she thought of something.
"But I thought about it carefully, you know? If it's a material that can't be obtained through normal methods...."
"Yeah?"
"It's highly likely to come from unexplored areas or hidden pieces we don't know about. If so, there is only one person most likely right now."
She spoke with a confident voice.
"Barcode. Wouldn't that person know?"
"Pfft-!!!"
The tea I was holding in my mouth sprayed out.
I was right in the middle of drinking it with good timing.
Without time to panic, coughing burst out.
"Cough! Cough! Khek!"
"Are you okay?!"
Hong Chae-yeon was startled and jumped up from her seat.
Instead of the tissues on the table, she hurriedly took out a white handkerchief from her pocket and offered it.
"Here, wipe with this. Are you really okay...?"
"Ahem, cough! No... I'm fine. Sorry, it suddenly went down the wrong pipe...."
I took the handkerchief, wiped my mouth, and tried to calm down.
Hong Chae-yeon confirmed I had calmed down and sat back down.
She looked at me with worried eyes, then carefully opened her mouth.
"But... people are saying. That there seems to be some connection between SW and Barcode."
"......."
"The timing is similar, and there is a lot of talk that the equipment Barcode uses is strangely similar to what you made, Si-woo. By any chance...."
Her amber eyes stared as if piercing my eyes.
"Do you know Barcode?"
My heart sank.
Was a woman's intuition this scary?
I gripped the hand holding the teacup tightly so it wouldn't tremble.
Should I say 'I am Barcode' here?
No, it's still early.
I barely revealed the identity of SW, if even Barcode is revealed, it's obvious the repercussions will be unmanageable.
I tried hard to act calm and shrugged.
"Well...? I only saw posts on the gallery too so I don't really know?"
I maintained a tone as indifferent and uninterested as possible.
Did my acting work?
Hong Chae-yeon looked into my eyes for a moment, then soon nodded.
"True... I guess so. They say that person Barcode doesn't know anyone. I just asked just in case."
As she easily accepted it, a sigh of relief almost came out.
Thank goodness.
But her questions didn't end there.
"By the way, Si-woo. What are you going to do about Tower climbing?"
"Climbing?"
"Yeah. As you know, you need experience points to raise crafting skill levels. Material supply too. You won't be able to stay on the lower floors forever."
"Should I attach our guild members? If I form a party with 1st-string elite members, they can safely carry you on a bus."
She leaned forward and actively proposed.
"Actually... I kind of want to go with you personally."
She smiled bitterly and scratched the back of her head.
"If I move, there are too many eyes watching. Probably reporters will follow and make a fuss. Then I thought you would feel uncomfortable."
A corner of my heart felt touched by her consideration.
To think the master of a large guild in South Korea would personally carry me on a bus.
If it were an ordinary Hunter, it was a proposal to accept while bowing.
But don't I have circumstances I can't tell her?
"I appreciate the thought alone, Chae-yeon-ah."
I gently expressed my intention to refuse.
"But I have no thoughts of climbing yet. Right now I'm busy processing backlogged orders and have a lot to research. If I need it later, I'll definitely tell you then."
"Really? Okay. Tell me anytime you need. Don't be polite between us."
She smacked her lips as if regretful but didn't force it anymore.
Looking at the clock, it was already approaching midnight.
I intended to just give the goods and leave quickly, but chatting made time fly by.
"It's already this time. I should go now."
"Already? Stay a bit longer."
"I have to work tomorrow too. You need to rest too."
I stood up from my seat.
Chae-yeon came out to the entryway to see me off.
She waved her hand until the elevator doors closed.
"Go safely! It was good seeing you today!"
Seeing her bright smile visible through the closing doors, I felt a strange feeling and came down to the 1st floor.
Being friends is not as bad as I thought.
Exiting the penthouse, I didn't go straight home.
Perhaps because the night air was cold, my mind cleared.
I thought about the things that happened today and the conversation with Hong Chae-yeon.
To get the Ice Crystal Flower, ultimately I have to move.
As people guess, maybe the Ice Crystal Flower will appear in that unknown difficulty I am climbing.
"Let's go."
In a secluded alley, I took out the [Cloak of Night Shadows] and put it on.
I familiarly erased my presence and headed to the Tower entrance.
As I placed my hand on the Tower's black surface, a familiar vibration was transmitted.
My vision inverted.
What kind of trial will be waiting for me this time.