Chapter 59

Chapter 59. Cypher

As soon as I opened my eyes, I checked the clock hanging on the wall first.

"Phew... Shall I go."

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth towards the empty air.

"I activate the skill."

*—Vwoooom!*

Along with a familiar vibration sound, the space inside my room began to shimmer like a wave.

The transparent membrane lifted, and the exact same scenery as yesterday entered my vision.

An antique office.

And I saw the figure of Cassia still buried in piles of documents stacked like a mountain.

She put down her pen and raised her head as if she knew I was coming.

As our eyes met, color returned to her fatigued-looking face.

"Oh oh! Are you here, Si-woo!"

She jumped up from her seat and welcomed me.

She showed evident signs of gladness like a puppy wagging its tail.

I grinned and waved my hand.

"Have you been well? Your face looks a bit hollow."

"Haha... Rebuilding the Empire is not as easy as I thought. There is no time to rest."

She smiled awkwardly and rubbed around her eyes.

The dark circles certainly looked like they had come down to her chin.

But she erased the signs of fatigue and pointed at a heavy-looking sack placed next to the desk.

"Here, take this. It is what you asked for."

I approached the sack with sparkling eyes.

I reached my hand through the portal and grabbed the sack.

The heavy sense of weight transmitted to my fingertips was extraordinary.

I put strength into it and pulled the sack towards my room.

*—Thud!*

The moment I put it down on the floor, a dull sound rang out.

The mouth of the sack opened slightly, and a mysterious light-purple radiance flowed out from inside.

It was full of high-purity Orichalcum rough stones.

Is this what it feels like to feel full just by looking at it.

I couldn't hide the smile hanging on my lips.

"Wow... You really packed a lot. Thank you, Cassia."

"Did we not promise. Everything that comes out of the mine is yours."

She puffed out her chest with a proud expression.

I safely stored the Orichalcum sack in a corner of the room and looked at her again.

I was planning to invite her to my room like yesterday, feed her something delicious, and let her rest a bit.

But Cassia's expression was strange.

Apology and regret were thickly imbued on her face that was smiling brightly just a moment ago.

She hesitated and cast her gaze down.

"Um... Si-woo."

"Yeah? What's wrong? Hurry and come over."

"That is...."

She moved her lips, then exhaled a deep sigh.

"I am truly sorry. Today... it seems it will be hard to go because I am busy...."

Her voice became so small it seemed to crawl in.

She glanced at the tower of documents piled up behind her.

They were approval documents the servants had just brought newly again.

Since it hadn't been long since she became Emperor, it was natural that state affairs to process were a mountain.

Rather, making time yesterday might have been close to a miracle.

Her shoulders drooped.

"I want to look around the world you live in more... and I want to eat delicious things too... but I cannot see the end of this damn work...."

Her thoroughly dejected appearance looked pitiful.

Her heart of wanting to meet me but being unable to move because of responsibility was transmitted intact.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"Hey, what are you sorry for over something like that. You're the Emperor of the Empire, it's natural you're busy."

"But...."

"It's fine. It won't be too late to come over and play when your work is all done and you're free. I'm not running away anywhere."

I spoke in a bright voice to reassure her.

At my words, Cassia raised her head.

She showed a faint smile as if thankful.

I pondered for a moment, then picked up a small box I had placed on the desk.

It was the Dubai Chewy Cookie I made to give to Cassia.

I handed the box over the portal.

"Here, take this."

"Huh? What is this?"

Cassia received the box in bewilderment.

"It's a snack. I made it myself, take one out and eat it when your sugar drops or you're tired while working. Eating something sweet will make you feel a bit better."

"You... made it yourself?"

Her eyes grew round.

She carefully opened the box lid.

A sweet and savory scent tickled the tip of her nose.

Appetizing cookies were placed neatly.

Cassia looked alternately at the cookies and me with a touched expression.

"My word... Equipment and cooking aside, you had such talent too?"

"Well, I just made them as a hobby. I don't know if it'll suit your taste though."

"Thank you... Thank you truly, Si-woo."

She hugged the box preciously in her arms.

It was an expression as if she had obtained the most precious treasure in the world.

The depression from earlier completely vanished from her face, and a bright smile spread.

"I will save it and eat it well. Thinking of your sincerity, I must cheer up and finish the work."

"Yeah. Don't overdo it too much."

"Then... Let us see each other again next time."

She waved her hand at me with eyes dripping with regret.

I waved back at her as well.

"See you later, Cassia."

*—Swish.*

The mana ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠maintaining the space scattered, and the portal slowly began to close.

Through the gap, I saw the figure of Cassia smiling while looking at me until the end.

Soon my vision was completely blocked, and silence visited my room again.

I blankly looked at the closed empty air for a moment, then turned my gaze.

A heavy sack placed in a corner of the room.

The brilliant energy spewing out from inside it was calling me.

I immediately hoisted the sack over my shoulder and entered the [Primeval Workshop].

The familiar heat and smell of iron brushed the tip of my nose.

I dropped the sack full of Orichalcum onto the workbench with a *thump*.

Opening ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the mouth of the sack, brilliant light-purple ores poured out *rumble*.

Is this exactly what it feels like to be full just by looking.

I picked up one ore and examined it this way and that.

It reminded me of the time I made Cassia's Rapier last time.

At that time, I broke numerous ores trying to grasp the characteristics of the material called Orichalcum.

Time was tight and materials were limited.

Because I focused all my nerves solely on making a weapon fitting Cassia's body, I didn't have the luxury to test other possibilities.

But now was different.

"Hehehe...."

In front of me were Orichalcum piled up like a mountain.

I had plenty of time too.

Imagining the equipment I could make with this, my fingertips were already itching.

At that time, a familiar system voice was heard from the empty air.

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was the kind Guide's voice.

Like a habit, I was about to say "Orichalcum armor set," but shut my mouth.

I shook my head.

Pumping out results right now wasn't what was important.

To climb to a higher place in the future, and to reach the unknown realm called Myth grade, relying on the Guide alone was insufficient.

I didn't want to experience that bewilderment I felt in the Empire again.

When time and materials are overflowing like now, I had to raise my pure skill level.

"No, Guide."

I said firmly.

"I'll try it alone this time. Please turn off the guidelines."

The system window closed and my vision became clean.

Now I had to handle this tricky metal with only my own sensation.

I exhaled a deep breath once and picked up the tongs.

The first thing to challenge was a gauntlet.

It was high-difficulty equipment that had to protect the complex joints connecting from the fingers to the wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

But I had confidence.

Because while making the Rapier, I learned with my body what color Orichalcum takes on when it harbors fire, and what sound it has to make when struck with a hammer for it to be properly absorbed.

"Good. Let's go."

I picked up an Orichalcum lump and shoved it deep into the furnace.

I raised the temperature while pumping the bellows.

A moment later, the ore, which had taken on a dark blue light, slowly heated up and soon began to take on that color I remember, a brilliant orange light.

Now.

*—Sizzzzzzle!*

I took out the heated Orichalcum with tongs and placed it on the anvil.

Strength entered the hand gripping the hammer.

*—Clang!*

*—Clang!*

*—Clang!*

Cheerful metallic sounds filled the workshop.

It felt different from when making a sword.

Because if a sword is a straight line extending straightly, armor was flowing curves.

Rather than spreading it flat, I had to roll it roundly and secure space for the joints to move.

Especially, Orichalcum has high hardness, so catching curved surfaces was extremely tricky.

If I controlled my strength wrong even a little, it was common for it to crumple or break.

I continued hammering while sweating profusely.

It was hard.

Minute tremors and repulsive force that I didn't know when the guidelines were there were transmitted up my wrist.

But a smile did not leave my lips.

The process of the shape taking form as I intended at my fingertips was enjoyable.

Like a child playing with dirt, I was playing with Orichalcum.

A long time passed.

"Phew... Is it complete?"

I put down the hammer and lifted the result.

And became silent.

"......."

Because the result was disastrous.

What was before my eyes was closer to a crumpled lump of scrap metal than a gauntlet.

The iron plate that was supposed to wrap the arm part was not a smooth streamline but stuck out bumpily, and the surface was rough like pockmarks.

Above all, what was serious was the joint areas.

When I tried to move the fingers.

*—Screeeak... Creak.*

A creepy sound like a rusty hinge screaming occurred.

The movement was extremely stiff, and the wrist didn't turn at all.

If I fought wearing this, I was bound to suffer a fracture injury not from being hit by the enemy, but because of the equipment.

"Haha... As expected, it's not easy."

I slumped on the floor with a bitter smile.

It was a failure.

And a very perfect failure at that.

I picked apart the bumpy gauntlet this way and that.

What was the problem.

I could turn on the Guide and check the correct answer.

But I didn't want to do that.

If I don't find the answer myself, it was meaningless.

I rested my chin on my hand and fell deep into thought.

Did the forging go wrong?

I don't think that's it.

The striking points and strength control of the hammering fell not short compared to when making the Rapier.

I could take pride that my sensation was not wrong.

Then the method of catching the shape?

I hammered considering ergonomics in my own way for that too, so why is the result in this shape.

I blankly watched the flames burning in the furnace.

Flames blazing while maintaining a constant temperature.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.

Temperature?

The optimal temperature when making the Rapier was definitely an orange light.

But that was the standard when making a thin and long 'sword'.

What I am handling now is 'armor' which has a thick and wide area.

The amount of Orichalcum going in itself was different.

If the mass is different, the thermal conductivity is different, and the critical point where deformation occurs is bound to be different as well.

Yet I hammered the armor matching the temperature of when making a sword.

So couldn't it be that the metal didn't soften enough, causing the curved surfaces not to be caught smoothly?

"Ah... That could be it?"

It was a reasonable suspicion.

The hypothesis that the optimal temperature could be different for each equipment part and the amount of materials going in.

This was an enlightenment I could never know when only looking at the guidelines and following them.

"Good. Then let's raise the temperature more this time."

I jumped up from my seat.

I failed, but my mood was rather better.

I felt certain that these failures would accumulate and make me more perfect.

I picked up the Orichalcum lump again.

This time, I planned to heat it until it took on a brighter yellow light beyond the orange light.

"Let's see who wins."

The air in the workshop heated up hot again.

*—Clang!*

*—Clang!*

*—Clang!*

Once again, the clear and pure hammering sound fully filled the workshop.

That sound echoed for a long time without getting tired or stopping.

***

A suite room in a skyscraper hotel where the night view can be looked down at a glance.

A glamorous chandelier sprinkled subtle light, and a top-grade leather sofa and marble floor created an antique atmosphere.

But the air filling the room was beyond heavy, to the point of being suffocating.

A man standing by the window swirling a wine glass.

Wearing cleanly slicked-back hair and a tailored suit, he was the branch manager of the international criminal organization 'Cypher'.

Behind him, one subordinate wearing a black suit was bowing his head while sweating cold sweat.

"So."

The branch manager opened his mouth lowly while looking out the window.

"The secured volume is?"

His voice was calm, but the chill lingering inside it was enough to chill the spine.

The subordinate swallowed dry saliva and answered in a trembling voice.

"Th... That is to say, Branch Manager."

Glancing at the branch manager's back, the subordinate continued his words reading the room.

"We mobilized every line we could. We infiltrated members into the auction house and attempted to bid, and we also attempted to purchase by giving a premium to black market brokers, but...."

"And?"

"Th... There is just no volume. In the first place, the number of items released on the market itself is extremely small, and Hunters are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bloodshot trying to buy it even if they have to give a premium, everyone without exception."

The subordinate made a tearful face as if it was unfair.

"Those guys aren't buying it to resell, they're buying it to use themselves, so items for sale don't come out again. The bidding competition is so fierce that... what we have secured so far is merely a few iron swords and a few bottles of potions."

As the subordinate's report ended, a heavy silence flowed in the room.

The branch manager slowly brought the wine glass he was holding to his mouth.

Only the sound of the red liquid going down his throat filled the silence.

A moment later, he slowly turned his body.

An expressionless face.

But his pupils alone were shining glaringly.

He slowly approached the desk.

"Merely... that?"

"I... I have no face to show you! But the competition is so...!"

*—Craaaaaash!!!*

Along with a massive roar, the desk made of top-grade solid wood was split in half.

The documents placed on the desk scattered into the empty air like snowflakes.

The subordinate screamed and prostrated flat on the floor.

"Eek!"

The branch manager crushed the broken desk fragments with his dress shoes and growled.

"Competition? Money? Do you think such things can be an excuse?"

Killing intent spewed out from his eyes.

"SW. That person's weapons are not just some items with good performance. They are practically items that will overturn the landscape of the Hunter world in the future."

The branch manager snatched one fluttering document.

There, analysis data on SW equipment was blurrily printed.

"If we can just analyze that technology and mass-produce it... no, if we can just get our hands on that Maker, Cypher dominating this world is not a dream."

He threw the crumpled paper at the subordinate's face and shouted coldly.

"It doesn't matter how much money it costs. Use any means and methods necessary."

His voice was laid down evilly like a snake.

"If you can't get it at the auction house, just snatch it, right? Snatch it even if you have to kill the guys who have it."

"Y... Yes?!"

"Killing a few Hunter bastards is nothing, right? Retrieve the equipment, and if possible, catch the tail of that Maker and present him before me."

The branch manager's eyes were glistening with madness.

The subordinate trembled and banged his head on the floor.

"U... Understood! I will keep it in mind!"

"Get out. I hope you aren't empty-handed at the next report."

The subordinate left the room as if escaping.

Left alone, the branch manager twisted the corners of his mouth up while looking at the night view seen beyond the broken glass window.

"SW.... I look forward to seeing what kind of guy he is."

An ominous dark cloud was flocking over the city where darkness had settled.