Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Azure Rose Guild (2)
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"Sssip."
He wiped away the drool threatening to spill. He had no idea why it looked so delicious, but he wasn't so devoid of conscience that he'd steal someone else's belongings.
Soon enough, Lee Ji-young closed the box she'd opened. It was a shame to watch the tantalizing sight vanish right before his eyes.
...Not like it was something he could eat anyway.
"We have ten incomplete hearts, so if you could make a few prototypes with them..."
"...Sounds good."
Hearing that there were ten incomplete hearts sparked a brilliant idea.
'I'm making prototypes anyway, and there are ten of them. Wouldn't it be fine to snag just one?'
If there were ten similar items, he could think of one as part of his down payment. Craftsmen occasionally ruined materials by accident, didn't they?
"Here's the contract. The terms are exactly as I described."
Scanning the contract Lee Ji-young offered, he saw no glaring loopholes or toxic clauses. It was too concise for any nasty fine print anyway.
The standout clause was access to the Azure Rose Guild's production facilities. Not that he needed anything special like that.
He signed with a quick flourish. His shrunken hands made gripping the pen awkward, leaving a childish scrawl on the paper.
"So, when do you plan to get started? If you're using our facilities, it'd be best to get acquainted first."
"Right now."
There was zero reason to hesitate. His ability required no prep work, and above all, he was dying to examine those "incomplete hearts" as soon as possible.
"Pardon? Oh, right. I'll take you there now."
Lee Ji-young blinked in surprise but nodded and rose from her seat, heading toward the elevators. He followed suit.
"Our workshop's on B1. This way."
The elevator plunged downward at the same breakneck speed as the ascent.
- B1. Doors opening.
A corridor stretched out beyond the doors, leading to the workshop.
"Oh..."
"It's the finest facility in the country. No one beats us for small-batch production."
True to her pride, the Azure Rose Guild's workshop was a sight to behold.
The walls were made of sound- and impact-proof materials. Item-powered forges and cooling systems, plus massive ventilation, allowed for every process underground.
Every tool hanging on the walls was an item-enhanced piece with boosted durability and strength.
Even precision machining equipment was on hand—no artisan could find fault with this setup.
"All the materials are gathered here. Cold iron, ice flowers, drake hide, you name it."
Each box Lee Ji-young pointed to was labeled with its contents.
The one that grabbed his attention most was marked "White Drake's Incomplete Heart."
The moment he spotted it, his mind raced.
'How can I walk away with one of these?'
He just wanted to try one. Exactly one. But he'd need to divert her attention somehow...
And then the perfect method dawned on him. A way to claim a heart.
"All accounted for. I'll get to work right away. But I have one request."
"What is it?"
"I love the workshop, but I don't want my process exposed. Could you shut off the CCTV and keep everyone out?"
Lee Ji-young agreed without hesitation.
"That's no trouble at all. We'll grant you access from now on—pick up a keycard on your way out. How many days for the job?"
"Prototypes done by end of day."
"...Impressive speed. Alright, we look forward to it."
With that, Lee Ji-young left the workshop.
Now alone. It would take a moment for the CCTV to power down, so he pulled out his phone.
Not just to kill time—he wanted intel on the weapon's future wielder.
Cold and ice as core materials, rapier form. The user was obvious.
'Azure Rose Guild's master. Seol Yu-hee.'
He knew plenty about Seol Yu-hee. One of Korea's top hunters, vying for 2nd or 3rd. Her main skill was "Ice Petals," wielded through flashy, lightning-fast rapiers.
Despite her aloof, cool demeanor, she was known for her burning passion for competition and battle.
A weapon tailored to that fire would be ideal.
Once the CCTV's red light winked out, he prepared in earnest.
Mere high performance wouldn't satisfy her. It needed to become art in her hands, fueling her drive to win.
Prototypes first. With that thought, he opened the "White Drake's Incomplete Heart" box.
[White Drake's Incomplete Heart (B)]
Damaged mana heart of the high-rank baby dragon, White Drake. Continuously emits cold air. Cannot be processed by ordinary methods.
Inside lay ten blue gems, each about thirty percent the size of the first he'd seen, their surfaces cracked.
They didn't pulse like a full heart, but their hue was just as stunning—like unprocessed sapphires or premium ice cream.
Without thinking, he plucked one from the box. A pleasant chill seeped into his palm, accompanied by a sweet aroma.
'Right. A true artisan must fully grasp their materials. Same here—gotta taste it to understand.'
With that perfectly logical excuse, he gave the gem a sly lick.
"...!"
It melted silkily on his tongue, flooding his mouth with pure, refreshing sweetness. No artificial aftertaste—just the cleanest, most exhilarating sugar he'd ever known.
All thoughts of weapons melted away like ice cream on a hot day.
One lick became two, then three.
Lick, lick.
Before he knew it, reason had fled—he was devouring the heart.
Smooch, smooch. Crunch, crunch.
The supposedly hard gem shattered with a crisp snap under his teeth, dissolving into nothingness.
"Haa..."
Five minutes later, his hands were empty. Not a wrapper or drip in sight—the gem had vanished completely.
Cool mana coursed through his body, and a window popped up before his eyes.
You have consumed a Baby Dragon Heart Fragment.
The duration of the debuff 'Frail Wyrmling' has been shortened by one week.
"Huh...?!"
See? He hadn't been wrong! It looked tasty for a reason—it was exactly what he needed!
To lift the debuff, these hearts were essential. So...
...
...
"...Huh?"
When he snapped back to reality, only six hearts remained in the box.
A reality a hundred times colder than the chill in his mouth crashed down.
'What... what did I just do?'
He'd devoured four B-rank material items. Weapon prices excluded material costs—and B-rank materials went for 20 million won apiece.
Lightning cracked through his skull.
Right there, he'd scarfed down 80 million won worth of ice cream... er, items!
'Isn't this embezzlement? Straight-up theft?'
His vision darkened. Fresh SSS-rank awakener, now on track to SSS-rank criminal. But no spitting it back up now.
'No, wait—it's fine. Totally fine.'
His rationalization circuits fired at full throttle.
'Sacrificed four materials, sure—but I'll craft even better weapons! Not a loss, an investment. Yeah, results will prove it.'
His spirits lifted. He'd finish fast, before the munchies hit again.
He laid out the remaining three drake hearts, cold iron, ice flowers, and white drake leather on the workbench. His scales weren't shedding yet, so he plucked a bit of tail fur instead.
Three swords to craft. Prototypes for feedback later.
"Treasure creation."
First sword: Her path thus far.
Her growth, painting the world in her colors and chill.
'Capture that initial bite of frost as ice first spreads.'
[Materials: Incomplete White Drake Heart, Cold Iron, Ice Flower, White Drake Leather, Gold Dragon Tail Hair]
[Current Craftable Items: Sword +1]
[Treasure Creation]
Press.
The materials glowed brilliantly, merging into one.
As the light faded, a single rapier remained—unadorned, gleaming solely with the luster of frost and snow.
[Hoarfrost (A-)]
Rapier imbued with cold air. Lowers surrounding temperature in combat and generates ice. The user grows more agile amid cold and ice.
"Nice. Next."
Second sword: Her symbol, her present. The blooming ice flower, captured as is.
[Materials: Incomplete White Drake Heart, Cold Iron, Ice Flower, White Drake Leather, Gold Dragon Tail Hair]
[Current Craftable Items: Sword +1]
[Treasure Creation]
Press.
Another rapier materialized.
[Blooming Ice Flower (A-)]
Rapier infused with ice petal power. Inject mana into damaged foes to bloom ice flowers at the wound. The flowers continuously drain mana.
The second rapier had its guard etched with petal motifs, the blade bearing delicate floral patterns.
The final third sword embodied her path ahead. The most beautiful moment: petals in full scatter.
[Materials: Incomplete White Drake Heart, Cold Iron, Ice Flower, White Drake Leather, Gold Dragon Tail Hair]
[Current Craftable Items: Sword +1]
[Treasure Creation]
Press.
The light cleared, revealing the last rapier.
[Ice Full Bloom (A-)]
Rapier infused with ice petal power. Channel mana to unleash cold sword qi. Leaves ice petal afterimages along its path for additional strikes.
Three weapons in three minutes. Satisfied, he lined up the rapiers side by side.
'No scales shed, barely plucked fur—and three A- ranks!'
Contract priced A- at 100 million each—300 million already in the bag!
Weapons like these would surely forgive the munched hearts.
...Right?
A twinge of unease hit him. He bolted from the building and messaged Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young.
[Golden Hand] Made three prototypes. Please review.