Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: S-Rank Ripples
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S-Rank.
An item grade said to exist in only six instances worldwide so far.
And now, it was right here in my hand.
'Sure, my ability is SSS-Rank, but crafting an S-Rank item at level 3?'
"No way..."
I'd thrown in multiple tail scales along with A+-grade materials, hoping for A+-grade at best, maybe S- if luck was on my side. But straight-up S-Rank? This result far exceeded my wildest imagination.
An S-Rank item was a strategic weapon capable of upsetting the balance of power between nations just by its mere existence. And I'd whipped one up in an instant.
"How much could I even get for something like this?"
No, maybe this wasn't something you could even put a price on. Just by wielding it, Seol Yu-hee's Hunter Guild rating would skyrocket.
I lightly flicked my wrist and swung the sword.
The blade sliced through the air without a sound.
'How sharp is it, exactly?'
A sudden curiosity bubbled up. Sure, I'd made an S-Rank item, but opportunities to actually test this sword wouldn't come often. Better to try it out now.
I pulled out the special box that had held the White Drake's heart earlier. It was a metal box reinforced with mana for storing expensive materials, tough enough to withstand ordinary impacts.
I gently scraped the edge of the box with the blade.
Shwick—!
It cut clean through like slicing tofu, without the slightest resistance.
"Whoa..."
A disbelieving chuckle escaped me. Absurdly sharp. If A+-Rank Hunter Seol Yu-hee wielded this... it would be a nightmare for her enemies.
Seeing such a razor-sharp blade sparked an inexplicable urge. You know, like in movies where they test a legendary sword's edge by pressing a finger to it?
'Should I...?'
Just a light touch. Super light.
Cautiously, I brought the tip of my index finger to the blade.
"...Huh?"
I felt the sharpness the instant it touched my skin, but not a single drop of blood welled up. Just a faint red mark on my fingertip and a chill—my skin was unharmed.
"Oh..."
I alternated glances between my finger and the sword. Even as a wyrmling, a dragon was still a dragon.
'It's hitting me now, but my body really is tough.'
A swell of pride in my abilities rose within me as I set the sword down.
With the sword complete, I considered heading out, but quickly scrapped the idea. Finishing an S-Rank weapon in 10 minutes? Even I knew that would look suspicious.
'Gotta kill some time appropriately.'
I perched on the work chair and pulled out my phone, diving into YouTube Shorts.
"Heh heh..."
I passed the time watching cats startled by their own tails or game highlight reels like an idiot.
'About three hours should do it.'
That felt like a reasonable amount of time.
...
About an hour later.
Grrrowl...
My stomach sent its signal. Hunger, right on cue.
'Hmm... but I should wait at least two more hours before leaving.'
One hour felt a bit short, but enduring the hunger was torture.
After barely holding out for another 10 minutes.
Grrrowl...
My patience hit its limit.
"I'm hungry..."
Yeah, I'd stalled long enough. The item's value didn't vanish just because I made it quick, right?
Dragging it out would be the real fool's move. I could just message them and be done.
[Golden Hand] Work complete.
I ditched my three-hour plan, sent the message, and hopped into the elevator without checking for a reply.
- Ding. Doors opening.
As the doors slid open, I spotted someone sitting right in front of me.
"Miss Yu So-jeong?"
"Miss Lee Da-yoon. You've emerged."
She rose from her seat and approached me.
"Were you waiting here the whole time?"
"I was on standby in case of any unforeseen situations. How did the work go?"
"Yeah, all done. Now I'm off to eat."
Yu So-jeong fell silent at my words for a moment.
"...You've completed the item?"
"Yep. Why?"
"Nothing. Do you have a preferred meal? I've researched nearby restaurants."
She pulled out her phone and showed me a list of eateries. Fancy Korean set meals, French restaurants, sushi omakase... All sorts of high-end spots. But today, none of them appealed.
What was it? Something sweet and spicy, something stimulating...
Then it hit me.
"Tteokbokki. How about tteokbokki? I saw a street food joint on the way here. Do you like street food?"
"Yes. I enjoy it."
Ten minutes' walk brought us to the nearby street food spot. A bit early for lunch, so it wasn't crowded. But the tantalizing, savory aroma unique to these places filled the air.
"What'll ya have?"
"Hmm... Level 1 tteokbokki for two, mixed fritters, and sundae."
The friendly owner lady, who seemed approachable at first sight, brought out the food. Steaming red-hot tteokbokki.
"Let's eat!"
As I reached for my chopsticks, I caught sight of Yu So-jeong holding her phone with both hands.
'Oh, taking pics.'
It did look photoworthy. I waited for her to finish, but she kept her phone up.
"Please go ahead. I'm planning to photograph today's meal."
"Ah... right. You had that mission."
She needed photos for the report. Fine, I could eat first.
I speared a rice cake with my chopsticks, blew on it, and popped it into my mouth.
Sweet and spicy flavors assaulted my tongue. And then...
"Hk?!"
An intense spiciness I never expected from level 1 overwhelmed me.
Gulp gulp.
I chugged water, but the burning pain on my tongue only worsened.
"Hweee... hwe..."
Yu So-jeong just photographed my gasping self. Not that she could do anything, but I felt oddly betrayed.
Then salvation arrived.
"Aigoo, drink this. It'll soothe your stomach."
The owner lady handed me a peach-flavored drink, lid already popped. Gulping it down finally calmed the fire.
"Huu... Thangk you..."
Only then did Yu So-jeong lower her camera, her face tinged with a slight smile. I shot her a glare and refocused on the food.
The tteokbokki was spicy, but the fritters and sundae were delicious. With the drink, even the heat became bearable.
As I battled the tteokbokki with the drink's help, an anchor's voice drifted from the TV mounted in the corner.
- Breaking news. Reports just in: Hunter Seol Yu-hee has acquired what is believed to be an S-Rank weapon. Details on whether it's a dungeon drop or crafted item remain undisclosed. A press conference is scheduled shortly.
"What?!"
My sword was already on the news? It'd only been an hour since I finished it!
- Hunter Seol Yu-hee will hold an emergency press conference at noon at Azure Rose Guild headquarters. Connecting to our reporter on site.
The screen switched to a reporter standing in front of the Azure Rose Guild building, swarmed by a sea of journalists behind her.
Then Yu So-jeong's phone rang.
"Yes. Understood. Personal security will be top priority."
The gravity of the situation came through in her call.
"Miss So-jeong... this is dangerous, isn't it?"
"It's fine. The Management Bureau has already assessed the situation."
Fine or not, anxiety gnawed at me.
What if Seol Yu-hee revealed my existence at the conference? I could become a target for all sorts of shady types.
Ding!
Now my phone buzzed. Sender: Lee Ji-young.
[Lee Ji-young] Miss Lee Da-yoon, I'm sorry. The Guild Master is being so insistent... Could you possibly take a call?
The call mattered, but the unfolding press conference took precedence.
Time now: 11:58 AM. Just two minutes left.
Yu So-jeong and I stared breathlessly at the TV. Seconds dragged like hours.
Noon sharp. Hunter Seol Yu-hee appeared at the podium.
Cameras flashed wildly, illuminating her pale blue-tinged white hair. After the barrage of light subsided, her lips parted, and a single phrase slipped out.