Chapter 64

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 64

Chapter Title: Challenge Letter

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"…Understood. If it's that method, we can minimize identity exposure."

Director Joo Deok-hwan's voice carried a mix of surprise and slight disbelief.

"But… are you really okay with this? It'll be a stage watched by the entire world."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"It's fine. It's for an S-rank material, after all. And I'm super confident."

Above all, this was a chance to give that Midas guy—who'd treated me like I didn't exist—a solid smackdown. I couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

'Let's see who suits gold better.'

"Understood. I'll inform the U.S. side of your acceptance first. Contact us if you need any support."

"Sure thing~ Thanks."

I ended the call and set my phone down. Then I turned to Yu So-jeong.

"Miss So-jeong, let's go shopping for materials!"

"I've already found a good spot."

I wasn't one to enjoy frequent outings, but now was the time to move.

I rode in the car with Yu So-jeong at the wheel, heading to a quiet industrial area on the outskirts of Seoul. No skyscrapers here—just rows of rundown commercial buildings—but it was the perfect place to source the materials I needed.

We parked in the public lot and walked toward a five-story building.

"This is it."

Following Yu So-jeong, we arrived at a workshop on the first floor. A sign hung above in a rustic font.

Ding-a-ling-

As I opened the door, a cheerful bell rang out, and we were greeted by all sorts of furs, fabrics, and massive heads.

"Oh, w-welcome!"

A middle-aged man who had been fiddling with a large stuffed doll at his workbench jumped up at the sight of us.

"A-are you the ones with the reservation…?"

He seemed tense, likely having received prior contact from the "Management Bureau."

"Yes. We need a full-body costume ready to use right now."

"Ah, yes! We don't normally sell these, but… here are three samples."

The man showed us three standing full-body costumes in turn.

"Bear, local mascot, and cat. These were completed but the orders got canceled, so they're left over. Pay up, and you can take one right away."

I examined the costumes carefully. Since I'd be the one wearing it, I had to pick what looked good to me.

'Needs space for my tail and wings…'

The local mascot was more like fabric than a proper costume—rejected. The bear looked too sluggish—rejected. That left the yellow cat.

"I'll take this one."

"Ah, yes. Right away. But… what do you plan to use it for…?"

Yu So-jeong replied in her usual icy tone.

"Management Bureau classified information."

"Y-yes? Ah, understood."

After that, the man processed the payment silently.

'No need to be that scared.'

The Management Bureau apparently didn't have a friendly image with the public, so he'd gotten cold feet preemptively.

Either way, I'd secured my main material. Yu So-jeong loaded the costume and mask into the car and took the wheel.

After that, we hit various spots for more supplies. Fishing line, camera, soundproofing material…

Back home, I laid out the materials in my room. Even a fool could guess my plan by now: go out in front of the camera completely disguised. With the costume mask on.

A regular person wouldn't have a clue what I planned to do with this stuff. But in my head, a perfect blueprint was already drawn.

'Probably tons of people and Awakeners will be watching me.'

Which meant half-baked disguises would backfire. I needed a perfect one no one could see through.

"Alright, let's get started."

I started with the head of the costume mask. I placed the camera lens next to it.

'Drilling eye holes might let my real eyes show through. For perfect concealment, I need another way to secure vision.'

Same principle as Il-ho's helmet. One-way transparent vision: clear view out from inside, but impossible to peek in from outside. Apply that to the costume's eyes.

Considering my height, my body would fit snugly in the torso. So vision had to be secured 'magically.' Prep one mana stone for that.

Next, hands. The biggest issue with costume masks: stubby, huge hands. Impossible for delicate work or even grabbing materials.

'My hands will be around mid-arm level. Use the extra space to make prosthetic limbs.'

Fishing line as tendons, metal rods as bones—implant a precise skeleton inside the costume's arms and hands. Link it to my finger movements.

Then the torso. Moving inside this giant costume with my small body would be tough on strength alone. My limbs wouldn't even reach properly.

Solution: wyvern heart for the power source.

Finally, troll leather with anti-magic properties and soundproofing for identity concealment.

But this alone wouldn't make a perfect item.

My ability was SSS-rank, but 'Treasure Forging' was a skill for crafting 'treasures,' not intricate magic golems.

Meaning, for complex items, I had to win with mana quantity and material quality. For that, I'd use my scales as reinforcement.

With all plans set, I activated the [Treasure Forging] skill.

'Perfect. This it is.'

I visualized the blueprint in my mind and hit craft.

Squish!

Vrrr-!

Mana drained out as golden light enveloped the materials.

And when the light faded—

The item completed just as the system message appeared. Crafting S-rank items and sending hunters out with my gear had steadily built my EXP. Finally, I'd hit level 10.

'They said most Awakeners get their second skill around level 10, right?'

Before checking the item, I opened the skill window. My first new skill since Awakening. What would it be?

Awakeners receive skills probabilistically on level-ups based on their actions and tendencies. Same for me. My heart pounded with anticipation.

'Gotta be something super powerful. Attack skill or flight, maybe.'

For a majestic, mighty dragon like me, it had to be fitting.

I checked the skill window with bated breath.

"Support skill?"

I felt a twinge of disappointment reading the first line. A-rank, and a vague support skill name.

But the description brought a smile to my face.

"This is exactly what I needed right now."

My item crafting so far was like outsourcing: dump materials, pray for a result, and the skill spat out something decent.

But 'Artisan's Touch' took it further, giving me freedom. Like Lego blocks I could assemble myself.

"Heh heh heh…"

With this skill, flattening Midas's nose was just a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠matter of time. Plain 'Treasure Forging' might've led to claims I just summoned items, but now no one could deny my work.

With an awesome skill acquired, time to check the item.

It looked like an ordinary yellow cat costume. But up close, it was worlds apart.

The stiff fur gleamed with premium luster; the limp short tail was now long and plump like mine. And atop the head sprouted two cute horns mimicking my own.

"Mm-hm, perfect."

Every effect matched my intent. Especially the 'perfect soundproofing'—spot on. Even if I coughed or spoke by mistake inside, nothing would leak out.

Now, just test and tweak. I unzipped the torso, slid in legs-first. Spacious inside despite the looks.

Arms next, then pulled on the massive cat head.

Ziiiip-

Finally, zipped up the back fully. Light vanished, then my vision lit up with the outside view.

"Whoa…!"

The costume limbs moved like my own, effortlessly. Hands precise, no strain.

I tested grabbing nearby objects and even activated my 'Treasure Forging' skill. Felt as natural as if my hands had just grown.

Feet too: bigger and cushy changed the gait feel, but no mobility issues.

"Great. Flawless."

Time to show off this genius invention. I waddled to the living room where Miss ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠So-jeong was.

Squeak, squeak, squeak.

The odd footsteps echoed as I entered. She looked startled briefly, then stood.

Standing before her, I puffed out my chest to show off.

"What do you think, Miss So-jeong? Perfect, right?"

But her response was totally off-topic.

"You've completed it? Very cute."

"Huh? No, I mean, how's the performance?!"

I shouted loud and flailed my arms, but she just tilted her head, uncomprehending.

"Miss So-jeong! Can you hear me?!”

Shouted again—same result. Yu So-jeong stared puzzled.

'…Isn't the soundproofing a bit too good?'

No communication possible like this. Had to get out of this stifling suit first.

Raised an arm to remove the head, but the costume arm couldn't reach.

'Huh?'

Back zipper then. Reached behind—but stiff arm wouldn't touch.

A chill ran down my spine.

'…Am I trapped?'

The perfect disguise had perfectly imprisoned me.

"H-hey! Miss So-jeong! Get me out!"

I yelled desperately, jumping around, but she showed no sign of hearing.

"…? Yes. Seems well-made."

I frantically waved hands and stomped feet to signal my plight.

Flail! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A giant cat costume thrashing limbs wildly. But Yu So-jeong didn't get it.

She just rested her chin on her hand, observing.

"Performance demo? Very dynamic movement."

"No! That's not—!"

The situation turned dire. Was I stuck forever? Tears welled up bit by bit.