The Fair Wind of Time
Time is a fair wind.
It forges humans hard through fierce storms and rain. In exchange, it dulls the full range of human emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.
If that's the case for ordinary people, what must it be like for Ji Jung-chul, whose years have carried an especially heavy concentration of that wind?
Happy? Hehe. Sad? Hehe. Even when insulted? Hehe. He rarely showed emotion over most things.
Which was why the current moment felt so novel.
Ji Jung-chul, holding the glass lens, was clearly shaken to his core.
“Hehehe… It really is the eye of Scallop…”
The eye of the boss monster, Scorpion King Scallop.
It wasn't used much these days, but in the past it had been considered the premier material whenever high-density mana amplification was required.
The stone with the butterfly pattern beside it was the Brain of the Origin Golem Boss, and the paper bearing the Daruma drawing was a talisman once used in an ancient ritual called Sushinji.
And every single other item was present as well.
Not one material was missing from the list Lee Shin had given him. They were all laid out before him.
“This is astonishing. I mean it.”
What surprised Ji Jung-chul wasn't the fact that they had obtained these materials.
In truth, these ingredients were no longer as precious as they had been in the past. The wind of time is truly fair—it doesn't only age humans. New materials emerge, more efficient crafting methods come into fashion, and certain ingredients are naturally forgotten.
Every material here had been top-tier sixty years ago, yet like Ji Jung-chul himself, they had slipped into the backwaters with the passage of time.
So it was no wonder he was shocked. A man in his twenties like Lee Shin had recognized their value and prepared them in advance.
Under Ji Jung-chul's gaze, Lee Shin flashed a toothy grin.
“The single word that runs through not only the metallurgical industry but the entire modern crafting world is ‘efficiency.’ People these days love efficiency. They chase cost-performance with cheap goods and hunt for speed under the name of optimization. Technology develops right alongside them.”
Lower unit costs. Mass production.
It was only natural that potion vendors once regarded as mere pharmacies had gradually transformed into potion factories. Trends and fashions shift naturally according to what the era demands.
But in the process, people make a common mistake.
“They confuse development in form with development in quality.”
The current trend in the artisan industry was artificial materials, division of labor, and mechanization.
“Materials obtained from hunting have far too much variation in quality! Even if the quality is slightly lower, mass-produce artificial materials with consistent quality, increase output through division of labor, and leave precision work to machines—a truly efficient system!”
The results had been remarkable.
Item supply in the market increased, prices dropped due to that increased supply, accessibility improved dramatically, and far more people than the previous generation could now make use of items.
“Think about it. Items that were so rare in your youth that they were difficult to even obtain are now plastered all over newly awakened novice hunters who charge straight into hunting grounds. What an incredible era this is. Long live efficiency!”
Yet because efficiency proved so effective and became such a trend, things grew strange.
People began seeking efficiency even in the domain of ‘artisans,’ where absolute efficiency should never be the goal. The development of form that Lee Shin mentioned had come to be regarded as development of quality.
“Having more artisans assigned to a single item than a renowned craftsman becomes the symbol of luxury. The percentage of artificial materials used matters more than whether the ingredients were obtained through hunting.”
There were many reasons this had happened.
From a commercial standpoint, relying on multiple artisans rather than one could simplify the production process.
It might also be an attempt to drive technological advancement.
Whatever the reasons, the current age was the age of efficiency, and these materials were ‘inefficient’ for that purpose.
They were excessively difficult and sensitive to handle. If treated with delicate care by an outstanding artisan, their effectiveness could double or triple. But if ordinary people touched them, they couldn't even exert half their potential.
That was why they had been pushed aside and forgotten.
They no longer fit the times.
Ji Jung-chul stroked the materials that shared a similar fate to his own, as if they were pitiable, for a long time.
“This old monster doesn't know what is right or wrong. Nor does he wish to know. I only want to say one thing.”
Ji Jung-chul silently gripped the materials tightly.
“I like these guys.”
What was right and what was wrong—history would decide.
But for Ak-bong Ji Jung-chul, this felt familiar. It felt correct. And the same was true for Lee Shin.
“My taste runs the same way.”
A guild had no choice but to prefer efficient methods that allowed for risk control. After all, the very crafting processes that pursued efficiency had originated from guilds in the first place.
However, that was Lee Shin the guild representative. As an individual who loved this world, Lee Shin personally preferred this analog approach.
“I didn't expect much, but the thrill of items that pop out while hunting monsters, or entrusting carefully gathered materials to an artisan with equal parts expectation and prayer—‘Please! I beg of you!’ That squeezing feeling is pretty intense.”
Ji Jung-chul's eyes widened into perfect circles as he watched Lee Shin rub his fingers together in a vulgar gesture, then burst into hearty laughter.
“How entertaining. Young man Lee Shin, you seem to have as much talent for exciting people as you do for keeping secrets.”
“Ehet, I may not look it, but I'm a genius representative, you know.”
“Yes. That's right. A genius. A true genius.”
In the eyes of Ji Jung-chul—the man once praised for reaching the heavens through hammer strikes alone—it was clear.
In an era flooded with countless geniuses manufactured by the media and show business, the Lee Shin standing before him was the real thing.
‘Perhaps… this child really could fulfill my final wish, just as he said…’
Anticipation.
A ripple stirred in the heart of an old man worn smooth by the years.
The old man's chest, hardened and decayed by pain, recalled a long-forgotten heartbeat.
“Very well. We can begin work immediately. As I mentioned before, my crafting method is unique.”
“Payment is always in advance. Once work begins, I won't accept any changes. No confirmation process is permitted, and I will tolerate no complaints about the final product.”
“Hehe, hearing it said to my face like this is rather embarrassing. This old monster really is quite nasty, isn't he?”
“That's what makes you an artisan.”
Reading the room was Lee Shin's specialty.
He had no interest in meddling in areas he didn't understand. Once he decided to trust someone, he trusted them completely.
Besides, the person making this was Ak-bong, who had once stood at the pinnacle of the world. He would handle it well.
“Still, handling everything alone would be too much for you, sir.”
“I agree.”
“You'll need an assistant.”
“Indeed. I'll need help with the odd jobs.”
As they spoke, both men's gazes naturally turned toward the back of the room.
“Eh…?”
Where am I? Who are these people? The apprentice who had been staring blankly around whipped his head back and forth at their stares, then pointed at himself.
“Me?”
Nod. Nod.
“Who else is here but Geum-do?”
“Ah… yes, um… but how do you know my name?”
“Well, I've used it quite a bit.”
A craftsman character who only revealed his true worth in the late game once the scale grew larger.
Moreover, his talent wasn't concentrated in a single area but spread evenly across many fields, making him an excellent all-rounder who could be deployed wherever needed.
Of course, that same versatility meant his early growth was slow. At present he might not even be pulling half a person's weight. But when thinking about the future, there was nothing to lose by nurturing him.
“All right, from now on help the old master a lot and learn everything you can. You understand what it means to study under a genuine master craftsman rather than a self-proclaimed one, right?”
“…I'll work hard!”
“Good. Then it's decided!”
With that, the assistant was chosen.
Lee Shin extended his hand.
“Please take care of me.”
Ji Jung-chul clasped it and nodded.
“The pleasure is mine.”
Now that things had reached this point, everything was finished.
All that remained was to trust and leave it to them.
The massive door of the workshop closed.
“Have you finished your business?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
At Choi Yeosim's question as she waited, Lee Shin smiled brightly.
“If our guild writes another undefeated legend this year, we'll dedicate that glory to you, my lady.”
“I'll look forward to it.”
“Let's go. If we leave now, we should reach the pharmacy by evening.”
“Then once we arrive, shall we have a meal together?”
“Sounds good. Ah, and now that I think about it… we should properly dispose of the trash that was abandoned on the street, shouldn't we?”
If left alone it wouldn't matter, but that wasn't the kind of bunch that would stay quiet…
Lee Shin smiled and lightly tapped his screen to make a call.
Rollin disappearing down the far side of the road.
That day, the vanished legendary master craftsman and the master craftsman of the future once again took up their hammers.
* * *
On the other hand, the master craftsman on this side was holding a liquor bottle.
“Goddammit!! How dare you make a fool out of me! You sons of bitches!”
Crash!
The liquor bottle hurled in rage shattered into pieces.
“Just a damn hardware store owner!! A 2nd Division guild, no less!! Daring to do this to me? To me, Master Craftsman Kim Yun-hwan!!”
Kim Yun-hwan, whose entire being was wrapped in the pride of a master craftsman, could not tolerate the old man who had publicly humiliated him or Lee Shin's actions.
The entire situation had begun because of his own usual behavior from the past and the future downfall he had predicted, making it entirely self-inflicted. But he wasn't in a state to consider such things.
Yet did he realize? That this situation was not merely luck but actual heavenly fortune.
If he had known that the hardware store owner was the legendary Ak-bong Ji Jung-chul, his head would already be buried deep in the earth's mantle. Lee Shin? No further explanation needed. Messing with that mad dog who created problems even where none existed would have resulted in far more than wounded pride—something else entirely would have exploded.
Like his workshop. Or his bank account.
Looking at it this way, each one was a situation that called for ancestral rites to his forebears.
However, those destined to fail would fail. His subsequent actions would make even the ancestors in heaven shake their heads, muttering, “This one is hopeless…”
“I can't show my face like this. I need to get an apology from those bastards. It's so humiliating I can't bear to live.”
Completely unaware of his own actions, Kim Yun-hwan eventually dialed the association's number.
“Hey, Jin-su. It's your hyung. I have something urgent to discuss, so come over here. Yeah, as quickly as you can.”
In truth, Kim Yun-hwan wasn't acting without any backing.
The city of Pohang was a city of artisans. Here, skill and fame were authority and power.
It wasn't for nothing that even Ji Jung-chul had evaluated him as ‘having skill.’ Despite his trash personality, his ability was genuine.
The proof was the title “Master Craftsman” attached to the front of Kim Yun-hwan's name.
Just look. The association director had agreed to come without the slightest objection at his single word.
“Make sure that hardware store old man can't set foot in this city again, and since Lee Shin is with Ido Group, we'll end it with receiving a formal apology.”
And while they were at it, squeeze out some money too.
“By the way, where did that bastard go again…? He should have come and cleaned the workshop if he had any sense. Really, kids these days have no sense at all. No sense whatsoever.”
His mood somewhat improved at the thought of punishing the old man and Lee Shin, he waited for his junior.
Ding-dong—!
When the long-awaited doorbell finally rang, Kim Yun-hwan covered the liquor-bottle-strewn workshop with a curtain and opened the door.
He greeted them with the dignified bearing of a master craftsman.
“Welcome, Jin…”
But to state the conclusion first, he never got to see his junior.
What waited for him at the door was not the association director but the police.
“Inside!!”
As the police who had pushed their way in roughly searched the interior, the officer who appeared to be in charge stood before Kim Yun-hwan.
“Mr. Kim Yun-hwan. You are under arrest on charges of special assault. You have the right to remain silent…”
The typical “Do you know who I am?!” line followed, but before long Kim Yun-hwan was loaded into the police car with officers holding both his arms.
And.
Yun Cho-a, who had been watching the police car disappear into the crowd, closed her phone after a single sentence.
“Detain him.”
* * *
Some time after the news broke about a deranged artisan who exploited his young apprentices and beat them with iron pipes.
In front of the guild entrance.
Lee Shin was anxiously checking his watch and tapping his feet restlessly.
“When are they arriving? What if they got into an accident? Should I have gone myself? Or should I attach more people from the brotherhood?”
“Will you please stop! You're not a dog desperate to pee. Just stay still already.”
“Wow, I didn't expect Dong-ha to be so cold. Colder than midwinter ice.”
“That's because the representative is going way too far.”
With work piled mountain-high, asking him to stay just because he was nervous… Moreover, Chae Dong-ha knew exactly how much the incoming items cost.
Lee Shin had greatly dulled Chae Dong-ha's financial sense, but even he had momentarily felt his legs go weak at the insane price.
“If this turns out to be nothing special, I'm really going to get angry.”
“Look forward to it. No matter what you expect, it'll surpass your imagination… They're here!”
A truck escorted by several vehicles appeared in the distance. Lee Shin shouted “Over here~!” repeatedly and jumped up and down like a child.
Soon the truck followed the guidance and stopped in front of the training facility.
At last, Lee Shin could meet the five-star beds he had dreamed of.
“O-oh my god. There are five stars.”
Lee Shin covered his mouth.
◈ An ingenious idea from a certain genius representative, completed by the legendary master craftsman Ji Jung-chul. The five stars engraved on the bed symbolize rest, healing, enhancement, tuning, and optimization.
Mir Guild
League 2
Representative: Lee Shin
Guild Leader: Jeong Sun-dong
Vice Leader: Chae Dong-ha
Facilities 76/100 ▶ 95/100
…… Annex Building 1, Annex Building 2, Guild Member Dormitories, Five-Star Beds x5 (New!!)
It was summer.