Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Maestro Guild Negotiation
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After finishing her greeting with me, Jeong Je-hwa's gaze shifted to Kang Han beside me.
"You came together."
"Long time no see."
"Yeah."
Eh? That's it?
Even if both of them weren't big talkers, wasn't this too much?
But Jeong Je-hwa and Kang Han—even Geum Eun-dong next to them—seemed completely unfazed, their faces calm as ever.
"Boss, did you know? That spear Kang Han's using—it looks like the guild master made it ages ago. The creator's name was listed under his real name, not his master title. I pulled up the item description late and got a shock."
"Ah, right."
Jeong Je-hwa nodded as if it had just come back to him.
"How's the spear working out?"
Yes!
Talk to each other!
Get along!
In [Sejong Curtain], Kang Han and Jeong Je-hwa had maintained a solid friendship.
Whenever they faced powerful enemies, Jeong Je-hwa crafted new weapons or tools, and Kang Han used them to protect the world.
"It's serving me well."
"Good to hear."
...And that's all?
My attempt to spark a common interest between them fell flat.
Plus, while Geum Eun-dong hadn't noticed yet, the vibe between Kang Han and Jeong Je-hwa felt oddly chilly.
It wasn't just indifference—it was like they were subtly wary of each other.
'What's up with them?'
I'd have to create an opportunity for these two guys to bond soon.
A short while later, we gathered around the conference table.
Jeong Je-hwa took the head seat, Geum Eun-dong to his left, while I sat to the right with Kang Han.
"N-Now, show us. S-Something absolutely amazing."
Geum Eun-dong couldn't hold back any longer and urged me on.
"I'm curious too. Why Nayeo-ju suddenly asked for this meeting."
Jeong Je-hwa joined in.
It wasn't a bad sight, seeing these two crafting experts—who'd rank second to none in their field—so worked up.
Tap.
With a confident smile, I pulled Im Cheong-su's concentration boost potion from my sub-space and placed it delicately on the table.
"Uh?"
Geum Eun-dong's reaction was no different from mine the first time.
He squinted, checking if it was just an empty bottle.
Jeong Je-hwa watched me with a faint smile.
'Look at the potion bottle!'
I subtly nodded toward the bottle on the table.
Only then did his dark brown eyes slowly turn to the concentration potion.
And after a moment, he began examining it closely.
He'd long since leaned forward from his relaxed recline against the chair back.
"C-Concentration b-boost p-potion?"
Geum Eun-dong tilted his head, probably having checked the item's info window with his skill.
He whined at Jeong Je-hwa.
"H-How is it, Master?"
To be precise, Geum Eun-dong specialized in metals.
Like me, he could pull basic item info, but there were limits.
He couldn't see every item with the 'crafter's eye' that Jeong Je-hwa had.
Though no one could scrutinize metal items more thoroughly than him.
"...Impressive."
Jeong Je-hwa reached for the potion bottle containing Im Cheong-su's elixir.
But Kang Han was faster.
Just before Jeong Je-hwa's fingers touched it, Kang Han smoothly pulled it back.
"What are you doing?"
Kang Han ignored the slightly sharp question and looked at me.
"It's what I mentioned earlier. No touching without buying."
"Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"The boss's discernment skill works better on direct contact, right?"
"How did you... know that?"
"I've seen you do it every time at the workshop."
I shrugged, as if to say I'd caught on long ago.
In truth, I knew from reading [Sejong Curtain].
He had a habit of picking up items himself when he wanted to dissect their inner structure—and he never hid it from me.
Even if he learned the recipe, I knew Jeong Je-hwa wasn't the type to copy it.
But better safe than sorry in this world.
"So, you want to consign this concentration potion to Maestro for sale?"
Jeong Je-hwa leaned back with a resigned air and asked.
"Yes. What do you think?"
"It's a great item. Boosts concentration for 15 minutes—plenty of demand."
"M-Master's right. J-Just our guild alone..."
Geum Eun-dong said, unable to hide his greedy gaze.
It was the same direction I'd thought of when first discussing the concentration potion with Im Cheong-su.
For crafters constantly hitting creative walls, this potion would be like a cool glass of iced water on a scorching summer day.
But if it were just that, I wouldn't have come to Maestro in person.
I could've just summoned crafters to the guild and let them compete like last time—the price would rise on its own.
"Guild Master."
"Yes, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"I have a favor to ask."
Kang Han nodded once, then uncapped the potion and downed it in one gulp.
"Ah, n-no! W-What a waste!"
Geum Eun-dong cried out with a devastated face.
But the transparent elixir was already sliding down Kang Han's throat.
A few seconds later, Kang Han spoke.
"...It's good."
At the same time, a lightning-shaped bolt condensed in his hand.
Pzzzt—!
The skill that earned him the nickname Zeus was different from usual.
Larger than normal, the yellowish—almost blue—currents hummed threateningly.
Even his green eyes had changed.
Normally, during attacks, shooting stars would briefly flicker in his pupils before vanishing.
This time, currents swirled like Saturn's rings.
All thanks to the concentration potion's effect.
"Too bad we're not inside a dungeon right now."
He murmured, gazing at his hand as sparks flew with each clench and release.
"Even non-crafters can feel the potion's effect."
"Yes. Combat types can benefit just as much. And while 15 minutes might seem short, any hunter knows what that means in a dungeon."
Jeong Je-hwa and Geum Eun-dong nodded in unison at my words.
It wasn't just S-ranks like Kang Han.
The bulk of awakeners—C-ranks and below—could surpass their own grades during those 15 minutes of influence.
'That was the real goal, after all.'
Why I'd asked Im Cheong-su to make the concentration potion.
To temporarily increase the number of combat-capable awakeners.
It might sound cold, but it couldn't be helped.
Every able-bodied awakener would soon become precious.
Then, Jeong Je-hwa—who'd been quietly observing Kang Han—spoke up.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi's keen eye was spot on. Worth calling for a sudden meeting. As expected."
"Thanks for the praise, boss. And let me say this upfront: I'm here as Justice Guild's manager, not someone you know personally."
I voiced the resolve I'd made before calling him.
"So no holding back for me during negotiations. I won't hold back for you either."
"Does it even need to be a negotiation? Whatever Nayeo-ju-ssi wants..."
"Argh, no way! Let's negotiate the concentration potion deal with Vice Guild Master Geum Eun-dong. You stay quiet, boss—or better yet, step out."
"...I'll stay quiet."
Geum Eun-dong, who'd been waiting for our chat to end, jumped in eagerly.
"W-We—Maestro—will sell it for you! L-Let's sign the consignment contract right now!"
He was even more desperate after seeing Kang Han demonstrate the effect firsthand.
And his offer was bold.
"T-Take 10% of sales and keep the rest!"
"Hmm, well."
"N-No, 8%! And priority supply to Maestro...!"
"Hold on, Vice Guild Master Geum Eun-dong."
I raised one hand sharply to halt his rush.
"I think there's a misunderstanding. Or maybe I misheard."
"M-Misheard what?"
"Taking 8%? What does that mean?"
"W-Why? If 8% is too much, then 5%..."
"No. You should be paying us."
Geum Eun-dong's round face tilted in confusion.
He clearly didn't get it.
I pulled the empty potion bottle back toward me and said,
"In exchange for the exclusive right to sell this concentration potion, you should be paying us."
