Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Guerrilla Gate Assignment
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Sugar Workshop was still as dimly lit as ever.
Once we get a bit closer, I should suggest installing some lights first thing.
I deliberately opened the workshop door with a loud greeting.
"Hello, boss! I'm here. Have you been well?"
As thanks for pulling me out of those hellish—or heavenly—stairs, I'd stopped by Candy Land on the way and arrived with both hands full.
"……This way."
Oh, progress.
Jeong Je-hwa had actually responded.
Just in case, I checked his affinity, and it had risen from 1 to ♥ 2.
Hehe, he must've thought of me while working on the ice condensate.
Feeling smug, I set the candies and chocolates I'd bought on the counter before following him.
Not that it was far—just the small workbench next to the counter.
"I called you for a midway check. Take a look."
Jeong Je-hwa spoke in his usual flat, monotonous tone.
As his large frame, clad in dark clothes, stepped aside, the ice condensate sat proudly on the workbench, revealed in full.
"Normally, I don't show pieces mid-process…"
I was speechless.
Chills ran down my spine, and I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle the weird "hee hee hee" giggle bubbling up.
"Wow, boss. This is… wow."
Another enthusiast who couldn't hide his talent and passion for the craft, just like Seong Rosa.
Was it okay for someone charging 500,000 won in labor fees on B4 to be this good?
I couldn't fathom how he'd stayed hidden all this time—the ice condensate gleamed like a true jewel.
"It's just basic cutting so far, so it doesn't look that great yet…"
"Are you crazy?"
"……Pardon?"
Oops, an unfiltered comment slipped out.
But Jeong Je-hwa's words were truly absurd.
I pointed at the ice condensate and yelled.
"It'll get offended if it hears that! It's so pretty! 'Doesn't look great' my foot!"
"……Ice condensates don't understand words."
"Still, things have feelings! They say water molecules can tell good words from bad!"
What if our little ice condensate gets sulky? Will you take responsibility?
Ignoring his look—like he was staring at an utter fool—I leaned in closer to examine it.
"Ah, it's so sparkly and pretty."
Then I quickly pulled up its info window.
"Holy crap."
No time to worry about filters this time.
Just from Jeong Je-hwa's touch, the ice condensate's effect had jumped from +30 stamina to a 30% boost.
This guy's skills were insane.
"Ah, sorry. It's just so beautiful."
"It'll be even prettier once the cutting's done. Though the size will shrink a bit more."
As he said it, a hint of gruff affection showed in the way he lightly tapped the ice condensate.
"Well, some loss is inevitable when cutting."
I murmured while gazing at it, shimmering like a top-grade diamond even under the workshop's dim lights.
The size of a gem didn't matter anyway.
You could tell from how its effect hadn't dropped after the first cut—in fact, it'd improved.
But seeing it go from thumb-sized to thumbnail-sized now, and knowing it'd shrink further by the end, sparked a new idea.
"Boss."
"Yes."
"I originally asked for a necklace, right?"
It was an item for Han Ji-seong.
So I'd requested something safe like a necklace.
"Wouldn't this look pretty as earrings?"
"……Earrings."
"It'd only be for one side, but the person I'm gifting it to has super blue eyes. Pale skin too. I think earrings would suit him perfectly."
"……."
Jeong Je-hwa didn't reply.
He was already lost in his own world, staring intently at the ice condensate.
Better not disturb him now.
I held my breath and waited quietly.
How much time passed?
Jeong Je-hwa finally moved.
He pulled a sheet of paper from under the workbench and started sketching with a pencil.
Despite his bear-paw hands, he captured every fine detail with elegant precision.
Tiny round bits—like grains of salt—adorned the top and bottom of the rhombus-cut ice condensate, wrapped protectively by thread-thin lines.
And at the part that'd touch the ear, another gem took its place.
Then he scribbled something in an unfamiliar script in the corner of the paper.
This'll take a while.
Better slip out quietly.
Don't want to break his focus.
I tiptoed out without a sound.
Heart pounding, I glanced at Jeong Je-hwa's status window one last time.
Jeong Je-hwa's mannerism was nearing its end.
The twins had gone to school, and Han Ji-seong, after pulling an all-nighter on research, had gotten healed by me and headed upstairs to sleep.
I watched Kang Han's training like a director eyeing the debut of a promising rookie he'd personally scouted.
BAM!
Rumble—crackle!
Mana condensed above Kang Han and the virtual monster's heads in an instant, followed by a dragon-like roar as lightning struck down.
"Whoa, now it's even got thunder."
Honestly, it wasn't quite "thunderbolt" level yet.
But it would be someday.
Compared to his first time in Mansu Mountain Dungeon, where he couldn't even land a proper Electric Current on a C-rank monster, this was massive progress.
With proper training facilities, Kang Han was growing by leaps and bounds daily.
I peeked at his status window.
"Hmm."
Kang Han's personal skill control had improved, but there was still plenty to refine.
"If only he'd tweak that, adjust this, and add that one…"
I muttered from my sprawl on the lounge sofa, then addressed the lump nestled deep in the cushion nearby.
"Right, Baek Young-ie?"
Pfft—.
Typical engraved familiar—he adored Kang Han.
Baek Young used to stick to Kang Han's room, but with his owner spending most days in the training hall, he'd moved his nest here.
He especially loved the green cushion on this sofa, perfectly positioned to watch Kang Han. It was Baek Young's spot now.
I sidled up to him slyly.
"Hey, what does your owner like? I need to raise his affinity so I can purify his dark addiction, you know? You don't want Kang Han hurting either."
Pfft—.
I tried sweet-talking, but Baek Young whipped his tiny face away and pretended to sleep.
Lazy, huh?
"Hmph. No one can say you don't take after your owner. So tsundere."
Just like his high-and-mighty owner.
"Did Baek Young touch something?"
Kang Han emerged from the training room, wiping sweat, his session apparently over.
"No, he's been still as a statue since flopping there this morning. Probably bored."
"Ah, I should take him for a walk tonight. Come to think of it, I've neglected him lately."
"He goes on walks?"
"All pets need proper exercise and stress relief, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"I know that, but… a snake on walks?"
Kyaaat—!
The moment I said "snake," Baek Young bared his rice-grain fangs at me.
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
Feisty little guy.
"Tsk. Baek Young. That's no good."
Pffft.
After Kang Han scolded him sternly, Baek Young shot me one last grumpy glare before curling back into his innocent white poop pose.
"Sorry about that. He gets inexplicably snippy sometimes."
I knew why, but played dumb, shrugging like I got it completely.
"You said no walks. Stress buildup, maybe? Or he's sulking 'cause you've been busy."
"Baek Young loves climbing rocks."
Kang Han's eyes brimmed with affection for him.
Lucky Baek Young.
High affinity with Kang Han and all.
Never thought I'd envy a real snake.
A wave of reality hit me; I sighed and extended a hand to Kang Han.
"Alright, my turn for training."
Lately, guild members got healed by me post-training.
They recovered faster from stamina drain—win for them—and I leveled up skill proficiency—win for me.
Good for sister, good for brother-in-law.
"……Got it."
Everyone else adapted quick.
But Kang Han still hesitated every time, awkward about holding hands.
"Like I said before, if you hate holding hands, other spots work. Forehead, or even feet…"
"Hands are fine."
"Whatever."
He offered his hand meekly.
With lightning training plus extra equipment work lately, more calluses than before.
I closed my eyes and interlaced my fingers with his outstretched hand.
The familiar unpleasant sensation—like shoving my power into him—followed, but I'd gotten used to it.
I wasn't the only one growing.
I'd shaved off about 30 of my stamina to boost his when—
"Refreshed morning—…!"
Jang Su-ho burst in energetically, then froze.
His eyes darted between us, face turning red.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Uh… no, um. Am I interrupting something… awkwardly?"
"Interrupting?"
His reaction made me glance at our setup.
I sat in my usual spot; Kang Han sat at the table before me, holding my hand.
Pretty close, too.
Realizing the scene, I knew exactly what Jang Su-ho was thinking.
"What nonsense is that?"
I dropped Kang Han's hand with a scowl.
The giant, scared of my anger, deflated instantly.
"Ah, never mind then. Why get mad… I-I'm heading to work out."
He scurried to the gym like a tail-tucked retriever.
"Tch."
Gotta grind that pup into a shepherd someday.
"Kang Han-ssi, take him on Baek Young's walk tonight too… Huh?"
Kang Han's seat was empty.
Baek Young's cushion too.
"Fast."
Training done, stamina topped up—I got wanting to crash upstairs quick.
"Ah, bored."
I flopped back in my spot, fumbling the blanket over me.
Stamina-drained, sleep came easy, but I couldn't help grinning.
"Preparations are mostly set now."
Time for Justice Guild to step out of this basement.
That evening.
I called another guild meeting.
Looking at the familiar faces around the round table, I spoke up.
"Justice Guild needs money, everyone."
"That's not news."
Lee Yu-chan grumbled sleepily.
"Ooh! Mining again? I can do better this time!"
Jang Su-ho wagged his tail, flexing thicker arms.
"No, we'll mine whenever cash is tight, of course."
I steepled my fingers meaningfully on the table.
"This time, let's snag a guerrilla gate assignment."