Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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It took 200 million in gift certificates plus 30 million won in cash to finally snag the cauldron base.
Damn, it's ridiculously expensive.
But even this was a 20-million-won discount thanks to Geum Eun-dong giving me true fan-service pricing.
Still, I asked just in case, and when he actually knocked it down, maybe Geum Eun-dong isn't such a bad guy after all.
I stored the purchased cauldron base in my sub-space, then took the escalator down to the lower floor with Geum Eun-dong in tow.
But something had been nagging at me since a little while ago.
"Looks like you're really the vice guild master."
"W-What do you mean...?"
"People keep glancing our way nonstop?"
There was no need to distinguish between the up and down escalators.
Everyone was turning their heads to stare at us, whispering among themselves—it was enough to make even someone as thick-skinned as me tense up a bit.
Well, this was Maestro Guild's Geum Eun-dong.
He probably gets stares like this wherever he goes.
That's what I was thinking when my side profile started to sting.
"What?"
Geum Eun-dong was staring right at me with that complicated expression our guild members often wore.
"N-No, just... I was thinking Guild Master Kang Han must have it really rough."
Kang Han's always had it rough.
What's new?
We chatted like that until we reached the first floor.
"I-If you're heading back to the guild, I can call a car for you."
"Nah, I'm good."
I lightly brushed off the fairly polite offer and pointed to the escalator heading downstairs.
"I've got some business to take care of."
"......"
Geum Eun-dong fell silent for a moment.
He just alternated his gaze between me and the down escalator.
I gave him a quick nod in greeting, then headed straight downstairs.
I could feel his gaze—definitely Geum Eun-dong's—boring into the back of my head.
Yeah, you get it now, right?
"Boss, I'm here!"
"You're here."
Jeong Je-hwa actually greeted me for once.
Just in case, I checked his favorability.
Hmm, no change in favorability.
Good things are good, so I smiled and approached the counter.
"The item I left with you last time—is it ready, boss?"
"I've got it prepared."
"Oh, nice."
Jeong Je-hwa pulled a flat box from under the counter.
The question-mark-riddled item from clearing the Alligator King Gate—the temple priestess robe sleeve—how had it been reborn in Jeong Je-hwa's hands?
My fingers tingled with excitement as I eagerly opened the box without hesitation.
"Gloves?"
I'd thought it might become something like a scarf since the sleeve was pretty long.
But this guy had layered multiple parts to craft gloves.
A true master's decisive touch.
The remaining dark red bloodstains were completely gone from the white gloves, which gleamed with a soft luster.
"Take a look."
I quickly unfolded the item certificate Jeong Je-hwa handed me.
[Gloves of Longing (A)]
Gloves imbued with the deep resentment of a dying priestess. Enhances the user's concentration.
"Hah. Boss, you didn't peek into my head, did you?"
I'd only handed over the priestess robe sleeve, and he made exactly what I needed.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
"The remaining material is here."
Jeong Je-hwa neatly folded and showed me a piece of white fabric about two hand-widths wide.
"I'll keep that."
"......Keep?"
"You know, like when you get good booze and the shop holds it for you. Use it for future commissions if needed."
"Understood."
Seemingly approving of the idea, Jeong Je-hwa stowed the remaining fabric under the counter without protest.
In the meantime, I examined the 'Gloves of Longing' a bit more.
"So soft."
They look pretty thick, but when I touch them, the thickness barely registers.
I slipped my fingers inside experimentally.
"Huh?"
I jolted in surprise.
"These gloves... they feel like they disappear when they touch skin?"
"I designed them to transmit tactile sensations directly to the skin for bare-handed usability."
"Whoa, this is... wow."
It's unbelievable even while feeling it.
There's definitely white fabric in between, but it feels like my skin is touching the object directly.
"As expected... as expected of you, boss."
I almost said master.
Afraid I'd slip up if I stayed, I abruptly stood and wandered the narrow shop, pretending to browse.
Anything good to snag?
"Oh, you made more of these. Bunnies really are cute."
There were two new small bunny figurines on display since I'd swept up the last batch.
[Carrot-Eating Bunny (?)]
Pet it once a day, and it'll bring you luck.
"Originally, eight make a set."
"Got it. Then I'll take these too."
Can't resist a set bonus.
Holding the two bunny figurines in one hand, I kept browsing for more goodies.
'Why are so many people staring at me today?'
Jeong Je-hwa's gaze felt even more intense than Geum Eun-dong's ever was.
I pretended not to notice for now.
'Yeah, time to go!'
Why else would Jeong Je-hwa be glaring like that?
He's saying finish up and leave already if I'm done.
But before I go, I've got one more thing to handle since I'm here.
"Ahem."
I returned to the counter, tossed out my topic while paying.
"I wanna keep being a regular here, boss."
Jeong Je-hwa's large hand paused mid-swipe on the card.
"But with the prediction system being so unreliable these days, I'm not sure I can keep hunter-ing."
"......Didn't Maestro Guild issue a statement?"
"Oh, they did. Stamped with the master's name and all. But......"
Jeong Je-hwa's deep brown eyes pierced through his glasses, waiting for the rest.
"Lately, the prediction alerts keep coming late. Sometimes they notify just three minutes before a gate opens."
"Has that... been happening?"
This guy really.
He had no clue.
No surprise from someone as detached from worldly affairs as a monk.
"Yes! Of course, the master's system never gets it wrong, but it just feels不安."
"......"
Jeong Je-hwa fell silent for a moment.
Not ignoring me—he seemed lost in thought.
I gave him some space, then added briefly.
"Doesn't it need an update?"
"An update......"
"You know, phone apps and computer software get updates all the time. I don't know much, but time has passed, so there must be improvements to make. What do you think, boss?"
Jeong Je-hwa's deep eyes blinked slowly once.
Come on, overcome that mannerism or laziness or whatever.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi, you have a point."
Yes!
No change in favorability or status, but if Jeong Je-hwa says that, he won't leave the system as is.
"Whoa, time flew. Take care, boss!"
I'd planned to commission more, but he'll be busy tweaking the gate prediction system for a while.
With that thought, I turned to leave without regret.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi."
Am I tired lately?
Why do I hear Jeong Je-hwa calling my name like an illusion?
"Justice Guild's Nayeo-ju-ssi."
I froze.
Not an illusion.
Still skeptical, I slyly glanced back over my shoulder.
'Whoa, what's that?'
I saw Jeong Je-hwa's lower half.
Specifically, him stepping out from behind the counter.
Oh, he's fully clothed, of course.
But this is the first time I've seen him come out from behind the counter.
"Did you... call me, boss?"
"Yes, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
He even remembers my name.
Thinking about it, this is the first time Jeong Je-hwa has initiated conversation with me.
"What's up...?"
Instead of answering right away, Jeong Je-hwa hesitated unusually.
I exercised patience, enduring seconds that felt like hours.
Finally, his mouth opened.
"Do you have any more commissions?"
"Commissions?"
No, I've got tons.
I could commission ten right now.
"Aren't you busy, boss?"
"Not busy."
"You should be!"
You've got that prediction system to update!
"I have urgent work, but I can finish it in a few days."
"R-Really?"
An update in just a few days?
......Jeong Je-hwa might pull it off.
"Alright, then."
I turned back from a few steps away and stood before Jeong Je-hwa.
Then I asked.
"Boss, did you watch our guild's raid stream?"
He flinched.
Big guy—even a small twitch looks huge.
"I did."
"Because I was on?"
"......It was on TV, so I watched."
Ding.
What a dishonest guy.
He definitely watched to see what I'd commission next.
Still, I couldn't disappoint that sentiment.
"Boss, you ready?"
"......Yes."
Just in case, I pulled out what I'd gotten from Kang Han from my sub-space.
Thud.
A heavy vibration echoed through the narrow workshop, shaking the floor.
A soft glow illuminated the dim interior.
The treasure from the last gate, the millennium cold iron, revealed itself.
Jeong Je-hwa leaned down like a bow, extending his hand.
He caressed the unpolished, rugged surface of the millennium cold iron like petting a puppy's head.
Now for the commission.
I voiced what I'd had in mind since Sama Young assigned that guerrilla gate to Justice Guild.
"Make me a shield."
"A shield."
Oh, it worked.
Shields it is.
That's what I thought casually, but the change wasn't casual.
Ting~
Still annoying but nostalgic after so long—the sound effect rang out, and pink hearts popped up above Jeong Je-hwa's head one after another.
It jumped the hurdle, boosting favorability by 10 in one go.
That wasn't all.
The speech bubble squirmed a few times before forming a single word.
I'd suddenly become the master's muse.