Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Heroine Saves the World
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'Is this the Muse I know?'
Jeong Je-hwa slowly turned on his phone so as not to startle himself.
He typed "Muse" into the search bar.
"The goddesses of art and learning from Greek mythology."
Goddesses?
No way.
"A being that inspires."
...Jackpot?
He had become an inspiring presence to the world's best item crafter, the Maestro himself?
And it was clear enough to pop up as a keyword in a speech bubble like that?
This was like tilling a small garden plot and striking oil.
Plus, thinking back to how Kang Han and Jang Su-ho's attitudes changed the moment keywords appeared last time...
"As expected, Nayeo-ju-ssi thinks just like me."
"Ha."
Jeong Je-hwa's tone had softened considerably.
And it even seemed like a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, which was usually as stiff as a plaster statue.
"Ha, hahaha. You're right! Boss, how do you nail exactly what I want?"
I let out an involuntary awkward laugh, then clapped my hands to smooth it over.
"I have something to show you. This way."
Jeong Je-hwa led the way.
But not to that dreadful counter.
He passed the shelf with the rabbit statue and tapped the wall deep in the workshop.
"Whoa, damn."
The wall slid back, revealing a hidden space.
"My workshop."
"This is your workshop, Boss?!"
But is it okay to just show me like this?!
Even if I'm a Muse!
Am I really allowed to see a master's workshop?
As I stood there stunned, too shocked to step inside, Jeong Je-hwa spoke.
"Come in, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"Alright, excuse me then."
I was so surprised I could barely get the words out.
Jeong Je-hwa's workshop was completely different from the rest of the shop.
It went from dimly lit, almost like it needed more lamps, to brilliantly bright.
The large space was packed with all sorts of equipment.
From a desk with a microscope for fine work to a smelting furnace that looked ready to spew roaring flames at any moment.
"No, is it really okay for me to be in such a precious place...?"
"It is, for you, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
Okay, I get that I'm your Muse now!
But is it smart to reveal all your secrets like this?!
"Ah! Right! Boss! Lock the door! We should close the shop!"
No one's likely to come to Sugar Workshop anyway!
But what if someone sees?!
"When the workshop door opens, the shop door closes automatically."
"Oh...?"
Of course.
Jeong Je-hwa wouldn't skimp on something like that.
I rubbed under my nose awkwardly, and he called me over to the largest desk.
"I drew up some shield designs."
"All these... are shield designs?"
He showed me over a dozen drawings covering the entire desk.
Had he been drawing nonstop since the Millennial Cold Iron showed up?
They were good enough to sell in a gallery. As I stared blankly, Jeong Je-hwa said,
"Pick one."
"Boss, aren't you going too far with this?"
How am I supposed to choose?
They're all awesome!
"Ah, I see."
Jeong Je-hwa nodded.
"The options are too narrow after all. Then tomorrow again..."
"No, the options are already so wide it's like I'm shipwrecked in the Pacific."
At this rate, he'll draw hundreds and say 'pick one,' and I'll faint.
I lowered the hand I'd raised to stop him and examined the scattered design sketches.
Careful not to smudge them, I gripped the edges with my fingertips.
"Wow, whoa, ooh."
Every page I turned brought a fresh exclamation.
Even for a master, this is too much.
How do I choose?
As I agonized, Jeong Je-hwa selected a few and showed them to me.
"Considering the texture of the Millennial Cold Iron you handled earlier, I recommend these three."
He didn't stop at just picking three.
"The first one will make great use of the cold properties. The contact area with the user's body is wide..."
His calm, steady voice made the explanations sink right in.
If Jeong Je-hwa had been my high school math teacher, I might not have become a math dropout.
"The third design will be tricky to smelt, but it'll be specialized for defense. This curve absorbs impact..."
Even with his three picks, chaos reigned in my head.
'This is like choosing between jjajangmyeon, chadolbaki jjamppong, and extra-large shrimp fried rice.'
I couldn't decide.
So I pulled the cheat code.
"What's your recommendation, Boss?"
Delegation, basically.
But the head chef wasn't so easy.
"You pick, Nayeo-ju-ssi. That will be the right answer."
Argh, what am I supposed to do!
I clutched my head in thought.
Not figuratively—I literally grabbed my hair like I was going to yank it out.
Minutes passed, but Jeong Je-hwa didn't rush me.
Teacher, this problem is too hard.
"Ha, alright then..."
I scanned the jjajangmyeon, chadolbaki jjamppong, and shrimp fried rice one last time and decided.
When in doubt, go jjajang.
"The first design, please."
But it turned out the answer was set from the start.
The moment I pointed to the first sheet, Jeong Je-hwa's lips curved into a long smile.
Not the faint hint from before, but a clear, definite one.
"An excellent choice, as expected, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"Haa, I'm back."
"Sis, you look exhausted."
"Don't even ask."
Back from Jamsil, I collapsed straight onto the training room sofa.
Get to work, stamina recovery effect.
Undoubtedly the most mentally draining choice of my life.
I lay there like a zombie who'd fasted for three days when something poked my body.
"Huh? Oh, what. Go-young—no, Baek Young."
Kang Han's familiar, Baek Young, had wrapped his tail around my ankle.
I must've flopped onto his attachment pillow.
"Sorry, sorry. But sis is super tired right now..."
Given his usual temperament, it wouldn't be weird if he chomped my calf with those rice-grain teeth.
But the guy staring at me with green eyes slowly climbed up my body.
I was surprised inside but too drained to move, so I watched.
Baek Young's destination was my nape.
"Hey, biting there hurts me too, hng."
I held my breath.
He was always prickly with me, affectionate only to his owner, Kang Han.
Baek Young's soft body loosely wrapped my neck, then bonk—he bumped his head against mine.
He eyed Lee Yu-eul and Jang Su-ho nearby warily.
As if saying not to disturb my rest.
"Aigoo, Baek Youngie..."
Is this what it feels like for a family head coming home late to a furry greeter with a sleepy face?
But the感動 was fleeting.
Feeling Baek Young's soft texture and light weight, my eyes started to droop.
"Hey, sis is sleeping. Shh."
"What, why not go to your room and rest properly..."
The twins' murmurs were the last thing I heard before drifting off completely.
Wonder when I can pick up my jjajangmyeon...
Tap tap.
Something nudged my arm.
I didn't want to wake from sweet sleep, but ignoring Baek Young wasn't an option, so I slowly opened my eyes.
"Mm? Not Baek Young?"
Baek Young had fully settled in my arms, eyes tightly shut in sleep.
Then who...
"Nayeo-ju-ssi."
Filling my hazy vision was Kang Han, his hair slightly damp from a recent shower.
Ah, damn, he's so handsome.