Chapter 64
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Makers' Visit
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“Nice to meet you. I'm Andrew Wilson, the chief smith of Makers' First Workshop. This is my assistant, senior smith Jamie Walkit.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
The group from Makers wasn't large.
Just one black man who introduced himself as the chief smith, one white man as his assistant.
And a white woman quietly supporting them in the background, almost unnoticeable.
Only three people in total.
“Welcome, everyone.”
Yeon Sung-hun quickly scanned the trio and greeted them with a deliberately relaxed smile.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. Haha. The building is impressive.”
“It's not fully finished yet, so it's a bit embarrassing.”
“I look forward to seeing it complete.”
Andrew gave a slight smile before turning his gaze to Choi Yeon-ah.
“Oh, Miss Choi. Long time no see. You look much healthier than before.”
“It's been a while, Wilson. You still remember me?”
“Haha. I never forget a customer I've met. Especially not a beauty like Miss Choi.”
Choi Yeon-ah gave a soft smile in response to Andrew's sly grin.
After flashing her a friendly smile for a moment, Andrew's face suddenly shifted as if remembering something.
“Speaking of which, this isn't the time for chit-chat. Let's get the new arm ready first. Walkit.”
Andrew gestured to Jamie, who had been waiting quietly.
Jamie pulled various items from his bag.
Among them, the most eye-catching was, of course, the prosthetic arm.
“This is a temporary prosthetic based on the previous measurements. It's only for use until the final product is ready, so it might be a bit uncomfortable.”
Unlike the previous one, which had been impossible to identify as a prosthetic by the naked eye, this one had a distinctly mechanical appearance that anyone could recognize.
“Before equipping the temporary arm, let's do fresh measurements first. Miss Simpson, assist Miss Choi.”
“Yes. Excuse me for a moment.”
The woman who had been standing silently stepped forward quietly.
She would assist with Choi Yeon-ah's measurements in place of the men, Andrew and Jamie.
Yeon Sung-hun watched her careful measurements for a bit before turning his gaze away.
Andrew, who had been watching him, met his eyes and smiled faintly.
Eyes full of inexplicable goodwill.
Yeon Sung-hun couldn't help but let out a scoff.
It reminded him of what Jeon Ha-ryong had said before leaving.
'He definitely knows about me.'
Though he clicked his tongue inwardly, Yeon Sung-hun outwardly smiled as if unperturbed.
“Measurements are complete.”
“Good work, Miss Simpson.”
“...Mr. Wilson. The measurements are done, but there's something off.”
“Hm?”
Under Andrew's puzzled gaze, the woman called Simpson glanced cautiously at Yeon Sung-hun and Choi Yeon-ah.
“It's fine. What if the clients don't know the measurement data? Speak freely.”
“...Yes. First, the other measurements show no significant deviation from the previous ones.”
Andrew nodded as he skimmed the papers Simpson handed him.
“I see. No major changes. No need to alter the base frame.”
“...The issue—or rather, the anomaly—is in Miss Choi's mana circuits.”
“Hmm?”
As puzzled eyes turned to her, Simpson glanced at Choi Yeon-ah instead of explaining right away.
“Miss Choi. Your mana circuits differ from the previous measurements. I'm not a medical professional, so I can't say for sure, but they're definitely much improved.”
“Is that true? Really, Miss Choi?”
Choi Yeon-ah inadvertently glanced at Yeon Sung-hun before nodding.
“Yes, it's true. I still can't use mana, but the condition has improved.”
“Oh my God...! How...? That condition was untreatable anywhere in the world!”
Andrew gasped quietly before urgently asking Choi Yeon-ah.
“Miss Choi. What happened? Did you find a treatment? Please explain...”
“That's enough, Mr. Wilson.”
Andrew fell silent at Yeon Sung-hun's calm interruption.
“But this is...”
“Don't you have work to do, Mr. Wilson? Stick to your duties.”
“Mm.”
Andrew let out a small groan before nodding.
“...You're right. I got overly excited, unlike myself. I shouldn't pry into a client's personal info... My apologies, Miss Choi, Mr. Yeon.”
Choi Yeon-ah and Yeon Sung-hun nodded lightly as Andrew bowed neatly, admitting his fault.
“No need for apologies. Let's finish with Yeon-ah first.”
“Yes... We'll attach the temporary prosthetic first. Walkit, Miss Simpson, assist me.”
With help from the two, Andrew fitted the prosthetic onto Choi Yeon-ah.
It wasn't just attaching it to her arm; connecting the nerves required extreme caution.
“Ugh...”
“Are you okay, Yeon-ah?”
“...It hurts a bit.”
Considerable pain came during the nerve connection.
Yeon Sung-hun asked worriedly as Choi Yeon-ah gave a wry smile.
“Should I get you some painkillers?”
“No. I'm fine. I can endure it.”
“I don't recommend painkillers either. We need to confirm full nerve connection.”
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at Andrew's matter-of-fact words.
His eyes watched Andrew work meticulously.
The title of chief smith wasn't for show; even to Yeon Sung-hun's eyes, the touch was remarkably delicate.
'Not the top artisan guild for nothing.'
All work finished while Yeon Sung-hun observed quietly.
Andrew wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and asked.
“How is it? Any pain or discomfort?”
“...It's definitely different from before. There's some odd sensation.”
“That's because it's temporary. As long as it's not painful, bear with it a little. We'll deliver the final product soon.”
“Hm. How long until completion?”
Andrew smiled faintly at Yeon Sung-hun's question.
“You may know, but Makers is quite busy. Our First Workshop only takes custom orders.”
“...So it takes a long time?”
“Normally, even the fastest is three or four months.”
“Three or four months... That's long. But you're saying this time is different?”
Andrew nodded with a faint smile under Yeon Sung-hun's steady gaze.
“Yes, timing worked out well. It'll be done soon. Three or four days at best, a week at latest.”
“...From three or four months to a week... Quite the difference.”
“The timing was perfect.”
Yeon Sung-hun stared at Andrew's bright smile.
Andrew kept smiling unchanged.
“...Anyway, we're glad it's quick. Will you deliver the final product in person too?”
“Yes. We'll start production immediately based on these measurements. I'll handle it personally to the end, so no worries.”
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at the confident demeanor.
Watching with a smile, Andrew then spoke.
“Now that business is done, may I attend to personal matters?”
“Personal matters?”
“Yes. I'd like to talk with you alone, Mr. Yeon.”
Choi Yeon-ah glanced at Yeon Sung-hun as Andrew smiled faintly.
Yeon Sung-hun nodded calmly.
“...I'll step out then.”
Choi Yeon-ah rose quietly, glanced at Andrew and his group, then left.
As the door thudded shut, Andrew stood abruptly, with Jamie following suit, quietly stepping aside.
In their place sat Simpson.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a low chuckle.
“What's this now?”
“We want to talk, but it's actually Miss Simpson who does.”
“Hm.”
Simpson, now sitting across from him, smiled quietly under his glance.
“Don't hold it against Mr. Walkit or the Makers Guild, Mr. Yeon. They had no choice.”
She bowed her head slightly after her gentle words.
“Now, a proper greeting. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Yeon. I'm Christina Medici.”
“Simpson was an alias?”
Christina smiled faintly at Yeon Sung-hun's small scoff.
“We wanted to meet you discreetly, so we had no choice. Please forgive us.”
“Who is 'we'?”
“The United States of America. I'm with the U.S. Hunter Union.”
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue briefly at Christina's bright smile.
The Hunter Union she mentioned was like Korea's Hunter Association.
But unlike the chaotic local one, it was renowned for systematic operations.
Their hunter management was arguably the world's best.
“The U.S. Union... Out of courtesy, I have to ask. Why seek me out?”
“To scout you, naturally. The United States values you highly, Mr. Yeon.”
Yeon Sung-hun nodded calmly at her steady voice.
He'd suspected as much since Jeon Ha-ryong first mentioned it.
'Though I didn't expect a government agency to move first.'
He'd thought they'd probe through Makers first, then approach slowly. This was unexpectedly swift.
Yeon Sung-hun's gaze flicked to Andrew.
Andrew grinned warmly.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a low, involuntary scoff.
“Scouting... So you have terms prepared. Let's hear those first.”
He crossed his legs leisurely, figuring he'd hear their offer.
They were the urgent ones, not him.
“As I said, we value you highly.”
“Spare me the flattery. The terms first.”
Christina gave a subtle smile at his calm response.
“Not sure how you took that, but I'll repeat: We value you extremely highly. More than any person, group, or nation.”
“...”
Yeon Sung-hun silently regarded her.
She continued steadily.
“We were astonished when we first learned of you. An alchemist of a level we'd never seen.”
“Sounds like you've known about me for a while.”
“Since shortly after your potions surfaced.”
“Hm. So you only approached now after some research. Any results?”
Christina just smiled faintly at his glance, saying nothing.
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged lightly with a chuckle.
“Not important anyway. Continue.”
“...First, my apologies. For trying to replicate your potions without permission.”
Christina bowed, followed by Andrew and Jamie behind her.
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head lightly after a brief tongue-click.
“Apologies later. Finish the talk first.”
“...We'll prepare compensation you'll be satisfied with.”
“Now you're speaking my language.”
Both smiled faintly.
“Through experiments, we confirmed your potions' value—and something more important.”
“What?”
“You yourself, Mr. Yeon.”
“...Thanks for the praise.”
“Not praise. Objective fact.”
“...”
Even Yeon Sung-hun found the praise excessive.
Christina spoke calmly as he struggled for words.
“You asked for terms? We'll ask instead: What do you want?”
“...May I ask what that means?”
“Exactly that. Whatever you desire, we'll make it happen. Anything. Join us. The USA wants you, Mr. Yeon.”
Yeon Sung-hun fell silent under her proud, unwavering gaze.
He'd vaguely expected something like this, but it exceeded his imagination.
After a pause, he spoke.
“Anything?”
“Yes. Anything that doesn't threaten the U.S., we'll provide whatever you want.”
Her unyielding eyes left him crossing his arms in thought.
As he'd told Jeon Ha-ryong, he had no intention of going to America.
Personal preferences aside, his family was the issue.
America was a distant foreign land to his mother and sister.
Even with accommodations, language and other barriers had limits.
They could solve such issues over time with his power, but he didn't want to inconvenience his family.
However.
'Up to a point. Granting everything I want...'
Even he, who had been negatively inclined, was tempted.
Of course, they'd reject threats or absurd demands, but still astonishing.
Yeon Sung-hun recalled Jeon Ha-ryong's tongue-clicking.
'Their greed for talent is vicious. Beyond imagination.'
He shook his head with a hollow laugh.
Then, to Christina awaiting his reply:
“Can I have time to think?”
“Yes. Take all the time you need. Our offer stands forever.”
Christina flashed a captivating smile, nodded briefly, and left with the Makers' artisans.
Yeon Sung-hun watched their retreating figures and quietly clicked his tongue.
Already swamped with tasks, their visit only muddled his mind further.