Made in NPC 2
"I see. So my mana recovery potion is more about shortening the time rather than the mana itself."
Bang Taegeuk nodded with a smile at my words, as if I'd finally grasped it.
"Yes, you've got it exactly right. The buff potions and leather armor you've made so far are undoubtedly incredibly powerful. But this mana recovery potion? In a way, it's on a level that puts all of them to shame."
That made another weapon in my arsenal—one with power beyond comparison to anything before. Of course, I had no intention of revealing it just yet. Like the buff potions, it would be for internal use in the Support Guild only. I might disclose it externally depending on circumstances, but that would truly depend on the situation.
"So, how long does the mana recovery potion last?"
"Three hours. I could feel the recovery speed return to normal after mana filled up twice."
I wished it lasted longer, but twice wasn't bad at all. If anything, thinking ahead to sales, this duration might be just right.
As our talk on the mana recovery potion wrapped up, Ha Geonmin suddenly burst in, calling for me.
"G-Guild Master! Guild Master!"
"Calm down and tell me slowly. What's going on?"
I tried to soothe her from the urgency etched on her face, but Ha Geonmin couldn't settle, rambling incoherently.
"Th-that mana recovery potion. It w-works on me too. I-I drank it just in case, and it h-had an effect!"
It was such an obvious statement that I glanced at Bang Taegeuk while listening.
"Yeah, I already heard."
"No. Not in a dungeon— I drank it in the leather workshop, and it worked."
Obvious, yet I'd overlooked it. I asked Ha Geonmin about the potion's effect. Outside dungeons, unlike inside, all hunters except me recovered over 12 hours, so I was curious what it'd do.
"It recovered about half in three hours, then the effect ended."
As expected—double speed. The potion doubled mana recovery rate relative to time, inside or outside dungeons, no distinction for hunters. And it seemed hugely beneficial for production-class hunters too. That explained the excited faces of Bang Taegeuk and the others earlier, matching Ha Geonmin's now.
In my case, the NPC shop handled actual crafting. For S-rank leather armor, it'd normally consume 400 mana, but thanks to the Leather Artisan's shears, it dropped to 200. So how much did other leatherworkers burn through?
Even Ha Geonmin, with over 600 mana, couldn't finish daily leatherwork due to shortages. Leather compression guzzled mana, and it only worsened with skill levels. Potion makers and blacksmiths faced similar issues, always mana-starved. No wonder Ha Geonmin mirrored Bang Taegeuk's expression—it was natural. Soon after, Seo Taehee heard and reacted the same.
"Good work, Chief Enchanter."
With the auction safely concluded, I praised Choi Deokhui's efforts.
"No, no. What did I even do? It feels like a decade-old grudge has lifted—I'm just relieved. Thank you for giving me this chance. And here's the list of items acquired from the auction. The actual goods might take a few more days."
I took the list from Choi Deokhui and scanned it. The first line grabbed my attention hard.
Haste Magic Pattern (20 Divisions)
Earth Wall Magic Pattern (20 Divisions)
Physical Defense Enhancement Magic Pattern (18 Divisions)
Plus 7x 16-division patterns (only 3 available at Enchanter Workshop before), and a few lower-grade ones not stocked there. Assorted enchanter materials too.
I thanked Choi Deokhui again after checking the list. "You really worked hard."
As she turned to leave after her report, I brought up a request.
"Chief Enchanter, could I ask a favor?"
"Of course, anything."
I pulled out the leather armor and mana ink I'd made. "Please engrave magic patterns on this plate armor and leather armor using this mana ink."
"Pardon? On the leather armor?"
Unaware of its true nature, Choi Deokhui looked baffled, so I explained. I secretly hoped for her shock.
"Yes, understood. I'll check it out right away and report back."
But her response was nonchalantly calm, leaving me flustered.
"You're not surprised?"
"After seeing the white ink, should I be shocked by magic patterns on leather armor? And knowing you're a dual-class leatherworker-enchanter, I half-expected it."
"R-right."
"Yes. I'll test and report results."
Leaving my awkward self behind, Choi Deokhui took the mana ink and leather armor and went. I stared blankly at her back, feeling oddly slighted.
The next day, she brought test results. Nothing special: other hunters could engrave on my leather armor, and my mana ink matched upper-grade quality. In a mana ink shortage, it'd be a great substitute—but now, with white ink reducing waste and upper-grade overflowing, it lost meaning.
Thus, reduced magic pattern mana cost and wait time confirmed as NPC-exclusive. Tests over.
"So, how's it feel meeting your ideal type at last? Heart racing and all that?"
Kang Taehoon teased Park Chanyeol with a goofy grin.
"What if I confess to my real ideal type? Then what?"
Park Chanyeol wasn't one to take it lying down—he shot back a threat.
"Kekeke. Why not look at your face first? With that blatantly disappointed mug, think she'll say yes?"
Park Chanyeol turned to the mirror at Kang Taehoon's words, offering a wry smile.
"Sigh... Yeah, disappointed. Of all dual classes, a production one. Never crossed my mind."
Kang Taehoon eyed his visibly regretful vice-guild master quizzically.
"Honestly, I don't get it. What's so regrettable? Kim Suho's production dual class got us killer leather armor. Equip the main guild with it, and SS-rank dungeons are doable. Doesn't that help your goals?"
Park Chanyeol shook his head firmly.
"Sure, the armor's top-tier. But slapping a few patterns on SS-rank plate won't cut it. If it did, dungeons would've fallen to hunters long ago. More than that, Guild Master doesn't grasp a combat dual class's true power. He's... a monster."
Kang Taehoon chuckled self-deprecatingly at Park Chanyeol, who trailed off as if recalling something.
"Yeah, if you say so. Damn, what a sorry state. That dual class thing—what makes it so great you dismiss me every time? I'm Elysion Guild's master, top-three in Korea, yet eating side-eye from my own vice. Pathetic."
Park Chanyeol piled on instead of comforting.
"That's why I said work harder. Want my respect? Beat the Brain Emperor first. Then I'll acknowledge you."
"Damn it. Not even Heo Jinhyuk—how do I beat the Brain Emperor? That guy's another dimension. I still can't buy a dual class outshining him."
No combat dual class sighted meant explanations were futile. Same loop as before—Park Chanyeol gave up, shaking his head.
For now, focus on what I can. Securing Kim Suho's leather armor first. Patterns aside, something's missing. Gotta find it.
As Park Chanyeol brooded, Kim Suho's name echoed elsewhere.
"Saneda?"
"Under investigation by Korea's Hunter Management Bureau. Should be released soon."
The black-masked, all-black-clad man knelt, head bowed, answering Shigeru.
"Handle it."
Shigeru ordered Saneda's disposal as casually as breathing. The masked man replied without hesitation, like everyday chat.
"Yes, sir."
After a thoughtful pause, Shigeru spoke again.
"Investigation on Kim Suho?"
"Here."
Still kneeling, the masked man crawled forward silently, handed a paper to Shigeru, then backed to his spot.
Shigeru let out a low exclamation scanning the intel.
"Hm? Dual class? Damn it. A dual class from that pissant Chosunjing land—no such thing in the Great Japanese Empire. Why do talents keep popping from that tiny dirtball?"
His brow furrowed, voice laced with irritation. Knowing one misstep spelled danger, Gokubo slammed his forehead into the floor with a thud.
"Yes, sir."
"What should we do?"
Gokubo's response dripped murderous intent.
"Eliminate immediately. For insulting the Great Japanese Empire. For disturbing Lord Shigeru's heart. Death to atone."
"Is killing all you know?"
Shigeru's brow eased slightly, tone flattening at Gokubo's zeal.
"He's a dual class anyway. Waste to kill outright. Capture him alive. For mocking the Empire, he'll craft leather armor and engrave patterns for Japan lifelong. Bring him intact."
"Yes, sir."
Thud. Gokubo forehead-slammed again, then vanished traceless. Alone, Shigeru smirked sinisterly at Kim Suho's paper.
"Kim Suho. Interesting guy. Dual class—who knew they existed? Should've pushed Lee Sehyuk harder back then."
Heo Jinhyuk sat alone in his pitch-dark guild master office, musing on Kim Suho. He'd pegged him as a slightly skilled leatherworker, not this rare dual-class holder. He'd only learned the term reporting to HQ.
"Leather armor surpassing SS-rank plate defense, plus engravings. Makes me greedy. Shouldn't have reported to HQ?"
Regret soured his mouth. But timing sucked—all five great guild masters gathered; couldn't hide it. Word would spread, HQ would know eventually. Better report first.
As thoughts lingered, his phone rang. Heo's face hardened instantly at the ringtone, snatching it up.
"Yes, no one's here. ...Yes. ...Yes."
His expression twisted through the call. It ended; he slammed the phone into his desk.
Crack.
Grip pulverized the phone; desk splintered. Demonic rage poured mana, shattering furnishings. Savage curses flew.
"Fucking dogshit bastard. Daddy's boy with no talent climbs via halo, treats me like this? Scum. Wait till I return to HQ."
Flames in Heo Jinhyuk's eyes ground teeth amid the wrecked office chaos.
To be continued in the next chapter...