Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: My First Instrument
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Art and technology.
If a performer is an artist, then an instrument maker is more of a technician.
The two share the common ground of music, but the skills and abilities required for each were distinctly different.
One focuses on creating sound, while the other must focus on expressing it.
They say theres a fine line between a performer and an instrument maker.
Yet, the two professions were also remarkably similar.
The talents that both performers and makers needed to possess were manual dexterity and a good ear.
Its a well-known fact that a maker with an excellent sense of hearing makes better instruments.
After all, how can one create a better instrument without being able to distinguish good sound?
They say that great instrument makers are as knowledgeable about music as the maestros themselves.
Yuhyeon had always been interested in instrument making.
That was why he would often drop by the workshop to see Mr. Kim Seongdeuk.
It was partly to get broken instruments repaired, but also because he wanted to watch the master's handiwork over his shoulder.
I can make my own instrument.
Now, such an opportunity had been given to Yuhyeon.
The chance to create a custom-made instrument, something considered a mythical beast among performers.
It was only natural that his eyes sparkled with excitement.
You want to learn instrument making?
Gessins eyes narrowed.
Seeing the serious look in Yuhyeons eyes, it didn't seem like he was just talking idly, but
He wants to learn the craft from me.
Asking to learn a craft from a dwarf was tantamount to asking to become their disciple.
It meant becoming a sole successor who would inherit the will of their predecessors and pass it down to the next generation.
He wondered if Yuhyeon truly understood the weight of his words.
Asking a dwarf to teach you their craft is a heavy matter. It means you wish to become a disciple who will carry on my will even after Im gone.
Simply teaching a skill and taking on a disciple were two entirely different things.
However, if that was what Yuhyeon truly wanted, Gessin would actually welcome it.
I never once thought of taking on a disciple.
He had left his clan to follow the footsteps of the Conductor of Melody, wandering his entire life.
Since he hadnt upheld the traditions of his clan, hed never even considered passing his will on to a successor.
But the desire was always there.
Even Gessin had wished to pass on the skills he had cultivated over a lifetime to someone.
He, too, did not want to be forgotten by people.
If you are willing to become my disciple, I will teach you.
Thus, Gessin decided to test Yuhyeons resolve.
To see if he was merely trying to learn a skill, or if he was truly prepared to become his disciple.
To see if he was someone who could continue to uphold his will long after he was gone.
Then all the more reason I must learn from you, Gessin.
Hmm? All the more reason?
Where else would I find a blacksmith who knows the Conductor of Melody as well as you do?
Yuhyeon smiled warmly.
Of course, there might be another blacksmith somewhere in this world who knew the Conductor of Melody as well as Gessin did.
However, it was impossible to know if they had bet their entire being on the Conductor of Melody like Gessin had.
He had seen with his own two eyes just how sincere Gessin was.
I will become your disciple, Gessin.
If he were to become anyones disciple, he wanted it to be someone like Gessin, who had bet his entire being on his cause.
Because Yuhyeon, too, had bet his life and his all on music.
...Then.
For a moment, Gessin felt a surge of emotion.
To think, he had never once imagined he would have a disciple in his lifetime.
After meeting Yuhyeon, he had fulfilled his dream of meeting the successor to the Conductor of Melody, and now, his dream of having a disciple of his own.
He wanted to teach this young man everything he knew.
I will teach you everything I know.
Gessin said with a gentle smile.
Alright, the first step is finished.
Gessins lesson began a few hours later.
He spoke as he applied a special solution to the last bow stick he had made.
It will take three hours for the solution to dry. During that extra time, I will teach you about crafting.
A solution that made the wood flexible and strong had been applied to the bow stick.
The process would be repeated a total of three times, and Gessin planned to teach Yuhyeon about crafting during those nine hours.
Is there any instrument youve wanted to make?
The first step in instrument making was, of course, choosing the type of instrument.
One had to have an instrument they wanted to make before they could begin.
Personally, Id recommend an instrument other than a stringed one.
Making a string instrument from the start could be a bit difficult for a beginner.
For one, there were far too many components involved compared to other instruments.
The top plate, the back plate, the ribs, the neck, the frets to hold the strings, and so on
How about a percussion or wind instrument?
In contrast, percussion and wind instruments were significantly less difficult.
For percussion, making the resonating body was half the battle, and for wind instruments, the main task was carving.
Of course, the story changed a bit if one delved deeper.
Then Ill go with a percussion instrument.
Yuhyeon said calmly.
I wanted to make a percussion instrument anyway.
He already had a recorder, so his needs for a wind instrument were more or less met.
Of course, since his specialty was the violin, making a string instrument would be best, but
String instruments are difficult to make.
Yuhyeon was well aware that string instruments were tricky to craft.
Having visited his teachers workshop almost daily at one point, it was only natural.
With a percussion instrument, its easier to create rhythm.
With a string instrument, he could create melody, but creating rhythm was difficult.
But with a percussion instrument, the story would be completely different.
Even adding a simple rhythm instrument without a defined pitch, like a drum, would surely add a new dimension to his performances.
Good. Then for your first instrument
Gessin looked at Yuhyeon and said.
How about a drum?
That sounds good.
Yuhyeon answered without hesitation.
If you teach me, I will do my best to follow.
In truth, he would have been happy with a string, percussion, or wind instrument.
Whatever he made, wouldn't it be his own instrument?
The desire to learn quickly, whatever it might be, was much stronger.
Alright, then lets begin.
Gessin retrieved a circular frame and a bundle of wood, murmuring.
Do you know what the most important thing is when making an instrument from wood?
Hmm, I would assume you need good quality wood?
Of course, thats important too. But theres something more important.
You mean theres something more important than that?
When making a wooden instrument, what could possibly be more important than good wood?
That would be sufficient time, concentration, and perseverance.
Time, concentration, and perseverance
The essence of making a wooden instrument is all about carving, shaping, and joining. Its the most tedious and difficult work.
Gessin smiled warmly.
Conversely, it also means that anyone can make an instrument if they take enough time and approach it with perseverance.
In the end, it was a message not to give up, no matter how hard it got.
Yes.
Yuhyeon nodded.
As I said, well start by making a drum shape. Its a simple instrument that only requires a resonating body and a leather drumhead.
Gessin picked up the wood and the circular frame he had placed on the workbench.
First, you need to carve and shape this wood to fit inside the frame. After that, you join the multiple pieces of wood to form a circle.
His explanation continued.
If you carve or shape the wood incorrectly, it will be either too big or too small for the frame, and you wont be able to complete the circular shape, right? So you have to concentrate and do it well. Like this!
Scrr-unch! Scrrk!
Gessin picked up a saw and cut the wood without hesitation.
Then, he used a plane to smooth the cut piece until it had a curved shape.
See? The first task is to make them curved like this and join them side-by-side to form a circle.
I understand.
Then get started right away.
Gessin said.
Theres no time limit, so take your time.
He added, with a look that suggested it would be anything but easy.
Shhh! Shhh-shhh!
The shop was filled with only the sound of a wood plane.
Hoo.
As Gessin had said, making a wooden instrument was a task that required immense time and concentration.
Just carving the wood into a curved shape to fit the circular frame was proof of that.
I carved off a little too much
If he shaved off even a fraction too much, it wouldn't fit the frame's dimensions and would be unusable.
Since it was being made by hand, the sizes were inevitably inconsistent.
The moment his concentration slipped, the piece was headed straight for the trash.
I wonder how many this is.
A pile of discarded wood had already accumulated beside him.
More than eight hours had passed since he started working.
He was starting to feel thirsty and hungry.
Its better to start over. The moment I make even one piece thats slightly off, everything will be for nothing.
But Yuhyeon didn't stop, picturing the instrument that would soon be born.
He hadn't started this with a half-hearted resolve.
I will make the best instrument I possibly can.
This stemmed from Yuhyeons perfectionist nature, his pursuit of the flawless.
It was this very nature that had allowed him to reach the pinnacle as a violinist.
He carved
And carved again
By the time he had shaped the fiftieth piece of wood.
Ting!
You have gained 1 Will for repeating the same action for a long time.
TIP: As the Will stat increases, fatigue and stamina loss from certain actions will decrease, and your chance of resisting critical moments will increase.
Hmm?
A stat that hadn't existed before appeared before Yuhyeons eyes.
Giving me things like this makes it even harder to give up.
Here in Wonderland, a users efforts were never betrayed.
It was just like when he had performed a thousand swings in the training grounds.
To think there was a world that acknowledged his effortswhat an exciting and beautiful world this was.
My fatigue is definitely decreasing less than before.
Moreover, the amount of fatigue he lost from planing was less than it had been just before.
This meant he could perform more actions and work for longer.
In a sense, he had received the optimal stat for creating a more perfect instrument.
Shhh! Shhh-shhh!
And so, Yuhyeon once again began to carve the wood.
Watching him, Gessin thought to himself.
What incredible concentration.
Eight hours had already passed since he had started.
Constantly pushing a plane should have made his back ache and his body sore, but it was strange how he hadn't uttered a single complaint.
In a way, it was like seeing a younger version of himself, which made him feel proud.
Perhaps it was only possible because he has that kind of grit and perseverance.
Indeed, perhaps it was because Yuhyeon possessed something special that he had become the Conductor of Melody.
Inheriting the will of a great hero who had achieved peace through music was no ordinary feat.
Its long past closing time
Gessin looked at the sun that had already set and thought.
It was well past the shops closing time, an hour when he should have already been heading home.
I cant disturb someone whos so focused.
But Gessin decided to work overtime for the first time in a long while.
He didn't want to break Yuhyeon's concentration, and besides, he had his own task to attend to.
Lets see, its time to apply the final coat of the solution.
Just as Gessin was heading toward the bow stick on the display shelf.
Done!
Yuhyeons cheerful shout echoed through the shop.
Gessins expression brightened along with it.
Oh, youve finished?
Yes! Ive completed twenty pieces of wood.
Yuhyeons tone was filled with conviction.
It was a voice that made it clear he had given it his absolute best.
Lets see, let me check
Gessin put on his monocle and peered at the wood.
Hoh.
The pieces were carved uniformly, without a single spot being over or under-carved.
They felt pleasantly smooth to the touch, a clear indicator of how much effort he had poured into them.
They were barely different from the sample piece he himself had made.
It would be impressive to make just one or two like this, but to make twenty
What was even more surprising was that he had made twenty such pieces, all nearly identical to the sample.
It was truly the result of perseverance, something that could not be achieved without effort.
Haha.
Gessin suddenly burst into laughter.
To make his first piece so perfectly.
He felt he could understand Yuhyeons personality just by looking at this wood.
A perfectionist nature that tolerated not even a single error.
If he continued like this, Yuhyeon was sure to distinguish himself in the field of crafting as well.
In that case, I must also do my best.
Well now, he had intended this to be a light practice run
Gessins eyes narrowed in earnest.
Alright, then its time to complete it. Give me the finished pieces.
Gessin put on his gloves and applied a sticky, viscous agent from the workbench to the wood.
This is a viscous fluid from a slime. It has excellent adhesive properties but leaves no residue, making it very useful for instrument making.
Then, he joined the wooden pieces together, fitting them into the circular frame.
It was the final step in the process of carving, shaping, and joining.
Once the resonating body is made like this, we just have to attach the leather head on top to finish it. This is delicate work, so Ill handle it.
A bulls hide was stretched over the resonating body.
A drum!
It looked just like the drums Yuhyeon was familiar with.
Like the traditional drums used in Korea.
Shh-shhk! Shh-shh-shhk!
Just as Gessin threaded a cord between the leather and the resonating body, pulling it taut.
Ting!
Quest Complete.
Linked Quest: Let's Craft My Own Instrument (Complete)
You have been awarded the Instrument Repair and Crafting skill as a reward.
A pleasant notification sound chimed in Yuhyeons ear.
And at the same time.
Ting!
Instrument Crafting Complete.
Calculating grade
The rank of this instrument is
Yuhyeons eyes glittered.
!
This was the moment he witnessed the birth of his very first instrument.