Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: A Night in the Workshop
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Tiring!
The rank of this instrument is D-grade.
Finally!
Yuhyeons eyes sparkled as he looked at the finished instrument.
Gessin also grinned, a satisfied look on his face.
Youve made a rather high-grade piece.
The lowest grade in crafting was F-grade.
A D-grade item on your first try.
But Yuhyeon had created a D-grade, a level higher, on his very first attempt.
It was only possible because of Yuhyeons painstaking effort in carving and polishing the wood.
So, what do you think? Do you like it?
Despite Gessins question, Yuhyeons gaze remained fixed solely on the instrument.
An instrument he had made with his own handsthe first one he had ever made in his life.
For Yuhyeon, things like its current grade didn't even register.
The instrument simply seemed to glow, looking brilliant and beautiful.
The first time you do anything always holds a special meaning. Go on, give the instrument a name.
At those words, a notification popped up for Yuhyeon.
Tiring!
Would you like to name the instrument?
To capture the meaning of a beginning, I'll name it Beginning.
Yuhyeon murmured in a calm tone.
The instrument's name has been set to 'Beginning'.
You have acquired 'Instrument: Beginning'.
You have gained a small amount of experience.
Oh?
It seemed that crafting anything related to music, not just musical scores, granted experience.
This made him feel even better about his decision to learn instrument making.
Beginning That's a rather grand name for a drum.
Gessin chuckled, a memory from his past suddenly surfacing.
What did I name my first one
He remembered giving his first crafted sword a cool name, just like Yuhyeon.
Hed called an ordinary iron sword something like the Serpent Dragon Blade, or was it the Demon Dragon Blade?
That was over ninety years ago, an old memory now.
How long are you going to just stand there staring at it?
Ah!
Yuhyeon, who had been gazing at the drum as if mesmerized, finally came to his senses and spoke.
If it's not too much trouble, may I try playing it?
Of course. I'd like to hear you play it, too.
After all, wasn't it natural to test the performance of something you'd made yourself?
He could certainly understand delaying his closing time by a few minutes for such an exciting moment.
Then I'll give it a try.
Yuhyeon smiled warmly and placed his hands on the drum.
Fortunately, he already knew how to play drum-like instruments.
I can just play it like a djembe.
First, he lightly tapped the drum once with his left hand, then his right.
Thump!
Thump-thump!
A light sound emerged as he struck the center and the edge of the drum.
Next, he hit the center hard, producing a heavy doom-doom! sound.
I roughly remember how.
Even though he had only learned it casually as a hobby several years ago, the feeling was still in his body.
Soon, having finished his preparations, Yuhyeon began to slowly beat the drum.
Thump!
Tu-thump!
Doom-doom, tap!
Yuhyeons shoulders bobbed to the beat as he played.
This is fun.
The exhilarating vibrations from the instrument made his body move on its own.
It was a natural movement, lost in the rhythm.
Hoh.
Watching the performance from the side, a glint of interest appeared in Gessins eyes.
It doesn't seem like much of a movement.
Yuhyeon's movements weren't large or grand.
He was just tapping it lightly, thump-thump, or hitting it hard, doom-doom.
But watching him play the drum, riding the rhythm, brought an involuntary smile to Gessin's face.
What a joyful sound.
Twitch! Even Gessin, who wasn't used to musical performances, found his body subtly swaying.
So this is a musician
To think he could produce such a cheerful sound with an ordinary drum.
Even if he were to play the same drum, Gessin knew he could never produce such a sound.
Just as Gessin's perception of Yuhyeon was changing once again.
This is exciting, so exciting.
A powerful emotion was boiling up inside Yuhyeon.
The joy of creating a new instrument, the thrill of being able to make new music!
And at the same time
I want to make more.
A desire surged within him to create an instrument with his own power this time.
Gessin.
Yuhyeon said, his tone full of resolve.
May I stay in the workshop a little longer?
Hmm? Why the workshop?
I want to try making another instrument.
Yuhyeons eyes sparkled.
There's no quest, but I still want to make one.
There was no additional quest for instrument making, nor was there any reward.
Nevertheless, he felt an intense desire to make an instrument.
He felt a surge of inspiration that he wanted to unleash.
Make another instrument? Hmmm
Gessin looked down at Yuhyeon intently.
Judging by his expression, it didn't seem like he was joking.
It's already eight in the evening, you know? Does that mean you plan to stay here all night?
Yes, if you'll just permit me to use the workshop.
Hah.
Gessin let out a short breath.
It's not a difficult request.
Lending him the workshop wasn't a big deal.
He knew Yuhyeon wasn't the type to steal anything, and more importantly, there was nothing worth stealing.
He was just worried that the young man might collapse after being so engrossed in crafting all day.
Well.
But looking at Yuhyeon's expression, it was hard to refuse.
It was the very same expression he himself used to have as a child, hammering away through the night.
There's no need to stifle overflowing passion.
His new apprentice was eager to unleash a surge of inspiration.
In such a situation, what could he say as a master?
I'll pull an all-nighter with you today. I happen to have some work to do anyway.
This was the only thing he could say to Yuhyeon.
Clang! Clang!
At midnight, the smithy was as vibrant as any afternoon.
Having finished applying the chemicals to the bow, Gessin was engrossed in crafting a personal item.
Scratch! Scratch!
Meanwhile, Yuhyeon was focused on drawing a blueprint for an instrument on paper.
I roughly remember the exterior.
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed.
I made it when I was too young, so I can't quite remember what the inside looks like.
He was about to craft a new type of percussion instrument.
However, there was a minor problem: while he had a design for the exterior, the interior completely eluded him.
I can't expect perfection on the first try, so I'll keep it as simple as possible.
Yuhyeon boldly skipped the parts he was stuck on and began writing down the materials that came to mind.
If I just write down what I can think of
First, he needed plywood of a suitable thickness, which he could get by cutting the trent wood.
For the string wire, I can substitute it with the violin strings lying around the workshop.
It seemed he could use materials from the workshop to substitute for things like a tension adjuster.
If it's completed like this, it should look quite nice.
Most of all, he was excited about what the finished product would look like.
This was because the trent wood had the color of luxurious mahogany.
If completed this way, it was certain to be a unique instrument, one of a kind in the world.
Hmm? What's this?
Gessin said, peeking over at the blueprint.
Even to his eyes, which had spent a lifetime chasing the footsteps of the Conductor of Melody, it was an unfamiliar instrument.
From the blueprint alone, it looks like a rectangular percussion instrument
Why would a percussion instrument need violin strings or a tension adjuster?
Even the sound hole, which releases the sound, was shaped like an 'f-hole'.
It was a strange design, neither a violin nor a typical percussion instrument.
What kind of instrument is it? What's its purpose?
Hmm.
Yuhyeon thought for a moment before calmly replying.
It's a percussion instrument, like a drum. I plan to make it rectangular so it can be played while sitting, and I'm thinking of adding a handle on top for easy carrying.
I'm going to put violin strings inside to add a rattling sound. That should allow for a more three-dimensional performance than a conventional drum.
After listening for a while, Gessin wore a skeptical expression.
Is such a thing even possible?
Musicians and classical music existed in Wonderland, so there were various percussion instruments.
Therefore, he knew there were many types of percussion, like timpani and cymbals.
Of course, he had never actually seen them.
A percussion instrument that's not used like a drum, and it even has a rattling sound.
But this instrument was a completely new form.
Even for Gessin, who had considerable knowledge of music.
It's good that you're brimming with inspiration, but don't overdo it.
Failure can certainly be a stepping stone to success, but it can also drive a creator to despair.
Especially for an inexperienced craftsman like Yuhyeon.
Whatever happens, I just hope you enjoy the process of crafting itself for now.
This was a sincere wish from the bottom of his heart.
A hope that he would enjoy instrument making itself, without being hung up on the results.
For now, that sentiment was enough.
Haha, thank you for your concern.
Gessin let out a small smile at Yuhyeon's response.
It's like my words are going in one ear and out the other.
The more he got to know Yuhyeon, the more he saw a stubborn, bull-headed side to him.
The type of person who had to do whatever he set his mind to.
But Gessin didn't dislike that about Yuhyeon.
After all, an artist needs their own convictions and stubbornness.
Besides, it was that kind of personality that could one day give birth to a 'masterpiece'.
In times like these, it was better to offer encouragement and support rather than direction.
Do your best.
Gessin said with a wide yawn.
It was already approaching one in the morning.
He had finished his work, and it was now really time to go in and sleep.
I'm going to get some shut-eye. Wake me if anything happens.
Thank you for your hard work today.
Yuhyeon smiled as he watched Gessin enter the back room.
I hope you have a peaceful night.
He would have to craft the instrument quietly so Gessin could sleep peacefully.
He'd worked hard all day repairing the bow; it was the least Yuhyeon could do.
Scratch! Scratch!
Okay, I think I'm done with the blueprint.
Having finished drawing the blueprint, Yuhyeon quietly stood up.
He then did a final check of the materials needed for the instrument.
Two pieces of trent wood for the front and back plates, plywood for the sides, top, and bottom, six strings, and a tension adjuster
It seemed he had more or less gathered all the necessary materials.
All that was left now, as Gessin had said, was enough time and perseverance.
And concentration.
Yuhyeon glanced up at the clock.
It was one in the morning; there was still plenty of time until dawn.
What he had to do during that time was quite simple.
Carve, refine, and assemble according to the blueprint.
And with that, he would create the instrument.
A soft smile formed on Yuhyeon's lips as he picked up the saw.
I'm really looking forward to this.
An instrument that might not yet exist in Wonderland.
The journey to create a cajón had begun.