Promotion Celebration Gift (1)
The drinking session had dragged on late into the night, with empty soju bottles piling up under the table—enough to say everyone had knocked back at least one each. Kang Hyeun, who had been quietly picking at the side dishes, suddenly spoke up.
"By the way... Taekyung."
"Yeah?"
"You've finally made it to B-rank Hunter. Is there anything you want?"
"Huh?"
"Just... you know. Anything you'd like as a promotion celebration gift...?"
It was as good as saying she'd buy him whatever he needed, if he just asked. Not that anything came to mind right now—he didn't really need anything urgent.
"Hmm? Nothing jumps out at me off the top of my head."
"Come on. You've just hit B-rank. There has to be something you need."
"...I'm really not thinking of anything."
He wasn't the type to overspend anyway, and with recent earnings, money wasn't an issue. He'd already replaced his old greatsword ages ago, and Choi Hwayoung had hooked him up with plenty of spare potions.
Besides, Hyeun was the type to grant pretty much any reasonable request without needing it framed as a "gift," which made asking for something special feel a bit awkward.
"Oh, right! Your greatsword! You've been using that thing since middle school, yeah? Want me to get you a new one? Like, a proper Damascus steel greatsword or something!"
"Nah, I'm good on that. I switched to a different sword about two months ago anyway."
"Huh? You did?"
Words were taking too long—better to just show her. He opened his subspace pouch and pulled out the mithril greatsword.
"What do you think?"
"......"
"Hyeun?"
"Ah, uh... yeah. That's definitely a good sword...."
Kang Hyeun stared blankly at the blade, glowing with mithril's signature green sheen. Across the table, Kang Eunyoung, sipping her soju, gave it a casual once-over.
"From the material, it looks like a greatsword forged from mithril."
"Oh, you can tell?"
"After rolling around in this business for years, you think I couldn't spot that? Looks like a dwarf craftsman hammered it out for at least five years, right?"
"I'm no expert, but yeah, something like that."
"...No expert, huh? Don't tell me you didn't get it straight from the craftsman?"
Catching the sudden chill in Eunyoung's gaze, he quickly explained the mithril greatsword's origins.
"It's not stolen or anything—got it with awakening points."
"...Oh, really?"
"There was a time I urgently needed a backup weapon besides my usual greatsword, and I had enough points saved up to buy it. Never met the dwarf in person, so I don't know the exact details."
"Oh my, I see. Nearly had the wrong idea there~."
Weapons poached from other hunters were a touchy subject, so her sharp look was understandable.
"You can buy gear like this with points? Your ability really is something else, Taekyung...."
"Yeah, pretty much."
He skipped the part about grinding those points through half a dozen creampies.
"A weapon like that needs professional maintenance."
"Mithril's pretty tough—does it really need special care?"
"Hammered for five years means repairs will take just as long proportionally. Wait till it's totally busted to fix it, and you'll be sidelined for years waiting."
"...Never even thought about that. No clue."
Mithril was durable and resistant to deformation, sure—but in real fights, he'd be cleaving monsters just as tough. Eunyoung's warning about needing steady upkeep to avoid it failing when he needed it most rang true.
"So what do I do?"
"Ideally, take it back to the dwarf who made it regularly."
"Back to the maker, huh...."
In his case, the "maker" was the Hunter Libido Manager System, so follow-up care would have to go through the system too.
Just to check, he mentally pinged Esilla.
'Esilla, possible?'
「The Hunter Libido Manager System does not support exchange, refund, repair, or other services for sold items.」
'Figured you'd say that.'
「Sorry I couldn't help.」
'It's fine, no big deal.'
It was a long shot anyway—no real disappointment. But returning it to the "craftsman" was off the table, so alternatives it was.
"What if that's not an option?"
"Then hand it to another craftsman who can work mithril—less expertise, but it'll do."
"...And if I don't know any?"
"No choice but to use it till it breaks, then toss it."
"......"
"That's just how it is, son."
Her words sounded cold, but he had to nod—reality bit.
"Truth be told, I'd love to hook you up with one of my contacts, but that guy's got a huge ego. Won't touch anything that's been dinged up by someone else."
"Can't be helped. Dwarf smiths are stubborn like that."
"You'll have to pound the pavement yourself on this one, son. Can't have me holding your hand through everything—that'd be too coddling."
"Got it, sis. I'll handle it."
Just realizing the issue was progress enough for now. He'd sort it later—maybe through an Association commission like with Hwayoung, or ask Do Sihee to scout a mithril smith.
Plenty of paths; no need to stress tonight.
"Sorry, Taekyung.... If I knew someone, I'd introduce you...."
"It's cool. Like Eunyoung said, it's my problem to solve as a hunter."
Hyeun's awakening created energy shields from scratch—nonstandard, no need for smiths. Cha Yuri might know enchanters as a mage, but blades and magic gear were different beasts.
Bottom line: his to fix, connections or not. Even if he found a mithril smith, they'd have to want to touch his blade. Better to build his rep so they'd beg for the honor.
With the weapon talk wrapped, Hyeun piped up again.
"Oh, how about potions?"
"Potions?"
"Dungeons are unpredictable—you never know! Better stock up just in case!"
"...We're still on the gift thing?"
He'd thought it was done, but Hyeun reignited it.
"A-rankers get company potions monthly. You could grab some—no harm!"
"Dunno.... Don't really need 'em."
He already had a stash from Hwayoung, but more importantly—
"Wait, aren't those not supposed to leave the company...?"
"Just keep our mouths shut!"
"Girl, that's asking for trouble!"
"Hyeun, even if it's minor, that's a no-go...."
"Ugh...."
Not a crime, and her rank meant a slap on the wrist at worst—but he wasn't risking it for potions he didn't need. He shook his head.
...Might as well share his extras with her while thinking about it.
"Oh, right, Hyeun."
"Yeah?"
"Forget that—take these instead and stock up."
He pulled energy potions, mana potions, paralysis antidotes, and such from his pouch, handing them over.
"...What's this?"
"Got paid in potions for an Association gig—more than expected."
"......"
"You're the party leader; you need 'em most. Use as needed."
"...Better than the company stuff."
"Yeah? I don't know grades."
She pocketed them, but her face fell—oddly pitiful.
...Feels bad, getting her hopes up just to deflate them.
Wondering if she had any requests he could grant, a bold idea flashed.
Rude maybe, but worth a shot.
"Hey, Hyeun."
"...Yeah."
"If you're cool with it, could you grant me one request as my promotion gift?"
"...Huh?"
Her face lit up instantly.
"Sure! Anything! Whatever I can do, just say it!"
"Not something impossible.... Just kinda hard to ask."
"No, really—anything!"
She seemed dead serious, boosting his confidence to voice his secret desire. But it needed Eunyoung's buy-in too.
"...Might need Eunyoung's help too. You okay with that, sis?"
"Mommy's fine with anything for her son~."
He'd half-expected as much.