Chapter 109

“Myeongwoo!”

The thought I had as soon as I saw him, was that it was a long time coming . I had told him to sleep and rest properly every time we passed each other, but he had mumbled that he was okay, and now he became like that! 119[1], no, would calling a healer be better?

I put Peace and Chirpie down, and took out my cell phone as I went toward Myeongwoo .

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt anywhere by any chance?”

First of all, there wasn’t the smell of blood . Still, there was a chance he was injured when he collapsed, so I didn’t rashly raise him up, and took out a potion . Maybe he hadn’t lost consciousness, because Myeongwoo let out a dying noise and turned his head a little .

“Mana… potion……”

So it was a lack of mana, huh . That was a relief . When I quickly took out a mana potion and fed it to him, the pale complexion came a little alive .

“Should I get some water for you? Or what about being hospitalized and resting for a few days?”

I also thought about just forcibly putting him in a hospital . But even if you tied him firmly to a bed, if he went into the Forge, that was it .

“…I’m okay . The mana consumption was more than I had expected… I just didn’t have enough potions……”

“That freaking ‘I’m okay’!”

I was sick of it to death . I supported the still listless Myeongwoo, who was moving limply, and sat him on the sofa .

“Did you eat? When did you last sleep?”

“I collapsed, so I did sleep a little…?”

Myeongwoo replied, drinking another mana potion . Then are you proud of yourself for that, that you’re smiling?

“It’s not like you’re at a sweatshop[2] with mandatory long hours day in and out[3], so why are you voluntarily working yourself to the bone? Make a schedule and stop working at a set time . And rest on the weekends . ”

“Okay . ”

For some reason, a reply came obediently unlike usual . When I searched his expression wondering what kind of change of heart this was, he grinned again . It was a face that gave me déjà vu . So .

“Did you finish what you were making?”

“Yeah . ”

Myeongwoo, who had become perfectly fine at some point, maybe because his recovery had also become better as his rank went up, stood up from his seat . Then he took an item out from his inventory .

The thing that was revealed was a beautiful sword . There was a soft blue tint in the transparent blade that seemed like it was made of glass . It looked closer to decoration than something for actual combat use, but as an item, the strength it held would definitely not be weak .

“You made a weapon?”

“Ah, because the basic state for a dragon heart is a sword . ”

“…What?”

“And the design is this one’s preference . ”

I didn’t know what he was talking about . Just then, a small bird appeared with a pyorong sound . It was a round blue-feathered bird that was small enough to be covered by one hand .

-Cheep

“This one’s preference . ”

-Cheeeep

I understood even less what he was talking about . I reflexively took the sword that Myeongwoo held out .

[Yoo Eunhye[4] – L-Rank

A sword born from a dragon lord as well as great master craftsman Shalos’ magic stone .

Contractor – Han Yoojin]

Um… umm……

The name, why was it like that? L-Rank… excuse me? Dragon lord? Great master craftsman? If it was Shalos, then that bead’s material? Magic stone… dragon heart…… And what was this contractor, why me, I don’t even remember doing that, why a contract?

“……That transparent magic stone you showed me that time, wasn’t SS-Rank, huh . ”

It came to mind when I saw the transparent body of the sword[5] . The dragon human type’s SS-Rank magic stone was an opaque white .

“Yeah . It was an L-Rank magic stone . Specially, it was a magic stone with a particular name of Shalos’ Dragon Heart . The rank was higher than a normal L-Rank magic stone?”

Wow… was that so . Was that so . Wow, I learned something new .

“That… leaping over ranks just like that, I mean suddenly what L-Rank……”

“It’s a material with a rank that’s impossible for me to handle with my current abilities, but Ismual is an elemental that Shalos-ssi made . Thanks to that, I suffered a lot, but I could finish it! For other materials, I can’t handle even SS-Rank well yet . Still, this time the proficiency went up a lot, so soon, I’ll be able to make low grade SS-Rank items . ”

Shalos-ssi made him an elemental and gave an L-Rank magic stone, too . The Forge also seemed to be that person’s, so he really was a giving tree[6] .

“It’ll be convenient to transform it into something like a bracelet or ring normally . At any rate, it doesn’t have any performance as a weapon other than that it will never break . ”

Even though it was an L-Rank? I should try changing it into a bracelet for now . As soon as I thought that, it transformed… but the two transparent chains with tons of blue gems dangling from it was disgustingly fancy .

“This is a little…”

“Its preference is like that . ”

-Cheep

The blue bird landed on the back of my hand and tilted its head . It was made from a dragon heart, but why was it a bird? Was Shalos-ssi a blue dragon?

“Um… Eunhye?”

-Cheeep

“Can’t it be a little bit more simple?”

When the blue bird cheeped, just the chains were left and the dandling gems disappeared . No, one was left . It cheeped as if saying that it definitely couldn’t get rid of that one at least . A ring… was a little, you know, and when I changed it to a necklace, a gem necklace that sparkled super blindingly appeared . Was it a crow instead of a bluebird? Or was it Shalos-ssi’s preference when he was alive? It was well known that dragons liked gems, but was it true for dragons of different worlds?

Anyways, a bracelet was better, then .

“…Its name really seems like a person’s . ”

“I didn’t name it . ”

Myeongwoo explained himself, saying that it was decided on its own .

“Currently, it only has one skill . It’s a damage nullification skill like those previous Shalos’ Beads . But it’s not 1-time-use, and rank adjustment is possible . When its full of mana, let’s say when it’s fully charged, it nullifies all of about L-Rank damage for a duration time of 1 hour, more or less, and theoretically no rank limitation like before for about 10 minutes? To charge up the consumed mana, you have to feed it magic stones . ”

The Shalos’ Bead would’ve been something like a dragon heart fragment, so I had guessed that the skill effect would be similar . But to think that it nullified L-Rank damage for 1 hour, and could be replenished with magic stones . That was a scam .

“But it takes quite a while to absorb magic stones, and it has to eat S-Ranks at minimum, so it’ll be better to only use it when it’s necessary . ”

“For S-Rank magic stones, they aren’t hard to find, and how long does it take to absorb?”

“If you say it’s completely empty, about a week?”

“That’s not that long! Wow, if an S-Rank Hunter uses this- . ”

“The skill doesn’t get applied unless it’s the contractor . ”

I had thought it might be so, and it really felt like I was splashed with cold water . I mean, why? At my upset eyes, Myeongwoo explained, scratching the back of his head .

“If there wasn’t that kind of restriction, I wouldn’t have been able to fit it as an L-Rank… It’s not 1-time-use, and it’s much higher than a simple shielding . Since it only nullifies damage over a certain amount, and movement is unrestricted . And the maximum amount is unlimited to rank . ”

That was so . But… no, if it was limited to the contractor anyways, then it would be better for it to be applied to me . Since I also had poison and curse resistance and the doubling skill, too .

It was a really good item . Now that the duration time had also increased, I should notify the Seseong Guild Leader that my worth had gone up from before .

“It’s a growth type, so other skills or effects can appear from now on, but…”

Myeongwoo suddenly had a grave face . I followed suit and my expression became heavy . Was there something like a side effect?

“Stat integer increase… was impossible . ”

“…Huh?”

“Even if something is an S-Rank item, stat increase is a sub because it has a separate skill, or if it’s just barely an S-Rank, an integer increase effect is added on . Integer increase is a little… on the cheap side, should I say? Even if they’re the same rank items, if one is an integer increase, then it’s low quality, something like that . It’s okay to see it as there aren’t any items at all that are integer increase starting from SS-Rank . ”

“……Is that so . ”

No wonder it was hard to find S-Rank integer increase items . There weren’t a lot of people who used it, so I was wondering why I couldn’t see them . I was a little sad .

“Still, how great is this already? I mean, a damage nullification skill is much more impressive! I just asked for it just in case, but to think that you would make something this perfect . On top of that, the material, the time…”

When the surprise over the unexpected item settled down, the feeling of being moved was pushed forward . At the same time, the bracelet in my hand felt so heavy . It was excessive, really .

“You could’ve just used it . In the first place, it was something that was left to you, too . This much for me- . ”

“Besides that, there’s other things you can say . ”

Myeongwoo firmly cut off my words . I flinched and stared at that guy . It was a face that was proud to the point that light could come out . It was an expression and eyes that were plenty satisfied .

When I saw that, I remembered what I had to say .

“Thanks . Really . ”

“Don’t mention it . ”

“For real, thank you . ”

“No problem . ”

“Myeongwoo, you’re the best . You’re impressive . ”

“I also think I’m a bit impressive . Ah, it really was difficult . ”

“Now, rest while you work . Please . ”

Myeongwoo smiled as he nodded his head . It was a bright and light attitude that seemed like he had taken off a heavy weight .

“Still, don’t go around alone . You know because you’ve used it before, right? Even if you use a damage nullification skill, there’s no problem with everyday-life-level of contact . Though in the first place, you wanted a defense ability where contact was possible, so it’s an obvious result . ”

“Yeah, I know . ”

Since I could be handled however, I would be in a state where I was easy to just grab and run off with . But there was no cause for me to go around alone, and above all, I liked that there would be nothing that would be dangerous even if I carelessly went into a dungeon . Now, Yoohyun should worry less, too .

“Eunhye, take care of me from now on . ”

-Cheep

The blue bird that had landed on my wrist replied . Just then, I noticed Chirpie, who was sitting blankly at my feet . It seemed like it had received some shock . What was it? Did it realize that the magic stone it had aimed for had turned into an item?

“Chirpie?”

-…Chirp

Was it looking at the bracelet… no, the bird? Just then, Eunhye flapped down in front of Chirpie . Chirpie, who had jumped up, shouted strangely combatively .

-Chirp!

-Cheep cheep cheep

-Chirp chirp!

And then, Chirpie started to flap its small wings . Persistently, to the point of being pitiful . The blue bird looked at Chirpie being like that, and flew back up to my wrist . Then it disappeared as if seeping into the bracelet’s gem . Was that why it left one gem?

-Chirp… cheep

“Oh, Chirpie! Why’re you crying!”

From the small and black eyes, water droplets that were bigger than the eyes themselves fell sadly . Even when I quickly held it and soothed it, it kept on chirping and crying .

“What’s the matter, why?”

-Chirp, chirp

It chirped, and flapped its wings again . …Was it crying because it couldn’t fly? It didn’t pay attention to Blue or Comet flying, but was it because it saw a bird like it? But Chirpie’s wings were too small compared to its body . It was mostly fluff, and it didn’t even have proper wing feathers .

“…Hey, Myeongwoo . ”

“Yeah?”

“If you happen to have time, could you make just one flight item for Chirpie? It can just be something like slowly floating around . ”

“Alright . If it’s that much, then I’ll make it quickly . ”

Him readily replying was really reliable and made me thankful . How do I live without you, really .

“Now you should set up an item workshop properly . ”

After soothing Chirpie, I ate dinner with Myeongwoo for the first time in a while . The side dishes made ahead of time were delicious of course, but the ones cooked directly were to the point of provoking admiration . I automatically thought of Yoohyun and Yerim, but Myeongwoo didn’t particularly like either of them, so I suppressed it . Yerim did carefully take some side dishes, but I would be sorry to Myeongwoo if I involved Yoohyun, too . That Yoohyun, you should treat Myeongwoo gentler . Though it was bad starting from the first impression .

“I felt it while I was making Eunhye, but this thing called the system seems like it’s dragging people down . ”

“You felt that?”

“You know using skills inside the Forge is different from outside . Status windows don’t pop up either . And Yoojin, you seem like you already knew it . ”

“Ah, I also had matters where I got free from the system . ”

Above all, a lot of it was thanks to the memories of the lizard owner guy .

“Especially skill explanation windows, you can’t believe them just the way they are . How should I say it, if it’s an ability that can set fire, it just has ‘it can burn something’ . Even though you can cook food, or avoid cold, or brighten darkness, etc . And there are explanations that aren’t exact . ”

“Not only that, the things called skills are my abilities in the first place . ”

Myeongwoo nodded his head and spoke .

“If you use them with skill windows, it does work, but since the windows don’t pop up, the feeling is completely different . Above all, an L-Rank item is something I definitely can’t make within the system . But after combining strengths with Ismual and understanding the trick to handling mana, it was possible . Should I say that I broke free of the decided skills?”

To think that he had already realized that . That Myeongwoo really was impressive . I also somehow used Diarma’s abilities, but it would’ve been impossible if I didn’t have the memories and that guy’s magic stone .

“So I’m thinking of trying to train people who don’t have item production skills, but have the talent . ”

“Training them?”

“Yeah . Instead of making items by myself, wouldn’t it be better to form a team? First, I was going to give an offer to Haeyeon’s Lee Minsuk ahjussi . He only has repair skills, but that’s also an ability for handling items . And he has much more real life experience than me . ”

Teaching the skill . In worlds without the system, that was standard procedure . The method of taking in disciples with talent, and teaching them special abilities, making them familiar with it .

“It might be possible if it’s inside your Forge . I’ll also find people with related aptitudes for it and send them to you . ”

“It’s not certain, so if I succeed . ”

“Ah, and while you’re out, let’s go raise our levels . ”

How many days was it since I used the My Brat skill? A long time had passed . At my words, Myeongwoo nodded his head, saying he was free now .

While we were going, should I bring Yoohyun? They could also become a little friendlier . I didn’t know if he had named the elemental .

[1] the emergency phone number, like 911 in the u . s .

[2] yj just says ‘black’, the eng word transliterated into krn, so based on context, I’m assuming he means ‘blacksmith’? // EDIT: I’ve changed the tl to ’[you’re at] a sweatshop’ because apparently there’s a word 블랙기업 (블랙 = the eng word ‘black’ transliterated to krn; 기업 = company) that basically means 'sweatshop’ . It didn’t occur to me to look for a word like that, so thank you to tumblr user easykiln for bringing it up!

[3] a common way of saying ‘every day of the week’ in krn is listing the days out in a row sort of like this: montueswedthursfrisatsun . But in this case, yj says montueswedthursfrimonmon, which, as far as I can tell, is a slang sort of way of saying you don’t really have weekends because they also feel like mondays . So I just tl’d it to ‘[working] day in and out’ bc that seemed the easiest day to convey that

[4] eunhye is a word that means ‘favor, kindness’ or ‘[god’s] grace’ but it can be a name, too . Since it looks like a name, I wrote it with the ‘Yoo’ and ‘Eunhye’ separated as names are in eng, but in krn, there’s no space, as it also is for names in krn .

[5] yj uses a word that’s not in the dictionary (검신) so I’m making an educated guess that it’s ‘body of a sword’ based on context and potential hanja it could be based off of

[6] probably referencing ‘The Giving Tree’ by Shel Silverstein since it was written exactly like the official krn tl of the title