Chapter 401 – Skirmish (2)

– Tinkle tinkle ~

The shop door opens, and the sound of bells fills the air.

“Ah, it’s been quite some time, hasn’t it?”

Artifacts cover the table, along with a magic-engineered gun. Seri, having hastily organized the jewels meant for intricate work, removes her magnifying glasses.

“So many customers lately, I’m not taking on any work related to artifacts right now…”

– Trudge trudge.

A woman approaches without any pleasantries and makes her way to the counter.

– Bang!!!!

The inside of the shop falls silent in an instant.

“Oh dear.”

Seri’s violet eyes look up.

Her dark green hair, tied to one side, belongs to a rare and striking beauty. Above her long lashes, her fierce, sharp eyes glare at Seri.

– Clank – Seri, loading the gun in her right hand, glares back at the woman before her.

A magical firearm designed for battling monsters. Firing it in a place like this would surely cause more than a mere commotion.

“Se-Young, please refrain from causing a disturbance inside the store.”

Despite her warning, Se-Young didn’t withdraw his menacing gaze.

“Where is Lee Si-heon?”

The name slips past his stiffened lips. In Korea, it would be quite rare to find someone who doesn’t know this man’s name.

Seri’s eyes narrowed.

“Why are you asking me about him?”
“Because there is no artifact craftsman like you.”

Lee Si-heon was introduced to Seri by Byul. Among the world’s top five craftsmen, his skills alone would make it inevitable for Lee Si-heon to frequent Seri’s shop.

“Do you think I would accept someone judged as a heretic as a customer?”
“Yes.”
“You’re right, I just wanted to make it clear. I don’t differentiate between customers.”

No matter how heretical one might be, once they become her customer, they are a customer for life.

It was a defining trait and conviction of Seri.
Although despised by the church, her exceptional skills made everyone hesitant to cross her establishment.
Who would dare to harm the goose that laid the golden eggs?

Seri spoke, raising the barrel of her gun.

“I don’t know where that man is. Even if I did, I couldn’t tell you.”
“…”

She would never divulge customer information, even at the cost of her own life.
Both an artisan and a merchant, her uniquely steadfast temperament defined Seri as a character.

“And aren’t you being quite rude?”
“…Hmph.”

Lee Se-Young’s mouth twisted momentarily.
After wiping her face dry, she took a mana stone pouch from her waistband and handed it to Seri.

“…What’s this?”
“Take it.”
“Is this in lieu of an apology? Mana stones are quite pricey these days… If you’re offering, I’ll accept it gratefully.”

Without a word, Lee Se-Young turned her head and attempted to leave the shop.

Seri, enthusiastically counting the high-quality mana stones in the bag, came to an abrupt halt upon seeing Lee Se-Young’s retreating figure.

“What is your relationship with him?”

A response soon followed.

“Lovers.”

Lovers. Was he someone so precious that she’d devotedly search for him?

Regrettably, Seri had no experience with love, leaving her unable to empathize with Se-Young’s desperate demeanor. Although she knew of Lee Si-heon’s whereabouts, she had no intention of divulging them.

“I hope it works out for you.”

Lee Si-heon aside, Lee Se-Young had been a long-time patron of the store. In terms of sheer loyalty, Se-Young was far more of a regular.

“…However, if you continue asking around like that, it wouldn’t be surprising for you to be captured by the cult at any moment. You should be cautious.”

At Seri’s words, Se-Young smiled desolately. She seemed about to say something, but in the end, no reply came. She then left the store.

* * * * * * * * *

It had been a while since I last visited Seri’s shop.

Usually, she would send people from the termite group to gather the necessary artifacts, but this time, there was a personal matter to discuss. As I opened the door to her ever-shabby store, I was greeted by the pungent scent of medicinal concoctions.

“If I were to report this place to the authorities, the bounty would be quite substantial, right?”

It’s interesting to see someone joking around while living day by day on the edge. Seri has a few screws loose, but that only makes her more approachable the moment you become a customer.

The robe and the mask I’m currently wearing were all crafted by Seri’s skilled hands. Clothes, masks, firearms, mana stone work, and even translating dungeon languages – she single-handedly takes care of tasks that would typically require the expertise of dozens of individuals.

Why would someone like that suddenly call me? As I turned my head and looked around the store, the mana stone in Se-ri’s hand caught my eye.

“That is…”

“Yes, that’s right. The mana stone you gave me last time.”

Initially, it was a mask I used to enhance my charm when I first arrived in this world. Originally, it was a mana stone designed to increase one’s magical power, but the World Tree of Purity had altered its function according to its own whims.

“I’m always grateful. The amount of knowledge I’ve gained thanks to this mana stone has far exceeded that of several years.”

“Is that so?”

Having been thoroughly utilized, the honey was no longer of any use. Meanwhile, Se-ri appeared to be quite interested in the jewel, so I willingly provided it to her. In fact, this might be the reason our business relationship continues as it does now.

“So why did you call me?”

“I called because I can now craft this mana stone.”

Charm – an artifact that allowed me to surpass the unchangeable ability that could never be raised through ordinary means.

Naturally, the magic and power contained within it must exceed anything I could have imagined.

“The Jewel of Hyperion.”

I cocked my head at Seri’s words.

“Hyperion?”
“It existed in the past… In a word, it is a mythical god, believed to stand at a position far beyond the existing five great World Trees.”

I racked my brain, recalling the first time I acquired this artifact.

▶Hyperion’s Ring (SS)

Hyperion.
Considering the translation differences, it seems similar.

“Hyperion?”
“That’s what it’s called. What’s certain is… It’s a treasure that cannot be obtained in this day and age.”

I nodded.
I suppose it was a legendary artifact.
I don’t know why it came to me, but I reaped great benefits from it.

‘…Now that I think about it, I wonder if purity was the one to give it to me.’

Although the status window is nearly broken and unusable, I’ve always tried to avoid relying on that power as much as possible. I’m aware that not only the single World Tree targeting me, but other World Trees could also approach me. Rather than making needless moves, I thought it best to preemptively block them.

Who could have foreseen that an artifact acquired by chance would become a Trojan horse?

“And you just willingly handed over that treasure?”
“That’s how it happened.”
“Are you a fool?”
“I get that a lot.”

Regardless of its value, if I had kept it, it would have amounted to nothing more than trash or an antique.

“Treasure should go to someone who appreciates its worth.”
“… …”

With a dumbfounded expression, Se-ri’s eyes widened, and she let out a hollow laugh. Admittedly, it was a somewhat foolish thing to say.

“Is that why you summoned me?”
“I’ll say it again, since you seem not to understand… This is truly more than a national treasure.”

“You can’t ask for something back once you’ve already given it, can you?”
“…”

Seri’s lips twitched. After clearing her throat, she spoke firmly.

“If you think I’m an ungrateful artisan, you’re sorely mistaken.”

There had been no favors done.
Back then, in that very moment, instead of handing over the gem, hadn’t she received a nearly free Infinitum mask and clothes to conceal her identity?

She had benefited quite a bit from it.

“…Aren’t you greedy?”

When she said that, Seri, in turn, seemed to be rebuking me. She sighed and then extended her hand to me.

“There’s no need for this gem to be with me anymore.”

Seri began to take out various intricate tools from beneath the counter.

“Still don’t understand?”

She would create an artifact with this gem.
I understood, but I waited for her confirmation.

“What do you desire? Armor? Or a weapon? There isn’t an artifact beyond my reach. Just tell me.”

Though something geared towards combat would be preferable, as a martial artist, I’m not greatly affected by equipment. I contemplated my options.

“Is it possible to enhance an existing artifact?”
“…Yes, it’s doable. Oh, are you referring to that?”

Sensing my intentions, Seri’s gaze fell upon the object wrapped around my wrist.

I tapped the glove I was wearing. Mistletoe. The result of manifesting the power of Heaven, absorbed from Purgatory, in the form of equipment. It can transform into any shape and has proven itself useful by effectively harnessing magical energy.

‘The issue is… there are still many hidden aspects within this weapon.’

Initially, I intended to ask Heaven directly, but ever since that day, our interactions became awkward, and I couldn’t find the right moment to bring it up. The color gradually darkens each time a life is taken. It’s not just my imagination that the equipment’s destructive power grows stronger as the days pass by.

I removed my gloves and placed them down before Seri.

“…There are two components that are particularly challenging to craft.”
“Can’t you do it?”
“What do you take me for? …I’d like to say that, but indeed, this time there is a considerable degree of difficulty.”

Nevertheless, it’s not impossible. I’ll give it a try.
I shrugged my shoulders, observing Seri’s determination ablaze.

If it succeeds, wouldn’t it produce the finest weapon that can be created at this moment?
Considering the base of the weapon alone, it relies on the power of Heaven, which has reached an elevated state.
I’m unsure of the extent of Hyperion’s gems, but they surely won’t be insufficient.

“But as for something like a mana stone…”
“We recently acquired some, so I believe there won’t be any issues.”

Seri was ecstatic about the prospect of handling this precious artifact, rather than focusing on the money she could earn immediately.
Could this be the conviction of a craftsman?

With her enthusiasm palpable, I left the violet-hued Seri behind and turned away.

* * * * * * * *

One by one,
There were increasingly more things to do and places to go.

– Thump, thump.

Even though I had regained my senses, at times, I would experience sudden urges. Insatiable sexual desires would surge forth, which were difficult to put into words. Moreover, even the murderous impulses I once despised began to emerge, little by little.

Upon seeing this, Sargenti remarked that King Mokryeong’s benevolence had grown stronger. I was aware of this as well, but there were moments when my heart felt uneasy.

Could it be that the act of releasing my sexual desires with Cornus long ago played a part in this?

“Your Majesty!”

Aori, who sat at the table and heartily devoured a fried egg drizzled with ketchup, beamed a radiant smile.

“You’re doing well.”

“Brother, does this look like things are going well?”

Tae-yang grumbled while cooking ham and eggs in the kitchen. The friends he hadn’t seen in a while seemed to be enjoying their own sense of peace. In Tae-yang’s case, he was quite exhausted from looking after Aori, but deep down, he was happy, and a faint smile played across his face.

“Please, have a seat. Have a spoonful of rice before you go.”

As far as I knew, Tae-yang wasn’t particularly skilled in household chores. I wondered if he had learned these skills, albeit reluctantly, while taking care of Aori.

The presentation of the kimchi stew, with rice cakes placed in the center, was quite impressive. It was a well-cooked kimchi stew with a slightly sour yet savory taste.

“Aori, are you feeling better?”
“Aori Iron Man!”
“…What?”

As I asked while sitting on the chair at the table, Aori suddenly raised her arms towards the sky and giggled. Tae-yang, who had brought a bowl of rice, handed it to me and explained what she meant.

“Two arms and two legs made of iron, so they call it Iron Man. I can’t believe it.”

Ah… that’s what they meant.
It’s a relief that Aori is more positive than I thought.

Now, she’s learned to move her prosthetic body quite well and can finish a bowl of rice all by herself.

Watching Aori eat so heartily, as if looking at a young niece, Tae-yang smiles and sits down after bringing his share of rice.

“So, what brings you here? I thought you’d never come.”

The satisfaction that comes from putting rice in my mouth and chewing it with the halved ham.
Salted seaweed and kimchi. With a fried egg, it feels like a feast.

“It’s nothing,” I say, continuing to eat.

“You mentioned something last time. Is that true?”
“How many things have I said to you? You need to tell me which one, so I can understand.”
“You know what I’m talking about.”

There was a wealth of information to extract from Tae-yang.
He was the type who would never speak unless directly questioned or faced with a pressing situation.

“If you kill me, the king’s power will transfer to you-“
“…What?”
“Really?”

– Thunk.

Aori’s spoon, filled with a generous scoop of rice, tumbled to the floor.
Her mouth agape, the rice clinging to the corner of her lips also dropped.

“Your Majesty?”