Episode 136: Misfortune (7)
-3 years ago, inside the blacksmith shop located deep inside the world-famous blacksmith shop.
-Hwaruk-
A late night when most of the living are asleep.
There was a man there who was not sleeping, but was silently staring at the furnace where the flames were flickering.
“…now.”
-Squeak-
The man’s identity is Jeong So-cheon.
He was the president of a world-famous craftsman and a man who was known as the best craftsman in name and reality.
-Swoosh-
Jeong So-cheon, who was muttering something softly, took something out of the furnace and then put it into the coolant placed next to it.
-Cheeeeek!-
Then, immediately, there was a sound of moisture burning.
-Clump, clump-
A cloud of steam begins to pour out from the coolant.
-with a splash-
Jeong So-cheon, who had been focusing solely on the coolant inside, finally took the weapon he had painstakingly created out of the coolant.
Then he immediately tried to put the weapon into a cubic glass box about 50cm long that he had made in advance.
-Swoosh-
At that time.
“Hey, are you alive? It was so quiet, so I came to check if you died yourself!”
A loud, booming voice coming from behind.
Despite the indifferent content, his voice was filled with concern for Jeong So-cheon.
-Glance-
“Fortunately, he’s still alive, Yeomcheol.”
“Huh! That’s good! And since you even answered, I guess you finished your work!”
The owner of the voice is Park Yeom-cheol, a friend of Jeong So-cheon’s who is the same age and serves as the vice president of Cheon Ha-myeong-jang.
As soon as Park Yeom-cheol spoke, he looked at the complexion of Jeong So-cheon in front of him with worried eyes.
A handsome man in his mid-to-late 30s with strong, attractive eyes.
But unfortunately, the dark circles under his eyes and his tired expression were ruining his handsome appearance.
“You punk, aren’t you overdoing it these days! You even have the face of someone who’s about to die.”
“It’s okay, I’m moving around just fine. Of course, I’m a little dazed, but…”
“If you’re feeling dizzy, get some rest, you workaholic. Be honest with me, have you slept recently?”
“You can sleep only when you are dead.”
“You call that talking, you punk?”
“I’m just kidding, I don’t have time to rest. I want to make at least one more weapon during that time.”
“… Hey, you crazy bastard. You’re going to die without ever getting married, man. A handsome guy who’s crazy about work and just rots away in his room, tsk tsk.”
“… … .”
In fact, there was a reason why Jeong So-cheon became so obsessed with making weapons while torturing his body to this extent.
Five years ago from now.
Jeong So-cheon, who witnessed the worst evil that appeared in Yeouido with his own eyes, changed after that day.
-Kwak-
A sense of despair and crisis.
That day, Jeong So-cheon was able to feel those two emotions.
The evil spirit that appeared in Yeouido was so strong that the highest grade, SS grade, had no meaning.
I began to feel that no matter what I did, I would never be able to achieve victory, and this thought soon gave way to a deep sense of despair.
At that time, if there had not been the dazzling performance and noble sacrifice of Jeong Se-bin and Han Si-hyeok, who were called the hope of humanity and were also his academy classmates,
It was clear that this Earth… this world would have been on the path to destruction in an instant.
‘But now… … .’
At the same time, Jeong So-cheon felt a sense of crisis.
Now that those two people are gone, if a demon of the same level appears that day.
I decided that that was when the end of the world would truly begin.
Of course, there was a possibility that such a powerful demon would never appear again.
However, Jeong So-cheon felt a sense of uneasiness along with an inexplicable sense of certainty.
Surely, one day, the worst evil will appear again like that day.
That’s why Jeong So-cheon couldn’t stop for the past five years.
No, I had to run at full speed.
To prepare for the destruction that will come someday.
So that I can hand over my weapon to at least one more player.
-Twitching-
‘There’s no point in worrying about it. Let’s do what I can during that time.’
Jeong So-cheon, who had shaken off his complicated feelings, immediately began to create new weapons by turning his wrists and doing light stretching to loosen up his body little by little.
Meanwhile, Park Yeom-cheol, who had been watching the scene from behind, could quickly notice that Jeong So-cheon was about to start the next task.
‘That stubborn guy. If I just tell him to rest, he’ll definitely refuse sharply. What’s a good way… … Hmm?’
-Glance-
Then, Park Yeom-cheol, who happened to be looking around, was able to discover something and immediately came up with a clever plan to give Jeong So-cheon some rest.
At the same time, he spoke to Jeong So-cheon, pointing to the glass box next to him, to satisfy his own curiosity.
“Socheon-ah, is that weapon you were making just now finished?”
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“…Huh? Oh, right. That’s the finished product. Isn’t it a bit unusual?”
“… Beyond being something unusual, I have no idea what it is.”
Like the conversation just now.
The weapon that Jeong So-cheon had just created had a very unique appearance.
Because inside that glass box… … .
“In the first place, what should I see before I speak or not…?”
Just like the mutterings that Park Yeom-cheol let out.
Because it just looked like a simple empty glass box with nothing visible.
“That’s the condition this time.”
“Are you talking about the conditions for becoming the owner of that weapon?”
-Nod-
Jeong So-cheon nodded slightly to Park Yeom-cheol’s question, then continued speaking calmly.
“That’s right. To put it simply, you could say, ‘a person who can see what is invisible.’ Anyway, that’s the condition for becoming the owner of this weapon.”
“Hmm, I see. By the way, didn’t you say that the gorgeous bracelet you made right before that weapon was a bit unique, different from the ones before? What was it that suddenly made you make it so unique?”
-Stop-
Then, Jeong So-cheon, who was about to pick up the hammer on the workbench in response to Park Yeom-cheol’s question, stopped what he was doing for a moment and fell into thought.
Then, a little while later.
For some reason, Jeong So-cheon had a faint smile on her lips that she didn’t usually show, and then she opened her mouth with a slightly embarrassed voice.
“… I just wanted to try making an armed unit like ours.”
“Armed like us? What does that mean?”
“Aside from the heroes who fight on the front lines, like the sunlight. It’s like the armed forces that support them in the shadows, where they are invisible like us… . Anyway, that’s it. But more than that, I’m going to start working again, so if you stop wasting time… .”
-Whew~!-
But at that moment.
A strong wind blew from somewhere… .
-Blink-
As if a power outage had occurred, all the lights inside the forge went out.
Only the flickering fire inside the furnace began to softly illuminate the surroundings.
And right after that.
“What kind of person are you! How dare you enter the sacred forge!”
Park Yeom-cheol could vaguely sense the presence of someone other than Jeong So-cheon, and soon shouted in an angry voice toward where he thought that someone was.
but.
-Blink-
When the lights that had suddenly gone out came back on, illuminating the inside of the blacksmith shop.
In the place where someone’s presence had already been felt, there was nothing there.
Someone broke into the world-famous blacksmith’s workshop.
And… the glass box containing the weapons that Jeong So-cheon had just completed.
“Oh, shit…! What, the armored man! Quickly chase after him…!”
Afterwards, when Park Yeom-cheol, who was shocked to see the missing weapon, turned around and tried to chase after the guy, Jeong So-cheon calmly stopped him.
“Calm down, Yeomcheol.”
“… What is it? It’s the weapon you made, but why are you so calm and only I… … .”
To Park Yeom-cheol’s bewildered muttering, Jeong So-cheon…
-Glance-
He looked straight in the direction where the thief who stole the weapons he had worked so hard to make had run away, then shrugged his shoulders slightly and spoke in a calm voice.
“It’s okay. You can’t use it if you’re not the owner anyway. I guess that’s the fate of that weapon… … .”
however.
-Slurp-
Jeong So-cheon was unable to finish her speech due to the drowsiness that had been creeping up on her since a while ago, and her body began to tilt.
-dump-
“…Huh? Hey, hey! So-cheon! What’s wrong! Come on, you punk!”
And Park Yeom-cheol, who was watching this scene with his own eyes, went straight to him and shook his body, desperately trying to wake him up.
Unfortunately, the miracle of Jeong So-cheon waking up from his eternal sleep did not happen.
Jeong So-cheon, who was praised as the greatest general, died from overwork at the young age of 38.
***
-Click-Squeak-
“This way, come in.”
-Gulp-
‘Wow, I kind of expected it after seeing the building’s palace-like exterior, but this is really beyond my imagination.’
As I looked around at the massive and splendid interior of the auction house that unfolded before my eyes, I couldn’t help but swallow my admiration.
A variety of orange lights are softly placed all around.
The golden inner walls reflect the light, making them look even more splendid.
Inside, there is a space on the first floor that appears to be a VIP area, with luxurious sofas placed here and there at a glance.
Upwards, there is a vast space consisting of four floors, with hundreds of chairs densely placed.
The overall feeling is like when I was young in reality.
It’s like the musical concert I went to see with my girlfriend after paying a lot of money.
‘… Hmm, now that I think about it, it’s a memory. Back then, the night before our date, I stayed up all night reading the novel <Muhweolple> again, and fell asleep while watching the musical, so I got kicked out right away.’
…anyway.
I decided to bury the painful memories in my heart forever.
“You three can use seat number 7 here. The snacks and drinks in front of the sofa are all free, so feel free to use them. Oh, by the way, if you want to bid in the upcoming auction, just press the red button on the left side of the sofa.”
-bow-
-Thump thump-
I was staring at the merchant leaving after finishing our guide and the woman with dark gray hair walking next to him… … .
‘Well, I guess you don’t have to worry about it.’
I quickly turned my head and spoke to my seniors who were looking around the auction house as if they were curious, just like I was a little while ago.
“Shall we sit down first, seniors?”
“… Oh, okay. Okay then.”
Then, Shin Yul and Peng Hojin nodded to my suggestion and sat down on a sofa that looked incredibly soft at first glance… .
-dump-
It’s scary to sit down on the sofa.
The two people began to whisper as if their doubts were still unanswered.
“By the way, who on earth is that woman that she paid our admission fee? And to VIP seats at that… Hojin, do you have any idea?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure, but there is one thing that seems suspicious.”
“What? Really? What is that?”
“That woman… I don’t know why, but she kept following us while the monkey and I were shopping. At first I was a little confused, but after seeing her behavior just now, I think it’s true.”
“… You followed me? Why on earth?”
“I don’t know that either. But the monkey might know.”
“The wind is blowing…?”
“That’s a natural guess. If you don’t know me, you must have known the monkey and followed him.”
““… … .””
After that, the two people finished their conversation and stared into each other’s eyes for a moment… … .
-slap-
Almost simultaneously, he turned his head towards me, who was quietly reaching out for the snack in front of him.
-Sick of it-
“… … .”
And then, unable to bear the harsh gazes of the two people demanding the truth, I finally withdrew my outstretched hand and told them what I had guessed on my way here.
“I’m not sure, but I think he might be an acquaintance of my teacher.”
“…Master? Friend?”
“Oh, but I don’t know exactly who that person is… . I think that person was trying to hide his identity from me, haha… . Anyway, I don’t think you have to worry too much for now.”
As I said just now.
The identity of that woman was presumed to be ‘Amhwa (暗花)’, the vice-leader of the Baekhwa Guild, where my teacher, Baek Arin, was the guild leader.
By the way, the reason I made this guess was simple.
This was because the fragmentary information about the hidden guild leader’s secret painting, which was occasionally mentioned from Baek A-rin’s perspective in the original work, exactly matched the information I had obtained about that woman up to that point.
First of all, there were only two pieces of information about encryption that I knew through the original work.
A unique ability of the stealth series called [Fog].
On a mission disguised as a merchant in Black City.
And the first thing that made me suspect that woman was a cancer was her forearm.
-Glance-
That woman’s forearm didn’t have the same magical power control artifact as ours.
That means that the woman is also a merchant belonging to Black City, just like the secret.
Additionally, I finally realized the identity of the familiarity I had been feeling from that woman all along.
It’s the ghost I saw in front of the Black Market right before coming here.
It was a little late for me to notice, though, because he was wearing a mask that covered his face and his clothes were different than before.
The slightly unique hair color and the visible eye patch strap at the back of the head.
That woman was definitely the ghost I had seen in front of the Black Market.
‘The reason Shin Yul and Peng Hojin couldn’t see that woman was probably because she was using [Fog], a unique ability of the stealth type. I was able to see her from the beginning thanks to the famous detective Watson glasses.’
Of course, this alone would make it difficult to conclude that the woman was a cancer survivor.
But one piece of clear evidence still remained.
The evidence is… … .
The kindness that woman showed us a little while ago.
Moreover, just like what Peng Hojin said just now.
Just by the way that woman followed me around, I could tell right away that she was related to me.
‘As the vice-guild leader of the Baekhwa Guild, you probably already have information about me. And in front of the Black Market, you probably recognized me just by looking at the Aegis or other artifacts I was wearing, just like Ryan. Oh, and you also saw my bare face when I took off my mask and put on my glasses.’
Anyway, in conclusion.
A merchant affiliated with Black City who has stealth abilities and is related enough to be kind to me.
It was clear to anyone who looked at it that all the puzzle pieces had come together to create the secret painting of the Baekhwa Guild’s Vice Guild Leader.
And as I said before.
It seemed like that woman… no, Amhwa had already noticed the fact that I was Baek A-rin’s disciple, and she was watching me from the side, knowingly or unknowingly taking care of my convenience.
‘… But let’s not pretend to know. Since they keep trying to avoid me, I guess they don’t really want to. I guess I can tell the teacher to thank me later.’
Meanwhile, while I was lost in thought about encryption for a moment.
Along with my vague answer, I wonder if I unconsciously gave off the vibe that I should stop asking questions.
Shin Yul looked back and forth between me and the woman with curious eyes for a while, then reluctantly nodded and began to speak as if he was willing to let that part slide.
“… Huh, really? If the wind is like that to you, then… , I understand.”
“… Ah, Leader. Thank you for understanding. Haha… .”
“By the way, I didn’t know that Baram had a teacher.”
“I agree! You were in the same situation as me!”
“Huh? Same situation? What’s that…?”
Then, in response to my question, Peng Hojin looked at me with even more favorable eyes than before and continued speaking confidently.
“Actually, I have a teacher too! Monkey!”
“Oh, really? Oh, so you said you were in the same situation as me.”
‘Even Peng Hojin had a teacher. I had no idea… .’
“And I got hit a lot while I was being taught! I’m sure you, monkey, got hit a lot too!”
“… Huh? Senior too? Yes, I’m still getting hit a lot. It’s killing me, haha…”
That moment.
I was afraid to respond in a tone of sympathy to Peng Hojin’s words, which seemed to contain some sadness.
-Tiring-
[Player ‘Kim Baram’s’ unique ability <Irregular> is activated.]
[You have gained the favor of the character ‘Peng Ho-jin’. You will receive 50 VP. Peng Ho-jin’s favorability toward Kim Baram is currently ‘Interested’.]
[You have gained the favor of the character ‘Peng Ho-jin’. You will receive 50 VP. Peng Ho-jin’s favorability toward Kim Baram is currently ‘Interested’.]
A notification sound rang in my ear, and Peng Hojin’s favorability rating, which had never increased before, began to increase twice.
… Huh? You’re saying it’s coming up twice?
It looks like Senior Hojin really got beaten up by his teacher.
