A sudden proposal from Jeong Ji-su's disciple.
I flatly refused.
"I have no blacksmith skills and am just a master's agent. I appreciate the offer, but... I apologize."
"How about helping out sometimes?"
That was worth thinking about.
My last stat is stimulated by observing other production skills.
'Stats may not open in this collaboration. I hope we can continue this relationship.'
I nodded.
"I think it's possible to help to some extent. It's also fun to watch."
"Really? This is a strange one. You say this is fun."
"Isn't Jisoo having fun?"
The number of people who fell away from me neither confirmed nor denied it.
"I just do it because I have to."
He uttered a word and threw the cooled iron plate into the kiln.
'I guess there's a story.'
After that, the day ended without any stats being stimulated.
Jung Ji-soo also said that we should continue tomorrow.
"Even though the temperature has been raised more than twice as much as before, it is difficult to deform. It see ms like the work time will be longer."
As she said, today was just a sheet of iron.
It seemed like there was quite a bit left for that to become a handle.
"Then I'll come at dawn tomorrow too."
"Yeah, you worked hard, Assistant."
Are you going to call me assistant?
He just blurts out what he wants to say and goes home.
After that, the timid Jeong Ji-hyeon came out and saw me off.
"Sister....isn't she very outspoken?"
Ask yourself about yourself with your own mouth.
Do you still think I haven't noticed?
If you do this, you can't help but say good things.
'Because I can't gossip openly.'
This is literally encouraging further conversation!
I smiled faintly and shook my head.
"Aside from the way he spoke, he was very kind. He even silently accepted my criticisms, which could have soun ded arrogant."
"I guess it was a valid point. My sister is very clear about what is right and what is wrong. If it had been a wrong point, I think she would have been furious. She might have kicked me out."
Haha, is this Jeong Ji-su's true feelings?
I feel like I say everything I want to say when I'm in Jung Ji-hyun mode.
"Is there a reason your sister wears a mask? She looks suffocated by the heat of the forge."
"It's okay because I'm used to it. It's also a mask that allows me to reveal more of myself."
Does a tiger mask give you courage?
It seems like Jung Ji-soo is the type that becomes more timid the more he reveals his face. Just looking at you seeing me off with your sunglasses on at night was enough.
'He is a peculiar blacksmith.'
A human figure seen for the first time.
Still, she was cute despite her small stature.
"Then see you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow. I had fun today."
This is Jung Ji-hyun, whom I haven't seen for a few hours.
So, that must be Jung Ji-soo's true intention.
.. .. ..
After breaking up with her, I went home and filled up on the energy I lacked with Heejin.
Phew, I almost lost it.
Heejin fell asleep while I was washing the dishes and setting up dinner for her.
I covered him with the blanket and left his room.
As soon as this collaboration is over, we should go to the department store together.
We need to significantly increase the time we spend together.
'By the way, it's strange.'
It's only been a few days since I've seen you.
Still, I felt uneasy when I saw the swordsmanship that Jeong Ji-su made.
When I thought about the reason, it was because of the wooden sword.
'I observed so deeply while enchanting.'
It is a wooden sword made for killing monsters.
The sword body is made of wood and has a sharp blade, and the sword body is made of iron plate.
What I felt uncomfortable with was the wooden sword's sword body and the iron plate.
'I can't stand being curious.'
So I couldn't stand it.
I went into the enchanter's workshop and contacted Shin Joo-hee.
-Can I examine the wooden sword for a moment?
-Of course.
This isn't even a 5 minute wait.
Can I set up a separate alarm for my messages? No.
She showed no signs of doubt or reluctance.
He sent me a wooden sword straight away.
As expected, it's my sword!
"Let's see..
It's been a long time since I've seen a wooden sword.
Among them, I focused on the handle.
A wooden sword and sword bottle that seem to be always clean and well-maintained.
I could see with the added iron plate that I was sure of it.
"also."
When you strike iron, it leaves a mark.
The specifications of the sword I asked Jeong Ji-su to make were very similar to the iron plate attached to the wooden sword.
That's why it's more noticeable.
Minor warping of the struck cross-section.
It is tightly connected and has graceful curves.
In contrast, what Jung Ji-soo is making now is a little bit lacking compared to this.
That doesn't mean it's lacking.
Just a little bit. Feels like it's 2% lacking.
But in the world of masters, even that level of error is very big.
Maybe that's why.
I could tell that what she said on our first meeting was a lie.
"Jeong Ji-soo is not Jeong Dong-sik."
This looks like a wooden sword made by the 'real' Jeong Dong-sik.
So where did he go and what's left of Jeong Ji-su?
'I'll ask tomorrow.'
It's not that her skills are lacking, but if I could meet Jeong Dong-sik, I would also like to observe his night shift work.
'I think it would be better to look at it from a variety of perspectives to unlock stats sooner.'
Determined to find out the truth.
I returned the wooden sword to Shin Ju-hee and fell asleep.
It's been a week since I decided to ask for the truth.
I still haven't asked.
There were many opportunities.
But I couldn't bring myself to ask.
It was because of the hunter wave that started a week ago.
"Thank you. I really live thanks to you, Jisoo. You fixed this so perfectly... Sob, I can go back to work...."
I know the hunter's life.
Belong to a guild, conquer gates, and share the rewards.
That's common sense.
The reality was different.
Look at that middle-aged man hugging the iron plate.
I express my gratitude with tears like chicken poop.
The iron plate was part of the brigandine.
For use inside leather or cloth outer coverings.
It's a lifeline for hunters.
An item made with production skills that is more durable than modern armor.
That was the lifeline of the independent hunter.
'I guess this is really reality.'
What I knew was that the Hunter's path was at an ideal starting point.
But I guess there were only a few hunters like that.
An independent hunter who belongs nowhere.
Not as good as mine, but still a poor stat.
And a skill that is on the edge of combat skills.
Earning is good.
That's because the money we earn goes towards equipment maintenance costs.
However, those who move from class F to class B always dream of a better life.
You'll grow up someday.
You make more money with it, more than you pay for the maintenance of your equipment.
Hope was their driving force.
'But the wall of reality is high.'
Outrageously expensive repair costs.
But if you just go, you're sure to die.
If you repair it while crying, the equipment will break again due to your lack of skill.
It's a hamster wheel of misfortune.
Oh, here comes another hunter riding on that wheel.
"Jisoo-ssi, can you fix this for me? I, I have a really important strategy appointment. If I miss this opportunity, I'll be out. So please...!"
Looks like he's my age.
He held out his toothless sword with an earnest look.
Jeong Ji-su looked at me, not the sword.
It's a look that means, "What are you going to do?"
So I just shrugged.
What can I do? I have to put out the urgent fire first.
Thank you for understanding."
It's always this pattern.
Free repairs followed by a gentle thank you.
To a hunter in need, she might be Mother Teresa.
"Guests are suddenly flocking in."
"There are days like this. When a suitable gate opens near Seoul, regulars flock there."
"They do repairs without charging any money to those regulars."
Hit with facts.
Money is salvation to me.
Thanks to that, I was able to escape the small room and bring happiness to Heejin.
So now I don't like Jeong Ji-su's behavior.
But he was quietly considerate.
Why are you repairing it without fair compensation?
"There's a reason for that."