I Transferred to the SSS-rank Crafting Field - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: A Hidden Piece in a Dry Sky (1)

It’s been 10 years since Towers and Fields–dungeons–have been appearing around the world.

There hasn’t been a hunter who has obtained a S-class crafting or manufacturing trait yet.

Except for me.

***

I’m just a C-class hunter, Yoon Gaho. That’s me.

One day, a hidden piece ¹ 히든피스 or Hidden Piece are hidden secrets in a game. Usually this term is used for hidden race, classes, skills or items that require a lengthy quest or unbelievable odds in order to gain. Often these hidden pieces tend to be “OP.” that rolled my way changed my life.

It all began with a quest.

***

A strange phenomenon began to occur after tower-shaped mirages suddenly appeared in every capital of every country in the world.

Of these strange new phenomena, the most noticeable was the emergence of “hunters,” awakened individuals who could exert special powers. Dreaming of making a quick buck, countless awakened hunters leapt into unfamiliar worlds like moths to a flame.

I, too, entered the Hunter Industry with the burning passion for success. ‘I thought I had the chance to turn my life around.’

However, reality was tough.

“Top class? Towers? Shucks. I’d just happy to do my best with what’s before me.” While releasing a deep sigh, I haded a pink-haired girl a bunch of clovers.³ 탑수저 (Literally Tower Spoon and Chopsticks) literally making a living off of going to towers. This denotes having the economic or power class to be able to go raiding as well.

“Thank you, player-nim!”⁴ In Korean, the ‘ –nim’ suffix indicates respect to those either on the same hierarchical level or higher as you. It’s equivalent to the Japanese ‘–san’ suffix.

Her reaction was the same as always.

Charlotte–the NPC on the 33rd floor of the Tower.

This girl looked for five-leaf clovers in order to make her wish–her sick mother’s recovery–come true; she was quite famous among the hunters for being in tears as she stood at the entrance to the floor, looking to hand her quest to anyone.

However, despite her popularity, few hunters completed Charlotte’s request.

In this vast clover garden, she asked for not a three-leaf clover or even a four-leaf clover…but a five-leaf clover. Furthermore, the quest reward wasn’t that good either. Because of that, many hunters casually ignored Charlotte and passed her by.

Before the 33rd floor was fully raided, there were often hunters who accepted the quest, wondering if Charlotte was a clue to the main quest.

However, after the gong announced that the floor had been cleared, her basket was rarely ever full of her requested clovers.

“Well, it’s not even difficult anyway.” I accepted Charlotte’s quest on a whim.

Perhaps I found it hard to shake off a desperate child hanging onto my sleeve. Though I found it annoying, I didn’t waste too much time by using a skill. “I wish your mother well, Charlotte.”

Every time I stopped by the 33rd floor, I accepted this quest; now that I’ve become accustomed, I can find the five-leaf clover in record time.

‘I probably filled about 30% of that basket?’

Today, I had even found a six-leaf clover as a bonus. Now, Charlotte would probably hand over a potion with a shy smile…

“Player-nim, can I ask you for one more thing?”

‘…Another request? This is different from the usual pattern?’

Charlotte took out a letter from her embrace. “I found this in my mother’s drawer. It appears my mother’s acquaintance lives in the Rom Plains and she hasn’t seen him in a long time. Could you deliver this letter to him?”

“A hidden quest?”

Was it a dream or reality? I was stunned by the sudden lucky windfall.

Hidden quests could only be received if certain conditions were met; they were famous for magnificent rewards.

‘Rumor has it, the rewards are comparable to a main quest…’

Hidden quests were so rare that it was difficult to find records of them on the hunter-only site, Towers.com. Who knew that Charlotte, the NPC everyone ignored, would give out a hidden quest?!

“That’s right, a person should live kindly!”

Charlotte, you lucky girl! I hummed happily at the opportunity to turn my life around. “Of course! Just trust me, Charlotte!”

“You can deliver the letter to Carlos, the blacksmith of Roma Village. I’ll leave this to you, player-nim.”

‘Can’t someone do anything about how they call us players?’

For some reason, all NPCs called hunters ‘players.’ At this address, I was constantly reminded that these human-like NPCs were just plot devices the world’s tower system had arranged. Furthermore, this address felt too lighthearted for such a dangerous or emotionally intense scene.

‘Well, it’s no use complaining about the system set by the world’s Towers.’

Scratching the back of my head, I received the letter.

***

“If it’s a blacksmith, then will I be given equipment as a reward?” The only people who could craft high-grade equipment, at least grade B or higher, were Rowena Watson from America and Ishikawa Hayato from Japan. Only those two.

Even so, A-grade items have been discovered. Those were offered at the auctions very occasionally; they were priceless since these above-B-grade pieces of equipment were scarce drops.

“If I get an A-class item, I’ll be able to sell it for a decent price.”

‘If I’m getting something, I wish it would be some equipment I could use though. People are already side-eyeing me because I’m a C-class. No, maybe it’d still be better to sell it…’

“Hunter Yoon Gaho-?” I was brought back to my senses by a call from the party leader.

With my ability, I couldn’t cross the Rom Plain–an area populated by B to E grade demonic beasts–, so I joined a party farming nearby.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.” I said.

“I accepted your offer to join this party because you were affiliated with ‘The Wastelands’ guild, but we’ve been able to travel leisurely thanks to you, Hunter Yoon Gaho.”

“I suppose there’s something special about members in big guilds. Are you really C-class?”

“Don’t make me blush with all that flattery. I’m not really so great–Ah, by the way, Kim Won Il hunter…” ⁵ 너무 비행기 태우지 마세요 (Literally, don’t burn the plane) is an expression that showcases someone’s modesty in the face of flattery. I hurriedly changed the topic whenever my guild was mentioned.

What’s the point of being a member of a big guild anyway? I only barely managed to make it in because of a few of my rare skills; I’m not so different from other hunters.

‘Sure, my skill is a little unique, but it’s only C-grade.’

That’s something that’s been drilled into me over these recent years.

A half-baked, partner-less C-class. That was my reputation in the guild.

In this world, except for the E- and F-class awakened folk who were banned from entering the towers, it would be faster to find me in a ranking of talent and potential by counting from the bottom.

And, the less said about my ranking in my guild–one of the top five guilds in this country–the better. Come to think of it, my contract expiry date is just around the corner.

‘Will I…be able to renew my contract?’ I hid my sigh from the rest of the party members.

“We’re planning to replenish our item stock here and return to the plains. What will you do,Hunter Yoon Gaho?”

“I think I’ll have to go my own way now due to a quest. Thanks for letting me join your party,” I said.

The party leader, Kim Won-il, held out his hunter watch asking to exchange contacts. When I placed mine next to his, to show my acceptance, a message popped up.

“We’ll continue to farm on the 33rd floor for now. If you perhaps need to party up again, feel free to contact me,” Kim Won-il said.

“Long-distance damage dealers are always welcome! See you next time!”

I was bombarded with hospitality that I rarely ever received in big-name guilds with high-ranked hunters. For some reason, it felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders.

The important part would come now:

After parting ways with the group, I immediately visited the blacksmith’s forge near the town square. A middle-aged woman wearing a matching set of work clothes was nodding off on the counter.

“Good day,” I called out.

“Uh…Mmm? Welcome. Is there anything you’re looking for?”

“I’ve come to find Carlos-ssi.⁶ The suffix ‘-ssi’ is less formal than ‘-nim.’ It’s used generally with everyone, especially with those that are on the same social hierarchical status as you. Is he here?”

“Carlos? We don’t have anyone like that at our smithy?”

This was the only forge in Roma village. Did I stumble upon a locked or long-term quest or something? Anxiety made cold sweat run down my back.

“I’ve definitely heard that a blacksmith named Carlos lives in Roma village though.”

After hearing my words, the woman pondered for a long time before clapping her hands, as if something came to mind. “I don’t know if he’s a blacksmith, but I heard a freak named Carlos lives south of the square. I often hear hammering sounds from there as well. Maybe you’re looking for him?”

Whew, what a relief. The woman’s words soothed my heart. I heard that high-grade quests often turned into long-running quests that required much time and energy. It seemed luck was on my side this time.

She had even kindly drawn a map to show me to my destination; due to that, I was able to find Carlos’s home without much difficulty.

The small house at the end of the alley to the south was quaint, but the owner’s aesthetic sensibility stood out. It was clear that the fence, garden decorations, and the mailboxes were carefully chosen.

“Mm, she said you were a freak, but you seem to have an eye for design. ”

Knock knock–!

“Are you there?” Maybe he didn’t hear me. This time, I pounded on the door with my fist to make a larger sound. “Carlos-ssi, I’ve come to deliver a letter!”

Is he not home? I thought I should wait around a little longer, so I plopped down on the ground.

It was then.

The door opened silently, and a huge man who didn’t suit the petite house suddenly appeared in the doorway.

TL: Hello! I’ve had this first chapter rattling around my google drives forever, so I thought I should post it. There’s a few other novels I’m focusing on, for now, but I’ll keep uploading this novel slowly but surely~