I Transferred to the SSS-rank Crafting Field - Chapter 19
Chapter 19
5 – Finding the Hidden Mermaid (2)
‘Why am I holding this?’
I fiercely glared at Lee Kangto, the main instigator behind this situation.
-Nature: Legendary (A), Vast Ocean (A)
-Nurture: Song (A), Storm (A), Fog Above Water (B)
A gulp escaped my mouth as my hands, holding the pistol, trembled. Unaware that his main weapon was in jeopardy of being destroyed, Choi Kwon-young smiled at me.
Could I really do this? How on earth did I get into this situation?
I stumbled through my memories to recall what had just happened.
***
“I had no idea that Hunter Yoon Suho and Hunter Yoon Gaho were close. It seemed like you two have a very close relationship. Thanks to that, we were able to negotiate a contract for a very good price.”
“It was just a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
While I was away, it seems the S-classes proceeded as they pleased and had spoken freely.
Yoon Suho, a freelance Hunter who did not belong to any one place, now moved according to a contract. He was an indispensable tanker in the raid-ready class, so he was always in high demand.
However, the Wastelands, which had several A-rank tankers of its own, rarely engaged his services. Unless, I suppose, this time Yoon Suho had agreed to sign a contract at a bargain discount…
Just as I tried to ask Yoon Suho what had happened, Choi Kwon-young drew our attention with a clap. “Before we begin the meeting, let me introduce this person. This is Midnight Sun’s A-rank hunter, Hunter Lee Kangto. I believe this is your first encounter with Hunter Yoon Gaho.”
Lee Kangto, who had been dispatched from Midnight Sun, gave off a rather spiritless impression. His dark-green hair, likely dyed due to his Awakening, stood out. When our eyes met, Lee Kangto flinched and quickly averted his gaze.
‘I heard there were only unusual people in Midnight Sun, but he seems rather ordinary.’
There were two A-class folks, and one of S, B and C-class each. Although Yoon Suho was included in this party, the party composition itself was quite average for a raid.
As if he had read my mind, Choi Kwon-young opened his mouth, “We assembled this team to avoid being caught up in other guild alliances, but, depending on the circumstances, other hunters may join. For example: me.”
Choi Kwon-young joining us? Pass.
As if reading my inner thoughts, Choi Kwon-young smirked.
The high-ranking hunters in the guild were so famous that wherever they went they attracted attention. That’s why, despite being a rookie, Cha Tae-yang, who had proven skills, and Yoon Suho, an outsider, were selected.
Originally, Gyun Jiwoon wanted to be the representative from Midnight Sun, but, for the above reasons, his bid was dismissed. Instead, Lee Kangto, who rarely appeared outside in public because of his introverted nature, was chosen and transferred.
This all made sense to me.
“Excuse me, um, but Hunter Yoon Gaho…” Lee Kangto raised his hand timidly. He looked as if he was questioning the role I’d play in this party. I could feel his eyes sneakily peer at me from head to toe.
‘What? Has he not explained my skill yet?’
Han Cha-hyun had a similar expression on his face. Just as I was about to explain, Choi Kwon-young spoke first, “Hunter Yoon Gaho is the key to this project.”
“Oh? For what reason?”
Instead of answering, Choi Kwon-young took out a fist-sized bead from his inventory and placed it on the table.
“Gentleman’s Virtue?”
“Why did you take that out? No way…?” Lee Kangto, his face turning pale, alternated his gaze between Choi Kwon-young and the bead.
Choi Kwon-young said, “Before we speak about Hunter Yoon Gaho’s role, we’ll need you to sign a nondisclosure contract.”
“A secret… Even within the guild?”
“Yes. And even with Midnight Sun as well,” Choi Kwon-young replied.
The top-grade contract item: [Gentleman’s Virtue].
That bead, radiating with a dazzling purple hue, was a contract item with the worst consequences–oath breakers had their powers sealed.
“I can’t make a decision under these circumstances! I-I’m sure the guild-leader also…!” Lee Kangto stammered.
“Is that so?” Choi Kwon-young shared a message he had received–a conversation between him and Gyun Jiwoon.
Lee Kangto? Feel free to do whatever you want with him.]
Wow, even borrowing a vacuum cleaner from his home would warrant more sincerity than that.
I was relieved that I don’t belong to Midnight Sun. At least our guild leaders don’t act so irresponsibly.
Choi Kwon-young also presented something to Cha Taeyang and Han Cha-hyun. “The two of you are no different.”
It was a contract item one rank lower than the [Gentleman’s Virtue], called [Everlasting].
Lee Kangto’s face paled at the sight of the item, “I…If it’s not the [Gentleman’s Virtue], but instead [Everlasting]…”
“How should I trust Hunter Lee Kangto? As I mentioned, the only condition would be to maintain confidentiality. If you can’t even follow such a simple condition, I’ll have to find someone else.”
Lee Kangto buried his face in his hands, muttering something. From what I could gather, he was saying that if he returned like this, he would be in deep trouble with the guild leader, among other things.
Honestly, what on earth did Gyun Jiwoon say…
I could understand Lee Kangto’s attitude. The penalty period for the highest quality contract item had no definite end, making it nearly permanent. Everlasting, the item Cha Taeyang and Han Cha-hyun received, had some fairly strong constraints, but they could not compare to a full magic seal.
“There are also the terms listed as part of our contract with Hunter Yoon Suho. I’m sorry, but no compromise is possible. Right?” Choi Kwon-young looked at Yoon Suho with a meaningful smile.
Yoon Suho, his lips closed in a tight line, nodded.
‘But, why are you even here?’
The gag-order period wasn’t that long; they would only have to keep the secret until my ability was officially announced within Wastelands in a few months. Lee Kangto’s expression didn’t brighten at that statement, though.
In the end, Lee Kangto reluctantly nodded at Choi Kwon-young, compelled by the threat that ‘Gyun Jiwoon will be told about this.’
“Thank you for your cooperation. Then, now that I’ve already fed the items my blood, let’s start right away,” Choi Kwon-young chirped.
“Blood?”
Han Cha-hyun saw Cha Taeyang’s bewilderment and demonstrated: a drop of his blood fell on the blue amulet. Simultaneously, a bell rang, and a small bird appeared in front of Choi Kwon-young to signal the item’s activation.
Subsequently, Cha Taeyang and Lee Kangto fed blood to their respective items. The number of birds increased to three.
“The terms of this contract require you all to keep knowledge of Hunter Yoon Gaho’s ability confidential. Any mention of this contract itself is also prohibited. The deadline is until the day of the official announcement by Wastelands. Do you agree?”
“I agree.”
“Yes!”
“…Y-yes.”
When a unanimous agreement was reached, the birds in front of Choi Kwon-young flew towards the bell and disappeared as if they had been absorbed.
Rrring–
A high-pitched sound rang out, and the contract items also concealed themselves. The excited dokkaebi, witnessing an unfamiliar sight, frolicked about on the desk.
“Hunter Yoon Gaho, please explain.” After the contract was signed, Choi Kwon-young passed on the task of explaining everything to me.
I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about it, but this duty was one I couldn’t refuse. “A while ago, I acquired an S-rank crafting ability.”
“W-Wait a minute! S-rank skill? And in the crafting category at that?”
“Yes, that’s right. I don’t know if you’d know about this, but the highest quality materials and ingredients need special processing right after they are dropped. There…”
“So, you’re using that ability!”
“Well…something akin to that, I suppose.”
“W-What a beautiful skill to have!”
After hearing the explanation, Lee Kangto opened his eyes wide and leaned in, stretching his neck. His eyes were a paler green than his hair.
Didn’t they say he was extremely shy? His flashing eyes made him seem like a completely different person.
‘What’s with that unpleasant change in attitude?’
Well, I guess that’s that–I was a fool to think that there would be a normal person in Midnight Sun.
Yoon Suho also glared at Lee Kangto fiercely, as if he were uneasy with the man’s excitement.|
Disregarding the glare, Lee Kangto continued to ask constant questions. “C-Could you possibly show us your skill?”
“Now?”
“Yes! Please!”
Before I could even retort, Choi Kwon-young poured oil onto the situation, “I want to see as well. Hunter Yoon Gaho’s skill, that is.”
Honestly–what’s wrong with this person? He signed a contract with the people here anyway–is he planning on abruptly backing out?
While I was flustered by the unexpected demonstration request, Choi Kwon-young handed a gun to me. “If you don’t mind, it would be nice to test it here while we have the opportunity.”
I had seen that gun somewhere. Judging by its appearance, it wasn’t an ordinary item.
Filled with a sense of urgency, I checked the item information; my mouth fell open. Clearly, these S-class people were out of their minds.
‘But, ‘Rogue Waves’ is Choi Kwon-young’s main weapon! He’s giving it to me like that?’
Is he in his right mind? I had no idea if he knew of my emotional turmoil, but Choi Kwon-young simply rested his chin on his hand and looked at me.
Ha–he must have given it to me on purpose, anticipating my reaction. This person is well known for pretending ignorance while all the while making others uncomfortable.
It wasn’t just Choi Kwon-young; the other team members also looked at me with enthusiastic eyes.
‘I do think it would be helpful to prove my abilities here…’
Choi Kwon-young pushed [Rogue Waves] to me, as if he had read the signs of hesitation in my countenance. An S-class item–well worth its value. I was hesitant to even touch it.
“Hunter Yoon Gaho?” Choi Kwon-young raised an eyebrow as if urging me to give crafting a try; there was a faint hint of amusement in his eyes. In that moment, my sense of awe disappeared like melting snow, and the fuse of anger ignited within me.
Fine–let’s see if this item explodes, then. That way, he won’t do something like this again. Though the gun may be a piece of equipment precious enough to make someone gasp, it was not mine.
“Give it to me.” I took Choi Kwon-young’s gun and spoke in a blunt manner. Then, I extended another hand towards the guild leader. “Give me one more.”
“Hm?”
“I need another item that has a similar rank to [Rogue Waves]. Equipment, material, mana stone… Anything is fine, so why don’t you just empty your inventory?”
Although I may have inwardly thought these thoughts, I previously would have never spoken such blunt words out loud. But, I had already tussled with him once–why not twice?
Doing something that I normally wouldn’t do…somehow felt fun.
“Hurry up.” I urged Choi Kwon-young with a smile and shook my palm.
TL: I like Gaho’s backbone in how she’s taunting her guildleader but…more than that…I just love how *done* she is with Lee Kangto lmao.
Footnotes Section
- 1: 만파 Manpa, could mean different things in different contexts, from “Full Waves” to “10,000 Schools” to “Seed Drill.” Based on the listed effects, I’m going with “Rogue Waves,” which are enormous, unpredictable, potentially deadly, and the stuff of legends.
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Dawn
Thank you for the chapter!