S-rank.
An item of a tier so rare that only six were known to exist across the entire world.
Yet, here it was, resting in my hand.
‘My abilities might be SSS-rank, but to forge an S-rank item at merely Level 3?’
“This is absurd…”
Given that I had used A+ grade materials and multiple tail scales, I had anticipated an A+ grade, or perhaps an S- grade if luck was on my side. But an S-rank? This outcome far surpassed anything I could have ever imagined.
An S-rank item was a strategic weapon, capable of disrupting the delicate balance of power between nations simply through its presence. I had crafted such an object in mere moments.
“Just how much could this single item fetch?”
No, perhaps its value transcended mere monetary worth. The very act of Seol Yoohee wielding this weapon would undoubtedly elevate the standing of her Hunter Guild.
With a flick of my wrist, I lightly swung the sword.
The blade sliced through the air, utterly silent.
‘Just how sharp could it truly be?’
A sudden curiosity sparked within me. While I had crafted this S-rank item, it was unlikely I would often have the chance to use it myself. It seemed prudent to experience its capabilities now.
I retrieved the specialized container that had previously held the White Drake’s heart. Designed for safeguarding costly materials, this metal box was imbued with magic, rendering it resistant to most impacts.
I gently drew the sword’s blade across one of its corners.
Slish—!
The box parted cleanly, offering no resistance, as if I were slicing through soft tofu.
“Hah…”
A hollow laugh escaped my lips. This sword possessed an impossible sharpness. If an A+ rank Hunter like Seol Yoohee were to wield it, her adversaries would surely face a horrific fate.
The sight of the keen blade ignited a peculiar curiosity within me. In films, don’t characters often test the legendary sharpness of a renowned sword by touching their finger to it?
‘Perhaps I should…?’
Just a mere brush, the lightest touch imaginable.
With utmost caution, I brought the tip of my index finger to the sword’s edge.
“…Hm?”
Though I felt the blade’s keenness the instant it met my skin, not a single drop of blood emerged. Only a faint red mark and a chilling sensation lingered on my fingertip; my skin remained entirely unharmed.
“Oh…”
I alternated my gaze between my finger and the sword. It seemed that even a Warmling (TL Note: A young dragon or dragon-like creature, often implying lesser power than a full-grown dragon) possessed the inherent durability of a true dragon.
‘It’s a bit unexpected, but my body truly is remarkably sturdy.’
A wave of pride in my own abilities swelled within me as I finally set the sword aside.
With the sword now complete, the thought of leaving crossed my mind, but I quickly discarded it. Emerging after crafting an S-rank weapon in a mere ten minutes—regardless of my skill—would undoubtedly raise suspicions.
‘I’ll just bide my time for a while before heading out.’
Perching on the workbench chair, I retrieved my phone and began scrolling through YouTube Shorts.
“Hehe…”
I whiled away the hours, watching videos of cats comically startled by their own tails and thrilling game highlights.
‘Roughly three hours should be sufficient to make it seem plausible.’
That duration would appear perfectly reasonable.
****
Approximately an hour later.
My stomach emitted a low rumble.
A familiar signal, unmistakably announcing my hunger, echoed within me.
‘Hmm… I really feel like I ought to wait another two hours before stepping out.’
An hour felt slightly too brief, yet suppressing the gnawing hunger was proving excruciatingly difficult.
After enduring for another ten minutes.
My stomach groaned once more.
My patience had finally reached its breaking point.
“I’m starving…”
“Yes, I’ve certainly delayed enough. The item’s value wouldn’t diminish simply because I completed it quickly, would it?”
When viewed from that perspective, dragging out the process was actually quite foolish. I merely needed to send a message.
[Golden Hand] Work finished.
Discarding my original plan to wait three hours, I sent the message. Without bothering to check for a reply, I stepped into the elevator.
– Ding. The door opens.
As the doors parted, I spotted a figure seated directly opposite me.
“Yoo Sojeong?”
“Lee Dayoon. You’ve emerged.”
She rose from her seat and moved towards me.
“You’ve been waiting here the entire time?”
“I remained on standby, prepared for any potential developments. Is the work proceeding smoothly?”
“Yes, it’s all complete. I’m just about to head out for a meal.”
At my words, Yoo Sojeong paused, a brief silence falling between us.
“…Are you suggesting you’ve already finished the item?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“No particular reason. Do you have any preferences for your meal? I’ve already compiled a list of nearby restaurants.”
She retrieved her phone and presented me with a curated list of dining establishments. Fine Korean traditional set meals, elegant French restaurants, exquisite sushi omakase… a diverse array of options were laid out, yet none of them appealed to me today.
I found myself craving something sweet and spicy, a truly stimulating dish…
Suddenly, a particular food flashed into my mind.
“Tteokbokki. How about tteokbokki? I noticed a snack bar on the way here; do you enjoy Korean street food?”
“Yes. I have a preference for it.”
After a walk of roughly ten minutes, we reached a nearby snack bar. Given that it was still a bit early for the lunch rush, the establishment wasn’t particularly crowded. Nevertheless, the distinctively stimulating and appetizing aroma characteristic of a snack bar permeated the air.
“What’ll you be having?”
“Hmm… two servings of Level 1 tteokbokki, the assorted *twigim* (TL Note: various deep-fried items, often vegetables, seafood, or other ingredients coated in a light batter), and *sundae* (TL Note: Korean blood sausage).”
The proprietress, who, despite being a stranger, exuded a friendly demeanor, soon brought out our order. Steaming, vibrantly red *tteokbokki*.
“I’ll eat well!” (TL Note: A common Korean phrase, *jal meokgesseumnida*, expressed before a meal, similar to ‘Enjoy your meal’ or ‘Let’s eat!’)
Just as I was about to reach for my chopsticks, I noticed Yoo Sojeong holding her phone with both hands, poised to take a picture.
‘Ah, she’s taking photos.’
The *tteokbokki* certainly looked appetizing enough to warrant a photograph. I had intended to wait for her to finish, but for some reason, Yoo Sojeong did not lower her phone.
“Please, begin eating. I will be documenting this for today’s records.”
“Oh, right. I remember now. You mentioned having that particular duty.”
She had indeed mentioned needing to include photographs in her report. With that in mind, I felt reassured that I could begin eating without further hesitation.
With my chopsticks, I first selected a piece of *tteok*, blew on it to cool it, and then popped it into my mouth.
The sweet and spicy flavors immediately tantalized my palate. And then…
“Gah?!”
An intense wave of spiciness, utterly unanticipated from a Level 1 dish, abruptly washed over me.
I gulped down water, desperate for relief.
Yet, the agonizing sting on my tongue only intensified.
“Haaah… Haaah…”
Yoo Sojeong simply continued to capture my gasping struggle with her camera. While I understood it wasn’t a situation she could readily remedy, I couldn’t shake a feeling of unwarranted betrayal.
Just then, a helping hand reached out to me.
“Oh dear, drink this. Your stomach must be burning.”
The proprietress offered me a peach-flavored beverage. Only after I had greedily gulped down the already opened drink did the fiery sensation in my mouth begin to recede.
“Whew… Thank you…”
It was only then that Yoo Sojeong finally lowered her camera, a hint of amusement playing across her face. I gave her an unneeded glare before redirecting my attention back to the meal.
Though the *tteokbokki* was undeniably spicy, the *twigim* and *sundae* were delicious, and with the aid of the peach drink, the *tteokbokki*’s heat became manageable.
As I continued my struggle with the spicy dish, frequently resorting to the beverage for relief, an anchor’s voice suddenly emanated from the television mounted in a corner of the snack bar.
– Breaking news. It has just been reported that Hunter Seol Yoohee has acquired a weapon believed to be S-rank. The origin of the weapon—whether dungeon-forged or crafted—remains undisclosed, though a press conference is scheduled to take place shortly.
“What?!”
My sword is already making headlines? I only finished crafting it barely an hour ago!
– Hunter Seol Yoohee is slated to hold an emergency press conference at 11 AM, in just a few moments, at the Blue Rose Guild headquarters. We now go live to our field reporter.
The screen shifted, displaying a reporter positioned directly in front of the Blue Rose Guild building. Behind her, a throng of countless journalists had gathered, creating a veritable sea of people.
At that precise moment, Yoo Sojeong’s phone began to ring.
“Yes. Confirmed. Prioritizing personal safety will be our utmost concern.”
The gravity of the situation was palpable through the conversation.
“Sojeong… could this be dangerous?”
“It’s quite alright. The Bureau has already taken the initiative to assess the situation.”
Despite her assurances, an undeniable sense of unease settled within me.
What if Seol Yoohee were to reveal my existence during that press conference? I could easily become a target for all manner of suspicious individuals.
Ding!
This time, it was my own phone that vibrated. The caller was Lee Jiyoung.
[Lee Jiyoung] Lee Dayoon. I’m truly sorry. Our Guild Master was incredibly headstrong about this… If you’re free, might we speak for a moment?
While the call was important, the unfolding press conference on television held far greater immediate significance.
The clock already read 10:58 AM, leaving only two minutes until the conference was set to begin.
Yoo Sojeong and I fixed our gaze upon the television screen, our breaths held captive. The moments crawled by, each second stretching into what felt like an hour.
Finally, precisely at 11:00 AM, Hunter Seol Yoohee emerged into the press conference hall.
Camera flashes erupted in a blinding flurry, causing her bluish-white hair to shimmer brilliantly. After a few seconds of this radiant onslaught, her lips parted, and a single word escaped.
