NOVEL NEXT 77. Continue? (6)
[The constellation ‘Nearest Light’ wonders if Ahezar was really found lying around in Hyun Habin’s room!]
[……]
What kind of question is this?
Ahezar was dumbfounded. But he tried to recall the events. When he first met Hyun Habin…
Well, he did just find himself in Habin’s room when he opened his eyes. Ahezar simply nodded in affirmation.
[Yes, that’s right.]
He had heard Habin say that “Hyun Siwoo brought it,” but judging by the atmosphere, it seemed best not to mention that part.
The constellation ‘Nearest Light’ relayed this directly to Chae Jiseok.
[The constellation ‘Nearest Light’ reports that Ahezar agreed with Habin’s statement!]
‘Wait, really?’
So Hyun Habin really did first encounter Ahezar in her own room?
‘It doesn’t seem like Ahezar-nim would lie about this.’
[The constellation ‘Nearest Light’ says it didn’t sound like a lie either, and puzzled about how this could have happened.]
‘How does a constellation end up in someone’s room?’
Just what kind of place is Habin’s house…?
Chae Jiseok fell into deep thought.
Such things did happen occasionally in foreign countries. Discovering a constellation among antiques in old, dilapidated mansions.
But those were extremely rare cases, newsworthy events.
However…
‘I thought Hyun Habin’s house was just an ordinary Korean apartment.’
“Then who on earth could have put it there?”
In response to Chae Jiseok’s muttering, Habin answered nonchalantly.
“Does that really matter? What’s important is that I have it now!”
“……”
Interpreting her words in her own way, Corny nodded first.
“I suppose that’s not what’s important right now. Let’s move on to questions about the actual scabbard creation.”
Corny pulled out a thin, soft cloth. Gently placing Ahezar on it, she once again let out an exclamation of admiration. Her eyes sparkled as she reexamined the minute details of the sword revealed under the light.
“It’s truly perfect no matter how many times I look at it! Will I ever see such a sword again in my lifetime? A scabbard worthy of a sword of this caliber—I absolutely must craft it!”
Her eyes gleamed with the passion of an artisan burning with creative desire. With an enthusiastic voice, she asked:
“First, do you have any particular style in mind for the scabbard?”
“Hmm……”
Habin, receiving the question, fell into thought.
‘The ordinary appearance was intended to conceal the sword.’
However, after carrying around the black version of Ahezar in the Demon King’s castle, she did feel a bit sorry for making such a magnificent sword disguise itself as an ordinary iron sword all the time. Moreover, the iron sword form looked so shabby that it actually drew more attention.
“Please make it inconspicuous. So unremarkable that everyone who sees it will pass by without a second glance.”
At this, Ahezar flared up.
[What? How can you be so thoughtless! Inconspicuous? Unremarkable! This isn’t some lunch menu where you can just throw around words like ‘ordinary’ or ‘anything will do’! This is unacceptable! We’re talking about the scabbard for the greatest sword on the continent, the one I reside in!]
“…When drawn, its aura will be revealed, but at least when sheathed, I want it to be inconspicuous enough not to catch the eye.”
Only revealing its true nature when drawn from the scabbard, while being easy to overlook normally.
Hearing this, Corny’s expression became peculiar. After briefly gauging the sword’s size, she added her opinion.
“Inconspicuous, you say. I like it. In any era, there comes a time when clean and simple designs shine the brightest.”
Phew.
Corny, seemingly lost in deep thought, let out a sigh before speaking again after a brief silence. Her expression was somewhat wistful.
“But how about making it reveal hints of luxury upon closer inspection? I feel like I’d regret it for a long time if I didn’t give such a sword a fitting scabbard.”
[Indeed! This craftsman seems to have a discerning eye!]
“Hmm……. Luxurious, you say?”
“I’d like to pour all the techniques I’m capable of into this, if possible…! Ahem.”
Corny’s eyes still sparkled.
“Even among simple and inconspicuous things, there are differences in detail. Just like how plain white t-shirts differ in fit and color depending on the brand.”
“Hmm……”
‘But wouldn’t it draw too much attention if it’s too luxurious?’
As Habin wore a contemplative expression, Corny, noticing her hesitation, quickly added:
“Ah! But don’t worry about it catching the eye. I’m planning to use this material this time.”
Rustle.
Corny opened a drawer beside her. Holding a microfiber cloth, she carefully took something out of the drawer with delicate movements.
A soft, milky-white fragment.
It had a faint, rainbow-like sheen to it.
“This is mother-of-pearl from the Specky pearl oyster, which can be obtained on the 25th floor of Kill Screen.”
Chae Jiseok wore a puzzled expression.
“Specky pearl oyster? That’s a difficult material to obtain… And you’re using the mother-of-pearl instead of the pearl?”
“That’s right. Actually, people don’t know much about the Specky pearl oyster, especially the remarkable qualities of its mother-of-pearl.”
Specky pearl oyster.
Referring to a monster clam larger than a human, it was an extremely rare material that could only be obtained from the 25th floor dungeon, ‘Sea of Oblivion’.
“Usually, people only care about the pearl inside, but I focused on the mother-of-pearl.”
The pearls from Specky pearl oysters were known for containing powerful magical energy and being hard enough to withstand most attacks, making them highly sought after as weapon crafting materials. They were so scarce that their price was practically whatever the seller asked.
However…
“But this is the mother-of-pearl from the shell, not the pearl itself.”
Chae Jiseok cautiously added.
While pearls were renowned for their hardness, the shells themselves didn’t possess the same level of strength. Corny nodded.
“That’s right. If you just look at the shell alone, it has ordinary strength. However……”
Holding the milky-white fragment under the light, Corny continued.
“When you actually fight a Specky pearl oyster, isn’t the shell tough too?”
“…Come to think of it, yes. I remember the shell being quite strong during combat.”
Specky pearl oysters were quite tricky monsters. Not only did they have tough shells, but they also possessed excellent stealth abilities and could emit destructive beams when they opened their mouths.
“They’re powerful when alive, but once caught, the shell weakens. The prevailing theory was that the shell’s power disappeared when the oyster died.”
A shell that’s only tough while the oyster is alive.
That was most people’s understanding of the ‘Specky oyster’.
“…However. What if that’s not the case?”
Corny continued with an excited face. Her entire countenance was brimming with vitality. Speaking with an elated voice, like a child introducing their favorite toy, she went on:
“After studying Specky oyster shells for a long time, I discovered an important effect they possess!”
“An important effect?”
“The Specky oyster shell, when containing a powerful item, can exert a power comparable to that item!”
“!”
Chae Jiseok’s expression showed he’d been caught off guard.
Exerting power proportional to the powerful item it contains.
While alive, the shell was tough because it contained the Specky pearl. After death, hunters separated the pearl, causing the shell to weaken.
“In other words, these shells, when encasing a powerful item, can exhibit a strength not inferior to that item. That level of durability.”
“It’s perfect for making a scabbard…! Especially for a powerful sword.”
Chae Jiseok exclaimed in admiration. If this fact were to become known, the price of Specky oyster shells would skyrocket.
“But is it alright to reveal such information to us?”
Chae Jiseok asked with a concerned voice. The secret of the Specky oyster—both the fact that Corny was the first to discover it and its value—was practically a top-tier trade secret of Continue.
“I only disclose this to customers I deem worthy.”
Corny smiled, placing a finger on her lips in a shushing gesture.
“Only to trustworthy, talented clients. After all, we can’t proceed with production without accepting these aspects.”
After finishing her words, Corny turned to Habin and asked:
“You sometimes attack with the scabbard too, right? Without drawing the sword.”
“Well, it’s safer that way if I don’t want to kill. I’ve been worried about whether the scabbard could withstand Ahezar’s power until now.”
‘But since the Specky oyster shell changes based on the power of the item it contains…’
Maybe it could withstand Ahezar’s overwhelming power?
“Moreover, that’s not the end of its effects. Specky oysters are monsters skilled in stealth. So, some of that effect remains in the shell.”
“Stealth?”
With that question, a small status window appeared above the mother-of-pearl.
[Perception Polarization]
A characteristic of the Specky oyster for safely protecting itself from predators and threats.
If you don’t pay close attention, you might overlook it completely!
“Oh……”
Now that she mentioned it, it was fascinating. The milky-white mother-of-pearl was an elegant and beautiful material that should catch the eye, but strangely, it didn’t draw much attention. It didn’t leave a deep impression either.
“I think this should suit your taste. What do you think?”
Corny asked with a satisfied expression as she neatly arranged the mother-of-pearl pieces. Habin nodded.
“I like it! It’s a perfect material for me!”
The color matched well with Ahezar, and it had the advantage of being inconspicuous yet durable.
Moreover, all items sold at Continue were famous for their luxurious designs. They could trust that the result would be good.
“But!”
Just as everyone was about to nod in agreement, Habin spoke up again with an urgent expression.
“…?”
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
“That’s right, I forgot to mention something really important. This is crucial……”
“What is it?”
Gulp.
Corny and Chae Jiseok turned to Habin simultaneously.
‘Is she planning to have other items made too?’
‘Could there be some compatibility issue with an item we overlooked?’
As they were making their own guesses, Habin asked with a serious expression:
“Are you sure this is tax-free?”
“……”
Silence.
“The guidebook said it was. It said this place is Kill Screen’s best duty-free shop!”
Habin, who had already reopened the guidebook, whispered to Chae Jiseok while reading through the lines.
“Oh, Chae-ssi, what’s the legal duty-free limit again?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Will we get caught with a price this high? We will, right? I think there was a special tax exemption for hunter items! Remember?”
“…No.”
“I’ll just quickly check this and think about it! I’d be grateful if you could wait a moment!”
Hyun Habin turned to Corny and exclaimed brightly.
‘What a shrewd young lady.’
Seeing this, Corny couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
◆◇◆◇◆
“Thank goodness! It seems items are tax-free even if they’re a bit pricey!”
After confirming all the duty-free prices, Habin finally placed her order and plopped down onto a chair with a bright expression. In her hand was a hard candy.
‘Hard candy?’
Chae Jiseok asked.
“Where did you get that?”
“Corny-nim gave it to me!”
While preparing the order estimate, Corny had given Habin a hard candy.
‘Ah, thank you! I was just feeling low on sugar! How thoughtful of you.’
‘Haha. I used to have an assistant who would always give me hard candies, and thanks to her, I’ve gotten into the habit of keeping them around.’
‘Oh. Where is she now?’
‘She… while challenging the 21st floor of Kill Screen……’
Corny trailed off. There was no need to hear the rest to understand.
There were always countless individuals who challenged dungeons and never returned.
‘…I still think about it. If I had been more skilled and made better items for her, could she have returned alive? In fact, I think about it every moment while crafting items.’
Hoping that the person carrying this item will return alive, that this item will surely help them survive.
‘It’s just, she had a bright smile like yours… It suddenly reminded me of her. Please be careful, young lady. I hope this scabbard will be of some help, even if just a little.’
“……”
Hyun Habin turned her head to look across the marble floor inscribed with ‘Continue’. At that moment, the sellers were greeting the next customer in unison.
“Welcome! Continue, the best choice for safe play.”
‘Safe play.’
Continue means to go on. Even if you receive a death verdict in the game, it’s an option to continue the game without dying.
For those who purchase items here, may they survive because of them.
That wish was imbued in this place.
◆◇◆◇◆
“By the way, Hyun Habin, are you okay with the budget? To be honest, I thought you’d be more worried about the price than the tax.”
After finishing the order estimate and leaving Continue, Chae Jiseok asked Habin.
It’s rude to doubt or hastily inquire about someone’s financial capacity. But Habin’s boldness in casually walking into Continue, her indifference to Park Minsu’s “Will the price be okay?” question, and her lack of concern about the cost even when Corny took her to the private workshop…
‘It seemed like she had something to rely on.’
Even when they first met Hyun Habin, an informant had tipped them off.
‘Hyun Habin, I hear she’s become quite wealthy recently.’
It was the same when they first recruited Hyun Habin. She didn’t even blink at the high signing bonus. She must be in a financially comfortable situation.
But even for a wealthy person, Continue’s special custom orders were not an easy price range.
“I’ve got it all figured out.”
Habin, who was in the middle of sucking on her candy, looked up.
“Actually, this is perfect! I was just thinking of talking to you about something, Chae-ssi.”
“About what?”
“This.”
They had returned to Solaris’ office while waiting for Chae Jise. After double-checking that the soundproofing was working well, Habin pulled something out of her inventory.