Ch.79EP.22 – The Knight Seeks Growth (2)

Creeeeak.

The sound of rusty hinges grates particularly harshly on my ears.

But more bothersome than the rusty hinges is the stench—a mixture of mold, dust, and filth that assaults my nostrils.

Being several times more sensitive to odors than most people, the knight’s brow involuntarily furrowed.

Flinch!

Perhaps his furrowed brow caused a misunderstanding, as the boy flinched, thinking he was angry.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly apologizing? I’m not angry.”

“B-but your expression…”

“The stench is terrible. I’m amazed you can stay in this environment without changing your expression.”

“W-well, since I come here often… I guess I’ve adapted.”

“I see.”

“Y-yes…”

The timid boy finally relaxed at the assurance that he wasn’t angry, but he still seemed wary, making Ihan feel somewhat guilty.

At the same time, he felt an uncharacteristic pity.

‘That’s not a good habit to develop…’

What kind of environment had the boy lived in that apologizing had become second nature, and being constantly on edge was his passive state?

The knight couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

‘He’s just like me.’

He was reminded of his younger self in his previous life, after losing his grandfather, being pushed around from place to place. He felt a sense of empathy.

Perhaps that’s why he cared so much and felt the need to meddle.

“Setting up a workshop in such an unhealthy-looking place…”

“W-well, um… I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. You’re making me feel like the bad guy.”

“…”

“…Fine, I’m sorry. I’m the bad guy, damn it.”

“…Haha.”

Perhaps his playful grumbling finally eased the tension, as the timid boy laughed softly and seemed less cautious.

Then soon after.

“Ah! H-here it is, Instructor.”

“…Oh.”

Where the boy stopped and pointed, there was nothing but a thick wall.

If a third party were present, they might have become irritated, suspecting they were being tricked and dragged into this smelly sewer. But not him.

Whether the timid boy knew it or not, his senses told him there was an empty space beyond the thick wall.

“Should I just hit it hard?”

“U-usually people would try to figure out how to get in, not think about breaking the wall, right?”

“Why take the long way when there’s a shortcut?”

“…Well, normal people can’t break through a one-meter thick wall with their bare hands.”

The boy scratched his cheek and countered, then tapped the wall with a familiar rhythm.

Tock, tap-tap, tock-tock.

A consistent rhythm.

It was clear this wasn’t his first time doing this, and ordinary people probably wouldn’t even recognize it as a pattern.

‘Four taps below, two light taps above, then one strong one. Then five downward strokes in the middle?’

But that only applied to ordinary people. While he was watching with curiosity, catching all the minute differences that others wouldn’t even notice—

Creeeeeak…

With a noise far worse than the rusty hinges, the wall slowly sank downward.

And what was revealed—

“W-welcome to my [Workshop].”

Derrick spoke as if it was a line he’d always wanted to say, though he seemed somewhat embarrassed.

…Still.

‘It’s definitely worth showing off.’

It was indeed an impressive space worthy of admiration.

A [Secret Workshop] appeared, hidden deep within the sewers where no one would have expected it.

* * *

The underground sewer.

One of the five great achievements of the mighty War God.

At first, all the nobles opposed it, complaining about the budget, but after the War God pushed through and completed the sewers, it’s said the kingdom wept with praise for him.

Well, it makes sense.

Originally, the streets were filled with overflowing waste and the stench of putrid muddy water. But after the sewers were completed, clean drinking water became affordable, and public toilets were established so people no longer dumped waste on the streets.

As the cleanliness of the streets improved, stomach ailments and fevers decreased as well.

It was truly a great achievement, no exaggeration.

“Since these sewers were built, it’s no exaggeration to say that deaths from stomach ailments have disappeared. Originally, 30 out of 100 people died from stomach ailments, but now it’s less than 3.”

“Are you suddenly giving me a history lecture?”

“W-well, I am a student in the history department.”

“Hmm, and yet this history student has boldly set up a workshop in the former king’s achievement.”

“T-this space was already here… But please keep the workshop a secret? I’d be sent straight to the guillotine if I’m caught.”

“Don’t worry. Now that I’m here, I’m your accomplice from today.”

“…That wasn’t my intention in bringing you here.”

Derrick scratched his head with an awkward smile, and Ihan quietly observed the workshop.

‘This place is absolutely dripping with money.’

Ihan clicked his tongue as he examined the items occupying the roughly 30-square-meter space.

Though he couldn’t precisely measure their value, each item was surrounded by an extraordinary aura.

A drawer cabinet filled with the scent of medicinal herbs.

It was even more densely packed than what he’d seen in traditional medicine clinics, and the herbal scent emanating from each drawer was remarkable.

A medicinal decoction pot larger than a cauldron exuded an extraordinary presence, and other items like mortars and beakers, though worn, possessed an unusual quality.

It was like a space that combined an alchemist’s and traditional doctor’s laboratory—a true harmony of Eastern and Western elements.

“How long have you been building this space?”

“Hmm, about a month? It’s still quite lacking though.”

“…”

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Nothing, it’s nothing.”

As expected, it’s the status window.

Others would need decades of effort to assemble such a workshop, yet he built this in just a month?

It’s like someone who hasn’t even gone to graduate school suddenly having a lab that professors would envy.

‘Life is tough without a status window…’

Though he knows it’s petty, he can’t help feeling a bit jealous.

But the jealousy quickly fades.

After all—

“N-now I’ll begin the ‘Lead Cinnabar’ process.”

Isn’t he himself benefiting from that incredible status window advantage?

So now is the time to feel grateful.

The boy, presumed to be a thief by profession but with alchemist as a sub-profession, began to refine the Demon King’s heart.

* * *

“I-I know how to do this… working with medicines.”

Derrick proudly asserted his skills for one of the rare times.

And why wouldn’t he? Where else would such an opportunity come from?

‘This is amazing, I never thought I’d get to work with such an ultra-rare material!’

For Derrick, this was nothing short of a stroke of luck.

His main profession was [Thief].

Originally, he wanted a warrior class, but he knew himself well.

Being far from courageous, he chose thief instead.

But that was fine.

The thief class had many advantages if developed properly, and as shown the previous day, he could use incredible skills like Manchwahwoo.

‘It’s still risky and I’m woefully inadequate, but still.’

Nevertheless, Derrick worked hard, and for his growth, he chose [Alchemist] as his sub-profession.

The alchemist profession, which improved dexterity and allowed handling of medicines and poisons, had good synergy with the thief class.

So he devoted himself to alchemy, and originally planned to enter the alchemy department at the academy, but…

‘…The level was too low.’

How disappointing and frustrating it was to discover they only dealt with making two or three potions.

Fearing his dexterity might actually decrease, Derrick switched to the history department.

He figured he might as well collect hidden pieces from the history department instead.

But he didn’t give up on developing his alchemist profession.

Using his wealth, capabilities, and even immediately available hidden pieces, he finally completed this secret workshop.

And after completing the workshop, the “unlocked skill” was none other than Manchwahwoo.

The memorization, poisons, and medicine formulas needed to use Manchwahwoo were engraved in his mind.

In conclusion, the alchemist profession was essential, and after confirming its power when he unleashed it against the monsters the previous day, he was even proud of developing his alchemist profession.

…Still, there was one unsatisfying aspect.

‘Manchwahwoo… this is truly a money-devouring monster.’

Befitting an ultimate skill, the cost of poisons and medicinal ingredients used just once was enormous.

If he had to use it twice in succession, he might go bankrupt.

Anyway, to develop his professional skills, he needed to advance his alchemist skills, and for that, he needed “rare materials” that were difficult to handle.

The more rare materials he worked with, the better his dexterity would become.

And in this situation—

‘The Demon King’s heart…! This isn’t just a rare material, it’s like getting the final boss right away…’

A final boss-level rare material.

Since the Demon King was weakened, the quality of the material had decreased by about five levels.

Nevertheless, it’s the ‘Demon King’s heart’…!

Though it’s more difficult to handle than any material he’s worked with before, its value is astronomical.

Honestly, he hesitates whether he can handle it properly, but Derrick eagerly volunteered.

This was partly to develop his alchemist profession, but also because he was probably the only one in the kingdom skilled enough to handle this material.

But above all, the purpose of refining this material was…

‘To repay the debt of gratitude.’

He has a debt to repay.

…And it continues to grow.

‘…He must have brought me in on purpose because I was in trouble.’

Though he said he brought him along to make him an assistant, Derrick was perceptive.

He figured that since he received significant attention during the [Demon King Subjugation], he was deliberately brought to the swordsmanship department.

Knowing that if he received too much attention, his activities would be restricted…

‘…What kind of person is he, really?’

Derrick glanced at him.

The man who entrusted him with precious material yet showed no concern as he explored the workshop.

Wasn’t he worried that Derrick might ruin this valuable material?

Was he just bold, or did he simply not care about material possessions?

But the reason Derrick kept glancing at him wasn’t because of his boldness—

‘[One Hundred and Eight Arhats], [Plum Blossom Swordsmanship]… he’s teaching me so openly.’

He couldn’t help but notice from the occasional terms the man used.

Of course, it could be his misunderstanding.

After all, this game or the [original work] was [Made in Korea], wasn’t it?

Because of this, Oriental terms might occasionally be mixed in like errors.

…But Derrick didn’t think that was the case, and he found another reason.

And his conclusion was one.

Even if he wasn’t a player like himself—

‘Could he be a fellow countryman?’

A fellow Korean who somehow entered this game.

And if he truly was such a person—

‘I should apologize.’

As a developer who made this cursed game… shouldn’t he express his regret?

Whoosh!

Derrick began handling the medicine with complete concentration, hoping to repay that small bit of regret.

…Unfortunately, that passion accompanied by regret…

‘That’s really something.’

He should have known how dangerous his actions were…

‘…Wow, no joke, I really should make him my assistant.’

He had half-jokingly mentioned making him Assistant #2, but seeing him now, he couldn’t help but desire it.

He’s more obedient and diligent than Assistant (Slave) #1.

Plus, he uses alchemy and even [Manchwahwoo].

Additionally, he has a feeling there’s more to come.

This is like…

‘Who would have thought I’d meet someone more drool-worthy than someone with an excavator license…’

It’s like the emotion a master sergeant would feel when a “10-year construction veteran” appears before him.

He’s undoubtedly talent that must be made a warrant officer.

A genius swordsman who returned?

A possessed magician heroine?

None of that matters.

Skilled worker Taechang is the best.