episode_0026

There are sections in Academy City Neo Seoul that must be independent.

For example, this applies to cultured meat factories and polishing factories that are directly related to survival.

There is no problem for individual citizens to engage in livestock farming or rice farming, but they are not qualified to officially sell products on the market using this business. They can only send an official letter to the Federal Board of Directors to have their marketability evaluated and receive compensation accordingly.

This was done out of concern that individuals would monopolize major food businesses while there were few safe spaces available to mankind.

Although the view of following modified capitalism has been on the rise, the Federal Council has still tended to take a conservative attitude and maintain the old trend.

In other words, some fields are in fact excluded from the capitalist system.

Of course, it seems to be traded frequently on the black market.

anyway.

‘New Yongsan Street’, a street where mileage can be used, is also treated as an independent area. This is not an area directly related to survival, but if one side monopolizes it, the side effects are serious.

The important responsibility for managing these things falls on the Federation Board of Directors, a power group that determines the direction and major issues of Academy City.

It was the Federal Board of Directors that had the authority to grant me platinum mileage.

However, even for the Federal Board of Directors, it is dangerous to unconditionally recognize monopolies, so each major academy was given the authority to monitor their actions and impose sanctions by saying, “This is not right.”

“It’s been a while here.”

“Me too.”

I visited New Yongsan Street with Vice President Oh Baek-seo.

We were in school uniform. This was because we had to wear school uniform to enter.

The sound of metal clashing violently, colorful sparks flying everywhere, the blacksmiths’ workshop filled with heat… The same romance was not present on this street.

Most of the blacksmiths are AI, and the stores are also unmanned.

“There are a lot of people.”

Platinum mileage is rare, but the mileage itself is often determined at the discretion of the academy.

So every weekend, New Yongsan Street is crowded.

“Manager, be careful not to become a lost child.”

“Mia… .”

“You must not let down your guard. If you’re anxious, I’ll hold your hand.”

While we were walking side by side, a white paper held out its hand to me.

He had his usual kind smile on his face, but his voice was full of playfulness.

I lightly slapped his palm like a high five.

“There are kids from Asong High School, so be careful.”

“Hehe, sorry.”

White Paper flirted, covering his mouth with his slightly clenched fist.

‘… You look a little excited today.’

White Paper always smiles kindly and exudes noble elegance, but as we have been together for so long, I have been able to notice subtle changes in her.

Looking at the white paper’s current smile, the corners of its mouth were raised about 5 degrees higher than usual. I mean it feels pretty good.

‘But maybe not as much as me.’

Starting today, I will start making my own new weapon.

Also, I am walking with my favorite white paper on a street full of things to do on a sunny weekend day… .

‘It’s the highest feeling ever.’

I was so happy that even the warm sun felt beautiful.

“Have you thought about where to entrust the forging to?”

White Paper asked.

Each blacksmith has different characteristics.

If you are good at something, you are not good at something else.

Since the materials used were very dangerous for gold and higher grades, it seemed that each workshop had its own specialization.

Because the costs and risks are much lower that way.

but.

“Uh, this way.”

The blacksmith special in the game.

There is an unknown master.

Platinum mileage is a difficult commodity to acquire.

As a result, when trying to forge platinum level equipment, users tend to prefer so-called ‘safe bread’ rather than betting on adventure.

The forging is entrusted to a workshop that is expected to produce results that are above average compared to Platinum Mileage.

But I had different privileges than them.

‘What can I do with game knowledge?’

Game knowledge.

A large number of users in the community revealed the blacksmithing efficiency for each type of equipment.

I also referred to their strategies when using platinum mileage in the game.

After I was reincarnated, I recalled the memories I had carefully looked at at the time and roughly recorded them on a notepad. Thanks to this, I was still able to remember the knowledge I needed. Long live the strategy.

“I like it here.”

“… … ?”

Corner location.

We arrived at a workshop where the facilities seemed to be much older than the surrounding workshops.

When White Paper saw the shabby exterior, a look of suspicion appeared on his face.

“Manager… ,Are you sure it’s okay to come here?”

It was a natural reaction.

Even I would have thought it strange if it had been from the perspective of a white paper that knew nothing.

“Even in restaurant districts, places like this tend to be good restaurants. Let’s go in.”

I don’t know if this is also used here, but anyway.

‘It was best to make striking weapons here.’

This was also an element that stimulated romance in the game.

It’s a cliché.

“So… ?Then shall we go in?”

The white paper smiled sweetly and asked nothing more.

It seemed like he was going to follow my wishes as he always had.

I entered the workshop.

As expected, there were no customers.

Boom, boom!

Kaang!

The sound of metal striking was heard from the studio.

The view of the studio was visible through the tempered glass mounted on the wall. A large space. Each piece of mechanical equipment moved automatically and continued work.

Oh Baek-seo and I reached the waiting room of the workshop. Then, the friendly face of the receptionist appeared on the wall-mounted TV. It was an AI appearance skin.

[Welcome, this is Deus Atelier. Please tell us what job you want.]

A number of icons appeared on the screen indicating possible types.

“Weapon Forging.”

[Yes, you are forging a weapon. Please tell me the type.]

“Triple pole.”

The shape of a triple pole appeared on the screen.

[Triple pole, you can apply. Do you really want to use the triple pole?]

“Yes.”

[You have chosen a triple rod. Next, we will present several questions for weapon forging. Please answer carefully.]

Several questions about weapon forging appeared on the screen.

‘Look at the level of the material… .You’re crazy.’

When the materials that could be used were listed on the screen, my tongue clicked.

The scales of an iron armored dragon boasting the highest hardness.

Amdra leaves that amplify the power of circulating magical power.

Breath of the Black Mirror that greatly enhances water elemental magic.

Etc.

There were many materials obtained from dangerous demons in the outside world.

If you forge a weapon with this, you are essentially already obtaining the final equipment.

The corners of my mouth twitched without me knowing.

“White Paper, please wait a moment.”

“Slow down.”

White Paper sat leisurely on the chair.

‘I’m a lightning attribute, so it would be better like this.’

I chose materials considering cost and roughly explained the design I wanted. Then, several design samples appeared in holographic graphics.

We were also informed that the actual resulting design may vary depending on the forging process.

After coordinating opinions with the AI and adjusting the appearance of the weapon, I checked several questions and touched the ‘Complete’ button.

[Next, we will determine whether the weapon can be used and its suitability. If you do not wish to be judged, please answer ‘No’.]

“Of course I should.”

[Yes, we will determine compliance. Please place your hand on the panel.]

Conformity decision.

It was a task to determine whether the weapon to be forged was suitable for the applicant to use. This is a process that only goes through when forging a weapon with gold or platinum mileage.

To roughly compare it to a game, it felt like it was letting me know if my level had exceeded the level limit imposed on the equipment.

If I couldn’t overcome it, I was able to gauge how much I couldn’t overcome it.

It was a much more detailed measurement method than the horsepower measurement commonly done at academies.

I placed my hand on the panel in front of me.

Then the measuring instrument of the device connected to the panel turned blue, and soon.

Crackling.

There was noise on the screen.

[horsepower rating, not measured… An abnormality was detected… .Please wait a moment… .]

The AI’s voice suddenly cuts off.

The lights also kept blinking.

‘what? Come on?’

As I was panicking, the screen and lights soon calmed down as if it was a simple incident, and the measurement results were displayed on the screen.

[Measurement results]

─Attribute: Lightning

─Suitability: S+

[We are very sorry for the confusion. As a result of the horsepower measurement, the suitability was determined to be S+, the highest grade. There is no problem in using the equipment. You will be able to treat it as if it were a body organ.]

huh?

‘Suitability level S+? Platinum equipment?’

According to the measurements at the academy, my horsepower was at B+ level.

Although it was on the high side, it was by no means worthy of the highest level of fit.

‘… Is this also an effect of magic power training?’

I immediately realized why.

I know very well that the quality of my magical power is good.

Because I have been mastering magic exercises since I was an infant.

This must also be an effect.

It is extremely rare for children to learn the magic exercises at a young age.

As far as I know, there was no one who could do that except Goliath, who could be said to be the final boss of my plan. I just kept repeating the magic exercises while thinking of Goliath.

It wasn’t something that could be said to have been done by someone else. It’s like teaching a baby who can barely babble to do differential and integral calculus.

Anyway, I never expected that the goodness of fit would be this high.

“Hmm… .”

What should I say when I face a situation like this?

Sometimes I feel proud.

Should I say that I feel like I am the main character in a cartoon?

As I was lifting my shoulders, the reality that I was an ordinary person who had not even reached the 5th rank urged me not to be arrogant.

[Next is the payment step. The cost is 100 Platinum Miles. Please enter the payment barcode on the scanner.]

The price is set depending on the material, weapon area, forging difficulty, etc.

When the sample came out, the price came out as well, so I made a reference to fit the 100 platinum mileage I had.

If you’re going to get good equipment, wouldn’t it be better to use up as much mileage as possible?

Beep.

I made a payment by holding the payment barcode from the mileage app to the scanner.

[Yes, the application has been completed. The estimated time it takes to forge the Platinum grade weapon you requested is approximately 2 weeks.]

Any blacksmith AI completes forging in about a week to a month.

But why isn’t it mass produced?

This is because a large amount of money and rare materials are used to manufacture platinum grade equipment. Therefore, indiscriminate mass production was realistically difficult.

[A text message will be sent when forging is completed. If you do not receive it within one month from then, the forged weapon will be recycled and mileage will not be refunded. Please keep this in mind. Thank you very much for using Deus Atelier. Have a nice day.]

The friendly AI man on the screen bowed his head in greeting and then disappeared from the screen.

Afterwards, the screen displayed the Deus Atelier logo.

Charak.

A receipt came out of the machine.

It was a card.

‘Oh, I gave you this too.’

A gorgeous reception card symbolizing Platinum status.

I was satisfied with the design.

It was just a card with a symbolic meaning.

Because you can receive forged weapons even without this card.

Still, I couldn’t help but raise the corners of my mouth.

“Chief couple, look at the brilliant appearance of this platinum card.”

I proudly waved my acceptance card to the white paper. It was kind of a joke.

“… … .”

“?”

why… Isn’t it quiet?

Make people embarrassed.

There was an awkward silence for a moment.

The white paper seemed to be quietly lost in thought.

“Is it a white paper?”

“Yes. Congratulations, manager.”

White Paper stood up with a smile as if regaining his expression.

“Shall we go now?”

“… Uh, then.”

What were you thinking so hard about?

Leaving behind the pride that my own weapon had begun to be forged, I left the workshop feeling doubtful about the white paper.

* * *

Woojin Ahn.

He has superior magical power than those of the same rank, and his combat skills are also excellent.

However, it was not possible to simply say that Woojin had stronger than average skills.

More than that.

Oh Baek-seo believed that Woo-jin was a ‘different species’.

Baekseo walked along New Yongsan Street with Woojin.

As was his habit, he chatted with Woojin with a good-natured smile on his face. However, the only thing that was going through Baekseo’s mind right now was the results of the weapon suitability judgment he had seen in the workshop.

‘It’s Platinum equipment and has the highest level of suitability… .’

The white paper smiled bitterly.

It was ridiculous.

The sword he wears on his belt, ‘Hundred Blades’, is a platinum level magic equipment.

Even himself, who was called an unrivaled genius in the world, initially had only a B+ level of suitability for Baekryundo. He was also at a level where most people would praise him and say he was great.

However, Woojin’s fitness level was S+ level.

Even expressing that this was unrivaled was not enough.

‘Woojin is a monster after all.’

It wasn’t anything new.

I have always felt that Woojin is a genius who can become stronger than Baek Seo himself.

This was especially true whenever I felt Woojin’s magic up close.

The purity of the magic power that facilitates the circulation of magic power and the density of the magic power that governs fire power were surprisingly high.

If you put it all together and put it into ‘growth potential’, how strong Woojin would become was beyond anything you could have imagined.

‘… It would have been nice to have the right amount of talent.’

It was an honest feeling that I could not bear to express out loud.

Every time I realize Woojin’s talent, what comes to mind is an elderly woman.

She is a damn woman who covets talented students, including Goliath, the strongest figure in Academy City.

White Paper’s eyes turned cold.

Her resolution has not changed since last year.

What if that old woman sets her sights on Woojin?

White Paper was going to stop her at all costs.

It was then.

“It’s a white paper.”

Chin. Woojin grabbed Baek Seo’s wrist.

Her thoughts were cut off.

“Manager?”

“Let’s walk quietly and turn from there.”

Woojin’s expression became quite serious.

Before Baek Seo could ask the question ‘Why?’ Woojin spoke in a low voice.

“There is a villain.”

Meanwhile.

On the hill.

A female student with a silver wig was looking at New Yongsan Street.

He wore a black mask over his mouth.

The name tag worn on her chest had the pseudonym ‘Kim Yeon-hee’ engraved on it.

It was Kim Dal-bi.

Her pink and red eyes followed a student through a spyglass.

‘Bomb… . I can finally see it.’

That boy in the telescope is a villain.

His nickname was ‘Bomb Horse’.

He must have received a request to hire a murderer from an elderly woman.

The goal would be to kill Ahn Woo-jin.

Dalby wanted to suppress the bomb demon in advance, but he was not able to find him as easily as he wanted.

Now that he was finally in his sights, he would no longer be missed.

‘Woojin shows no signs of leaving yet.’

I had already figured out that Woojin was here.

From the beginning, I had guessed that Woojin would come to New Yongsan Street today.

Since I received platinum mileage, it was clear that I would use it as soon as possible, and I would not have time on weekdays due to my work as a leading manager.

He was concerned about the five books that came with him, but that was a matter to think about later.

Woojin wouldn’t even know the bomb’s appearance, let alone the fact that it was targeting him.

So Dalby came today to carry out his mission of stopping by the Platinum Store.

Because the bomb demon might be targeting Woojin among the crowd.

No matter how strong the Five White Papers by his side were, if a talented villain attacked him by surprise, it would be difficult to completely prevent the damage.

“… … .”

The bomb horse’s movements took on an unnatural appearance.

It was time to catch him.

Dalby moved his feet.