episode_0085

“Ah, no… . Why is the teacher here at this early hour… .”

Park Gwang-deok trailed off.

The slightly hoarse voice, unlike usual, clearly expressed his bewilderment. He was happy about the unexpected reunion, but the surprise seemed to be greater.

“That too in the Awakened Ones waiting line… .”

What confused him more than anything was where Shihyuk was standing.

Area restricted to the general public. The waiting line created so that only the Awakened can enter, the line right in front of Park Gwang-deok.

Did I misunderstand something? Did I not understand the meaning of standing in this line? These thoughts crossed my mind for a moment.

His expressionless face, as if he were in his proper place, and his calm and natural demeanor told us that he had not misjudged the line.

Shihyuk answered his question.

“I couldn’t get in yesterday because I was a little late because I had a lot to find out. So, I got in line early today.”

The answer gave Park Gwang-deok confidence in his implausible thoughts.

“Teacher… .”

If you think about it carefully, there was something strange about his behavior.

They had no equipment or backpacks, but they didn’t have cameras or food for commemorative photos. They didn’t hoot, cheer, or applaud as they usually do when they come to see the awakened. Their attire didn’t seem appropriate for tourists.

A person who doesn’t feel mana and is meeting for the first time. I missed that part because I was so focused on that.

He realized belatedly that yesterday, Si-hyuk’s behavior of looking around was not due to his immaturity, but rather his gaze was observing something. Park Gwang-deok’s eyes caught his open palm.

Gray. It had an odd pattern, but it was definitely mana.

“You’re an awakened one…?”

“I just missed the opportunity to say it, I didn’t really mean to hide it.”

That means, from the beginning – Park Gwang-deok’s face turned red, and the shame he had barely managed to shake off last night came flooding back.

“Sorry!!”

Shihyuk stopped him from bowing down to apologize at a right angle.

“You don’t have to apologize. It’s also my fault for not telling you from the beginning.”

“Still… !”

“Last night, I already forgot everything. People are watching. So, raise your face.”

A low, deep voice. Park Gwang-deok felt warmth from the hand that was touching his shoulder.

The warmth that was transmitted even through the armor. Its name was consideration. The stranger’s kindness made his eyes, accustomed to laughter and jeers, hot.

“It’s late, but I’ll greet you properly now. Lee Si-hyuk. I’m a blacksmith.”

A large hand suddenly reached out in front of Park Kwang-deok. His left hand. He grabbed it with his trembling arms.

“D-class strategy series awakener, Park Gwang-deok. Teacher.”

“Um, Mr. Park Gwang-deok. Can I ask you one thing shamelessly?”

“If it’s okay with me, then by all means.”

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me a little bit about [Chakgapsa]? I’m embarrassed to say, but I’m new here so I have a lot of questions.”

“Of course. I should let you know. I will explain it here and there even if I have time.”

“It’s okay if you don’t push yourself too hard… .”

“I must repay the favor, teacher. And… .”

Park Gwang-deok squeezed the hand he had shaken and said something he had not been able to tell him.

“Thank you so much…!”

Sihyuk laughed.

“That’s enough.”

That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

=====

Crack.

The Awakened Land, which is the front line of humanity against alien invasion and has a gate connecting it to the monsters’ home base, was more ordinary than expected. The only surprise was that the space inside was much wider than it looked from beyond the wall.

Apart from that, it was difficult to find any significant differences in appearance, inside or out.

If I had to be specific, the air and visibility were a bit murky. It felt like looking at a sky full of factory smoke and fine dust.

The surroundings were slightly hazy and gloomy, as if a mischievous student had been dusting chalk in a closed classroom.

Looking at that sight, some might think that air pollution is severe, but the toxicity was different from general pollution. All of that dust was extradimensional dust.

Even if it was a Class D, it was clearly a polluted area. The only difference was the rate of radiation exposure and erosion, but if a normal person stayed there for a long time, it was clear that their lungs and hands and feet would rot and slowly melt away.

Two people were walking shoulder to shoulder in that stuffy, dank space.

It was Park Gwang-deok and Si-hyuk.

“[Chakgapsa] is a place where many awakened people have passed through for the past 10 years. You could say it is the home of new awakened people.”

“Is that because of the difficulty?”

“That’s right. The monsters aren’t that dangerous, and since they’re animals, they have a lot of effective attack methods. There was even a guy who set traps. It was banned because it wasn’t just monsters, but people as well.”

“It’s a trap… .”

“Not only does it look like a feline, but its habits and weaknesses are also similar. I think that’s its biggest advantage. [Fire attribute magic] and [skills] also work well.”

“Hmm.”

“However, most people refrain from using fire unless the situation is dire. If the leather burns, you won’t get the full price.”

Park Gwang-deok’s story was very interesting.

As he searched the Internet, he found out a lot of information that he already knew, but he also learned a lot of new information. The fact that he heard it from the perspective of an awakened person who hunts and conquers monsters, rather than objective information, made it feel more realistic.

“Teacher. Do you see the Awakened standing over there? Their equipment has one thing in common. Do you know what it is?”

Shihyuk looked in the direction he was pointing.

One armed man and two women. Their equipment was different, but as Park Gwang-deok said, they had some notable features.

“Tooth necklace. Leather on the arm… Aren’t they all made from materials from [Chakgapsa]?”

“You got it exactly right.”

He smiled brightly at Shihyuk’s answer.

“You make the best equipment that you can with the materials from the gate you conquered. Of course, [Chakgapsa] doesn’t have high-quality materials, and [normal grade equipment] is enough for hunting, so the equipment is of average quality, so you often only wear one or two pieces of accessories or armor.”

“That’s amazing.”

“As your level goes up and you stay at a gate for a long time, you will all wear similar equipment. In the strategy community, they call it a ‘school uniform’.”

Park Gwang-deok lifted the breastplate he was wearing slightly to reveal the nail ornament he was wearing.

Indeed. This may not matter to Awakened players who have the skills to possess [Title], but it is expensive and inconvenient for low-level Awakened players to use the auction house or go to another gate to purchase materials and make equipment.

In that case, it would be simpler and cheaper to ask the craftsman to make equipment using materials from the gates you can conquer. This is especially true if you don’t necessarily need [rare grade] or [unique grade].

Shihyuk nodded his head.

It was a fact that he had not known because he had been locked up in the workshop his entire life. Park Gwang-deok shrugged his shoulders, feeling both happy and embarrassed by his response.

“Did I only talk about the strategy series? Sorry. Since our fields are different, I don’t know much about the production series.”

“No, it was a very informative story.”

“Thank you for saying that. I’m going to someone who can help you, so please wait a little longer.”

“Are you someone who can help?”

Park Gwang-deok answered his questions sincerely.

“Yes. He is the tinkerer, the master of this gate. I am on my way to him now.”

As Shihyuk followed his guidance and moved to the side of the gate, something different caught his eye across the desolate field.

The street vendors he had seen earlier as he passed through Donggureung. There were stalls lined up along the street just for the Awakened. It was still early, so most of them were empty, and only two or three people were unpacking their backpacks and taking out their belongings.

Behind them, several portable stoves with large wheels were visible. They were either state-owned or privately owned and manufactured.

It has everything you need, even outdoors. I wonder how much firepower this thing has.

While Si-hyuk, curious as a craftsman, was craning his neck to examine them, Park Gwang-deok spotted someone and shouted loudly.

“Tinker Brother!”

At that shout, a small man with copper-colored skin raised his head from afar.

He looked to be in his mid to late 40s. He was short as he trudged towards me, but his sturdy appearance was reminiscent of a drum can, with his sturdy bones and broad shoulders.

He was wearing large sunglasses that didn’t suit his face, but surprisingly they suited him.

“What, aren’t you Park Gwang-deok? Why are you looking for me? Are you finally going to get some repairs?”

“No, bro. What money do I have?”

“Inma, do you want me to take your back? I said I’ll do it for cheap. You keep putting off the repairs and you’re going to get in trouble. Otherwise, why did you call me?”

Park Gwang-deok brought out Si-hyeok next to him.

“I just wanted to introduce my acquaintance to you. This teacher is a blacksmith and came to experience [Chakgapsa]. Since my brother is in the production department, I think he will be much more helpful than me.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Teacher, this is Tinker Brother. He has a different real name, but everyone here calls him Tinker Brother. He is a member of the Management Bureau, and he is the manager of this gate, and is also the best in the production department in this neighborhood.”

“Park Gwang-deok’s acquaintance. And he’s a blacksmith? How strange.”

The eyes of the two people who were introduced met.

The tinker first extended his short, rugged, copper-colored arm and asked for a handshake. Shi-hyuk readily accepted his hand.

After leaving [Daon Hammer], he was the first craftsman I met. It was a new feeling.

“Nice to meet you. I know it’s rude to meet you, but your voice is like that and you look young, so is it okay if I talk to you? At this age, I can’t control my quirky personality, so I can’t speak politely.”

“I don’t care. My name is Lee Si-hyuk.”

“I’m Yong-tae Heo. You can just call me Tinker Brother. By the way, I’m not in the strategy series, but I’m in the production series, so why did I come all the way here to experience it… . What a weirdo.”

The tinker- Heo Yong-tae shook his hand and fiddled with the palm of his hand a few times before chuckling. Si-hyuk tilted his head.

“Tinker… Is that a title?”

“What? Hahahaha!! No, no. What kind of title does a punk who manages a D-class gate have? It’s just a derogatory term that someone used to tease him about, but he’s using it as a nickname because it’s stuck in his mouth. ”

The tinker, who had been waving his hands and laughing heartily at his question, continued speaking.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had someone in the same industry that I like. Lee Si-hyuk. If you have any questions or need anything, just let me know. I’m not just a manager in name only, I have a firm grip on the ground here.”

A refreshing boast that hits you in the chest. Although he himself claims to have an eccentric personality, he seems to have a rather cheerful and hearty personality.

Shihyuk thought for a moment. It was necessary, it was necessary… .

After hesitating for a moment, he carefully opened his mouth to express the idea that had occurred to him.

“Then, if the lungs don’t work, could I borrow a portable stove and a hammer? Please, please.”

It was a shy request that did not match his size.

A furnace never seen before, a makeshift blacksmith shop used on the gate site.

Shihyuk, the celestial blacksmith, couldn’t suppress his curiosity. He wanted to not only look around, but also use the facility while he was at it.

“A brazier and a hammer. You don’t even have a hammer, so you came empty-handed? You can buy the magic stone separately. The hammer… Well, does that matter? Okay. I’ll lend it to you. Oh, but I’ll definitely charge you for the seat and rental fee. Lee Si-hyuk. Do you have money? It’s pretty expensive, right? ”

“It’s okay.”

“Okay. Then just wait a minute. I have to get it out of the warehouse. Park Gwang-deok. Follow me. Hold my hand.”

Heo Yong-tae took out a bunch of keys from his waistband and pointed his finger at Park Gwang-deok.

“Yes? Are you talking about me?”

“Then I called you, not Lee Si-hyuk? How long did it take? Since you introduced me, please lend me your arm. We have something to talk about.”

The tinker, who had been scolding the colorful man who was dumbfounded, turned around and smirked.

“Sihyuk Lee, as long as there is no brazier, you are fine, so just pick a nice place. I will be back soon. If you need to go to the bathroom, just turn to the alley on the right.”

After finishing speaking, Heo Yong-tae turned around as if he had nothing more to say. His movements were smooth.

“Oh my… . Teacher. Then I’ll be back for a bit. Please take a look around for a bit.”

Park Gwang-deok, who had a bitter smile on his face as he walked along with his short legs, bowed his head to Si-hyuk to ask for his understanding and began to follow him.

“… … .”

Si-hyuk, who was left alone, was busy observing the surroundings by circling around a nearby makeshift fire pit.

Inside the warehouse.

“Park Gwang-deok, you bastard. Why did you miss the dinner last night? I told you to bring Han Byeol too.”

Heo Yong-tae, who was clinging to the mountain of junk piled up and rummaging through its interior, scolded him for hiding in a corner in case it collapsed.

Oh, that’s why you called.

Park Gwang-deok, who found out why he had specifically pointed out him, answered awkwardly.

“Just that. I’m sorry to keep taking advantage of you.”

At the vague remark, the tinker furrowed his nose and raised his thick eyebrows that could not be hidden even by his sunglasses.

“What are you sorry about? I said I’d feed you.”

Even though he was standing precariously on top of a Jenga skeleton, Heo Yong-tae poked the direction from which the answer came with the iron tongs in his hand.

“You, are you doing this because of the backstory? I told you not to worry about it. My pension, my money, I’m going to buy whatever I want, so what are these guys complaining about? Who the hell is that? If I find out, I’ll break your head.”

Park Gwang-deok smiled bitterly at that threat. He was grateful that he was even able to get angry on my behalf.

Although he had a rough speech and a bad temper, the tinker brother was a rare sage known to everyone in [Chakgapsa].

For those who were struggling to pass through the gate, for those who were having a hard time, he would occasionally set up a meal with the civil servant’s meager salary and monthly pension.

That once-a-month visit was a rare opportunity for him to treat his daughter to something delicious.

So, I finally got permission from Heo Yong-tae and was attending with my daughter. But when I saw Park Gwang-deok regularly attending company dinners with his child, someone criticized him for being shameless and cracked pumpkin seeds.

The lower it was, the more dry the human heart was.

The tinker got angry and said that if he heard that again, he would cancel the dinner altogether… .

“You are also a civil servant belonging to the management office, so how can you only take sides? If you do that, it will be difficult if rumors spread that the manager is protecting a certain person.”

I couldn’t tarnish a good place that was created with good intentions. I’m sorry for causing trouble.

The tinker clicked his tongue at him, who smiled awkwardly.

“They’re low-level managers anyway, so just force them and listen to their complaints. Stop talking nonsense. Next time, make sure to bring Hanbyeol and eat with her. If anyone’s being noisy, tell me.”

“… I owe you a lot already.”

“The saddest thing is when people say things about what you eat. Especially children need to eat well.”

“… … .”

“And what the hell, a guy who isn’t even healthy is saying that he’s doing it for my daughter, so how can I criticize him for that?”

“… … .”

Park Gwang-deok bowed his head.

“… … By the way, it’s rare for my brother to lend me a hammer, even if he doesn’t know how to use a stove?”

Little bird. You cry a lot, so don’t change the subject.

It was obvious that he was trying to change the subject, but Heo Yong-tae pretended not to notice. His voice was still trembling as if he was feeling embarrassed.

“Nothing special. I just thought I met a guy who was a good craftsman.”

“When I see people who call themselves craftsmen, they are the ones who tell me to stop being a craftsman and learn how to light and manage fire first.”

“That guy is definitely not a beginner.”

“Yes?”

“… That’s it. What do you strategy guys know? Stop paying attention and go find my hammer. What should I see, you idiot.”