“Hehe, I knew you’d be back soon. And to think Director Cha came along too.”
Doyle greeted Jeonghyun and Yerin with a cheerful laugh.
Surprisingly, Jeonghyun couldn’t help but be amazed by Yerin’s popularity.
It seemed that not only was Jeonghyun struggling, but Doyle also showed a rather warm side to him, unlike the unapproachable demeanor expected from someone like him.
Of course, considering Yerin’s level, she was indeed an impressive hunter. But thinking about it, it wasn’t such a strange reaction.
“By the way, you knew I’d come back soon, did you? Did you anticipate that I’d be breaking Maces again?”
Perhaps it was because of the difficulty Jeonghyun and Yerin had in reading people since the last hunt.
Jeonghyun openly thought of such suspicions.
“I hope you’ve been well, Elder. I’m still using the gauntlets you made for me last time.”
Meanwhile, Yerin politely greeted Doyle.
“Did she also come here to make weapons?”
As they climbed the ranks, it was only natural for them to gather together. Moreover, based on her greeting, Jeonghyun gained some information.
Equipping gauntlets meant that Yerin was a martial artist who did not use weapons.
It was hard to imagine her, with her delicate fists, taking down formidable monsters, but considering Yerin’s level, it wasn’t that surprising.
After exchanging greetings with Doyle, Yerin sent a meaningful look to Jeonghyun.
“Hunter Han, visiting the workshop, seemed unique. You, knowing about Elder’s workshop. Truly an extraordinary figure.”
“What are you saying? Haha, if Director Cha says so, he must be quite remarkable.”
The two evaluated Jeonghyun as they pleased.
And as if to express her displeasure with the scene inside the workshop, Y00jung sent a sharp glare from the corner.
‘What is that person to make even Director Yerin come here… I don’t like this.’
Since a month ago when tensions were high, Y00jung still vividly remembered Jeonghyun, and of course, the memory was not a pleasant one.
Though, it was quite uncomfortable to think about how her low-grade specialized equipment would look in the eyes of an A-grade hunter.
Coincidentally, a memory popped into Jeonghyun’s mind.
Could Cha Yerin possibly know?
“Director, don’t you use online shopping malls?”
“Online shopping?”
“Well, Directors like you usually get the top equipment on the shopping mall. The ones with prices written on them. Do you use those?”
For a moment, Yerin looked puzzled, raising an eyebrow. Then, she suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!”
“Those are always filled with workshop and advertiser marks. Who would use something so uncool?”
“Ah, of course…”
Jeonghyun thought that of his guess about those weapons online having advertising fees.
“Moreover, Elder’s equipment has a much better touch than those factory-made ones.”
“Touch?”
“Yes, the touch.”
“…”
Jeonghyun didn’t quite understand, but he had a strong feeling that if he delved deeper, he wouldn’t hear a pleasant story.
Jeonghyun snapped his fingers and said, “You can choose comfortably.”
“Yes, please choose comfortably.”
Yerin responded lightly, dismissing the topic. Since Doyle seemed to be watching the two with interest, Jeonghyun felt he wouldn’t get much help from him.
Sighing reluctantly, he began to inspect the weapons.
“Hmm…”
Once he started inspecting in earnest, the surroundings faded from his consciousness.
Even though they were low-grade weapons, Doyle’s workshop had a diverse range of them, from rarely used maces and whips to popular swords.
“Should I go with Maces again this time, or switch to a more popular sword?”
In fact, as the level increased, it became challenging for blunt weapons to exhibit the overwhelming performance they had initially.
Above all, the ways to attack were limited to striking.
Compared to swords and knives, which had various techniques such as stabbing, slashing, and cutting, the utility of blunt weapons was lacking.
Although there were hunters who utilized the high-level skills of mace techniques, it was ultimately a rare evaluation that included the rarity of using a blunt weapon.
However, the reason Jeonghyun hesitated was…
“After all, without swordsmanship or mace skills, isn’t it better to stick with what I’m used to for now?”
He remains at a level where he can fully appreciate the utility of the mace.
For a while, he will hunt relatively weak monsters like orcs or goblins.
The mace still proves to be a powerful card against such monsters.
As Jeonghyun pondered, his eyes caught sight of a straightened weapon in the corner.
“Huh?”
It was a mace about twice as long as the one Jeonghyun originally used.
If the original mace was suitable for swinging with one hand, this one seemed suitable for both hands, and in some cases, even one hand.
It was closer to the main weapon used by a warrior specializing in maces than a secondary weapon for a combat healer.
When Jeonghyun tried holding it in his hand for a test, the satisfying grip was notably different.
“This length should be good…”
Moreover, there was a specific reason why Jeonghyun’s attention was drawn to this mace.
“Is this mace also made of Marium material?”
“Yes, it is. And it’s solid.”
“Oh…”
No wonder it had an overall golden sheen from the hilt to the blade, and there were no seams in its craftsmanship.
At least, it seemed sturdy enough not to break like an iron sword’s hilt.
“And if it can be enchanted here… Great.”
While examining the mace he held, Jeonghyun couldn’t help but drool at the thought.
“Do you have any place that you don’t like, even a bit?”
“No. It’s really nice, but I don’t think I can afford it at this level.”
Think about it. A simple dagger set costs seven million won.
But for a mace of this caliber made from a solid piece of metal?
Even though the financial situation was more comfortable than before, asking about the price was still intimidating.
Doyle laughed as he heard Jeonghyun’s response.
“Hehe, how much are you thinking?”
“Well… About ten million won?”
“I’ll give you a special price. Plus, I’ll throw in a leather strap for carrying it.”
“Wow, then what’s left for you?”
Listening to Doyle’s words, Yerin, with her eyes widened, asked curiously.
“Hehe, it’s just an item to put aside. If I can sell it to a high-level hunter, there’s no way around it.”
“Wow, it’s really cheap. Cheap. Hunter Han Jeonghyun, what are you waiting for? Don’t take out your wallet?”
The combination of Doyle and Yerin, who made people’s ears tingle, was indeed unique.
The artisan “Master Doyle” and the formidable “A-Grade Level 5 Yerin” made quite an impression.
Yet, when Jeonghyun hesitated, Yerin urged him.
“It’s so cool, isn’t it? It’s a solid piece, it’s made of Marium, it’s a mine, and it can even be enchanted. It’s cheap, and there’s a service too.”
“Oh, I see. I’ll take it. I’ll take it.”
Actually, his mind was already made up, but in such situations, he wished someone would push him a little further before making a big expenditure.
That was the feeling Jeonghyun had.
And, as if waiting for that moment, a single word from Doyle.
“Fifteen hundred.”
“······?”
Did he mishear something?
Certainly, his budget was ten million won, and after hearing that, didn’t Doyle agree to give it to him cheaply?
But fifteen hundred?
Since when was fifteen hundred million won cheaper than ten million won?
“Um… Is it fifteen hundred million won? Did I hear it wrong?”
Jeonghyun’s question seemed to be filled with a sense of not understanding what was happening.
However, Doyle confirmed without a hint of change in expression.
“You heard correctly.”
“Cough…”
“Wow, it’s really cheap. I want to buy it all. It’s cheap. What are you doing, Hunter Han Jeonghyun? Why not take out your wallet?”
And then, a follow-up comment from Yerin, who seemed more audacious than ever.
Jeonghyun could finally realize.
“These people intentionally targeted novice hunters!”
Despite his principle of not letting his guard down, the Jeonghyun who had lived by that principle and saved his life several times now experienced a complete defeat.
But what could he do?
The mace was already being packaged by Yerin.
“Well, well, you thought well.”
“Um, then, can I see my equipment now?”
“Of course. Come inside.”
“Hunter Han Jeonghyun, what are you doing? Let’s go see the high-grade equipment.”
“Going!”
Moving their steps as if nothing had happened, the two walked.
Jeonghyun, swallowing her frustration, followed the two a step behind as they entered.
Well, since it turned out like this, let’s somehow make up for the loss, even if it’s just for the sake of sightseeing!
With that mindset, she followed along.
“Wow.”
Jeonghyun, who was completely overwhelmed by the vast and spectacular scene before him, lost his focus.
“Would you like to see the workshop? Should I use a mineral like the late-run from last time?”
“Yes. Oh, if the inside is lined with Daphran orc leather, that would be great. It’s good for insulation.”
“Excellent choice.”
‘What… what on earth is all this?’
Although the materials were unfamiliar and the language was Korean, it wasn’t easy to understand.
Late-run was a material that stood out among the minerals coming from all mining-type gates.
‘Moreover, if it’s late-run, it has a basic lightning attribute without any additional enchantment.’
Therefore, it was the best material that even with money, one couldn’t easily obtain.
And what on earth is Daphran orc?
Jeonghyun, who had spent several years in the workshop, had only heard about the so-called ‘fantasy orc’ in words.
Daphran orcs had soft and fluffy leather, yet tough enough to gain the highest popularity.
However, Daphran orcs only appeared in a gate somewhere in the mountains of Sweden, making their rarity unbelievable.
Combining those two for a workshop?
‘No, more importantly, does that mean this elder can handle both of those materials?’
“Hunter Jeonghyun? Hunter Jeonghyun? Uh-oh!”
In such a dizzying sight, Jeonghyun couldn’t help but doze off.
