Masterpiece Of Im Hyeja (1)

Let’s assume someone has accomplished something great.

The reactions from those around could generally be categorized into two types.

The first type purely praises the achievements and regards them as remarkable.

The second type envies them and belittles them, even going so far as to engage in physical events.

Discussing the faults of these reactions is meaningless.

Because these emotions are fundamentally human, historical, and evidence of life.

The philosophy I just mentioned isn’t just a fancy phrase I threw out.

It was the year when “Gonis Archive Life” was released for one year.

It was a phrase spoken by the GM at the first anniversary.

He said he wanted the game to reflect these various complex emotions and elements that exist in the human world.

Thus, the “Fame System” was created for this purpose.

Well, even if it was called a system, it doesn’t show up on the status window or anything like that.

It was only by observing the reactions of NPCs, hearing rumors, and their attitudes that one could roughly guess the figures.

As your fame increases, you receive various benefits, and you may even receive quests that wouldn’t have been available otherwise.

This Fame System increases through various activities, especially when conquering undiscovered dungeons or trials, which tends to rise sharply.

But, as they say, too much of anything can be poisonous.
It’s typical for jerks to show up and start trouble when they’re annoyed.

‘Just like these jerks now.’

Looking at Meowi, two people giggled, rustlingtheir orange and green hair.

Though they were smiling, their faces were filled with jealousy and envy.

According to the staff, these guys had barely made it into E-grade as hunters.

‘That’s why it’s even less acceptable.’

Those at the bottom couldn’t bear to see those even lower than themselves rise up.

They will trample them down, no matter what it takes.

Even if it brings them no benefit whatsoever.

‘…Yet they dare not touch those who are clearly above them.’

It could be asserted.

These two were nothing but trash.

“It’s been a while.”

At Meowi’s greeting, the duo looked at each other.

Then, as if it were ridiculous, they burst out laughing with a ‘Puahaha!’ and pushed Meowi’s shoulders lightly.

That action made the corners of my eyes rise automatically.

‘…These fucking bastards?’

They dare to mess with our Meowi?

“Yeah, it must have been a while for you.”
“Always looking down and running away, aren’t you?”
“……”

The one with green hair sneered thoroughly at her.
Meowi must look very easy to them.

“You found a trial? Wow, you are quite lucky, huh? I’m curious how a dropout like you managed to find it. Really.”
“It must be nice, huh? Meeting a good man and having the time of your life?”

As their words continued, my hands began to tremble violently.

I really wanted to smack them right then and there in the face.

“……”

However, seeing Meowi, the person involved, maintain silence without any particular reaction, I suppressed my anger.

If Meowi wasn’t stepping forward, as her colleague, it was only polite to respect her wishes.

During this, their focus shifted to me.

Those bitches.
What are you looking at?

They scanned me from head to toe and then let out a short exclamation.

“…Even from afar, you looked impressive, but up close, you are no joke. I should have forced a conversation back then.”

“Hey, man. Don’t you want to hang out with sexy older girls instead of this scrawny little kid? I’ll treat you well.”

Ah, now the story changes.

As the topic of conversation shifted to me, Meowi next to me flinched.

Before I could say anything, I spread my hands to stop them.

“Me?”

“Yeah~ Isn’t it more fun to be with us than sticking with this nothing-to-look-at runt?”

“Right, right. I really don’t understand why you hang out with someone like her.”

The gazes of the duo crawled over my face and body.

This was really something, two women looking at me and laughing sinisterly.

If it were my original body, I would never have experienced this.

Of course, I felt neither joy nor superiority from it/

The only thing that was boiling inside me was one thing.

Contempt.

‘As if they weren’t thieves themselves.’

I forcefully slapped the hand of the one with green hair that was reaching out towards the corner.

“Where do you think you’re reaching with that filthy hand of yours? And why should I associate with trash like you?”

“…What?”

“Hey, seniors. You keep calling us failures and looking down on us as if we’re nothing. But aren’t you the real failures for not even finding a Trial? I heard you’re on the verge of expulsion for not achieving any merits lately. Shouldn’t you be trying harder than doing this?”

The duo was taken aback by the unexpectedly harsh words I said.
The one with orange hair stuttered as she spoke.

“A-A-Are you done talking?!”
“No~ I haven’t finished yet~ Shall we talk more frankly?”

I placed my hand over the head of Meowi, who was wearing a surprised expression.

“Even all of you combined are no match for my colleague here. And yet you dare to be jealous…? It’s so pathetic, it’s laughable. Don’t you feel ashamed of yourselves?”

“…Th-th-this damned bastard…”

“Instead of doing such things, you should work harder in the dungeons. Right. Hon. Or. Able. Ones?”

Unable to bear my provocation, the green-haired one swung a fist.

“You only have a pretty face, you bastard!”

Hmm, she’s gotten slow.

I thought about dodging but decided to take the hit instead.
This way, I could clearly push the blame onto them.
There should be witnesses around, too.

However, even as time passed, I felt no pain hit my body.

Looking down in wonder, what I saw was Meowi stepping forward.

The green-haired one was shocked by the sight.

“Y-you?”
“Stop it.”

Tighten!

Meowi’s grip was unbelievably strong. It was impossible to believe it belonged to such small, fern-like hands.

Gradually, the green-haired one’s arm bent.

“Th-this… idiot…!”

Sweat trickled down the forehead of the green-haired one.

She seemed incredulous that she was being overpowered.

It was an inevitable phenomenon.

Had it been in the past, who knows what would have happened?

Meowi, who had grown by consuming various elixirs while fighting with the Pearl Spitting Tortoise, was no longer the Meowi of the past.

“Eek…!”
“I don’t mind if you insult me. After all, what you say is true.”

Meowi lifted her head high.

The distinctive eyes of the Myoin Tribe emitted a bright yellow light, spewing pure rage.

“But to insult and defile Yu Seha, my precious party member and benefactor… I can never forgive that, even in death.”

“Uh… Eek!”

Unable to watch any longer, the orange-head attempted to step forward.

Just then, a female security guard appeared, exclaiming, “What are you doing there?!”

With the arrival of the security guard, the duo shouted a line like third-rate villains, “You’re lucky for this!” and ran away.

“…Ah!”

Belatedly, Meowi seemed to think she had overstepped, glancing at me.

“Th-that, sorry… I got carried away.”

Large eyes suddenly glanced over at me.
Oh, they were extremely adorable!

‘This is it.’

This is the real taste of ‘GAL’.

“No, actually, it was cool.”
“…Ehehe.”

After the altercation with the duo, we headed to Im Hyeja’s forge.

―Come on in! A heart like Hyeja’s… oh.

Initially fond of Meowi, Im Hyeja, turned her head slightly when our eyes met.

I also found it awkward to converse with her, and the ambiguous atmosphere lasted only briefly.

Im Hyeja seemed to realize that Meowi had grown unbelievably in this short duration.

She inquired about what had happened as if to interrogate, and I explained everything in detail.

Initially, Im Hyeja listened silently.

She staggered in her chair at the mention of discovering a [Trial].
And upon hearing that it had been completely cleared and acquired, she eventually fell over.

“…uh, are you okay?”
“…I-I’m fine… please continue.”

Then came the ordeal of the sales and various chores.

Finally, I showed her the equipment obtained as a reward from the [Garden of the Pearl Spitting Tortoise.].

“…My goodness…”

Im Hyeja gazed at the [Turtle’s Longsword] and the [Turtle’s Shield], and uttered in disbelief.

“Wow, is it really that amazing of a drop?”

“Of course! To think it evolved into something brand new after being stuck in the carcass of a dead monster. Isn’t it amazing?”

Indeed.

“Wow, look at the pattern engraved on the sword. Who knew it could be so beautiful? It definitely inherited the wonders of nature to have such an intricate pattern… and to think it’s also high-performing and durable. Indeed, this is what makes it a stable Rare grade.”

Finally, when I showed her the [Disguise], she was utterly overwhelmed.

“Yah, unnie! You can’t faint here!”

Hmm, I had somewhat expected that reaction from her.

Even if it was normal, choosing one skill to equip was a big deal.

Later, it becomes completely absorbed by the user, which would bring in absurdly good performance.

Anyway, after telling her everything, a subtle silence followed.

“…Meow.”

Only the innocent cat seemed to be caught between me and Im Hyeja, and was looking around cautiously.

Hmm, should I say something now?

What should I say to her?

Should I say that it seemed insufficientm, and I would help her grow more?

Fortunately, there was no need to worry about what to say.
Because Im Hyeja spoke first.

“…Sorry. You were right.”
“Uh-hu?”

After sighing, she stood up, bowed her head, and apologized formally to me.

“I admit it. I was wrong. I just thought… you seduced our cat with your handsome looks… that you are just a flashy talker.”

“Uh… um.”

“But you proved it not with words, but with actions and results. The growth of our Meowi right now. Logically, it’s a growth that would be impossible even if one were to die and come back to life. I know well because I was a hunter, too.”

Im Hyeja clasped her hands together and raised them above her head.

“I apologize once again. For saying I couldn’t believe you then. For the rude words I said… Please forgive me.”

“Ah, no! If I were Miss Hyeja, I would have thought the same.”

I quickly accepted her apology.
Then, to break the awkward atmosphere, I immediately moved on to the matter at hand.

“Actually, I came here because there’s something else I want to ask of you.”

“I know without you saying it. You want me to create a socket slot for this [Disguise], right? While I’m at it, I’ll make one for your sword too.”

“Ah, thank you. But how many slots are possible at most for a single weapon?”

“The durability of the artifact is the key factor here. Both options are ridiculously sturdy, right? Probably two slots. If pushed, three might be possible. But as a blacksmith, I’d recommend just two slots for any weapon. If something else comes up later, you can always come back.”

Two slots would be more than enough.
Meowi had something special.
Originally, socket gems weren’t something you could easily find.

“And there’s another favor I need to ask of you…”
“You’re talking about the armor, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”

I glanced briefly at Meowi.
Her leather armor was completely ruined at this point.

It was the price she paid for using all her force to protect herself from the Pearl Spitting Tortoise’s [Water Bomb] and [Water Breath].

“Actually, turns out it’s a good time. I have something good with me.”

Having finished speaking, Im Hyeja walked near a shelf.

Then she brought out an armor that naturally drew our curious eyes.

An unmistakably female-designed leather armor.

It was black upper and lower armor, adorned with smooth metal plates that suggested flexibility, durability, and strength.

Huh? Wait a minute. Those metal plates.

Where have I seen them…?

“Could this possibly be made from the Kappa Rhino’s leather?”
“Yes, Meowi owed me a favor and sent the materials to me. And all these black parts are dyed leather from the back of a Silverback.”

Wow, damn, man.

She basically didn’t fiddle around and just switched out the whole material, didn’t she?

Meowi and I admired it, then asked if we could take a closer look at the armor.

Then, Im Hyeja chuckled, ‘hehe’ at our question.

I was puzzled by her telling us not to be surprised.
But soon, I understood the meaning of her laughter.

I hesitated, just looking at the grade.

With an expression of disbelief, I looked at Im Hyeja.

Indeed, it was an armor of the Hero grade, the next level after Rare.

Among the blacksmith NPCs of ‘GAL’.
It meant that this item came from her hands, a grade so rare that only a few could make.

‘…Has she reached the realm of a Master then?’

No.

It didn’t seem that way.

Then there was only one answer.

I opened my mouth slowly.

“Is this… a masterpiece?”
“Meeeeeow?!”