465

 [Chapter 131]

[Summer Vacation Under the Lamp (2)]

"How's clan life? You must have gotten somewhat used to it now that it's been a year since you joined?"

"I've adjusted to some extent... But there's still just as much work, so it's been really tough lately."

Pyeongchang-dong, Sirius Group main house mansion.

Han Seoyeon came out to the main gate herself to warmly welcome Eun-a and Eun-ae.

Eun-a also hugged her happily, meeting her after a long time.

They couldn't help but meet after a long time.

Han Seoyeon was attending university while also helping with her father's group management, and Eun-a had been swamped with work since joining Regulus Clan.

They were both so busy that it was really difficult to make time.

"I always tell you this, but if there's anyone giving you a hard time there, don't just suffer silently - let me know right away. Even though Regulus Clan receives support from Alice, that doesn't mean I can't do anything at all."

"There are strict people but no one giving me a hard time. And I'm also Hyerim unni's . There's none of the trouble you're worried about, Seoyeon."

"That's good then. I guess Regulus wouldn't be foolish enough to try bullying you."

Han Seoyeon immediately guided the two to Sirius' greenhouse.

Eun-a followed along holding Eun-ae's hand, chatting with her.

"It's really a shame though... If Changhae Clan was still around, you might have joined there, Eun-a."

"Hmm... Maybe?"

"Hey, you don't seem to think so?"

"This can't be helped. Changhae Clan disbanded so long ago that I've never even imagined it."

Soon Han Seoyeon spoke in a regretful tone.

Changhae Clan.

Until just a few years ago, the clan ranked second domestically received full support from Sirius Group.

Now it has been completely disbanded after facing public criticism for various reasons following the 1st Uijeongbu Recapture Battle.

Since then, Sirius Group hasn't actively sponsored any clan.

Instead of having one exclusive clan, they just made regular contracts with clans that received A grade from the Mana Management Organization.

"So is Sirius Group planning to keep sponsoring multiple clans without making an exclusive contract with a specific clan?"

Eun-a suddenly thought of this and asked Seoyeon.

Seoyeon, who was walking ahead, sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

"It's not that we don't want to make an exclusive clan... The problem is there's no suitable clan. If possible, we'd like to pick an S-grade clan, but they're all already sponsored by other groups, and even among A-grade clans there are only mediocre ones."

"Ah, I guess that's true."

Eun-a nodded.

The reality was that most well-known clans were already sponsored by other groups.

And Sirius Group, known as 2nd in the industry, couldn't take on a low-ranking clan as their exclusive.

That would be no different than Sirius Group lowering their own status.

It was better not to have an exclusive clan than to do that.

"And it's not always good to have an exclusive clan. We have to manage them to prevent them from getting too ambitious, and problems they cause could potentially affect us too. Though I guess the same is true for them in reverse."

"Really?"

"An ideal exclusive contract is give-and-take based on trust. A relationship with no superior or subordinate. But that's realistically very difficult to achieve."

"Ahaha..."

Han Seoyeon expounded her thoughts.

It wasn't something Eun-a, just a regular clan member, could fully understand.

So Eun-a just responded appropriately while listening to Han Seoyeon's words.

"...So in a way, distributed sponsorship isn't bad either. We can cut off sponsorship anytime to preemptively prevent damage to us, and the clans will compete among themselves to provide quality service in hopes of becoming our exclusive."

They finally arrived at the greenhouse door.

Han Seoyeon paused as she grasped the doorknob and continued speaking.

"—It's about time we have an exclusive clan, but... Otherwise we can't participate in large-scale projects..."

Han Seoyeon muttered softly.

She seemed lost in thought, leaving the two behind, then suddenly came to her senses.

Soon Han Seoyeon smiled brightly and turned the doorknob to open the greenhouse door.

"Wow—!!"

"Welcome to Sirius' greenhouse. As I said earlier, growing Eunranghwa won't be easy. We haven't really succeeded either. Only two flowers have bloomed in the greenhouse, so we can't even research it..."

A world of blue is revealed.

Eun-ae, who immediately rushed into the greenhouse, looked around without properly listening to Han Seoyeon's words.

In the end, Han Seoyeon smiled bitterly as if there was nothing she could do.

Nevertheless, Han Seoyeon shouted towards Eun-ae, who was running without hesitation as if she knew where to go, thinking of safety.

"—Be careful not to pluck the Eunranghwa! Unlike how it looks, that flower parasitizes the body of the person who plucks it!"

"...What!? You should have said that earlier! Eun-ae, wait for me!"

Eunranghwa.

The flower that glows softly in moonlight is said to parasitize the body of the person who plucks it and absorb their internal mana.

If forcibly removed, the flower withers and dies, but otherwise it parasitizes for life until the host dies.

Eun-a was naturally startled hearing Han Seoyeon's belated warning.

It was natural for her to hurriedly chase after Eun-ae who had disappeared somewhere.

Meanwhile, Eun-ae—

"—It's okay! They're not bad kids like unni said!"

"No Eun-ae! Come with me!?"

No Eun-ae smiled innocently.

To her, plants were no different from friends.

☆

Next year would be Byeok Haesu's graduation too.

So the first thing he did after becoming a 3rd year was to find a place to set up his workshop.

Eunha casually added his opinion on this.

He said to definitely set up the workshop in the Gangnam area, not the Gangbuk area.

Sadang Station wouldn't be bad.

This location would be far from the Han River so it wouldn't be much affected by편재, and the cocoon protecting Gangnam was right nearby.

And when Seoul is invaded, the infrastructure in the Gangbuk area gets destroyed.

Sadang Station area in Dongjak-gu.

Eunha got off the subway and was heading to Byeok Haesu's workshop with Ryu Yeonhwa.

Having visited several times already, he was walking without getting lost.

"I heard land near the cocoon is expensive..."

Meanwhile, Ryu Yeonhwa, who had been quietly following, muttered softly.

It was understandable for her to react that way since it wasn't far from Seoul National University where the cocoon protecting the Gangnam area was located.

Eunha shrugged.

"Haesu hyung is a maestro the industry is paying attention to now... Sirius Group exerted its influence to prevent losing Haesu hyung to somewhere else."

"Ah, I guess that's true. I think I heard that players are already making reservations even though it's still far from when he'll start activities as a maestro."

"It means Haesu hyung has that amazing skills. Isn't it amazing?"

Currently, Byeok Haesu was making a name for himself, receiving love calls from various clans.

The one-armed maestro who couldn't even receive proper treatment in his previous life was receiving starkly contrasting treatment in this life.

Eunha had every reason to be proud.

"Yes, it really seems amazing. Eunha, you really like your brother-in-law, don't you?"

Ryu Yeonhwa looked at him fondly, as if looking at a child.

Soon realizing his mistake, Eunha tried to act composed.

He cleared his throat and subtly avoided her gaze.

Not even noticing what she had called Byeok Haesu.

"Ah, it's here. We've arrived."

Eunha nonchalantly changed the subject.

They had conveniently arrived at Byeok Haesu's workshop.

A newly constructed two-story building.

It was a workshop Sirius Group had prepared for Byeok Haesu.

Well, it makes sense.

Since this hyung said he wouldn't join a clan and would act independently.

With Byeok Haesu's skills, he could join any clan.

But he rejected numerous offers and declared he would act as an individual.

Of course, it was a choice befitting Byeok Haesu who pursued freedom and diversity.

If he joined a clan, he probably wouldn't be able to craft weapons for players who hadn't joined clans.

So Byeok Haesu resolved to directly deal with people while using his own workshop and store.

To this, Sirius welcomed Byeok Haesu's choice almost with open arms.

"Can we just go in?"

"Haesu hyung said I can freely come and go without hesitation."

The first floor was a store selling devices Byeok Haesu crafted without considering specific players.

The second floor was Byeok Haesu's workroom.

Eunha greeted the clerks who recognized him and went up to the second floor.

It was sweltering hot even before entering the workshop.

There was no need to search for where Byeok Haesu was among these many rooms.

Clang clang clang

He just had to go where the hammer sounds were coming from.

Eunha moved his steps.

When he stood in front of the door, the hammer sounds coming from inside stopped.

It seemed the work had just finished.

"Haesu hyung, I'm here."

"Oh, Eunha, you're here!"

Eunha knocked a few times and went inside.

Byeok Haesu, who was checking what seemed to be a newly made sword, greeted him with a bright face. While dripping with sweat.

Eunha raised the corners of his mouth, unable to imagine Byeok Haesu living without hammering.

Soon Byeok Haesu—

"—Sister-in-law, it's been a while. Have you been well? I hope our Eunha hasn't been giving you any trouble?"

"It's been a while, brother-in-law. No, there's been no such thing at all."

Byeok Haesu wiped his hands covered in ash with a cloth and held out his hand.

Ryu Yeonhwa grasped his outstretched hand with a friendly face.

The two exchanged pleasantries as if they were so happy.

Now even I don't know.

I should just accept it as it is.

Sister-in-law, brother-in-law.

Eunha, who had been quietly watching the scene, decided not to think deeply about it.

After seeing it a few times, he had somewhat gotten used to this situation.

☆

"Sometimes when I think about it coldly, Eunha, I really don't know where you get these materials from. You have no idea how surprised I am every time by the materials you bring."

Byeok Haesu exclaimed in admiration seeing the Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror Eunha had brought to the workshop.

He seemed unable to believe the mirror that had been passed down as legend in the academy was now in his hands.

He trembled as he checked the mirror's condition again.

"I never thought the day would come when I'd touch this mirror, really. Ah, sister-in-law, do you want to see it too?"

"I saw it at home."

"Home? Whose home?"

"...Eunha's home."

"What did you two do there?"

"You know you're being very rude to right now? Hyung, I think you're too excited."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I guess I got carried away looking at the artifact. I'm really sorry."

"...It's okay. I don't mind."

Byeok Haesu changed his expression and apologized to Yeonhwa after being scolded by Eunha.

Eunha clicked his tongue as he looked at Byeok Haesu who was thoroughly excited examining the Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror.

Even in his previous life, Byeok Haesu would speak without thinking when he saw weapons.

Well, it's understandable for this hyung to be excited.

Even I, the owner, was excited...

Eunha turned his gaze to examine the materials laid out on the workbench.

Device spear fragment received from Ryu Yeonhwa in the graduation ceremony duel.

Artifact Seokgayeoraejwasang discovered in the red dungeon academy hidden piece.

Device Totsuka no Tsurugi belonging to Eulji grade, obtained in Japan.

Lastly, the Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror.

Each item was emitting a presence that couldn't be ignored.

"The quality of the materials is no joke... Do you know how much I've been racking my brain for months wondering how to handle these well?"

"It's okay. You can do it, hyung."

"Baseless expectations are burdensome. Hah... I'm not sure if I can properly handle this."

"Then are you not going to do it?"

"...That's not it."

Byeok Haesu said as he put down the Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror on the table.

He left for a moment and brought back several design sheets.

The sheets were densely filled with details on how to handle each material.

"First of all, as you know too, it would be too wasteful to make just one sword with that."

"That's right."

Eunha agreed with Byeok Haesu's words.

The one-by-one rule.

It's a rule that only one magic can be imbued in one artifact or device. Therefore, if you make a device with an artifact that has two magics imbued, one of the two magics will disappear. In the worst case, both magics could disappear.

It means we need to make thorough plans in advance to not violate the one-by-one rule.

In that sense, the problem is how to handle the Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror and Totsuka no Tsurugi which have magic imbued.

There are five materials in total to make the new sword, including the black thorn tree.

Among them, two materials have magic imbued.

If we recklessly use all five materials, one of the two magics might disappear or both magics could disappear.

Or if we plan to use all five materials to make the sword, we need to plan which magic to keep.

But that would be inefficient.

"So since we're making it anyway, how about making two swords? You said before that you also use a mango for defense."

"I was thinking the same thing."

So Eunha decided to make two swords instead of one.

Originally, he mainly used two swords in his previous life too.

He just hadn't used two swords in this life because there was no need for such desperate battles requiring two swords.

And my body is almost complete.

It won't be easy to adapt since it's been a while, but the feeling will come back like before after rolling around a few times.

He needed to prepare to use two swords to prepare for the calamity that would occur in a few years.

And conveniently, the right time came to make two swords.

Eunha requested Byeok Haesu to craft a mango and a one-handed straight sword.

"So this is where the problem arises - which materials to mix with which to make which sword. Wait a moment..."

Byeok Haesu flipped through several design sheets.

Then he handed two design sheets to Eunha.

One was a design for a one-handed straight sword.

 The other was a design for a mango sword.

"How about using Totsuka no Tsurugi as the base for the mango that will be mainly used for defense? Since Totsuka no Tsurugi's characteristic is storing magic that touches the blade and then discharging it when you want, it seems to fit well with the mango that needs to block attacks."

"What will you use for the other materials?"

"The sister-in-law's spear fragment would be better. Since Totsuka no Tsurugi's iron is so good, I think it would be good to reinforce the blade by adding the sister-in-law's spear fragment."

Eunha didn't object. 

Byeok Haesu's opinion wasn't bad.

In fact, Eunha had been thinking something similar.

Of course, Eunha was thinking similarly to Haesu for different reasons.

In the previous life, On Taeyang's nation-saving sword was a device made from Seokgayeoraejwasang and Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror... and a few other materials.

Considering that... I can think the two artifacts will have very good compatibility.

That was Eunha's judgment.

Without saying anything to anyone, he carefully examined the design Byeok Haesu explained next.

The design for the one-handed straight sword.

It proposed using the black thorn tree as the main material and combining Seokgayeoraejwasang and Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror.

"—Okay, let's do it like this."

"...Are you sure you've thought about it? How about thinking it through carefully?"

"I've been thinking about this all semester anyway. I've already thought it through. Let's do it like this."

"Oh my... Alright, fine."

Eunha made a quick decision.

Byeok Haesu was dumbfounded but didn't say anything more.

It wasn't a bad combination either.

"Let's start by measuring your height and arm length. You seem to have grown again in the past few months, so we need to reference that when making the new sword."

Byeok Haesu brought a measuring tape.

Eunha moved as instructed to let him measure his body.

From what Byeok Haesu said, it seemed making the swords would take a long time.

It would be a labor-intensive process.

"So when do you expect it to be done?"

"Hmm... Maybe around when summer vacation is ending? I'll contact you when the time comes, so don't be too impatient and just wait."

"Alright."

He had to return the black thorn tree too.

Eunha sighed as he picked up a wooden sword to substitute for the black thorn tree.

He could only hope the swords would be made as quickly as possible.

Ah right, we need Yeonhwa noona's power to melt the spear fragment...

Then Eunha remembered Ryu Yeonhwa's existence, which he had forgotten about.

He turned his head to look for Ryu Yeonhwa who had been standing quietly.

Ryu Yeonhwa had a face that looked newly shocked.

"What's wrong, noona?"

What on earth happened.

Eunha tilted his head.

At this, Yeonhwa pouted in a way unlike herself.

"—Want to have a match with me once the swords are made? I want to."

"...Huh?"

"I'm hearing for the first time now that you use two swords."

"..."

"Let's do it again, a duel. Let's have a match."

A competitive spirit flashed in Ryu Yeonhwa's eyes.

Strangely, it felt like cold air was flowing from around her.

The workshop that should always be hot from the forge started rapidly cooling down.

"Hey, the furnace fire will go out at this rate. Hurry up and say you'll duel! Geez, if you're going to fight, go fight at your own home, why come to my workshop..."

Byeok Haesu poked Eunha's side repeatedly.

Ryu Yeonhwa was pressuring him from the front, and Byeok Haesu was pressuring him from the side.

"—Okay..."

In the end, Eunha had to answer while being harassed by the two of them.

While inwardly starting to think of reasons to no longer duel with her.

I should ask Haesu hyung later to make the swords right before school starts.