Chapter 33

Today, I logged in in the afternoon, from the field where I logged out yesterday.

Yesterday, I had worked hard tilling the field, and now about half of it was covered with plants, while the other half remained untouched due to a lack of seeds. I regretted my lack of planning, but ultimately, I could still turn everything into a field, so I decided not to worry about it.

*Pong.* The sound of logging in echoed. Ah, it’s Magi. It’s unusual for her to contact me the day after yesterday. I thought as I opened the chat.

"Hello, what’s up?"

*Hey, Yun. Actually, Claude and the others want to talk to you. Could you come to Claude’s shop?*

"Really? Ah, um—"

Meeting up is awkward. I’m not good with victims and perpetrators, even though I’ve moved past it. The way they act and speak just gets to me.

*You’re still not good with Claude, huh? I felt the same way, thinking, ‘What is this guy saying?’*

"Yeah, well—"

I didn’t say, “You’re being pretty blunt, aren’t you?”

"Can I make some potions first? I’ll be there in about thirty minutes."

*Got it. When you get to the shop, I’ll take you to Claude’s.*

I collected the items from the expanded field. The Vitality Tree had only grown a little and wasn’t ready for harvest yet. Still, the expansion had increased the number of items. However, the increased number also meant more time was needed, and I no longer had time to make potions.

“Ah, I don’t have time to make them. I’ll just use the Hi-Potions and MP Potions I have. I can make more when I get back.”

I checked my inventory for the items and left the field. I was already used to avoiding NPCs on the familiar path. I smoothly slipped through the gap between two NPCs in front of me, surprising them. Sorry.

I ran through and arrived at Magi’s shop.

“I’m here.”

“Oh, right on time. Let’s go.”

Magi, who had said something to the shop’s NPC clerk, led me out of *Open Sesame*. As we walked, people passing by glanced at us. Since we were running through the town, we passed them before they could look too closely, but archers are pretty rare, so it was uncomfortable to be stared at. I wanted to get to a place where no one could see us.

“Magi, that, Claude’s shop—”

“It’s on the main street in the East District. Look, it’s coming into view.”

She pointed to a shop with an open terrace. It looked like a café.

“By the way, the opposite side is Lilee’s shop.”

On the opposite side was a chic shop with a wooden sign. There wasn’t much foot traffic, but people were coming and going frequently.

“I don’t know how to put it, but one is basically loyal, and the other is... a really fancy café.”

“Yeah. According to Claude, he’s planning to open a cosplay café.”

I had a bad feeling about this. I didn’t want to go in, but I had to.

“Let’s go in, then.”

“It seems to be closed.”

“Hello, we’re here.”

“Oh, it’s open.”

Following Magi, who entered calmly, I was immediately hit by a wave of regret.

“You’re here. Then, change into this.”

Claude, holding a pink maid outfit and a Japanese-style maid outfit in both hands, was waiting for us. Magi, who had entered, immediately punched Claude in the stomach. Her punch was cleaner than mine.

“Guh... Your punches are heavier than before. I thought my insides were going to flip.”

“Claude, you always tease people like that. That’s not good.”

“Hmm. The force is different. This ring is amazing.”

The three of us were saying different things. I had just entered and was watching the situation unfold in a daze.

“I don’t talk to women much, so this is a ritual to keep my pace.”

“Freezing the atmosphere is not a ritual. Come on, show us around.”

“Alright, alright. Yun, I have a question for you. Okay?”

“W-What is it?”

“Have you given accessories to anyone other than Magi?”

“Ah, no. I don’t have enough to sell yet.”

Most of them were used for enchantment practice, and the only ones that could be enchanted were bronze rings and above. The copper rings couldn’t withstand the enchantments.

“I see. Then, this way.”

Looking around the shop, I saw a simple stone-fitted dressing room. The room behind the counter where we were led seemed to be a workshop, decorated with fabric, leather, and tapestries. We sat around a large wooden table.

“Now, I have a few questions.”

“O-Okay.”

“Just so you know, you don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to. If you think it will put you at a disadvantage in the game or if there’s something you want to keep hidden, you don’t have to say it.”

Claude was giving off an interrogator vibe, which only made me more uncomfortable. Magi, on the other hand, seemed to be saying, “It’s okay.”

“Let’s start. Can you make the Trion Ring freely?”

“Yes, if I have the time.”

At this point, I considered telling them about my enchantment skills, but since Magi and the others had said they wouldn’t force me to reveal the method, I kept quiet.

“Do you fully understand the method?”

“Not yet. I think I only understand half of it.”

“Last question. If you were to sell the Trion Ring, how much would you sell it for?”

This unexpected question caught me off guard. Hmm. Rings can vary widely in price, and since this is a confidence piece, I should at least—

“—Hmm. Fifteen thousand would be good, I think?”

*“Sigh.”*

Everyone in the room sighed. Maybe it was too high. Well, then—

“Is it too high...? Then, ten thousand?”

“No, no, Yun, it’s the opposite. It’s too low.”

“Oh, I’ve been buying all the items myself, so you don’t know the stall prices.”

“To put it simply, your item is worth at least fifty thousand. If the enchantments are customizable, a magic user would pay over a hundred thousand.”

“Huh? Fifty thousand for a single iron ingot? That’s ridiculous. It’s impossible.”

In reality, an iron ingot would only sell for about 500G.

“Our bonus enchantments are limited to one type. But yours can have three. Sure, the curse enchantment has negative effects, but for players who don’t need physical attacks, it’s not a disadvantage, right?”

I understood that adding INT and MIND while reducing ATK would make it sellable to magic users. Reversing it would make it suitable for front-line roles. It could be customized for each player’s style. And my skill was still in the crafting stage, but once it grew to engraving, I might be able to add bonuses more freely.

“So, it’s worth that much?”

“Yes, providing equipment to players would be a significant improvement. I have a proposal. I want you to teach me your method. Of course, I’ll pay for the information.”

“Huh?”

I was taken aback by this sudden proposal.