Chapter 96

One afternoon, I left the atelier and headed towards the main street.

In my arms, Zaquru nestled comfortably, narrowing his eyes and swaying his two lustrous tails, while Rui followed me, adjusting her pace to match mine.

The street was bustling with players preparing for hunts and negotiating at stalls, and NPCs mingling among them, adding color to the town.

Amidst this, I stepped into Riri's woodworking shop.

"Hello."

"Master Yun, welcome. The other three are already waiting for you in the back."

"Thank you."

Guided by the NPC who was managing the shop, I made my way to the courtyard where I had previously tested a longbow. Today, a table and four chairs were set up in the center of the sunlit courtyard.

Moreover, a white tablecloth was spread over the table, and a porcelain tea set and a whole cake were prepared.

The three familiar faces who were waiting there greeted me casually when they noticed me.

"Hello, sorry for being late."

"No, no, Yun. It's not time yet, so it's fine."

Saying this, Magi took a piece of the cut cake. On her lap, her partner, Rikuru, yawned widely. I envied Magi, who casually touched Rikuru's soft-looking fur. "Oh, Rui, sorry, sorry. I like your fur too, it's so smooth!"

Rui, sensing my thoughts, tried to poke me with her slightly grown horns. Although she didn't actually hit me, it was a sufficient threat.

Seeing my appearance, the three of them smiled wryly, and I returned their smile.

"Alright, it's time. Let's get started."

As I took my seat at the table, Claude began to lead the meeting.

This gathering was a kind of "presentation" where close friends from different production professions shared their recent updates.

However, it also served as a change of pace for those who usually stayed in town and focused on production. This was the third meeting since it started in September after the summer break.

We didn't reveal all our techniques, but we shared information that was safe to disclose.

"Who wants to go first?"

"Me, I'll go first."

Riri raised her hand, with the beautiful phoenix Nicias perched on her shoulder.

"Here's my presentation."

She took out a staff, a standard item for mages and a staple of woodworking. It was stripped of all unnecessary elements. The staff before any additions was a plain, unremarkable one.

"I made this with a new drop from a monster. Yun, can you help?"

The staff handed to me was called a Trentwood Staff. From the name, it was likely made from the drop of a plant monster called Trent.

The reason it was handed to me was for performance testing.

"Understood. [Material Addition]—Intelligence."

An additional effect was added to the weapon. First, the bonus from the woodworking skill, then my addition. I added another MIND effect.

"This is the third. Next, [Material Addition]—Speed. ... Alright."

For the fourth additional effect, I held back. The staff couldn't withstand the fifth additional effect and broke.

This experiment was to determine how many additional effects could be added. The result was that a Trentwood staff could handle up to four additional effects.

The additional effects on weapons, armor, and accessories are decided at the time of creation, and any further additions require reinforcement materials. Using my [Addition Technique] to apply [Material Addition] was risk-free, saving time and resources in testing the limits of additional effects and durability.

"Four... That's the most for wood. However, it's not rare, but it drops in small quantities, so the number is... Thanks for the help with the experiment, Yun."

"Sure, I get to see the data and information from the experiments, so it's a mutual benefit."

This gathering was a place for mutual benefit and exchange of ideas among production professions. We helped each other by complementing what we lacked.

After a few words, it was decided to postpone the rank-up of my main weapon, the [Black Maiden's Longbow], as its performance hadn't been fully verified yet.

"Alright, next, it's my turn, right?"

"Oh? Yun, you're eager. Did you find something good?"

"Something like that."

I brushed off Magi's light teasing. In the previous meetings, we discussed the rules of the gathering, small topics, and hunting grounds for production professions, but I hadn't found high-tier materials like Riri. This time, however, I had something to show.

"However, I'm not presenting, but bringing in materials. I'd like Magi to make something with these."

I took out Bluelight ore, a cobalt steel ingot, and a black iron ingot. The quantities weren't large, but they were sufficient for prototyping.

Magi, who had been drinking tea with a look of enjoyment, became serious when she saw the bluish metal.

"Where did you get these, Yun?"

"I asked a friend to collect ores while traveling through various areas. They found these in the mountains to the north. I went there myself to secure a larger quantity and smelted them into ingots."

"Did you already make them into accessories?"

"No, I made the black iron, but for Bluelight... either my level or the furnace temperature wasn't high enough to process it further."

"Hmm. Alright, I'll take it. I'll test it for weapons, armor, and accessories. It might be a good experience. When it's done, I'd like you to help with the performance testing. Let me know when you're available, and I'll finish it by then."

"Thank you."

I handed the ores and ingots to Magi, and my report was over.

The time passed slowly as we ate cake and sipped tea. Under the table, Kutsushita lay on her stomach like a tiger rug, occasionally rolling to the right or left and falling asleep again.

"Alright, next is Magi?"

"Me? I don't have much to share today. But, I heard a rumor that you got engaged."

The sharpness from earlier was gone, and she laughed mischievously, causing me to choke on my tea, which spilled into the data sea.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't expect you to react so strongly."

"Cough, cough... No, who..."

"Jealous men."

No, I don't think that's a good way to put it.

"Ah, I also heard about it, Yun. You gave a ring in public, right?"

"No, Riri, that's not it! It was in public, but it wasn't like that!"

"Hmm... Do you need a wedding dress?"

"No! It's unnecessary, and I'll never wear a dress!"

"What? So, you'll wear a tuxedo, and Tak will wear a dress!"

I'm right, but Tak is not! I don't want to see such a childhood friend's transformation!

"Alright, let's stop the jokes..."

"Magi, aren't your jokes a bit too much?"

I was almost in tears.

"I heard the details from Tak, so don't worry. But, your actions aren't without problems."

Her calm tone made me tense. I must have tightened my grip on Zaquru, as the tension spread to him. In contrast, Magi was relaxed, petting Rikuru.

"What's the problem?"

"Hmm. Sending accessories to someone you like is common, but don't overdo it."

She didn't seem angry, but her tone was like talking to a small child, which made me frown.

"This is a simple example, but the relationship between production professions and players can be complicated. It's hard to put into words."

"An exploitative relationship."

"Ah, Claude, exactly. To avoid getting involved in trouble, we need to ask for proper compensation."

"Compensation."

"Money, of course. A fair and equal relationship based on the correct amount of effort. But..."

I understood what she was trying to say. I listened quietly to the end of her advice.

"What if it breaks down? Giving something to a close friend is normal, but accepting a low price from someone you just met is not a good idea. From a third party's perspective, it might seem unfair. Why do they get a good deal, but not me? They might think you favor them without any reason."

"In other words, accepting a low price carelessly can lead to continuous disadvantages. It might be fine the first time, but it becomes painful over time. Some might even force you to do things that are not in your best interest. Price undercutting can also create friction with others. If you don't set limits, like in your shop, you'll end up in a bind."

I listened silently to the two stern opinions.

"...I'm sorry. I was hasty."

I bowed my head in acknowledgment. A short, relieved breath was heard above me, and the atmosphere in the room relaxed.

"Still, I didn't expect you to challenge me, Yun. As a master of accessories, I have to rise to the challenge."

"Ah, no, that wasn't my intention."

"But you can be proud, Yun. You've made me serious. I'll use the materials you gave me to create something far beyond what you've made."

"Ahaha, go easy on me."

It was a joke to lighten the mood, but it also contained some truth. Her eyes had a hint of seriousness.

"Ha, I'll be careful."

"Yep. Being honest is a good thing."

Magi nodded in satisfaction. However, she paused for a moment.

"Yun?"

I thought the conversation was over and was savoring the cake, a fruit tart made with seasonal fruits, likely prepared by Fio, the pastry chef at Claude's shop, [Communesté Café and Clothing].

"...Hmm, what is it?"

After swallowing the cake with tea, I asked.

"Do you still have any reinforcement materials?"

A different tension filled the room. Claude and Riri's expressions didn't change, but their eyes were fixed on me.

A silent negotiation took place, and I felt like a prey in the middle.

Their eyes were like those of predators.

Despite my fear, I managed to speak.

"Um, well..."

"The reinforcement material from Queen, [Queen Hornet's Wings], haven't you used it yet? What are you going to use it for?"

"Ahahaha..."

I laughed to cover my nervousness. Magi would use it for a knife, Riri for a longbow, and Claude for armor. Each had their benefits, but their faces were intimidating.

I could use it for accessory reinforcement, but...

"Adding it to a melee weapon gives [Poison Attack]. For ranged, it's [Anti-Air Bonus]. For armor, it's [Wind Magic Resistance]."

In other words, choose one. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

By the time I opened my eyes, I had made my decision. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation.

"Riri, I'll ask you to reinforce the bow."

Riri made a small victory pose, while the other two looked disappointed. However, they quickly recovered, and I felt relieved.

I didn't know about the tragedy that would follow.