Episode 102: The sturdy ballpoint pen
Go Hyun-woo was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, without moving an inch.
A gentle breeze blew around him, accompanied by waves of energy, and the concentrated mana of the special performance room rippled like waves.
How much time has passed?
When the waves of energy began to calm down and the breeze gradually calmed down and subsided.
Go Hyun-woo slowly opened his eyes.
‘It’s morning.’
Go Hyun-woo’s day began like this, when he opened his eyes after having a workout breakfast all night in the special performance room.
I pop a handful of barley grass into my mouth, down a protein shake, and head to class.
Because accumulating knowledge is just as important as developing skills, Go Hyun-woo never skipped class and went to class regularly.
The time spent learning about monsters, dungeons, skills, traits, and various items felt extremely beneficial to him.
After class, you will practice under the guidance of your mentor, a senior expert, and complete the given practical assessment.
By now, half the day has already passed.
But it’s still too early to relax.
From time to time, he and Han So-mi spar, swinging wooden swords.
Han So-mi still didn’t seem to be in the mood, but once she started sparring, she didn’t act half-hearted and took it seriously until the end.
After mixing swords, Go Hyun-woo smiles and says.
– Miss Han, you worked hard today. See you next time.
– Huh, I won’t do it if you run out of sugar.
Han So-mi leaves with a snort.
But I heard from Kim Ho that he gave us quite a lot of sweets, so I guess there’s still a lot left before they run out.
Next, sit alone in a quiet place and begin to meditate.
Classes, mentoring, battles, sparring… … .
Take time to reflect and organize everything you have learned and experienced.
When Go Hyun-woo opens his eyes, thinking that things have been somewhat sorted out, the statue of Dharma placed right in front of him comes into view.
A statue of Dharma carved by an unknown genius.
After Kim Ho obtained it from Heuksabang, he lent it to me in large quantities.
Just looking at it briefly at the time gave me the insight I needed to endure the Baeksa Samchosik test.
If you observe over time, you may get more than that.
“… … .”
Go Hyun-woo stares intently at the smiling face of Dharma statue.
One day, I ended up just wasting time without any gains,
One day, I was able to catch a glimpse of the tail end of that group.
One day, I gained so much that I couldn’t control my excitement and jumped up from my seat and danced a fluttering sword dance.
After a long staring contest with the Dharma statue, when I came to my senses, it was already late at night and it was pitch dark outside.
From then on, I sit down in the middle of the special performance room and start eating breakfast.
Until morning comes again.
Training and training that continues endlessly.
It was a forced march that even the students of Yongsal Academy who dream of becoming future heroes would find daunting.
But these days are the happiest for Go Hyun-woo.
Have you ever felt so clearly that you are getting stronger day by day?
The phrase, “making progress by leaps and bounds” was truly fitting.
If these days continue, I will be able to endure the pain of training with a smile.
‘I should be thankful to Brother Kim.’
And as much as I was happy about this rapid growth, I was also very grateful to Kim Ho for providing the foundation for that growth.
Looking back, there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t do with his help.
Special performance room season pass, Tuntun clip, Jujutsu sword, mentoring, Dharma statue, sparring with Han So-mi… … .
Kim Ho said they were a “fair price.”
As a trustworthy companion who can be trusted with your back, you go into the dungeon with him and fight while risking your life in return.
But it wasn’t something that Go Hyun-woo could accept.
It’s only natural to lend a helping hand when a friend needs it.
Also, if you are unmanned, you must be willing to risk your life in a fight against the strong.
Rather than receiving payment, I should be grateful to Kim Ho for giving me the opportunity.
So, leaving aside all the obvious, what has he done for Kim Ho?
It always felt like I was receiving more than I was giving.
‘This debt will have to be repaid over a long period of time.’
Go Hyun-woo made a pledge in his heart once again.
This is because the disciples of Cheonpungmun never forget either kindness or resentment.
* * *
“Take it.”
Go Hyun-woo reflexively accepted the object that Kim Ho suddenly offered.
After receiving it and checking it, I found that it was a small, thin box the size of the palm of my hand.
“What is it?”
“Yours.”
Kim Ho answered casually and gestured for me to open it quickly.
Go Hyun-woo opened the box because he was curious about what was inside, but also wondering why he kept getting things like that.
What’s inside is a high-quality ballpoint pen that you can tell at a glance.
It has a lid that opens and closes, and has a subtle black sheen overall.
“Ugh.”
Go Hyun-woo was not the type of person to value things like school supplies by nature, but when he saw this ballpoint pen, he couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation.
Even at first glance, it felt like it was something out of the ordinary.
Go Hyun-woo, who was blankly staring at the ballpoint pen, suddenly realized one thing.
It was black overall, so I thought it was a different metal, but
“Isn’t this the eternal season?”
[Ark’s Ingot Box] obtained after all kinds of hardships in the Black Desert.
The calligrapher’s great luck added to this was the selection of the eternal season.
This ballpoint pen was made from that very same iron.
Kim Ho nodded and showed off his short hair, which also had a soft, dark hue.
It seemed to be a newly manufactured weapon.
“I made this and had some ingredients left over. I didn’t want to waste them, so I asked the blacksmith, my senior, to do it for me.”
“Umm… … .”
This time, too, it was a casual remark, but Go Hyun-woo knew that it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
The authors, who are called artisans, do not have much time to spare, so they would never make more things just because you asked them to.
There must have been some kind of transaction going on.
But it didn’t end there.
Kim Ho pointed to the clip that he had stuck in Go Hyun Woo’s front pocket.
[Sturdy Clip (D)]
▷Weapon durability protection
▷Automatic weapon durability recovery
He pointed to the pen again.
“Try putting that one and that one together.”
“… … ?”
When Go Hyun-woo looked closely at the ballpoint pen out of curiosity, he saw that there was indeed a very small and delicate groove on the cap.
As if possessed, the clips fitted together perfectly, as if they were made for each other from the start.
Did you originally plan on combining the two items?
Go Hyun-woo was impressed by Kim Ho’s design and checked the item description.
And once again I had no choice but to be defeated.
“This is incredible… … !”
[Sturdy Ballpoint Pen (A)]
▷Very high mana conductivity
▷Apply damage prevention (A)
▷Apply weapon damage prevention (C)
▷Automatic weapon durability recovery
It was somewhat expected from the time when Mannyeonhancheol was included as an ingredient.
And yet, it is still Class A.
It was the highest grade item among the items that Go Hyun-woo saw after getting off the mountain.
[Tuntun Clip]’s ‘Weapon Durability Protection’ option certainly seemed to help, but I didn’t feel much of a difference.
I can only vaguely guess that it is mutually reinforcing with the high durability of [Feather Serpent Sword].
Now, ‘Weapon Durability Protection’ has been changed to ‘Weapon Damage Prevention (C)’.
C-class, definitely ranked.
Considering that C-rank is by no means a low rank, it will be difficult to see the Jujutsu Sword being destroyed even if Go Hyun-woo continues to use strong techniques in the future.
Moreover, although it is a ballpoint pen, it is a ballpoint pen made of perpetual iron.
Considering the strength of the Eternal Iron, it would be enough to cut off anyone’s head, so it seemed like a good idea to use it as a sidearm.
However, the performance of the item is performance… … .
For Ko Hyun-woo, who was already feeling a little indebted to Kim Ho, this sturdy ballpoint pen was not an entirely welcome gift.
Go Hyun-woo smiled bitterly.
“I’m always grateful to Brother Kim. However, I feel uneasy just receiving like this.”
Then, Kim Ho narrowed his eyebrows as if he was puzzled.
“You just keep receiving, so why is the calculation like that? You went into the black market together, so you should get a share too.”
“That’s not true. I think my share is more than enough just with the Dharma statue.”
“I just borrowed it for a little while, so why is it overflowing?”
“What he lent me was a Dharma statue, but what Kim Hyung actually gave me was a chance to gain a chance. It’s worth risking your life for.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
When Go Hyun-woo showed no sign of giving in, Kim Ho fell silent for a moment, then his lips curved as if he had found a very simple solution.
“Then consider it a down payment.”
The term ‘down payment’ means that in something they will get next, let’s think of it as Ko Hyun-woo’s share in place of a ballpoint pen.
That something will most likely be a dungeon reward, which means you’ll be entering a dungeon sooner or later.
“That’s good to hear. Are you going down to the basement?”
“Uh. I have something to go and get.”
“Very well. If you need my sword, just ask me.”
“okay?”
Kim Ho smiled brightly as he looked at Go Hyeon-woo.
“Then tonight.”
* * *
Late at night.
Go Hyun-woo and Kim Ho walked towards the vicinity of Dungeon-dong.
Shin Byeong-cheol was already waiting at the meeting place.
He is usually very nosy, but he carries out one request thoroughly.
Almost at the same time that Shin Byeong-cheol sensed the presence and looked at the two people, Ko Hyeon-woo greeted them.
“Brother Shin.”
“Oh my, customers, how did you all enjoy your dinner… … . Here! Take these.”
Shin Byeong-cheol rubbed his hands together and smiled in a salesmanlike manner.
And we will give each student a [so-and-so badge] and a second-year tie pin.
This is to avoid the suspicion of any seniors you may encounter by using perception-blocking magic.
Kim Ho asked while putting a badge on his school uniform.
“This time, I’m not going to see my seniors three times, right?”
“Oh, of course not. What are you, senior? I’ll serve you smoothly without even meeting a single rat!”
“Didn’t you say something similar last time?”
“Hey, this time it’s real. Trust me.”
Shin Byeong-cheol made a bold statement, then took the lead and gestured for people to follow him.
The group followed Shin Byeong-cheol’s instructions and walked along the circular staircase, occasionally changing directions to different passageways as they headed deeper underground.
While walking, looking at the thinning hair in patches, Go Hyun-woo opened his mouth.
“It certainly seems that the new type has become quite adept at being a guide. It’s different from before in many ways.”
When Shin Byeong-cheol first came down to the basement with them, he felt somewhat lost, stopping every so often and wondering whether to choose the right passage or go down the left stairs.
On the other hand, there is almost no hesitation now and the speed of descent is fast enough to run lightly.
Shin Byeong-cheol was flattered by Ko Hyeon-woo’s praise.
“These days, I’m not the only one bringing one or two teams to the basement. At this point, I guess I’m an experienced person, too.”
“ha ha ha,”
However, one thing that is still regrettable is that this time too, I am in a state of limbo.
Since I don’t have amazing stealth skills like Dang Gyu-yeong or the ability to disable magic engineering equipment like Chae Da-bin, I couldn’t use the elevator.
As the saying goes, cheap things are expensive, so if you hire a first-year guide, the quality is bound to be relatively low.
Of course, Kim Ho-do and Go Hyun-woo were the type to ignore such minor inconveniences as long as they could enter the dungeon, so they just kept trudging down.
And finally, the D floor.
Upon reaching their destination, an ominously gaping portal greeted them.
[No.353] [Feather Serpent Temple]
