Chapter 33: Steel Sword
"Alright. The deal's settled."
"Hehe, leave everything and go."
"You'll have to pay for this hand axe."
"I already told that guy earlier. He'll calculate it properly."
Like all enthusiasts, his perspective narrowed once he found a new obsession. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to melt this iron.
To go beyond steel alloy and produce carbon steel.
To pour every remaining resource into upgrading his skills.
"Now get out."
"That's harsh."
"It'll take at least ten days."
"Borrow a weapon to use in the meantime."
"Hey, that guy from earlier. Dongsu! Come handle the iron payment and lend them a weapon."
"Yes! Ajae*!"
Cheoldu smiled, visibly satisfied.
"Hehehe. Use it well and return it properly."
Choi Yeongho might be strict, but he wasn't petty.
150 coins per hand axe. A total of 900 coins earned.
Cheoldu gripped the steel sword after speaking to clerk Dongsu. Imagining a battle axe forged from the same material, he burned to test it firsthand.
He also acquired two spearheads.
"Got wood for this?"
"Yes, I'll attach it for you."
Dongsu recognized Cheoldu's group as shabby yet important clients, fitting the spear with a high-quality shaft.
Swish-swoosh!
Cheoldu swung the spear like a true spearmaster, his skill so refined even Dongsu stared in awe.
'As expected.'
Undoubtedly a master.
No wonder Yeongho had summoned him to the backyard earlier for serious discussion.
"Hehe, not bad."
The spear pleased Cheoldu. Its flexible yet resilient bend showcased not just metalworking prowess but exceptional carpentry.
"Oho, looks like I've still got it."
Watching Jintae's clumsy imitation beside him, Cheoldu resolved to teach him proper spear techniques soon, storing the weapon in Inventory Slot 2.
"Got a scabbard?"
"Ah, one moment. Here."
"Ah."
Cheoldu sheathed and unsheathed the blade multiple times in the wooden scabbard.
"Solid work."
"Anything like a belt?"
"You'll need the leather workshop for that."
"Hmm, fine."
Jintae borrowed a sword too before heading toward the leathercraft district.
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Jintae found a decent sword belt.
Priced at 15 coins. Cheoldu's thicker version cost 20.
"Let's buy these bags."
"Looks good."
Leather packs far outperformed patched cloth wrappings. They each purchased two—one oversized for storing all goods in Inventory Slot 1, the other compact for daily use.
By the time they added leather boots and armor, funds dwindled rapidly.
"Ah, no ready-made tunics. Custom orders take four days."
"Guess we'll just get yours, Jintae."
"You skipping out?"
"I'll take that strap."
Cheoldu bought a dagger harness with small sheaths for throwing knives—versatile and snug on his shoulder.
"Done. Clothes next?"
His ogre skin negated minor scratches anyway. Functionality trumped layering armor for defense.
"Start from that shop."
They bought long-sleeved shirts and pants to replace shorts. The material resembled beginner gear, likely repurposed scraps. Still, better than nothing against mosquitoes.
"Think we're set."
"Agreed. Timing's awkward though."
The sun hung low over western peaks. They'd nearly reached the end of the crafters' district.
Commercial areas across town would be dark by arrival. No rush.
"Let's grab an inn."
"Sure."
They marched straight through the district—not to an inn, but...
"Aigoo, come in! Best gukbap* here!"
"Got vacancies?"
"Plenty!"
The duo sat on an empty platform in the courtyard.
"Wait a bit. Food's coming right up!"
The ajumma* vanished. Cheoldu and Jintae gaped at each other.
"Isn't this a tavern?"
"Whoa. No menu? Just omakase?"
"Hehe, fascinating."
Their eyes widened when two steaming bowls of soup arrived with radish kimchi.
"Huh."
They'd heard of famous gukbap spots but never imagined authentic Joseon-era tavern fare.
Slurp!
Rice lay hidden beneath the broth.
"Damn, insane."
"Actual gukbap..."
Ten years in another world, and Koreans still reinvent their soup.
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"Eat up!"
"Ajumma."
"Hm?"
"Ten more bowls."
"I'll take another too."
"Sure thing."
While she cooked, Jintae devoured his portion. Cheoldu lifted his bowl and drank like a champ.
"Here! Enjoy!"
Though they'd ordered eleven bowls, only two arrived—each large enough to bathe in.
"Whoa, check the size!"
"Hehehe."
Bad at math, big on generosity.
Jintae savored his cauldron-sized meal. Cheoldu drowned his washbasin portion in kimchi.
Mid-meal, Cheoldu declared:
"Shinseoul's not bad."
"Yeah. Agreed."
With infrastructure this solid, maybe paying residency fees wasn't unreasonable.
"Even if we build a manor, let's do it nearby."
"Seconded."
Cheoldu raised his voice:
"Perfect! Spent all our cash—hunt tomorrow!"
"Which grounds?"
"Dunno. We'll figure it out."
Jintae slurped broth while unfolding a map, pointing east.
"Wanna see lizardmen?"
"Eh, why not."
"Hit the quest office first."
"Deal."
"Ajumma! Total?"
"Staying the night?"
"Yes."
"13 soups at 3 coins, plus 5 per bed—49 total."
"Here."
They paid and entered their room.
"Costlier than expected."
"...Maybe because we ate thirteen bowls?"
"..."
"Sleeping?"
Zzzzz...
Dawn found them already moving.
The village buzzed with pre-sunrise energy.
"Feels like a movie set."
Most frontier homes were single-story—wooden pillars, earthen walls, tiled roofs.
"Room was warm last night."
"Probably ondol* heating."
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Their tiny room had indeed radiated subtle heat.
Central Plaza bustled around the portal. Four main streets branched out:
West: Crafters' Row
East: Sundry Market
South: Entertainment District
Names reflected dominant businesses, though shops mingled freely. Fabric stores stood beside taverns, forges next to grocers.
Controlled chaos pulsed with life.
"That's the quest office."
"I can read too."
They veered toward a crowded bulletin board instead.
Posts covered everything—missing persons, job listings, bulk purchases:
- Horned Boars: 15 coins each (Office 4)
- Chunja Salon hiring: under 30, presentable (Office 2)
- Missing: Kim Eunho, 28 (Office 7)
- Bounty: 270 coins for "Lantern," killer of 4 officials (Office 1)
- Mureung Mushrooms: 4 coins each (Office 7)
- Lizard Boss Yanigo Raid: Recruiting 00 members
...
Jintae scribbled notes in his journal.
"Gonna look around."
"Sure, scout ahead."
Cheoldu people-watched.
Fascinating how modern transplants recreated Joseon-era aesthetics.
'Lotta archers.'
Bows required proper crafting. He'd visit a fletcher after earning more coin.
'Swordsman.'
His eyes caught an unusual gait—natural yet combat-ready.
Short, light steps.
Rhythm optimized for instant draws.
Top-heavy build.
Built for iaijutsu strikes over endurance.
Masked face beneath a straw hat.
Breathable, shady—perfect for hot days.
[System Alert]
<Skill "Scan" acquired>
[Scan]
Observe/analyze targets or terrain. Higher mana cost for scarce data.
"Oh."
A new skill.
<->
Master swordsman.
Highly vigilant, combat-ready.
"Ho!"
He'd dissected a stranger without name or voice.
"Cheoldu!"
"Hm?"
"What're you doing?"
"People-watching."
"Tch. Let's go. We need an appraisal skill."
"Huh? Appraisal?"
"Mandatory for identifying monsters. Owlbears drop skillbooks—"
"Hehehe."
"Why laugh?"
"Already learned it."
"Say what?"
*Ajae: Informal term for older man
*Gukbap: Rice soup
*Ajumma: Middle-aged woman
*Ondol: Traditional Korean underfloor heating
