HDAAD Chapter 109
by BlossomTLI waved to Taeju as he returned home from work.
“Good work today. What’s that?”
“Oh. A gift for Hanseong. But Hyung, are you sick?”
“No.”
Shaking my head, I gritted my teeth against the throbbing in my skull.
For several days now, I had been falling asleep as if losing consciousness, only to be startled awake by nightmares I couldn’t remember, repeating the cycle over and over.
It would be better if I could just not sleep at all, but my body would doze off on its own, spinning in circles regardless of my will.
‘I’m dying here. Seriously.’
Knowing only that it was a recurring dream but not what kind of dream it was made it all the more hellish.
“You look even worse off than me.”
Taeju’s eyes, staring down at me with concern, were slightly bloodshot.
“I’m fine. I’ll feel better if I turn in early tonight.”
Taeju turned his head away, looking abashed. Clearing a dungeon in one day that was meant to take two, his current physical state must be a wreck.
Judging by how his contamination level started at 0% in the morning but surpassed 50% by evening, it seemed he was personally killing most of the monsters inside the dungeon.
‘Tch. He’s digging his own grave, rolling down a thorny path all alone.’
I couldn’t tell if he was doing it on purpose because he was the protagonist of the novel, or if he was just that stupid.
“Taeju’s here too. When should we go?”
Hanseong’s face was blooming as she came bounding out of her room.
‘Is she that thrilled about the forge being completed? Well, I was pretty happy too when I moved out of that goshiwon into a semi-basement, and then later got my own place with a jeonse lease[1].’
“Right now. I wanna go quick, come back, and then rest.”
“Then let’s go. I made it really well.”
She may talk as if it’s no big deal, but Hanseong’s steps heading toward the back door were light, apparently quite proud of her own handiwork.
Following Taeju to the backyard, I saw a forge far larger than I would have expected for a two-week construction project.
The huge igloo-shaped forge had a chimney just as massive as the structure itself.
“Come on in, you two.”
At Hanseong’s urging, Taeju and I, who had paused to admire the exterior, stepped inside.
“It’s spacious.”
“Pretty empty, considering.”
“I’ve gotta fill it up now.”
Apart from the hearths, anvils, and a deep tub as tall as Hanseong’s waist, the interior of the forge was barren, just as Taeju said.
“What are you supposed to fill this place with?”
“I’m gonna cram it full of the things I make, from here to there. They’ll be my creations, but also my achievements.”
“I see.”
Listening to Hanseong’s explanation, I could almost envision the forge packed with an array of items, weapons, and armor.
“Alright, let’s get this furnace lit.”
Hanseong placed the materials she received from Taeju into the furnace, then took out a flint and steel to ignite it. The flames roared to life inside.
“Whoa.”
As I watched the fire slowly growing in size, Taeju jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.
“Applause.”
“Oh. Congrats, Hanseong.”
“Congratulations.”
When Taeju and I clapped our hands together, Hanseong’s cheeks flushed pink.
“Thank you.”
“Hey. This is a grand opening gift.”
Taeju held out the shopping bag he was carrying.
“Ooh. What’s this?”
“Bellows. They say you’re supposed to give bellows when a forge opens, right?”
“How’d you know? Thanks. I was thinking of making a set to use, but now I won’t have to.”
Hanseong hugged the bellows, beaming. I had been waiting for the right timing to give her my gift, figuring I could present it as a grand opening present. Reaching into my Bag of Holding, I pulled out a bundle.
“I’ve got a gift for you too.”
“What? No, you don’t have to- Oppa!”
Hanseong freaked out upon seeing what I offered her.
“That’s adamantium!”
“Yep.”
“H-how can I accept this?!”
“I was planning to give it to you anyway.”
Ever since acquiring the adamantium in China, I had intended to present it to Hanseong. That’s why I agreed to loan it to Tiara, but ignored all requests to sell it.
“They say a blacksmith gains experience just by working with unique materials. What could be more special than adamantium?”
“But still…”
“I seriously saved this for you. So accept it as a gift.”
Hanseong reached out, but couldn’t bring herself to touch the adamantium, her hand wavering in midair. That’s when Taeju snatched the adamantium from my grasp and tossed it into Hanseong’s arms.
“Just take it.”
“Eek!”
Cradling the adamantium carefully as if it were a baby, Hanseong shrieked.
“Are you nuts?! Do you know how much this is worth?!”
“Bro got it for you, so what’s the problem? Make him a weapon with that.”
This time, I was the one to shout.
“Are you insane?! Make a weapon for me?! Hanseong, forge a weapon for Taeju. Adamantium should be strong enough to withstand his power.”
“I already have a weapon.”
“Since when is a weapon that shatters after a few uses considered a proper weapon?”
Up until now, he had managed by switching out weapons mid-fight, but in the cradle, there wouldn’t even be time to swap arms as monsters poured out relentlessly. Didn’t he suffer a fatal wound in the novel because he couldn’t change weapons? Rather than searching for an SS-grade sword that could handle Taeju’s electricity, making one with the adamantium we obtained would be faster.
“I’m really fine.”
“Shut it.”
Cutting off Taeju’s words decisively, I spoke to Hanseong.
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll get it for you somehow. Start by making Taeju’s sword.”
“I’m telling you, I don’t need it. Make Hyung’ss armor first instead.”
“Are you out of your mind?! You think my armor is more important right now?!”
“You just don’t get your current situation. I told you from the beginning, Hyung could be in danger because of Salt!”
“You think I’m a moron?! I’m a hunter too. I can take care of myself. Plus, how many guys have you and Shin Sooha assigned to watch me?! Who’s gonna kidnap or harm me with them around?! Talk some sense!”
“Never let your guard down! Do you have any idea how many people are entering the country just to see you? No, forget foreigners – even S-ranks here in Korea are showing up at the guild trying to get a look at you. Shouldn’t your armor take priority?!”
“Okay, okay, everyone calm down!”
Hanseong stepped between Taeju and me as we squared off, looking ready to fight.
“We can make both the sword and the armor, so why are you two arguing?”
“This asshole is spouting nonsense.”
“Hanseong, think logically for a sec. Who’s more important right now, me or Hyung? Isn’t it obvious that Hyung is the urgent case?”
“Where do you get off lecturing about common sense?!”
Rage surged through me, and I reached out to grab Taeju by the collar, but Hanseong blocked my hand.
“C’mon, you two, cut it out. Oppa, Taeju’s right that your armor should come first. Most of the people targeting Salt will probably attack you to get to her. You were in danger just a few days ago.”
“That was just drowsy driving.”
A few days prior, I had taken Salt out for a walk because I was getting antsy staying cooped up in the house all the time. I nearly got hit by a car, but that was purely because the driver nodded off and missed the traffic signal. It had nothing to do with Salt.
“No. I looked into that person’s background, and he was an employee of the Hero Guild.”
“…Hero Guild?”
“Yeah. They’ve got an S-rank there, remember?”
“But S-ranks don’t get heavily contaminated, so what are you saying?”
“Just because the contamination isn’t severe doesn’t mean they can’t receive purification. You said it yourself, Hyung. S-ranks are first in line for purification.”
That may be true, but S-ranks already have a low contamination rate, so why would they go to such lengths?
“In any case, you need to be careful right now, Hyung. Hanseong, how long will it take to make the armor?”
“It depends on what I’m making. What did you have in mind?”
“Something that can wrap around the body would be best.”
“Hmm. Well, armor is the only thing that can be crafted with adamantium to achieve that, but no matter how thin I make it, the weight will be considerable.”
Taeju and Hanseong scrutinized me from head to toe. What the? Why are they looking me over like that?
“That won’t work. Is there anything else you can make besides that?”
What won’t work? Are they implying I look too scrawny to even wear armor?
“Right? If we’re gonna dress him in something, clothes made from byproducts would be better than adamantium. Plus, if I attach adamantium items to it, both the defense and attribute resistances will increase.”
“Got it. Send me a message with the byproducts you need, and I’ll try to get them.”
“We should have Min-hee handle the design. I don’t know anything about fashion.”
“Sounds good. I’ll let the guild leader know separately.”
“Okay. So we’re making the sword with adamantium then?”
When Taeju nodded, Hanseong winked at me.
‘Sheesh. If they were gonna reach an agreement this easily, why even bring up logic earlier?’
It was absurd, but since things ended up going my way, I simply nodded without a word.
“But I bet the material requirements will be pretty strict if we’re gonna infuse Taeju’s attribute.”
“If there are specific materials needed, let me know. I’ll figure out a way to obtain them.”
“Alright. Oppa, let’s head out now.”
“Why? Aren’t you making it right away?”
The forge fire was lit and the materials were here, so I thought she would start crafting immediately.
“The heat needs to build up in the chimney for the fire temperature to stabilize, so I can’t work on it today.”
Oho. I figured it would be ready to use right away since she lit the fire with an item, but it’s more delicate than I expected.
“Then let’s go.”
“Shall we have a drink tonight?”
I pointed my chin at Taeju, who was rubbing his eyes.
“Does he look like he’s in any condition to drink?”
“He does seem pretty rough.”
“I’m okay.”
“Quit talking nonsense and go wash up. I’ll purify you.”
“Sure.”
After confirming Taeju dragging his exhausted feet into the bathroom, I addressed Hanseong, who was still cradling the adamantium.
“You gonna put that down or what?”
“No way. What if someone steals it?”
How many bodyguards are stationed at our house, and how would a thief possibly get past them?
Reading my expression, Hanseong smiled sheepishly.
“Still, you never know. I’m gonna store it in the safe, just in case.”
“Go ahead.”
As if she had been waiting for permission, Hanseong dashed into her room. Shaking my head, I headed to the living room, where I spotted Salt watching TV.
“Salt?”
“Chirp chirp.”
She was watching a drama and telling me to be quiet. What kind of pet does that?
Grumbling, I sat down next to Salt. Curious what drama it was, I took a look and realized it was the same melodramatic soap opera we had been watching in front of Hanseong’s house before.
“Oh. This is still on the air, huh.”
“Squeak.”
“Okay. I’ll be quiet.”
Anyone seeing this would think she was taking the college entrance exam. What bird concentrates so intently on a trashy drama like that? Seriously, no one would believe me if I complained about this.
“Oppa, what about dinner?”
“Let’s just order in. Get whatever you want.”
I handed over my cell phone and leaned back on the sofa, closing my eyes. I’m starting to wonder if someone cursed me or something. Is there even a hunter here who can cast curses? No, wait. Even if it wasn’t mentioned in the novel, there could still be one. Just because a hunter doesn’t appear in the novel doesn’t mean they don’t exist. So could this really be a curse? Can curses not be purified? Ah, I wish Salt’s purification would work on me too.
As I was lost in a meandering chain of thoughts, I felt a sensation like something perching on my shoulder.
“Is Haegeum here?”
“Yes.”
Haegeum, who had been hopping around, whispered softly in my ear.
“Are you in great pain?”
“No. I’m okay.”
Unlike Salt, who would fall asleep and remain oblivious until someone picked her up, Haegeum knew I hadn’t been sleeping properly for days because she would wipe my cold sweat and comfort me whenever I woke up shaking for no reason.
I stroked Haegeum’s head to reassure her not to worry.
“I’m really fine.”
Just as I was about to close my eyes again, whispering quietly so Hanseong sitting across from me wouldn’t hear, Taeju’s voice reached my ears.
“Hyung, you asleep?”
“No. I’m not sleeping. Let’s order food for dinner. Hanseong will handle it.”
“Chinese?”
“I want double portions.”
“Obviously.”
The sound of high-five echoed. Normally they can’t stand each other, but they sure band together when it comes to eating.
‘What bizarre kids.’
“Hyung, I have something to tell you.”
“Something to tell me?”
I lifted my heavy eyelids to look at Taeju.
“What?”
“An official document came from No-eul’s side.”
“Official document?”
“Yeah. The Hunter Association says they want to re-examine you.”
A re-examination?
So they’re harping on about re-examination now that threats didn’t work?
- A type of lease[↩]