Chapter 62
The softly lit path.
Inside GoTo Mall, bustling with people.
“Hm.”
Ki Soyul sat on a nearby bench, deep in thought.
Her mind was troubled.
‘……Joo Donghoon.’
It wasn’t that she was particularly concerned about him.
But even so, he somehow made her angry.
There wasn’t really a reason.
Or rather, perhaps it was better to say she didn’t know the reason.
‘How could he not contact me even once?’
When he had said he was grateful for her protection but now wanted to stand on his own.
She had nodded.
He had taken the reward from the dungeon Parang found, and she had acknowledged it without complaint.
She had only asked to observe his training, never demanding more.
And more than that?
She had told him that if he ever got in trouble because of his reckless attitude, he should reach out to Parang.
Then he had left for the medium dungeon.
‘That part was fine.’
But after returning, he hadn’t contacted her.
Not a word.
She only learned he was back from a newspaper article about “Dmir’s Workshop.”
[An exotic workshop decorated by peculiar skeletons! The owner revealed?]
[“Dmir’s Supply Set” took the auction house by storm! When will Dmir’s Workshop release a new item?]
[Two weeks of nothing but hammering sounds! Growing anticipation for Dmir’s Workshop online!]
‘A man who uses skeletons like that.’
As far as she knew, in Korea, only Joo Donghoon.
No other necromancer in the world relied on skeletons as their main force.
“Tsk.”
And so she was upset.
She had worried about him.
He could’ve at least let her know he arrived safely.
“Phew.”
Annoyed by her own restless emotions, she nearly got angry at herself when—
“Hey, Shadow Empress.”
Someone sat down beside her.
One of the Five Stars of Seoul.
Rank 829, White Boar.
“What are you doing sitting here all gloomy? That’s not like you.”
“Yoo Sangdon? How did you know I was here…?”
“It’s GoTo Mall. The most secretive assassin in the world shows up in my turf? Of course I gotta keep an eye. My men get nervous otherwise.”
Yoo Sangdon smirked.
“So, Shadow Empress personally coming here—it’s because of that guy, right?”
“What? What guy?”
“The master of Dmir’s Workshop.”
“……”
“Well, it’s obvious. Even I was shocked. That young man you introduced? Turns out he’s the owner of that hot new workshop. Normally, my side would’ve moved to suppress him, but…”
“Did you stop because of me?”
“Exactly. Hah. No matter how much I like money, nothing’s worth more than my life.”
He jokingly stroked his neck.
“You and your jokes…”
Ki Soyul gave a faint laugh.
But she knew—someone like White Boar always traveled with at least one bodyguard.
With his fortune, hiring top-100 overseas Rankers was nothing to him.
Besides.
The Five Stars of Seoul had a tight-knit bond. They didn’t point their blades at each other.
They were comrades, all becoming Rankers thanks to Dungeon Maker, Delilah.
Bound in alliance through her recommendation rights.
Her most trusted circle.
“Come on, friend. If you’re here, go on already. Why waste time on this bench? Don’t tell me the great Shadow Empress is hesitating out of pride?”
“……”
“Oh? Judging by that look, you are! One hundred percent, no doubt!”
“…Please stop talking.”
She sighed and turned away.
Because nothing he said was wrong.
Yoo Sangdon clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, just go. Honestly, I get him.”
“You get him?”
“Sure. We’re comrades and fellow Rankers, so it’s easier for us. But do you know how intimidating you are to normal people?”
“Me?”
“Hah, unbelievable. You really don’t know?”
“……”
“You’re officially ranked the number one person you should never cross because of your assassin skills. On top of that, your brother is Ki Parang—yes, the famous archer, Rank 58! And your personality? Cold, sharp, barely talk. You avoid the media. Just look at you. You’ve got that face that looks like you’d slit someone’s throat the second they annoy you… Oh?”
He flinched back.
Because Ki Soyul’s eyes had narrowed.
“Yoo Sangdon?”
“Eek?”
“You’re not just blurting out your personal feelings, are you?”
“Haha, no, no. Just saying. Anyway, I gave my advice. Have fun in GoTo Mall! I’ve got things to do.”
And with that, he vanished into the crowd.
“……”
She let out a soft sigh.
His words echoed in her mind.
‘Could it be true?’
She thought it possible.
After all, she knew she wasn’t exactly warm or approachable.
‘And besides.’
There weren’t many people capable of approaching her in the first place.
She had shut out such chances long ago.
‘Alright, let’s go. I can just say I’m commissioning a weapon, right?’
She stood abruptly.
No use thinking about it here.
She’d only get peace of mind by meeting him face-to-face.
Sssht!
In an instant, she disappeared.
Only the scent of peonies lingered on the bench.
—
Kaaang! Kaaang!
Arriving at Dmir’s Workshop, Ki Soyul heard the crisp hammering.
“……”
Normally, she would’ve hidden her presence.
But this time, she didn’t bother.
She simply wore a hood and walked openly.
With White Boar aware she was here, no other Hunter in GoTo Mall would dare bother her.
Kaaang! Kaaang!
From outside, she listened to the hammering.
‘They say he’s been in there hammering nonstop for almost two weeks.’
What had happened?
Why would he hole himself up, ignoring even his usual training?
As she pondered, someone emerged from the neighboring shop.
A middle-aged woman.
“Tsk, you came to see that young man too, didn’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“You should just go home. He’s been holed up in there, hasn’t budged an inch. Won’t answer reporters, nothing. Who knows what he’s making.”
“Haha, is that so?”
Ki Soyul chuckled and nodded.
“But I think it’s fine now.”
“Huh?”
The woman tilted her head.
Ki Soyul smirked under her hood.
She didn’t need to peek inside; she could feel his energy.
The moment he finished his meditation with the Supreme Azure Mind Method.
“Listen. No more hammering.”
“Oh? You’re right!”
“Then I’ll head in.”
She moved forward.
Sniff.
The moment she stepped inside, she caught the scent.
Something that felt just like her.
Cold. Sharp.
Knock, knock.
She rapped on the door, then spoke.
“This is the workshop everyone’s been talking about. Do you take commissions?”
A masked question hiding her true intent.
“Oh, Shadow Empress?”
The man greeted her with a delighted expression.
“……”
She pouted.
That happy face meant nothing to her.
‘If you were that glad, you could’ve at least contacted me earlier.’
Well, whatever.
It didn’t matter.
She was only here to commission a weapon, after all.
“Yes. It’s been a while, Joo Donghoon.”
“Wow, perfect timing! Amazing, I was just about to come find you. How did you know?”
He was just about to find her? As if.
Her lips curled even more.
But then—
“Here. Take this.”
“What?”
Ki Soyul’s eyes widened at what he handed her.
“The dagger I just finished. Honestly, you’ve helped me a lot. I wanted to show my gratitude. You know my motto—I repay favors and grudges at least double.”
“……What?”
She was stunned.
‘Don’t tell me.’
The weapon he’d been hammering out for two weeks straight…?
The one he’d poured himself into, sleepless?
‘This? He made this for me?’
In a daze, she accepted the dagger.
The blade gleamed darkly, an elegant weapon.
The engraved patterns and design weren’t of Earthly origin.
It looked otherworldly.
Though it exuded cold, she felt warmth inside it.
‘What is this…’
Sweat pooled in her palms.
It had been so long since she felt true emotion like this.
She’d received gifts before, but never anything like this.
“Ah, of course, it’s not free. I poured everything into this, so you’ll need to give us a bit of promotion, alright?”
“…S-sure.”
She stammered, still overwhelmed.
But the surprise was only beginning.
Ding!
The weapon’s information appeared before her eyes.
[Item: Dagger for an Assassin]
[Rank: S]
[Type: Dagger]
[Description: A weapon forged by the legendary blacksmith Dmir and his master, inspired by an assassin. Its performance transcends design thanks to extraordinary focus and passion.]
[Effect 1: Agility +50]
[Effect 2: Attack speed +200%]
[Effect 3: After stealth, first strike deals +500% damage]
[Effect 4: Ice magic resistance +30%]
“W-what the hell!”
The curse slipped from her mouth.
“How is this an S-rank item?”
S-rank items.
Unobtainable, even if you wanted them.
So rare, their value was limitless depending on performance.
The best of them—literally priceless.
‘And its performance is insane!’
Without question.
It far outclassed her current daggers.
The man spoke with pride.
“Not bad, right?”
“This isn’t just not bad!”
What had happened in that medium dungeon?
How could he produce an S-rank item in less than a month?
Unbelievable.
But more than that.
[Description: A weapon forged by the legendary blacksmith Dmir and his master, inspired by an assassin.]
That line stuck with her.
She knew perfectly well that “an assassin” meant her.
She could feel her essence in the dagger.
He had truly, sincerely expressed his gratitude through it.
“……”
Overcome, she was at a loss for words.
She was grateful, but she’d never said thank you to anyone before.
“I’ll treasure it.”
That was all she could say.
And in that moment, she realized.
The turmoil in her heart had vanished.
“Yes, you must use it well. It’s the first limited edition weapon from our Dmir’s Workshop.”
“…First?”
Her expression slackened.
First? Meaning he could make more of these S-rank items?
She was beyond surprise now.
‘As expected.’
From the moment he’d joined with the old man.
No, even before.
His potential had always been boundless.
She had simply recognized it.
As she ran her hand along the dagger with a faint smile—
Knock, knock!
A knock came at the workshop door.
“Excuse me. Is anyone here?”
“Yes, who is it?”
Joo Donghoon replied, and a voice answered from outside.
“I’m from Ohsung Workshop. My name is Ryu Jinho from the secretary’s office. May I speak with you about a building occupancy issue?”
Ohsung Workshop?
Ki Soyul frowned.