Episode 18
“Store categories?”
A puzzled expression crossed Zeke’s face as a new window appeared before him.
―Store Menu―
Buy/Sell Items
Dismantle/Repair Items (Locked)
Enhance Items (Locked)
Zeke studied the list of store categories, pondering once more about the system’s true nature.
―Tutorial Mission―
[Purchase an item from the store. (No time limit)]
“Buy an item, huh?”
Setting aside his curiosity for the moment, Zeke followed the tutorial mission’s instructions and selected the option to purchase an item.
[A list of items available for purchase by a junior administrator is displayed.]
As the message appeared, the screen shifted, revealing a lineup of item images, each accompanied by a name and brief description.
Zeke scanned through the list of items.
“Low-grade potion, mid-grade potion, full recovery potion, stamina boost potion, status ailment recovery potion…”
Dozens of potions, the likes of which he’d never seen before, filled the list.
His jaw dropped as he recognized the types of potions.
“Wow. These are all enhancement potions from ancient ruins. They’re so rare, they’re nearly impossible to find.”
Recovery potions had become widely available a century ago when the alchemist Jabir Ibn Hassan publicly shared his method of refining troll blood. However, enhancement potions required rare ingredients and each alchemist’s secret techniques, making top-tier enhancement potions incredibly valuable.
Yet, even today’s enhancement potions were inferior to those of ancient times.
Zeke grinned broadly at the sight of these ancient enhancement potions, which were hard to come by even with money.
“The Deep Breath of the Flame Giant? I remember it going for nearly a hundred gold at auction.”
He tapped on the Deep Breath of the Flame Giant potion.
―Potion Information―
A potion that captures the hottest breath of a flame giant, known for its unquenchable fire. (20 points)
Zeke noted the price listed next to the information.
“Twenty points for one potion.”
Points could be used to acquire other skills or unlock system features, so he needed to choose wisely.
The store’s inventory available to a junior administrator included basic potions, enhancement potions, simple magic scrolls, and low-grade rune stones.
Though labeled as low-grade, all items were treasures typically found only in ancient ruins, making them all valuable.
As a test, Zeke decided to purchase the ‘Wings of the Sky,’ which promised to increase agility, for a small number of points.
[The purchased item has been moved to your inventory.]
[5 points have been deducted.]
[You have completed the tutorial mission.]
[A random low-grade scroll has been awarded as a reward.]
“A low-grade scroll? So they give more than just points as rewards.”
Zeke opened his inventory. The previously empty slots now held a potion and a scroll.
He took out the potion, a bottle filled with a clear sky-blue liquid, and examined the scroll, which contained a ‘Shield’ spell.
Selling these store items at auction could yield a significant profit.
In the island nation of the Dortha Republic, there was an auction market specializing in such ancient artifacts, frequented by Nirvana’s mages and the Magic Tower’s wizards, where ancient items fetched high prices.
“If I gather enough karma points from hunting monsters, I can buy items that sell for a high price and put them up for auction.”
It seemed like a useful strategy for when he left the Draker family to establish his own power.
Zeke then tried the sell option.
[Please place the item you wish to sell in the inventory window.]
He placed his claymore in the inventory window, but a warning message appeared.
[This item cannot be sold.]
“Huh? Why not?”
Puzzled, Zeke tried placing one of the ancient items he had laid out on the training ground into the inventory.
[Would you like to sell the ‘Handy Camping Dagger’? / Sale price: 4 points]
Only ancient items could be sold in the store. Since all purchasable items were ancient, it seemed only ancient items could be sold as well.
“But the sale price is too low. I could get at least 100 gold at auction.”
Selling wasn’t cost-effective.
Deciding that selling wasn’t worth it, Zeke examined the other options. Dismantling allowed for the extraction of raw materials from ancient items for a fee, while repairing restored damaged items.
Both options offered poor returns for the points spent.
The dismantle, repair, and enhance options were locked and unavailable for use.
After thoroughly reviewing the buy and sell lists, Zeke nodded to himself.
“I think I get how to use this. As my rank increases from junior administrator, more items should become available.”
Determined to earn karma points quickly through monster hunting, Zeke organized his newly acquired items and moved the artifacts to a secure storage.
He planned to eventually deposit them in the vault of the northern bank run by the gnomes.
With that, Zeke concluded his day.
The next day, he went straight to Professor Fainan.
He presented the compressed mana stone he had brought.
Fainan was astonished to see Zeke with a genuine compressed mana stone.
“How on earth did you get this?”
“I’m afraid I can’t go into details. When do you think the activation formula will be ready? I need it as soon as possible.”
Fainan looked at Zeke and replied, “The calculations for the activation formula are already complete.”
Zeke was taken aback.
“What? Already?”
“The design isn’t that complex as long as you have a high-compression mana stone.”
Zeke realized that Fainan’s skills were exceptional.
‘He could be quite useful.’
It seemed a waste for someone of his talent to be stuck as an academy instructor.
Regardless, hearing that the activation formula was complete, Zeke jumped to his feet.
“Professor, let’s go.”
“Hmm? Where to?”
“Where else? To make the furnace.”
With the compressed mana stone and activation formula ready, the creation of the magic furnace proceeded swiftly.
Zeke called in workers to install the furnace in one corner of the forge, and Gellion looked on in disbelief.
“Are you really making a magic furnace for me?”
“I promised, didn’t I? But there’s a condition. You have to make my sword. Not just any sword, but your masterpiece.”
Zeke was anxious that the young Gellion might not have the skill to create the Sun Sword Gram.
He emphasized his point, but Gellion, unaware of Zeke’s concerns, was moved to tears.
“My lord! You are the benefactor of my life!”
Gellion was more touched than when Zeke had saved his life in a previous life.
The furnace installation didn’t take long.
Fainan enthusiastically participated in the project, directing the workers with precise instructions based on the design plans.
Thanks to his efforts, the magic furnace achieved far greater efficiency than Gellion had originally designed.
Whoosh!
As Fainan activated the magic formula, the furnace roared to life.
Gellion watched the blue flames with tears of joy.
“Oh! To think I would complete this furnace before I die!”
Fainan, too, was satisfied with the finished furnace.
“With this efficiency, it should last at least a hundred years.”
“Thank you, Professor! Thank you so much!”
After confirming the furnace’s operation, Professor Fainan returned to the academy for his lectures.
Left alone with Gellion, Zeke spoke to him in a low voice.
“Gellion, I have a favor to ask. Can you keep a secret?”
Gellion, excited, pounded his chest with his fist.
“Of course, my lord! I will take your secret to the grave!”
Knowing Gellion’s single-mindedness from his past life, Zeke wasn’t worried about any leaks.
He opened a box and revealed the Fang of Bahamut to Gellion.
“My lord, what is this?”
“The hardest fang of a dragon. Have you seen anything like it?”
Gellion was startled by Zeke’s words.
“A dragon’s fang?”
Gellion had never seen a dragon’s tooth so perfectly preserved.
Nor had any blacksmith on the continent, for that matter.
Zeke calmed the astonished Gellion and continued.
“Make my sword with this.”
Gellion trembled with excitement at the request.
“Are you entrusting me with such a precious thing?”
“Why, are you not confident?”
Gellion sprang to his feet, exhaling sharply.
“Of course not! I will stake my life on crafting your sword, my lord!”
“No need to risk your life. That’s a bit much.”
As always, this single-minded blacksmith didn’t know the meaning of moderation.
Once Gellion understood his task, he eagerly examined the Fang of Bahamut that Zeke had brought.
“Ah… this color, this texture.”
He ran his hand over the fang, breathing heavily.
Watching him, Zeke shook his head.
‘In my past life, he had a more dignified aura. Well, as long as he makes a good sword.’
Zeke slowly rose from his seat.
“Then I’ll leave it to you. Make me a sword that fits me perfectly.”
At that moment, Gellion approached Zeke.
“My lord, may I make one request?”
Zeke nodded, curious about Gellion’s sudden serious tone.
“What is it?”
“May I take a moment to look into your eyes, my lord?”
Zeke’s eyebrow twitched at the request. It reminded him of something Gellion had once said in a past life.
“Gellion, do you really read a person’s soul and craft a sword to match it?”
“I don’t know about reading souls, but when I forge an important sword, I look into the user’s eyes.”
“The eyes? Is there a special meaning to that?”
“It’s hard to explain, but when I gaze into someone’s eyes, I feel something. Perhaps it’s their emotions, or maybe their will? It’s difficult to put into words.”
The young craftsman before him had the same intense gaze as the future master he would become—perhaps even more passionate. Zeke nodded.
“If that’s what you wish, go ahead.”
Gellion carefully studied Zeke’s eyes. After a long moment, he closed his own eyes, remaining still for a while before opening them again.
“Thank you for granting my unusual request, my lord.”
Without further ado, he placed the Fang of Bahamut into the magical furnace and silently watched the flames dance around it. Zeke quietly left the forge, not wanting to disturb him.
“Seems I was worried for nothing,” Zeke thought, eager to see what kind of sword would emerge.
When Zeke returned to the academy and reached the Platinum Floor, he found someone waiting in the lounge.
“Sir?”
To his surprise, Duke Draker was sprawled on the sofa, pouring expensive liquor down his throat. His face flushed with intoxication, he shouted at Zeke.
“You rascal! Where have you been?”
“What brings you here? And how did you even get into the Platinum Floor, which is off-limits to outsiders?”
Duke burst into laughter, his mouth wide open.
“Haha! Do you know who you’re talking to? There’s no place made by Draker that I can’t enter!”
Zeke understood what he meant but feigned ignorance.
“You seem quite drunk. Perhaps you should head back and rest.”
Duke sprang to his feet, glaring at Zeke.
“You impudent brat! I left you a message, so why didn’t you come back?”
“I just haven’t felt like trying again.”
“You insolent fool! I could line up all the people begging to learn from me, and they’d circle the central training ground!”
“Then why don’t you teach them instead of bothering someone who’s not interested?”
Duke ground his teeth in frustration. He stood up and addressed Zeke.
“Fine. Let me formally introduce myself.”
With a whoosh, the drunken haze around Duke dissipated like mist. His flushed face returned to normal as he looked down at Zeke with a serious expression.
“My name is Duke Draker. I was once the Black Knight of Draker.”