A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 79

My objective had been achieved.
I’d secured Silverpenn as a steady trading partner.
What remained to consider was the merchant company’s financial arrangements.
With players’ stay duration now extended, I judged it wouldn’t be particularly difficult.
Indeed, the company’s goods were selling briskly.
“Thank you for your permission, miss. I must offer you a proper token of gratitude this time.”
Silverpenn called over a subordinate merchant and issued several instructions.
“From now on, don’t accept any more customers at the Repair Tent. And display the finest sewing-related items, one of each, on the shelves.”
“Yes, Master Silverpenn.”
“Do we still have Parpan leather and silk?”
“Yes. We have two sheets of Parpan leather, and silk in abundance.”
“Good. Put them both in the Repair Tent.”
This appeared to be an additional gift for Chae-rim.
He seemed intent on verifying her sewing ability, which hadn’t yet been tested, and then gifting everything to her once confirmed.
As Silverpenn’s instructions continued, I quietly asked Chae-rim a question.
“How’s your condition?”
Of course, her condition would be optimal.
Unlike the real body, in-game physical condition was governed by status.
I asked out of concern that this situation might burden her.
She could refuse the favor by using condition as an excuse.
“Huh? I’m perfectly fine.”
“Good. Is there anything you’d like to make?”
“Parpan leather and silk… A sword sheath or pouch comes to mind. Plus, I’ve never worked with Parpan leather before, so I’m curious about it.”
Silverpenn’s eyes gleamed with even greater interest upon hearing this.
“Oh, you’re familiar with Parpan, miss? You can only encounter them occasionally in the Northern Swampland. They’re such aggressive creatures that they bear wounds constantly, but the Parpan leather we’ve secured is quite pristine. It’s the most valuable item among what we’ve brought on this expedition.”
For Silverpenn to praise something this highly.
The price was certainly in gold units, and while not quite matching Golden Fox fur, it would undoubtedly boast considerable options.
“Silverpenn, what’s the size of the Parpan leather?”
“It’s quite large. It resembles a crocodile in appearance, but the creature itself is nearly three times bigger.”
“Is that so?”
Then the direction became clear.
Chae-rim was considering a sword sheath and pouch.
And what I was considering was the status Chae-rim needed.
The Mauro wooden sword happened to lack a sheath, and equipped gear provided permanent continuous buffs.
Therefore, I hoped Chae-rim would craft a sheath for the Mauro wooden sword.
“Chae-rim, what about a sword sheath? One for your Mauro wooden sword. Of course, it’s for you to use.”
“The scabbard is excellent, but you’re saying I’ll use it?”
“Yes. Once a fine scabbard is completed, I’ll give you a wooden sword. I’m going to make a scabbard just for you.”
“A scabbard just for me….”
This was actually the theme from a cooking survival show finals I’d once watched.
The theme was cooking for myself.
And the survival champion presented a dish for me that was both sensory and emotionally resonant.
Since it was a scene that had impressed me quite deeply, I judged that something made for me could become a cherished memory for Chae-rim as well.
“Are you certain about this, Silverpenn? It seems you’re planning to purchase the finished product, and I’ll cover all the material costs and any additional expenses that arise.”
“Ah, well…. The cost doesn’t matter. Rather, since Kael is so confident about the quality of the work, I’ve become even more curious about what the finished product will look like. Please proceed as you wish.”
“Understood. Let’s see the results first.”
“It seems the Repair Tent preparations have just been completed. Shall we move there together?”
We moved to the Repair Tent that Silverpenn had arranged.
Everything was ready here for Chae-rim’s sewing work.
“Wow. The Parphan leather is in such excellent condition.”
Chae-rim examined the Parphan leather, which was the main material here, and was genuinely impressed.
Just as Silverpenn had been confident, the leather quality was indeed exceptional.
“The silk is over here.”
“That’s habotai fabric?”
“Y-you can tell just by looking at it?”
Even I was taken aback by this.
I was a leather specialist, not someone who could identify silk quality just by sight.
“There’s specific silk that suits scabbards. Habotai would work well with a scabbard, so I can make it.”
“Ooh….”
Chae-rim examined her surroundings a bit more, then began moving materials to one location.
Was she planning out her workflow?
After that, she began cutting the leather.
Moreover, light began emanating from the cutting shears as she used her own ability.
The leather, which looked distinctly tough and durable, was cut through with ease.
Snip. Snip.
And in an instant, the scabbard’s frame took shape.
Even I, who knew nothing about sewing, was astonished, but Silverpenn, who had some knowledge, was utterly shocked.
“S-such technique! Kael, this is a skill that even seasoned craftsmen cannot replicate!”
“I suppose so.”
Even having worked with leather myself, I could tell Chae-rim’s technique was far from ordinary.
Moreover, it included an ability-based element.
Clearly a crafting-type hidden class.
One that even possessed the exclusive stat called Immortal.
Swish. Swish.
Silk was layered over the leather, and the scabbard’s form gradually became clearer.
The work speed was absurdly fast.
Even if it were completed as is, it would be a masterwork, yet Chae-rim remained focused on the foundational work.
“…Miss, you’re even manipulating mana. Should I call you a foreigner, then? And you possess natural talent on top of that. It seems you’ll soon create quite a stir in the market.”
Silverpenn’s prediction was accurate.
The Eccentric Merchant had brought Chae-rim into contact with the Empire, which dominated in every respect.
Moreover, Silverpenn himself was a man of considerable ambition.
Since he understood the art of strategy, I decided to share some of what I knew with him.
“It’s confidential, but she was quite famous in the Belhard Kingdom, whether known or not. The Empire has also shown some interest.”
“…Hmm.”
Silverpenn’s expression grew serious.
What sort of strategy was this ambitious merchant before me devising?
“My ultimate goal is also the Empire, but for now, I was thinking of targeting the nobility first. Of course, business with foreigners would be profitable, but ultimately the ruling class of the Kingdom is the nobility.”
“The nobility, then.”
I didn’t know much about the nobility in detail.
I only knew they weren’t easy opponents to deal with.
I’d heard that many players, unable to handle the nobility, settled in planned cities like Liam, created for players like them.
Or alternatively, they settled in major cities where the nobility’s influence was minimal.
Even now, Seoguang and the Four Major Guilds maintain their guild halls in major cities.
“An attractive objective.”
This goal was ideal precisely because Silverpenn was an NPC.
He was someone who could accept the nobility as they were, something difficult for those with modern sensibilities to understand.
Moreover, the ruling class of this world was not players, but NPCs.
And the fact that the nobility—the ruling class among NPCs—were the target made this a considerably attractive option for me as well.
There was much to gain from paths others hadn’t yet explored.
“Then let’s proceed that way. I’m also quite interested in the nobility.”
“Are you planning direct contact with the nobility? There will be many difficult aspects to accept.”
“I’m aware to some extent. That’s why I’d prefer indirect contact through you rather than direct engagement.”
“Then we’re well-matched.”
“Yes.”
Even as I conversed with Silverpenn, Chae-rim continued crafting the sword sheath.
She poured her heart into it to a degree that made one worry for her health.
Yet she was so completely absorbed that interrupting her would be difficult.
At this level, one could already predict the sheath’s grade to some extent.
‘It will be legendary rank.’
It was nothing but good that Chae-rim grew stronger.
I hoped she’d draw the best possible options and enjoy the game flexibly.
Crafting was her specialty, but hunting seemed to be her hobby as well.
Originally, the plan was to become better acquainted with Silverpenn here, then hunt together in the Eastern Forest.
Rabbit hunting was actually quite good training, after all.
Today’s plan was to meet the instructor at the Training Ground and review my hunting experience in the forest as well.
“The crafting will take quite some time, and I’m worried I might be keeping you too long.”
“No, I’ve been quite interested in watching as well. However, since I have work to attend to, I hope you’ll understand if I step away from time to time.”
“Of course.”
Before I knew it, evening had passed and dawn arrived.
Chae-rim continued her work by lamplight.
My role was simply to feed her jerky at intervals.
Maintaining her stamina was important, after all.
“Chae-rim. Here.”
“Ah… Mm? This is delicious!”
“Right? It’s rabbit jerky, a local specialty.”
“Mm… delicious…”
The taste was fleeting.
Chae-rim’s consciousness returned to the sword once more.
Her concentration was so intense that even her words began to blur.
‘I’ve fed her the jerky. That should hold her for the next four hours.’
She wasn’t a child who needed much sleep anyway, and she was the type who could truly thrive within the game rather than in reality.
Besides, safety was guaranteed.
The tent was already being guarded by NPC mercenaries hired by the Russell Merchant Company.
They’d been employed for quite some time and seemed to be around level fifty, so I had no concerns about security.
Therefore, I decided to take a casual stroll and get some fresh air.
This was the time when the old merchant caravans were leaving and new ones were arriving.
Each caravan brought various goods in consideration of returning users, so there were quite a few interesting things to see.
“Kael. Where are you headed?”
Silverpenn had just finished washing up and returned.
He was another case of staying up all night watching Chae-rim’s work.
“I was wondering if there might be any decent items.”
“Hmm. If you were considering high-grade items, you wouldn’t have come here, so this is purely sightseeing?”
“You’re as sharp as ever. I was actually wondering what useful daily necessities might be available.”
The time ratio was the same as the previous game, but that place was wilderness while this was a medieval civilization of sorts.
There had to be differences, and I judged that there would surely be useful daily necessities I hadn’t anticipated.
“Daily necessities, you say. I do happen to know of something. Would you care to follow me for a moment?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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