Laborer Mr. Kim Reaps Sweet Rewards with Auto-Hunting - Chapter 55

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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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Episode 055

“Oh, that’s right!”
“Hm? Rani, what is it?”

Our Rani.
Excited, she went scurrying off—then just as quickly scurried right back.
What?
You have something to say?

“Rani wants to make something nice for the Manager, but I need lots of materials! Is it okay if Rani uses a lot?!”
“A lot?”
“Um… should I not…?”

Rani, you’ve been using materials freely without worrying lately.
Why the sudden question?
Just how much does she need, anyway….
I’m a little uneasy about this—.

“No, it’s fine. I brought a lot anyway because I wanted you to make whatever you felt like, so take what you need and make it.”
“Yay! Really?! Thank you!”

It’d be different if it were something ordered by a client.
But my things—well, my workers’ things….
It doesn’t feel wasteful no matter how much material gets used.
Actually, wait.
If it were my own things, I’d probably feel a pinch.

“Is… is this much really okay…?”
“Of course. Use as much as you like.”

There she goes.
I can see her hesitating as she picks through the materials.
Anyway, she’s sharp when it comes to reading the room.
When I give her an okay sign with my hand—

“Thank you so much!”

She bows and starts gathering the materials.
Man….
There’s so much she can’t even carry it all at once.
Pitter-patter.
She goes over, sets some down, then pitter-patters back again.
When I try to help?

“Wait…! Rani has to do it…!”

Something about there being an order to placing the materials.
With no choice but to watch, she finally finishes after repeating it several times.
I thought she’d start crafting next—but—.

“Right! That’s Kkwalkwal!”

Oh, this?
That’s right.
The name has to be decided for sure.
I understand, so go ahead and hammer away without worry.

“Huh—! I’ll have it ready in no time!”

Thunk, clang, thunk, clang.
Rani set to work with the hammer.
And the rest of the Workers?

“Manager, is it alright if Wasser sits down?”
“Yeah. Since Rani says she’ll have it done soon, let’s take a breather and watch her work. You too, Robin—and Unjang, you should rest a bit.”
“…… Sure.”
“Understood, sir.”

What choice do I have.
Might as well take a break.

Thunk, clang, thunk, clang.

It’s actually not half bad.
That sound of the hammer?
Listening to it is weirdly soothing.
This must be what fire-gazing feels like.

“Wasser’s gone and run off to brew up some coffee—anyone want a cup?!”
“I’ll take one.”
“I would appreciate some as well.”
“…… I’ll have some too.”
“Manager, Unjang, Robin—all accounted for! How about you, Komori?”
“I’m fine as is, Arthur.”

Of course—Arthur knows what’s up.
A little coffee with the relaxation?
Can’t resist that.
So while Arthur’s fetching the coffee…

“Let’s check the options on the armor for America’s number-one ranked Hunter.”

That guy sent 174 materials because he was desperate to get this piece.
I wonder what the options turned out like.
Let’s have a look….

[The creation is complete once you assign a name.]

“A name? Kkwalkwal.”

[Kkwalkwal]
– A masterwork crafted by an artisan at the pinnacle of skill.
– Significantly increases the wearer’s defense.
– Reduces physical damage by a fixed percentage.
– Grants access to the special skill Iron Wall Defense.
– Defense rises as health depletes.

Damn….
Look at these options.

“With specs like this, I’d be satisfied even if you’d sent 300 materials, Manager.”
“I know, right? But whose work is this?”

That’s our Rani’s handiwork.
See that there?
An artisan at the pinnacle of skill—it says so right there.
This armor was forged by a Worker who’s about to reach the Highest Rank. We should be thrilled with it.

“Ralph? If I get a chance to meet him later, I’d love to hear his impression of all this.”

Well, it’s unlikely we’ll cross paths again, but….
Anyway, I need to wrap up this commission first.
I’ll send you the items, so take them and use them well.

* * *

Ding!
[The items you commissioned have arrived.]

“What? Already?!”

No way.
Huewoong took three days.
I figured this one would take about the same….
Why did it get here so fast?
If I’d known this, I wouldn’t have gone into the tower today!
I was actually a bit disappointed too.

“Wow….”

The moment I received the items, my mind went completely blank.
Insane….
This looks amazing at first glance, right?
Maybe even better than Huewoong?
Damn….

“The Manager really is something….”

That’s right.
They sent 174 materials!
They really put in the effort!
Could it be that they even…?

“Kkwalkwal…? Ugh.”

Tsk.
No….
I mean, I kind of expected it, but still. Feels disappointing all over again.
Last time I made peace with it.
They didn’t send that many materials back then….
But this time, what?!
They sent 174 materials.

“Sigh….”

Maybe it’s because it’s the second time?
I feel like I’m getting used to it somehow….
That’s right.
This is the Manager’s style, after all.
This kind of feel?

“How is the world’s number-one-ranked item named Kkwalkwal….”

If I told anyone else, they’d think I was joking.
The name is that ridiculous….

[Huewoong]

Is that why?
Actually, it builds my confidence.
If the name had sounded fancier, I might’ve felt uneasy instead….

“Since the name’s underwhelming, the performance has to be absolutely phenomenal, right?

Manager, I’m counting on you?
My heart racing, I scrolled through the options.
And the result?

“Insane….”

No, wait.
How do I even describe this.
Genuinely, brutally sturdy armor?
It felt exactly like what I’d wanted.
The problem was….

“If armor’s too rigid, it gets uncomfortable to wear….”

Then again, can’t satisfy everything.
You have to make some sacrifices.
If the defense is at this level?
A little discomfort is worth enduring.
That’s what I thought, so I tried putting it on….

“Insane, it feels like I’m not even wearing anything?”

World Ranking Number One: Ralph Carter.
He has money to match.
All those clothes called luxury brands?
So many I couldn’t count them all.
Just looking at the closet is overwhelming….

“How is this possible? This armor clings to my body better than any piece of clothing.”

The Manager, truly.
Yes.
This is a luxury item.
This is a legendary artifact.

“You can feel the craftsmanship just looking at it…. I’d wager this ranks among the finest items the Manager has ever created?”

Could there be another like this?
No way….
That’s impossible.

* * *

Thump, bang, thump, bang.

“Worker Rani, you’ve got a really serious look on your face.”
“Right? I think this is the first time I’ve seen her like that.”
“Wasser too, first time!”

Rani’s defining trait.
Always bright and cheerful.
Same when making items.
Even after hammering away a whole week until exhausted, her expression stayed radiant…, but this time?

Thump, thud, thump, thud.

The sound of a goofy grin?
No such thing.
She wasn’t making any sound at all in the first place.
The power of concentration, perhaps.
In any case, it was remarkable.
Everyone was watching in admiration when it happened.

Flash!

“Huh?”

Light blazed out from Rani at the center.
This usually meant something was about to change.

Ding!
[A Crafting Worker breaks through the limit.]
[The accumulated experience points have reached their maximum threshold.]
[Conditions met.]
[The Worker’s Rank increases.]
[Rani (Advanced Rank) → Rani (Highest Rank)]

“Unbelievable… is this really happening?”

Well, it was about time, I suppose.
It was only a few days ago that Rani said she could rank up.
And in between?
She’d already crafted two quality items.
Using materials exclusively from the 61st floor and beyond.
And on top of that….

‘Hmm… I need to make more things like Huewoong. But wait! If I craft something even prettier, I can rank up so fast! For that, I’ll need loads and loads of materials!’

That’s what she’d said before.
Loads and loads of materials….
Right.
She had taken quite a lot.
Nearly half of what she’d received from Ralph had disappeared.
Now that I think about it, it does seem like enough to deserve a rank increase.

“Manager, did Bokdeong just get promoted?”
“Yeah… Rani’s rank just went up.”
“Bokdeong is Highest Rank now?”
“Yep.”
“Heh heh, that’s quite an accomplishment.”
“Right? A Highest Rank Crafting Worker, Rani. Just thinking about it is insane, isn’t it?”

She’d managed several commissions even at Advanced Rank….
And now she’s Highest Rank?
I can’t help but be excited.
And the first thing she’s crafting after becoming Highest Rank is for me, of all people.
Suddenly I’m really looking forward to this.
What if I end up getting an incredible weapon?
To fight with in the Dungeon from now on?

“Tada! Rani’s been making something for the Manager!”

Oh wow.
It’s done.
Let me see what we’ve got.
A legendary weapon….

“Huh?”
“Ta-da! Here we go!”
“This is a Safety Helmet and a Megaphone, Manager.”

Right.
I can see that too….

* * *

Rani had reached Highest Rank at last.
What were the items she’d crafted for the first time?
Hi Slime, and the Megaphone.

“Wow…. She brought two of them….”
“Yeah! Rani worked super hard to make them for the Manager!”

I know that much.
We all watched her do it.
She didn’t even breathe—just stayed focused the whole time.
But….
Why did she put so much effort into Hi Slime and the Megaphone…?

“Isn’t it great? Isn’t it! Please praise Rani!”

Sigh.
Never mind.
What does it matter.
She’s so happy about it.

“Thanks. Yeah, there’s no one like my Rani.”
“Yay! That’s right! Rani’s a lucky charm!”

I nodded, and she bounced up and down with glee.
What’s next?
She lifted the Safety Helmet high with both hands.

“Manager, over here!”
“You’re going to put it on me?”
“Yep! I’m going to adjust the straps!”
“Well, thanks then.”

A Safety Helmet, of all things.
Sigh.
So I’m wearing this again.
On job sites, I found it so awkward I’d slip it off whenever I could….

“Huh? What is it. Is it fitted properly?”
“Yeah! I made it to fit perfectly!”

Even if it fits perfectly, that’s….
Does it really feel this strange?
No, wait.
Is she messing with me?
I reached up and touched my head, and—clunk.
What the….
There really is something there?

“This one too!”
“Oh, a megaphone? I should pick it up.”

I took it.
Huh?
This one also fits my hand perfectly.

“So that’s why everyone was always so satisfied when they got something Rani made….”
“Hehe!”

The fit is absolutely insane.

“Rani, honestly I wanted to make Feet Pong too…. But it takes way too many materials, so I couldn’t….”

And she calls that holding back?
Half the materials disappeared just like that.
Rani.
Your hands aren’t too big or anything….
Well, at least the options should be decent, right?
Let me check them out first.

“Rani, is this called Pong Pong?”
“No way! Manager’s Piece!”
“There’s two of them?”
“Yep! The two are friends! And when I make Feet Pong later, that’ll be their friend too!”

What kind of set menu is this?

“The boss got all excited too.”
“…….”
“Heh, quite a nice name indeed.”

Ugh, you lot.
You can see you’re secretly hoping for something.
But I’m fine with it.
Our Rani worked hard to make these, so you’re all being too harsh.

“That’s right!”

Of course, the materials that went into this are practically….
Ugh.
No, never mind.
Thinking about it makes me dizzy, so let’s skip over it.
Anyway, the name is Manager’s Piece….
So what about the options?

[Manager’s Piece]
– A masterwork created by a master craftsman who has perfected their art, made for one person.
– Grants vitality to Workers through the Manager’s encouragement.
– Special skill “Today is Early Quitting!” available for use.
– Should other equipment be added later, new abilities can be unlocked.

Oh….
So it’s a buff item?
Speaking of which, other equipment….

“Rani, you’re not planning to make stuff like a safety vest later, right?
“Huh? Do you want one?! Rani can make it!”
“No, please don’t do that….”

If I put on a vest too, I’ll feel obligated to show up for work….
Still, I’m curious.
What exactly will she make for me later?
I asked casually.

“Hand Pong! Feet Pong! What they are is a secret!”

That’s all she ever says.
Hmm.
Feet Pong, so….
It won’t be safety boots, will it.
Ah, no way.

“But I’m already holding a Megaphone in my hand right now—do I have to use Hand Pong too?”
“Um… this one’s a whirrr, and that one’s a pong!”
“They’re different? Wasser thinks they look the same.”
“No! They’re different!”

What’s the difference….
I have no idea.
Still, whatever.
I’ll figure it out when I see it later.
First, let me check what I actually received.

“Vitality Bestowal, and then there’s a skill.”

Today is Early Quitting!
Now that’s a skill that screams Manager material, no matter who looks at it.
What does it do?
I’m curious….

“Manager, is it dangerous?”

Right.
Going into a Dungeon is dangerous.
Sometimes I even have to psych myself up to venture into the Labyrinth….
And a Dungeon or a Tower?
The monsters will be trying their hardest to kill me.
But if there’s somewhere I have to go anyway?

“Sounds good. Let’s test it right away in the Labyrinth.

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