The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 117

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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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Yeo Joo Saves the World – Episode 117

“Wow.”
The shield, with its icy gleam cascading like silk, was so beautiful it was almost frightening to touch.
Especially as the cloth fell away completely, the cold aura that burst forth made the shield before my eyes feel less like a mere hunk of metal and more like something alive and breathing.
“I crafted it to match Jang Su Ho’s physique, so there should be no discomfort in using it.”
“Hmm.”
Had I ever mentioned that this shield was for Jang Su Ho?
It seemed he really was watching our dungeon clear broadcasts.
“Here is the certificate of authenticity.”
“Oh my, yes, yes.”
My gaze had been captivated by the shield once more, so I quickly accepted the paper Jung Je Hwa was offering.

[ Eternal Frost Iron Shield (A-Rank)
: A specially crafted shield designed for both defense and offense, reflecting the properties of Eternal Frost Iron.
Craftsman – Workshop Sugar ]

It was crafted to A-Rank to match Jang Su Ho’s grade, and the way it showcased the Eternal Frost Iron material was exquisite.
I was absolutely delighted.
Truly, the Master is something else.
My head couldn’t stop bobbing like a roly-poly doll as I felt a surge of pride.
“Do you like it?”
Nevertheless, Jung Je Hwa remained focused on gauging my reaction.
“Boss, if you create a masterpiece like this and then ask if I like it… I could tell you a hundred times, a thousand times over. It’s absolutely stunning, genuinely magnificent.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.”
“From earrings to the gloves last time, and now a shield. Is there anything you can’t make, boss?”
“Hmm… I’m generally confident with accessories. Now that you mention it, I’ve never actually made shoes before. Since we’re on the subject…”
“Oh, shoes sound great.”
“What is your shoe size, Yeo Joo?”
“Me? I wear a size 235… Wait?”
“Let me take a look for a moment.”
It happened in the blink of an eye.
Jung Je Hwa had me sit in the chair at the Secret Workshop, then knelt on one knee and removed my shoes.
Well, I’m not someone with smelly feet, at least!
“Hmm. Your foot is narrow and your heel is on the smaller side.”
Jung Je Hwa’s large hands were kneading various points across my foot.
This feels rather refreshing, actually.
When I stopped resisting and sat quietly, Jung Je Hwa smiled at me approvingly, his eyes crinkling with warmth.
“Your ankles seem a bit weak, so I think shoes that are light but provide good support would be ideal.”
“Oh. You can make them like that?”
“Shoes weren’t really a field I took interest in before, but if it’s for Yeo Joo, it seems like it could be quite enjoyable.”
“…You’re looking pretty cool right now, boss. Like a true master craftsman.”
“That’s the highest compliment.”
After that, Jung Je Hwa examined my feet a bit more before fitting the shoes back on me.
I wondered if I deserved such treatment from the Master.
“The shoes will take some time, but I have a gift for Yeo Joo today.”
“Huh? For me?”
“Yes, for Yeo Joo.”
Jung Je Hwa, who had mimicked my speech pattern in an oddly charming way, returned to his workbench and came back with a small box.
“Open it.”
His voice carried even more anticipation than when he’d shown me the shield earlier.
‘Oh, I need to react properly to this.’
With that thought, I opened the box, but there was no need to feign enthusiasm.
My gasp of wonder was entirely genuine.
“Wow. A necklace that fits my taste exactly like this….”
“It suits Yeo Joo’s preferences, doesn’t it?”
“Yes! I’d believe it even if you said you designed it! It’s truly beautiful!”
A small black gemstone, no larger than a pinky nail, was embedded in the necklace, glimmering brilliantly under the workshop’s light.
The design was simple and unobtrusive, yet elegant enough to complement any outfit.
“Yeo Joo is someone who enters Dungeons. Ideally, I’d want to stop you, but I can’t. This necklace will protect you.”
“Protect me? Me?”
Confused by Jung Je Hwa’s explanation, I searched the small box for a certificate of authenticity that should be there somewhere.
All items he created always came with one.
But the box was empty.
Reading my intention, Jung Je Hwa spoke up.
“There’s no certificate. I’m hoping Yeo Joo will never need to rely on this necklace’s power.”
“Ah, I see what you mean.”
But I had the Appraisal skill, so this was meaningless anyway.
I examined the necklace once more while opening the information window.

[ Necklace of Absolute Defense ( S )
: Blocks all physical and non-physical attacks directed at the wearer once.
Craftsman – Master ]

“…Oh.”
Should I be amazed by the description of absolute defense that blocks all attacks?
Or is it the fact that it’s an S-rank necklace?
Or perhaps the fact that “Master” is boldly emblazoned as the creator’s name?
There are so many points of amazement that I can’t even properly process my shock.
‘Come to think of it, hasn’t it been ages since I’ve seen an item with Master’s name on it?’
Jung Je Hwa had already stopped using the name “Master” for several years now.
Just as all the items he’d created for the Justice Guild during that time had been made under the name “Workshop Sugar”.
Yet on the necklace he gifted to me, he’d boldly inscribed the three letters of Master.
“Truly, truly, truly, I love it. Thank you so much, boss.”
An S-rank absolute defense necklace with Master’s name engraved on it.
This is something you couldn’t buy no matter how much money you had.
In that sense, my gratitude toward Jung Je Hwa was one hundred percent pure.
*Ding-*
It was Jung Je Hwa himself who gave the gift.
Yet with just one word of thanks from me, his favorability toward me increased.

《 ♥ 27 : Muse 》

This man who gives so generously, like a giving tree.
“Let me put it on for you.”
Jung Je Hwa took the necklace from my hand and stepped behind me.
He carefully gathered my hair to one side, sweeping it gently away.
As the delicate necklace and another person’s fingertips brushed against the skin of my neck, tickling me, Jung Je Hwa spoke near my ear.
“You are a very important person to me, Yeo Joo.”
His voice was so low it sent shivers down my spine.
“So please be careful so that this necklace won’t need to be used.”
As his words ended, the black jewel settled with a soft click above my collarbone.
Reassuring.
Is this what it feels like to wear a bulletproof vest?
No, since it blocks even non-physical attacks, it’s far better than a bulletproof vest.
Well then, well then.
As I nodded and touched the necklace, I remembered something I’d momentarily forgotten.
“Ah, this is probably too modest to call a gift in return for the necklace, but…”
I retrieved the red flower I’d picked from Im Chung Soo’s Greenhouse last time from my Subspace.
“This is a Dungeon plant called Ascarabas? It has a nice fragrance and apparently has a slight awakening effect.”
Jung Je Hwa silently accepted the flower I offered.
But there was no need to worry anxiously whether he was displeased with it.
*Ding-*

《 ♥ 28 : MUSE 》

The affinity gauge was speaking for me.
“Since it’s a Dungeon plant, it probably won’t wilt easily. They say its life force is so strong that even if you break it, it grows back within a few hours.”
“It’s a flower that resembles you, Yeo Joo.”
With those words, Jung Je Hwa smiled softly and filled a handleless mug with water, then set down the Ascavas in it.
It was on the table in the center of the Secret Workshop where the light shone brightest.
I was blinking, wondering if such a humble flower I’d given could really belong in such a place.
He lowered his head and inhaled the fragrance of the Ascavas once.
Then, with a deep smile as resonant as the crimson flower’s scent that vibrated throughout the space, he spoke.
“Please return safely.”
Jung Je Hwa gently caressed the red petals as he made his request of me.

* * *

“Jang Su Ho! Where are you, Jang Su Ho!”
The moment I returned to the Justice Guild, I stepped into the Training Facility and called out.
But there was no answer.
Still, there was no need to search around aimlessly.
It would be dinner time soon, so where Jang Su Ho would be was obvious.
As expected.
I found Jang Su Ho in the Physical Training Room, earbuds in his ears, working out.
I walked to a spot where he could see me clearly so as not to startle him, then waved my hand in front of his face.
“Yeo Joo!”
“Jang Su Ho, I’m going to interrupt your workout for a moment.”
“Yeah, yeah. What’s up? Are you hungry? Want to grab something to eat?”
“Do you think I’m always hungry? Well, I am a bit peckish, but that’s not the important thing.”
I calmed down Jang Su Ho, who had half-thrown down his equipment in excitement, and asked.
“How’s your training going?”
“Well… I’m just working hard at it.”
His voice trailed off at the end of his answer.
This pitiful guy.
“Don’t worry. If things get tough, the Guild Master can fry things up for you like last time, right?”
“That’s true.”
He laughed along with my joke, but his smile was still uncharacteristically weak.
I took a few steps back and gestured to him.
“Come over here for a moment.”
Jang Su Ho didn’t ask why and simply stood up from the equipment, positioning himself in front of me.
“Your body is already in great shape, so try training with this now.”
With those words, I opened a Subspace and pulled out a shield.
Even though my awakening had significantly improved my strength, I couldn’t help but grunt at the weight, my body swaying slightly under the shield’s heft.
“What… is this?”
Jang Su Ho’s eyes widened as he stared at the shield, which maintained its lustrous finish even here in the Physical Training Room.
“Your current shield is too worn and dented all over. This is a new one to replace it.”
Come on, hurry up and let that affection meter rise!
But the sound I’d been anticipating never came—only silence.
Never in my life did I think I’d find myself waiting for that particular chime.
It seemed my explanation was insufficient.
“Look, look. Don’t you feel the cold emanating from it?”
“Mm…”
“Remember that eternal cold iron we got from the Dungeon last time? I made this from that. It’s going to be incredibly helpful for conquering the Flame Dungeon.”
“It really does seem like it…”
Jang Su Ho was clearly captivated by the shield.
Yet despite his eyes never leaving it, his hands remained at his sides, unable to touch it.
Jung Je Hwa’s craftsmanship was indeed artistry, but this wasn’t an art gallery.
It wasn’t meant to be appreciated by sight alone.
Unable to bear it any longer, I grabbed Jang Su Ho’s hand and placed it on the shield.
“See these blades running along the bottom and sides? You don’t just use your shield for defense. I specifically requested this design so you could use it for offense too. And this handle here…”
“You requested this?”
“Of course. The craftsman who made it is skilled, sure, but I know your combat style better than anyone. That’s why I gave input on the design from the start and paid close attention to every detail.”
That was when it happened.
Ding-
Finally, the sound I’d been waiting for arrived.
Jang Su Ho, you’ve finally fallen for the charm of eternal cold iron…
“You… made this shield for me? Thinking of me?”
…Something about his focus seems to be missing the point entirely.

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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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