Here's an Opportunity
Chapter 34: Fruition (2)

Chapter 34: Fruition (2)

"Appraisal."

[Sharp Longsword (E) +1]

A longsword with increased cutting power when mana is infused

The skill 'Reinforcement' has enhanced its degree of completion

Effect 1: Cutting power increases by 5%

Effect 2: Strength +2

"Ooooh!"

A second effect had been added.

After confirming that the weapon had been successfully reinforced, they all unconsciously let out a cheer.

Kim Ki-Rok brought out a line that he had prepared in advance in order to motivate the excited Kang Woo-Hyuk.

"Mister Kang Woo-Hyuk," Kim Ki-Rok began.

Startled out of his excitement, he responded, "Ah! Yes?"

"Please make sure to raise your skill class. According to my suspicions, as Reinforcement's class rises, the generated stats will probably increase in value, or perhaps..." Kim Ki-Rok trailed off suggestively.

Kang Woo-Hyuk swallowed a dry gulp with a look of tension and anticipation on his face as he considered the possibilities hiding behind his skill.

"When you used your skill and were staring down at the longsword with wide eyes... did you happen to feel or see something at that moment?" Kim Ki-Rok questioned.

"Oh? Ah. Yes. When I used my skill, I could see that parts of the longsword were glowing blue. Then I got the feeling that I needed to smooth out those glowing patches," Kang Woo-Hyuk recalled.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded to himself. "So that's how it works. In that case, as the class of your skill rises, the number of times you can apply Reinforcement on the same item might increase, or the area covered by the blue glow might expand. Though the former is more likely."

Everyone present was excited by the potential possibilities.

"Let's hope for an increase in the number of reinforcements."

"I don't know, increasing the effect of Reinforcement also sounds good. "

"Both would be even more amazing."

"It's unbearable to imagine such a good skill."

Kim Ki-Rok clapped his hands together to regain everyone's attention.

"Well then, shall we begin heading back now?" Kim Ki-Rok suggested. "With the successful acquisition of Reinforcement, we've finally achieved our goal of evolving Kang Woo-Hyuk's ability, and we've also prepared enough materials to raise Reinforcement's skill level even further."

So the expedition was finally over. This meant that they no longer needed to spend their days eating and sleeping within the Gate.

For some reason, however, everyone seemed disappointed. It seemed that the temptation of Reinforcement truly was unbearable.

"Ah... As for the Five Siblings of Mapogu Team, we've scheduled the signing of your contract for tomorrow morning, so please make sure to arrive at the DG Guild by 11 a.m.," Kim Ki-Rok politely requested.

The Five Siblings of Mapogu had already been planning to join the DG Guild, but after witnessing Kang Woo-Hyuk's unique awakened skill, Reinforcement, all doubts had been vanquished. And so, they immediately followed up with enthusiastic responses.

"Yes!"

"We'll run all the way there if we have to!"

"Let's just go and sign the contract right now."

***

Kang Woo-Hyuk, who had wasted years of his youth in a black workshop, felt an immense gratitude toward Kim Ki-Rok who had saved him from that hell. As such, he swore never to forget this huge favor he owed. Even if everyone were to turn against Kim Ki-Rok, he would always have faith in his Guildmaster.

Kang Woo-Hyuk vowed to keep this promise no matter what. He wouldn't waver even if he was offered contracts with irresistible sums of money. Even if he were kidnapped by Awakened criminals, he would still refuse to use his Reinforcement skill for them, no matter how much he was tortured or threatened.

I need to make sure to keep him safe, Kim Ki-Rok reminded himself.

It was still the same evening, after they had returned from their expedition.

Kim Ki-Rok, who had just put Kim Ji-Hee to bed, sat alone in his office chair and began to ponder, "For now, should I try to rope in the Shine Guild and the Hunters Association...?"

Kang Woo-Hyuk was the only person who would ever acquire Reinforcement. Once Kang Woo-Hyuk's reinforced equipment was released to the wider public, rumors would inevitably begin to spread about its source.

The problem was that the current DG Guild was incapable of protecting Kang Woo-Hyuk from all threats. That was why Kim Ki-Rok had been considering getting the Shine Guild and the Hunters Association involved in some kind of deal.

With the Hunters Association being as large as it was, there were naturally numerous factions vying for control of it, but they should all be able to recognize the value in this single individual who possessed Reinforcement. They would have no choice but to put aside their differences and protect Kang Woo-Hyuk.

That should be enough to prevent any conflicts with other guilds and deter actions from Awakened criminals.

Of course, once Kang Woo-Hyuk's existence became public knowledge, there would be countless attempts to seduce him away, but as long as his physical safety was guaranteed, attempts were all that that would amount to...

Kim Ki-Rok frowned. "On second thought, should I just keep him hidden?"

In his prior Attempts, Kang Woo-Hyuk had only been recruited by Kim Ki-Rok once he had already managed to accumulate some strength in order to protect him from the other guilds and Awakened criminals.

Even during times when he had no choice but to recruit Kang Woo-Hyuk before the time was right, Kim Ki-Rok had made sure to develop his ability at a very slow pace. This time, however, it had been quite a bit faster than usual.

"It should be possible to keep things under wraps for three months at the very least..." Kim Ki-Rok quietly muttered.

Contrary to video game logic, a piece of equipment wouldn't suddenly become visually different just because it had been reinforced. One would only be able to confirm the effects of Reinforcement through Appraisal.

So they had at least three months, and if they were careful enough, they should be able to keep the secret hidden for up to half a year.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded firmly. "Well then. For now, let's plan for the next half of the year."

During that period of time, he would need to make sure his guild grew very quickly. Kim Ki-Rok would need to increase the number of Hunters within the guild, and for each of these prospective members, he would need to make plans to strengthen the abilities they had awakened with.

I also need to ensure my own growth.

With Lee Ji-Yeon's help, he would be able to increase his strength as an Elementalist, and with the help of Kang Woo-Hyuk, his equipment would also be strengthened.

"Alright, alright." Kim Ki-Rok softly sighed. "I've made my decision."

Putting away the notes that he had called up with Record, he got out of his seat and stretched. "I guess I should get started on the next stage of my plans in a week's time."

[The Time Rabbit asks, "Are you already starting to prepare for that?"]

After reading this message from the Time Rabbit who had finally reappeared after a long absence, Kim Ki-Rok nodded.

"That's right. After all, it would be better to get that finished as soon as possible."

He was talking about a Gate that had a level limit of twenty or lower.

During his previous Attempts, the Gate had been kept hidden from the outside world, so no one had managed to notice its existence until the Break had occurred.

[The Time Rabbit asks, "Isn't there still a lot of time left until the Break?"]

"Things are progressing faster than expected, so I have a bit of time to handle it," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

Unlike his previous lives where he had only gone looking for Kang Woo-Hyuk after The Black Mountain Range Break Incident was over, he had recruited Kang Woo-Hyuk first this time before intervening in the Mapo District Break Incident.

[The Time Rabbit nods. "Well, the reward for the Gate is pretty nice, so it would be a good way to kill some time."]

"That's right," Kim Ki-Rok agreed. "Though it will be quite the thrilling way to kill some time."

***

Kang Woo-Hyuk was on his way back to the guild after greeting his teachers in the Shine Guild.

"Ahaha, popular song lyrics, popular song lyrics~♪" Kang Woo-Hyuk sang, in a very good mood. "Lyrics to a popular song~♪"[1]

The people around him were staring at him with a strange look in their eyes, but Kang Woo-Hyuk just kept walking briskly even as his shoulders shook in a little dance.

His giddiness was understandable.

As if he had built up karma during all those years wasted in that black workshop connected to Awakened criminals, Kang Woo-Hyuk had received an incredible skill.

He couldn't stop humming to himself, "The DG Guild is..."

Paradise.

"The Guildmaster is..."

A god.

And Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Ji-Hee were the two angels.

If Kang Woo-Hyuk hadn't met Kim Ki-Rok, he would probably still be stuck laboring for that exploitative workshop, and he might never have known about the existence of Reinforcement.

Although, if he had kept steadily producing pieces of equipment, it was possible that his skill might have eventually evolved. When he considered the nature of the black workshop, however, he would rather not have his skill unsealed.

At some point, Kang Woo-Hyuk found himself standing in front of a huge building with a sign hanging down the front that read: DG Guild.

Kang Woo-Hyuk stopped for a few moments to stare up at that sign before clenching his fists tightly.

"When I die, my bones will be buried in the DG Guild," Kang Woo-Hyuk vowed.

Similar thoughts had crossed his mind when he first joined the DG Guild after escaping the black workshop. This in itself was already a huge blessing, but the salary that he received was also very high and the benefits were great. While lost in thought, he suddenly heard a familiar female voice calling him from the opposite direction.

"Ah! Mr. Woo-Hyuk!"

He saw the Mapogu team walking over toward him, with Yoo Seh-Eun waving her hands in the air and calling out to him, "Good morning!"

Kang Woo-Hyuk returned the greeting, "Ah, good morning, Miss Seh-Eun. And to the rest of you... huh? Where is Mister Man-Kook?"

As Kang Woo-Hyuk tilted his head to the side in curiosity, the four siblings quickly scanned their surroundings. They looked flustered with a hint of resignation, as if this was a common occurrence for them.

Before too long, they spotted Jeong Man-Kook standing in front of the fish-shaped pastry[2] vendor across the street.

"Ah, the poor store owner... He looks flustered."

"Just how much is he planning to order this time..."

"Well, at least he's properly paying for it."

The store owner poured all of his pastries into a bag with a bright smile on his face.

Jeong Man-Kook had just bought an entire tray of pastries and was waiting to cross the street, already sampling his purchases. It was very fitting for a glutton like him to have awakened the skill Calorie Buff.

"Isn't that way too hot?" Kang Woo-Hyuk voiced his concern.

Yoo Seh-Eun just nodded. "I know, right?"

The giant man across the street was stuffing the carp-shaped pastries into his mouth without even letting them cool down.

"Wow! He's actually swallowing one every five seconds," Kang Woo-Hyuk marveled.

Jeong Man-Kook was practically inhaling them at this point.

As the traffic lights changed, Jeong Man-Kook tore a carp in half as he quickly strode across the crosswalk.

"Good morning," Jeong Man-Kook bowed his head and greeted Kang Woo-Hyuk, all while hiding his bag of bread behind his back.

"Hey, give me one of those," one of his siblings demanded.

"Get lost." Jeong Man-Kook rudely brushed them off.

"Hey, you can at least spare just one," the same person complained.

In response to all of his siblings staring daggers into the bag, Jeong Man-Kook just pointed to the store across the street. He was obviously gesturing for them to go buy it themselves, but also to buy some for him as well, if they were going to go.

After sharing a hearty laugh, the Five Siblings of Mapogu and Kang Woo-Hyuk headed toward the entrance of the DG Guild. Passing through the automatic doors, they entered the building and quickly boarded the elevator.

Last night, upon leaving the Gate, they had had a light after-party meal. Just before they parted ways, their Guildmaster, Kim Ki-Rok, had asked them to visit him in the Guildmaster's office when they came in to work tomorrow morning.

In the Guildmaster's office, Kim Ji-Hee was sitting on a sofa, watching TV while hugging a stuffed rabbit.

"Ah! It's Ji-Hee!" Yoo Seh-Eun and Lee Ji-Ah cried out as they happily approached the young girl. "Did our dear Ji-Hee sleep well?"

Kim Ji-Hee was so absorbed, she only just realized that she should have greeted them when they entered, so she got up from her seat and bowed toward them.

"Yeeees. Good morning."

The girls of the Mapogu Team just smiled and asked.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes!" Kim Ji-Hee cheerfully responded.

"What did you eat?"

She answered proudly, "Beef Wadish Soup!"

"Don't you mean Beef Radish Soup?"

"Yeeees! Wadish Soup!"

Yoo Seh-Eun and Lee Ji-Ah took turns trying to correct Kim Ji-Hee's pronunciation.

"Ra."

"Ra."

"Dish."

"Dish."

"Beef radish soup."

"Beef... Wadish! Soup!"

A smile naturally formed on all of their faces as they took in this peaceful and happy slice of life.

One of the siblings asked Kim Ji-Hee, "Where is the Guildmaster?"

"Mister is in the toilet."

As expected, Kim Ki-Rok wasn't the type of person to leave Kim Ji-Hee alone for long periods of time.

So the Five Siblings of Mapogu and Kang Woo-Hyuk sat down on the sofa as they leisurely waited for the Guildmaster to return.

Soon, the faint sound of the elevator door opening was heard, along with the accompanying sound of footsteps. As soon as the door opened, everyone who had been waiting in the Guildmaster's office stood up to greet Kim Ki-Rok.

Kim Ki-Rok waved them back down. "Please, sit down. It's not like we're that kind of organization.

After Kim Ki-Rok entered the office accompanied by Lee Ji-Yeon, he placed the plastic bags that he was holding in both hands on the table in between the two pairs of sofas.

"You brought snacks!" Kim Ji-Hee eagerly noticed.

"That's right." Kim Ki-Rok smiled. "I did buy some snacks."

"Yeeeah!" she let out an excited cheer.

Yoo Seh-Eun and Lee Ji-Ah helped Kim Ji-Hee take the snacks and drinks out from the bags and spread them across the table.

"Weren't you just coming back from the toilet?" Kang Seh-Hyuk asked, popping open his favorite brand of potato chips.

"Since we'll be talking for quite some time, I thought that it would be good to have something to eat as we discussed, so I quickly dropped by the convenience store," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

Kim Ki-Rok took back his previously-held spot on the sofa and made Kim Ji-Hee, who had taken over his spot, sit on his lap.

Then, after munching on a few of his favorite brand of cookies, Kim Ki-Rok suggested, "Well then, should we just start talking as we eat?"

1. Yes, really. Instead of using actual song lyrics, the author used this instead. ☜

2. A Korean street snack in the shape of a fish, usually filled with red bean paste. ☜