Chapter 57: Night Blacksmith (2)
Sangho stared at the message in front of his eyes, doubting it and then doubting it again. He even thought—
“Jinwoo, is your Trait by any chance hypnosis, not Necromancer or Swordsman?”
“What are you talking about?”
“A Divine Avatar contract came, and from the Blacksmith Constellation, no less—”
Jinwoo pretended not to notice and quietly smiled as he watched the chat window.
‘Julian, when did you send the contract request?’
(Last Night Blacksmith): It felt just like looking at myself, so I ended up sending a request before I knew it. The talent and passion were more than enough; I wanted to teach him. Back in my homeland, there was no heir.
That meant he wanted to make Sangho his heir on Earth.
(Last Night Blacksmith): Jinwoo, please don’t be too upset. I’ll drop by your stream more often.
(Anonymous 1): There’s not much to do with a Divine Avatar contract anyway. Just give a couple skills, sometimes send advice by message. I have too much time on my hands.
(Last Night Blacksmith): That’s true. Jinwoo, so I’ll come to your stream more often from now on.
＊ All right, and what’s there to be upset about? You did great.
Jinwoo watched Sangho’s childlike joy as he accepted the contract.
Just seeing him like that made Jinwoo smile.
“Jinwoo! Jinwoo! I made a contract! With a Constellation!”
*****
Jinwoo sincerely congratulated him.
He was even looking forward to what kind of weapons Sangho and Julian would create together.
“Congrats, hyung.”
“Ahaha! Thanks, thank you Jinwoo, really, thank you!”
“What are you thanking me for? What’s there to thank?”
“You’re the Anonymous Hunter, aren’t you?”
…Wait a second.
“What?”
(Anonymous 1): What the * is this?
(God of Rain and Sunlight): Julian, did you spill it? Did you tell him?
(Last Night Blacksmith): I haven’t sent a single message! I swear! Would I really tell today’s newly contracted Divine Avatar about Jinwoo, who’s basically my benefactor? Never!
Julian protested earnestly.
(Chungha’s Receiver): …Then how does he know about Jinwoo’s identity?
(Endless Waiting): This is strange, really strange.
(Liberated Swordsman): Honestly, it’s only natural to suspect Julian in this situation.
(Last Night Blacksmith): It hasn’t even been a minute since we made the contract! How could I reveal Jinwoo’s identity!
(Father of Crops): That does make sense… Hmm.
(Last Night Blacksmith): You guys, you guys! Are you really doubting your friend!
(Anonymous 1): Now that he says it, he really does seem innocent.
(Last Night Blacksmith): I’m innocent! I do not turn grace into resentment!
“Julian, calm down. I believe you.”
Jinwoo turned to Sangho. This time, his gaze was no longer playful. When Sangho saw Jinwoo’s serious eyes, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
I did confirm it… but I didn’t have proof, so I was just fishing. But seeing your reaction, I guess I was right.
There was no hiding it now.
“How did you know?”
“Yesterday. Remember the terror incident in Andong?”
“I remember.”
“That’s when I figured it out.”
Jinwoo recalled yesterday.
“…Black Order, right?”
“You summoned someone, didn’t you?”
So he saw that.
Jinwoo had secretly summoned Eric, making sure to use Stealth and even High-Speed Movement to get somewhere without people.
But Sangho had seen it.
“At first, I thought maybe I was seeing things. I didn’t want to doubt you, so I pretended not to notice. But after seeing the news article today, I was sure.”
This morning’s article.
A mid-sized, well-known guild—A1 Guild—was wiped out.
They were a villain group who, using a prophecy-type Hunter, tracked down the Anonymous Hunter’s location and moved in, only to be found dead.
That was the content of the article.
“The place where the Anonymous Hunter was? Andong. And you summoned someone there. The villains died as soon as that person vanished. I was sure you were the Anonymous Hunter.”
“Ack—”
(Last Night Blacksmith): It’s not my fault! I didn’t say anything! Jinwoo was just being reckless! How could you doubt me! I thought we were friends, how could you!
Julian filled the chat with his indignant protests.
(Anonymous 1): Sorry, sorry. I’m sorry.
(Endless Waiting): Sorry, please forgive us.
(Chungha’s Receiver): Sorry for doubting you…
(Father of Crops): I didn’t doubt you.
(Liberated Swordsman): Sorry.
(God of Rain and Sunlight): Sorry, please forgive us.
(Last Night Blacksmith): …Fine, I’ll forgive you just this once.
Thinking about it, if Julian didn’t forgive the Constellations watching Jinwoo’s stream, he’d have no friends left.
So Julian decided to be generous and forgave the Constellations.
“Anyway… There’s a reason you keep it secret, right? I’ll keep that secret. And, I think the Constellation found me thanks to you. I don’t know how, but maybe you’ve got a Constellation backing you too.”
Sangho spoke without his usual playful look.
Jinwoo nodded vaguely. He figured it was better to just say he made a contract with a Constellation.
“Hyung, you’ll keep my secret, right?”
“Of course. Anyway, you’re my benefactor. And I know you’re not a bad guy.”
Honestly, if he really thought about it…
He knew Jinwoo wasn’t just not a bad person, but truly a good one. Even so, the thought of Jinwoo maybe summoning something to kill him if he didn’t keep the secret flashed through Sangho’s mind.
That worry made Sangho all the more determined to keep the secret.
Jinwoo could read that concern faintly in Sangho’s eyes. The kind of expression and look only seen in those who are always anxious or worried.
To Jinwoo, who had lived his whole life in anxiety and worry, it was a very familiar look.
“You’re curious why I hide my identity, aren’t you?”
“…Huh? No, I’m not curious.”
He said he wasn’t, out of fear of being wiped out by a summoned being, but his eyes were honest. Sangho’s pupils darted, clearly curious.
Jinwoo spoke honestly to Sangho.
That he was a terminal patient suffering from mana addiction, and he just wanted to live a peaceful life with Byeol and the spirits, free from troublesome entanglements—that’s why he hid his identity.
And so, there was now another person who knew Jinwoo was a terminal patient.
As a fellow father, Sangho could empathize with Jinwoo’s words. At last, all his questions were answered. Jinwoo, who lived in a camping car with his daughter, traveling the country, leaving behind an empty house.
Why would Jinwoo, who shook the world and accomplished so much, hide his identity?
But if Jinwoo was a terminal patient…
“Now it all makes sense. I would have done the same.”
Just then, a message from Julian arrived for Sangho.
[Constellation Last Night Blacksmith leaves a message for his Divine Avatar.]
— Keep Jinwoo’s secret to the end, or I’ll terminate our contract.
That was how much the Constellation cared for Jinwoo.
Sangho, who had shivered with anxiety at the thought that such a good man might kill him, was now filled with guilt and embarrassment for having doubted Jinwoo even for a moment.
“Sorry for doubting you, Jinwoo.”
Sangho apologized for his suspicion.
Julian, watching through the stream, smiled brightly.
Yes, a blacksmith with such character was more than worthy to be his disciple.
“It’s fine, hyung.”
“Sorry…”
“It’s fine, really.”
“Thanks.”
“Mm, that Constellation is a good person, so get along.”
Sangho no longer asked how Jinwoo was so close with the Constellations. He had no more questions. He just thought Jinwoo was someone far more special than others.
That must be why he achieved such unbelievable things, and why, even as a terminal patient, he didn’t break down but traveled with his daughter. From now on, he would just trust and respect Jinwoo.
*****
[You have cleared a Hidden Quest!]
Jinwoo had completed a Hidden Quest granted by the system.
The content of the Hidden Quest was simple.
To gain someone’s absolute trust and faith, no matter what.
With Sangho’s absolute trust, the Hidden Quest cleared naturally.
And the reward for that Hidden Quest was—
[As a reward, you have received two Lesser Elixir Fragments!]
He’d received two Elixir Fragments!
*****
Jinwoo left the workshop. Today, he planned to stay at a hotel near Sangho’s company, thanks to Sangho. Sangho would spend all afternoon learning from Julian, then have dinner with Jinwoo.
Jinwoo decided to let Byeol play with Eunjae a little longer before heading to the hotel first.
He didn’t have to worry, since the spirits were watching over Byeol.
“Finally…”
He sat on the bed and looked at the ten Elixir Fragments he’d collected so far.
[Would you like to synthesize them?]
Without hesitation, he nodded.
It had been just under a month since he began this journey—a short time, but to him it was precious and long. Now his remaining lifespan was about one year and seventy days.
And in this moment, ninety more days were added.
Jinwoo smiled brightly after consuming the Lesser Elixir.
He now had almost a year and a half of life ahead.
＊Ha… finally.
It was his second time taking an Elixir, but each time, the feeling was new. The time he could spend with Byeol, the Constellations, and the spirits had grown longer.
The time to be moved by new scenery each day had grown longer.
It was overwhelming.
(Anonymous 1): Congratulations.
(God of Rain and Sunlight): …A precious moment. Congratulations, Jinwoo.
(Father of Crops): Jinwoo, let’s keep increasing your lifespan bit by bit. You can do it. I’m researching crops that extend life too, so don’t give up.
(Endless Waiting): Congrats, Jinwoo. Keep streaming for the rest of your life.
(Liberated Swordsman): I’m also searching for a way to get you an Elixir.
(Last Night Blacksmith): Congratulations, Jinwoo. I rushed here after teaching Sangho. Truly, congratulations!
“Thank you, everyone.”
But… where’s Habaek?
I thought Habaek would congratulate me too, but there was no message.
(Chungha’s Receiver): My vision’s blurry from crying after so long. Congratulations, descendant.
Habaek must have cried seeing my lifespan grow.
I was so grateful to have such reliable Constellations who genuinely congratulated and cared for me.
Yes, let’s keep growing my lifespan slowly, with these Constellations, streaming for a lifetime.
Thinking that, I couldn’t help but smile.
It was a good day.
*****
As the afternoon passed and evening came,
Byeol and Eunjae headed for the company daycare where they were playing.
“Jinwoo, you’re here?”
“Yeah, noona.”
“Is Sangho here?”
“Sangho hyung’s probably still at the workshop, you should go check.”
Some good news must be waiting.
After seeing Lee Chaeyoung noona heading toward Sangho hyung, I went to Eunjae and Byeol.
“Dad!”
“Uncle!”
“Did you have fun?”
“Yup!”
“What do you want for dinner?”
“Hmm… I like everything!”
“I want meat!”
“What kind of meat?”
Byeol glanced at me cautiously and spoke softly.
“Red King Steak.”
“Haha, Red King Steak?”
When I laughed loudly, Byeol looked at me worriedly, as if to ask if Eunjae could hear.
After reassuring her, I said,
“Then tonight, let’s all have Red King Steak together!”
There was plenty of Red King Steak left from the hunt last night.
(Anonymous 1): Tribute, right?
(God of Rain and Sunlight): We’re counting on you!
The chat was filled with the Constellations’ eager anticipation.
I nodded as if it was obvious.
＊I will not be accepting coins today!
Because today was a good day.