"It didn't look like you had a boyfriend."
"Does it seem that way? But I did."
"Hmm."
A woman with half-open eyes slowly scanned my face as if she were licking it.
Her gaze seemed to read people's inner thoughts, typical of a craftsman.
Occasionally, there were people with the talent to thoroughly see through someone's temperament. It seemed this person was one of them.
"…So, what brings you here?"
She habitually licked her lips like a snake and smiled with her eyes.
Byeol, leaning against the counter and sticking her hips out, turned to look at me.
"Hello."
"Yes, hello. I get quite annoyed if a guest carries other artifacts on them, just so you know."
Her words weren't very aggressive.
They could be taken as a joke if intended so.
Just when I thought it wasn't too troublesome, Byeol casually pointed to a gun beside her.
"…I can really shoot. Be careful."
…Never let artifacts that hadn't passed through her hands be seen.
I took off the mask I was wearing and casually placed it on the counter.
"It's nice when we connect. But that's an exception."
The woman who picked up my fallen mask caressed its surface and exhaled.
"…I didn't realize when it was just a mask, but you're quite young?"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Do that. It's not wrong."
The woman seemed more interested in the mask than in my face, putting on her glasses and examining it as soon as our conversation ended.
"Hmm… Hmm."
Her figure, in a translucent purple nightgown, seemed sensual.
"…Things I don't like are just trash. But I do like artifacts made by skilled people. For example, this gem…"
The woman scratched the surface of the gem with her fingernail.
As magic poured from her hand, the gem faintly glowed, revealing characters inside.
"…Where did you get this?"
"It just happened. I got it."
"It wasn't through normal means… Such art doesn't just fall from the sky."
Though it technically did fall from the sky.
I won it by casually spinning a draw after dinner.
I wondered if she would believe that.
I remained silent, nodding in agreement.
"It's really pretty… This alone could work five times over. Of course, I'm referring to crafting."
"I didn't say anything."
"…Hmm, right? If this person is your boyfriend, he seems immune to creepy and vulgar conversations."
I immediately glanced at Byeol.
Creepy and vulgar conversations… This person?
Byeol, only familiar with the gaming world, looked at me with innocent eyes.
"Huh?"
She shifted her gaze between the woman and me, her face reddening as she shook her head vigorously.
"No, no! I'm not the kind of person who just blurts out things!"
"Byeol noona is a pervert though. Last time, she chose to watch hentai with big penises…"
"Aaaaah! No! My guildmates say I'm innocent!"
"Hehehe."
The woman, finding Byeol amusingly cute, laughed. Indeed, Byeol had a charm that made one want to tease her.
With her hair braided like a chick and a voice suitable for a voice actor.
It's rare for a gamer to have such looks.
"Anyway, this mask is interesting too… Especially the gem, it's truly amazing. It's functioning with a different trait than intended, but it's perfectly fulfilling that role."
Hyperion's Gem.
If it had been normal, it would have been an artifact boosting my magic power to 10, acting as an experience booster.
"…You can tell just by looking?"
"Are you underestimating my abilities?"
"No, you're incredibly impressive."
"…Let's get back to the topic."
Her face briefly turned cold, so I immediately changed the subject and gave a thumbs up.
As Byeol said, it did have an inconsistent aspect.
"It seems the gem has fulfilled its role now. It's no longer active, just preserving its durability with the allocation of magic."
Gently stroking the gem, the woman looked at it regretfully, as if looking at a parted lover.
"…Sigh. If it was in my hands, I'd disassemble it."
It made a terrible noise.
It seemed like it was asking me for something.
I crossed my arms and thought it over.
I would need to buy more artifacts in the future, so maybe it wouldn't be bad to form a connection here.
After all, the mask was no longer useful to me.
If the gem's potential was being used to decrease charm, then it's practically the worst use of an artifact.
It's no wonder that woman looked so pained.
"Should I give it to you?"
It was effective in hiding my charm or face, but that was about it.
"Really?"
The woman's eyes widened in genuine surprise.
Her decadent, witch-like face showed shock, which was quite unusual.
"Is that okay? Didn't you always wear it? You cherished it."
"Well… it actually doesn't have much effect."
My reputation as the 'Masked Man of Uncertain Skill' had been around for a while on the internet and within the academy.
It was about time to shake things up.
"I am attached to it. But if you need it, I should give it."
"…"
"But you must pay properly for it. It's dear to me, so it's quite expensive."
"You're speaking sense. It wouldn't align with my principles to receive something like this without paying. By the way, have we introduced ourselves?"
The woman took off her glasses and extended her pale hand.
When I accepted her handshake, her palm felt as cold as if I were holding ice.
"Your hand is cold, right? Everyone says that. What's your name?"
Her voice warmed up for a moment. The gem must be really valuable.
Indeed, an artifact of this grade was hard to come by.
"Lee Dowon."
At least that was the name I used when acting as a hunter.
That was the implication.
But the woman didn't seem to like this thought, narrowing her eyes and smiling bitterly.
A miserably beautiful smile.
"…Your real name?"
"Lee Shiheon."
That didn't work.
As soon as I figured that out, I revealed my real name.
"…Use your real name in front of me. Here, there are no secrets, whether you're a criminal or a demon king. In return, I can tell you everything I can as my client."
"Understood."
"Since you gave me the gem… I'll let this one slide. With you, I could endure seeing the gem only three times a day."
The woman still hadn't let go of my hand.
Instead, she slowly stroked my fingers, nails, and the back of my hand with her other hand, as if trying to feel my fingerprints.
It tickled and simultaneously gave me chills.
"Seri."
"Is that your name?"
"Yes. Let's be together for life."
"…For life?"
"It's impossible for a client I've marked to use someone else's products. My skills are guaranteed. Trust me."
Maybe it's a different kind of obsession.
Still, her confidence in her skills was quite impressive.
For the first time, Seri looked directly at me, not at Byeol, and continued speaking.
I felt a certain business-like trust in Seri's manner.
It seemed that this was her way.
"So, what brings you here today?"
"I'm looking for some sturdy clothing."
"Sturdy clothing… Easy. Leave the design to me. Anything else?"
"I'd prefer something that can hide my identity completely. I want to hide my status."
"…You don't look like someone who lives off deception. But alright, fulfilling a client's request is part of the role."
Seri, seeming energized, touched her middle finger to her lower lip, then stuck out her tongue and licked it.
Her long, snake-like tongue licked her own fingerprint, leaving a glistening trail of saliva on her finger.
"Magic stones are plentiful these days, don't worry. Usually, I don't start work unless I secure good-quality magic stones myself because they're often in short supply."
"I see."
"I have some now… I'll just do it. First, I'll separate the gem from the mask and then start the work. Come back in about a day."
"That's quite fast?"
"…That's just me."
Seri had charisma.
She lifted the corners of her mouth fiercely like a crescent moon, put on her glasses again, and picked up a needle and fine crafting tools.
"I'll add some work to the mask in exchange for removing the gem. Since the goal is to hide your identity, I'll remove all unnecessary features and redirect it differently."
Seri immediately picked up the gun that was next to her.
"Now, please leave."
Seri, looking straight at me, spoke as Byeol grabbed the hem of my clothes when the conversation ended.
-Swish swish.
Byeol gestured towards the door with her chin. I nodded in response instead of speaking and greeted Seri before stepping outside.
-Creak.
The door closed again. Byeol shuddered and pointed behind her back.
"Did you see her picking up the gun just now?"
"Yes."
"…What do you think she'll use it for? To think she could kill monsters with such powerful firepower if she wanted."
"…"
The conversation I had heard before.
That seal had some crazy aspects; she used guns for self-pleasure.
"She says she releases water before working. It's like a ritual."
"…That can't be good for the gun. People usually don't like their creations getting damaged, right?"
"Who knows? But what's certain is that we shouldn't think of her as normal. Or maybe it really was made for self-pleasure."
"Even though it can kill monsters?"
"…That's the proof of madness."
"Oh my God."
She shot herself with it and still lived?
I didn't want to think about it anymore.
We descended the noisy stairs and walked back through the alley, reminiscing about the woman.
"Anyway, once you get to know her, she's really kind. As long as you don't touch her principles, she often provides extra services, and being a perfectionist… the quality exceeds the amount provided."
"That's so."
"But was it really okay to give her that gem? Thanks to that… it wouldn't be weird if we became regulars there. When I first met her, I was treated very poorly. Ugh… it makes me so mad just thinking about it. Do you know how hard I worked to make that deal happen?"
Byeol sighed and began to share stories about their initial meeting and her early days at the bottom of the Hunter's Association.
As a sociable person, learning about Byeol was quite enjoyable.
Dallae says she enjoys my company, but for me, Byeol was that special person.
It's not that others aren't fun to be around, but Byeol is somewhat unique. Since we share a lot in common, I felt this way.
Above all, our mutual love for games bonded us.
Before arriving in this world, I was an avid gamer, spending all my time indoors playing games.
Byeol was similar in that regard.
"Let's grab some ramen from a convenience store on our way home."
"That sounds good."
Our conversation ended on a pleasant note, reflecting our shared passion for games, and we went our separate ways.
"So… this is the clothing?"
"That's right."
The next day.
I visited her shop at the same time as the day before.
As expected, the clothes and mask had been remade. At the far end of the counter, a red gem, treated like a sacred treasure, shone brightly. It seemed to radiate more color than when it was set in the mask.
But the clothes…
I quickly examined the attire Seri handed me.
Underwear, tops, bottoms, a robe that reached down to my knees, and a completely different mask.
Even the fancy details, like dangling belts, were included.
I frowned at the coat, which was more stylish than I had anticipated.
It's summer, but let's overlook that. Long clothes are unparalleled for concealing one's appearance.
Yet, something about it.
It looked odd rather than stylish.
"…Am I really supposed to wear this?"
"Isn't it cool?"
The dreamy look in her eyes as she admired the clothes was filled with affection.
It was as if she was looking at her own creation.
The magic circle was akin to art. The durability was strong enough to withstand significant attacks.
'The performance is impressive… really impressive.'
The robe seemed like something a final boss would wear to conceal their identity in a game.
It wouldn't be surprising if black chains mixed with dark energy burst out from behind.
It seemed the witch truly believed this looked cool.