When people commonly refer to 'reclusion,' what image comes to mind?
Living quietly in the depths of a mountain with good air and water, where human footsteps are rare?
Or perhaps living a leisurely life in the countryside, teaching children or farming, having turned away from a once glamorous past?
Maybe a free-spirited life that could be featured on 'I Am a Natural'?
Or perhaps living in a well-maintained hanok, enjoying a life of refinement?
"Then, where should I go?"
What if it's too far? I have to feed Miim and Lime. Should I book a train ticket? I guess it's better to take the KTX even if it's a bit more expensive.
However, it was none of these.
The place Ki Yuhun called me to was completely unexpected.
"Ah, Mr. Lee, you've come."
"......"
"Why are you like that?"
"For a moment, I'm fighting my own prejudices."
"......?"
* * *
The next day, the place Ki Yuhun called me to was in front of Cheonggyecheon, Cheonggye 3-ga.
When I arrived at the appointed time, Ki Yuhun was already waiting there.
The black coat that fitted his tall frame suited him well. His large eyes behind the thick-rimmed glasses smiled when they saw me.
Whenever his slightly long black hair swayed in the wind, passersby glanced at him.
Indeed, he had a very striking appearance.
'Why does he wear those glasses?'
He doesn't seem to have poor eyesight. After all, hunters have improved physical abilities upon awakening, so there are no hunters with poor eyesight.
Could he be wearing them to hide his face?
No, that's unlikely.
Even if he had a mole under his eye or wore glasses, it wouldn't prevent people from recognizing him. The glasses did nothing to hide his radiant face.
Behind Ki Yuhun, a billboard featuring the famous hunter Oh Seoho, ranked 17th, was hung. Honestly, he was more eye-catching than the billboard.
Is he just wearing glasses because he likes them?
Hmm, yeah, let's respect his preferences.
"Is that person here?"
I glanced around and spoke.
Cheonggyecheon... For a place where a reclusive master lives, it's surprisingly urban.
It's close to the shops. I can get off at Euljiro 3-ga Station and walk a little to arrive.
The area was bustling with shops just opening, trucks delivering goods, and busy office workers.
"Please step aside for a moment."
"Ah, yes."
A person unloading a large box from a truck called out to me. I hurriedly moved to the side to avoid him.
It's complicated. The unique bustling activity of the market filled the surroundings.
It was very different from the vague image of reclusion I had imagined. I thought it would be a place with better air and water...
As I was reflecting on my own prejudices, Ki Yuhun spoke to me.
"Come this way."
"Hey, let's go together!"
Ki Yuhun moved through the bustling Cheonggyecheon market with ease. His long legs made his steps quick.
I hurried to catch up, and he waited for me at the entrance of a narrow alley. A sign reading 'Cheonggye 3-ga Craft Street' was visible next to it.
The Cheonggyecheon area was originally home to small workshops of item crafting hunters. There were also street vendors selling rare items, so it was quite lively a few years ago. There was even a saying, "If it's not in <Hunter Market>, check Cheonggyecheon."
However...
"There are many closed shops, aren't there?"
Unlike the lively surroundings, 'Cheonggye 3-ga Craft Street' had a desolate atmosphere. Even on a weekday morning, there were more closed shops than open ones, and hardly any signs of activity.
"The item crafting hunters have gradually moved to larger workshops, leading to the decline of small workshops. It's become a difficult environment for small workshops to survive."
"I see..."
After walking a long way into the gloomy alley, a commercial building came into view.
The entrance was hard to find due to the messy arrangement of various ether minerals and half-finished items.
"Here it is."
Ki Yuhun swiftly opened the door hidden by the clutter. The creaking sound indicated how long it had been since anyone had entered.
'Is it okay to go in?'
I hope this isn't a setup where I go to get an item and end up in another world.
"......gulp."
I carefully pushed my body through the door.
Surprisingly, the inside was spacious despite the narrow entrance. The building, which was an old hanok renovated, had an inner courtyard. If the courtyard wasn't buried under items, it would have a very serene atmosphere.
After walking a long way through the long inner courtyard, another door appeared. A dusty sign read 'Kim Deokgi Workshop.'
The creaking glass door opened, and a sharp voice came from inside.
"The door was locked, how did you get in?"
"It was open..."
"I said I don't sell items anymore. Go back quickly."
The person who came out from inside was a small, thin old lady.
"......Is it you?"
She had wrinkles but a straight back and a clear voice.
The old lady, who exuded an aura that was not easily approachable, frowned at the sight of Ki Yuhun and seemed to be about to dismiss us.
I immediately recognized where I had seen this old lady.
She was the old lady who ran a consignment shop in <Hunter Market>!
The one who sold me a set of junk items and a ring for 50 rubies.
"Hey, Grandma! Hello!"
I bowed with a smile.
The old lady, who was about to chase us out, brightened up at the sight of me.
"You... We met at Hunter Market, didn't we?"
"Yes, that's right. I'm Lee Gyeoriel."
"I'm Kim Deokgi. Welcome. You found me well."
"......But you said not to cross this threshold, right?"
Ki Yuhun smiled wryly.
"Even if I say that, you still come."
Ki Yuhun and the old lady knew each other. The world is small.
Wait, so this old lady is the reclusive master?
Now that I think about it, the ring she gave me allowed me to roast coffee beans without entering a dungeon. It felt like a good item, as if made by a reclusive master. My respect for her grew.
I quickly showed her the ring with the red stone.
"Grandma, I've been using the ring you gave me a lot. Thank you!"
"Is that so? What effect does it have?"
"Um? Didn't you make it, Grandma?"
"I did make it, but the completion was due to luck. My role was just to pass it on to the right person."
She seems too modest. Maybe it means that even geniuses need 99% skill and 1% luck.
Anyway, I answered her question.
"This ring, it produces fire! I've been using it well to roast coffee."
"......"
"......"
Silence.
The conversation that had been flowing smoothly suddenly stopped, and a cold silence filled the air.
The old lady looked at me with an indescribable expression. She seemed both surprised and disappointed.
Ki Yuhun, standing beside me, was trying to stifle his laughter. I poked him, but he couldn't stop laughing.
Could it be... that the ring is used to start fires?
But the old lady soon smiled gently and said,
"I'm glad you're using it well."
Well, if she says so, it's fine, I guess.
The old lady led us to a room inside the workshop. The inside of the workshop was piled high with items, all of which looked intriguing. I pointed to a peculiar bottle and asked,
"Wow, there are so many interesting things here. What is this?"
"That's a potion that temporarily erases your presence."
"What about this one?"
"A neutralizer used to adjust the effects of items."
"What about that stick...?"
"That's an item that's almost finished."
"This brush... Wow, Grandma, how did you draw on such a small surface?"
"Hmm, this is nothing..."
I chatted with the old lady for a while as I admired the items inside.
The workshop was full of interesting items.
As I reacted enthusiastically, I noticed the corners of the old lady's mouth gradually relaxing. After all, no one dislikes compliments.
The inside of the workshop, which seemed chaotic at first glance, was actually well-organized according to its own rules. Neutralizers and ether potions had labels, and the item crafting tools were as shiny as if they had just been polished.
If she didn't have an attachment, she wouldn't have managed them so meticulously.
She still seems to enjoy item crafting, so why is she in reclusion?
I hesitated for a moment before asking carefully,
"Are you not making items anymore?"
"Yes."
"Can I ask why?"
"There's no special reason. I just fulfilled my mission."
"Mission...?"
The old lady didn't say more and just smiled, then changed the subject.
"So, why did you come today?"
Oh, I almost forgot the main reason.
I had been so engrossed in looking around that a lot of time had passed.
"To be honest, I came to ask for a favor. I'm looking for a dark ether item. I thought you might know how to get one."
"That...?"
She was startled at first but then said with a stern expression,
"Why are you looking for it? Dark ether can harm people depending on how it's refined. If it's for that reason, I can't tell you."
"No, it's not for that!"
I quickly waved my hands. From Ki Yuhun's and others' reactions, it seems to be a truly dangerous item.
"Do you have a reason you can't tell?"
"It's not that... I just don't know if you'll believe me."
"Let me judge after hearing it."
"I need it to save a friend. It's essential for my friend."
To avoid interference with the law of cause and effect, and to mention that a dark attribute dungeon will soon appear and Choi Eichan will die there if nothing changes, I could only say so much.
I just told her that I needed it to get a skill to protect my friend's body.
Despite the insufficient explanation, the old lady didn't ask more.
"I have a small amount of unrefined dark ether left. It should be enough to make a small accessory."
Finally.
It felt as if a halo was shining behind the old lady.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"But in exchange for this, there's something I want you to do, Mr. Lee."
"Yes? What is it? Please tell me!"
"I'm looking for something left by someone. His name is... Park Heesoon."