CH 36

Naomi, who was watching from the side, smiled happily.

「You’re on very good terms with your daughter.」

「She is the daughter I love the most.」

「Is your daughter also an Awakener?」

「I’m a non-Awakener.」

Haeun interrupted and answered casually. She still had a dazzling smile on her face.

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ grabs the back of his neck, saying his blood pressure goes up because of Haeun’s lie] 

[He mutters that she will have to pay back her karma someday if she hides and lies like that for a hundred days.]

Usually, people reacted in two ways when Haeun told them she was the only non-Awakened person. The look that says they feel sorry for her, as well as the gaze that says they are jealous of her family, as if saying that her family was all Awakened people, so she grabs the spoon well.

But Naomi was a little different.

「I see! But don’t be too disappointed! Because it’s not like there’s nothing you can do as a non-Awakened person. Look at Haniel. Even the boss is a non-Awakened person!」

The fact that a non-Awakened person is the CEO of a huge item production company is certainly surprising. 

However, even before Haniel Industries entered the Hunter item industry, it was the world’s No. 1 munitions company. Haniel’s president was in-laws with the chairman of the Hunter Association in the United States, which would have contributed to Haniel Industries’ growth.

「Today, we’ll choose the main item that will be presented at the Expo. It is also the last day to check the performance of the entries.」

Naomi led the three people to the monitoring room. One side of the room was open with glass, and quite a few people were already gathered.

「You are here, Jung Jinho-ssi. Good afternoon.」

A man with gray hair got up after seeing Jung Jinho. 

「There must be some people you meet for the first time today. Let me introduce you. This is Scott Ederson, Vice President of the Development Community. This is Jonathan William, Vice President of New Energy Engineering.」

「Nice to meet you.」

Jung Jinho shook hands happily and exchanged greetings skillfully. Each person introduced to Jung Jinho was Haniel’s vice president.

Most of them were Awakened, but there was also a mix of non-Awakened here.

Jung Jinho looked around the room and said,

「It seems that the boss is absent today.」

「Yes, he couldn’t attend because he had a schedule today.」

「If it’s a schedule—」

「Republican Brian Nelson is scheduled to visit.」

Haeun blinked.

‘It’s a name I’ve heard somewhere before.’

She thought about it, but nothing came to mind. Haeun shrugged her shoulders, thinking it was a common name.

「Jung Jinho-ssi, please sit over here.」

「Can you also prepare a seat for my daughter?」

「As much as you like.」

Naomi prepares another chair. Haeun sat down next to Jung Jinho. However, Naomi didn’t prepare a seat for Seo Dojoon to sit.

Haeun, who was worried about Seo Dojoon standing alone, looked back at him. Fortunately, Seo Dojoon didn’t mind.

“It’s okay. Please sit down comfortably.”

His expression was as calm as usual, but his voice was slightly high.

“On the contrary, I can see the bottom better when I stand like this.”

He looked down at the space seen through the window.

With the ore dug up from the dungeon, a special glass window showed a huge space as high as the third floor of an apartment building. It was designed to be overlooked from the monitoring room, and there was a round hole in the middle of the white tile.

Jonathan, vice president of engineering, took the microphone and said.

「Let’s start this evaluation. Please enter as your name is called.」

Soon the door of the connected room opened, and a tall white man entered.

He was carrying a huge object that far exceeded his height. It is a huge trident that glows blue.

Haeun showed curiosity.

“Do you know what grade it is?”

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ says that it looks like the least holy object.]

“Wow, it’s like a holy object?”

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ thought it was just a bunch of goofballs, but it’s pretty good and evaluates Haniel positively.]

Man No. 1 lightly bowed to the evaluator, looking down at him from inside the room. Jonathan said through the microphone.

「I will start right away. In case of danger, please press the emergency shutdown button.」

Wiing—. She could hear the machine working. The man holding the new item was nervous.

Moments later, the energy that had been condensed was shot through a hole in the wall.

Boom–!

The three-pronged cutting edge split the flying energy like a lightning rod that struck instead of lightning. The energy that has accumulated at the spear’s tip boils.

The man shouted and turned the spear in his hand clockwise.

“Aaaaaaa!”

The energy accumulated in the spear flashed and bounced in all directions.

The output energy struck the wall and vibrated delicately before disappearing. Then the wall absorbs the energy.

It seemed that even that white space itself was made entirely of dungeon by-products. Considering the scale, the cost would have been astronomical. Indeed, it was Haniel Industries, the best in the U.S. item industry.

Boom–!

Boom–!

The test continued.

Because it was a place to test the performance of an item, not to find out an individual hunter’s ability, the way the energy was output was quite monotonous. But that was enough.

The analysis results appeared in real time on the monitor of the machine installed right under the glass window—the people who were watching seriously exchanged opinions.

「The durability is good.」

「The spear handle has to be reduced in size to produce the maximum output, however it is unfortunate that the size is too large. Besides, it looks very heavy. Even the creator of the item is not handling it properly. If that’s the case, it won’t be much use.」

「Still, I would like to give additional points in that it has electrical resistance properties. The additional stats are fine too.」

「I think the overall grade will be about 3A.」

A test score was created by combining measured figures and expert opinions. Whether it was an internal evaluation grade or not, it was different from the item grade Haeun generally knew.

Jonathan picked up the microphone.

「Thank you for your hard work. You may leave.」

The first man left with a face of regret.

The tests continued after that. Whether it was the United States and Haniel, it was the least successful item in every item that appeared. But since there are clear gaps even among holy items, there aren’t that many items with good reviews.

Amid the pouring in of trivial things, the turn to arouse the interest of the evaluators came.

「Oh, it’s Bobby Rollins’ turn next.」

“Bobby Rollins?”

Seo Dojoon showed interest. His voice was clearly excited compared to how calm he had been at the test site so far.

Jung Jinho explained to Haeun, who didn’t know much about the Hunter and Item industry.

“He’s Haniel’s representative craftsman. He can produce up to Legendary.”

“That’s right. When a new sale item comes out, we always update the highest auction price.”

“Wow, that’s amazing?”

“Not as good as Dad, Haeun.”

Jung Jinho sighed and crossed his arms. At the same time, he glanced at Seo Dojoon disapprovingly.

After reading Jung Jinho’s mind, Haeun poked Seo Dojoon in the side and whispered.

“What should I do, Seo Dojoon-ssi? My Dad seems to be upset right now.”

“Yes?”

Seo Dojoon was confused and didn’t answer. Haeun smiled playfully.

“Are you cheating on my Dad now? You know the craftsmen are so proud of themselves, right?”

“What do you mean cheat, Haeun-ssi? Hunter Jung Jinho, it’s definitely not.”

“I didn’t say anything. Well, you might like it.”

But he still looks annoyed. Haeun made fun of him. 

“Oh my. My Dad was going to advance the reservation for Seo Dojoon. My Dad must be so hurt.”

“No. It’s not like that.”

“But why do you like it so much? The best blacksmith in the world is my Dad. I can’t believe you reacted so enthusiastically as soon as you saw another craftsman.”

Seo Dojoon made an excuse while thinking.

“Because if there is a good item, I need to secure it before anyone else. I just watched for the sake of the guild members.” 

“Hmph. Lie.” 

“Really. For me, it’s only Hunter Jung Jinho. I can’t be satisfied with anyone but Hunter Jung Jinho. If it’s not Hunter Jung Jinho, I’d rather die!”

“No, I mean, why are you so….” 

Haeun sneaked away with a slightly fed-up face at the pouring confession of love.

However, Jung Jinho seemed satisfied with Dojoon’s silly comments. He said this while raising the corner of his mouth in satisfaction.

“Hmm. Still, you have eyes to see… That’s why you want my daughter too.”

“Yes? What did Dad just say?”

“It’s nothing. Rather, it seems to be starting now.”

Haeun, who couldn’t hear it properly, tilted her head and looked at where Jung Jinho pointed.

Bobby Rollins was a man with a rugged body compared to his doll-like name. He even looked as hard as a stone because his skin was black. (t/n: I think they say it doll-like name because the name in Korean is 바비 which can also mean Barbie.) 

He presented a bow in perfect harmony with smooth curves, elegant finishes, and brilliant glistening green lights as an entry.

The property verification test was carried out. One side of the wall opened, and a target appeared. There were a total of five targets containing each energy wave.

Starting from a low level, it gradually increases the intensity of energy. In this way, it was possible to grasp the item’s resistance properties and destructive power.

Bobby took the bow. When he grabbed the bowstring and pulled it, his magical energy was shaped into an arrow. It was pink.

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ evaluates men as pink and knows a little bit about them.] 

Around the taut arrows, magic shimmered like flames. The energies around them react together and fluctuate. The wind blew in the perfectly enclosed space.

When he released the bow, a huge wind blew the arrow away.

Shoot—! 

The energy-filled target split perfectly in two. The arrow that followed immediately pierced the next target. The target was shattered. It was a truly irresistible force.

People were amazed to see the analysis results show up in real-time.

「It’s Legendary! He made a Legendary!」

「Certainly, three resistance properties overlap. As expected, it’s Bobby.」 

「Simultaneous attacks are also possible. It depends on the user’s magical power, but it can shoot up to seven shots at once. 」 

「Look at that smooth curve! Doesn’t it look like a piece of art? It’s a shame it’s not Epic.」

Haeun glanced back at Seo Dojoon.

How will Seo Dojoon react after passionately confessing his love a moment ago, saying that Jung Jinho is the only one for him? 

‘Wow.’

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ is surprised that it is the first time seeing Seo Dojoon like that.] 

Seo Dojoon’s eyes, which had always been calm, burned with fire. As if swallowing his desire, his breastbone moved up and down dizzyingly.

I want that item!

A clear desire fell from him that couldn’t be ignored even if he tried to pretend not to know.