---

****

Fengma Cave.

Inside, it wasn’t just skilled craftsmen.

The craftsman, who had been making things, pulled his hands away from the clay.

“It seems it’s lunchtime, so I have some time to chat. I’m curious about the outside world too.”

“Outside, you say…”

“I’ve been here for over five years. Some have been here for nearly ten. If you’re an outsider… are you part of a tour group? It’s the first time I’ve seen someone from outside come in except for the Leader of the Fokma Clan.”

The craftsman casually began to share.

“As you know, Fengma Cave is a place where the finest artisans live, even considered elite among the main school. People who have grown weary of power and fame and left the mundane world. And there are those who come here directly to learn their skills. People like me, apprentices. We used the back door, not the front. Once you enter, it’s a ten-year path where you can’t get out. And during that period, you have to wear a black blindfold.”

“…Hmm.”

“We learn skills and hone our craftsmanship. Of course, it’s rare to receive direct teachings from the artisans. Initially, you just follow by eye and struggle to make something similar. Then, when you gain some experience, you may receive guidance… or you might spend ten years just struggling and then leave. Sometimes, we help each other, the ones who weren’t chosen. There’s a strangely systematic aspect to it. Our only connection to the outside world is through supply soldiers who come here. We occasionally ask them for things, and sometimes we manage to get what we need.”

The craftsman grinned.

“I imagine a lot has changed outside. Do you know of a place called Sahyeon-eup? That’s my hometown, and it’s been too long since I heard any news from there. I guess being an orphan means I don’t really have anyone to contact. But… when I close my eyes, memories from then come rushing back. I’ll have to spend five more years here before I can see that scene again.”

“Isn’t it frustrating?”

“Of course, it’s frustrating. But you could say this is a guaranteed path to success. Ten years. If you spend ten years here, you can start as a renowned artisan. Learning in Fengma Cave guarantees your skill by itself. I came here on my own since I had nowhere else to lean on. Although I was somewhat interested in pottery.”

The craftsman advised.

“Outside currency is useless here. If you see something you want, try bartering. Everything outside is precious here, so you might be able to get something big with a small item.”

Fengma Cave.

The street of the magical craftsmen.

I looked around that place, which was also called that. Seo Cho-hee coughed lightly.

“Senpai, I think it’d be good to gift a dagger.”

“…….?”

“It can be used in emergencies, and a high-quality dagger can also serve as a fine accessory. In the North Gate’s academy, when there’s someone you like, it’s common to gift a dagger.”

Seo Cho-hee pulled me towards a workshop where daggers were hanging.

The craftsman, who was sharpening blades, looked up.

“Tour group? Ah, you mean those people from outside. I’m a bit slow with news. I don’t really care about anything but making this. If you want something, take a look around.”

“Wow, each one… is top-notch…!”

Seo Cho-hee’s eyes sparkled.

“How do I pay for this?!”

“Show me what you have.”

Just in case, I showed my currency.

“Eh? That’s worth less than a pebble here. Don’t you have anything else?”

“Anything else…”

I pulled out the backpack I had brought along and took out my supplies.

Dried rations. Various tools needed for traveling.

There was nothing I could trade. Is buying impossible?

“Huh? Wait a second. What’s that?”

“Huh?”

I took out a large quantity of jerky that Ilma had given me. Even after sharing it with Eun Seol-ran, there was still a lot, and the craftsman’s gaze changed.

“Whoa! When was the last time I saw jerky?!”

“Is there no jerky here?”

“There is! Of course! But honestly, everyone is picky about it. Jerky isn’t even counted as food. It’s easy to make, and they say there’s almost no skill involved. Because of that, they don’t make it here. It’s not made often, so it’s rare. Of course, some come from outside… but they all end up in the hands of true ‘masters’. Things don’t reach those of us learning. People more interested in making stuff prefer having a snack they can chew. Originally, I used to settle for hardtack…”

The craftsman licked his lips.

“Just give me three pieces of jerky, and I’ll give you not one, but two daggers. Ugh, I’ll even give you three! Why not! I’ll have to save some for later.”

It was an unexpected gain. Since I had a lot of jerky, almost a hundred pieces bound together, I easily traded.

After tearing off a piece and tasting it, he exclaimed loudly.

“What the…! This is a premium product?! It seems hard to obtain… wow! Those rich families really know how to keep good things! Ugh! What a delight! I’ll give you five daggers! Take them!”

“Premium jerky… what on earth did you give me… Can I try some?”

“Of course, Senpai.”

“…Mmm… this… Woah?! The quality is completely different from what I usually eat?! Where did you get this?! This is something you couldn’t even buy with money?!”

It was given by Ilma…

Is this really that precious?

It definitely had an umami flavor. I decided to buy an even better gift. Seo Cho-hee was smiling brightly as she eagerly picked out daggers for me.

“I think these five are good. Senpai.”

“Why did you choose those?”

“They look exquisite from the decoration. They’re splendidly patterned. Each has a distinct personality, and there’s not a single misalignment in the joints. The edges are sharp… and the sheaths are also luxurious, so they’re sure to save your life in dangerous moments.”

“Hehe. You’re making it hard for me, young lady. I’m feeling generous! I’ll take another one!”

“Thank you very much!”

Six daggers exchanged for three pieces of jerky.

In this unexpected situation, I was taken aback. Naturally, I wanted to hand half of them to Seo Cho-hee.

But she adamantly refused.

“They’re all yours, Senpai. I can’t accept them.”

“Come on, three pieces of jerky for six daggers… what is this? Is it like this everywhere? Could my jerky be…?”

At a nearby carpentry shop, Goon Cheon-gyeong was offering jerky.

He chewed with a vague expression as he lifted a small sculpture.

“Just take this.

“Huh? But that’s jerky…”

“Jerky, sure it’s rare. But isn’t this just dried meat? The salting isn’t done properly, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Ugh… And it’s small too. I’m a craftsman, not a merchant. I don’t know how to negotiate. The value I give it is just that. If you’re not satisfied, go somewhere else.”

Goon Cheon-gyeong’s shoulders slumped.

“I wanted that statue back there…”

“How about mine?”

I handed over a piece of jerky.

The carpenter gave me three statues.

“Grrr! Highest quality! Take them!”

“What on earth?!”

Goon Cheon-gyeong’s eyes were burning with excitement as he looked at me.

“Hey! Can I really keep this…?”

“Yes, you can, Senpai. You shared your water with me, remember? Consider that its value.”

“Water costs more than gold!”

Looking at the flustered Goon Cheon-gyeong carrying away the statues, I pulled out a dagger from my backpack.

I nudged Seo Cho-hee.

“Lady So.”

“Just call me Cho-hee.”

“I insist on calling you Lady So.”

“Senpai, please, can’t you just call me by my name? Did you not do the same with Confucius? I want to be called that too…”

“…Cho-hee.”

“Yes! Senpai!”

I pressed the dagger into the shimmering eyes of Seo Cho-hee tightly.

“Take it.”

“Eh? Wait?! You just said you wouldn’t accept, did you?”

“Thanks to you, I got one as if it were for free. Of course, it belongs to you. If you refuse, just throw it away.”

“Th-that…! To throw away something received from Senpai…”

Seo Cho-hee fiddled with the dagger.

“I shall keep it until I die!”

“If it becomes blunted, then throw it away.”

“I’ll sharpen it and use it again!”

“…Alright.”

We casually wandered the streets. Since Fengma Cave was so vast and had many tangled buildings, there was too much to see.

Goon Cheon-gyeong was deep in thought.

“The main purpose was the present, right? Let’s see… a dagger. Sure, she might like it, but I think differently. Since you said she’s a woman… how about an accessory?”

“I’m not sure…”

“If it’s a woman, it has to be a traditional hairpin! Of course, it carries a different meaning… but since you’re a master and student, it should be alright. She’ll surely appreciate it.”

I bought an appropriate hairpin. When I offered jerky, five more were added.

“Take it! Haha! Hmm… great, great, great…! This tastes wonderful!”

At this point, it was almost intimidating. Just what on earth had Ilma given me?

As I wandered down the street, I overheard some unexpected information. Most artisans on this street had been learning for over five years.

The real masters were in places unreachable by the common folk.

“They call them the Nine Heavens’ Magical Craftsmen. When supplies come in, they’re the first to take them. They’re on a different level from regular craftsmen.”

“Is Master Guigok part of that?”

“Of course! Those guys possess a skill that seems to breathe life into inanimate objects. Whatever it is! They’re all amazing people! Most of the ones here came to learn their skills. Although, to be honest, I’ve hardly seen their faces.”

Seo Cho-hee, who had been smiling while looking at the dagger, pointed ahead.

“Senpai, how about that glass tea set?”

“Glass tea set?”

“Tea ceremonies can’t start without the tools for serving tea, right? Glass is rare and valuable, especially knowing how few can handle it properly. I think it would make a wonderful gift. Seems impossible to find any tea leaves here, so that’s likely our best bet…”

That was a splendid idea. There were types of glass other than just transparent ones.

I didn’t know how they made it, but there were colored ones scattered around. Some even sparkled as if gemstones were embedded in them.

The glass craftsman looked at us with a bored expression.

“If you don’t have anything to trade, don’t bother me…”

I handed over some jerky.

“Look around as much as you want!”

Goon Cheon-gyeong lifted an eye-catching shining gold teacup.

“Doesn’t this feel like something that symbolizes dignity? This ought to impress her, right?”

Seo Cho-hee picked up an item. A dull green piece, resembling the color of tea leaves.

“It’s similar to the color of tea, so it should blend in naturally. It’ll mix well with the atmosphere of the other tools.”

I pondered long and hard. Then suddenly, something popped out of my bag with a squeak—the Bloodsea Bird.

“Huh? Bloodsea Bird?”

“Th-that Bloodsea Bird?! The one from the Blood Sea Organization?! Are you a member, Senpai?!”

As the Bloodsea Bird spread its wings and landed gracefully, it revealed a glass teapot with a soft pink hue.

The craftsman gasped.

“A bird with discerning eyes. Is it a spirit?”

“Maybe.”

“Grateful for your recognition. It feels like I’ve received a compliment from a spirit. Let’s see… I have some pairs of those, should I fetch them as well?”

“Yes, please. How much will it cost?”

“Just two pieces of jerky.”

After paying the price, I packed it carefully in my bag. It was well wrapped, so I didn’t have to worry about it breaking.

As I turned to leave, something caught my eye.

“What is… how much is that?”

“Huh? That?”

The craftsman grinned.

“Take that for free.”

“Really?”

“I didn’t expect you to choose that. Are you going to keep it, or give it to someone else?”

“I have someone I want to give it to.”

“Why?”

I tucked the item into my arms.

“Since it feels like it shares the same atmosphere.”

…

I returned to my lodging. I heard from Jang Wol-ryong that the patients were in stable condition.

The first one out was Eun Seol-ran. She shuddered with a sigh.

“It was a dreadful experience…”

“Did something happen inside?”

“Drool was like a sharp spear! Ugh… Junior, did you get to explore Fengma Cave properly?”

“I got the gist of it… Ah. I actually have something I want to give to Seol-ran.”

“Me? What is it?”

I handed her one dagger.

Eun Seol-ran’s expression turned nuanced.

“…Why this?”

“This time, I got lucky and was able to obtain several similar items. Since I have leftovers, I’d like to give you one…”

“For something like this, it’s rather high-end.”

Eun Seol-ran drew the dagger. She held it up to the light.

“Junior, do you know what this symbolizes?”

“I’ve heard it’s a common gift for a crush at the North Gate academy.”

“So you knew it had that meaning, and still gave it away?”

“The fact that I like you fits perfectly.”

She laughed.

“Do I have any reason to dislike you, Senpai?”

“…What do you think?”

Eun Seol-ran sheathed the dagger. After slapping her cheeks, she began to stammer.

“Look, you see? Just see…!”

“Senpai?”

“Shut up and stay still! What are you, a fox? Waving your tail around as if it’s your own…”

Eun Seol-ran glared at me.

“Take off your shirt.”

“Huh?”

“There’s no one around. Just take it off.”

I complied and removed my shirt.

Eun Seol-ran pushed her backside toward me. After tidying her clothes, she wedged herself between my legs.

—Thunk.

Her small head pressed against my chest.

It felt like she was naturally leaning into me.

“Seol-ran, Senpai?”

“Let’s go again.”

“Eh?”

“Just the two of us. I’ll pay for you.”

Looking down at Eun Seol-ran, not just her cheeks but even her ears were flushed.

“…Do you dislike it?”

“I like… it?”

“…Hmph.”

The next day, I wandered the streets again with Eun Seol-ran.

She had boasted I could choose whatever I wanted, but soon realized that only jerky could be exchanged, and she was shocked.

“If that’s the case, you’re just showing off with your money?!”

“Well, that’s because it was also given to me by Ilma, so…”

“Ugh…! I boasted so loudly, but it’s embarrassing, what is this?!”

Feeling defeated, Eun Seol-ran chewed on jerky as she restored her spirits.

“I’m basically eating my own money…”

“Senpai is still adorable.”

“What, what?! You really…!”

Wandering around was immensely enjoyable.

However, ahead awaited a weighty matter.

Not long after, Leader of the Fokma Clan Na So-wan returned. He looked at me with a tired expression.

“…I heard you cut off Jin Wi-lyang’s right arm.”

 

---