Mr. Kim Strikes It Rich with Auto-Hunting [Novel] Chapter 55

Chapter 55

“Ah, right!”

“Huh? Rani, what is it?”

Our Rani.

She was scampering off happily before doing a complete U-turn.

What’s up?

Does she have something to say?

“Rani wants to make something nice for Director, but that needs lots of materials! Can Rani use lots of materials?!”

“Lots?”

“Yeah…. Can I not use them…?”

Rani, you’ve been using up materials like crazy lately without a single worry.

Asking all of a sudden?

Just how much do you need….

I’m a little nervous, but—.

“No, go ahead. I got plenty of materials so Rani could make whatever you want anyway, so take as much as you like and craft away.”

“Eek! Really?! Yay!”

If it were a commissioned item for someone else, that’d be One thing.

Stuff for me or my laborers, well….

No amount of materials feels wasted.

Actually, scratch that.

If it’s for myself, it might feel a little wasteful.

“This much…. Is it really okay to take this much…?”

“Of course, use as much as you want.”

Look at her, look at her.

Hesitating while picking out materials.

She’s sharp as a tack, that’s for sure.

When I flash an OK sign with my hand to say it’s fine:

“Thank you so muuuuch!”

She bows deeply and starts gathering materials.

Man….

There’s so much she can’t even carry it all in One go.

Pitter-patter.

She goes and sets them down, then pitter-patters back.

When I try to help?

“Gasp…! Rani has to do it…!”

Apparently there’s a specific order to place the materials.

Left with no choice, she repeats the trip several times on her own before finishing.

Is she about to start crafting now? Just as I wonder—.

“Right! That One is Clang-Clang!”

Ah, this?

Right.

Gotta name it, of course.

Got it, so hammer away with peace of mind.

“Heh-! Rani will make it real quick!”

Clang, clack, clang, clack.

Just like that, Rani begins hammering.

What about the rest of the laborers?

“Boss, Arthur sit down too?”

“Yeah. Rani said she’ll finish soon, so let’s rest a bit while watching. Robin, Lord Guan, you two take a breather too.”

“…… Okay.”

“Haha, understood.”

What else can we do?

Might as well rest a bit.

Clang, clack, clang, clack.

Still, it’s oddly nice.

That hammering sound?

Listening to it is oddly healing.

Is this what staring into a campfire feels like?

“Arthur mix two-two-three, who want some?!”

“One cup for me.”

“This wizard requests One as well.”

“……Me too.”

“Boss, Newbie, Robin. Confirmed! What about bear cub?”

“I am fine, Laborer Arthur.”

As expected, Arthur knows what’s up.

A cup of coffee while relaxing?

Can’t pass that up.

Well then, while Arthur brews the coffee.

“Let’s check out the stats on the armor meant for America’s Rank 1.”

That guy sent over 174 materials just because he wanted this so badly.

Wonder what the stats look like.

Let’s see….

[Crafting is finalized once a name is assigned.]

“Name? Clang-Clang.”

[Clang-Clang]

– The work of an artisan whose skills have reached the pinnacle.

– Greatly increases the wearer’s Defense.

– Reduces physical damage taken by a fixed percentage.

– Special Skill ‘Ironclad Defense’ available.

– Defense increases as Health drops lower.

Whoa….

Look at those stats.

“With this, he’d be satisfied even if he sent 300 materials instead of 174, Director.”

“Of course. Look whose work it is.”

This is our Rani for you.

Just look at that.

It says her skill has reached the pinnacle.

It’s armor made by a laborer on the verge of reaching top-tier, so of course he’ll be thrilled.

“Ralph? If I ever cross paths with him later, I’d love to hear his thoughts on it.”

Well, not that I’ll ever run into him….

Anyway, gotta finish the commission.

I’ll send the item over, so receive it and put it to good use.

* * *

Ding!

[The commissioned item has arrived.]

“Huh? Already?!”

Wait.

Whoooosh took three whole days.

I thought it’d take around that long this time too….

Why is it already here?

If I’d known, I wouldn’t have run the tower today!

Just as I was feeling a bit bummed—.

“Whoa….”

The moment I received the item, my mind went completely blank.

Crazy….

Even at a glance, this looks insane.

Maybe even better than Whoooosh?

Damn….

“As expected of the Dispatch Director….”

Right.

I sent 174 materials, after all!

He really put extra care into it!

Wait, don’t tell me the name is also…?

“Clang-Clang…? Ah, come on.”

Sheesh.

No….

Honestly, I expected it, but it still stings all over again.

Last time, fine, whatever.

I barely sent any materials….

But this time, huh?!

I sent 174 of them!

“Phew….”

Is it because it’s my second time?

Feels like I’m getting used to it….

Yeah.

This is the Dispatch Director’s style.

That kind of vibe?

“How can the World Rank 1’s item be named Clang-Clang….”

If I told other people, they’d think I was joking.

That’s how ridiculous the name is….

[Whoooosh]

Is it because of this?

Oddly enough, it inspires confidence.

If the name were fancy, I might’ve actually felt uneasy….

“The name might suck, but the performance is guaranteed to be insane, right?”

Dispatch Director, I’ve got high hopes.

With a racing heart, I glance over the stats.

The result?

“Holy crap….”

Man.

How should I even describe this?

Ridiculously, stupidly sturdy armor?

It was exactly what I wanted.

The problem is….

“Armor that’s too sturdy is usually uncomfortable to wear….”

Well, you can’t have everything.

Gotta compromise somewhere.

With Defense like this?

A little discomfort is totally bearable.

…Or so I thought as I tried it on.

“What the hell, feels like I’m wearing nothing at all?”

World Rank 1, Ralph Carter.

Naturally, he had endless wealth.

Designer clothes?

Far too many to count.

Just looking at his closet showed an endless sea of them….

“How Is this possible? Armor conforms to the body better than real clothes.”

As expected of the Dispatch Director.

Yes.

This is true luxury.

This is a legendary item.

“You can see the devotion in it at a glance…. Surely this ranks among the very best items the Dispatch Director has ever made?”

There’s no way another item like this exists.

Nah….

Not possible.

* * *

Clang, clack, clang, clack.

“Laborer Rani looks incredibly serious.”

“Right? Don’t think I’ve ever seen her like that before.”

“Arthur never seen either!”

Rani’s defining trait:

Always cheerful and bright.

Same when she crafts items.

Even when she was exhausted after hammering for a full week, her expression was bright… but this time?

Clang, clack, clang, clack.

Giggling?

None.

She wasn’t making a single peep in the first place.

Is this the power of focus?

Either way, it’s fascinating.

Just as everyone was watching in awe.

Flash!

“Huh?”

Light flashes around Rani.

Usually, this happens when something changes—.

Ding!

[A crafting laborer breaks through their limits.]

[Accumulated experience has reached the maximum threshold.]

[Conditions met.]

[The laborer’s rank increases.]

[Rani (Advanced) -> Rani (Top-Tier)]

“Holy crap…. Really?”

Well, it was about time….

It was only a few days ago that Rani said she could grow stronger.

Since then?

She’s already made two incredible items.

And solely with materials from the 61st floor and above.

On top of that….

‘Mmm…. Must make more things like Whoooosh. But! If Rani make prettier things, can get strong real fast! For that, need lots and lots of materials!’

She said that back then.

Lots and lots of materials, huh….

Mmm.

She did take quite a lot.

Nearly half the materials from Ralph were gone.

Now that I think about it, it makes sense for her rank to go up.

“Boss, Lucky Charm sparkled?”

“Yeah…. Rani’s rank just went up.”

“Lucky Charm is top-tier?”

“Yep.”

“Haha, what joyous news.”

“Right? Top-tier crafting laborer Rani. Just thinking about it is insane, isn’t it?”

She already pulled off so much as an Advanced laborer….

Now top-tier?

How could I not look forward to it?

On top of that, the first thing she’s making after reaching top-tier is for me.

Suddenly I’m getting super excited.

Could I end up getting an incredible weapon too?

And fight in dungeons from now on?

“Ta-da! Rani made this to give Director!”

Nice.

It’s done.

Let’s take a look.

A legendary weapon….

“Huh?”

“Heh-! Ta-da!”

“Those are a hard hat and a megaphone, Director.”

Yes.

I can see that too….

* * *

Now a top-tier laborer, Rani.

The first items she crafted?

A hard hat, and a megaphone.

“Whoa…. You made two of them….”

“Yep! Rani worked super hard to make them for Director!”

I know.

We all watched you.

You were so focused you barely breathed.

But….

Why work so hard on a hard hat and a megaphone…….

“Like it? Like it! Please praise Rani!”

Sigh.

Whatever.

Who cares what it is?

Look how happy she is.

“Yeah, thanks. There’s really no One like our lucky charm.”

“Heh-! That’s right! Rani is lucky charm!”

When I nodded, she hopped around in excitement.

Next up?

She lifts the hard hat up with both hands.

“Director, here!”

“You want to put it on me?”

“Yep! Rani will adjust the strap!”

“Well, thank you.”

A hard hat.

Haah….

To think I’d be wearing One again.

Back on site, it was so uncomfortable I’d sneakily take it off while working….

“Huh? What the. Did you put it on my head properly?”

“Yep! Rani made it fit perfectly!”

Even if it’s a perfect fit.

How can it feel completely weightless?

No way.

Is she teasing me?

I raised my hand and touched my head—tap.

What the.

It’s really there?

“This too!”

“Ah, the megaphone? Guess I’ll hold it.”

Taking it.

Oh?

This also fits snugly in my hand.

“So this is why everyone was so satisfied after getting items from Rani….”

“Heh!”

The fit is crazy good?

“Rani actually wanted to make pew-pews for feet too…. But took too many materials so couldn’t make it….”

Holding back resulted in this much?

When half the materials vanished into thin air?

Rani.

Aren’t your hands a bit too big with spending….

Well, does that mean the stats are that good?

Let’s check for now.

“Rani, is the name of this Pew-Pew?”

“Nooo! Director’s!”

“There are two though?”

“Yep! Two are friends! Later when Rani makes feet pew-pews, that’s friend too!”

What Is this, a combo meal?

“Boss also got Pyre-Pyre.”

“…….”

“Haha, quite a fine name.”

Ugh, these guys.

Look at them secretly looking forward to it.

Though I’m totally fine with it?

Our Rani worked hard to make this for me, you guys are being too harsh.

“That’s right!”

Of course, the materials that went into this were almost….

Ugh.

Never mind.

Thinking about it gives me a headache, so let’s move on.

Anyway, the name is Director’s….

What about the stats?

[Director’s]

– A masterpiece crafted for a single individual by a master artisan whose skills have reached perfection.

– Grants laborers vigor through the Director’s cheering.

– Special Skill ‘Leaving Work on Time Today!’ available.

– New abilities can be unlocked when other equipment is added in the future.

Oh….

It’s for buffs?

By the way, if other equipment is added….

“Rani, you’re not gonna make me a safety vest or something later, right?”

“Mmm? Want One?! Rani can make it!”

“No, please don’t….”

If I put on a safety vest too, I’ll feel like I’m heading to a construction site….

Still, I am curious.

What will she make for me later?

When I casually asked:

“Hand pew-pew! Foot pew-pew! What it is, secret!”

That’s all she says.

Hmm.

Foot pew-pew….

Don’t tell me it’s safety boots.

Nah, no way.

“Wait, I’m already holding a megaphone in my hand, do I need another hand pew-pew?”

“Mmm…. This is vroom-vroom, and that is pew-pew!”

“Different? Look same to Arthur?”

“No! Different!”

What’s the difference….

No idea.

Well, whatever.

I’ll find out later.

First, let’s look at what I just got.

“Granting vigor, and a skill, huh.”

Leaving Work on Time Today!

Truly a skill that screams Dispatch Director.

Wonder what the effect is.

I’m curious….

“Boss, dangerous?”

True.

Entering a dungeon is dangerous.

Even entering the maze takes a lot of resolve···.

Dungeons or the tower?

Monsters would target only me like crazy.

But if there’s a place we have to go anyway?

“Sounds good. Why don’t we test this out in the maze right away?”