[Translator - Night]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
[Proofreader - Gun]
w
Chapter 11: Performance Pressure (1)
▣ Broken Iron Sword
A sword made of soft, brittle iron forged at low temperatures.
Originally more suitable for farming tools than weapons, this simple iron sword has a broken blade, making it worthless as a weapon.
Welfare Points: 200
"Hyung! What are we supposed to do with this?"
"Hmm... Were you thinking of buying several and throwing them?"
Jieun pondered for a moment before asking.
She drew the short sword at her waist and started to weigh it in her hand.
It looked like she was ready to practice throwing it, so I quickly replied.
"No, it's too heavy to throw. And the broken blade isn’t very sharp."
"Then why are we... buying this?"
It was a crude sword.
The blade was cracked and broken, and the handle looked roughly carved out of animal bone.
Even to an amateur's eye, it looked shoddy.
But...
"We’ll just use the handle."
"What?"
The handle—the part at the base of the blade, designed to be held.
Even if you got a blade from the Razorbeak Bird’s carcass, you couldn’t hold and use the sharp edge as it was.
Originally, I was planning to tie the blade to a curtain rod or mop handle.
That would be the best option if a functional handle could be salvaged.
"You mean... Hyung, is that why you asked me earlier—?"
"Shh."
Realizing my intention, Jaehyuk clapped his hands in recognition, but I motioned for him to be quiet.
I was already drawing too much attention after taking down the Razorbeak Bird alone.
More than I had during the first mission.
"What did that guy buy, I wonder?"
"He must’ve earned a ton of welfare points, taking it down solo."
"Maybe he’s skilled at fighting? Watching him swing that sword earlier—wow, that wasn’t ordinary skill."
"When he plunged the sword in, and the damn bird's blood sprayed out like whoosh! Damn, that was awesome."
I could feel the awe—and a bit of fear—on their faces.
If I started crafting a weapon now, it would just spark more misunderstanding.
I don’t need that kind of attention.
"I’ve stashed the Razorbeak Bird over there in the back."
Jaehyuk lowered his voice and pointed to a display case near the entrance.
"Good job."
"Shall I go grab it?"
"Not here... Let’s move somewhere quieter first."
"Got it, Hyung."
Somewhere with the necessary tools nearby but far enough from prying eyes.
Maybe the office?
"Um... there’s a place I’d like to go."
Then Jieun raised her hand timidly and spoke cautiously.
"Where is that?"
"The convenience store on B1."
I had no idea.
Jieun had been running around all this time in high heels.
"Ahhh..."
"Noona, are you sure just putting on a bandage will fix this?"
"It’s fine! It stings a bit... ah! Just a little."
Her heels were rubbed raw, skin nearly peeling off.
"You could’ve said something if you were in pain."
Feeling sorry for her, I added a comment, and Jieun smiled in return.
"Didn’t you say you were fine too, Eunho?"
"When did I—?"
"On the stairs. While coming down."
She was talking about when we first descended from the rooftop.
Dragging my stiff legs down those stairs had left me drenched in sweat.
Now, with this body, it probably wouldn’t be as hard.
— Ding!
"Oh, the microwave is done."
I pulled out three convenience store lunchboxes.
It was the same food as yesterday, yet strangely unfamiliar.
Maybe it was the faint metallic tang of blood that lingered, no matter how much I tried to wash it away.
Tools?
Well, technically, yes.
"Mission rewards."
[Select your mission reward.]
"Enhancing the Petrification Skill to Level 5 with 3 skill points."
The problem was that the tool in question was... my fingers.
[Enhancing the Petrification skill (Lv. 2) to (Lv. 5).]
[Choose additional activation range: Right-hand middle finger, ring finger, pinky, left-hand thumb, index finger...]
"Right-hand middle finger, ring finger, pinky."
I enhanced all the fingers on my right hand.
That should be sufficient.
[Skill enhancement complete.]
"Uh, Eunho, you're not seriously planning to do this barehanded, are you?"
"I am, actually."
"Is that even possible?"
"These fingers can punch through walls. Carving a blade tip should be doable."
Strictly speaking, they weren’t even bare hands anymore—more like stone.
"It’ll take some time, though. In the meantime, you two should go out and collect supplies."
The basement level where we were had not only the convenience store but also several other shops.
Most of them were restaurants, but with some searching, we could find useful items.
"Are we looking for food?"
"Food and water are the most important, but let’s start with finding a bag—something as big as possible."
"Oh, I think I saw a backpack on the way here!"
"I’ll grab some emergency medicine. There’s a pharmacy just around the corner."
If this were a game, this building would probably be the starting zone for beginners.
The basement was full of convenience stores and restaurants, and the cafeteria on the roof had various bakeries.
But the missions wouldn’t stay confined to this building forever.
We had to prepare.
"Eunho, are you sure you’ll be okay alone?"
"I’ll be fine. I’ve got skills."
"Still, if anything happens, yell for help."
After Jieun’s concerned words, I immediately activated the skill.
"Petrification."
[Skill activated.]
The sensation of stiffness spread from my fingertips, like sinking them into drying cement.
It was difficult to move my joints flexibly, but on the flip side—
Scrape.
When I grabbed the blade tip and rubbed it, fine powder fell away with a sound like sharpening a pencil.
'Abandoned Mountain Diamond.'
I didn’t know where the Abandoned Mountain was or what kind of diamond it had, but one thing was clear: this wasn’t some ordinary roadside rock.
'Next, let’s use the acceleration skill...'
The plan was to carve the blade using Petrification and increase efficiency by extending a second into ten seconds with the acceleration skill.
"Acceleration."
Scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape.
"We’re off! Take breaks if you need to!"
"Hyung! Here’s a drink to keep you going!"
Scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape.
"Eunho! We’re back!"
"Wait, Hyung, are you still—?"
Scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape.
Honestly...
Huff...
I didn’t think it’d be this exhausting.
"Eunho, you’re sweating..."
"Uh, Hyung! Should I get you an ice cream or something?!"
My arms—especially my shoulders—burned as if they were on fire.
And if I eased up, the blade wouldn’t carve properly.
"Eunho, you look like you’re really struggling..."
"I’ll help! Let me put on gloves and give it a try!"
"No... it’s fine..."
As I repeatedly alternated between Petrification and Acceleration after every cooldown, grinding away at the blade, a system notification popped up.
[Congratulations!]
[You’ve achieved the unique milestone, Sharpening a Weapon with Bare Hands!]
[Title Human Whetstone has been awarded.]
Huh?
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
w