Sculpture of a Child

‘Weed is a real genius!’

Mapan had just driven twenty large wagons through the western river basin in order to trade with the barbarian village located on this side of it.

“Oh look! Fresh human prey!”

Many monsters had tried to attack the horse drawn wagons while they had been crossing the basin. However, every single one was wiped out by Phoenix and Bingryong. With their help, Mapan and the wagons were able to arrive safely in the town of Bear Hatchet.

All the citizens in the village, both young and old, gathered in the town square to buy goods.

“Come now, come buy! Cheap goods go fast. Get them while you still have the chance!”

Mapan was selling imported goods from Morata. Morata made weapons, armor, and other leather goods!

He held out a pair of poorly made earrings that would have sold for a few coppers back in Morata.

“How much is ‘this’?”

A young Hatchet woman asked.

Mapan in turn, made a serious expression.

“It is very expensive. I don’t think you can buy it… but I would be willing to compromise for leather or fangs.”

Wild Boar leather and Black Fang tusks were worth hundreds of gold in Morata. It was so ridiculous that Mapan shook his head.

“It’s rare japtem only available in remote hunting regions.”

Mapan, the example of a vicious merchant!

“… Please, I want to buy those earrings.”

“Then I’ll trade them with you for three pieces of leather.”

Mapan was selling all of his jewelry and materials for the japtem the Bear Hatchet villagers had collected while hunting. The first person to open a trading route could reap massive profits. He had learned directly from Weed how to rip off the Savages of the Land!

The skins and leathers collected around the River of Lamentation would sell for a very high price in Morata. After going through special treatments, they could even be crafted into superior robes and armor with the help of Morata’s excellent technology.

***

Weed had decided to finally start working on the one copper child sculpture request. In his personal room in the castle, he started the preparations needed to make a sewing sculpture. First he pulled out the Imugi leather and examined it. Some whitish discolorations were left over from the battle.

“…. A person’s skin is not this white though.”

Leathers are hard to work with because of their tendency to stress. Only a truly skilled seamstress could work with this leather without ruining it. However the staining was not something Weed had to worry about.

“It is quite supple as well!”

The defining feature of clothes lies in their design, it determines their future. If leather clothes were not immediately sold for armour, there were still many options left for civilian leather clothing. By using dyes he could even soak the leather into any color he wanted.

In this case he wanted have to match the exact color of that the parents’ combined skintones. Weed wanted a sculpture with the right skin tone, making finding the correct color a challenge. He would have to find a skin tone somewhere between the mother’s and the father’s, an exact blend of their heritage.

“There’s no need to create a child that is too young.”

Weed said in thought.

“A baby?”

Creating a newborn would only serve increase the parents’ sorrow.

“How about a two or three year old? That should be a good age.”

The age at which you start to stir up trouble.

“I would give her face a devoted look while her chubby hands held up a chestnut…But then they would regret never having seen her as a newborn…”

This sculpture would be best with a cheerful look since it will be the parents’ last goodbye to their ‘would-have-been’ child. For the sculpture to be a success, Weed needed it to be capable of moving people’s hearts. Warmth and tenderness were what it needed to represent.

“There’s no such ability in me…”

To expect a sculpture to hold both nostalgia and pain was really a very unreasonable request. Sadness pertains to memories you would rather forget. With time you can learn from them, but the sadness laced with the memories will never go away. Only a truly excellent sculptor can neutralize the sadness of what a sculpture represents while expressing beauty simultaneously.

“What can I cook up with this opportunity?”

Weed started by giving the doll obsidian eyes. Once he had worked in a toy factory, and at that time he had made many different types of dolls. While boys like toy airplanes, boats, cars and robots, girls love cute dolls. However, both of them like stuffed animals.

“In my time, the teddy bear was extraordinarily popular.”

Children like dolls because it stimulates their creativity.

‘I don’t need to only create the sculpture of a child… I need to create more dolls.’

Weed thought that if he just sculpted the daughter, the child would be lonely.

Loneliness.

In order to lessen a child’s sadness when torn away from their parent’s breast they are given a stuffed animal.

‘I was probably going to create a Magnum opus anyway… I might as well go all out.’

“A sculpture filled with kids’ dolls; a place full of a child’s life. I think the heart will be touched.”

“I’ll make all the things little girls like. I’ll have a beautiful candle to decorate it, and along with that I’ll make snowman somehow… I’ll peel off some of Bingryong’s skin!”

The Path of Sculptor was a profession that led you down many unexpected paths.

Imugi Leather Durability: 30/30 Item related to sewing and production. The ultimate sewing material. Clothing and equipment made from this material will be considered priceless. It is imbued with the power of mana and poison. Gives great resistance against, and affinity towards the power of darkness. § Leather can’t be worked with usual sewing methods. Those who’ve risen to the rank of master will have the opportunity to use this to create masterpieces. § Remaining leather shows sign of being damaged in combat will be worth slightly less. § When used as a manufactured good separate stats are produced. Superior sewing item: Options: § Amplifies the power of darkness. § Gives a maximum increase of 20,000 Mana. § Any material made will have a high resistance to poisons. § Very light.

A superior sewing material that was the envy of all tailor in the continent, was being used to make dolls… It did have many scratches and holes in it, but even then a wizard’s robes or even a simple tunic made out of this leather would have been worth tens of thousands of gold. Despite that, Weed shamelessly cut up the precious leather and gave birth to a rabbit doll.

You have created the stuffed toy “Rabbit” Fashioned with amazing dexterity, the engraver challenged himself in the production of this piece. Made from rare leather, this rabbit doll brings a new revolution to sculpting. Work of a Master Sculptor Artistic Value: 309 Special Options: § If you have seen the stuffed toy rabbit, your jumping ability will increase by 5%. § Plush toys given to children will give a rise in intimacy. § It is now possible to be friendly with the Giant Rabbit race. Proficiency in the sculpting skill has increased. Sewing skill has improved. § Fame: +12 § Art: +3 § Luck: +1

”Ttring!”

The Giant Rabbit race had not even been discovered yet. Supposedly, the giant bunnies live on the snowy mountain, but the only stories of the race so far, existed only through word of mouth!

By creating the sewing sculpture, Weed’s sculpting skill rose by 0.9%.

“Even creating a Fine Piece is not enough to raise it to Advanced level 7. Nevertheless…”

So far, concentrating on large-scale sculptures seemed to have given Weed the most experience.
A sculptor must constantly experience new things. One can’t just stack sculptures up like logs. The path of a sculptor is one without time to rest!

So far, Weed had made many sculptures of humans in an attempt to increase his familiarity with creating sculptures. This new approach was not like that. He couldn’t just create a giant sculpture of Seoyoon like in the beginning.

Thirty more stuffed animals were completed with sweet, friendly faces. Fierce animals such as the lion, elephant, bear, cheetah, rhinoceros and other wild animals had all taken up cute poses.

“Although Kkoktu are supposed to give the dead an enjoyable journey to the afterlife these dolls though…”(Kkoktu dolls help the newly dead on their journey, as they are confused and angry over dying, they need help to get across.)

They definitely did not match Weed’s serious preferences, but they were made for children so it was expected. From the sewn leather plushies he had created five fine pieces. Because it was made from top quality leather and cloth, with Weed’s excellent dexterity, each piece boasted high durability. The elephant in particular had such high durability that even if it was burned or trampled on, it would probably still come out unscathed.

“Throw out your prejudice that says dolls cannot be strong!”

Weed learned the basics of doll making while creating the stuffed animals and started to create more and more complicated stuffed animals.

His imagination was working at full speed to break the mold.

A family of squirrel dolls turning a mill to crack big acorns in order to eat them. A cauldron with carrot soup big enough for a rabbit to swim around in.

“The title should be the Good Rabbit and Squirrel Chefs.”

It was a Fine Piece.

Later, to raise his cooking skills, he would try to make real carrot soup with acorns in it.

A group of monkey dolls danced and sang while wearing banana print clothes. A bonfire burned attracting monkey lovers while they danced dizzying, sensual dances. Playful monkeys laid banana peels on the floor so other monkeys could slip and fall. It was a humorous sight.

“Title: Monkeys Far From Being Monkeys”

This time a Masterpiece made of shrewd monkeys’ calculating figures and more monkeys using tools to cut down a tree. Intelligent monkeys handling precious instruments.

“And next….”

Animals, animals and more animals. If an article said that boys love boats, cars and planes toys, what would it say about girls? The response would definitely be:

“Girls love stuffed animals!”

Weed made a lot of crazy and reckless animal sculptures.

Through his hard work he had created hundreds of dolls.

“No child could be miserable in this room full of dolls. It’s impossible not to feel cozy in here.”

All the dolls he had created were just a were just stepping stones to create the one special doll. In order to create something special you first need to put out your best work, then create something even better. After the amazing array of dolls Weed had already created, his finished piece was sure to be a Magnum Opus.

***

Close to the town of Morata lay the village of Teuriban. During the reign of the Niflheim Empire Teuriban used to be one of Morata’s estates. Known for its production of silk and cinnamon, Teuriban was blessed to be located on the grain belt (region and climate where grain was grown).

However, after the cold that had swept the North, all that remained of Teuriban was a desolate, barren land. The large numbers of monsters in the area resulted in the town being plundered often, which in turn meant that the little food that could be harvested had already been stolen.

It was in this town of Teuriban that the Styrene Guild chose to settle in.

“Start digging! We need to remove the rubble to plant the seeds.”

More than thirty members of the Styrene Guild staying in the village were using hoes to till the land as they sowed seeds.

“Damn, when the Styrene Guild was still in the kingdom, there used to be beginners here. What are we going to do now?”

“We have no choice but to increase the number of residents. Let’s import from Morata.”

The Styrene Guild had settled in the town of Teuriban five months ago from the Central Continent. It was during the time when the northern frontier began to bloom that the Styrene Guild had moved to a new home early and ruled there.

Currently, there was a large scale movement of users from the center of the continent to the northern territory. The Styrene Guild considered the condition of the town before deciding to settle.

“There is abundant land for development, large fertile plains and mountains nearby. This is what we need. Morata is the only close settlement.”

As Morata was a rapidly developing village in the area, the villages around it had a promising future. The Styrene Guild believed that they, in turn, would benefit from this.

“Being in the center of the Northern Continent, we have many benefits. The increase of active users and merchants trading means that we will be the centre of trade in the Northern Continent like the village of Morata.”

Styrene Guild was right about that outlook. Pushed by the Count of Morata’s bold investments and the influx of people, Morata evolved at a frightening pace. Each time the Styrene Guild went to Morata to purchase products, they saw changes everywhere.

After the construction of the Tower of Light, Morata progressed from an ordinary village into a town. New buildings were built and a large sparkling central plaza with a fountain was placed in the centre of town. In the plaza there were warriors, wizards, knights and adventurers looking for a party to quest or hunt with, while merchants displayed their wares near the fountain. Styrene Guild envied Morata to the point of tears.

“We have the town of Teuriban… we are also going to have that.”

“There is hope because the Count of Morata’s class is a Sculptor.”

“I bet the effects of sculptures can only attract people at the beginning, but our guild provides hunting information. People will come our way in time.”

The Styrene Guild published and identified dungeons and monsters in the hopes that if many users came to hunt, they would settle down.

“Wow, this is the town of Teuriban? It looks good.”

“Let’s hunt!”

Several parties visited the village because it was not too far from the Morata if you rode a horse. However they always returned to Morata at nightfall.

“We will go to see The Tower of Light.”

“I plan to eat at Morata.”

Such were the limitations of the town of Teuriban, which earned money from dungeons and hunting. People still went to Morata because it was nearby and spent money their there.

“I’m going to Morata to buy items.”

“Yeah, there are a lot of merchants in Morata, so the prices are good.”

As such, the town of Teuriban was not able to sell items. The Styrene Guild was losing money due to the cost of operating the town but they did not get frustrated or give up.

“It is expected that, in the initial stages of developing a town, we’ll encounter these sorts of problems.“

Hence, they invested 100,000 gold to build a plaza and new housing, but still users did not come. The town of Teuriban had become a ghost town.

“Perhaps it is because they do not know. Let’s promote the town directly in Morata so people will come and see.”

And so, the Styrene Guild went to Morata.

“The town of Teuriban is close to here, and it has various facilities. The Styrene Guild governs the town peacefully and we support resettlement.”

However, they found other guilds seemingly in the same situation; in tears, trying to cajole others.

“The town of Houm welcomes adventurers!”

“Faroe Guild is good in…”

“We invite you to the town of Keahteu!”

Compared to the town of Teuriban, Morata was obviously better, with many buildings and a greater populace. The statue of Freya was finished and there was an artificial lake. The Lord built a large tavern and a set of combat-focused guilds such as the Warrior’s Guild and Adventurer’s Guild. The influx of novices caused Morata to grow day by day and soon the town expanded beyond its stone walls, with new shops and houses built outside the town, along with several shacks. The members of the Styrene Guild were overwhelmed by their visit to Morata.

“Ah… that’s wonderful.”

Still, the Styrene Guild was optimistic as the development of Morata would result in more people being interested in the Northern Continent. There will be a lot of people coming and the town of Teuriban will grow like Morata with the incoming settlers.

“Morata cannot possibly contain such development. The settlers will disperse to the nearby places, so we should focus on developing our town.”

Styrene Guild thought positively and focused on public administration and urban development. Meanwhile, Morata developed its town and the surrounding areas, becoming a very large territory.

“The Count of Morata didn’t even appoint a local elder to govern, he can’t compete with us!”

Styrene Guild and another guild ruled the town in a democratic manner, with twelve elected representatives of the residents of the town that did not have a say. Tasks were delegated to nobles to cut on down unwanted spending that the twelve representatives would be sure to do.

Morata’s expenditure on arts and culture was immense, comparable to the largest of cities in the Central Continent.

“Good, that is Morata’s weakness. Serves them right to invest in arts and culture. It will all be a waste!”

The Styrene Guild increased their investment to a whopping 780,000 gold in order to develop technologies, skills and advance the development of the city. Martial and magic guilds were also built to attract users.

“If the town of Teuriban has a high degree of technological development in the Northern Continent, it will attract many people, maybe more than Morata does.”

The Styrene Guild waited in anticipation for this development to come. Meanwhile, the residents of Morata enjoyed the culture and began to evolve, unlocking adventures, chain quests, hunting and tourism. The people enjoyed the abundance of art as it brought singing, sculptures and paintings. The people spent a lot of money to enjoy the benefits of culture. It was common to see users leave to go hunting after being entertained by a clown. Both users and the residents of Morata were happy.

Ttiring!

§ 35 Teuriban villagers are migrating to Morata. § There is an increase in the number of complaints from the residents.

Residents came complaining to the Styrene Guild.

“Why can’t our town be like Morata, my Lord?”
“The children in the village have nothing to play with.”
“After a hard day’s work, we would like to have some fun. This town is so bleak.”

Due to the cultural phenomenon that was Morata, the dissatisfaction of the people increased.

As people were migrating to Morata, Teuriban’s population of 3,000 could not increase.
The loyalty of the soldiers was dropping and work efficiency had also decreased. Fewer people meant a drop in the productivity of agriculture and mining.

Quests that required a number of people naturally disappeared when the quest giver migrated. A problem arose. When you solved a good quest and wanted to collect the reward, the quest giver had already disappeared. It was also an embarrassment that when the users asked the other residents, the answer was:

“Mr. Mugijeom? He migrated to Morata two weeks ago. It won’t be easy to find a replacement for him, but people want to live there. Me? I’m going to Morata after the work entrusted to me is done. I would like to see Morata!”

Ttiring!

§ 23 Teuriban villagers are migrating to Morata. § People want religious institutions.

“I want to the see the goddess Freya. I want to spend my life in a town where there is a statue of Freya. Fortunately the neighbouring town has one.”

“My friends in Morata are happy because they are blessed. I am a man of faith. I will seek the goddess in Morata.”

The complaints of the people continued and Teuriban’s source of income and food plummeted as people migrated out of the village. The population of the town remained stagnant at 3,000. Up until now, the Counts only cared for the economic, technological and military state of the town. They had completely neglected culture, regarding bards as noisy and bothersome, thus cutting all of the budget spent on culture.

Construction costs for facilities and maintenance expenses had been diverted to other investments which they deemed better. Now thinking otherwise, they had become desperate. To make things worse, bad tidings came.

“Guild Leader, Weed, the Count of Morata, has returned.”

The report gave the leader of Styrene Guild a headache.

“I hoped that he had died, but now he has returned?”

“Yes. There is word that he is making another sculpture.”

“What!? He’s creating another sculpture?”

The leader of Styrene Guild cradled his head in his hands. There was no way of competing with the sculptor, making the entire investment the guild had made in urban development… useless. With his brilliant talent, Weed made the best sculptures in all of the Versailles Continent. Whenever he created a sculpture, the impact was huge.

The leader of the Styrene Guild grew faint and unsteady on his feet.

“Guild Leader, I’ve got worse news.”

“What news?”

“Weed, the Count of Morata is the Weed from CoM.”

“WHAT!?!”

Weed.

Almost as if by magic, the name sent chills down the bones of all the Styrene Guild members. Undoubtedly, it was because of Weed’s unscrupulous reputation of murder, thievery, and pillage. He had no mercy. The guild members felt that they were faced against a mountain.

They still didn’t want to believe it was true.

“Is it really him?” You can’t be entirely sure from just gossip, can you?”

“But there’s definitely a possibility that he really is Jeonshin Weed.”

“Can you trust the person who told you?”

“The news broadcasting channel is almost 100% accurate.”

“…..”

Styrene Guild stayed silent for a while. With Weed’s cruelty and strength, taking over Morata would be no ordinary challenge. Without him, Morata would have already been razed to the ground. After all, picturing an angry Weed was more than enough to drive away most of his enemies.

To avoid the harsh wolves of the north you hide in a hole. However, you only find out later that your hole is actually a tiger’s den. It was a nightmare. The Styrene Guild tried to reason their way back to some good morale.

“Not all rumors are based on facts. Rumors are just second hand knowledge at most.”

“What?”

“Rumor and fact. Let’s compare them. Jeonshin Weed has a really good relationship with Freya’s church. He also has the ice dragon, but how do we know this? We haven’t seen either, have we?! I really can’t say if it’s really rumor or fact.”

“So….”

“Could one man stand up to our guild? Our entire guild, singlehandedly?”

Those were the words that the Styrene Guild had been waiting for.

“Yeah! Weed’s real job is a sculptor, right?! He can’t be that strong.”

“It’s really quite fortunate, really.”

“This is our chance!”

The Styrene Guild started planning their takeover of Morata. They forcefully recruited half the town to fight for the guild! There were 600 high level users in the Styrene Guild, along with 2,000 mercenaries from the Central Continent. An entire army was formed to take over Morata.

“I just wanted to say this in case we’re wiped out.”

“Yes, guild leader?”

“Lets go screw up Morata.”

“……”

***

Weed concentrated all of his attention on developing his sewing-sculpture skills because creating dolls was a specialized skill. After a certain level, the production skills started to blend together. Blacksmiths are able to create finer and more detailed work, tailors more diverse clothes and sculptors showed their best work when making a hybrid piece.

‘It’s a doll of a child…’

After experimenting with many failures, one can create a Magnum Opus that would challenge even gods’ creation. With thoughts like that, Weed had worked himself to the bone, but the perfect picture would not come.

‘A lovely little girl, a peaceful clean doll.’

Weed pinched the bridge of his nose. The King Hydra leather that had been piled up like a mountain was slowly chipped away. While bronze and iron weapons could be recycled by melting them down, that was not the case with worked leather.

‘A child drinking tea maybe… but then it would to be too simple and meaningless. There needs to be a balance between happiness and sadness, light and dark…’

If he made them a sculpture of pure sorrow, a child crying or screaming it also would not work. No parent wants to see their crying child, especially those who could not have a child in the first place.

‘Need to create a Magnum Opus…’

Weed fell into disarray. It was a situation where everything he thought of seemed wrong.

‘I guess I could make a sculpture of Seoyoon as a child?’

Escaping reality!

He was pulled toward the easy way out. However, he immediately shook his head at his mistake.

‘Mandol entrusted me with this work. It can’t be something that I’ve used before.’

The answer to this riddle was tougher than most of the quests he had taken up. By making dolls, Weed had raised his sculpting skill level to Advanced level 7 (35%). Even with all the experience he gained from making stuffed toys, he wanted more.

‘I want to sculpt the best girl I can. That’s not being excessively greedy.’

Weed’s despair deepened. A group of dungeon explorers had already set out for the Embinyu Church ruins, but Weed, who had the original part of the shared quest, was cooped up making dolls. He was swimming in a myriad of failed ideas.

Dolls, dolls, dolls, dolls!

“Aaaaaaaahh!”

Lee Hyun started kicking his futon, he was so worried he couldn’t even sleep.

‘Never thought I would be suffering because of dolls again.’

The little girl’s sculpture wouldn’t leave his head.

‘Maybe I just need to make it out of silver and gold, so then the image wouldn’t matter as much…’

There was no easy way out. If he did it, his carefully built reputation would crumble.

‘I can’t get past this request.’

To give up when it became difficult was not his style. Somehow he had to find a way!

Lee Hyun headed to the market to cool his head. The morning market overflowed with people selling meat and vegetables. However, even in such a lively place the sculpture of the girl still plagued him.

‘Maybe I should read about Obstetrics and Gynecology?’

A place where you can see children that don’t have faces.

‘You often have to change diapers, suffer through the hunger cries and the sleep deprivation…’

None of that seemed to help with the little girl’s sculpture.

On the way back home Lee Hyun passed a photo studio. On display were pictures of married couples with children. After staring at pictures for a long time, Lee Hyun had an epiphany.

‘You just change the perspective of the sculpture. Parents have a lot different perspectives I suppose.’

Even a mediocre picture would be precious to the child’s parents. Lee Hyun tried to look at it from the parents’ perspective of saying goodbye to their child. The picture of a newborn at their mother’s breast!

“The premise of making a child doll is wrong in itself!” Lee Hyun shouted suddenly.

Considering the problem from the perspective of a parent, he figured out the answer.

There are three steps to our translation.

1. Amass 2 Korean-English translations/ Amass 2 Korean-Japanese-English translations.
2. Give that to a MTLer who makes it legible.
3. PR to make it fluid.

We need urgent help with part 1. It is incredibly tedious work but speedens the process a lot. Please contact me ([e-mail]) if you are willing to help. Even only one chapter of compiling this helps a lot.

The process is the following:
Take raws. Insert into imtranslator.net/compare/korean/to-english/translation/ or another NON-BING and NON-GOOGLE TRANSLATE translation site. Take the translation and insert into doc. Same for Korean-Japanese-English. Send me an email and I will send you a more detailed explanation along with an assigned chapter. The only reason its so tedious is because you can’t translate more than 500-ish characters per free translation.

On another note: if any leechers out there have free translation software like babylon already installed, please send me a message? So we can leech off of your translations for a bit?

Thanks.

Chapter 7 – A Girl’s Life

Weed kept on display King Hydra and Python’s leather.

Even after making an animal’s doll and a doll of a child, which was a failure, there were still a lot left.

He only kept the best of the leathers.

Artworks are worst in the beginning; however, the later ones are more complete and perfect. But

sculptures with no feels cannot make another emotional.

He kept the best quality materials as reserve just in case he had to make a sculpture!

“I can make at least 40 dolls. This should be somewhat enough.”

Weed cut the leather and started making a sculpture of a baby.

An infant born not long ago.

It had wrinkled skin and grouchy face like a real infant.

It was so small that it could be hugged with just one hand.

“Life that’s been born since only a few hours. It’s a baby that sees the world for first time after being born from her mother.”

Weed had already received information about ManDol and his wife, so he considered the parents’ emotions while making the doll.

Still, the baby didn’t really show special features.

“Alright. The first one’s done now.”

Weed put down the doll of the baby, and held up the leather.

Now he had to make his second doll.

The way Weed’s hands moved to make a doll was very subtle.

“It’s an infant. Starting to walk in the first year, it will go through a lot of changes. It’ll be the period when parents will always worry about the kid.”

He focused on making the doll while thinking of the possible future of ManDol couple’s girl.

“She needs clothes too.”

He had covered the infant doll with a clean sheet of cloth before, but now he sewed the baby’s cloth.

The doll of a girl laughing when having her first birthday party completed!

“Now recognizing her mother and father…. a period of growing up, more like that.”

The next doll grew up more.

She got taller, and her fingers and toes got longer too.

Weed added braided hairs onto her too.

“Learning how to talk and at an age where she’ll be a trouble maker.”

The fourth doll he made had a kindergarten uniform on.

A doll of a young student wearing cute clothes and bag.

The fifth doll grew up more and more and now she’s about the age to enter an elementary school.

If the dolls until now were a ‘stubborn and cute little miss’, the sixth doll had some of feminine charm.

“She’ll grow up to be a girl with a pretty smile and someone on whom neighborhood boys will want to play pranks on.”

The troublesome, boyish, and wild girl grew up to be very attractive. Her eyes, full of merriment, were still the same, but she grew taller and her eyes were very clear.

The dolls after that became taller and taller with her hair growing more longer.

From long hair, which boys often like, to short lively hair, her hairstyle changed several times as well.

“This is quite a physical labor too.”

He had to buy hair from sculpting material shop; but he never knew he would be tired from feeling proud of himself for making such a thing.

The fourteenth doll graduated from high school and became an adult.

She grew up to be a girl that is very lively and seems talkative.

Her rosy red cheeks and cute expressions that seem as if she will bring a boyfriend anytime to introduce him to her parents.

He made accessories like hair band and necklace to decorate her.

During her high school years, school bags and uniform were enough, but now she was a university student.

He made for her high heels and bags, that were now a part of a girl’s life.

“Still, no using money unnecessarily!”

He debated and concluded to make her accessories from cheap rabbit skin. Even so, she had an aura of a refined, female university student.

Accessories that complimented well with her overall expression, clothes, aura, and scent.

Making as if he’s taking care of his own child, the university student was as lovely as a real person.

Time spent on sculpting became unexpectedly longer, but Weed focused on it with his everything; he didn’t feel it.

Starting from seventeenth doll, as if to show that no one can hold back the flowing time, a small baby that had needed much caring got a job.

Eighteenth doll went out to work in a community service.

Nineteenth doll brought a boyfriend, and twentieth doll finally had a wedding.

He made a very considerate and dependable looking husband doll. The two were a couple that suited each other like a pair of swans would.

The guests, which were made from either deer or rabbit skin, congratulated for their future.

Twenty third doll gave birth to a baby.

She lived with her happy little family.

She washed her dish with her husband, cleaning, washing clothes, and going to work and lived happily.

As the dolls were completed, the woman aged and her fair face started to have wrinkles. The trace of time became apparent.

Dolls that raised children and living with husband.

“Too fast. People say a person’s life goes by the way a bean sprout grow and can never go back, but still, it goes by too fast.”

After passing her young and jewel-like bright time, her aging accelerates.

At the thirty sixth doll, she spent more time alone. It’s because her children grew up, got a job, and got married.

After becoming a grandmother, she takes nap, reads book, and makes a scarf she can give to her grandchildren.

The Python and Hydra’s leather that seemed infinite were nearly gone.

Forty first doll happily and quietly closed her eyes. It was at where she was with her family.

***

Finished making dolls, Weed sat still, feeling very empty.

No more leather, and no more things he could do.

Please name the sculpture you’ve made.

A message window came up even as Weed stood still without even moving his sculpting knife.

Weed shook his head lightly.

“I will not name it.”

Right then, he didn’t want to give any kind of name to the sculpture.

Without naming the sculpture, the sculptor’s name cannot be known and might remain as an incomplete artpiece. Will you still not name it?

“I don’t care. It was something I had no right to make.”

Ding!

A legendary sculpture, with no name designated. A gift to the world given by the sculptor, who put in great effort, and had a talent even a god will be jealous of! He put all the process of human life, from birth to the death, into this sculpture. The sculptor’s perfect skill could be felt from his diligent sewing. Sewing with not even one bit of tilt or missing part found. It is not know which sculptor left this mystic artwork. Artistic Value: It’s a blessing of sculpting. It will become an event that will improve the continent’s sculpting skill. Special Options: Those who have seen the unnamed legendary sculpture, Life and Mana regeneration rate will Increase by 32% for a day. Maximum Life and Mana increase by 30% for a day. Blessing magic effect strengthened for a day. All stats increase by 20 Additional 7% increase in Agility and Bravery. Mobility is increased by 30%. More distance can be covered in a quick, short time. Birth rate in the city or region where the sculpture is increase by 100%. Residents’ tendency for violence decreases. Great help to the public order, but warriors and soldiers decrease in numbers. Life increase by 500. Intelligence and Wisdom of Humans increase permanently upto 15. Does not overlap with another sculpture. Unfinished legendary artwork.

- Sculpting skill proficiency increased greatly. - Handicraft skill proficiency increased greatly. - Understanding of sculpture skill proficiency by 1. - Since the sculptor of the sculpture is unknown, Fame increased by 2. - Art stat rose by 89 - Endurance rose by 41. - Charm rose by 26. - Intelligence rose by 10. - Additionally, for making unfinished legendary sculpture, all stats increase by 5. - Blessings of the sculpture. For making a sculpture about birth and death, battle related stats increased by 8% for a week. Resilience and Maximum Mana increased by 65%.

Those were rewards that made Weed’s head go blank.

It seems that stereotype such as a Sculptor was worse job than Warrior or any other job – should be thrown away.

“Checking Skill Sculpting!”

Advanced Sculpting 7 (65%): Can sculpte. Beautiful sculptures can be sold at high price. Can spread his name throughout the continent by making splendid sculptures. Great for impressing women. Level of possibly leading world of art in Versaille Continent. It is very unfortunate that there is no other sculptor that can catch up to this exceptional sculptor’s skill.

Sculpting skill mastery rose by 29%.

After putting in so much care and effort, even Weed could not comprehend his creation.

“I just made dolls, that is all…..”

Weed received a very deep understanding.

There was a reason for children or women to love dolls.

Instinct to seek out valuable luxury!

Although they were dolls made in request for only one cooper, there were still many incomplete parts.

The number of completed dolls was high.

He had made them in an untidy space in some noble’s castle that he uses as a workshop, but he would have to deliver them so that ManDol or his wife can watch it with ease.

He could use empty rooms in Morata castle, but he didn’t really want to.

“A separate space for the child is needed.”

Weed whispered quietly.

“Whisper, chatting restriction unlocked.”

Ding!

- Whisper restriction is unlocked. - Guild chatting restriction is unlocked.

When he returned to Morata, he locked the whisper and chatting feature.

In restricted mode, he couldn’t hear or see any Guild chatting, and when someone whisper him, he can only hear it when he allows it.

Since so many people were looking for Weed, he had to block them.

Sabina: Beat it already!

Edwin: You didn’t beat it enough.

Pin: Wow, that’s real sturdy.

Edwin: Still, I think we almost got it.

Seems like Wilderness Travellers Guild was in a special hunting.

Weed skipped the guild section. Although he unlocked the guild chat, there were many who kept silence.

- Pabo-ajussi

He whispered architect Pabo he met during Northern Expedition. It’s been awhile, but he never forgets users he could use.

‘He was a very skilled architect.’

The architect actively making Stairs of Goddess for a better view of Goddess Freya’s sculpture in Morata was the architect Pabo.

- Weed! If it isn’t you.

Pabo didn’t forget about Weed either. Of course, he can’t possibly forget him since he was the Lord of Morata.

- Where are you?

- In Morata. I heard of a rumor that you came back and is making a sculpture. I was building a shop at the square and couldn’t visit you. I’m sorry.

- Are you almost finished with the job?

- I just have to attach a door to it. If I do it fast, I think it’ll be done in an hour.

- What about Gaston-ajussi?

- He’s working with me. Right now, he’s drawing on ceiling and walls, but he’s giving them a finishing touch.

- That’s great. I have a request. I’d like you to build a house.

- Lord of Morata need a house?

Pabo seemed like he couldn’t really understand.

It was because Weed, who had the castle, had no reason to need a house. Be it for storing items, resting on bed, etc., everything can be done in the castle.

- Actually… I need a space where I can display sculptures.

- Oh? Then do you need a house with a large storage?

- Rather than a storage, I’d like you to build a house so that I can display sculptures in the rooms.

- Not a hard thing to do. Where are the sculptures?

- In the castle. I will tell the guards so you can enter to where the sculptures are.

- Alright. I will go there sometime in afternoon. I will decide the fee for the request after looking at the artwork.

- Thank you.

Just about when Weed finished talking to Pabo, a user called Hon whispered him.

- This is Hon from the Underground Prison Expedition. We are almost done with the dungeon adventure.

- Did you find Matalros Order’s captives?

- Yes. We found the captives and they all are around here.

- Thank you for your hard work. I will be there soon.

Weed needed to go to the Underground Prison for the quest now.

***

River of Wail watershed that’s connected to Morata and the teleport portal!

It is the place where the second quest of S difficulty, Rescuing Matalros Order’s Captives quest will take place.

When Weed went back to the River of Wail with Nurungyi, he could see a group of people gathered nearby.

“That’s Weed…”

“He’s the one called the God of War?”

“Shh! Quiet. He might hear you!”

After hearing the news from friends at Morata that Weed stopped making sculptures, and is preparing to leave to the River of Wail, people gathered around to see him.

Most of the high level users in Northern Region payed the fee and were hunting near the River of Wail.

Sometimes, there is a party that goes to deeper parts of North, but there are often times, if they don’t be careful, all party members are eliminated.

The River of Wail where you can get help anytime was a great hunting ground.

Weed looked around users with cold and calm eyes.

‘Lot of people.’

In Morata, he was somewhat an idiotic lord who sold food or various items, but he couldn’t be like that on the hunting ground. Already, there were lots of people who were looking at Weed with eyes that wanted to challenge him.

If these high level users all attacked Weed at once, he can’t avoid death.

Because he had high quality items like Necromancer’s Grimoire, Tallok’s Armor, Shield of Ancient, Coldream’s Demon Sword, etc., he was even more alert.

‘This is not Morata.’

In Morata, no one can even dream of challenging Weed because of soldiers and knights. If someone even points his sword at the Lord, soldiers will arrest him or knights of Freya Order will crush him utterly.

But on hunting ground, anything can happen.

He might drop an item after meeting a murderer.

To be not looked down upon, Weed looked at people, acting very naturally.

“Full of trashes.”

“……….”

The crowd kept silence.

The War God Weed they imagined.

It was arrogance fit to the strongest in the Continent of Magic.

“Did you all stop hunting and were waiting here to see me? Monsters are everywhere… tsk tsk.”

Weed clicked his tongue and openly looked down at others.

Those who bought food or sculptures from Weed in Morata were surprised and taken aback by Weed’s different attitude.

The thought that came to them as that happened!

‘This might be the real Weed…’

‘Is he being nice to beginners or individuals? Rather, he’s criticizing us gathered in crowd… He might be a person weak on appearance, but strong within.’

The guts to openly ignore when over 200 high level users are gathered.

Originally, those over 300 have very high pride.

The connection they built here and there and the strength displayed during hunting becomes a target of respect.

Although Versaille Continent has amazing number of users since it’s big, the more high it goes, less the number become. If someone’s level 300, he wouldn’t get ignored anywhere. He can get into a famous guild and could voice his opinion a bit in some middle or low level guild.

High level users had very high pride and self-esteem, but there were no one who would dare to talk back to Weed.

If it was one-on-one, someone might’ve, but since others were keeping quiet, it wasn’t the time to step up and talk back.

Weed dominated the crowd with just few casual words.

“Pathetic.”

“………”

No one talked back even a word.

Somehow it became natural for Weed to talk like that.

Kind at Morata, but arrogant toward the gathered high level users.

It was the aura of absolute strongest that from some time people started to dream of.

But some people felt offended by continually ignoring words. Those who became stronger while wandering around the hunting ground started to give off combative spirit.

Dying would be honorable anyway, so they wanted to challenge him.

Amongst the crowd that had been oppressed started to have a small change in mood.

At that, Weed used Lion’s Roar.

“Bingryong! Phoenix! Why are you not greeting me when I’ve come here!”

Sound that rang like a thunder.

Hearing Weed’s call, Bingryong and Phoenix flew toward him from far away with their wings wide spread.

Nearly the size of a dragon, they were terrifying creatures that will give chill through the spine of those who saw them for first time.

Bingryong and Phoenix roared toward the sky once and landed on a rock mountain.

Huwaaaang!

Kkyaaaaa!

The rock of the mountain started to crack and sand fell.

“Master, I’ve heard your call.”

“Master, I’ve come.”

Bingryong’s appearance was quite handsome. Like any dragon, he had some gravity about him, and his sharp eyes and agile mouth!

Phoenix had indifferent but cold appearance unique only to birds, but still had the explosiveness that might burn everything hidden inside.

Bingryong, and Phoenix likewise were politely lowering their heads to Weed.

“Whooo.”

“That’s amazing.”

The crowd felt an unapproachable wall between Weed, who was controlling the two holy creatures that seems as if they’ll beat up the crowd themselves.

Complaining, timid, and a scaredy cat Bingryong, and Phoenix that causes trouble because he’s so dumb! For those who did not realize the relationship between them and Weed, who rule over them through nagging and torturing them, he just looked amazing.

There would be no one who would challenge Weed after seeing Bingryong and Phoenix lower their head toward him.

“Idiots, I get angry whenever I see you.”

Weed frowned.

Bingryong and Phoenix seemed like they were quietly accepting his comment.

‘Just what kind of nasty words is he going to spout now.’

‘Just ignore. There might be something we’ve done wrong.’

Weed spoke.

“Useless hinderance.”

Bingryong and Phoenix moved around their eyes busily, trying to sense Weed’s mood out of baseless guilt and sorriness.

There were always critical reasons when he was yelling at them. Since when they talk back, venting, yelling and nagging continues longer, so they never asked for reasons. This time too, they were crawling on the floor, just thinking ‘oh the usual’.

Weed shook his head toward Bingryong and Phoenix as if he’s annoyed.

“I don’t want to see you, so get out of my sight!”

Bingryong and Phoenix spread their wings and flew away, thinking of freedom.

They had to fly as far as they can before Weed changes his mind.

They ran away, to the point that the rock mountain shook from their ferocious wind.

The crowd became even more discouraged.

Rather than challenging or with any battle spirit, they were watching Weed with jealous and respectful eyes.

Looking down at Bingryong and Phoenix who cannot be challenged by anyone to this degree, they started to feel as if looking down at them was very natural.

Weed headed toward where Ambinu Fort was.

***

Rescuing Matalros Order’s Captives Quest.

The Underground of Ambinu Fort was crawling with monsters along the huge maze.

‘To conquer this dungeon, it’s better to go in two rather than alone.’

In case of poisoning or curse magic, it was more effective to have one or two friends.

Pabo walked into the Black Tower with Gaston, holding a shovel.

“Did you come to do the lord’s request?”

The guard, holding up a spear, asked.

The guard recognized Pabo because he came to the castle often, and built up friendliness.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The lord asked me to build a house to keep the artworks.”

“ I will lead you to where the sculptures are.”

“Thank you.”

Pabo and Gaston entered the castle, following the guard.

They were going to the lord’s private space that they didn’t get to usually.

On the wall, not even a common artwork was hung and they couldn’t find any gold or silver.

“Nothing special.”

Gaston said as if he’s disappointed.

To him who is an artist, the more he sees artworks, the more his Art stat or Insight rises.

To art related jobs, the desire to observe more artworks is very natural.

“This is the room.”

The guard opened the lord’s one of the locked rooms.

At that moment!

A bright light poured out from within the room.

You have discovered a legendary sculpture. Birth and death! You are the first discoverer of the artwork, of the talent that will make the dwarves jealous, and will make kings war over. The sculptor who sculpted this did not make his name known.

- For a discovery that will shake the world, your fame has risen by 1,290. - You have gained the title The Discoverer of Legendary Sculpture. If you talk about the story of how you discovered this sculpture, you will get drinks and food for free without any limit. The nobles and kings who love beauty will welcome your visit and will be dying to listen to your story.

As soon as they opened up the door, their fame, which they painstakingly tried to raise, rose by over 1,000.

Another message window popped up even before their minds came back to their places.

You have seen an unnamed legendary sculpture. Flower of art. An artwork that can be called as a wonder. The unknown sculpture used his skill to make the sculpture with birth and death as the theme. Those who understand after seeing his sculpture will have life time’s blessings. Life, Mana, and Vitality increase 32%. Maximum lLife and Mana will increase 30%. All stat rises by 20. Additionally, Agility and Bravery will increase. Mobility increases 30%. When travelling long distance, it becomes more effective. Gaining the happiness of being alive, Life increases by 500 permanently. Due to low Wisdom, you couldn’t understand the artwork. Wisdom and Intelligence increases by 2 permanently. To understand the artwork, there is need to watch often and to observe in detail.

An Architect unexpectedly needs high wisdom.

To build a building, he needs to know simple magic.

But even with his wisdom and intelligence, he couldn’t understand the artwork.

In case of Pabo, he stopped at this level, but Gaston got shocked as if he got hit by a lightning.

- For observing legendary sculpture, Art stat increases by 47.

Incredible increase in Art stat.

In case of magicians, students learning from their masters could grow faster.

But Artists could only prove themselves with their works!

The dolls displayed in the light were realistic and made the fact that they were leather dolls unbelieveable.

The clothing, and even the buttons were made with great accuracy; there was no flaw.

“For these sculptures to be Weed’s true capability…”

Although the sculptor who made the dolls was unknown, if it was not the Lord of Morata, Weed, then who would it be.

Since the Lord Weed asked them to make a house for his artworks, it was for sure.

Pabo whispered Weed with his shaking voice.

- Y-You, are you busy?

Weed replied quickly.

- It’s fine. Speak to me.

- I have something I want to know.

- What is it?

- Why did you not reveal your name after making these sculptures? I could get the fame as a discoverer thanks to you but…

It was something Pabo and Gaston felt very grateful about, but couldn’t really understand. If he made these kind of sculptures, then wouldn’t he want to show it of?

If Gaston drew a legendary artwork, then he would’ve showed it off everywhere.

- Because I was embarrassed.

- What, embarrassed of what?

- Since it’s a very lacking and unrefined skill, it was embarrassing to reveal my name…

- Gasp.

Feeling embarrassed to even name the pieces, after creating such legendary sculptures!

Their breathing stopped from Weed’s modesty.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-26