53
Upon arriving in Seoul, Baek Woojin headed straight for Yongsan instead of going home.
"I'm here."
"……."
He opened the door to the workshop and greeted her, but Geum Nahee, who had her chin resting on the counter, responded indifferently.
At her reaction, Baek Woojin awkwardly scratched his cheek, closed the door behind him, and stood in front of the counter.
"Did you run out of potions?"
"I did run out."
"……."
Her eyes gradually narrowed, but Baek Woojin didn't avoid her gaze and confidently met it.
"I'm only letting it slide because you're really Mr. Woojin."
Geum Nahee, who raised the white flag first, let out a small sigh, went inside, and brought out a box that fit perfectly in her arms. Inside, potions of various colors were neatly lined up in test tubes.
"Thank y—"
Geum Nahee's hand struck down on the back of Baek Woojin's hand as it reached toward the box.
Slap! A loud sound rang out, but the person who was hit remained unfazed, while Geum Nahee, the one who struck, wrapped her own hand and frowned.
"It's fine to take them. But at least tell me what you used all those potions for before taking more."
"I was going to tell you anyway."
"Really?"
Perhaps because of his past record, Geum Nahee didn't easily withdraw her suspicious gaze, and at her reaction, Baek Woojin took a very brief moment to reflect on his own behavior toward her.
"Just a moment."
"……?"
If he was going to tell her, he should just tell her, and if he was going to refuse, he could simply refuse, but his response of asking her to wait was puzzling, so Geum Nahee relaxed her expression and waited quietly.
Ding.
It seemed like he was sending a message to someone, and not long after, Baek Woojin's smartphone rang. Then he put his phone away and faced Geum Nahee again.
"There was a situation on this end."
"Tell me about it."
Geum Nahee put on what she thought was a serious expression and crossed her arms below her chest. However, her crossed arms quickly uncrossed not long after Baek Woojin opened his mouth.
"So that's what happen—"
"Are you crazy?!"
Geum Nahee, who had barely held back harsh words from bursting out several times, slammed the innocent counter with a bang! and shouted as soon as Baek Woojin finished his story.
"The situation was unavoidable."
"That's! That's... e-even so! Drinking not just one type of potion but mixing several types and drinking them so recklessly is no different from suicide!!"
Seeing that she even dropped her honorifics, she must be truly angry.
At that, Baek Woojin spoke to Geum Nahee, who was indeed furious to the top of her head.
"If they were potions made by someone else, I wouldn't have done that."
"Ha?!"
Confusion mixed into Geum Nahee's face, which was full of anger.
"I'm serious. Because I was certain I wouldn't die if they were potions made by you, Nahee, I was able to choose that method."
"Y-you, I, s-su, haa... fine."
Perhaps Baek Woojin's sincerity reached her.
Geum Nahee, whether from anger or some other reason, fanned her flushed face with her hand and slightly turned her head away, avoiding Baek Woojin's gaze.
"Thanks to you, Nahee, I was able to come back alive."
"……."
When Baek Woojin even bowed his head, Geum Nahee glanced at the crown of his head before straightening her posture and clearing her throat with an "Ahem!"
"Is your body okay?"
"I received proper healing, so I'm fine."
"That's a relief."
Geum Nahee let out a very small sigh of relief and continued speaking.
"You might already know this, Woojin, but if you drink too many potions, you develop tolerance."
"I've heard of that."
Even hair loss medication, if taken for a long time, builds immunity and needs to be replaced with a stronger product—there's no reason potions wouldn't develop tolerance either.
"It feels a bit embarrassing, like I'm gilding my own face. But my potions have no side effects and don't develop tolerance as long as you take the proper amount."
Geum Nahee took out one potion from the box and opened the cap.
"Try drinking it."
Baek Woojin didn't think Geum Nahee's action was excessive at all. That was why he downed the strength enhancement potion she offered in one gulp.
"How is it?"
"There is some stimulation, but it doesn't hit as strongly as before."
"If we assume a scale from 10 to 1?"
At the surprisingly detailed question, Baek Woojin focused a bit more and observed the changes in his body.
"It seems to be around 6."
Naturally, the first time he took a potion was 10.
"6, huh..."
Geum Nahee tapped the counter table with her index finger for a moment, then removed all the potions from the box, starting with the strength enhancement potions down to the stat enhancement potions.
"In your current state, drinking these would only halve the effect and accelerate the rate at which tolerance develops. It might be difficult to enhance the effects immediately, but I'll modify them so the tolerance doesn't accelerate, so just take these for now."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Ahem! If you're grateful, no... This is separate from repaying my debt, so if you're really thankful, treat me to something later."
Having said that much, Geum Nahee gathered the potions she had taken out of the box and mumbled very quietly, "Well, maybe buying me a meal or something..."
"I don't have much leeway right now, but I'll try to make time."
"W-what for?"
"Just now."
At Geum Nahee's reaction, which seemed genuinely flustered, Baek Woojin closed his mouth after starting to speak.
"Never mind. More importantly, how have you been lately?"
"How would I be. Can't you see this, this?"
Geum Nahee poked at the dark circles deeply set under her eyes.
"I'm so busy that I barely sleep 4 hours a day. Even now, I only managed to squeeze out some time because you sent me a message saying you were coming."
"So that's why you closed the door with the sign."
"That's right. The order volume suddenly doubled, so I'm making potions all day except for meal times, you know?"
Despite her words, a small smile hung on Geum Nahee's lips.
Perhaps because she was an alchemist by nature, she didn't consider the act of making potions as real labor, which was why she could show such a reaction.
"Let me know when you have some free time."
"……."
Geum Nahee suddenly fidgeted her fingers, and as her fingers moved, her brow gradually furrowed.
"It seems like it'll be difficult this year...?"
While waiting for Geum Nahee to come up with an answer, Baek Woojin took potions out of the box and neatly put them into his item box.
"October!"
After pondering for quite a while, Geum Nahee said that with a resolute expression.
"October."
"Yes! October. I'll somehow make time in October, so don't forget and remember it. Okay?"
"Understood."
He would remember, but he couldn't guarantee that he'd be able to free up time exactly on the day she wanted.
"Good. Then go now. I need to work."
"Work hard."
"I'll contact you when the modification is done, so make sure to pick up."
"Yes."
"Don't just answer well!"
"This time I mean it."
With that conversation as the end, Baek Woojin left the Artisan Guild and headed to the station.
He was about to open the door of a bakery he had visited several times to buy the macarons Baek Ahyeon had requested when his smartphone in his pocket vibrated.
The caller was Heo Sangmin.
"This is Baek Woojin."
-Ah, Hunter-nim. I'm sorry. I was in an important meeting and couldn't answer the phone.
Baek Woojin judged that his words were true from the fact that Heo Sangmin's voice over the speaker was much lower than usual.
"It seems like it was a meeting with rather unpleasant content."
-Indeed. It's noisy around you, are you outside?
"Yes. But I'll be heading home soon."
-Oh, you've already returned to Seoul?
Baek Woojin opened the bakery door while maintaining the call with Heo Sangmin.
A female employee he was familiar with gave a bright smile and slightly bowed her head, and Baek Woojin also exchanged greetings by lightly nodding his head.
"I contacted you to give you the observation report, but since you're outside right now, shall I contact you again later?"
-Let's do it tomorrow instead of today. I have to go out again shortly.
"You're still busy."
-I'm at death's door. And I also have something to tell you, Hunter-nim.
"Is it related to the meeting?"
-As expected, you're quick to catch on.
"Understood. Then please contact me at your convenience tomorrow."
-Understood. Please rest well.
"I'll rest hard on the Assistant Manager's behalf too."
-Ugh!! I-I'll hang up now!
Having ended the call, Baek Woojin headed to the checkout counter with the macarons he had placed on a tray during the call and some bread that Jang Yeosa liked.
"It seems you were busy last week."
"Yes."
Having stopped by every weekend or thereabouts to buy macarons, it seemed they had completely memorized his face.
"Ah, I'll stamp your coupon."
"Is it a new one?"
"Huh? Ah, yes yes. It's new."
A woman around Geum Nahee's age took out a coupon paper, scribbled something on the back, then flipped it over and stamped it.
"Please come again~"
"Keep up the good work."
Having finished all his outside errands, Baek Woojin headed straight home.
"I'm back."
Crash bang!
Noisy sounds came from Baek Ahyeon's room, and soon the door flew open as a pretty panda jumped out.
"Why are your eyes like that."
"T-this is because of who!!"
"Oh my."
Not expecting her to jump into his arms, Baek Woojin lightly patted the head of his younger sister who had darker circles than Geum Nahee.
"Do you know how scared I was when someone claiming to be an executive of the Hongyeon Guild suddenly called oppa's phone?"
"That definitely would have been surprising."
Baek Woojin came to the living room with Baek Ahyeon clinging to him like a barnacle.
"Where's mom?"
"Meeting with friends."
"I should have at least given her some spending money."
"What are you talking about. Mrs. Jang is probably burning with jealousy telling the other ajummas about oppa right about now."
"Hmm."
That was indeed a valid argument.
The Association might be treated poorly, but it wasn't a place just anyone could enter.
"Now get off so I can wash up."
"Something smelled fishy."
Baek Ahyeon slid down, and Baek Woojin handed her the bag he was holding. And the coupon he had separately kept as well.
Considering his future schedule, today would practically be the last time he'd visit that bakery anyway.
"What's this?"
"Yongsan Station bakery coupon."
"Oh. But why is there only one stamp?"
"I got it today, so."
"I see."
Baek Woojin needlessly patted Baek Ahyeon's head once more and headed to his room. Just as he was taking out clothes to change into for a shower—
"Hey!"
"Can you just do one thing at a time."
"What are you talking about. More importantly!"
Baek Ahyeon tore the coupon she had been holding in half as if to show him and said,
"Don't go there from now on!"
"……?"
"Answer."
"Is this thing crazy."
"Ah!"
Ultimately, after getting flicked on the forehead, Baek Ahyeon clutched her head and rolled on the floor.