Episode 236 In Tarak (1)
Tarak, a northern metropolis in the Tulk Kingdom, where various avatars had gathered.
Beyond the Steel Fortress to the north lay the Northern Mountains, a source of rare monster materials, minerals, and medicinal herbs.
To the southeast, trade routes connected it to the Azerion Empire, which dominated the central continent.
And to the southwest, the Aonia Earldom boasted rich deposits of high-quality iron ore, attracting skilled artisans.
‘That’s why I chose this place as the starting point for Hubert’s Trading Company.’
A city thriving on mercenary work and weapon production, strategically located for trade.
Hubert’s Trading Company had grown into one of the leading merchant groups in this bustling city.
‘Of course, it wasn’t purely through fair competition.’
There was no way a company established just a few years ago could grow so rapidly through legitimate means.“Hmm.”
Hubert stood on the roof of the company headquarters, looking down at the bustling streets below.
It all began with the massive initial capital provided by Hans.
Aggressive recruitment and mergers, fueled by that capital, quickly put the company on track for success, and Harley's growing reputation as co-representative became a powerful shield.
‘Establishing friendly relations with the Earl’s family and flaunting our connections with the Church through Heinrich also helped.’
And thanks to the vampires under Heinz the Second, they had also gained an advantage in the shadows.
They had ruthlessly punished those who tried to sabotage them, making an example of them.
‘And then there were the high-quality goods supplied through “Appraisal”, along with the exotic spices and rare items from Earth.’
His bold investments and business ventures, based on real-time information about the Immortal King’s attacks, had also been incredibly successful.
And the Tulk Kingdom’s merchant alliance, which had been a constant thorn in his side, had suddenly lost its influence due to the Immortal Army’s intervention.
It was a streak of successes, as if the heavens were on his side.
He had become known as the ‘man blessed by the God of Wealth’ in Tarak’s merchant circles.
It wasn’t surprising that he was now the head of the leading merchant group in the northern Tulk Kingdom, with significant influence even in other countries.
And that success story was still being written.
Hubert’s Trading Company was in its prime.
“Oh! Master Hubert! There you are!”
A familiar female voice called out to him.
Hubert slowly turned to face the girl approaching him on the rooftop.
“Diana.”
The small, skinny girl he had first met was gone. She was now a healthy young woman, looking even older than her actual age.
Diana, who had started as a parachute appointee and quickly gained recognition, was now his personal secretary.
“There are some urgent documents you need to sign today! It’s about the expansion of the ‘Dancing with Orcs’ restaurant chain, which you proposed…”
She stood next to him and began her briefing, holding a folder in one hand.
She looked like a competent professional, her demeanor radiating expertise.
‘She said she studied hard before coming here… No, this is beyond just studying. Talent combined with hard work.’
He had initially hired her to utilize her extraordinary sense of smell, but she had exceeded his expectations in this field.
Her contributions to Hubert’s Trading Company’s recent growth were significant.
‘I was a bit worried that Hubert’s growth had plateaued, but this smooth expansion is quite satisfactory. As long as it’s profitable, it doesn’t matter how.’ ṟã𝐍ȯꞖЁs
Hubert, the avatar aiming to become a leading merchant on the continent.
He was created after Harley, but his individual growth wasn’t as impressive.
He hadn’t expected to become a powerful warrior, but he had hoped to acquire some merchant-related skills like “Bargaining” or “Eloquence”…
‘I can’t believe I haven’t gotten a single one, even with the company this big.’
Well, he thought he knew the reason.
Skills were essentially supernatural abilities.
And most merchant skills relied on personal insight, judgment, and social interactions, not special powers.
It was different from learning martial arts or magic, which were directly connected to supernatural abilities.
‘If you could haggle better just because you had the “Bargaining” skill, that would be mind control, not business.’
Of course, there might be skills specifically for merchants that he wasn’t aware of, but…
It didn’t matter now.
He was no longer on the front lines, he was the captain steering the massive ship that was Hubert’s Trading Company.
‘But it’s not like I haven’t gained anything.’
Just a while ago, Hubert had finally acquired a new skill, even if it wasn’t a merchant-specific one.
To be precise, his “Appraisal” skill, which he had been using diligently, had reached a certain level of proficiency and evolved, merging with the “Insight” he had gained through status enhancement.
“I talked to your uncle… I mean, Mr. Bolt, the food supplier for ‘Dancing with Orcs’, and we found a more efficient way to adjust the supply price…”
And the evolved skill, “Analysis”, was a superior version of “Appraisal”, allowing him to do things that were impossible before.
He looked at Diana, who was excitedly explaining the details, and used “Analysis” on her.
<Diana>
-Employee of Hubert’s Trading Company. Despite her young age, she shows exceptional talent in business. Constantly learning and striving to improve herself, aware of her shortcomings. Excited to be of help to her savior. Had a bacon sandwich for lunch.
-Main Traits: Uncanny sense of smell, blind loyalty, devoted family love, genius-level business acumen, extraordinary mental capacity, average physical abilities, tragically unlucky.
-Trustworthiness: 98%
The biggest difference—
Unlike “Appraisal”, which only worked on objects, the evolved “Analysis” could be used on people.
‘The level of detail seems to depend on how well I know the target, but this is still quite useful.’
He had been observing people from the rooftop to test the skill.
He could only get vague information like ‘anxious about missing a deadline’ or ‘lying to hide an affair’, and only a few main traits were visible for strangers, but…
‘And trustworthiness wasn’t even displayed for strangers, and even for our employees, it rarely exceeded 60%.’
That made Diana’s 98% trustworthiness even more impressive.
The ‘blind loyalty’ listed as one of her main traits probably explained it.
‘But… tragically unlucky?’
Hubert stroked his chin, looking at Diana, who was still smiling brightly.
It was an understandable description, considering her past.
Even before Aaron was kidnapped, she had been constantly facing dangerous situations, barely avoiding them thanks to her sense of smell and her desperate efforts.
If she hadn’t met him that day, she would have lost her brother and lived a life of misfortune.
‘But she doesn’t seem unhappy now, so why is it still listed as a main trait? …Hmm? Wait.’
He suddenly remembered the reason why her family had come to Tarak.
The incident where her family was targeted by the greedy instructor who had been teaching Diana.
What would have happened if Heinz the Second hadn’t intervened?
Her kind uncle and aunt, who had welcomed the siblings, would have lost their store and their home, and Rafi, without proper treatment, might have even died.
If things had escalated that far, would Bolt’s family have forgiven Diana? And would Diana have forgiven herself?
‘…If I had been a little late, that happy family would have been completely ruined.’
It was him, the variable, who had changed their fate.
More precisely… the intervention of an otherworlder, capable of disrupting even the predetermined flow of ‘misfortune’.
“…Then, please sign these!”
Diana, having finished her explanation, held out the folder and a pen with a cheerful smile.
Hubert looked at her bright face for a moment, then nodded and took them.
He was able to multitask effortlessly, so he hadn’t missed a single word she said, even while lost in thought.
‘“Analysis” is quite a useful skill. Perfect for managing subordinates.’
He could easily identify loyal and competent employees with this.
And if he continued to develop it, he might even be able to learn more about Diana’s sense of smell and her misfortune.
Until then, it was best to keep her by his side, to protect her from any further misfortune.
“Then I’ll proceed with this, Master Hubert!”
“Yes, go ahead.”
She was his first connection in this world, a diligent and obedient girl.
He had grown quite fond of her.
__________________
The only workshop in Tarak’s expensive central district.
Unlike the other workshops located in the industrial area, this was a private workshop built exclusively for ‘Zaonic Steelstone’ by order of the Earl.
Clang—! Clang—!
Naturally, the facilities and equipment were top-of-the-line, and the materials provided were also of the highest quality.
And Zaonic was a Dwarf, a member of the artisan race.
“This is unbelievable. Every time I see him, I’m amazed…”
But the owner of the workshop was currently staring blankly at something, muttering to himself.
He couldn’t believe the monstrous growth shown by the boy he had been teaching just a few weeks ago.
‘I knew he was a genius…’
He learned ten times faster than he was taught.
He had barely picked up a hammer, and yet he had already received the blessing of the forge.
And he was even using World Tree branches, rare and precious materials, like ordinary firewood.
His stamina was also monstrous, to the point where Zaonic was often the first to collapse from exhaustion trying to keep up with him.
‘I used to be like that when I was younger…’
Zaonic shook his head, reminiscing about his embellished past.
Even by his exaggerated standards, Howard was exceptional.
‘And his dedication…’
Once he started working, he would block out all distractions and focus solely on completing his creation, moving mechanically like a golem.
Of course, it wasn’t unusual for artisans to become completely absorbed in their work, neglecting even food and sleep… but even Zaonic, who was used to such dedication, found Howard’s behavior unsettling.
‘He was already growing at an incredible rate…’
And a few days ago, it had reached a level beyond comprehension.
Each swing of his hammer seemed to contain the experience of dozens of swings, each strike more refined and precise than the last.
As if he was living in a time-accelerated world.
It was evolution, not just growth.
After a few days of witnessing this incomprehensible phenomenon, Zaonic had stopped teaching him and was now just observing from behind, offering occasional advice.
Howard had finally transcended the apprentice stage and become a true artisan.
Zaonic was still more skilled, but at this level, the difference in their methods was no longer a matter of right or wrong, but simply a matter of preference.
“Whew—!”
Another project completed.
Howard finally emerged from his trance, letting out a deep sigh and wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel.
Before him, a single arm piece of armor, still radiating heat, shimmered under the forge’s flickering light, its smooth curves reflecting a mesmerizing metallic sheen.
“So, are you finally going to tell me what you’re making? It looks too complex for a normal piece of armor. Where did you even learn such a strange design?”
Zaonic, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, his impatience evident.
He had already asked several times, but he hadn’t received a clear answer.
“Uhuhut! This?”
Howard, seemingly unaffected by the residual heat, caressed the smooth part with a satisfied smile.
He had been uncertain until now, but having completed a single arm piece, he was now confident in its potential.
‘I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure it would work.’
It was still just a prototype, and even after completion, it would require numerous upgrades before it could be used in actual combat…
But if he could complete it, such hardships would be trivial.
After all, this was—
“Iron… Khm.”
The culmination of his dreams, the very reason he had chosen the path of a craftsman.
“It’s an all-purpose combat power suit.”
That was it.
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