The next day arrived inconspicuously as if they didn't discuss of going against the very governing power that rules Absence itself. Today... Jihoon is about to receive his Maestro certification and that he will receive his monthly payment and performance check as one. Once that is out of the way, he would soon has the freedom required to do anything he wanted in Absence as long as he upholds the law.
Jihoon had spent the previous day in Karim's retreat about what they should do to gain access to the forbidden space where the fragments of the Grand Mural resides.
And more importantly, Jihoon remembered to redeem the reward from the 'Expression of Self' quest after his performance with Alvorna in Lengsel. Now that he thinking back at it again, he still doesn't understand just what action exactly he did that incur the crowd's agitation like that. The more he thought about it, it is as irrational as any jade beauty interaction in public space in any Wuxia novel.
"Convenient drama is acceptable, convenient solution isn't, I guess". Jihoon said, already getting tired of the tropy nature of any fictionality. It is more ironic that fiction adheres to rules better than reality even.
Taking the moment in the meantime, Jihoon looked at the his status screen to see his quest log.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Quest completed!
Expression of Self
Difficulty: B
You have complete the shared performance together with Alvorna.
Depends on the final evaluation of the quest based on your action and
the subsequent result, your trajectory path in this world might be altered.
Objective:
-Complete the music duel between you and Alvorna (Completed)
Final Evaluation: SSS
Reward:
-5,000 EXP
-1 Active Skill
-1 Skill Rank Up (Chosable)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon
Level: 30
EXP: 213/419
Class: None
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: 6
-END: 6
-AGI: 6
-DEX: 6
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 5.2
-CHA: 4
-MAG: 15
Attribute Points: 20
+Musical Prowess: Early-Expert
+Active Skill:
-Doppelganger. (Advance)
+Passive Skill:
None
+Song Magic:
-Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)
-Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)
-Belief (Intermediate)
-Exceed! (Intermediate)
-RiET-949 (Intermediate)
-SPIKA (Intermediate)
-Alvorna (Expert)
-Restia. (Expert)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
With all honesty, he could really just dump all of his Attribute Points into MAG and it would benefit him with versatile either way. But... it has reached the point that Jihoon started to notice the diminishing return. If it weren't for his constant influx of EXP due to all of the recent quests, he wouldn't have reach such growth already. But... he could tell that at some point, Attribute Points won't come so easily or be as effective due to its incremental nature anymore.
Thus, come to the second conclusion, he needs to learn some skill that make utilization of his MAG far better than otherwise. Investing Attribute Points in any Physical Attribute is a waste since he could train it consistently. Any non-physical attribute will take him to hell or high water just to raise it by any meaningful amount. And he pretty sure that there's nothing in Absence that can directly improve his INT without it becoming an equivalent of lobotomy.
Thus decision is made, pour a few points into INT and the rest is dumped into MAG. If Alvorna comes toward him given that as long as he hold onto her gifted feather, she would find him every day just to share her shortly-given time with him and nothing else. And if that comes, he would ask for her guidance for any method to control Mana outside of just his Song Magic.
"System... 5 points into INT, the rest dumped into MAG". Jihoon said bracing for the sudden change that could probably very terrible to underwent.
Remembering that a 3 of anything is standard of human. Including all that incorporeal stats like INT and MAG if human in his world has the power utilize it at all. And being a 10 is the maximum limit without intervention, Jihoon suddenly realized that his INT stat will exceed the limit with his order but by then, he was too late to rescind any of them.
All of a sudden, his sense of awareness expanded. His perception opened up with each depth that his awareness unlocked from the newfound intelligence that inserted into him in an almost inelegant way. He sees the world in almost a new way yet as the same as he always has. The more things changed, the more things doesn't.
Yet the sensory deluge threatened to drown him utterly, overpowering his consciousness with a tidal influx too vast to comprehend. Jihoon could feel his grasp on reality slipping as the new neural pathways overwhelmed his being. By force of will, he anchored his mental self to the core of his identity, remembering of that one melody from the very beginning, he started to mentally hum the Forgotten Melody.
Its ethereal strands of melody immediately resonated with his existence as its effect immediately taking hold. Soon, the mental debilitation negation take place as the strands formed into a tethering framework to withstand the effect of his elevated consciousness from burning his mind out like a processor in overclock.
Gradually and torturously, the uncanny feelings in his mind bubbling suppressed by the Forgotten Melody still remained even if the pain subdued. But now focusing on adapting himself to this heightened state as this is now his new normal. His being is now expanded but no longer unraveled, as if a higher attunement to the greater resonance underlying all existences have been achieved.
When his eyes finally fluttered open, the world around him seemed to thrum with new, vivid detail. Each sight, smell and sound carried profundities noticed only in fleeting gestures before. Yet it no longer overwhelmed like before. He had become the lucent eye regulating the storm of perception into cohesive, brilliant clarity.
Straightening with a deep, calming breath. Transformed, yet complete in his sense of self. Jihoon felt that there's nothing can stop him with this new found intelligence and...
The profundity soon faded away and Jihoon felt like all that increased intelligence didn't do anything meaningful. When he realized that people around him are looking at him in concern like he just have spontaneous seizure out of nowhere, he could only perform a dry cough just to convince that nothing is wrong or amiss with him.
Speaking of his intelligence, Jihoon's application so far with it is that... he could recall more useless music theory trivias that may or may not help him... Turns out, just because he has become more intelligent in his capacity doesn't mean he actually become smarter or anything. In the same vein that an author can't write a character smarter than themselves, Jihoon can't spontaneously think brilliant idea out of thin air.
So what can his enhanced intellect does right now? Maybe reading a book just by flipping its pages, deduced something out of generalized surroundings, real-time analyzing and still has some spare thoughts doing something else. Yeah... might not really be earthshaking and revelatory but having some more cognition power may contribute or save his life one day. He might have to raise them either way if he really want to make use of manual learning of certain skills anyway.
"Here's your Meastro certification and card, please have a good day". The elven receptionist of this conservatory spoke to him.
"Thanks..." Jihoon replied politely while his gaze looked toward the status screen in front of him.
Now that the discussion about his stat is done, it is time to talk about the Active Skill that he gained.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Observant
Classification: Analysis Magic
Rank: Intermediate
Effect:
-Can read the status of your chosen target enemy. Amount of information
obtained depends on the differences between your and their stats.
The greater your targeted enemy, the lesser your gleamed information.
(Core Stat: INT, MAG)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
The bread-and-butter of any typical OP self-insert protagonist of similar story vein. Save the authors about explanation of why the main characters knew of the details of their own enemy.
Jihoon couldn't help but having a wry chuckle at the almost painfully clichéd skill he had received. Yet despite the trope-laden nature, he knew better than to dismiss its utility simply due to familiarity.
The ability to analyze opponents' capabilities is absolutely vital, especially on this insurrectional path he was committing to against the governing powers of Absence. A mere cursory glance at a foe's strengths and weaknesses could spell the difference between victory or utter ruin when the stakes became existentially high.
Granted, the skill's usefulness would be limited against truly exceptional beings whose might eclipsed Jihoon's own elevated stats. But in the interim periods of growth, having [Observant] as a tool could help guide his progression by highlighting areas requiring further training or preparation.
And to test its functionality, Jihoon focused his awakened gaze into the same elven receptionist before, allowing [Observant]'s insight to give him the detail needed.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Elven Receptionist
Name: Jenni Lirafalen
Level: 16
Class: None
Race: Elf
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: 5.3
-END: 4.9
-AGI: 5.4
-DEX: 5.2
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 5.2
-CHA: 7
-MAG: 22
-Active Skill:
+Wood Magic (Innate)
-Description:
Slender build, modest muscle tone and dexterity.
No combat training or special abilities detected.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Jihoon continues to look at the displayed status panel which [Observant] given him. Because of how staggering his INT and MAG stat have become after investing all of his Attribute Points, someone like this receptionist easily has their information glanced.
But when aimed at more exceptional individuals whose power transcended his own boundaries... then this Skill may only give disparate fragments about them. He can only hope that he doesn't face those kinds of individual too early for his sake. Or that he need to improve [Observant] really quickly to overcome the greater gap that may occur.
With the certification tucked in his belonging, now he needed to buy important personal belonging that Absence can provide cheaply for the utility it provide. Things that are way beyond what his world capable of producing for an affordable price as a Meastro.
With that out of the way, Jihoon left Lengsel once again.
Recalling of the previous day...
Jihoon and Karim continue their discussion about how to access the Grand Mural fragments sealed behind the forbidden spaces of the respective major places in Absence. In before any of this discussion, Karim has planned for them to go to Calphenis to further spread Jihoon's influence as a Meastro but now things have changed.
"Calphenis being the coastal sea of the merfolks is also a place of constant festivity and unwind for many residents from all over of Absence. And whenever people arrive for tourism, contest and tournaments also take place to stir the ambient competitive spirit.". Karim said as he had made his own share of fortune in that place. As long as one remains prudence, one could make substantial profit from Calphenis's market.
Karim's eyes however remained daunting because his next suggestion is probably the difficult part that he couldn't even see himself or Jihoon capable of performing.
"In just over a month's time, Calphenis will host its largest event - the Odyssey. A grueling multi-stage competition held only once every few years. The winner is granted a single wish by the region governor which as you know is the royal family of the merfolks themselves."
Jihoon raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "And you think we could leverage this Odyssey contest to gain access to one of the restricted Grand Mural sites?"
"Precisely," Karim nodded. "The scope of the 'one wish' award might be ambiguous but potentially unlimited. If you could triumph in the Odyssey's challenges, you could request the governor to allow access into the Calphenis Grand Mausoleum, the current holding place of one of the fragments ."
Karim proceeds to explain the Odyssey's challenges toward him. About how it is a grueling test of wits and skills across multiple trials. And that the set of challenges is randomized by the organizers every time it is held. To Jihoon however, this isn't any too different from the Olympic in his world but just because of familiarity doesn't mean that he could enter just as he was.
"That isn't the only difficulty part of the Odyssey, isn't it?". Jihoon asked knowing that he would probably regret if he really just wandered into such a thing blindly.
"Indeed, that is the other merfolk competitors themselves. They are born with innate water magic running through their very beings. But more than that, the relentless pressures of the sea have rendered their physical capabilities deceptively immense. Even a slender mermaid could likely fold you into your own clothing with ease." Karim said with a grim expression.
Recognizing the vast gap between his abilities and those of the natural-born merfolk. Jihoon knew that competing against such opponents would be akin to paddling upstream against a raging current.
"Their mastery of underwater combat and almost precognitive reflexes in the water make them nearly untouchable in their element," Karim continued. "In past Odysseys, many overeager participants of different races were quickly overwhelmed and even hospitalized by the merfolk's raw power. Of course as part of Odyssey's safety protocol, killing is forbidden but you certainly would feel as if you prefer that option if you get on their bad side."
Despite Karim's warning, Jihoon knew that if this is the necessary step toward unveiling the primordial secret belies Absence's foundational history then he would better prepare to give it his all. No need to speak of how roused his determination at all, he would have to take this path either way.
"Tell me what I need to do to stand a chance against them," Jihoon stated firmly. "I'll endure any training regimen, learn whatever techniques are required. Failure is not an option here."
A faint smile played across Karim's weathered feature. "That's the fiery spirit I was hoping to see. Very well, we begin your odyssey of preparation immediately..."
Back to present...
Jihoon now approaching one of the largest artisan district in Avanthal. Here, he intends to purchase himself some equipment and accessories to help with his own daily life and training. The most important thing he is looking for first, is a spatial storage.
Big Band's piano-sized case of instruments confirmed their existence and he recognized their utility as he knew that the weight that he carried on him right now will only become more insurmountable as this journey goes on. This will without doubt solve a lot of his practical problem when he started to carry an arsenal worth of everything in the future.
Normally, when such a thing is introduced, it is instantly just an alleviation for the main characters or handwave of convenience. But Jihoon felt that even if he gets any of such item, their price will be exorbitant if he tried to purchase it normally. And who knows what is with all the hidden safety protocol required with such a thing.
And that such a thing wouldn't be sold in some random artisan stall even if he wished it to be. Unlike those main characters who conveniently have powerful stuff sold to them cheaply with convenience here, if he asked some random stall for such a thing, they would instantly be angry at him with how blind he is to them.
So... the only place that is likely to sell such a thing after all, is this massive building spire that is the storefront that Karim himself refer Jihoon to. The place where any order keeper from all over of Absence comes for equipment and similar. After all, peace can't be upheld with just empty promise with how diverse Absence's populace are.
The Dwarven Forge Emporium, the largest conglomerate of Dwarven artisans that consist of numerous industries that they partook in. Infrastructure construction, magitech engineering, weapon production, they are virtually everywhere across all of Absence and there's no boundary to the place that they belong. And if he want his spatial storage then this is the only place he could get one such thing and nowhere else.
As he made his approach toward the towering dwarven building, Jihoon recalled snippets from the Avanthal Central Cultural Museum about the dwarven race's nature. The best analogy, he mused, was if the concept of "tsundere" embodied an entire species. Who could have guessed that blacksmithing and tsundere go hand in hand together.
The dwarves were an insular, stalwart folk who valued loyalty and craftsmanship above all else. A bit too much pride in everything they do if it weren't for them doing a damn good job at it already.
Dwarves treated any they deemed friends or allies with immense favor, honor and loyalty. But those who crossed or slighted them faced brutal prejudice and retribution. The dwarven "Book of Grudges" wasn't just some comical quirk that existed. It chronicled every perceived slight against their race in exacting detail over millennia. Any transgression, real or perceived, was forever accounted for in respect to their honor-bound ways.
Although the dwarves nowadays are a bit more willingly to tolerate you some room for doubt or mistake as long as you own up to it. Especially on first interaction, Jihoon sighed knowing that reading about them versus actually interacting with them is another different matter entirely. With the massive adamantium door of the Emporium in front, he made his first step into what he may as well consider as a very difficult test of courtesy.
"Welcome to Dwarven Forge Emporium, how may I help you customer". The dwarven receptionist said to him. Jihoon didn't particularly expected to see a dwarf working with paper instead of steel. Dressed sharply as an impeccable clerk instead of the sooty apron of a blacksmith.
There's also something that he actually need to touch upon, that he actually changed into a classy suit as Karim suggested him to dress for the impression and occasion that befit of a Maestro of Absence. First impression always have a substantial weight on a dwarf's opinion of you. Even if they don't speak about it, they would give you some benefit of doubt just for doing so.
And to make sure that isn't some hidden master or almighty janitor sitting behind that table, Jihoon used his [Observant]. Not that it would change his respectful tone he has taken on regardless of the outcome.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Dwarven Receptionist
Name: Kilrac Stonevault
Level: 25
Class: None
Job: Clerk
Race: Dwarf
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: 7.3
-END: 6.9
-AGI: 6.4
-DEX: 6.2
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 5
-CHA: 3
-MAG: 16
-Active Skill:
+Earth Magic (Initiate)
+Fire Magic (Initiate)
-Description:
Strong muscular build, no actual combat experience.
Have utilized innate magic ability to some degree.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
With a sigh of relief that he didn't just act discourteous to what could have been the CEO of the Emporium. Jihoon remained as calm as he could like always.
"Greeting, my name is Jihoon Hyunwoon and I'm the Maestro on the rise. As I heard that musicians and academics alike utilize spatial storage to contain their numerous instruments and supplies, I would like one that is the size of an armband and within the budget cost of a Meastro". Jihoon said as he maintain a courteous smile like always.
The deskwork dwarf looked at him before looking back at the desktop computer or Absence's equivalent of it. Then before speaking of his destination of where he should be heading.
"To the 36th floor, west wing of the Emporium. You would find the Spatial Storage shop aisle where there will be assistants in perusing the wares. So that you know how to pick one that is suitable for your needs and finances". The receptionist dwarf said to Jihoon as he then prepares to depart toward the hub elevator.
Jihoon nodded respectfully. "I appreciate your guidance, master dwarf. I shall look forward to acquiring an impeccable dwarven work to aid my own modest artistic endeavors."
It really felt like he just passively become British for all the courtesy jargon he just spoken. He hopes that he doesn't have to stay here long or all of this may become permanent.
As Jihoon departed towards the hub elevators, he remarked to himself that aside from the decidedly dwarven aesthetics and dense construction, this Emporium building would be quite similar to any large mall or shopping center in his former world. Thick adamantium pillars and intricate stonework decorated the halls, blending functionality with dwarven cultural design.
Once Jihoon had moved out of earshot from the reception area, the desk dwarf picked up a comm-line and made a quick report.
"This is Kilrak at the eastern entrance. A human Maestro musician has just arrived seeking spatial storage in the west wing. Notify the overseers he'll be heading their way shortly."
The stoic dwarf then returned to his administrative duties, his people's fabled memory ensuring Jihoon's arrival would be duly documented and processed through the great dwarven bureaucracy. Yet, it wasn't all that it may seem.
"And... report to the CEO about the arrived Maestro too. We had someone who could potentially resolve our current predicament".
Jihoon remained oblivious to the commotion his visit had set in motion as the elevator carried him up towards the spatial storage floors. He could only hope that by upholding the dwarves' standards of honor and respect, he may acquire the crucial equipment needed for his forthcoming odyssey.
Despite how this Emporium supposedly only deal with hardware equipment, there are still a lot of customers around here which likely speak for their vast selection of quality items. As Jihoon took his elevator ride, he looked at the vast expanse of stores with their dwarven staff selling numerous things. If he didn't already have its own selection planned out, he could probably have wasted a lot of time and money splurging on non-essential.
"Alright, floor 36th, keep calm and everything will be alright". Jihoon thought to himself as he felt the atmosphere tense despite the Emporium designed to be as comfortable as possible to the people inside.
Much like any massive shopping mall, it's always his own step that he must make toward. Then with the designated shop in front of him, Jihoon made his step inside.
A warmly-lit showroom area tended by a team of female dwarven clerks. He noted their distinct appearance from the male dwarves he had seen before. These clerks looked like average human women, aside from being shorter in stature much like the male dwarves and a bit more... chubby? Not exactly fat but squishable kind that baby usually has. Now that he think about it, there really never was an universally-agreed description of what female dwarf should be like.
Now that he has INT 10, he recalled a useless trivia. That apparently, dwarves are conceptualized as earth spirits in the much same vein that elves usually are forest spirit. And following that logic, it seems that their appearances are meant to reflect the spiritual harmony of their origin. Talking about female dwarves, the Tolkien version makes both male and female appeared the same, including the beard.
How does he come across such a knowledge? Just basic overall research just to get the idea going back when he was still at Arisen Studio. Even the atmosphere required the correct music to accompany and putting a heart-pumping rock music over a peaceful farming town might be funny initially at first but even that is bound to get old soon.
"Greeting, dear honored customer." One of the clerks called out to him. " Welcome to our store, how do you want us to be assistance to you today?".
"A good day to you, dear honored dwarves. I would like a spatial storage the size of a bracelet for ease of use, for the newly on the rise Maestro that I am" Jihoon made his explanation clear and concise.
Although they have already received the message from the receptionist that a Maestro will be coming for their shop for purchase, it is surprising for them to see a Maestro this young after all. There's no better hallmark of a genius showing in front of them than a young blood holding considerable position with their own efforts.
Exchanging each other with the intrigued look on their face, their eyes briefly widened at his introduction as the Maestro. With immediate haste and coordination, the dwarven clerks immediately retrieve samples contained in ornate boxes for use in the showroom display. Having surpassed the first hurdle, Jihoon felt that his business here will be finished here soon.
Little did he know that his stay will be longer than expected.
As he goes through numerous spatial storage accessories that the dwarven clerks brought out for him to peruse and test. He comes to figure out one thing.
The dwarves are unquestionably prideful, there's no need to say further about it. But the length they go to perform and conduct themselves are unquestionably commendable regardless of profession. In short, regardless of what they do, they put their efforts in all the way and never half-heart anything they do. The same goes for the items that he is shown for he somehow can tell the quality and effort that goes in without understanding any of it.
With all honesty, he would have just chosen the first item that he is given if it weren't for their hospitality that made it felt back to decline anything. Or that he is just falling to their charm and ploy.
Then, within the corner of his vision, Jihoon noticed another female dwarf at the shop's entrance looking at him before entering the shop in earnest. All the clerks nearby immediately stopped whatever they were doing and courteously greeted said female dwarf.
Said dwarf dressed sharply in typical office dress with rose-tinted blond hair tied into long side twintails. Her eyebrows are thick and worn with a typical disapproval frown of a tsundere. But everything held onto her figure so tightly that it shows the curve of her body. To make it short and without overstepping into forbidden territory, she is an extreme example of what a shortstack's appearance can be with how exaggerated her bust and thigh size is to her height. Without stepping into uncanny valley even somehow.
If Jihoon's mind didn't already have Alvorna taking the center stage, this dwarf's charm probably capitulated him already. Regathering his bearing again, Jihoon focused his thought toward what should be done. While the other clerks asked her respectfully why someone like her is here. Jihoon used his [Observant] to scan the sharply-dressed dwarf. To his surprise however...
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Dwarven CEO (Princess)
Name: Rosa Magni
Level: 88
Class: Royalty
Job: Administration
Race: Dwarf
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: ??
-END: ??
-AGI: ??
-DEX: ??
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 9
-CHA: 11
-MAG: ??
-Active Skill:
+Earth Magic (Advanced)
+Fire Magic (Expert)
+Business Acumen (Expert)
-Description:
A powerful dwarven authority figure. Exact capabilities unknown
but clearly formidable based on level alone.
Exudes an aura of regal presence and pride befitting dwarven royalty.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
He wanted to scream but his mouth remain shut by force of his will. Jihoon immediately realized of just how this person is a dwarven princess with utmost standing in her clan's hierarchy. Her overwhelming difference in power could easily crush him like an insect should he acted remotely disrespectful toward her.
The clerks seemed to realize the same, immediately clearing a respectful path as the CEO approached Jihoon directly. In a refined, melodious tone completely contrary to her fierce visage however, she addressed him.
"Greetings, human Maestro. I am Princess Rosa Magni, leader of this humble dwarven clan's Emporium operations. Might I request a personal favor from one of your esteemed musical talents, separate from your stated business here today?"
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Test of Endurance
Difficulty: C+
At the request of Rosa Magni, your musical prowess
will be tested again at the judgment of the dwarf.
Stay strong and keep preserving, then great bounty
will be what you receive.
Objective:
-Fulfill the request of the dwarven princess. (Will be revealed once elaborated)
Reward:
-3,000 EXP
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Jihoon's eyes widened, realizing this is about to go far more than just a routine sales transaction. While part of him balked at delaying acquiring his needed spatial storage and many other necessities, he could ill afford to insult dwarven royalty either. Thinking quickly in the heat of moment, he requested.
"A moment's reprieve if you would, your highness. I must make some preparations before I could adequately attend to your request."
Jihoon immediately leave the shop and head toward the closest restroom on this floor. With some degree of privacy acquired in one of the stalls, he knew that this is the time to make use of his [Doppelganger] and the 1 Skill Rank Up that is also part of the quest reward before.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Doppelganger
Classification: Illusion Magic
Rank: Advanced
Effect:
-Create a temporary clone that has no stats but can interact
with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.
No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
If there's any regret in his life, it would be all the what-ifs and all that about how he never had the chance to do what required of him. No matter how powerful he might be, Jihoon is ultimately just one man against the world around him. He could never be anywhere all at once or multiple places.
And the second greatest nemesis that he has toward, is time. After Jin's death, Jihoon developed an awful fixation with time itself, the crushing reality that he had failed to bring his friend to redemption because he simply lacked the ability to be there when needed most or the strength to assert his conviction. Time was a limited resource that he could only keep losing.
And so he come to one conclusion, the only valid way left to increase his own utility is to upgrade his [Doppelganger] skill to its next rank. A more capable clone is without a doubt something that can stand in for him in difficult situations. Enabling a far more effective usage of time and extend the range of tasks and objectives that Jihoon could effectively manage in parallel. It was his best chance at circumventing the shackles of singular existence which the little goddess has her foresight to give it to him for free.
He remembered of how the dwarven princess is waiting patiently outside the restroom which tells of the likely urgency of the task or her being odds, both with equal likelihood but it is clear that his stay is running out here either way.
With haste and focus, Jihoon commanded the System to use the Skill Rank Up on [Doppelganger], its magic takes place and soon his skill improved without the need of experience or skill. This also given him an insight of how [Doppelganger]'s next rank worked.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Doppelganger
Classification: Illusion Magic
Rank: Expert
Effect:
-Create a temporary clone that share base stats of the user,
can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.
Can't utilize Skills. Stats can't be enhanced by external effects.
No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
And so as his [Doppelganger] become capable of substantive duplicate, Jihoon considered how to best utilize it here. Part of him wanted to be secretive about the skill with the dwarven princess. Though her keen dwarven senses would likely see through any attempt at deception that he may try.
Jihoon felt it prudent to keep such an ability under wraps for now, at least until he better understood the situation at hand. Dwarves prized honesty, but his pragmatism had the final say. The clone could prove to be a vital asset depending on this royal summon's nature.
And so, he instructed the clone about what it needed to do in his stead. Purchasing all the necessities required that maybe of use for the Odyssey. that's his imparted command.
Emerging from the restroom, Jihoon addressed the waiting dwarven royal again who awaited him at the entrance. The willingness to go that far is honestly unbelievable at the moment. "Your highness, my apologies for the delay. I am prepared now to render whatever service you require of my musical talents. Please, elaborate your request further."
Ultimately, Jihoon decided to keep his [Doppelganger] a secret, the newly created clone will continue his browsing in his stead while he handled the princess's request directly once both of them leave the premise.
"Follow me then, I'll explain it to you in due time". The dwarven CEO said as Jihoon can only let out a breath of resignation. He couldn't even decline if he tried.
And so the two left the place, and only when the CEO absolutely can't detect the Doppelganger did it emerge from the restroom. The doppelganger looked exactly like him and only complete stoicism displayed on its expression. Much like what Jihoon has analyzed of it during his time using it, there are few things that isn't listed on its description about what the clone is capable of.
It has perfect judgment and decision-making capability. It could not be charmed or swayed from its assigned task. And if it weren't for the originally lack of stats, the combination of unerring decision-making and inherited proficiency would have make his clone the superior version of himself seeing how it wields his halberd far better than he could back then.
The clone then returned to the spatial storage showroom, assessing the numerous accessories presented with an eerily cold pragmatism. Unrestrained by mortal indecision or emotional bias, it calculated the most optimal choice for Jihoon's stated needs and budget with machine-like precision. With cold expression that embitter, the dwarven clerks can't help but notice the distinct change compared to the real him.
Settling on a deceptively simple-looking silvery bracelet, the Doppelganger approached the dwarven clerk. "This one will suffice. Provide the details and payment process for its acquisition."
The clerks seemed taken aback by the clone's curt, no-nonsense demeanor compared to the real Jihoon's polite affability earlier. An air of mystique seemed to surround this Doppelganger with distinct aura of an untouchable.
Nevertheless, they proceeded professionally with the sale, partly unsettled but also intrigued by this transformation. As the transaction finalized, the Doppelganger turned and strode off to continue fulfilling its prime directive - securing all needed equipment for Jihoon's upcoming Odyssey.
Back to Jihoon, who is now sharing his space in the elevator with the aforementioned dwarven CEO. The air felt oppressively and her alluring appearance did little to suppress the dread of the capability of terrible things she can inflict upon him. The female dwarf taking out what seems like a keycard in her card-stacked wallet and scan it upon the elevator's staff-only scanner. Before he could tell what it is supposed to do, the elevator started to move further down into the ground with the floor number indicator going into negative.
Turns out, this entire Emporium is no different from an iceberg in terms of what is seen and actuality. By the negative hundreds of floors that he descended into the ground, the elevator door opened revealed a rather classically decorated hallway that is leading somewhere. All of it seem similar to many old dwarven keeps Jihoon had seen in numerous commissioned concept arts shown to him in the past.
As they proceeded down the torchlit corridor, the dwarven princess finally elaborated on the nature of her request.
"The client you'll be serving is essentially my father, the former clan patriarch before I ascended to his seat of power some years ago."
Jihoon's eyes widened slightly at being commissioned for such a personal familial matter, and the princess continued. "While most of our clan's dwarves put their focus on magical engineering and modernized war machinery, my father remained an old-fashioned weapon smith dedicated solely to his forging craft after retiring from business affairs I inherited."
Her expression turned somewhat somber. "However, recently he has struggled to ignite the spark of creativity within him again. We've had many musicians try to stir his spirit and passion through performance, but none have succeeded thus far. You are simply the latest in that long line of attempts."
The dwarven royal locked eyes with Jihoon. "I will not mince words here, I cannot guarantee your efforts will fare better than those before you. But I ask that you simply give your most sincere attempt regardless of the outcome. You will be forgiven even if you fail where others have."
Jihoon absorbed the candid request, recognizing the content of what she asked of him. Drawing a steadying breath, he gave the princess a solemn nod.
"I understand the gravity of this endeavor, your highness. You have my vow that I shall pour every ounce of my artistic spirit into reigniting the forge within your father's soul, regardless of whether I ultimately succeed or fail in the attempt. My music will at least ensure he receives my utmost recognition for his legendary skills."
Jihoon has never known about this man, so that is a plain lie that he just said. But again, the princess made no attempt to discern his lie.
The dwarven princess seemed to approve of Jihoon's response, continuing to lead him onwards through the underground complex, each stride bringing him closer to yet another test his musical talents would face.
As Jihoon made further toward, he started to take in the details around them. Since her father built this keep of his in his own way, this whole place must be a reflection of his personality. A sort of sad and peaceful atmosphere that the corridor exude which if his experience as a video game composer had anything to say.
A seclusion retreat, that's what he derived the purpose of this place from the atmosphere alone. The longing of the peaceful days that have bygone into the past. The sort of dampness and chill linger in the air which is the natural result of being hundreds of floor down into the ground yet felt as a deliberate aesthetic decision nonetheless.
If this is really the old dwarf's personal sanctuary then Jihoon probably felt the need to further divulge the backstory between the two.
"Your highness, if I may ask - what was your clan like before having such immense stakes in Absence's business world? This refuge has an almost..." He searched for the right phrasing. "An elegantly melancholic ambiance that speaks of something greater in the past."
The dwarven princess's expression softened slightly at the inquiry. "You did perceive much, Maestro. Our clan specifically originated from a remote mining town far to the north of Absence called Mainz. We eked out a humble but fulfilling existence there for generations until the resource veins finally ran dry."
She waved a hand at their surroundings. "This grand complex was commissioned by my father himself as a lasting monument after Mainz was officially shuttered and abandoned when I was just a adolescent. It was the culmination of centuries of dwarven heritage, a final love letter to the simple but proud lifestyles we had to forsake."
Her eyes turned somber. "He was the last custodian of the Mainz's mines and the mining town before making the crucial decision to transition us into a new era. To leverage our renowned artisan skills into building this mercantile empire you see today. But I can only imagine the wistful longing for those nostalgic days he must still harbor."
Jihoon nodded slowly in understanding. No wonder so many conventional musicians had failed to rekindle this dwarven patriarch's passion. They lacked the deeper context of his clan's histories and traditions. The old dwarf's melancholy likely stemmed from sacrificing his life's purpose for the greater good of his people.
"I can see why a thoughtless performance would fail to yield any result from him. His creativity likely stem from the resonance with his ancestral legacy which he couldn't maintain the same familiarity with the surrounding of his seclusion place anymore". Jihoon made his hypothesis upon the old man's situation. Something that has no substance until substantive evidence arrive.
This would make the old man's problem isn't that his creativity has been dwindling, it is that he is slowly losing his connection with his ancestral legacy and noticing it and let that cloud everything else in his mental faculty. The keep designed in remembrance of Mainz is no longer enough, he needed something more spiritual connecting that a recreation of a location simply can't convey.
Something that always carry the spirit of something more resound than anything else, the music itself.
Jihoon had an idea and now with his remembering of music theory become clearer with INT 10, he had his confidence in his own capability of making a composition that met the requirement.
"Your highness," Jihoon began explaining his thoughts to the princess, "I believe the crux of your father's distraught lies not in any lack of skill or creativity, but a fading grasp on the ancestral soul that once fueled his passions so vibrantly."
He gestured around the lavishly constructed but ultimately hollow replica of Mainz's sanctuary they traversed. "As wondrous as this sanctuary is, it constitutes only the physical husk of your people's proud heritage. What he yearns for is the spiritual essence that once animated your clan so vividly."
The dwarven princess considered Jihoon's words carefully before giving a slow, approving nod. "Your perspective rings true, Maestro. An artistic reminder of idle heritage alone has proven insufficient... but perhaps the living heartbeat of our people's spirit given fresh expression may indeed reawaken him."
Before they realized it, their philosophical discussion had led them to the entrance of the old dwarf's forging abode. A simple yet pragmatic blacksmith's workshop befitting his down-to-earth roots. As they entered, they found the dwarven patriarch hunched over an anvil, mechanically and incessantly hammering a piece of metal seemingly without any actual purpose.
It was as if the constant rhythmic clang of hammer on steel was the only tether still anchoring him to any sense of identity, preventing him from drifting away into the gnawing emptiness of a purposeless existence stemming from his ancestral legacy. The old dwarf's eyes were unfocused, his movements remain robotic. As if a mere husk of his former self.
The dwarven princess's face tightened with worry and sorrow at the sight, but she seemed to renew her resolve upon seeing Jihoon's calm, focused determination.
With a nod to the human musician, she gave him the right to approach her father who is in a forlorn state. Jihoon made his approach with the acoustic guitar drawn. Something that would be in-tune with the atmosphere they're in.
"B flat minor... Something for the secluded atmosphere. Yes... this fit...". Jihoon muttered beneath his lips as he started to make himself comfortable before strumming the acoustic guitar. With a deep breath and a sigh, Jihoon begins in earnest.
da dá dã... dà da dã... da dà da dá da.
dà da dã... dà da dã... dá~ dà da...
dà da dã... dà da dã... dà da dá dá da...
da dà dà dá da dã da dạ dà dá da... dà...
Jihoon can't exactly think the exact note as a composer for a song he made on the fly so a melodic progression is the next best thing he can do.
With the wistful melody taking shape and played by the solo guitar. With time signature of rough 4/4 and due to its deliberate simplistic design, its conveyed feeling sounded very basic yet completed the way that adding more would only oversaturate the melody structure.
Hasting the speed a bit more, Jihoon refrain the previous melody structure again, putting emphasis on the motif of the song. As the refrained melody played, Jihoon simply followed along with the previous structure. And with the straightforward nature that it has, even the most amateur could appreciate the melody's essence completely. Sometime, a grand orchestra isn't what needed but a simple but easily memorized melody to do the trick.
After all, remembrance isn't meant to be long or lasting, for people are living in the present, not the past. That's a lesson that Jihoon has come to terms for himself when he tried to reclaim his past aspiration before his audition that would lead him to receive his Maestro title.
It is a perfectly acceptable thing to reminiscence now and then, a sort of overview of how far one has gone from one's own past. But people like the old dwarf made the mistake of trying to remain in it without thinking about the present they have reached toward.
As the wistful notes filled the forge of this deep underground keep, the old dwarven patriarch slowly raised his head and focus from the anvil, the robotic hammer strikes ceasing as his melody made its approach toward his inner depth.
His unfocused eyes seemed to regain a glimmer of awareness as Jihoon's melancholic strain resonated within him. Though the song was nowhere near its midpoint, Jihoon had already accomplished more than many previous attempts of others. He had indeed stirred something fundamental within the old dwarf's soul.
The dwarven princess watched with a mixture of surprise and tentative hope, realizing her instincts about this human Maestro may have been correct. Where bombastic performances failed, Jihoon's understated, emotionally resonant melody was apparently the key to resolve this inner crisis that has plagued him all this time.
However, Jihoon recognized the core problem of the old dwarf lies. It isn't the fact that he is losing connection with his ancestral past, it is that he tried too hard to remain in that past that it blinded him of his future. That's what Jihoon discerned after seeing the old dwarf for himself and it resembled him during his mad pursuit of his own past.
He is only one person and he couldn't keep babysitting this old man in his delusion when he is on a time limit before Alvorna's fateful ascend to her role.
Because of it, Jihoon decided what this old man need isn't just a memento his past legacy, it is a wake-up call for him to stop dwelling in his past at the expense of everything else that mattered to him. That obsession is an exponentially incurred debt that will take one blindsided if not resolved and no one could see it coming even if the evidence present itself.
So... it is up to him to make the old dwarf realize it through this straightforward melody itself. Once the refrain ended, Jihoon created a verse to bridge the song going.
da dà dà dá dã... dà-dà dá dạ da...
dà da... dá da dà da~ dá...
da dà dà da dã dá... dà-dá da dà...
da dà da dá dà dá dã da...
Humming mentally while playing out the chord progression that Jihoon made upon using the same initial motif before. The feeling of relaxation supposedly evoke from its chord progression but it is so simple that Jihoon couldn't mince any more word out of it if he tried with his limited mental vocabulary and any more technical jargon would be lost upon the invisible audiences either way.
Once the bridge is completed, Jihoon proceed to reprise on the introduction melody again. The fact that he technically performed a crescendo on an acoustic isn't lost on him either. With a deliberate key change from B flat minor into B flat major, the original wistful melody took on a quaint optimism that is contrary to the original feeling that it conveyed.
da dá dã... dà da dã... da dà da dá da.
dà da dã... dà da dã... dá~ dà da...
dà da dã... dà da dã... dà da dá dá da...
da dà dà dá da dã da dạ dà dá-da... dá...
The chorus ended on a high note compared to the original introduction, a sort of acceptance and ending of a reminiscence. Jihoon then repeated the original intro, ostensibly to mark the song's cyclical loop, before slowly trailing off into silence.
As the final notes faded... Jihoon has doubt in his heart whether or not it did anything to awake this old dwarf's from his stupor. But to his surprise when he sees him directly, the old dwarf was trying to maintain his stoic expression on his face but seemingly on the verge of just crying ugly in front of both of them.
"Ah... It seems that I truly had return back there... To that mining town in distant height... The ancestral place where we once lived in". The old dwarf said as he let go of his own hammer. An act in which she has never saw him doing so with each prior visit ever since he entered seclusion in this little retreat of his.
"I can vividly recall the crisp mountain air, the sounds of our miners' picks chipping away at the rock faces..." His voice took on a wistful quality. "We eked out a humble existence there for generations upon generations. Our lives were tough, but imbued with profound pride and purpose."
Yet seeing their current state, such a live of theirs likely no longer possible. Jihoon remained silent as he tentatively listen to the old dwarf's recount. The old dwarf's expression seemingly excruciated as if he is retouching on his old wound but his stoicism withstood as he stood up and seemingly try to find something amidst the cluttered desk.
Then... an old brass harmonica find its place in the old dwarf's calloused hand. The dwarven princess then started to recognize it as if it was something long lost that she has forgotten.
"Father? Is this?..." The dwarven princess said as she started to remembered what seems like something so important yet somehow escaped her grasp.
Without any further saying, she immediately started to take the harmonica and the impulse to play the instrument seemingly overtake any precedent of her thought. Then, remembering of Jihoon's composition before, she started her breathe her own life into it, as its own take of the same melancholic melody that Jihoon built,
The same B flat minor like before but its speed much slower by comparison, seemingly emphasizing each note to accentuate the somber atmosphere of the key signature. Unlike the guitar however, Jihoon couldn't tell the note exactly if he even wished to.
"As you can see, the problem reared its ugly head during my father's generation... When we started to notice the decline in our mine output's which at first merely considered as a temporary downturn. But when it goes on for months and then years, and as our motherlodes slowly exhaust and decline while we unable to find anything new within our mine's depth, we realized what was about to come." The dwarven patriarch explained, as his tone harrowed at what seems like only a prelude toward the darkest turn that this town started to go through.
Seeing Jihoon's expression remain somber as the dwarven princess still plays the harmonica to accompany the atmosphere.
"I see that she hasn't speak of her name to you. Her name is Rosa Magni, and as you can see, she was only an adolescent when Mainz closed its gate forever. Her name took inspiration from rose gold which is an alloy of copper and gold. Untarnished, lasting and prized much like she is...". The old dwarf made his comment, Rosa meanwhile doesn't seem mind of him telling of her name. Not that Jihoon already know by using [Observant] to read her status without her awareness.
"Let us continue this talk, shall we? As you know, the Mainz mountain mine was built upon by generations and generations of hardworking dwarven miners. The idea that our ancestral place is losing its worth and in decline was an unthinkable to many old-timers like us. But time was slowly forcing us to confront with that truth and... a lot of us didn't handle it very well".
Rosa's harmonica refrained the slow somber melody once more. Settling in the familiarity of the song that she is performing by heart. Conveying the sorrow that permeate with the cavernous ambiance of her ancestral birthplace, seemingly setting the stage for the tragedy that is about to take place.
The old dwarf closed his eyes, pained memories resurfacing. "My own father was one of the most vehement dissenters when I first proposed that our clan must evolve, transcend our insular mining existence before it consumed us all. As you can tell that our last interaction with one another was never resolved properly as he eventually breathed his last within the mine's depth, desperately tried to find new vein."
He clenched a fist, Rosa's harmonica whining in tandem with the rising tension. "I remembered him saying of how I was only an upstart pup who doesn't understand the way of the world. 'If only you were less stubborn then you would have realized just how shortsighted you were'. But you just have to left this world self-vindicated about its eternal worth, isn't it?".
The dwarf's voice strained with lingering hurt and regret over their irreparable rift. As Rosa continued playing the lament, he recounted how the widening gap between the old-timers and new blood erupted as the mines' exhaustion became undeniable and their traditional lifestyle grew untenable.
If all of it was a spontaneous event then perhaps there wouldn't have been disagreement but the townsfolk keep arguing with one another while their livelihood slowly going down the drain even if it is within their notice because only when it is right in front of their doorstep would they care but it would be too late by then.
"I had naturally received custodianship of the mines after my father's passing," he said heavily. "The decision of how to proceed ultimately fell to me. To somehow satisfy both the stubborn veterans blinded by nostalgia and the progressives who realized our very survival hinged on evolution."
"Their increasingly dwindling livelihood pushed a lot of the young blood to leave the town for a better chance at life but how many of them actually succeed wasn't promising either without the experienced's guidance. A dwarven clan existed for a reason and its divide is ruining any chance for its folks to escape the tragedy. Without the old guard to teach the young or the young to pave the progress for the old, it was a dark future that we are encroaching toward." The old dwarf explained as the worst part of its history rear its ugly head.
He shook his head slowly. "The mines' decline was one immense, existential crisis...but my main motivation, my core drive to find a solution at all costs, stemmed from something far more precious."
The old dwarf's eyes flicked to his daughter, her harmonica's reaching toward a climax as the profound tragedy instilled come alive by her breathe. As if the past come alive again, the tension and friction between two integral parts of the clan at odd as her breathed notes only ascend higher and higher until come to a downward winding. Then all fading into a pensive lull before the original melody's refrain again.
"You, my dear Rosa, had just been born when this all came to a head," he said, voice thickening with paternal emotion. "In you, I saw not just my child, but the entire future of our clan's lineage itself. I could not, would not, let our ancestral ways die out and rob you of a legacy to carry on, no matter how it pained me."
Jihoon understood then of how this wizened dwarf had sacrificed everything, including his very relationship with his dying father, all to secure a greater destiny for his daughter and people. No wonder the weight of wistful regret seemed to bear down on him so heavily. Reflected by the harmonica played by the heart of the past.
"So I struggled," the dwarf continued gruffly. "I fought like a cornered badger, desperately seeking any possible way to pivot our clan's expertise to prospering outside the dying mine system. Even as the old-timers hurled mutinous insults and roadblocks at every turn..."
But time was eventually on his side and the old guards can no longer deny the reality that is setting in. When the mine of Mainz can barely pay the upkeep that its people relying on it. Only then did they truly tried to settle the differences of tradition and progression.
And prideful as any dwarf they are, they kept to their words. A lot of time, this kind of story would have ended as tragedy for all sides involved if it weren't for the dwarf's honorbound lifestyle that often is more of a hurdle than a crutch.
Through that, the old dwarf soon used every of the expertise that his clan has to navigate the wider world beyond his mine. Seeking any handicraft or labor-based professions that the dwarves could easily adapt, there was no concrete plan in his mind and yet by all miracle and fortitude, what should have been only a makeshift maneuver become their salvation.
The old dwarf diversified their foothold into nearly every industry imaginable - construction, infrastructure, metallurgy, engineering. Bit by bit, job by job, they unintentionally established an unshakable foundation across Absence's working world, unwittingly metamorphosing into a mercantile juggernaut. Because of how quality their work is, a preference was developed.
"We became a mobile migrant workforce at first," the dwarf recalled, a melancholic smile playing across his weathered features. "Constantly relocating from site to site, contract to contract, our people plying whatever skills were needed to ensure our clan's survival."
"And before they realized it, other scattered dwarves across Absence began converging towards them as well - exiles, wanderers, vagrants who saw this mobile clan as the new center of the dwarven foothold, a place where any dwarf could find their aspiration."
The old dwarf nodded solemnly. "Aye, soon enough we became the unspoken declared royalty that many other secluded dwarven mining clans paid respect to, often larger than us before our exodus. For we had dared venture beyond the confines of the mines into the wider world when our own closed its gates first."
The dwarf shook his head in amazed recollection. All of this, their entire mercantile empire that now spanned Absence has stemmed from those first desperate steps to survive beyond the depleted mines. A mere fraction of their history, yet so pivotal that everything preceding it seemed rendered insignificant by comparison.
"Once our foothold was truly secured, I was able to pass the clan's leadership to Rosa and step back," he said, pride edging his voice as he regarded his daughter. "Though I must admit, there were times I found myself yearning to return to this place..."
He swept his gaze around the humble forging abode, the authentic recreation of their Mainz roots that Rosa had so thoughtfully commissioned for him. Jihoon couldn't help but inquire what compelled this industry titan to revisit so humble an origin after achieving such meteoric heights.
The old dwarf's eyes crinkled. "A personal reason, but not one too grand or profound, I'm afraid. You see..." He stroked the anvil's charred surface almost reverently. "This forge was my first workstation as a newly apprenticed smith under my own father's tutelage. No matter how far I've traveled or what dizzying heights I've reached, a part of my spirit never truly left the flame-wreathed steel of it."
He let the silence linger, letting Jihoon soak in the resonant power of something so simplistic yet grounding even the most accomplished of dwarves. The old patriarch's calloused fingers continued tracing the soot-stained anvil as he spoke again, more to himself than his audience.
"The familiar dinging of hammer on metal... the scorching kiss of molten steel being born anew into something greater... In my twilight years, I found myself instinctively returning to rediscover that primordial joy. Not out of wistful nostalgia, but from the soul-renewing remembrance of where my life's purpose emerged from such humble roots..."
A contemplative pause lingered before he returned his attention to Jihoon and Rosa. "That is why your song struck me so profoundly, Maestro. You did not merely recreate hollow mimicry of my past. Your music resonated with and awakened the ancestral essence that still abides within me, despite all I had to sacrifice to ensure our people transcended our origins."
Understanding seemed to dawn in the old dwarf's eyes as he regarded the human with a renew appreciation. "For that, you have my utmost gratitude..."
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Quest completed!
Test of Endurance
Difficulty: C+
Through your heartfelt musical performance, you have
reignited the dwarven patriarch's connection to his ancestral spirit
and pride as a smith.
Though burdened by the sacrifices of the past,
he can now embrace the present with reinvigorated spirit.
Objective:
-Awaken the old dwarf's spirit. (Completed)
Reward:
-3,000 EXP
-Mainz Dwarven Royalty - Relationship RANK UP! (Bonus)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
At first, Jihoon had assumed the "Test of Endurance" referred to persevering through some grueling physical or mental trial. But now he realized it spoke of enduring something far more nuanced. He had thought he is going to play whatever song for like hours on end while the old dwarf would forge something but this is a surprising turn of event more than anyone in his shoes could have thought.
Though deeply burdened by the sacrifices and suffering endured to ensure his people's evolution, the dwarven patriarch could now find solace in the cycle of his life's journey coming full circle. What once birthed from that ancient forge could now be embraced anew, free of wistful attachments to the past.
A sense of accomplishment bloomed within him that transcended mere experience points gained. His music had served a far greater purpose than what brute strength alone could have done. Actually, a lot of people couldn't have handle this kind of matter as gracefully as he did if they tried with their fist.
"You have given me an inexpressible gift, Maestro Jihoon. Thank you for helping rekindle the flames of purpose within this old dwarf's soul..."
Jihoon gave a respectful nod, although before he leave, he decided to just use his [Observant] on the old dwarf just in case.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Dwarven Patriarch (Retired)
Name: Septium Magni
Level: ???
Class: Royalty
Job: Blacksmith
Race: Dwarf
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: ????
-END: ???
-AGI: ???
-DEX: ???
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 7
-CHA: 5
-MAG: ????
-Active Skill:
+Earth Magic (Master)
+Fire Magic (Grandmaster)
+Blacksmith (Master)
-Description:
A dwarven patriarch possessing unfathomable mastery over the forge.
His physical and magical capabilities are quite literally off the charts,
the full extent of his power impossible to gauge by current prowess.
Represents the absolute apex of dwarven prowess inherited
over countless generations.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Suppressing a stifled internal scream that almost let out upon seeing the monstrous stat that the old dwarf has even compared to his daughter. Jihoon felt glad that he is a lot more easygoing compare to the traditional dwarves found in story. The fact that he has 4-digit of question marks for his strongest stats spoke just what may be the worst to happen to those at the receiving end of a dwarf's hostility.
With deft control, he donned an expression of polite curiosity.
"If I may ask, what is your name, honored dwarf? It would be discourteous of me not to properly address one who has achieved such legendary position and making of his own."
The aged dwarf seemed amused by Jihoon's diplomatic phrasing. "Well spoken then, young musician. My name is Septium Magni, former clan patriarch before passing that mantle to my daughter Rosa. Glad to make acquaintance with an aspiring talent like you"
He gave his hand toward Jihoon as a gesture for a handshake. Jihoon meanwhile afraid that the dwarf's may crush his hand advertently with his overwhelming stat compared to his... But what can he do to deny a dwarf's hospitality? With a sigh of resignation, he just accept the handshake and prepare for the inevitable hospital visit.
Surprisingly... the dwarf's hand was much tender than he thought. So much so that his previous thought of his given hand being turned into tenderized stake was dispel without a trace.
"I can tell that you could gauge of my strength with just the eyes alone, young blood. A dwarf must know when to be forceful and delicate with their strength. But your talent at discerning isn't that bad either". The old dwarf said as his interest in Jihoon seems to start take place in his mind.
Guessed that the 3-digit DEX that he has wasn't for show either... The fact that [Observant] being merciful enough to display the range that his target's stats might fall into also count.
"But still, I have my utmost gratitude for your effort in this undeserved request that she made. Let me see how can I repay you properly..." The old dwarf proceed to continue, but it seems that he met some difficulty in discerning what someone like Jihoon might need from them after all.
"Father, if I may make a suggestion? We could grant Maestro Jihoon VIP status across all of our Emporium branches throughout Absence, along with all the privileges such a distinction entails." Rosa made her interjection, her business acumen show its capability.
She turned to Jihoon to explain, "It's an honor we bestow quite rarely upon exceptional individuals, giving you priority service, discounted rates, and access to our most exclusive wares whenever you visit our facilities."
Not just superficial discounts and priority access, but other tangible perks would come with being an official Dwarven Emporium VIP. It was an magnanimous offer, one that spoke to the profound impact Jihoon's performance had left upon the dwarven elders.
"We would be honored to extend you such courtesies in gratitude for today's endeavor, Maestro," Rosa stated formally. "Let this be but the first step in further fortifying relations between your musical talents and our dwarven artisanry."
Septium seemed to approve of his daughter's idea. "A most fitting arrangement certainly knowing your capability. Our peoples' gifts can certainly complement and elevate each other to even greater heights through such reciprocal goodwill."
The old dwarf regarded Jihoon with an appraising look. "The open road lies before you, young maestro. I sense this encounter was merely the overture preceding your own odyssey soon to unfold..."
Jihoon simply return his smile to the old dwarf. After all, he simply plays his role as a musician.
Moments later...
Jihoon finally return back to the surface and the elevator made its resounding alert once the floor number go back toward the original that he descent from, floor 36. Now that he thought about it, he wonders just what his [Doppelganger] has purchased with his assigned directive. Although he needs to make sure that no one sees them together.
Returning to the restroom that he used his [Doppelganger], its expression remained as stoic as ever but for some reason, Jihoon felt that this Doppelganger just caused him another different kind of trouble or ordeal by taking his order too well.
"Directive completed," the Doppelganger of his stated flatly. "Proceed to checkout station 9 on the eastern pavilion."
Nodding slowly, Jihoon dismissed the clone, its form dissolving into dispersing motes of pale light. He couldn't shake the nagging sense of trepidation about what awaited him, even as he made his way toward the indicated station.
Upon arrival, Jihoon's jaw went slack at the sheer mountain of equipment, supplies and accessories spread across multiple checkout counters. Dwarven clerks were frantically scurrying about like ants, struggling to catalogue and total the gargantuan order his Doppelganger had apparently deemed "essential" for his needs.
Jihoon's eyes boggled at the sheer volume, ranging from entire racks of clothing to crates of non-perishable rations to cases upon cases of unfamiliar technological contraptions. At the peak of the sprawling pile, a sleek obsidian motorcycle even sat ensconced amongst the clutter. The poor clerk at one of the checkouts looked completely at utter wit's end as she seemingly want to tear her own hair apart seeing the massive pile of items that she is forced to process.
"Sir... Is this complete logistical nightmare what you intended to purchase? I'm so going to tear my own 'beard' apart at this sight". She asked weakly upon noticing Jihoon's approach.
He could only let out a strangled noise of bewilderment, already feeling the phantom ache in his funds despite his new VIP discounts. The Doppelganger clearly had run wild with its directives, operating by an almost maliciously pragmatic definition of "essential" for the upcoming Odyssey without any emotional filters or nuances behind.
But female dwarves have beard? But the clerk who said it has her facial completely clean unlike many other male dwarves. He wonders if that is just a phrase of saying or not but seeing the expression on her face tells that she is being literal about it.
"Um...let me take a look at the itemized inventory first," Jihoon managed at last. "I may need to...streamline this purchase a tad."
The dwarven clerk looked ready to weep with relief that at least some semblance of sanity would take over the transaction. Jihoon simply sighed, realizing he would need to go full accountant just to rein in the clone's cold logic before his funds were utterly depleted. Still, he had to admit the forethought in acquiring components for that obsidian motorcycle piqued his interest...
Seeing this massive pile of items that it brought with is what could clearly be perceived as overbudgeting even with a Maestro's income has also make consideration of his success of the dwarven princess's request. It is a strange feeling that your own Doppelganger place its faith in his capability that he can do it is weirdly motivating to say the least.