Chapter 15 — Decorating the House
[You have completely eliminated the cause of the groundwater contamination.]
[No monsters will respawn in the goblin den for some time.]
[Quest cleared: “The Well That Smells Strange.”]
[The villagers are greatly satisfied with your swift response.]
[You have gained experience.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Villager dissatisfaction has decreased by 5%.]
[Multi-title condition achieved – “Water Quality Inspector.”]
[Water Quality Inspector]
Grade: D (Multi)
Effect: Strength +1
Well Quality +20%
Well Contamination –20%
Aren let out a short breath.
“Phew… That should do it.”
He cleared away the wolf carcasses lying near the groundwater. The well would recover naturally over time.
“Status window!”
[Status Window]
Name: Aren
Level: 25 | EXP: 11.32%
Class: Carpenter of the Stars
HP: 2,600 / 2,600 | MP: 1,300 / 1,300
Strength: 24 + 6 | Stamina: 21 + 5 | Agility: 11 + 3 | Wisdom: 10 + 3
Dexterity: 120 + 41
Remaining Points: 6
‘My level’s gone up quite a bit.’
Thanks to the goblin hunt and the quest rewards, he’d gained several levels. Aren distributed his stat points into Dexterity and closed the window.
“Good work, Chief. We should be safe for now.”
“You’ve done well too.”
“Ah, I just followed your lead, sir.”
While tidying the area, Alfredo spotted something—a small, shabby wooden box buried beside the corpses.
“Chief, look at this.”
“A box? Hmm… Could it be a reward?”
Kim Min-soo had once mentioned that clearing a dungeon or hidden area could sometimes yield a class-specific item chest. This must be one of those.
“Open it, sir.”
Aren took the box with a bit of anticipation and lifted the lid.
“This is…”
[Blackout Guild – Deputy Master Elena’s Workshop]
“Ah~ this feels so good~!”
Elena, the deputy master of the Blackout Guild, stretched with a refreshing smile and sipped her coffee happily.
“Mmm~ perfect coffee, perfect mood~”
A few days ago, she’d been exhausted and cranky. Now her whole aura had changed.
“Peaceful. If only every day could be like this.”
‘All thanks to that chair.’
She lovingly gazed at the rocking chair beside her. Indeed, all of this tranquility stemmed from that chair.
‘Without it, I’d still be suffering from insomnia.’
Elena sat down. The moment she did, she felt as if she were sinking into a soft bed. This chair had freed her from sleepless nights.
‘Who knew a “Sleep Efficiency” option could have such an effect?’
When she’d first tried it, the result was astonishing. Sitting in it made her drowsy, and after a short nap, she always woke up refreshed. Normally, sleeping in the game world didn’t help much—but this was different.
‘So the developers really hid something like this. They must’ve done it intentionally—to make players use furniture creatively.’
[You have rested for 20 minutes.]
[You have received the Vitality Buff.]
[Focus +10%]
[Work Speed +20%]
[You feel invigorated for the duration of the buff.]
“Aaah~ perfect.”
Her fatigue melted away. Thanks to this buff, her work efficiency had skyrocketed—what normally took a full day, she could now finish in just a few hours.
‘Because of this chair, I can even go home early.’
She laughed, patting the armrest.
“You’re my little lifesaver, you know that? My hero!”
“Elena.”
“Huh? Master?”
The guild master, Argos, peeked through the door with a cautious tone.
“About that chair… Don’t you think we should lend it out for dungeon runs soon? We did pay a lot for it…”
“Why? I can’t use it?”
“No, it’s just—”
“Are you seriously saying I’m wasting guild resources? Is that what you mean?”
“N-no! Of course not!”
Argos panicked and waved his hands. Elena was far too valuable to lose. If she quit, all her duties would fall back on him.
“Haha! I just meant—do whatever you want! Use it all you like!”
He retreated quickly. Guild pride meant nothing if it didn’t do the work for you.
“Humph.”
Elena snorted and sat back down.
‘Let’s see what’s new on the marketplace.’
Relaxing in her chair, she opened the in-game auction house—and then froze.
“Wait… these items…”
[Desk for Office Workers]
Grade: B
Description: A masterpiece crafted by a highly skilled outsider for weary office workers.
Requirements: Level 25+
Durability: 345,000 / 345,000
Options:
+15% Work Efficiency
+10% Work Speed
+10% Wrist Support
+10% Concentration
+25% Handwriting Correction
“Holy crap!”
Her eyes sparkled. Every single option was incredible.
If the rocking chair had been that good, imagine combining it with this desk!
‘And this next one…’
[Happy Dining Table]
Grade: B
Description: A masterpiece crafted by a talented outsider, inspired by memories of joyful family meals.
Requirements: Level 25+
Durability: 345,000 / 345,000
Options:
+20% Food Buff Effect
+20% Food Buff Duration
+20% Taste Enhancement
–30% Satiety Loss Rate
+10% Ally Affection (During Meals)
“Wow…”
She was speechless.
In Illusion Online, eating food granted buffs, much like eating roasted yams might temporarily boost defense or HP.
‘It extends both the duration and the effect of food buffs?’
And that –30% satiety loss rate… that was the real killer.
‘That means your hunger drops 30% slower. That’s huge.’
In Illusion, hunger was vital—let it fall too low, and you’d suffer debuffs. Hit zero, and you could even starve to death mid-battle.
‘I used to chew jerky in the middle of fights because of it.’
But this table could solve that problem entirely. Greed gleamed in her eyes.
‘This… I have to buy this.’
“Master!!”
Elena bolted from her chair. Argos, mid-turn, flinched.
“Elena? What’s wrong? You’re not quitting, right—please tell me you’re not quitting!”
“That’s not it! Buy me this! For the guild, I swear it’s essential!”
‘Taste enhancement! Efficiency buffs! This is a must!’
Of course, her true motive was hers alone.
[“Desk for Office Workers” has been sold.]
[“Happy Dining Table” has been sold.]
[Please check your earnings.]
“Huh? Already sold?”
Aren, who was working nearby, blinked at the notification. Opening the auction screen, he checked the sale report.
[After a 7% commission deduction, your sale proceeds have been delivered.]
[Proceeds: 62 Gold, 355 Silver.]
[Proceeds: 70 Gold, 771 Silver.]
“…Whoa.”
Aren was stunned. Two pieces of furniture he’d crafted had sold for a staggering price—equivalent to about 1.33 million won in real-world currency.
“This actually works…”
Of course, both pieces were Grade B. His improved Dexterity had helped, but the new tool he’d found in the dungeon must have boosted the results too.
He pulled out a gleaming object from his bag.
[Golden Sandpaper]
Grade: B
Description: Sandpaper made from a mysterious material. Its origin is unknown.
Requirements: Level 25+, Dexterity 30+
Durability: 4,988 / 5,000
Options:
Adjustable Grit (0–1,000)
+10% Finishing Efficiency
+10% Shine Enhancement
+10% Surface Smoothing
‘Perfect.’
For a carpenter, it was the ultimate tool—no need for multiple grit types. One sheet to do it all.
‘This thing made polishing a dream. No wonder the furniture turned out so good.’
He smiled in satisfaction.
‘Anyway, 133 gold total… not bad.’
Aren checked his in-game mail, which was now overflowing with messages.
[Hello! I’m Argos, Master of the Blackout Guild! Please stop our deputy master from quitting! I’ll give you everything if you join us!]
“Huh?”
Aren tilted his head, puzzled.
“What does her quitting have to do with me joining…?”
He ignored the nonsense mail and skimmed through the rest.
[Hello, seller! I saw your furniture and…]
[Good day! I represent…]
[Hey, I saw your items. Are you taking commissions…?]
[Would you like to collaborate with our shop…?]
[Do you believe in enlightenment?]
Almost all were recruitment messages.
Still, Aren didn’t mind.
‘It feels good to be recognized for my craft… just like when Dad first praised me back in the workshop.’
“Anyway, looks like it’s all done.”
He looked around the village chief’s home. It was no longer empty—furnished with a sturdy table, a fine desk, a wardrobe, and a bookshelf.
“Not bad.”
Aren smiled, taking in the sight.
‘I’ve always wanted to do this—to fill a home with furniture I built myself.’
A house of his own making. A desk, a wardrobe, a bed—all crafted by his hands.
‘Though… the bed’s a little stiff.’
He’d tried to make it soft, but with his current materials, this was the best he could do.
Still, it didn’t matter.
‘Someday, when I earn more, I’ll upgrade everything piece by piece.’
Lying down, Aren felt the rough mattress beneath him—but his heart was at peace.
‘This house began with my father’s promise… and now, it’s my own home.’
He slowly closed his eyes.
Maybe, just maybe, he’d see his father in his dreams again.
He drifted off.
“Chief?”
Alfredo entered quietly. Seeing Aren sound asleep, he smiled and bowed his head.
“Then rest well, sir.”
Leaving the house, he closed the door gently.
And in that small home—rented by no one, owned by none but himself—Aren’s sleeping face was peaceful beyond measure.
