RGRB 38

Chapter 38. Repairing the Altar (2)

‘Materials ready.’

Beside Aren lay a neat pile of materials needed to repair the altar.
The elves had grumbled a bit, but eventually brought everything without further complaint.

‘Tools, check.’

He inspected his equipment.
The original purpose of his visit to Lete Village had been to buy a new hammer and saw, though he’d been unexpectedly dragged away before finishing.
Fortunately, this elf village also had a well-stocked shop.

“Check.”

[Green Forest Work Hammer]
Grade: C
Description: A work hammer crafted by elves using forest timber. Excellent for building furniture and houses.
You fully understand this tool (100%).
Durability: 30,000 / 30,000
Options:
+10% Work Speed
+10% Work Efficiency
+10% Durability of Completed Furniture/Buildings
+15% Precision
Hidden Option: Slightly restores max durability during repairs.

‘Definitely better quality… must be because it’s an elf village.’

Tools in the beginner’s Lete Village had clear limits, but here, everything was several grades higher.

‘I should buy a few extra before leaving.’

He knelt before the old altar.
At first glance, it looked fine—but up close, faint cracks and traces of moisture spread along the joints.
The seams, pressed by time, had begun to split.

“The problem is the structure.”

He pressed the wood’s surface, checking for dampness, then used a chisel to carve around an old nail.
A rusted iron nail creaked loose. Aren frowned.

“Terrible workmanship. They just hammered it in by force.”

Whoever built this hadn’t cared for finesse.
Driving nails like that only split the wood faster.

He pulled out a small level, realigned the base frame, and adjusted the structure by about three degrees.
One leg was crooked—he cut it clean off, trimmed a new piece to fit, and compared the grain.

“Hmm… ash wood instead of oak. Harder, less prone to warping.”

He gripped the saw, then the chisel and hammer.

“Huh? What are you doing with that? Aren’t you going to use nails?”
“See this gap? If I use nails, it won’t last. I’ll use another method.”

He began carving a male joint into the end of the new leg piece, shaping it meticulously with the chisel.

Tap, tap.

He polished the edges with fine golden sandpaper until perfectly smooth, then carved the corresponding female joint on the altar frame.

‘Carefully…’

Holding his breath, he carved—each stroke precise, deliberate.

[The Altar Fragment trembles faintly.]
[The Spirit’s energy tests your craftsmanship.]

‘Huh?’

A translucent resistance pushed against his chisel.

‘A spirit? It’s interfering?’

He frowned.

‘Why now, of all times?’

This was a crucial cut. Even a fraction off would ruin the alignment.

‘You think you can stop me?’

He tightened his grip.

‘Once I take a job, I see it through.’

Giving up wasn’t in Aren’s dictionary.

He steadied his breathing, adjusting to the push of the unseen force.

‘If it’s resisting… then I’ll factor that in.’

He began using the pressure itself to calculate wood resistance. His hands grew more sensitive, his focus absolute.

[Skill “Hands of the Star Lv.3” reacts strongly!]
[Fine Work Efficiency increased!]
[Precision Accuracy increased!]

The skill aided him—his chisel moving in perfect rhythm.

[The Spirit’s energy is flustered!]
[The Spirit exerts more force!]

The resistance strengthened. But Aren stayed calm.

[With astonishing concentration, you control every sense.]
[Skill Level Up!]
[Hands of the Star Lv.3 → Lv.4]
[Dexterity +2]

Tap, tap…

The sound was crisp and steady.
He carved the joint perfectly—within 0.1 mm of the guide line.

[The Spirit’s energy falters.]
[The Spirit gives up.]

The resistance vanished.

‘Did you really think that would make me quit?’

Smirking, Aren continued shaping the piece, smoothing the edges to perfection.

“Perfect fit.”

He brushed a thin layer of wood glue inside the slot, carefully inserted the joint—

Click.

A satisfying sound echoed.

He grinned. But it wasn’t over yet.

“Base frame done. Next part.”

Still plenty to do.

Meanwhile…

“Wow…”

Lena, watching nearby, couldn’t hide her awe.

The stranger was repairing the altar without using any abilities.

At first, she had been horrified when he dismantled the entire structure—almost rushing in to stop him.
But as she watched, realization dawned.

‘So that’s how you can repair it… incredible.’

Each plane stroke and cut brought the altar back to its former form.

Unlike other outsiders, Aren was different.

‘Maybe… he really can fix it. If so… maybe the Spirit’s rage will subside. Then perhaps…’

She clutched her hood tightly.

“Maybe I’ll walk bareheaded again someday.”

The repair couldn’t be finished in a day. The damage was too extensive.

‘This part’s completely rotten… no saving it. I’ll have to rebuild from scratch.’

He exhaled.

“Let’s call it a day.”

Checking the time, he sighed—work tomorrow.

“You’ve worked hard. Here, drink this. It helps with fatigue.”

“Ah, thanks.”

She handed him a chilled cup of juice, the scent fresh and citrusy.

[Forest Fresh Tangerine Juice]
Grade: C
Description: A special juice made from wild tangerines of the Green Forest.
Effects:
+1000 HP
+20% Focus
+20% Vitality
+30% Fatigue Recovery Speed
+20% Satiety

He took a sip—

“Oh!”

The sweet-tart flavor exploded in his mouth.

“How is it?”
“Delicious! Really, this is amazing.”
“I knew you’d like it!”

[Lena’s Affection has increased.]
[Lena no longer doubts you and will act warmly.]

‘Huh? Affection up?’

Her wary eyes had softened into trust.

‘Well, no complaints there.’

“So, how’s the repair going?”

He swallowed the last of the juice.

“Half done. Should be finished tomorrow.”

“Really? That’s incredible. No outsider’s ever managed this before.”

[Lena’s Affection has increased.]

She peered closer.

“Weren’t there nails here before? I don’t see any.”
“Removed them. Fixed it without nails.”
“Why?”
“Better durability. And looks cleaner.”
“How’d you fix it, then?”
“Joinery. Like fitting puzzle pieces.”
“Ohh… that’s amazing!”

She clapped in wonder.

“But if this method’s so good, why didn’t the others do it?”
“Probably because no one else can. I’m… unique among outsiders.”

Most relied on repair skills rather than manual craftsmanship.

‘It’s easier to press a skill button than to rebuild by hand.’

Indeed, only Aren would attempt something like this.

“But isn’t it tiring? It looks exhausting.”
“Alone, yeah. But that problem’s about to be solved.”
“Solved?”

Just then—

“Aren, sir! I’ve brought the materials!”

Alfredo returned, setting down the supplies efficiently.

Aren smiled slyly.

‘Perfect. With a little training, he’ll be a great assistant.’

“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re plotting something!”
“You’re imagining things.”
“…Maybe I am.”

He scratched his head, unaware of Aren’s real plan—

‘Start with the basics… then sawing, planing, maybe even frame assembly…’

Everything was falling neatly into place.

The Next Evening…

Tap, tap, tap.

After work, Aren resumed repairing the altar.
This was it—the final stage.

He gently tapped the upper and lower parts together; they aligned perfectly, every seam tight.

He shaved a protruding corner with a chisel—

One stroke with the plane, two with sandpaper—

The surface shone like calm water.

“Done.”

He exhaled, brushing off the sawdust. The altar now stood firm, the new ashwood blending naturally with the old.

‘If Dad hadn’t taught me this stuff… I’d have had a rough time.’

“You did it! It looks brand new!”

Alfredo’s eyes widened in admiration.
When they’d first seen the altar, even he had doubted it could be repaired.
But Aren had exceeded all expectations.

“Incredible!”
“It’s nothing.”