RGRB 5

Episode 5

Sold the Rocking Chair

[Quest accepted: “Rebirth of the Broken Bow.”]

Aren held the bow stave in his hand.

It was warped from poor storage, the grip was worn, and even the nocking grooves had eroded.

‘I know how it was made… The problem is, where should I start?’

He slowly shifted his gaze.

[Title effect “Star’s Perception” activated.]
[You can now observe more closely.]

Cracks and defects in the bow glowed with a red outline.
Thanks to his enhanced perception, he could now identify flaws that would have been invisible in reality.

‘If it’s like this…’

It seemed possible.

He didn’t have the professional tools of his father’s old workshop, but what he had would do.
On the workbench, Hector had laid out supplies: a small file, a plane, a saw, a hammer, oil, and extra leather cords.

“This should be… enough.”

He shaved the warped section thin, filled it with new wood, reshaped the grooves with the file, and wedged the small gaps tight with a saw-cut key.

[Skill “Star’s Hands Lv. 1” reacts.]
[Precision work efficiency increased.]

Finally, he planed the limbs to balance them, restringing and unstringing the bow repeatedly to adjust the center.

“Good… this should do.”

Ding!

[You have carefully repaired the broken bow.]
[Repair rate: 96%]
[Quest “Rebirth of the Broken Bow” completed.]
[Skill exp for Star’s Hands and Star’s Craft increased slightly.]
[Gained job experience.]
[Level up!]
[Dexterity +1]

[Hector’s Hunting Bow]
Grade: C
Description: A hunting bow Hector used in his younger days. Perfectly restored by the hands of a skilled carpenter.
Attack: 22
Condition: Lv.10+, Agility 10+
Durability: 3,360/3,360
Options: Agility +2, Attack +3%, Projectile speed +5%, Effective range +10%

‘96%… Still not 100%.’

Aren ran his fingers along the curve of the bow.
The difference was imperceptible to the eye or touch, but he knew it was there.

‘Maybe it’s the condition of the materials… Still, this should be fine.’

At that moment, Hector approached and drew the string.

Empty—

The clear resonance echoed through the shop. Hector’s eyes widened.

“Amazing. It’s even better than when I used it. The attack power is 7 higher! How did you do it?”

“Well… I’m not exactly sure myself…”

Tiring!

[Dexterity Updated]
– High-quality crafting/repair now adds bonus stats (attack power, etc.)

The bow’s boost wasn’t just from his “Star’s Craft” skill. His dexterity itself influenced it.

“So that’s it… You already have dexterity that high?”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“…But you’re still low-level. How could you already…”

Hector was astonished. This stranger had a special stat most couldn’t dream of.

Finally, Hector handed him the bow.

“In any case, this bow isn’t mine anymore. As promised, it’s yours.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank me? If not for you, I would’ve thrown it away.”

After a bow of thanks, Aren left. Hector chuckled, sitting back on the repaired chair, savoring the moment—until Aren returned.

“Um…”

“What now? Something wrong with the bow?”

“Not that… I’d like to buy arrows.”

And so he did—200 in fact, leaving Hector still a little dumbfounded.

Outside, Aren smiled at the bow.

‘Problem is… the level requirement’s 10.’

He was only level 3.

But then he began studying the bow not as an object to repair, but to understand: its material, marks of use, and design intent.

‘Walnut wood… resilient and flexible. The string… goblin sinew. Reinforced axle to endure prolonged combat… This belonged to a skilled hunter.’

As he fully grasped it, a faint glow stirred at his fingertips.

Tiring!

[Through keen observation, you have gained full understanding of “Hector’s Hunting Bow.”]
[For a carpenter, understanding is everything!]
[Understanding reached 100%.]
[Special condition met.]

[New Skill Acquired: “Star’s Understanding” Lv.1]
Rank: SS
Passive.
Description: For carpenters, understanding is essential!
– At 100% understanding, ignore usage requirements.
(Wooden items only.)
– At 100% understanding, a hidden option is revealed. (Max 1.)

Aren’s eyes went wide.

‘A skill that lets me ignore item requirements…? This is broken!’

Sure enough, the bow’s stats updated:

[Hector’s Hunting Bow]
Condition: [Understanding 100%]
Hidden Option: Accuracy +10%

“Wow…”

The requirement was gone, and a hidden bonus appeared.

‘So this is why people hunt for special jobs…’

Aren gripped the bow firmly.

‘Time to start hunting. If I want to build my house, I’ll need resources.’

But just as he prepared, the logout timer reminded him of reality.

Back in his small room, Joohyun removed the headset.

He clenched his fist.

The faint sensation of hammering lingered in his hand.

‘That was… fun.’

For the first time in a while, he thought he might actually sleep well tonight.

The next day.

Reality crushed his hopes again.

Work, scolding bosses, and fatigue.

But when evening came, he eagerly logged into Illusion.

He remembered Min-so’s advice:

“Try selling that rocking chair on the auction house.”

“Alright… let’s list it.”

He entered the auction menu.

[Would you like to register “Comfortable Rocking Chair”?]

“Yes. Starting bid… 1 gold.”

One gold. Equivalent to about 10,000 won in real money.

‘There are people who make a living doing this…’

With that, the chair was listed. Aren walked away, bow in hand, dreaming of future hunts.

What he didn’t know was…

“That rocking chair… will cause an incident.”

Meanwhile, Elena,  of the mercenary guild Blackout, was drowning in work.

Fatigue and insomnia plagued her. She sighed:

“If only I could sleep comfortably… just for one night…”

Needing distraction, she browsed the auction.

Scrolling through the furniture section, something caught her eye.

“Comfortable Rocking Chair?”

She opened the listing—

“Oh my god…”

Her eyes went wide.