[BL] After SSS-rank mage reborn as the Legendary Craftsman

Mrs. Kim’s item shop has been closed for a month. That news made many low-ranking hunters in Dong-San city feel sad.

”Mrs. Kim’s store hasn’t reopened yet?”

”It’s not like it hasn’t reopened yet. I heard that Mrs. Kim passed away.”

”What a pity... She is such a good person.”

The hunters stood in front of the closed shop, looked at the familiar sign and sighed. In this city, there are many shops that sell items to low-rank hunters, but only Mrs. Kim really cares about them.

She always sells goods at a slightly cheaper price, sometimes even allowing hunters who don’t have enough money to credit them for a few days. For those who often entered low-level Dungeons to make a living, this shop seemed like a place that could help them survive another day.

”What about Kei?”

A young hunter asked curiously.

”The grandson has been living with Mrs. Kim recently. Will he continue to operate the store?”

”I don’t know. Since Mrs. Kim’s funeral, it seems like he has never appeared.”

Everyone looked at the closed door, with vague anticipation in their hearts.

They hope Kei will return, and also hope this store will continue to open. Because for people like them, Mrs. Kim’s store is not just a place to sell items, it’s the only place that makes them feel like someone still cares about them.

Inside the store, Kei was sitting on the bed. A thick blanket covered his whole body. Kei’s face was pale, his empty eyes staring into the empty space in the room.

He didn’t know how long he sat like that, nor did he know if he had fallen asleep.

Time passes in a blur, like cold water flowing through the body without leaving any sensation.

Suddenly, Kei was startled.

He reached for the phone placed next to him, the light from the screen made his tired eyes squint slightly, but it was already a new day.

Kei stared at the number on the screen for a long time, then slowly muttered:

”I have to go burn incense for Mrs. Kim...”

After arranging Mrs. Kim’s funeral and cremation, Kei spent a lot of time learning about the custom of worshiping the dead in Korea.

He didn’t understand these rituals very well, but he wanted to do something for Mrs. Kim. Mrs. Kim had no children, so Kei decided to become her child.

He made a tablet for Mrs. Kim, carefully placed it in a clean place in the house, and then prepared incense and simple offerings. As long as you are alive, Mrs. Kim will forever live in your heart.

Kei walked out and meticulously lit incense in front of Mrs. Kim’s tablet. He knelt down, watching the thin smoke slowly rise in the air.

”Mrs. Kim... I’m here again.”

No one answered him. Kei bowed his head low and continued to mumble.

”Don’t worry, Grandma. I’m still living very well. The store is still here, the house is still here.”

He spoke very slowly, as if afraid that Mrs. Kim wouldn’t hear clearly.

”I will try to learn how to live in this world. I will also not let the store be lost.”

Kei sat in front of the tablet for a long time, telling Mrs. Kim what happened during the day.

He talked about the hunters who came to the store to ask, there were many people who still remembered her, talked about the broken space ring that he had not yet had time to repair, and also talked about how he had bought an F rank space stone and a silver metal frame.

But the more he spoke, the quieter his voice became, because he knew the person listening to his story would never speak again.

After confiding, Kei went to the kitchen to find something to eat. There was only a little kimchi left in the refrigerator, he looked at it for a while, then took a bowl of leftover white rice, mixed the kimchi in and sat down at the table.

Kei didn’t cook anything else, he simply stuffed rice and kimchi into his mouth, chewed a few times and then swallowed, today’s meal ended like that.

After that, Kei sat at his desk again.

His eyes turned towards the empty kitchen. Just a few days ago, there was still the sound of Mrs. Kim’s laughter and the smell of warm food constantly spreading throughout the house.

Mrs. Kim cooked rice while complaining that Kei ate too little, while he sat next to her, quietly listening to her talk about the trivial things of the day.

Now, the kitchen is left with only silence.

Kei stared at that place, and tears slowly fell again.

He felt like he was broken somewhere, but he didn’t know how to fix it. The more he tried to stand up, the deeper his body sank.

There was nothing that could continue to pull him up anymore, his body was asking for help, his mind was screaming like a wounded animal. But Kei didn’t have any strength left to save himself.

If I die like that... it’s fine... Kei bowed his head, his hands hanging at his side.

”Now... I’m useless.”

Amid countless chaotic thoughts, the doorbell outside the store suddenly rang.

Kei did not react.

Then there were many knocks on the door.

Glass. Glass. Glass.

That sound lasted in the quiet house, pulling Kei’s dull eyes slowly towards the store. He sat still for a while longer, then used all his remaining strength to stand up.

Each heavy step pulled him outside.

Kei opened the door.

He was just about to tell people outside that the store was closed for business when suddenly someone hugged him tightly.