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

One month after Mrs. Kim’s death, the item shop for low-rank hunters finally reopened.

The old sign was wiped clean, the shutter door rolled up, revealing the small store that had been quiet for a long time. The familiar smell of wood, metal, and recovery potions spilled out onto the street once again. Only the person standing behind the counter had changed.

Kim Sora was arranging the last few potion bottles on the shelf while continuously bowing to those who walked in.

”You’re Mrs. Kim’s niece, right?”

”That’s right. I’m Kim Sora.”

”It’s so good that the shop is open again. We had to go very far to buy items at a reasonable price.”

The hunters were extremely excited, moving around inside the shop with nostalgic eyes. Some hunters had been cared for by Mrs. Kim inside this very store for half their lives.

When hunters grow stronger, they rank up and switch to using higher-tier items, but people have hearts and emotions—they were grateful to Kim Hye Ji for helping them during the time they were at their weakest.

”Grandma Kim would surely be happy to know everyone still remembers her. My grandma was a very kind person.”

Kim Sora said with a smile.

The well-wishes quickly turned into words of condolence. The low-rank hunters took turns telling stories about how Mrs. Kim had given them discounts, thrown in extra items, guided them on how to use equipment, or even let them run a tab until the end of the month.

Sora listened to all of it, sometimes smiling, sometimes just quietly nodding. She had always known her grandma was a good person, but it wasn’t until today that she understood just how much the old woman had been cherished by so many people in the city.

”So who will manage the shop from now on?” one hunter asked.

Sora set the box of potions down on the counter and calmly replied:

”My grandma arranged everything before she passed away. The heir to the shop is Kim Kei. I’m only here to help look after the place and handle sales for the time being.”

Everyone was utterly surprised to hear this. They knew Kim Hye Ji had no children of her own, but she had given the shop to a child who had suddenly appeared only a few weeks ago instead of her own niece?

”Kim Kei? The boy who was living with the old lady recently?”

”That’s right.”

A female hunter smiled.

”Well, that’s good then. This shop should be continued by the person the old lady chose.”

Sora gave a soft smile. ”I think so too.”

Right at that moment, the doorbell rang again.

Ular walked in first, followed by Hanna and Lee Jae Ji. As soon as the three appeared, several hunters in the store recognized them. The lively atmosphere immediately quieted down a bit.

Ular walked straight to the counter. He took off his hat and bowed deeply toward Sora, showing not a trace of the disdain a hunter might typically have for an ordinary person.

”I’m sorry for Mrs. Kim’s passing. She was a respected woman. I haven’t been a hunter for long, but she helped me a great deal as well.”

Sora bowed her head in return.

”Thank you. My grandma would surely be glad to hear those words.”

Hanna looked around the shop, then asked softly:

”Where’s Kei? Isn’t he coming out to meet people?”

The smile on Sora’s lips stiffened slightly.

”Kei hasn’t gotten over the shock yet. He’s still not able to come out and meet customers.”

”Is he okay?” Hanna asked with concern.

”He’s still alive, and he can eat normally again, but...” Sora paused for a moment. ”He probably needs more time.”

Lee Jae Ji crossed his arms and let out a scoff with that annoying attitude of his.

”Just because some old woman died, he can’t even get back on his feet? How pathetic.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Ular’s gaze turned ice cold, and the hunters around them—those who had always been cared for by Kim Hye Ji—immediately stared daggers at Lee Jae Ji.

”What did you just say?”

Lee Jae Ji shrugged. ”I’m just stating the truth. If you can’t handle loss, then you’d better not live in the world of hunters.”

Ular stepped forward. Without another word, the heavy pressure radiating from him made Lee Jae Ji’s face change, his feet instinctively stepping back.

”Get out.”

”Ular, I—”

”Get out now, Lee Jae Ji.”

Lee Jae Ji gritted his teeth,but in the end, they still turned around and walked out of the store. Hanna watched with an unhappy expression, while Ular turned back and bowed to apologize to Sora.

”I’m sorry, miss. I’ll talk to him again.”

”It’s fine.” Sora forced a smile. ”Thank you anyway.”

The morning continued to pass with the sound of customers talking and the doorbell ringing constantly. It wasn’t until near noon that the crowd in the store began to thin out. Sora took the chance to check the books, then went upstairs to see how Kei was doing.

She had thought he was still asleep.

The door was slightly ajar. Sora gently pushed it open and stepped inside, planning to take just a quick look before heading down to cook lunch.

But the bed was empty.

Kei was sitting at the desk, his back slightly hunched. In his hands were a few small metal tools. He was fiddling with them intently, his eyes still tired but no longer completely hollow like before.

Sora stood still by the door.

Kei seemed to notice her presence, but he didn’t look up. His fingers still slowly turned a small tool in the palm of his hand.

”Kei, working will help lift your spirits, but you shouldn’t overwork yourself. Have you eaten the lunch I made?”

From inside the kitchen came Kim Sora’s complaining voice, Kei froze, his movements stopping. Sometimes Kei felt as if the person beside him was Mrs. Kim, Kim Sora was so much like her, so much that it made Kei want to cry again.

”No... I can’t be this weak anymore...”

Kei muttered, trying to hold back the tears from falling from his reddened eyes. This weakness made Kei feel that he really needed to change.

If she saw him breaking down again, Kim Sora wouldn’t be happy.