Chick 225
by Cristae225
“Do you like it that much?”
“Uh-huh!”
Groo’s plump cheeks flushed rosy as she nodded enthusiastically.
Soon the box was unwrapped, revealing a children’s tool workbench set.
“Wooooow!”
While Joorim moved the workbench to a corner of his study, Groo bustled behind, clutching the toy box to her chest.
“Groo’s workshop~”
Humming a tune she made up on the spot, Groo was in high spirits.
Mephisto, who’d been trailing behind groggily from waking up so early, joined in with a beep-beeping harmony.
The reason Groo was so delighted today was, plainly…
‘A real workbench!’
Until now, Groo had crafted wherever she could—her room, the guildmaster’s office, the kitchen table—with no dedicated workspace.
At last, she was getting a proper lab of her own.
It had started when Joorim asked, “Why don’t you bring these things up to dad?” and Groo answered, “It’s fun.”
After that, Joorim seemed to think it over, then said, “From now on, whatever you make, do it in front of me.”
If she wasn’t going to say anything, the least she could do was work under his watch—so it would be safe.
“So I can work in your office?”
Joorim, who spent most of his time in the guildmaster’s office, would generally supervise there, so she’d expected the workbench to be placed there—but—
“No, it’s too conspicuous.”
The guildmaster’s office was constantly visited by staff.
If it came out that Groo’s ‘toys’ were being handled there and ended up in the news like the drone, this time it wouldn’t be so easily covered up.
So, for practical reasons, they compromised: the workbench was installed in Joorim’s study.
There, a custom-made children’s tool bench, crafted and finely finished by a famous toymaker, was installed.
The shelves were stocked with tools sized for a child: drill, screwdriver, saw, monkey wrench, hammer, and an elephant-shaped vacuum cleaner.
‘This is going to be fun!’
Eyes shining, Groo set the toy box down by the workbench, and Joorim set a safety helmet and goggles on her head.
Oh! She felt like a little master craftsman! Groo spread her arms wide and spun around.
“Transform!”
Joorim laughed, squishing both her cheeks.
“It looks good on you.”
“Heehee.”
Basking in Joorim’s affection, Groo quickly settled in front of the workbench.
Joorim glanced at her while checking documents on his tablet.
Groo inspected the tools hanging on the shelves, then picked up the drill with impressive resolve.
It looked like she wanted to drill holes in her toy magic wand.
Click—she pressed the button, and the blunt bit whirred quietly.
But—
“Hm?”
With no more power than a portable fan, Groo cocked her head in confusion.
Mephisto mirrored her, tilting his head the other way.
Groo pressed the button several more times, then pursed her lips into a triangle and scowled.
“It’s just a toy…”
“Of course.”
There was no way he’d give real power tools to a five-year-old, no matter how sane she seemed.
Groo looked disgruntled, glanced as if to use a skill, then picked up the drill again and—
“Ooooooh—”
—made the noise with her mouth.
Suddenly, thick plastic that should have been tough as tofu drilled through like butter.
“…”
Joorim put a hand to his forehead, glad he’d insisted on everything happening under his eyes.
Just imagining her doing something so dangerous alone gave him chills.
“Ooooooooh— tututututu—”
Joorim put his tablet on his lap, rested his chin in his hand, and watched, half-amused, as Groo played with her tools.
Who knows how much time passed like that.
After pulling out several toys and tinkering for a good while, Groo took off the goggles, arms full of toys and grinning fuzzily. Apparently, she’d finished crafting some items she was pleased with.
Soon she started wrapping the toys up nicely.
“Are you wrapping them?”
“Uh-huh, they’re presents.”
“Not for Groo herself?”
Nod, nod.
Groo pouted, recalling the guild members who’d only wanted items from Kazuki.
“It’s boring to play by yourself. I’ll be glad if my older sisters and brothers like them… even more than Sabu’s…”
The way she muttered that last bit made Joorim chuckle.
“You’ll get there someday, so there’s no need to rush.”
Groo nodded, grinning, then balled her fists with determination.
“Right now, I’m practicing!”
It takes training to become a greater craftsman than Sabu!
This was the first step!
Groo decided she would “distribute” her items for others to try, just like at a sample stand—and collect user reviews in return.
When she’d sold things through Onion Market, checking reviews and making tweaks had boosted sales like crazy.
If she could use that experience to refine her items, maybe she could make something amazing.
‘Groo, you’re so smart!’
A few days later, Groo beamed as she handed out gifts to her older sisters, brothers, and Wooju.
And made sure not to forget: “Leave a review, please!”
It didn’t take long for reviews to pop up in reply to Groo’s messages.
- Gidan
▶Carrot Knife (S) ★★★★☆
A menacing carrot knife! Activates when the item is swung. Causes the “bleeding” status effect on wounded targets and, with high probability, applies a debuff ignoring 30% of physical defense.
*Children should use only under adult supervision. Do not use on people.
▶Review
Gidan
The debuff power is insane!! (((( ;°Д°))))
This is… a revolution??
Debuff lands about 1 out of 3 times?
The guys kept pestering me, wanting to try it for themselves—what a circus ʅ（◞‿◟）ʃ
I just told them it was a gift from Jjapso, haha!
Oh, why not a perfect score?
It’s too small… and it’s so short, you have to use it up close or throw it, but the tip is blunt so it’s tricky
But I’m a melee DPS, so (；´・∀・)ゝ´
- Sergey
▶Miracle Magic Wand (S) ★☆☆☆☆
A magic wand to turn anyone into a magical girl! Wearing this item increases attack by 20%, and skill hits deal 20% more damage.
▶Review
Sergey
?? Am I supposed to use this?
The magical boy Sergey has arrived—cue Dani (´ε｀ ʃƪ)
The damage buff is monstrous, but the output is high, so controlling the area is hard—guess I’ll need practice, still just a rookie kid, hehe.
Still, it suits Sergey, haha.
Ah, what madness
Team 1 gave it rave reviews, so please make more magical boy items! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
That’s all, Dani out ﾐ(o*･ω･)ﾉ
So annoying, don’t just use it whenever you want, you punk
- Shin Nayeon
▶Mephisto Series MK.2 (S) ★★★★★
A one-of-a-kind chick-shaped railgun drone crafted by a master! While equipped, increases attack by 30%. Landing a hit fires a physical attribute follow-up shot at high speed.
▶Review
Shin Nayeon
AAA-tier solo cleared, ranked 6th?
The damage-dealing ability is insane!
No DPS? Totally solo-able; I was flying around!
Any shortcomings? Hmm, none… Our little Groo is just a total genius!???
So, when are we getting shaved ice? Should we bring Wooju too?
- Seo Wooju
▶Superior Skill Enhancement Syrup (C) ★★★★★
▶Review
Seo Wooju
First, taste…it’s not bad. Actually pretty decent.
Performance? Oh. Seems good.
When even just using chopsticks to pick up side dishes makes the plants grow, doesn’t that mean the effect is strong?
Yeah, so I can’t eat dinner now… but it’s fine.
Shaved ice? That doesn’t grow, right?
Never mind, I’ll come. If it’s just fruit I can avoid, that’s fine.