HC: Handyman | Ch. 197 - Bickering

Jack carefully dipped the brush into a mix of wax and ash. The wax was warm, its scent faintly sharp as it clung to the bristles. He brought it to the clay disc—half the size of his palm—and finished the pattern: a swirling shape.

The tiniest slip could still ruin the piece, but now that he’d purchased the dye upgrade, using wax resist was far smoother.

Once the design set, Jack brought both earrings to the tub of slip. The liquid was cool against his fingers as he guided the pieces in. It coated the clay in a lighter, almost ivory shade, but slid cleanly off the wax-painted lines.

He moved them to the fire. “Let’s see just how high of a rating I can get this time,” Jack murmured. He’d already crafted several of these—and even managed one B-minus.

He was aiming for anything B or higher.

Carefully, he pulled the earrings from the fire.

You’ve crafted [Clay Disk Earrings].

[Innovating Pioneer] elevates the crafting grade A- » A

+300XP in [Pottery]

Clay Disk Earrings (Common)

A pair of clay disks beautifully ornamented which will go well with just about any ensemble.

Crafting grade: A

Durability: 21

Effects: +3(+1) intellect

A grade: +1 intellect

Requirements: Level 10+.

It wasn’t an otherworldly bonus, but he finally had a pair of earrings to fill the jewelry slot that had been empty all this time. 

Intellect boosted some of his beekeeping skills, increasing his honey yield and the birth rate of new drones. It was a quiet but welcome upgrade.

Just then, a new notification flashed in front of him:

RobbieRober has unlocked a new hidden aid package: [The Governor’s Vault].

Description: The governor stored his most valuable possessions in a safe hidden in his office. Among the items, you find several official documents—but more importantly, a detailed map of the area surrounding the fortress.

Aid package effect: Updates your World map with valuable information.

Jack immediately opened his map.

Even though it had already been mostly filled in, the update brought everything into sharp focus. Every lingering dark corner had been revealed. Tunnels, caves, brooks—they were all clearly marked now, along with detailed notes on where to harvest specific resources.

Jack’s eyes lit up as he spotted a valley nestled between two mountains—grass! Real grass. He hadn’t seen any in the Breach before.

He shook his head, chuckling.

Since Rob had joined the team, he’d already uncovered two hidden aid packages that everyone else had missed, without even stepping outside the fortress. Lockpickers didn’t just pick locks; they had a knack for finding hidden compartments, safes, and secrets the rest of them overlooked.

Besides the governor’s vault, Rob had also found a trap door no one else had noticed. According to what he’d written in chat, the room below had been filled with gunpowder kegs.

RobbieRober has unlocked a new aid package: [Gunpowder Kegs].

Gunpowder Kegs (Aid Package)

Description: You’ve discovered a stash of gunpowder kegs, hidden in a sealed chamber beneath the fortress. 

The superior-quality gunpowder stored here burns hotter and faster than standard mix, enhancing the explosive yield of any crafted bombs or grenades.

Package effects: Grenades and bombs that use this gunpowder deal 20% more damage to Breach creatures.

Marie had been over the moon when she read the details. Her grenades were one of the team’s strongest tools—this just made them stronger.

Jack glanced at the clock. Wave 27 was almost here. Time to start cooking.

As he added the ingredients for his stew, another notification flashed across his vision:

Amari has uncovered a new Hidden Aid Package: [The Deserters].

The Deserters (Aid Package)

Description: A group of soldiers hidden in a nearby cave claimed they had been out on patrol during the initial breach. But after investigating, you uncovered the truth—they were deserters who fled the fortress in the middle of the battle. Now, fearing a court-martial, they beg you not to report them. Instead, you offer them a second chance: fight for the fortress, or be cast out. Driven by guilt and the promise of redemption, they accept. Though untrustworthy at first glance, these soldiers fight hard, eager to prove they still belong.

Aid package effects: You’ve recruited 10 NPC soldiers.

Beware: You must supply them with gear, weapons, and food.

Jack nearly choked.

Going from managing supplies for seven to eight people was one thing. The addition of Rob hadn’t fazed him—he could handle that.

But eighteen?!

It wasn’t the food that worried him. Every two hours, another horde of meaty shagrats came charging their way. Thanks to his [Fat Storage] skill, he could preserve the meat without losing durability. He had meat for days.

The real issue was gear. 

Don’t get ahead of yourself, Jack. Maybe they have gear; you’ll only need to make more if their durability drops.

He decided to text Amari.

Jack: “Hey, Amari. The package description said the soldiers need gear?”

Amari: “I was just about to message you. Yes. That’s correct.”

Jack: “What do they need, exactly?”

Amari: “See for yourself.”

A screenshot popped up.

It showed a rag-tag group of soldiers with sunken eyes and ragged capes. Their armor was patchy, filled with holes, and incomplete. Some had no helmets. Others clutched chipped swords or cracked shields. A few didn’t even seem armed.

Jack wanted to scream. They had squat. Their gear was barely better than being butt-naked.

No wonder Amari suspected they weren’t out on patrol. The only way they ended up like this on a patrol was if they had accidentally stumbled into a Short-Faced Bear den!

He took a few deep breaths, then replied:

Jack: “We’ll manage somehow.”

Amari: “Thanks, Jack. You’re the best. It’ll still take me a while to get back. You guys handle the wave without me, OK?”

Jack sent a thumbs-up emoji.

He scratched the back of his head. He hadn’t expected the strain on supplies to more than double overnight.

But it wasn’t hopeless. There was that valley with grass which Rob had helped him discover thanks to the map package. But even if there wasn’t enough there for crafting gear, he had an ace up his sleeve.

“Good thing I took the time to visit the Butchering XP store.”

He hadn’t paid much attention to the recipes at the time—he’d been in too much of a rush to help Rob. But once he’d returned to the Breach, he’d gone through the list more carefully.

Leveling [Bone Carving] to eight had unlocked fifteen new recipes. He was confident he could make a full set of bone gear—armor, weapons, even some accessories.

He hadn’t crafted any of it yet, though. Bone gear had one fatal flaw: it couldn’t be tempered with Terracoat. Imbued equipment was on another level entirely. Missing out on those enhancements just wasn’t worth it. That’s why, the moment he had a breather, he’d focused on filling in his own empty slots with accessories instead of carving bone.

I do have enough materials. The problem is how much time it will take. 

For a brief moment, he was tempted to leap off the back cliff of the fortress and just buy gear in the city. It was probably going to be faster.

I’ll figure it out after the next wave.

Jack turned to the cooking pot. He added oil, then started sautéing enough meat for seven people. The pot hissed and sizzled as the chunks browned. By the time he poured in the broth, it was nearly full.

He sighed.

There was no way this pot was going to cut it anymore. Not with how many mouths he’d need to feed from now on.

“That smells yummy,” Rob said, walking up.

“Hey, Rob. How’s it going?”

“Good. Did you see the map?”

Jack nodded.

“It’s got a bunch of tunnels and outcroppings that might be worth checking out,” Rob continued. “I’ll talk to Amari—see how we can divide the exploration.”

“You’re doing really well,” Jack said. “Almost too well.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rob asked, smirking. “Feeling jealous, cousin?”

Jack’s pride flared for a second, but he didn’t show it.

“No,” he said evenly. “I just have this feeling the Breach is going to get harder because you’re helping out.”

Rob nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah. I get that. But I think we’ll be fine.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“Because we’ve got an awesome team. Amari’s group is legit. Didn’t you see Horace against those campers? IronFoot’s one of IronIre’s top five tanks—and Horace handled him like it was nothing.”

“He is good,” Jack agreed. He’d always known Horace was sharp. The guy had saved him more times than he could count. But that had been against monsters with basic attack patterns. Holding off three experienced players? That was something else entirely.

And the way Horace layered his skills—turning every move into a multi-tasking combo—impressive didn’t even begin to cover it.

“I’m telling you,” Rob added, “if it weren’t for the Slayer, Amari’s party would’ve demolished IronIre’s core team.”

“Yeah. I suppose,” Jack said, quieter now.

Rob smiled and glanced toward the gate. “Speaking of which…”

“Hey, Robby, bro—thanks for the new map!” Horace called, striding in from the courtyard.

“See anything that caught your eye?” Rob asked.

“Oh yeah. There’s a spot in the forest. We must’ve walked past it twenty times. Turns out, according to the map, there’s a cave tucked in there we never saw.”

“Well, hope it’s got something good,” Jack said.

The stew pot’s lid began to rattle. Jack pulled it off the fire, and the rich scent of simmered meat and herbs drifted through the courtyard.

Riku and Esther approached, bowls in hand. Maybe it was Rob’s presence, or maybe the aroma had finally worn them down—but for the first time, they actually formed a line. Quiet. Orderly. Ready.

Jack stared for a second, amused, then began serving.

As he filled their bowls one by one, his mind flicked forward. He imagined the same line with ten more soldiers in it. Empty bowls, tired eyes, rough armor. The thought made him sigh—but he didn’t stop.

Only after everyone had been served did Marie appear.

She was unusually quiet.

Before Rob joined, she’d held her own against Horace in their endless banter. But now, whenever Horace took a jab, Rob was quick to pile on. It shifted the rhythm, tipped the balance.

So, Marie had switched tactics. She strolled over and sat beside Jack. “Mmm, Jack, this stew is delicious. You’re such a great cook.”

Jack raised an eyebrow but kept his tone light. “Thank you, Marie. That’s very kind.”

She flashed a quick glance toward Horace and Rob, who were still laughing over something ridiculous. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Wow. Rob’s really stealing your thunder, isn’t he? At this rate, he’s going to win the package competition between you and Horace. And he’s only been here an hour.”

Jack chuckled. Her fake sweetness wasn’t fooling anyone. “If you’re looking for someone to team up with to trash-talk Horace and Rob,” he said, “count me out.”

Marie pouted dramatically. “And here I was thinking I could count on you.”

Everyone finished eating. Horace was the first to stand. He clapped his hands to get the group’s attention.

“Let’s get moving. Let’s see just how much harder the waves are going to get.”

“Yeah,” Marie said, loud and clear—making sure Rob heard. “Let’s just hope Rob showing up doesn’t jinx the whole Breach for the rest of us.”

“Yer wish... my comm... stuck-up... wrinkles…” Rob muttered through a mouthful of stew.

“What?” Marie asked, narrowing her eyes.

Rob gulped, stuffed in another bite, and garbled again, “Wrinkle sneak... stuck-up… wish granted…”

Marie’s nostrils flared. “Has nobody ever told you not to talk with your mouth full?”

Rob finally swallowed. “I said: your wish is my command. And don’t be so stuck-up—it’ll age you. You’re at that point where if you’re not careful, the wrinkles sneak in.”

Horace burst out laughing.

Jack frowned. He had never seen his cousin act like this. Since when was he the immature one? He looked over at Marie and gulped. Her clenched teeth said more than words. He gently nudged her aside before she launched an actual bomb.

As they marched toward the first ditch, Jack made sure to stay between Marie and the guys—just in case. The last thing they needed was for her to kill them before the wave hit.

Ch. 196 - Reinforcement

INDEX

Ch. 198 - Balance