The Yeouiju and the Shopping Spree

Yeouiju, what on earth are you?

"Hmm, hmmm, hmm, hmm~"

It had been three days since we met General Nam I. We still hadn't left Nami Island. We’d had that brief incident where I was kidnapped, but… since I was safe, it was fine. When I told Grandfather, who hadn't been there at the time, his reaction was a bit surprising.

"Hoho… an ancient one. I never imagined you would encounter a Named Entity so soon, Shiro."

"A Named Entity?"

"They are known globally as 'Named.' Like the General Nam I you met, they are beings from folklore and mythology who manifest with their own names."

"Wow, are there many of them?"

"Not that many. They only appear when special labyrinths like the Nami Island Labyrinth emerge, or when a noble being who has attained enlightenment manifests through a Gate."

"Oh…!"

So, cases like the General weren't entirely unheard of. Well, looking at Korea alone, there were three other healing labyrinths besides Nami Island.

"But, what do you mean by saying it's expected that I'd meet a Named?"

The strange thing was how Grandfather spoke as if it were a given that I would meet one someday. It felt like more than just a rare experience—it sounded like destiny.

"Hunters who reach S-rank often encounter Named Entities. They often gain new skills through these meetings or find the opportunity to evolve their existing ones."

"Whoa…! Have you met one, Yeon-hwa Unni? What about you, Yong-su Grandfather?"

"I… I haven't met one yet."

"I met one back when I was young, in Asan."

"Who did you meet?!"

Grandfather had actually met one himself! It wasn't exactly crucial information, but I was so curious I couldn't help but ask.

"It was… the Admiral."

"Eh, General Nam I?"

"I met Admiral Yi Sun-sin in person back then."

"Whoa…!!"

Wait, that’s the real Admiral! I, uh, I don't mean General Nam I is a fake, but when people say "The Admiral," you naturally think of Yi Sun-sin first. So, I’m definitely not in the wrong here. Absolutely not.

"I learned a lot about how to handle mana back then…."

"Th-then why is your signature move making a giant shark leap out of the water?"

"Hoho, isn't it cool?"

Of course, it was cool. But hearing Grandfather talk made me worry… it felt like I could only simply emit mana right now. I’d heard that the power to manipulate elements was highly valuable because of its versatility… but it felt like mine was meaningless. I definitely needed to train.

"I couldn't stay with the General for long; we just talked for a bit and I received some teachings on mana."

"Oh…."

"But just from that, my mana increased and my rank went up a level. That’s how incredible Named Entities are."

"Wow… but why do you say only S-rank hunters meet them? Can't other hunters meet them?"

"It's not impossible, but I've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠never heard of a hunter below S-rank encountering one. I suspect that S-rank level power is the minimum requirement."

"Hmm…."

Whether it’s skill rank or mana level, one of them has to be above a certain point to meet a Named. Wait? That means….

"Am I an S-rank hunter?!"

Doesn't that mean I’m already an S-rank hunter? If only S-rank hunters can meet them, then obviously I must be one. Just how high is my talent ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that I’ve already reached S-rank? My own talent is terrifying…!

"Isn't that just because Shiro's mana is so strong?"

"Ah…."

Se-eun Unni, who had been listening quietly, gave me the answer. I hadn't reached S-rank hunter levels across the board, but my mana alone was strong….

"That could be it, or perhaps the exact reason is still unknown. The idea that you must be an S-rank hunter to meet a Named is just a hypothesis."

"It's difficult…."

"Regardless, you gained a skill and things worked out well, so don't be discouraged."

Grandfather patted my head. He was a father who raised a daughter, so his touch was definitely gentle.

"I'm jealous… I'm S-rank, so why can't I meet one?"

"Yeon-hwa Unni?"

"It's obviously because of your personality."

"N-no, it's not…!"

I thought about it deeply. Why couldn't Yeon-hwa Unni meet a Named? But even if I were General Nam I, I don't think I'd want to meet a hunter who acts like a Japanese delinquent. Maybe it really is a personality issue, like Se-eun Unni said….

"Hoho… anyway, let's start heading back to Seoul. They said the appraisal of the loot is finished."

"My Yeouiju too?"

"Yes. Shiro's Yeouiju as well."

Grandfather nodded. I was finally going to get my Yeouiju back…! I didn't know exactly what effect it had, but still, it was a Yeouiju! Dragons were symbols of power and the idols of children, so it was only natural to covet it.

"Yay!"

***

When we arrived at the Association, Mr. Jong-wu welcomed us immediately. We followed his lead to the laboratory where they inspected resources from labyrinth areas. I couldn't understand the technical talk, but I overheard that the wood was going to be sold at a high price to hunters with fire-attribute mana.

As I waited quietly in the corner, Mr. Jong-wu approached, holding the Yeouiju that had been sitting on a high-end mechanical device.

I smiled brightly and took the Yeouiju he handed me.

"We cannot determine exactly what effect it has."

Thud-

As I hugged the Yeouiju Mr. Jong-wu gave me, the Association said they didn't know what kind of item it was either.

— Bwong!

— Kkiung?

Jeolmi and Bombe were staring at it, perhaps fascinated by the cold air flowing from the Yeouiju. Jeolmi walked over and stroked it with his wing. Bombe just watched from afar before lying down on the floor. She was just as curious, but perhaps not as motivated as Jeolmi.

"We received help from several appraisers and creators… but we only confirmed that it is Shiro's Bound Item."

"Shiro's bound item? What does that mean?"

"Exactly as it sounds. We only confirmed that only Shiro can handle this item."

"Hoho…."

The concept of a bound item wasn't exactly rare. There were hunters who summoned weapons with skills, and they often appeared as rewards from the Tower.

"It's the first time I've seen a Yeouiju be a bound item. Why is it so exceptional…."

"Then… I can't take this?"

"No. The Association has no way to use it even if we kept it, so it will be returned to Shiro. If you want, you can take it with you right now."

"Yay!"

Hugging it tightly, I felt mana continuously welling up inside my body. I felt like I could cast skills infinitely right now. If I made a familiar with the Yeouiju, what would come out? A dragon? Hopefully, it wouldn't be a giant tree….

— Bwoooong!

"N-no, I'm not giving this to Jeolmi!"

I turned away from Jeolmi, who was dreaming of an upgrade again. Of course, it would be good to give it to Jeolmi, but I wanted to meet a different friend. Since Bombe was a Vanguard and Jeolmi was a Striker or Seeker, I wanted to create a friend with a different position, just like Mr. Jong-wu had mentioned before, to have a one-person party.

"I think it would be best to hold off on creating another friend for now."

"Why?! The Yeouiju keeps emitting mana, so I don't think I'll run out."

"You should be careful, as you don't know how it will change once it becomes a familiar. And… it won't be too late to make one after you've secured a good eye."

"Okay… I understand…."

"Kid, have you thought about making equipment with the Yeouiju?"

"Equipment?"

Equipment. I had thought about it. It would be good to help with mana management or to prepare for unexpected damage. But….

"My friends fight for me… so I think it's better for my friends to get stronger."

"I see. That's not a wrong way of thinking, as there are many excellent defensive artifacts on the market."

"Hmm… I don't have any money."

— Bwong….

The term 'artifact' was broad. Anything operated by mana was called an artifact. Such artifacts were largely divided into two types: natural artifacts from Gates and the Tower, and artificial artifacts made by crafting-class hunters. The problem was… both were expensive. There was a joke that three artifacts could buy you a building. Of course, there were artifacts that actually cost that much.

"Huh? What do you mean? Shiro is very rich."

"Me?"

"From the Gate you cleared when you first met me, to the Variant Gate incident. You didn't know how much prize money has been deposited for you?"

What? I was super rich?

"Y-you didn't tell me!"

"Hoho… I assumed you knew, so I didn't point it out again. I've been managing it separately, but just know that there is quite a lot of money in your name."

"Wow… then can I buy an artifact?"

"Yes. However, since I made a promise last time, I will buy you a few defensive artifacts as a gift."

"Yay…!"

Having money is a good thing. But having a rich grandfather is even better, and having a grandfather who is generous is even better than that.

"Would you like to take a look while you're here? It's smaller than the large hunter market in Yeouido… but the quality of the goods in the Association's direct store is quite impressive."

"Shall we take a look, Shiro?"

"Yes! I want to go!"

It would be fun! To think I'd be going to that famous hunter market, a place where ordinary people couldn't even enter without a hunter registration card—my heart was pounding. Plus, the atmosphere suggested Grandfather would buy me whatever I chose, which made me happy.

"We will send the Yeouiju to your home. You can take your time thinking about how to handle it."

"Yes! Okay!"

"Good, then let's head to the store."

"Yes!"

***

The store at the Association headquarters was quite large. It wasn't that the entire building was a store, but it felt like an entire floor of a large building had been turned into one.

"Wow! It's wide!"

"If you go to other stores, this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠will look small. Shiro, you can definitely become an S-rank hunter, so the day you see those will come soon."

"I like it here for now!"

— Bwong!

When I gave a double thumbs-up with Jeolmi, Mr. Jong-wu smiled with a proud look in his eyes. Indeed, the collaboration between a child and an animal is perfect for conveying happiness.

"Oh my, Hunter Yong-su, you've come? Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"

As we were lingering near the entrance, a very elegant-looking woman approached and greeted us. She was wearing a black suit with gold accessories as a point, and her neatly tied hair and well-maintained beauty gave off the vibe of a wealthy housewife. But… why did it feel like this lady's gaze toward Grandfather was also unusual?

"Ugh… I, I'll guide you."

"Hunter Yeon-hwa? You wouldn't know much about the Seoul store since you operate in Cheorwon. I will guide you kindly."

"Hoho. Thank you, Shin-yeong. I'm looking to buy some defensive artifacts for this child here."

Grandfather tapped the top of my head. Shin-yeong looked at me standing behind ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Grandfather, then smiled brightly and nodded.

"So, Miss Se-eun has had a daughter?"

"I am not her daughter!!!!!!!!"

Se-eun Unni shouted.