Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: 92. Debut (2)
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That user was a celebrity on Blind.
I found out about it on the "Completely Anonymous" board tucked away in a corner.
Unlike other boards, everything on that one was fully blinded.
To help you understand, here's what the board looked like at the time.
...
...
That's where I learned the user I pegged as Kim Daram was being called "B-Tick Auntie."
Beyond just being a weird person, she constantly bragged in plain sight, pissing everyone off, so it looked like a nickname the users had slapped on her.
My junior, but ugly as sin.
Then again, it was classic Kim Daram—someone who'd spent her whole life comparing herself to others and basking in her superiority.
Since she was always pulling that shameless crap, she probably never even noticed my internet history.
But thinking it over, there was another reason Kim Daram (presumed) could strut around that board.
Her job.
Back when I joined Viva! Apocalypse!, us old-school hunters were treated like relics, but things had changed.
With Awakeners cut off on Jeju Island, we old-school hunters were the only ones who could fight monsters.
The title "Hunter" might carry even more weight now than before—maybe more than ever.
So with "Hunter" plastered right there on her posts, no wonder she got reactions.
An "Unemployed" saying the right thing wouldn't even get a click.
"......"
In Korea, the signboard matters.
That hadn't changed even after three years and six months of war.
How to get that signboard.
That's where Park Gyu's successful Blind debut hinged.
*
Living solo is one thing, but in a group, nothing beats connections.
I had ties with some heavy hitters in the Legion Faction.
Among them was Kim Byungchul, currently number one in Korea.
One word from him, and it was game over.
Hell, I might even snag an "S-Rank Hunter" signboard.
But how to reach Kim Byungchul.
Radio was an option.
He knew my personal ID number.
Problem was, all I had was his Viva! Apocalypse! nickname; no personal ID for him.
Even without Kim Byungchul, there were others.
Like "B-Tick Auntie" Kim Daram.
Before things soured, asking her for help—and getting it—was routine.
Unlike Kim Byungchul, I could radio her directly.
But pride, you know?
I didn't want help from B-Tick Auntie.
Somewhere along the line, I'd decided to draw a line and keep my distance.
If nothing else panned out, I could hit her up as a last resort.
The final option: earn the title on my own, no connections.
But not the legit way.
The dark way.
...
...
Failnet's dark corners had a board for selling Blind accounts.
Since they'd traded Viva! Apocalypse! accounts and gear before, Blind accounts were no big deal.
Word was, a bit of material goods got you the account you wanted.
A "clean" way, no Kim Byungchul or Kim Daram needed.
The big downside: hassle.
Meant heading to Incheon, Seoul, or somewhere Legion-controlled like Chuncheon or Wonju I'd never seen.
Of the three options, I picked Kim Byungchul.
SKELTON: Uh, do you remember me?
armeegruppe_B.
I messaged the Viva! Apocalypse! account I figured was Kim Byungchul.
Strangers online, but he knew my K-Walkie personal ID and even asked why I wasn't online.
Kim Byungchul would recognize me.
Might even be glad to hear from me.
I'd earned that much.
I cleaned my guns while waiting for a reply.
It came quick.
"Hm?"
Not someone I knew?
Puzzled, I replied.
"What?"
Tap tap tap.
His daughter, huh.
Hit an unexpected reef.
Kim Byungchul's daughter out of nowhere.
Mention of a game pointed to The Saga by Fox Games.
Makes sense—Blind was independent of Failnet and Viva! Apocalypse!, so no Saga there.
Time to ditch the Kim Byungchul job-swap plan.
Unless he reached out first, begging looked bad.
Still didn't want Kim Daram's help.
This was pride.
No matter how low this Skeleton fell, teaming with "B-Tick Auntie"?
"...Hoo."
Check the popular posts.
His daughter mentioned it—probably about me.
Gulped cold water and tapped popular. One post jumped out.
"?"
Clicked it.
m9's computer screenshot filled the screen.
Dead center: a very familiar name.
Unemployed / S** : (Skeleton) Hello, everyone?
Unemployed / S** : (Skeleton) Viva! Apocalypse! unique armband Skeleton finally lands on Blind!
No doubt.
My Blind post.
m9 had screenshotted and saved it.
But why post it?
Cold sweat down my spine, I checked comments.
...
...
"Minhee?!"
No, Woo Minhee wasn't the issue now.
m9 was roasting me!
He'd screenshotted my fresh Blind start and plastered it on our board.
Messaged m9 right away.
As expected, m9 didn't take it down, and this Park Gyu ended up as unwitting comic relief on the board.
"......"
The story could've ended there.
Might even be a lesson.
But this Park Gyu wasn't that soft—or the teaching type.
*
Failnet.
Posted a buy on the dark board.
A seller bit soon.
Seller stated terms.
Short sentences ruled here.
No need for polite talk—just mutual understanding.
Haggled a few sellers; deal closed quick.
Gasan?
Seoul.
Not far.
Legion Faction's control had improved security—big plus for my outing.
Good chance to see how well they ran things.
Called Woo Minhee before heading out.
Static—
Heavy noise.
Jamming midway?
Noise aside, the signal linked me to my junior again.
"Huh, Senior?"
Woo Minhee.
Voice same as ever.
Meant she was hanging in there.
She was my junior, after all.
From our school.
Hid the swell in my chest and kept cool.
"Yeah. Saw you online, so I called."
"Oh, that. Why do you keep doing weird shit, Senior? I get internet addiction, but you don't enjoy getting flamed online, do you?"
"Nah. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, seems fine today. Oh, since you're on—Senior."
"Yeah."
"Can you send supplies? Been stocking up, but running low. Jeju side talked big about resupply—bullshit. Can't even reach them."
"Anything I can do, I will."
"Sweet. Hit you up next time I need something. Senior."
Woo Minhee cut off abrupt.
Heard gunshots right before.
Fight breaking out?
Even if settled, it was rift territory.
Plus, Woo Minhee was enemy to Legion Faction.
Anything could happen anytime.
Anyway, knowing she was safe dulled the sting from Blind and m9 a bit.
Headed to Seoul right after.
Trip was refreshing.
No raiders, no ambushes. Entering Legion turf, their drones and scouts greeted me.
"Halt. Halt. Who are you?"
Drone tailed me, speaker blaring.
"Civilian. Heading to Seoul to meet a contact."
"Destination and stay duration."
"Gasan area. Not staying—leaving right after."
Gasan crawled with soldiers and folks.
Heard refugee transport was by train—sure enough, platforms by tracks, forklifts and loaders hustling supplies.
Big difference.
From Incheon-Seoul gov.
Kim Byungchul's rep wasn't hype.
Vibrant streets after so long; headed to meet spot.
Apartment-style factory.
War scars stark unlike others—perfect for illicit account dealers to hole up.
Knocked at the spot.
Door opened: short wiry guy, tall man with burn scars on face.
Quick once-over, then trade.
"Here. Magazine. Ten rounds. Check it."
Tall guy counted bullets, nodded to short one.
"Yes. Making your account now."
Short guy sat at computer—more scrapheap than PC.
Probably scavenged parts.
Showed me the screen.
"What job?"
Job.
Had one in mind.
"Hunter."
Both turned, eyes wide.
"Hunter?"
Tall guy scratched head, mumbling.
"Pro jobs are kinda risky."
Southeast dialect.
"That's what he means, sir. Pros are rare. Stands out quick. Go for something low-key, common like office job."
"Like?"
"Changsu Food or Samgeon Construction. Accounting team's solid. Better than collective farms or factories, right?"
"......Hm."
Not thrilled, but they had a point.
Shrunk world, few jobs—easy to spot fakes.
But I didn't trek here for basic wagecuck cosplay.
White coat on wall caught my eye.
Something clicked.
"Doctor."
Doctor it was.
"Doctor. Got it."
"Med school?"
"No."
Both gave me deadpan stares.
"Just go Hunter..."
"Doctor."