Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: How the Rank 1 Hero Protects the World
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I made it to the "store" just before closing time.
Gangwon-do, Wonju.
I'd only been to Korea up until I was twenty, so I'd only visited once in person... but amid the cluster of old, low-rise buildings around it, the single gleaming modern structure stood out sharply.
The sign was neat and tidy.
Hunter Store
Below it hung a flashy banner.
Harmony Workshop Potions Now In Stock—Courtesy of Hunter Jo Han-yul!
"......"
It had been over ten years since I'd lived in Korea, but it still felt familiar.
Yeah, this is how it was. I carefully pushed open the glass door illuminated by bright lights.
"Welcome... Oh my, customer! Are you okay?"
The friendly staff member started to greet me but froze upon seeing me. My appearance must have been that rough.
The store... well, it matched my vague memories—kind of like a department store's luxury section. Flashy display cases, but not many items actually on offer.
A sword laid out on silk cloth, a mannequin dressed in armor. On the other side, rows of colorful glass vials lined up neatly.
The same kind of bottles as the potion Woo Seong-yeon had given me earlier.
"I'm here to buy potions."
"Ah, just out of a dungeon raid, huh? Ran out of potions? Goodness, you must have had it rough......"
"......How much for intermediate potions?"
At my question, the staff member's expression turned odd. Was there something weird about what I said?
"We follow policy with fixed potion prices, of course. Among potions available at the store, advanced ones are 3 million won, intermediate are 1.8 million won, and basic ones are 300,000 won."
What was with these awkward prices?
I frowned.
Potions were expensive compared to my current funds, but relative to my sense of prices in Tartarus, they were ridiculously cheap.
And the price gap between intermediate and basic potions was especially strange.
Should I look it up online? As I pondered, the staff member helpfully elaborated.
"Ever since Harmony Workshop succeeded in mass-producing potions, prices have really stabilized. To think we can buy basic potions this cheaply......"
Harmony Workshop had succeeded in mass-producing potions.
Impressive.
I was genuinely awed.
The Korea I remembered was a cold capitalist society, but in a world with dungeons, there were still these heartwarming stories.
What was especially impressive wasn't just the mass-production tech—though that was amazing too.
Even in Tartarus, the mages' association could mass-produce basic potions, but unlike there, Harmony Workshop mass-produced them and then sold at lower prices. That was particularly admirable.
Well, maybe it was because the government and society were still functioning properly in Korea... but even so, that kind of mindset wasn't something just anyone could have in this world.
I should look into it later. Curious what the workshop owner was like.
"What potions can I get for you?"
"Before buying... do you buy items too?"
"Items from a dungeon? Yes, but settlements take time. We don't have appraisal skills here... If you want instant cash, we can only buy at the minimum price based on item grade."
Damn, no selling items for cash meant I could barely afford one basic potion right now.
And dumping all my items at minimum price felt like too much of a waste.
Especially since I couldn't just get replacements in Korea.
"Any Hunter Store with appraisal skills nearby?"
The staff member's eyes widened again. Guess my question was basic common knowledge once more.
Surfing the internet for just two days clearly wasn't enough intel gathering.
Still, the staff member answered kindly.
"For instant settlements, the best is the Hunter Store head branch in Gangnam next to Eternal Guild. They've got the most capital."
"Ah, thank you... Then, can I just get one basic potion for now?"
"Yes, of course."
I felt bad not having much to sell despite getting info, but the staff stayed polite to the end.
As they went to fetch the basic potion I'd ordered, a light glowed from the bracelet on their wrist.
Anti-theft artifact. The system here was even more organized than I'd expected.
After paying 300,000 won by card, I left the store.
It hurt to spend, but no choice. Burns ached, potions were needed—so off to the Gangnam Hunter Store head branch to sell items, as advised.
Outside, it was pitch black now.
Huh, what time was the last train again?
I checked my phone clock.
It was well past 9 p.m. I needed to get back to Saebit Hospital in the city, but the last train had long gone.
"This is bad."
I was supposed to check out tomorrow, crash at the hospital one more night, and plan my living situation after... but how to get back from here?
If I had money, a taxi would do, but I needed to save every penny. Nearby lodging was out too.
Couldn't reuse Nymph's Wind—the 30-minute limit had expired long ago.
I'd chained it earlier thanks to post-clear recovery, but no repeat now.
"......Maybe skip it."
Better to find a spot nearby and tough out the night...
That's when it happened. A car slowing down stopped in front of me.
The window rolled down.
"Huh? Patient Kang Ye-na?"
It was Nurse Pine Cone behind the wheel. He looked shocked to see me..
"What happened to you?! You went out this morning looking fine! Are you hurt?!"
"Ah...... yeah, a bit."
"And those clothes—no, that gear......"
Pine Cone started to say more but clamped her mouth shut. For a split second, pain flickered across her face.
"......Get in. I'll drive you to the hospital."
I meekly took the passenger seat. Free ride back? Score.
Pine Cone started the engine and asked,
"Want the radio on?"
"No, let's go quiet."
I shook my head.
Radio now would just be rank talk. Probably No.1 player's name too.
Didn't want to hear it.
Today was rough enough.
Hearing Koreans chatter about the Wandering Pilgrim would make my toes curl... even if it was my player name.
By the way, Pine Cone's car was a light green compact—common model on the roads. Felt fresh after ten years.
I inspected the interior curiously.
Come to think of it... over ten years ago, soon as I could, I got my license. Saved from part-time jobs, dreamed of buying a used car and driving far, so far away.
......Ended up going farther without one.
"......"
"......"
Silence hung in the car for a while.
I'd figured Pine Cone would pry about my injuries or how I got this gear right away, but after the long quiet, she asked something else.
"But this morning when you left, you weren't wearing the clothes I gave you?"
"Ah, those."
Her little sister's old clothes. They'd been in the locker at the mart. Changed after buying new ones there.
I nodded.
"Switched and stashed them in the mart locker... I'll ship them back tomorrow at discharge. Sorry, meant to return today."
"No, keep them."
More silence flowed. I watched the scenery rush by outside.
"Five years ago, during the Dungeon Break...... I lost my family."
I turned to look at Nurse Pine Cone. His soft profile seemed to glow pale in the dark car.
"Somehow...... I luckily awakened a skill. But after clearing a dungeon, I never went near one again."
"And?"
"Cowardly, right?"
"Huh?"
I scowled.
"What are you talking about?"
"......Patient Ye-na, you went into a dungeon today."
Pine Cone didn't look at me.
Not surprising she'd noticed.
My state screamed fresh-from-raid hunter. Angelus's Blessing and Nymph's Wind on me looked like items to anyone.
"You must've been scared too, Ye-na... Awakened just two days after waking up, and straight to a dungeon......"
Most would think "crazy—rushing a dungeon two days post-coma" not admire it. She had unique sensibilities.
Shrugging, I said,
"I don't get what you're driving at, Nurse."
She bit her lip.
"You can be honest."
"About what?"
"You and everyone... fighting despite the fear, while I have a skill but don't."
Her hands on the wheel were white-knuckled. That look on her face... guilt?
Guilt I couldn't fathom.
"I should raid dungeons too...... right?"
"......Let me say this."
I replied flatly.
"Forcing yourself into a dungeon just hurts you."
What was she on about? More naive... pathetic than expected.
I'd seen a few like her.
Especially priests or fame-hungry knights who treated system "awakening" like a noble calling.
Among them, plenty quit raids after first dungeon—terrified of monsters.
Then guilt creeps in like a shadow: others raid to protect, but I'm doing nothing.
Most resolve it by respecting raiders or ignoring it... but dummies like her torment themselves.
Just ignore like everyone else—self-flagellation's dumb either way.
"Raiding out of duty gains nothing. Who even cares......"
Pine Cone couldn't look back while driving. Beginner driver? I gazed out the window instead.
Gray road wound through mountains, lit by headlights—sterile scene.
I'd once wished to see this again.
This was my mission. Overcome trials, return to peaceful world.
But......
Pine Cone spoke.
"You still went into the dungeon, Ye-na."
"Yeah."
"But you're not me."
Meaning: not a spec-less tin can forced to No.1 rank by the system.
Pissed me off thinking about it.
"You do your thing. I do mine."
"......My thing?"
"Yeah."
Truthfully, I couldn't grasp why Nurse Pine Cone agonized.
Nightingale's Grace was damn useful.
Didn't improve conditions but prevented worsening—endless ways to contribute without fighting.
Heck, thanks to her skill, I maintained condition lying five years, hit a dungeon two days post-wake.
"Because of you, I could do my job. Take comfort in that."
Meant as a scold, but Pine Cone beamed unexpectedly.
"......Thank you, Kang Ye-na. Hearing that helps."
"......What the hell."
I sighed, staring out the window.
From her view, I'm a patient up just two days—why spill like that?
......Weird one.
* * *
Lee Woo-yeon had cleared the dungeon but was in a foul mood for some reason.
Gonna go dark a week solo, he thought, powering off his phone—then an email notification popped.
Subject was simple.
Hello, this is Pine Cone.