Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: How the Rank 1 Hero Protects the World
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I was discharged from the hospital without issue the next day.
There weren't many procedures to go through upon discharge.
Just a final check-up from the doctor I'd seen a few times, and confirming that the billing at the accounting office had been processed.
The stuff I had to take with me was simple, too.
The new smartphone I'd bought and the wallet I'd had on me. That was it.
Pine Cone the nurse was nowhere to be seen, either. She'd given me a ride home yesterday, so I'd thought about thanking her if we ran into each other.
I lingered in the hospital room for a bit, but soon enough, I just left the hospital.
Must be her day off or something.
I took the same bus as yesterday into the city and first picked up the suitcase I'd left at the mart. Luckily, there was a post office right by the mart, so I was able to ship a parcel to Nurse Pine Cone.
With all my errands done, I headed straight to the intercity bus terminal.
Buses to Seoul's Express Bus Terminal ran every two hours. The ticket cost just around ten thousand won.
Science for the win. Unlike horses, these things didn't tire out, so it only took an hour and a half to reach Seoul.
Of course, the first thing I did upon arriving in Seoul was head to the Hunter Store's head office in Gangnam.
I got off at Gangnam Station and let out a soft gasp of admiration.
"Whoa, this is just..."
It was in a league of its own compared to the Hunter Store back in Wonju.
I'd been a little worried about getting lost again, but the head office was so prominent that no matter which exit I came out of, a quick glance around would spot it.
For starters, it was as big as two neighboring buildings combined. The lower floors were all glass walls, and it stretched high above.
And right next to it was another building that screamed "This has to be the one from the Eternal Guild that's all over the news and the internet."
No sign or anything, but the entrance on the first floor was guarded by people who were obviously hunters, so it was unmistakable. The murderous glint in those guards' eyes was downright ferocious. What the hell, are they gangsters?
I paused for a moment and observed the people passing by on the Gangnam streets.
It was a lively street.
A wide, straight road lined with cars and people moving in sync with the traffic lights. Stores boasting flashy display windows on both sides.
The scenery itself wasn't all that different from what I remembered.
But there was one stark difference.
It was 1 p.m. on a weekday. The time when office workers were finishing early lunches or heading out for theirs.
Mixed in among the suited-up folks with tired faces sipping coffee as they walked were people in armor or long robes clutching staffs here and there.
Not just that—longswords, lances, leather armor, light armor, even full plate that made you wonder how they walked.
To me, this felt more familiar, really. But seeing it on streets with cars zipping by? Yeah, it felt off, somehow. A sense of dissonance.
As I watched, I spotted some pathetic types, too.
A warrior in chainmail covering him from neck to ankle hopped out of a sports car, scratched it by accident, and was fidgeting while pretending not to notice.
Across the street at a big chain cafe, some idiot had propped his sheathed sword next to the table like a trophy, striking casual poses for selfies that showed it off...
"..."
Makes me wanna deck one. I lowered my raised fist. Well, every place has its share of vain assholes. Tartarus was no different.
I blended into a group heading casually toward the Hunter Store. Now and then, I felt curious glances at my gear, but they faded quickly.
Makes sense—my Angelus's Blessing, Apex Light Sword, and Nymph's Wind all looked pretty ordinary at a glance.
Especially the Apex Light Sword; I'd deliberately wrapped the hilt in ragged cloth. No need for weapon nerds starting shit.
Pushing open the glass doors into the Hunter Store, a roar of noise hit me like the street outside.
The interior was as sleek and flashy as the one in Wonju, but the first floor felt more like a bustling marketplace. It was packed to the gills with people.
Whoa.
I'd figured there'd be a ton since even idiots like Woo Seong-yeon jumped into hunting thinking it was easy, but damn, there were really this many hunters.
I'd expected it, but seeing this many people right in front of me was a little intimidating.
All these folks dungeon diving?
"First time visiting?"
The guide by the door kindly asked the dazed me.
I nodded obediently.
"Then please click the sales or purchase button over here and take a number ticket. Your wait number will be displayed up there."
"...Okay."
Feels like a bank.
I took the ticket and settled into an empty sofa in the corner.
The sofa was plush as hell. As I sat, an employee circulating through the crowd smiled and offered me juice or sparkling water.
I took the sparkling water on reflex. They treat you like royalty here. Wetting my throat with it, I felt a vague mix of emotions.
"...Everyone looks so upbeat."
Maybe I was just being pessimistic since I hadn't been back in Korea long...
But in Tartarus, as far as I could remember over several years, the vibe was never like this. Among the mercenaries challenging dungeons, the atmosphere was always cynical and bleak.
And for good reason—as years passed, failed assaults on Optatio, the final dungeon, had let doomsday pessimism take hold.
Might as well die in battle whenever it happens, they'd think. But at the same time... they all gripped their blades desperately, wanting to survive just a little longer right now.
That's how I'd gathered with my comrades for the final showdown...
"Ah, number 1043's up."
My ticket number flashed on the board.
I grabbed it and hurried forward. The clearly exhausted employee looked up with a polite smile.
"Hello, sir. May I ask what type of item you're looking to sell first?"
Good thing I'd read online that checking a few things beforehand made visiting the head store easier.
Their first question divides items into gear, weapons, potions, or materials.
"Materials."
"Rank?"
"C-grade."
I planned to sell only the drops from yesterday's dungeon to check market prices properly.
The employee nodded.
"Yes, thank you for confirming. We'll guide you to the seventh floor first, then. Keep your ticket, and a staff member there will assist you. Thank you."
'Whoa... must be exhausting.'
She rattled it off flawlessly, but I could feel the seasoned worker's plight.
After all, I was the 1043rd customer today? There were maybe a dozen receptionists at a glance.
Now it really felt like a marketplace.
Ticket in hand, I headed to the seventh floor.
It was a long hallway with about ten doors. Electronic displays above each like on the first floor, sofas and chairs for waiting in the corridor.
Less crowded than downstairs, but still packed. I hadn't even sold anything or bought yet, and I was already drained.
Plopping onto an empty sofa with my half-finished sparkling water can, the woman next to me—dyed bob haircut—glanced over and snapped her flip phone shut.
Whoa, what's that? Weren't flip phones extinct?
Spotting my sparkling eyes, she casually placed it on her palm without a word. Same size as my smartphone when open, half when closed.
Whoa, a new world. So cute!
Reading my expression, she gave a quiet smile and struck up a conversation.
"This model's eligible for the government hunter comms subsidy, too."
Hunter comms subsidy? I blinked. I'd been scouring the internet for info, but this was new.
"Huh, there's a subsidy for hunters buying phones?"
"Yeah, guess you didn't know. Dealerships hate mentioning it 'cause it's a hassle. Definitely file the paperwork at the Hunter Management Office. You'll get 300,000 won straight to your account."
"Whoa..."
I'd just grabbed the latest model quick at that Gangwon mart yesterday, so no swapping now, but seeing hers made me wanna.
It's like the phone I had as a kid... adorable. I leaned toward her a bit.
"It looks just like a flip phone..."
"Yeah. It's got metal from the Harmony Workshop mixed in, so durability's solid. Won't snap even in strong hunters' hands."
"Ah, so that's why the subsidy?"
"Nah. It's 'cause the government mandates it—you know, for dungeon breaks? Emergency evac broadcasts. Comes with a built-in radio for those. Antenna here's the proof—if you want, feel free to touch..."
Then she looked sheepish.
"Oh, was I too friendly? Sorry. I work selling these, so..."
No wonder she knew so much.
My memories of Korea were fuzzy now, but I remembered phone shopping was always a scam-fest no matter what.
I held the cute phone briefly and handed it back.
"No, I don't know much about this stuff... Thanks. If I'd known yesterday, I'd have gotten this one."
Her eyes widened at my words. Soon, anger and worry filled them.
"Gasp, you bought one yesterday?!"
"Uh... did I mess up?"
"No, didn't they tell you? The subsidy policy changed today... Go cancel and repurchase! A phone's not cheap!"
She clenched her fist tight. Staring at my face, she seemed to steel herself and said,
"If you're shy about it, I'll go with you!"
"...I got it in Wonju, Gangwon-do."
"...Got the dealership number?"
I shook my head. She thumped her chest in frustration.
"Aigoo, scamming even young hunter kids like this! Damn bastards, hope they trip into a dungeon on the street."
"..."
K-nosiness—funny or awkward?
Still, caring this much for a stranger was rare and appreciated. Not everyone bothers with others.
I bowed my head gratefully.
"Thanks for the info. I'll get it right next time."
"...Might sound weird,"
She held out her phone.
"Wanna swap numbers? Text me when you upgrade next time."
"Uh... sales pitch?"
"Nope, I don't sell phones. Don't worry, I'm not broke enough to fleece kids."
Earlier she said she sold them, now not? But she didn't look strapped for cash.
And she'd been calling me a kid—how old was she?
I snuck a peek at her face.
Maybe 'cause I just got back to Korea, but gauging age was tricky.
The vibrant dyed bob and clear eyes said twenties, but her firm jaw and lips exuded maturity.
Five or six years older than me? Accounting for my real age.
I'd look mid-twenties now, so to her, I'm a full ten years younger.
Yeah, kid makes sense. I quickly got why the nosiness.
"Sure, I'd love help. I suck at this stuff..."
I offered my phone. She checked the model, grimaced like her guts twisted again, inputted her number, and handed it back. I confirmed:
Jo Han-yul
010-XXX-XXXX
"...Huh, this name."
"Ah, my turn."
She shot up. As I stared blankly up at her—Jo Han-yul, the Rank 5 hunter who "sold products"—she waved.
"Call me, okay!"
She strode off without a backward glance.
What? So it wasn't bragging or sales—just showing off her own invention?
I stared at the door she'd vanished through.
No way I'd thought about meeting the Harmony Workshop owner yesterday, and bam, here she was.
'Coincidence? Or System meddling?'
That thought soured it a bit.
Sure, she seemed nice. Probably was, too—the one who'd decided to supply cheap potions in bulk.
Potions were hunters' lifelines on a priest-less Earth.
But right now... this was kindness from her not knowing who I was. Even a good person wouldn't love their pride ranked below someone else's.
I stared at my phone screen for a while.
Casually given contact. Offhand favor. My nerfed stats and that Rank 1 number.
Better not contact, just in case. Safer to delete.
"...Still cute, though."
But even thinking that, her bold exit reminded me oddly of first meeting my Tartarus friend, Mercenary King Alicia.
In the end, I couldn't delete the contact and ended up smiling.