Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: How the Rank 1 Hero Protects the World
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After that chance encounter with Jo Han-yul.
I waited my turn like any ordinary customer before finally stepping inside.
The first floor had been flashier than a luxury boutique, but the seventh-floor room felt more like an office than a store for buying and selling. In the center sat a low table flanked by long sofas on either side.
A woman in a flowing white robe occupied one sofa. She stood as I entered.
"Welcome, customer. Please have a seat here. What would you like to drink? Sparkling water, black tea, or coffee—pick one."
"I'm good. I still have some sparkling water from downstairs."
"Then just let me know if you need anything. Please, sit right here."
I took a seat on the sofa as she gestured.
Her robe bore her name, embroidered in ornate golden thread.
Im Mi-sol.
The business card holder on the table had the same name. Her title: Hunter Store Head Branch, Purchasing Department Employee.
Must be a newbie.
"You said you have a C-grade item to sell? Just place it on the table here."
Im Mi-sol pointed to the table.
She looks kinda small, I thought, but since she's a mage, she'll handle it somehow. I quietly pulled the item from my inventory.
What I was selling today were the hide from the Red-Furred Bronze Bull I'd gotten in the dungeon yesterday and 50 spines from the Cowardly Hedgehog. Unfortunately, the Gluttonous Rabbit hadn't dropped anything.
The bull's hide was huge since the beast itself was a giant, and the hedgehog spines were as long as a person's arm. But the moment I set them on the table, they shrank to fit perfectly, as if tailored for it.
Magic at work, no doubt. Whether in Tartarus or Earth, mages pull the same tricks. Always fascinating.
"Then I'll start the appraisal."
Im Mi-sol raised her hand and picked up the staff leaning against the sofa beside her.
Her long robe sleeve draped down.
I wondered idly if mages in every world managed to look this stylish no matter what.
Regardless of my thoughts, a large magic circle appeared beneath the table where I'd placed the items. I could feel mana swirling in the glowing blue formation.
The mana enveloped the items and vanished in an instant.
"Appraisal complete. Hmm..."
The employee made a vague expression. I tensed up for a second. What's with that look? Nothing seemed off...
"Um, if it's not too rude, customer..."
"Yes?"
"Could I ask your level?"
"...Pardon?"
As I blinked in confusion, Im Mi-sol awkwardly stroked the hide on the table.
"I know it's impolite... but these are drops from a C-grade monster, and the harvesting is so pristine."
"Is something wrong with them?"
"Normally, fights with C-grade monsters are so intense that the drops often come damaged... It's rare to see them this clean."
Ah, makes sense.
I'd poisoned the bull to death, and stabbed the hedgehog in one swift strike when the chance came. Of course the items were in perfect condition.
I just shrugged. Couldn't exactly reveal my real level.
"My level's not that high... Got lucky, I guess. Does the condition bump up the price?"
"Absolutely. Even same-grade items vary wildly in price based on condition!"
Muttering that, Im Mi-sol clasped her hands together as if she'd made up her mind and looked at me.
"Customer—no, Hunter-nim! I'll buy it at the absolute highest price within my authority."
"...Uh, thanks."
"I'm famous in this business for the fastest, fairest deals! So..."
Im Mi-sol held out a business card. I took it on reflex.
"If you have more items like this, please come to our branch! I'll take great care of you, customer!"
...Isn't this supposed to be a high-end Hunter Store like a Gangnam luxury shop? Did I walk into the wrong place?
I'd just gotten scammed buying a phone ten minutes ago, so her sudden enthusiasm felt suspicious.
I didn't hide my doubts.
"...Do you usually haggle prices like this here?"
"No, of course not! I'm just that impressed by your skill. Check our homepage—we have fixed prices by grade!"
Im Mi-sol waved her hands in surprise.
"Don't get the wrong idea. Our head branch really offers the best prices, customer!"
Maybe they handle customer relations by branch. Seemed like standard sales talk. I nodded vaguely and slipped the card into my wallet.
"I'll think about it. So, how much can you offer?"
"The materials are B-grade rarity-wise: about 2 million won for the bull hide, 1.5 million for the hedgehog spines."
Im Mi-sol brought over a large tablet and showed the listed prices.
"With my authority, I'll bump it 120% and buy for 4.2 million won after fees. This is a solid deal, customer!"
4.2 million won... Hmm.
My sense of Korean prices was fuzzy, but from memory and what I'd checked online, that was well over an average salaryman's monthly pay.
Big money for half a day's work.
Truth was, I had no cash on hand, so no other options. Lodging for tonight was already an issue.
Seeing as I'd learned C-grade item prices, I nodded.
"Alright, sold. When do I get paid?"
"Give me your account—I can transfer right here!"
My decision made her eyes sparkle.
Her over-the-top excitement even after the deal felt fishy.
Weird. Research said this was fair market, so why do I feel ripped off?
I asked outright.
"You're acting way too thrilled. Mind if I ask why?"
"Oh, sorry. It's just... you brought exactly what I've been looking for."
With that, Im Mi-sol pulled a small acupuncture case from her robe.
What’s that? Never seen one like it. She grinned and opened the lid.
"Personally, I'm researching monster acupoints! I was making needles from hedgehog spines to poke into monster hides for experiments, but good-condition materials are so hard to find!"
Ah, she's got that mad scientist vibe.
Her explanation clicked instantly. Mages always have those weirdos. No point questioning their motives.
"Got it. Thanks. Transfer now, please."
"Yes! Check your account!"
"Got it. Appreciate it."
"This is perfect. I'm actually an acupuncture major. Became a mage after awakening, but I couldn't let go of my passion..."
Not mad scientist—mad acupuncturist. I nodded.
"Time for me to head out."
"Ah, goodbye, customer! Please keep in touch...!"
Her pleading voice followed, but I hurried out.
What kinda day is this? First a rambling Rank 5, now a psycho appraisal mage...
* * *
The woman, who hadn't revealed her name and went by anonymous hunter, grabbed her phone as soon as he left.
Call it a mage's intuition.
No way she'd overlook a hunter who handled a C-grade monster with such clean precision. No rookie had skills that seasoned.
She had to snag him.
She quickly typed an email.
Professor Kim Sook-ja, hello. This is Lee Seon. Found a jackpot hunter—call me for details.
Her heart raced for the first time in ages.
She'd snuck out for fieldwork since newbie Im Mi-sol took sudden leave, and now this luck.
The official Rank 4, always short-staffed on full shifts, grinned.
Looks like I hit the jackpot today, guys!
* * *
Anyway, I'd pocketed some cash.
4.2 million wasn't chump change. But in Korea, it wasn't enough for permanent housing. Rentals needed deposits, and I had no lump sum.
Pondering, I booked a decently priced hotel near Gangnam Station.
Pricey, but better security and cleanliness than a motel. Cheaper elsewhere, but I was too wiped to move.
Only four days since waking in Korea. Cleared a dungeon yesterday, traveled from Wonju to Seoul today—stamina drained.
I crashed in the hotel single room without showering. The plush bed and cool, clean sheets felt great.
Sprawled out, I brooded.
Gotta figure out money-making.
Plenty of items left in inventory, but not infinite. Couldn't afford hotel forever.
Ideal: raid dungeons, save for a place...
Problem: couldn't farm dungeon items conspicuously.
My player name was public now. Clearing would list me, blowing cover.
If outed as Rank 1, other rankers might fight for spot—straight to death for me.
No plans to go down easy, but stats and skills sealed.
These rankers weren't pushovers like yesterday's scammer with items and potions.
Headache.
Best fix: regain full power fast.
To boost stats quick, system said defeat monsters stronger than me.
Soloing B-grade like yesterday would recover quick...
Same issue: exposure on clear.
"Aargh!"
Damn twists! I punched the white hotel pillow. Soft, didn't burst.
This shitty system was the culprit. Inventing rankings to torment me?
"Seriously wishing I'd die?"
Just kill me outright—why this beggar treatment?
Hugging the pillow, my plight hit hard. No money worries in Tartarus... mostly from extorting Lucas.
Face buried, I wondered if they missed my sudden vanishing. Did he escape the dungeon for treatment?
"...Wonder how everyone's doing."
Hate-to-love Lucas I'd smack, preachy annoying Ilias, straight-punching Alicia, actual-punching Ariadne.
Sick of those familiar comrades, yet missed them terribly.
Born here in Korea, but bonds forged by my strength were all in Tartarus. The only place an outcast like me belonged.
Thought of never seeing them again drove me mad.
...Can we meet again?
Eyes dampened, but I forced them shut.
Exhausted. Bad time for gloom.
Left worries to tomorrow's me.
Fatigue dragged me under.