Full Moon's Hefty Price and Mystic Party Panic
Full Moon, you're going to have to watch over Park Chae-rin for a while.
"But... do you still have it, by any chance? Full Moon?"
Here comes the main point...!
Of course I had it—hell, it was strapped to my waist right now. Last time we parted ways while she was just staring at this sword. How could I sell it to someone else?
'Without New Moon, it's just an ordinary sword anyway...'
Truth be told, I already had a decent sword. Sure, pairing Full Moon and New Moon would probably outperform the Plant Sword, but I didn't have New Moon. No point dwelling on the impossible.
Besides, I learned swordsmanship to deal with enemies I couldn't just blast with Dragon Breath—not because I wanted to become a swordsman. I didn't need it.
'Honestly, this is like investing in a useless item.'
Swords with a gimmick that unlocks powerful skills when paired together? Gear like that doesn't end there—meeting conditions could unlock even more special effects, skyrocketing its value. And the favor I'd gain from the one who collects them? Sky-high too!
Meaning, I could turn the swordmaster who wields Full Moon and New Moon into an ally.
"Heh... Of course I have it. I just got a new sword, so I was planning to sell this one anyway."
"R-Really? Sell it to me—to me...!"
Park Chae-rin, who'd wielded both swords before, couldn't forget that rush. Her voice bordered on begging.
"700 million! I'll buy it for 700 million won!"
Seeing an A-rank hunter throw out 700 million like that? Yeah, it must be one hell of a weapon.
700 million... That's like 70,000 burger sets...! Even if I didn't blow it all on food, the possibilities were endless.
Lost in happy thoughts of what to do with 700 million, I noticed Park Chae-rin misreading my contemplation as hesitation. She looked anxious.
"Fine—"
"Gear! I'll throw in top-tier equipment I can source on top of the 700 million!"
"Wha...? You don't have to go that far...?"
Her bold add-on caught me off guard. Was Full Moon that good...?
"After using Full Moon and New Moon together that time, I realized... I'd wasted half my life without them!"
Park Chae-rin rambled on: Moonlight Slash was ridiculously overpowered, New Moon's listed stats only hit half potential without Full Moon, and so on.
In the end, no one else would pay full price but her. The buyer was decided.
'Still, A-rank gear sounds tempting, so better hide how set I was on this.'
"Not a bad deal. I'll take it."
"Really?! Yes! Woo-hoo!!!"
True to an A-rank hunter's style, the massive sum—beyond my wildest dreams—hit my account instantly.
Park Chae-rin clutched Full Moon like she'd fulfilled a lifelong wish, her face beaming with relief.
She was so thrilled to reunite New Moon with its pair that she insisted I order anything I wanted, turning it into an impromptu feast.
After the feast, Seol-ah and I headed home.
"Whew... I ate till my stomach's about to burst."
"Good thing Chae-rin covered it. When the bill hit 720,000 won, I freaked out."
Yeah, it was excessive—Dutch pay crossed my mind. But Park Chae-rin tanked the whole bill with her payment defense...
Now that I was a nine-figure asset holder, I didn't need to, but still.
'Huh, that mold in the corner looks bigger...'
Having money made me notice things I'd ignored before.
...Alright, when I hit real billionaire status, I'm moving out of this dump.
I'd lived here long enough to grow attached, but the issues were too many to ignore with sentiment.
'Mold in the corners, worn-out everything, zero soundproofing, back alley in a hillside slum...'
...Yeah, time to plan a move. Or maybe it's just food coma hitting—getting sleepy. I'll think after a nap.
Oh, right. Gotta kick out the sleep-talking menace first...
Ugh, hassle...
I woke up groggy, fumbling for my phone.
Ugh... what time is it...?
Flailing around, I felt Seol-ah's face with a smack.
"What...? You didn't go home...?"
Ah, Yoon Seol-ah. I'd sworn to kick her out if she stayed too late.
Whatever. Phone screen: 7:45 AM. Monday.
"Yoon Seol-ah! Aren't you going to work?"
"Ehhh... what time is it...?"
"Almost 8."
"...?"
Her face paled. She bolted from bed, scrambling to get ready.
As she beat herself up—"Why didn't the alarm go off?"—I opened my banking app to check yesterday's Full Moon payout.
Balance: 707 million won.
...Never dreamed I'd see this much in my account.
I'd jumped for joy awakening an EX skill, but cash in the bank was a whole other level.
Staring in awe at the balance, I spotted new messages.
Timestamps: Just now. Morning riser, huh? What else would she be doing—playing games like an unemployed bum? It was true until recently...
Feeling good from the bank balance, I replied right away.
Instant reply. Though Kim Ha-yeon just confirmed my lazy past...
Things were different now. If effort equaled results, who wouldn't try their best?
If she knew I'd been sucked into emergency gates twice, she'd freak.
Come to think of it, after the vine incident, there was even an interview and article. Short, but still. Doesn't she watch news?
Sudden party invite...?
Tower rankings were under the party leader's name, so no issue. Mid-to-high ranks were mostly A-rank raid parties. Unlike solo S-ranks, they teamed up for scores.
But rewards? Party play meant splitting. Top S-ranks soloed to hog everything.
'Kim Ha-yeon... trying to hinder my growth?'
No way. I firmly refused.
Harsh, but pros don't hold back.
What? Rewards were system-issued: growth stats, bound items—not all transferable.
How would she "take 0%"? Her answer surprised me.
Quick search confirmed: Rarely used feature to set reward splits pre-entry. Contribution-based by default, so most ignored it—no tips mentioned.
She nagged: no interference, just strategy guide, etc. I caved and agreed.
She was B-rank. Shouldn't drag me down. Nice to have company against boredom.
Good is good. We set a meetup spot—then a shadow fell over me.
"Oppa? Didn't you say it was 8?"
"Almost 8, yeah."
15 minutes off, but rounded up, close enough.
"I thought I was super late...!"
"You bought time anyway. Thank me?"
She should thank me. My warning got her moving fast.
Half-joking, but she prepped quick—now we had buffer. Time for me to gear up.
"Where you off to?"
"Tower run, gotta go."
"Okay? Be safe! If it's too risky, run home without looking back...!"
Suddenly all protective, nagging precautions.
"And before you go, one more...!"
"Ewww, too far...!"
Sudden cheek puff attack from Seol-ah.
"Come back safe!"
She beamed, satisfied, as I headed out.
Yeah, might need to enforce that late-night eviction.
"No way, for real."
At the Black Tower with Kim Ha-yeon, party challenge popped the reward allocation screen.
"Told ya. Never partied before?"
"Nope... Never crossed my mind."
Sounded weird, but different mindset. Low-ranks partied for scraps; high-ranks soloed for full rewards. Natural for me.
"Anyway, let's go! Wanna see the little miss clear a gate."
"...Don't call me that."
I ignored her grin, hit enter.
Mythical being detected.
Difficulty fixed to Mystic.
Black Tower Layer 3 - Mystic
🎯 Objective: Defeat 10 Desert Ents
Familiar messages, then the quest. Ignored the preamble, checked goal.
Ents... Trees in a desert? Whatever, roll with it.
"Not too complicated. Follow me."
Dismissed window, scanned surroundings.
Find ents first, then clear.
'Why no response?'
Turned—Kim Ha-yeon stared blankly at her status window.
"Ehh...?"
"...Problem?"
"What's Mystic?"