Chapter 13

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 13

Chapter Title: Make a Contract with Me and Become a Raid Member!

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 I blinked vacantly, over and over.

 Something was off about that number.

 One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million... ten million?

 So that would make it fifty million won...?

 My eyes and head spun at the sight of a number I'd never seen before.

 Is this for real...?

 Maybe it got sent to the wrong person?

"Um, Yujin...?"

"Yeah? Got a question? Oh, I forgot to give you the transaction details. Here. I'll send it via KakaoTalk later too."

"N-No...! That's not what I meant...!"

 Jeong Yujin casually slid a sheet of paper across the table.

 I snatched it up and crammed it into my pocket, all crumpled, but still raised my voice.

"Is this really my share from the sale...?"

"Yep, it is. I told you, treasure rooms don't come easy. Even a four-man party would come out stuffed to the brim. You monopolized the rewards, so of course it's only fair."

"Even so..."

It wasn't even some high-tier gate.

Just a mere Rift Gate.

Of course, by my standards, that was still a step up.

But it was still hard to wrap my head around.

Treasure rooms must be a really big deal.

"Honestly, if there'd been more jewels, it would've been even higher, which was a shame. The items weren't top-tier either. But the sheer volume made it pretty decent overall."

"Decent? Isn't this way beyond decent...?"

I timidly voiced my doubt.

Was it really okay for me to take all this?

Just the 600,000 won from selling mana stones had felt like owning the world.

And now this was hundreds, thousands of times more... wait, was it?

Anyway, with this insane amount of money in my hands, I felt more dazed than happy.

And on top of that, the sum was so huge it was hard to grasp its value.

"How much is fifty million won? I can't even imagine what I could do with it."

"Hmm, let me put it in terms Hayang would understand..."

 Jeong Yujin glanced down at my question.

More precisely, at the glass of chocolate latte in front of me.

"You could drink ten thousand glasses of chocolate latte, right?"

"Eek?! T-Ten thousand glasses...?!"

"Yeah."

Gasp, thinking of it that way made it sound like truly massive money.

Ten thousand chocolate lattes.

Even with the 600,000 won, I'd craved one but peeked into a roadside cafe and saw they cost 5,000 won each.

Felt too extravagant, so I didn't buy it.

As my eyes sparkled, Jeong Yujin rested her chin on her hand, gazing at me with a strangely proud smile.

Her gaze tickled a bit.

So I squirmed and averted my eyes, but didn't forget to thank her.

"I'll use it wisely. No splurging, I promise. Thank you so much."

"No need to thank me. I just handed the loot to the guild."

"No, really. I want to repay you somehow."

I shook my head vigorously, denying her words.

For a split second, her expression seemed to change.

It was so fleeting, I wondered if I'd imagined it.

"Ahem... Well, Hayang. Then, could you do me one little favor? No, not even a favor—just hear me out..."

"Sure, I'd love to."

She was fumbling her words, but I got the gist.

I'd said I wanted to repay her, so she was using that as an excuse to ask.

But it felt awkward to straight-up request it, so hear her out first and decide.

Ahem, I'm not an idiot.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"If it's okay... could you lend your power to our guild's current gate raid?"

"A gate raid?"

"Yeah. It's a Layered Gate—do you know about those?"

"Not really."

I shook my head honestly.

Pretending to know when I didn't would be pointless.

"Simply put, think of it like a raid boss fight in a game, split into phases. We cleared the first layer successfully, but it was no joke. The raid team gave up on the second layer and pulled back."

"Ah..."

I'd never played games, but I got the idea.

Normal gates: go in, clear, come out—done.

Layered Gates kept throwing new dungeons at you in sequence.

"In about four days, we'll regroup and head back in. Could you join us then?"

"Would I even help? I'm just an F-Rank Hunter..."

I tilted my head in genuine puzzlement.

I wanted to help desperately.

But if Titan Guild couldn't handle it...

It must be insanely dangerous.

They were probably pouring in tons of money and manpower.

Maybe even S-Rank Hunters.

Could an F-Rank like me really fit into such an elite party?

She dispelled that doubt in one shot.

"No, you'll definitely help. I guarantee it. Your strength outweighs any random A-Rank Hunter."

"N-No way. Even so, an A-Rank Hunter..."

"I'm serious. No flattery or lip service. It has to be you, Hayang."

"......"

At first, I thought she was hyping me up too much.

But her earnest gaze, devoid of any playfulness, swallowed me whole.

I see.

She truly wants me.

She believes I can play my part among all those heavyweights.

"Of course, your safety's guaranteed. We've got exactly two Dimensional Distortion Devices in the guild. In the worst case, we'll use one to evac you first."

"What's a Dimensional ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Distortion Device?"

"Simply put, the only item that lets you exit a gate without clearing it. But they're so hard to make, they cost a fortune."

"I had no idea..."

Investing something so precious in me...

She must think highly of me.

Or at least, she's showing she won't treat me carelessly.

From Titan Guild's perspective, an F-Rank Hunter like me—with no family...

They wouldn't care if I died in a dungeon.

Yet she made a point to mention this.

She really wants my help in this raid.

'Layered Gate.'

I clasped my trembling hands together and nodded.

It definitely wasn't a place for me.

A total newbie who'd dipped into gates just twice—might be worth less than a fly's life there.

'Still.'

I want to go.

I'd thought it since awakening.

That this life could end anytime, unnoticed.

"Yes, I'll join."

So I clenched my fist tight and declared my bold intent to Jeong Yujin.

In that moment, her face lit up without a trace of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shadow.

Like someone who'd found a ray of hope.

"Great. Then let's have a meeting tomorrow right away."

"A meeting?"

"Yeah. The guild master's the decision-maker anyway, and she really wants to meet you."

"...Huh?"

Guild master?

The sudden word muddled my head.

Titan Guild's master—had to be that guy, right?

The huge dude who showed up on TV and news all the time.

Name was something like Choi Geon-oh or Choi Geonwoo.

"I-I'm meeting the guild master?"

"Of course. She's leading the raid team herself."

"...Guhk."

"Hayang?!"

Maybe from the sudden thought of meeting such a big shot, tension overflowed.

I blacked out with a yelp.

The next morning.

"Tweet tweet tweet-!"

"Tweet?"

I'd come out to check the field as usual.

And as always, sparrows perched on the wire greeted me.

Their vibe screamed 'What can you even do?' and it irked me...

"Hmph!"

But I could magnanimously let it slide now.

I'd scored a whopping fifty million won!

Sparrows nibbling some lettuce? Pfft, whatever.

Still, this field was a precious inheritance from Grandma.

Couldn't let the sparrows rampage forever.

So I huffed and puffed, staking the small scarecrow I'd bought yesterday into the field.

I even piled up dirt to firm the ground.

And properly set it up.

"You can't steal the lettuce anymore! Try it and this scarecrow uncle will whoop you!"

"Tweet?"

"......?"

I poked my head out by the scarecrow and declared triumphantly.

The sparrows tilted their heads at me.

Hmm, they must be stunned by the scarecrow's fearsome look.

Told ya to listen earlier.

Who steals other people's lettuce?

I reseeded the lettuce properly, watered it thoroughly.

Then wiped satisfied sweat beads.

If it grows well, pair it with tasty pork belly.

Wait, now that I'm rich, maybe beef too?

Hmm, is that too extravagant?

Yeah, beef's pricey.

Need at least 100 million to touch that.

Can't blow the money just 'cause I have a lot.

No way.

Quack-!

"Huh?"

I was sprawled on the dirt field taking a quick break.

When my pocketed phone buzzed.

A message from Jeong Yujin.

Pretty early—wonder what's up?

Now? It's not even 9 yet.

Wasn't the plan to meet around lunchtime?

A bit sudden, but probably urgent.

Makes sense. I replied.

Ah, typo.

Whatever.

Thirty minutes? I dashed inside, pattering away.

"Brr, cold...!"

I quickly rinsed my dirt-covered body with cold water.

Slipped on the 2,000-won T-shirt and 4,000-won shorts from Dongmyo market.

Yep, Dongmyo's the best.

Quality clothes for mere thousands of won.

Only downside: not many kids' sizes.

Ah, forgot to buy shoes.

These are all worn out.

Gotta get new ones.

Vroom-!

I was hastily shoving on my ragged shoes.

When a car engine roared outside.

Jeong Yujin here already?

"Yujin!"

"...Hayang?"

It'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been three days, so thrilled, I ran out beaming.

She blinked blankly at me.

Huh? What's up?

"Th-This is where you live?"

"Yes! This is our family field. Just set up a scarecrow too!"

"R-Right."

She scanned our house and field with a grave look.

Seemed shocked I'd set up a scarecrow alone with this tiny frame.

Ahem.

I can do stuff when I try.

"New outfit? Looks cute. Just bought it?"

"Yep! Got some money last time, so I splurged a bit."

"Oh yeah? How much?"

"Pants and shirt together: 6,000 won."

"Uh, yeah. Nice."

She says "Nice" or "I see" a lot when talking to me.

Wish she'd comment more.

Like, "Such nice clothes for just 6,000 won?! Where?!" all shocked.

Hmph, don't wanna tell anyway.

My secret spot. Others take it, no clothes left for me.

"Hop in first? Haven't eaten breakfast, right?"

"No, not yet."

"Got some food in the car, so let's grab a quick breakfast."

"Huh? In the car?"

Food in a car? Won't it spoil?

I tilted my head, finally checking the car she'd come in...

"...Huh?"

There sat a sleek, massive black luxury limousine.

The kind VIPs rode on TV.