Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Deal (2)
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In front of the abandoned building.
I stood there blankly, my usual oversized hoodie pulled up over my head and Little One perched on my shoulder.
To make sure my face wouldn't show, I pulled my mask up high and tugged the hood deep down past my eyebrows.
With only my eyes barely peeking out, I gripped the mana stone pouch tightly. I took a deep breath and spoke.
"...Phew. Little One, you ready?"
The little guy, who had been curiously looking around at the outside world for the first time since being summoned, froze in place.
Sensing my tension, it solemnly saluted by pressing its tiny hand to its temple.
Its serious expression was so adorable that a chuckle slipped out. That helped settle my racing heart a bit.
"Good. Let's go."
I took a step forward.
Screeech—.
The rusty iron door screamed open. The scene inside was far more bleak than I'd imagined.
A single dilapidated desk sitting alone. A fluorescent light flickering precariously.
There sat four men who looked shady at first glance, cackling over some lame jokes.
"...".
As I stepped in, their chatter cut off as if on cue. All their eyes locked onto me standing at the door.
The silence didn't last.
They scanned my getup, bewilderment clouding their faces, until one of them snorted.
"Pfft! Hahaha! Hey, hey! What the hell is that? Do hunters these days go around looking like that?"
"Whoa, this is gold. You run away from home or what? Steal those clothes from your old man?"
Laughter exploded from all sides.
One guy leaning back in his chair, wiping tears from his eyes. Another pounding the desk and pointing at me.
My ears burned.
This was far more humiliating than the rough treatment I'd braced for. I instinctively stepped backward.
My palms were slick with sweat. I clenched the hoodie sleeve tight.
...Should I just turn back?
Just as that cowardly thought flickered through my mind.
A ripple of mana stirred on my left shoulder.
Little One, clenching an invisible fist and bristling with fury, looked ready to unleash flames at any second.
Right. I'm not alone.
That invisible fist could wipe these clowns out easily. Remembering that shifted my fear into irritation.
I let out a deep breath and readjusted my grip on the hoodie sleeve.
Then I raised my head again and walked straight toward the guys, who were still doubled over laughing.
The guffaws dragged on longer than I'd expected.
I reached the desk while they kept snickering.
From my sleeve-hidden hand, I pulled out the pouch and tossed it onto the desk with a thud.
Clink.
The clear tinkling sound finally wiped the grins off their faces.
The one in the center—the ugliest of the bunch—stubbed out his cigarette and picked up the pouch.
"...Hoo, you actually brought the goods, huh?"
He opened it and dumped out the mana stones. Crystals sparkling under the light.
The dealer's eyes gleamed. He curled his lip slyly and prodded the stones.
"Condition's meh. Drops the price."
It was such an obvious routine that I nearly scoffed. Ah, here we go.
"...Condition looks fine to me."
I kept my voice low, and the dealer clicked his tongue. But instead of barking, he flashed a friendly smile.
"Sure, sure. What would a kid like you know?"
He leaned back in his chair and patted the air downward with his palm.
A placating gesture, soothing rather than scolding.
The big burly guy next to him started to step forward but halted at the dealer's signal. Looked like the boss.
"See, these things have a fair market value."
"...".
The dealer pulled a thin envelope from his pouch and slid it across the table.
I didn't need to check the amount. It screamed 'take this scraps and beat it.'
"Take this and go. We'll call it here for today."
I ignored the envelope and stared straight into his eyes. Only then did his smile thin out.
"You swiped those from your dad and ran off, didn't you?"
"...".
The dealer nodded, feigning concern.
"Figured a kid like you wouldn't just show up with mana stones outta nowhere. Word travels fast on these streets."
He casually flashed his open palm and added,
"Cops? Association? I won't snitch. Too much hassle for me."
"...".
"But take this and scram quietly today. If you're coming back... be better prepared next time."
The words started soft but ended as a warning.
The others didn't advance openly, but they subtly blocked the exit. Pressure that I had no choice.
The dealer tapped the envelope.
"Take it. I don't like losing cash, but I like the headache of messing with a kid like you even less."
But I didn't flinch.
"...Your tongue's way too slick."
"...What the hell did you just say?"
The moment the boss reached for my collar.
I casually tapped my left shoulder twice with my index finger.
And at the same instant.
Sizzle—!
"Aaaagh?!"
The boss suddenly screamed and toppled backward.
An inexplicable burn mark seared clearly on the back of his hand. The mana stone pouch he'd been gripping floated into the air and snapped back to my hand like a magnet.
"Wh-what?! What the hell was that?!"
The panicked underlings tried to lunge, but their feet wouldn't budge.
Crackle!
A bolt of lightning crashed down from nowhere. The ground right in front of their ankles charred black.
One more step, and their feet would've been gone.
"...!"
The room fell deathly silent in an instant.
"...A real hunter?"
The dealer's voice trembled ever so slightly.
In lieu of a reply, I wiggled my fingers from inside the limp sleeve and shoved the envelope back across the table.
"Just pay full price. You pissed me off."
Silence.
The boss glanced at the burn scar on his hand, then forced a grin.
"Sheesh. Fine, full price it is?"
His gaze lingered on the mana stones for a beat.
He casually pulled out another cigarette and lit it. Street toughs sure knew how to bluff.
"But you... got a crew watching your back?"
He paused for my answer, lit the cig, and continued.
"None? Then let's wrap this clean."
He trailed off, adding with mock concern,
"These goods are... pretty clean."
I just tilted my head slightly instead of answering.
The boss didn't press. He waved it off.
"Whatever. Details just tire us both out."
"Full price like you said. Clean deal, done."
Only then did the dealers shut up and start properly inspecting the goods.
"Hmm...".
"Mm, this...".
"Yeah, this one...".
They muttered among themselves. Snippets like "goods check out" and "crystals in great shape" floated over.
Of course they were. Straight from the Tower.
My lip twitched upward for a split second.
One of the big guys who'd blocked the door earlier slyly dragged over a chair and set it behind me. All menace gone, he was downright polite now.
"Uh... Hunter, sir."
"Yeah?"
I stared at him from under the hood, and he glanced nervously before asking,
"Looks like you're a mage type...".
"Uh, ah... Y-yeah, right."
It was thanks to Little One on my shoulder, but I played along.
The guy looked puzzled.
"Why come to shady dealers like us? You seem plenty skilled. Register at the Association, do it official, and you'd get full price no problem."
"Ah...".
I kept a straight face outwardly, but inwardly I panicked. Didn't see that question coming.
Can't go to the Association without ID.
"W-well... got my reasons."
"Ah, yeah... I get it. Happens sometimes with folks like you."
The guy nodded like he'd figured it out. I drove the point home.
"Obviously, but this stays secret."
"Of course! People who come to us all have their reasons—we don't pry.
Credit's king in this line of work."
Credit? Ha.
They'd tried to fleece me without batting an eye thinking I was easy pickings. One smackdown later, and now it's all about credit.
I clammed up, not wanting more chit-chat.
Right on cue, the boss finished appraising and tapped at his calculator.
Click, clack.
He slowly turned the screen my way.
"Total 105g. Market rate 11,000 per g."
"1,155,000 total."
My eyes nearly bugged out under the hood. A few rocks worth over a million won?
I nodded casually like it was nothing. The boss added curtly,
"Earlier... we got a bit carried away. Pretend it didn't happen, and I'll owe you one.
Throwing in a little extra on the price this time."
"...No need for that."
"Done."
He cut me off with a wave. Not quite an apology—more like 'let's not make this a thing.'
He nodded at an underling, who handed over a thick yellow envelope.
"Exactly 1,500,000. Check it if you want."
"No need."
I snatched the envelope and shoved it into my sleeve. It felt heavy.
"Then... I'm good to go?"
"Yeah. Watch your back."
The boss spoke up, and the guys behind him belatedly straightened their postures.
"Take care going home!"
The same thugs who'd been acting like gangsters moments ago were now bowing to my back.
Not even funny.
I flicked my sleeve in lieu of a reply and slipped out the door.
All the way down the stairs, I felt Little One's pleased vibrations on my shoulder.
An invisible hand patted my shoulder like 'did good, right?'
"Yeah. You did great."
I muttered low without thinking and quickened my steps.