Hong Seolhwa (2)
I'd asked about the market price for the Lunadria in my very first post.
I'd thought about deleting it later when comments kept piling up.
But I left it there.
Why? Too lazy.
But...
Spicy Nuclear Punch.
A chuunibyou nickname led the charge, followed by a flood of comments.
"Whoa, what the hell is this?"
I scrolled down, but it never ended.
Definitely over a hundred now.
And they were still coming in real-time.
A named one?
I searched her on the Superhuman Net.
Spicy Nuclear Punch.
"Holy shit!"
I knew who it was.
Hongryeon Clan.
One of Korea's eight major clans.
She was their clan master.
Hong Seolhwa. A nation-toppling beauty with a level over 75, making waves as a top Tower superhuman.
Her outgoing personality meant she was super active on the Superhuman Net, leaving her mark everywhere.
That's why she had a massive fanbase.
She hadn't been active lately.
Rumors about her were everywhere.
And then she showed up under my post.
Her fans swarmed like bees.
"Gotta delete this post."
I clicked my tongue and went to delete it.
But before I did, I reread 'Spicy Nuclear Punch's' comment.
100,000 Coins.
Price negotiation OK.
Even other spirit herbs and gear.
She desperately wanted this Lunadria.
Hmm.
Sell just one?
No.
I could sell after successful cultivation.
I'd already taken the seeds from this Lunadria and replanted them nearby.
If cultivation fails, I can't sell.
Because I'd eat it.
Our lucky charm would eat it.
And I'd sell to Uncle Kim.
That's it.
If it fails, even one stalk might become precious.
There's a superhuman willing to pay top Coin too.
Private message.
I had them off by default, but a few exceptions.
One was BanbaedongGourmet.
The one who won my Lunadria at auction—I'd whitelisted him.
I could sell to him too.
But she's so desperate...
I hesitated a bit.
What if Hong Seolhwa was really sick, like the rumors?
What if she needed my Lunadria for treatment?
Ignorance is bliss, but now that I knew...
One stalk wouldn't make a big difference anyway.
Let's chat at least.
I'd hear her out first.
Hmm.
Really the master of one of the eight clans?
Why does she seem so... low-key?
I double-checked the name.
Yup. Hongryeon Clan master. SpicyPunch.
Eight-clan masters are just like us regular folks, huh.
I must've had illusions about them.
Ultra-high-level superhumans.
Korea's power players.
Thought they all had monster auras and charisma.
Hold up.
How did SpicyPunch know my Lunadria was special enough to need desperately?
She hadn't seen it in person.
Did she know BanbaedongGourmet?
I asked her about it.
BanbaedongGourmet's identity: Korea's top chef.
Didn't know that.
But good thing.
Can I trade for his recipes?
If not, maybe learn them.
No idea when I'd leave here.
But self-sufficiency in cooking was smart.
Learning from a top chef would speed it up.
Anyway, mystery solved.
"Hmm."
Selling one and building ties didn't sound bad.
Eight-clan master.
Where else to network like that?
Those connections would help me someday.
...And she really looks sick.
She didn't spell it out.
But.
Clearly needed the Lunadria grown here.
I'd suspected as much.
Superhuman Net had none right now.
But an eight-clan might source it.
Especially Hongryeon—fire specialists.
A flicker of hope.
"...!!"
My eyes widened.
Oh my god.
Baekyang Herb!
Extreme Yang herb rivaling Gongcheong Oil!
That could neutralize it.
Couldn't pass on Baekyang Herb.
***
Good. Thank goodness.
Hong Seolhwa.
A long-lost smile bloomed on her face.
Verbal agreement for Baekyang Herb trade done.
But not immediate because.
Had to pull from clan herb storage.
She changed clothes.
Rushed from her residence to the clan.
Five minutes away.
Arrived in a blink.
"Master?"
Back at the clan.
Her right-hand man and secretary general, Hong Ganghyeon, eyed her curiously.
She'd been going home early due to health lately.
Showing up before evening was odd.
"Need a spirit herb from the vault. Urgently."
"Which one?"
Her urgency infected him.
Worse health? Needing herbs?
He looked ready to fetch anything.
"Baekyang Herb."
"Baek...yang Herb?"
Hong Ganghyeon froze.
Baekyang Herb was different.
One of the clan's top three treasures.
Suddenly?
Even for her request, he had to ask why.
"Found a herb that eases my symptoms. Need Baekyang Herb to trade for it."
"What?! You found a herb for your symptoms?!"
He shot up.
If true, Baekyang Herb was nothing.
"Wh-where... no, what herb?"
He'd empty the treasury for it.
But her answer shattered expectations.
"Lunadria. Not regular—special Lunadria."
"......Pardon? Lunadria?"
Hong Ganghyeon blinked.
Hard to accept logically.
Lunadria: typically Lv1-20 spirit herb.
High mana, sure.
But low-level.
Not true spirit medicine.
Even top-quality couldn't match Baekyang Herb.
Baekyang: base Lv50-70.
Top-tier.
"Really special Lunadria. Made waves on Superhuman Net recently."
He was a pro.
Scanned Superhuman Net fast before arguing.
Found it.
Madoje's Lunadria—hot for a day.
Still...
Just big Lunadria.
Not worth Baekyang Herb.
Price gap too: 50k Coins at auction.
Baekyang minimum 500k.
Tenfold difference.
Gotta say no.
As secretary, he could correct bad calls.
But.
"Yes, Master. I'll prepare it."
He obeyed without question.
Why?
Saw desperation in her eyes.
Hope amid endless despair.
Couldn't crush it himself.
She was clan master first.
But his one and only niece too.
"Here."
"Thank you, Secretary-nim. No... Uncle."
She gave a warm look.
She knew the huge concession.
"No big deal."
His kind words.
A single tear from her.
So.
Please.
Let the Lunadria work.
Her hands trembled faintly holding the Baekyang Herb.
***
Personal trade completed.
"Whoa."
I gasped at the spirit herb in my hand.
Lv65 Baekyang Herb.
Normally beyond my level to appraise.
But she confirmed level before trade.
"Hot just holding it."
Like gripping hot coals.
Good thing I had these.
Couldn't even touch without.
Bought A-grade for a reason.
My lips curled up.
I grinned happily.
Pulled out another item.
Tool for mixing herbs and elixirs.
Scraped last Coins to buy on Superhuman Net.
Put Gongcheong Oil and Baekyang Herb in the Huncheon Furnace.
Alright.
Time to mix these two spirit medicines.