Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Rice-Munching Expedition
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“Thank you for your cooperation with the shoot. We'll head out first.”
Uh-huh-huh-huh.
I checked the 3 million won stamped into my bank app and barely swallowed the grin threatening to spill out.
Deep inside the gym, in the VIP lounge off-limits to regular members.
Once the appearance fee was settled, Hulk Hong and the staff glanced warily at me before slipping out like the tide receding.
Now it was just me and Kim Sung-hyun left behind.
Click.
The moment the door shut, the air in the room grew heavy.
Kim Sung-hyun, lounging deep into the opposite sofa, wiped away the gentle smile he'd shown the public.
His gaze bored straight into me, unblinking.
This was unmistakably a battle of probes.
“Nice to meet you. Kim Sung-hyun.”
He extended his hand.
'Huh?'
But something was off.
A haze shimmered around his palm, like heat rising off summer asphalt.
Was this the superpower Hulk Hong had mentioned?
Trying to assert dominance right from the start?
Any ordinary person would've flinched on instinct, but to me, it just looked like a con artist's desperate flailing.
'What kind of cheap trick is this? You think I'm scared?'
I smirked and clasped his hand.
I couldn't let myself lose momentum before negotiations even began.
Grip.
“Han Yujin.”
In that instant, Kim Sung-hyun's eyebrow twitched.
A sharp tingle burrowed through our gripped hands—something heavier than static, sharper than pressure. An eerie sensation.
Was this the mana or whatever people talked about?
But whatever it was didn't matter.
Before that unidentified energy could pierce my skin, my grip strength—boosted by the Unique-grade [Power Up]—activated first.
Crunch—
“……?!”
The scream of bones echoed through the silent office.
Kim Sung-hyun's face flushed beet red in an instant.
He'd clearly put some force into it, but getting crushed by pure physical power left him no choice but to panic.
He yanked desperately to pull free, but my hand held like a steel vise, unmoving.
“Ah… Ngh…!”
“Your hand's so delicate. Weren't you training as an actor? So why the cold sweat?”
I released him with a sly grin, and he hid his trembling hand under the table, gulping ragged breaths.
Still, his durability outclassed a normal person's, no doubt. I'd put ten times the force from that arm-wrestling match earlier, and he'd endured it.
But he couldn't hide his quivering pupils.
'Now he's finally getting the picture.'
Superpower or magic trick, it didn't matter—overwhelming physical force made everything equal.
Just then, a knock sounded, and his manager poked his head in.
“B-Big Brother. Lee Seo-ah's been waiting outside this whole time…”
“Ah, damn it. Tell her to wait! Can't you see we have an important guest?”
Kim Sung-hyun snapped irritably.
His gentlemanly image was nowhere to be found.
The manager hurriedly shut the door and left. Kim cleared his throat awkwardly, straightening his rumpled jacket.
“Ahem, ahem. My apologies. Some peddler got clingy.”
Peddler, huh.
I snorted inwardly.
'But Lee Seo-ah? That name rings a bell.'
It sounded familiar.
But since no face came to mind, it probably wasn't worth worrying over.
The important thing here was the negotiation.
“Let's cut to the chase. Did you bring the goods?”
“Of course.”
I pulled the [Leader's Qualification] card from my pocket and tossed it onto the table.
A crystalline card gleaming with bluish light.
Kim Sung-hyun's eyes locked onto it.
“That's the real deal.”
But no dramatic reaction.
'Not for personal use, then?'
Made sense. If he had access to that trading board, he was way more experienced than me.
Probably buying it to pass to an acquaintance.
“Five million.”
“……What?”
I rubbed my ear, thinking I'd misheard.
“Five million won. Cash, right now. We'll handle the taxes cleanly too.”
My heart shrank, then pounded wildly.
Five—five million won?
That covered a full year's rent, plus no more food worries.
But no. Showing your hand in a negotiation was amateur hour.
'Please, please calm down, you overexcited heart.'
An amount too massive to stay cool about.
But a true negotiator never says yes on the first offer.
I channeled my body's adrenaline rush into feigned outrage.
“Are you kidding? Is that all a man's life is worth? Having this changes your survival odds there by a mile! Five mil won't even cover a Gangnam studio deposit.”
As I reached for the card, Kim Sung-hyun hurriedly continued.
'Heh, plan worked.'
“You need to hear the full offer. Cash is just a bonus. The real prize is separate.”
He tilted his chin arrogantly.
“We'll induct you as a full member of our clan, The Shelter. Korea's largest Abyss raiding clan. The intel, connections, and protection you gain there are priceless.”
Protection?
What a joke.
A guy who couldn't even protect his own hand bones, protecting me?
“Don't care about your Shelter or whatever. Two hundred million, cash upfront. No? I'm out.”
I stood up.
Kim Sung-hyun's expression turned icy.
“Two hundred million? Ha.”
He let out a disbelieving scoff, ignoring the card on the table as he sneered coldly at me.
“Listen up, Han Yujin. Two hundred million? Pocket change to me. One ad shoot nets me double that. I could pay it easy.”
He sank deeper into the sofa, crossing his legs.
“But you're pissing me off. Korea's top clan extends a hand, and some backwater punk kicks it away for a few extra bucks?”
His eyes burned fiercely.
This wasn't mere regret over a failed deal.
It was displeasure that some nobody had dared ignore The Shelter, the pinnacle of his world.
“Think The Shelter's a joke? That our intel's worth less than pocket change?”
“Yeah. Pretty much.”
My instant reply twisted his face further.
“You stupid bastard…”
He dropped the actor facade entirely.
His gentle voice turned thug-rough.
“Hey. You don't know who I am, do you? Burying a nobody like you socially? Piece of cake for me.”
The threats began.
Not physical harm.
A social murder threat, leveraging his status and power to crush me.
“Don't even think about showing your face in public anymore. I'll dig up your dirt and blast it across the net today. Know your place, you…”
Classic power-trip bullying.
When force fails, crush with status.
But he'd picked the wrong opponent.
I'd long lost all faith in society.
I'd ditched reality ages ago, hiding in games to survive. Piss off types like that, and we get scary.
This threat was child's play.
Slide.
I pulled my smartphone from my pocket and set it on the table.
The screen blinked red: 'Recording'.
[Play]
- Hey. You don't know who I am, do you? Burying a nobody like you socially? Piece of cake for me.
Kim Sung-hyun's raspy voice rang crystal clear in the silent room.
- I'll dig up your dirt and blast it across the net today.
“……!”
His pupils shook like an earthquake.
Blood drained from his face.
“Y-You… what the hell are you…”
“What else? Insurance.”
I spun the phone with a grin.
“An actor, huh? Threatening and bullying a regular guy behind the scenes? If this hits the net… what was it? Those ads worth hundreds of millions? Wonder how much the breach fee would be. Not chump change, that's for sure.”
“You crazy bastard… give me that phone!”
He lunged reflexively to snatch it.
But I casually pulled back, and he sliced air, tumbling pathetically onto the table.
Sorry, speed's my specialty.
-Thud!
Too damn slow.
“Your choice. Two hundred million clean, or front-page entertainment headlines tomorrow and straight to hell.”
Kim Sung-hyun bit his lip until it bled.
Fists trembled violently.
He must've hated my guts, but he was powerless.
A total rout—no strength, no speed, not even the moral high ground.
“……Not buying.”
He spat through gritted teeth.
“What was that?”
“I said not buying! It's filthy! Get out!”
His pointing finger shook.
Pride shattered beyond repair—he couldn't stand my face another second, deals be damned.
“Fine. I'm gone. Oh, and.”
I pocketed the card again.
“Touch me, and this recording goes public. We're done here.”
I strode out without a backward glance.
Behind me came the sound of something thrown, followed by curses, but I ignored it.
'Crazy bastard. Thinks he's dealing with a solo act.'
The moment I stepped outside, someone blocked my path.
“Han… Yujin?!”
A woman I vaguely recognized.
“Ah!”
Right.
It was Lee Seo-ah.
The fit, vibrant woman from the tutorial.
But her face was a wreck.
Hollow eyes like she'd pulled all-nighters for days, sallow skin, and shoulders trembling in terror.
Like a cornered animal on the edge of a cliff.
“……”
I stared at her for a moment, adjusted my cap, and muttered low.
“Congrats. You're alive, so you made it through somehow again. Anyway, I'm busy.”
I tried to sidestep her toward the entrance.
“W-Wait!”
Grip.
Lee Seo-ah suddenly clutched my clothes desperately.
At the gym entrance, eyes turned our way.
Whispers of 'What, a lovers' quarrel?' reached me.
“Please… talk to me. Just a bit… please…”
“Nothing to say.”
“I do! Not here… w-wait, just a moment, really quick…”
“Let go. You'll rip my shirt.”
“I can't!”
Her voice suddenly rose.
I flinched. What the hell with this woman?
The stares around us were multiplying.
'Ah, what a pain.'
I could've shaken her off by force, but too many witnesses.
I sighed and gave in.
“Fine. But make it quick.”
“Yes. Of course. This way. F-Follow me.”
[Bodyline] Pilates Studio.
The dark interior felt chilly.
“So, what's this about?”
I leaned against the mirror and asked curtly.
Lee Seo-ah sat slumped on the floor, head bowed.
“The summoning this time… you were okay?”
Was that even a question?
You saw my skills firsthand.
“Not bad. Looks like you went through hell, though.”
Her shoulders jerked at my words.
“Yeah… it was hell.”
She spoke in a trembling voice.
“After the tutorial, I scoured info like a madwoman to survive. Heard Hulk Hong knew Abyss survivors, so I begged him.”
“Hulk Hong? And?”
“He introduced me to one. Kim Sung-hyun… the actor.”
Ah.
Now the puzzle clicked.
Why she'd waited outside the VIP lounge, and why Kim treated her like a pesky peddler.
“He told me about 'The Shelter.' Said it had the most info and safety in Korea. Join there, and I'd live…”
“So you joined?”
“Yes. Paid the donation for associate membership.”
'Donation?'
My brow furrowed slightly, but I listened quietly.
“They gave me a strategy guide. Veteran-verified info. Avoid poison gas by keeping the wind at your back. I followed it with my party.”
She clutched her face.
Terror leaked through her fingers.
“But the wind shifted suddenly. Right in front of me, my teammates… melted in the gas. The guide never mentioned that variable… I couldn't do anything.”
She choked up.
They probably didn't fake the info or send her to die on purpose.
Just that book knowledge crumbles before real combat's tiny variables.
They died ignorant of that basic truth.
“Help me… no, take me with you.”
Lee Seo-ah looked up, staring desperately.
Tear-streaked face, but eyes full of plea.
“You're the party leader, right? You got the Leader card in the tutorial… didn't you?”
I raised an eyebrow.
Nobody but me knew I got that card.
Not even tutorial teammates knew exactly what I took.
“Ho. Did a background check?”
“No, nothing like that. It was in The Shelter's info pack. Tutorial boss drops [Leader's Qualification] at 100%.”
Ah, that kind of thing.
Makes sense—veterans would know that basic drop info.
“You soloed the boss and hogged the loot. So of course you'd have it.”
“Not a bad head on your shoulders.”
I crossed my arms, mentally calculating.
Honestly, solid proposal.
Random matching with 30-plus randos is a gamble for reliable party members.
Lee Seo-ah's physique was decent compared to Jigglypuff, and her current scared state made her easy to control.
Betrayal risk seemed minimal from the circumstances.
Skill? Didn't matter.
'Dungeons or bosses, I handle the clearing solo anyway.'
I don't trust others.
No way I'd stake my life on them.
So no reason to take needless risks chasing skilled members.
But.
Can't just accept without terms.
A few things to clarify first.
“Alright. I'll consider it positively. But first, one question.”
I nodded toward Hulk Hong's gym opposite.
“Looked pretty chummy with that Kim Sung-hyun earlier. Waiting outside means you're close, right?”
She shook her head weakly.
“No… if we were close, I wouldn't have waited out there forever. I'm just a client to him.”
“Client. You mentioned a donation earlier? Like a membership fee?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
Her lips quivered before whispering.
“……Three hundred million.”
“……”
Silence fell.
I doubted my ears.
“W-What was that?”
“Three hundred million… scraped it together with savings and short-term loans. Thought it wasn't too much for my life…”
Three hundred million.
Something snapped in my head.
These guys tried to lowball my Unique card at five mil.
But fleeced this sucker woman with garbage info she couldn't even use for three hundred?
'Wow, real scumbags.'
This wasn't just righteous anger.
It was fury at market disruptors devouring business ethics.
And above all.
'That cash covers years of rent, zero food worries.'
Plenty left to buy pretty clothes and treats for our poor elf slave.
And they fed that fortune to those con artist bastards?
I chuckled dryly down at her.
“So you shelled out three hundred mil to save your skin, but the service sucked?”
“……Yeah, in the end.”
I flashed a triumphant smile.
“We'll handle that service for you. The 'Rice-Munching Expedition'.”
“Huh? W-What, Rice-Munching… Expedition?”
Lee Seo-ah's eyes widened round.
“Is, is that… a clan too?”
“Yep. Korea's top value Abyss clan. No frills, fair price, guaranteed survival.”
I spouted nonsense shamelessly.
Of course, no such clan existed.
Just me, scrawny elf slave, and big-boobed Jigglypuff—a total ragtag bunch.
But the name didn't matter.
“Forget the rest. What matters is I'm the leader, right?”
Her eyes wavered at my words.
The overwhelming power she'd witnessed in the tutorial.
To her, my skills outshone The Shelter's fame as a surefire guarantee.
“I-I'll join. If you'll have me…”
“Good. You're in.”
“Th-That easy?”
I shot to my feet.
“Now for onboarding.”
“Onboarding? Like paperwork?”
“Nah. Fund recovery. We inherit all your membership donation.”
I yanked Lee Seo-ah up by the wrist from the floor.
“What're you doing? Go quit and get your fee back. Unlike those trash, we don't scam—don't worry.”
“Y-Yes?! B-But… getting money back after paying? Kim Sung-hyun's a Shelter exec, with power and connections…”
Lee Seo-ah hesitated in fear.
Makes sense—from her view, crossing a mega clan terrified her.
But from mine?
'Weaknesses are for times like this.'
I hadn't expected to use it so soon, even I.
“Too scared to ask yourself? We'll go together. That punk's probably still at the gym.”
“N-Now? Han Yujin?!”
“Hurry up. Time to collect your refund.”
I half-dragged the panicking woman out of the studio.
Thud, thud.
My footsteps crossing the hall held no hesitation.
As the gym door neared, a sly smile crept across my lips.