Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Penetrating Firearms Technique
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Chapter 182
[「Penetrating Firearms Technique」(A, Lv.1), 6C]
Firearms Technique?
Jeong-hyeon had paid so much attention to Traits that he knew all the moderately well-known ones by heart, but he'd never even heard of something like this.
Of course, new Traits he'd never seen before would occasionally pop up when updating the list, but those were always limited-use ones like Wall Climbing or really niche martial arts techniques.
This Firearms Technique was on a whole different level.
Guns and cannons—what monsters commonly called "firearms"—didn't work properly on them.
Even attempts to boost firepower using modern tech were pointless because anything requiring electricity, an essential component, couldn't be taken inside Gates.
It was the same principle as not being able to bring in cell phones or cameras.
'Lightning magic is allowed, but why not electronics?'
Thinking about it, it was kind of funny.
In any case, if those restrictions didn't exist, there'd be no need to worry about Gate Breaks at all.
Development of firearms using Gate materials had been attempted, but Hunters hunting directly with their Traits was far more efficient, so it had long since been shelved.
In this context, the Firearms Technique Trait directly challenged the fundamental limitations of Gates.
'Is this because of that System Promotion thing?'
The 'System Promotion' whose true nature even Jeong-hyeon couldn't fully grasp yet.
That was the only thing that bugged him.
It was disappointing that an A-Rank Trait turned out to be something so obscure, but he decided to buy it anyway.
[You have purchased 「Penetrating Firearms Technique」(A, Lv.1).]
He might not know what to do with it now, but it could come in handy later.
High-rank Traits were always worth stocking up on, no matter what they were.
And with the Firearms Technique as the last one, he now had only 3 storage slots left.
'I wondered when it'd fill up, but it's starting to get tight.'
His storage slots had always been mostly empty due to chronic Coin shortages, so this felt refreshingly new to Jeong-hyeon.
It might even be proof that his attitude toward spending Coins had changed psychologically.
In the past, he would've balked at buying a Trait he wouldn't use right away.
After purchasing the A-Rank Firearms Technique Trait, he had 10 Coins left.
'One more? Or maybe two.'
For Jeong-hyeon, a useful Trait would be B-Rank—at 5 Coins—so realistically, he had 2 updates left.
It was a bit regrettable that all 114 Coins were gone, but he refreshed the list once more.
Five new Traits appeared.
"Huh?"
Jeong-hyeon doubted his own eyes.
Traits D-Rank and above had unique colored borders.
D-Rank was bronze, C-Rank copper, B-Rank silver, A-Rank gold.
But the item that caught his eye now was none of those.
It was the brilliant rainbow hue he'd only seen once before.
S-Rank.
"No way!"
After spending over 100 Coins, an S-Rank finally showed up!
Just seeing the border made his heart race like never before.
If he hadn't tasted an S-Rank Trait's power against Ashurek with 「Spotlight」, he might not care, but he had.
'Whatever it is, I'm buying it!'
Synergies from Trait combinations?
Of course, those effects were amazing, no need to repeat it.
But if a real S-Rank Trait appeared, he could easily forgo magic synergies.
And he didn't even need magic synergies—with the Blunt Technique sitting unused, there was plenty of room.
S-Rank Traits were the problem because he didn't have them, not because there was no space.
But the moment he read the text inside the rainbow border,
"......"
All his excitement from moments ago fizzled out coldly.
[「Storage Slot Expansion Ticket」(S), 7C]
How could anyone not feel deflated seeing this?
Of all things, not an Equippable Slot one, but Storage.
And he'd just applied a C-Rank expansion to Storage Slots.
Meaning he'd have to spend 2 more Coins to expand with an S-Rank when he could still go up to B-Rank or even A-Rank.
'No way... did it show up because I complained about the storage slots filling up?'
The timing was so coincidental it made him suspicious.
Of course, an S-Rank was an S-Rank, whether Storage or whatever.
It had beaten the 3.5% odds, after all.
But still, 'of all things?'
'This damn shop always screws up at the end.'
It was always like this.
After happily spending all his Coins and thinking it was time to wrap up, it tossed in something annoyingly ambiguous.
It would've been better if it had just ended with the refresh.
No need to leave him feeling unsatisfied.
'Anyway, it showed up, so I have to buy it.'
It hurt like hell to spend the Coins, but what could he do?
But the System wouldn't let him off that easily.
[Warning. Your current Storage Slots can be expanded with 「Storage Slot Expansion Ticket」(B) or 「Storage Slot Expansion Ticket」(A).
Are you sure you want to expand with an S-Rank Expansion Ticket?]
"Who's messing with who?"
If it was going to do that, at least let him store Expansion Tickets!
What was the point of asking if he'd use it when it was a one-time use item?
Only after Jeong-hyeon angrily confirmed did the System finally show the proper window.
[You have purchased 「Storage Slot Expansion Ticket」(S).
Storage Slots expanded from 12 → 13.]
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Sure, it was all down to his luck, not the System's fault, but it still soured his mood.
Since the System couldn't understand him anyway, he vented with sarcastic mutters.
Needless to say, it was just sour grapes.
"Ugh! So annoying!"
If Won-ho in the next room had reacted somehow, it might've helped his mood.
Not that Won-ho could hear his thoughts.
[Current Coins: 1
Coins needed for next level: 485]
Anyway, out of 114 Coins, he'd spent 113.
The 『Best Defense is Evasion 2』 synergy had risen to B-Rank, and his Physical Ability Enhancement Trait to A-Rank.
He'd bought plenty of main Traits, plus that odd A-Rank Firearms Technique.
He'd even leveled up Movement Speed and Combat Sense once each, so he'd gotten his money's worth.
The Storage Slot jumping two ranks might've soured the mood, but it was still luck.
"Whew... time to sleep."
And so Jeong-hyeon's night deepened.
***
The next day.
Whatever the Coin shopping results, Jeong-hyeon went to the office.
"Boss, why are you so late!"
"Huh?"
Min-ji, who'd arrived first, jumped up when she saw him enter and yelled.
Naturally, he was baffled.
He'd left at his usual time and used Movement Speed instead of driving, so no delays.
Checking his watch just in case—8:30.
Work started at 9, so he was early, not late.
If anything, Min-ji being there first was the weird part.
"No, I'm not late—Min-ji, you're just early—"
"Never mind that! Boss, this is huge!"
He tried explaining to Min-ji, who seemed thoroughly mistaken, but she cut him off and beckoned urgently.
"Uh, okay..."
Resigned, Jeong-hyeon went to her desk.
What she told him was shocking enough to surprise even him.
"That contact from KP Group last time? It's real!"
"Huh?"
Had he heard wrong?
KP Group had indeed reached out before about a sponsorship contract.
He'd dismissed it as phishing.
Why would a top global mega-corp like KP, one of the few towering over everyone, approach a newbie Gate Office like his?
Min-ji had checked it out of curiosity, and apparently, her follow-up had confirmed it was legit.
"It's real?"
Even Jeong-hyeon, who'd always been unflappably relaxed, lost his grip on reality at the name KP Group.
"I said it's real! They said to visit whenever you're free."
'Mom, Dad. I made it big...'
Funny enough, once he accepted KP Group had really contacted him, the first thought in his mind was this.
Back in the peaceful days without Hunters, Gates, or monsters.
His parents had often said they wished he'd land a job at a big company like KP Group.
Of course, they'd mentioned all sorts of appealing jobs—stable government gigs, hot venture CEOs, brilliant scientists—not just KP specifically.
But its prestige was undeniable.
And now KP Group—not him reaching out first—wanted a sponsorship contract.
"Should I go today?"
So stunned he was asking Min-ji for advice on timing.
But she shook her head firmly.
"No way!"
"Why not?"
He'd expected her to urge him to go ASAP.
"Geez. If you go the second they say come, you'll lose all credibility. Plus, confirm it's real first? That'd make you look desperate."
It sounded familiar.
'Contracts aren't dating.'
The problem was, that logic belonged in internet dating advice columns.
But it made a bit of sense, so Jeong-hyeon nodded.
No matter how kindly the sponsorship offer, KP Group wasn't a charity—there'd be terms.
Negotiations were inevitable, and rushing over right away might put him at a disadvantage, like she said.
"But isn't making them wait disrespectful?"
"What respect? This is the cutthroat modern world."
Still, now that it was confirmed real, ignoring it felt itchy.
Their roles had fully reversed—Jeong-hyeon eager to go, Min-ji holding him back.
'Might ask Section Chief Nam-sik.'
No matter what, Association Operations' Choi Nam-sik was the most contract-savvy adult he knew.
As he pondered calling the Association,
- Rrr
"Huh?"
The Association actually called.
- Deputy Manager Cha Ye-rin
Not Nam-sik, but Ye-rin.
'The investigation stuff from last time?'
He'd momentarily forgotten, but they had unfinished business.
Jeong-hyeon answered immediately.
"Hello!"
- Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon. Want to enter a Level 6 Gate?
"......"
Her blunt straight-to-business style was back for sure.
Even if he met her in a dream, he'd wake up instantly—Ye-rin had that reality-check vibe.
Jeong-hyeon frowned slightly and countered.
"This isn't another 'investigation cooperation,' is it?"
- Come on, what do you take me for?
"You said the same thing last time."
- Is our trust that low?
Trust?
Had they ever built any?
- If you don't trust me, nothing I can do. But this time it's really just hunting. You kept regretting missing it last time.
'Oh yeah? Should've thought of me sooner.'
Her dizzying dream image—clinging and calling him oppa—still lingered strongly.
Anyway, she seemed sincere.
"Sure, okay then..."
- Then you'll hunt that Centaur you missed last time?
She said all urgent investigations were wrapped up, so this was a long-overdue vacation hunt.
Filling vacation with hunting fit her personality.
And she made an unexpected suggestion.
- Oh, bring Hunter Kim Won-ho from your office too. And ask Hunter Choi Ji-hee.
"Huh? That's okay?"
- We apologized last time, so we owe you. We interrupted your good time.
"No, it wasn't like that!"
- Hanging up.
Click.
Her personality was definitely back.
"Tch... anyway."
Sudden, but the raid was in a week.
First Level 6 Gate and first Centaur hunt meant preparations wouldn't be leisurely.
He'd need to tell Won-ho and Ji-hee.
Won-ho would follow without question, but Ji-hee might need convincing.
Pocketing his phone, Jeong-hyeon gave Min-ji an awkward smile.
"Perfect timing for a commitment, huh?"
Min-ji, meanwhile, smiled like a victor.
"Go have fun, Boss."