Gold Bars and the Stalker's Smile
"Aaaah! Guild Leader! It hurts!"
Tears welled up in my eyes as Cha Eunwol grabbed my cheeks and stretched them out long.
What the hell had I done wrong? Out of nowhere, she pinches my cheeks like crazy.
"Haa... What am I gonna do with this annoying little brat."
Cha Eunwol released my cheeks and irritably ruffled her own hair.
I just blinked my eyes wide, completely clueless.
Rubbing my stinging cheeks, I shot Kim Hyunah a wronged look.
"Why on earth is the guild leader acting like this? Who's this Han Seorin lady that's got everyone in such a frenzy?"
At my question, Kim Hyunah let out a deep sigh before answering.
"Haa... Baek Arang, you're really out of the loop on hunter news. Han Seorin is one of Korea's S-rank hunters, same age as Guild Leader Cha Eunwol."
"The cafe owner is S-rank?"
"Yes. And unlike the other S-ranks, she's the only one tackling the Tower solo without a guild. Her skills are the real deal—no slouch compared to Guild Leader Cha Eunwol."
That lazy, ditzy-looking cafe owner who couldn't cook to save her life was an S-rank hunter?
And a solo player climbing the Tower all by herself, no guild?
This is why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...
"Whoa... she's seriously impressive. No wonder she seemed loaded. Running a cafe as a hobby..."
As I genuinely marveled, Cha Eunwol next to me slapped her forehead and let out a heavy sigh.
"Impressive my ass! You say that 'cause you don't know how she ticks!"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"That woman's a psycho who fixates on you once and doesn't let go till you're done for!"
Guild Leader Cha Eunwol gnawed at her nails, her voice laced with irritation as she continued.
"Tomorrow morning, open your door when you wake up. You'll probably find a mountain of weird gift boxes piled up outside."
"Gifts?"
"Yeah. She won't make it obvious they're from her—no name or anything. But subtly, obsessively, she'll keep showering you with exactly what you need right now, drilling her presence into your brain. That's how that psycho chokes the life out of you."
"She'll... keep giving me gifts?"
I tilted my head. Wasn't that a good thing? Free stuff I actually needed?
Why call it choking?
Who'd complain about gift overload?
Seeing my puzzled face, Guild Leader Cha Eunwol flicked the tip of my nose lightly.
"Ugh, what's the point of explaining a hundred times. You'll get it when you experience it yourself. How creepy and exhausting it is. That's why she climbs the Tower alone."
Guild Leader Cha Eunwol grumbled as she turned her gaze to the counter.
Right then, a mountain of piping-hot strawberry cream donuts I'd just fried and stuffed full of cream sat steaming.
"Argh, this pisses me off. Gotta eat some sweets and relieve the stress."
She snatched a fully baked donut and bit into it without hesitation.
Crunch.
With thick strawberry cream smeared on her lips, Cha Eunwol's body went rigid.
"Hng... Haa..."
Her pale face flushed beet red in an instant.
The Strawberry Cream Donut's Sugar Rush buff and insane flavor ravaged her taste buds and nerves mercilessly.
Her legs gave out, and she twisted her body, twitching uncontrollably.
"Ah, seriously... Haa... This taste, no matter when... Haa..."
Hot breaths escaped her as her lips quivered. At her ecstatic expression, I scowled hard.
Every time... I can never get used to it. Are all hunters just perverts?
With a look full of disdain, I backed away from Cha Eunwol, putting some distance between us.
No matter how much I like someone, I don't wanna get close when they're like that.
I quickly turned to Kim Hyunah, who was maintaining her composure, and spoke up.
"Um, anyway, I've finished all the donuts we agreed on for today. How should I package them?"
"Oh, don't worry about packaging. Our supply team will handle it like last time."
Kim Hyunah replied calmly as she pulled out her smartphone and tapped the screen a few times.
Ding!
A cheerful notification chimed from the phone in my pocket.
"I've just transferred the full payment for the donuts. Our guild's legal and accounting teams have already handled all the tax deductions for your share, so spend it worry-free."
"Whoa... For real? Thank you!"
I checked the screen—countless zeros—and grinned ear to ear.
Tens of billions in cash.
And they took care of the headache taxes too. This is why big guilds are the best.
"Alright, that's my work done for today, so I'll head out! See you tomorrow!"
"Yes. Great job today as always. It's getting dark outside, so get home safe."
I gave Kim Hyunah a light bow.
Ignoring Guild Leader Cha Eunwol—who was still clutching a donut, writhing and panting—I pushed open the bakery room door and stepped out.
I gotta make sure I never end up like that.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After leaving the Baekya Guild building, I walked the streets deep in thought.
"What should I blow this money on first?"
Seeing the massive number in my account made my heart race uncontrollably.
Should I snag a luxury penthouse right now? Maybe buy a car?
But legally, I'm still a minor. No driver's license, and buying a house sounds like a hassle with all the considerations.
I hate hassle...
Suddenly, one dream flashed through my mind.
"Gold bars. I'm buying gold bars!"
I'd always wanted a couple at home... Now I had more than enough to spare.
Impulsive? Sure, but with money to burn, no reason to hold back on my dream.
Just looking at them would feel amazing.
I hailed a taxi straight to the biggest precious metals exchange in Jongno.
Pushing open the door guarded by armed hunter security, dazzling gold items gleamed under the fancy lights, catching my eye.
I pulled my hoodie low, steadied my breath, and strode confidently to the counter.
"Excuse me. Two 1kg gold bars, please."
"Pardon? 1kg ones? Two of them?"
The suited clerk scanned me up and down in bewilderment.
A kid with a baby face in a hoodie demands 2kg of gold out of the blue—probably thinks it's a prank.
Fair enough, I guess.
"At current gold prices, one 1kg gold bar is over 130 million won. Two would be over 260 million... How would you like to pay?"
The clerk eyed me suspiciously but explained calmly, perhaps considering I might be a hunter.
Lots of underage awakeners these days, so the reaction was milder than expected. Heard there's even kindergartners who awakened.
I pulled out my Hunter Association license and handed it over.
Quicker than explaining a hundred times.
"I'll pay now. Full amount. Oh, if you need ID, here's my hunter registration too."
The clerk's attitude flipped the moment he saw the license.
"Oh my! A hunter! Sorry for not recognizing you! We'll prepare them right away!"
"Sure."
The Hunter Association seal is more reliable than any ID.
After verifying my license, payment went smoothly.
Soon, the clerk emerged carefully carrying a luxurious wooden case lined with thick velvet.
Inside lay two gold bars shimmering brilliantly side by side.
"Here's the product certificate and serial number verification. Since it's valuable, would you like us to arrange secure delivery via a security firm to your home?"
"No thanks. I'll take them myself."
I wanted to feel this hefty weight right now—no way was I waiting for delivery.
I shoved the gold bar case into the fancy bag the clerk handed me.
"Thank you. Come again!"
Bowing out under the clerk's lavish send-off, I gripped the paper bag tightly in both hands.
"Whoa... It's really heavy."
The solid 2kg weight transmitted through my fingertips. Small volume, but the density made it unbelievably heavy.
My inner rich-kid dreams were perfectly fulfilled.
"Hehe... Gonna put 'em on my bed at home and hug them to sleep."
I couldn't stifle the silly grin creeping across my face.
"Little one."
Suddenly, someone popped up beside me and spoke.
"Carrying such heavy gold bars around so openly? You're begging to get robbed."
"Ah, thanks for the concern..."
I reflexively started to bow in thanks but froze solid on the spot.
Lazy, half-lidded eyes. Gray hair tied back carelessly.
Han Seorin from the cafe earlier stood right there.
A thick, amused smile played on her lips as she stared down at me.
"...!"
I gasped in shock.
How?
How did she know this bag has gold bars?
I just got it packaged and left—no one saw!
How'd she even know I was here?
"H-How did you know...?"
As I clutched the bag with trembling hands and asked, Han Seorin met my gaze leisurely, flashing a grin.
What the... seriously?