Chapter 78
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Jackpot: Jeju Rooftop Sentry
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In a new town a bit removed from central Seoul, Naru-dong, Jeong Ha-yoon—who had recently started living alone nearby—rushed out for work as usual today.
Her employee ID dangling from her neck smacked against her chest with every step.
One of Korea's top ten law firms.
The reason they had opened a branch right in front of St. Mary International School was obvious: to target the parents sending their kids there—the potential clients.
Heavyweights who pulled the strings in politics and business, S-rank hunters, even retired former presidents.
Just forging connections with them could make or break a firm's ranking.
And Jeong Ha-yoon was the firm's junior lawyer.
Today, too, she was out of breath, panting hard.
[Team Leader Kim: Overtime tonight, obviously? And don't forget Sunday this week—golf with Chairman Choi of Taesan Group.]
"Haa... Is that a question or an order?"
On top of that, a weekend golf appointment.
Jeong Ha-yoon let out a deep sigh.
Her head throbbed.
"Coffee... coffee..."
Her usual route took her across the street to Bucks Coffee, but her steps suddenly halted.
'Huh?'
Right across from Bucks Coffee.
In the vacant first-floor storefront that had been empty just a few days ago, a small café had popped up.
It used to be a clinic, but after they all moved out, nothing had taken its place for a while.
'No signboard even.'
Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, she could see inside.
Just white walls and a few tables.
'One of those Instagram-trendy spots?'
The kind that's great for photos but has uncomfortable chairs and mediocre coffee.
"Whatever... I'll grab one here today."
Taste was secondary anyway.
As long as it delivered the caffeine to shake off her drowsiness, she didn't care.
"One iced Americano, please."
Jeong Ha-yoon ordered in a hurry.
"Sure thing."
The young man at the counter started brewing it with somewhat clumsy but earnest movements.
A familiar coffee aroma filled the café.
As Jeong Ha-yoon lost herself in the scent without realizing it...
"Coffee's ready."
"Oh, right. I'll pay."
"On the house. It's our soft opening."
"Pardon?"
While she fumbled, the man smiled gently and said,
"You seem busy. Get back to work."
"Ah, thank you."
By the time she snapped out of it, she was standing outside the café with the coffee in hand.
[Team Leader Kim: Lawyer Jeong, my office in 10 minutes.]
'Not the time to dawdle—I'm gonna be late!'
She bolted back toward the office.
That afternoon, on the porch, So-ye and Muryong were napping side by side.
As I went to drape a blanket over So-ye, I spotted a small notebook spread open beside her.
Hm?
"What's this?"
[Day 1]
Hasuo's first veggie patch is here!
So excited!
Got new seeds, planted them, watered plenty, pulled all the weeds.
Hoping sprouts tomorrow.
"Oh, So-ye wrote this?"
It was an observation log written in So-ye's crooked handwriting, from Hasuo's perspective.
[Day 2]
No changes.
[Day 3]
Still no changes today.
But Hasuo perked up again.
Dug up the soil and yanked out new weed roots trying to sprout.
[Day 4]
Two flowers appeared.
New family member! So happy!
Wiped the leaves, changed the soil.
Gotta keep it alive.
[Day 5]
Took good care of it.
[Day 6]
Flowers are wilting again.
Seeds unchanged.
Hasuo sad.
[Day 7]
Watched all night, but still wilting.
Seeds no change...
I closed the diary and looked at the patch.
Even while everyone napped, Hasuo crouched before its tiny plot.
A small back, staring motionless at the seeded soil.
It did look dejected.
'Did I give it something too hard?'
The capricious tree seed had tricky germination conditions, and the flowers from the contaminated zone weren't pushovers either.
"Come to think of it..."
Suddenly, Old Man No's tip from days ago came to mind.
'Agent Jang, Valhalla donated a purified contaminated zone to the government. They took most valuables, but leftover minor herbs are decent. Regular hunters won't care, but you with your gardening hobby...'
Jeju, Hallasan Yeongsil Valley.
Once polluted by a C-rank rift, now fully cleansed by Valhalla's new tech into a harmless spot teeming with mystical plants.
The government designated it a special management zone, allowing experiential foraging for registered hunters.
Prime info from Old Man No, not widely known yet.
'Hasuo would love it there.'
I hopped online and applied for experiential foraging.
[Please enter applicant name and affiliation.]
I pondered briefly.
E-rank hunter, no affiliation.
Applying as Jang Kang-hyun might get rejected...
'Fame's for times like this.'
I wrote "Gorani-man" and attached a screenshot of my Tower Market account for verification.
After submitting, I headed to the patch and patted the moping Hasuo's head.
"Hasuo."
"Ppoeng?"
"Let's go on a trip this weekend. We'll dig up whatever you want to plant."
Hasuo's tiny body shivered at my words.
Then it shyly beamed and hugged me tight.
Jeju Hunter Management Bureau, Special Management Zone Office.
Civil servant Lee, the deputy, yawned and hit refresh.
[Hallasan Yeongsil Valley Experiential Foraging Board]
[New Posts: 0]
Zero applicants today, too.
No promotion, no idle hunters willing to trek here for herbs.
'Busy with real work—let it sit.'
Then.
[New application received.]
"Huh?"
First in months.
Lee checked the applicant's info.
And shot up from his seat.
"Team leader! Team leader!"
"What's the fuss?"
"Applicant is... Gorani-man?"
"What?!"
Silence fell.
The team leader snatched the papers and barked,
"What are you waiting for? Approve it now! Block all other bookings that day! Clear the whole valley—no hassles! No one's applying anyway!"
"R-right..."
No time for sulking—the team leader pressed on.
"Process it fast! An honor for a VIP like Gorani-man to grace our backwater! Focus everything on safety and comfort!"
"Yes, sir!"
The sleepy office sprang into action.
A few days later, Hallasan Yeongsil Valley.
I tore a dimension scroll to Jeju and arrived.
-Hweomu!
Hasuo and Muryong came along.
Wanted to bring So-ye, but hiking was too much for her yet, so she stayed home with Gorani.
"Straight in this way?"
Every convenience awaited at the valley entrance.
A placard on the table with cute gifts: hiking handkerchiefs, tiny straw hats perfect for Muryong and Hasuo sizes, even a box of Jeju's golden tangerines.
"Shall we?"
Hasuo and Muryong were thrilled by Jeju's novel scenery, their first time.
Vaster and fresher than our usual back mountain.
They bounced around excitedly, making popping sounds.
"Alright, Hasuo. From here, pick and dig what you like. Got it?"
"Ppoeng!"
Hasuo grabbed a mini trowel and toddled into the woods full of zeal.
I followed slowly, Muryong on my shoulder.
Crunch! Snip!
Watching Hasuo lately, the kid had a natural gift for plants.
Sniffed the soil and pinpointed rare herbs like a ghost.
"Like this?"
"Ppoeng!"
In Hasuo's hands: adorable mini Hallasan bellflower and star-shaped Tamra bracken.
Its proud face confirmed we came to the right place.
"Lunch time?"
I unpacked the bento from home.
Gimbap lovingly rolled with garden veggies: fluffy egg omelet from Kkoko's eggs, ham and pickled radish sweetened naturally with [Sweet Onion], barely seasoned.
Simple, healthy, bursting with fresh flavors.
We huddled together; I cut bites to their sizes and fed them.
Nom nom—
-Hweomu!
"Ppoeng!"
Tasted even better outdoors.
"Perfect."
Chased it with cool spring water—pure bliss.
Then Muryong tapped my shoulder.
-Hweomu!
Where Hasuo pointed.
"Hm?"
Deep in a misty cave.
"What's inside?"
I crept in cautiously.
Untouched by humans—vines cloaked the entrance, damp air inside.
Sss...
A massive tree root exhaled a hazy, dreamlike aura.
To identify, I touched it gingerly.
Shlrk!
"?"
Pulled back at the odd sensation; the writhing stopped.
'Hallucination magic type.'
But nothing happened.
My internal energy instinctively repelled the mental assault before it took hold.
I eyed the root again.
Flinch!
It shuddered, startled its attack failed.
So cute, I chuckled.
'Let's see what illusion it is.'
I dropped my internal energy guard and touched again.
Shlrk—
A different sensation this time. Hallucination magic, mental attack.
Normally evokes a victim's deepest terror visions.
'But this?'
A new scene unfolded.
A massive griffon slashed a tree with sharp talons.
But the tree baffled it with dozens of identical tree illusions.
As the griffon flailed at air, the tree slipped away leisurely.
'Showing off its powers now?'
Like advertising its abilities through the hallucination.
'Useful.'
Vision faded.
Back in the cave.
The root now tickled my ankle, tapping like it wanted to come along.
Rustle—
System window finally appeared.
[Item: Root of the Illusion Dream Tree]
[Grade: Rare]
[Description: Root of a tree that plunges all living things into deep illusions. Grows on moonlight, imbued with power to show what one desires most—or fears most.]
"Perfect for the new building's rooftop."
Depending on its strength, it could make the whole structure look different—or invisible.
"Come home with us, then."
"!"
Snap—
A chunk broke off neatly into my basket right away.
Unexpected new family member acquired.