Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Crimson Moon
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"Welcome~"
Stepping into the Awakener Supplies Shop.
The sleek interior and friendly service
were more than enough to get Aden all excited.
"Whoa..."
"Don't gawk like that. You look like a country bumpkin."
"I'm from a prestigious family, you know."
"Not an illegal immigrant?"
"Th-that's just meaningless black history now...!"
Heh heh.
Teasing his disciple, he browsed the displays.
"Looking for anything in particular?"
"I'd like to see the longswords."
"Sure, this way—"
That's when another employee cut in.
"Mi-seon, I'll handle this customer. Could you help out in the staff room?"
"Ah, Team Leader. Got it!"
The employee was swapped out.
A few customers who saw it
glanced over at Kang Hyun.
Seasoned Awakeners, every one of them.
They knew what a dedicated escort meant.
'Team leader's on it.'
'Who is he? High-rank? Celeb Awakener?'
'Never seen the face before.'
The team leader grinned inwardly.
'No doubt about it. Newbie A-Rank, Aden's master. That's him.'
Rare elf from Terra.
A walking mana wallet.
Petite build, golden hair, blue eyes.
Matched the Awakener profile he'd memorized.
'Jackpot customer secured!'
An A-Rank was the store's biggest fish.
Sales were a no-brainer.
High-spec gear demands meant fat commissions.
S-Ranks didn't shop at places like this.
"But Master, you use a longsword?"
"It was my main, but strength lagged, so I went with shortsword for now."
The team leader's ears perked up.
'Master?'
Quick side-eye scan of the face.
Not a domestic high-rank.
Foreign Awakener?
Famous Terra figure?
Either way, an A-Rank's master
could be VIP material.
"For a light longsword, how about this one?"
Big smile, pro-level non-pushy grin!
"Gorgeous blue blade, right? Made with shell from the 'Diamond Turtle' on Terra, designed for C-Rank strength."
"...Something lighter, please."
"Terra-forged mythril, for D- Rank strength..."
"Lighter..."
"Thinner blade for E- Rank strength..."
"A bit more..."
"...Two-handed, and F+ is doable."
"...Swing it one-handed."
The team leader felt confused.
High-rank Awakener for real?
"Master's got tiny hands."
"I'll die."
Should he test the waters?
"Um, sir. If you tell me your budget, I can assist better."
"Hm."
How much to spend?
Sold the mana stones for 12 million won,
but couldn't blow it all.
Needed living expenses.
'Around 6 mil?'
Saying it straight would make the guy's face twitch,
but luckily, no need.
"Oh, and first-time shoppers get 5% off. Keep that in mind~"
"5%?"
Hold up.
Platinum Card covers 90%.
What happens stacking them?
95% off?
90.5%?
"Does that stack with this card?"
"Affiliate benefits card? Let me check the perks—"
The employee froze at the card.
'Huh?'
Only seen two in his store tenure.
One owner: A-Rank.
The other? B-Rank back then, soon-to-be S-Rank heavyweight.
'P-Platinum!?'
Discounts weren't on the store.
Government footed the bill.
Meaning: This guy was VIP of VIPs.
Whatever budget, he'd upsell tenfold.
'Godsend.'
God? Just a customer scraping months of sales.
That made a god.
"Sir, pay with this today, total 95% off~"
"Then with my 6 mil budget..."
Up to 120 million.
Aden and Kang Hyun's brains stalled.
Team leader, though?
'Jackpot!'
120 mil in sales today!?
Rushed to grab gear.
"How about this?"
Crimson-bladed iris sword.
Spectacular poise.
Pricey ones always delivered.
"Shorter than a longsword, but light enough for a normal person like me."
Extreme lightness focus.
Other stats suffered, but
light sword was the ask.
"Name's Crimson Moon. Crafted by a Terra artisan from meteorite—"
Kang Hyun snatched the sword.
Slashed the air.
Shwick!
Perfect.
'Nice sword.'
Handled a few in his time.
One swing was plenty
to judge a blade.
"This one."
"...Y-yes."
Team leader, dazed by the slash,
replied softly.
'...Master for sure.'
Not an expert, but
that brief cut had depth.
Decision made, trio heads out,
Awakeners eyeing Kang Hyun glance over.
'Damn, look at that blade. Huge purchase.'
'Team leader's face. Dinner party's on tonight.'
'Jealous... Wish I'd gotten the escort.'
Aden was jealous too.
"Wow~ When do I get to hold 100-mil gear?"
Onlookers twitched again.
100 mil? Misheard?
"I'll get yours later."
"Gasp! For real? With that card too?"
"We'll see."
No way he'd cheap out.
Especially for his A-Rank disciple.
Aden leaped, hugging and clinging to Kang Hyun.
Enormous assets smother his face.
"Kyaaah! Master forever!"
"Get that mana wallet off. Can't breathe."
Onlooking men trembled in envy.
Meanwhile, eavesdropping team leader
shivered in thrill.
'Come again! Stock up your disciple too!'
Packed with care.
Bowed on send-off.
"Thank you! Please visit again!"
Scene wrapped,
manager peeks from back.
"...How'd it go?"
"Closing early today."
"Kyaah! Best team leader!"
"Oh right, VIP register them."
"Dinner! Korean BBQ!"
Staff screamed in joy.
Then,
someone dashes from store,
heading their way.
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
White blouse, tight skirt.
Office look suited her perfectly.
"Aden, right?"
"M-me? Yeah, but..."
"Yoo Chae-young, Support Team Leader for Blaze Guild."
"Wha!? Blaze?"
"Huh? Blaze?"
No Korean hadn't heard of it.
Number 3 guild, Blaze.
Kang Hyun perks ears.
She glances, 'Who's this?' eyes.
"Carry on."
"Yes. Understood."
Unlike Section Chief Choi, calm demeanor.
Business card offered.
"Blaze wants to scout you, Aden."
Yoo Chae-young's glasses gleamed softly.
Gaze fixed on Aden alone.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Phone call with Section Chief Choi.
Hearing it, he blows up.
[Bl-Blaze!? They scouted her!?]
"Yes."
Kang Hyun side turned it down, no interest.
Aden followed his lead unquestioned.
But took the card anyway.
She'd handle contact herself.
[Knew Yoo Chae-young was capable, but this much...]
"Right? How'd they know?"
[Info lockdown still, how...? As expected of Blaze!]
"Hm?"
Suppressing Aden's info?
Caring that much even for her.
[Y-you reconsidered, right? Since you hate contracts.]
"Yeah. Sent her off."
[Thank you. Whew, can't sit still now.]
"Working hard."
[Of course! Talent to decide the nation's fate—can't lose to guilds!]
"That big a deal?"
Aden's eval was sky-high.
A-Ranks were bigger than thought.
[Just wait! Irresistible offer incoming!]
"Sure, whatever..."
Aden-irresistible terms?
Hand over a snack company?
Even she'd pick cash.
"Oh, reason for call. Heading to E-Rank Dungeon now."
[We'll send a ride!]
"No need—"
[Must! Pickup mandatory!]
"O-okay..."
Instant message arrival.
PDF with meds and route.
<Pickup Plan for Awakener Kang Hyun.pdf>
...What the?
Called back.
"What's this?"
[Approval, please!]
Signature line at bottom.
For real?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Entered dungeon, pulled out Aden.
"They really sent a pickup?"
"Yeah. Nice ride."
Not personal car—limo vibes.
Shiny as hell.
Past life had this treatment,
but modern flashy courtesy?
Freshly nice.
"Gotta tell them no more..."
"Huh? Free ride's good, no?"
"You'll see."
Feels like false advertising.
Anyway, finally E-Rank zone dungeon entry.
"Time to test the new sword?"
Hilt pops from thin air.
Pull, space ripples, blade emerges.
🗡️ Inventory Crimson Moon extracted. "Whoa... That Inventory's insanely cool."
"Right?"
Shoulders shrug proudly.
Subspace ain't ordinary treasure.
Like debuting a new car to praise.
Sensing it,
Aden flatters wildly.
"Looked it up—zero people have subspace."
"Figured. Not just Perfect Clear, first dungeon reward."
"Whoa~ Earth's greatest treasure, then?"
"Ahem. Depending on view, maybe..."
"Ignores entry limits, infinite supplies, epic draw animation! Killer!"
"Ahem!"
Knows her master,
got good eyes.
Walk a bit, goblins appear.
"Fewer today?"
"But stronger ones instead."
Past were brainless mobs,
these like PvP.
Kang Hyun steps up, goblins surround.
"【Ignite】"
🔥 WORD OF COMMAND 🔥 Ignite Fwoosh—