Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: 8. The Culled (6)
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"......Huh?"
Kang San blinked.
Right before bed, he'd indulged in a fleeting dream of selling it for over five hundred grand.
He knew it was unrealistic, but the human heart couldn't shake off that pointless flicker of hope.
But this...
[Worn but Razor-Sharp Longsword]
[Sold for 15 million won]
[Orc Leather Armor]
[Sold for 2 million won]
It didn't make sense.
He couldn't believe it.
How could an E-Rank item fetch a price that rivaled D-Rank gear?
"......What the hell."
Kang San searched for the auction feedback.
The reactions were mixed.
-E-Rank weapon goes for 15 mil lololol
-What a money bonfire.
-They kept trying to outbid each other, and this is the result. Win or lose, both sides got burned.
Most were mocking the overpay.
But one post caught his eye.
-It's all about perspective. To regular folks, dropping 15 mil on an E-Rank weapon is reckless extravagance. But for the big spenders, it's different. Freshly awakened hunters can't handle D-Rank gear or higher—their stats just aren't there yet. So they have to pick from the top E-Rank stuff. This longsword might be labeled E-Rank, but that special effect puts it on par with average D-Ranks. Bleeding, no less. Factor in the fixed damage and recovery reduction, and it's like +10 attack power at minimum. You can't just call it a plain E-Rank weapon.
-Like above, pricey but not insane. Items with special effects are always outside standard grade pricing anyway. Plus, there was bidding competition.
Kang San felt a bit dazed.
He knew special effects mattered, but he hadn't expected them to shatter the unspoken market norms—like E-Rank never topping D-Rank prices.
This confirmed it.
'The trial rewards are the real deal.'
The Blood Demon's techniques.
This was an enormous privilege.
From now on, he'd have an edge over others—at least in the item game.
He was thrilled.
This luck woven into his wretched life.
This hope granted to his miserable past.
It gave Kang San more than enough motivation—overflowing, even—to push forward.
About two weeks later.
Kang San threw himself into crafting.
Seventeen million from the auction, plus the ten million he'd had saved.
Combined, he bought D-Rank armor and a sword, then dove straight into Blood Demon work.
But he hit a wall right away.
'Can't see the striking points clearly.'
When he'd succeeded with the sword before.
He'd circulated the Blood Demon Art, pinpointed where the red energy gathered, and struck precisely there.
This time was different.
The red energy thrashed wildly, bouncing back with such force he couldn't apply proper power. At first, he thought it was just focus. With the crafting skill came a 'Mental Power' stat, so maybe he needed more concentration. But as he repeated the process, he realized that wasn't it.
'My current proficiency isn't enough for D-Rank items yet.'
His mistake.
Succeeding with F-Rank had made him cocky, betting on upgrading higher grades for profit. That calculation crumbled instantly.
In hindsight, it was obvious.
The Blood Demon had forged a sword at the old man's request—a blade far superior to Kang San's—and still tasted failure repeatedly. Years passed like that. Only after endless seasons of effort did he craft a true demonic sword. How could Kang San, barely dipping his toes in, produce something satisfactory?
Proficiency.
Understanding of the Blood Demon Art.
And blacksmithing skill too.
It demanded a complex blend of abilities.
Unable to abandon the work midway, Kang San struggled for a fortnight, wringing out half-baked results.
[Chain Mail Crafted by a Master Artisan]
[D-Rank]
[Defense +21]
[Razor-Sharp and Sturdy Longsword]
[D-Rank]
[Attack +19]
[Special Effect: Bleeding]
[Sturdy Round Shield]
[D-Rank]
[Defense +20]
No dramatic leaps.
The chain mail and round shield started at Defense 19 and 18, gaining just +2 each. The longsword, though—same model as the one he'd broken before—jumped +4 attack and gained bleeding again. Seemed the murderous intent infused via Blood Demon Art amplified effects on weapons.
Solid outcomes.
But not satisfying.
'From now on, only attempt higher-grade items when I'm proficient enough. Money's not infinite for me, so no point wasting it on half-assed skills. For now, this'll do.'
Crafting done.
This setup was raid-ready.
Leaving the forge, Yoo Jung-young promised, eyes sparkling with vigor, as they parted for next time.
"Next time, I'll show you results you'll truly be pleased with."
It was a good sight.
Kang San planned regular visits to pass on techniques, but he wouldn't hand over all crafting duties to Yoo Jung-young. For his own growth too. Hadn't he included a clause in the contract to learn blacksmithing from him? Even if he'd supplied the original technique, if Yoo pulled ahead unilaterally, their equal partnership would tip eventually.
He stepped out of the forge.
Now.
Time to live as a hunter again.
He'd opened the door to Yoo Jung-young precisely because he couldn't devote all time to the forge. Azmun would keep throwing life-threatening trials. Growing stronger wasn't optional—it was survival.
Then.
At that perfectly timed moment, a text from a familiar name.
[Yeon Woo-bin]
[Can you talk right now, by any chance?]
A name briefly forgotten.
The ant cave connection suddenly asserted itself.
What had Yeon Woo-bin been up to?
It had been a cold war.
Whenever Yeon Woo-bin approached, his father Yeon Gyu-seong would say coldly, as if reading his mind.
"No."
"But..."
"I told you clearly. From the moment you were carted to the hospital in that pitiful state, you're never going near monsters again. Why won't you listen? Other kids would be thrilled with guaranteed safety, but you insist on that brutal path."
The trouble started with Yeon Woo-bin.
He'd tried sneaking to the monster training grounds and got caught by his father's bodyguards. That's when things escalated.
Yeon Woo-bin said.
"What if the bodyguards fail to protect you someday?"
"That won't happen."
"It did happen. That's why Mom... why Mom died!"
"You little punk!"
Yeon Gyu-seong shot to his feet.
Mom was taboo.
Facing his father's flushed rage, Yeon Woo-bin fired back undaunted.
"Dad. Han-byeol hyung said my talent's a blessing. Awakening as a hunter is rare enough, but I started at D-Rank. Some people can't get strong no matter how they try—doesn't it feel like wasting my gift if I do nothing? So please, let me. I'll be as careful as possible, avoid real danger..."
"You don't get it!"
Yeon Gyu-seong cut him off.
D-Rank talent?
He knew how impressive that was.
The director of a hunter ER wouldn't be ignorant of talent.
"You know who floods our hospital daily? Low-rank hunters? Civilians? No. Unless it's a massive link event, the ones hurt most are cocky hunters like you who think they're hot stuff. If you were weak, you wouldn't chase danger, fight monsters thinking you're invincible, and end up mangled. Woo-bin. Please, can't you listen to your father? It's all for your sake—you know that."
"......I don't know. In this world, no one's safety is guaranteed."
Both were bullheaded.
Like father, like son.
The usually timid Yeon Woo-bin turned as stubborn as Yeon Gyu-seong on matters he believed in.
At this point.
He wouldn't bend.
After the incident, he'd tried sneaking out multiple times, only to get caught. He'd keep eyeing chances to bolt. So Yeon Woo-bin chose direct confrontation with his father. Dodging bodyguards was tough, so he pushed to persuade him.
Finally.
"......Haa. You really..."
Yeon Gyu-seong clutched his head.
His trembling lips hesitated, then he looked at Yeon Woo-bin with resolve.
"One condition."
"Anything."
"Really?"
Yeon Gyu-seong knew his son well.
Stubborn, but he respected results.
"Simple. Pass the test I set, and I'll allow you to live as a hunter."
They moved spots.
The monster training grounds.
With Yeon Woo-bin and unfamiliar men before him, Yeon Gyu-seong said.
"Training difficulty: D-Rank. If you're truly D-Rank caliber, you'll handle this mere training without issue. Your party mercs: two D-Rank, two E-Rank. Check the evaluations—no funny business in selection. What do you say? Quit now, and it's forgotten. Warning: if you get hurt this time, no help from me."
"I'll do it."
"......Who'd you get that stubbornness from?"
Yeon Gyu-seong scowled.
His son's resolve frustrated him, but he didn't think it a bad choice.
"Fine. Thirty minutes to prep."
He turned away.
This test.
If passed as promised, he'd honor Yeon Woo-bin's wish.
To keep paternal authority, he wouldn't renege.
But.
"Preparations?"
"All set, sir."
His secretary replied softly.
What he'd told Yeon Woo-bin.
A trap of sorts.
D-Rank mercs fitting the test, but it wouldn't be easy.
A variable the party couldn't handle.
A life-threatening snag was inevitable.
He'd briefed the mercs ahead.
Highly dangerous job—full treatment and hazard pay guaranteed. Fight your hardest. If they went all-out and Yeon Woo-bin still crumbled, his fragile spirit would shatter against reality's wall.
Yeon Woo-bin prepped for the test.
Yeon Gyu-seong watched, eyes tinged with sorrow.
'Sorry. But it's for you.'
Today.
For his only son, he planned to draw blood.