My Way

"How much is this?"

The clerk who'd come at my call looked at the black club I was pointing to. But his sour expression didn't sit well with me. He stared at the item I'd indicated for a moment before turning to me and speaking haltingly.

"This item... it's been sold a total of twelve times, and every single one was returned in less than a week. The only upside is that it's sturdy, but aside from that, it's just too heavy and has no cutting power, so customer satisfaction was extremely low. That's why it's currently..."

I cut off the clerk, who was hesitating awkwardly with his words, and got straight to the point.

"Not really worth full price, right? That's what you're saying?"

"I hate to say it myself, but yes, exactly."

I flashed a triumphant smile and said to him, "What's the price of the last sale?"

"Pardon? Oh, well..."

I pressed the hesitating clerk firmly. "Let's do half of that."

"Gasp! Th-that might be a bit tough..."

His eyes widened in shock at my words as he stared at me. His gaze darted left and right in conflict. A customer here for an S-rank weapon was bound to be a VIP in the future. Plus, after he'd guided me earlier, I'd quickly checked his info—he was the new S-rank awakener who'd shone in Uijeongbu recently.

What to do? He'd brushed it off as tough first, then racked his brains. That's when the customer threw out a condition he hadn't expected.

"In exchange! No returns, period."

"...If that's the condition, then yeah, that could work."

The conflicted clerk snapped back to his normal demeanor the moment he heard my follow-up. "Thank you for the good deal, Kang Min-ho."

I grinned at the fact that he knew my name and stuck out my hand. "Feels like there'll be more where that came from."

"Would we have it any other way? We'll serve you with our best."

We shook hands firmly, bobbing them up and down. He was thrilled to offload the problematic item at half price, and I was stoked to snag something I'd have paid ten times for at a bargain. This is a real win-win, right?

I let go of his hand and asked lightly, "Shall we look at some armor next?"

"Right this way."

Following the now much friendlier clerk to another area, we entered a room packed with all sorts of armor. Armor definitely had more variety and demand than weapons, so the selection was diverse.

"Could I see some with high magic resistance?"

"Ah, for the dungeon you're heading into this time."

"Spot on. Doesn't have to be great otherwise—as long as the resistance is high."

"Then check from here to there. They're all on the higher end for resistance values, though there are slight differences."

"Got it. Mind if I browse alone?"

"Of course not."

Once he left, I approached the items. There was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠good reason for his vague description of them as "high resistance." Most hunter gear was crafted from dungeon byproducts, and there was no precise, objective way to measure effects. For example, recipes existed for flame resistance, but testing exactly how much resistance an item provided required hands-on trials, so they just slapped on simple grades like high, medium, low.

That all changed after Professor Kim Hee-yeon awakened her appraisal skill—Hwarang Guild used it to dominate the hunter gear market with precise info.

She's just a professor now, though. I'd planned to help activate her dormant skill and copy it myself, but once I learned Information Viewing covered it, no need. Unless she awakened it on her own, anyway.

Let's see~ Prioritize high-resistance ones first?

I lightly brushed past items, scanning their info. Then I spotted something unusual.

A set item? Nice! Solid defense, decent resistances—but what grabbed me was the set bonus boosting all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠resistances by 15%. Meaning, just wearing the full set gives passive +15% across the board. That could massively cut magic damage, depending on the values. Hunters usually stacked flame, cold, and lightning resists based on the dungeon, but dragon-named ones hurled all kinds, so stacking everything was smart.

Three pieces, each with different resists, plus 15% set bonus? That'd nullify half an enemy's magic damage easy. Add an S-rank's base resistances, and I'd have a huge edge against them.

Jackpot from an unexpected spot. I smiled softly and called the clerk. "Hey~?"

As expected—gloves cold, boots lightning. With the clerk's help, I snagged the full set at 10% off. Even he didn't realize they formed a set. They looked mismatched in shape and color—no one would buy "set" without calling scam.

It drained half my bank account, but my cost-efficiency had to be the best among raiders.

"That good, huh?"

"Heh heh heh, you kidding? I've been drooling over this Iron Knight armor forever."

While I shopped, he'd gone downstairs to the A-rank section for his picks. He'd grabbed armor from the A-rank dungeon Knight's Grave. Despite its sturdy look, lightweight magic made it feel like nothing, and its physical defense rivaled my S-rank chestplate—huge for A-rank tanks. Downside: zero magic resist, but A-rank mobs were physical-focused anyway. Perfect up to A-rank, basically.

He kept grinning ear to ear. "But, Min-ho."

"Yeah?"

"It's great, but honestly, taking something this pricey feels off."

"Why? Burden too heavy?"

"Even fleas have pride. Kinda stings."

He scratched his shaggy nape, smiling awkwardly. Great gear, heavy heart—his face said it all.

I patted his shoulder lightly. "Then level up fast. Gotta keep up with your big bro's toes at least, right? Then you can wait on me proper. Yeah?"

"Ugh, you little shit."

He scowled like nothing happened. "Kekeke, jealous? Hate it? Retry for S-rank then."

"Just watch—I'll hit S-rank by year's end and pay this debt, big time. Got it?"

"Aigoo~ 'Watch me' folks ain't scary at all. S-rank for anyone now?"

"Ugh."

He couldn't retort properly—hitting S-rank wasn't easy talk. I smirked at his flushed, speechless face.

"Tell you what—if you make S-rank this year, big bro buys you a custom item. Deal?"

"Whoa, look at this heartless punk. Betting I won't and splurging."

"What, no confidence?"

"Wh-who said that?!"

Jae-wook denied it aloud but doubted inside. His growth was freakishly fast already—barring that monster who'd rocketed to S-rank overnight.

His annoying friend's voice whispered, "Scared?"

"..."

Suddenly, Jae-wook wanted to check IDs. SS-rank dungeon Demon Dragon's Nest. Discovered deep in Gangwon Province mountains, under Hwarang Guild's tight watch ever since.

After six layers of checkpoints, I entered the massive concrete structure—built stadium-sized just for this dungeon.

"Whoa~ Building this in the mountains? Hwarang ain't messing around."

"They've been raking it in since monopolizing the SS-rank."

Kwon Do-gyun had boldly raided Fire Dragon's Nest when guilds hesitated, succeeding big. Its byproducts outdid ten S-ranks combined, skyrocketing their stock. Guy was a real shark.

His skills were no joke either. I recalled his status from the press conference via Information Viewing. His S-rank Combat Foresight was top-tier—the most tantalizing skill I'd seen. No wonder he topped PvP rankings.

But pie in the sky now. As Guild Alliance interim head, he wasn't raiding anymore. No easy copy there.

No point drooling—prime S-rank skill trio right ahead. That's why I'd named him specifically.

Fatal Blow, Weakness Insight, Presence Concealment, right? I grinned at Professor Park Cheol-gyu walking beside me.

He scowled back. "Why the creepy grin? Quit smiling, getting attached."

"Hahaha, just excited."

Three S-rank skills for the roulette had my heart pounding already.

Demon Dragon's Nest inside was a vast forest—but trees so huge six adults linked arms barely circled one. Scale screamed monster sizes.

These beasts ain't small.

At the outpost, I'd gotten briefed on tomorrow's raid. TL;DR: Me and Park Cheol-gyu as star supporting actors for Kang Mir's hero arc.

Like hell. Better a premium sidekick than half-assed lead these days. I smirked at earnest-faced Kang Mir.

First L-rank skill holder I'd met besides myself.

Won't go your way. Their plan? Nah—this raid kicked off my path solo.

Briefing ended; all to temp quarters. Next morning.

"We'll head ahead and prep. See you at the set time."

"Got it."

Kang Mir and team left first. Boss basin area mostly cleared; left were elite guards and the dragon. Our job: circle opposite, lure guards so his team could face the dragon head-on.

"Shall we move?"

"Let's."

Three support teams waited. Guard scale bigger than expected.

Elite Hwarang hunters dashed through forest—all A-rank vibes.

"Guard leader resembles a dragon—likely a guardian."

Even mid-run, the man's breath stayed steady. Professor Park Cheol-gyu nodded slowly.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Guardian means Draconian, then."

"Presumed so."

"Draconian—an S-rank ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠monster?"

"Yeah. Guardian? Even tougher."

"Draconian..."

First time hearing it for real. Half-dragon humanoids, plus guardian powers—trickier than standard S-ranks. No entry limits meant zerg rush, but couldn't—so raids delayed till Kwon Do-gyun's absence filled.

Kang Mir: Hwarang's next-gen leader, groomed carefully. S-ranks weren't infinite, even for them.

So Kwon Do-gyun's role to Kang Mir, his to me.

Papapak. Basin edge reached; signaled opposite team. 30 minutes to raid start.

Wooong. Magic circle's embedded magic stones hummed with injected mana. Two hunters pressed hands to it, sweat beading thick.

"Fusion magic, huh."

"Oho, that's it."

I eyed them curiously at Park Cheol-gyu's words. Hwarang's long-researched fusion magic—multiple mages syncing mana for synergy.

Fwoosh. Mana filled; massive fireball spawned overhead.

Both flame mages. A-rank mana amplified by circle—unreal size.

"Fire!"

Shout, and it streaked basin-ward, trailing black smoke like a tail. Lure show for guards.

GoOOO. Slammed monster cluster.

Kwaaaang!! Boom echoed; crater formed, limbs everywhere.

"Kraaa!"

Roars shook all; monsters charged us.

Eye contact just now? Pre-roar, the Draconian's slit pupil met mine. Distant, but felt it.

"Kroooo!!"

Hordes thundered; basin quaked.

"Battle ready! 3-man teams as practiced—pull 'em deep. Clear?"

"Yes sir!"

Team leader commanding three teams; all scattered with shouts.

He eyed me and Park Cheol-gyu. "We leave it to you."

"No worries. This kid'll handle it proper."

Park Cheol-gyu clapped my shoulder.

"..."

I nodded silently. Why not say outright you're sitting out? Looked like he'd watch arms crossed, but nope. I'll set you up vs. dragon proper, prof. Gotta copy those skills.

Leader gone; skirmishes erupted.

"Heavy eye-fuck earlier—what, waiting? Go greet it."

"Yeees~ Comin'. Who said no?"

I half-assed back while teams retreated—then launched basin-ward.

Expecting me? Draconian hadn't budged, waiting.

Mid-charge, pulled mystery black club from inventory, swung at it.

Kaaang!