'2 Billion? 2 Billion!'
Having escaped the pyramid and racing across the vast desert, Taemin couldn't contain his pounding heart.
Not only had he succeeded in a solo raid that he'd doubted was even possible, but he'd also scored a mana stone. With the average market price sitting at 2 billion won, even after subtracting potion costs, he'd netted a whopping 1.7 billion in profit. An enormous windfall.
If I keep this up, I'll be rich in no time.
Exiting the Desert Zone, Taemin drove straight to the Hunter Market. While the Energy Resource Center under the Hunter Association did buy mana stones, their prices were lower than the market's, so most hunters preferred selling there.
Taking the elevator to the third floor, Taemin headed right for the materials shop. When he pulled out the mana stone, the shop owner grinned from ear to ear. It was the moment when his past good treatment paid off.
The owner poured Taemin a drink before placing the mana stone on the measuring device in the corner of the shop. The most crucial factor in buying mana stones was mana power. Prices fluctuated based on the amount, so even identical stones had variances.
After the measurement, the owner handed him the printed sheet.
"As you can see here, the measured mana power is 6,600 mMP. At 30 million won per 100 mMP, that's 1.98 billion won. The Hunter Association's listed price is 26 million per 100 mMP, so this is way higher. Compared to other material shops around, we're adding 50 to 100 on top. I think it's a solid deal—what do you say? Even if you check the shop right next door, they won't go above 2.9 billion. Feel free to shop around."
"No need. We've done business before, haven't we? Please buy it."
"Ah, yes. Thank you. Full amount to your account?"
"Yes, please."
After selling the mana stone, Taemin's next stop was the equipment center. Fortunately, the four-piece Chris set was still on display, unsold.
Just you wait. I'll be back soon to buy you.
After admiring the displayed items for a while, he left the center and went to the potion shop. Planning for about three more runs, he bought potions worth 1 billion won before exiting the market.
Getting into his car, Taemin noticed the fuel gauge was empty and headed to a gas station.
"Welcome. How much?"
"Fill 'er up."
As he finished filling up and was about to leave, a loud horn blared from behind. He slammed on the brakes reflexively and checked the rearview mirror.
There sat a familiar SUV, wipers swishing as if it had just come out of the automatic wash. A man stepped out—Choi Dong-chan.
Taemin couldn't pretend he hadn't seen him, so he pulled over and approached.
"Hey, fancy meeting you here."
Taemin greeted first, and Choi Dong-chan responded warmly.
"Yeah, I was getting a wash and thought that looked like your car. Here for gas?"
"Yeah. Uh..."
"I was actually gonna call you. We've got a raid planned. Five of us so far, including me. Got time to join? Big payout potential. Everyone's solid—you could just handle mobbing."
Taemin made a troubled face at the offer. Before the solo raid, maybe, but now that he knew he could do it alone, there was no need to go out of his way.
Even with minimal members, it'd be under 300 million per person—and only if a mana stone dropped. Plus, travel time made it inefficient.
"Ah, I've got a lot on my plate lately... I'd love to, but this month looks tough."
Disappointment flashed across Choi Dong-chan's face. He rated Taemin's mobbing skills highly. The pyramid had tons of resident monsters; good mobbing would turn it into a goldmine, speeding things up massively.
He'd planned for about 14 hours. With Taemin rounding up everything inside, it could halve. No wonder he was bummed.
"I see. Man, it'd be great if you could join... Oh well. If you free up anytime, give me a call. With recruiting and prep, we probably won't head out till next week."
"Sure. I'll let you know."
After politely declining and parting ways, Taemin headed home. After a shower and late dinner, he sat on the bed and turned on the TV for the first time in ages.
"Raid channel... 108, right?"
As he reached for the remote, a red banner scrolled at the bottom with breaking news.
"A brawl?"
Taemin switched to the news channel. The anchor was reporting the fresh scoop.
"Breaking news just in. Around 6:45 PM, a mass brawl erupted among hunters on Apgujeong Rodeo Street. Reporter Lee Eun-mi has the details."
"At 6:45 PM outside a restaurant on Apgujeong Rodeo Street, five men exiting clashed with four entering at the door. Moments later, they drew weapons and tangled in a frenzy. The restaurant door shattered, magic flew everywhere, turning the area into a battlefield. Responding to civilian reports, Hunter Association agents arrested them. Investigation shows they were total strangers..."
Watching the news, Taemin shook his head with a mutter.
"The world's getting scarier by the day. Think there was one in Mokdong last time too."
In Korea, skills were officially banned outside dungeons—enshrined in law. It made sense; like soldiers firing guns freely. Exceptions existed: monster outbreaks, when temporary permits were issued for city and citizen safety. Otherwise, all illegal.
If someone dies like that, what then?
The next morning, Taemin woke to his alarm and headed out for another solo raid, just like before. With experience and know-how, hunting went far smoother than yesterday.
Entering the pyramid, he crossed eleven plazas to the central stone chamber with the Sphinx. As before, the massive beast slumbered atop the spacious altar, head bowed.
Since I've hunted it once, no weird vibes like yesterday.
Taemin activated skills and dove into the hunt. Sensing him, the Sphinx woke and descended from the altar. Taemin immediately triggered smoke screen and unleashed a barrage.
With ample upper potions, he had more leeway than yesterday. More skill use meant higher costs, but shorter times—no losing deal.
Time passed, and the giant Sphinx slumped to the floor.
Acquired 113,000 EXP.
With the EXP notice, Taemin rummaged the corpse.
"No? Nothing? Weird. Should be here? Where?"
Muttering as he sifted the crumbling remains, disappointment hit when no mana stone appeared.
"Figures. Luck can't hold forever."
He knew they rarely dropped, so no big deal in theory—but the letdown was real.
Taemin checked his phone, pulling away from the body.
"4 PM... Too late for another full run."
He'd planned one more, but the timing was off. Saving it for tomorrow, he cleared the plaza monsters to minimize risk after the dud.
Sweeping up materials, he filled his inventory and exited the dungeon.
The next day, Taemin's solo raids continued. Humans forget earnings fast but obsess over spending. He wasn't immune.
Materials covered nearly 100 million, but losing 300 million stung, leaving him antsy.
Yet no mana stone. Second run: dud.
"No way it skips tomorrow too?"
Days and money flowed. On his fifth raid, it finally dropped.
Down to 800 million left. From 2 billion earned, 1.2 billion burned in four days.
Taemin eyed the phone balance, feeling the goal was close. Just 200 million more for his dream gear.
"200 million. Tomorrow, just field runs. No need to push now."
Three days later, scouring fields for the last 200 million, he finally had enough.
Taemin rushed to the equipment center. He'd visited daily, drooling over the set—big discount and OP effects had him worried it'd sell.
Seeing them still there, he beckoned the nearest staff.
"Here."
"Yes, sir."
"This at the discounted price below, right?"
"Yes, correct."
"I'll take it."
Paying up, Taemin stowed the items in his inventory and left. Earnings vanished in a flash, but his heart felt richer than ever.
Steps light with excitement, he exited the market, hopped in his car, and sped home to equip them ASAP.