Taming the Booster
Taejeong, who had been about to stand right up, called Gerard just in case.
“What the hell is this? Why did it suddenly move?”
Master, you operated the accelerator pedal.
“Accelerator pedal? I was just standing still.”
When the booster activates, an accelerator forms across the front of the floor. Master, you stepped on it.
“No way. I didn’t feel a thing.”
Muttering in disbelief, Taejeong cautiously moved his foot. Suddenly, his whole body jolted, trembling violently from head to toe.
“This must be it.”
Gerard had been right. There was a strange, alien sensation under his foot. It was definitely responding to pressure.
“Something’s there, alright. But with feedback this subtle, it’ll be tricky to use.”
Tilting his head, he deactivated the booster and stood up. Debris was everywhere. The gypsum board walls were shattered, the computer from the desk had flown all the way to the kitchen from the impact, and even the windows were broken. It was a total disaster.
“The landlord’s gonna flip if he sees this.”
The next afternoon, Taejeong piled the wreckage in one spot and left the house. He’d already met the landlord, settled the agreement, and called in interior workers.
“Let’s see. Where to start? The electronics market… nah. Hunter Market first.”
Taejeong turned the car away from the electronics district and headed to the Hunter Market. He had things to buy and check out.
After grabbing potions from a first-floor shop, he headed straight to the equipment store on the third floor.
“Excuse me, where are the gear with penetration or accuracy options displayed?”
“We don’t stock penetration gear separately, and accuracy-optioned items are only available via auction in the VIP section.”
“VIP section? Nothing in the regular store?”
“Accuracy gear is just too rare.”
“So what are the requirements for that VIP?”
The clerk gave Taejeong an annoyed look at the question. He looked like he had zero buying power, wasting the clerk’s time. But a lowly employee couldn’t mistreat a customer—complaints could kill promotions or even get him fired.
“VIP has four tiers: Gold, Premium, Special, and Prestige. Auction access is for Special and Prestige—total purchases of 70 billion won and 100 billion won respectively.”
Taejeong wondered if he’d misheard. The numbers were unreal. But he didn’t press.
“Prices must be insane then.”
“Usually, yes. Especially accuracy options—paths to acquire them are extremely limited, so only top-level hunters buy them occasionally.”
“Got it.”
Realizing more questions were pointless, Taejeong hurried out. The price was one thing, but if top hunters were the main customers, it wasn’t useful for him yet.
He drove back to the Blue Gate in Mia-dong where he’d hunted before.
Asilius Plains. No growth due to EXP debuff, but good for mastering the booster and making money.
He parked, entered the gate. The familiar vast plain under a clear blue sky greeted him.
Activating the Exoskeleton Robot Summon and booster, sleek skeletal armor formed, complete with six stylish square muffler tips that just looked cool.
“Alright, let’s give it a shot.”
The accelerator spanned the front floor—like a very shallow organ pedal.
Cautiously, he pressed with his forefoot. An engine roar, and his body sprang forward like a coiled spring.
“Whoa! Whoa!?”
Before he could react, he tumbled. Looking ridiculous, he stood and tried again—only to frog-leap and faceplant.
“This is hopeless?”
Just twice, but he got it. The pedal feel was absurdly uncomfortable. Half the foot overlapped, feedback spongy and sinking. Even walking would trigger it inevitably.
No way this was combat-viable. He called Gerard.
“Hey, Gerard.”
Yes, Master.
“Is this thing actually usable in real combat?”
What is the issue?
“Feedback’s too light. Position’s awkward—right where your foot naturally lands.”
Pedal position and feedback are adjustable in stages.
“What? For real?”
Affirmative. Feedback adjustable from 1 to 100, pedal position front or rear.
“Why tell me now?”
You did not inquire, so I assumed satisfaction with default settings.
“Satisfaction, my ass…”
Taejeong was exasperated by Gerard’s response, but now wasn’t the time. Adjustability changed everything.
“Fine. Deactivate first.”
Deactivating the booster, he stood and restarted.
“What’s the current feedback setting?”
Current setting: 10. Higher values increase feedback weight.
“Good. Try 50.”
Setting changed to 50.
Settings updated, he cautiously pressed. The pedal held firm until sufficient force, then responded gradually.
“Much better, but still unnatural. Fine for pure boosting, but walking’s awkward—no forefoot pressure.”
Shall I shift pedals to rear?
“Nah, practice like this first. Settings change instantly anyway.”
With settings done, Taejeong dove into practice. Falling, crashing, flying off, colliding. After dozens of reps, he finally got the hang of it.
“Decent now, but I’ll tweak settings situationally. Too finicky for one setup. Alright, time to hunt and make some cash.”
Deploying booster for hunting, a roar echoed as he rocketed forward—shot like a bullet.
“Damn, direct injection’s killer.”
Hovering a handspan off the ground in straight-line dash, the wind-rushing thrill cleared his mind. Slower than a car maybe, but felt faster. He couldn’t help but cheer.
“Awesome! Faster, let’s go faster!”
His excited shout echoed across the plains.
Exiting at night, rubbing his eyes, Taejeong muttered.
“Gonna need glasses for boosting. Thought my eyes’d pop out.”
Rubbing wind-burned eyes, he sold items at the market. Late start limited loot, but nearly 100 million won richer. Spent most on potions, then pondered at the car.
“House is mid-repair, mess. So-young’s? Or Seok-ho’s?”
Between buddy and sister, a thought hit: Why crash when he had money? Friends’ couches sucked anyway.
“Screw it, hotel time.”
Heading out, he searched for the biggest nearby:
Hallasan Myeongdo
A top 5-star in the area.
The grand exterior gave him chills. Shoulda gone motel.
Weird vibe made him hesitate, but bags were out.
Entering with clothes from home, the lobby’s elegance awed him. Polished marble floors mirroring his face, soaring ceiling, lavish chandeliers—pure luxury.
Rich hotels are next-level even for a pleb like me.
Admiring, he approached an empty desk.
“Any rooms left?”
“Yes, sir. What type?”
“Cheapest you got.”
“Standards full. Deluxe room okay? Full glass wall, great night view.”
“Sure.”
“2.2 million won including VAT and service.”
Sticker shock hit, but he paid—pocket change now. Card key in hand, elevator to 17th floor, found the room.
Luxurious vibe. Past the corner, small living room and panoramic glass welcomed him.
“Whoa…”
Stunned by the city nightscape, he froze. Healing just to gaze. The room alone made him feel VIP.
Money lets me do this.
Nodding decisively after staring.
Life’s once. Hunter now—no more scraping. Big house, cool car, live it up.
Vowing harder cash grind.
Hallasan Guild HQ.
Guild master Lee Han reviewed recon captain Cha Min-su’s report.
“As the file shows, our recon tracked a suspicious figure from Bukhansan intel. Analysis ruled out regular hunter—deployed teams to likely gates. Lucked out; think we found him.”
Lee Han eyed the file from his seat.
“You ran this without reporting to me.”
“Sorry. Just suspicions—needed solid proof.”
“Anyway, this guy?”
“Yes. Hidden class, likely ultra-rare unknown.”
“Ultra-rare? But photos are all normal. How so sure?”
“No clear shots—split-second. Subordinates say mechanical gear on body.”
“Mechanical?”
“Yes. Vanished before camera—probably skill.”
“Mm. Machine skills. And he’s at our Myeongdo Hotel now?”
“Yes, Guild Master. Orders?”
“If true, recruit at all costs. Guild blessing.”
“Contact tonight?”
“Go yourself. Hidden’s unpredictable, even fresh awakening.”
“Understood. If he refuses?”
“No other guild?”
“None per intel.”
“Drag him then. Lock up, persuade later.”
“Got it.”
Meanwhile, elsewhere, a plot brewed.
“Yeah? Where?”
“Hallasan Myeongdo Hotel.”
“Their turf, huh. They know?”
“Doubt it—no reaction. They’d snatch a Hidden otherwise.”
“Pull him quick.”
“I’ll go personally.”
“Awkward—you’re known there.”
“Civil hotel despite their management. Few resident hunters. Need rank to convince.”
“If they move first?”
“Rip him out by force.”
“Confident?”
“You know my skill. Hallasan scrubs ain’t matching.”
“Fine. All on you. Get him.”
“Yes.”