A Fortune Divided, Sorcery Awakens
“It's 255 million won.”
The appraiser who evaluated all the mana crystals Kim Seol-bi had brought out announced the figure.
“Split it five-five into the two of our accounts.”
I'd half-expected as much, but once again, Kim Seol-bi showed no interest in keeping any of the money from the crystals. She turned to me and Kim Eun-bi, instructing them to transfer half to each of our accounts.
“Why isn't Unnie taking any? You hunted the most.”
Kim Eun-bi raised the obvious objection.
“I'm fine. Sung-gi here needs money right now, and so do you.”
“Not really.”
Kim Seol-bi smiled at Kim Eun-bi's response.
“That's only true back when you were in high school. You're an adult now—you're going to live independently. Buying a house, furnishing it... that'll cost a fortune, won't it?”
“I'm not buying a house.”
“Huh? Rent then? Or a lease? It's better to buy if you can afford it.”
Kim Eun-bi shook her head, as if that missed the point entirely.
“I'm gonna live at Unnie's house. With Sung-gi oppa.”
Kim Seol-bi's expression hardened. Mine did too.
Kim Seol-bi had probably just spoken without thinking that far ahead, but Kim Eun-bi was taking it seriously. In any case, the discussion about splitting the loot was over.
Kim Seol-bi had no intention of taking any money, and both Kim Eun-bi and I knew she had more than enough even without it.
Earning over 200 million won from just three to four hours conquering a dungeon... Of course, it was to be split three ways, but even so, that was more than 80 million won each. Cases where a dungeon was fully cleared in a single day were extremely rare. Even accounting for that, this raid—and the last one—made it clear hunters raked in serious cash.
My cut alone came to about 130 million won. Even after taxes, that was an insane amount. Last raid, I'd taken it all, totaling 200 million won for the two of them combined.
Should I buy a house?
What Kim Seol-bi had said applied to me too. I was currently freeloading at her place, and my old studio apartment had been half-destroyed. At my age, it wouldn't be weird to consider buying property.
Normally, it would've taken at least ten years to afford one—or I'd have given up entirely. But in just a few days, everything had flipped. It was hard to adjust.
We'd cleared the dungeon like a casual outing over two days and pocketed 200 million won. What came next made my head spin.
One thing was certain: my sense of money had completely changed.
“Shall we go grab some food now?”
We'd come out in Kim Seol-bi's car today—an SUV from a top-tier brand usually known for sedans, though they rarely made these too. From what I knew, this model alone cost well over 500 million won. Loaded with every option imaginable—including a killer sound system—it probably pushed 1 billion.
Whatever. Her garage had several like it. I hadn't counted, but seven or eight at least. Even some stylish motorcycles.
No wonder she didn't care about the money from the mana crystals.
S-rank hunters probably have money rolling in without lifting a finger.
We went to a Korean beef place, and I felt like I'd eaten a lifetime's worth of hanwoo in one sitting. A peek at the menu showed prices way beyond normal beef—even for prime hanwoo.
Still, the staff's service was impeccable, and the private rooms were perfectly designed for privacy. The meat was delicious enough to make me question if beef could taste this good.
Bit by bit, the mood between Kim Seol-bi and Kim Eun-bi was softening too. Watching them, I wondered if this fragile harmony was really for the best.
If I ended up forever sandwiched between Kim Seol-bi and Kim Eun-bi... It looked fine on paper, but there were plenty of issues. Especially at night.
I dunno.
I'd made money, gained skills, and had mouthwatering hanwoo going down easy—but my mind wasn't at peace.
Speaking of which...
Thinking about the skills from the dungeon brought one to mind besides the ones from Kim Eun-bi: Sorcery Interpretation.
No need to guess who it came from. Circumstances pointed to one person.
I jolted and glanced around. Was Kang A-jin here somewhere? How could she tail us without Kim Seol-bi or Kim Eun-bi noticing?
The secret was probably in the skill I'd gotten today: Sorcery.
I'd deliberately avoided learning about hunter abilities. The more I knew, the stronger the envy. So I knew next to nothing about sorcery.
Couldn't ask Kim Seol-bi or Kim Eun-bi either—they'd immediately think of Kang A-jin.
Same reason I hadn't used Kim Eun-bi's skill from the dungeon. Better not to reveal everything just yet.
If I'd used it, there'd only be one explanation: I could copy their skills.
Kim Seol-bi had been thrilled when she saw me use her exact ability before. But if she learned I could do Kim Eun-bi's too? With our trio's balance so precarious, better not stir the pot.
So, researching sorcery solo seemed wisest.
Doesn't seem like a simple skill...
The talismans were intriguing, and Kang A-jin's feats were mind-blowing. Maybe I'd unlocked something even hunters would envy.
Back home, the atmosphere felt... different. Like someone had been here.
Seeing food from the fridge on the table—and the note beside it—Kim Seol-bi confirmed the staff had come and gone. She'd probably instructed them to clean and prep meals while she was out.
The huge house felt fresh as new. It had been spotless that morning too—no cleaning needed.
“Oppa, whatcha gonna do? Wanna watch a movie together?”
Kim Eun-bi asked me. Our improved rapport was one good outcome from today. Things could've turned super awkward—mostly her fault.
Thinking back still gave me chills, but I got it now. My ability had twisted her like that. In a way, she was a victim too.
“Nah, I've got stuff to do alone.”
Disappointment crossed her face at my reply.
“Okay... Oh, and talk casually to me.”
“Yeah? Alright.”
She was a full ten years younger. Fine with Kim Seol-bi, but formal speech with Kim Eun-bi felt off.
“You talk casual to me too.”
“Yay! Oppa!”
Her disappointed expression bloomed into a bright smile, despite the movie rejection.
She's seriously cute.
That we'd done that yesterday... Would've been nice in normal circumstances.
I headed to my room, thinking Kim Seol-bi would be disappointed if she knew. I really did have solo work: researching sorcery.
Skills from Kim Seol-bi and Kim Eun-bi were intuitive. Names alone, or recalling their use, made it click.
Sorcery? Unfamiliar territory—needed investigation.
Holy shit...
Searching sorcery on my phone in the room, I was stunned by its potential.
For starters, sorcerers were rare worldwide. The first awakening was in South America.
They had mana like hunters, but no instant skills. She studied books, dug into secrets—sorcery was a new concept, like real magic in a world that only knew the idea.
Most learning came through meditation, like pulling theory from another dimension.
More appeared, banded together, systematized it, and spread as a new class: sorcerers.
Kang A-jin was top-tier even among them. The more I read, the more impressive she seemed.
Sad to have her skill but not use it.
Then, a voice from thin air:
“Do you want to use sorcery?”
I startled, looking up. There, floating with her black robes fluttering, was a woman in dark clothes.
Her face was insanely cute. Like a puppy.