Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: S-Rank Ripples (2)
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"Korea's number one Hunter spot. I'll take it."
Seol Yu-hee said this as she drew Myriad Frost Patterns.
Click-click-click-click!
A barrage of camera flashes poured down on Seol Yu-hee.
And then,
Step, step, step.
The press conference was over.
"Huh?"
It was bewilderingly short. Just two sentences, five words, and the whole thing wrapped up.
I wasn't the only one caught off guard. The reporters snapping photos were glancing around in confusion, their faces plainly showing bewilderment.
The only one keeping a straight face was Yoo So-jeong, sitting impassively in front of me.
"Another bizarre press conference, huh."
"Pardon? 'Another'?"
Yoo So-jeong said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Hunter Seol Yu-hee's eccentricities are famous. She's held press conferences just to declare war on other Hunters before."
"...What?"
Declaring war on other Hunters? What kind of stunt was that?
"It's a challenge to duel for supremacy, with the loser publicly conceding defeat. She's done it multiple times since her debut. She's won every one, except against those two."
"Heh..."
I knew she was aggressive, but this level? She was less person and more beast at this point.
'At least they didn't mention me. Dodged a bullet there...'
If they'd announced my existence right then, every spotlight would've swung my way. I'd have lines of people trying to kidnap me, and as a fragile dragon, I'd end up as a scale vending machine.
The moment the news feed switched back after the conference, my phone buzzed. Incoming call: Lee Ji-young.
"Hello?"
"Miss Lee Da-yoon, about this weapon... Thank you. Truly, thank you so much!"
Her voice brimmed with genuine joy.
"The Guild Master is thrilled. She even gave me time off because of it... I really, really can't thank you enough."
"Ah... Glad it worked out."
Her cheerful tone eased a bit of the guilt gnawing at my heart for devouring it. Though she seemed happiest about the vacation part.
"Also, there's something we need to discuss. The contract doesn't specify compensation for S-Rank weapons, so I'd like to meet separately when you're free to negotiate."
"Sure. Makes sense."
The moment had arrived. I swallowed hard.
How much would it be? A-Grade was 100 million, A-Grade 5 billion... So S-Rank around 500 billion? The numbers were so huge they felt unreal.
"First off... Valuing S-Rank items is tricky. They're worth at least trillions as a baseline, so cash payment might be tough. If there's something specific you want, we'll accommodate as best we can."
"Y-Yeah...? T-Trillions?"
My mind went blank. Not billions—trillions. Dozens of trillions. Money I couldn't earn in a lifetime of part-time gigs. Hell, 99.99% of the world would never touch it.
"Yes. Take your time thinking it over and get back to me. We'll be busy with press stuff right away, so text me your schedule, and I'll check when I'm free."
"Yes! Got it! I'll think about it! Thank you!"
I forced my grinning lips back down as I replied.
"Understood. Talk then."
Lee Ji-young hung up after that.
Beep-beep-beep.
Even after the call ended, I stared blankly at my phone for a good while.
Trillions. The word spun endlessly in my head.
"Heh... heh heh heh..."
Laughter kept bubbling out. I couldn't contain the bliss.
It didn't stop through dinner at the noodle shop, the drive to Azure Rose Guild's parking lot, or even buckling into Yoo So-jeong's car.
Trillions! With that, I could build a gold-plated castle, fill a diamond pool with cash, and swim in it!
Prime steak and caviar daily, new PC parts every week!
"Ehehe..."
The fantasies melted my brain. I sank into the plush seat, lost in dreams.
'Gold... Yeah, a gold bed. Gold thread blankets...'
Lost in spending schemes, Yoo So-jeong spoke up from the driver's seat.
"Miss Lee Da-yoon."
"Hah?! Slurp. Yes?"
I swallowed my drool and wiped my mouth before answering.
"Personal advice: Take your compensation as shares in dungeon byproducts, not cash or real estate."
"Shares? Why? Cash lets you do anything."
Yoo So-jeong explained calmly.
"Two reasons. First, currency fluctuations. Remember ramen prices before the Gates?"
"Uh... Around 1,000 won?"
"That ramen's 3,000 won now. Land and buildings too. Real estate near Gates crashes."
"Ah, got it..."
"Dungeons keep increasing, though. So do their byproducts."
Solid logic. Blindly taking cash or land could've been a huge loss.
"Understood. Second reason?"
"Yes. Your abilities. Creation skills need materials. Top-grade ones aren't buyable with money alone."
"R-Right."
My scales regenerate like a bottomless pit if I eat, but I can't make weapons from scales alone.
Hearts from White Drakes or millennium steel? Gotta buy from Hunters, and B+ or higher doesn't trade easily.
"Negotiate terms carefully. 30% of dungeon byproducts for 10 years, 5 billion upfront, 5% equity—that's fair. Based on Azure Rose Guild's revenue, current value's around 3 trillion."
"Ooh..."
The expert numbers and terms inspired trust.
Her advice lingered all the way home, money dancing in my thoughts.
"Trillions, huh..."
Sinking into the back seat, it felt detached from reality. A hundred lottery jackpots wouldn't cover it. National budget territory.
"Heh heh..."
I just wanted to sign the deal now.
"Good night."
"You too, Miss So-jeong!"
I waved goodbye and headed back to my room.
Trillions swirled in my mind, but tension easing brought a wave of fatigue.
I flopped onto the bed. Too much today: Made an S-Rank weapon, fretted over fallout, heart skipped at the conference, then unimaginable rewards.
Sleep should've come easy, but overload kept me wired. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand.
'Time for some gallery scrolling.'
Logging into Hunter Gallery, my eyes widened.
Posts flew in at triple the usual speed. Refresh after refresh filled the screen.
And every single one was about the same thing.
So Seol Yu-hee's weapon is really S-Rank?
Weapon name revealed lol Myriad Frost Patterns??
Saw it at the training grounds. At least A+-grade.
But it's imported from abroad anyway, right? All taxpayer money.
Seol Yu-hee's new weapon from the press conference.
Insider leaks from Azure Rose and wild rumors had the gallery in chaos.
And seeing it? I was flying high.
"Hee hee."
They were all talking about my creation.
The whole world buzzing over one piece from my hands. Pure ecstasy for any creator.
I logged in as 'King of the Unemployed' and decided to fan the flames.
I saw it myself ㅇㅇ
Comments exploded instantly.
Brainfart tier
This guy's at it again. Awakened and still got that attention whore disease?
No proof?
S-Rank just a dog name? Lmao
You think? S-Rank ain't that easy.
No one bought it, as expected.
But no frustration—just satisfaction. That's exactly the reaction I wanted.
Whatever they say, that sword's my pure Korean-made S-Rank. Go ahead, trash it more. Only I know the truth.
The info gap made me feel godlike.
"Hee hee..."
I kept posting bait, watched the gallery burn, and drifted off to sleep.