Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Gray Market Deals
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There's a way to snag the cheapest deals in a massive market like this.
Appeal to that cognitive bias of wanting to help out folks short on cash?
No way that works.
It's the total opposite.
"If I spot some good stuff, I'm looking to buy in bulk."
The trick to winning over market vendors' hearts is pretending to be a pro.
Even better, act like you're from a business with potential for future deals.
"Where you from?"
But this shopkeeper's no pushover.
He's testing me right off the bat.
"Aw, come on, I can't spill that. You already know."
"Just checking, you know."
Like in any society, markets aren't just the legit online hunter spots or Maestro Guild's above-board scene.
Plenty of folks chase rare goods for non-awakeners with deep pockets, specializing in that gray zone between illegal and legal.
Seems I've passed the shopkeeper's first test.
I gave the shoulder of Im Cheong-su—who was standing there tense and still—a light tap.
"So, shall we take a look around, Agent Im?"
"Huh? Oh, sure thing."
He already looked young, but his flustered vibe made the owner's eyes narrow just a bit.
I ignored it, clasping my hands behind my back like a seasoned vet, and casually strolled the cramped shop interior.
"Still, this place has some real finds."
Saying stuff like that.
'Status window.'
I tried pulling up the owner's status while he fiddled with what looked like a TV remote, but no system response. Non-awakener.
That makes this even easier.
I picked up a few half-decent-looking items from the shelves.
Im Cheong-su looked like he might hurl after reading that last one.
I set them on the counter and casually dropped to the owner,
"Got my first haul of the day. Thanks to you, I won't head home empty-handed, boss. Yangjae was a bust on the way over—I'm wiped."
"Huh? Yangjae Market?"
"Yeah, total nothing there."
The Yangjae Dungeon Byproducts Market had blown up the last few years—direct rival to this Garak spot.
"Yeah, that's all small-time hustlers."
And just like that, he bit.
"Buncha scammers who got booted from here."
He glanced at our picks, didn't even punch the calculator.
"Five hundred thou."
Who're the scammers here?
Like I said, stuff that trickles to secondhand markets has a reason.
It's worthless.
Don't flinch at the absurd price.
"Sure thing. Agent Im, pull out 500k."
"Nah, can't do fifty. You think I dig dirt for a living?"
"We came all the way from Yangjae—cover travel at least, boss."
"Fine, eighty with travel."
Honestly, compared to Maestro underground prices, 800k wasn't a total rip-off.
But that's Maestro.
This is secondhand central.
"I'm beat. Sixty it is."
"No lower than seventy. Shake on 700k."
I sighed dramatically, nodding like I had no choice.
"Man, can't beat our boss."
Then, as a final sweetener,
"Seventy it is, but throw in one from outside as a bonus."
"Money ghost."
Im Cheong-su pulled out Maeng-i again, squinting at me.
I stowed the statue I'd been eyeing in my subspace and shrugged.
"This money ghost feeds the Justice Guild, buddy."
"You ain't resellin' that junk anyway."
"Sharp eye, huh?"
Not haggling over a no-cert C-grade with a vague "blessing" description for pocket change resale.
"Alright, put that sharp eye to real use."
"Whoa!"
Hitting the dungeon byproduct zone proper, Im Cheong-su's eyes lit up.
"Tweet tweet!"
Maeng-i's tiny eyes went wide, sniffing like mad.
"First time seein' this many dungeon goods in one spot!"
"Gotta be Seoul's biggest specialist market for this stuff."
Not quite the scale of the farm produce next door, but buzzing with crowds.
Raw dungeon goods—no mana stones—specialized by shop: herbs here, hides there.
"Sis! Herbs that way!"
His specialty.
He bolted ahead, practically floating with excitement.
But the thrill faded fast.
"This one's dried all wrong."
He muttered, frustrated.
"No good ones?"
We'd looped the whole stretch empty-handed.
"Handling and storage all botched."
He whispered so vendors wouldn't hear.
"They're pros, though."
"Not sayin' they're trash, just..."
"Chii..."
s(・｀ヘ´・ ;)ゞ
Maeng-i chimed in from the side.
"See that purple flower? Jekari wild herb. Better to roast in a hot pot than dry."
"Oh yeah?"
"But they dried it—half the effect gone."
His eyes dripped regret at the best of the bunch.
Same story everywhere.
We grabbed a few anyway—no leaving empty-handed—but nothing thrilled him.
Mostly raw dungeon plants.
"I can fix these up at home, make 'em usable."
"Im Cheong-su."
"Yeah?"
"Write a book later. 'How to Handle Dungeon Plants Right' or something."
I figured he'd whine about the hassle, but he went quiet.
I turned—thick brows raised, staring like I'd shocked him.
"Why the look?"
"Sometimes I get you, sis."
Im Cheong-su and Maeng-i shook their heads in sync.
"Thought you were just a money ghost, but you think about others too."
"I just said write the book."
"Keepin' it to myself makes bank."
True.
But.
"You sleeping on royalties?"
Like a teen who knows one thing and nothing else.
"One good book? That's real money."
"Exactly."
He tsked his tongue.
"Book might be much, but yeah, should spread it some."
"Aw, giving it away for free stings."
But I won't stop him.
His knowledge out there? Potions level up overall. Hunters prep better for the end.
"Grab these and head ba—huh?"
Im Cheong-su suddenly sped up.
His target: a quiet corner shop with low foot traffic.
The owner waved him off lazily.
"No retail here. Beat it, kid!"
"Hey, mister. This jekari—this roasted, not dried, right?"
"Eh? Chungcheong boy?"
"Hey."
"Whoa, local boy's here!"
Korea's all about school ties, blood, region after all.
Anyway, proud watching Im Cheong-su geek out in expert lingo only pros'd get—
"What the fuck."
Chills exploded down my back.
Killing intent. Felt it once in a dungeon before.
Air turned muggy hot around me.
"Ugh, please no."
I turned slowly.
Please not.
But damn, my gut was right.
Dead center of the bustling market, one guy in a suit that screamed out of place.
"Hello, Nayeo-ju."
His smile's lips too red.
"Sama Young of Sama Guild. Care for a quick chat?"
Venom-bloomed Sama Young had tracked me down.