Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Pointy-Ears and the Auction House
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To cut to the chase, I've ended up freeloading at Jin Su-bin's place.
Parasite.
Attaching oneself to another organism and sucking up its nutrients.
The word has a bit of a bad vibe...
But face reality.
'This is paradise!'
In the mornings, the savory aroma of doenjang jjigae hits my nose.
Freshly cooked rice and meat side dishes are laid out on the table.
'Su-bin unnie is a goddess. Can't be helped.'
I'm like a pet being raised by its creator?
My lord has spoken.
"Seo-ah, say ahh."
And to top it off, this goddess is a beauty who's gentle to boot.
'Gonna leech off her for life.'
No need to do any housework either.
Laundry? The dryer handles it.
Dishwashing? Not my job.
Cleaning? Robot vacuum and Jin Su-bin take care of it.
I just wag my tail at my owner when she gets home from work.
Of course, it's a metaphor.
I don't have a real tail.
Getting my head patted is my daily routine.
Only a madman would leave this heaven.
'Not going anywhere.'
I've decided to be shameless.
A man's pride? Does that put food on the table?
In just a week, this lifestyle was etched deep into my DNA.
And it's been like this ever since.
I, human Han Seon-woo. No, Han Seo-ah.
Finally found my sanctuary.
"Seo-ah, no picky eating. Gotta eat balanced to grow tall."
"Ugh... I hate greens."
"Sesame oil makes it tasty."
"It's spinach..."
"What do you like then?"
"Sausage. Lots of ketchup."
"Tsk. No picky eating. Say ahh and I'll give you a reward."
"Reward?"
"Chicken for dinner?"
"Ah—."
I obediently opened my mouth.
The grassy taste of spinach spread in my mouth, but I swallowed it down, thinking of the chicken awaiting me tonight.
Jin Su-bin smiled contentedly and patted my head.
Her large palm covered my entire scalp.
It was warm.
'Thanks to this, I've saved up money nicely too.'
Thanks to this ranching—no, parasitic lifestyle, I've hit my goal ahead of schedule.
Money.
The blood of capitalism and a hunter's combat power.
After Gear God and Chicken God, my third chosen deity.
After breakfast, I flopped onto the sofa and opened my banking app.
Fingerprint scan, and the number appeared.
524,150,000 KRW
Five hundred twenty-four million, one hundred fifty thousand won.
My eyes trembled faintly as they scanned the digits.
"Heh heh heh..."
A dumb grin leaked from the corner of my mouth.
The largest sum I've ever held in my past or present life.
The sources are clear.
230 million from selling Han Seo-ah's old apartment.
250 million earned grinding Jamsil Gates for three months.
After subtracting gear repairs, transport (taxis add up), and snack costs, this is what I scrimped together.
And finally.
The most painful but rational decision.
I sold off all the game accounts the original 'Han Seo-ah' had nurtured before possession.
'No wonder they called me crazy.'
I clicked my tongue while sorting them.
Over 20 accounts including subs. Billions sunk in.
Recovery rate was abysmal, of course.
That's gacha games for you.
Feels like luxury bags when investing, trash when selling.
Still, as 'named' accounts, enthusiasts paid a premium.
Totaling 40 million.
Thus, my seed money of 524 million was complete.
I forcibly tamped down my rising grin.
With this, a jeonse in a Gangnam officetel? Doable.
Or park it in safe treasuries and live off interest modestly.
'Maybe SCHD? Sweet dividends...'
But.
'Not enough.'
I clenched my fist.
My goal is no longer mere survival.
'Gonna be a chaebol. Possessed a scam character like this.'
A life enjoying all the world's probabilities, crushing them with cash without money worries.
Han Seo-ah's abilities shine enough for that.
To get there, I need to grow this 524 million.
To 5 billion, 50 billion—no, 500 billion.
Gambling?
Stocks?
Crypto?
Unfortunately, my skills [Insight] and [Gacha Ritual] are limited to hunter items.
I checked the calendar.
May 31st.
Hunter Market's massive auction day.
'Now that's real gambling.'
I quit gacha games.
I've been reborn.
Dopamine addict Han Seon-woo, and Han Seo-ah, are gone.
'Time to get my head straight.'
Of course, shaking off dopamine's temptation won't be easy.
Neither Han Seon-woo nor Han Seo-ah were that type.
Still—
'I've got skills. No need to get hyped over data scraps.'
Real gacha is right in front of me.
With probability correction skills to boot.
'Save the cash for real pulls.'
"Heh heh..."
That was when.
"Seo-ah?"
A soft sensation poked my cheek.
"Ow!"
"What wicked thoughts got you grinning like that? Drool's about to drip."
It was Jin Su-bin.
She looked down at me, rubber gloves off.
Narrowed eyes.
The exact look of a big sister interrogating her troublemaking sibling.
"Grinning all creepy like that scares away luck."
"I wasn't grinning!"
"Want a mirror? Your lips are to your ears."
Her face suddenly drew close.
"See?"
"What..."
"My eyes. They reflect like a mirror. Heh."
Lavender scent wafted over.
My heart thudded down.
'Always sneaks in like this.'
She has a knack for stabbing the heart's softest spot before defenses kick in.
I averted my gaze and mumbled.
"Well... something good. Super important shopping today."
"Where to?"
"That thing I mentioned before. Hunter Market. Auction House."
"Auction House?"
Jin Su-bin's expression hardened.
As association staff, she knows.
It's a demon realm where human desires boil fiercer than monsters.
'Yeah, that's the setting.'
"Can you go alone? I could tag along off-duty."
"I'm not a kid? I'm a hunter. Can protect myself."
"Who was running from goblins?"
"Strategic retreat!"
I pouted.
Jin Su-bin chuckled and tugged my cheek.
It stretched like glutinous rice cake.
"Ubbuh... let gooo..."
"Fine, fine. But promise: ignore weird uncles, don't take freebies."
After kneading a while, my cheek was freed.
"What am I, kindergarten?"
"Act like it. Only overlook cuz you're cute."
She headed to the entrance, slipping on her jacket.
Crisp office look as always.
Neatly combed-back hair and intellectual glasses.
No trace of the 'unnie' rolling around hugging me at home—just the aura of a cool 'senior admin officer'.
"I'm off. Eat well, no trouble."
"See you. Earn big."
"Gotta grind bones to buy treats for my baby. Sigh..."
Yet her eyes curved into crescents.
Door locked behind her waving back.
I finally exhaled.
"Whew..."
My morning isn't leisurely either.
Into the room to change.
Black cargo pants, baggy gray hoodie.
Black mask, cap.
Mirror showed a shady dealer.
'Perfect.'
Not too conspicuous, but hard to approach—creepy vibe.
Checked the card with 524 million in my pocket.
My weapon and ammo.
'Gonna snag one for sure.'
Out the door.
Bike rack corner, my steed awaited.
Used e-bike.
Dusted it off and mounted.
'Gotta retire this soon too.'
Saved it for auction, but a good 'score' today means more leeway.
Vroom—.
Throttle twist, motor hummed.
Destination: Teheran-ro underground.
[Hunter Market]
Specifically, today's battlefield: '3rd Auction House' for B-Rank and below.
Wind brushed my cheeks.
Late May spring sun dazzled.
This thrill.
That chewy tension right before hitting gacha.
'Been a while.'
Worlds apart from smartphone screens.
This time, no data scraps.
Reality.
Gangnam Station Exit 1 rear.
Worn mall basement parking entrance: 'Under Construction' sign.
Civilian deterrent camouflage.
'Everyone who matters knows anyway.'
Secret market aesthetics or whatever.
Game lore, so nitpicking's weird.
Pulled bike in.
Darkness: red scanner swept 'Hunter License'.
[Identity Confirmed: Han Seo-ah (F-Rank Hunter)]
[Entry Permitted.]
Clunk.
Heavy iron door opened, noise poured out.
Woooah—!
Basement 3rd floor plaza.
Ant swarm crowd.
Monster byproducts, potions, gear, sweat, and blood.
'This is Hunter Market...'
"Fresh orc leather in today! Just 500k won!"
"Potions for sale! Association-certified genuine!"
"Need a healer!"
Noisy.
But the din wasn't bad.
Smell of life.
Writhing desires on-site.
Locked bike, pushed through crowd.
Being 149cm helped here.
Body optimized for slipping through gaps.
"Excuse me, coming through!"
"Hey, don't shove!"
Elbowed and shouldered, but pressed on stubbornly.
Destination: central dome building in plaza.
[Auction House]
Entrance: suited bulkies stood guard.
They checked entrants' balances and ranks.
"Next."
My turn.
Guard scanned me top to bottom.
Hoodie-covered kid.
Looked like an elementary kid on mom's errand.
"Kid, no entry without guardian. Go buy candy over there."
He waved me off.
I silently offered my card.
Tap terminal.
Beep—.
[Balance Verified: Entry Allowed]
Guard's brow twitched.
Double-checked the number, attitude flipped 180.
"Ah, sorry. You're a hunter. This way."
Power of capitalism.
Chin up, strode in proudly.
'Whoa... real deal's different.'
Game vs. reality always surprises.
Inside like an opera house. Lavish.
Red velvet, chandeliers.
Security and high-end displays.
'Crowded.'
Circular seats packed with heads.
Mostly guild reps or moneyed solo hunters.
Plopped in back corner seat.
Too big—feet dangled.
"Ngh... hate oversized seats."
Swung legs, stared at stage center.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Monthly auction starts at noon sharp!"
Lights dimmed, spotlights fell.
First items up.
'Boxes soon. Gacha pulls incoming.'
Calmed my racing heart.