Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Opening and Model
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I've said it over and over, but I don't have acrophobia or anything like that.
I'm the guy who flawlessly completed that 11-meter mock tower drop training in the military, which they say terrifies people the most.
Not to mention, how could someone with a fear of heights dream of a rooftop room on a skyscraper?
In fact, I enjoyed the fireworks from the rooftop of White Night Castle without feeling particularly scared.
So, claiming I fear heights is a false truth. It could even be called vicious slander.
"Dawn... you okay, right?"
"Y-Yeah! N-No problem at all."
That said, a completely glass floor all the way down is still tough.
To be honest, this is a special case.
Even someone without acrophobia might feel a bit of fear.
The glass is so damn transparent it feels like you're floating in midair, you know?
They didn't need to apply fancy tech like this here. Total waste of manpower.
Squeeze.
Still, having something solid to hold onto makes it way better.
Especially when you squeeze your eyes shut and bury your face in a soft embrace.
"Dawn, it kinda hurts when you hug that tight."
"......"
I ignored the complaint. Honestly, I barely heard it.
My heart was pounding too loudly.
And my ears were only tuned to the elevator announcement: "Doors opening."
Ding!
[Doors opening.]
Yeah, just like right now.
Ziiing. As soon as the doors opened, I bolted out.
It was almost adjacent to winter, so naturally, the inside of White Night Castle was pretty steamy.
Maybe from the tension, but heat was pouring off my whole body. Too hot—way too hot. My throat burned with thirst.
"You'll trip if you run like that."
"Cute. You were really scared, huh. Want me to carry you down?"
"Jina, you smell like cigarettes, so no."
"Huh? I've been smoke-free for 7 hours now?"
I tuned out their bickering behind me and trotted—tap tap tap—to a nearby coffee shop.
Even on a weekday, the place was packed, but that wasn't a problem.
I had my White Night VIP card.
Like a theme park free pass, it let me skip lines at all the shops in White Night Castle.
Slurp!
"Haa...!"
Only after sucking down a mint choco frappe piled high with whipped cream did I finally feel like I could breathe.
This is life.
"Dawn, if it's gonna be like this, how about taking the regular elevator next time?"
Ha Young wiped the fresh sweat beading on my forehead with a handkerchief and asked.
"Then it wouldn't look right."
They say successful businessmen buy time with money for a reason.
Same for me. It felt like a waste not to use the VIP perks when I could.
"And... there are already so many people. Waiting would take forever."
It'd been about 20 minutes since the broadcast ended? Yet the department store section was swarming.
Not far off, I saw a long line snaking out. Probably waiting to get into Molrangmol. Still 30 minutes till opening, and they're already hyped like that.
"Yeah. Wonder if all those in line are hunters."
"Probably some regular folks just here for merch too. I hear that's pretty popular."
"Yeah. My niece keeps bugging me to buy it every time I see her."
"Huh? Seojin, you have a niece?"
"What's with that reaction? I have an older sister, so of course I could have a niece."
"Thought you were an only child for sure."
"Agreed."
Slurp!
I enjoyed my mint choco on my own, while the three of them chatted as we headed toward Molrangmol.
Honestly, I kinda wanted to join their conversation.
But, well.
The class difference, and the age gap, felt like a wall.
We were boss and employees first off, and given my status, I wasn't even 10 years older than them? No, way more.
Psychologically, it was hard to be totally casual.
Slurp!
So all I could do was suck on my straw.
Gulp gulp!
......Already finished. Should've savored it more.
"Jina, isn't that A-rank hunter over there? Pretty sure I saw him on SNS the other day."
"Yeah. But he's from Hwayeon. Why's he lining up there?"
A CEO really is like a lonely wolf.
I walked a bit ahead of the three, pretending not to care while eavesdropping.
"Not anymore, I think. Heard he joined White Night a few days ago."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
Oh. An A-rank hunter transferring. Pretty rare.
Looks like Hwayeon's rejections and White Night's recruitment push are working.
Might make the Q4 top 5 guild growth charts next-next month look pretty good.
"But how'd you know that, Seojin?"
Right. Now that I think about it, super suspicious.
A solo play lover like her knowing about other hunters...?
"Talked to him a few times while prepping for my A-rank promotion."
"Oh... speaking of, when's your promotion? Dawn sent you 200 million to cheer you on, right?"
"Huh? Dawn, for real?"
By chance, the conversation arrow pointed my way.
Finally, a chance to jump in. I was about to die of loneliness.
"Of course. You've been through a lot, so that much welfare is the least I can do."
"Welfare? More like you got cocky aiming for A-rank and snapped your spine."
As always, Jina's pitying jab flew at her, and Seojin counterattacked in her own way.
"Nah. It wasn't just for me—it was for our Dawn... and for Molrangmol."
"...Me?"
"Yeah, Dawn. Molrangmol's got a name for itself now, but having a B-rank as the rep hunter doesn't look good."
Hearing it laid out, she had a point.
With White Night at our feet—no, partnering with White Night, having Molrangmol's face be B-rank felt off.
"So I worked extra hard. Don't worry. I'll hustle even more with what you gave me and aim for S-rank."
Doubtful.
Sure, aiming high is admirable, but reality's wall was thick.
Right now, Korea had exactly 6 S-rank hunters.
The heads of the top 5 guilds and one independent.
"Well.... I'll look forward to it."
I gave Seojin some moderate encouragement and picked up the pace.
Because not far off, I spotted Joo Haneul, a real S-rank hunter. She recognized me too and waved happily.
"Dawn! Been waiting for you."
"Hi."
"And the ones behind... you're not the creator, right?"
"Nope. They're all here like my guardians."
"Oh...."
Haneul let out a sigh full of disappointment. Every time this happens, I wanna just blurt out my identity!
Of course, I held back tight. Fruit not ripe yet.
"Wanna peek inside first? Still 20 minutes till opening."
Haneul pointed to Molrangmol's interior.
Maybe to limit capacity, it had thick glass outer walls and screen doors.
All transparent glass, but right now covered with tarps, so no peeking in.
"That okay?"
"Of course."
We followed Haneul's lead inside Molrangmol.
The stares pouring in were intense.
Jealousy from the folks lined up, waiting desperately for opening.
Feels kinda nice getting VIP treatment?
"Ooh...."
Inside Molrangmol.
Not sure why, but the walls were tarped too, but even setting that aside, the interior was pretty nice.
Plenty of Molrangmol merch in stock, Molrangtori neatly displayed, and this is...
"They sell this suit too?"
In the central transparent glass display case: Molrangtex.
Not plain Molrangtex, but the cyberpunk-style bodysuit Haneul wore for the demo.
Stuck to the mannequin, it looked just like Haneul wearing it.
Did they even mold the mannequin from her?
"Uh.... no. Not for sale. Well, actually, it's already sold..."
"Huh?"
"Auctioned it off a few days ago."
Auction meaning the ones with hunters' prized items and rare materials, right.
"Aw, too bad. Wanted to see you wear it again. It looked so good."
"......I'm never wearing it again."
Haneul said, cheeks slightly flushed. Pretty firm tone.
What a shame.
"So, how much did it go for?"
Around 100 million? Nah, too much.
But considering Haneul's S-rank popularity, maybe worth that.
"......2.5 billion."
"Huh?"
"Sold for 2.5 billion."
What insane price!
More than a lotto jackpot. Definitely right to sell. No regrets needed.
"That... 'Black and White' group? You might not know them, but..."
I knew. Probably Haneul's fan club.
"They pooled money to buy it. Didn't expect it'd fetch that much."
Wow... fandom is scary. Burning 2.5 billion on a worn bodysuit?
Life as a celeb ain't easy.
Musing on that while eyeing the suit, opening time arrived.
Rustle! Rustle!
The roughly 7 staff started pulling back the tarps.
Now I could see the people waiting outside.
Walls' tarps fully removed, revealing the full interior...
Huh?
That’s...
"How's it look? Photos came out nice, right?"
Something I'd slightly overlooked.
But obvious in hindsight.
Covering the walls and pillars:
Molrangmol merch's exclusive model: me.