Independence 1
"Thank you so much for everything."
I bowed at a perfect ninety degrees to Seo Taehee and Seo Taeju, expressing my gratitude.
"We're not gonna stop seeing each other. Why the formalities?" Seo Taeju said awkwardly in response to my bow.
"If anything, we should be thanking you. Suho, thanks to you, we honored our contracts perfectly and even landed new ones," Seo Taehee added.
Still, considering what I'd gained, I was the one who was truly indebted. I'd awakened to my true potential as an NPC, and as a bonus(?), I'd even gained a hunter named Jeonghun. There was no comparison.
It almost felt bad leaving like this.
If only I could hand out a nice quest or two as a parting gift. Too bad it's not up to me.
That was when it happened.
Would you like to grant a quest to Player Seo Taeju using 100 mana?
NPC affinity is high, reducing mana cost by 50%.
Would you like to grant a quest to Player Seo Taeju using 50 mana?
[Yes] / [No]
Of course yes. Yes.
Would you like to grant a quest to Player Seo Taehee using 100 mana?
NPC affinity is high, reducing mana cost by 50%.
Would you like to grant a quest to Player Seo Taehee using 50 mana?
[Yes] / [No]
Yes, I said. Definitely yes.
Suddenly, quest windows popped up, and Seo Taeju and Seo Taehee's faces filled with shock.
I pretended not to notice and asked, "What's going on?"
"Huh? Oh, no—I mean, it's not... like that..."
"Yeah? No, it's nothing. I mean..."
I barely held back a laugh. Then, wanting them to enjoy the moment, I quickly made myself scarce.
"Looks like something came up. Go check it out. I'll head out now—and I'll keep in touch."
With that, I left behind my small parting gifts of gratitude for Seo Taeju and Seo Taehee as I walked away from the Origin Potion Workshop with a light heart.
So I can hand out quests like this too.
Seo Taeju and Seo Taehee had helped me until the very end. It seemed I could spend mana on other hunters to assign quests—and the mana cost even let me gauge their affinity toward me as an NPC.
Good thing the quest rewards will help noona and hyung out.
Advanced Herb Gatherer
May blessings fall upon those who walk the path of the herb gatherer.
📍 Progress: Process different herbs (0/50)
🎁 Reward: Herb Encyclopedia (detailed info on habitats, processing methods, etc. for 108 herb types)
Advanced Potion Brewer
May blessings fall upon those who walk the path of the potion brewer.
📍 Progress: Brew healing potions with different success rates (0/10)
🎁 Reward: 2 Advanced Healing Potion Recipes (enhanced healing amount, enhanced recovery speed)
No need to mention Seo Taeju, but the potions Seo Taehee would receive felt like they could rival any healer's potions. And with two types divided by recovery style? That alone could make her the best in healing potions.
"Suho hyung, what's this?"
After leaving the workshop, I met up with Jeonghun and handed him a set of five potions.
"Potions you'll need to get used to before taking on the Poison Drake."
I explained each one. The antidote potion needed no explanation—he had already experienced it—but the others did.
"You've probably used plenty of potions before, but mine are a bit different."
Jeonghun nodded vigorously. When I called the potion that cured his poisoning a "mere antidote potion," he had nearly collapsed from shock.
"The problem is, I don't know their exact effects either. So you'll test them—figure out the performance and get used to them."
"If it's your potions, Suho hyung, it's an honor anytime."
He replied immediately, full of excitement.
"Good. Then it's on you. By the way, are you sure you're okay with this? Not going back to Emperor Guild?"
I casually threw out the question, and Jeonghun, seeing through it, grinned mischievously.
"Nope. Never! If I go back, I won't get your potions or quests anymore."
"Obviously. I can't support a rival guild."
"Heh. That's why I'm sticking with you. Right by your side, hyung."
His cheeky grin made me laugh too.
"Don't come begging me to let you go later."
"Don't tell me to leave later."
Once Jeonghun stored the potions and headed into the dungeon, I called Lee Musin.
"Yes, Kim Suho-ssi. What can I do for you?"
"I need some cash."
"How much?"
I hesitated for a moment before answering. I'd just spent over 20 billion on Jeonghun's gear, so asking for more felt awkward.
"...About 50 billion."
"Give me five minutes. I'll transfer it."
Contrary to my worries, Lee Musin didn't hesitate at all.
For a moment, I wondered if I'd said 50 billion like it was 500 won. His casual response left me speechless.
"You're not curious why?"
"For 50 billion—not 5 trillion—why would I ask?"
I had no choice but to admire his generosity. It also reminded me how he viewed Irregulars.
I had planned to explain only if he asked, but feeling slightly defeated, I brought up the increased potion supply instead.
"My healing potion output has increased. I can supply 500 more per month. Starting this month, that'll be 2,000 total."
"Wha—really?! Thank you so much!"
Wait, why is he reacting like that?
"Healing potions have been in short supply lately. Everyone's been begging for more—I've been under constant pressure. You really saved me, Kim Suho-ssi."
That was a lucky break. More than the money, I felt relieved by how much he valued saving lives.
"Glad I could help."
"Help? This is a godsend. Korea producing someone like you… If you ever need anything, just call."
The call ended, and less than a minute later, 50 billion was transferred into my account.
With the funds secured, I went on a proper shopping spree(?) while Jeonghun headed into the dungeon to test the potions.
Jeonghun picked a C-rank dungeon to test Suho's potions. For pure hunting, he'd have gone for a B-rank, but today was all about testing.
At the entrance, over a dozen hunters milled about, unable to enter.
"What's going on? Why's everyone just standing around?"
As he got closer, their chatter reached his ears.
"Why the hell are those bastards messing around here?"
"Watch it! They're from Justice Guild. If you piss them off, they'll retaliate."
"Screw that. At a time like this, they're controlling dungeons? Who do they think they are—one of the Big Five?"
The situation became clear from their complaints.
Sigh, some things never change with those guys.
Jeonghun knew Justice Guild well. Their reputation alone was bad enough, not to mention his own past run-ins with them.
He pushed past the hunters and headed for the entrance.
"Hey, you. Didn't the guys back there tell you? This dungeon belongs to Justice Guild—gurk!"
No need to hear the rest. Jeonghun struck the man's throat with his palm.
As the fool choked, Jeonghun pivoted on his right foot and slammed his elbow into the back of the man's head.
Thud.
The guarding hunter collapsed. Jeonghun ignored him and walked into the dungeon.
"Whoa, who was that guy?"
"He attacked the moment he heard 'Justice Guild.' Dude's got balls."
"Wait... I feel like I've seen this before?"
"Same here... feels familiar."
Inside, there were no other hunters—thanks to the blockade. Jeonghun passed through the safe zone and entered the cave tunnel.
Soon after, a monster’s screech echoed.
Moments later, a massive two-meter bat appeared.
"Alright, first—normal run. No potions."
Jeonghun engaged as usual, without using any potions.
Thud-thud.
Charging forward, he kicked off the ground and leaped.
"Mad Slash!"
His greatsword cut through one of the bat’s wings.
Slash.
Screee!
A third of the wing was severed.
As he landed, Jeonghun kicked off the wall and struck the wounded wing again.
"Wound Aggravation."
A bloody aura coated the blade, causing the wound to tear open even wider.
Screeeee!
The bat, now enraged, lunged at Jeonghun with its wings and claws.
Most hunters would dodge such a desperate charge—but not Jeonghun. A grin spread across his face.
"This is it!"
He dove straight into the flurry of wings and talons.
Bam. Bam.
His greatsword moved like a whirlwind, parrying every attack—smashing, slashing, stabbing, and thrusting in perfect balance between offense and defense.
Flawless.
His eyes turned crimson.
"Rampage."
Madness surged through him. His signature skill activated, boosting attack speed, power, and skill efficiency by 30% at the cost of 1 Madness per second.
In this state, he relentlessly overwhelmed the bat.
"Mad Slash!"
The final strike severed its neck.
The battle ended.
"3 minutes 10 seconds... Now, time to test the potions."
First up: the strength enhancement potion.
From deeper inside the cave, another bat screeched.
Screee.
Hearing it, Jeonghun drank the potion.
The notification startled him—not once, but twice.
Strength increased by 30%. Duration: 5 minutes.
"Gah! What the—? That's so like Suho hyung. I wish all potions explained themselves like this."
Jeonghun had expected something unusual. With Suho’s potions, anything was possible. But even then, this was beyond expectation.
No need for testing if all potions displayed their effects this clearly. Normally, you just felt the boost—there were no numbers.
Suho had completely broken that norm.
"In terms of power... Bishop's might be slightly stronger?"
He compared it to the potions he used back in Emperor Guild. There were no notifications, but from experience, Bishop’s potions seemed to give slightly higher raw power.
But duration? Bishop’s lasted only three minutes. Suho’s lasted five.
That alone gave Suho the edge.
"Still need to check for side effects."
Without wasting time, he charged another bat.
Standing still while testing? Not his style.
"Mad Slash."
With enhanced strength, the attack became even more destructive—what used to cut a third of a wing now cut half.
The bat crashed to the ground. Jeonghun leaped onto its head and brought his greatsword down with both hands.
Bam.
The bat died instantly.
"Too fast... Still got time. Let's take down another."
After defeating two more bats, the potion wore off.
"Huh? No side effects?"
He waited, expecting some kind of penalty—but nothing happened.
"No way Suho hyung's potions are worse than Bishop’s trash."
Bishop’s potions always came with a drawback—your strength would drop afterward, forcing you to retreat.
Jeonghun tried drinking another one.
Cooldown remaining: 165 seconds.
No immediate reuse. No stacking either. Same limitations as other potions.
Even so, it was far superior.
"5 minutes duration, 3 minutes cooldown, no penalty, 30% boost... This is insane."
Next: the speed enhancement potion.
Movement speed and attack speed increased by 30%. Duration: 5 minutes.
Same system, different effect.
Heart racing, Jeonghun drank both potions and faced another monster.
Strength and speed combined—it felt like his power had doubled.
"Whoa... This is crazy. I'm already hooked. Quests, potions... No matter what, I can't leave Suho hyung's side."
That was the moment Jeonghun completely fell into Suho’s grasp.
To be continued in the next chapter...
The Hunter Who Awakened as an NPC