Irregular 2

"First, please accept this card."

I took the white card Lee Musin handed over.

Suddenly, a credit card? The moment I started wondering what it was, Lee Musin spoke right up.

"To start, this card has unlimited limits. Literally unlimited. It's issued in the name of the Republic of Korea government, and the state covers all charges. It's a card issued only to 1st-grade Irregulars, with a monthly limit of 5 billion won. Of course, even if you exceed 5 billion, the card won't be blocked. You'll just get a notification text. And we won't ask you to pay it back personally or anything. We'll just politely request that you use it a bit more sparingly. In fact, not long ago, one Irregular bought a 70-billion-won private jet because travel was inconvenient, but we didn't charge them a dime extra."

"F-Five billion a month? A s-seventy-billion-won private jet?"

An uncontrollable gasp escaped my lips. Forget the greatness of potions—this shocked me more. Not 5 billion a year, but per month. That meant 60 billion a year, all free.

"It's laughably insufficient compared to the true value of your potions, but think of it as a modest token of our sincerity. Use it without any burden. Oh, but no cash advances. If you need cash, just let us know, and we'll arrange another way."

He wasn't wrong. At 3.33 million won each for 1,500 potions, that was nearly 5 billion. But if I sold those potions to the rich? Would 3.33 million even be an issue? People would snap them up at 100 million, hell, even a billion each. Lee Musin knew that, which was why he offered 5 billion while looking apologetic.

But my feelings were a bit different. Until recently, I'd been scraping by on a monthly salary just over 2 million won! After bills and rent, my actual living expenses were barely 1 million. When I became a hunter and started earning 6.66 million a month, I was over the moon. And now? 50 billion a month. Or more. All free. How ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠could I possibly stay calm?

"This card is valid for as long as Kim Suho exists as a hunter of the Republic of Korea. If something comes up and you can't supply potions, please let us know in advance. And if you're short on herbs or other materials, just say the word anytime. We'll mobilize the full forces of the Five Great Guilds to procure them."

"Yes. I'll make sure it doesn't happen, but if it does, I'll inform you ahead of time—."

Unlike other potion makers, I didn't need herbs at all, so it was irrelevant. But I couldn't blurt out the truth, so I played along appropriately.

"Second, all tax obligations are waived for Kim Suho. This covers every tax, including income from hunter activities. From now on, no taxes on potion sales either."

50 billion was shocking, but this was no small surprise either. Hunters' taxes were insane. They made up the largest share of Korea's tax revenue, with a whopping 45% rate. Some hunters even left for other countries over it, but it wasn't much better elsewhere. The US and most EU nations averaged 55-60%, and China hit 70%. Developing hunter nations charged a lower 30%, but hunters who fled there often returned due to poor environments and low-level peers.

Waiving all of that? Long-term, it was worth way more than 50 billion a month. Once my mana grew and I ramped up production? Easily over 50 billion monthly.

"Third, we're granting you a blanket pardon. Even for murder, no legal punishment. Provided you maintain self-defense, of course. Though depending on the opponent, it applies even without that. If any incident arises, just contact me directly."

What the hell?

Now I was getting scared. No matter how amazing Irregulars were, pardoning murder under self-defense? Even ignoring that depending on the target?

"Is this even allowed?"

I blurted in shock. But Lee Musin shifted to a different aura as he replied.

"Yes, it is. That's what an Irregular is. Not some noble sacrifice for the greater good. It's the natural law of the jungle."

"The law of the jungle? This isn't the stone age."

I started to argue, but he cut me off.

"It's far worse now. Since dungeons and hunters appeared, the world has regressed. Dungeon raids are just rebranded battles—dozens, hundreds daily, with scores dying. And that's just the known ones. Wars over dungeons rage in secret too. Nations pull every trick to poach other countries' Irregulars for an edge. In this reality, to protect citizens and preserve the state, we must bear such costs."

Overwhelmed by his intensity, I couldn't respond.

"But don't worry. It's just talk—no such hunter exists. You're not a murderer, right, Kim Suho? Now, onto the rest of the benefits."

His aura softened instantly, the mood flipping. The remaining perks weren't as major, but hardly minor: free access to all hunter facilities nationwide (separate from the card), first-class flights on domestic airlines, free rooms at any hotel in Korea, and dozens more.

"Finally, a request. When your identity goes public and foreign offers come, don't rush into naturalization—talk to me first. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And if you do decide to, please don't forget Korea."

Offering all this, yet worried about defection. What kind of deals were other countries making?

I had zero intention of leaving, but now I was curious.

"I'm not considering naturalization anywhere else. And as you said, if I waver, I'll consult you first—."

I didn't spout empty assurances. Just honest words, and Lee Musin seemed satisfied.

"Good. No clichés like 'I love Korea'—that's why I trust you more. For questions or needs, contact this number. It's my personal line, known only to Irregulars. Only two people in Korea know your full status: me and you. That's why I kept the Prime Minister away. If something happens to me, it'll route to my successor—don't be startled. It was a pleasure."

After parting with Lee Musin, I rode back with the reporter's car and crashed at home. Lying there, staring at the ceiling, I pondered.

Not grand thoughts. I'd mulled NPC class plenty, and potions were amazing, but that was it. Not replaying Lee Musin's words either. Wars or battles elsewhere? None of my business.

Other Irregulars? The thought alone bred aversion—I wanted no part of them.

So what was I thinking?

What to do with 5 billion? Gotta spend some before heading back to Origin Potion Workshop in three days. Where though?

Yeah. Just how to blow 5 billion.

Call me materialistic—I didn't care. Not using this card would be the real sin. And it was fair pay for my potions.

Thus, I drowned in spending dilemmas.

"Damn, who am I to spend like this?"

I dreamed of 5-billion bliss but wasted three days without touching it.

"Still, cracking the potion secret ain't bad. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Never expected this difference."

Over those three days, I'd gone all-out decoding healing potions. Bought every market potion and compared them meticulously.

After nonstop days and nights, I cracked it.

Bottom line: my mana was unlike other hunters'.

Theirs stemmed from dungeons—faster regen inside, slower out. Mine? No dungeon access, so different origin. I still didn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠know where it came from. But unlike others, my regen was fast outside too.

That alone proved it was unique.

The giveaway? Potion taste, hilariously.

Healing potions had a sweet, refreshing tang. At the end, a subtle fruit note: apple, grape, strawberry—one per type.

Mine? No fruit. No sweetness. Just intense refreshment.

Like artificial fizz in others vs. pure underground spring in mine.

Thus, I realized my mana was fundamentally different, explaining the healing disparities.

No dungeon mana, so no addiction. But would it work on other hunters?

I messaged the five who'd bought mine.

"Effect? Amazing. Healing same as basics, but applies way faster. Want more—when you selling?"

All five said the same: same heal amount, but superior speed.

Slightly different from my tests. Worked on normals (no addiction) and hunters (faster recovery).

Just healing for now, so no full verdict. But curiosity sated, mana quirks noted—fire out.

Three days later, back to Origin Potion Workshop.

"Done. It's done."

Finally, second potion after healing: antidote.

Twenty days back at the workshop. Tsunia herb understanding complete, following Krun.

No superior version appeared. Bit disappointing, but fitting. Universal superiors would be a headache.

I was NPC, not some potion master. Goal: 100% on stamina recovery, strength boost, speed enhancement.

Once those hit, workshop hiatus—even if superiors or news popped.

Potion shop opened, strength and stamina rose once—then stalled. Stats wildly imbalanced.

Even mages aren't this lopsided.

Didn't matter. No dungeons for me.

Better yet, target potions nearly done—one or two herbs away.

Strange mix of feelings as the end neared.

Antidote unlocked, next day: second NPC ability after shop.

It threw me too. Never imagined this use.

To be continued in the next chapter...