Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: My Slave (4)
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Druruk.
"Hm..."
Seoul Black Tower, 4th floor.
Park Won-jun, having taken down twenty ant-type monsters, stepped into the boss room.
The boss room—a place where most hunters instinctively felt dread.
But Won-jun simply walked forward.
"This is really convenient."
The tower's bosses were total pushovers.
No hiding or anything; they just popped out as soon as you approached.
Like they were saying, let's settle this with raw power, fair and square?
"Whoa, up close it's even grosser."
Won-jun grimaced at the massive red ant glaring at him.
But thinking of it as money rather than a monster made it a lot less repulsive.
Oh, right.
Suddenly it hit him—higher-floor hunters who operated in the upper levels relied heavily on gear.
Would he end up using equipment someday too?
Back in the murim world, Won-jun excelled in bare-handed fist techniques, palm strikes, finger arts, and natural energy martial arts, but what first made him famous was his swordsmanship.
"..."
Of course, he felt no need to use a weapon right now.
As Won-jun approached, preparing to unleash his martial arts bare-handed.
The boss monster, Giant Red Ant, charged at that exact moment.
"Blazing Palm."
Won-jun thrust out his palm.
Roar!
The initial form of Blazing Flame Divine Art, a technique that spewed flames.
Flames even more ominous than the Giant Red Ant boss's crimson body engulfed it completely.
Eight mana crystals dropped right in front of him.
Normally four, but doubled to eight thanks to the bonus.
"This is just wild."
Won-jun stored the mana crystals in his inventory.
Thinking of it as 800,000 won falling into his lap still felt surreal.
His memories of scraping by before entering the murim world were still vivid.
To think life could change so drastically.
Korea was a hunter powerhouse, but barely on the front lines.
Even so, the nation's top hunters reveled in immense wealth.
Won-jun was certain he could join their ranks.
With his current power, he could devour this tower whole—and this was only about ten percent of the martial prowess he'd reached after slaying the Heavenly Demon in the murim world.
Won-jun prepared to head back.
The past had been a grind of tough days, but now it was filled with pleasure and enjoyment.
In reality, no less.
"Whew."
Tower entry.
Back in his room, Won-jun checked the cooldown.
"Gonna have to tackle Busan Tower eventually."
Not a huge deal, but a bit annoying.
Won-jun furrowed his brow and shook his head.
He had his eyes on something specific.
Special Hunter under the Republic of Korea Hunter Management Department.
Special Hunters were under constant state oversight.
But they got massive income, hunter activity support, and more.
Plus, the immunity privileges that personally intrigued Won-jun.
No reason not to aim for it.
"..."
The Busan Black Tower still at 1/53 irked him.
Special Hunter requirements: clear 30 floors of both Seoul and Busan Black Towers.
Meaning Won-jun would eventually have to match Seoul's progress in Busan.
During Busan clears, he'd miss out on earnings from Seoul's higher floors.
"Guess no choice."
Not urgent.
One day Seoul, next day Busan.
Alternate like that, or grind Seoul for cash first.
By floor 30, mana crystals would pour in far more, plus gear materials would drop.
Money so vast it'd make his current earnings look like pocket change.
By then, the stress of Busan Tower would be buried under piles of cash, no doubt.
"Yeah, yeah."
Won-jun grinned.
A guaranteed happy future anyway.
No need for all this worrying.
Just focus on what to do and enjoy right now.
"Hm."
Won-jun checked his phone.
No messages from Park Min-ju.
He'd told her to hit him up for cab fare, but nothing, so he'd just wired her a decent amount on his own.
Not a big deal anyway.
"Ah, this was seriously good."
Blissful memory.
Won-jun loved the passionate daytime romp today.
Turns out, that quick bathroom thing last time barely counted as proper fun.
Given her state, she probably wouldn't show for her shift today.
But he'd insisted she come tomorrow, so she would.
Min-ju was pretty obedient, after all.
"What the hell."
Park Won-jun chuckled.
He'd planned to use fist techniques against the Black Tower 5th floor boss, General Goblin.
But one punch caved its head in.
Won-jun grew stronger daily through energy circulation, so lower-floor monsters couldn't even serve as proper benchmarks anymore.
"Honest, real honest."
One extra mana crystal per floor climbed.
Double bonus made it ten this time.
A million won.
Just days ago, high-salary tier; now, ultra-high earner pulling 30 million a month.
Of course, thinking ahead, today's Won-jun was his poorest-earning self.
Won-jun headed home.
He'd worried about disorientation post-murim return, but this structured routine—with killer rewards—suited him fine.
"Time to cash in."
Last day of his part-time gig.
He always planned to stockpile mana crystals for exchange, but loved the instant conversion thrill, dragging him to the Hunter Management Center often.
They promised 2-3 business days, but weekdays usually meant next-day payout. Nice.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Exchanged crystals, ate at a Hongdae spot, then off to his final shift.
"Hey, Won-jun."
"Hey, hyung."
At work, he greeted the manager and headed to change.
Where's Park Min-ju?
Quick change, then search.
"Huh?"
"..."
Park Min-ju appeared.
Didn't expect to run into her so soon. Alone, right by the changing area.
"Knew you'd show."
Won-jun grinned in greeting.
That uniform was adorable as ever.
Min-ju startled, stepping back at eye contact, then stared at his face.
"It's my workplace. Why wouldn't I?"
"Haha, fair enough."
Won-jun giggled at her defiant tone, finding it cute.
Never got old.
Hm?
Teasing, he reached for her hand—and noticed the change.
"Didn't you used to wear a ring?"
"..."
"No way, did you...?"
Her couple ring.
Gone.
"Broke up. Why?"
"For real?"
Won-jun answered absently, then his lips curved slyly.
"Hmph. We weren't a good match anyway; I was gonna dump him. Has nothing to do with you, so don't get cocky. We barely even dated."
"..."
Min-ju glared as she spoke.
Damn, this girl.
Won-jun's smile widened.
She knew exactly how to hit his buttons.
From a guy's view, after devouring women like crazy lately, one of them dumps her boyfriend?
Whatever the reason, knowing he influenced it was pure joy.
And her denying it? Backfired hard.
That rebellious spark? Just endearing aegyo to him.
"Last day for me, so behave."
"Who's causing trouble?"
"How'd you become mine, Min-ju?"
"..."
Won-jun said it casually.
Hit the mark—she didn't resist as he lightly stroked her waist.
"Sigh, who says I'm yours?"
Min-ju averted her gaze.
Won-jun flashed another smile and headed to work.
"Hm..."
Park Won-jun hustled through his last shift.
Serving sides faster than anyone, shuttling drinks quick.
Always diligent, big hands made work easy.
"I'll clean up."
"Nah, Won-jun, take a break."
"Now?"
"Yeah, crowd's thinning."
"...Thanks."
"No need. Ugh, kids slacking again."
Manager suggested a break.
Sheesh, Park Min-ju.
Min-ju had been MIA a while.
Slacking, obviously. Other hall staff dipped too, but Won-jun didn't care.
Hm?
Heading to the changing area—prime slacker spot—Won-jun sensed something off.
Senses sharper than before, for sure.
"I didn't!"
"Then who?"
Sharp female voice.
Park Min-ju.
Won-jun clocked her instantly.
"Fuck, no money— you took it."
"Sigh, seriously."
"Then who?!"
"Min-ju, be honest."
"Ah!"
He opened the door to see a female coworker flicking Min-ju's forehead.
Guy beside the girl.
"Hey, what's this?"
Won-jun eyed them all.
Min-ju, one girl, one guy.
Girl often badmouthed Min-ju; guy her boyfriend.
"Looks like a fight—talk it out, why hit her?"
"Whoa, Won-jun."
"..."
The girl who'd flicked Min-ju.
Ji-hyun, was it? Name fuzzy.
They'd gotten along fine. Pre-murim, polite, hardworking Won-jun had no haters. Only Min-ju fixated on his changed looks.
"Speak. Why fighting?"
"My wallet vanished; cash inside gone."
"Why blame Min-ju?"
"Not on the floor—by changing area. Looks like someone took it and returned it. And Min-ju and I aren't close."
"That so?"
Won-jun wasn't convinced.
He'd blown off the wallet theft after using it to hook her, crafting stronger bait.
Others' wallets? Not his problem.
But it was back—minus cash.
Steal cash, why return the wallet?
"How much?"
"Huh?"
"Cash amount."
"...100,000 won."
"100k?"
Won-jun pulled out his wallet.
"Hey."
Min-ju eyed him; others ignored.
"Here."
"Huh?"
He handed Min Ji-hyun two 50,000-won bills.
"Take it and drop it. No proof Min-ju stole, so why hassle?"
"Won-jun, why pay?"
"Take it and stop."
"It's not about the money."
"Hey."
Ji-hyun kept pushing.
Won-jun glared.
"I said stop. Why ignore me?"
"..."
His murderous glare froze her.
"Hey, Park Won-jun, you to Ji-hyun—aaack!"
"Kyaaak!"
Oh Dong-myeong, Ji-hyun's boyfriend, shoved Won-jun's solar plexus roughly—and got punished.
Won-jun seized and twisted his wrist instantly.
"Don't provoke me. I'm holding back."
Casually twisting a wrist like it was nothing.
Regardless of Min-ju's guilt, they were bullying his property. That pissed him off.
"Heard me? Get lost. Jun-ho hyung suffers your slacking."
"Ugh."
Won-jun released. Dong-myeong thought his wrist shattered; sweat poured.
The couple slunk away, glancing back.
"Park Min-ju."
"...I didn't steal."
"What?"
"Don't know where cash went, but I was gonna return it as is."
"Seriously?"
Won-jun nodded at her explanation.
"Why return the wallet—whatever, later. Hey, quit after today."
"What?"
"Today only. You're quitting post-semester anyway."
"Hey, but now..."
"Don't worry about money."
"No..."
Min-ju sighed at his bullheadedness, dumbfounded.