Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: New Gear, New Beginnings
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It had been an hour since Han Young-im received the report from Jo Jeong-man, the director of the exchange.
—Requesting 20 billion in funding.
The Gate Exchange had a considerable amount of reserve funds, as they directly purchased items. Han Young-im, who was dedicated to the Gate-related business, asked for the reason and was able to grasp the current situation.
—We suspect the person who shared the mana stones with Mr. Bae Wang-sik is Ms. Min Ha-na.
The evidence was clear.
—Mr. Bae Wang-sik sold a large quantity of mana stones a month ago. It seemed as if he sold off his entire remaining stock. That timing, Ms. Min Ha-na's vacation, and her recent return all align almost perfectly. As of now, among those acquainted with Mr. Bae Wang-sik, she is the most likely candidate.
Believing it to be a well-founded deduction, Han Young-im acted immediately.
“I'll go myself.”
She had been looking for a way to grow the exchange anyway.
Although they had grown into the second-largest exchange in South Korea after the Daegang Construction incident, there was still a significant gap between them and the number one, Jingeum Exchange.
“Four hundred kilograms of highest-grade mana stones... I have to secure this.”
This was why Han Young-im had set aside her busy schedule to wait in the parking garage for Min Ha-na, not knowing when she would appear.
Four hundred kilograms of highest-grade mana stones.
Han Young-im did not hide their value.
“The global monthly trade volume for highest-grade mana stones is about 150 kilograms.”
Han Young-im sat in the passenger seat like a salesperson, explaining the current situation.
“We have already secured Mr. Bae Wang-sik's supply, and the reason I came here is that we want to secure Ms. Min Ha-na's supply as well.”
“So Wang-sik used the Guseong Gate Exchange.”
“He has been trading exclusively with us so far. However, this proposal is unrelated to Mr. Bae Wang-sik. It is based purely on our interest in and the value we place on Ms. Min Ha-na's mana stones.”
Han Young-im was candid and, true to her word, did not mention Bae Wang-sik's name again.
With the chairwoman herself making the offer, and since Min Ha-na didn't have a primary exchange she used, she didn't hesitate long before deciding to sell her mana stones to the Guseong Exchange.
‘Using my old exchange feels a bit awkward, anyway.’
Now that she had left the Black River Guild, using the exchange they had connected her with felt slightly uncomfortable.
“I'll give you a ride.”
While riding in Han Young-im's car, Min Ha-na mentioned what she currently needed, and the information was relayed directly to the exchange.
Even while stuck in traffic, the time wasn't boring as she chatted about various things with Han Young-im. Min Ha-na was genuinely impressed by Han Young-im's competence and mindset.
Han Young-im felt the same way.
‘She's so pure.’
That was Han Young-im's assessment of Min Ha-na.
Her media image was mostly rough and flashy, so she had expected Min Ha-na to be arrogant or calculating, but that wasn't the case. The two, having taken a liking to each other, talked nonstop until they arrived at the exchange.
“The director will take care of you from here.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. Let's meet again soon.”
After Han Young-im, whose tone had become friendly, left in her car, Jo Jeong-man took over guiding Min Ha-na.
Min Ha-na had a thoroughly satisfying experience.
Based on the information relayed during the car ride, a list of recommended items she wanted had already been prepared, and even the price fluctuation ranges had been researched.
They had even prepared details on the items' designs and previous owners, allowing Min Ha-na to make her choices with satisfaction.
“Please proceed with these, then.”
“We'll prepare them as quickly as possible.”
Receiving a polite bow to the very end, Min Ha-na got into the car the director had prepared for her. Since she had arrived in Han Young-im's car, it was only natural for them to take responsibility for her ride home.
Jo Jeong-man watched until Min Ha-na departed with a satisfied expression.
When the car carrying Min Ha-na had completely disappeared from view, Jo Jeong-man clenched his fists. It was an emotion he rarely showed, but today he couldn't hold it back.
‘We did it!’
It had been a war-like day, but he had achieved a definite result.
Four hundred kilograms of highest-grade mana stones.
This was enough to attract clients from the global market.
‘The first transaction is crucial.’
In service industries like exchanges, the first transaction is always the hardest.
This was because clients who felt no inconvenience with their current exchange had no reason to switch. That's why the reality for exchanges was to offer bait products, even at a loss.
‘Highest-grade mana stones make for perfect bait. Loss-free bait.’
And there was an even more important fact.
‘Ms. Min Ha-na has geared up with new combat equipment. And she applied for a long-term vacation. That means she might secure even more mana stones.’
This wasn't just about the present; the future was also at stake. More mana stones would continue to be secured. He was curious about the source, but he decided to erase that question from his mind.
It wasn't his place to get involved.
‘I hope you return safely.’
He sincerely prayed for the safe return of Bae Wang-sik and Min Ha-na.
* * *
—We leave tomorrow morning.
Five days had passed since they finished their hunt on the Azelan Continent.
Wang-sik, who was set to begin hunting tomorrow, went to the outskirts of Incheon.
—Sincerity Orphanage.
He confirmed the sign of the orphanage, located in an undeveloped area on the outskirts, and as he entered, he saw people bustling about and playing in the yard.
The children, as well as the adults playing with them, all had bright expressions.
In one corner, men and women were mixing together to make kimchi, while someone else was hanging a still-damp blanket on a clothesline.
“Huh? Wang-sik!”
Someone recognized Wang-sik and ran over.
But he hadn't taken more than a few steps before a soccer ball hit him in the back of the head. Fortunately, it wasn't a hard impact, and laughter erupted from all around.
“Dong-il, you okay?”
It was Yang Dong-il, the one who had given Wang-sik a ride from the Incheon breakwater to the deserted island.
Starting with Yang Dong-il, the people who had been working called out Wang-sik's name and approached him.
“Have you all been well? What's this? Crying as a greeting?”
Some people started crying as soon as they saw Wang-sik's face.
Thirteen people in total.
They were the friends he had rescued from the Azelan Continent.
Those not present had either settled down elsewhere or hadn't healed enough to attend the gathering yet.
“How's the volunteer work?”
These individuals, at least, had overcome their psychological trauma and already adapted to the real world.
Under Yang Dong-il's lead, they had started volunteering at nurseries and orphanages, which also served as a regular gathering for the friends.
Wang-sik had come in person because people who shared the same pain were comforting each other in a positive way.
“Come on, now. No crying. Let's have some fun.”
Seeing one person's tears spreading to others, Wang-sik took off his outer shirt and ran onto the field.
Though Wang-sik was always busy, he spent that day volunteering with his friends.
They finished their volunteer work by serving dinner to the children and left the orphanage only after the sun had set.
“Thank you so much.”
“We're the ones who are grateful.”
After bidding farewell to the orphanage staff, they found a spot at a nearby barbecue restaurant.
“This place is the best around here.”
At the restaurant chosen by Yang Dong-il, they talked about many things.
Their topics were mostly about their childhood and recent events. No one brought up the Azelan Continent first.
There was a request from the Hunter Management Bureau, but even without it, they likely wouldn't have brought it up.
It was a memory filled with nothing but tears and despair.
Instead, the conversation, which seemed to erase that time, was more cheerful than ever.
“Wang-sik, you should come more often. We miss you a lot.”
“Huh? Ju-yeong, you like Wang-sik now? Didn't you used to like Dae-sik?”
“I'm not into either of them. I care about looks, you know.”
At her words, the two men feigned indignation, and a bigger burst of laughter followed.
As the enjoyable time was winding down, Wang-sik placed a bankbook on the table.
“It's five billion. I'm planning to create a foundation with this.”
“A foundation?”
“There are a lot of kids like us. I want to take proper care of them now. If anyone's interested, you can join as a foundation employee. I'll make sure you get a proper salary.”
This was something Wang-sik had only thought about but hadn't been able to act on.
In truth, he had planned to put it off until he rescued all his friends from the Azelan Continent, but he felt it was better to start before it was too late.
“I'd like you to be the foundation's chairman, Dong-il.”
Hearing his name, Yang Dong-il was startled and waved his hands in refusal.
“I can't do that. Someone much smarter than me should do it.”
“Remember the director of our orphanage? Did we like him because he was smart?”
“That's right. Dong-il would be the best for the job.”
“And Dong-il is actually pretty smart.”
“Nah, not really. But he's diligent and honest, so he's more than qualified.”
The other friends agreed with Wang-sik's opinion.
“Think it over carefully and decide. I'm not forcing you.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
“You should hold onto this.”
“Huh?”
Yang Dong-il dazedly accepted the bankbook Wang-sik handed him.
“Heh heh. I thought you said you weren't forcing him?”
“Wang-sik can be pretty devious at times like this.”
“Dong-il, you've already been had. You have to do it now.”
As Yang Dong-il scratched the back of his head, Wang-sik poured him a drink and said.
“You're the one who said it. That you'd work hard, save money, and build a foundation. I just provided the funds. I'm just agreeing with your idea. So you have to take responsibility.”
“Dong-il, just accept it.”
“If you do it, I'll join as an employee. I can't leave you to do it alone.”
“Me too! I'm good with numbers.”
“I'll patrol the orphanages! If I find any scumbags doing bad things to the kids, I'll make sure they're all locked up!”
At this point, Yang Dong-il started to feel a surge of confidence.
“Alright. I'll do it.”
“Thanks, Dong-il. I'll keep securing the funds.”
“No. You can't bear the burden alone. For now, I'll work hard and try to gather other donors.”
“I feel reassured knowing you'll do it. Come on! Let's have a drink! We're old enough to drink now!”
“Right? The snot-nosed Wang-sik is drinking alcohol now.”
“I never had a snotty nose!”
“I saw it.”
“Me too.”
“Your snot was especially thick. Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me queasy.”
A wave of laughter broke out, and the cheerful gathering continued late into the night.
* * *
The Azelan Continent, Decartes Mountains.
As planned, they passed through the gate early in the morning.
“So this is why they say gear makes all the difference.”
The power of her new items was clearly evident in their first hunt.
After setting up her gear according to the expert's advice, her firepower seemed to have increased by at least seventy percent.
“How carelessly have you been setting up your gear all this time?”
“Well, I never felt the need.”
In truth, she had blushed while talking to the expert.
Most A-rank hunters have already optimized their gear, so even raising their stats by five percent costs an astronomical amount of money.
A seventy-percent increase in firepower and a twenty-percent boost in agility were only possible because Min Ha-na's item setup had been so abysmal.
“I'll get even stronger if I obtain that flame, right?”
“It's still too dangerous.”
“I know. I'll follow your lead, Wang-sik, so let's get started. I need to get my hands on that thing quickly.”
Having experienced the value of items firsthand, her desire grew even more intense.
“I'll burn everything down.”
Her eyes blazed with ambition.