Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Market Mayhem
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Hey, guys.
Work's been pouring in since morning, and my head's spinning.
— [⚔️] lol cuckoo cuckoo — [⚔️] Guild leader, you really doing it? "Yeah, I really have to. It's a golden opportunity, right?"
— [⚔️] True, 5 million dollars says it all. — [⚔️] Fr, even if you can't eat it, it's premium. — [⚔️] What do you mean can't eat? Lives on the line, they're all collectively insane. Five million US dollars is nearly 6.7 billion won.
Insane money.
That kind of cash could shatter even basic human fears.
"Let's see, application method..."
Just basic personal info, phone number, and a photo, and you're done. Then they review and notify you of the results.
The first screening criterion is whether you can contribute to their business growth.
"Baekseol, let's take a photo together. Look here."
"Okay!"
Baekseol, who had been playing with her ball on the desk, turned her gaze toward the phone.
"Kimchi!"
"Chii."
Click.
Now, just send the phone photo to the listed email, and it's over.
"Even if this passes the first round, tons will drop in the second."
— [⚔️] Second round too? "Yeah. If there wasn't, everyone in the world would swarm it."
— [⚔️] True lol Each country has a quota, so first round filters there.
Among them, unknowns get filtered second, and they pass another net.
"Second round's a physical test. Obvious, but tons will fail."
— [⚔️] Ga-eul gets free pass, right? — [⚔️] Fr lol Digging more into the homepage, there were rules too.
"You can only bring one knife they provide. Something else too, but they'll tell later."
— [⚔️] Brutal af — [⚔️] Gonna be multiple deaths fr? Scroll scroll.
But no matter how far I scroll, nothing on rabbits.
"Why no rabbit rules? Ignoring rabbit rights?"
— [⚔️] Who brings a rabbit lol "No, what about our little Pochi?"
"Together!"
"Eep!"
Maybe remembering being left behind at the yacht party, Baekseol suddenly stuck to my face.
"Hwah! Okay, Baekseol comes too."
— [⚔️] lol Baekseol so cute — [⚔️] She really understands? Amazing. After prying off the wriggling Baekseol and petting her, she finally calmed.
"Won't leave Baekseol behind."
"Okay!"
She seemed to like the petting, lying obediently on my lap with ears perked.
"Nyang nyang."
"Tickles!"
Baekseol rolled over, showing her belly.
No idea why this ticklish-bellied girl exposes it.
— [⚔️] Wanna get tickled by guild leader too Ding-a-ling!
"Hold on."
Phone's been blowing up today.
With my scant contacts, it's weird.
"Yeah, what's up?"
- Sis, got something urgent. Can you come out?
"My place?"
- Yeah, right outside.
"Come up."
Click.
"Guys, play with Baekseol a sec. Got a guest, be right back."
— [⚔️] Byeee — [⚔️] Baekseol welcome Baekseol bobbed a front paw at the screen, then fetched her favorite ball, chattering.
Looks like a talent show for viewers.
Leaving Baekseol and viewers, I headed to the rooftop. Footsteps outside the iron door.
-Creak.
Opening it, the iron door groaned unpleasantly.
"Come in."
"Yes, sis. But this door needs oiling."
"Sounds homey now, it's fine."
Manwook slapped the iron door, then entered the rooftop.
"Thanks for coming."
As I habitually pulled a cigarette, Manwook reached out.
Flick!
Clear sound, lighter popped open, flame shooting up.
Fountain pen type?
"Whew— Thanks. So, what's the urgent thing that brought you here?"
"Um..."
Not a tough question, but Manwook looked troubled.
"Sorry, sis."
"What. Why."
Suddenly bowed 90 degrees.
"Spit it out."
Pushing his shoulders up, he finally met my eyes.
"You told me to manage the market, right?"
"More like asked as a side thing, yeah?"
"Seems like there's a problem at the market now. Sorry."
"Stop apologizing. It's only been days. Shit happens."
His grave face made me grin to loosen him up; he smiled back late.
"Car's ready below. I'll explain on the way."
"Okay, wait a sec, I'll prep."
Manwook's expression said it was serious.
Back in the room, Baekseol still performing for viewers.
"Baekseol."
"Okay!"
Hearing me, she jumped into my arms.
"My babies."
— [⚔️] (･`◡´･)ゝ — [⚔️] (･`◡´･)ゝ "Let's go."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Sis, hello."
"Ongnya."
Passenger seat had the guy from before.
"Heo Jin, right?"
"Yes."
"So, what's the deal?"
"Sis, know the big building at the market's end?"
"Where tons of merchants gather?"
"Yes. That's state-managed land."
As Heo Jin explained, Manwook got in the driver's seat and hit the gas without a word.
"Its disaster safety rating came back grade 4. Means it's crumbling."
"And?"
"Through connections, it was originally grade 2, but notified as 4."
"Stinks of corruption."
"Yes. Land use change application filed too."
"Can they just do that?"
"Land registry's public for transparency."
By the end of Heo Jin's explanation, market visible outside.
"Why they doing this? What's good about this rundown market."
Heo Jin suddenly turned.
"Thanks to you, sis, the market's booming."
"My doing?"
I frequented it for streams, but first time hearing it's because of me.
"Sis, one-person media's influence is huge nowadays. Especially yours."
"Me? Why."
Heo Jin looked incredulous.
"You undervalue yourself too much."
"Hm... Really? Just a streamer."
"Plus, Im Yu-jun busks and events daily, crowds overflowing."
Guess it is my fault.
No wonder merchants gave extra food seeing my hair.
Family-size potatoes? Why bother if not family. Most barely scrape by.
With Im Yu-jun's racket, this happened.
"Fuck. Land turned golden egg, so greedy asses flipped out?"
"Exactly. High chance top officials involved."
"Busy as hell, what bullshit. I'll handle them, leave it."
Manwook finished parking, opened the door.
Click.
"Sis, we're here."
"Thanks."
- The state must withdraw the enforcement order!
- Withdraw! Withdraw! Withdraw!
Stepping out, noisy chants hit.
"Let's go."
"Yes, sis."
Protesters sitting around the plaza looked rough.
Many familiar faces.
Lobster tail boss, shop open, sitting for unrelated folks.
The one who gave mega chicken skewer chunk,
Family-size potato giver,
Gondre rice boss with side dish and sikye for Baekseol,
Hair salon boss from first trim with sis,
All sitting together.
People generally look down on them.
Just noisy brats throwing tantrums.
Some self-serving, sure.
Can't all be good.
"Fuckin retards. Whatcha doing blocking the street?"
Bulky guy picking fights with protesters.
Another kicks sitters passing by.
Guy sneaking up with extinguisher.
"Manwook."
"Yes, sis."
Manwook lunged forward.
Insane speed for his size.
Thwack!
"Agh! What, what!"
Guy kicked by Manwook dropped extinguisher, sprawled.
Drop should drown in chants, but silence fell.
Clack. Clack.
My footsteps echoed loud.
Scores of eyes on me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Bro, big sis is here."
"Let's go."
"Yessir."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Bzzz!
"Text?"
"Yeah, sis is here."
"Who's sis?"
"You were on dispatch?"
"Yes."
"Tch. Lucky bastard. You'll know when you see. Greet proper, before getting cut."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Little bro, good spot here?"
"Hm, sweep 'em..."
Bzzz!
"Let's go."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Sis said potatoes here good, but boss gone?"
"Bathroom maybe."
Bzzz!
"Yo, she's here. Move."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thugs harassing around finally clocked it, gathering in one spot.
"Look like hired goons."
"Mass protest, no cops. Probably in cahoots."
Reporting to me like viewers, Manwook and Heo Jin.
"Aigoo!"
Someone trotted up.
"Pretty miss! Can't stay here. Go home. Dangerous."
Potato boss who gave face-sized box even for small ask.
"Boss, you stay safe there. It'll end quick."
Nod to Heo Jin, he escorts boss back.
"Gathered a lot."
More goons streaming in as time passed.
Over thirty easy.
"Called all the kids."
"Good work."
Numerous presences behind me.
"Hey, guys."
— Yes!! Sis!!!
"Ugh, stop that."