Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Unlocked?
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Unlocked?
>
Let me check the time. It was already past midnight.
Recalling yesterday's whirlwind of events, it made sense.
I checked the time and scrolled through the top notification bar for messages that had come in while I slept. There were several from the second-hand marketplace.
"Almost everything sold except a couple of pricier items. Did it really sell this fast?"
In my rush, I'd priced things way below what others were asking.
Watch for 60,000 won, helmet plus Bluetooth earphones for 200,000 won, rain gear set for 50,000 won, 10kg rice for 15,000 won.
Unopened box of masks, razor set, air fryer too.
Wondering when the heck they'd even sold, I pulled the listings for the miscellaneous junk I'd priced under 3,000 won.
Better to handle the few secured via parcel deals first.
"Hmm, package these up and send via the convenience store half-price delivery."
I grabbed some spare boxes rolling around and packed quickly.
I scraped off just enough grime, threw on a baseball cap and mask from home, and got ready to head out.
Struggling to carry everything in one go, I stuffed the three boxes into paper bags and stepped outside.
The chilly air hit me first thing outside.
"Ugh, cold."
Black baseball cap, black mask.
With my black long down jacket now dragging to my ankles from outgrowing it, shuffling out in slippers, I looked like a suspicious penguin.
The little convenience store was just a two-minute walk from home.
—Ding!
The clear bell chime greeted me as I opened the door.
"Welcome."
"Hi, can I send half-price parcels from here?"
"Yes, use the parcel scale on that table over there, pay, and hand it to me."
"Ah, thanks."
Following the male part-timer's instructions at the kiosk, everything went smoothly without a hitch.
Anywhere else, postage would've been over 3,000 won, but half-price saved a bundle.
"These three, please."
"Got it, I'll handle them."
"And a pack of Gold, please."
The clerk glanced at my face but said nothing, just pulled out the cigarettes.
'Isn't a 21-year-old woman fair game for ID?'
I pulled my hand out from my wallet where I'd been reaching for my ID and paid via phone tap instead.
"Thanks, take care."
"Sure, bye."
—Ding!
The bell sounded bright and cheerful coming in, but dull and heavy going out.
Hands lighter, heart heavier, I stepped out into air cold enough to freeze my face again.
"Hoo, ha-"
Pulling down my mask, I exhaled into the frigid air, lungs filling with icy sharpness.
Slipping into an empty alley, I lit a cigarette.
—Click, click.
"Phew— damn it, I'm a 21-year-old college girl crying 'waaah,' why aren't you protecting me."
I'd snapped photos of the shipping labels inside and sent them to the three buyers.
Second-hand deals are scam-prone, so I stuck to safe trades: buyer's money goes to the site, confirmed receipt releases it to seller—three-way security.
So, at least three days to get paid for what I just shipped.
Even express takes three days, so no rushing—just wait patiently.
Finished my smoke, shuffled home, and it was nearly one o'clock.
Stomach clock screaming, but trade times meant heading out again.
Luckily, weekend vibes let me schedule them around the same time.
Items in the paper bags, plus more stuffed into my backpack since that wasn't enough.
Slinging the backpack and gripping bags in both hands, my shoulders felt like they'd split.
"Urgh...!"
Heavy air fryer made the paper handles dig into my knuckles like they might snap.
Good thing I set meetups close to home.
Another waddling penguin trek to the spot.
Normally a breeze, but my strength had tanked—body proof.
At the meetup, I set items on the marble steps of a shuttered storefront and waited.
Shortly after, a text: "I'm here, where are you?"
Glancing aside, a young guy peeked at me, then pretended to look around when our eyes met.
"Excuse me, here for the second-hand trade?"
"Ah! Yeah, me. The watch."
He acknowledged only after I spoke first.
I rummaged my bag, found the watch bag, and handed it over.
"Here. Check it out, 60,000 won. As you see, barely used new item. No scratches, so you're getting it half off or better."
>
My smooth sales pitch, honed like decades of flea markets, left him dazed.
Enchanted, he gave it a cursory check and nodded approval.
"Account number?"
"Daemin Bank, phone number as account."
Fiddling his phone nonstop, he looked up satisfied.
"Perfect. Thanks."
"Thanks. Enjoy."
One down, customers lined up next.
"This is the air fryer."
"Yes, here."
"Thanks."
Handing off the heaviest last, relief washed over me.
Last trade done, lighter hands carried me home carefree.
Sold what I had lying around, but still felt accomplished.
Home, plopped on the mattress to settle my mind.
"Phew, saaang!"
Words slipped before I could stop them.
"Damn it. St... Status Window!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Shop] : Deactivated "Why?"
I had no clue.
Not enough money? Second-hand cash doesn't count? Damn unhelpful status window, and Par who could've explained was long gone.
Already over 500,000 won from sales.
"Sigh."
After agonizing, I steeled myself and sat at the computer desk.
—Whirr, beep!
Cooler roared to life with the boot sound.
Sold everything but my panties, now my soul's next.
Mouse and keyboard brought up the site I wanted.
Item Exchange.
Opened the gold trading site, searched my game's name.
Helon Chronicles, packed with memories and soul.
RPG following hero Helon and crew's saga.
Like others, faded from trends over time—bittersweet relic.
"No point playing now anyway."
Ate my 20s youth. Last farewell wave? Gold prices had spiked.
Over ten million invested, netting barely six.
Buyer posts flooded by bot farm users flipping for profit.
Selling to regulars costs more time, which I lacked now.
A few clicks, deal done fast.
"Farewell, my memories... Huh? Why are my eyes tearing up?"
Vision blurred wet.
Deal complete, memory sale hit as points.
Withdraw points to cash, done.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Cash deposited in account. A letter-shaped hologram popped up with the bank alert.
"Oh...! Ohhh!"
Finally.
Hand to the letter icon, a sheet burst from the envelope.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Shop system has been unlocked] "Yesss!!"
Heart pounding.
"Status Window!!"
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Name: Han Ga-eul Age: 21 Title: Saintess Affiliation: Heavenly Peach Contracted Spirit: Aparsec Shop The "deactivated" next to Shop was gone.
"Alright, let's dive in."
I poked the Shop.
A cascade of text unfurled before me.
🛒 SHOP LIST 🛒 [Items] Immortal Peach: Fruit of the heavens. Grants eternal immortality to humans upon consumption. Price: Purchase unavailable .. .. .. Fragment of the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit's Orb: A minuscule shard from the orb held by the divine beast Nine-Tailed Fox atop the divine beasts, barely visible to the naked eye. Price: 8,500 kyung .. .. .. "...?"