Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Hunter Market
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"Woooah! The one who didn't know love~ To you~!"
A pitch that teetered on the edge of cracking.
I screamed at the top of my lungs through the high notes of the final song.
Hmm...
Well, the score doesn't really matter anyway.
'Still, it feels like some stress got lifted.'
Hitting up a karaoke spot every now and then is definitely good for mental health.
Ever since Yi Ah-rin flipped out and stormed off at the cafe earlier, I'd been feeling off, but belting it out like this helped a bit.
For the record, the daily quest to go karaoke and sing my heart out had failed right after the first song.
"Nice, all good."
I'd open the random box too, but not here—better at home. Wouldn't want something weird popping out.
Like a massive dildo or whatever.
I grabbed the shopping bag I'd set down beside me and left the karaoke place.
Inside were four sets of training clothes from Unicorn Claw.
"Whoa, why am I so damn tired?"
The second I got home, I dove straight into bed.
I flung the shopping bag aside.
I'll sort it out later.
Lying there brought back the cafe incident.
[Ah, whatever. Fuck off.]
[Go ask your precious healer to pick for you.]
Yi Ah-rin's back as she spat curses and left.
'What the hell got her so pissed?'
Just saying I was gonna party up with the healer and go hunt—is that worth blowing up over?
I get she's worried about me, sure.
But does it hurt to say it nicely?
I'm not some kid; I'm a full-grown adult who can make his own calls.
Still, part of me wonders if I was too stubborn about my side.
She was just looking out for her little bro—maybe I should've said I'd be careful and left it at that.
"Ah, whatever. Fuck it. I'll apologize later."
Maybe yelling back was a bit much...
You crazy bitch, you started it.
Can't say that, though.
Then I remembered something I'd put off.
Calling Mom.
Telling her I'd awakened.
'...Gotta do it. For real this time.'
I picked up my smartphone.
Opened contacts, found [Mom].
Hand hovering over the call button.
Just one press away.
Just one press...
"Haa... haa... heuk... heuk..."
Thought it'd be easy, but my heart started pounding, chest tightening.
Just a phone call, yet hyperventilation loomed.
Breath short, vision blurring.
That day's scene—the one that still makes me shudder—just flashed in my mind.
Mom's eyes that day... I'll never forget them till I die.
Contempt. Disappointment. Revulsion, all mixed...
Of course, right?
Door flew open, and in my hand? My little sister's white lace panties.
I'd been sniffing them while jerking off hard.
[Get out. I won't tell Ah-rin, so just leave and live somewhere else. Don't come home. Don't let me see you.]
Her thrusting the bankbook at me burns in flashbacks.
Two years since last call—is that why?
Or the trauma from that?
Just one touch away...
But the weight behind it crushes me.
Haven't seen Mom once since getting kicked out.
Just occasional texts.
No replies ever.
Whew... calm down, Lee Jun.
Count primes to settle.
Primes: lonely numbers divisible only by 1 and themselves.
They give everyone courage.
2... 3... 5... 7... 11...
Counting with deep breaths, the tightness eases bit by bit.
Good?
Not yet?
A bit more...
Alright, feeling okay now.
Time to call.
And when she picks up... what do I say?
Brain runs simulations to delay the button.
Mom, it's me.
Doing well?
I became a hunter.
No, too abrupt?
Apologize first?
Or ask if she's eaten?
The fear I'd barely suppressed surges back.
Maybe skip it.
Next time.
That better?
No. Delay more, and it'll never happen.
Now or never.
When you've psyched yourself up.
Over the last two years, I'd have Ah-rin check on me sometimes—she still sees me as her son.
I only texted Mom my address and door code; Ah-rin knew somehow.
Mom must've told her, or how'd she find my place?
It's fine, Lee Jun. You're not that pathetic loser anymore.
A hunter. A solid C-rank, socially respected.
Handled that mutant gate solo, mostly.
Don't chicken out.
Eyes shut, I hit call.
Turruru... turruru...
Turruru...
Tone drags, anxiety builds.
Want her to pick—hear her voice. Yet hope she doesn't. Contradictions swirl.
Turruru... click.
[Unable to take your call. Connecting to voicemail...]
"Hoo..."
Tension snaps at the message; relief sighs out.
'She's busy, I guess.'
Thank goodness.
Real relief.
Right?
Yeah.
If she'd answered, I'd have babbled and hung up.
Brain's blank as is.
Still disappointing.
Thought I'd hear her voice after so long.
Before voicemail, I hung up and opened messages.
Couldn't say it—leave a note.
[Mom, it's Jun. Hope you're well. I'm good too.]
Too cliche—delete.
[Mom, I awakened as a hunter. C-rank.]
Nah.
[Mom, it's me, Jun. You'll hear from Ah-rin later, but that mutant gate on the news? I cleared it. Awakened, now C-rank hunter. Got powers, can make good money. Sorry for disappointing you. I'll be a son you're proud of from now on. Call later. Love you.]
This works.
Checked a few times, sent.
'...She'll reply later when she reads it.'
Did what I could.
A tiny weight off my chest.
Set phone down, stared at ceiling zoning out—daily quest popped up.
"Oh yeah, the reward."
Opened system, hit claim.
Flash.
Light in the air, another plastic ball dropped onto the bed.
Pocketball-shaped, identical to yesterday's.
Held button down.
Feels like a gacha pull—fun.
Click.
Opened to reveal a tiny doll.
Palm-sized, crude straw-like doll.
Like those voodoo dolls with nails from cartoons.
"What the hell is this?"
"Oh..."
Not bad?
Extra life secured.
No one in the hunter world undervalues an extra life.
Priceless, beyond money.
From the lowest box?
E-rank for this effect? One-use, maybe.
"Whoa, System bro. Love you. Loyalty, loyalty."
Won't hear me, but mood lifted—I gave respect.
System, you're a god.
Stashed the Crisis Management Doll in inventory.
Pull it in the dungeon later.
Even easy dungeons worry me for a first real one, but this? Ironclad confidence.
'Alright, mood's up.'
Stick to plan: hit Hunter Market.
Appraise Vigor Pills, browse weapons.
Caught my reflection.
Ah-rin's linen shirt and slacks.
Pretty, good fit, but...
'...Nah, track pants it is.'
Something off.
No need to dress up for Hunter Market.
Full of hunters—dressing half-assed screams newbie.
Changed into Unicorn Claw track set.
Bought loose for future gains.
Two bottles of Vigor Pills (40 total) to inventory.
Crocs on.
Tracksuit and Crocs? Peak veteran market crawler vibe.
Okay, Hunter Market, let's go.
Bus to downtown.
Hunter Market branch looms.
One per major city—ours downtown hub.
Passed it clueless before.
Not a hunter, no interest—natural.
10-story behemoth.
All-glass facade, sleek as hell.
Luxury imports lined front; suited giant guards at entrance.
Black suits, earpieces—pro security.
If branches this big, HQ must be insane.
60 stories?
Pulled Vigor Pills from inventory first.
'Subspace or inventory skills are rarer than thought.'
No need advertising mine.
Pocketed in tracksuit, approached entrance—guard raised hand.
"Hunter ID please."
Flat, professional.
Hunter Market: registered hunters or cleared guests only.
Flashed fresh C-rank ID.
Guard scanned, nodded.
"Verified. Enter."
"Thanks. Have a good one."
Light bow, inside.
C-rank gets respect outside, but his nonchalance hits real.
This is pure hunter turf.
Seen tons working here.
Up close: guards are hunters or ex-hunters.
No biggie for C-ranks like me.
Hunter Market's power sinks in.
Hiring these as security? No mere trader—big league.
Everyone hustling.
Gear outbound, loot inbound.
Only tracksuit guy? Me. Feel overdressed now.
Wild seeing rare hunters swarm.
So many locals?
'But during the mutant gate, barely ten showed?'
Fuzzy memory: not many.
Maybe a dozen max?
Some in gates/dungeons/towers, sure.
But lobby alone packed.
These guys slacked?
Assholes.
Bumps goodwill for those who came.
Text Kim Min-ji later—intros to them.
'Where to?'
First time: info desk.
Central lobby, smiling staffer greets.
"Welcome to Hunter Market. How can I assist?"
"Here for appraisal and consignment sale."
"Consignment, got it. Item sales at 3F Appraisal & Consignment Center. Elevator there."
"Thanks."
Elevator to 3.
Ding.
Out: [Appraisal & Consignment Center] sign.
Bank-style tickets, short wait.
"Customer 103, counter 2."
Glasses-wearing middle-aged guy, sharp-eyed, strict vibe.
"What item for submission?"
"This."
Set Vigor Pill bottles on desk.
"Elixirs. Made yours? Dungeon drop?"
"Yeah... manufactured, but not by me. Alchemist friend asked me to sell."
Dodged to avoid questions.
Hide abilities best.
"Understood. Effects? Fill the form."
Took sheet, wrote.
[Item Name: ]
Paused at Vigor Pill.
Obscure pill name—okay?
Silly worry, but nagging.
Whatever.
Scientists name discoveries after otaku stuff—fine.
Friend's an otaku alchemist.
[Item Name: Vigor Pill]
[Type: Virility Enhancer]
[Effect: Boosts male function. Improves erection duration, ejaculation volume, and vigor.]
[Duration: 3 hours]
[Other: No side effects. Reusable after 3 hours.]
Filled blanks, personal info: contact, name, resident ID, hunter number.
Handed form.
Clerk skimmed, eyed wall clock.
[2045. 09. 09. 15:34]
Logging time.
Back to form, stared at me.
"Lee Jun Hunter, correct? ID number...?"
"Yes."
"Whoa, 3-hour virility boost? Potent stuff. Full appraisal needed, but your alchemist friend's skilled."
"Yep. Rock solid."
Self-praise, but true.
"Tried it yourself?"
"No, never."
"I see."
Eyes gleamed—misunderstanding clear.
Thinks I'm some stud or whatever.
No, fuck. Not that.
True original's got lich energy—no need.
Tested one from [Famed Deceit]—zero effect.
That's why no use.
"Don't need it."
"Right, right. Got it."
Doubt it...
Can't prove by dropping trou.
"Full analysis takes ~3 business days. We'll call with results."
"3 days?"
Shorter than expected.
Misread panic, he added:
"Pills need sims and side-effect checks."
"Makes sense—human consumables."
"Thanks for understanding. Samples? Keep one for appraisal and return, or hold all for later consignment?"
No repeat trips.
"Hold and consign all post-appraisal."
"Got it."
"And steady supply possible. More if it sells."
"Ongoing? Noted."
Receipt in hand, out.
3 days to payday.
'Now, weapons.'
To gear shop.
Shiny arsenal: swords, axes, spears, bows, shields...
Glow under lights.
Rivals [Abyssal Mine]'s stock.
Bliss till tags.
[Longsword (D) - 3,500,000 won]
[Iron Mace (F) - 800,000 won]
[Combat Dagger (F) - 550,000 won]
"...Insane."
Prices brutal.
D-rank 3.5 mil? Can't afford.
~2.5 mil in bank.
Rent/utilities soon—1.5 mil max safe.
Vigor consignment pending—won't sell instant.
Settlement lags too.
'1.5 mil buys...'
No D. Cheap E maybe.
Wait for pill cash? But weekend hunt with healer—need something.
No bare hands.
Skills synergize blunt: Club Strike.
Mace, morningstar, warhammer.
[Spiked Club (E) - 1,200,000 won]
Perfect fit.
But honestly...
'Swords look so damn cool.'
Neighboring blades stir heart.
Guy's dream: sword.
Bats hit hard, but sword flair unbeatable.
Erika's Haku-something slash? Epic.
Me with one? Style points.
No Club Strike? Stats/skills carry.
'Haa... tough call.'
Style over skill boost?
Or practical perf?
'Wait, fuck no.'
[Abyssal Mine]'s Bloodcalling Morningstar.
650k Lumina B-rank beast.
Skipped last time—full inventory. Space now.
Grab later.
Buy sword for show/use.
Emergency: pull morningstar.
Style + power.
Decided, browsing blades—
"No, what do you mean?!"
"Regulations. Can't help."
Commotion corner.
Turned: young girl arguing staff.
First impression: cute, tiny.
Chest-high, fuming, jabbing finger.
Clerk sweating, awkward.
'Fight? What's up?'
Looks fun—watch.