Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: [Abyssal Miner] Records and Return?
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The phone buzzed. Buzz buzz.
After getting home and taking a short break on the couch, a call came in.
Is it Mom?
I left her a text earlier, so she might've seen it and called by now.
But when I checked the screen, it showed an unregistered number.
A number not saved in my phone.
Not Mom, then.
"Hello? Yes?"
Normally, calls like this are voice phishing scams, loan offers, or surveys, so I'd just hang up.
But today, I was expecting one, so I picked up.
- Hello. This is Lee Ji-eun, deputy from the Korean Hunter Association's Settlement Management Team. Is this Hunter Lee Jun?
A formal, polite voice.
Hunter Association, as expected.
Kim Min-ji the healer said she'd call sometime today.
"Ah, yes. That's me."
- Thank you for verifying your identity, Hunter. We're calling regarding the settlement for the variant gate incident in Guro-gu Z-12 zone yesterday afternoon, now that post-processing is complete. Is this a good time to talk?
"Yes, go ahead."
- First, the settlement for the collected magic stones. Let me pull up the details. The appraisal values for magic stones from 14 wolf-type monsters and the boss monster, the twin-headed Minotaur, total 4,583,900 won.
'Oh... 4.6 million won.'
Not bad at all.
I nearly died, sure, but for just about 10 minutes of fighting, 4.6 million?
Thinking back to slaving away at a convenience store for barely 2 million a month, that's insane money.
Of course, I soloed what amounts to a C-rank raid boss stone.
'They say it used to be worth even more 20 years ago.'
Back in 2025, when the Great Cataclysm first hit.
When I was still in diapers, unable to control my bowels, society was way more chaotic than now, apparently.
Towers popping up out of nowhere, dungeons manifesting in reality, gates opening left and right.
And with the Awakening phenomenon turning normal people into superhumans came the other races.
These days, everyone takes it for granted, but back then, it was apocalypse panic, doomsday cults everywhere.
Even religions worshiping lizard-like other races as gods—and some are still around.
Then tech using magic stones got developed, skyrocketing their value.
F-rank stones went for hundreds of thousands each back then; a single C-rank could buy a Gangnam apartment.
Insane.
But things changed over time.
Hunters got stronger on average, research on traits and skills advanced.
Strategies for monsters and dungeons got systematized, supply naturally increased.
And after a decade of bloody wars, treaties with the other races led to their autonomous zones, flooding the market with alternatives.
Price drop was inevitable.
Not that I looked it up myself—it's all basic mandatory education stuff.
Of course, without friends, history books, world history, Korean lit textbooks get reread for fun.
Makes me kinda regret it now.
'If I'd Awakened back then, I'd own a few buildings by now just from this payout.'
Why do all the good times pass before I can cash in?
Like the stocks I buy tank, the coins I hold dump.
Feels so unfair, fuck.
Those boomers sucked up all the honey and now whine about how hard they had it. Line 'em up and beat their asses.
But what can you do? Society's like this.
The young ones like me who gotta live longer just have to endure.
Oh, wait.
Taxes.
"You deduct taxes separately, right?"
- Yes. This gate was classified as an emergency disaster, so special tax rates for variant gate support apply. Instead of the usual 33% hunter special tax, it's 10% preferential rate. Net payout, rounding down below 100 won, is 4,125,600 won.
"4.12 million?"
- Yes, exactly 4,125,600 won.
The staffer naturally corrected the amount precisely.
Lee Ji-eun, was it?
Probably deals with cranky hunters all day.
'Tch.'
Bitter taste in my mouth.
Profit slashed by half a million in a blink.
10% takes this much; 33% would keep me up at night.
They say it funds society, but it's still my money getting taken.
Not all bad news, though.
- Additionally, special compensation for lifesaving and initial disaster suppression has been approved.
"Right, that exists."
- Yes. This is tax-exempt: 500,000 won extra.
"Nice."
Bonus for hunters dispatched to variant gates and emergencies.
The staffer explained how it's scaled to gate rank and difficulty, distributed to all on-site hunters.
Why so stingy? Emergencies happen often, can't overpay.
Hence the special tax breaks instead.
Makes sense—last time, barely 10 showed up.
Won't bother next time something happens nearby.
Still, with the bonus, back to 4.6 million.
Tax hit recovered.
Feels like fool's gold, but hey, better than nothing.
"Deposit this Thursday?"
Association settles on Thursdays.
- Let me explain. Per regulations, settlements from Tuesdays are batched every Thursday. Since today is Wednesday, yours will hit your registered account next Thursday afternoon. Association policy—kindly bear with it.
"...Next Thursday?"
- Yes.
Ah, damn.
A whole week wait.
Government efficiency, always.
Generous giving, bureaucratic when paying out—like Galapagos tortoises.
(Fun fact: largest land tortoise, second overall. Cute since kid days.)
"Got it. Not urgent anyway."
Lie—won't change anything.
Hunters beg for advances, but no dice.
- The boss monster weapon appraisal from the site will take longer. We'll call with results.
"Okay."
- Lastly, for post-battle syndrome or injuries, use association hospitals for subsidized care. Call anytime.
"Thanks. Take care."
- Thank you, Hunter. Any other questions?
"No. Have a good day."
- You too. Lee Ji-eun, Settlement Management Team.
Click.
I hung up, obviously.
Those types never hang first.
Then flopped onto the bed.
"4.6 million won..."
Staring at the ceiling, murmuring the amount.
Hope the crescent blade fetches top dollar.
Kim Min-ji said billions possible.
No—expectations lead to disappointment.
A few hundred mil would let me live easy.
"Sigh..."
Body relaxed, mind tangled.
Lee Ah-rin's issue, money woes, mountains of future tasks.
Shower first?
No sweat or smell, but clean habits die hard.
Showered daily before; Ah-rin's note suggests I skimped.
Fresh out, towel-dried hair roughly, blow-dried quick, sat at desk.
Real men air-dry roughly.
Time to dive back into the comics.
Need ore for Marie sis, make money.
Check on Erika stuff too.
'Before going...'
Rifled drawer for spare notepad.
Bought post-move to "study," shoved away unused.
"Found it."
Pulled dusty black hardcover from corner.
Dusted, opened: front page "Day 1" with a few English words.
Rest blank.
'Not even three-day resolve—one-day guy.'
Good—basically new.
Tore first page, penned on fresh front:
[Comics Worlds Log]
Just for records.
I'm bouncing between three worlds now, reality included.
Me in reality.
Me in [Abyssal Miner].
Me in [Divine Lies].
Heading to [Love and Peace] for Charm later, more worlds ahead.
Events piling up across worlds, timelines shifting—getting confusing.
Promises made, progress status.
Especially girl stuff... girl relations.
Why notepad? Phone battery dies fast.
Inventory solves, but webtoons and saved comics tempt overuse.
Nothing beats notepad for jotting anytime.
"Alright, start with Abyssal Miner."
Twirled pen, recalled, jotted keywords.
[Abyssal Miner]
- D-rank Miner
- Cleared Floor 5. Killed Crystal Turtle. Hanging at Floor 6 entrance. Teaming with Erika.
[Hans & Lisa]
- Rescued old man Hans on Floor 2. Found Purifying Herb on Floor 5, cured Lisa's Mine Poison Disease.
- Hans taught me mining.
- Lisa fully recovered—lucky. Calls me "oppa" clingily, kinda cute, fun spoiling her. Favor 75, highest here.
[Erika]
- Original heroine rescued on Floor 1. Japanese high schooler? (Nah)
- Was supposed to get [Hakunakiri Maru] via Lisa intel, but my Hans/Lisa ties blocked it. Later hooked her up—result achieved.
- Crucial! Favor cap lifted. Check what happened in short time before reality return. Verify if she remembers summons.
[Kyle]
- Annoyingly handsome original protag of [Abyssal Miner].
- Suffered early, but hit Floor 2 by end? Talent stacker.
- Took his Floor 3 spirit flower opportunity. Mana Awakening delayed. Probably.
[Luna]
- Mining Guild receptionist, original heroine.
- Favor still 30, minimal change. Likes me only for money-earning. Gold-digger sis.
- Helped her at bar with guys last time—somewhat friendly now.
Head clearing up already.
Next, [Divine Lies], then reality todos.
[Reality]
- Variant gate stones: deposit next Thursday. Crescent blade appraising.
- Consigned Phoenix Yang Pill to Hunter Market, appraising.
- Wednesday today. Weekend C-rank dungeon with Kim Min-ji (money + connections).
- Pay Marie sis 8 mil balance on Black Iron Demon Slayer Sword. Ore instead. <Mithril promise>
Paused pen, pondered.
Should I write this?
Fuck it.
- Reconcile with Ah-rin on return. (Treat to food? Allowance? No apology?)
Yeah, I'm the big bro.
Forgive generously.
Tingly writing it, but necessary.
Forget, and regret.
"Done."
Inventory: stowed notepad.
Now two slots: notepad, Black Iron Demon Slayer.
Keep rest empty.
"Here goes..."
Laid comfy on bed, closed eyes, recalled sensation.
(Bed login prevents falls on return.)
[1. Bloodsteel Alchemist]
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Battle
Difficulty: High (user stats)
[Reward 1: 'Skill: Intermediate Alchemy'] → Pass National Library Entrance Exam.
[Reward 2: 'Artifact: Homunculus Recipe'] → Gather Philosopher's Stone materials (1,000 humans).
[Reward 3: 'Authority: Chamber of Truth'] → Attempt human transmutation & sacrifice body part.
[2. Love and Peace]
Genre: Romance, School Life, Harem, Pure Love
Difficulty: High (user stats)
[Reward 1: 'Stat: Charm +50'] → Reach lover status with main heroine.
[Reward 2: 'Trait: Pheromones'] → Conquer 3 sub-heroines.
[Reward 3: 'Trait: Harem King'] → Max favor all heroines & dominate school.
[3. Abyssal Miner (In Progress)]
Genre: Fantasy, Grind, Growth
Difficulty: Low (user stats)
[Reward 1 (Acquired): 'Stat: ALL +10'] → Register Apprentice Miner (Complete).
[Reward 2 (Acquired): 'Trait: Steel Body (B)'] → Mine 1,000 iron ores (Complete).
[Reward 3 (Acquired): 'Hidden Piece: Blessing of the Earth'] → Kill 100 Abyssal Moss Slimes (Complete).
[4. Magical Girl Lili]
Genre: Magical Girl, Healing (Physical), School Battle
Difficulty: Medium (user stats)
[Reward 1: 'Artifact: Magic Wand'] → First transformation & defeat first monster.
[Reward 2: 'Skill: Healing Magic (E)'] → Rescue 10 civilians (any crisis).
[Reward 3: 'Trait: Lili's Blessing'] → Survive finale boss + 1+ ally safe return.
[5. Divine Lies' Secret Clinic]
Genre: Historical Drama, Medical, Adult (19+), Undercover/Court Mystery
Difficulty: Low (user stats)
[Reward 1 (Acquired): 'Skill: God's Hand (C)'] → Alleviate 10 VIP patients (Complete).
[Reward 2 (Acquired): 'Elixir: Phoenix Yang Pill'] → Recover eunuch's "Royal Medicine Box" & complete prescription (Complete).
[Reward 3 (Acquired): 'Trait: Royal Physician'] → Cure queen's secret illness (court secret) & uncover incident mastermind (Complete).
'Hmm...'
Looking at the list, feels lacking.
Each world offers 3 trait rewards.
Already completed two fully.
Sure, byproducts like [Spirit Flower] or [Elixir: Phoenix Yang Pill], but no more free trait stats? Kinda misses it.
Won't expand later?
Anyway, Abyssal Miner, let's go.
Fwah—!
Vision flickered, familiar world-flip sensation hit.
Opened eyes to lavish room interior and soft-ish bed by reality standards.
Back, Lee Tae-sik.
Lumina Mining Village, my digs: Golden Pickaxe Inn Room 203.
Best facilities, grub in town, prime location.
Late afternoon.
Right after handing Erika [Hakunakiri Maru] on Floor 1, splitting up.
Ate in between.
Opened window: village panorama.
Bustling miners, hawking merchants, distant massive mine mouth.
Vibrant scene.
"Alright, let's go."
Planned lazy rest on relog, action tomorrow.
Past grind burnout—no breaks.
Infinite time: slow life this round.
Meet Erika first, though.
Curiosity killing me.
'Gear up.'
Grabbed [Blood-Calling Morningstar] from corner, inventory.
Weapons: two now.
Situational swaps.
Oh right.
Can't go out in real-world tracksuit—stares galore.
Changed to mining work clothes.
Skipped leather armor.
Not mine-bound, no need.
'Ready.'
Down to lobby.
Bald innkeeper dozing at counter, wakes to steps, rubs eyes.
"Eh, Lee Jun? In then out again?"
Tone tells all.
This bald bastard used to shit on me, attitude flipped sometime back.
[Don't like it, leave. Plenty elsewhere? Crash in a pigsty.]
First night, griped at 200 Lumina—scoffed while picking belly lint.
Now buddy-buddy.
My miner cred, probably.
No harm cozying with landlord—might spit in water otherwise.
Social life.
"Errand outside."
"Diligent, diligent. No young guy works like you. Dinner?"
"Out."
"Right, careful. Later."
Out past bald host's sendoff.
'Target: Erika.'
Issue: where's she staying?
Morning—er, pre-[Hakunakiri Maru] mine entry—she came here first.
Assumed mine entrance meet, skipped asking.
Headed Mining Guild.
See Luna sis too, ask Erika's spot.
And most importantly...
'Subtly flex how handsome I got.'
Charm -2 to 23.
Mostly dick size, but reaction shift?
Excited to see.
Such thoughts swirling...
I headed to the Mining Guild.