Entering the house, I cut to the chase and got straight to the point.
"Do you happen to know about the black market?"
At that, Kang Changho stopped drying himself with a towel and reacted.
"Black market?"
"I had a feeling you'd know a place or two."
I said to the silent S-rank hunter.
"Actually, I'm personally interested in that kind of market."
Black market. Or the dark market.
A place where goods are traded secretly, avoiding government control and the law.
As I said, I was currently gathering information about illegal trading. And I had already confirmed that a black market specializing in magical tools existed.
Merchants selling off dungeon items to the black market for tax evasion, causing headaches.
Unqualified civilians secretly acquiring dangerous equipment and committing crimes.
Just a little search and you can find examples.
'Korea isn't a safe zone either.'
If it's a black market where illegal items are rampant, there might be some ingenious tools that could help my situation.
And there was also a 'certain item' that was clearly only distributed there.
So originally, I was going to check out the black market myself, but unfortunately, it wasn't easy for a regular person to access the underworld.
These days, it's an IT society, so even dangerous transactions are mostly done online.
Especially their method of creating anonymous chat rooms using a highly encrypted messenger app, repeatedly forming and disbanding to attract customers, was very unfriendly to an alien.
'It was too difficult, so I gave up on doing it alone a long time ago.'
Kang Changho was a VIP customer of the awakened kidnappers in the past.
So, wouldn't it be natural that he already knows how to get into the black market?
"If it's okay, could I get some help from Changho-nim…?"
I came here with that expectation. Because he was the only person I could think of who might know about the criminal world.
"Black market, huh."
As expected, Kang Changho seemed to know something about this topic.
"Kim Giryeo, you have a good relationship with the Association, so you don't have any problems using the public market, right?"
"No problem at all."
"Then why are you interested in a place like this?"
Hair that is celadon-colored due to the common hair discoloration syndrome that awakened ones often suffer from.
I continued the conversation while observing the moisture on the other person's hair drying.
"It's a bit embarrassing to say because it's a light reason, but honestly, it's half out of curiosity."
The truth is, I'm looking for supplies to be used in my revised plan…
I don't have an obligation to report everything. Honestly, part of me was genuinely curious about the black market as well.
"Curiosity? Not looking for a specific item?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
"Is it difficult for this reason?"
I asked the landlord, who was standing by the window, while telling a natural lie.
"But if you just help me enter the market, I can repay you as much as possible. For example… I could appraise items for you. Come to think of it, didn't you say you needed a personal appraiser before?"
I'm not thinking of getting a free ride, and I'm going to pay for the value of the information, so this should be more than enough etiquette.
"…I didn't expect it to be this kind of request."
Kang Changho seemed to ponder for a moment after hearing my words. But the silence didn't last long.
"Alright."
Soon after, he gave a positive answer.
"I'll connect you to one black market I know. So you can get on their customer list."
"Oh."
"Will this be enough?"
The S-rank hunter finished the sentence while drying his hair with the dry towel he was holding.
Since this is nothing anyway, I'll just tell you out of the bond between contractors.
But you shouldn't have high expectations. It's a small, low-quality flea market.
"I already got an appraiser a long time ago. So, don't waste your time and leave if you're done."
"Ah, yes, yes."
Kang Changho was surprisingly generous.
He granted my request without receiving anything in return.
Anyway, except for the drawback of not knowing what he'll do depending on his mood, he's a very useful Earthling.
'Until I get my power back, I should try to please this guy.'
I thanked him again and prepared to leave.
But then.
Kang Changho suddenly approached me, picked up the box of drinks he had put down, and said this.
"By the way, it's rare for you to bring a gift."
Isn't it a bit late to give your impressions?
"It's my first time receiving a gift from another hunter."
"Is that so?"
Swish.
The blue-haired S-rank hunter lifted the drink gift set to eye level.
"Let's see, the weight of Kim Giryeo Hunter's sincerity is…"
And he quietly said, staring at one side of the box.
"13,000 won."
I should have taken off the price tag.
◈◈◈
How is the black market operating today?
There was a time when transactions through delivery or mail were prevalent.
But dungeon items are usually bulky and mana can be detected, so the old methods could no longer be used.
So, the black marketeers came up with another trick.
To be precise, they started using the new civilization that appeared in this world.
"Hello."
I'm now standing in front of a gate in Seoul.
And this gate is the identity of the black market I was introduced to.
I heard that some daring black marketeers take over monster nests like this and use them as their business locations.
'After clearing the lower-level dungeon except for the boss, they remodel the remaining space into a marketplace…'
Designating a gate as a meeting place for illegal transactions had its own advantages.
They could quickly destroy evidence by using the characteristic of dungeons collapsing after being cleared.
Above all, from a capitalist point of view, the fact that they could enjoy a vast space in the capital without paying expensive land prices was very appealing.
"Please show your clearance certificate."
At the entrance of the F-rank dungeon in a secluded area, a guard in a suit was standing.
I handed her the invitation I had prepared.
Originally, to get this invitation, one had to access a place called the 'dark web' and go through all sorts of trials…
"But are you really Kim Giryeo Hunter?"
"..."
"Ah! Of, of course, I was told in advance that you were coming. But just in case… I'm sorry, but I'll just double-check the application of illusion skills one last time."
Thanks to a certain S-rank awakened one, I was able to become a member relatively easily.
Soon after, the guard applied a potion that inhibits magic maintenance to her finger and rubbed it on my cheek.
But since nothing changed, she quickly bowed her head and said.
"I, it's confirmed! You can enter right away."
In the guard's eyes, I would only appear as an S-rank hunter who came with Kang Changho's introduction. It was only natural that she was frightened.
'If I had come with him, that guard would have fainted by now. It's a good thing I asked him to let me shop quietly.'
I put the invitation that the guard had politely returned back into my pocket. But it seemed like not all the procedures were over yet.
Just before crossing the gate.
The guard suddenly held out something in front of me.
"Ah, customer!"
"Hmm?"
"We prioritize our customers' privacy. Therefore, we have a principle of wearing masks inside the market so that each other's identities are not revealed."
"Ah, I see."
The identity of that object was an Earth-style manufactured product with a structure that covered the entire face.
'If it's all blocked like this, can I even see?'
When I tried on the mask I received, surprisingly, my vision only darkened slightly, and there was no problem.
It seemed that the beads embedded in the eye area were like sunglasses.
Since even my hair was completely covered with the long cloth attached to the back of my head, it seemed like it would be difficult to recognize who I was if I didn't open my mouth.
'Of course, I was aiming for that and even paid attention to my outfit.'
Swish.
I looked down to check my outfit for today. A black short-sleeved t-shirt and black-blue cloth pants.
I intentionally wore clothes that I don't usually wear, like at the auction house, so I wouldn't be immediately exposed.
"Is it all done?"
"Yes, yes!"
Having completed the procedure, I stepped into the gate without hesitation.
"Huh."
But the scenery I saw was a sight to behold.
Bright daylight.
Signboards placed everywhere.
A young man actively soliciting customers.
And various masked customers filling the space in between.
'It's beyond my imagination.'
Indeed, this place was the perfect environment for opening a marketplace.
Because the dungeon structure was a collection of earthen buildings with an atmosphere similar to an old village, if the monsters were well-managed, they could immediately set up shops in the internal structures.
'The scale is small as I heard, but at least it has the basics.'
I scanned each of the earthen houses around me.
Some places were selling weapons, and some were selling items in other categories, such as Knight's Oaths.
But there wasn't anything particularly special about this black market.
Most of the items sold here were the same kinds that could be seen outside.
'Well, well?'
Moreover, their selling prices were outrageously high.
Perhaps because they are hunters by profession, they can't understand the market prices because they usually get items easily from the market.
'What are other people thinking, paying such a premium?'
But still, since it was a black market, some booths sold magical tools that the government had banned from distribution.
But the thing I actually needed wasn't in sight.
'Hmm.'
Maybe they don't handle it here?
Disappointed, I moved my position. And I went into a small earthen house on the outskirts…
"Ah."
Finally, a welcome sight.
A large sign made of thick cardboard with writing on it.
『Blueshell ━ 0.5 per set』
The blue seed drawing here is the same fruit I saw before.
'It was here!'
Blueshell!
That's right. The reason I came to the black market, even risking danger, was all because of that fruit.
━——————–=
Preparation 3. A total of five formulas.
Mana within the body needed for activation.
━——————–=
The lung exchange technique requires a fair amount of mana.
'A fruit that explodes a person's mana…'
Actually, there is a trace amount of Blueshell circulating in my body right now.
Alpha Uri natives were masters of this technique, so they could maintain a temporary state of awakening like caffeine for a long time.
But I had to achieve a mana increase that was incomparable to the level I increased my awakening power by 10 before.
That's why I was trying to buy additional Blueshell.
'According to my calculations, the problem is that I would have to overdose to the point of killing a person to barely meet the standard.'
Well, it's better than having no choice, right?
I briefly finished my thoughts and approached the clerk at the booth.
"How many are in a set?"
"We sell them in units of 5."
For reference, the 0.5 written on the sign is a slang term for five million won.
'They're charging a damn lot…'
Mutter, mutter.
I cursed inwardly and diligently moved my arms. I took out the cash from the bag I had been carrying.
"Give me 8 sets."
"Thank you, customer!"
A bundle of 50,000 won bills that a grown man could barely hold in one hand.
When I handed over about 4 of those bundles of cash, the black marketeer willingly handed over the hidden product.
Blueshell was a substance that could go into an item box, so there was no need to wrap it in a bag.
'Good. I bought what I needed, so should I just look around the remaining shops and leave…'
I moved the Blueshell into my item box and turned around.
But then.
"Oh my, welcome, customer!"
Creak. With the sound of an old door, a new customer entered this earthen house.
A woman wearing a party mask with a mustache drawn on it.
The other person closed the door they had opened and scanned the interior, and at some point, cold sweat started to pour down my spine like crazy.
'Oh, my?'
I already noticed the customer's identity with the mana flowing from the other side.
'Why is that person here…?'
Drip, drip, drip.
I had a bad feeling. I pretended not to notice the cold sweat flowing under my mask and quietly prepared to leave.
But it seemed that it was already too late to escape.
"Teachers."
A few seconds later, the woman took out a weapon without warning.
"There will be a brief execution of official duties."
What is going on?
Psh!
What came out of the customer's possession was none other than a gun. When she pulled the trigger, a silent firing occurred.
"Ugh…!"
What was fired was not a metal bullet.
An orange substance that turns into a gas when it touches its target. The merchant who was hit by it suddenly collapsed powerlessly to the ground.
Thud. As soon as the customer confirmed the black marketeer's paralysis, she turned the gun towards the next target.
"Wait a minute!"
But she couldn't pull the trigger she had placed her finger on.
"Don't attack! It's me."
She wouldn't have forgotten this voice in a short time.
Ch 179: Black Market （3）
Kim Giryeo's unique vocal frequency.
The other party, recognizing that calm register, flinches and changes their grip, moving their finger off the trigger and to the side of the gun.
"Y-you're Kim Giryeo Hunter?"
"Yes, hello. It's been a while."
But they don't lower the gun they were aiming.
And so, we had a tense conversation with a mask between us. The other party spoke first.
"How did you recognize m-…"
"Because you spoke first. Besides, if we meet this often, I roughly remember a person's awakening power."
A B-rank awakened one with wind-attribute mana, Seon Uyeon.
The Association employee measured my voice a few times before slowly lowering the gun.
"Anyway, what's going on here?"
I asked, flustered by the sudden situation.
Then, Seon Uyeon straightened their askew mask and said.
"I'm… working."
They started explaining in a somewhat shaky voice.
"Huh?"
"Not many people have Searcher skills. I've been cooperating with the police as usual, and I guess my hard work was noticed. Recently, I was promoted, so my authority has expanded."
"Ah."
"Now, I can directly arrest suspects."
"You didn't come here alone, did you?"
"No. Of course, I'm with the detectives."
Good grief, the police are already everywhere. How could I have been introduced to such a black market!
"Actually, this promotion is almost thanks to you, Giryeo-ssi. I was always passed over for promotions because I couldn't enter gates…"
While I was flustered and didn't know what to do.
Seon Uyeon muttered something as if recalling it, then soon fixed their gaze on me.
"It's a shame, but this doesn't seem like the right place for a thank you. Kim Giryeo Hunter-nim, why are you here?"
A deep question came from behind the mask.
"And of all places, at this stall. That person sells Blueshells."
"..."
"Hunter-nim, don't tell me… you bought Blueshells?"
But, just because the other party asks a few questions, would I tell them the truth?
Before coming to the black market.
I had skimmed through Korea's laws regarding illegal trading. Yes, I studied in advance just in case I faced this worst-case scenario.
And the result of that diligent preparation was.
"No. Why would I?"
I realized that the 'pretending not to know' strategy was quite effective here.
Because.
When cracking down on illegal sales, Korea focuses on punishing the suppliers.
'It's definitely more efficient that way.'
It's cumbersome to go after every single consumer. Of course, the severity of the crime is also different.
There's a clear difference between a buyer who purchases one or two stolen items and a fence who deals in stolen goods in bulk.
And it's difficult to even find grounds to punish the customer side, so what can they do?
To indict them in this area, at least legally, there needs to be proof that the buyer had a firm intention to trade.
Contracts, remittance details, audio files, etc., there needs to be undeniable evidence to even put together materials to submit to a judge.
'Hmm.'
A quiet cash transaction like the one just now avoids all of these points.
Just looking around the black market isn't a serious crime.
Unless clear evidence is caught, my responsibility would at most be limited to not reporting gate entry.
"I haven't bought anything here."
I brazenly played innocent.
Even if that Blueshell merchant spoke up later, it didn't matter.
As I said before, the law here is lenient towards those who aren't suppliers.
"By the way, Seon Uyeon-ssi, aren't you extremely busy right now?"
After thinking it over, my heart finally calmed down. With that newfound composure, I subtly changed the topic of conversation.
"You suddenly came in and shot someone. Even if it's a secluded shop, if it stays like this, someone else will find…"
But the other party wasn't so easily fooled.
"You're obviously changing the subject. Anyway, I'm waiting for a signal from my team."
"…."
"And I heard you say 'Give me eight sets' right before you came in here."
Oh dear.
This is more serious than I expected.
"You misheard."
"With a B-rank awakened one's hearing?"
"Yes. I don't have money to buy something like that in the first place."
"Then what's in that bag?"
"Personal equipment."
"Can I check it?"
What followed was Seon Uyeon's persistent questioning. I moved the muscles of the corpse to roll my eyes around.
"…Without a search warrant?"
It was a half-panicked remark.
Honestly, I didn't expect that employee to be so strict about illegal trading.
"No, Kim Giryeo Hunter…"
The B-rank awakened one trailed off, their voice slightly dazed.
Well, there's no way that a sloppy attempt to deceive with a lie would always work out.
It seems like that person won't let this slide easily this time.
'This is troublesome.'
The cash in my bag wouldn't be fatal, but.
What if Seon Uyeon tried to take the item box by force? Should I shout 'human rights violation' and lie down on the floor then?
'Just possessing Blueshells is illegal.'
While I was racking my brain to protect the evidence, the woman standing next to me had already spoken.
"Why?"
With a trembling resonance.
"…This is really strange. Why would someone like Giryeo-ssi need something like this?"
They muttered, expressing their doubt.
Well, Blueshells were only effective on lower-rank awakened ones… !
Even if the user's awakening rank is C-rank, this fruit doesn't produce meaningful results. That's how clear the limit of enhancement is.
So, if I'm not careful, this situation could give away the clue that I'm weak, but.
'Hmm.'
Fortunately, there is one excuse I can use.
No matter what I buy here, it's bound to reach Kang Changho's ears. There's no way I would come to get Blueshells without any preparation.
But if I mention that excuse, it's like confessing that I bought a prohibited item. What should I do?
"Wait."
It was at that moment. Seon Uyeon suddenly cut off the conversation in a serious tone.
"By the way, this isn't the time for this…"
"Yes?"
"It's about time for the signal to come, but for some reason, it's been too quiet outside since a while ago."
Seon Uyeon said that and went inside the stall. And they informed the fallen black marketeer of their Miranda rights.
Even though they looked like that, their consciousness was intact. The black marketeer reacted by frowning at the arrest statement being thrown at them.
Of course, that was the end of it. The other party was under a powerful paralysis magic that didn't even allow them to groan.
"We'll put the story on hold for a bit."
Seon Uyeon even took out special handcuffs and additionally restrained the criminal.
After finishing the whole process, they added to me.
"You'll see me again soon anyway. This black market targets ordinary people as its main customers, so the security isn't anything special."
"…."
"The highest-ranking person is about C-rank. So, when the market lockdown is over, I'll hear the story then…"
But they couldn't finish the sentence normally.
Right after that, we recognized new information at almost the same time.
'Someone's coming.'
Seon Uyeon raised their head at the approaching presence. I couldn't see their expression because they were wearing a mask.
But what was more important to me, an alien, was the trembling of the sound. The pitch.
"Awakened ones?"
Or the other party's heart rate.
"No, uh? Wait, this can't be…?"
The Association employee was more agitated than ever.
The reason was probably because of the mana flowing in from outside the building.
What was currently approaching was a group of awakened ones.
And there were two sorcerers who were clearly on par with Seon Uyeon.
'The security of this black market was supposed to be C-rank at best.'
Two B-ranks.
Did the police get their investigation wrong?
But no matter what, it was definitely a troublesome situation. Soon after, she visibly panicked and rushed out of the stall.
—BANG!
At the same time, the rough sound of the door echoed.
The person who burst open the entrance of the mud-walled house was a man with a bare face, and I recognized their identity just by the fact that they weren't wearing a mask.
'The operators.'
Those wearing masks were the customers.
Those who weren't were the owners of the shops. That was the rule.
"Customers! Excuse me, but could you please show us your invitations again?"
The burly men who had rushed into the shop shouted. They needed to reconfirm the black market's entrance tickets immediately.
They didn't explain the reason, but based on the atmosphere, it was probably related to Seon Uyeon not receiving a signal from their colleagues.
"Invitations?"
"Again?"
At least I'm a formal member of the black market, so I don't have any problem even if I get a surprise inspection.
But Seon Uyeon was different.
They hadn't even gotten an invitation, so as soon as they heard that they would reconfirm their eligibility, their posture noticeably froze.
"What, by the way, why isn't there anyone guarding this shop?"
And if they found the shop owner hidden under the stall…
Things would get interesting. I watched the flow of the situation and pondered for a moment.
'Hmm.'
First, I'm here because I was introduced by Kang Changho, so I should stay still as much as possible out of consideration for the person who invited me.
Seon Uyeon has the weakness that I traded Blueshells…
'Should I sell that rat out to those watchmen while I'm at it?'
An attractive option came to mind.
A calculated idea quickly derived from a soul from a planet where selfish trends are prevalent.
But, despite that nature, I ultimately came to a benevolent conclusion.
'Sigh, never mind. Since other police are coming anyway, it's not going to work to silence Seon Uyeon.'
I decided to protect the awakened one in danger.
"-The clerk who was here said they were going to the bathroom for a bit."
Well, it was fortunate that the Earthling had a debt to settle with me…
Thump, thump.
I purposely walked a few steps out so that the guards wouldn't check the stall.
Looking at it this way, it was fortunate that the paralyzed shop owner was an ordinary person. If they were an awakened one, they would have been discovered because of their mana.
"Really? Anyway, show us your invitations quickly!"
Then.
The guard standing at the back of the group waved their hand and urged the inspection.
In response, I put my hand in my pocket and took out the folded membership card, showing it.
"Here. And that person in pants standing there is a guest I brought as a porter, so you don't need to check them separately."
"Yes?"
"We showed our faces together at the entrance when we came in. It's fine, right?"
I lied smoothly and requested that the inspection of my companion be skipped.
Since the dungeon is cut off from the outside world, it's not easy to contact the guard at the entrance or Kang Changho. I calculated that it would be difficult for them to make a quick judgment of the facts.
But as soon as the biggest awakened one in the group heard my words, their expression crumpled.
"We'll decide whether it's necessary or not. Both of you, give us your invitations!"
"Hmm."
Of course, that momentum didn't last long.
"Yeah. You guys looked at people thoroughly at the entrance, and now you're telling us to reveal our identities to some unknown neighborhood vigilantes…"
"Huh?"
"This market is really well-run."
Immediately after, someone in this place reversed their attitude and spoke in an overbearing tone.
"I just showed you an invitation with my name on it. And I made it clear that I don't want to reveal the identity of the acquaintance I brought, but…"
Swish.
Soon, my vision became clear.
I took off the mask that was covering my face from my chin and stood in front of them.
The letters on the invitations here are small, so unless you look carefully, the name doesn't immediately catch the eye.
Therefore, they were a step late in recognizing who the owner of this card was.
"…You guys don't know who I was invited by."
Soon, the faces of the organizers quickly changed.
"And you don't even know who's in front of you?"
They looked greatly intimidated by the piercing glare.
But my statement wasn't over yet. I hadn't driven the wedge in yet.
"By the way, are you sure it's okay to just look at my face like this?"
Swoosh.
I took out the Hydra from the item box. And while holding its handle, I declared.
"Should I let you confirm if this side is really an S-rank?"
"Gasp!"
"No, that's."
"If you understand, then leave it at this. I don't know what kind of accident happened behind you, but if you disturb my shopping one more time because of your situation…"
I focused their attention with a moment of silence.
It's been a few months since I was reincarnated on Earth.
It hasn't even been a full year, but if they have a normal level of intelligence, they should be able to figure this out by now.
"Then I'll make the problem myself."
I had learned from my past experiences.
That this appearance was quite effective when threatening my own kind.
Ch 180: Black Market （4）
A leather with a high success rate for coercion, huh.
Well, aliens don't really notice the differences in physical traits. In a way, this function might be better for me than being reincarnated as an Earth-style handsome man.
"S-Sorry! The, the invitation has been confirmed, so please enjoy the rest of your time!"
After waiting a moment, the expected result came back.
They apologized profusely, sweating bullets, and then quickly ran away.
The watchmen were successfully chased away.
'Whew!'
Well, the checkpoint is also safely passed. Now, I should listen to the person involved.
"Excuse me, Ms. Seon Uyeon."
Swish.
When I turned my head, I saw a woman wearing a mask staring at me from behind.
"Earlier, you said there wouldn't be much here?"
When I spoke, she flinched.
"That's right. It seems we misjudged the scale. B-But, according to the investigation over the past month, the analysis showed that there were only C-rank hunters in this organization…?"
But hearing this, a certain guess flashed through my mind.
'Could it be?'
This place is originally a black market that mainly targets non-awakened individuals.
Since the scale is small and the products handled are limited, most high-rank awakened ones wouldn't have come here.
'From what I've heard, it seems Kang Changho didn't use this market much either.'
Therefore, the black market's management would naturally have become lax in security.
If it's just regular people, one suitable awakened one would be enough manpower.
But, what if an S-rank stranger suddenly becomes a customer one day?
The possibility that the black market, nervous at the news that a monster-like hunter was coming to look around, temporarily strengthened security…
It's not entirely impossible.
And if this assumption is correct, then the reason Seon Uyeon's prior investigation was off is all because of one S-rank hunter.
'Ah, no way?'
I was sweating as I reviewed the sudden assumption. At that moment, a sharp explosion passed through my complex thoughts.
━Kwaang!
Hearing this, Seon Uyeon raised her head sharply.
"That sound came from our side!"
"Yes?"
"There's someone among the police who came with us who often uses explosion-type skills!"
It was quiet for a while, so I was worried, but thankfully, the police who came with her were still safe.
"It's a bit different from the plan, but I should go now."
Soon after, Seon Uyeon crossed into the stall and lifted up the restrained criminal.
It seemed like her job was to secure him and join the others at the scene.
And just before heading into enemy territory, the Earthling wearing a mask turned back and hesitated for a moment.
"…Thank you for your help earlier."
She said this and quickly left the shop.
She didn't try to arrest me for the Blueshell deal, nor did she ask me to help with her operation.
'Is it because my credibility with her is broken that she's not asking for cooperation?'
Well, it's better to focus on other things than to argue with a suspect you can't even catch.
There wasn't enough evidence to arrest me as a criminal caught in the act, and on the surface, my rank was too high.
It was a wise decision.
It was also a good thing for me. Because of that explosion, the market will soon be a mess. Now, all I have to do is slip away in the chaos.
'I should find a place to hide the Blueshell separately on the way home, in case I get reported later.'
I firmly secured the item box to the hunter belt I bought recently.
But the problem is.
"Hmm."
There's a huge hidden threat in this black market…
"Umm."
In fact, one of the shops in this market had an awakened one who was at least A-rank, guarding the sales counter.
Unfortunately, the police's power prediction was very far off.
So, how will the situation unfold from now on?
"What should I do?"
If I just leave that A-rank alone, Seon Uyeon is 100% going to be in big trouble.
I don't know what rank the people who came with her are, but the police, who are chronically short on manpower, wouldn't have invested much manpower in this small black market.
Of course, if I take care of that A-rank on my own?
Then I'll be in a pickle.
I accepted their request out of kindness, but if the invited guest causes a ruckus, who would like that?
'Tsk, even preventing the invitation check is something that shouldn't get to Kang Changho's ears…'
An ambiguous position.
But if I don't take any action, something bad will definitely happen.
Therefore, after careful consideration, I chose the option with the least amount of loss.
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
About 60 seconds later.
Thud!
I burst open the door of a certain shop.
As a noisy customer appeared, the awakened one sitting on the chair got up awkwardly and glared at me.
For reference, this shop owner is the A-rank awakened one I mentioned earlier.
"W-What is it?"
But do you know why I came to this A-rank?
Seon Uyeon had clearly said this: According to the police investigation, the maximum power of this black market was found to be C-rank.
At one time, I thought it was just a mistake.
But now that I think about it carefully…
Even so, the investigation experts who were selected after going through all sorts of tests wouldn't be that incompetent.
So, let's assume that the police's statement that 'the security level of the black market was low for the past month' is true.
What's left is just a simple inductive reasoning.
First, would a group that breaks the law for money really have a strong bond?
Second, what about an A-rank hunter who suddenly appeared when they weren't discovered before?
'Seon Uyeon didn't even know there was an A-rank here. That person isn't an important arrest target anyway.'
Sigh.
I finished all the calculations and acted rationally.
"──Cops!"
"Huh?"
"Hup."
It means I snitched on them.
"There's a crackdown!"
And with a loud voice that could boil a train's boiler.
For reference, I used the derogatory term for police to avoid being exposed as being on the same side, which is a kind of bonus.
"W-What, what did you say? Cops?"
"Didn't you hear the explosion earlier? That's the sound of awakened police using their skills! They're arresting all the vendors over there!"
Murmur, murmur, murmur.
The shop instantly became noisy with my bombshell statement.
The atmosphere was already chaotic because of the loud noise earlier. And now that it's been revealed that the police have appeared.
"What do we do!"
"Damn it."
"So that's why the guards were walking around."
"How did this place get caught…!"
"Could it be that the gate is also surrounded?"
Everyone was confused.
But the shock of the customers is none of my business. I only need to recruit one Earthling.
"Hey! I know where the dungeon boss is hidden. So, let's kill it and escape secretly among ourselves."
"Gasp!"
"The entrance is already covered with police! But there's a chance that the exit will be in a remote place…!"
I spoke to the sales clerk across the counter.
"You look like you have a high awakening power, so you can take down the boss here, right? Huh? When the police are distracted by catching the person in charge, let's hurry. Let's go!"
This was my plan.
If I'm worried that a certain person might harm Seon Uyeon, it's not bad to exclude that target from the incident altogether.
'And at the same time, I can slip out through the exit too.'
If the exit is created near the entrance… then that's when I'll open the 『Surprise Box!』.
Moreover, from a different perspective, this is helping a merchant belonging to the black market avoid arrest.
Even if the situation is reported to Kang Changho, there won't be a big problem.
'If I do well, I can even package it as me doing my best to protect the black market that invited me.'
Of course, if that A-rank tries to keep his loyalty to the organization.
Then I'll have to use various strong measures, but I had no choice but to do this.
Just because I'm afraid of Kang Changho, I can't let an Association employee die.
'If necessary, it's a battle.'
I prepared to draw my weapon at any time.
But the intelligent beings here never cease to surprise me.
"Oh, sure. Let's get out of here!"
"Absolutely!"
That A-rank hunter immediately betrayed the black market.
◈◈◈
Meanwhile.
Seon Uyeon, who went to the scene, barely managed to complete her mission.
"Ugh."
"Kuhhh…"
When I arrived at the place where the explosion was heard, the head of the black market and the police were in a fierce battle.
She skillfully suppressed the operator's guards with her atmospheric manipulation skills she had honed over time.
"Puh-uk, kuh-heok!"
A skill that dramatically lowers the surrounding air pressure to hinder breathing.
It was a new magic that Seon Uyeon had learned while dealing with various criminals. The guards, who were driven into a state of suffocation, regained their freedom to breathe only after being restrained with various items.
"I'm glad everyone is safe."
"Oh my, you have no idea. I thought I was going to die and leave my children behind like rabbits?"
I was wondering why the promised signal didn't come…
While Seon Uyeon was securing a drug dealer with a high risk of escape.
It seemed that Team A, which had headed towards the manager, had suffered considerable hardship.
As you know, the security level of today's black market was drastically improved compared to normal.
Among them, there was even a hunter who specialized in status ailment skills.
"Are you all okay?"
"It's like I took a good nap, so I feel refreshed."
They were almost all put to sleep and buried in the dungeon without a sound.
"Whew."
Fortunately, some of the higher-ranked awakened ones resisted the status ailments, so the situation didn't escalate.
Seon Uyeon breathed a sigh of relief.
But at that moment. A shout suddenly erupted from somewhere.
"Hey, what did we do wrong to be treated like this! Who says we're not paying taxes? We're paying! So, please let us go!"
The manager of the black market complained as if it was unfair.
However, the police's reaction was cold.
In fact, as that person said, the black market is only troublesome to track and is less serious than other violent crimes, so the investigation doesn't usually proceed quickly, but…
"Detective, haven't you told them what charges they're being arrested for yet?"
"I was too busy and forgot."
This is quite a rare case.
"Well then, we are arresting you for violating the Special Act on the Prevention of Illegal Transactions of Dungeon Items and for the crime of soliciting and accepting murder~"
Even after the Dungeon Shock, South Korea's murder crime arrest rate is still quite formidable.
A detective with a strong Gyeongsang dialect reveals the reason for the arrest in a sarcastic tone. Then, the expression of the restrained person completely changed.
They realized what their own weakness was.
"Hah, damn it."
But that hardened face somehow gradually changed to a confident atmosphere.
"Hey, yeah. Since I'm caught anyway, let's just flip everything over."
"What?"
"You guys here are all screwed! Who do you think you are, coming in here. Now you're all going to die!"
A woman with a venomous look shouted loudly.
At first, I thought it was a meaningless struggle of a captured criminal, but the aura emanating from the manager had a confidence that seemed to be more than that.
"Do you think you've won now? But do you have anyone who's A-rank among you?"
The restrained head of the organization then revealed their trump card.
"If you don't, you're in big trouble! Do you know who's in this market? I have an A-rank awakened one as an employee!"
An A-rank hunter is hiding in this dungeon!
Originally, it was manpower called in because a new member was afraid. But with the situation like this, it has a different use.
Fortunately, I had a lot.
Perhaps even enough wealth to tempt a modern person thirsty for money to commit murder.
"You beggars! Go get caught by an A-rank and have your heads blown off!"
Hahahaha.
The operator of the black market, with the hired mercenaries as their backing, raised their voice triumphantly.
But about 5 minutes later.
When the police finished arresting the main executives and started collecting the remaining petty criminals.
"Huh?"
People questioned why no high-rank awakened one was found even after searching the dungeon thoroughly.
"Inspector!"
"What is it? You should be blocking the gate. Why did you come here?"
"Something happened. It's the exit here, the exit! It opened in a place completely separate from the entrance. We just found it now!"
"Uh…?"
The butterfly effect caused by someone began to grow rapidly.
Ch 181: Back Alley
Kim Giryeo, not content with killing the boss monster that the organizers had hidden away, even smuggled out the A-rank hunter, their trump card.
"Oh lord...."
The black marketeer suddenly lost all his support.
He was sweating and his complexion had worsened.
Thanks to the fact that the rampaging suspect had turned into a sick chicken, the detectives were able to proceed with their work comfortably.
It was an unexpected ending.
◈◈◈
Saturday returned.
Seven days had passed since the black market incident was closed.
Seon Uyeon went out for the first time in a while to enjoy the weekend, but her mind was still full of work-related issues.
"Hoo."
What happened to Kim Giryeo after that?
Seon Uyeon had many questions she wanted to ask the other party. Starting with whether he knew that there was actually an A-rank hunter in that black market....
Whether it was him who made that A-rank disappear.
If so, how did he do it.
Was the exit also something that you made while escaping? Or what did you do alone after going outside, etc.
There were so many questions like this, but there was no way to resolve them.
Seon Uyeon had tried to contact the other party for the past seven days, but the speaker only returned an announcement that Kim Giryeo's mobile phone was turned off.
"Customer! Come here and try a piece of mandu. This is a new product from Ottogi, and young people all love it~"
"Ah."
"It's freshly baked."
She is the owner of a searcher skill.
If she wanted to, she could chase after the other party right now.
However, Seon Uyeon did not put her thoughts into action.
Abuse of authority. Invasion of privacy.
Even if she wasn't a public official, she would have lived her life avoiding such concepts due to her personality.
"It's delicious. Please give me one bag."
"Yes!"
In the end, she was faced with the wall of procedure.
Kim Giryeo was caught in the black market, but there was no evidence that the other party had actually purchased anything.
So, should we start with an interrogation since he attempted an illegal transaction?
There was no way that was possible.
Other crime scenes, such as gambling dens or drug trafficking sites, can be presumed guilty just by being there....
Unfortunately, there is no provision for punishing attempted crimes in the laws regarding dungeon items yet.
Therefore, the police could not arrest or interrogate him. Because that's the law.
If they wanted to detain him, they should have at least prevented him from escaping at the scene.
At this point, the testimony of the captured Blueshell merchant could not have a significant effect.
"Thank you~ Enjoy your meal."
Seon Uyeon listlessly throws the purchased frozen food into her shopping basket.
At this time, a sentence uttered by a certain hunter suddenly comes to mind.
━...Without a warrant?
What an arrogant thing to say.
Perhaps that man knew from the beginning that things would turn out like this, so he was so confident.
He's an S-rank, after all. If he had decided to leave, what could a mere Association employee have done?
Even if the black market had been successfully sealed off.
Either way, it seems that Kim Giryeo would have left the scene safely.
'Today, I should go home and make mandu soup....'
Hoo.
Seon Uyeon left the mart with a deep sigh. She had finished her shopping, so now she was thinking of going back to rest.
But then.
While waiting for the traffic light to change at the crosswalk, she spots a familiar silhouette.
A neat suit and a contrasting flashy dyed hair.
'Hunter Kim Giryeo.'
It's that man.
The S-rank, who had appeared from the alley across the street, stopped in place and was checking something like a notebook....
━Shine.
At that moment, the light changed.
Seon Uyeon quickly moved her steps following the green light, and soon was able to catch up with the other party.
To think that they would meet so coincidentally like this.
"Giryeo-ssi."
At the sound of his name, the blonde man raises his head.
He seemed surprised that an Association employee was approaching, but what followed was a truly brazen act.
A bow.
Thanks to someone, my head is about to explode with complicated thoughts. How can he greet me so casually?
"You seem healthier than I thought."
"Yes?"
"I was so worried about you since you weren't answering my calls, I thought something might have happened to you."
Giryeo replies to this.
"…Did you call me? Oh, I'm sorry. Actually, my phone broke a while ago."
"Ah."
"I dropped it on the floor, and suddenly the screen wouldn't turn on."
"Your phone?"
"But it's such an old model that it's difficult to find repair parts...."
My phone has been at the service center for a week now.
Giryeo, who said that, bowed again, apologizing. He then said that he didn't expect to receive a call from the Association during that time.
"No, if your phone is that old, just buy a new one this time. Just switch the SIM card."
Seon Uyeon challenged Giryeo, thinking that he was making excuses, but the answer she received was only flat.
"It's not mine, so I can't just change it."
The S-rank hunter stands upright and looks down at her.
A quiet atmosphere. At the same time, a face that is no different from a cold-blooded person.
There were many things she wanted to ask him if she met him. But as she faced him like this, Seon Uyeon suddenly wondered if it would even be meaningful.
That cold-blooded hunter seemed like he would be unfazed by any questioning.
Even if she sat him down and talked for three days and nights, it was obvious that she wouldn't be able to know what was inside him.
"By the way, Seon Uyeon-ssi. Why did you contact me?"
Giryeo then asked a question.
"Well.... Was there anything you wanted to ask? For example, why I was there last Saturday?"
In fact, he was also quite concerned about being caught entering the black market by a public official.
He had found a suitable excuse in case he was reported later, but Seon Uyeon did not seem to be curious about it.
I went into the wrong dungeon. I went to catch a bad criminal.
She was fully aware of the excuses that Giryeo would make. And besides, wouldn't it be ambiguous to confirm the truth about this topic now?
"Besides that, there are other things I want to ask."
The Earthling sorcerer continued, speaking in a careful tone.
"I've been thinking about it personally since the incident, and no matter how much I think about it, it's still strange."
"What part?"
"Blueshell is an awakening agent that becomes less effective the higher the hunter's rank."
Hearing this, the blonde man thinks, 'That's right.'
As she said, the range where Blueshell has a dramatic effect is at most around the E-rank.
If you infer backwards from that characteristic, it's a situation where someone's weakness is exposed in an instant.
However, Seon Uyeon did not make this statement because she noticed the secret of some F-rank.
"But the fact that you bought it...."
This was because there was another effect of the blue fruit called Blueshell.
"Could it be for pain relief?"
Giryeo, who had been subtly avoiding her gaze, turns his head in surprise at the following sentence.
"I saw the records in the Association archive. It said there that Blueshell was no different from a new type of aspirin in the early days of its discovery."
"…."
"Giryeo-ssi and I don't respond well to over-the-counter painkillers anymore. Usually, the higher your awakening power, the lower the effect of medicine."
"…."
"So, at one point, Blueshell was almost used as a painkiller exclusively for high-rank awakened ones."
The hand holding the shopping basket tightens.
"It's been strange for a long time. Actually, it's been strange for much longer."
This idea didn't come to her in just a day or two.
The beginning was last winter.
Hunter Kim Giryeo had fallen into a trap in the 13th Month Labyrinth, and in the process of escaping from that place, he committed a truly shocking act.
Until now, she had only been afraid of Giryeo's choices. But now that she thinks about it....
'What if he was someone who wouldn't feel pain even after doing such a thing?'
If he had a means to endure physical dismemberment hidden away, then the incident in the 13th Month Labyrinth would finally make sense.
So, based on what has happened so far, Seon Uyeon speaks.
"Since when have you been using Blueshell?"
Blueshell is so potent that you wouldn't even know you had been slapped in the face.
"How can a person use such a dangerous thing...."
Soon, Seon Uyeon's expression darkened.
"Giryeo-ssi, you watch the news often. So you must know how that high-rank hunter who abused it died."
Her eyes trembled.
As she had been worrying about it alone for the past seven days. Her head was already full of hardened, incorrect prejudices.
"And this might be an excessive thought, but...."
"Tell me."
"Is it related to that? You said that you were a has-been in the past. So are you hurt somewhere now and actually in pain?"
Oh ho.
'It's definitely an excessive thought.'
Giryeo was impressed by Seon Uyeon's ingenious misunderstanding after hearing it.
Blueshell use due to a past injury...?
At this point, he was even feeling a sense of interest in this unexpected development.
But still, such a misunderstanding is a bit much in 21st-century South Korea.
The judges in this country were absolutely not lenient when it came to issues like Blueshell.
"Hmm."
After clearing his throat with a dry cough, Giryeo calmly began to explain.
"First of all, I understand what you're saying. But there's one major error...."
"Error?"
"I've never even put Blueshell in my mouth."
And there was quite objective evidence for this.
"No, but don't you already know this, Seon Uyeon? I went to the detention center last week. Some guy reported me as a drug offender!"
The blonde man raises his voice as if he is dumbfounded.
"I don't even know how many hairs were pulled out of my head there."
"Ah."
"For your information, the test results were all negative."
Seeing that Kim Giryeo is walking around so confidently, it must be that no Blueshell was found in his residence either.
Soon after, Seon Uyeon conveyed in a faint voice.
"…I'm sorry. But it was something I did because I was sincerely thinking about Giryeo-ssi."
As expected, it was a B-rank hunter from the Association who reported him as a suspected Blueshell user.
But it wasn't because she was a cold-blooded, principled person, but because she was truly worried about the other party.
If an acquaintance was addicted to Blueshell, it was right to stop it and help them rehabilitate as soon as possible.
To Seon Uyeon, it was an act of good will.
"Hey. There are so many good potions these days, why would I go through all that trouble to use Blueshell as a painkiller?"
"I was just wondering. If you had abused it in the early days of the Dungeon Shock and became addicted, you might keep looking for it...."
The man, who had been scolding her for a while, paused.
Well, he had expected that the employee wouldn't stay silent anyway. He, on the other hand, was able to assert his innocence confidently thanks to this process.
'Actually, I was going to push that painkiller theory if Kang Changho questioned me about the Blueshell issue, but I shouldn't do that to a public official in front of me.'
Giryeo finished his judgment and continued to speak.
"Anyway, I'm saying again that the last incident was a misunderstanding."
His tone was flat.
"I've never done any Blueshell trading. I just did some information gathering."
"That's...."
"But did it really sound like that to you? Like I said I was going to buy something from a merchant?"
What followed was a tone that subtly encouraged her.
That's how people are. Even if they're just a little distracted, they forget even what happened the day before yesterday.
How can everyone live their lives fully trusting their own memories?
If a strong pressure to be 100% sure is applied, anyone is bound to waver a little.
Therefore, Seon Uyeon also ended up doubting her own experience.
"Well, if you're not related to Blueshell, that's a relief, but...."
Soon after, she had to soften her attitude.
Well, Giryeo is a high-rank hunter, after all. He's not the type of person who would be greedy for such a shabby item from the market.
All that was left was the assumption that the other party was there for some other reason.
The collapse of the human trafficking ring. The pursuit of brainwashed awakened ones.
And the act of protecting the investigator who was in trouble at the black market.
'Was there another intention this time as well?'
This was a misstep.
The person named Kim Giryeo had too many good qualities to be persistently attacked. So, even the rigid Seon Uyeon shows a bit of flexibility in front of the other party.
If she had known what kind of soul was contained inside that shell, she would never have done that.
"By the way, Seon Uyeon-ssi, it looks like you're on your way back from grocery shopping."
The alien magician speaks up.
"Did you buy mandu?"
"Ah, yes."
"I don't know if it melted while we were talking. Then go home quickly. I'll be on my way too."
Giryeo said this and naturally left.
After a certain distance had been created between him and Seon Uyeon, he took out a notebook from his pocket. He added a small mark to the paper, finally finishing his work for the day.
『Other Records』
1 ━ X
2 ━ X
3 ━ O （Exchange Possible）
4 ━ △ （Danger. Forbidden）
For your information, Alpha Uri natives often thought that if someone was lied to, it was the fault of the person who was deceived.
That was the way their innate logical circuits were.
Ch 182: An Association Like Family （1）
Anyway, the day that it's revealed that he's a shameless and powerless guy, I wonder what kind of treatment he'll receive from that employee.
'Hoo.'
So, the enhancement effect of the blueshell has been verified. Now, let's return with a light heart.
Giryeo finished his brief thoughts and crossed the crosswalk.
◈◈◈
Meanwhile.
The news that Kim Giryeo had purchased a blueshell also reached Kang Changho's ears.
To be precise, he found out while receiving a report that the black market had been busted.
—No, Changho-ssi. Even so, wasn't it too much to inform the police about the black market in just one day?
—I didn't know either.
—Still, considering my face as the introducer, I managed to bring out only the most important A-rank seller. Don't ask me why I sided with the police inside. Honestly, I did my part. I had no choice if I wanted to avoid arrest.
Giryeo had reported what he did at the black market first, fearing that Kang Changho would become displeased. It could also be seen as an act of someone with a guilty conscience.
But Kang Changho didn't react to it much.
After all, that black market was just barely staying afloat with membership fees. He really didn't care what happened to that place.
"Hmm."
Kang Changho was only interested in Giryeo's purchase.
He was secretly curious about what the contractor would choose at the black market. But now that the identity of the purchase has been revealed, the situation has become a bit strange.
"Blueshell?"
Let me say again, that's a doping agent that only low-rank awakened ones can use.
At this point, a problem arises.
In fact, the painkiller substitute theory that the employee Seon Uyeon had stated was fundamentally wrong.
It was originally known that the blue fruit also had a pain-relieving effect on high-rank awakened ones.
However, if clinical trials were conducted on top-tier hunters who have exceeded human standards, that is, S-ranks, different results would emerge.
"This is...."
Kang Changho has had experience consuming blueshell before.
"It's a useless item for us."
So he knew.
That even the top-tier awakened ones cannot benefit from pain relief when using the blue fruit.
But then, why did the fourth S-rank of Korea buy that fruit?
Just out of curiosity to analyze the fruit? That couldn't be the case. After all, this wasn't the first time Kim Giryeo had encountered a blueshell.
'If he was interested, he would have already checked the sample when he went to the thugs' warehouse.'
Then, what does this mean?
Kang Changho, a large figure who always has a condescending gaze, leaned back on the sofa and thought.
"This is."
The top-tier hunter who appeared in fourth place could not be grouped with him.
"This guy really doesn't seem to be an S-rank."
Giryeo is a very suspicious existence from the perspective of a fellow S-rank.
Moreover, since he is a stalker who is always watching the other party, the sense of incongruity is even more prominent.
The third S-rank of Korea was getting closer to the truth.
'That doesn't mean he's an F-rank like I've been saying, so then what is his actual rank?'
Of course, there were still many ambiguous parts.
—Ding♪
It was at that moment.
Kang Changho turns his head towards the sound that rang from beside the sofa. The 8-inch tablet he picked up had a new message.
『Sender: mbrooklyn@email....』
It's a message from Brooklyn Morgan.
It seems she wants to receive Kim Giryeo's information as promised last time.
Kang Changho writes a reply to Brooklyn's message without hesitation.
I'm sorry, but the offer I made at the hotel was just a ploy to make the other person obedient on the spot.
『Sorry, I don't have any information to convey yet. When I have a clear....』
He didn't want to interact with the American hunter.
Therefore, Kang Changho roughly brushes off the reply by saying that he has nothing to say because nothing is clear right now.
Of course, it wasn't a complete lie.
For reference, he lives with the idea that there is no absolute in this world, but on the other hand, he is a contradictory person who pursues certainty more than anyone else.
'Well, there's no proof yet that he bought that blueshell to consume himself....'
Thud.
After finishing the reply, Kang Changho throws the tablet back onto the sofa.
He carefully postponed his conclusion. He also thought that nothing could be confirmed right now.
◈◈◈
…However, those here seem to have a very different opinion from him.
"Hello."
A few hours later.
The Korean Hunter Association.
Clear, brown shoes are reflected on the cleanly polished floor.
The one who just greeted was a person in charge from the American Spectrum Guild, and he soon sat down across from Chairman Go Byeongdo and began a friendly chat.
"Wait a minute."
However, the overseas guests who appeared with smiling faces made a shocking statement in just a few minutes.
"What, what did you say?"
Kim Giryeo is not an S-rank hunter?!
"To be precise, it means that there is a high possibility of that."
Brooklyn Morgan ended her previous visit to Korea with a regretful memory.
She couldn't directly confirm Kim Giryeo's power, and furthermore, an S-rank even broke his promise to share information.
However, the Spectrum Guild, to which Brooklyn belongs, thought that this was enough of a card to pressure Korea.
Because....
"By the way, filling up the numbers with fake S-ranks. Have you thought about how big of a deal this will be if it becomes known to the international community?"
"What are you talking about! That he might not be an S-rank. I have no idea about that at all. This is the first time I'm hearing this!"
"Are you saying that the Association President is not at all involved in the rank manipulation of the hunter?"
"Yes. That's right!"
They had obtained some kind of information in the meantime.
"As a result of our own investigation, we have confirmed that tens of billions of won have been leaked from your nominee account, Go Byeongdo."
"Huh?"
"And the leaked cash was delivered to a certain one-room apartment under your instructions, hmm."
The Spectrum side tested their opponent with the information they had.
"From our point of view, that tens of billions of won only looks like payment for pretending to be a fake S-rank."
"T-that, that's not, it's not like that...."
Then, what came back was Chairman Go Byeongdo's rough reaction.
A S-rank hunter he had worked so hard to register suddenly seemed to be a fake. Moreover, he couldn't explain the whereabouts of the 3 billion that the foreigner was mentioning.
'Damn it!'
This was because the Knight's Oath he had signed at the time of the Unfulfilled Malignancy incident had a clause stating that the contract details should not be disclosed.
'No, why are those bastards rummaging through other countries' bank records without permission!'
To do such a morally wrong thing!
He wanted to shout at them, but if he did so at this place, he would only confirm the suspicion.
So, the Association President held back his anger and barely spoke.
"I, I swear to the heavens that I have nothing to do with such things. Whatever you're thinking, Kim Giryeo's rank has nothing to do with me anyway...."
However, the reaction he received was very different from the atmosphere he had expected.
"Even if you didn't know."
A middle-aged woman wearing a silk shirt straightened her posture and opened her mouth. Then, the translator standing next to her delivered the Korean words in succession.
"Then, it will only be concluded that you lacked the qualifications as a leader of the institution."
"Qualifications! It seems that the Awakening Examination Device made an error. Everyone uses PIXY's machines the same way. But how is this my own qualification issue?"
"If the examination was wrong, you should have tried other investigation methods. From what I've seen, that hunter hasn't even gone through a separate verification of his attack-type skills?"
"T-that's because you don't know anything. At the time, such a procedure was not necessary at all!"
A debate that continued for a while.
"Kim Giryeo is the hunter who caught the Unfulfilled Malignancy. So, how could I have suspected him?"
The Association President complained with a sense of injustice, but the American Spectrum Guild was still cold.
"Anyway, based on the information we have gathered so far, we are thinking of applying for a re-examination of Kim Giryeo Hunter to an international organization once again."
"W-what?!"
"And this time, so that no manipulation can be added. In front of 『Justitia』."
"…!"
"But if you really don't want this accusation.... Perhaps, considering some sincerity, we could cancel it."
"Sincerity?"
"For example, the transfer of ownership of some gates."
This country is small, but the dungeon resources it possesses are not bad.
"If that hunter is found to be a fake in court, even if you keep pretending that you don't know, you won't be able to escape criticism. Of course, the cost of using Justitia will also be borne by Korea—"
"Hey! How dare a mere guild say that to me...!"
"A mere guild?"
The negotiator dispatched from Spectrum scoffed at Chairman Go Byeongdo's words.
"We are a guild that has three S-rank hunters, including Brooklyn Morgan, and due to that influence, we also have a close relationship with the gate management agency of our country."
Clack. She places the coffee cup she was holding on the saucer.
"Therefore, your position can be threatened by a single word from that mere guild."
Oh my god.
To threaten to remove him from his position as Association President by using the fact that he passed a fake S-rank as an excuse.
How did he get this title, how could it be for such an absurd reason.
"Unfortunately, we are not family or friends. We are just in a relationship doing similar business."
"...."
"So, if you want our consideration, there is no other way but to show appropriate sincerity."
Swoosh.
The Spectrum Guild side said that and placed the documents they had prepared on the table.
There were several dungeons written there that were presumed to be occurring only in Korea.
"I hope this deal will further strengthen our relationship."
That way, they threaten the overseas authority to the fullest and leave.
They don't know yet whether Kim Giryeo is real or fake, but judging from the Association President's reaction, it is clear that there is something suspicious, so they tried to use this to gain an advantage.
Then, Go Byeongdo, who was left alone, drinks the cold coffee while trembling....
"Hoo."
Soon after, his face turned as red as if it had been burned.
"T-this.... you son of a bitch...."
Kim Giryeo is not an S-rank.
Then, does that mean I was deceived by that guy?
At this moment, the Association President internally confirmed that a certain hunter was a scammer.
If a foreign authority is coming all the way here and making a fuss like this, they must already have solid evidence.
So, they must have figured out all of Kim Giryeo's secrets and come here to threaten me like this.
Because of the background of the United States, which has the image of having excellent information power such as the FBI and CIA, a misunderstanding occurred.
"Hoo, what is this...."
The Association President, after catching his breath, hurriedly unfolded the copy of the Knight's Oath that he had saved in a security file.
━—————–=
1. Kim Giryeo will not intentionally harm Go Byeongdo and his
family in the future.
━—————–=
It was a clause that he had begged to modify, originally only considering Go Byeongdo alone.
He had paid that much money just for this one clause.
'I thought it was a good deal because I could be absolutely protected from being attacked by a dangerous S-rank guy. No, I even thought I was the one who benefited.'
But if Kim Giryeo was a fraud, then didn't that mean he wasted 3 billion won of slush funds?
If he is not an S-rank, then of course he wouldn't get hurt.
'I have two of my bodyguards who are at least A-rank awakened ones.'
Thud.
Chairman Go, who had sunk deep into the sofa, took a moment to catch his breath. But his face soon turned red again.
"How dare a young punk think of deceiving the head of the association!"
Go Byeongdo thought with a groan.
That he was only in trouble because of the other party's deception.
He was innocent. No, he was rather a victim who lost 3 billion won, but now, even if he said he didn't know, he was about to be criticized for incompetence, as they said. At this rate, he was going to get fired before he even finished his term.
'But if I give up the gates to another country, there will definitely be backlash later.'
Huff.
He can't let this go. He can't stand it unless he severely punishes Kim Giryeo.
However, Go Byeongdo didn't know what to do right now.
At the time of sharing the Knight's Oath.
The Association side promised Giryeo that they would not wield absolute power. Because of that, they couldn't take administrative retaliation such as suspending his hunter qualification....
"Huh?"
But then.
The Association President's eyes suddenly caught the phrase from earlier again.
━—————–=
1. Kim Giryeo will not intentionally harm Go Byeongdo and his
family in the future.
━—————–=
Unlike lower-grade contract items, there is no way to cancel it, and it is a magical tool that must be repaid with death if the promise is broken.
The Knight's Oath.
Wait a minute, then, if I use this clause well...?
Ch 183: A Family-like Association （2）
"Huh."
The association president contorted his wrinkled face.
Right. The reason those Americans were pressuring him was because Giryeo was a fake S-rank.
But what if the person under suspicion were to suddenly die at a time like this?
What could they do?
It's difficult to measure mana in many ways once an Awakened One becomes a corpse. The biggest piece of evidence disappears.
Then, all that's left is the test values the hunter had measured during their lifetime. If the numbers on the computer system are fine, then the rest can be covered up and handled.
"Let's see, it should be around here...."
President Go Byeongdo then rummaged through his belongings and pulled out something. It was a high-quality, hardcover notebook.
The method that just came to mind might be difficult to execute right away, but it's still something that gives hope for overcoming this situation.
◈◈◈
Various sounds can be heard from the TV.
『…Today, we have with us Seo Esther, the representative of the hunter guild that represents Korea!』
Cheers. Applause. And two voices.
『There's a little story behind the name of the Korean Magic Tower, isn't there? Originally, they were going to make the company name simple with two letters, but someone monopolized all the usable words when the guild system was still inadequate, so you ended up changing the guild name.』
『That's right. Ah, but I think the regulations have changed now so that if you don't actually establish a guild within 30 days, the preemptive ownership will expire....』
『Although it's a name that was born out of an unexpected happening, many of the citizens seem to say that they actually like it better because the name of the Korean Magic Tower clearly shows that it's a proud guild of South Korea.』
『Ahaha.』
『But to me, the term "Magic Tower" is a bit unfamiliar. Is it perhaps… a term from an online game?』
『It's a word that's used in creative works in general, but the place I took it from is a game. Specifically, 『SOM』.』
『I know that game! It was a sensation.』
『But there's probably no one here with a higher level than me. I'm such a serious 『SOM』 addict that I even brought the guild name I used there into reality.』
『Neeeee?』
『In more familiar terms, I'm a game addict. Haha.』
I listened to the conversation while tapping my toes.
Leaning on my elbow on the old, cheap blanket.
As you can see from this relaxed state, the great magician was currently making the most of his precious weekend.
"Haaam."
There's still a lot to do to regain my abilities from my prime....
But honestly, it's not like the world will fall apart if I rest for a day.
"I've been slightly bothered by the name 'Magic Tower' since a while ago. So, what, it was just a term borrowed from a game?"
Rolling around.
Now that the verification of the Blueshell is complete, I took some time to rest.
And in the process, I turned on a video platform for fun, and that's when that kind of broadcast came on.
'An interview with the second S-rank leading a large guild.'
It's actually predictable at this point, but Seo Esther was the most active in public relations among the S-rank hunters in Korea.
Various official interviews. Public service announcements.
Moreover, she often showed a down-to-earth conversation without any pretension on social media.
Surprisingly, that sorcerer has established herself as a rather 'familiar hunter' here.
It's something I couldn't even imagine.
Even if I somehow managed to surpass the monstrous awakening value, how is it possible for a cursed sorcerer to gain the favor of everyone?
'It's difficult. Whether it's because of the nature of magic or temperamentally.'
Is this phenomenon happening because curse magic hasn't been properly explained yet on Earth?
I pondered quietly and then put down my phone.
Well, Esther's image isn't important right now anyway.
Because I obtained very interesting information after a long web surfing today.
After the Dungeon Shock.
Earthlings showed great interest in the newly appeared awakening phenomenon.
And since people's attention was focused on it, just putting a high-ranking hunter in front of the camera was enough to attract viewers.
"Oh."
There's no way a broadcasting station obsessed with viewership would leave such a treasure island alone.
Eventually, program PDs were even offering newcomers like An Yunseung, who had only been awakened for less than a year, compensation comparable to top entertainers.
The value of hunters increased according to the market economy.
Appearance fees.
Anyway, who knew there would be such a way to make money in this world.
'Just going out and talking gets you tens of millions of won?'
I drooled while skimming through the comments on Esther's video.
If what they're saying here is true, then a solo interview is a dream job.
Just sitting in front of an announcer and rambling about my personal life would get me paid. It's definitely easier than hunting monsters and getting close to their flesh and guts.
'Amazing!'
I want to do that too!
Why aren't I getting any offers?
It was around the time that such a thought crossed my mind.
—Ring ring ring. Ring ring ring.
The ringtone of the phone, which had been repaired, echoed in the one-room apartment.
And as usual, I checked the caller's name first.
'Seo Esther?'
What a coincidence. The name I had just been seeing repeatedly was written on the phone screen.
◈◈◈
A few hours later.
I'm now dressed in my going-out clothes and have come to a place.
In a way, it was a familiar place.
I've been to this high-rise building with a clear view of Seoul before.
Knock knock knock.
"I'm coming in."
A polite knock. A heads-up.
And then the door in front of me opens wide.
And then a terrible sight unfolds.
Inside the room I arrived at, there was a drink on the table, steaming as if it had been brewed in advance for the time a guest would arrive.
I looked down at the coffee welcoming me and thought for a moment.
'Why do these people here enjoy roasted bean water so much....'
Awakened Ones don't even drink caffeine well, so they could reduce that kind of thing.
"Esther Hunter-nim, hello."
I hid my complicated feelings and barely managed to greet her.
In response, the woman sitting at the head of the table quickly got up.
"Ah! Welcome, Giryeo-ssi!"
Somehow, the tone of her voice is higher than usual.
"Did you have a hard time coming? Thank you for making time for me. The news was so good that I thought I should tell Giryeo-ssi as soon as possible. Of course, I also wanted to see your face after a long time!"
Good news?
I tilted my head while watching Esther setting up the sugar cubes for the coffee.
In the call earlier, she had only asked if I was free today. I still don't know what business Esther called me for.
When I blinked in silence, the sorcerer from the Magic Tower hurriedly started explaining.
"Oh, did I not mention the main point first? Actually, today I wanted to talk about the building reinforcement material."
"Reinforcement material?"
"The sand you gave me as a gift, Giryeo-ssi. Surely you haven't forgotten already? I still remember everything about our first meeting~"
That's right. She's talking about the mana-absorbing material I used as an entrance fee for the gate before.
I raised my eyebrows to show that I understood. Seeing this, Esther continued to chatter excitedly.
"Anyway, it's good news. The government recently approved the establishment of a new branch. So, our Magic Tower has decided to build its last guild branch in Andong."
"Ah."
"Of course, using the reinforcement material you gave me, Giryeo-ssi!"
Listening to the long story, it seems that the Korean Magic Tower had been quietly conducting research on mana-absorbing materials all along.
Starting with simple structures like single walls and containers.
Using the appropriate mixing ratio of the mana-absorbing material obtained after thousands of ratio experiments, they have now reached the stage of actually building a building.
'They're learning how to use it faster than I thought. If the basic stage is at this level, can I expect them to discover a simple refining method within 5 years?'
Clink.
The young S-rank hunter, who had been talking for a long time, moistened her throat with the coffee on the table.
"Personally, I'm really looking forward to the results. The experiments have always been good so far."
"Hmm."
"Well, there are still many parts that need to be verified, such as how it will be applied when a large-scale building is built, and whether any unexpected problems will arise."
"That's right."
"If this is patented, it will take some time for the technology to stabilize, but it will definitely generate high profits later. And of course, we've set aside a share for our Giryeo-ssi in this patent!"
But she still seemed unable to calm down, her face still flushed.
To protect a building from monsters, it costs a truly astronomical amount to maintain the barrier, and seeing the ever-increasing price of infinite power cores, even the rich feel uncomfortable.
As she said, this patent has considerable value.
'Is what she just said mean that I'll also get a settlement or something?'
Tempting.
I felt interested in the story and picked up my coffee cup. I wasn't planning on drinking it right away.
It's less damaging to gulp it down all at once when it's cold than to sip it little by little....
"Hmm."
It's too late to boldly say I don't like the drink like I did with An Yunseung, since I've already drunk coffee at the Magic Tower too many times.
Soon after, I gulped down the black liquid in the cup.
It couldn't be helped if I didn't want to leave any unnecessary questions.
'Every time I come to the Magic Tower, I feel the nostalgia of my home and I'm so happy I could die. Really, one of these days, an alien is going to die.'
Anyway, I've heard the good news that I'm going to get some unexpected income. If there's no more information to be conveyed, I'd like to go back now.
'Today wasn't originally a day I was planning to go out.'
Unfortunately, it seems that Esther still has more to talk about, as she leaned towards me and explained something enthusiastically.
If we get the patent, we plan to transfer a high share of about 25% to you, but since you didn't participate in the invention process, the list of applicants is blah blah.
Instead, she'll take care of the financial part, so don't worry about the equity agreement, and so on and so forth.
But as the sentences continued, I gradually became indifferent.
When I think about it, it's obvious that I'll have to wait a long time to see a proper profit from the mana-absorbing material technique.
'For now, the expected completion date for the branch they're building here is 3 years from now.'
Clunk. The cleanly emptied cup is placed next to the scattered documents.
"Do you understand?"
"Yes."
I pretended to understand and moved on, in order to end the conversation quickly.
Right now, it's the early stages of research, where they haven't even built a 5-story building yet. It's not the stage to have concrete discussions yet. Everything is too opaque.
'I don't know how much that 25% share is, but since it's being said by the cursed sorcerer who is friendly to me, it won't be a backstab at least.'
I've been so good to her all this time, so there's no way there will be problems now, right?
There's a reason why the great magician is even lowering his pride to please the cursed sorcerer. I organized my thoughts that way and prepared to leave the room.
In one corner of my mind, I was also wondering if there was a water purifier on the first floor of the guild.
"Hmm?"
But it seems like I'll have to postpone rinsing my mouth.
"What's wrong?"
Right after the conversation ended.
I stopped in a half-standing position as I was getting up from the sofa. In response, Esther immediately expressed her question.
But I chose to act rather than answer the question. I hadn't experienced that kind of phenomenon since being reincarnated, so I couldn't gauge how it would affect a person.
—Swish.
When I stretched out my hand, the guild master here widened her eyes.
"Representative-nim, just a moment this way...."
And when Esther heard this, she finally understood the meaning of the gesture and belatedly placed her hand on top of the offered palm. At that moment, I pulled the other's limb closer with force.
Of course, with my F-rank strength, it would feel infinitely light to her.
"Huh?"
If I'm just going to indicate the direction, this much will be enough anyway.
"What."
The guild master of the Korean Magic Tower was surprised by my unilateral action and tried to question me.
However, she abruptly closed her mouth with her body tilted. Soon, a strange flow of mana rushed into the senses of the S-rank hunter.
The soundless distortion and piercing of space.
"…G, gate?"
When I turned my head, a familiar concept had appeared in the place where the Earthling had stepped away.
"Hmm.... Just in case, should we move a little further over there?"
A Blue Gate had appeared.
I moved the representative's hair, which was about to touch the boundary of the passage, and gestured again.