Ch. 20 - Chapter 20

Managing one’s facial expression is truly a difficult task.

Especially when someone shoves a bundle of cash into your hands.

“Seven hundred and fifty million won.”

How much?

At that staggering amount, the corners of my mouth went up on their own.

Controlling my lips seemed way harder than controlling Black Aether.

Was this for real? 

In just two months, I earned an enormous amount of money.

This amount exceeds the annual salary of a mid-level hunter.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Is it not enough?”

That bastard must have read my mind.

The way he asked a question he didn’t mean, with that sly grin on his face.

But for someone like me, who hadn’t even had a proper part-time job, suddenly getting over 700 million won? There was no way I could keep a straight face.

I forced myself to respond calmly.

“Alright. I’ll hand them over.”

Yaksha’s deals were still as sharp as ever.

The amount was large, but the rare herbs I brought were genuinely worth that much.

Today, an old woman who seemed to be an appraiser came and evaluated the rare herbs I brought, and he approved the transaction without a hint of doubt.

They say if you lie during a deal with him, you can lose a limb or two, but when it comes to honest trade, there is no better merchant than him.

One of Yaksha’s subordinates handed me a bag.

A bag full of money, like something straight out of a movie.

“I heard you’re taking the hunter test.”

“Yeah.”

“Then why did you pretend to be a hunter back then?”

Why ask that now that the deal’s already done?

Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like he was trying to interrogate me.

It was more like. Like he was curious.

“I never lied. All I said was that I’m a ‘healer’ type.”

“…Hmm?”

At that, a look I’d never seen before appeared on Yaksha’s face.

‘Ah, is that so?’ he muttered in a bemused tone.

And once again, I had to suppress a laugh at that sight.

When I was healing Bisu, Yaksha asked me if I was a healer, and I said yes.

It was true that I was taking the Hunter Qualification Test as a healer type, so technically, I didn’t lie.

Though honestly, if he had directly asked whether I was a hunter, I probably wouldn’t have answered truthfully.

Who cares.

Sucks to be you, bastard.

“Are you planning to take the test as a healer?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Why do you keep asking so much? If you want to know more, pay up.”

Bisu flinched beside me, but maybe because of what happened in the past, she didn’t easily join the conversation.

Even without anyone mentioning it, I knew.

That I was receiving enormous privileges in the black market.

Usually, no one had the chance to directly deal with Yaksha, and it was even rare for him to reveal his name.

Even his close associates, including Oh Jiho, never mentioned his name.

That's why I could speculate. 

Yaksha didn't see me as a simple ‘rare herb collector’.

I didn’t know what exactly he found unusual about me, but one thing was for sure.

That I’ve got some kind of backup to lean on, so I was bold enough to take risks.

“Wahahahahahaha!!”

Both of the bastards must infuse some aura into their voices, so I’ve picked up one useful trick.

When their voices got on my nerves, activating the Black Aether near my ears freed me from the influence.

Not only Bisu but even a few of his subordinates trembled slightly, yet I remained unaffected.

“Alright. I’ll assign value based on your answers, so let’s hear them.”

At Yaksha’s words, I silently cheered inside.

I was already considering proposing a special deal, so if he was the one offering to owe me first, there was no reason to turn it down.

“I don’t know how much you’ve figured out, but I’m a bit different from your average hunter.”

“As if that isn’t obvious. You’re a lunatic who dives solo into Poison Dungeons to harvest rare herbs.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I had no intention to joke around.

One wrong move, and I could lose a hand.

But that didn’t mean I had to reveal everything to the head of the black market.

Simple as that.

“If I use my original power, it’ll be hard to become a hunter.”

“Hoo…”

Yaksha’s emotions always seemed raw and unfiltered.

Which is why every expression was clearly played across his face.

He was looking at me with an intensely curious gaze.

And I hated that look.

That uniquely arrogant stare, like he knew something but I didn't.

“There are a lot of secondary reasons, but publicly, I’m going to operate as a healer.”

“And in the shadows, you’ll keep trading with rare herbs like this?”

“Probably.”

I didn’t bother mentioning that I could grow stronger through the cores of Poison Monsters.

“Alright. Let’s leave it here for now.”

“Hand over the money.”

“…Don’t you think you’re a bit too materialistic for your age?”

“Then pay me with something else.”

At that, Yaksha's face clearly seemed to say, ‘Well, would you look at this punk?’

Looks like he didn’t expect me to come prepared for this exchange.

He probably thought I was just goofing around.

“Something else, huh?”

“Not sure how much my answer’s worth, but I’d like to be paid with something physical.”

“Heh. What, you feel like punching my face or something?”

“No. It’s only fair to receive something physical for something physical.”

I turned my head and looked off to one side.

A man whose movements felt less like combat and more like art.

One of the close aides who always stayed by Yaksha’s side.

I turned to Oh Jiho.

“How can I learn that manager’s martial arts?”

For a brief moment, Oh Jiho’s calm eyes wavered ever so slightly.

Even Yaksha’s sharp, hawk-like eyes widened for a second, then he asked with a faint smirk.

“Are you talking about Hwan Gyeok?”

Who the hell is Hwan Gyeok?

That guy’s name is Oh Jiho.

Oh.

It must be because only aliases were used around there.

Good thing I never said his name out loud.

“Why would a healer learn martial arts?”

“None of your business.”

“Hehe. I really want to beat him to death.”

He was joking, but somehow it felt like he really did punch me as my chest stung somehow.

With Yaksha’s abilities, that wouldn’t even be a stretch.

But to him, I’ve already become a fairly important business partner.

After all, there was probably no one else in the world who supplied rare herbs in such bulk.

“If possible, I’d like to learn martial arts from that manager.”

“You do realize it won’t be free. You might have to hand over that bag you just got right back.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Of course, it was a total lie.

The bag was precious to me.

If 750 million won disappeared right in front of my eyes, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep for weeks.

But even so, I needed to show him just how serious I was.

Why?

Because compared to my lethality, my actual combat ability was pathetic.

My attack pattern so far has been haphazard and reckless.

Approaching from behind using Poison Steps, then just slashing at my enemies.

However, as I levelled up, there was no guarantee that such reckless attacks would keep working indefinitely.

There may come a time when no matter how much I attack, it wouldn't reach them, or worse, when the blade of Exa wouldn't be able to pierce through the ethereal aura protecting their bodies.

I needed something that could push my physical abilities to the next level.

Because I was still not ready to wield the dazzling and powerful attacks that Kiril once used.

All eyes turned to me the moment I said I’d give the money back in full.

Looks like they could all sense just how serious I was.

“You’re desperate.”

"Desperate, indeed."

“How about learning from me? I’m the one who taught Hwan Gyeok his techniques.”

Oh, damn.

So that’s how it is.

But it was a technique that, even with just an E-rank physique, could destroy a B-rank Knight. There was no way I’d survive learning that martial art straight from Yaksha himself.

“I don't want to die while learning, thanks.”

“Kuhaha. I thought you were the reckless type, but it looks like you're quite good at being objective.”

As a positive reaction flickered across Yaksha’s face, Oh Jiho spoke in a low voice.

"I have no intention of teaching anyone..."

"You will."

Oh.

So this is what absolute authority is like.

The hesitation in his voice made it clear he really didn’t want to do it, but with just a single order from Yaksha, Oh Jiho fell silent.

Things were going surprisingly smoothly.

Though, I’ve got a feeling this was going to be a much harsher ordeal than I expected.

Yaksha told me to come by once a week from now on.

He also said there was no need to see him during training sessions.

What a ridiculous guy.

Does he actually think I want to see him?

“What about payment?”

“I’ll make you an offer once you complete the training.”

“I might’ve already blown through all this money by then.”

“That’s fine. I won’t be asking for money anyway.”

Shit.

What the hell was he planning now?

Judging by that sly grin on his face, paying in cash would probably be the cheaper option.

“Well then, we’re done here.”

Yaksha gave a sharp smile and turned away.

Since the main contract and the additional agreements were all settled, there was no reason to stay any longer.

“You must’ve grown a bit attached by now. Why not say goodbye properly to her?”

With his back turned, Yaksha just twisted his head and asked me.

“Yeah. Not after that night when she pounced on me on the sofa, causing a fuss.”

“Heh..…”

“Hey, you crazy bastard!! That was…!!”

Bisu, with her cheeks flushed, glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

But while the red cheeks made sense, the redness in her eyes wasn’t because of that.

From the moment she parted ways with my sister and entered this place, her eyes had been bloodshot the whole time.

"Come visit again. I'm sure my sister will miss you."

".....!!"

I knew better than anyone that it wouldn't be easy.

After all, she was someone who got caught trying to escape the black market and had her mouth torn open for it.

I wanted to ask Yaksha how much Bisu owed to him, but in the end, I never did.

Who was I, anyway?

My nose was already buried in the mud.

Our relationship only lasted about two months.

But when I get a bit stronger and make more money.

Then, maybe…..

“I’m off. Take care. Don’t get cocky when you’re sneaking around.”

"Mind your own business."

-Kkuwang!! 

From just out of sight above my shoulder, Brie quietly bade farewell.

He was the one who always showed up as soon as we arrived at the black market.

But for some reason, he was keeping his stealth on.

* * *

Yoo Junghwa.

She worked at the Hunter Association’s reception desk.

And the last day of every quarter was the day she hated the most.

That was because a lot of people show up with all sorts of excuses, asking to delay their test fee payments.

"The landlord who promised to pay the deposit said his transfer limit was blocked....."

“I didn’t know it takes two days for stock sale money to come in!”

“My boss didn’t pay me this month, so I’m a bit short on cash… Here, let me pay you what I have for now..…”

Just going by the stories alone, you’d think ‘Unbelievable Stories of the World’ should be filming right here.

The excuses were so outrageous, you can’t help but wonder where they even come up with this stuff.

But as the same thing repeated every quarter, Yoo Junghwa gradually learned to work like a machine.

“Not accepted. Please apply again next quarter.”

“Hey, you bitch!”

Beep.

The moment there was even a hint of trouble, Junghwa would press the call button.

Then a security guard, always on standby, would come and drag the applicant out.

On this day, there would always be more staff than usual.

Since most of the applicants were Awakened, they were prepared for any possibility of things turning bloody.

Normally, applicants were expected to pay the fee up front when registering for the test.

That’s because, these days, the Hunter Test has become for those who already have resources.

If someone couldn't pay at the time of registration and dragged it out until the deadline, it usually meant they were struggling.

And honestly, hardly anyone actually showed up on the final day with the full payment in hand…..

Thump.

Someone placed a thick envelope full of cash on the reception desk.

“Welcome to….. Oh my.”

Yoo Junghwa’s face, stiff from the stress of the deadline rush, instantly brightened with surprise.

A strikingly handsome man had come to the reception desk.

Though somewhat skinny, his appearance was sharp enough to catch anyone’s eye from a distance.

“Welcome. What brings you here today?”

Yoo Junghwa greeted the customer with a rich voice as smooth as her glossy curly hair.

If she treated every applicant like this, her name wouldn’t be the subject of so much chatter among the customers.

The man with sharp eyes and porcelain-white skin replied nonchalantly,

“I’m here to pay the test fee, as you can see.”

“Oh. I see.”

Yoo Junghwa, seemingly wanting to build some rapport with the man, blurted out something she didn’t usually say.

“I’ll help you with the registration. Not many people come on the last day to make their payment, so it’s nice to see an applicant who keeps their promises. Hoho.”

The man gave a sly smile.

“You emphasized it so much last time.”

Emphasized?

Did I just subtly warn this handsome guy in front of me?

Yoo Junghwa tried to recall, but she had no memory of ever speaking with this man before.

“Wait a moment…..”

She quickly checked his identity using his ID.

And she nearly let out a scream.

Chun Haesun.

The man on the screen was the same guy with unsightly birthmarks she had seen before.

‘It was him?!’

The unsightly blotches had completely vanished as if they never existed.

And it wasn't just the blotches.

His once scrawny frame had transformed into a sleek, muscular body, and his skin was now as smooth as silk.

His sharp nose and lips, which had been hidden beneath the blotches, were now finally showing off their charm.

‘I’d believe it if someone told me he is an idol..…’

The transformation was nothing short of dramatic.

More than just his looks, the ragged outfit he was wearing last time was also gone. He was now dressed immaculately from head to toe.

Yoo Junghwa was shocked by the transformation of the man named Chun Haesun, but at the same time, she felt a deep regret for her past.

If she had known he’d transform like this, she wouldn’t have treated him so coldly and rudely.

“Registration… is complete. Please come to the center’s first floor the day after tomorrow.”

"Thank you."

Haesun took the test slip, gave a slight smile, and nodded.

Yoo Junghwa felt her body melt at the sight.

Forget about professional ethics, she wanted to immediately save the phone number written on the test slip into her phone.

But Haesun had already left the building.

Yoo Junghwa jumped up from her seat and hurried to find her senior in the lobby.

“M-Manager, I’m going to cancel my vacation!”

“What’s going on, Assistant Yoo? You always took a day off after the registration deadline. Don’t wear yourself out.”

“I’m fine!!! I suddenly feel like working!!”

Yoo Junghwa canceled her usual vacation schedule without hesitation.

All the while, she had no idea what Chun Haesun was thinking about her.

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