Chapter 7: So, what's the performance rate so far today?

“Yesterday… I awakened.”

Obiwan answered with a dazed expression. Although the woman's beauty was exceptional, it was her clean and swift move to kill the monster that left a more intense impression.

On the other hand, the woman, Jo Eun-ju, a hunter of the Ohjang Guild, looked at Obiwan with sparkling eyes. She had been closely observing Obiwan even before he collided with the monster.

What kind of lunatic runs towards a monster, and at a speed that’s insane for his size? The fact that he remained unharmed after a head-on collision with a wild boar was nothing short of miraculous.

‘If he can do this right after awakening, he’s a real find…’

With proper training, he seems to have great potential. Just as Jo Eun-ju was thinking this, the elderly couple who had been saved approached Obiwan.

“If it weren’t for you, young man, we would have been in big trouble. Thank you, thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Thanks to you, we’re fine. I’d like to give you something as a token of gratitude…”

At the old man’s words, Obiwan waved his hands in refusal. He hadn’t done it for any reward, and it was Jo Eun-ju who had actually killed the monster, who was now talking to the police.

“Please, at least take this.”

The elderly couple, wanting to give something, unexpectedly offered a gift.

It was side dishes they had intended to give to their children.

“You can always make more food. Even if it’s not the best, please accept it as a token of our gratitude. My wife grew and prepared these herself.”

Kimchi, perilla leaves, fried peppers, cucumber rolls, and more…

It would be awkward to refuse.

“Really… thank you. You’re giving me exactly what I need.”

Filling an empty fridge in this way was unexpected.

The elderly couple left with a satisfied expression, expressing their gratitude.

“Wow, you look different. This guy, you’re hiding your awakening even from your friends?”

“I came here to tell you about it.”

“Is that so? Was it because of that? Anyway, after all the hard work, your life is finally blooming!”

Jang Won-beom’s face was full of joy, as if he had awakened himself.

At that moment, No Min-chul, his eyes bloodshot with anger, approached.

“You… what did you say just now?”

A guy who can’t even draw his sword against a monster. He’s not worth the effort, but I don’t want to cause trouble.

“Oh, that was to the monster. Damn, you stupid pig!”

Obiwan didn’t want unnecessary friction. He kicked the monster’s head to deflect the attention, and No Min-chul narrowed his eyes and spoke.

“You said you were a salesperson at Naru Corporation, right? You don’t seem to have much to show for your recent awakening. Don’t act up. You’re an eyesore. Even if all your company’s hunters attack, they won’t stand a chance against us at Mido Corporation.”

‘What is he saying? He’s not a kid.’

Obiwan suppressed a laugh and nodded. Thinking Obiwan had backed down, No Min-chul smirked and turned to Jo Eun-ju, who he had to deal with for business.

“Are you from the Ohjang Guild? I’m from Mido Corporation…”

“I have no business with you. You were a salesperson at Naru Corporation, right?”

No Min-chul, thoroughly ignored, trembled. But the other party was a high-level hunter, a skilled killer of monsters.

The gap was too great to argue, and after glaring at the innocent Obiwan, he quietly left.

“I want to deal with a monster. Can I do business with Naru Corporation?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m quitting the company. If you don’t mind… how about doing business with this friend?”

Jang Won-beom’s eyes widened, and Jo Eun-ju nodded readily.

“Sure. The other guild members will bring the remaining monster corpses soon, so let’s do the deal.”

“T-thank you!”

Jang Won-beom bowed deeply.

A short while later, the Ohjang Guild members gathered, and the transaction between Jang Won-beom and Jo Eun-ju began.

“The wild boar monster is worth 500,000 won for the mana stone, and the horn is…”

“Enough. So, how much per head?”

“700 in cash. For three, that’s 2,100 in total!”

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Jo Eun-ju nodded coolly.

It wasn’t a cash transaction, so Jang Won-beom didn’t carry a wad of cash. After signing a simple contract, he processed the payment on his phone.

“I’ve transferred the money!”

“I’ve confirmed it. And…”

Jo Eun-ju handed a business card to Obiwan.

‘She’s the guild leader?’

She looked only a few years older. For a guild leader, she was quite young.

“Even though the guild is small, I have the skills to help you grow.”

“I appreciate it, but I don’t plan to join a guild.”

“It’s tough to go solo. I’m not trying to tie you down like other guilds. The contract can be renewed annually.”

Given his experience as a salesperson, Obiwan must have seen and heard a lot. Jo Eun-ju guessed his thoughts and said,

“We’re not a shady guild. If you change your mind, feel free to contact me.”

“I understand.”

“See you then.”

Jo Eun-ju raised her hand to bid them farewell.

“Thank you! Hope to see you again!”

Jang Won-beom, grinning from ear to ear, patted Obiwan’s shoulder.

“Looks, personality! That lady is amazing, really the best. I’ve lived long enough to see this thanks to you.”

“You’re acting like it’s the first time. Want to bring up old stuff?”

“Let it go. And even if you don’t want it, take this. You’ll need to quit your brother’s part-time job soon, right?”

Jang Won-beom planned to give him a portion of the earnings. But Obiwan shook his head.

“Instead of that money, can you help me with some items?”

“Items?”

*

It was summer, but the air conditioning in the modified truck was strong.

With three monster corpses in the truck, the two stopped in a secluded area and began their work.

Zzzzz.

Jang Won-beom disassembled the monsters with an electric saw, and Obiwan assisted, looking familiar with the process. Disassembling three was a time-consuming task.

Unlike other monsters, wild boar-type monsters were delicious. As Jang Won-beom skinned and cut the meat, Obiwan vacuum-packed and stored it in the freezer.

After all the work was done, Jang Won-beom handed over an ice cream from the freezer.

“Let’s have a drink tonight. I’ll treat you.”

“Of course you should. The sight of the meat makes me want to vomit. How about some tuna sashimi?”

“Okay! I’ll treat you to the best course tonight! But, what do you plan to do after quitting your job? You said you don’t want to join a guild.”

Jang Won-beom, holding an ice cream in one hand and cleaning the tools with the other, asked.

“I don’t have specific plans. I just feel like I can do anything once I quit.”

“True, a hunter would be crazy to work for a company that drains its employees. You lasted longer than most.”

“I stayed for the money. But, can you handle rare minerals?”

Jang Won-beom stroked his chin and said,

“Rare minerals… For example, if you brought a piece of mithril, it would definitely be traced. Guilds might be able to handle it, but individuals risk their lives. Never bring me anything that valuable.”

That evening.

While Jang Won-beom waited outside, Obiwan put the side dishes given by the elderly couple in his fridge. Then he opened a dimensional door and took out black iron and mana stones.

Like a storage room for when needed. After confirming that no monsters had reached the ceiling, Obiwan hid them in a corner of the cave.

“Where did you get such high-quality black iron?”

“Just lucky, I guess.”

There must be more to it, but Jang Won-beom didn’t press.

He knew Obiwan’s personality. If he didn’t want to say something, he never would.

“You know the market prices well. Mana stones have a fixed price. For black iron… around 800. If you get more, I’ll give you the extra.”

“Okay. But where do you sell this stuff?”

“That’s my business secret. Why are you so nosy?”

“I’m worried about you, man.”

“True, you’re a hunter now. You won’t be in danger because of the black iron, but feel free to follow me if you’re bored.”

Obiwan nodded, and Jang Won-beom fiddled with his phone, completing the transfer.

Ding.

The balance in Obiwan’s account, which had only 24,250 won, increased.

Obiwan couldn’t help but smile.

“Feels good, right? By the way, do Na-yeon and Bi-gwang know you’ve awakened?”

“No, I haven’t told them yet.”

“They’ll be thrilled. You’ll be a great provider from now on. Well, you’ve done well so far…”

Jang Won-beom grinned.

“I’ve been curious, how much money do you have in your account? How can you transfer money so easily?”

“It’s all bank loans. Who uses their own money for business? You know, after my father passed away, I inherited the truck loan.”

“I know… Haven’t you paid it off yet?”

“Scammers are everywhere. Besides that, the debt is endless. Damn it.”

Jang Won-beom’s situation was no better than Obiwan’s.

His father, a tow truck driver, passed away suddenly, leaving Jang Won-beom with no choice but to enter this field right after high school. He had to take care of his mother in the hospital and his three younger siblings.

Their situations were so dire that they often joked about who was in a worse state when drinking.

“I’m glad you’re doing well. If you succeed, don’t forget me, okay?”

“Do I look like the type to forget? Let’s go get some drinks. I’m hungry.”

Starting with the best course of tuna sashimi, the two didn’t return home until morning.

*

A 12-story building near Nonhyeon Station in Seoul.

The entrance bore the golden letters “Naru Corporation” in large font.

For the past four years, the company building had been a dungeon filled with monsters for Obiwan.

And today would be the historic day he escaped that dungeon.

‘Slam the resignation letter on Team Leader Kim’s face!’

As Obiwan entered the building.

A luxury sedan stopped, and a man with a strong presence got out.

He was a B-rank hunter hired by Naru Corporation. He walked to the other side and opened the rear door, revealing an old man with a cold, emotionless face.

The chairman of Naru Corporation.

Obiwan recalled his first day at the company.

Seeing a hunter, called a superhuman, treated like a secretary by an incompetent person was a huge shock.

But what if the tycoon was a hunter?

He would be at the top of the food chain, wielding power, influence, and wealth.

“Good morning!”

Following the other employees, Obiwan bowed. The chairman walked straight into the building, followed by the hunter.

Riding in the elevator with the chairman was a terrifying experience. Employees tried to avoid it, but Obiwan didn’t care. He was quitting anyway.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened.

The chairman, the hunter, and Obiwan entered.

The employees’ heads tilted like meerkats as the doors closed.

Their expressions clearly said, “Why are you in there?”

The chairman’s office was on the top floor, the 12th.

When Obiwan pressed the 8th floor, the chairman’s clear voice echoed.

“Which department are you in?”

“Resource Sales Team 2, Obiwan.”

“A guild must be your client. So, what’s your performance rate so far today?”

They always ask about performance when they see a salesperson. In the past, he would have been too nervous to speak. But today, Obiwan was confident.

“63%.”

“What?”

The chairman’s fiery gaze was palpable.

“Do you think the company gives you a salary for nothing? In my time, if you didn’t hit 100%, you didn’t go home. You practically lived at the client’s place. These days, people lack perseverance. Do you sleep at night? Do you?”

“Actually, I just spent the night entertaining clients and came back to change clothes.”

Of course, it was self-entertainment with friends.

A moment of silence followed. The B-rank hunter’s aura was intense.

Ding.

Fortunately, it was the 8th floor.

“Please go in…”

“I’ll be watching your performance this month.”

‘That won’t happen.’

Exiting the elevator, Obiwan saw the bulky back of Team Leader Kim, who had 50 missed calls. He was about to open the office door.

‘He’ll go ballistic when he sees me.’

Obiwan smiled and greeted him with an unusually energetic voice.

“Good morning, Team Leader Kim!”

Team Leader Kim’s large head turned sharply.

“You…!”

His cheeks, about to burst, quivered, and the side of his body holding the wrapped rice rolls also bulged.

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