Chapter 8

< Hunter Association (2) >

The amount of money in the gift card was a staggering one billion won. Wow, when he said he needed money, he just threw a billion at me. Is this even allowed? Don't they charge gift tax? Is the gift tax waived for S-rankers?

Feeling a bit dazed, I took the card and walked into the shopping mall.

The Hunter Shopping Mall spans from the 3rd to the 6th floors of the Hunter Association building. Floors 3 and 4 sell C-rank and below items, floor 5 sells B-rank items, and floor 6 sells A-rank items. S-rank items are only sold through auctions.

With plenty of money, I headed straight to the 6th floor. There were hardly any customers on the 6th floor, and neatly dressed employees stood in a row at regular intervals, like mannequins.

"Where is the S-rank contract?"

When I asked the nearest female employee, she gave me a beautiful and friendly smile.

"I'll guide you right away, sir. This way, please?"

The employee led me to a reception room surrounded by glass walls. Looking around, I saw several such reception rooms.

As I sat on the sofa, another female employee offered me a drink.

"Coffee."

"Do you have a preferred bean?"

Just a regular one would be fine... But it didn't seem like they had instant coffee.

"Um, orange juice, please."

I hope they don't ask about the type of orange. Fortunately, the employee only asked about ice and then immediately squeezed fresh oranges into a fancy glass and brought it to me.

'Delicious.'

Expensive oranges, I guess? While sipping the juice, a man in his mid-thirties entered and bowed 90 degrees to me.

"I'm Ki Yoon-seo, the manager of the 6th floor of the Hunter Shopping Mall."

Even though the contract was relatively cheap for a 6th floor item, the manager came in person. Isn't this service a bit excessive? The manager sat across from me with a refined smile.

"Since S-rank contracts are rare, you'll have to wait about ten minutes. I've sent an employee to the warehouse, so please bear with us."

"Ah, yes, that's fine."

I nodded. After all, there aren't many people who can afford S-rank contracts.

In our country, all S-rankers except one are guild leaders. Planning to contract with an S-ranker means I'm either at a similar level or have a deep connection with them. That's why the manager rushed out and bowed so low.

Before long, an employee brought a luxurious leather box.

"We currently have five types of S-rank contracts. The most popular is the stat reduction contract."

The manager took out a parchment contract from the box and laid it on the table.

"This contract contains the S-rank curse skill of the S-rank Hunter Marionette Manuela Schussler. If the conditions are violated, all stats decrease by 20% for one year. It's a powerful contract that can't be broken without an SS-rank curse nullification skill or item. In practice, only the Holy Lady can break it. The contract is valid for up to 10 years."

Wait, does that mean I won't suffer any penalties if I violate the contract? My curse resistance is L-rank. An S-rank curse wouldn't even tickle me.

'This could be quite useful.'

The thought crossed my mind but was quickly dismissed. I won't be the one signing the contract, and even if my F-rank stats dropped by 20%, it wouldn't make much difference. If it were an illegal contract that could cost me my life, I might consider it, but I have no such plans.

"There's also a skill downgrade and seal contract. However, it's limited to one S-rank or lower skill, making it less effective against SS-rank skill holders. A permanent stat reduction contract is highly effective but unlikely to be accepted by the other Hunter."

Even if they wanted to keep the contract, it would still be unsettling.

I bought a one-year stat reduction contract and a one-month skill seal contract. In an instant, 50 million won was gone, but I still had 950 million won left. My brother really doesn't know the value of money.

Since it's his money, I'll use it gratefully.

"Show me magic power increase equipment. Something I can wear regularly, with a fixed increase, not a percentage increase."

While percentage increases are more valuable, they're useless to me. My magic power is only 2. A +50% equipment that would make global rankers go crazy is far less useful than a +5 equipment that's not even C-rank.

Soon, high-end cases wrapped in velvet were placed on the table.

"All of these have been appraised by A-rank appraiser Park Ji-yeon of the Korean Hunter Association."

The manager opened the cases one by one. While the equipment's performance was immediately noticeable when worn, sometimes they were sold with magic or curses to deceive. That's why expensive equipment came with appraisals.

"This is the Red Lumereus Ring. An A-rank accessory that increases magic power by 30."

Magic power is a hard stat to increase, so a mere 30 increase makes it A-rank. With this ring, I won't lack mana.

'Too flashy.'

The red gem on the silver ring was the size of a quail's egg, surrounded by what looked like diamonds. How am I supposed to wear this?

"This is the Aulis Hall Bracelet. Another A-rank accessory that increases magic power by 27."

Next, a bracelet made of walnut-sized blue beads, a dazzling sapphire necklace, and a leather ribbon headband were presented to me. Why are they all so flashy?

"As you know, the gender ratio of high-level Hunters is heavily skewed towards males, so simple accessories sell out quickly."

Seeing my wrinkled expression, the manager explained. Still, it's a bit much. Rings and bracelets are embarrassing to wear regardless of gender.

"These are the Black Elf Earrings. An A-rank accessory that increases magic power by 29. This is the last A-rank fixed increase equipment; the rest are C-rank or lower."

B-rank, not even C-rank. I hesitated as I looked at the Black Elf Earrings. A simple earring with a small black gem. I don't like piercing my ears, but this won't stand out much.

"What's the increase for C-rank?"

Just in case, I asked.

"Fixed increase of 5 to 6."

No good. The difference is too large. I need at least a total of 10 to be useful.

In the end, I bought the Black Elf Earrings. The price was 230 million won, cheap for A-rank magic power equipment. Cheap in the billions, the world of high-level Hunters is a different world.

Without piercing my ear, I placed it on my earlobe, and it automatically attached. My magic power now exceeds 30.

I also bought gloves to increase strength and a belt to increase agility.

[Awakened Han Yujin

Title: ? Dragon Slayer (L), Perfect Caretaker (L)

Level 1

Health: 6 (+51) Strength: 4 (+20) Agility: 5 (+16) Spirit: 4 Magic: 2 (+29)]

Equipment

Black Elf Earrings (A), Manticore Leather Gloves (A), Lightweight Cloth Belt (B)

Skills

Spirit Up (E): Target's spirit +5% (immediate effect, no stacking with similar or identical skills), duration 30 minutes

Agility Up (E): Target's agility +5% (immediate effect, no stacking with similar or identical skills), duration 30 minutes]

'My average stat at level 1, excluding magic, is 26.5. C-rank stats.'

Despite the imbalance in health, a three-level increase in one go is indeed the power of money. Of course, the rank will drop significantly as I level up, which is why percentage increase equipment is more popular.

Even after buying two more pieces of equipment, I still had nearly 500 million won left. I thought I could spend money freely, but it's not decreasing as much as I expected. Can't use this gift card outside?

I bought a set of 20 low-level mana potions and a set of health potions. And then,

'Let's buy weapons and armor.'

With solid equipment, I should be able to clear a low-level dungeon.

"Show me dungeon equipment with a focus on fixed increases."

There were so many types that this time, a catalog was opened instead of physical items. There were various weapons, but few I could use. Before the regression, I mainly used spears. I could only perform simple battles, buffing from behind and stabbing with a spear. Killing Lauchitas was thanks to the combat skills I inherited along with part of the memory.

After much consideration, I bought a pair of daggers, a short sword, and light armor. Since I couldn't wear them regularly, I put them all in my inventory. Wearing dungeon equipment outside can result in fines and penalty points. If penalty points accumulate, Hunter qualifications can be suspended or revoked.

'Is that everything? I don't have much money left... Ah, that.'

There's a perfect item for me.

"Do you have any items with effects like poison gas? Curses are also fine."

Something that spreads poison or causes blindness. I can nullify it completely, so I can use it in emergencies.

The employee brought a double-protected black sphere.

"This is the Black Poison Wheel from S-rank Hunter Poison King Run Luhan. If you don't have an A-rank or higher poison resistance skill or item, you'll die within 10 seconds of inhaling, and you'll be incapacitated within 5 seconds. The effective radius is 5 meters. Using it outside a dungeon will result in immediate arrest and possible capital punishment."

A-rank poison resistance skills and items are extremely rare, and S-rank ones don't exist. So, an A-rank should be enough to take out most opponents.

"Is there anything with a wider effective radius?"

If it were 100 meters, I could clear C-rank dungeons with just items and skills. B-rank and above have monsters that can break through 100 meters in three seconds, so that's a stretch.

"Among the items currently for sale, this Black Poison Wheel has the widest effective radius. The poison thins as it spreads, so the effective radius is limited. The farther from the target, the longer the time to death or the lower the poison level. For F-rank monsters, the maximum effective radius is 50 meters, with death within 10 seconds and incapacitation within 3 seconds."

50 meters in 3 seconds. I can clear F-rank dungeons. There will be opponents, though.

"Random target wide-area curses are generally weak. Curses have conditions, and they differ significantly from contracts signed by the target. There are types that can be enhanced by offering sacrifices."

"That's not necessary."

I want to use it in emergencies, not waste time finding sacrifices.

In the end, I spent the remaining money on three Black Poison Wheels and stood up. As I stepped out of the glass door opened by the employee,

[Today, F-rank Hunter Han Yujin, an Awakened, is being sought by A-rank Hunter Kim Sung-han. Please visit the Missing Persons Center immediately upon hearing this announcement.]

An announcement was made looking for me.

Damn, Kim Sung-han, using an announcement is one thing, but why the Missing Persons Center? He could just tell me to come to the main entrance. Cursing under my breath, I hurried to the Missing Persons Center before a second announcement could be made.

Kim Sung-han stood in front of the Missing Persons Center like a debt collector. Parents looking for their children were scared away.

"Where have you been?"

He frowned, his deep voice and tense expression making it clear he was about to hit me. Without fear resistance, I would have begged for mercy.

"Buying contracts. Didn't I tell you?"

"You didn't."

"I forgot. Sorry."

My half-hearted apology made Kim Sung-han's face even more menacing. Hmm, he wouldn't actually punch me, right? He's the brother of the guild leader. Don't forget that.

"Do you have other business?"

What should I do? It's too early to cancel, so should I go to Myeongdong Station and look for Park Yerim? Or should I go home first? Yuhwan said he would move me, but he probably hasn't packed yet.

"Let's go to my place. The address is-"

"Going there won't do any good."

Really? Moving without the owner!

"Where did you move your stuff? To the guild staff dorm?"

"Probably to an empty room in the guild leader's residence."

Living with my slightly off-balance brother is a no-go. Living independently and being dragged back by my brother is ridiculous. Yuhwan, let's at least be a bit distant, like before the regression. Okay?

"Let's go back to the guild first. We need to sort out your things."

As we walked towards the elevator connected to the parking lot, people's gazes pierced my face. I could hear their whispers.

"Is that F-rank following the A-rank?"

"What's their relationship?"

"Kim Sung-han even made an announcement. They must have something going on."

"Didn't they say the Missing Persons Center? At his age, being a missing person."

Woman, stop laughing! Is this a place for people who like to gossip? Their words were so dirty, my ears were ringing. 'Are you all S-rank?'

With my increased magic power, I scanned the people around me. As expected, F-rankers were everywhere. C-rankers are immediately recruited by guilds, so they wouldn't be loitering here.

Famous guilds start recruiting C-rankers. B-rankers are treated well wherever they go, and A-rankers are sought after.

'That's F, that's F, you're F... Wait!'

The man I just passed!

[Awakened ? Yoo Myeong-woo

Current stat rank F

Awakening potential stat rank F

Optimized initial skill

Master of the Golden Forge (SS) - Failed to obtain

Sharpening (A) - Failed to obtain]

'Master of the Golden Forge?'

< Hunter Association (2) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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