Preparing for the Trip
A café near Yongsan District Office.
Sipping on his iced coffee, Jin Yunho scratched his head.
"Haha… this is embarrassing. I'm sorry for showing you something unsightly first thing in the morning."
He sighed in relief.
He'd nearly lost ten years off his life.
He could swear his heart had dropped harder than the moment he'd filled in the wrong answers on his college entrance exam.
"It's okay. You've got your duties to handle. But I've been curious for a while—what team do you lead, Yunho?"
"Ah, me? You can think of me as a sort of general manager who does a bit of everything."
"Ohh."
"It's not a good thing. I handle response, suppression, player management… all sorts of miscellaneous tasks. And I don't even have much influence over independent departments like Support or External Relations."
He squeezed his eyes shut.
All thanks to the benevolence of Director Lee Chang-gi of the HR Division.
"By the way, is there a reason you chose China as your first overseas destination? This isn't a question from a Hunters Administration team leader—just personal curiosity."
Usually, people went to nearby Japan for their first trip.
Or, if they went a bit farther, someplace familiar like Vietnam or Thailand.
Most people didn't choose China as their first destination, which was why Jin Yunho had been so startled that morning.
"I heard the scenery at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is beautiful. I want to get some air while hiking."
Jin Yunho nodded.
Ever since awakening, Runner Yoo Jinhyeok hadn't rested for a single day while climbing the Tower.
Just yesterday, he'd used compressed tickets to challenge higher floors, so it was only natural he was exhausted.
"I think it's a good decision. Sometimes you need to set everything down and rest. But you should be a little careful with Chinese mountains."
"Because the terrain's rough?"
"Not that—since the Awakening began, I've heard a lot of people have fled into the mountains. As you know, China's a communist state, so player management is strict. They try to keep everyone under control one way or another."
People went in as ordinary civilians, but many ended up turning to crime just to survive.
Naturally, foreign tourists were the easiest targets.
"Thanks for the warning. I'll be careful."
"If I could, I'd love to arrange a Hunters Administration private jet for you, but since your destination is China, it's not easy."
Yoo Jinhyeok—whose name wasn't known at all—and a Hunters Administration jet.
The moment he entered, China would question that unnatural combination.
"It's okay. I already booked a ticket."
"At least let me help you somehow. I've put in a call to the passport department. You should be able to get it this afternoon."
"Wow, thank you. I was worried about how I'd wait a whole month."
Jinhyeok immediately adjusted his flight date.
No point putting it off—he would leave this evening.
Jin Yunho drained his cup, then glanced at Jinhyeok, who looked unreasonably cheerful.
Part of him wanted to ask.
Wouldn't it be more fun if you went with Hunter Cheon Se-yeon?
But it looked like Jinhyeok wanted to rest, so he held back.
"What's your plan after this?"
"I'm heading to Dongdaemun."
"Let's go together. I'll give you a ride."
Jinhyeok thanked him and stood.
He'd been about to catch a taxi anyway—perfect timing.
Dongdaemun Market.
'Business is booming.'
Yeon Sanghoe, which he hadn't visited in a while, was thriving beyond expectations.
Even with two or three employees hired, Yoo Suyeon looked far too busy to catch her breath.
"Hey, you're here?"
Oh Jaegap spoke to him casually.
Jinhyeok stared at the old man, who looked entirely at ease.
"Hello, sir. But you're not opening your general store?"
"What's the point of opening now when there won't be any customers? I'll open when Yeon Sanghoe closes in a bit."
Finding his own niche.
"No need to worry. Business is better than before."
In fact, sales at the general store had increased a lot.
Customers who came through Yeon Sanghoe often drifted in when items sold out, just to make do.
He was clearly benefiting from Yeon Sanghoe's spillover effect.
"Here, eat this. There's a new taffy shop in the market."
"Thanks."
He chewed on the sweet pumpkin taffy for a moment.
"Alright, that's it for today! Thank you for coming to our shop! Everyone, take care on your way home!"
Scurry!
After handing over the rest of the taffy, Oh Jaegap vanished to prepare for business.
Jinhyeok handed some to Momo and Kancho and walked to the shop.
"Oh! Jinhyeok!"
Yoo Suyeon came running out, waving happily.
"Come this way today!"
Leaving the employees who were tidying up behind, she led him somewhere else.
They arrived at a massive warehouse.
"As our name's spread, more players want to sell their items here. So I boldly rented this place!"
"Nice. The shop's really growing."
"This is all thanks to you, Jinhyeok. You bring in so many high-quality goods that we've built a loyal base of regulars. Their friends are coming too—every day is a boom. Oh! And next month, an outlet offered us a space, so we've finalized a contract. We're opening a second branch!"
Explosive growth at incredible speed.
He had to applaud her.
Truly, a born merchant was something else.
"Oh, Momo—hi! I'm always late greeting you."
Only then did she spot Momo and wave.
"Hi!"
Momo waved back and began opening Flick's bag.
"There's a lot today."
It had been a while, so there were stacks of parts.
Especially an enormous amount of components from the Centipede Elder on Floor 40-4.
"Kuhh…!"
Suyeon shook her head as she inspected the goods.
"This is insane. Especially these centipede scales—they're in such good condition, they'll sell for a fortune."
Pristine—without a single sign of damage.
Naturally, since Seira had split it cleanly in half with one strike.
Suyeon clapped her hands over the centipede meat and legs too, praising their condition.
It already felt like money was raining down.
"Roughly how much do you think it'll be?"
"With this many high-quality scales… at least two billion won, maybe more."
'Wow.'
Internally stunned, Jinhyeok pulled out his phone.
Then he rebooked his flight from economy to business class.
Two billion won—he could afford it.
'If I'd sold organs like the kidneys and gallbladder too, it would've been insane.'
He'd given those to Elia, who'd been drooling over them, saying she wanted to make medicine.
Even now, she was diligently brewing potions in her workshop for everyone to drink.
'Sorry, Elia.'
As the Sage of the Stars and an alchemist, he felt a twinge of guilt making her do nothing but make potions.
"Jinhyeok, if you're okay with it, how about we start picking up the items from your place? It must be a hassle coming here every time."
She explained they were building their own logistics chain to buy and sell goods even from distant regions.
"Of course, I'll personally pick up your items. If someone else does it, your identity as a Runner might be exposed."
"Then I'd really appreciate it. Here's my address."
"Yes! Then just contact me and I'll come get them! By the way, aren't you going to make armor from these scales? Even to an amateur like me, they look like amazing material."
Jinhyeok pulled out a bundle of scales from his inventory.
"I was actually planning to find a blacksmith today."
Lightweight, yet with equally impressive defense.
He planned to get a full set made while he was at it.
"Excellent choice!"
"If you find a skilled blacksmith with money, I'll introduce you."
"Just as expected of you, Suyeon!"
They bumped fists with a smile.
With his inventory emptied, all that remained was gear setup.
Before heading to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain—and before using compressed tickets for the 40th-floor range—he intended to raise his combat power as much as possible.
With the money in his account and this exchange voucher from Jin Seohee.
Department store Felid.
The moment he arrived, he headed to the armor section.
Among them, he was looking at shoes.
If there was anything he'd learned while climbing the Tower, it was that shoes were crucial.
Movement speed affected both offense and evasion, so he wanted to raise it first.
"Welcome. What kind of shoes are you looking for? We have everything—from ones with various magical resistances to ones that restore stamina just by wearing them."
"I'm looking for something with high movement speed. It'd be even better if I can use it outside."
"We do have something that fits perfectly, but it's quite expensive."
"Can you show me?"
His balance was five hundred million won, but about two billion more was coming in soon.
Didn't seem unreasonable to splurge a little.
"Uh… well…"
The manager looked awkward.
The shoes were in the VIP lounge.
Officially, entry wasn't restricted, but it was an unspoken rule that only customers recognized as VIPs by the department store were allowed inside.
For a moment, Jinhyeok wondered if he'd said something wrong.
Then—
Slip.
A black card was offered before his eyes.
"!!!"
Black with gold lettering.
It was unmistakably Felid's exchange voucher given to VVIPs.
"Just a moment, sir. Let me check it for you."
Jin Seohee, CEO of Generos, a Genex affiliate.
A question mark formed on the manager's face.
He knew Jin Seohee all too well.
She wasn't someone who handed out exchange vouchers freely—so how did this man have one?
Then he remembered a conversation among influencers who had visited earlier that day.
— I heard from friends who were on the New Cali ship. They say CEO Jin Seohee has a boyfriend now.
— Really? That ice queen?
— She always says in interviews she cares about personality, not looks—guess that was a lie.
— Wow, I'm curious. Who on earth conquered someone that cold? So what's the guy's name?
After clearing his throat a few times, the manager spoke carefully.
"May I have your name? Identity verification is required to use the voucher."
"Yoo Jinhyeok. I received the voucher as a gift from someone I know."
A bright smile spread across the manager's face.
Simple clothes, yet a strikingly handsome appearance he couldn't hide—and a solid-looking build at a glance.
Just like what he'd heard.
"Please come this way. I'll escort you to the VIP lounge."
"Thank you."
After several security procedures, they arrived at the VIP lounge.
As expected, every item looked outrageously expensive.
After walking deeper inside, the manager gestured.
"These are the shoes I mentioned earlier. They're called Hermes's Shoes. Level requirement 45, Unique grade, movement speed +200, and a unique effect that reduces the wearer's weight to under one kilogram. You could probably walk on water. Of course, they're usable both inside the Tower and outside. We only acquired them recently—you're the first one I've shown them to. Once word gets out, everyone and their mother will come running to buy them."
"Oooh!"
Jinhyeok's eyes sparkled.
Defense didn't matter.
Speed was what counted.
"How much?"
"We're currently selling them for ten billion won."
His jaw nearly dropped.
Even adding the money he was about to receive wouldn't come close.
"Can I buy them with this voucher?"
"Ha, ha, ha!"
For some reason, the manager burst out laughing.
Then his expression turned solemn, earnest, and dignified.
"For a single item, there is nothing in this store you cannot buy with that voucher. Would you like to proceed with the purchase?"
Swallowing dryly, Jinhyeok nodded.
She'd told him to buy whatever he wanted.
It should be fine… right?
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T/N:
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