Chapter 6
Every single sender’s nickname was unbelievable.
US Hunter Department Secretary, Cheonma, Korean Hunter Association President, Rank 1 Guild Leader…?!
Are these real?
Upon checking the information window, surprisingly, they seemed real.
The powerful figures I only ever saw on Heon-gael were frantically trying to scout me, promising all sorts of rewards.
Buzz, buzz.
Even at this very moment, messages keep coming in.
“To think such big shots are scrambling to contact me.”
Of course, I did set an unprecedented record on the 1st Floor.
I didn’t know such incredible people would covet me this much.
If I were to accept even one of their offers, my life would take a 180-degree turn starting tomorrow.
However,
“…Then my identity would definitely be exposed.”
I calmed my excitement and thought rationally.
Because I knew my trashy stats and the Racial Penalty of being a Vampire very well.
A low-level Vampire who can’t eat garlic and gets motion sickness just from being in the Sunlight.
What if it was revealed that this was the true identity of the World’s strongest Prospect, “True Ancestor”?
I would obviously be dragged to a lab and dissected, or at the very least, become a global laughingstock.
Besides, I didn’t particularly want to become a celebrity or a Hero.
I just wanted to live a peaceful life quietly and safely in my Home Base.
There was only one conclusion.
‘It’s probably better… to hide my identity after all.’
I carefully reached my finger toward the X Button of the System Window.
Click.
I closed the window without any lingering regrets.
There was no need to reply and give them something to use against me.
No response is the best response.
At that moment, Katarina, who had been carefully watching my actions from the side, quietly opened her mouth.
“Master.”
“Hmm?”
“To think you would simply close the window without so much as a glance, even when the powerful figures of the World bow their heads and flatter you.”
Katarina’s eyes began to sparkle with blind respect once again.
“As expected of you, Master. It must mean that the trivial power and wealth of the Human Realm are not even worth holding your noble gaze.”
“…”
No, I did it because I was scared.
“Ah, ahaha. Of course that is so.”
I laughed awkwardly and roughly nodded my head.
Anyway, I decided to reject all the scouting offers.
I also checked the Tower of Trials 2nd Floor Clear Reward.
[Tower of Trials 2nd Floor (Nightmare) Clear Reward has been distributed.]
[Your level has increased by 7!]
[Reward: 20,000 Gold, Intermediate Health Potion x3, Intermediate Mana Potion x3]
[Additional Reward: Acquired Random Equipment Box (Intermediate) x1!]
I obtained a similar level of rewards for the 2nd Floor as I did for the 1st Floor.
There were no Magic stones or Skills this time, but a lot of gold and other items were given instead.
Then, it was time to face the most urgent, realistic problem.
Money.
My Bank Balance was truly empty after spending on a week’s worth of food expenses.
I did get quite a lot of gold as rewards from the Tower of Trials 1st and 2nd Floors, but this was Cyber Money usable in the System Shop, not real-World cash.
I needed real money to buy meat to eat tomorrow.
I thought of the B-grade Magic Stone carefully stored in my Inventory.
[B-grade Magic Stone Today’s Market Price: 100,394,919.00 KRW]
The market price of a B-grade Magic Stone I checked on the internet was a whopping 100 million won.
Selling just this one would mean no money worries for the rest of the year.
However, the problem was that I was an Unregistered Person who hadn’t done my Awakener Registration.
I couldn’t sell the item through normal routes like the Hunter Association or the Official Exchange, as Identity Verification was mandatory.
So, while browsing the forums over the past week, I looked into some Underground Channels.
What people usually often used in times like this was 'Darkgram'.
It’s an Anonymous Messenger mainly used by Awakeners.
“I did try posting on the Darkgram Black Market Channel, though.”
I turned on my phone and checked Darkgram.
[Selling a B-grade Magic Stone. Direct transactions are welcomed.]
However, the messages that came in response to my post were completely unfriendly, unlike the ones in my System Message Inbox.
ㄴㅁㅇ: Scammer, get lost.
A1987: You brought a photoshopped picture from somewhere lol
iilililil: You’re an unverified Awakener Dummy Account, who would trust you and buy a B-grade Magic Stone?
“Hmm.”
The reaction was very cold.
Then again, it was natural to be suspicious when an anonymous account with no credibility suddenly claimed to be selling a 100 million won B-grade Magic Stone.
Even if there were dealers who believed it was real, it seemed they couldn’t readily step forward because the amount was so large.
“Was it too much after all? Instead of just pushing it blindly, should I sell low-grade potions or other equipment little by little to build credibility first…”
It was the moment I was about to put my phone down while seriously contemplating.
Ding!
A New Message arrived on Darkgram.
[Anonymous_4829: B-grade Magic Stone. 100% cash at market price. Bring the item to OO Factory tonight. Come alone.]
“Oh?”
Finally, a bite.
I checked the message with a brightened face.
But the joy was short-lived; my intuition, tempered by experiencing numerous scams and betrayals during my Dark Gamer days, sensed something off.
“This feels ominous.”
Giving cash without asking any questions.
Moreover, when I searched the meeting place, it was an Abandoned Factory on the outskirts of Seoul. Am I to come here alone?
There’s a high probability this is a trap.
They are calling me out to a secluded place just to steal the item!
Of course I’m not going. No, I can’t go.
Am I crazy enough to walk into a tiger’s den on my own two feet?
Just as I was about to give up on the transaction without any lingering regrets.
“Master, do you have any worries?”
Katarina, who was observing my expression from the side, asked carefully.
“Ah, it’s nothing much. It seems some fools have set a trap, aiming for my treasure.”
I replied lightly.
However, upon hearing those words, Katarina’s demeanor instantly froze over.
“…How dare they.”
Murderous intent swirled in her Blood-red Eyes.
“Are you saying that lowly creatures worse than bugs have dared to covet the Master’s treasure and look down on you?”
Katarina politely Knelt on one knee in front of me.
“Master, please give me the order. I shall go in your stead.”
Oh.
Come to think of it, there’s no need for me to go myself, right?
I had a reliable Proxy Knight who tore apart the 1st and 2nd Floor bosses in just one second.
It was certain that she, unlike my weak self, wouldn’t go somewhere and get beaten up.
“Hmph. If you wish to go, I shall not stop you.”
Cheering inwardly, I handed the B-grade Magic Stone to her with a deliberately arrogant attitude.
“If they try any funny business, teach them a lesson and bring back the money.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Katarina took the Magic stone and left the house when the appointed time arrived.
“Hehe. A powerhouse like Katarina should be able to get the money safely, right?”
Relieved, I lay on my bed and turned on some short-form videos.
Chomp chew chomp-chomp chew -
* * *
At that time, an Abandoned Factory was on the outskirts of Seoul.
Inside the factory, dozens of fierce-looking men were gathered.
They were Subordinate members of a Giant Dark Guild that dominated the Seoul Underworld.
“Hey, did you sharpen all the knives?”
“Yes, Hyung-nim.”
The organization’s Executive, 'Dok-Sa', giggled while blowing out a long stream of cigarette smoke.
“Keke, what a sucker. A Dummy Account is blatantly posting a B-grade Magic Stone on Darkgram. It’s definitely a smuggler who hasn’t even done their Awakener Registration, or it’s stolen goods from somewhere. There won’t be any repercussions even if we take it by Force.”
“Of course, Hyung-nim.”
The Gangsters were stroking their weapons and laughing cruelly.
Screeeech.
The factory’s rusted iron door opened.
“Boys, the guest is here.”
As Dok-Sa gestured with his chin, his subordinates all raised their heads toward the door.
However,
The one who opened the door and walked in was neither a smuggler nor a novice Hunter.
A beautiful woman wearing a black Maid-style uniform, her black and pink two-tone ponytail swishing.
“…What’s that? An Errand Runner?”
Dok-Sa snorted in disbelief.
“Whew~”
“Her body is insane, right?”
The Gangsters looked up and down at the woman’s unrealistic appearance and figure, flashing vulgar smiles.
“Wow, she’s celebrity-tier.”
“But her eyes are red. Is she wearing colored contacts?”
“Hyung-nim, can we play with that bitch a bit after the job is done?”
“Keke. Do whatever you want.”
The men threw sexual jokes and cackled.
But the woman didn’t bat an eye at their vulgar harassment.
She merely looked at them coldly and apathetically.
“…I brought the item.”
The woman pulled out the B-grade Magic Stone, which was emitting a brilliant light, from her Embrace.
At that moment, the Gangsters' eyes gleamed with greed.
“Oh. It’s really a B-grade?! Hey, bring that here.”
As soon as Dok-Sa’s order was given, one of the men at the front raised a sashimi knife.
“Hey, pretty lady. You won’t get hurt if you stay quiet. If you don’t want a knife scar on your face, hand that over quickly.”
The man holding the long knife slowly started walking toward her.
The woman’s gaze sank chillingly.
In those eyes that had shown no agitation even when they harassed her, a deep murderous intent finally settled.
“These bugs are daring to covet the Master’s treasure.”
BOOM - !!!
“…Huh?”
The head of the approaching man exploded like a watermelon.
Blood and brain matter scattered in all directions as the headless corpse slumped powerlessly to the floor.
“…?!”
At the event that occurred in an instant, the inside of the factory was enveloped in a silence as if cold water had been poured over it.
The Gangsters froze blankly, unable to comprehend the gruesome sight that had unfolded right before their eyes.
“Wh-what was that, just now…?”
Dok-Sa muttered in a trembling voice.
The woman’s Blood-red Eyes turned toward the remaining group.
“Pay the price for insulting the Master with your blood.”
Those words were the signal.
Papapapat - !
The blood drops scattered in the air transformed into dozens, hundreds of Red Bullets and poured down like rain toward the Gangsters.
“Kuaaaagh!!”
“S-spare me… Keugh!”
It was a merciless massacre.
The men’s limbs were severed and their torsos pierced, turning the factory into a crimson sea of blood in a matter of seconds.
Unable to even scream properly, dozens of syndicate members were reduced to lumps of meat.
“H-hiik…! p-please just spare my life…!”
The sole survivor, Dok-Sa, collapsed on the floor, wetting himself as he crawled backward.
Reflected in his dilated pupils was the woman who looked like an evil spirit risen from Hell, Katarina.
Step, step.
Stepping on the blood-soaked floor, she approached and mercilessly grabbed the head of Dok-Sa, who was trembling like a leaf in terror.
“H-heuuup!!”
She looked down coldly and asked.
“Where is your Treasure Vault?”
* * *
How much time had passed?
As I was rolling around waiting for the result, the beep-beep sound of the door lock reached my ears.
“Master. I have returned.”
Katarina entered.
As expected, she was in a neat outfit without a single drop of blood on it.
“Ohh, you’ve returned safely. Did the transaction go well?”
I asked, filled with anticipation.
Instead of answering, Katarina carefully set down a large black travel bag, about the size of her own body, at my feet.
Huh? We didn’t have something like that in our house, so where did she bring it from?
Looking inside the bag with its zipper slightly open, I…
“…?!”
I almost let out a shrill scream.
The bag was packed tight with bundles of 50,000 won bills and gleaming gold bars.
This was an enormous amount that looked to be in the billions just from a rough guess.
No matter how expensive a B-grade Magic Stone was, it was definitely not this much.
“Crazy…?! I told her to go sell the Magic stone, so what did she do? Did she rob a bank?!”
“According to the Master’s orders, I taught them a lesson and brought the money.”
While my eyes were shaking like an earthquake, Katarina Knelt on one knee and proudly reported.
“I turned the bugs' lair into a sea of blood and collected all their wealth.”
“…”
It seems I’ve become involved in a heinous crime.