episode_0088

Knock knock.

A hidden shop located in the basement of Hunter Market.

Above the dull iron gate that firmly guards the place,

A light knocking sound broke the silence.

Clap—!

The slide above the steel door opened, and two eyes scanned the visitor.

Soon the door opened with a giggling sound,

Two men and women in suits quickly entered the secret store.

“It’s been a while since you visited, customer…hehe…what happened today…?“

“Gemstone.“

thud…

Seojin Han immediately took out two thick briefcases from subspace and placed them on the table.

click-!

Paaat—!

“Oh my…“

“The stones I asked for at that time. I’ll buy them all today. You probably didn’t sell it to other people, right?“

“Ehehe… of course, just as you asked… I swept up everything and brought it with me. “

The store owner lovingly hugged a briefcase full of 50,000 won bills,

Immediately, a heavy leather bag was brought out from under the counter.

thud…!

Hwaaah not?

“As you are a special guest, I have added a generous amount out of sincerity. Please continue to look after me, boss. Uhuhu…“

“Thank you. Hey…what do you think? Isn’t it very pretty?“

Lapis was looking around the store with curious eyes.

Then, when I suddenly heard the commander’s voice,

I immediately turned my head and started looking at the piles of sparkling gemstones.

“Wow… it’s really… pretty. The store also has a lot more products than when I visited before. Even the quality is good.“

“Of course~ Thanks to the owner here buying me a lot of things, I also bought a lot of good art pieces.“

“Um…then wait a moment.“

Paaat—!

As Han Seo-jin stretched out his hands towards the stones,

The magic power that flowed from the fingertips began to surround the piles of jewels and lift them up.

One by one, the countless gemstones gradually came together,

Finally, it took shape into a beautiful golden ticket bundle.

“Bo…jewels…turned into a wad of paper…?!“

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s just made for easy storage.“

Han Seo-jin neatly folded the bundle of tickets into the cross necklace and put it in,

I soon closed it tightly and began to slowly look around the store.

“Hmm… So, what kind of artwork came in today?“

“Hehe…you will be surprised when you see it with your own eyes. You will especially like this masterpiece…“

The store owner slowly opened the hidden door and entered.

Lapis quietly whispered something into Han Seo-jin’s ear.

“I’m looking forward to it…what kind of products would have been in the store here five years ago.”

“The last time I came, there was some pretty good stuff. Maybe this time too… Oh, while we’re at it, feel free to choose whatever you like. I’ll buy it for you.“

“Really? But…the commander can’t have that much money…“

As Lapis was about to finish saying something, her eyes met a bag full of cash lying on the table.

Han Seo-jin just smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry. We were completely broke then, but now… we have a lot of money. Enough to use it for a lifetime and not run out of money.“

“Oh my… um… it looks a bit see-through, but… what can I say… it looks so… cooler. Commander.“

“Hehe… As much as we’ve worked hard, let’s spend this life on a high note. Pick up anything you like, just a few cash boxes in subspace…”

“Customers? Are you not coming in?“

The store owner’s voice echoed in the hidden room,

Lapis and Han Seo-jin giggled and entered.

Unlike the days of the past when we suffered from poverty and deprivation.

This reality is that you can do anything without worrying about money like now.

For the two men and women, it felt like a dream that did not seem real.

—–

The interior of Central Academy’s director’s office.

After enjoying some refreshments with Beatrice, we discussed future plans and small talk.

She immediately led me towards the study.

Click-!

Kugugugung…

When I pressed a button hidden in the study,

Immediately the wall was pushed away, revealing the armory inside.

“So…you’re thinking of having a showdown with Xiao…“

“Does it seem hopeless even to the Chairman?“

She slowly turned her head and looked at me.

Beatrice blinked for a moment and looked into my eyes,

Soon, I smiled lightly and entered the armory.

“Shao will definitely not be an easy opponent. But Seojin… you grew up the fastest out of all the awakened people I’ve ever seen. So, I’m not sure I can make a decision.“

“That’s why I came to get Beatrice’s help. And…thank you for lending the items so readily.“

Beatrice tapped the items on display with her finger with a confident expression on her face.

Numerous types of items were neatly displayed in glass boxes.

They were all beautiful and exuded a strange magical power.

“Well, if it were someone else, I would definitely have rejected it. Seojin, if it’s your request… I can lend you as much as you want.“

“No, you can think of it as a gift, not a rental. As long as you don’t break it or give it to another woman, you can use it as much as you want.“

“Beatrice…!“

I started looking at things like an excited kid on Christmas day.

Thanks to the awakening ability called Weapon Master, all the items displayed here can be used freely without class restrictions.

Even by just looking at the surface, you could see the level of abilities and skills imprinted on these items.

‘Every single one of them…they’re all [A] grade or higher…I should be really thankful that I can borrow this collection right away.’

Items that were never seen again after Central Academy closed.

As these items were sold at high prices on the black market or at illegal auction houses to collectors or wealthy hunters,

The artifacts on display here had enough charm to make my heart flutter.

I was slowly looking at the items like that.

In the very center of the armory, a silver plate armor caught my eye.

“Wow…this is really cool. This is…“

“Hehe. Do you like them? As expected, your tastes are quite similar to mine.“

She slowly took out a gauntlet from the shelf and handed it to me.

The silver plate gauntlets seemed to be overflowing with divine power,

It was as if I could become the brave and honorable medieval knight that every boy dreamed of in childhood.

“It was originally a cherished item that I bought to wear, but it was quite uncomfortable for a wizard to wear.“

“So…this child has been waiting here all this time. Someday, waiting for that one person to recognize my worth.“

Beatrice smiled brightly and stroked my cheek.

“And finally, it seems like a great article has appeared that will show its true value.“

“It’s really beautiful…I’ll show you my best side so you won’t be disappointed.“

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. It’s a national martial arts competition in the future…“

I received Beatrice’s recommendation and bought various weapons, armor, and even accessories.

They began to carefully insert them one by one into the subspace.

Perhaps due to being quite greedy, most of the armory was empty.

She smiled and patted me, as if she felt relieved.

“Well…I don’t know what to say in return. As much as you did me a favor. I want to repay you.“

“Huh…? This is…“

I took out several thick briefcases from subspace.

Inside it was also a bunch of 50,000 won bills.

It was shining like gold, almost blinding.

“I never thought a student would have this much money…“

“Ahaha… how did this happen? I hope you receive it as much as I have always received help.“

“…No.“

Click.

Beatrice slowly closed the briefcase and handed it back to me.

Then, he slowly approached me with his arms raised.

“I know how you feel, Seojin. If I repay you…I’d like to receive something else.“

“Uh…um…that…isn’t…too…close…?“

I took a step back and was pushed into the wall,

Soon she slowly came closer to me, extending her arms as if she was hitting me against a wall.

Her warm breath began to touch my ears,

I carefully raised my head and looked at her.

“Now…I think you’ve figured out how to return the favor. Like this…I want you to hug me tight.“

“Beatrice…Ugh…Did you mean to do this from the beginning…“

“I took care of everything you asked me to do…don’t you think a little compensation is necessary…“

“Ugh…please…please don’t give me medicine.”

“Hehe…yeah. That incident back then…I’m also reflecting a little.”

Wow—

“Ha…“

Beatrice pushed me against the wall, hugged me tightly and buried her face in the crook of my neck.

A fragrant smell began to hit my head,

Beatrice’s soft hands were slowly stroking my back.

“Ugh…yeah…I was hoping…to hug you tight like this.“

“…pervert.“

“Hehe…I think Seojin likes you a lot too…?“

“…I didn’t say I didn’t like it.“

I hugged her and slowly headed to the sofa.

Beatrice smiled brightly and started stroking my hair.

I closed my eyes for a moment while being held in her arms.

I felt like my heart was melting at the soft touch of her that I had felt for the first time in a long time.

When her warm hand stroked his chin, he closed his eyes and raised his head higher, like a cat.

“Nice, not nice. That’s right, that’s right…you always have a hard time working hard. Sometimes…you need a change of mood like this.“

“Ha…that’s true.“

“You don’t have to be so impatient all the time. The guy named Taebeom you mentioned escaped through the portal again… but Natasha cut off both of his arms, so he won’t be much of a threat.“

“That bastard…I can never look down on him. He was the second most troublesome guy after Xiao.“

“…I see.“

“…I don’t know if I can win. At that time, Surtur, Lapis, and…Alice sacrificed themselves to barely defeat him. Now, even if we fight 1:1 like this…“

Beatrice slowly patted and stroked my back.

I hugged her a little more and surrendered myself completely,

She continued speaking, whispering sweetly as if she was trying to comfort me.

“Of course, it is true that Xiao lifted the trophy in last year’s competition, but I feel it intuitively.“

“If you have become this much stronger in such a short period of time, surely you can overcome Xiao?“

“Umm…that’s it. Actually…“

I hesitated and told her what had happened on the Sabbath.

“Well…I lost to Xiao that day…so I was forced…um…yes.“

“…“

“…“

“Pfft…“

Beatrice smiled and stroked my head,

Soon he hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek.

“Then I really can’t afford to lose this duel. If I lose again…hehe, something amazing might happen.“

“Ha…I wonder if they were kidnapped and taken to a place like Hawaii. First…you have to try much harder. I plan to try all the numbers.“

“Yes. That should be it.“

“Then, let’s get up…“

I slowly got out of her arms and stood up from the sofa.

Beatrice looked at me with a slightly regretful expression,

I straightened my tangled hair and adjusted my gloves.

“Please look forward to it. A few days later, I woke up to level 4. And…I will show you that I have become much stronger in the competition.“

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. On competition day… I should be cheering you on from the most visible place.“

After hugging Beatrice once more,

I hurriedly headed to the meeting place on time.

Made for me by Hunter Associations.

For level 4 awakening, to enjoy the emperor training course.