Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Spirit Grass Hall

I opened my eyes.

Not the yellowed motel wallpaper, but the hotel's pure white wallpaper came into view.

Blink, blink.

I extended my hand and checked the phone.

11 AM.

Since the return time was 1 AM, did I sleep a full 10 hours.

“...Hmm?”

But the date was a bit strange for that.

Calculating, it wasn't 10 hours, but slept 34 hours.

Could think the sleep time was long.

But thinking of what was experienced overnight, maybe not excessively slept.

I slowly raised my body.

Checking the phone, quite a few messages had come.

Most were content Yu Seo-ha reported about the request aftermath, and it seemed finished cleanly well.

I got up and headed to the bathroom.

While washing, I moved the body here and there.

Was it thanks to the Heal skill and Wind of Healing skill used before sleeping.

No particularly uncomfortable place, and the condition itself rather improved than before.

Now daily life level seemed perfectly possible even without Mana Thread.

I raised my head and looked at the mirror.

The complexion also brightened a lot, and the previous gloomy feeling disappeared quite a bit.

Instead a sharp impression came alive.

Especially the jawline was sharp as if the hand would be cut, thinking the existing A-Kroine elixir was poor in calories, it was a natural result.

“...Hmm hmm.”

The voice also returned quite a bit.

As the body recovered, the vocal organs also seemed to find some function.

Eating the elixir, the sense of taste also revived quite a bit.

Along with relief, light worry also pushed in.

A-Kroine has little in it so bland taste, but the newly ordered C-aminex is different.

What taste cow feed is, worry slowly started.

Bang!

From the morning, the hotel parking lot atmosphere was a mess.

Whether because a business hotel, not leisurely parking space.

Occasionally quarrels occurred, and once started fights continued quite long.

When receiving the reward, should I move lodging.

Recalling if there's a suitable high-class hotel nearby, I moved steps.

Soon arrived near Daerim Station.

Confirming the weekday morning bustle with the whole body, passed through the people gap and arrived at the destination.

Ching.

An old man with a small build smiles revealing gold teeth.

“Hey, that friend from then.”

The store name is Spirit Grass Hall.

At first, the fact of slightly ignoring the shabby exterior is also true.

But as a result of digging the community and archive, it was a secretly traditional store.

No bad evaluations either.

I pondered quite a bit about selling herbs.

Could entrust sales to Yu Ji-seong Office, but changed thoughts and decided to use Spirit Grass Hall.

The characteristic of Daerim-dong where public power doesn't operate perfectly.

A kind of gray zone, half extraterritorial.

To live here while hiding the original identity, there was a need to accurately grasp surrounding information.

“Hello.”

“Call me old man Jang.”

The old man grinned.

“Quite a native here. If there's something curious, ask as much as you want. I'll answer sincerely.”

A tone as if guessing the reason I came here.

Indeed.

There seemed a reason for surviving long in this place overflowing with all kinds of incidents and accidents.

I took out the herbs from the inventory.

From the cheapest spirit grass, to the expensive night glow grass.

“...Hoo.”

Old man Jang pursed his mouth and admired.

“Bringing as many as six of this precious thing···you were a person with good skill than thought.”

The calculation ended in an instant.

Total amount, 28.4 million won.

Deposit to the account completed.

“Seems not long since coming to the neighborhood. If there's something curious, ask.”

Was it because of the considerable transaction volume.

Old man Jang's attitude that became quite friendly.

I also comfortably asked this and that about Daerim-dong.

Power structure of illegal organizations.

Points to be careful of.

People to avoid.

And, a place where certain safety is guaranteed while identity isn't revealed.

“Hehe···.”

Old man Jang nodded.

“Daerim-dong is the place guys who have to hide but can't leave Seoul look for. If wanting safety, there's a just good place. Perfect, but the price is quite expensive accordingly.”

The monitor quickly turned toward me.

A place not far from here.

The hotel name is Jewon.

In our language, the emperor's garden.

The old man looked at me and grinned.

“1.5 million won a day. How about it, thinking of staying?”

#

...Naturally there wasn't.

Leaving the emperor's garden, after being introduced to a suitable lodging, I left the store.

Old man Jang said grinning.

“Come again, young friend.”

I drove the vehicle north.

A path that has become quite familiar now.

Crossed Seongsan Bridge and entered Mapo.

Street scenery that changes cleanly in an instant.

As the central axis of urban development moved west, Mapo has continued dazzling development.

Now reached a level not greatly pushed even compared to Yongsan, or something.

If gaining the skill to recover identity.

Someday I might also live in a place like this.

Screech.

I entered Yu Ji-seong Office.

Whether because contacted in advance, waiting Yu Ji-seong and Yu Seo-ha welcomed me.

The situation was already all conveyed.

Yu Ji-seong shook his head with a somewhat dark expression.

“Originally awakener matters don't know where they'll bounce, but this time the degree was a bit severe. A factory executive diverting goods and even killing people···moreover, hearing that Hwang Seol-hwa popped out, I was greatly surprised.”

“Really, really surprised a lot! At first I thought it was a joke?”

Yu Seo-ha nodded.

The face was quite flushed.

“Moreover, rumors are circulating that you knocked down Hwang Seol-hwa. Everyone was surprised saying it's the first time Red Moon affiliated mercenaries famous for being gentle pour out such praises.”

“...It's not particularly that I knocked down.”

“Oh my, look at the modesty. They said you beat, grilled, froze, burned, completely beat with a comprehensive gift set. Since there are so many eyewitness eyes, even if trying to deny, it won't be easy?”

“...”

Not wrong words.

It's true that I unilaterally attacked Hwang Seol-hwa.

But deep in the heart, anxiety clearly existed.

The appearance of raising the corners of the mouth inside the ice.

Was the appearance shown there really all of Hwang Seol-hwa.

It wouldn't be.

Others maybe not, but I who faced risking life could feel it.

The fact that she didn't unfold all of herself.

If Hwang Chan-seung hadn't appeared in time.

Thus if having to clash with her with full power.

One of the two would definitely have to die.

“I'll explain the reward.”

Stopping the excitedly talking sister, Yu Ji-seong entered the main point.

“Advance payment and success fee combined, received 315 million won. There, the Red Moon side revealed intention to additionally pay 300 million won as thanks.”

Excluding the office fee, settlement completed.

Money received from the factory side is 300 million won.

Red Moon side compensation is a personal reply so no fee.

Settled money total 600 million won.

My god, 600 million won.

An enormous amount that couldn't even be dared to imagine before.

A large settlement amount that if in the past would pinch the cheek saying can't believe.

But now thoughts changed.

The money awakeners receive isn't simple reward.

The value of one's own life.

Proceed with requests not knowing who is waiting right in front.

Have to overcome encountered difficulties risking one's own life.

As much as the risk is large, large reward following was also natural.

“I'll organize designated requests from time to time and send them. Rest sufficiently, and if a request you like appears, tell us. We'll contact the other side.”

With Yu Ji-seong's words as the end, I left the office.

Closed the door, and boarded the car.

Silently held the phone and checked the account.

“...”

Balance exceeding 600 million.

Looking at the long lined numbers, a feeling of the head going blank.

The thought that comes is only one.

First···should go buy something at least?

#

South end of Mapo Bridge.

As soon as taking Yeouido-daero, I turned the steering wheel west.

Yeouido east side spread widely before my eyes.

“...Another world.”

If Yeouido west side lined with the National Assembly and broadcasting stations is the mecca of politics and media.

Yeouido east side is a place running the extreme of luxury.

The state invested an astronomical amount.

Moved existing companies and private residential facilities outside, and reorganized into commercial facilities for awakeners.

Some civic groups made complaining sounds saying discrimination but useless.

Awakener preferential phenomenon is not limited to the Republic of Korea, but a worldwide trend.

Moreover, even the civic groups raising such voices, in reality in a situation of owing lives to awakeners.

The more loudly raising voices, the ones receiving side glances were not the state or awakeners but civic groups.

“Whoa, whoa.”

Vehicles decelerating one by one for a while.

A person wearing a uniform blocked the car while shaking a baton.

“Entry possible after confirming awakener license.”

I extended my hand and took out the license from the passenger seat glove box.

Opened the window and handed the license to the counterpart.

The man who confirmed the license with a scanner grinned and saluted.

“Have a pleasant shopping, awakener.”

Soon the vehicle entered the main road.

Magnificent shopping centers revealed their appearances in a row left and right.

I just passed the centers close to the entrance.

What I found out in advance.

The items of such places were all too high-priced.

The place for commoner awakeners like me was located a bit more on the outskirts.

I moved straight inside taking the center lane.

From some moment, the road narrowed and vehicles decreased.

The building exteriors also gradually started becoming ordinary.

If the places passed were department stores, is this an outlet feeling?

Screech.

I parked the vehicle.

Confirmed the license once more at the entrance and entered the building.

Immediately taking the escalator and going down underground, stores for commoner awakeners like me unfolded.

“...Hmm.”

Naturally the price wasn't easy.

An ordinarily looking training clothes set.

But the price written on the tag was evil.

‘4.8 million won for one set···.’

The reason was simple.

[Body adjustment][Automatic recovery][Contamination prevention][Protection enhancement]

Adjusts size according to the wearer's body type.

Light damage automatically recovers.

No need for laundry with natural purification of contaminants.

Has a tiny bit of self-protection power.

“...Even so, too expensive.”

A price that naturally furrows the brows.

I shook my head and checked other stores.

Not long after, a sigh deeply leaked.

Amazingly 4.8 million won was the cheapest item.

“...I'll buy two sets.”

“Oh my, customer. You thought really well. Since long-term inventory product, came out enormously cheap, performance has no abnormality at all.”

After finishing payment, I completely changed clothes and came out.

My god, 4.8 million won training clothes in my fate.

The thought that it's too absurdly expensive kept coming.

“...Huh?”

But not long after, the thought completely changed.

“What is this?”

Training clothes that changed exactly to my body size.

Enormously comfortable to the point even the feeling of wearing something doesn't come.

Only the cotton T worn inside touches the skin.

Whether ignoring physical laws, even the feeling of fabrics brushing each other disappeared.

Ah.

Is this why even ordinary people look for awakener clothes?

I who gained enlightenment immediately moved to another store.

“Bomb sale! 3.2 million won for one underwear! Take it for free, for free!”

“Take the awakener socks that came out cheap and well!”

As if possessed, purchased underwear and socks.

“Still wearing items bought from the gloomy equipment merchant!? Wear that only in the tower, and in reality wear stylish and comfortable shoes!!”

I lowered my head and checked the shoes.

Hard fur boots worn in the snowfield zone northwest of the labyrinth.

Fur boots with top and bottom training clothes.

It was the worst fashion sense.

“...This one.”

In the end, purchased several pairs of shoes too.

Only after using money close to 300 million won in an instant could I leave the store.

Expenditure was larger than expected, but a smile floated on the mouth corners.

Comfortable.

Couldn't be this comfortable.

‘I was too ignorant about the world.’

The thought came that I should have interest in reality too.

If the tower is a space that strengthens, reality is the space I actually live.

If excessively biased to one side, problems might occur on the other side.

Thinking that, I drove the car and arrived at the hotel.

Comfortably lay on the bed.

Then closed my eyes.

A while later.

I entered the 7th floor of the tower.

[You have entered the 7th floor of the tower]

[Exterminate the Red Fang troll tribe]

It was time to hit level 140, and learn new skills.

I will become stronger.

© Dome Hwangcha #1yy6t