I intended to buy a cloak with a stealth effect for 50 rubies.
Of course, I had no intention of fighting monsters with my F-class paper-thin body. Although it was a pity to spend the hard-earned rubies, I could resell the items after completing the quest.
I couldn't bring Miumi. I didn't know if it was allowed to bring cats into the <Hunter Market>, and I didn't have a carrier.
The unfamiliar <Hunter Market>. Without Miumi's constant chatter, I felt a bit uneasy.
No, I can't afford to have such weak thoughts.
I steeled my resolve and entered the first-floor entrance of the <Hunter Market>.
"Welcome. How can I assist you?"
Despite its flashy exterior, the inside had a surprisingly friendly atmosphere. However, the lobby was empty, perhaps due to the off-peak hours. An employee near the entrance greeted me with a kind smile and a bright voice.
"Um, I want to buy some equipment. Where should I go?"
"Is this your first visit? Then please fill out the registration card over there first. Ah, you can sit on the sofa over there and fill it out comfortably. Would you like a pen?"
However, his kindness ended the moment I submitted the registration card.
The employee's eyes lingered on the hunter grade section of the registration card. In the next moment, his expression turned colder than ice and as harsh as winter.
"Um, excuse me?"
"VVIP is scheduled to visit today, so all the staff are busy. You'll have to wait."
He then pointed to the farthest room. Was he telling me to go there?
"The items that suit you are over there. That's all."
He left me and went into the staff room behind him. He didn't even look back when I called out.
Of course, that's how it is. They say that in the hunter world, rank is everything. The strong take all. In other words, the toughest is the best.
Right, I, a good-natured human, will endure in this inhumane world of hunters.
Since I wasn't in a hurry, I decided to pass the time by browsing the items.
I headed towards the farthest room the employee had pointed to.
I thought it might be some small room, but it was quite spacious and elegantly decorated. As expected, no one else was there, and various equipment and items were displayed in glass showcases with security systems.
"Hmm, the prices are..."
Even though this was supposed to be the area with the lowest-grade items, the prices were astronomical.
A shirt that increased defense by 10, a ring that increased evasion by 10%โthe cheapest items started at 100 rubies. I felt a bit anxious about whether I could find and buy the stealth cloak I was looking for with only 50 rubies.
"Hmm..."
I looked at all the items in the showcase, but the employee didn't return. Even if he said the VVIP was coming, this was a bit much. How long do I have to wait?
Then, a commotion came from the other end of the corridor.
I peeked out and saw a <Hunter Market> employee yelling at someone. His voice was so loud that it could be heard from the other end of the corridor.
What's going on?
The commotion was coming from the consignment shop area.
Consignment shops are where production-class hunters sell items they've made, paying a certain fee to the <Hunter Market>.
They mainly sold miscellaneous items they made while practicing production skills, most of which had mediocre stats and weren't suitable for official sales in the <Hunter Market>.
However, even these miscellaneous items were helpful for low-rank hunters. Most importantly, they were cheap, making this area popular among poor hunters.
I initially planned to buy the stealth cloak from a consignment shop. However, the consignment shop area was empty, as if it was under maintenance.
But now, I noticed that one consignment shop in the far corner was still open.
The loud voice was coming from there.
'Is there a fight?'
The employee showed no sign of returning, and I was bored, so my curiosity was piqued. I decided to see what was happening and approached the area.
"You're not supposed to be operating here."
The voice was so loud it hurt my ears.
The <Hunter Market> employee was yelling at the consignment shop in the corner. The shop owner was an old lady with wrinkled skin. She shrank back under the employee's aggressive tone.
"Didn't you hear that we need to clear this area for the VVIP's visit today? Please pack up quickly."
"But... I have a consignment shop permit... I have the proper authorization."
The old lady opened the zipper of her waist bag and pulled out a crumpled permit. It was a legitimate permit with the <Hunter Market> seal.
However, the employee didn't even blink.
"I'll refund the price of your permit. If you don't clear out quickly, I'll call the guards."
The old lady flinched at the employee's stern tone. The large, imposing employee standing in front of the small, frail old lady was intimidating.
It was a pitiful sight that stirred the Confucian in me, but the employee was firm.
"Still, these items are useful for the tutorial dungeon... I need to sell them before the tutorial dungeon. If I have to leave now..."
"Haha, what did you say?"
The employee sneered.
"Who would buy such low-quality items when the VVIP is coming? Do you think anyone would even glance at them? Guards!"
The employee signaled for the <Hunter Market> guards. The guards who approached looked ready to push the frail old lady and drag her away.
"Wait, just a moment!"
I found myself shouting and intervening.
The old lady reminded me of my grandmother.
No, if it were my grandmother...
"What nonsense? Open your eyes and look. It clearly says 'operating permitted' here. I've already paid the fees, so why should I leave? Do you think an old lady's money is a joke? I'll handle it myself, whether it sells or not. What's the problem with me lying down in my own shop? Try to drag me out!"
...she would have said.
She wasn't the type to back down easily.
Anyway.
"Customer, why are you doing this?"
The tone was polite, but the eyes were full of disdain.
'You're that F-class, right? Ha, today's a rough day. A newbie should quietly browse and go home, not cause a scene.'
That's what he seemed to be saying. I didn't back down and continued.
"I was going to buy those items."
"What?"
"Grandma, how much are those items?"
I glanced at the items on the consignment shop's counter. The price tag read 'All for 50 rubies.'
Lucky. I didn't want to back down after stepping in, especially if I didn't have enough money. People have pride.
I took 50 rubies from my inventory and placed them on the counter.
"Here, 50 rubies."
"Oh, student, it's fine."
"No, I really need those items. Please take the money. You don't need to stay in a place that chases people away."
I took the item set the old lady handed me and turned around.
I walked briskly, bumping shoulders with the <Hunter Market> employee and guards. I didn't look back, as if vowing never to return to a store that ignored its customers.
After taking twenty steps, I squatted down and held my head.
"Ugh..."
I messed up...
I didn't intend to buy these...
I only wanted a cheap stealth cloak for the dungeon...
I checked the item set I had taken without properly looking.
Includes: Bandages, adhesive bandages, signal flares, smoke bombs, herbs.]
...
No, no. Don't regret it.
Although these items are completely different from what I intended to buy, and I spent 50 rubies and ended up back at square one, the Confucian in me shouted that this was the right thing to do!
It's not about the old lady. No, it isn't.
After composing myself, I turned around and the old lady called me.
"Student, wait a moment."
"Yes, what is it?"
The old lady looked different up close.
She seemed frail before, but despite her wrinkled face and white hair, she had an aura that was not easily approachable.
She had a kind smile, but her eyes were sharp, and her posture was impeccable.
"You forgot this."
"Huh?"
The old lady handed me a ring. A simple gold ring with a red stone embedded in it.
"Take it. I forgot to include it with the other items."
"No, you don't have to..."
"This ring should be in the hands of someone who suits it. You seem to be that person."
"Ah, yes..."
I took the ring without thinking.
What is this?
It looked like an ordinary ring. Did it have any special stats? I checked the ring's detailed window.
[Ktuga's Ring
Type: Accessory
Effect: Cannot be used.]
The item description was very brief. The name was there, but the grade and stats were unknown. The effect was also unknown, and it couldn't be used.
Was it a failed production skill practice item?
Still, the ring was quite pretty, and I liked it. Since I had received it, I decided to wear it and put it on my finger.
"Indeed, it suits you."
"Ah, thank you... Grandma?"
I tried to thank her, but she was already far away.
Seeing her back, I was reminded of my grandmother, and my anger at the <Hunter Market> flared up again.
Yes, I did the right thing.
I shouldn't be discouraged by being back at square one. I will make an Americano and earn 100 rubies.
I don't know who this VVIP is, but we'll see.
I was so focused on my determination that I didn't look ahead. As I was about to leave the <Hunter Market>, I bumped into someone coming from the front.
"Ouch, sorry... Huh?"
Tall, with thick-rimmed glasses covering deep, dark eyes, and a radiant face.
It was someone I had met before.
Yes, the master of the loud voice.
Ki Yoo-hyun, who met my eyes, smiled. His handsome face looked even more attractive with the smile.