Team: HH, thursdays, Yahiko

Even if you gave an absurd amount of money, high-class mercenaries had to be interested in the job to take it.

He didnt know for sure, but the other dead mercenaries were probably quite expensive as well.

Atran was definitely skilled. He had even been able to raise the stakes by this much with just a few pieces of the tablet. It was a better result than Yeon-woo expected.

I definitely found the right person.

Yeon-woo stared at Atran. Atran stepped back, thinking he would be tricked again.

What? What is it this time?

You still have the authority to open the Merchant Window, right? I want to make a deal.

The Merchant Window. It was a system that was only allowed to mysterious merchants. Also, the higher a merchants rank, the more types of items they could have.

Even though Atran was on the edge of a cliff, he was still a director of the West Wind Union, so he could handle most items.

Deal, my ass! Think of what you did until now! Theres nothing good that comes from..!

This item is probably good enough.

Yeon-woo pushed the Yaltabao Safe towards him.

Flinch.

Atrans body shook. The Yaltabao Safe as an item that mysterious merchants went crazy for.

Its value would never decrease. Rather, its value was steadily increasing as people tried to hoard them.

When you made deals with those, you could always collect a fee from using it. The calculator in Atrans head quickly spun.

Atrans guard went a bit down and he coughed.

But still, thats..!

At that moment, Yeon-woo pulled out 4 more safes.

Anything you want! We love our customers!

Atran bowed deeply enough for his head to touch the ground. Five Yaltabao Safes were enough to attempt a comeback from his bankruptcy.

Hehehe. So, our lovable customer, do you have anything in particular that youre looking for? We at the West Wind Union have a 2,000-year history, so we have all kinds of rare items that you cant find at prices like these. Would you like to look at the boutique?

He was rubbing his hands like a fly, looking like he was ready to sell his soul. The Ice King, Twice, and Nocturn shook their heads. They laughed in disbelief, knowing where Yeon-woo got the safes.

The Red Dragon quest. What was he trying to do with the rewards he got?

It was widely known that the Hoarder was the Martial Kings disciple. They thought it incredulous that he was trying to bother the Red Dragon with a reward he got from them. They were all thinking the same thing.

The disciple takes after his teacher.

Yeon-woo didnt care about the looks he was getting and spoke to Atran.

I want your entire stock of Dragon Killers.

!

!

Hahaha! So thats what it was! There was a way!

Twice and Nocturn had surprised eyes, and the Ice King clapped as he chuckled.

Dragon Killer. A lance that also went by the name Dragon Spear.

It was over 6 meters large and weighed hundreds of kilograms. But at the same time, it was as thin as a womans arm.

Like its namesake, it was a weapon that was specialized in catching dragons.

A long time ago, people who had grudges against the Summer Queen had gathered to create this, but they were found by the Summer Queen, and the creation process of the weapon vanished from history.

However, there were a select few that leaked into the black market or the unions, and Yeon-woo was asking for these.

If I can use this..!

Atrans mind quickly circulated. The West Wind Union had more Dragon Killers than the rest of the unions combined.

They had about 80% of the remaining ones. It was because they had thought that its value would rise astronomically at the time, so they brought it in bulk.

However, the West Wind Union was regretting this decision.

The Dragon Killer was definitely outstanding, but the way it was used was tricky. It was heavy, and it broke easily.

You could only use it once. Who would want to buy something like that at such a price?

The Dragon Killer was just gathering dust in their storage room. And if he got a hefty commission for getting rid of the horrible items?

Im lucky!

Atran shut his lips so he wouldnt cheer from happiness. During times like these, he couldnt show how he was feeling. He wouldnt be able to scam the customer like that.

But when he cleared his throat and met Yeon-woos eyes, Atran sighed. Yeon-woos eyes were curved upwards, with a gaze like he knew what Atran was thinking.

Of course he would know that the Dragon Killer was treated like an ugly duckling. It was expected. Someone who tried to scam a mysterious merchant wouldnt have brought it up otherwise. Atran wasnt positive, but Yeon-woo probably knew the economy more than the merchants.

Here, the pushover was Atran.

Hehehe. Of course! As expected from you! Your insight is incredible. Youve considered well. Sir. The Dragon Killers that we have at the West Wind Union are better cared for than the rest of the Dragon Killers in the market, and they function great. However..

But it wouldnt hurt to try. Atrans words faded away as he continued.

With this amount, you can only buy 3% of our current stock..

Ill look for another merchant if you dont want to.

Atran grabbed onto Yeon-woo, who was turning away.

Aigoo! Hehehe. Why are you being like this, sir? Youve done business with me before. Is this all our relationship amounts to? Why are you so rushed? You have to finish listening to what Im saying. Of course, that would be under normal circumstances, but Ill give you a special discount!

Yeon-woo smirked as Atran began to speak faster.

Then how much can I buy?

A little more than half..

Yeon-woo turned away again.

Aigoo! Of course we have to give you more than that!

7 percent.

Heek! N, No, we cant do that! We still have the fees from taking care of them so there wont be anything left for us.!

8 percent.

Yes, sir! The deal is done!

Atran sealed the deal after getting ripped off by Yeon-woo.

[You have paid 5 Yaltabao Safes to purchase 31 Dragon Killers.]

All the Yaltabao Safes in Yeon-woos hand disappeared and in their place, 31 6-meter-long spears were at his feet. [TN: Instead of 31, it said 30 of them in the raw. I changed it assuming its an author mistake.]

But Yeon-woo wasnt satisfied with that.

You still have some left in stock, right?

Sir, even if theyre in stock right now its too diff..

Ill buy not only whats left in stock, but all thats been exchanged in the black market or in other guilds. You can take whatever fees you need.

Are you talking about the rest of the Dragon Killers?

Is that a no?

Of course you can! Definitely! Well bring everything thats in the Tower, and even the ones that are outside as well!

There are other things I want to buy too.

Yeon-woo spoke of the things he was thinking about. But Atrans face changed as he heard the list.

They were all horrible products that were in the backroom like the Dragon Killer. However, they were ridiculously expensive, so they were a pain in the butt for the union.

He didnt know why Yeon-woo needed them, but Yeon-woo said the more of them there were, the better.

It was a colossal amount for a single purchase, and Atrans smile got wider every time.

If this purchase was successful, he would definitely be able to stay in the union.

It meant that he could have a chance to make a comeback.

Now, Yeon-woo didnt look like a demon but a heaven-sent angel.

..And thats all. Is that possible?

Of course. Even if its not, well have to do whatever we can to get it.

Atran was ready to give his kidneys and liver to Yeon-woo.

As fast as possible.

Understood. Um, but..

Is there a problem?

How are you planning on paying..

Yeon-woo grinned.

Why? You think Ill run away with the items?

Atran jumped up and down where he was standing.

Aigoo! I wouldnt dare to think that! Of course I trust you! Hehehe. However, as you know, there isnt much affection in this world and everyones struggling financially..Hehehe.

Of course Ill give it to you.

Yeon-woo nodded his head. Atrans eyes were filled with expectation as he held his hands forward.

What would he give as the payment? More Yaltabao Safes? Karma? Or books from the One-horned tribe? Anything was fine. They were all things that were trustworthy in the market.

However, Yeon-woo crushed Atrans expectations.

Credit.

..Sorry?

Put it on my credit.

!

Momentarily, Yeon-woo seemed like a demon that would swallow Atran up.

Atrans face quickly turned red.

Are you telling me to trust you?!

Why cant you?

You must be joking..!

Do you really think Ill steal them?

Yeon-woo scoffed. Atran was about to say something else but quickly realized something.

..The quest of the Bureau.

What are you doing now that you know? Arent you getting on it?

There was still a quest that was leftthe quest calling for Red Dragons arrest. The more Red Dragons buildings were destroyed and the more their members were killed, the greater the rewards.

And of course, Yeon-woo planned to get the 1st place position.

But shouldnt we at least do the pledge of mana..!

I dont think this is the time to be doing that. Well, if you dont want to, Ill go to another merchant.

Shit!

Atran kicked the ground.

Scamming a merchant! Youll definitely go to hell when you die!

I already know that, so quickly get on it.

Argh!

Atran glared at Yeon-woo with a wronged face and quickly adjusted the system.

This quest was probably going to end in a day, so he quickly brought the items on the condition of getting the payment a day later. This was only possible because Atran was reputable amongst the unions.

[You have purchased an additional 14 Dragon Killers.]

[You have purchased 21 of Fabio Forests Hunters Bow Trick.]

[You have purchased 6 of Great Monkeys Tail Thorn.]

Yeon-woos eyes shined as he saw the items piling up. He didnt realize he had asked for this much when he listed them out loud, but seeing them in front of him, there were quite a lot.

Atran handed over the Life Blood of Albino Trolls after making the last of his purchases, grinding his teeth. He doubted how much would be leftover for him.

Here you are..sir.

Ill use them to their fullest. Thanks, investor.

Atran felt like crying, having been demoted from a merchant to a kind investor. This guy really frustrated people every time he spoke.

And it suddenly occurred to him.

But wheres he planning on using them all? No, can he even use them properly?

Dragon Killers were too heavy, so most rankers couldnt even lift them. It was tricky to use them the right way.

But the Hoarder was still a lower-floor player. Atran didnt understand how he would use them.

The same for the other items. They were probably harder to use than the Dragon Killers.

He couldnt get rid of his anxiety. He ended up making the purchases because of the flow in their conversation, but if something went wrong, it was the end of him.

Yeon-woo calmly tossed the items in his shadow and hid himself using Blink again.

He searched for somewhere he could prepare for the hunt.

* * *

Be on guard so no one can approach me.

.

Yes, sir.

Got it. Be careful.[TN: From this point on, brackets will be changed to something that is more similar to those in the raws.]

I will.

After Yeon-woo settled himself, he called for Shanon and the others to come to him.

Hanryeong and Rebecca split left and right, and Brahm and Boo began to set up a temporary barrier.

However, Shanon was quiet. His footsteps were heavier than normal. Yeon-woo called for him.

Shanon.

Do you have any more orders, Master?

There wasnt a face under the head armor, but his Inferno Sight was a bit duller than normal. Yeon-woo looked into Shanons eyes as he spoke.

Im your master now. Be aware of that.

I showed a side of myself I shouldnt have. I apologize.

Shanon kneeled on a single knee and bowed his head. He had been a bit uncomfortable fighting against his old master since he was a part of the Red Dragon once.

Yeon-woo saw his confusion, and Shanon acknowledged his mistake with a bow. Even if they didnt put a label on their statuses, they had to be clear about who was above who in times like these.

This is the only time Ill forgive it. Remember that.

Thank you, sir.

Only

Shanons Inferno Sight flamed up again. His mind was at ease now. War was just war. He had to be loyal to his current life.

After Shanon returned to his position, Brahm carefully asked Yeon-woo a question.

Will it be okay? To leave him like that?

Itll be fine. That guy isnt that weak.

I suppose. If he was weak, he wouldnt have become a Death Noble.

Brahm nodded. He turned towards the items that were messily piled up.

What are those? Its been a while since I saw that foolish spear.

Do you know something called Mercuri?