###
“Welcome~”
Kang Hyun and Aden entered a shop for Awakened gear.
The sleek interior design and friendly service were enough to excite Aden.
“Wow…”
“Don’t gawk like that. You look like a country bumpkin.”
“I’ll have you know I’m from a noble family.”
“Not an illegal immigrant?”
“T-That’s a shameful past I’d rather forget…!”
Kang Hyun chuckled while browsing the display items, teasing his student.
“Are you looking for anything specific?”
“I’d like to see some longswords.”
“Sure, right this way—”
At that moment, another staff member interrupted.
“Misun, I’ll take care of this guest. Could you assist in the staff room for a moment?”
“Oh, Team Leader! Got it!”
The staff member was swapped out.
Some of the other customers glanced over at Kang Hyun.
They were all seasoned Awakened individuals, and they knew the implication of having the Team Leader step in personally.
‘The Team Leader is handling it? Who is that guy? High-rank, maybe?’
‘Some celebrity Awakened?’
‘Never seen him before.’
Meanwhile, the Team Leader beamed inwardly.
‘Without a doubt. It’s that A-rank rookie, Aden. The one everyone’s talking about.’
An elf from Thea, an unusual sight.
Incredible mana reserves.
Petite frame, golden hair, and striking blue eyes—exactly as described in the Awakened profiles she memorized.
‘A big customer, for sure!’
If it was an A-rank, they’d be one of the shop’s top spenders.
No need to even mention how much they’d earn.
Plus, high specs would mean expensive gear.
S-ranks wouldn’t usually shop in places like this, but A-ranks? Perfect.
“Master, do you even use longswords?”
“It used to be my main weapon, but my strength didn’t cut it, so I switched to short swords.”
The Team Leader’s ears perked up.
‘Master?’
She subtly glanced at Kang Hyun’s face.
Not a high-ranking Awakened from Korea.
Perhaps a foreign Awakened?
Or maybe a famous figure from Thea?
Either way, if this was the mentor of an A-rank, they could very well become VIPs.
“How about this lightweight longsword?”
The Team Leader flashed a professional smile—not too overbearing but welcoming.
“The blue blade is stunning, right? It’s crafted from the shell of a ‘Diamond Turtle’ native to Thea. It’s designed for those with C-grade strength.”
“…Can you show me something lighter?”
“This one is made from Thean Mystium, suited for D-grade strength…”
“Lighter…”
“We’ve thinned the blade for E-grade strength…”
“Still lighter…”
“If you use both hands, there’s one for F+ strength…”
“…I’ll use one hand.”
The Team Leader felt a tinge of confusion.
Was this really a high-ranking Awakened?
“Master, you’re such a weakling.”
“Keep talking, and you’ll regret it.”
Maybe it was time to dig deeper.
“Excuse me, could you share your budget? It’ll help me assist you better.”
“Hmm.”
How much should he spend?
He had sold magic stones and received 12 million won, but he couldn’t use it all.
He needed to save some for living expenses.
‘About 6 million?’
If he had said it out loud, the staff’s expression might have faltered. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.
“Oh, by the way, first-time customers get a 5% discount. Please keep that in mind while deciding~.”
“5%?”
Wait.
Didn’t the Platinum Card cover 90% of costs?
Would that stack with the 5%?
Would that mean 95%? Or 90.5%?
“Does this discount apply along with this card?”
“Oh, is that a partnership benefits card? Let me check—”
The staff froze when they saw the card.
“What?”
This was a card she’d only seen twice in her time at the store.
One owner was an A-rank.
The other?
A former B-rank who was soon to become S-rank—an absolute powerhouse.
‘P-Platinum!?’
The discount wasn’t even the store’s burden—it was reimbursed by the government.
Which meant the man before her was a VIP among VIPs.
‘A god.’
What else could you call someone who could singlehandedly match months of sales?
That’s a god.
“Using this card today, you’d get a 95% discount~.”
“Then, with a budget of 6 million…”
Up to 120 million.
Kang Hyun and Aden froze momentarily.
Meanwhile, the Team Leader.
‘Jackpot!’
One day’s sales would reach 120 million!
She quickly brought out an item.
“How about this one?”
A crimson blade named Red Moon.
It exuded a sleek and stylish aura.
Though slightly shorter than a longsword, it was incredibly lightweight—so much so that even an ordinary person could wield it.
“This blade was crafted by a Thean artisan from meteorite material—”
Kang Hyun grabbed the sword, swung it in the air, and tested its balance.
Whoosh!
‘Good sword.’
He had handled countless blades.
Just one swing was enough to judge its quality.
“I’ll take this.”
“…Ah, understood.”
The Team Leader, momentarily lost in awe at the demonstration of skill, replied quietly.
‘…He’s definitely an expert.’
Even without being an Awakened herself, she could feel the depth of mastery in that brief movement.
When Kang Hyun, Aden, and the Team Leader stepped out, other Awakened customers glanced at them.
‘Wow, check out that blade. Must’ve cost a fortune.’
‘Look at the Team Leader’s face. She’s going to throw a party tonight.’
‘Lucky. Wish I could’ve been escorted to the back like that.’
Even Aden couldn’t hide her envy.
“Wow~. When will I ever hold a piece of equipment worth 10 million?”
The onlookers flinched at Kang Hyun’s words again.
100 million won? Did they hear that wrong?
“I’ll buy you something later.”
“Wha—really, Master? Can you even do that with that card?”
“Guess we’ll find out.”
Surely, no one would be stingy about it, right?
Especially if it’s for an A-rank.
Aden leapt up and clung to Kang Hyun, hugging him tightly.
Something large smothered his face.
“Woohoo! Long live Master!”
“Move your mana pouch, I can’t breathe.”
The men watching trembled with another wave of envy.
Meanwhile, the Team Leader, overhearing their conversation, was practically vibrating with excitement.
‘Please come again! Buy lots of things for your student next time, too!’
After carefully packing up their purchase, she gave them a deep bow as they left.
“Thank you! Please visit again!”
When the situation settled down, the store manager peeked out from the back.
“…How’d it go?”
“Let’s close the store for today.”
“Woohoo! Team Leader Lee, you’re the best!”
“Oh, and register them as VIPs.”
“Tonight, we’re celebrating! Let’s eat steak!”
The staff cheered in happiness.
But just then.
Someone from inside the store rushed out toward Kang Hyun and Aden.
“Wait a moment!”
“Hm?”
A woman dressed in an office look—crisp shirt and fitted skirt—approached them.
“You’re Aden, right?”
“Uh, me? Yeah, that’s me, but…”
“I’m Yoo Chae-young, Support Team Leader of Seonghwa.”
“W-Wait, Seonghwa?”
“Seonghwa?”
Even Kang Hyun perked up.
It was Korea’s third-ranked guild—impossible for any Korean not to recognize.
Yoo Chae-young glanced at Kang Hyun with a curious look, as if trying to figure out who he was, then turned back to Aden.
“Let’s proceed.”
“Yes, understood.”
Unlike Chief Choi, she was calm and collected.
She handed over a business card.
“Seonghwa would like to scout you, Miss Aden.”
Her glasses glinted under the light as she fixed her gaze solely on Aden.
###
Later, Kang Hyun had a call with Chief Choi.
Upon hearing the news, Choi’s reaction was explosive.
[Se-Seonghwa!? Are you saying Seonghwa tried to scout her!?]
“Yes.”
Although Kang Hyun had politely declined on Aden’s behalf, the student was completely deferential to her master’s decisions.
Still, they kept the business card, just in case.
[Aden is being scouted by Seonghwa? I knew Yoo Chae-young was capable, but this is unexpected.]
“True. How did they find out?”
[Even though her information is under strict control! How impressive—Seonghwa indeed!]
“Huh?”
Aden’s information is under control?
They’re going this far just for her?
[You’ve reconsidered the offer, I hope? Since you already declined.]
“Yes, I turned them down.”
[Thank you. Phew, we can’t let someone so critical to the nation’s future be taken by a guild!]
“She’s that important?”
Aden’s value seemed much higher than Kang Hyun had thought. A-ranks were evidently extraordinary.
[Please wait a bit longer! This time, we’ll prepare an offer she won’t be able to refuse!]
“Sure, sure…”
An offer Aden couldn’t refuse?
What, were they going to hand over a snack company or something?
Even Aden would probably prefer cash.
“Oh, by the way, the reason I called. I’m heading to an E-rank dungeon.”
[We’ll send someone to pick you up!]
“Huh? You don’t need to—”
[We insist! We’ll arrange the transportation!]
“…Fine.”
Soon after, Kang Hyun received a message.
It was a PDF file with a map and route details.
<Awakened Kang Hyun’s Pickup Plan.pdf>
What is this?
He called them back.
“What’s with this document?”
[Please approve it!]
At the bottom of the file, there was a signature line.
This was unreal.
###
At the dungeon, Aden was visibly thrilled.
“Did they really come to pick you up?”
“Yeah. Nice car, too.”
It wasn’t just any car—it was a VIP transport vehicle, gleaming and luxurious.
Although Kang Hyun had been used to this kind of treatment in his past life, the modern era’s flashy hospitality had its unique appeal.
“I should tell them not to do this again…”
“Huh? But isn’t it nice to get a ride?”
“You’ll see.”
The excessive treatment felt like it drained his spirit.
Regardless, they finally entered the E-rank dungeon.
“Let’s test out this new sword.”
A handle emerged from the void.
As Kang Hyun grasped it, the air rippled, and the blade revealed itself.
“Wow… That inventory system looks so cool!”
“Right?”
Kang Hyun’s shoulders rose with pride. Spatial storage wasn’t just any treasure.
It felt like showing off a brand-new car and receiving compliments.
Perhaps sensing this, Aden started rambling.
“I looked it up—there’s no one else with spatial storage like that.”
“Is that so? Well, it is the reward for a Perfect Clear of the first dungeon.”
“Wow~ Doesn’t that make it the best treasure on Earth?”
“Well, depending on how you look at it…”
“Bypassing dungeon entry conditions, infinite supplies inside, and dramatic sword-drawing visuals? Amazing!”
“Ahem, indeed!”
Whoever her master was, they clearly had a good eye.
As they walked, goblins appeared in the distance.
“Not many of them today?”
“They’re tougher, though.”
Until now, they’d only faced mindless monsters.
This time, it would be closer to real combat.
When Kang Hyun stepped forward, the goblins surrounded him.
“【Burn】.”
Whoosh!
