24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 163

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24-Hour Friendly Market Specializing in Dimensional Items Episode 163

 

Episode 163. Turning Point (9)

 

Seo Jae-hyuk’s gaze immediately pierced into me.

 

The meaning behind his sharp eyes was clear.

 

How dare you butt into this conversation by asking such a sensitive question?

 

Of course, I acknowledge that I just barged in like someone oblivious when a sensitive topic was being exchanged between the two.

 

‘He’s going to burn me alive with that stare.’

 

High-grade Hunters really need to retake their training on managing their gazes when dealing with civilians.

 

Perhaps because Silvester’s power is surrounding me, my body is trembling but it’s not to the point where I’d faint.

 

Chae Geun-dam was blinking as if asking whether I’d lost my mind, and Lee Ja-gyeom was staring at me with his eyes and mouth wide open.

 

Even Lee Hwa-yeon, who had been serious, had an expression that said ‘Have you gone mad?’

 

Seo Jae-hyuk just stared at me intently without giving any answer.

 

His cold gaze seemed to penetrate through my face and pierce the bookshelf behind me like a laser.

 

‘Ugh, I regret this.’

 

But it was too late to clean up what I’d already started.

 

I stubbornly endured the killing intent and asked again.

 

“What is it that you want, Mr. Seo Jae-hyuk? An item, or perhaps magic?”

 

“….”

 

“Um, when someone asks you a question, wouldn’t it be better to give an answer?”

 

“Hup.”

 

By the way, that sound just now wasn’t from Seo Jae-hyuk but from Lee Ja-gyeom, who had been listening quietly like a dead mouse.

 

Not just Lee Ja-gyeom, but the other two were also making quite the fuss, thinking I’d grown some serious guts.

 

‘Ugh, they’re in the way.’

 

I’m trying to have a serious conversation here, but there are too many distractions.

 

At this rate, I won’t be able to say what I need to say.

 

Meanwhile, Seo Jae-hyuk maintained his consistently stubborn attitude, only blinking his eyes.

 

Whether he doesn’t want to give me information or he’s caught some disease that prevents him from speaking, his stubbornness is truly remarkable.

 

Then I should ease his wariness first.

 

“Seeing that you’re not answering, it seems my guess isn’t entirely wrong. What did Quentin promise to give you?”

 

“….”

 

“Unless Mr. Seo Jae-hyuk has lost his mind… gone crazy, there must be a reason why you chose Berylsha.”

 

“What? The way you changed your words made it even worse.”

 

I cleanly ignored Lee Hwa-yeon’s muttering as if she found it absurd, and focused solely on staring at Seo Jae-hyuk.

 

Seo Jae-hyuk had an expression that suggested he wouldn’t budge no matter what I said.

 

But if I offered something, the situation would change.

 

“Whatever it is, I might be able to help you.”

 

I carefully leaned forward with a serious attitude devoid of any playfulness.

 

I don’t know how my attitude appears to Seo Jae-hyuk, but my brother’s face should properly convey trust to him.

 

I definitely started speaking calmly enough, but I’m getting more nervous.

 

It’s probably because of the decision I made in my head.

 

“Wait, what are you talking about right now…?”

 

Chae Geun-dam, who knew slightly more information than the others, hurriedly tried to stop me.

 

However, I had already made my decision.

 

“This is the first time I’m introducing myself properly.”

 

Now that I’m actually doing it, I’m incredibly nervous.

 

My heart is pounding and my palms are getting clammy with sweat.

 

I maintained a composed expression while hypnotizing myself.

 

Although I had struggled desperately to hide my identity for a long time, through a series of events, I realized how difficult that was.

 

So I anticipated that there would come a moment when I’d have to reveal my identity to South Korea’s Hunters.

 

Of course, I never expected that the moment of sewing the first button would be like this in Berylsha, sitting cozily with the raid team.

 

‘There’s no moment more necessary than now.’

 

Perhaps doing it when necessary rather than when I want to might be the right choice for me.

 

“Mr. Seo Jae-hyuk probably knows me as ‘Lee Hae,’ who stole the 1st place in raid contribution on the Ganaesia Continent.”

 

Just saying that much caused a shallow crack to appear on Seo Jae-hyuk’s face, which had been expressionless the entire time.

 

He had recognized me long ago, but it seemed he expected to just pretend not to know since I hadn’t mentioned it.

 

Up to this point, it was information that both I and he knew.

 

“…C-contribution 1st place?”

 

…Ah, it was information that everyone here knew except Lee Ja-gyeom.

 

The more important part comes next.

 

I counted to three in my mind, then added with a voice full of conviction.

 

“Let me introduce myself formally. I’m ‘Lee Hae,’ the administrator of Friendly Market.”

 

Once I actually said it out loud, I felt like the tension that had been wrapping around my entire body was being released.

 

Well, it wasn’t even a lie but the truth, so that’s probably why.

 

The act of directly revealing with my own mouth that I was the administrator of Friendly Market was unfamiliar, so the awkwardness was greater.

 

I slowly blinked my eyes just as Seo Jae-hyuk had been doing.

 

Seo Jae-hyuk’s expression changed subtly.

 

He was still expressionless, but some other emotion seemed to flicker through.

 

A look of surprise, and perhaps… a hint of interest.

 

“I’m the one who made it possible for Wolpae, whom no one expected anything from, to break through the 49th Floor.”

 

“….”

 

“I can find any and all items. Whether it’s an item needed for the scenario, or an item that Mr. Seo Jae-hyuk desperately wants to obtain even if it means abandoning the image you’ve shown so far.”

 

I stared at Seo Jae-hyuk with a serious face without blinking once.

 

Right now I’m in a position of proving my worth and persuading Seo Jae-hyuk, but there was no need to take a submissive stance.

 

I may have become timid from growing up somewhat lacking, but I know my current worth better than anyone.

 

I am the sole Dimensional Market administrator in South Korea, no, on Earth.

 

Seo Jae-hyuk, the strongest Hunter in South Korea, is just one among S-rank Hunters, but there’s only one Dimensional Market administrator – just me.

 

In short, I’m the only person who can propose a deal to Seo Jae-hyuk, who’s maintaining his stubborn concept of keeping his mouth shut.

 

“I’ll remake Quentin’s proposal.”

 

“…Are you proposing a deal without knowing what I’m supposed to receive from Quentin?”

 

“Yes. Because I’m confident.”

 

…To be honest, I’m not completely confident.

 

Just recently, I had given up on a deal after seeing the ridiculous condition of ‘how to revive the dead.’

 

But Seo Jae-hyuk doesn’t know that.

 

What I’ll show now is only the image of a merchant full of confidence.

 

“However, I have one condition.”

 

I firmly presented my condition.

 

“Please save Aetheria.”

 

That’s the only thing I want from Seo Jae-hyuk.

 

‘No, while we’re at it, it would be even better if you don’t go berserk intoxicated by the Tower of Babel and protect Earth well…’

 

I held back from saying that much since it didn’t seem like the right timing.

 

At that moment, fierce gazes poured from beside me.

 

“Huh…”

 

“Right, that’s it. I told you we can’t go with Seo Jae-hyuk’s stubborn way.”

 

“It’s only natural. We need to maintain an amicable relationship with Aetheria…”

 

“Ah, quiet down with the local broadcasting.”

 

“Hup.”

 

Though he hadn’t said anything, Lee Ja-gyeom, who had been sitting there making a fuss with his whole body, belatedly covered his mouth.

 

I flinched at the fact that I had unconsciously snapped at two S-rank Hunters, but I soon maintained my composure.

 

Right now, I’m doing what neither Lee Hwa-yeon nor Chae Geun-dam could do, so I have the upper hand here.

 

So to proceed with this deal more definitively, I need the help of these three.

 

I turned my head and spoke coldly.

 

“Get out, all three of you.”

 

The three spectators blinked in confusion as if they didn’t understand what they had just heard.

 

“…Me too?”

 

“Do we need to leave?”

 

Lee Hwa-yeon and Chae Geun-dam asked back blankly.

 

“Yes, please leave. It seems like Mr. Seo Jae-hyuk will absolutely refuse to open his mouth if you three are here. He’ll probably go along with that crazy plan regardless of whether other cities perish or not, so everyone please leave quickly.”

 

I’m someone who knows how to be firm when the situation calls for it.

 

I’ve even gained quite a bit of experience with eviction orders while dealing with Alessandro, so this isn’t difficult at all.

 

Lee Hwa-yeon, who had been steeped in murderous intent until just moments ago, opened and closed her mouth as if feeling wronged, but I firmly shook my head.

 

“I don’t need any of you three. Please leave.”

 

It was Chae Geun-dam who led Lee Hwa-yeon out as she just opened and closed her mouth in bewilderment.

 

Perhaps he’s been feeling indebted to me since receiving help once, as he always helps me well.

 

Lee Ja-gyeom still stared at me intently as if he couldn’t grasp reality, but I avoided his gaze and waited for the door to close.

 

Finally, after the study door closed.

 

“…How can I believe that’s not a lie?”

 

Seo Jae-hyuk, who had been immovable, straightened his back and asked.

 

I had been maintaining seriousness to match Seo Jae-hyuk’s atmosphere throughout, but now that this question came up, it seemed I could act a bit more comfortably.

 

“You already know, don’t you? That I’m telling the truth.”

 

Because Seo Jae-hyuk had already chosen to believe me.

 

Daring to attempt a deal with South Korea’s number one S-rank Hunter, and looking obviously frail with a weak body that seems like it would die from a single poke.

 

Since there’s no need to lie in a situation where the scenario is in progress, with that question Seo Jae-hyuk had half-revealed his feelings.

 

And most importantly, asking for ‘evidence to believe’ is more definitive.

 

I decided to provide a service to Seo Jae-hyuk here.

 

“Let’s write a contract.”

 

Seo Jae-hyuk’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of a contract.

 

I took out one of the contracts that had been sleeping in my inventory and held it out.

 

“…An S-rank contract.”

 

When an S-rank contract, which has astronomical value in modern society, appeared as if it were natural, Seo Jae-hyuk muttered with a somewhat surprised tone.

 

I should show this level of sincerity to Seo Jae-hyuk, who is S-rank, so using it here isn’t wasteful at all.

 

‘How much was this again.’

 

No, actually it is wasteful.

 

If Seo Jae-hyuk had been simple like Lee Hwa-yeon or easy to communicate with like Park Ji-woon, I wouldn’t have used this…

 

I swallowed my tears and quickly filled in the contract clauses.

 

[1. Lee Hae will not reveal Seo Jae-hyuk’s secrets under any circumstances.

 

2. Seo Jae-hyuk will speak only the truth in response to questions Lee Hae asks in this current location.

 

3. Lee Hae will do his best to carry out Seo Jae-hyuk’s request.]

 

“This should be enough, right? Let’s make the penalty severe. Please suggest one.”

 

After reading the neatly written clauses, Seo Jae-hyuk narrowed his brow as if contemplating, then answered without hesitation.

 

“Let’s go with senses.”

 

Wow, as expected of an S-rank Hunter.

 

Park Ji-woon had wagered sight and hearing, but here he’s going with all senses at once.

 

I was a bit surprised but didn’t show it and wrote down the penalty Seo Jae-hyuk had suggested.

 

When both Seo Jae-hyuk and I agreed, the contract emitted a faint light and exerted its magical binding force.

 

Only then did Seo Jae-hyuk take his eyes off the contract and look at me.

 

I immediately got straight to the point.

 

“Now tell me. What did Quentin promise to give you?”

 

Well, I could naturally lighten the mood and lead the conversation, but I’m quite impatient by nature.

 

Seo Jae-hyuk briefly lowered his gaze.

 

The story that comes out here really needs to be unavoidable content for his unilateral actions up to now to be understandable, so what exactly did Quentin propose.

 

After hesitating for a long while, Seo Jae-hyuk finally raised his head as if he had made up his mind.

 

Then he began to confess the truth in a calm but somehow complicated tone.

 

“I need an item that can lift a curse.”

 

“A curse?”

 

“An item that can lift an EX-rank curse.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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