Awakened as a Money-Spending Genius Enhancer - Chapter 8
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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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Episode 8
Chapter 8. [Virility Enhancement Germanium Jade Bracelet +2](4)
The power of YouTube broadcasting.
It was more tremendous than Kang Hoon had imagined.
“What? Was that such an amazing video that it made it to the real-time trending rankings?”
From Kang Hoon’s perspective, he had just casually responded to some conversation and received money before leaving.
The filming itself didn’t feel particularly impressive.
In this Great Hunter Era, the streaming videos these days are beyond imagination.
“So then… it became such a huge hit with just one product?”
Kang Hoon decided to read through people’s comments first.
[Is Hogang No-nop for real? He put on the virility bracelet and streamed for 29 hours straight;]
[Well, I can’t exactly show you by “peeling it open” lol]
[Proved his virility with a full stream]
[Be careful with typos. You’ll get sued.]
[For real, he was dancing and chattering alone without getting tired]
Starting from those live stream reviews.
[So you’re saying just wearing it on your arm really gives you virility you didn’t have before????]
[Setting that aside, they say it generates virility stats. So that means you can get it up? Even impotent people?]
[After baldness, impotence is the hardest thing to cure]
[…Is it really true that baldness is worse than impotence?]
Among the countless comments, the one that received the most ‘likes’ and became the top comment on Hogang No-nop’s channel was this:
[Why is this real??????????????????!!!!!!!;;;;;;;;;;;;;]
“….”
Three short and powerful characters.
Everyone seemed to have clicked ‘like’ on it once, showing an enormous number.
That wasn’t the end of it.
YouTube is originally a place where once something becomes a hit, they squeeze and squeeze and extract every last drop of sweetness until it’s completely drained.
[Let’s examine Hogang No-nop’s Virility Enhancement Germanium Jade Bracelet!]
He could see all sorts of reaction channels had edited and uploaded Hogang No-nop’s video.
Starting with short videos using AI voices, 20-second shorts.
Shorts with a puppy character moving its mouth in the corner of the screen while commenting.
Even shorts that scraped only the most chaotic comments from internet communities and read them while giggling.
“Wow, everyone’s really diligent. I guess this is what you have to do to make a living on YouTube.”
They’re incredibly fast.
Looking at Kang Hoon’s face that appeared on the broadcast, comments like this were also posted:
[The seller called Kang Hoon is covering his face with a mask, but somehow I think he’d be handsome.]
[Hogang No-nop said he didn’t blur the face because it would look too much like a criminal, and he did well. His eyes are really clear.]
[They’re so clear he looks a bit crazy.]
[With a hat and mask on, if it was blurred it would’ve been scary as hell lol what’s in their hand would’ve looked like a knife instead of a bracelet]
[Why isn’t he nervous at all? Didn’t he know it was being filmed live?]
[He’s confident in his product, so he doesn’t think much about it. If it was mediocre, he would have been scared shitless, right?]
[That guy is really cool.. He sold the item and just left…]
[For real. No sales pitch or anything. His attitude is like ‘buy it if you want, don’t if you don’t want to.’ There’s something manic about it.]
“….”
Hmm, is that so?
Kang Hoon rubbed his chin.
At the time, he was only thinking about getting paid.
Surprisingly, there was no nervousness from being on a live broadcast.
Not blurring his face was Hogang No-nop’s suggestion.
It wasn’t like Kang Hoon was moving around much. With today’s technology, applying blur during a live broadcast is entirely possible.
The reason was that blur processing, given the nature of broadcasting, tends to give off a scammer-like impression.
People have a tendency to view anything with mosaic processing as suspicious.
‘Well, I didn’t mind just showing my eyes.’
But that actually left a good impression on the viewers.
Kang Hoon’s clear eyes and relaxed demeanor.
His attitude of just making the deal and coolly leaving.
All of that combined seemed to plant a kind of fantasy.
‘I was just filled with thoughts of making money though…?’
* * *
Ding-a-ling~!
Ding-a-ling~!
Ding-a-ling~!
Kang Hoon’s mobile phone rang busily.
Honestly, he had never received this many messages in his entire life.
Usually, the text messages that arrived were at most one or two per day.
Even those were just messages from Delivery Satisfaction drivers saying “Delivery complete at your door! This humble one shall now retreat~~”
Or “This is Team Leader Kim Ji-young~!” and that was all.
But today is different.
Desperate messages sent simultaneously by dozens of people.
They became endless alarms that tickled Kang Hoon’s buttocks.
“What’s this?”
Pulling out his mobile phone from his jeans back pocket, Kang Hoon furrowed his brow.
“Whoa.”
Not only filling up his phone’s notification window.
But inquiry posts appearing as ‘+nn’ and such.
And chat alarms.
Weren’t all their sources exactly the same?
‘Corn Market.com!’
[Direct transaction reservation!]
[Direct transaction reservation!]
[Direct transaction reservation!]
The one and only product that Kang Hoon had listed.
The [Virility Enhancement Germanium Jade Bracelet +2] that had been forced into becoming a 【Limited Edition】.
That item was currently selling like hotcakes!
Without realizing it, Kang Hoon pinched his left cheek.
“Ow.”
It hurt.
The pain made it real.
In this painful reality, there were so many people who were this serious about ‘virility’!
“Geez…”
While he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
A new notification that caught Kang Hoon’s attention popped up.
[+99 (new)]
It was the ‘Corn Market’ private chat window that had reached an enormous number.
This was Kang Hoon, whose KakaoTalk barely managed to get even a +1.
For him, this was a bewildering number.
“Is this a bug?”
Muttering that, he opened the window,
and just then, a new real-time chat arrived.
Without much thought, Kang Hoon tapped that chat window with his index finger.
Isn’t it human nature to look at the top first?
[Toothless Tiger]: I made a reservation for direct transaction but please just send it I’ll buy it as a cool transaction right away please sell it to me I really need it!!
Kang Hoon’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected inquiry.
‘They don’t even need a direct transaction performance test?’
What did this mean?
It meant that Kang Hoon’s product was an incredibly popular item.
Popular enough to buy immediately even while risking the danger of ‘defects’!
On the ‘Kang Hoon’ page of Corn Market.com, he was the only one who didn’t believe in this efficacy as the crafter.
‘My product is that good?’
After rubbing his eyes thoroughly and looking again, indeed.
The available stock quantity for [Virility Enhancement Germanium Jade Bracelet +2] showed two pieces.
This meant the 25 pieces he had listed earlier had already completed payment.
And it meant there were that many buyers who believed in and wanted to obtain this product.
At this rate, running enhancement every single day was natural.
He’d have to go out for direct transactions all day long, wearing out his shoes.
The scheduling problem was secondary.
More than that, what came to Kang Hoon’s mind first was.
“Then five million won is actually cheap.”
It was the price aspect.
Until just half a day ago.
Five million won that made him swallow dry saliva thinking it was ‘expensive’.
“It’s five million won but they’re rushing to buy it like this…”
6 days.
It would take Kang Hoon 6 days to enhance and sell all twenty-seven germanium jade bracelets.
On the other hand.
The time it took for today’s twenty-seven products to almost sell out was less than an hour.
‘Then, I won’t have anything to sell for 5 days?’
There was no way to increase production speed right now.
This was a problem unrelated to Kang Hoon’s efforts.
‘Because there’s a limit to the number of skill castings per day.’
Later, when his level rises and his skills and proficiency improve.
Then the number of daily enhancements might increase.
But for now, this speed was the limit.
‘But there are so many people who want it…’
Then what should he do?
‘The point where the supply and demand graph intersects. The price is set around there.’
Wasn’t that a truth learned in South Korean middle and high school curriculum?
Sure enough, comments were lined up below the sales post.
[If just wearing the bracelet permanently increases virility, isn’t 500 too cheap?]
[I wish other Small Business Hunters would be more considerate. Selling this for just 500. Even if it’s an opening special price. I think you’ve gone too far. What about alchemists like me who sell Undead Bone Powder. Are you telling me to go die?]
[This is almost market disruption level, right? lololololol]
[Permanent virility enhancer! Cheaper than Louis Vuitton!]
“…5 million won is cheap? A cheap price?”
Kang Hoon couldn’t understand.
5 million won.
It was the value he had posted after agonizing over the highest price he could measure.
At the end, when adding one more zero, he thought ‘Wow, I’m not in my right mind either.’
But instead, they were angry, asking him to think about Small Business Hunters and why he was putting it out at such a cheap price.
“This is a crazy world.”
Kang Hoon’s world was like that.
A world where you tremble over a thousand won bill and don’t pick up items unless they’re 1+1.
Where you sigh when bus fares go up.
Where you practice new techniques every day to raise the unit price of one illustration.
But due to that damn lack of talent, you’re stuck in place.
A world where you should be grateful that unit prices don’t fall and are barely maintained.
A world where everything goes up except my salary.
But.
“Spending 5 million won for virility. And that’s considered cheap…?”
There were this many rich people in South Korea.
Come to think of it, that was right.
There are so many houses in Seoul City, and those house prices keep rising.
──Someone must be the owners of those houses.
“Ah, then I can take more money from those people.”
The moment when a young illustrator with mediocre talent realized the harsh truth of this society─
Ding.
The stock count for [Virility Enhancement Germanium Jade Bracelet +2] changed to 0.
【 SOLD OUT ! 】
“Wow…”
With a small exclamation, Kang Hoon rolled his eyes.
He had sold twenty-seven bracelets worth 5 million won each.
‘How much money did I just earn?’
Corn Market’s commission is 5%. Among them, the first bracelet sold is commission-free so…
When he calculated the total amount from selling everything, ultimately in Kang Hoon’s bank account─
“Ah, damn! Is my brain not working?!”
His impatient heart made mental calculation impossible.
Thud!
Kang Hoon pressed his forehead against the desk as if banging it.
Then naturally the [Concentration Increase 30%] option activated.
The desk that Kang Hoon had personally enhanced with skills helped its owner concentrate.
────!!
Immediately, he completed the mental calculation quickly.
“…Huuuuuh!”
Startled, Kang Hoon took a huge gasp.
More than gasping, he even choked and coughed.
It wasn’t because he was surprised by the option performance attached to the ‘desk’ itself.
Of course that was amazing too, but he’d already experienced its effects several times.
Rather than that─
“…125 million won?!”
His teeth chattered, and his hands trembled.
Kang Hoon hurriedly grabbed his mouse.
As if that money would run away if he delayed even one more second.
Steadying his constantly trembling hands, he approved all the numerous open ‘direct transaction reservation requests’!
Does this kind of thing become normal for everyone once they awaken?
Or,
Is making this much money instantly because this skill I have is special?
He didn’t know.
But─
His heart, which had remained calm even when standing before Hogang No-nop’s live stream, was now beating as if it would explode.
Among them.
The most urgent-looking customer sent Kang Hoon a new chat message.
[Sigh Three Thousand Miles] : Just one Magnesium Jade Bracelet. Right now. Is direct transaction possible? No matter where you are, I’ll come to you.
Being as desperate for money as the customer was urgent.
Kang Hoon reached toward the Magnesium Jade Bracelet scattered on the desk─, ah, no. The Germanium Jade Bracelet.
Precious items enhanced using all remaining enhancement attempts from yesterday and all enhancement attempts given today!
“Oh my, these pretty things! My good little babies!”
He picked up one of them and showered it with kisses.
The light and cold texture didn’t matter at all.
Originally a Germanium Jade Bracelet with no effects other than old superstitions!
‘Hidden Enhancement Conditions.’
────『Superstition』.
In other words, it could be expressed as ‘faith’, ‘belief’, ‘prayer’, etc.
‘Enhancement options are attached according to human perception and recognition.’
The moment he discovered one hidden piece, he immediately made money by consistently generating stamina status increases.
‘[Arthritis Relief] did appear once though.’
Of course that was useful too.
Anyway, the most important thing was that afterward, ‘Stamina Status Increase’ options appeared every time!
Even in the former case, the ‘Stamina Status Increase’ option occurred on the second enhancement.
“What other hidden conditions might I discover in the future?”
There was one certain fact.
Every time he found such conditions, his money-making ability could rise even more steeply!
“Hehehe…!”
Kang Hoon laughed like an idiot.
He was that kind of man.
A man who honestly said good things were good.
What if he looked a bit foolish and frivolous?
Our lives are gloomy every day anyway.
Unless you’re born as a building owner, humans are bound to live in gloomy weather every single day.
But─
‘You have to laugh when you can laugh.’
You have to laugh a lot.
That way you get less tired, Grandmother had told him.
Though Kang Hoon was still a young man, his grandmother’s advice was always carried in his heart.
Just as his attitude toward life had always been.
“Hehehehehe!”
Even if he looked foolish, he should laugh. He had to laugh a lot.
[Direct transaction appointment approved!]
And he put on his hat and mask again.
‘Going out was this good!’
It was the moment when MBTI I 99% became a capital E.
Thinking he was going out to make money, leaving the house couldn’t be more joyful!
* * *
And so Kang Hoon sent off all the bracelets to new homes.
He expressed it as ‘sending to new homes’ rather than ‘selling’ because─
All the people who bought bracelets looked like they’d received their own children.
“Do I really not need to take care of it like that? Is it okay if I spill water on it? What if juice or coffee gets on it…?”
“…Just wipe it with tissue.”
It was a plastic bracelet.
What on earth did they think it was?
Anyway, all the buyers were immersed in happiness, carefully holding them and treating them preciously.
Like Son Goku collecting Dragon Balls, he collected money scattered in various places!
‘135 million won has been completed.’
There was no asking for negotiations or attempting fraud.
Truly cool transactions!
‘What should I do now?’
That’s when it happened.
Bang bang bang!
“Hey, student! Come here and come out.”
“Yes yes yes!”
When Kang Hoon hurriedly ran out and opened the door.
An elderly man with a Rolex watch wrapped around his wrist was standing there.
He was the landlord of this villa.
Today too, he was wearing expensive golf wear.
Perhaps because he exercised a lot, his back was straight and he had plenty of muscle.
He was someone who owned dozens of houses in the neighborhood, the leader of Muryu-dong.
Kang Hoon had never been late on rent, so he should have felt confident, but he couldn’t help feeling intimidated.
“Student. I’ve been thinking about it, and fixing the boiler seems a bit much.”
“Pardon?”
“You said only cold water comes out at night? But lukewarm water comes out during the day at least. You’re young! You should be diligent and wash in the morning! And… those electric blankets are really good these days. Try using one of those.”
“But then the electricity bill…”
“Hey, what’s the point of being young? That’s when you spend money. You should be grateful I’m not raising the rent this year. Do you know how hard it is to find rent at this price these days? I’m already losing money on this deal.”
“…”
No.
Earlier this year, he raised the rent by 50,000 won.
Whether he forgot or was pretending to forget, Kang Hoon couldn’t tell.
“Then, at least the ceiling repair…”
“That, well. I’ll look into it, so don’t worry. It’s almost winter, right? It’ll be fine even if it’s a bit late. I’m not saying I won’t do it. It just takes some time.”
…That meant he wouldn’t do it.
He wouldn’t do it until Kang Hoon moved out, and probably wouldn’t do it even after he left.
“You somehow made it down here anyway. If you had more money, you would have gone up there to live in a better place. When you graduate from a third-rate university, that’s how life flows. Accept it!”
“…”
“Hey, I’m not saying I absolutely won’t do it. I’ll look for a decent repair shop, so wait. I’ll take care of everything.”
“…Yes.”
That wouldn’t happen until next spring.
“Still, young Kang Hoon is polite and keeps the place clean, so I like that. If you keep being this nice, I might freeze the rent next time too.”
“…”
Kang Hoon looked at the landlord.
He wasn’t particularly hiding his true intentions.
In fact… there was no need to hide them.
Originally.
That’s what being in a position of power is like.
The powerful people in movies and dramas at least have some dignity.
With shiny faces, slicked-back pomade hair, throwing envelopes full of money.
But,
Real-life power usually flows like this.
Even though it’s actually more cruel.
Kang Hoon smiled with soulless eyes, just like always, and said:
“Thank you.”
The fact that he had recently awakened, that he had become a hunter and started making good money.
The fact that he was the trending hunter currently rising in real-time rankings.
He didn’t tell any of this to the landlord in front of him.
He didn’t want to share such good and happy fortune with this lowly person before him.
‘Right. The worse someone is, the more you should pass by them like they’re trash.’
He wouldn’t share any good news with him.
This was also wisdom left by his grandmother.
Kang Hoon was that kind of man.
…That man decided to earn money and get his own home.
* * *
That’s what life is like.
‘At least I’m glad I could laugh when I was able to.’
Thanks to laughing so much like a fool back then, he had gained energy to keep going.
For several hours straight, he checked every real estate app available.
Hunters get loans easily.
Maybe if he took out a loan and continued selling bracelets alongside it.
Couldn’t he get a decent home of his own in Seoul?
But then.
“…Huh?”
No, never mind.
Kang Hoon’s thumb stopped at the ‘Cheapest Apartments in Seoul’ list.
“Seoul, E-Park, lowest price.”
An old apartment building displayed prominently on the screen.
An apartment that was completed over 30 years ago.
The square footage wasn’t very generous either.
It was 20 pyeong, supposedly good for single-person households.
But the price was—
“…Didn’t they say there were definitely no redevelopment prospects here?”
Looking at expert reviews, there were comments like ‘cheap in the area’ and ‘not bad for a first residence.’
“Let’s see Gyeonggi. Gyeonggi Province!”
When he looked that up, the prices were incredible too.
“…What? At this level, there’s no difference from Seoul prices?”
A situation where housing prices had risen throughout the entire metropolitan area.
What kind of experience is apartment window shopping?
It’s quite different from putting ‘items you want’ or ‘items that would be good to wear next season’ in your cart at a regular shopping mall.
Generally, when shopping for real estate.
Especially within South Korea’s metropolitan area, you’re bound to make these kinds of exclamations.
“What’s this? Just looking at the photos the realtor posted, it’s so old?! And it’s a single building apartment… How do they manage facilities? What kind of security do they have?”
Surprisingly, the management fees are high despite all that.
“Wait, wait. Then… let’s look for other places that are somewhat better in apartment complex form. Then… damn…”
The next apartment that appeared with a ‘highly recommended’ title for Kang Hoon was even more shocking.
“Completed 30 years ago, old apartment. No redevelopment planned… But the minimum price is…?!”
Isn’t there a saying like that?
When choosing a car, you start with a ‘Tico’ and then get the premise ‘instead of paying this much, pay a little more for—’
If you get swayed by such thoughts, the only car you can buy in the world is a Mercedes Benz.
That’s exactly what happened to Kang Hoon.
Once he got hooked on the ‘E-Park’ keyword,
“No way, this kind of apartment at this price?”
And then he kept moving on to the next.
And then to the next level!
Of course, there were realistic concerns too.
“Right. The bracelet price… I was planning to raise it anyway.”
The alchemists were already complaining about market disruption and whatnot.
Aren’t there so many rich people in South Korea?
While he was at it, emptying those people’s pockets. They’re saying 500 is cheap, so he should raise it more.
He could raise the price.
No,
He should raise it.
It would be foolish not to raise it more in the current situation!
Kang Hoon decided to steel his heart like that.
‘…But how much should I raise it to get the right price?’
In modern society where wealth disparity exceeds imagination, how much should he charge the rich?
It was hard for a commoner to get a sense of it.
Moreover, this option, ‘Stamina Enhancement’, is an effect that only Kang Hoon’s item possesses.
This means there’s nothing even to compare it to.
“This kind of bracelet itself is a first on ‘Corn Market’, so looking at the market prices of other items won’t help either.”
Should I try going a bit more ruthlessly??
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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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