I Awakened as a Dark History - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 63
Items that boosted Skill Effect had a drawback: the broader their scope, even at the same grade, the weaker their potency.
An item marked simply “Skill Effect” granted a 5% boost; one labeled “Attack Skill Effect” offered 10%; and one specifying “Flame Attack Skill Effect” delivered 15%.
The narrower the application range, the higher the effect rose.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t discussed the nuances of Skill effects in depth with the Hunket staff member.
The items delivered through the catalog were inherently low in potency but broad in scope.
Still, I wasn’t the sort to dwell long on such disappointments.
For me, the ability to use items regardless of their design was actually an advantage.
There was one genuine benefit to wielding items that were drawbacks for everyone else: a merit for me, a demerit for them.
“Because the broad scope means fewer buyers, the pricing is quite reasonable.”
Price was it, then.
Though “good” was generous when the numbers already had so many zeros, if the staff said so, I’d take it at that.
‘If that’s very cheap, what counts as very expensive?’
The thought crossed my mind, but there was no need to burden the staff with such melancholy musings.
“This Earring Item in particular boosts Skill Effect by 8%—quite exceptional, actually, among all Skill Effect boosters. It’s been graded S-Grade.”
Typically, S-Grade items had narrower effect scopes and effect increases approaching 20%.
By that standard, an S-Grade item with only an 8% boost seemed lacking.
“S-Grade items usually start at 100 million won, but this one is priced at 95 million, quite reasonable. Given your frequent Hunket purchases, if we apply the discount……”
The staff member tapped busily at a calculator and slid it toward me.
“You could take it for 87 million.”
Bigger discounts are always better. I nodded and made a mark in the catalog.
The staff member bowed respectfully and opened the next catalog.
The efficiency and courtesy in those movements impressed me genuinely.
“Regarding weapons—since you asked us to check S-Grade and above—we have items ranging from S-Grade to SS-Grade.”
“Ah, yes.”
I took the catalog and opened it. Immediately upon doing so, I reached for a drink and took a sip.
“Ahem, mm.”
As I cleared my throat unnecessarily, the staff member’s eyes filled with concern, meeting mine.
“Would you like me to turn on the humidifier if it’s dry?”
“No, no! That’s not it at all.”
It was simply that opening the weapons catalog had suddenly made the staff member’s earlier comment about the Earring Item being affordable make sense.
The items I’d seen before had terrifying prices, but at least they’d topped out at certain tens of millions.
My chosen Earring Item had been the most expensive of those, but weapons……
‘The minimum is 400 million won.’
Even accounting for the fact that these were mostly A-Grade to lower S-Grade items, the difference was vast.
It seemed to rival the price of an apartment in the suburbs.
“Are weapons……generally more expensive than other items?”
“Pardon? Not particularly, no.”
The staff member’s eyes went wide as if hearing this for the first time. Then, catching the implication behind my words, they quickly softened into understanding.
The staff member answered my question with a warm smile.
“S-Grade and above prices do increase significantly. SS-Grade items are always handled through auction.”
I recalled what the staff member had said earlier and tilted my head in confusion.
“Wait—didn’t you mention there were SS-Grade items in the catalog?”
“That’s correct. Should you select an SS-Grade item, we would proceed by arranging an auction for you.”
“I see.”
With a dry intake of breath, I mentally struck every SS-Grade item from my purchase list.
The staff member couldn’t know what was happening in my mind.
But by this point, I was beginning to wonder.
“Is the Core of Stone Cradle also SS-Grade? Is an auction currently running for it?”
Could I actually afford to buy these items with my assets?
Yu Ho-yeon had spoken with such certainty, but at this rate I’d need to take out a loan.
The staff member’s face grew brighter than at any point before.
“Yes, exactly as you say. We currently have it listed at Hunket, and buyers from around the world are participating. The opening bid was one million dollars, and it’s now reached 15 million dollars.”
Dollars? I wanted to calculate the exchange rate in my head, but my mind wasn’t moving fast enough.
What was the current rate these days?
The staff member, noticing my confusion, smiled knowingly.
“That’s approximately 23 billion won in Korean currency.”
A figure I’d never imagined hearing kept washing over me, and my lips curved into an unconscious smile.
The tension drained from my eyes as I looked at the catalog.
……
I should buy the most expensive weapon.
[Deep Sea-Soaked Spear (S-Grade)]
2,600,000,000 won
“…….”
Right, in the end, everything comes down to value for money. Value for money.
* * *
I’d been told to buy a weapon with long-term use in mind, but the price made me hesitate.
I was afraid to spend such a fortune when the Core of Stone Cradle hadn’t sold completely yet.
In the end, I purchased one S-Grade Earring Item, one S-Grade spear, and one A-Grade Dagger.
My current bank balance wasn’t enough to cover it all, but Hunket had various purchase support systems.
I paid for the earring and dagger with my debit card, while I bought the spear on an installment plan.
To put it simply, it was installment buying—but the details were far more complex.
Loans, collateral, credit scores…… it was a payment method that required so much economic knowledge I could barely follow it.
‘Once the Core of Stone Cradle sells, I’ll pay off the spear first thing.’
Without the reliable safety net of the Core of Stone Cradle, I never would have bought the spear at all.
I carefully placed the spear and dagger into my Subspace Item.
My hands trembled at the thought of them getting scratched if they bumped into anything.
‘Still, since I’ve decided to enter an unclearable dungeon, I should do this much preparation.’
I toyed with the earring for a moment, then slipped it onto my ear.
The plain silver hoop earring rested lightly against my earlobe.
Wearing an actual Item rather than just jewelry made me feel like a real Hunter for the first time.
And a text arrived that made that feeling feel real.
[Seo Il-hak]

I’m sending you the meeting location and schedule. Please don’t forget to attend.
The location was, unsurprisingly, Hunter Association Headquarters. I was walking while looking down at my Mobile Phone, saving the schedule to my calendar, when it happened.
Thud.
My body bumped lightly into someone. I hurriedly lowered my Mobile Phone and looked up.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
And when I looked up, there was a face I both didn’t want to see and very much wanted to see.
“…….”
“……Oh, it’s, it’s been a while?”
My voice trembled involuntarily. Yu Ho-yeon frowned at the sight of me.
I found myself feeling awkward, remembering that when we’d met at the Beach before, there had been at least some warmth in his expression.
Even so, I couldn’t hide where my gaze kept drifting—to his eyes.
Those deep reddish-brown irises were a common Korean trait.
There was no golden light in them anywhere.
It seemed the golden glint in his eyes only appeared when he used his skills.
Yu Ho-yeon shifted his body to the side and brushed past me.
If this continued, we could part as if we’d never met.
But for some reason, I found myself turning around.
“Hey!”
My call stopped Yu Ho-yeon in his tracks.
His eyes as he turned to look at me were full of confusion.
His expression made it clear he’d never expected me to call out to him first.
That stung a little.
‘Had I really made my discomfort that obvious?’
Looking back at my behavior belatedly only deepened my sense of shame.
Since I’d called him but said nothing, Yu Ho-yeon spoke first.
“What?”
Faced with such a direct question, my words suddenly caught in my throat.
That was true—if I’d just let him pass, that would have been the end of it. So why had I stopped Yu Ho-yeon?
Because there was something I wanted to confirm more than anything else.
‘Is he really the Hunter with those yellow eyes?’
I wanted to ask outright, but for some reason, I couldn’t find the courage.
I fumbled with my hands for a moment before finally managing to broach the subject.
“Oh, well…… I heard you got into a fight with my friend.”
“I’m not interested in an apology.”
Wow, this person really did have a gift for filling me with courage in an instant.
He was right that I was at fault, but hearing those words in that tone sparked an unexpected stubborn pride in me.
“I never said anything about apologizing, though.”
“Fine, then I’m off.”
Yu Ho-yeon turned and walked away without hesitation. The moment I saw his back, the stubbornness that had flared up in me vanished just as quickly.
I hurried to add something more.
“But I am reflecting! I really am reflecting!”
Oh, I’d shouted far too loudly.
The realization struck me, and my face flushed hot with embarrassment.
Passing employees slowed their pace, their eyes sliding sideways toward me.
I covered my face with one hand. At least my humiliation had served a purpose.
“Well then.”
Yu Ho-yeon took long strides back to where I stood.
“Let’s sit down and talk.”
It was a kind offer.

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