Laborer Mr. Kim Reaps Sweet Rewards with Auto-Hunting - Chapter 7

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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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Episode 7

First place in Monthly Boss Contribution.
In other words.

“That means I’m first in damage output.”

No way.
I just went and fired the bow three times before coming back….
And in that brief moment, I hit first place in contribution?

“This is insane, seriously.”
“Arthur, did you hear? Instead of arrows, he’s firing cannons!”

Yeah, well.
It really did look like a cannon, not an arrow.
The impact sound wasn’t a whisper—it was a thunderous BOOM!

Either way, the result’s first place.
So?
Time to see what the rewards are.

“I’ll take them gratefully.”

What kind of rewards would make them control the excitement like this?
With anticipation, I glanced.
There were a lot of messages.
Let me check them one by one.

[Monthly Boss Raid Success!]
[Participation Reward – Low-grade Magic Stone x50]

Wow.
Already?
The participation reward alone is fifty Low-grade Magic Stones.
Just for entering, I’m making a million won right off the bat.
Nice.
No wonder everyone’s dying to go.

[Monthly Boss Contribution Rank 1]
[Contribution Reward – Mid-grade Magic Stone x100, Iron Shell Turtle’s Shell Fragment, Iron Shell Turtle’s Core]

Next is the rank-one contribution reward.
Feels kind of… sparse?
Just a hundred Magic Stones?

“Wait.”

Hold on.
Something’s different here…?

So far, all the Magic Stones I’ve gotten have been Low-grade.
The price?
Twenty thousand won each.
But this one….

[Mid-grade Magic Stone x100]

Insane.
Not a Low-grade Magic Stone — it’s Mid-grade.
How much are Mid-grade Magic Stones again?

“500,000 won…?”

500 x 100 = 5,000.

So.
That one stone is worth 50 million won.

“Wow….”

Jackpot.
No wonder the top guilds control distribution of these.
50 million every month?
That’s absolutely ridiculous profit.
And the other two items.

[Iron Shell Turtle’s Shell Fragment, Iron Shell Turtle’s Core]

No idea what these are.
No description attached.
Stashing them in inventory for now.
Let me check the last message.

[You have successfully completed a Monthly Boss raid for the first time.]
[Job Privilege: You have been granted a One-time Worker Payment Exemption Coupon.]

[You have achieved first place contribution in a Monthly Boss raid for the first time.]
[Job Privilege: You have been granted a Unique Skill Grade Temporary Elevation Voucher.]

Oh?

* * *

Job Privileges pop up from time to time, almost like achievements.
What triggers them?
Unclear.

Seems like they pop up whenever I do something for the first time.
But they don’t show up every single time, either.
What I know for certain:

“Every time they appear, they’re solid.”

At first, there was the trial coupon for higher-tier workers.
That’s how I pulled Arthur.

Second time, the Personnel Management Office opened up.
That’s an essential cheat code in itself.
And this time:

A One-time Worker Payment Exemption Coupon.
A Unique Skill Grade Temporary Elevation Voucher.

Let me look at the details.

One-time Worker Payment Exemption Coupon.
Literally a voucher to use workers for free once.

“I doubt I’ll ever need to use this.”

If you do work, you ought to get paid for it.
That was Yoon Ha-jun’s creed.
So why would I need it?
Still, just in case—I’ll hold onto it for now.
Next item.

[Unique Skill Grade Temporary Elevation Voucher – temporarily elevates the grade of a unique skill and increases the maximum summoning range. (Duration: 10 minutes)]

This is jackpot.
It increases the maximum summoning range?

[Worker Summoning (Grade – Bronze)]

Current grade: Bronze.
If I increase the maximum range…
Could I summon even top-tier workers?
I asked.

“Yes! Top-tier? They come! But Arthur, way more of them!”

Right.
Top-tier summoning becomes possible.
And higher-tier workers appear at better odds too.
That’s what it means.

If I use this right away, I could add Robin to my fixed team, couldn’t I?
I tested the idea, cautiously.

“…Too much hassle.”

Ah.
I should’ve seen that coming.

“What if I gave you extra Magic Stones each time you’re summoned?”
“…….”

I tried coaxing further, but nothing—just silence.
Robin turned her head away completely.

“Boss, that’s great! I’ll give you more! Coffee! Magic Stones!”

Arthur chimed in from beside me, trying to sweeten the deal—
Clink.
Then she touched her bow, and—

“…….”

We both fell silent.
Right.
Better leave it alone.
Those arrows of hers aren’t really arrows—they’re practically cannons.
Though I suppose I should be grateful she doesn’t threaten me with them…
Anyway.

“Sigh… understood.”
“Boss, that okay with you?”

Will it be alright?
Of course I’m disappointed.
But what can I do, even if I am?
He says he doesn’t want to.

If you force someone who doesn’t want to work?
Something always goes wrong.
This will be no different.
And beyond that.
If someone refuses, what choice do I have?
I have to let it go.
Still.

“Arthur’s in, right?”

[Fixed Team Management]
[Register as Fixed Team – Arthur (High Rank)]

“Arthur?”

[Pending….]

What’s this.
Why aren’t you saying yes right away?

“Got Luwak Coffee, boss?”
“Luwak? Of course I do.”

What do you take me for?
I’ve had it ready for Arthur for ages.

“I’ll have it prepared while I head down and clear the tower. How about we finish things cleanly—clear the tower and you just sign the contract—then have a cup of coffee?”
“Arthur, perfect!”

Good.
As long as I have Arthur, that’s all that matters.
Highest rank?
What does that even matter.
Not that I’m bitter about being rejected or anything….
Still.

“Robin? How about we have a cup of coffee together before you go?”

How can I just let him leave like this.
There’s a Korean heart, after all.
Let’s have a cup of coffee together and head out with Arthur.

“…….”

Again, just staring.
If he refuses again this time, saying it’s bothersome?
Then I won’t push anymore.
I’ll just send him off.

“Unless you hate it.”

What’s your answer?
Ah.
He’s heading down with Arthur.
That was the right call.
This is expensive coffee, I’ll tell you that.

* * *

[Worker Dispatch]
– Tower

“Arthur, go work hard out there! Hoo-hah! Please do well!”

[Auto-hunting in Progress]
[00:00:13]

Third floor of the Chaos Tower. Arthur enters.
No need to watch—he’ll manage just fine on his own.
What about Robin?
Quietly gazing out the window.
Every time I look, he’s just staring blankly at something—I can never tell what.
Strange person, really.

“I should get things ready.”

He’ll be back soon, so I’d better move fast.
I pulled out the secret weapon I’d prepared for this moment.
First: Luwak Coffee.
Turns out this stuff is made from cat droppings.
I wonder if Arthur knows?
He definitely doesn’t….
What you don’t know won’t hurt you—better keep it a secret.
Next up.

Sizzzzzzzzle!

“Grilled pork belly—how could anyone resist this?”

Fresh grilled pork belly right after work?
Words can’t do it justice.
First, the aroma of perfectly golden-brown pork belly hits.
Then comes the taste.
And finally, that Luwak Coffee to finish.
Three strikes in perfect sequence, stealing his very soul.
Clean execution all the way through—it’s flawless, isn’t it?

Slurp.

Huh?
What was that?
Where’s that slurping sound coming from?
I glance over.
It’s Robin.

….

Those eyes that had been fixed on the window just moments ago
are now locked on the grilled pork belly.
Goodness, he’s going to bore holes right through it.
Does he want to eat some?

I pick up a piece with the tongs and slide it to the left.
His eyes follow—flick.
If I move it to the right?
A quick swish.
This is actually fun….
Finally, once it goes on the grill.

Sizzle-sizzle-sizzle!

My mouth waters to the sound of it cooking.
At this rate, I’ll end up with a fly in my teeth.

“Hungry?”

The moment I ask, his head bobs up and down.
Wait.
I’m only now realizing how quick his reactions are.
He’s never been like this before.
What?
Hold on—could it be…?

“Fixed Team, then? You in?”
……

Now’s the moment!
I coax him a little.
His pupils flutter.
He looks like he’s actually thinking about it—

“…Too much trouble.”

Damn.
The wall of laziness is insurmountable.
Well, can’t be helped.
Might as well finish grilling the meat.

[Chaos Tower Floor 3 cleared.]
[Auto-hunting terminated.]

Oh, it’s done.
Took a bit longer this time.
What about Arthur?

[Chaos Tower Floor 3 clear successful!]
[Level increased.]
[Clear reward – 40 Low-grade Magic Stones]

[Clear time – 00:03:47]
[World record achieved!]
[Bonus reward – Chaos Key Fragment]

“Arthur, you’re here—wait. What’s that?!”

The moment he emerges, his presence is unmistakable.
That’s Arthur for you.

“Pork belly. Ever had it?”
“Pork belly? Don’t know! Arthur gets some?!”
“Of course. Obviously.”

Before he can grab it with his hands, I pass him chopsticks.
I slip a pair to Robin as well.

“……?”

What do you mean.
Why are you looking at me like that.
You’re not actually worried I’d extort you with food, are you.

“It was just a joke, so don’t worry about it. Eat up before you go.”

That’s what I’m saying.
All of this is about making a living.
So let me start.

* * *

Hwarang, Baekho-dan, Ma-tap, Cheol-hyeol-mun, San-gun.
The masters of the top five guilds in the Raid Coalition had assembled.
For an emergency meeting.
The subject?
An unidentified Hunter.

“You still haven’t confirmed their identity?”
“The ones who came out of the raid were going on about seeing a ghost.”
“A ghost, obviously not.”
“But it doesn’t make sense by any reasonable standard. We can’t even figure out how they got in to begin with.”

So that’s the thing.
It felt like they were possessed by a phantom.
They burst into the Monthly Boss zone midway through?
It makes no sense.
But what makes even less sense is.

“Is that damage output even possible?”
“That’s exactly my point. For one thing, I couldn’t dream of dealing that much damage myself. What about you, Hwa-rang?”
“I’m in the same boat.”

Hwarang’s guild master, Baek Hwa-rang.
Currently ranked second in the nation for Tower progression.
Awakening Rank A, officially certified by the Administration.
So what of it.

“There’s no way we could replicate it.”

An unidentified vagrant who scored twelve percent Contribution with a single arrow.
Could you match that?
No.
Absolutely not.
Even if you brought in Lee Bo-jun, who’s ranked first, he couldn’t pull off something like that.

“So what kind of rewards came out?”

Insane materialists.
An unidentified Hunter shows up out of nowhere and they’re worried about rewards.

“The Core probably didn’t drop. At best, we might get some shell fragments or meat.”
“Magic Stones?”
“What difference would that make anyway?”
“It was supposed to be Hwarang’s turn this month. Too bad about that.”
“We can just take the loot in five months.”

But even Baek Hwa-rang wasn’t immune to being a materialist.
Playing it cool, though.
The bitter taste in his mouth at the thought of the materials told a different story.

One hundred Mid-grade Magic Stones?
He had no regrets about that.
A guild of the top five caliber could earn that much without breaking a sweat.
The real problem was the material items.

The meat dropped relatively often.
The shell, very rarely.
And the core—that dropped at an abysmal rate.

“Didn’t Hwarang say that once they get a core, a weapon materializes?”
“Yes. If any guild happens to have one in inventory, please let me know.”
“Ah… we don’t have any in stock…”
“Neither do we…”

He’d never really expected anything anyway.
Who would hand over materials?
Once they were crafted into weapons or armor, their value multiplied dozens of times over.

“Ha, that’s unfortunate.”

It didn’t matter.
There was no point in ordinary people picking up materials anyway.
Unless they’d awakened a crafting-related job.

This mysterious hunter.
Whoever they were, once found, they’d be brought into the fold.
And as a bonus, the materials too.
You weren’t going to use them anyway, were you?

* * *

“So, later on when a crafting-related Worker shows up, I can use them like Life-related Workers, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Perfect! I like it—have two more pieces of meat here.”

An unexpected discovery.
Robin was a walking information bank.
To think weapons could be crafted from cores and shells.
And that they could even become Workers.
Insane job ability.
Long live the Personnel Management Office.

“Yoon Ha-jun! Arthur knows too! Give us meat!”
“Go ahead, Arthur can have two as well.”
“I’ll take them!”

He made a note about crafting-related Workers first.
They’d eaten a reasonable amount of meat by now.
Time to get Arthur’s contract signed.

[Fixed Team Management]
[Register as Fixed Team – Arthur (Advanced Rank)]

In one hand, he dangled the pouch of Luwak Coffee.
With the other, he prepared for a handshake.
The answer?

“Arthur, let’s do this!”

[Registered as a Fixed Team.]
[Arthur (Advanced)]

Perfect!
Now that’s what I’m talking about.

“…….”

But then.
Robin carefully raises his hand?

“Huh? What is it? Do you want more meat?”
“…Me too.”

What?
Why you?
You said you wouldn’t.

“…Meat, thank….”
“Arthur, I’m listening! The meat was delicious! Thank you for giving it to me for free!”

That translation device works pretty well.
But….
Robin’s already brought in fifty million won in Mid-grade Magic Stones?
Not that I’m going to refuse.
If the chance comes up, I should ask right away.

“Should we go right now?”

First, let me raise my grade.

[Using ‘Unique Skill Grade Temporary Elevation Voucher’.]
[Unique Skill Grade has increased.]
[Summoning range has expanded.]
[Remaining time – 00:10:00]

Excellent.
Now let me make Robin an offer.

[Fixed Team Management]
[Register as Fixed Team – Robin (Highest Rank)]

“…But. Next time too….”
“Barbecued meat!”

You want me to bring more?
Fine.
I’ll hunt it down and bring it myself.
So.
Just accept it already.

[Registered as a Fixed Team.]
[Robin (Highest Rank)]

So Robin’s sealed the deal too!
What’s my roster looking like now?

——-
[Fixed Team Management]

1. Arthur (High Rank)
2. Robin (Highest Rank)
3. Empty Slot
4. Empty Slot
5. Empty Slot
——-

For now, that’s five slots total.
More will open up later, I’m sure.
Still, seeing Arthur and Robin here—it feels reassuring.

Ding!
[※ A worker registered to your Fixed Team using a Unique Skill Grade Temporary Elevation Voucher has been detected.]
[Until the summoning range aligns, that worker can only be summoned once per week.]

Oh, no.
Can’t overlook this, then.
At least it didn’t cancel the registration—that’s something.

“So Arthur can be summoned every day, and Robin once a week.”
“Arthur, excellent!”
“…Good.”

Once a week?
Actually, that’s better.
Robin’s daily wage is six hundred thousand won.
If I summoned him every day?
I’d go bankrupt….

“Then both of you—I’m counting on you.”

Starting tomorrow.
Let’s do this right.

—————
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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