The All-Time Best Talent was F-Class Purification - Chapter 6

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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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6
Chapter 6 – An Elite Talent Awakened as an F-Rank Purifier
“Let’s head to my place first. This is far too open to discuss matters here.”
Park Jae-jung adjusted his dented shield as he spoke.
The dilapidated truck carried us to a small, weathered apartment perched on the boundary of the Lower District. It was a step above my Goshiwon, yet hardly befitting a C-Rank veteran Hunter. But the moment I crossed the threshold, I realized how wrong my initial assessment had been.
The interior resembled a military operations center. One wall of the living room was completely covered with a map of the Seoul Metropolitan Area’s Dungeons, adorned with pins of various colors and incomprehensible notes. Bookshelves held Hunter-related texts—monster compendiums, Dungeon topography guides—while another wall displayed meticulously maintained equipment hanging in perfect order.
It was less a living space than an armory. The colorful pins marking the map were records of his conquered battlefields; the worn volumes on the shelves were evidence of knowledge he’d consumed to survive. Throughout the apartment, I sensed the relentless determination of a veteran hidden beneath the facade of a Lower District resident.
This was a fortress and command center constructed by a single veteran Hunter to ensure his survival.
‘A true professional.’
“First, let’s get you cleaned up. And we need to properly treat those wounds.”
He retrieved a first-aid kit with practiced ease. As I unwound the hastily applied bandages from the Dungeon, he clicked his tongue and began disinfecting the gash along my ribs.
“That a D-Rank attack only grazed you this badly is thanks to the newly purchased armor. Otherwise, your organs would have spilled out.”
I felt the limitations of my F-Rank physique anew. Park Jae-jung handed me a premium recovery potion worth five hundred thousand won per bottle.
“Such a precious thing…”
“Your body is our venture’s most vital asset, sir. This is nothing.”
After a quick treatment and shower, I emerged into the living room to find him already seated before a computer, with steaming nutritional porridge and energy drinks arranged on the desk.
“Now the real work begins.”
He spoke while regarding me with bloodshot eyes that suggested he hadn’t slept in some time. The massive monitor displayed complex data I didn’t recognize.
“Our target is one billion won. Combined with our current capital and today’s Magic Stones, we should have roughly four to five hundred million. We need to earn the remaining five hundred million or more as quickly and quietly as possible.”
He tapped the keyboard, and a list of all F and E-Rank Dungeons in the Seoul Metropolitan Area appeared. Beside each Dungeon’s name, rank, and primary monster types, there was a category I’d never seen before.
‘Primary Active Guilds and Territorial Control.’
“Sir, Hunting isn’t simply about fighting monsters. It’s also about territorial warfare.”
Park Jae-jung clicked through each Dungeon name as he explained.
“Dungeons are lawless zones where fists matter more than law. Places like the Contaminated Rat Burrow are wastelands nobody cares about, but the Subway Tunnel is a territory where the Viper Sect collects tolls. Us sweeping up waste Magic Stones there is no different than reaching into their pockets. People are far more dangerous than monsters.”
In hindsight, it was obvious. But until recently, struggling with poverty, I hadn’t had the luxury of considering territorial control.
“Our business model will inevitably provoke them. We must move with clear knowledge of who to fight and who to avoid.”
He synthesized the data and presented three options.
“First, the Ant Route.”
He marked several outer-region Dungeons on the map.
“Low-profit Dungeons with virtually no competition. Places even scavengers wouldn’t bother with. It will take time, but we can reach our target amount most safely.”
“Second, the Hyena Route. We forcibly seize territories controlled by thug guilds like the Viper Sect. The quantity of waste Magic Stones is substantial, but continuous attrition warfare will ensue. There’s also significant risk of our existence being exposed quickly.”
Finally, he pointed to a corner of the map marked with a red question mark.
[E-Rank Estimated Unexplored Contaminated Zone Discovery Report. Location: Old Incheon Chemical Complex Underground.]
“Third, the Ghost Route. A new Contaminated Zone reported to the Association a week ago that nobody has properly conquered yet. Nobody knows what monsters lurk there or what dangers await. But there are no competitors either. You could strike the greatest jackpot or walk out dead.”
Park Jae-jung leaned back in his chair after finishing the briefing, his gaze fixed on me. His eyes conveyed that the choice was mine alone.
I closed my eyes briefly to think. The Ant Route was too slow. Mother’s hospital bills would continue mounting, and I couldn’t remain in this precarious situation indefinitely. The Hyena Route was foolish—with only two of us now, we’d waste our strength on unnecessary conflicts.
That left one answer. The Ghost Route. The most dangerous but most certain path. My heart leaned toward it, but I didn’t speak hastily. Instead, I posed a question to Park Jae-jung.
“Thanks for the intel. The Ghost Route seems most promising. But there’s one problem. Our specs.”
I spoke while pressing my aching ribs.
“I nearly died from a single D-Rank attack, and your shield was shattered. Entering an Unknown Land E-Rank Dungeon in this condition isn’t gambling—it’s suicide. Before executing any plan, shouldn’t we first improve our survival odds?”
“That’s correct. I was actually waiting for you to say that.”
He pulled up a new data window as if he’d been prepared for this moment.
“So I’ve prepared this. A team power reinforcement plan.”
The plan was straightforward: invest a portion of our capital to upgrade both my equipment and his, and stock up on consumables to prepare for the Unknown Land Dungeon.
“Understood. Then let’s put the Phantom Route strategy on hold for now and begin strengthening our team immediately.”
A satisfied smile crossed Park Jae-jung’s face, and his eyes gleamed with even greater contentment than before.
“Then let’s start tomorrow morning at the Equipment Shop District instead of the Dungeon.”
After a full night’s rest, the next morning we headed not to a Dungeon but to the heart of the Middle District—the Hunter Equipment Shop District. It was far grander and more magnificent than the Trading Post where I’d sold my D-Rank Magic Stone yesterday. Bulletproof vehicles bearing the emblems of S-rank Guilds cruised down the street, and within the shop windows, items that looked like legendary artifacts emanated an otherworldly glow.
“First, let’s replace Jae-jung’s shield.”
The moment I spoke at the entrance to the Shopping District, Park Jae-jung turned to me with a surprised expression.
“My shield is still serviceable. It got dented a bit because of the Juggernaut yesterday, but it’s quite a decent piece among C-Rank equipment.”
“That small dent could have gotten us killed. I’ve reviewed yesterday’s battle.”
I elaborated further.
“If that shield had failed to hold for just one more second, I might not be standing here right now. Your survival is this venture’s survival. Investing in the best shield isn’t just for you—it’s the most certain and profitable business investment we can make. I’m doing this for us, not just for me.”
Park Jae-jung had no further objections. His expression grew complicated for a moment, then he gave a short nod. The emotion that flickered across his face wasn’t mere gratitude—it was a deeper satisfaction, the kind that comes from meeting someone who recognizes your worth and invests boldly in you.
We immediately entered a shop specializing in C-Rank defensive equipment. Unlike before, Park Jae-jung took the lead and began explaining.
“C-Rank shields fall into two main categories: titanium alloy-based physical defense types and those with embedded core energy circuits for magical defense. Since the Chemical Complex we’re heading to will feature primarily corrosive attacks, a shield with high magical resistance would be advantageous.”
As an expert, he meticulously outlined the strengths and weaknesses of each shield, their materials, and their market reputation.
We finally stopped before a shield called the Eternal Guard—a top-tier C-Rank shield. Crafted from a special alloy with a blue luminescence, it boasted exceptional physical defense and particularly outstanding resistance to corrosive magical attacks. Park Jae-jung gazed at it with longing eyes. The problem was the price tag attached below.
[55,000,000 Won]
“As expected, this is impossible.”
Park Jae-jung turned away with a bitter smile.
“Director. You see? A decent C-Rank shield starts at a minimum of 20 to 30 million Won. For us right now, it’s pie in the sky.”
Reality was harsh. The 12 million Won I possessed was certainly a substantial sum, but in the world of higher-ranked Hunters, it was barely enough to acquire even a single piece of proper equipment.
Recklessly reaching for C-Rank gear could easily drain every Won we had and leave us destitute. I refused to despair. I nodded and sought an alternative solution.
“We don’t need something new. As long as it functions properly, that’s enough. Jae-jung, is there a secondhand equipment market or a decent pawn shop around here?”
“I do know of a place, but you’d need a very discerning eye for goods. There are plenty of scammers too.”
“I trust your eye.”
We left the Shopping District and ventured into a deeper, more dilapidated Alley. It was the Hunter-Only Secondhand Market.
In the shadows beyond the bright lights of the Shopping District, a chaotic bazaar reeked of rust and sweat. Heirlooms of the deceased mingled with stolen goods of unknown origin—all manner of scrap metal bearing countless stories lay scattered on the ground. The air here was different. The battle of wits between those trying to deceive and those trying not to be deceived crackled more fiercely than the market’s noise.
We browsed several stalls, but found nothing worthwhile. Most were either scrap metal nearing the end of its life or overpriced items bloated with false value. Park Jae-jung’s expression grew increasingly dark.
“It doesn’t seem like this is the right place…”
“Wait a moment.”
My gaze locked onto a single battered shield carelessly discarded in a corner of one stall. It was scratched and dented across its entire surface, with a massive crack running through its center. Yet strangely, to my eyes, that shield appeared more solid and resilient than any other C-Rank shield I’d seen.
I approached the Stall Owner and asked.
“How much for this shield?”
“You’ve got a good eye, customer. That’s originally a B-Rank Gigas Shield, but the mana circuit is completely fried, so it’s basically scrap metal now. Just take it for 7 million Won.”
B-Rank. And 7 million Won. Park Jae-jung tried to stop me.
“Director, no! That won’t work. You can’t use that. Buying a hollow shell with a broken circuit is just throwing money away.”
‘A defective mana circuit… What if this is also a form of contamination?’
I decided to trust my instincts.
“I’ll take this one.”
Despite Park Jae-jung’s objections, I paid 7 million won and purchased the damaged B-rank shield. Park Jae-jung shook his head as if he couldn’t comprehend my gamble.
“A shield alone isn’t enough to make the difference.”
On the way back to his hideout, Park Jae-jung spoke curtly. He still clearly disapproved of my reckless wager. He took me to a General Store.
“This is where the real veterans come to play. When exploring dungeons, a single consumable like these can save your life.”
He explained the importance of various potions and flares needed to conquer unknown dungeons, sharing his experience and expertise. As I listened intently, I quietly slipped a rusted F-rank dagger into the cart.
When we returned to his hideout, the room was filled with all manner of equipment. Park Jae-jung stared at the scrap metal shield I’d purchased with obvious displeasure.
Without a word, I drew out the rusted dagger first. Then I cast Purification.
Scritch, scritch…
The rust crumbled away from the blade, and the dulled edge sharpened once more, beginning to emit a faint blue radiance.
[You have successfully purified the Worn Dagger (F-rank).]
[The dormant core energy circuit activates. The item’s rank rises to E-rank.]
Park Jae-jung’s mouth fell slightly open. He stood speechless, watching as the rusted scrap metal transformed into a magical weapon. Without pausing, I reached for today’s true highlight—the damaged B-rank shield.
“Surely not…?”
Under his hopeful gaze, I placed my hand on the shield’s fractured mana circuit. Then I poured every ounce of my purification ability into it.
Uuuuung—
The shield began to resonate with a low vibration. Pure white light spread like a spider’s web along the cracks, methodically reconnecting the severed mana circuits. Though the dented portions didn’t fully straighten, I could feel powerful core energy flowing through the entire shield once more. The moment a 7-million-won piece of junk was reborn as a top-tier B-rank shield worth nearly 100 million won.
“No… really… the Giga Shield…”
Park Jae-jung picked up the fully restored shield and turned it over, examining the restored mana circuits. Blue light pulsed like a heartbeat across the shield’s surface. The dents remained, but they were inconsequential. The core energy circulated perfectly.
“Boss.”
Park Jae-jung looked directly at me with transformed eyes.
“I was wrong. No—I failed to see clearly. Your ability holds far greater potential than I ever imagined.”
“With this shield alone, our survival rate has increased by at least 40%. Perhaps even more. A C-rank tank with a B-rank shield can now face the bosses of most E-rank dungeons solo.”
I nodded. But I remained cautious.
“We mustn’t grow overconfident. We’re still only two people, and no one knows what the Chemical Complex truly holds.”
“You’re right.”
At my warning, Park Jae-jung seemed to regain his focus. He set down the shield he’d been gripping tightly and began checking the other equipment. He picked up the now E-rank dagger and swung it several times, his expression satisfied. He verified each consumable one by one. Five bottles of antidote potion, ten flares, emergency hemostatic bandages, and backup signal flares. Nothing was lacking.
“We’re ready.”
Park Jae-jung said as he organized all the equipment.
“We’ll depart at 5 AM tomorrow. Reports indicate that monster activity in the Chemical Complex is at its lowest during dawn hours. Our initial entry must be as quiet as possible.”
“Understood.”
I gazed out the window. Night was deepening. The lights of the Middle District sparkled, while the Lower District far beyond lay shrouded in darkness.
Park Jae-jung stood beside me. He too looked up at the same sky.
“Are you afraid?”
“No. I’m excited.”
At my answer, he let out a soft chuckle.
“So am I. It’s a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time. It’s like the tremor from my first day as a Hunter has returned.”
We stood ready with our new shield and new weapon, prepared to venture toward the Unknown Land.

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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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