The Automatic Rooting Range Is Too Wide - Chapter 111

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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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Auto Looting Range Too Wide Episode 111

 

Episode 111: Rabbit Teacher (3)

 

“Oh, really?”

 

Perhaps because he had agreed too easily.

 

Kim Ga-eul shouted in surprise instead.

 

“Why? Is there a problem?”

 

“No! It’s not that, but…”

 

Kim Ga-eul trailed off.

 

If this deal went through, she could gain a lot.

 

But her conscience pricked at her for accepting it so readily.

 

This deal was only possible with Mincheol’s concessions.

 

“…How about thinking it over a bit more?”

 

In the end, Kim Ga-eul couldn’t completely abandon her conscience.

 

Thinking that Mincheol might have agreed to the deal lightly, she decided to go through each point.

 

“This deal won’t end with just gathering materials once or twice. You’ll need to obtain many materials from silver badge and gold badge requests.”

 

During that time, Mincheol wouldn’t receive any compensation.

 

In other words, he would have to keep working without pay.

 

“There’s also a chance our company might not pay the compensation at the end.”

 

It wasn’t mere speculation.

 

Just as gathering-type Awakened sometimes ran off with advance payments, there were often cases where companies didn’t pay Awakened their wages.

 

“So please think it over again before deciding…”

 

“Well, you’ll keep your word, right?”

 

Mincheol said nonchalantly.

 

Though he spoke lightly, it was a belief based on solid grounds.

 

Tower materials could only be gathered by gathering-type Awakened.

 

There had been several attempts to bring the Tower’s entire ecosystem over, but none had ever succeeded.

 

That’s why most guilds tried to maintain friendly relationships with gathering-type Awakened.

 

Moreover, Mincheol was an Awakened who could gather large quantities of rare materials.

 

‘Companies have been pestering me lately anyway, which was annoying.’

 

The employees who had treated Mincheol coldly on the first day were now clinging to him instead.

 

They were asking for at least his contact information, saying he didn’t need to take requests.

 

The fact that those high-and-mighty companies were begging meant Mincheol’s status was that high.

 

So he judged that Apple Pharmaceuticals wouldn’t break their promise.

 

‘Above all, it’s not particularly difficult work.’

 

As long as he had Auto Looting, gathering materials was child’s play for Mincheol.

 

Even gold badge requests wouldn’t be any different.

 

‘They’re offering a unique grade item. It’s worth believing in once.’

 

Up to rare grade items could be obtained at auction houses.

 

But unique grade items were hard to find on the market.

 

He couldn’t miss the opportunity to obtain an item that couldn’t be bought even with money.

 

For these reasons, Mincheol had accepted Apple Pharmaceuticals’ proposal.

 

However, Kim Ga-eul was thinking a bit differently.

 

-Could it be that he’s fallen for Ga-eul?

 

-I hate to admit it, but our Apple Pharmaceuticals isn’t famous, you know.

 

-But the reason he keeps dealing with us might be because of Ga-eul, don’t you think?

 

The Owner’s words came to mind.

 

It had been a joke to lighten the mood. She knew that fact well.

 

But seeing Mincheol accept so readily like this…

 

‘Did he really fall for me?’

 

She couldn’t help but have such a misunderstanding.

 

In fact, she was quite popular. She had never confessed to anyone first in her life.

 

Men had always come to her even when she did nothing.

 

‘What a sinful woman I am.’

 

Kim Ga-eul glanced at Mincheol.

 

She couldn’t see his face because he was wearing a mask.

 

But his sturdy build exuded masculine charm.

 

‘At this level, well… it would be fine even if his looks aren’t great.’

 

They say you’re counting your chickens before they hatch when the person giving doesn’t even think about it.

 

That was exactly Kim Ga-eul’s situation right now.

 

Then, Mincheol suddenly extended his hand.

 

“Give it to me.”

 

Kim Ga-eul was flustered by the sudden action.

 

Give him what?

 

Kim Ga-eul quickly came to her senses. Based on her experience, he was definitely asking for her contact information.

 

‘We’ve only known each other for less than a month and he’s already asking for my contact info.’

 

Kim Ga-eul made a coy expression and said.

 

“I think it’s still too early. Let’s keep some distance for now.”

 

“Huh? If you don’t give me the request form, how am I supposed to know what materials to gather?”

 

Kim Ga-eul snapped back to reality.

 

Realizing what ridiculous misunderstanding she had made, her face turned bright red.

 

“H-here it is.”

 

Embarrassed, Kim Ga-eul quickly handed over the request forms.

 

* * *

 

After parting with Kim Ga-eul, Mincheol headed to the Mercenary Board.

 

‘Fire Red Grass, Flame Stone, even Lizardman eggs? They need all sorts of things.’

 

There were many items to obtain from the silver badge requests.

 

Since they said they’d provide all the potions needed for a large-scale operation, it seemed they needed that many materials.

 

‘This isn’t the end, and they said there are many things to obtain from gold badge requests too?’

 

He needed to get promoted to gold badge mercenary as soon as possible.

 

Mincheol was looking through the request forms posted on the bulletin board when.

 

“Well, well, you’re here again today. Such a diligent fellow.”

 

Someone patted Mincheol’s back with their palm.

 

Feeling displeased by the sudden touch, Mincheol turned his gaze.

 

Then he saw a face he had seen somewhere before.

 

“So, a turd rolled in vomit?”

 

“You little shit…”

 

The middle-aged man was about to spit out curses but closed his mouth.

 

Soon he smiled warmly and said.

 

“I was a bit rude back then, wasn’t I? I was so eager to help that I ended up being discourteous.”

 

“It’s good that you realized your mistake. Then please leave now.”

 

Mincheol said curtly.

 

To approach him again after hearing those harsh words? Something felt very off about it.

 

“I’m Choi Cheol-min. I can call you Toh Seonsaeng, right?”

 

But the man was not to be underestimated.

 

He revealed his name without caring about Mincheol’s attitude.

 

“I’ve been watching you all this time. Unlike my initial thought that you were a novice, you’re quite a capable person, aren’t you?”

 

Not wanting to deal with him anymore, he moved to a different spot.

 

Then Choi Cheol-min followed Mincheol and said.

 

“I need a gathering-type Awakened with outstanding skills like you.”

 

“Please find someone else.”

 

“You’ll change your mind when you see this.”

 

Choi Cheol-min blocked Mincheol’s path and held out a request form.

 

Mincheol tried to ignore it, but the moment he saw the paper, he couldn’t.

 

A paper made entirely of pitch-black color.

 

He had never seen a request form of this color before.

 

“What is this?”

 

“Check it out. If you put your finger on it, the information will appear.”

 

Mincheol touched the paper as Choi Cheol-min instructed.

 

【Search for Missing Persons in the Gray Forest】

 

-Danger Level: Unknown.

 

-Recommended Personnel: 5 or more.

 

-Hidden Stage.

 

Mincheol’s eyes widened.

 

It was because of the phrase “Hidden Stage” at the very end.

 

“Amazing, isn’t it? It’s a request form that allows entry into a Hidden Stage.”

 

As if expecting his surprise, Choi Cheol-min said with a broad smile.

 

“How did you get this?”

 

“I obtained it by chance while taking on combat-related requests. Sometimes requests are interconnected and generate like this.”

 

Choi Cheol-min said while waving the request form.

 

“I want your help in conquering this request.”

 

“You said you got it while taking combat requests, right? But why do you need me?”

 

“I discovered something very interesting in this Hidden Stage.”

 

Choi Cheol-min lowered his voice and explained.

 

“As you can see, the request form doesn’t have clear completion conditions written on it, right? In cases like this, you can enter and exit multiple times.”

 

“So we’ve been steadily conquering this Hidden Stage. Then we discovered a strangely shaped temple in the forest.”

 

“But the door leading into the temple is sealed. It said to find three gems to open the door.”

 

“But we’re all combat-type Awakened, so we need help from gathering-type Awakened.”

 

Gathering-type Awakened were naturally skilled in exploration as well.

 

After all, they had to search for materials across vast stages.

 

“But we can’t entrust this to just anyone, can we? What if we fail? It would only increase the number of people who know about the Hidden Stage’s existence.”

 

“So?”

 

“If word gets out because too many people know? There’s nothing more troublesome than that. If we’re unlucky, it might even be taken by a guild.”

 

“Hmm….”

 

“So while I was looking for someone capable enough to find the gems in one go, you appeared.”

 

Choi Cheol-min said while waving the paper.

 

“If you help us, I promise you 10% of the reward. How about it?”

 

Mincheol fell into thought.

 

‘Honestly speaking, it’s suspicious.’

 

Mincheol still couldn’t forget the sense of unease he felt from Choi Cheol-min on the first day.

 

He couldn’t put it into words exactly, but he felt an instinctive discomfort.

 

‘And why would someone who’s conquering a Hidden Stage offer to help a newbie?’

 

Besides, Choi Cheol-min didn’t seem to have a particularly altruistic personality either.

 

After thinking it over, Mincheol said to Choi Cheol-min.

 

“40%.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“If you promise me 40% of the reward, I’ll help you.”

 

Choi Cheol-min’s expression twisted with anger.

 

“You’re joking, right?”

 

“I’m being serious.”

 

“We’re the ones who found the request and searched the ruins all this time, aren’t we?”

 

“But without me, you can’t open the sealed door. Then all the hardships you’ve endured so far will be for nothing, won’t they?”

 

Choi Cheol-min couldn’t close his mouth in disbelief.

 

“What kind of highway robbery… Do you think you’re the only Awakened with search abilities?”

 

“But there’s no one as outstanding as me. I can definitely find the items you need.”

 

Mincheol said with a confident voice.

 

Choi Cheol-min couldn’t make a decision easily.

 

“If you don’t like it, forget it.”

 

Mincheol tried to pass by Choi Cheol-min. Then Choi Cheol-min said urgently.

 

“Damn it, fine! I’ll give you 40%!”

 

“Good thinking.”

 

Mincheol extended his hand. Choi Cheol-min frowned and shook it.

 

“…Come to the Mercenary Layer at 5 AM tomorrow. We plan to enter then.”

 

“That’s too early.”

 

“It’s a Hidden Stage. We need to minimize prying eyes as much as possible.”

 

“Understood.”

 

With those words, their clasped hands separated.

 

* * *

 

Choi Cheol-min headed to where his companions were.

 

The Mercenary Layer also had a restaurant where you could grab a quick bite.

 

His companions were gathered there, chatting.

 

“Oh, the boss is here.”

 

“How did it go? Did that young novice accept the proposal?”

 

At his companions’ words, Choi Cheol-min smiled meaningfully.

 

Then cheers erupted among his companions.

 

“He was thrilled to death when I showed him the Hidden Quest request form.”

 

“Well, there’s no one who wouldn’t take that bait.”

 

“He’s not the first or second person to fall for that.”

 

His companions said with snickering laughter.

 

“You know what that bastard said? He asked for 40% of the reward.”

 

“What? He’s completely crazy. He won’t survive long.”

 

“So what did you say, boss?”

 

“I said absolutely not at first, then pretended to give in.”

 

Choi Cheol-min laughed while gulping down his beer.

 

“Acting panicked was quite tiring too.”

 

“Well, even if we promised him 100% instead of 40%, there’d be no problem at all. We just won’t give it to him.”

 

“Once we move to the Hidden Stage, no one will know what happens there.”

 

His companions’ lips curved into long smiles. They were somehow eerily sinister smiles.

 

“By the way, boss, is what you said before true? That guy might have a legendary-grade item?”

 

“There’s no proof. But I’m 100% certain.”

 

Choi Cheol-min said with a serious expression.

 

His companions focused on Choi Cheol-min’s words.

 

“Originally, gathering-type Awakened are supposed to have set specialties. But that guy brings back items regardless of category.”

 

“So he must have gotten help from an item?”

 

“Of course. That kind of thing is impossible with just an innate skill.”

 

It was quite a convincing argument.

 

The companions looked at each other and grinned wickedly.

 

If that guy really possessed a legendary-grade item?

 

It would be nothing short of their lives blooming wide open.

 

“Don’t underestimate him just because he’s a gatherer. That guy enters monster lairs alone. He must have some extraordinary skill.”

 

“Even so, he’s still a gathering-type, right? What could a weakling like that possibly do to us?”

 

“Is he going to come at us with a trowel used for picking herbs or something?”

 

“Kahahaha, that would be really pathetic.”

 

They were openly looking down on Mincheol.

 

It was natural, if you thought about it. Most of them were combat-type Awakened.

 

But they didn’t know.

 

That Choi Cheol-min had come with a tail attached.

 

That their intended prey was listening to their entire conversation.

 

‘Well, look at this?’

 

Mincheol thought while wearing the Silver Cloak flipped over his head.

 

He had thought they had some scheme, but he hadn’t expected them to openly try to kill him.

 

‘No wonder he readily accepted when I demanded a share.’

 

Mincheol hadn’t seriously demanded 40% of the profits either.

 

It was purely to test Choi Cheol-min.

 

Logically, it made no sense for someone who joined late to take a 40% share.

 

Yet Choi Cheol-min had accepted the proposal.

 

Something illogical, meaning he had some ulterior motive.

 

‘Were you planning to steal my items and then wipe your mouth clean of the share?’

 

Even after figuring out their scheme, Mincheol had no intention of running away.

 

‘I can’t miss out on a Hidden Stage.’

 

Based on his experience so far, Hidden Stages offered tremendous rewards.

 

Moreover, judging from their conversation, it seemed true that they frequently traveled back and forth to the Hidden Stage.

 

That meant it wasn’t particularly dangerous.

 

‘A safe Hidden Stage? How can I pass this up.’

 

The variable was that he might end up fighting these guys.

 

However, Mincheol wasn’t too worried about it.

 

‘I’ll just run away using the Silver Cloak.’

 

There was no need to fight.

 

‘Then I’ll complete the Quest by myself and take the rewards before escaping.’

 

He could clearly picture how flustered they would be when their rewards were stolen.

 

Mincheol left the spot while suppressing his laughter.

 

* * *

 

Right after Mincheol left.

 

“But boss, what are we going to do after we steal his items?”

 

One of his companions asked in a lowered voice.

 

Choi Cheol-min said while chewing on a snack.

 

“What do you mean what. We’ll offer him as a sacrifice.”

 

“Again? We just offered a sacrifice not long ago.”

 

“We still have room left. The higher-ups said so too. As long as we don’t exceed four times a month.”

 

“But they said to leave at least a 5-day gap between sacrifices. If the higher-ups find out we broke the guidelines…”

 

Anxiety appeared on his companion’s face.

 

Choi Cheol-min clicked his tongue at the cowardly behavior.

 

But it wasn’t incomprehensible.

 

The place they belonged to didn’t tolerate even the slightest mistake.

 

Hope Society.

 

A place called the most vicious and worst criminal organization since the founding of South Korea.

 

They belonged to that place.

 

“No need to worry. As long as we keep our mouths shut, no one will know.”

 

“But still…”

 

“Think of it as preparing next week’s tribute in advance. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility, so don’t worry.”

 

Choi Cheol-min raised his beer mug high and said.

 

“Stop with the useless talk and let’s just toast.”

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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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