Chapter 48
Even Ha Yera, who stood still just blinking her eyes, was a concern. Were they really going to fight like this? Just as Eunseong was contemplating how to mediate, Ha Yera turned her gaze to Eunseong and smiled brightly.
“Eunseong oppa wasn’t like this before either, but you’ve developed a bit of a hot temper, right? That’s all because of stress. I’m also talking back to my squad leader these days. So I really, really understand your feelings deep in my heart.”
She completely ignored Mujin.
“Mm, thank you. For understanding.”
Rather than being angry at what she said to him, his hand moved because he didn’t like what she said to Mujin… but Eunseong chose not to explain.
“Anyway, let’s check the items here. I’ve prepared them by supplementing the list Hunter Baek Mujin provided with Team Leader Yeon and myself. Let’s look at them in order.”
When she pressed the power button, the item detection panel installed on the round table lit up.
“The ones with purple seals are made by Joo Hyeonwoo, meaning they’re free except for material costs. But if you sell them outside, they’d be super expensive, so keep that in mind when looking. The rest are all famous ones known for disguise functions, but since Eunseong oppa’s eyes are hurting right now, I told you in advance that you only need to look at the purple seal ones mainly.”
“I know. Items always have the creator’s tag attached, and no one in this world can remove or…”
Eunseong, who was responding absentmindedly, remembered that it was his father who had told him this.
‘You must not forget that you too are â– â– â– â– â– . However, nothing can ever be â– â– â– â– â– â– again. What you â– â– must end with â– â– â– and â– â– , â– â– â– .’
“…change it, I remember hearing. That’s why many people buy items just looking at the creator’s name.”
At the suddenly intruding memory, Eunseong stiffened suspiciously. He couldn’t pull himself together quickly and even stuttered, but Ha Yera seemed rather pleased. She smiled cheerfully and nodded.
“Good, oppa. You’re gradually returning to your right mind. The situation is very positive.”
“Haha…”
After hearing Ha Yera’s explanation, Eunseong first put eye drops in his eyes. Though the medicine wasn’t working, he wanted to make this effort at least. Since they had diligently prepared items to hide his identity, shouldn’t he show some sincerity?
The seal of the titanium box was torn and items appeared one by one. Ha Yera handled the supposedly super expensive items without hesitation. Every time loud clattering sounds occurred, Eunseong flinched in surprise. Mujin seemed to find something amusing as he propped his chin and just watched Eunseong.
“These babies are all crafted items with universal recipes available. However, the grade and functional efficiency vary drastically depending on the creator, so you can’t call them complete ready-made products.”
Ha Yera first placed the items made by Joo Hyeonwoo on the panel. As soon as recognition was completed, names and information floated up in glowing letters.
[ Flash Net ]
Grade: A- / Creator: Joo Hyeonwoo
Generates minute electrical currents around the wearer to interfere with filming equipment.
Note: Effect maximized with larger crowds, though video manipulation itself can be detected.
[ Half-Sight ]
Grade: S+ / Creator: Joo Hyeonwoo
Disturbs the vision of conversation partners, making the wearer’s presence blurry.
Note: “I definitely saw them but can’t remember.”
Effect varies according to the target’s cognitive ability and concentration.
[ Ventriloquism ]
Grade: A / Creator: Joo Hyeonwoo
Distorts the wearer’s vocal patterns. Not only changes voice but also confuses perception of ‘who’ spoke.
Note: Effect maximized in multi-party conversations. No effect through electronic devices.
[ Erasure Bullet ]
Grade: S / Creator: Joo Hyeonwoo
Interferes with short-term memory of humans within 5m radius to erase the caster’s presence.
Note: Once per day, 15 seconds. Master the timing of pressing the button.
Strict adherence to void energy charging, over-discharge damages the item.
A/S not available for such reasons.
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.
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After examining the items thoroughly, Eunseong suddenly became curious.
“But these aren’t things that help with rift subjugation, right? They’re all targeted at humans.”
“As expected, Eunseong oppa, you’re sharp. Hyeonwoo started developing and popularized this type of item. He began making them after oppa went missing three years ago.”
“Ah…”
“Team Leader Yeon registered some copyrights and sold them to rebuild the guild with those remaining after Yuseong was disbanded, and that was a huge hit. The so-called era of the anti-item market opened.”
“The first thing he made was for tracking missing persons. Well, he couldn’t find you Eunseong in the end, but I used it thoroughly for a while.”
Mujin, who had been quietly listening until then, chimed in from the side. He got up from his seat and approached Eunseong. Sitting on the edge of the round table with his buttocks, he took off his watch and handed it to Eunseong. He also explained that the metal frame attached to the circuit board was a human tracking item made by Joo Hyeonwoo.
“Even those people who criticized so harshly about using precious rift byproducts to develop such things now can’t buy them because they’re sold out. Celebrities, politicians, businessmen… they’re all VIP customers.”
Hearing this and looking again, it seemed more plausible. Unlike weapons and items for rift subjugation, since these were closer to real life, their designs all looked like electronic devices or small accessories. It was a combination of technology, sensibility, and new materials.
“…I can’t even imagine the price.”
At Eunseong’s quiet murmur, Ha Yera responded as if it were obvious.
“Actually, not just anyone can make these easily. High-purity rift byproducts themselves are precious. Hyeonwoo can make them freely because Hunter Baek Mujin is here.”
But now that he’s left Huiseon, wouldn’t that be impossible? There’s no source for rift byproducts anymore. When Eunseong asked with his gaze, Mujin just stared back blankly.
“But do we really need to use all of these? It seems too late to stop the rumors. There were quite a few people who saw me slap Do Yeongmyeong’s cheek there.”
Actually, shouldn’t we have used them before encountering Do Yeongmyeong…? Eunseong thought it was a waste of money.
“I think so too, oppa. If you want to make a spectacular comeback, it would be most dramatic to keep everything secret and then ta-da! But when all secrets are exposed, there’s no more deflating direction than that. Rather-“
“Still, use them. You’ll be operating under the name Geumseum for the time being.”
Mujin firmly poured cold water on Ha Yera’s exaggerated gestures.
“Who else in this world would Hunter Baek Mujin cover for and protect! Anyone with imagination would guess it all!”
“Until everything is ready, we’ll deny it to the end.”
“Wow… It’s really fortunate that Hunter Baek Mujin was born as a combat type. With creativity this poor, if you were in the crafting field, you would have starved to death long ago.”
“Brute force would hurt more than creativity though, Hunter Ha Yera.”
Amid their bickering, Eunseong smiled quietly.
At that moment, Mujin’s gaze snapped toward Eunseong.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Huh? It’s nothing.”
He waved his hand saying it was nothing, but Mujin raised his eyebrow sharply, not intending to let it slide. He cast a steady gaze while placing his hand on the round table. His eyes said ‘go ahead and tell me.’ Eunseong smiled awkwardly and rolled his eyes before confessing.
“You, that… the hidden child thing. I remembered that and laughed. Since Hunter Ha Yera said there’s no one to cover for you.”
“Ahh.”
“Oppa, what’s with ‘Hunter Ha Yera’? Just call me Yera like before.”
Ignoring Ha Yera who bristled at the formal address, Mujin tilted his head sideways.
“Do you think I look like that too, Eunseong? Is that my image?”
“No, absolutely not.”
“But what are you two talking about right now? Does Hunter Baek Mujin have a hidden child? How old?”
At that innocent question, Eunseong burst into giggles.
“Oh, there is. He’s twenty-seven years old.”
“Go ‘goo goo ga ga,’ Yoo Eunseong.”
“What? What are you saying? You’re talking about things only you two know.”
While they were laughing and chattering, the door burst open without even a knock. Joo Hyeonwoo entered the guild leader’s office holding a small titanium box in one hand. He came straight to Eunseong and grabbed his hands.
“I felt so uncomfortable after sending only those things to Yera, so I finished something I was developing and brought it. I don’t know about other things, but I really want hyung to use this.”
“Huh?”
Without time to be flustered by the sudden appearance, a new item was placed on his palm. What Joo Hyeonwoo gave him as if embracing was cutely a small candy wrapped in paper.
“Crazy bastard. You made this suspicious thing with rift byproducts? You’re telling Eunseong oppa to eat this?”
At Ha Yera’s muttering, Mujin also showed a wary expression. The two people reacted with bewilderment, but Eunseong decided to first place the candy on the panel to read its information.
[ Love Flavor ]
Grade: S+++ / Creator: Joo Hyeonwoo
Upon consumption, fragrance immediately emanates from the entire body. The scent acts on olfactory receptors of humans within 3m radius, inducing dopamine and oxytocin secretion to draw out absolute favor and trust.
Note: In desperate crisis, when you need someone to help you – bite and consume! Charming you! Love Flavor♥(Lemon flavor)
After reading the full description, Ha Yera and Mujin’s expressions became even more menacing.
“Isn’t this bastard a pervert?”
“Yera, calling him a pervert is too harsh.”
“…This seems dangerous. Is it some kind of neurotoxin, what did you extract it from?”
“It’s top-grade pheromone byproduct extracted from insect-type monster cores. Ah, but don’t worry about the ingredients. This is really fine. I did cross-verification through item appraisers and even did human experiments.”
“You did human experiments?”
“Yes. I tried eating it myself.”
“Is Joo Hyeonwoo out of his mind?”
While Mujin and Ha Yera were pressuring Joo Hyeonwoo, Eunseong quietly raised his hand.
“Uh, excuse me, I have a question.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
