#13
The place where Seo Yi-young stopped was the clothing section inside a luxury brand store. After a quick glance, he pointed with his index finger from one side to the other and said, “I’ll take everything from here to there.”
“Excuse me? Oh, yes, yes. Understood. You mean all the new arrivals for this season, correct? Please wait a moment.”
The store clerk, who seemed taken aback by Seo Yi-young’s order, quickly regained composure and displayed professionalism as they brought out clothes from the back and began packaging them. This was something Seo Yi-young had always wanted to try at least once.
To be able to do this in a luxury store, of all places.
It was something he’d only dreamed about. Seo Yi-young tried hard not to show the exhilaration rising inside him.
Wondering if he needed to specify his size, he quietly watched the clerk, who responded with a friendly smile, “You don’t need to tell me your size. My ability specializes in this area, so you can trust me.”
“Ah, I see…”
Come to think of it, everyone having at least one special ability was normal in this world.
Seo Yi-young was reminded of this fact anew.
When told that he could use a storage service if he planned to continue shopping, Seo Yi-young nodded in agreement and left the store. As he exited amid the staff’s warm send-off, he couldn’t immediately think of his next destination.
Clothes alone weren’t satisfying enough. He carefully considered what would be the most expensive place in the department store where he could make an immediate purchase.
“…Ah, that’s it.”
His next destination was a watch store. It was a brand famous for being expensive.
As he entered the store, the staff, recognizing Seo Yi-young’s face, welcomed him with smiles.
“Welcome, Hunter Seo Yi-young. The item you previously ordered is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, but is there something else you’re looking for?”
From the clerk’s words, it seemed that the original Seo Yi-young had visited this place before. He had even placed an order for a specific product. Well, considering how lavishly he had filled his house, it made sense that he would have purchased watches, the epitome of luxury items.
“Ah, yes. I’d like to buy the most expensive one you have here. Something I can take with me right away.”
Despite the awkwardness of the request, Seo Yi-young spoke confidently to the end.
“Understood. Please follow me.”
A momentary look of surprise flashed across the employee’s face, but they quickly composed themselves and guided Seo Yi-young. After hearing that the most popular model required a waiting period, Seo Yi-young clicked his tongue internally when he saw the price. He was struck by the realization that there were so many people in the country who could afford to wait for watches costing tens of millions of won. Though it’s said that wealthy people live well, he hadn’t expected the gap to be this wide.
Recalling his past self, Seo Yi-young gave a faint bitter smile.
Seeing this, the clerk quickly added, “But we can’t keep someone like Hunter Seo Yi-young waiting for long. I believe I can expedite the delivery at my discretion.”
“Ah, really?”
“Yes. As it happens, we’ve just received one piece from our signature line’s high-end model. If you’ll wait a moment, I’ll prepare it for you.”
Seo Yi-young was surprised by this unexpected favor. Listening to the clerk, he wondered if such preferential treatment was appropriate since he wasn’t even a regular customer. He soon realized that the courtesy was extended not to Seo Yi-young as an individual, but to “Hunter Seo Yi-young” as a brand.
It was like placing their product on the most effective and visible advertising platform.
The current Seo Yi-young wasn’t used to such kindness. But for the Seo Yi-young of this dimension, this must be a common experience. Though it wasn’t easy to adapt, he decided to graciously accept their goodwill.
“…”
But they had clearly said earlier that there was almost a six-month wait. That meant someone had been waiting for six months. He couldn’t confidently say that cutting in line like this was acceptable. After all, the only difference between him and that person was his fame.
But Seo Yi-young, who had moved to this world, decided he should naturally enjoy the privileges that the original Seo Yi-young had. So he should fully enjoy this privilege too. It wasn’t just a free privilege; it was the authority that came with being an S-Class Healer.
What’s wrong with that?
…No, but still.
His mind wavered several times.
But for Seo Yi-young, who wasn’t accustomed to such treatment, it was deeply uncomfortable.
Feeling sorry for someone he’d never even seen, he couldn’t just sit still. It was obvious that even if he bought the item with such feelings, he wouldn’t be able to use it comfortably.
“Excuse me.”
When Seo Yi-young raised his hand, the clerk quickly approached.
“How can I help you?”
“On second thought, I think it would be better for the person who ordered and has been waiting to purchase that watch. I can buy something else, so please show me other options.”
“…Ah. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“It’s fine. Is this watch here in stock?”
“Ah, yes. Please wait a moment. I’ll guide you.”
As Seo Yi-young shifted his attention to a watch displayed on the counter, the clerk, though flustered, responded quickly.
In the end, the watch Seo Yi-young purchased was considerably cheaper than his initial choice. But that was only in comparison to the amount in Seo Yi-young’s bank account; it was still equivalent to two months’ salary for an average wage earner. For the previous Seo Yi-young, it would have required saving every penny for three full months.
“I’ll wear it out from here.”
“Would you like that? Then I’ll package the box separately.”
He tried the watch on his wrist. It had a satisfying weight to it. To think it cost that much. He caressed the watch, contemplating the novelty of it all. Though it was an incredibly expensive item, buying it so casually made it hard to feel its true value, which made him smile.
When asked about installment payments, he coolly replied that he would pay in full. Seo Yi-young’s bank account could easily handle this amount.
With a shopping bag containing the empty box, Seo Yi-young headed to the food court on the first basement floor.
He went down thinking he’d buy and eat various things while walking around because he was a bit hungry, but once he reached the food court, he had to abandon that idea. People who recognized Seo Yi-young began following him one by one, letting out small gasps of excitement. While being followed was one thing, having more than eight people recording him with their phones felt very burdensome. He thought it would be better to enter a restaurant and be guided to a private room.
Hurriedly, he entered a nearby restaurant. He figured that since it was in a department store, any place would meet basic standards.
The place he entered was a Chinese restaurant.
Guided to an inner seat, Seo Yi-young opened the menu. Even the cheapest jajangmyeon cost over 10,000 won. He couldn’t help but compare it to his previous dimension. In the past, he would undoubtedly have put the menu down and left immediately at such prices. But now.
“I’d like to order.”
The current Seo Yi-young was not the Seo Yi-young of that time.
“One jajangmyeon and one large sweet and sour pork.”
Seo Yi-young indulged in the greatest luxury he could perceive.
While waiting for the food, Seo Yi-young quietly looked down at the table.
He recalled the events in the dungeon.
How Choi Do-jun had saved his life. And the attitudes of the other Hunters.
When facing the boss monster, the other three Hunters clearly did not prepare for battle. Far from preparing for battle, hadn’t they just stayed inside the protective barrier, observing the situation like third parties, merely uttering exclamations of admiration? Even in such a critical situation. Why had they acted like that?
Their attitude was as if it was completely someone else’s business. Even though their lives would be in danger if Choi Do-jun failed.
Was it complete trust in Choi Do-jun’s overwhelming power, or…
“Your order is ready.”
“Ah.”
Seo Yi-young’s thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the server bringing the food.
The dishes placed on the table looked delicious.
The jajangmyeon had a few peas as garnish, and its distinctive smell further stimulated his hungry stomach. He quickly began mixing the sauce and noodles. Though it was a familiar taste, that made it all the more mouthwatering.
Checking the time, he saw he had about 20 minutes left.
That was enough time to eat while savoring the taste. Seo Yi-young picked up his chopsticks with an eager heart, then gave a wry smile. He realized he had checked the time on his phone out of habit, even though he was wearing a wristwatch. At this point, it seemed like he had bought the watch for nothing.
Though he had no intention of returning it.
The freshly fried sweet and sour pork was hot enough to burn his mouth, but it was crisp, and the sauce was deliciously tangy.
When the food arrived, he thought the portion might be too large, but as he ate, he completely cleaned out the dishes.
When he got up from his seat, he had 5 minutes to spare.
He went down to the parking lot and got into the car waiting for him.
The car carrying Seo Yi-young moved away from the crowded area. Sitting quietly in the back seat, Seo Yi-young understood why he had to come here with a driver.
The car left the downtown area and headed toward the outskirts. Although he could have traveled this distance by public transportation, considering Seo Yi-young’s public profile, this mode of travel seemed appropriate. He would have been easily noticed by others.
The car entered a building that looked quite old from the outside.
“I’ll be waiting here.”
“Yes, alright then.”
Getting out of the car, Seo Yi-young was a bit troubled, but he walked confidently toward the elevator.
It was good that he had come this far, but he didn’t know which floor to go to. Moreover, he didn’t even know what business he was here for.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
