The blue droplet noticed my intention and moved quickly.
Following its guidance, I soon arrived at a shop that sold lottery tickets.
'When it comes to lotteries, it's the lottery, of course.'
It had even figured out the password to a safe I had never seen before, so why wouldn't it be able to make me win first prize in the lottery?
'Hmm.'
However, even when I picked up a lottery ticket, the droplet remained motionless. It had no intention of coming over here.
'Does it not work for the lottery?'
The droplet remained in the spot where the scratch-off tickets were displayed.
The effect of the potion was about to disappear soon. I hurriedly grabbed a scratch-off ticket.
I bought the ticket with the droplet on it and started scratching.
Scrape scrape
As I scratched the ticket with the coin I took out of my pocket, the engraved pictures appeared. If two pictures matched, it was a winning ticket, but...
'Of course it will work.'
Because this was the ticket directly selected by the Potion of Wealth Acquisition.
And the result was naturally a win.
'Wow...'
My mouth slightly opened at the amount.
At the same time as I was surprised, a message window appeared.
『 Skill [ Luck Lv.1 ] has been acquired. 』
『 Beginner's luck has taken effect. Your luck increases. 』
'Huh?'
It was an unexpected Skill acquisition. Moreover, it was the acquisition of the 'Luck' Skill.
This was something only people blessed with luck beyond talent could acquire.
The probability of obtaining good results from probability-based items or creating favorable situations increases.
Since there were even contests decided solely by luck, its importance could not be overstated.
'This is crazy. Absolutely crazy.'
A satisfied smile rose at the corners of my mouth.
I obtained both 10 million won and the Luck Skill at once. It was also the first time I had ever earned such a large amount of money in one go.
'I did obtain a C-rank Key, but that isn't money yet.'
I was happy that actual money had entered my hands. My heart felt reassured.
I would earn a lot of money while living as a hunter in the future, but this was also unearned income. It felt like I had received 10 million won for free.
'This is sweet.'
It was then, while I was briefly immersed in happiness.
Ssss—
The blue droplet, having completed its purpose, gradually began to fade.
'This...'
It felt like I had grown somewhat attached to it. I raised my hand with a sense of regret, but the thing disappeared without a care, leaving no trace behind.
Sigh.
'What a shame.'
I walked out of the lottery shop with dragging steps.
The effect of the Potion of Wealth Acquisition was beyond imagination. Only an hour had passed since I left home, yet I had obtained so much.
A satisfying revenge, a C-rank Key, the location of a D-rank dungeon, a connection to Baekmuk, and even the 10 million won obtained from the lottery.
'Especially the fact that I gained Baekmuk's favor is something whose value cannot be measured with money.'
He, who had been called the information broker of the ruined world, was still an outstanding individual even now, when the world was intact. The network of connections and information he possessed could truly be called unrivaled in South Korea.
'If I make use of Baekmuk, my future activities will become much easier.'
That did not mean I could rely on Baekmuk for everything. Although I had gained his favor, from his perspective I was still just a slightly unusual hunter.
To make him move, I would need money and definite benefits.
'In any case, it was an incredible effect.'
The name Causality Reversal Shop had not been given for no reason.
I opened the shop window again with a lingering sense of regret.
『 Causality Reversal Shop - Consumables 』
The stock of the Potion of Wealth Acquisition had become 0.
'Can I not refill the stock?'
I touched this and that, but there was no response. There seemed to be no method available right now.
'Still, I have the Potion of Talent Acquisition left.'
Its performance would not be ordinary either.
To purchase it, I needed to gather Points. Points accumulated when Level was locked.
'My current Level is 20 and my Rank is D.'
For my Level to become locked, I had to reach Level 40, which was C-rank.
The conclusion was hunting. I took out the sheet of paper I had placed in my inventory.
'Originally, I was planning to enter a gate.'
Gates had many troublesome aspects. Since guilds reserved them in advance and carried out raids, it was difficult for individuals to use them. There were even minimum participant requirements.
That was why the meaning of the dungeon I discovered after raiding the agency was even greater.
'Thanks to Yoon Jeongsu, I can gain quite a bit.'
I examined the contents of the D-rank dungeon report in my hand.
'The internal magical energy is at D-rank level, and there is a high probability that magic stones are sleeping inside. I need to prepare thoroughly.'
This was a dungeon hidden by Yoon Jeongsu, the head of the hunter agency. In other words, it was not registered with the Association.
It was a perfect location for me, who had no guild.
'I can Level up here and train at the same time. And I can mine all the magic stones inside.'
If I extracted everything inside, wouldn't earning 100 million won be easy? Being able to earn money and Level up at the same time was appealing.
To do that, proper preparation was essential.
I was about to head straight to the bank, but I turned my steps back toward the lottery shop.
'I obtained the Luck Skill too, so I should scratch a few more lottery tickets.'
They were all losers. I only wasted money.
'Tsk, is Luck Lv.1 not enough to have an effect?'
Of course, I was not disappointed. I had already won 10 million won.
After stopping by the bank and receiving the lottery winnings, I headed toward the shops in Yongsan.
Yongsan shopping district.
A holy ground filled with various hunter-related stores. Compared to other places, it had the advantage of having lower fees.
I would sell the items I possessed here and purchase the items I needed.
'First, I should sell the magic stone I obtained from killing the demon of growth.'
This time, I visited a store specializing in magic stones.
Ding~
"Welcome. What brings you here?"
When I opened the door and entered, a warm-looking man greeted me. I took out the magic stone from my inventory.
『 Marvelous Purity Magic Stone (D++) 』
"I would like to sell this."
"Oh!"
The owner's eyes lit up as he received the magic stone. After examining it here and there with a magnifying glass, the shop owner spoke in admiration.
"This is a high-quality one that is difficult to see in a D-rank gate. As it happens, our store needed a magic stone of exactly this grade."
He considered various factors, then handed me a calculator.
"Would this amount be acceptable?"
It was 6.5 million won. He offered 1.5 million won more than I had expected. Even so, I knew the market prices fairly accurately.
I had worked hard researching them before, thinking that I should at least look at the rice cake I could not eat.
'With the leftover money, I could eat bibim noodles and Korean beef until I burst.'
While I was thinking that, the shop owner, who was watching my expression, let out a troubled hum. My hesitation must have looked like I was reluctant to sell.
"Ugh, I understand. I'll add another 500,000 won. Please sell it to us. We are in urgent need of it."
The shop owner raised the price himself. It seemed he really needed the item urgently. It felt like it was thanks to the Luck Skill.
"Thank you! Please come again next time!"
It was a satisfying transaction. I also sold the two small magic stones I obtained after killing the silver wolves.
Selling the magic stones and wolf byproducts brought in about 9 million won.
Adding the 10 million won from the lottery made 19 million won.
That was my entire fortune.
'Haa.'
I had heard many times that hunters earned good money. But that had nothing to do with the old me before returning to the past. The bottom of the bottom never saw sunlight.
Things were different now.
The amount of money I would earn would gradually reach an entirely different level.
'Just how much money do high-rank hunters actually make?'
That showed just how much influence the hunter industry had in this world.
I felt proud. Only a few days ago, I did not even have money to buy bibim noodles.
'It's a shame, but this money needs to be reinvested.'
There were essential items needed to conquer this dungeon.
After buying them, there would not be much money left in my hands.
I headed toward a store that sold enchantment items with tears in my eyes.
There, I picked up a bag.
It was a bag with Storage Lv.3 enchanted on it. It also had Weight Reduction Lv.1.
"Ah, that one costs 54 million won."
"..."
The employee said it with a smile. I quietly lowered the magic bag in my hand.
Indeed, enchanted items. Their prices exceeded my imagination.
'I wanted to buy a bag with a Storage enchantment, but the price is just too expensive.'
A bag was essential for mining and transporting the magic stones in the dungeon.
'My inventory isn't enough.'
Basically, all hunters obtained a storage space called inventory, where they could freely store items.
'If I were only B-rank, I could just go as I am.'
The higher the Rank, the larger it became as well. A D-rank hunter's inventory was not large. Even generously estimating, it was about 0.5 pyeong.
One hunt would be fine, but to mine and transport large quantities of magic stones, much more space was needed.
After much consideration, I chose a lower-grade bag. It was a bag with Storage Lv.1 enchanted on it.
"How much is this..."
"That one is 14 million won, customer."
My focus wavered for a moment, but I eventually purchased it.
It was a necessary expense.
Once a dungeon closed, it would not open again. Since I did not know what could happen, it was better to transport as much as possible in one trip.
'My money...'
It was a purchase that made me shed tears of blood.
Afterward, I also bought a hunter pickaxe and shovel.
When something had the name "hunter" attached to it, even ordinary items became absurdly expensive. I also purchased exploration necessities such as rope and lanterns in advance.
"..."
It was strange. Surely it had shown more than 10 million won before.
I stood there blankly for a moment from the shock, then nodded.
The only way to recover this was to conquer the dungeon quickly.
Deep in a mountain somewhere in Incheon.
I was climbing the mountain while comparing the marked location on the map with the surrounding area.
'This seems to be the right place.'
I climbed the slope without resting, but thanks to my physical Skills and attributes, I was not tired at all. If I had only known the path, I could have run up here.
After wandering around this mountain and that mountain for about 30 minutes.
『 The effect of Skill 'Perception Lv.10' is activated. 』
『 The Experience of this Skill increases by 25%. 』
I was able to discover the dungeon marked in the report.
'They really hid it well.'
The dungeon entrance was cleverly concealed by dirt, trees, and plants. Looking at it, it seemed they had hidden it with a camouflage Skill. A high-Level one at that.
In this case, recognition interference occurred, making it even harder to find.
'The Perception Skill has many uses.'
Without the Perception Skill, it would have taken half a day.
'But the Experience only increased by about 25%.'
In reality, there was probably no hunter who would directly raise a Skill Level to Level 11. I had never heard of an item that only increased a Skill's maximum Level. Raising the Level by one was one thing, but...
That was probably why it required an exponentially large amount of Experience.
'No, wait. 25% is still an absurd speed.'
In the first place, reaching Skill Level 10 was something an ordinary person's talent could not easily accomplish.
'I need to clear away these plants and dirt to enter.'
I took out the hunter shovel from my inventory.
After clearing the surroundings with the shovel, the hidden entrance finally revealed itself completely. I wiped away a bead of sweat and straightened my back.
'Yes, now I can see it clearly.'
Black stone that was clearly distinguishable from the surroundings formed the entrance. Its size was approximately 3 meters. Whoever hid something this large, they were truly capable.
Before stepping inside.
I took a deep breath.
'A mental barrier exists from here onward. If I go in recklessly, it could be dangerous.'
This place completely blocked access itself with mental magic.
I had seen hunters who tried to force their way in and ended up truly going insane or lying down sick for several months.
'I need to endure while entering little by little.'
According to the report, ordinary D-rank hunters could not even enter. It also stated that a C++-rank hunter with related Skills such as mental resistance was required.
'Still, I should be fine.'
I had the Mental Fortitude Skill. The Mental Fortitude Skill I obtained by enduring the Alpha Silver Wolf's roar.
In other words, I could endure to some extent.
『 The effect of Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.3' is activated. 』
『 Resisting mental magic. 』
I steeled my resolve and took one step inside.
Immediately, negative thoughts began eating away at my mind.
My heart tightened for no reason and my entire body trembled. I felt like I wanted to collapse immediately. However, there was no need to be afraid.
This was merely mental magic that affected human emotions.
'Slowly. Don't rush. Slowly.'
If I only endured.
If I could properly withstand it, I could definitely overcome it.
One step, one step.
I moved forward slowly.
'Kugh.'
Even memories from the past began to be heard like hallucinations.
An overwhelming sense of helplessness and exhaustion washed over me.
An F-rank hunter who could not give up despite knowing he had no talent.
The negative emotions I felt back then surged over me like waves.
It felt as if I had returned to those days.
As a result, it shattered the very will to move forward.
'Damn it.'
Without realizing it, the strength left my legs and I fell forward. I struggled desperately to stand back up.
Mental magic.
This was inevitably fatal to hunters.
Their physical abilities were far superior to ordinary people, but was their mentality the same?
'Of course not.'
Hunters also agonized, became frustrated, and collapsed. Just like ordinary people. However, because people's inner selves were not easily revealed, hunters often became trapped in a false sense of superiority.
That they were strong. That they were different from ordinary people. Even though physical strength was not everything. Such people easily collapsed before mental attacks. To the point of looking pathetic.
In that regard, I was better off.
'This disgusting feeling... I've already experienced enough of it to nearly die.'
Even while being despised as a talentless F-rank hunter, I never gave up.
I had also despaired while watching the ruined world.
'Yes, the current me is different.'
But I survived.
Isn't that the result standing before me now?
I grabbed my knee and forced myself to stand.
At the same time, multiple messages appeared in my vision.
『 Skill [ Mental Fortitude Lv.4 ] has been acquired. 』
『 Skill [ Mental Fortitude Lv.5 ] has been acquired. 』
After driving away the negative thoughts and distractions pouring down fiercely, my body felt much lighter.
"Haa... haa..."
They were all illusions.
I once again felt the existence of the firmly established "me."
'Mental attacks really aren't easy.'
My clothes were damp from the cold sweat flowing down.
Still, I was fine now. Rather, this had become the perfect opportunity to raise the Mental Fortitude Skill.
Positive thoughts rose again. I became satisfied in an instant.
'It raises my Skill Level for free. This is practically training itself.'
I stood up.
Looking around, I saw stone walls covered with strange characters stretching endlessly. The feeling was completely different from ordinary dungeons.
'I've already come quite far inside, but there are no monsters.'
That alone was a major difference. Wait, if that was the case...
'Could it really be?'
I had been suspicious since hearing that a mental barrier surrounded this place.
'Kugh.'
After moving a few more steps forward, I felt another strong mental resistance. I returned backward.
Only then could I be certain.
'Yes, this isn't just an ordinary dungeon. The abnormal level of the mental barrier from the entrance, and the absence of monsters as well.'
The moment when my guess became certainty.
'This isn't a place a D-rank hunter can clear.'
I found myself admiring Yoon Jeongsu, who had discovered this dungeon.
'Yoon Jeongsu, you incredible bastard.'
No, wait. Was the Potion of Wealth Acquisition the incredible one? Either way, Yoon Jeongsu himself did not know it, but this place would become quite famous later.
'Because ordinary hunters cannot conquer this dungeon.'
The report stated that hunters above the upper level of C-rank could approach it, but that only applied to the first section at the entrance.
Several stronger mental barriers and traps existed ahead. They grew stronger sequentially. Most hunters would turn back before them.
'Even S-rank hunters would not be able to break through them easily.'
Thus, the one who occupied this dungeon was not a hunter.
It was a demon.
At the end of this dungeon, an item once used by one of the demon force commanders lay dormant.