Trait Hoarder – Chapter 60

Human Hunter — Part 1

I opened the cap of the small black bottle.

Pop! A bitter smell immediately wafted up.

It smelled like herbal medicine. The kind that’s probably good for your health but makes you want to avoid it.

The junk dealer grinned widely.

“How is it? It’s the real deal. I went through a lot of trouble to get it.”

“The smell is convincing.”

I gave it a light shake.

Inside the bottle, which resembled a Bacchus bottle, a thick black liquid barely moved.

It was so viscous that calling it a “liquid” felt like a stretch—it was closer to sludge.

The junk dealer handed me a tiny teaspoon.

“It’ll be hard to drink. You’ll have to scoop it out like this.”

“It smells like red ginseng.”

“Yes, it’s similar to red ginseng, but the effects are much better.”

Mandragora Elixir.

In the game, it was used to recover superhumans who had fallen into a state of exhaustion.

In this world, it was a miracle cure for post-surgery complications, and it was also known to be particularly effective for men.

I took the teaspoon and scooped up the elixir in one go.

The junk dealer panicked and yelled out.

“Sir! You can’t take it like that! You need to divide it into thirds and drink it over three days! You have to dilute it with water!”

I tossed the bottle aside and closed my eyes.

Fwoosh. Heat surged through me.

Starting from my stomach, it felt like molten lava was bubbling up inside me.

“Give me two more.”

“Wait, you’re not planning to drink those right away, are you?”

“I am.”

“But there will be side effects! No matter how well-prepared it is, Mandragora is both a miracle and a poison!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got my reasons. Oh, I haven’t paid you yet.”

I reached into my golf bag and pulled out some cash.

Three bundles of King Sejong bills.

That’s 3 million won.

It was a bit pricier than what I’d seen in the game, but considering how quickly he’d gotten it, a little premium was fair.

The junk dealer took the money nervously and handed over the other two bottles.

“This… this really isn’t a good idea…”

I downed the remaining two bottles in one gulp as well.

The result? My entire body felt like it was on fire.

Not only did my skin flush red, but steam also began rising from it.

My mana was boiling over, reacting with the moisture in the air.

“What the…?”

“What’s going on?”

“Hey, Kim! What did he just do?”

The junk dealer didn’t answer, just licked his lips nervously.

I closed my eyes and stood straight, operating my mana cultivation technique.

[Einherjar Cultivation Technique] [Mana Core] [Mana Stabilization]

[Deep Breathing] [Focus] [Meditation]

I gathered my concentration and directed my mana.

The mana pulled in the overwhelming power sitting in my stomach.

With each breath, I took a step forward—one breath, one step.

The feeling that I was about to explode barely subsided.

At some point, the scorching heat began to spread evenly throughout my body.

Success!

The once volcanic heat had cooled to something more like hot water.

But now, it was flowing through my entire body, providing immense vitality.

[Vigor] trait.

The final piece of the [Immortality] trait.

Once the protective gear was completed, I’d have gathered five out of six materials for [Giant’s Strength], and all the components for [Vajra Body] would be in place.

I’d still have to spend time and possibly use some diamonds to transfer the traits from the armor, but it was within reach.

Buuurrrp.

I let out a long belch and threw the empty bottle into a nearby trash bin.

“Thanks. You really came through, getting it so quickly.”

“Uh… are you alright?”

“Of course.”

I glanced around.

Was it because I hadn’t been here in a while?

Shinwon Market had changed a lot.

It used to be dark and almost devoid of vendors.

Now it was bustling with merchants and customers everywhere.

You couldn’t look in any direction without seeing someone haggling.

All the stalls were open, and new ones had popped up that I hadn’t seen before.

“It’s gotten a lot busier, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed! All thanks to you, sir. Business is good, and things have stabilized, so a lot of newcomers have started setting up shop.”

“Newcomers?”

“New vendors, I mean. They’ve even been making big donations to the Merchants’ Association, so the whole market is lively now. There’s even talk of expanding.”

I nodded absentmindedly.

If Shinwon Market grew, it would be good for me too.

Even if I didn’t make direct profits from it, I’d have easier and quicker access to the items I needed.

“No wonder I’ve been seeing so many unfamiliar faces.”

“Haha, that’s probably it. I’ve been working here a long time, but this is the first time we’ve had so many rookies come in. It’s all thanks to you, sir.”

As I looked around, I noticed something peculiar.

The merchants were glancing at me while they haggled.

It was unsettling.

They weren’t just looking because I was a superhuman.

Their gazes were far more persistent and purposeful.

Quietly, I activated my [Insight] trait.

Immediately, the feeling became clearer.

They were observing my every move.

It wasn’t obvious, but it was unmistakable.

They were focusing all their attention on me.

Even the customers, who seemed to be negotiating prices, were doing the same.

“Hmm.”

“Is something wrong? The elixir wasn’t bad, was it?”

“No, it’s not that. By the way, did the goods arrive?”

“Yes, though not much…”

The junk dealer handed me a small pouch.

Two [Diamond].

Definitely a small amount.

It wasn’t nearly enough to enhance the durability of the Bloodsucking Glove or boost the healing properties of my necklace.

“Can you get any more?”

“I’m doing my best, but as you know, these things aren’t easy to come by…”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Well, there’s a small event coming up. You might be able to acquire more diamonds there.”

A small event?

That sounded suspicious.

But if there’s a chance, I have to take it.

Without diamonds, combining higher-tier traits would take ages.

“Alright. Let me know if something comes up. I’ll take my leave for now.”

I turned to leave.

Through my [Insight] trait, I could still feel those eyes burning into the back of my head.

The secretive yet relentless gazes persisted.

I couldn’t tell exactly how many, but I estimated there were about five or six of them.

I slipped my hand into my pocket and clenched my fist.

‘Who are they?’

There were plenty of suspects.

I’d taken out quite a few people.

Among the gangs, there was the Poison Gang and the Naked Gang.

Among the legal factions, there were people from the Cleaner Association and associates of Park Daeyeop.

Or perhaps, the Old Father’s Order had made a move.

I’d felt the tension when I went to get my magic armor made.

Even Jo Chul seemed reluctant, and the paladin guarding him had glared at me the entire time.

‘What should I do?’

I couldn’t just ignore this.

I had to be prepared.

I ran my fingers over the golf bag I always carried.

The firearms and explosives inside were within reach.

Should I just take them out?

No, that wouldn’t be wise.

These guys were likely just low-level goons. They wouldn’t know anything useful. Acting now would only put them on alert.

I’ll have to get Cho Sojang and Kim Chulkwon to investigate.

Until they gather intel, I’ll just stay home and focus on training.

Even if they come after me at home, I’ll have time to deal with it.

I’ve got the Sanctuary Statue from Kim Saje, after all.

If I’m still worried, I could always bring in heavier weapons and fortify the place.

“Greetings, sir!”

I was climbing up to the ground floor, where the lights were dim, when a familiar figure appeared.

One of the Iron Fist Gang members who patrolled Shinwon Market, someone I recognized, bowed deeply at the waist.

“Ah, right. Good work.”

I nodded casually and was about to walk past when he called out with a troubled expression.

“Um, excuse me, sir. Do you have a moment? My boss really wants to see you.”

“Your boss? You mean Kim?”

“No, no, not the big boss. I mean my direct boss, Ko Junbum. You know him, right? You helped us out last time when we fought those Poison Gang and Naked Gang bastards.”

Ah, that guy.

I didn’t even remember his name.

“Why now? If it’s important, why isn’t he coming to me directly?”

“Well, he said it’s really important…”

“If it’s that important, he should talk to Kim.”

“If I don’t bring you, my boss will be in big trouble!”

The gang member was practically jumping out of his skin.

“If the big boss finds out, my boss is dead!”

“Why? Did he screw up?”

“No, it’s not that…”

The gang member’s eyes darted around nervously.

The sound of his heartbeat, amplified by my [Insight] trait, seemed unusually loud.

Was it just fear of me, or was it because his direct superior was hiding something from the gang’s boss?

Or maybe…

“Haven’t you noticed something, sir?”

“Noticed what?”

“Shinwon Market, sir. The atmosphere has been strange lately.”

“Yeah, I’ve felt that. Isn’t it just because more people are coming in?”

“I think there are spies mixed in with them.”

Same thing I sensed.

It seemed like the Iron Fist Gang thought the same thing—likely members of rival gangs like the Poison Gang or the Naked Gang.

‘Is it really them?’

It made sense.

Both of those gangs were still eyeing Sillim-dong.

With the Iron Fist Gang getting stronger recently, the other gangs were probably getting nervous.

If they didn’t act soon, they’d be the ones devoured.

It was only natural that they’d make a move.

“That’s why I wanted you to come. If we just sit back, my boss is really going to get killed by the big boss.”

“So why didn’t he come himself?”

“You know how the big boss is. Around here, it’s like he has eyes on every wall. Please, I’m begging you. Save my boss.”

The gang member kept bowing repeatedly, on the verge of dropping to his knees.

I pretended to consider for a moment, then nodded.

“Fine. Let’s hear what he has to say. Lead the way.”

“Yes, sir. This way, please.”

The moment I agreed, the tension visibly drained from his body.

His relief was palpable.

But his heart was still racing slightly.

Though I couldn’t see his eyes clearly in the dim light, his entire body was slick with cold sweat.

Was convincing me to come with him really that hard and terrifying?

Under normal circumstances, I might have just let it go.

But the unusual stares I’d felt in Shinwon Market had put me on edge.

The golf bag swaying as I walked felt like it was warning me about the grenade launcher tucked inside.

My heart was pounding, my breath catching slightly in my throat.

And then, I realized what it was.

[Danger Sense].

The ring Choi Sunsoo had retrieved from the Sun Mage Tower was working.

We arrived at a parking lot.

The gang member bowed deeply in front of a black limousine.

“Please, sir, get in. We’ll take good care of you.”

A black limousine.

The windows were heavily tinted, making it impossible to see inside.

The exterior was plated with a strange metal, reflecting the sparse light in the darkness.

The gang member spoke proudly.

“It’s a luxury bulletproof limousine, sir. A fitting vehicle for someone of your status. We went to great lengths to borrow it.”

Suddenly, a line from a certain character came to mind.

[It was a luxury bulletproof limousine. He said it suited someone of my status, and that they’d borrowed it with great difficulty. That was the trap. I let my guard down and walked right into it.]

Kim Chulkwon.

The reason the former boss of the Iron Fist Gang, who had joined the game as a tutorial character, was reduced to Level 1 instead of being at Level 2.

He was betrayed.

And the very vehicle used in that betrayal was this bulletproof limousine.

The memory was crystal clear.

The scene from Kim Chulkwon’s flashback, where he was tricked—this was the same limousine.

I hid my thoughts behind a smile.

“Impressive. I’ll be in your care.”

“Yes, sir.”

The gang member opened the door for me.

I didn’t show it, but I took a seat in the back, behind the passenger side.

Sinking into the soft leather, I eyed the driver’s seat.

‘So, it’s you.’

I didn’t know exactly which higher-up was involved or how many gang members had betrayed the Iron Fist Gang.

But after Kim Chulkwon was ousted in the game, the Dagger Gang had nearly disbanded the Iron Fist Gang.

They even dragged in Kim Chulkwon’s younger brother, just in case.

It didn’t matter.

Now that I knew there were traitors, the advantage was mine.

Click.

I quietly tugged on the door handle without the gang member noticing.

It was locked.

We hadn’t even started moving yet, and the door was locked.

That confirmed it.

My in-game knowledge and my instincts were perfectly aligned.

The gang member, completely unaware of the knife I was sharpening in my mind, grinned as he glanced back at me.

“We’ll be heading out now, sir. It’s a bit of a drive, so feel free to take a nap.”

“Drive safely.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll make sure you’re comfortable!”

Vroom.

The limousine began moving with a deep rumble.

Night had fully settled over Sillim-dong, plunging it into darkness.

The streetlights flickered faintly, and the roads were empty.

There were almost no cars in sight.

The limousine sped along the deserted streets, heading west along Dorimcheon.

‘Toward Guro.’

A place where even in this world, law and order were barely maintained.

If Geumcheon-gu was falling apart because the ruling gang had abandoned it, Guro-gu didn’t even have a ruling gang.

Not at the district level, not even at the neighborhood level.

It was a chaotic battlefield, filled with small gangs all fighting for control, a place where the police had long since given up.

A neighborhood where human scum would kill anyone for the right price.

I glanced out the window.

[Daerim Gukbap]

The moment I saw the sign, I knew.

We’d reached our destination.

The feeling of suffocation was just a bonus.

“Huh?”

The gang member behind the wheel made a strange noise, clearly faking confusion.

“Sir, we’re low on gas. I’ll stop to fill up quickly.”

There was a gas station right ahead.

[Daerim Gas Station]

He expertly pulled the car up next to the pump.

As he reached for the door handle, I tapped the driver’s seat with my foot.

“Hey.”

“Yes? Do you need something?”

“Do I look like an idiot to you?”

Do you think I wouldn’t catch on to your little scheme?

“W-what?”

The gang member, still clueless, asked again.

Bam!

Ignoring him, I turned and kicked the door.

The thick metal dented under the force.

I kicked again, with all my might.

[Strength] [Mighty Strength] [Toughness]

[Einherjar Cultivation Technique] [Mana Core] [Smash]

With all my strength, enhanced by my traits, I struck a third time.

Crash!

With a loud crash, the door flew off its hinges.

I immediately leaped out.

The gang member stared at me in shock, his face frozen.

I flipped him off and threw the grenade I’d been holding.

“W-wait! No, no!”

Without missing a beat, I switched traits.

[Sprint] [Leap] [Mobility]

[Einherjar Cultivation Technique] [Mana Core] [Sensitivity]

I sprinted with everything I had.

Pushing every ounce of power into my legs, my belt and shoes lit up like mad from the mana overload.

About three seconds later.

The explosion I’d been waiting for erupted.

Boom!

Far louder than a single grenade should be.

A fireball erupted, the blast threatening to tear through my eardrums.

A shockwave slammed into my back, and a chunk of debris ripped through my tracksuit and embedded itself in my protective gear.

But I didn’t stop.

I ran even faster.

Just like when I escaped the cursed shopping mall, I gritted my teeth and pushed harder.

Fwoosh!

As I jumped into the air, the second explosion went off.

KABOOM!

The entire gas station went up in flames.

A wave of scorching heat surged after me, followed by the overpowering stench of burning oil.

“Urgh!”

If I hadn’t leaped behind the building for cover, I would’ve been roasted alive.

In the game, Kim Chulkwon had survived this, didn’t he?

Enduring both the limousine’s hidden bomb and the second explosion at the gas station.

It’s a wonder he wasn’t killed outright, just demoted in level.

Clack.

I snapped a magazine into my rifle as I stood up.

“Heh heh heh.”

“There he is! It’s the guy from the picture!”

“Ten billion! Ten billion won!”

“Split it evenly! If you try to hog it, you’re dead!”

The city was ablaze.

Flames licking the sky, casting monstrous shadows that seemed to dance with the fire.

And amidst the chaos, the scum crawled out.

Their eyes glazed over from drugs, their limbs wobbling.

But I couldn’t afford to ignore them.

They were all armed with submachine guns and rifles.

Bang!

The sound of gunfire pierced through the flames.

The scum rushed forward.

–TL Notes–
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