Chapter 111: Snatching The Chance (1)

Chapter 111: Snatching The Chance (1)

It was Yu Cheonghwa.

When we first met, she wore a black blouse combined with an all-red color scheme.Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

Today, it was the opposite.

A red blouse with all-black colors. Her fair skin made any combination suit her well.

The small star tattoo below her eye.

And the red rose-shaped tattoo visible through the gap of her two unbuttoned blouse buttons.

She was exactly as Kang-hoo knew Yu Cheonghwa to be.

As soon as Yu Cheonghwa locked eyes with Kang-hoo, she attempted a mental scan.

Kang-hoo, who had been prepared from the moment he saw her, naturally thwarted Yu Cheonghwa’s attempt.

As their gazes met, Yu Cheonghwa smiled slyly.

Considering she was trying to peer into his mind so openly yet could be so shameless, she wasn’t someone with just an ordinary face.

Despite her innocent appearance, she was a person with inscrutable intentions.

Indeed, in the original work, she had the lowest sense of belonging to The Thirteen Stars after Emilia Rose.

Rather than thinking of The Thirteen Stars as blood-related comrades, she seemed more inclined to treat them as big clients.

She sold a considerable amount of items and skill books to Jang Si-hwan, Chae Gwanhyeong, Casey Rex, Elizabeth, and others.

Her amassed wealth was all used to solidify her position in China.

Anyway.

It seemed like the Shinto Guild had set up a big game, so he thought he might as well watch.

“Do we meet like this?”

“It seems so.”

“Seoul feels really small at times like this. I didn’t expect to meet you at the market.”

“Let’s stop trying to look inside people’s heads.”

“Heh, you’re quite persistent. It’s been a while since I’ve met a hunter who can resist me like this.”

“Trying to open someone’s front door without permission is not polite.”

“If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize. It seems like an occupational hazard.”

“That’s a very trivial reason.”

Yu Cheonghwa scratched the back of her head at Kang-hoo’s pointed remark.

Although his words might sound unpleasant to some, she recognized her own rudeness.

Claiming it as an occupational habit wasn’t untrue.

It had become second nature to scan anyone she met...

It wasn’t that she harbored malicious intent to peer inside others; it had simply become a habit.

Naturally, the person on the receiving end might feel uncomfortable.

“By the way, you haven’t used the business card I gave you? You didn’t call either.”

“I haven’t had any business in China yet. And I’m not particularly interested in the Shinto Guild.”

“That stings my pride a bit.”

“I’m just staying true to my own pace.”

Kang-hoo was curious about what Yu Cheonghwa saw in him.

Was it his nearly perfect resistance to mental scans?

Even though he hadn’t shown her anything concrete, she seemed quite fixated on him.

Of course, the Shinto Guild is known for aggressively recruiting foreign hunters.

They sweep up talents using China’s unique capital power, often referred to as “China Money.”

This has been the Shinto Guild’s operating philosophy for a long time.

Indeed, within the Shinto Guild, there is an elite unit composed of capable hunters from various nationalities.

Kang-hoo steered the conversation in a different direction.

“I’m looking to buy an item. I’m considering a second-grade item, preferably a necklace.”

“Wow! A second-grade item?”

“I have enough money.”

“No, I didn’t mean to imply you didn’t have the money. It’s just that we haven’t had any big spenders these past few days.”

Yu Cheonghwa gestured broadly with both hands. Her distinctive trait was her large hand movements during conversations.

Strangely, this helped keep the focus on the conversation, seeming like an intentional behavior.

At some point, he lost track of time, thoroughly enjoying the process of viewing items.

Perhaps about two hours had passed?

Yu Cheonghwa, who had been making a call in a soundproof transparent glass booth, came out.

It was time for Kang-hoo’s decision.

“Let’s go with this one.”

“Let’s see... Breath of the Traitor? It’s a decent necklace. The assassin class has a lot of interest in it.”

“How much?”

“It’s 1.1 trillion won. I’m sorry, but bargaining is not possible. It’s already discounted sufficiently.”

“Hmm.”

Current balance: 1.116 trillion won.

After paying for the necklace, 16 billion won would remain.

Although it was still a significant balance, it seemed impossible to shake off the feeling of being nearly broke.

However,

The necklace was certainly worth it.

Above all, it was necessary for Kang-hoo, who aimed to minimize reliance on others and become a solo all-rounder.

“Just so you know, when you purchase an item from the Shinto Guild, you can exchange it once later on. The value has to be equal, though.”

“I’m aware.”

“Ha-ha. It’s a unique service, right? That’s why we have many regular customers. Jang Si-hwan is also a major customer.”

In the original work, Yu Cheonghwa did sell items to The Thirteen Stars quite frequently.

Including the chance to exchange, it meant one could change their mind once and swap it out.

And from the second time onwards, it was possible to replace the item by paying additional money.

It was very convenient, as one could change their setup to their liking without the hassle of selling and buying.

“Let’s go with the Breath of the Traitor.”

Kang-hoo pointed to the necklace.

It was time to discard his old, shabby-looking grade 7 necklace and move on to this new one.

After quickly settling the bill,

Yu Cheonghwa tactfully left the spot while Kang-hoo was putting on the necklace.

After all, what remained was a farewell, thanking him for the transaction.

【Breath of the Traitor - Necklace】

【Grade: 2nd】

【Strength +50】

【Agility +200】

【Magic Resistance +200】

【Durability +50】

‘Since the Necklace of Favorable Winds only increased agility by 15, this is a monumental improvement.’

All stats significantly increased.

This time, Kang-hoo focused on the agility stat because he felt a lack of fundamentals in combat until now.

So far, Kang-hoo had relied on skills, including acceleration, for swift mobility and movement.

This resulted in his movements being too sluggish when he couldn’t use his skills, at least by his standards.

A high agility stat feels like being constantly accelerated and mobile without needing skills.

‘Depending too much on skills means I’m an easy target when I can’t use them smoothly.’

What could be worse than being a target dummy? He didn’t want to end up in such a state.

Before checking the updated stats, Kang-hoo reviewed the two special effects attached to the Breath of the Traitor.

Special effects.

One of the reasons for purchasing high-grade items.

Depending on what effects they provide, they can create tremendous synergy with the wearer.

【Poison Suppression】

【Recovery Suppression】

At first glance, these effects naturally obstruct certain flows.

The reason for deciding to purchase the Breath of the Traitor. Options deeply related to the identity of the necklace.