I wanted to help the Hunter Association, but I couldn’t find a proper way to do it.
Of course, it wasn’t that there were no ways at all.
‘Should I ask Lee Jun-ho?’
I contemplated for a moment but soon shook my head.
I felt it might be too much of a burden to ask him, who wasn’t even an Association official, to take on a public mission on my behalf.
‘Would they even let him in just because I told them to?’
Furthermore, the site where the incident occurred was in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, which was at the very front lines. It would take a whole day just to get there. The diligent Lee Jun-ho was already busy climbing the Tower and researching cooking at my request.
‘I don’t have anything to give as an immediate reward either.’
For now, I decided to just keep the idea in mind.
‘It would be great if I could send a Rocket Delivery directly to the site with my ability.’
But it would be difficult since the recipient was unspecified.
It was right then. A system message popped up along with a cheerful notification sound I hadn’t heard in a while.
**[Proceeding with the Mission-related tutorial!]**
It was a tutorial notification.
‘How nice. But what kind of tutorial is it?’
A new tutorial window popped up in the Rocket Store interface.
**[The Mission function has been unlocked]**
Unlock Conditions: Rocket Store skill Level 3 reached, special item acquired.
**[Mission Types: Currently unlocked missions are classified into two major types (Time-limited, Competitive)]**
**[Mission Creation: When the user designates a quest range, the system automatically generates detailed mission contents and goals. (Adjustable according to product level)]**
The explanation added that in the current situation, it was most appropriate to set a time-limited mission for the purification of the contaminated area.
“I can just designate the targets as Rocket Store members belonging to the Association.”
The problem was the reward. Should I hand over the Incense Burner of Purification?
Although the power of purification was needed to deal with Terra’s contaminated mana, I also had Holy Water. Ultimately, since the fuel for the incense burner was mana stones, I thought it would be better used on Earth, where they were easier to procure.
Then, the reward would be the transfer of ownership of the incense burner.
**[A time-limited mission has been generated]**
**[Rocket Store Mission: Purify the Contaminated Area]**
Target: Hunter Association (Emergency Response Team)
Content: The area around Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, is in danger due to the contaminated mana left behind by rampaging monsters. Due to the scale of the contaminated area, general purification powder has its limits. The Incense Burner of Purification has been deployed to the area using the technological power of the Rocket Store. You must completely remove the contaminated mana within the given time.
Required Item: Incense Burner of Purification
Reward: Transfer of ownership of the Incense Burner of Purification and Rocket Store member grade points based on performance.
“…This is good. Great. This should solve the problem.”
“Your words and your expression don’t match at all, you know?”
I didn’t feel like denying Aria’s remark.
“No, I mean, it’s a good thing, but I’m the only one taking a loss without gaining anything.”
“It’s an act of saving many people who were about to lose their homes.”
‘True, but…’
Just then, as if it had read my thoughts, the system brought up a new notification.
**[Before starting the mission, you can add a mission-exclusive package. (Recommended product: Holy Water)]**
A mission-exclusive package? I read the example description to understand what it meant.
**[Contamination Purification Package]**
Description: A special Holy Water specialized for purifying contaminated areas. It can purify a wide area in a short period.
Sale Price: 2,500 coins
I let out an exclamation. To think I could cross-sell items in a mission like this. It was an incredibly sophisticated business method. Besides that, the other effect was reputation.
**[Upon mission success, you will acquire reputation based on performance]**
‘So this is how I can get it?’
If I proceeded with missions, I might eventually be able to open formal trade with the Druids and the Giants. I didn’t know how many more I would have to do, but the important thing was that I now knew the method.
I immediately executed the first mission.
“A field broadcast is popping up!”
I saw the Rocket Store members belonging to the Association, who had been cleaning up the scene, looking flustered at the simultaneous pop-up messages. Then, the noticeably ornate Incense Burner of Purification caught my eye.
***
Yun Tae-seong was staring at the monitor in the situation room as usual. However, right now, it wasn’t about something related to the Rocket Store.
“The contaminated area is so wide that it seems complete recovery will be difficult with only the purification powder sent to the field.”
“What about requests for support?”
“We’ve requested surplus stock from each province, but it looks like it will take time for them to arrive at the site.”
“Tell them to hurry as much as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
While a map of the Yeoncheon area in Gyeonggi filled the screen and the spread range of the contaminated mana was identified, the problem was securing the purification powder needed for the purification.
“Team Leader! This is an emergency report! They say a mission sent by the Rocket Store has appeared at the site!”
“What are you talking about? Explain it so I can understand.”
Why was the name Rocket Store suddenly popping up here? Yun Tae-seong, who had been frowning, widened his eyes after hearing the detailed report.
“Prepare a vehicle for the site. Immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
At the sharp command, the subordinate moved instantly. Yun Tae-seong rushed straight to the scene.
“Team Leader! You’ve arrived!”
The field manager spotted him and approached.
“Yes. You’re working hard. More importantly, what’s going on?”
“It’s a bit difficult to explain verbally… It’s a mission shared only with Rocket Store members belonging to the Association.”
“I am also a Rocket Store member.”
“Is that so? I’ll share it with you right away.”
When he saw the shared mission for himself, he could understand the general atmosphere of how things were going.
“A giant incense burner has appeared.”
“Thank you. I’ve troubled a busy person for nothing.”
“Not at all. We need every hand we can get right now. I’m the one who’s grateful.”
“Of course. I’ll help as well.”
Yun Tae-seong, who moved to the location of the incense burner with the field commander, looked back and forth between the mission content and the burner.
“What do you think about the purification performance of this item called the incense burner?”
“It’s only been a short time, so I’m cautious about speaking, but the incense burner’s purification power is far superior to the purification powder we were using. However, it seems a bit insufficient to completely purify this contaminated area.”
“Do you know what this ‘mission-exclusive package’ is?”
“Yes. Actually, I just bought it as a trial. It’s not comparable to the incense burner, but I think it can fill the gap left by the insufficient purification powder. The problem is…”
“What’s the problem?”
“Since we have to use coins, there’s a bit of a burden.”
“I understand. I’ll report to the higher-ups immediately and support you with expense processing.”
“Then I’d be grateful. I’ll immediately order them to buy the package and put the Holy Water into the purification work.”
“Please do.”
Once the Holy Water began to be deployed, everything went smoothly. The contaminated land regained its color, and the twisted plants regained their vitality. Thanks to that, the mission ended as a success, though it was a close call.
**[You have successfully completed the Rocket Store mission!]**
**[Ownership transfer of the Incense Burner of Purification has been completed as a reward]**
**[Hunter Yun Tae-seong has acquired +120 Rocket Store member grade points]**
Along with the mission completion message, the ownership of the incense burner was transferred to Yun Tae-seong.
**[As an Association representative, you may leave a review comment about the mission]**
Yun Tae-seong could not hide his excitement upon seeing this message. How long he had looked forward to this day.
“What must I do to communicate with you?”
Silence for a moment. Yun Tae-seong held his breath.
**[Rocket Store has become the sponsor of Yun Tae-seong]**
— Please continue to climb the Tower.
Yun Tae-seong was puzzled when sponsorship was mentioned out of the blue when he had asked for communication. But he soon realized it meant he had gained a similar opportunity as Lee Jun-ho, who had received sponsorship from the Rocket Store in the past along with a message to climb the Tower as a reward. Crucially, the request to continue climbing the Tower was something Lee Jun-ho had also heard.
“Can we communicate now?”
— Limitedly.
Yun Tae-seong’s heart pounded violently.
“Finally.”
There were many questions he had prepared for this day. And if Yun Tae-seong’s guess was correct, there was a clear reason why the owner of the Rocket Store did not step forward. He had to confirm that today.
***
Once I registered him as a sponsoree, a limited conversation began with the person named Yun Tae-seong as the representative of the Association. It was a waste of a sponsorship slot, but I needed a communication channel with the Association anyway.
**[The Association has always been grateful to the Rocket Store, including this time. I would like to take this opportunity to convey words of gratitude on behalf of the Chairman.]**
Don’t mention it. He has good manners, starting with words of thanks. He doesn’t look that old, but seeing that he holds a heavy responsibility representing the Association, he’s clearly an elite.
**[To get to the point, if it’s not rude to ask, is there a special reason why you don’t reveal your identity?]**
I wanted to give him an answer immediately, but the system’s restrictions held me back.
**[Transmission failed: Contains prohibited words]**
Having no choice, I only returned a simple answer of “Yes.” It was a situation not much different from when I first sponsored Lee Jun-ho.
**[Can you not explain the specific reason?]**
This time, I replaced the answer with silence. If he’s a well-educated elite, shouldn’t he be able to understand what this means? Am I expecting too much?
**[If that is an uncomfortable question, I will ask something else. Is the reason you asked us to climb the Tower related to the fact that you haven’t revealed your identity?]**
“This guy?”
Though I couldn’t give a clear answer, I was impressed by Yun Tae-seong’s sharp question. Would this man be able to notice the fact that my repeated silence wasn’t simply because I was being stingy with my words, but because there was a reason?
**[…This time, it’s an even simpler question. Is the Rocket Store truly your ability?]**
— Yes…
**[Are you a citizen of the Republic of Korea?]**
— Yes….
After that, several questions that could only be answered with “Yes” or “No” were exchanged. And then.
**[By any chance… are you in a state where you are under restrictions by the system?]**
— Yes!
When I was able to answer this question, I couldn’t hide my joy. I couldn’t explain it directly, but I had discovered a loophole: if the other person asked smart and sharp questions, I could communicate indirectly.
Afterward, Yun Tae-seong mentioned the Tower that he had discussed with Lee Jun-ho and gained indirect hints about my situation.
**[I have a rough idea of what kind of situation you are facing. I promise that the Korean Association will not give up under any circumstances and will continue to climb the Tower.]**
It was touching. Even if he didn’t know the exact reason, to think he noticed that my restrictions would be lifted by climbing the Tower. We only exchanged a few words for the first time today, but I feel I can trust this man.
**[Next, the Association has a few questions.]**
— Anything.
With the way I’m feeling right now, I feel like I could even tell him the color of my underwear if he asked. Of course, Team Leader Yun Tae-seong didn’t ask something like that.
**[If your problem is resolved, do you have any intention of immigrating to another country?]**
— No.
**[May I ask why?]**
— My parents’ memorial tablet is in Seoul.
**[I am sorry to hear that.]**
— It’s fine.
**[Next question. Can the Rocket Store’s ability be expanded overseas?]**
— No.
**[Is that the same even after the ability is strengthened?]**
Even after the ability is strengthened? I haven’t thought about something like that yet. Opening branch stores of the Rocket Store overseas, huh? I’d be raking in coins with a literal rake.
— Unknown.
**[If it is possible, the Association will do its best to assist you.]**
Many questions and answers were exchanged after that, and finally, when I asked him to work hard on climbing the Tower himself since I’d provide steady sponsorship now that I’d started, Yun Tae-seong hesitated to answer for the first time.
**[I’m sorry, but due to the limits of my trait, it’s been a long time since I stepped away from field work, so it will be difficult for me to actively reciprocate in that regard.]**
With those words, the conversation ended. What kind of trait did he have? But there was no need to ask. If he was a member of the Rocket Store, I could check the list.