Kyung Yoon-seul, operating the Underground Market, was browsing products from other sites when she happened upon Sang-woong’s goods.
Among them, a Detoxification Potion she had never seen before caught her eye more than anything else.
“What is this…?”
Driven by curiosity, she ordered the potion without hesitation, and a few days later, it arrived in her hands.
“Interesting.”
The color and aroma were completely different from the Detoxification Potions she was used to, and she instinctively realized this potion was no ordinary product.
As a C-class hunter, she immediately tested the potion.
To her surprise, just as the site had described, it was a delicious potion.
But what truly shocked her was its effect.
Kyung Yoon-seul was known to be resistant to Detoxification Potions.
She usually only saw about 50% effectiveness compared to ordinary hunters.
Yet, this potion reduced her Contamination by a remarkable 0.08%.
It was a miraculous number, proving this potion’s performance far surpassed any existing Detoxification Potion.
As both a hunter and a merchant, Kyung Yoon-seul felt an intense desire to own this potion.
She was certain it held hidden potential yet to be revealed.
She tried to place additional orders, but it was already sold out.
No matter how much time passed, the sold-out status remained unchanged.
Just when her patience was wearing thin, an email arrived from an unfamiliar sender named ‘Parsi.’
The moment she saw the subject line, her heart began racing wildly.
-Proposal for trading a delicious Detoxification Potion
Without hesitation, she opened the email and read its contents, holding her breath.
It was a trading offer for the very potion she had been searching for.
Like fate, the opportunity had come knocking.
Trading with Parsi was unlike dealing with any other alchemists she had met so far.
While most alchemists were greedy or eccentric, Parsi was more like a seasoned businessman.
His attitude was straightforward and polite, and the conversation flowed naturally like a smooth stream.
The terms he proposed were perfectly reasonable.
Kyung Yoon-seul was convinced this deal would be the best opportunity for her.
To verify the potion’s effectiveness even more thoroughly, she immediately made a call.
“Yoon-seul.”
The warm voice from the other end was none other than her half-brother, Kyung Taeyoung.
He was the second son of the Taeseong Group and Guild Master of the Taeseong Guild, one of the top ten guilds.
Because Kyung Yoon-seul had difficulty operating in mainstream society due to her background, her foothold in the Underground Market owed much to his support.
Thanks to Kyung Taeyoung’s strong backing, she was able to establish herself quickly.
It was also his influence that allowed her to confidently give orders to Sang-woong and say, “I will support you.”
“Oppa, have you eaten?”
“Of course. What about you, Yoon-seul?”
“Oppa, I’m 27 now. Please stop treating me like a kid.”
“What? You’re already 27? Since when?”
“Ah, really, oppa.”
Kyung Taeyoung always treated his much younger half-sister like a child.
After some playful teasing, Kyung Yoon-seul got to the point.
“Oppa, I found an amazing Detoxification Potion. I want you to test its effects.”
“Amazing, huh? If it’s coming from you, I’m curious. Bring it over.”
Kyung Yoon-seul gathered the potion and headed to meet her brother.
“Yoon-seul.”
Kyung Taeyoung opened his arms to embrace her.
She backed away, feigning anger with a pout.
“Oppa, take it easy. I’m really mad.”
“Hahaha, alright. Let’s see this Detoxification Potion then.”
At his words, Kyung Yoon-seul handed over the potion.
The mysterious liquid inside the glass bottle had a color unlike any Detoxification Potion they’d seen before.
“Hmm! The color is definitely different. Yoon-seul, can I try it?”
Kyung Yoon-seul nodded, and without hesitation, Kyung Taeyoung popped the cap and downed it in one gulp.
“Ugh!!… Wow, what is this? Am I really feeling this right?”
The potion went down smoothly, unlike any Detoxification Potion.
His eyes widened in surprise.
The deep, rich taste spreading in his mouth felt like sipping a fine pre-meal soup at an upscale restaurant, causing a slight shiver.
“Are you kidding me? Detoxification Potions can’t taste this good.”
He was skeptical about whether this strange-tasting, colored liquid was truly a Detoxification Potion.
“Check your Status Window, oppa.”
Kyung Yoon-seul smiled warmly.
Only then did Kyung Taeyoung regain his composure and quickly open his Status Window.
Seeing the numbers before his eyes, he couldn’t help but be shocked.
His Contamination had dropped by 0.09%.
0.09%.
Though it seemed like a small number, for someone like him who was resistant to Detoxification Potions, it was an incredible change.
Though not as much as Kyung Yoon-seul, he also had a constitution that made it difficult to get the full effects other hunters experienced with normal Detoxification Potions.
“This… really is an incredible Detoxification Potion.”
Kyung Taeyoung admired the empty bottle with awe.
Seeing him like this, Kyung Yoon-seul opened up.
“Oppa, what about the hunter I asked you to test it on with high Contamination?”
“He should be arriving soon.”
Soon after, a hunter entered through the door.
It was Kim Sunghyun.
His pale complexion had turned so blue it was almost unnatural, and the deep shadows around his eyes showed exhaustion and pain.
Veins protruded on his temples, adding to his nervous appearance.
“Guild Master, did you call for me?”
His voice was hoarse and weak.
“Yes, Sunghyun. How are you feeling?”
Kyung Taeyoung asked with concern.
Seeing his condition, he couldn’t help but inquire.
“Not very well.”
Kim Sunghyun barely responded.
His Contamination level had already surpassed 80%, a dangerous state.
The accumulated Contamination was eating away not just his body, but also his mind.
He had tried countless Detoxification Potions, but due to the Resistance Curse he had developed, their effects were minimal.
At this rate, he would have no choice but to quit being a hunter.
“I have a new Detoxification Potion with quite good effects. I wanted you to try it.”
Kyung Taeyoung handed a bottle to Kim Sunghyun.
“Thank you…”
Kim Sunghyun bowed deeply in gratitude.
As a hunter whose life was nearing its end, he could only be thankful to a Guild Master who cared so much.
He carefully took the potion and brought it to his lips.
Before he could even express anything, the effects appeared.
His tense facial muscles noticeably relaxed, and the previously pale complexion regained a faint glow.
“G-Guild Master… my Contamination, it dropped by a whopping 0.03%…”
Kim Sunghyun exclaimed with a trembling voice.
Because of his Contamination exceeding 80% and deep Resistance Curse, almost no potion worked on him anymore.
For him, a 0.03% reduction was nothing short of a miracle.
Kyung Yoon-seul had expected great effectiveness but was still slightly surprised by just how much.
“Guild Master, where can I get this Detoxification Potion?”
Desperation filled Kim Sunghyun’s eyes.
Even if his hunter life ended, he wanted to live the rest of his days without pain.
If he could lower his Contamination to the 70% range, a normal life would be possible.
Though he feared developing Resistance again, at this moment, that worry was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
“Yoon-seul, do we have more of these Detoxification Potions? I’ll buy them all.”
Kyung Taeyoung was ready to open his wallet for the hunter who had devoted himself to the guild.
Understanding his intent, Kyung Yoon-seul carefully took out all the remaining Detoxification Potions from the room and placed them on the table.
There were over 40 bottles.
Kim Sunghyun’s eyes shone with reverence, as if looking upon a sacred relic.
“Th-Thank you…”
His trembling hands picked up the first bottle.
Praying that the Resistance reaction would be delayed as long as possible, he brought the potion to his lips with a tense expression.
One bottle, then another.
Under the suffocating tension as his throat tightened, he moved without pause.
He finally emptied the last bottle, but miraculously, no Resistance reaction appeared.
“Th-This can’t be.”
Kim Sunghyun checked his Status Window again, unable to hide his shock.
From his experience, Resistance always appeared after about 30 bottles, but he had drunk over 40 without any sign.
If he could keep obtaining this Detoxification Potion, he might be able to dream not only of continuing as a hunter but of even greater possibilities.
“Yoon-seul, was this Detoxification Potion really this amazing?”
Kyung Taeyoung asked, his voice a mix of shock and admiration.
“I didn’t expect it to be this effective either, oppa.”
Kyung Yoon-seul was also unable to hide her surprise.
After a moment of thought, Kyung Taeyoung spoke with resolve.
“Let’s have our guild buy every single bottle of this potion.”
There was no reason to flood the Underground Market with such an incredible Detoxification Potion for mere profit.
This was a strategic asset directly tied to the guild’s future.
“Yes, oppa. I agree completely.”
Kyung Yoon-seul nodded without hesitation.
“Our precious Yoon-seul really pulled off something great this time! I’ll treat you to something delicious today. What do you want to eat?”
Kyung Taeyoung asked with a proud smile.
“Hmm… then let’s go eat that steak you mentioned last time.”
“Sounds good! Let’s go.”
The two siblings enjoyed a rare, warm moment together after a long while.
***
Several days passed.
Sang-woong was content with the new trade and returned to his daily routine.
A few days later, Kyung Yoon-seul received an email.
It contained news that the Detoxification Potion made from Earth-Grown Shiitake Mushrooms had exhibited miraculous effects beyond imagination.
Kyung Yoon-seul wanted to continue trading steadily with Sang-woong and did not hide the astonishing facts she had confirmed.
Though they had only traded once, Sang-woong’s trust in her skyrocketed.
From now on, he became the Taeseong Guild’s most important and exclusive trading partner, and the value of his Detoxification Potion was considered priceless.
***
Sang-woong gazed down at the land, lost in deep thought.
He had finally gathered all the points to purchase the long-awaited Pond.
As the land expanded, existing streams were insufficient for farming, making a wide and deep pond desperately needed.
Sang-woong happily pondered where to install the pond.
Though his land was fertile everywhere, there was one spot where growth was not as good as in other areas.
Without hesitation, he chose that spot for the pond.
When he clicked the ‘Pond’ option in the Shop Window, 30,000 points vanished instantly, and a huge pond appeared in the chosen location.
“Wow… This is a breathtaking sight.”
It was a miracle-like view hard to believe even with his own eyes.
Children who had been running around in the dirt discovered the gigantic pond for the first time and cheered together in delight.
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