Chapter 71: The Price of Soju

Heo Dongsik—he was not a man as easy to handle as one might think.

If he were, he would never have survived in the black market with no backing at all.

What happened with Sang-woong was, in a way, a natural disaster—an event no one could have anticipated.

Who could have imagined that someone so young, a mere country boy running a restaurant, could be that strong?

Hunters grow by hunting monsters. To become strong, they always need a certain amount of time.

But Sang-woong possessed a strength that seemed to transcend time itself.

Heo Dongsik still couldn’t fully comprehend that part.

In any case, before that disaster struck, Heo Dongsik had actually followed Sang-woong after their first Deal.

He felt bad for getting the short end of the stick during their first transaction—he had tried to sway things in his favor, only to get played himself. Besides, learning about one’s trading partner was basic.

There were many reasons to know the other party’s information.

First, to confirm whether the seller was reliable enough for ongoing transactions.

But the real reason was to find the seller’s weakness, so he could negotiate a better price or even threaten him to obtain goods.

That was how Heo Dongsik had managed to locate the restaurant run by Sang-woong.

“Mmm~ The location is good.”

As Heo Dongsik finished speaking, a heavy silence fell on the other end of the receiver.

Lee Dojin didn’t show it, but he was quite shocked.

Recently, among the quick-witted Hunters, there had been a strange rumor circulating.

A Potion with a wonderful taste and mysterious effects, a miracle Detoxification Potion.

Because of this, the Taeseong Guild had been doing everything to keep the rumors about Sang-woong’s Detoxification Potion under wraps, but with several Hunters using it, the news was bound to leak.

The Hunters who had used the Detoxification Potion were amazed at its efficacy and taste, and thanks to them, the rumors spread even further.

One of the characteristics of the Detoxification Potion matched exactly what Heo Dongsik had just said.

If it was really the Detoxification Potion he thought it was, this was huge information.

After a moment to gather his thoughts, Lee Dojin spoke in a forceful, oppressive voice, careful not to reveal how much he desired this information.

“Who is that Alchemist?”

To Lee Dojin’s question, Heo Dongsik replied swiftly, almost as if he had been waiting for it.

Though his voice trembled slightly, it was filled with anticipation.

“I… I don’t know his real name. The nickname he uses for Deals is Parsi. He runs a restaurant, and it seems he makes and sells Potions himself there.”

“A restaurant?”

Lee Dojin frowned in confusion at the unexpected answer, unable to hide his puzzlement.

The words Alchemist and restaurant swirled together in his head, causing chaos.

“An Alchemist runs a restaurant?”

He asked again in disbelief.

“Yes, hyung-nim. I couldn’t believe it at first, either. But I checked it myself.”

Heo Dongsik replied confidently.

“Heh, unbelievable… What a curious fellow.”

Lee Dojin murmured in a low, interested tone.

“So, where is this guy called Parsi right now?”

Lee Dojin pressed coldly, getting to the point.

“Well, I…”

Heo Dongsik suddenly hesitated, his voice trailing off.

His tone was laced with uncertainty and anxiety.

“Ha, you bastard. Alright, I get it. You want compensation. Fine, just be honest. How much do you want?”

Lee Dojin let out a small sigh and asked bluntly.

“T-ten million won.”

Heo Dongsik, perhaps tense, spoke with a trembling voice, but managed to name his price cautiously, full of desperate hope.

His hands fidgeted uneasily inside his pockets.

“Ten million won? Hmm~”

Lee Dojin stroked his chin, deep in thought. His gaze was cold and sharp.

After a moment, he spoke in a cold tone.

“Fine. I’ll give you ten million. But remember—if even a bit of the information you give me is wrong or fake… then not just your life, but your family’s as well, won’t be safe. Got it?”

His voice was low, but it radiated a chilling intent.

“O-of course, hyung-nim! I would never dare lie to you!”

Heo Dongsik replied hurriedly, almost elated.

At last, a relieved smile spread across his face.

***

The next day, in the gloomy, deserted Park that was their agreed meeting place, Heo Dongsik and Lee Dojin met again.

A chilly wind blew, making the atmosphere all the more bleak.

At the sight of Heo Dongsik, Lee Dojin’s face twisted in disgust. His gaze was cold and fierce.

“You filthy bastard! No matter how far you’ve fallen, at least keep some shred of human dignity! Just look at yourself!”

He pinched his nose, lashing out in disdain.

“I’m sorry, hyung-nim. I didn’t mean for it to turn out this way.”

Heo Dongsik shrank, bowing his head and apologizing repeatedly.

His shabby figure looked all the more pitiful.

“Enough. You’re disgusting, so let’s just get this over with. I’ll give you half—five million won—up front. Once I confirm your information, you’ll get the other half. Deal?”

Lee Dojin waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.

His gaze was still cold and suspicious.

“I understand.”

Heo Dongsik nodded as ordered.

Heo Dongsik, unaware of just how much profit the information he was selling would bring, grinned brightly at the thought of the ten million won he’d get right now.

His eyes sparkled with joy.

Meanwhile, the cold-hearted Lee Dojin sneered inwardly at Heo Dongsik.

In truth, he already had a vague sense of the immense value of the special Detoxification Potion Sang-woong had created.

Even if Heo Dongsik had asked for ten times, no, a hundred times the amount, he would have gladly made the Deal.

That’s how unimaginably valuable Sang-woong’s Detoxification Potion was.

Just as promised, Heo Dongsik received a thick envelope containing five million won and smiled more brightly than anyone in the world.

For the first time in ages, his face brimmed with vitality.

Just yesterday, he hadn’t even had enough to buy a single bottle of soju and had wandered aimlessly in front of the convenience store—so five million won was a fortune to him.

He felt as if he possessed everything.

Overjoyed, Heo Dongsik told Lee Dojin everything he knew about Sang-woong.

“Hmm, is there any other special information?”

After listening closely, Lee Dojin confirmed again.

His gaze remained sharp.

“No, hyung-nim. That’s all I know.”

Heo Dongsik replied honestly, as if he had nothing left to hide.

“Got it. I’ll contact you later.”

With that short, cold response, Lee Dojin turned away.

Only ruthlessness radiated from his retreating figure.

“Thank you so much, hyung-nim! You’ve really saved me!”

Heo Dongsik bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude in a cheerful voice.

His tone was filled with thankfulness and joy.

He was already excited at the thought of soaking in a warm bath, getting clean, eating his favorite meat, and drinking plenty of soju.

His steps were light, and a smile never left his lips.

But unfortunately, his modest dreams would never come true.

“Hurk—!”

Suddenly, a tremendous impact slammed into the back of his head, leaving him gasping, his mouth agape.

His vision flashed white for an instant.

In that split second, he understood everything.

The cold-hearted Lee Dojin was so cruel and ruthless that he would erase not just Sang-woong, but every unnecessary witness to this Deal without hesitation.

Heo Dongsik’s eyes filled with terror and despair.

“Why… Why didn’t I see this coming? Damn, if only I’d had enough for soju yesterday…”

He screamed inwardly at his own stupidity.

Calling Lee Dojin had been digging his own grave.

And so ended the miserable and unfortunate life of Heo Dongsik.

His eyes slowly closed.

“Bury that bastard’s body in a place so remote that no one will ever find it. Leave no trace—take care of it cleanly.”

Lee Dojin ordered his subordinate in a cold, detached voice.

His gaze was as icy as a glacier.

“Yes, hyung-nim. Understood.”

Lee Dojin’s loyal subordinate skillfully wrapped Heo Dongsik’s limp body in a black plastic bag he’d prepared.

And without a second thought, he loaded the body into a car and disappeared into the darkness.

Unless something truly unexpected happened, Heo Dongsik’s wretched body would never see the light of day again.

His existence vanished without a trace.

***

A warm afternoon sun shone over the Pond.

The children of the Ahoa Tribe, barefoot and kicking up dust, ran excitedly to the water’s edge.

“Come on, let’s go play in the water! Hau!”

“Hurry up! Hau!”

Their bright laughter echoed high into the sky.

Already, the children of the Kahuka Tribe had arrived at the Pond, dipping their feet in the water and splashing about.

“Oh? Eba got here first! Hau!”

“Edan! Hau!”

The Ahoa Tribe children waved to the Kahuka Tribe children.

The Kahuka Tribe children waved back, welcoming them. The two groups played together like true siblings every day.

“Master! You’re here!”

At Sang-woong’s arrival, Aria was the first to run over, waving and greeting him.

Soon, both tribes’ children swarmed around Sang-woong, clinging to him.

“Sang-woong is here! Hau!”

“Waaaah! Let’s play together! Huka!”

“I like Sang-woong best! Huka!”

The reason the children adored Sang-woong so much was, of course, the Snack.

With a smile at the children’s cheers, Sang-woong took Snack bags out from his Inventory and handed them out.

“Thank you! Hau!”

“Wow, it’s a new Snack! Huka!”

The sight of the children’s beaming faces as they received the Snacks brought an uncontrollable smile to Sang-woong’s lips.

But today’s present wasn’t just Snacks.

To celebrate the children playing in the Pond, Sang-woong had prepared a special gift.

With a big smile, he pulled out colorful Slide pieces from his Inventory and, with skilled hands, began to assemble a sturdy Slide at the edge of the Pond.

“Wow!”

The children all exclaimed at once.

“Amazing! What is that? Huka?”

The Kahuka Tribe children’s eyes went wide with wonder as they looked at the mysterious object.

“This is called a ‘Slide’. You go up the steps, sit down, and then slide down.”

At Sang-woong’s explanation, the children rushed over and began to ride the Slide set up at the Pond.

Shooong!

Splash!

A child slid quickly down the Slide and plunged straight into the Pond.

A cool spray of water erupted.

“Wow, this is so fun! Hau!”

The children clambered up and down the Slide, playing gleefully in the water.

The sparkling drops of water in the sunlight, mixed with the children’s laughter, filled the edge of the Pond with happiness.