I Got A Legendary Sniper Rifle - GLSR Chapter 9 (Part 1)

After returning home, Lee Hyun took a quick shower and then headed out again.

Minjeong asked,

“Son, you’re not helping your mom today?”

“Mother.”

“Just speak casually.”

“I have to go see a client today.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Minjeong nodded with a tone that implied, ‘It must be something important.’

These days, people made money selling game items and such—maybe it was something like that, she figured.

Hyun found it odd that, for once, Minjeong didn’t insist on holding him back, and he stepped outside.

It was true—he was going to see a client.

‘It’s about time I cleared out some mana stones.’

Even though he had already registered as a Hunter, if he didn’t settle any mana stones for too long, it might start to look suspicious.

Is he avoiding it because he’s hiding something?

That kind of suspicion would be a problem.

‘I’ll just sell the ones from the 3rd Floor.’

That would fit the profile of a low-level, not-so-competent Hunter.

Lee Hyun arrived at a nearby management office.

After taking a ticket for mana stone processing and waiting a bit, it was soon his turn.

“What brings you in today?”

‘Well, I pulled a mana stone processing number, so what do you think I’m here for…?’

For some reason, the civil servant who had handled his Hunter registration last time was the one sitting there again.

‘Aren’t there any other staff here?’ He knew from before that other windows were operating just fine.

Still, if fewer people paid attention to him, that was all the better.

Hyun spoke.

“I’m here to process mana stones.”

“Yes, please place them here.”

Still keeping her gaze fixed on her monitor, the employee pushed a small tray toward Hyun.

‘Is she really working, or just watching something else?’

The level of focus made him wonder.

Hyun placed nine F-rank mana stones on the tray.

The employee quickly counted them and spoke in a dry tone.

“Yes, nine F-rank mana stones. That’ll be 450,000 won deposited into your account. Please fill out this form.”

It was a simple document—stone grade, quantity, origin, personal data usage agreement, and so on.

Hyun completed it in a flash.

“Alright, that’s all done.”

The employee still hadn’t taken her eyes off the monitor.

‘Well, I didn’t sell everything, but still… 450,000 won. Bit underwhelming.’

Hyun felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment.

But the higher he climbed, the more his earnings would increase. Patience was key.

As he was about to leave the management office, hearing the polite voices from other counters—

“Hey, wait a moment! Hyung-nim! Hyung-nim!”

Someone called out urgently to stop Hyun.

Was it someone trying to apologize for the earlier lack of courtesy?

Not quite.

A middle-aged man, who appeared to be well into his years, approached Hyun.

“Hyung-nim, you just processed some mana stones, right?”

“…Yes, I did.”

Hyun replied somewhat stiffly, nodding.

It was hard to get used to this man—who looked at least twenty years older—calling him hyung-nim (honorific for elder brother, used respectfully among men).

“Wow! A Hunter, huh? That’s really amazing, hyung-nim!”

“They were just F-rank stones. Nothing special.”

Really, it wasn’t Hyun who was impressive.

It was his gun.

The man nodded as if in agreement.

“Yes, well, these days there are so many Hunters out there that one could think that.”

But hearing it from someone else somehow made Hyun feel a bit heated.

‘I’m Il-One Shot, you punk! Six straight S+ clears through Floor 6!’

“But do you know the secret to becoming a special Hunter?”

Hyun obviously knew.

A mana stone-activated rifle.

And also stat distribution—15 points per level—and the Stealth Cloak, among other things…

“I’m not too sure.”

“Hahaha! That’s alright. Most newbie Hunters are the same. Here, take this first.”

The man handed him a business card and a stiff catalog.

[Tower Byproduct Handling · Hunter Consultant
Jang Deokhun
P.H. 101-8888(탑탑탑탑)-93972(Byproduct Dept.)
E-mail: towerduck@hunternow.com]

The card was cluttered and flashy—gave off a distinct cheap feel.

But upon reading what was printed beneath it, Hyun’s eyes widened.

“!!!!”

“Ah, I knew you’d be surprised. These days it’s so hard to make a living, you know? These kinds of jobs are popping up all over.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Hyun glanced between the business card and Deokhun’s face.

[My age this year: 23!]

“When exactly was this card made…?”

“Huh? Oh, I printed it this year, of course. Here, I’ve got last year’s one too.”

It was truly astonishing.

“Ah… you’re really young.”

“Hahaha! I get told I have a mature look all the time!”

No, not mature—just incredibly aged-looking.

“Don’t worry, though. I’ve got all the certifications I need despite my age!”

A wallet full of licenses fanned open.

Deokhun really was an impressive man.

In several ways.

‘So it’s true that God doesn’t bless everyone equally…’

Hyun had a lot of thoughts.

Anyway, it seemed there was a reason Deokhun had been calling him hyung-nim from the start.

The card was one thing, but what about the catalog?

[Newbie Hunter hyung-nims and noona-nims! Is the income lower than expected and giving you a hard time?
When that happens, come find Deokhun at your local management office!
Best prices, best service!
Confidentiality guaranteed!]

As expected from a byproduct dealer—it was filled with images and prices of various byproducts from early Tower floors.

He just didn’t inspire much trust.

If he handed these out near schools, trouble was almost guaranteed.

Deokhun cheerfully said,

“Hyung-nim, selling just mana stones must be tough at the start, right? You have to buy gear, repair things when they break, and all that!”

“Yes, that’s true.”

It didn’t apply to Hyun yet, but it was certainly an issue for many Hunters.

“Read that catalog carefully, and if you find something nice, make sure to contact me, hyung-nim!”

“Hmm…”

Hyun hesitated.

Byproducts were definitely a helpful source of income.

‘Still, the guy’s not very trustworthy…’

Even if he did find something, he wasn’t keen on contacting Deokhun.

But then again, maybe he should, considering how hard the guy was hustling in his situation.

Maybe misunderstanding Hyun’s pause, Deokhun lowered his voice conspiratorially.

“Hehe… actually, this is something I only share with premium clients.”

“What…?”

“I saw earlier—you’ve probably cleared the 3rd Floor, right, hyung-nim?”

“Ah, well…”

Hyun dodged the question.

“No worries. Nothing to be ashamed of. Even Divine Archer was once on the 3rd Floor. But soon you’ll be heading to the 5th Floor…”

Deokhun looked around like he was about to reveal a big secret.

Of course, no one around was paying attention to them.

“The 5th Floor Goblin Warlord is vicious, so I recommend repeating the 4th Floor until you reach level 15, assuming you’ve got 7 points per level.”

“……”

‘What is he even saying?’

Hyun had already cleared Floor 6.

Not that Deokhun could’ve known that.

Still, Hyun was slightly impressed at how accurately he’d guessed his progress with just a glance.

But repeating Floor 4 wasn’t exactly groundbreaking advice.

Even Hunternow probably had that info posted.

Translatin_Otaku

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