Chapter 98: Debt
Chapter 98: Debt
“I got word that there was a commotion downstairs yesterday? Did something happen?”
“It’s nothing, sir. No big deal. The artifact item and weapon shop is just holding an impromptu auction.”
“Oh, that’s new. What happened?”
Chief Yoon then started to tell the report about the events that happened yesterday at the 13th-floor shop.
Chairman Yu listened to while in doubt because what he heard seemed impossible. It the five years since the Hunters Association existed and the item and weapon shop opened. There had never been a time when they had been able to sell at a quality worthy of a mid-to-high ranked hunter. Most of the items in the shop were only for E-rank hunters, and the usual estimated price was around 10 to 30 million won. Not more and sometimes less than that.
But, even though it was a fancy thing for the shop, it was still nothing to be excited about. Chairman Yu decided to let the two people who run the shop handle it. Profits would also not get shared with the Hunters Association. And there was no intention of knowing where the items came from.
“How are things with the other two S-rank hunters? Also, is there any progress on Min-ho and Jo-hyun?”
Chief Yoon found out about their battle with the South Korean traitor. Many felt the encounter was balanced. But she honestly thought it wasn’t equal at all.
Multiple hunters against one unofficial hunter, it was clearly not the same. Even those who ganged up suffered injuries instead. If it not for Hyun-bin, all S-rank hunters would have died. And the Hunter’s Association would lose the figure of a leader. It was a risky move to pursue a traitor based solely on his past strength.
It made Chief Yoon realize that the power level of the South Korean state was far below the standards of other superpowers. Those countries had guilds capable of holding back dozens of Red Gates formed from tier-5 Portal Gates, let alone an unofficial hunter like Ma Dong-seok.
It was an era where being weak was a sin.
Chief Yoon also couldn’t imagine that if the traitor decided to wreak havoc in South Korea, would they be able to survive and defeat him?
She tightened her grip. Now, what they needed were hunters who could climb the ladder of high ranks. The hunters rose from the lower classes to the top in no time.
“Min-ho and Jo-hyun’s condition has gradually recovered, and now they can carry out their normal activities as usual.”
Chairman Yu was still sitting in his chair with a solemn expression, waiting for the follow-up report from Chief Yoon, who was dragging her words.
“For…, those two S rank hunters, their current condition is good. But, they are still unconscious. The Godly Doctor advised that their condition will return to normal after a few days’ rest.”
The Chairman nodded at the report then massaged his temples. Dong-seok’s strength was beyond his expectations. Comparing Dong-seok to Hyun-bin, Chairman Yu felt the two were a bit equal. But, his feelings were more suggesting that Dong-seok was a little stronger.
Chairman Yu felt threatened though unsure about Dong-seok’s purpose in coming to South Korea. Not to mention the threats from the Portal Gate and the Red Gate that constantly tormented his country.
All of that sometimes made Chairman Yu feel hopeless. He thought that God gave Mana only to make them suffer and would never have peace. In fact, the world already had the strongest hunter, the ArchMage. However, the Portal Gates still appeared.
Chairman Yu took a deep breath. “It’s about time we hold an auction for the unmanaged Portal Gates. Those guilds sure can’t wait to continue hunting and increase their experience and strength. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for us to have the guild’s strength increase a lot. After all, it’s not hard to ask them for help even though our principles are basically different.”
Chief Yoon nodded. “Yes, sir.”
The Hunter Association wanted to continue with its operations despite lately having so many hassles and problems. They had no other choice but to do what they usually do even though the situation was different. It was because they didn’t understand and know anything about Portal Gates. So, they couldn’t do much about it.
Elsewhere, Ji-woo, as usual, helped his mother carry food stall necessities. The situation and community activities have returned to normal.
Ji-woo didn’t stay long at the food stall and told his mother that he was leaving. He didn’t say where he was going, just said somewhere, and it wouldn’t take long.
He didn’t go by taxi or bus. But only take a walk around the neighborhood. Not long after, he arrived at a 3-story building at the crossroads of the alley. He entered and came to the room on the 2nd floor.
Ji-woo opened the door and saw two bulky men sitting on the long low couch. The two big men then stood up and wanted to hold Ji-woo off but were stopped by the man sitting behind the desk with the computer.
“You morons! Don’t scare our customer right off the bat! The two of you stand by the door.”
The man got up from his seat and walked over to Ji-woo, offering to sit down and immediately discuss his needs.
“Welcome to our place, young man. How can I help you? We can lend you whatever money you want at low-interest rates. How?
“That’s good, isn’t it!? We also have a good reputation.”
The man also poured and gave a cup of coffee to Ji-woo.
But, Ji-woo seemed unconcerned and spoke in a low tone. “Lee Elijah, ID. xxxxxxx. What is the total debt and interest of that person?”
The man frowned. He knew Elijah very well. The problem was, who was the young man who came, suddenly asking about Elijah’s debt?
“Who are you?!”
The two bulky men sensed the unease from their boss’s tone of voice, rushing over to Ji-woo.
“The two of you, calm down! Go back to where you stand.”
The man stopped the two of them and looked at Ji-woo intently, waiting for an answer.
Ji-woo sighed. At first, he didn’t want to explain. But after he saw how these people were still able to restrain himself with his relaxed attitude, he decided to be more polite.
“I am her son, Kim Ji-woo. I have come to pay the debt in full and the interest.”
The man was shocked in disbelief at Ji-woo’s statement.
“Are you really her son? Didn’t you disappear six years ago?”
This time, Ji-woo was the one that got surprised. He didn’t expect the man to know about his family situation.
The man understood Ji-woo’s gaze and explained himself. “I knew your mother when your late father came to me to borrow money as funds to look for you who was missing. Then the car accident happened, your mother was alone with your sister without any relatives to help.
“It was a difficult situation for them, and finally, your mother came to me to borrow more money. I was hesitant at first, but thinking about their condition, I decided to help and give the money without being returned except for the money that your late father borrowed earlier. But your mother refused and insisted on borrowing the money with interest. I had no other choice but to accept it.
“From then until now, no problems have befallen them. Your mother is also diligent in paying the debt installments along with its interest.”
Ji-woo got up and bowed his head to express his gratitude for the small favor from the loan shark. The man then waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.
“Then how much is the debt with its interest now?”
The man stared at Ji-woo for a few seconds and answered. “71 million won. Not too much, is it? Like I said, your mother is very diligent in paying it.”
Ji-woo took out his smartphone and processed the money transfer.
“Does your mother know about this?”
“No. That’s why I need you to keep it a secret, sir.”
The man smiled wryly. “What shall I tell your mother later? You put me in a tight spot, young man. Well but, I’m glad you’re back. You can even pay off your mother’s debt. And she won’t be suffering anymore.”
Ji-woo got up from his seat and shook hands with the man. He was also grateful that his mother owed a pretty good loan shark. If not, then his family’s life was definitely worse than it already was.
Ji-woo returned home. He was looking for information about industrial real estate. He wanted to know how much it would take to buy a factory.
After Ji-woo gathered the data about industrial real estate, he called Ma-no. He wanted to sell the set of Golden Armor and the Golden Spear. He needed to squeeze everything he had into money.
He also didn’t forget to order a Portal Gate to Seok-jin. Fortunately, now the broker had a lot of stock and could set aside some for him.
Seok-jin already had faith in Ji-woo. So, he didn’t mind letting Ji-woo order some Portal Gates and only pay in advance, not in full. He also believed Ji-woo could close the ordered Portal Gates. So, he’s not worried about it.