[Greedy Collector Momo has obtained a Transcendent-Grade Bag!]
[An interspatial item incomparable to the existing Flix Bag!]
[A hidden quest has been cleared!]
[Momo's level has increased!]
[Momo's level has increased!]
…
[Level Up! Greedy Collector Momo has reached Level 120. Epic promotion conditions achieved!]
[Promotion Requirements: Reach Level 120 / Acquire a Transcendent-Grade or higher bag]
Ding!
[All conditions fulfilled! Greedy Collector Momo is promoted from Unique to Epic rank! Level 121 achieved!]
[Unique Trait "Nimble Hands – Intermediate" has reached MAX! Upgraded to Advanced LV1!]
From now on, any component that passes through Momo's hands will increase in quality by two grades!
Performance in tasks requiring manual dexterity greatly increases! (Note: This does not grant ability in skills Momo fundamentally lacks. Example: painting.)
[Unique Trait "Rapid Processing – Intermediate" has reached MAX! Upgraded to Advanced LV1!]
No matter how large the target, it can be processed in an instant!
Even the toughest hide is helpless before a master dismantler!
[Unique Trait "Scent of Treasure" acquired! The Greedy Collector's sense of smell is enhanced! Nearby treasures can be detected by scent!]
[Unique Trait "Inspiration of Treasure" acquired! At unpredictable moments, the Greedy Collector will gain insights about treasures—their appearance, location, history, and more!]
"Holy…"
Jinhyuk covered his mouth with one hand.
He hadn't known promotion could happen like this.
This was an unbelievable windfall.
Ding!
"It's not over?"
He turned to the newly appearing messages.
[Collector Yoo Jinhyuk: 1 Legendary Card, 2 Epic Cards owned]
[You possess three cards of Epic rank or higher! Synchronization rate increased by 10%! Current Synchronization Rate: 130%]
[Acquired 1 Blank Card – Jin! Blank Card: 0 / Blank Card – Individual: 0 / Blank Card – Jin: 1]
He clamped his other hand over his mouth as well.
People were just starting to get ready for work. He couldn't very well scream loud enough to shake the officetel.
"How is it?! How is it?! How is it?!"
Momo struck a triumphant pose with a dramatic "Ta-da!"
Maybe it was the promotion, but her cheeks looked slightly plumper. Shinier, too.
Anyway.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Jinhyuk applauded with heartfelt sincerity. Even his friends, who had been eating cheonggukjang, scrambled to their feet and joined in.
"Excellent! Truly excellent! As expected of my unit member! Continue your hard work without rest!"
Unit Commander Kancho praised his subordinate's achievement.
Since when did she become part of his unit?
"How is it?! Tell me! Tell meee!"
Momo bounced around the room in excitement.
Jinhyuk glanced at his inventory. There was still one thing he needed to give Kancho, but he decided to hold off. If Kancho started bouncing too, it might get out of hand.
He turned toward the balcony.
Then, with complete sincerity, he offered thanks.
To Jin Yoonho of the Central Hunter Administration—the man who had handed him such an absurd treasure.
'But was that really enough?'
When Jinhyuk had left the Administration with the three items, Jin Yoonho had cautiously asked something.
He'd emphasized several times that it wasn't absolutely necessary—just a precaution.
—Could I share your identity with two more people? They're high-ranking officials within the Administration. Both are trustworthy.
For Jinhyuk, it had been an easy decision. Of course, go ahead.
—Thank you. I'm truly grateful.
It seemed like an internal matter, so Jinhyuk hadn't pressed for details. Still, Jin Yoonho had looked visibly relieved.
'Whatever the reason is…'
Jinhyuk clasped his hands and squeezed his eyes shut.
'I hope everything works out for you.'
Team Leader Jin Yoonho. Fighting.
Central Hunter Administration, Director of Personnel Office.
Han Jiwon sat listening to Administrator Kang Younghoon.
'Savage. He really went through with it.'
Across from her, Lee Changgi wore a thin, almost dizzying smile.
An axe rested on the table.
Thankfully, no one had swung it.
"That's the background behind my decision," Kang Younghoon said quietly.
Han Jiwon leaned back into the sofa and clicked her tongue.
'Unbelievable.'
At first, she'd thought it was random.
Sugihara Gate? Out of nowhere?
What did that have to do with the current situation?
But after hearing everything, it made sense.
Runner.
The one who had triggered the Sugihara Gate.
The aftermath had been enormous. In less than a day, Japan's Prime Minister had stepped down, and the ruling party collapsed. The Innovation Party seized the opportunity, with Sato Tsubasa emerging as a leading candidate for the next Prime Minister.
Some might say it was just Japan's internal affair—that a change in ruling party wouldn't amount to much.
That there would be a token apology and compensation for the players who died in Chungnam, and that would be the end of it.
But that assumption was shattered.
Historical disputes, island conflicts, trade issues—long-stalled matters—were suddenly presented with compromise proposals from Japan.
Not just minor concessions.
Proposals overwhelmingly favorable to Korea.
In a single day.
'And it was all because of Runner.'
It was so absurd it felt unreal.
No matter how powerful Runner was, he was still just an individual.
And yet, that individual had triggered a transformation overnight.
"Early this morning, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance informally approved the Hunter Administration's budget," Kang Younghoon continued. "The official announcement will follow soon."
He slid a stack of documents across the table.
A report stating that Runner had caused the Sugihara Gate.
"I sent this to the Ministry before approval."
Reporter: Director of Personnel Lee Changgi.
Han Jiwon shot Lee Changgi a glare.
He merely shrugged, that infuriating smile still in place.
Her mind understood.
Her pride didn't.
"Allow me a small excuse," Kang Younghoon said. "I issued the authorization and order, but I told him not to act immediately. I wanted to speak with you first."
"My apologies, Administrator. I judged it to be a recommendation rather than an order."
"Even if it was a recommendation, you could at least pretend to listen."
"I'll try."
He even bowed his head politely.
That only made him more irritating.
"…Fine."
Han Jiwon exhaled sharply and ran a hand through her hair.
It stung. It angered her.
But what could she do? He'd secured the Administration's budget in one move.
"Regardless," she added coldly, "Director Lee, I won't forget today."
She'd been blindsided. Publicly outmaneuvered.
One day, she'd repay him. With interest.
"Whoa, let's calm down," Lee Changgi said. "We're not finished yet."
"If the Administrator is done speaking, I'd prefer to leave. I have no interest in hearing from you. I might accidentally swing that axe."
Lee Changgi flinched.
He knew she meant it.
So he cut straight to the point.
"Director of Strategy, how about boarding the same ship?"
"Boarding the same ship? With you? What does that even mean?"
"I'm serious. From now on, I'd like you to focus on crafting strategies for Runner."
"And that's boarding the same ship? Not pushing the boat you and Jin Yoonho are already riding?"
"Director of Strategy, I'll tell you who Runner is."
Han Jiwon's eyes widened.
Had she misheard?
"You'll tell me?"
"Of course—if you agree to join us."
She looked to Kang Younghoon.
"I'm not forcing you," he said. "But I hope you'll consider it. I don't know who Runner is either."
He gestured toward Lee Changgi.
"He says he'll tell us—if you come aboard."
Han Jiwon wiped her face with both hands, smudging her makeup without caring.
She wanted to refuse on principle.
Every word that came out of Lee Changgi's mouth grated on her nerves.
But the offer…
It was irresistible.
After a long moment of silence, she finally spoke.
"I will…"
Central Hunter Administration Lobby.
The elevator doors opened, and Han Jiwon stepped out.
Ryu Seungkwon, who had been anxiously pacing, sprang to his feet.
"What is this supposed to mean?! You keep me waiting like this! What about the bag? Jiwon, say something—"
"Director of Strategy."
"What?"
"It's Director of Strategy, not Jiwon. Basic courtesy. You're not a child."
His eyes widened.
"What the hell? Hey, Han Jiwon—Director of Strategy! You think you can handle this?"
"Handle what?"
"The higher-ups. Public opinion. You think you can manage that? By tonight there'll be headlines about me defecting to China or Japan!"
"Go ahead."
"What?"
"Go."
She had transferred to an aircraft carrier named Runner.
Why would she regret leaving a pirate ship behind?
"Still don't get it, Ryu Seungkwon? You keep shouting about that bag, but neither China nor Japan has formally offered one, have they? You think a country as big as China doesn't have an interspatial bag?"
She stepped closer.
"They do. They just won't give it to you. You're not worth it. That astronomical sum they supposedly offered? You'll never see all of it. They'll pay for a month or two, then cut you off once you defect. I've seen it happen."
Ryu Seungkwon trembled, raising his voice.
"Hey, you little—"
"If you're going to bark, remember where you are."
He finally noticed the gazes around him.
Hunters standing ready, prepared to subdue him at any moment.
His mouth snapped shut.
Han Jiwon brushed off her shoulder.
"I know. I look like a bat, switching sides. So I'll overlook you putting your hand on my shoulder. And…"
She turned with a faint smile.
"I may prefer younger men—but not thugs like you."
Her heels clicked sharply as she walked away.
"Ughhhhhhh!"
All Ryu Seungkwon could do was scream.
It was the only thing left to him.
In front of Genex, Korea's largest steel corporation.
I'm heading out now.
After checking the message, Jinhyuk started walking.
Since the morning was already busy, he decided to take care of all his pending appointments in one go.
Once he stepped outside, he might as well handle everything at once.
That was the way of a homebody who loved staying indoors.
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T/N:
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