You Owe Me Results

Ha Neul looked down at it with growing curiosity but didn't ask another question.

She had already learned something about Seo-Jun.

Whenever he deliberately avoided explaining something...

It was because the answer would reveal itself soon enough.

"Let's go."

He turned toward another building deeper within the alley.

"You still need proper armor."

Unlike the previous shop, this one was spotless.

Every piece of equipment had its own place.

Enchanted fabrics rested inside crystal display cases.

Finished armor hung neatly along polished wooden walls beneath carefully positioned mana lamps.

The air carried the faint scent of refined leather and expensive enchantment ink.

Seo-Jun slowly examined the displays.

Plate armor.

Too heavy.

Chain mail.

Unnecessary.

Leather reinforced with beast hide.

Average.

His gaze finally settled upon a neatly folded ash-gray tunic displayed by itself.

At first glance, it looked unremarkable.

Only when light brushed across its surface did countless silver threads reveal themselves beneath the fabric, flowing like currents carried by an invisible breeze.

He reached out and ran his fingers across the cloth.

It was astonishingly light.

A cool current of wind mana drifted gently around his hand, as though the garment itself were breathing.

✦ ✦ ✦

[Wind Walker's Silk Tunic]

Type: Light Armor

Rank: Epic

Durability: 4,096/4,096

Defense : 200

Description:

A lightweight combat tunic woven from the silk of a mature Canyon Weaver and refined using high-purity Wind Attribute Mana Crystals. Every thread has been meticulously aligned to preserve flexibility without sacrificing protection, allowing the wearer to move freely while dispersing incoming force across multiple enchanted layers.

Rather than relying on overwhelming defensive power, the tunic excels at mitigating slashing attacks and weakening elemental impacts before they reach the body. Its exceptional lightness makes it especially favored by mages, archers, and Hunters who depend upon agility instead of heavy armor.

Passive Effect:

Wind Mana naturally gathers around the wearer, subtly reducing air resistance and allowing movements to remain fluid during combat.

Effects:

Movement Speed +10%

Slashing Damage Resistance +30%

Resistance to Low and Mid-Tier Wind, Fire, and Lightning Magic +20%

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

✦ ✦ ✦

"This is the one."

Seo-Jun handed the tunic to Ha Neul before paying 100,000,000 Won without hesitation.

She carefully accepted it, disbelief flickering across her face.

"...This is far too expensive."

"I'll repay you."

"Every last Won."

Seo-Jun looked at her for a moment before answering.

"You don't owe me money."

His tone remained calm.

"You owe me results."

He turned toward the market exit.

"Become strong enough that buying equipment like this feels ordinary."

"And I'll consider us even."

✦ ✦ ✦

Their final destination lay at the very edge of the Hunter Market.

Alchemist's Row.

Few Hunters willingly ventured this far.

The air itself felt heavy.

Thick clouds of medicinal steam drifted between the cramped workshops, carrying the pungent scent of crushed herbs, monster blood, burning resin, and corrosive reagents. Bronze cauldrons bubbled day and night, while apprentices hurried between storefronts with scorched gloves and stained aprons.

It was noisy.

Chaotic.

Most Hunters preferred the polished pharmacies operated by the major guilds.

Their medicines were safe.

Consistent.

Mass-produced.

Seo-Jun had never trusted them.

Corporate guilds sold convenience.

Not quality.

The finest alchemists rarely worked beneath a guild's banner.

They sold only to those capable of recognizing true craftsmanship.

Seo-Jun stopped before a modest workshop squeezed between two larger stores.

Unlike the others, its shelves held no colorful potions.

Instead, sealed crystal jars, dried herbs, preserved monster organs, and carefully labeled mineral powders filled every available space.

Behind the counter stood an elderly woman with silver hair tied into a loose knot.

Chemical burns covered both hands.

The countless scars along her forearms spoke louder than any title.

Without looking up from the mortar she was grinding, she spoke.

"If you're buying healing potions, the guild pharmacies are three streets back."

"I'm not."

Only then did she raise her eyes.

"What do you need?"

Seo-Jun answered without hesitation.

"Six ounces of Azure Serpent Vine."

"Five matured Ashheart Rhizome."

"Three vials of refined Royal Manticore Gastric Essence."

"Ten stalks of Moon-Dew Reed."

The grinding stone stopped.

The old woman slowly looked up.

"...Say that again."

Seo-Jun repeated the list.

Silence lingered for several seconds.

Then she let out a dry laugh.

"Either you're an alchemist..."

"...or you're trying to poison someone important."

She folded her arms.

"Do you even know what happens if Azure Serpent Vine reacts with Manticore Essence?"

"It kills the careless."

Seo-Jun answered calmly.

"It refines the prepared."

The old woman's eyes narrowed.

"...Interesting answer."

Seo-Jun continued.

"I also need twelve fresh leaves of Solar Bloom Lotus."

"This morning's harvest."

"If they're older than six hours, I'll buy them elsewhere."

The old woman clicked her tongue.

"Tch."

"You've got expensive taste for someone your age."

She disappeared into the storeroom without another word.

When she returned, each ingredient had already been sealed individually inside mana-preserving containers.

She placed them on the counter one after another.

"You know..."

She said while arranging the final jar.

"I've sold these ingredients for almost twenty years."

"I've never seen anyone buy this combination."

Seo-Jun simply paid the requested amount.

"I'm not finished."

The old woman's eyebrow twitched.

"...There's more?"

"I need another set."

This time, his list was completely different.

A root that carried blazing Yang energy.

A mineral formed beneath frozen mana veins.

A crimson medicinal fungus that grew only upon ancient battlefield soil.

A stalk of Frostbone Ginseng.

Three petals of Ember King's Orchid.

A stalk of Lunar Spirit Ginseng.

A stalk of Scarlet Sun Ginseng.

One vial of purified Glacial Wyvern Marrow.

The old woman stared at him in silence.

"...Kid."

"You mixing medicine..."

"...or trying to rewrite common sense?"

Seo-Jun smiled faintly.

"I'll know once I finish."

The old woman snorted.

"You're a strange brat."

"But strange customers usually become famous."

She packed the second collection without asking another question.

By the time Seo-Jun stepped away from the counter, he carried enough rare materials to refine multiple formulas.

Some were meant for mana cultivation.

Others...

For something entirely different.

His final purchase was made several shops away.

Resting quietly beneath a layer of dust sat a black crucible forged from Void Iron.

The surface was chipped from decades of use, and its handles bore the scars of countless refinements.

Despite its appearance, the mana flowing through the metal remained remarkably stable.

Seo-Jun tested it with a faint thread of mana before giving a satisfied nod.

"I'll take this one."

The elderly blacksmith glanced over.

"...Most people buy the new ones."

"They're shinier."

Seo-Jun lifted the heavy crucible with one hand.

"They're prettier."

"This one's better."

The blacksmith burst into laughter.

"Hah!"

"Finally."

"Someone around here with working eyes."

With every ingredient secured and the crucible resting securely in his grasp, Seo-Jun cast one last glance toward the bustling Hunter Market.

"There isn't anything else we need."

Seo-Jun's gaze shifted forward as they walked.

"Let's head back."

His voice stayed even, almost casual.

But there was no softness in the decision.

Only direction.

"The real work begins now."