Seoul Station’s Necromancer Chapter 44:
Chapter 44 – Regeneration Salve (2)
After she finished her shift, Jiwon returned to the dormitory, then she fell immediately into her bed .
“Whew . ”
The company had originally been a small one, but it had prospered from the Dungeon business . Everyday her workload increased, and each day felt more daunting as time passed .
The door to the dormitory opened . Her roommates, Haejin and Nayoung, came in .
“Uh-whew . Unni did a good job . ”
“Yes . You guys also did a good job . ”
Haejin and Nayoung were both 21 years old . Jiwon was a 24 year old unni, but they weren’t comfortable with the age difference . They might also be uncomfortable with her appearance . They got along well with each other, and they excluded her .
“Unni . We will wash first . ”
“Yeah . You guys do that . ”
Jiwon opened her hand-phone to take a brief break . After a hard day of work, she always read webtoons for a brief respite . Then she read short romance novellas .
“Hoo hoo . ”
Jiwon let her imagination run wild as she thought of herself as the protagonist inside her romance novella .
The sudden Dungeon Shock kill her parents during the 3rd year of her high school .
After the Dungeon Shock, the subsequent Dungeon Breaks put Seoul into turmoil . Jiwon had almost died on that day, but she was barely saved by an unknown Roused .
She remembered the Roused’s face, but she didn’t have any way of meeting him again .
However, the cost of being saved was high . She had lost too many things .
She was called a goddess, and she was the object of everyone’s attention . She had been haughty, and she had rejected every single guy, who had confessed to her . However, her life had crashed in an instant, and everyone looked at her as if she was a monster .
Or they would look at her in pity .
No man would ask her out just from pity .
This was why Jiwon had never dated before, and the novellas made Jiwon’s heart flutter . After she got off work, it was her sole comfort .
“Ah, this one’s fun . This author always ends it at the most entertaining part . ”
She had finished reading couple tantalizing novellas, but her dormitory dongsaengs were still using the restroom . Jiwon had some time left, so she started reading articles on the portal site .
“Uh? It’s Woojin . ”
She clicked on the hottest news article . She saw Woojin’s picture on the first screen, and Jiwon’s face unwittingly became red .
As if he wasn’t satisfied something, Woojin’s sour face made her laugh .
“Heh . Woojin is incredibly famous . ”
The portal’s main page was half adorned with articles about Woojin . He was that hot .
[Kang-woojin’s Guild Alandal registered . Management Bureau is reviewing . ]
[Korea’s 11th A rank Roused Kang-Woojin . Which star did he come from?]
[Supernova Kang-woojin . No 1 Kim-kangchul’s opinion?]
[Kang-woojin’s man . Who is Hong-sunggoo??]
[Kang-woojin’s highschool, Mido High school . His teacher’s interview . ]
“Uh? Our 3rd year Korean history teacher spoke about him . ”
It was fascinating, and exciting to see someone Jiwon knew become famous .
She had shared alcohol with such a person couple days ago . It felt like she was keeping a secret the public didn’t know . It was a novel feeling .
“Hmmm . ”
After she read over the articles for awhile, she got up then she opened the closet next to her bed . There were numerous hat of various colors stacked inside .
Hats were an essential item she couldn’t live without .
Amongst all of them, there was a hat that occupying the corner of the closet by itself . The hat had transparent tapes on the side with several strands of hair clinging on to it .
“Hoo hoo . ”
She thought about what happened couple days ago, and Jiwon smile automatically .
People filled with prejudice always stared at her with pity and disgust . She had lived through it for the past 5 years .
She had met an alumni of her high school after 5 years, and Kang-woojin was like the protagonists inside the novellas .
“Oh yeah . It’s about time Jaemin gets off school . ”
Jiwon always called Jaemin around the time he got off . He was her only family member, and the only reason why she continued on living .
[Uh, noonah . ]
“Huh? Are you sick? What’s wrong with your voice?”
He was sick . His heart hurt . Ha-ah .
[Nothing . I’m fine . ]
“Ok . Did you eat? Are you on your way to the tutoring school?”
[Yes . Oh yeah . Woojin hyung texted me, and he wants to know noonah’s phone number . Should I give it to him?]
“Uh . Uh? Woojin wants it?”
Do-jiwon’s heart strangely beat faster when she heard it was Woojin .
[It’s a little bit weird, right? I’ll tell him no… . ]
“Tell him!”
[Uh, uh?]
“I said tell him . ”
[…that hyung is a bit dangerous… . ]
“Are you trying to get smart with noonah these days?”
[I…I understand, noonah . I’ve arrived at the tutoring school . Do you mind if I end the call?]
“All right . Study hard . I’m busy this week, so I won’t be able to visit you during the weekend . ”
[Ok . I understand . ]
Jiwon ended the call, and her face was flush .
“Ha-ah . ”
Why did he want to know? Why did Woojin ask Jaemin for her number?
‘I don’t get why it’s such a big deal . She’s still pretty . ’
Woojin’s words were still fresh in her ears . She was sure she had heard him say it . It wasn’t something she misheard when she was drunk .
Maybe Woojin…
“Eh-ee . No way . ”
There are those that date ugly women, but there weren’t anyone who would date a monster . She squashed the sense of anticipation that was trying to rear its head .
Click .
The door to the restroom opened . Haemin and Nayoung came out, and when they saw Jiwon in front of her closet, they were startled .
“Ah, unni!”
“Uh uh?”
“I know we are in our rooms, but can’t you wear your hat?”
“That’s right, unni . You should have some manners . We were surprised . ”
“Uh . Ok . . ”
Jiwon hurriedly covered her face as she gathered her towel . She went into the restroom . Jiwon turned on the shower then she started to undress .
“Ah whew . That orc **** . She surprised me . ”
“Ah, really . When I save some more money, the first think I’ll do is leave this dorm . Every time I see her my heart trembles . ”
“How can she live with such a face? If it was me, I would have killed myself . ”
They spoke as if they intended for Jiwon to hear everything . Jiwon soundlessly undressed . When she took off everything, Jiwon’s body was beautiful .
The sound of water from the shower wasn’t enough, so she also turned on the washbasin’s faucets .
Swahhhh .
She placed both her hands on the washbasin as she stood .
She had heard those words ad nauseam, but those words hurt much more today . It sounded like they were saying she didn’t have the right to pursue anyone .
Ddook, ddoo-dook .
Her sad tears joined the flowing water .
No one understood her…… .
The monster inside the mirror cried more sadly today .
*
“Ho-ooh . ”
After Sunggoo finished gathering everything, he let out a sigh . Then he headed towards Woojin .
“Hyung-nim . I’ve gathered them all . ”
“Really?”
Woojin, who had been resting, put all the loot Sunggo had gathered into his inventory .
“Hyung-nim . Your hunting speed is much faster than before . ”
Of course . He had already almost reached level 33 .
“Less Artifacts are starting to show up . ”
“Yes, hyung-nim . It seems we gathered most of the Artifacts . ”
At Sunggoo’s answer, Woojin cleared his palate in regret . He gathered only 3 Artifacts this run .
“Let’s go out now . ”
“Yes, hyung-nim . ”
When Woojin and Sunggoo left the Dungeon, Woo-soonghoon was waiting for them .
“Director Jung sent me . I was told to wait for president to come out, then I’m tasked to bringing you back . ”
It seemed Jung-minchan had sent Soonghoon as a chauffeur .
“Where is Director Jung?”
“It seemed the guild was approved, so he’ll be back in the office after he visits the Management Bureau . ”
“Ok . ”
“Then, I’ll bring the car around now, president . ”
“You do that . ”
Woo-soonghoon disappeared, and Sunggoo asked a question he had wanted to ask for awhile .
“Hyung-nim . How did you get acquainted with Mr . Soonghoon?”
“Him?”
“Yes, hyung-nim . ”
“He sold me a hand phone . ”
“What?”
The parking lot was right next door . Soonghoon drove the car out, and he started honking .
“Ah . The reporters in the front should get out of way!”
When he saw Soonghoon disperse the reports with his honking, cold sweat ran down Sunggoo . He put someone who sold him a hand phone into the position of founding member?
When Woojin approached the car, Soonghoon got off to open the backdoor .
“Please get on . ”
When Woojin and Sunggoo tried to enter the car, the reporters charged forward like a swarm of bees .
“Mr . Kang-woojin . I’ve heard you aren’t taking appointments for the Seoul National University Station’s 6th exit yet . When are you going to open it up for the public?”
“Mr . Kang-woojin… . ”
At the reporters’ torrent of questions, Woo-soonghoon put on a menacing expression, then he started to shout .
“Ah . Get out of the way . They just finished clearing a Dungeon, so they are tired . Please request an interview through the official channels in our guild . If you continue this close coverage, we will respond with legal suits against the relevant media outfits . We aren’t taking any questions right now . Please step back . I’ve memorized everyone’s face . Even if you request an official interview, I’ll remember you all . I’m very capable of holding a grudge . ”
“…… . ”
The reporters were already sick of Woo-soonghoon’s rapid-fire words, so they retreated . Woo-soonghoon lightly got into the driver’s seat .
“Director Jung said he is going to sue the media companies?”
“He won’t, president . ”
“Uh? He won’t?”
“I lied . ”
“…Uh, good job . ”
Woojin’s praise caught Woo-soonghoon’s ears .
“Please allow me to serve you, president . ”
“A…all right . ”
He had already folded his store . He’ll give himself completely to the guild . Woo-soonghoon grabbed the handle as a sense of duty filled him .
*
Three days had passed . He had cleared the Dungeons 9 times, and the clear time recorded on the last raid was 2 hours and 49 minutes . This caused the reporters to busily write articles, and release them in droves .
It was an unprecedented event .
Kang-woojin hadn’t met the number 1 ranked Roused of Korea, but he was frequently being compared to Kim-gangchul now . No, he was being compared to the famous Roused of the world .
The person in question, Kang-woojin, showed no interest in the subject .
He sat on the sofa inside the president’s room, and he was eating snacks out of a full basket .
<‘Sound Mushroom’ was ingested . >
<Magic Stat was permanently increased by 1 . >
<‘Strength of Determination’ was absorbed . >
<Strength Stat was permanently increased by 2 . >
<‘Raenin’s Blood’ was absorbed . >
<You have absorbed the ‘Chen’s Sagacity’ first, and you are still digesting it . >
<There is 27 hours left before you can absorb once again . The overlap in use will increase the absorption time . >
The medicines that increased Stat couldn’t be taken infinitely . The body needed time to accept the medicine, and the time needed increased every time a medicine was taken .
He took Raenin’s Blood and Chen’s Sagacity . They both increased Vitality, and he had taken them in succession . It would take a long time for the items to be digested .
Woojin ate a variety of medicines, which increased other Stats . Some could be eaten again after 2 hours, and others took a whopping 17 days .
Sunggoo watched Woojin eat the Reinforcement Stones like candy, and he gulped .
‘That one is worth 200 thousand, 170 thousand, and that one is worth 500 thousand dollars . … . ’
Woojin was a money eating hippo . A money eating hippo was in front of Sunggoo .
Woojin felt Sunggoo’s gaze on him, so he spoke in a sly manner .
“What? You want some too”
“N…no . How could I… . ”
The medicine called the Reinforcement Stones were being purchased by Director Jung in his spare times . There was a delay period in ingesting it, so he couldn’t ingest all of them at once . Still, he could give couple to Sunggoo without feeling the loss .
Sunggoo had to follow him, and do the odd jobs for him . If he became stronger, his survivability would increase . Moreover, Woojin wouldn’t have to worry about him as much .
“Eat this, this and this . ”
Woojin picked the medicines that would increase ‘Strength’, ‘Agility’ and ‘Stamina’ . He handed it over to Sunggoo .
“T…thank you, hyung-nim . ”
Sunggoo was moved . He bowed to express his thanks .
“Well, it’s nothing . ”
If he became stronger, then he could carry more loot . If his Agility increased, he’ll be able to pick up items faster . If his Stamina increased, then he could work more .
“From now on, I’ll give you couple medicines you’ll need . ”
“I, Hong-sunggoo, realize it was a blessing to have met hyung-nim . ”
“That’s right, director of miscellaneous work . Hurry up and eat these . ”
Ah, the title described exactly what he did, but couldn’t he call him something else?
“Director of miscellaneous work will try it . ”
Sunggoo acted as if he had received the medicine from his king . He started absorbing each of the medicine with an expression of ecstasy on his face . Woojin grinned then he took out his hand phone .
He opened the Messenger program then he pressed the chat window .
Chat with Do-jiwon-nim .
1[It’s me . ]
1[Isn’t this Do-jiwon?]
1[Why don’t you answer your phone?]
“Ah . She hadn’t seen this either . ”
The avatar had a picture of her and Jaemin . He was sure he had contacted Do-jiwon, but she wasn’t picking up her phone or responding to his messages .
“Huh . What the hell? Whether I give her the medicine or not, I can’t do anything unless I meet her . ”
Woojin spoke to himself, and Sunggoo replied back . Suggoo’s face had turned red as he was absorbing the Reinforcement stones .
“Yes? What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Jiwon . She isn’t answering her phone . ”
“If she is on her shift at the factory, she won’t be able to use her phone . Still, it’s Saturday, so isn’t she off today?”
“Jaemin said she’s too busy to come this weekend . ”
“Hmmm . Jiwon noonah doesn’t really have any reasons to avoid you . D . . did something happen that day?”
“That day… . ”
Woojin frowned when he thought about the day when the three of them ate beef entrails .
“Was she angry because of the tape…?”
“What?”
“The hat kept falling off so I taped it on her . . ”
“Hmmm . I don’t have any experience with women… . ”
“Uh-whew . What were you doing instead of going on dates?”
“…… . ”
He wanted to snap back with ‘What about hyung-nim?’, and it almost made it past his mouth before his patience persevered .
“Go outside, and bring me someone who is well-versed in these matters . ”
“…yes . ”
Sunggoo sulked as he exited the room, then after a moment, he brought Woo-soonghoon into the president’s office .
“Did you call me, president?”
“Yes, I did . Look at the text I sent . What’s going on here? Is she purposefully not reading the text I sent?”
It was here . His chance was finally here .
Jung-minchan and Kim-haemin was outstanding at their job, and they were willing to do all the mundane work . Hong-sunggoo had a place in the guild since he was a Roused . Woo-soonghoon was the only one with a tenuous position within the guild . He didn’t want to be kicked out, so he ingratiated himself to everyone . Then he had taken on every miscellaneous work .
However, an opportunity for him to shine was finally here . The heavens was helping him, so he would have a chance to succeed .
“You made the right choice in hiring me . ”
“Uh?”
“I’m a specialist in these matters . ”
“…?”
I’ll prove my worth .
Soonghoon smiled in satisfaction, but Woojin looked at him with doubtful expression .