TCCHBF | Chapter 001

Episode 1

Chapter 1 IAMGROOT123

Kikrik kirik kirik.

A children’s tricycle rolled into the dark dungeon.

What appeared powerfully as the pedals pressed forward was an ugly, oversized teddy bear the size of a child. It was part of the “Lessly Bear” series that is popular among children these days.

A haphazardly shaped teddy bear with sparkling eyes and droopy eyebrows creaked its head.

Immediately afterwards, a distorted mechanical sound flowed out from within the doll.

— C-class hunter Jang Young-woong. He’s in danger.

Incredible. You shouldn’t be dreaming when you’re about to die. Jang Young-woong rolled his eyes and stared at the teddy bear while lying on the dungeon floor.

He knew all too well what it was.

It’s already been 10 years since the Awakened ones appeared along with the system.

The number of Awakened people was increasing, and it was a time when concept-bugs steeped in madness were running rampant.

The servants of the servants.

While there were some harmful trolls who were wizards but wanted to engage in close combat, there were also those who were praised as beneficial concept creatures because their enchantments were beautifully expressed, and this guy was one of them.

The name given among hunters is ‘Salty’.

It was a nickname that arose because the serial killer ‘Jigsaw’ from the movie ‘Saw’ appeared in the same form as sending out his doll, which was his own clone.

He was a peddler who let the ugly, salty teddy bear into the dungeon and sold the items he made through direct transactions.

Although it may receive negative reviews because of its bizarre concept, it is quite popular among hunters due to its low price and good quality that is proportional to its madness.

When there was no answer from the other person, Japso tilted his head.

— Are you dead already?

“Is it fun? Huh?!”

Jang Young-woong, who had a fever, just lay there and muttered.

It was true that Jang Young-woong was in danger.

It was a mistake to think that I could do it alone since it was only a D-class dungeon.

The boss mob was easy to deal with, but the poison was a problem.

The poison that the boss mob shot as a last resort penetrated the wound, and as a result, I ended up lying down unable to move even after clearing the dungeon.

While I was lying there helplessly paralyzed, waiting to be found by the management, Japso appeared.

Regardless of the circumstances, the teddy bear, having confirmed that the other party was alive, made a familiar sales pitch.

— C-class Hunter Jang Young-woong. Will you choose death? Or will you purchase the ultimate item, the one elixir that will restore vitality to your weary life?

As soon as she finished speaking, the doll’s soft hands opened the zipper on my stomach. Then, she stirred through the white cotton and took out two bottles of syrup that children would eat.

— It’s an instant antidote.

“…!”

The antidote could be crafted immediately by Hunters of B rank or higher.

As rumored, it’s skill that is proportional to madness. How is that possible?

For a hunter – and for a hunter who is in a situation where he or she is about to die from poison, this is truly crazy performance!

I couldn’t help but open my wallet.

“How much is it…!”

When he asked through gritted teeth, Japso answered as if he had been waiting for it.

— The bitter taste is 1,189,900 won, and the sweet strawberry syrup taste is 1,999,900 won. This is a discount price for first-time customers.

Jang Young-woong’s face distorted at the enormous price difference.

“What’s different!”

The less-made bear tilted his head as if to ask why he didn’t know that.

The brave eyebrows that went down to the forehead made Jang Yeong-ung even more angry.

— The bitter taste is bitter, and the sweet strawberry syrup taste is sweet.

Jang Young-woong briefly recalled the beggarly nature of life.

No, no, even if you do that trash, it’s cheaper than other things.

If I were to get help from the administration now, it was clear that the ship would break even at that price.

“Call the account!”

— Payment is only possible with Onion Pay.

Onion Pay is a currency used in Onion Market, which is a second-hand marketplace where anonymous transactions are possible.

Because of its tax-free nature, it is sometimes run like a black market, and tax evasion and crimes often occur.

“If I report you for stealing my taxes—”

— If you don’t need it, I’ll go.

The bicycle spun around.

“Ah, I got it!! Bitter! Give me bitter!”

— Good night.

Jjapso handed me the contract. He opened the pen cap with his mouth, spat it out, put the end of the pen in his mouth, and signed.

Jjapso took the contract and put it in his stomach.

— Oh, by the way, if you leave a 5-star photo review on Onion Market, I’ll send you an Earth Candy that will increase your Strength stat by 1 for 5 minutes as a service. Then, I wish you good luck.

With those words, the toddler bike headed out of the dungeon again.

Kiririk Kiririk Kiririk.

* * *

*Hunternet Anonymous Bulletin Board*

[Title: Current status of ‘Salty’ caught up in concept.jpg]

<Photo of a syrup bottle on the palm of your hand>

Business is booming.

Ehhhh I bought the bitter taste.

[Comment]

— Eh …

— What is the bitter taste?

? Very bitter

Very useful, lol

How salty is it?

At least B-grade production

What the heck, B-class? This is annoying

If it’s a B grade, it’s still good even after deducting taxes. Are you unregistered?

I don’t know, but looking at the concept, it seems like it’s turned 350 degrees and is like that

— What is that?

Instant antidote

How much is it?

Ethuothu is 5% off and costs 1.1 million won

You’re selling that for 1 million won? I’m going to see God So and get poisoned.

Yeah~ I can’t meet you~~

Yeah, then it’s over if you lose~~~

I bought it in strawberry flavor and it’s so good

— What is the Awakened Investigation Unit doing? Aren’t they cracking down on illegal transactions?

King Seongja Godsadae, you don’t have time to crack down on people because you’re drinking with tax money?

— Do I look like a salty woman?

Please woman please woman please woman please woman please woman please woman

What can you do if you’re a woman? What can you do?

The true identity of the salty guy was a hairy old man

Based on the madness index, I expect a 30-something single man who has been shackled to the internet by a 20-something youth

— Honestly, I’m really curious…. What kind of person does he do?

* * *

[Review window]

— Hunter Eunjae Mom: Our guild members like it~~~^^ Thumbs up! I give it 5 stars~~~

When I pressed the ‘Like’ button on a review left on Onion Market, a pop-up window appeared saying that Onion Pay had been accumulated.

[Earn 50 OP!]

There were quite a few people gathered. It was when Han Geuru was smiling happily while checking the onion pay.

“Our Geuru, the teacher said we can’t look at our phones during class, didn’t he?”

The homeroom teacher of the chick class looked down at the child.

“I’ll do it…”

Geuru put the kids phone in a small character bag. I’ll have to send the Earth Candy that I’m sending as a review service later.

“Okay, everyone, look here. Let’s sing along again~ Together~”

The children became one and began to sing a nursery rhyme.

Geuru sat up straight in his seat and sang along.

Dandy Tomato was Geuru’s favorite song.

“I’m going to be ketchup~ I’m going to dance~ A cool tomato~”

Even though everyone was curious about Jjapso, it was obvious why they couldn’t find it.

A mad production world hunter, Japso.

Because he was just a kindergarten student.

Han Geuru, who is 4 years old this year and attends the Saebom Kindergarten chick class, is an S-class production skill user.