The Wooden Bracelet

At a samgyeopsal restaurant near Hongdae.

Choi Junhyuk sat alone at his table, grilling meat. He waved cheerfully as a burly man opened the door and entered.

“Oh! Cheolmin. Over here!”

The man, Kang Cheolmin, flashed a bright smile and settled into the seat opposite Choi Junhyuk.

“Whoa! What’s going on here? You, who always whined about being broke, are buying drinks?”

“It’s not that I didn’t want to buy them. I couldn’t afford to. You’re a Hunter, so you don’t have to worry about money, but for ordinary people like me, it’s really hard to make a living.”

At Choi Junhyuk’s words, Kang Cheolmin nodded in agreement.

“True, the cost of living is skyrocketing, with no end in sight, while wages are hitting rock bottom. Yet, there’s no one to blame. It’s all because of those damn monsters. Haah, how did the world end up like this? Anyway, how’s the Hyena work?”

Choi Junhyuk let out a small chuckle at Kang Cheolmin’s question.

“It’s just a way to make ends meet, but even that’s not easy. The areas near the barrier walls are already picked clean, and going deeper is too dangerous.”

Kang Cheolmin was somewhat aware of the situation, so he looked at Choi Junhyuk with a rather bitter expression.

“I suppose so. By the way, if it’s that hard, shouldn’t you start looking for other work? If you’re really struggling, just say the word. I can find you a porter position.”

At Kang Cheolmin’s offer to find him a porter position, Choi Junhyuk spoke as if he had been waiting for it.

“A porter? Not bad. Could you really look into it for me?”

Perhaps because Choi Junhyuk reacted seriously to what seemed like a casual joke, Kang Cheolmin looked puzzled.

“Huh? Really? You never showed any interest in porter work.”

Even before the regression, Kang Cheolmin had suggested porter work several times, but Choi Junhyuk had always declined, saying he wasn’t interested.

He had decided it was better to be a Hyena, working freely without having to mind anyone, rather than being looked down upon and constantly watching his back around Hunters.

Kang Cheolmin was well aware of Choi Junhyuk’s mindset.

That’s why he was naturally surprised when Choi Junhyuk took his lighthearted suggestion seriously.

‘Of course, I’m not interested. This is all to save your life. You can thank me later.’

Contrary to his inner thoughts, Choi Junhyuk spoke with a playful air.

“Hyena work is getting tougher, so I’ve been thinking of looking into other jobs. So, can you really find me a porter job?”

As Choi Junhyuk asked again with genuine seriousness, Kang Cheolmin also dropped his playful demeanor and adopted a serious expression.

“Hmm, if you’re really serious about it, I can look into it. I have a hunt scheduled for tomorrow, so I’ll talk to the leader. If there are no special problems, you should be able to start next week.”

“Next week?”

“Yeah, for this week’s hunts, we only have tomorrow and the day after left. Even if I talk to him tomorrow, it would be difficult to start the day after. It’ll probably be possible starting next Monday.”

At Kang Cheolmin’s words that it would only be possible starting next week, Choi Junhyuk inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘Huh! Hey, buddy. You’re going to die in two days. Next week might never come for you.’

However, since he couldn’t voice these thoughts, Choi Junhyuk quickly composed his expression and said,

“I haven’t decided to do porter work yet; I just want to experience it once before I decide. So, could I tag along with you on your hunt tomorrow?”

To prevent Kang Cheolmin’s death, Choi Junhyuk needed to copy a tanker skill tomorrow, then immediately go to the association to register as a tanker and receive basic equipment.

He would need at least minimal gear to be able to tank.

However, Kang Cheolmin, unaware of these underlying motives, couldn’t help but look troubled by the request to join starting tomorrow.

“Tomorrow? That might be difficult. Ultimately, the party leader has the final say on party members. Even if it’s just a porter position, I can’t just slot you in without discussing it with the leader beforehand.”

It was an obvious point, and Choi Junhyuk was well aware of the situation.

“I’m not asking to be slotted in; I’m just asking to tag along for a day to gain experience. Of course, I won’t take any daily wages. And it would be good for your party to have two porters for the price of one, wouldn’t it?”

When Choi Junhyuk said he wouldn’t take any wages and just wanted to gain experience, Kang Cheolmin’s expression became quite positive.

“You won’t take wages and just want a day of experience? Hmm, in that case, there shouldn’t be any problem. Just a moment. I’ll make a quick call.”

“Oh, alright. Please do me this favor then.”

Who would refuse someone offering to work for free for a day?

Kang Cheolmin, who had stepped out briefly to make a call, quickly finished and returned inside.

“I spoke with the party leader, and he said it’s fine. We plan to depart around 8 AM, so you need to be at Gate 7 of the West Barrier Wall by 7:30 AM at the latest.”

At Kang Cheolmin’s words that the party leader had given permission, a triumphant smile slowly bloomed on Choi Junhyuk’s lips.

‘It’s done.’

“By 7:30 AM? Okay. I’ll be there on time. By the way, give me your hand.”

Kang Cheolmin looked puzzled by the sudden request to give him his hand, but he extended it anyway.

“My hand? Why my hand all of a sudden?”

“Stop nagging and just give it.”

Choi Junhyuk calmly took Kang Cheolmin’s outstretched hand, who still tilted his head in confusion.

He then immediately activated Copy.

‘Copy!’

As he activated Copy, a mechanical voice echoed in Choi Junhyuk’s mind.

[You can select three of the following skills.]

Simultaneously with the mechanical voice, Kang Cheolmin’s skills appeared before Choi Junhyuk’s eyes.

Unique Skill: [Passive] Destructive Body [Lv.1]

• Attack Power +1000

• Attack Skill Damage increased by 20%

• As a unique skill, it can be used without being registered in the skill deck.

Unique Skill: [Active] Power Strike [Lv.1]

• Infuses the weapon with Force to deliver a powerful attack.

• Skill Damage 2500 + [Weapon Attack Power]

• As a unique skill, it can be used without being registered in the skill deck.
  Cast Time: [Instant]
  Cooldown: [30 minutes]
  Force Consumption: [100]

Card Skill: [Active] Critical Attack [Lv.3]

• 50% chance of a critical hit on attack.

• Critical hit chance increases by 30% when wearing a dagger.
  Cast Time: [Instant]
  Cooldown: [30 minutes]
  Force Consumption: [900]

The listed skills were two unique skills and one card skill.

Choi Junhyuk immediately copied all three skills Kang Cheolmin possessed.

[Would you like to copy Destructive Body, Power Strike, and Critical Attack? [Yes / No]]

‘Yes!’

[Skill copy complete. Copied skills can be checked in the skill window.]

The copy was completed the moment he selected Yes.

This meant that no additional time was required for the copying process.

‘Hooh, so once I select and execute the copy, that’s it. No extra time needed for copying, so if I’m quick with the selection, it’s just two or three seconds. A simple handshake is enough time.’

Having completed the copy, Choi Junhyuk smiled and released Kang Cheolmin’s hand.

“Done.”

Kang Cheolmin, looking bewildered, asked,

“What was that? You’re creepy for a guy. Why did you ask for my hand, anyway? Are you, perhaps… into men?”

Kang Cheolmin hastily crossed his arms, clutching his chest.

He then looked at Choi Junhyuk with a playful expression.

Choi Junhyuk gave him a look of exasperation and raised his soju glass.

“Cut the crap. Stop talking nonsense and let’s drink.”

Kang Cheolmin, who had been looking at Choi Junhyuk with a disgruntled expression as he raised his glass with a playful remark, eventually sighed and lifted his own glass.

****

After the drinking session, Choi Junhyuk did not go straight home but entered a secluded alleyway.

Moments later, he stopped in front of a shabby antique shop.

“Hooh, this is the place.”

Choi Junhyuk gazed at the sign that read ‘Hwajeong General Store’ with a faint smile, then opened the door and stepped inside.

“I wonder if it’s here at this time?”

Clink!

As the door opened, the wind chimes attached to it chimed softly.

Simultaneously, a young man in his late twenties, sitting at the counter, greeted Choi Junhyuk.

“Welcome.”

“Ah, yes.”

Choi Junhyuk gave a slight nod and glanced around, prompting the man to ask cautiously,

“Are you perhaps looking for something specific?”

“I’m just browsing.”

At Choi Junhyuk’s response, the man sat back down and said,

“Please do. Feel free to look around.”

He then lost interest in Choi Junhyuk and became engrossed in his phone again.

Meanwhile, Choi Junhyuk pretended to examine the antiques, slowly making his way to a secluded corner with leisurely steps.

‘I was told it was mixed in with various accessories in a corner…’

After passing Korean items like pottery, dishes, and mother-of-pearl, Western items such as music boxes and phonographs came into view, and beyond them, accessories began to appear.

As he had heard, it was displayed in a corner, so Choi Junhyuk approached the accessory display with a sense of anticipation.

‘I heard it was found when Jaiden came to Korea next year, so perhaps it’s been here since this time…’

As Choi Junhyuk perused the accessories, his eyes landed on a wooden bracelet.

“Oh!”

It was a crude and unremarkable wooden bracelet, entirely made of wood with no particular embellishments.

Unlike what he knew, this bracelet had no engraved patterns, but Choi Junhyuk was certain it was the item he sought.

‘This is it!’

Choi Junhyuk picked up the bracelet, his expression flushed with excitement.

‘Except for the lack of a pattern, it’s identical to Jaiden’s bracelet that I saw.’

“As expected… it was here since this time. Heh heh, I’m sorry, Jaiden. I’ll be taking this.”

Clutching the bracelet, Choi Junhyuk approached the counter without hesitation.

“How much is this bracelet?”

As Choi Junhyuk placed the wooden bracelet on the counter, the young man, who had been deeply absorbed in a mobile game, put down his phone and looked at the bracelet.

“This? It was with the other accessories, right? Hmm… I heard those items are roughly between 30,000 and 100,000 won, but I’ll have to ask my father for the exact price. Could you wait a moment?”

As the young man was about to make a call, Choi Junhyuk quickly pulled out 100,000 won from his wallet and placed it on the table.

“Since it’s between 30,000 and 100,000 won, I’ll just give you 100,000 won. I really like this item.”

Given that it was carelessly left among other accessories, it seemed clear that the father, too, was unaware of the bracelet’s true value. However, just in case, Choi Junhyuk wanted to finalize the deal with this young man, who was clearly oblivious.

When Choi Junhyuk offered 100,000 won, the young man, who was just about to dial, quickly put down his phone and picked up the money.

“Haha, it might be cheaper than this, but are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

At Choi Junhyuk’s affirmation, the young man smiled brightly and said,

“Then so be it. Haha.”

Choi Junhyuk swiftly picked up the bracelet.

“Take care.”

“You too. Goodbye. Come again.”

As Choi Junhyuk left the antique shop with the bracelet, he subtly glanced back inside. He saw the young man put 50,000 won into the cash register and pocket the remaining 50,000 won.

He was probably going to tell his father he sold it for 50,000 won.

Having obtained what he wanted, Choi Junhyuk carefully tucked the bracelet into his clothes and hurried home.