However, selling magic stones wasn't something just anyone could do simply because they wanted to.
Magic stone transactions mainly occurred in Hunter Markets, which required an Awakened Registration Certificate for entry, making it inaccessible to the general public. Even though it seemed like some deals were made through online Hunter communities, those also required a certificate.
'So, the general public can't even approach this.'
He thought about selling it to the regulars at the hangover soup restaurant, but it was obvious that word would get out. And they'd all ask the same thing.
'Hey, where did you get such a pure magic stone when you're not even a hunter?'
If an ordinary person possessed such a high-purity magic stone, even he would be curious about its origin. There were so many things to consider. The life of an ordinary person was truly arduous.
'Should I just say a regular gave it to me to help with living expenses?'
Cha Eui-jae shook his head at his own question. The regulars at the hangover soup restaurant were more like a community than just customers now. Even if it was someone he barely knew, they'd quickly find out there was no one who would give something like this to a mere part-timer. In the end, Cha Eui-jae, an ordinary person, had only one option left.
The local secondhand trading app, "Tomato Market."
Tomato Market, which had been in service since before the Day of the Rift, greatly helped survivors share information and seek rescue when the world began to fall apart. People who didn't even know their neighbors relied on the warmth of their community through Tomato Market.
'It was quite helpful in rescuing survivors….'
Would the magic stone sell if he posted it on Tomato Market? It was worth a try. Cha Eui-jae immediately downloaded the Tomato Market app and attempted to log in. However, his old account seemed to have been deleted after being dormant for eight years. Naturally, he clicked the sign-up button.
[Please set your nickname.]
What should he choose? He tried entering garlic, hangover soup, blood sausage, bone soup, but all were taken. Even 'hangover soup1234' was rejected, making Cha Eui-jae a bit annoyed. He ended up entering random letters.
[EZ]
[Welcome to Tomato Market, EZ! Please turn on GPS and register your area!]
Great. Having successfully registered, Cha Eui-jae logged in and explored the app.
Fortunately, there was a new Hunter category! Although most of the items were Hunter civil service exam guides and famous Hunter merchandise, it wasn't exactly what Cha Eui-jae was looking for.
'Should I post it for around 80 million won?'
He wasn't sure if a deal worth tens of millions would go through easily, but he could try, and if it didn't sell, he could sell it to a regular. If he asked them to keep it secret and matched their desired price, they might agree out of loyalty.
Cha Eui-jae carefully laid a newspaper on the green table, placed the glittering golden fragment at an angle that showed it well, and took several photos.
Click.
Click.
He chose the best shot and posted it on Tomato Market.
[Title: magic stone for Sale]
[Author: EZ]
[Price: 80,000,000 won]
[High-purity magic stone without impurities.]
[Negotiable, please chat.]
Feeling a bit relieved after adding a negotiable note out of last-minute conscience, Cha Eui-jae felt a little better.
'If this sells, I can buy Ha-eun and grandma winter coats, help with the surgery costs, and even get a new ladle.'
It was a perfect plan without any flaws. Just as Cha Eui-jae posted the listing on Tomato Market with a happy heart, his phone started vibrating uncontrollably.
Bzzz—
Bzzz—
Bzzz—
Bzzz—
His phone shook like someone thrown into -30 degrees Celsius. It was still under contract; what was happening? Worried that it might be broken, Cha Eui-jae hurriedly checked his phone and saw the notifications piling up.
MajangdongStayer: **Hey, I'm reporting you to the authorities for fraud ㅋㅋ if it's not fraud, please reply? Can you be merciful?
XLevel: Let's do a direct deal.
GoodNeighbor: ** Scammer ** Legend
PooPatPongCurry: Where are you? I'll come to you with money. Just give me your address. I can come immediately with cash.
White: Did you post a bait product to kidnap someone?
GoodWordsForYou: Where at?
Hi: Do you have more magic stones like this?
Mackerel: Address?
.
.
.
He was met with a torrent of real-time chat alerts on Tomato Market.
Within 30 seconds of unlocking his phone, the cute tomato icon was already covered with a red +99 speech bubble.
'I'm fucked.'
The continuously piling new messages seemed to whisper, 'Yeah, you're fucked.' It had been a while since he had cold sweats like this. This was clearly not a wise choice. It was undoubtedly a colossal mistake!
Did he post it too cheaply? Was the magic stone worth more than he thought? Of course, ha Eui-jae hadn't posted the price arbitrarily; he had spent time surfing the sea of information before listing the magic stone. But every time he clicked on a post about magic stone prices, a window popped up asking for Hunter verification, so he guessed and added a few million won to the price.
He had heard prices had risen significantly since the past, but by how much?
Cha Eui-jae, hands clasped and eyes closed in a praying posture, needed a brief moment away from reality.
'Life is really tough.'
Since the system spat him out into South Korea eight years later, his life had been one twist after another. But as the saying goes, "He who tied the knot must untie it," Cha Eui-jae decided he had to resolve this mess himself. He quickly gathered his scattered thoughts and came to a conclusion.
'…I need to run.'
In the end, Cha Eui-jae decided to ignore all the chats and run away. Responding to the flood of messages was impossible anyway. He ignored the endless chat notifications, went into his account settings, and clicked deactivate.
[Is this goodbye? We'll miss you.]
Even at this moment, the chats kept pouring in. Cha Eui-jae fervently hoped Tomato Market wouldn't hold him back. But Tomato Market clung to him like an old friend. It felt as tenacious as the tentacles of a giant octopus he had once fought off years ago in Namhae.
[We're curious why you're deleting your account, EZ.]
Even in his hurry, he felt he should at least answer this. Calmly, he ticked two boxes.
[ Too many people are engaging with my post.]
[ I encountered rude users.]
[Other: People curse at me on first encounter, these **.]
Deactivate. Delete app.
Quickly and accurately, Cha Eui-jae completed all the steps and slumped back into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
'That was pretty fast, right?'
But once entangled, his life wouldn't straighten out so easily…
In the anonymous Hunter community Cha Eui-jae couldn't access, HunterNet, a post was heating up the place hotter than hell.
Title: [Anonymous] Tomato Market Latest…JPEG
(Photo)
Yesterday, an A+ grade magic stone was posted on Tomato Market and deleted in two minutesㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Comments (99+)
—Tomato Market is the future
—So brilliant
—Wow… What kind of creature drops an A+ grade magic stone? The best I've got is a B grade.
⤷You have to catch at least a second-level dungeon boss monster. But a magic stone as pure and clean as that might be from a first-level monster.
⤷So the person who posted it is a high-level hunter?
⤷Yep. It's probably one of the rankers.
—Since Tomato Market is direct trading, there's no market fee or tax ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
⤷Did they post it there to avoid taxes? That's harsh.
⤷But for that, the price is only 80 million;; it's practically a giveaway.
⤷Did they forget to add two more zeros?
⤷This seems the most plausible.
—Can you tell it's an A+ grade magic stone just from the photo?
⤷For real, isn't the photo stolen or edited?
⤷Hong Ye-seong posted on InHeart about it ㅋㅋㅋㅋ wondering why such a rare item wasn't on Hunter Market but Tomato Market
⤷Oh, if Hong Ye-seong confirms it, it's legit
⤷Wasn't he making weapons secluded in Jirisan?
⤷Yeah, Jung Bin personally went to Jirisan to drag him back when he tried to escape to Seoul.
⤷LOL ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
⤷Jung Bin has the toughest job
Title: [Anonymous] Hong Ye-seong's InHeart Post ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
xxYeahsungH EZ, I don't know who you are, but name your price and let's do a direct deal #Jirisan #WannaLeave #Seoul #TomatoMarket #MasteryPath #BlankCheck #NameYourPrice #WhyNotOnHunterMarket #NextGearEmergencyEscapeButton
Likes 604k
jungVin80 Why is there Wi-Fi here?
Comments (99+)
—Jung Bin's one comment is terrifying ㅅㅂ
—ㅋㅋㅋㅋ guess he's back making gear and cutting ties with society
—Does Hong Ye-seong have a lot of money? Offering a blank check like that ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
⤷Of course, one S-grade weapon he makes can sell for billions
⤷My friend, he's the only S-grade artisan in the world…
⤷Yep, and he's about to get richer with the upcoming event
***
Caw— The cry of a magpie nesting in the pine tree echoed through the serene mountain. A man sitting on the wooden porch, who had been browsing internet posts, turned off his phone and looked at the surrounding scenery.
A quaint traditional house located on the slopes of Banyabong in Jirisan. One peculiar feature was the stone wall and pine trees surrounding the house, adorned with talismans and protective charms. In a front yard twice the size of an average person's, a massive forge occupied one corner.
And next to it,
A man in a white fleece was sprawled out, lying flat on his back…