Chapter 19 — I’m Just a Normal Merchant, But in Babel?! (4)

There’s an endurance limit.

But even if someone reaches that limit, you can call them stubborn—
not shameful.

Chae Geundam, who had just defended against three monster waves alone, was exactly that kind of stubborn man.

Leaning on his greatsword, which he’d swung over and over until it had sliced through countless rotting monsters, he calmly assessed the state of his body.

‘…Not good.’

Because the monsters on this floor steal stats, his combat power had dropped significantly.

He didn’t need to even look at his status window.

Just the fact that he was exhausted after killing “only” a thousand monsters told him everything.

Having attempted the 49th-floor攻略 once before, Geundam had made a decision this time:
He would defend the monster waves alone.

He wasn’t a popular or flashy hunter, sure—
But he was still a proud S-rank hunter.

While his guild members scurried across the ruined town searching for the scenario’s 20 sub-quest items, Geundam stood guard in this small, worn-down village, ensuring no undead footprints reached it.

That was the mission he had assigned himself for the 49th floor.

His guild members stopped him, of course—
But he was firm.

This wasn’t their first attempt at the 49th floor.

Last time, seven people—including himself—had been assigned to defend against the monster waves.

But before they could even find five sub-items, five guild members died after losing their stats.

Thinking of that memory, Geundam pressed his lips tightly together.

This time, he wanted to repay those deaths with a successful clear.

If possible, at least this time…

“Huu…”

But feeling his ragged breath and dulled senses, he knew he didn’t have much time left.

Maybe he could withstand… three more waves? At most?

Three waves meant three hours.

It would take a miracle for his guild members to find all 20 sub-quest items in that time.

Geundam sighed.

The chance of that was practically zero.

And then—

“Wow, he’s actually dying. For real.”

His sharpened S-rank hearing picked up a voice from far away.

Instinctively gripping his greatsword, he moved only his eyes and looked forward.

From the direction the monsters had rushed through earlier—
Someone was casually walking straight toward him.

‘…A humanoid monster?’

The first thought was reasonable, given the absurdity of the situation.

But the figure was… too sloppy to be a monster.

No concealment of presence.
No killing intent.
And above all—
None of that distinct “monster aura.”

“……”

Whoever it was, they weren’t someone who could threaten him.

Even so, Geundam rose to his feet.

Even a weak-looking person could slice your throat in one swing here in Babel.

He gathered mana, strengthening every inch of his body, as he faced the approaching stranger.

‘…A woman.’

He could tell from her light footsteps.

As she drew closer, the silhouette was definitely feminine.

Tall for a woman.
Awkward gait.

She wore a deep hooded robe—
and was pulling something rare in the Tower:
A bicycle.

‘Just a regular human…?’

But she didn’t look like a Wolf Fang guild member.
And if she belonged to Falkon, her outfit was way too hunter-like.

A hunter not counted by Babel’s entrance limit? Impossible.

Geundam leaned toward the more likely option:
She was suspicious.

Her hands, faintly visible, looked soft—she wasn’t from a martial background.
She didn’t have enough mana to be a mage either.

After walking all that distance, she finally stopped three meters away.

She spoke casually:

“Hello. You’re Chae Geundam, right?”

Her tone sounded like she was asking if he had eaten dinner—
so casual that Geundam almost lost his composure.

“…Are you an enemy?”

“No, of course not. I’m…”

She paused, thinking for a moment.
Then answered lightly:

“I’m Ihye, a wandering merchant of Falkon.”

“……”

Geundam was not slow-witted.

She’d taken ten whole seconds before answering—
He could tell the moment she spoke that it was a lie.

But she didn’t seem hostile.

Maybe it was just his exhausted mind playing tricks on him?

Then the woman slowly removed her hood.

Her face was plain.
Her features were slightly blurred from using some face-blurring magic.

She met his gaze and spoke solemnly:

“After Falkon was destroyed by the dark mages, I’ve been waiting for the day I could take revenge. And today, I finally met you.”

“……”

He didn’t know what to say.

This wasn’t convincing enough to be a lie,
but also way too half-baked to be a scam.

Her serious eyes held conviction as she added dramatically:

“I have been dispatched to help you—
the one who will save this nation—
and the heroes of Wolf Fang.”

“…The hell are you talking about— what?”

Chae Geundam lost his calm for the first time.

My POV

There was one thing I hadn’t accounted for:

S-rank hunters have S-rank instincts.

He’s so damn perceptive it’s annoying.

The moment I said “wandering merchant,” he stopped believing anything I said.

Well… he’s a guildmaster. I didn’t expect him to be gullible, but he didn’t even pretend to believe me. That stung a little.

I thought my quick backstory—
tragic survivor seeking revenge—
Was it pretty good though?

Geundam spoke stiffly:

“So you’re saying you gathered the sub-quest items our members are searching for.”

“Of course. I’ve dedicated myself completely to reclaiming our kingdom. I always knew a hero would appear to bring order to this chaos.”

I answered half-heartedly.

He nodded politely… but his eyes said, “I don’t buy it.”

Dark mages were ridiculously gullible—
They believed anything.

But lying to someone who’s taking everything seriously?
Ugh, exhausting.

Well, at least he doesn’t look like the type to blab to others…

After ten seconds of thought, I made a decision.

“I’m dropping the act.”

“…What?”

“We’re both busy people, so let’s skip the long intro and get to the point. Just treat everything I say from now on as confidential. Promise me you’ll keep it secret.”

Geundam’s expression—usually stone-faced—actually showed confusion.

I ignored it and took out several potions from my inventory.

“You’re poisoned, so drink this detox potion. This is a special A-rank potion—down it in one go. And take a buff potion too. Effects are great.”

I shoved a handful of Kang Yeonhee’s upgraded potions into his arms.

He now had at least five question marks floating over his head.

I continued:

“I’m not from Falkon, I’m Korean like you. As for why a hunter not part of Wolf Fang is inside the Tower—secret. Don’t ask, don’t think about it. Also, never mention that you met me or received help. Ever. Understood?”

“……”

This big, stoic man in his mid-30s blinked blankly.

I would’ve used the Non-Disclosure Contract scroll from the 36th floor,
but he was S-rank.
An A-rank contract wouldn’t bind him anyway.

So I was relying on his morals.

Risky, but his track record said he was trustworthy.

I asked firmly:

“Do you promise?”

“…I promise.”

Geundam answered slowly, still trying to understand the situation.

He looked more flustered than he ever did on TV.

“Okay. So. The 49th floor requires 20 sub-quest items to unlock the main scenario. I’ve collected all 20. After I leave, tell your guild to stop tearing apart the poor village and gather in one place.”

“Wait—
49th floor攻略 details should be classified. How on earth do yo—”

“No questions.”

Geundam blinked.

Hah. Ihyeon, you’ve made it.

I interrupted an S-rank hunter.
Look at me go.

“Anyway, I’m selling the full set of 20 sub-items as a package. One-time price: exactly 50,000 gold.”

“…You’re selling it?”

“Of course. I told you—I’m a merchant.”

His expression tightened with mild discomfort.

I wasn’t giving a discount.

“Wolf Fang doesn’t have that amount ready on hand—”

“There’s no way Wolf Fang doesn’t have that much.”

I shrugged.

Do you know how much it cost me to gather these?

In Korean won, 5 hundred million sounds big—
But honestly, it was a bargain.

It should be more like 5 billion.

Not even counting the value of becoming the first guild in the world to clear the 49th floor.

Geundam went quiet.

He looked between my face and my robe.

He was still checking whether he could trust me.

And he still hadn’t drunk the potions I’d given him.

After a long hesitation, he asked seriously:

“Can you prove it? That you’re not lying?”

Easy.

I pulled out an item I’d stored carefully inside my inventory.

“Will this do? You’ve probably seen it.”

It was Falkon’s Fallen Final Crest.

Red and blue light shimmered faintly on its surface.

It was the very first sub-item listed in Manti’s info sheet, and likely the first one any guild would find during a 49th-floor attempt.

Sure enough, Geundam’s eyes shook.

He now understood I wasn’t some scammer trying to trick hunters.

Good.

Time to finish this.

“Login.”

A market screen popped up in the air before him.

***

[Open Market “Friendly Market” Ι Administrator: Ihye]

[> Items for Sale]
— 49th Floor Speedrun Package — 50,000G
— A-rank Health Potion — 100G (Created by: Kang Yeonhee)
— A-rank Mana Potion — 100G (Created by: Kang Yeonhee)
— A-rank Detox Potion — 100G (Created by: Kang Yeonhee)

Geundam instinctively gripped his sword tighter.

“What is this? An… Open Market?”

“My shop. You can see what’s for sale, right? Just buy it. We also have potions, please consider them~”

His brain short-circuited for a moment as he stared at the floating window.

But he didn’t hesitate long.

Because buying this wasn’t just about items.

He was buying:
Wolf Fang’s time.
Wolf Fang’s chance at survival.
And the lives of his guild members.

[> Transaction Notification]
1 “49th Floor Speedrun Package” has been purchased.
Buyer: Hong Jaseong (Region – Korea)

“Hong Jaseong…?”

“A-ah… yes.”

Geundam looked embarrassed.

So that was his nickname.