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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 9
The value of mana stones is immense.
When the first Rift appeared and monsters started emerging, people assumed Earth was doomed.
But after hunters began slaying these creatures and discovered mana stones—an entirely new energy source—scientists were convinced that civilization would leap forward in ways previously unthinkable.
Indeed, as time passed, mana stones rapidly transformed Earth.
As a powerful energy source free from pollution and environmental damage, they were like a vaccine that could heal a dying planet.
And that was just their value as fuel; their practical applications were almost limitless.
Consequently, the mana stone industry exploded—and with it, wealth.
The specialist firm, Stone Man, rose up alongside this boom. Even without crafting anything from the stones, simply trading them could make fortunes.
“Isn’t the commission too steep? I'm a regular—can’t you give me a discount?”
A hero in his forties grumbled about the 40% fee.
“As you know, ours is the cheapest rate in the business. And consider this: the Gate Control Center charges a base fee of 5%, but our trades are anonymous—no records left behind. Once transactions are logged at the Gate Control Center, they're reported to the tax office, and annual taxes pile on. Tiny extra fees compound like usury… so this clean, discreet fee ends up being reasonable value.”
Assistant Manager Lee Sang-cheol’s argument was solid. The hero couldn’t refute it and just scowled in frustration.
Then he burst out.
“Taxes, my ass! I’m out here risking my damn life hunting monsters—and for what? What has this godforsaken country ever done for me? They just keep bleeding me dry! Damn government’s nothing but a bunch of thieves in suits!”
“Exactly! Just thieves hiding behind the word ‘nation.’”
The hero nodded and checked the cash Assistant Manager Lee handed over. Seeing the amount, he couldn’t help but ask—
“But, um… What happened to your face?”
Bruises darkened Lee’s eyelids and his lips were cracked and bloody—an obvious assault.
“Don't even ask… some psycho showed up and…”
He trailed off, shaking his head.
“What were the guards doing? Weren’t they C-rank?”
“They are. But that bastard was absurdly strong.”
The hero clicked his tongue, unimpressed.
“Exactly why guards should be chosen for their skill, not their rank. Sounds like that guy was punching way below his weight.”
“You don’t get it, that guy was absurdly strong.”
“Listen, Assistant Manager—don’t go lumping all heroes together. Just 'cause someone’s got the title doesn’t mean they’re cut out for real work. Even if they are decent, they’re still not on the same level as someone who puts their life on the line hunting monsters.”
“Well…”
“There’s nothing to think about! Those rank labels? Just bureaucratic fluff to make paper-pushers feel better. Real strength doesn’t care about titles. Some punk throwing hands under the ‘hero’ label isn’t the same as someone out there getting torn up in real battles.”
Lee clenched his jaw. He wanted to tell the guy to take his lecture and shove it—but he held back. The words might’ve been unsolicited, but he couldn’t say they were wrong.
“Anyway, I’ve never seen real talent trade here—except you. So yeah, watch your back. And if you ever need a hand? Call me. We’re not strangers. You’ll still need someone like me around.”
Unexpected, maybe. But Lee couldn’t deny—he appreciated the gesture.
At that moment, the office door opened and a familiar face walked in.
“…Ugh! Uh….”
Lee pointed wordlessly in shock.
“What’s up? Who’s that?”
A tall, handsome man in his twenties emerged—model-like looks, the kind girls would flock to.
‘Damn… lucky bastard.’
The hero thought, unable to stop his eyes from drifting up to the guy’s thick, flawless hair. It made his own thinning hair feel like a personal insult.
“That—that bastard!”
Assistant Manager Lee suddenly shouted, voice cracking with rage.
“What bastard?”
The hero asked, blinking.
“Him! That guy right there! He’s the one who did this to me!”
“For real?”
The hero stared at the young man—Dojun. Didn’t look like much. Too clean-cut. Too fresh-faced. But there was something in his eyes—cold, razor-sharp—that made the hero’s instincts twitch.
Looks never told the whole story. But aura? That was another thing entirely.
He studied Dojun a little harder.
‘…Hard to say. But he’s young. Can’t be that dangerous.’
But Assistant Manager Lee's bruised face said otherwise—and that was something the hero couldn’t just brush off.
“Hey, kid. I heard you did this to him? I don’t know what went down, but you’re supposed to be a hero, right? Heroes don’t hit innocents.”
Dojun replied.
“What’s it to you?”
“Whoa, getting snippy, huh? How long have you even been in the game? I’ve been doing this for seven years. There’s a system—seniors, juniors. You’re still wet behind the ears, kid, so maybe show some respect.”
He waved a finger like a substitute teacher who’d lost control of the classroom.
“Out here, it’s not just about raw power. Connections matter too, reputation, networks—this whole world runs on who you know, not just what you can do…”
The words just kept coming. A self-important drone wrapped in condescension.
Dojun didn’t reply—but his brow twitched. Slight. Controlled. Like a warning light blinking red right before a machine overloads.
“You sure talk a lot. So what? Planning on getting revenge for him or something?”
Dojun’s provocative tone made the hero in his 40s scowl and clench his fist.
But staring into those emotionless eyes, he felt a strange, creeping dread tightening around his heart.
One thought surfaced in his mind—
Hero death statistics.
Shockingly, many die from spontaneous fights or petty disputes.
Just like this situation.
Still locking eyes with Dojun, the older hero finally opened his mouth, slowly.
“…Assistant Manager Lee. Let’s talk again sometime.”
Unclenching his fist, the man turned and walked out of the office.
Assistant Manager Lee Sang-cheol, though fuming inside—mentally cursing the man’s entire bloodline—could only bow toward Dojun, who still stood there, expressionless.
“W-Welcome, sir…”
Trying his best to plaster on a smile, Lee was clearly aiming to get on Dojun’s good side.
But…
“You seem to have a lot of complaints about me.”
Dojun’s calm question sent a cold sweat trickling down Lee’s back.
“How much did you say it was?”
“Uh… well, that’s…”
Lee stammered, looking like he was being marched to his execution.
Without a word, Dojun tapped on the steel desk with his fingers.
Just a light tap with the fingertip—yet every touch dented the desk’s solid metal surface.
With each tap, Lee’s legs trembled harder.
“T-The total value of the mana stones, after commission, is ₩150 million.”
An advanced-grade mana stone goes for ₩100 million.
On top of that, Dojun brought in two mid-high-grade stones worth 5 million each, and twenty mid-grade ones worth 2 million each.
So yeah—he pulled in ₩150 million in just one day.
‘An advanced-grade mana stone… Who the hell IS this guy?’
Normally, you only find those in A-rank Gates.
In other words, Dojun had to be at least an A-rank hero.
But if that’s true, why did he show up the first time trying to sell low-grade stones?
Lee’s head spun trying to connect the dots, but nothing made sense.
Meanwhile, Dojun wasn’t thrilled either.
He’d spent an entire day and only brought in 150 million.
With a goal of 110 billion in his sights, that felt like spare change.
“Take off the 1% commission… That leaves 148.5 million. What’re you waiting for? Bring the money.”
To Lee, the way Dojun casually asked for that kind of cash made him look more like a robber than a seller.
“L-Like I told you before… Even the Gate Control Center takes a 5% commission on mana stone transactions.”
“You think I’d have come here if I were okay with that?”
“......”
The sheer gall left Lee speechless.
This place wasn’t even known for low fees! Most people didn’t come here over 1% commission…
But Lee knew arguing wouldn’t work. Dojun wasn’t the kind of person to reason with.
He let out a heavy sigh.
“For purchases over 100 million, I need prior approval from Manager Park. I don’t have the rank to sign off myself… I hope you understand.”
Lee had already made up his mind, he’d push this lunatic straight onto Manager Park’s lap.
Besides, Park had explicitly told him to call if Dojun showed up again.
“No problem. Call him.”
Lee quickly dialed.
- Oh, Assistant Manager Lee. What’s up?
“Manager Park, uh… So…”
Dojun snatched the phone from Lee’s hand.
“I’m here to sell mana stones. Apparently, since the purchase total’s over 100 million, I need YOUR sign-off?”
- …Excuse me? Who is this? Sorry, could you put our employee back on?
“Look, I’m not here for small talk. After commission, it’s ₩148.5 million. You good to approve that now or what?”
There was a five-second pause. Then Park replied.
- …Understood. Please put our employee back on the line.
But instead, Dojun hung up.
“All set.”
‘......What the hell is this guy?!’
Lee nearly blurted it out—but held it back just in time.
“What’re you waiting for? Bring the cash.”
Dojun frowned slightly, as if his patience had run dry.
That subtle change in expression was enough to remind Lee of the last time violence had erupted.
No way he could endure that again.
“…Understood.”
He retrieved cash from the company safe and handed over exactly ₩148.5 million.
“Let’s keep things clean next time too.”
With that, Dojun casually left—again, the only one who thought it was a clean deal.
Left behind, Lee collapsed onto the sofa, legs shaking, and stared blankly at the remaining mana stones.
Ten minutes later…
“Assistant Manager Lee! Why’d you hang up like that? And why’s your phone off?!”
Manager Park stormed into the office, voice raised.
“Huh? My phone’s off?”
Lee checked—
Not off.
Smashed.
“…When did this happen…?”
Then he remembered.
When Dojun furrowed his brow and told him to bring the money.
Yeah. It had to be then.
Staring down at his broken phone, Lee said solemnly.
“…Manager. I want to quit.”
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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