"I think I´ll just live a new life"
Kim Minee, who´d been starting at his cellphone for a long time, muttrered in total despair. He hadn´t been in a relationship that broke midway, and de hadn´t confessed and gotten rejected, it was just a bit or flirting that you couldn´t tell one way ot the other, so tihs was extreme.
"Did you really like her?"
"This time I thought our feelinf were really clear...."
As I thought, it was a one-sised unrequited love. At any rate, I patted him to cheer him up.
"They said I´d become more popular once I became a Hunter ant entered a large guild, so why doesn´t it make a difference even when they say I´m as S-rank?"
Yeah, well, to be honest, it was the harsh, inevitable human condition; if you didn´t witness it, you´d even be excited... on her side, maybe she hadn´t felt even the ´S´ of that ´special something´.
"Don't be too disappointed. You might find a better relationship in the future."
"No. It won't be easy. Come to think of it, even the handsome Guild Leader-nim hasn't been seen to have a relationship yet, but if he's ever had a fling with someone special, it's okay..."
"Our Yoohyun-ie hasn't done anything like that."
Make comparisons within reason. You've been harmed because of us, so I'll let you go just this once. Kim Minee quickly closed his mouth as if he knew he'd made a mistake.
"Uwah, I see, yes."
"It's alright. In life, you can say the wrong things sometimes. Around one time."
Twice wouldn't do, of course. I didn't want to hear it from others, though I was worried about it myself. The kid was a little late... That was true. They say kids are dating very quickly these days. If you're a high-ranking Hunter, there'd be no one you couldn't date because of safety reasons. ...I wondered if it wasn't that the person he liked was Unawakened, so he gave up without saying anything.
In light of this opportunity, should I ask?
Kim Minee was advised to consider the options carefully until the following day. Regardless of the decision made or the methods suggested, the compensation would be as substantial as possible. Maintaining an S-rank status would be advantageous for future strategic operations.
Seok Simyeong mentioned that several MKC Hunters had already reached out. The successful completion of the S-rank dungeon raid led by Hunter Bak Yerim prompted interest, especially regarding the acquisition of rights to dungeons that align with specific attributes.
Transitioning back to A-rank raid teams is often undesirable for those who have experienced S-rank missions. Beyond the financial differences, high-ranking Hunters seeking growth prioritize S-rank dungeons for the significantly higher probability of obtaining superior items and skills.
"Please choose the interview candidates well, so that Yerim-ie doesn't get any strange Hunters on her team."
"Don't worry. We're going to do thorough background checks."
"Also, they're going to be building a new building for amenities soon."
At my words, Seok Simyeong nodded.
"Yes. It'll include dormitories. We've already entered into a bargain for a nearby building."
"Those facilities, are they available to us?"
A number of us were weak but valuable, which meant we couldn't go just anywhere. So I couldn't miss the opportunity to gain access to secure amenities. Seok Simyeong smiled gently at my question.
"Of course they're available. At any rate, aren't we all like a family?"
"Don't try to drag me in. We'll pay the appropriate fees."
"I'm sorry to hear that. We'll also try for a location close to the rearing facility."
"That'd be very kind of you."
Then my cell phone rang. Five letters floated on the screen: 'Skill'. It was Sung Hyunjae. When I answered the phone, wondering what was going on, it was about the Japanese dungeon.
"I told you about it this morning; have you already obtained it? You're diligent."
[I spoke a few diligent words.]
Meaning, 'look into it'. With a few words, cheok-cheok-cheok, the reports would appear on their own; that was his position. The guild that had won the stamina potion material dungeon was said to be medium-size. It was an easy opponent, but he said that if contact came from Korea, there was a high probability that major guilds would intervene.
[It's forbidden to trade dungeons with other countries in principle, so they won't accept it under most conditions.]
"You have to tempt them with something appealing."
[I wonder why you're aiming for them with such enthusiasm.]
He drew the line in advance, saying that he had high expectations; his voice was filled with laughter, as if saying to not pay attention to him.
"As I said, Seseong's stake is 30%. In addition to the transaction costs, it includes all future dungeon protection costs."
As it was overseas, it was difficult to hire a team to defend the dungeon outside of the raiding team. However, if the dungeon's value was revealed, there'd be Japanese guilds who'd try to sneak in and raid. Therefore, I decided to enlist Seseong's help in protecting the dungeon.
After trading a few more words, I hung up the phone and looked back at Seok Simyeong.
"You may have to bet like you did with the slime dungeon. I'm certain it will be worth it."
I expected him to be uneasy at my words, but the moment I was about to persuade him, Seok Simyeong replied lightly.
"I'll make the preparations."
"...You will?"
"The process for trading dungeons is complicated. There's some documentation we need for international transactions—"
"No, not that. Aren't you accepting too easily?"
Was a slime dungeon like a gold mine? There were a lot of things to spend money on, so if you lost out, you'd be hit hard; yet he easily replied that he'd go for it. I gazed at him, suspicious of his words, and Seok Simyeong smiled lightly.
"You wouldn't do anything that could harm Guild Leader-nim."
"How long have you known me? It hasn't even been a few months. Don't you have any doubts?"
"I gave up my doubts after the background checks I had done. You are somewhat suspicious, but what can I do when not a speck of dust came up? Those less capable should just believe."
My suspicious behavior around Hunter contracts and dungeon information was due to the regression, so it was natural that there was nothing to tell. Even so, I hadn't thought he'd give up completely, so I was surprised.
"And if something goes wrong after all, then under that pretext, we can sign a lifetime contract—"
"I won't. Give up."
He was so persistent. This kind of attitude from Seok Simyeong should have become familiar, but I felt strange, as if it were weird. It seemed like only yesterday that he was dealing with me as an obstacle that was barely worth the trouble. Now, he only sent me a gaze that was warm enough to itch, and that from time to time became cold, as though there were pieces of ice lodged inside.
Still, I think it was deserved back then. Even now, if I lost my abilities, would he turn on me unrelentingly? He might not be cold, since Yoohyun-ie and I are on good terms.
"Then, please prepare. Ah, and could you look for a dungeon byproduct manufacturer?"
I think we should get a certain someone's birthday present ready.
Once Yoohyun-ie and Yerim-ie returned from the Hunter Association, we went out for dinner. Since we left right from Haeyeon Guild, Peace came with us. Since it was a notable combination of people, we headed to a restaurant that had private rooms and was frequented by high-ranking Hunters.
They both asked to sit next to me, and after a silent war of wills, they sat down side by side across from me. The seat next to me was taken by Peace. Putting his chin on the table, Peace wagged his tail gently.
Yerim-ie said celebrations were supposed to have drinks and ordered champagne, though she didn't drink it; she popped the bottle's cork with a strike of her hand, and made it soar like a fountain. All the soaring champagne flew towards Yoohyun-ie, but it evaporated cleanly on the way.
"Don't use your skills outside dungeons."
"Yes."
"Yeah."
They're very good at answering. Yerim-ie ordered a bunch of things and ate well, while that dumb brother of mine was more picky. I told him not to worry since my Poison Resistance was high and took some food.
"You guys, do you have anyone you like? I hear people start dating early these days."
"Uwah, ahjussi really asks questions like an ahjussi would~ No, I don't have anything like that. Everyone my age or younger are all kids. But I dislike older people."
You're a kid too, though.
"I don't have anyone either."
"What about before? You've never had anyone?"
"No one."
My heart ached at my brother's indifferent answer. He really hasn't. Yerim-ie looked surprised.
"That's a surprise; your face is alright, so you must have been popular. Even I've received confessions several times, of course."
Though I was full, I burst out laughing.
"Let's go to an arcade. There's a good place around here!"
Yerim-ie said we should go play since it was still early after dinner. It was a place where it was okay if Awakened people wrecked the facilities while playing, as long as they paid compensation. Maybe that's why I saw other Hunters besides us. As soon as they got a single look at Yoohyun-ie, they slipped away.
Yerim-ie went to the shooting range on one side and lifted the gun skillfully, saying that she'd often done it for bets on dessert. Yoohyun-ie, who should never have seen anything like a gun before, also had a good posture. I was the only one of us to have served in the military, though.
'How can I win against S-ranks?'
These brats, they even got the bullseye. It was easy for them to hit the center of the target, so a ruler was also pulled out to determine who shot the center more accurately. There was little difference, but since we came out to celebrate Yerim-ie, I sided with her.
"Han Yoohyun, you've become very dull— You've been playing with ahjussi too much... ah, shit, I envy you!"
Yerim-ie, who was super proud of herself, got angry and attacked Yoohyun-ie, who was looking at her with a gaze that said 'let's fight'. I told them that if they wanted to fight, they should play a game, but they ended up smashing three innocent machines that I paid for with Sung Hyunje's card.
That still wasn't enough, and while playing at the claw game, they broke the machine again.
"Hyuna unni isn't good at picking up toys either, so she often breaks the machine."
With the broken lever in her hand, Yerim-ie made an excuse. On the other hand, she said, Kang Soyoung had good skills. Next to us, Yoohyun-ie pulled out a blue plushie which I couldn't identify as either a bear or a cat, and threw it to Yerim-ie.
"Is there anything you want, hyung?"
"I don't really... That one's a little like Chirpie."
"Get the rabbit next to it, too."
As expected of him, the plushie fell to the exit in just one try. He said it was his first time, but he's really good at it. I guess my younger brother is good at everything.
After playing well into the night, the two took me home, then returned to Haeyeon Guild. As I entered the house with Peace, I heard Chirpie making noise as if it had been waiting. It pattered up to me and chirped, looking up at Peace held in my arms.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Peace-yah, Chirpie must have missed you a lot."
When I put Peace on the floor, he looked at the fluttering baby bird and raised a front paw, patting Chirpie on the head.
-Chirp
"There's a new magic beast too, called Bellaré."
I said, heading towards the living room where it was. Bellaré, who was in its cage, lifted its head when it saw me and hissed 'swiik'.
"How have you been? Bellaré, this is Peace. Don't fight—"
-Krrng.
Peace growled softly at the sight of the Jewel Snake. Bellaré, which had just come out of its cage, stiffened at the sound. Then it bared its fangs.
-Chirp.
-Ss, ss.
It hid itself behind Chirpie. No, Bellaré, you're much stronger. Do you think that losing to it once means that it's superior to you? Peace glared with narrowed eyes at Bellaré, whose head was poking out from behind Chirpie. Then Chirpie flapped its wings and cheeped.
-Chirp chirp!
-Keuheung.
Peace shook his head in disapproval, then bared his teeth at Bellaré once more and came back to me. It seemed he had no intention of attacking the Jewel Snake, though he didn't like it.
"Chirpie-yah, did you explain it well?"
-Chirp!
"I'm proud of you. Peace was also very good."
My kids are smart, as well as nice and cute, naturally; at any rate, they're amazing. I petted Peace and Chirpie with a happy heart.
The next day, Kim Minee, whose face was even paler, spoke.
"I've been thinking about it all night, and I've decided to choose between S-rank and B-rank."
"I don't suppose you've picked one yet?"
"I thought it over and still couldn't choose an answer, so I'll just flip a coin."
You're going to put your life on that? Kim Minee put a 100-won coin on his finger.
"Heads is S-rank, tails is B-rank!"
The coin flew into the air with his powerful cry. And then, tuk, it fell to the ground. Admiral Yi Sunsin gazed sadly at the person without a plan.⁶
⁶ Heads! On a ₩100 coin, the heads side is Yi Sunsin's portrait along with "백 원" (100 won), and on the tails side is the number 100 along with the year of minting. (Wikipedia)