Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

[Home upgrades are set in 5 stages and divided into zones according to their purpose: living room, kitchen, master bedroom, guest room, and 2nd-floor attic. 

Living room Stage 1 upgrade condition: All items in the living room must be enhanced to +3. 

Kitchen Stage 1 upgrade condition: All items in the kitchen must be enhanced to +3. 

Master bedroom Stage 1 upgrade condition: All items in the master bedroom must be enhanced to +3. 

Guest room Stage 1 upgrade condition: Add one more guest room. 

2nd-floor attic Stage 1 upgrade condition: Upgrade conditions not viewable. 

However, upon completing the Stage 1 upgrade, the conditions for Stage 2 will be revealed. 

Good luck!

Checking the system window, I muttered a small curse. 

“When did I have to shout out all the enhancements one by one!”

Because I was in a hurry, I thought the conditions were even more absurd.

No, enhancing every single item is too much. What if I didn’t have Han Seung-hoo? 

I bit my lip and decided to upgrade the living room first.

There weren’t many small items in the living room, and, above all, the space I was currently in was the living room.

And I didn’t even have time to complain anymore. 

“First, use the increase voucher to increase the success rate for the next 30 minutes!”

As soon as I spoke, a countdown timer ’00:30:00′ appeared in my field of vision. And soon, the numbers began to decrease gradually without any warning.

Now it was truly a time attack. 

I had to complete the upgrade at least up to the kitchen before the 30 minutes were up.

I shouted out the skills loudly. 

“<Upgrade>, <Enhance>!”

[‘Television’ successfully enhanced to +3!] 

[‘Sofa’ successfully enhanced to +3!]

[‘Air conditioner’ successfully enhanced to +3!] 

[‘Table’ successfully enhanced to +3!]

First, the television, air conditioner, sofa, and table in the living room. After shouting the enhancements several times, my throat already felt sore.

‘But I guess the high success rate is helping; no failures yet.’

I was relieved.

As I was about to shout the skill again, a new system window appeared before my eyes.

[Congratulations!

The proficiency of the skill ‘Targeted Home Enhancement!’ has greatly increased. 10% ? 40%

A gift for Seo Yeon-oh, who shouts enhancements even in urgent situations!

Now, enhancements can be done at +3 in one go!

Being a homeowner is too time-consuming. Let’s reduce the time spent on enhancements!

However, if the mana is insufficient, you can still do it at +1.]

… Whatever happened, thank you for now!

* * *

My breath reached the tip of my chin.

No matter how much I used someone else’s mana, continuously using skills without a break for 30 minutes was truly exhausting. 

And then.

[00:00:00]

With the indication that the buff had ended, three system windows appeared before my eyes.

[You have completed Stage 1 of the Living Room Upgrade. All stats increase by 30.

Stage 2 conditions have been unlocked.

Please check the upgrade window for details.]

The living room was completed in about 5 minutes. And.

[You have completed Stage 1 of the Master Bedroom Upgrade. All stats increase by 30.

Stage 2 conditions have been unlocked.

Please check the upgrade window for details.]

The master bedroom took about 10 minutes. I thought there would be fewer items than the kitchen, so I challenged it first, but it turned out to be a tough spot. 

‘I didn’t even think about the wardrobe.’

No, but why is underwear on the upgrade list…? 

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

Does that mean other hunters wear upgraded underwear every day?

Even though I couldn’t accept it while using the skill, I didn’t have time to argue now. 

And finally.

[You have completed Stage 1 of the Kitchen Upgrade. All stats increase by 30.

Stage 2 conditions have been unlocked.

Please check the upgrade window for details.]

The kitchen took about 15 minutes.

Various seasonings and dishes I had set aside to try cooking were holding onto my ankles properly. 

Instant rice and ramen, and even X-brand products played their part.

But… upgrading food ingredients, where could I use them…? It was a structure that I couldn’t understand.

Even though I was told to upgrade everything in the house, I had to upgrade everything, even the things I didn’t care about.

‘What can I do, just upgrade it.’

After taking a deep breath, I closed the system window and opened the stat window. It was time to check the results of my chaotic speed enhancement show.

[Stats

Mana: 113 (+10)

Health: 120 (+10)

Strength: 100 (+10)

Agility: 105 (+10)

? Currently receiving the title ‘Guardian of XXX,’ providing a basic stat increase of 10 each.

? As the title ‘Owner of the Safe House Inside the Gate,’ it restores abnormal statuses and increases basic stats by 50%.]

Checking the instantly raised stats, I couldn’t help but put on a satisfied smile. With this kind of growth, I should at least reach a C level.

‘As for the level, I can go for re-evaluation later….’

For now, I need to deal with urgent matters.

By now, my influence in the yard would have increased. I quickly opened the title menu.

Among the titles, the title ‘Shabby Homeowner’ seemed to hold dominance over the yard.

I immediately clicked on ‘Shabby Homeowner,’ and detailed information unfolded before my eyes.

[The title ‘Shabby Homeowner’ is activated.

Currently progressing on the path to becoming a perfect homeowner.

? Due to the title ‘Owner of the Safe House Inside the Gate,’ skill proficiency increases rapidly.

? More items related to the house appear.

? Permanently increases all stats by 30 each time the house is upgraded.]

“…Where did the explanation for the yard go?”

Slightly flustered, I clicked various things in the system window. Then, a window appeared before my eyes.

[Current homeowner’s ability increase is re-evaluating the influence of the yard. 

Evaluation completed.

The influence on the yard has increased. Now you can exert influence in the yard. The yard is also included in the safe zone.

0% ? 50%

You can develop the front yard. Newly registered development list.

? Kitchen garden.

? Mini parking lot.

? Mini swimming pool.

? Pets.

Additional items may be added according to upgrades.]

“…Haha.”

I thought I was going to die.

I quickly turned my head to check the yard.

Although it was difficult to confirm immediately as Han Seung-hoo had just driven away the monsters, it was certain that the venom that had been spread in the yard had disappeared. Han Seung-hoo seemed to have noticed it too, as his eyes blinked.

“…Is it okay to go to the yard?”

“Yes, it should be fine. Mr. Han Seung-hoo.”

“More importantly… can I call you ‘sister’ now?”

“Uh… well, sure. We seem to be quite friendly now.”

“We are. You took my mana like that. If we’re not close after this, what more do I need to do….”

Han Seung-hoo sighed and grumbled.

If he had a harder time, he probably developed more camaraderie than most people. His cute complaints made it hard not to indulge him.

However, I didn’t explicitly show it and quietly observed the situation outside.

‘Is Cha Jae-joon doing well?’

He probably needs to deal with the cobra outside soon. I thought the distant noise had subsided considerably during the house upgrade, but it turned out not to be a misconception.

The cobra, with its mouth wide open, was spewing venom from a distance. Perhaps because it was so far away, I couldn’t see the figures of Jung Tae-il and Cha Jae-joon.

Cha Jae-joon seemed to be listening to me better than expected. He was attacking from a distance instead of coming close to the house.

With the distance created from the cobra, I had some room to ask Han Seung-hoo what I was curious about.

“…Han Seung-hoo, with that cobra, can Jung Tae-il and Cha Jae-joon handle it together?”

“… Well, it’s hard to say for sure due to the poison. I can’t be sure because the Jung Tae-il I know isn’t someone who usually carries detoxifiers. I’m not sure about Cha Jae-joon’s skills yet… and that monster is likely to be at least S-level….”

“Oh, really? Then, wouldn’t it be quicker to catch it if Han Seung-hoo assists from behind?”

“Hmm… The time to catch it will decrease. I can attack from a distance, so that would help. However, the accuracy will decrease.”

I nodded. Honestly, my sincere feeling right now was that I wanted to lie down on the bed without caring about Jung Tae-il or Cha Jae-joon who had disappeared in the distance.

But now that I sent Cha Jae-joon over there, I was feeling a slight pang of guilt. 

‘It couldn’t be helped; I don’t have any plausible attack skills….’

I couldn’t get rid of the venom either.

…Wait a moment, can’t I remove the venom?

If the items in the safe house have a complete debuff removal property…? Or if I can craft it in this house.…

If that’s the case, the situation changes.

‘I don’t know how to make an antidote, so let’s skip that.’

Let’s examine the items I just upgraded so diligently. The fact that they were upgraded meant they now had a purpose.

‘If it’s something that usually comes with status effect or healing stats… it should be a liquid.’

And what I want is the most basic thing…!

As soon as I finished my thought, I headed straight to the kitchen. Then, I urgently opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water inside.

“<Check>”

Just like checking an item, I examined the ordinary bottled water. As expected, my guess was perfectly correct.

[Bottled Water

?Water in the safe zone.

?Quenches thirst.

?Can be combined with other items to expand the range of applied effects.]

Ah, this is it.