Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 142

Chapter 142

After Arvani had reached adulthood.

Jung Tae-il furrowed his brow and looked around.

As he passed through Seo Yeon-oh’s “door leading to reality” and headed home… He found himself in a place that was completely unfamiliar.

He could vaguely tell that this place was inside a gate, but he couldn’t pinpoint its exact location. It was a forest landscape, the most common type among gates.

“Ugh…”

Jung Tae-il momentarily lowered his head before raising it again. Then, he walked towards the tallest tree nearby.

When unsure of his location, it was best to climb up high to get a rough idea of the surroundings. Besides, it made it easier to avoid monsters.

So Jung Tae-il gathered his strength and used ‘Dragon’s Ascent’ to climb up to the top of the tree. It was something he did frequently. After all, he often patrolled alone.

He slowly surveyed the area. He didn’t find anything special, but there was one thing he could ascertain.

“…Orange roofed house.”

This gate led to Seo Yeon-oh’s house.

The distance was quite far, so all he could make out was that there was an orange roof. Still, that was quite a valuable find.

Whether he walked or ran, it meant he would eventually reach that house.

Jung Tae-il reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar piece of paper. It was blank, as always, but he infused it with mana.

Then, a map slowly appeared on the paper. It was an item he obtained while clearing the gate, a ‘paper that records memories.’ It was a useful item that Jung Tae-il often used.

The downside was that it relied on the user’s memory for recording.

With the completed map in hand, Jung Tae-il jumped down under the tree. Then, he tried to walk towards the house shape marked on the map.

Unless there was something strange on the map.

“…What’s this?”

Something Jung Tae-il hadn’t seen was marked on the map. Perhaps it was something he had seen but unconsciously forgotten.

He tried to recall, but nothing came to mind.

Moreover, the strange thing marked on the map was very close to where Jung Tae-il was currently located.

…As if trying to lure Jung Tae-il.

Jung Tae-il ran his hand through his hair and sighed roughly. To just ignore such an obvious scheme… But this was the gate leading to Seo Yeon-oh’s house.

However, on the other hand, he worried that ignoring this obvious trick might lead to trouble with Seo Yeon-oh.

Seo Yeon-oh was the type to act subtly. Although she seemed to be thinking a lot in general, when things got urgent, she would lose her calm and throw herself into solving the problem.

It wasn’t the first or second time Jung Tae-il had seen Seo Yeon-oh on the verge of breaking down.

Since every moment he faced inside the gate, Seo Yeon-oh was like that.

As a result, Jung Tae-il couldn’t divert his gaze. What started as mere curiosity had turned into genuine concern.

It was said that Jung Tae-il could be counted on one hand for worrying about others.

So Jung Tae-il’s actions regarding this matter were also predetermined.

To make sure Seo Yeon-oh didn’t get into trouble again.

That was what he had to do.

“…Hah. There’s never a normal day.”

Whether Seo Yeon-oh was acting strange or the system was acting up, Jung Tae-il couldn’t easily come up with an answer and quickly moved on.

That’s how Jung Tae-il arrived at the strange place marked on the map, and he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows in disbelief.

Kuaah.

Because there, as if showing off… a large Arvani was stationed. It was a moment when the tension of not knowing if it was a dangerous situation dissipated without a trace.

Arvani rolled the ground a few times with his large forepaws as if saying hello. Then he gestured as if to come closer.

Jung Tae-il approached Arvani with a deep sigh.

And at that moment.

Thunk!

“…Ugh.”

Arvani’s sharp claws pierced his abdomen. It was an unexpected event, so Jung Tae-il couldn’t quickly grasp the situation.

Until red blood gushed from his mouth.

“…Damn it.”

What on earth… Even though it was Seo Yeon-oh’s companion dragon, he shouldn’t have let his guard down.

Jung Tae-il hastily drew his dagger to free himself from Arvani’s claws.

But what was firmly lodged didn’t go as he intended. Instead, the pain intensified with each movement.

In the end, Jung Tae-il could do nothing but close his eyes in resignation.

And when he opened his eyes again.

“…What the.”

It was a place full of cold, blue crystals. And in the center, a small Arvani was looking at Jung Tae-il with a mischievous expression.

Jung Tae-il tried to move his body to escape, but his body was firmly fixed to the chair.

After being attacked, when he opened his eyes again, Jung Tae-il found himself restrained all over, so he struggled to get out.

But as if mocking his efforts, a voice echoed in his head.

-Hehe, this is my space! You can only move as I wish!

-Uhh… the reason for the attack. It was a procedure to bring you here. I don’t know any gentle methods yet. Mother always used to summon people like this.

“…You, what are you.”

-Me? I’m Arvani. And you’re the most useful human besides my master, and honestly, I was really surprised when you used that power. You had one of the abilities that Mother introduced as unique!

The voice of an adolescent boy who had not even reached puberty stirred Jung Tae-il’s mind. Did he figure out the ability that hadn’t even been properly drawn out in that short moment? Or… did he know from the beginning?

More than that, what on earth is Arvani’s identity? How much does he know?

As the questions continued, Jung Tae-il’s vigilance grew stronger.

-Woah, stop pushing me around. Even though I’m a king, your pushiness is a little scary. And… it’s going to strain your body too. I’ve temporarily taken over your mind. Your actual body is still wounded from my attack! So, you need to finish the contract quickly and go back. Otherwise, you’ll die.

Although the tone was innocent, the content contained a very grim message.

Now that his life is held as collateral to him, the content implies that he should nod along to what he says.

Jung Tae-il burst into laughter at the brazen Arvani.

This was the first time he encountered such a situation during his long career as a hunter… and he never knew that ‘Arvani’ had this kind of personality.

Wasn’t Arvani even more domineering than Han Seung-hoo?

Jung Tae-il opened his mouth to the Arvani who was giving him a displeased look.

“So why me?”

-Why you? Because you possess that power.

“So what is this power I possess?”

-Are you pretending not to know? You have the ability of ‘@!&^*&’. With that, can’t you mimic the power of other beings? Your usual ‘Unknown’ that you always get from the system is also related to ‘@!&^*&’, isn’t it? I know everything!

-So contract with me. You’ll be able to perform my knight role very well.

Heh.

Starting from leading him down this damned path to facing such a shitty situation… it was all because of that damn power.

Jung Tae-il muttered quietly, his head bowed deeply.

“…If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have swallowed that fragment in the first place.”

-That’s your destiny. It’s necessary to maintain this world that you cannot refuse. So don’t resent it too much. You’re not as special as my master, but you’re quite special in your own way.

Arvani approached Jung Tae-il and patted his foot on his foot. It seemed like a comfort to him.

-So contract with me. If you contract with me, I’ll lend you my power freely. You can’t keep using that power by shortening your lifespan every time.

He’ll make him peaceful.

It truly sounded sweet.

It was a temptation to nod and agree right away. Arvani’s voice sounded innocent and even more angelic, like a whisper of an angel.

Just like that voice.

“…Ha.”

He couldn’t do that damn thing again.

If there’s one thing called regret in his life, it’s that choice at that time.

That’s why.

“I refuse.”

He expressed his refusal, and Arvani expressed his anger, releasing blue mana.

To the point where even his master wouldn’t recognize.