Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 146

Chapter 146

“…What hospitality.”

“Does this seem like hospitality to you? Mr. Kim Chok, you should get new glasses.”

“I don’t have the time for that.”

“Well, you shouldn’t spend money recklessly, especially when things are still confusing.”

“…Are you saying this because you’ve been given the job now?”

“If you know, stop sending me documents, Mr. Kim Chok.”

The conversation between the person who opened the door and Kang Yoon-soo was a fast-paced one, but Han Seung-hoo and the employer hunter had gotten used to it as if it were routine.

It seemed that the relationship had improved somewhat, which was why one could say it had improved compared to before. After dealing with the interfering superiors, the relationship between Kim Chok and Kang Yoon-soo also progressed considerably. Previously, they would have been ready to kill each other with just a glance, but now they were too busy mocking each other’s situations to even find time to stand on ceremony.

That’s why no one felt tense due to this verbal battle, which was nothing more than words.

He flopped down on the couch across from Han Seung-hoo with a familiar movement that was uncharacteristic of a newcomer to the office.

Han Seung-hoo frowned at the much more subdued appearance. Of course, the employer hunter didn’t care at all.

Instead, he gestured to Kim Chok to sit on this side.

Seeing this, Kang Yoon-soo and Kim Chok stopped their usual verbal sparring and took their seats.

“There’s no time to spare. Mr. Kim Chok, we don’t have time to see your face now. Just explain the matter quickly and finish it.”

“I also don’t want to face you any longer than necessary.”

“Then by phone… no, by text.”

“You think I came here in person because I want to.”

“That’s right.”

Kang Yoon-soo’s expression became serious. There weren’t many reasons for Kim Chok to come directly to him.

Almost all of the recent issues were related to gates.

And it was usually an S-level gate.

Therefore, Kang Yoon-soo stopped the game and waited for Kim Chok’s words. Kim Chok, who felt the change in atmosphere, also spoke slowly with a serious expression.

“In the past few days, there have been anomalies in the lower dungeons. I came to seek advice from an S-level hunter regarding this matter.”

“What kind of anomalies?”

“It’s a phenomenon where the sky turns gold. Most of the lower dungeons managed by the government are experiencing such difficulties.”

“…The sky turns gold?”

“Yes, according to the reports, there were loud noises and the sky split open.”

Kang Yoon-soo furrowed his brow, pondering Kim Chok’s words. Anything could happen inside the gates. So, couldn’t something as extreme as the sky changing colors happen?

And there had been no reports of such incidents in the gates managed by Janwol.

Even though he speculated that it might not be due to hallucination skills, Kang Yoon-soo couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling.

Silence ensued. And the one to break it was none other than Han Seung-hoo.

“The sky isn’t cracked, but I’ve seen something similar.”

“…Is that true, Seung-hoo?”

“Yes. The owner of the Black Ego Sword went berserk recently. I saw his body, and there was gold around his chest area.”

Kang Yoon-soo looked at Han Seung-hoo with widened eyes, as if reproaching him for hiding such a serious matter until now.

In response, Han Seung-hoo turned his head away, avoiding eye contact.

“…It seems like it’s not something we can easily overlook. Let’s investigate it in Janwol. And… I’ll also ask Hunter Jung Tae-il if he knows anything about this.”

“How long will it take to get an answer?”

“…It will be difficult to get a quick response as Hunter Jung Tae-il is currently inside the gate.”

“…Then ask as soon as he comes out.”

“…Alright.”

After discussing the matter, Kim Chok left the office without any additional words. The employer hunter left behind a message that if there was any contact, they should inform him, and then followed after Kim Chok with brisk steps.

And then, Han Seung-hoo also naturally tried to leave.

“Han Seung-hoo, you stay.”

He had to stop his steps at the chilling voice of Kang Yoon-soo.

* * *

Leaving behind Jung Tae-il, who went to confirm the existence of the Black Ego Sword, I entered the living room to check on Ellie.

There, Anna, who was sitting on the bed and observing Ellie, suddenly stood up to greet me. When I asked about Ellie’s condition, she shook her head and showed a somber smile.

Then, she spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.

“Ellie and I are fine, so you should rest, Ms. Yeon-oh.”

“How can I rest when there’s a patient at home?”

“You’re caring, Ms. Yeon-oh. We’ve only caused trouble for you. You’re the one who needs rest the most right now.”

Why does everyone keep telling me to rest? I’m perfectly… well, not completely fine, but I’m in the condition of an average worker on a Thursday afternoon…

So, I’m quite tired but still have enough energy to go to work for another day.

“Do I look that tired? Everyone keeps telling me to rest.”

“They do it because they care about you. Because they cherish you.”

“The first person who said that wasn’t like that at all.”

“Hehe, really?”

Anna laughed with her eyes crinkling and gave a graceful smile.

“You’re cute, Ms. Yeon-oh. I think I know why Ellie likes you.”

“…What?”

“Ellie is more reserved than you might think. Even if you think you’ve become close, there’s still a subtle boundary. But Ellie accepted you without any restrictions.”

“Well, we were in a situation where we had no choice but to get close.”

“That’s beside the point. If we go by that logic, I’ve also solved many life-or-death situations with Ellie.”

Anna looked at Ellie intently, then gently arranged her hair, which was still dark.

Then, she murmured.

“…Maybe we can’t help but to like Ms. Yeon-oh.”

It was such a small voice that even though I heard it, I couldn’t be sure. I was about to ask Anna what she meant by that with a puzzled expression when it happened.

Bang! A loud noise reverberated through the house.

Judging by how loud it was, it seemed like something had happened very close to the house.

I immediately rushed out to the yard and started scanning the area where the noise came from.

“…Is it a monster?”

Or did Cha Jae-joon go to find the Ego Sword?

I tried to discern the identity of the loud noise that had just echoed around, spreading in all directions.

And a while later, there was a presence…

“…Mr. Tae-il?”

Wait, it’s Tae-il. I could only sense Tae-il’s mana power, without any other significant presence.

I wondered if he had encountered a monster on the way or suddenly wanted to use a skill.

“…Should I go check?”

It didn’t seem like such a big deal….

I pondered for a moment about what to do. And I regretted that choice about 10 seconds later.

Right in front of the yard… falling from the sky with a brilliant light.

“Crazy….”

I could immediately recognize what it was.

So, it was… The one I’d been grinding against for days. The one I almost grabbed the back of the neck and fell because of…

“…Allen?”

Why is Allen falling from the sky? Moreover, why is he wrapped in a transparent line like a gift package…?

These questions were soon answered.

The owner of the transparent line wrapping Allen’s body also fell from the sky. Unlike Allen, who was just stuck on the ground, he landed in a graceful pose.

‘Jung Tae-il.’

Yeah, it’s Tae-il.

So, the culprit who brought Allen tied up like that… and also the one who caused the loud noise earlier… is Tae-il.

I rubbed my forehead with my hand and shook my head. How can’t even one hour pass quietly? It felt like something was seriously wrong with the house.

While I was sighing, Tae-il confidently dragged the bound Allen through the front door to the yard where I was.

He stood in front of me and made a gesture as if asking if I knew who the guy with the unknown identity was.

Perplexed by how to accept this situation, I shifted my gaze to Allen following his gesture.

Then, the eyes of the bound Allen slowly opened, greeting me warmly.

…This is getting ridiculous.

I sighed deeply and put my hand on Tae-il’s shoulder.

“…Hey, let that guy, no, Allen, go.”

“Are you acquainted with him?”

“It’s a long story.”

“……?”

“In short, he’s the real estate agent who sold me this house. And I recently found out his true identity.”

Tae-il’s expression darkened considerably upon hearing my words. It was like the expression of a gatekeeper receiving a dead person who had entered hell.

Leaving them behind, I slowly entered the house. I could hear rough sounds from behind, but I didn’t pay much attention to them.

…It’s not my intention to hide the fact that Allen is a system administrator from Tae-il. Really.

After everything was more or less settled, we sat around in the living room.