Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

“It seems you’ve finally woken up?”

“With all the noise you’ve been making since morning, how could you not wake up and endure?”

“Well, I made a mistake because I couldn’t tell the passage of time inside the gate.”

“I didn’t say it to receive an apology. I just meant not to question why I woke up early.”

“Ah…”

“More importantly, what brings you here?”

Jung Tae-il put down the cup he was drinking from and approached me.

His hand was larger than Han Seung-hoo’s, making him even more imposing.

No, to be precise, Han Seung-hoo felt more friendly. I knew a lot about him, as expected of someone I liked as a hunter, but compared to him, Jung Tae-il was really…

It felt like standing in front of a predator.

Even though what was reflected in his black pupils was not animosity towards me.

‘…Scary.’

Is this what they call S-level?

The pressure from Jung Tae-il made it difficult to breathe properly. My face turned pale, and my fingertips grew cold.

It was much more frightening than facing a monster attack. I truly believed that he could easily tear me apart.

The tremor that started from my fingertips spread throughout my body in an instant.

“I won’t kill you. So stop trembling.”

Snap!

Jung Tae-il flicked his finger right in front of my eyes. I barely gathered my senses and looked up at Jung Tae-il. Interestingly, the overwhelming pressure that was pressing me down disappeared in an instant.

“Sorry about that. I’m not good at hiding my strength.”

“Ah…”

“More importantly, how do you expect to survive being this weak? Amazingly, you’ve managed to breathe and live in the gate until now.”

“…I’ve been lucky.”

“Luck has its limits.”

Jung Tae-il sighed, his eyebrows furrowed. Considering how I must look like a fragile glass to him, these concerns were understandable.

“So why are you looking for Han Seung-hoo?” 

“Oh, when I opened the door, there was a man there. So I thought I might get some help.”

“I can help with that too.”

“Well, that’s true.”

I lowered my gaze as Jung Tae-il seemed uncomfortable. He sighed deeply again and then handed me a water bottle. It seemed to be the same bottle from which he poured water into the cup earlier.

“Have some water and clear your head. I’ll assist.”

“Uh, yes.”

“And next time, don’t tremble like that. It makes you look weak for no reason.”

I nodded slightly and slowly drank the water. I followed his advice willingly because I understood his concerns. 

If my home continues to be near the gate, stronger hunters will undoubtedly keep coming, and if I keep trembling like this every time, they will see me as weak. Being perceived as weak could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Yes, let’s get a hold of ourselves.

After gulping water, I shook my head vigorously. Then, I moved back towards the entrance. Behind me, Jung Tae-il drew a dagger, assuming a stance ready to attack.

“Heh…”

I opened the door with tension in the air. Then, the man who was standing there earlier appeared again. 

I scrutinized him closely—a young man with white, neatly tied hair, giving off an air of determination. His eyes were wide open, hinting at some kind of resolution. 

Resolution? When I blinked, I heard Jung Tae-il’s voice from behind.

“Kang Yoon-soo?”

I doubted my ears for a moment. Kang Yoon-soo? The 4th-ranked Kang Yoon-soo? It was an unbelievable fact, but coming from Jung Tae-il, the 1st-ranked hunter, there was no reason for it to be false.

That meant…

‘All three of the top-ranked hunters, 1st, 3rd, and 4th, are in my house right now?’

Wow…

Is this for real?

It’s a combination that even the broadcasting station couldn’t gather. Jung Tae-il and Han Seung-hoo had their private team, making encounters rare. Kang Yoon-soo, on the other hand, was known to appear unexpectedly in various places. So, I couldn’t help but be astonished. 

Not only was it surprising that the three of them came to my house, but the situation itself was so surreal that it could be the plot of a source-leaking novel.

In my momentary state of confusion, Kang Yoon-soo momentarily pursed his lips and then opened his mouth, facing Jung Tae-il.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“What do you mean, Kang Yoon-soo?”

“Well, it’s just that. Anyway, is this young lady the homeowner here?”

In response to Kang Yoon-soo’s words, Jung Tae-il looked at me. 

Jung Tae-il turned out to be more polite than I initially thought. Of course, I wasn’t thrilled about being addressed informally by someone I just met, but overall, he seemed to have a decent sense of manners.

Even at this moment, it was a minor gesture, but he didn’t answer questions related to my information and instead allowed me to speak.

I sighed and looked at Kang Yoon-soo. There had to be a reason for him to come to my house. When Han Seung-hoo mentioned that high-ranked hunters might come, Kang Yoon-soo said he wouldn’t come since he wasn’t originally someone who entered the gates.

So, the fact that he was in front of my house implied that something significant had happened. 

Perhaps a quest like Cha Jae-joon’s, something akin to the whims of fate. I couldn’t discuss such matters at the entrance. I felt it would be better to seat him in a safe place and hear the story.

And so, another guest was added to my home.

* * * 

“Wow, unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like this before. How do you manage to live in this suffocating mana density? Anyway, thanks a lot for welcoming us, miss.”

“Hahaha, I’m Seo Yeon-oh.”

“Oh right, I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

“Kang Yoon-soo, right? I heard it from Jung Tae-il earlier.”

The sociable Kang Yoon-soo, with a cheerful smile, extended his hand to me. I awkwardly smiled as I shook his hand. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude while shaking my hand a couple of times.

Then, Jung Tae-il forcefully slapped Kang Yoon-soo on the back.

Even though it was just a slap on the back, it sounded like something was breaking. Startled, I looked at Kang Yoon-soo with wide eyes, wondering if he was hurt. However, to my surprise, Kang Yoon-soo seemed perfectly fine. He was even smiling much more amicably than before.

Tae-il stuck out his tongue, sat down on the couch, and opened his mouth. 

“Don’t tease too much.”

“Oh, I’m just so happy. My kids are naturally strong-willed. They must have been through a lot…”

“Kang Yoon-soo.”

“Tae-il, let’s just admit it.”

“Hah…”

Jung Tae-il, who seemed to have a lot on his mind, covered his eyes with his hand. Kang Yoon-soo, having released the handshake, patted Jung Tae-il’s back next to him.

To sum up the entire situation in one phrase:

‘Guardian and child?’

Yes, that was exactly the scene.

Parents worried about their son and the son going through an embarrassing adolescence. As soon as this thought crossed my mind, it felt like laughter was about to burst out. However, I knew that if I laughed in this situation, the atmosphere would irreversibly sour. 

It was something I had learned through years of corporate life, reading the room with practiced finesse.

I desperately suppressed my laughter. The corners of my mouth twitched as I held back, but they didn’t pay any attention, so it was a somewhat successful effort.

While I was struggling to hold back laughter, Han Seung-hoo placed a warm cup of tea in front of each of us. Seemingly awake for who knows how long, Han Seung-hoo took the initiative and started working. Of course, we had agreed to share the household chores, but wasn’t receiving guests my responsibility?

‘Am I giving off an impression of being too pampered…?’

I sneakily glanced at Kang Yoon-soo. It felt like he came here for a parent-teacher conference with Jung Tae-il and Han Seung-hoo, especially considering the strong sense I got, particularly from Han Seung-hoo. This feeling intensified, especially because of Han Seung-hoo.

Because…

‘Kang Yoon-soo treats Han Seung-hoo like a real son.’

He had the eyes of someone who had raised and comforted a child well, molding them into a human being. It was a look that was hard to achieve without directly raising and nurturing a child. Especially with such affectionate eyes.

‘Ah…’

So, was that why Jung Tae-il seemed more human-like?

If that was the case, maybe I should try to be a bit friendlier with this Kang Yoon-soo. Even if I wished for them to become people I wouldn’t have to see again after this, fate had already entwined us. I carefully observed Kang Yoon-soo once again.

Kang Yoon-soo looked at Han Seung-hoo, who was setting down the teacups, with genuine admiration. Then, he turned his head, and our eyes met. 

Startled for a moment, I cleared my throat awkwardly.

“Hmph! Uh, klugh! Well…”

“Hahaha, I surprised you by suddenly looking at you.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

“Seung-hoo isn’t such a nice guy. You must have had a hard time.”

“No, thanks to Seung-hoo helping me, I’ve been able to survive until now.”

At my words, a sense of pride and satisfaction appeared on Kang Yoon-soo’s face. Seeing this, Han Seung-hoo, shaking his head in satisfaction, took a seat next to me.

“You’ve become close already! Our Seung-hoo is impressive.”

“Don’t mind Yoon-soo; he’s always like this, sis.”

“Yeah, he’s always been like that.” 

Han Seung-hoo and Jung Tae-il spoke simultaneously. I understood what they meant, but their evaluation of Kang Yoon-soo was quite straightforward. 

Kang Yoon-soo seemed completely unconcerned about it, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit awkward in the middle.

Haha…