Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

As I awkwardly watched in the middle, Kang Yoon-soo cleared his throat and began to speak. 

“Kids are usually like that, Ms. Yeon-oh.”

“…You seem to get along well.”

“I practically raised them, so.”

“What nonsense.”

Jung Tae-il furrowed his brow, tongue-clicking disapprovingly.

“Tae-il, we’re in the middle of a conversation.”

“…Hmph.”

“Sorry about that. My kids don’t listen well. Oh, and Ms. Yeon-oh, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Oh, sure. Go ahead.”

Kang Yoon-soo, who had been smiling since I opened the door, suddenly turned serious. When a character who always smiles seriously changes their expression, it usually means trouble.

So, I also adjusted to the serious atmosphere. Swallowing nervously, I waited for Kang Yoon-soo to speak.

“I was originally inside another gate. But suddenly, the space twisted, and I found myself in front of your house. Probably at the moment the door opened…”

“….”

“Do you have any idea about this?”

I don’t know… If I knew, would I still be here…?

Kang Yoon-soo must have seen my unfair expression, as he slowly nodded.

“Well, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence… Anyway, let me tell my story first.”

After that, Kang Yoon-soo briefly explained how he ended up here. He seemed to have experience presenting in front of people, as his explanation was quite engaging.

Here’s what Kang Yoon-soo described:

While Han Seung-hoo was attacking a different gate, he felt a strange ripple in the middle of the dungeon. So, after clearing it, he went to investigate the ripple, but no more monsters appeared.

Due to this, he predicted that the cause was the strange ripple. However…

“So, when you went to confirm it, the mana suddenly reversed, and when you regained your senses, you were in front of my door?”

“Yes, summarizing it, that’s about it.”

I listened to Kang Yoon-soo’s story attentively and summarized it. However, many parts of his story still didn’t make sense to me. 

The sudden disappearance of monsters in the gate, predicting an unusual ripple, and the decision to confirm it by going to that place – all these aspects raised questions.

Moreover, there was one thing that bothered me the most: Why did he end up in front of my house? 

What was the reason for that? Whether he had a hobby of gathering rankers in my house or had a desire to squeeze more people into it, I wished it would stop. Enough was enough.

Until now, I allowed these unwelcome guests to stay in my house for a reason. My frail body, vulnerable to attacks once I left this house, was the main reason for entrusting my protection to them. 

Also, the uncertainty of these people finding a way back to reality played a significant role.

‘But now there’s a way back to reality.’

They would all return to their original positions. If there hadn’t been a way back to reality, they might have stayed trapped in the gate forever. I couldn’t just throw away people in such a situation.

However, my house couldn’t protect against attacks from hunters. While it could resist monster attacks, it was defenseless against hunters. Moreover, they could use their skills inside my house, making it difficult to simply kick them out.

‘Now, I can send them back. It’s okay.’

Also, now I had Arvani, a reliable friend, by my side. At least, there was no need to worry about facing dangers outside. Of course, I might be outnumbered, but I didn’t have to deal with these unwelcome guests in my house anymore.

‘Now, I want to enjoy a peaceful, independent life.’

Indeed. I didn’t mind my house being in the gate. I had worked hard to save money and leave a crowded place, and I didn’t want to end up in another crowded space.

So, I didn’t welcome the idea of anyone, hunter or otherwise, coming from the gate to my house. I felt like giving a good scolding to the system.

As I chewed my lips with a very embarrassed expression, Kang Yoon-soo lowered his head apologetically. At that moment, Jung Tae-il sighed and turned his head away.

“I’m sorry. I can imagine that Ms. Yeon-oh’s situation is not easy, and we’ve become an additional burden.”

“…In times like this, we should help each other and live. Seung-hoo has helped me a lot.”

“Still, even so. It must be distressing enough, and now we’ve made it even more distressing.”

“…Thank you for saying that. It’s a little comforting. It was already a bit distressing.”

“Of course. Ms. Yeon-oh should never bear all the burdens alone. Just by accepting these kids, it’s a big decision, and in this situation, enduring without despair is all thanks to Ms. Yeon-oh’s abilities.”

“……”

“Ms. Yeon-oh’s kindness is something we could never repay in a lifetime. Really, thank you, Ms. Yeon-oh.”

Who would have thought someone would say such words? Unlike usual, I couldn’t control my expression, which I would have done naturally.

All the worries, distress, and stress I had been carrying were now exposed.

I’m not a person who sheds tears easily, but my eyes are uncomfortably moist. Now there are too many people around to cry without feeling embarrassed…

Still, I couldn’t suppress these emotions.

I bowed my head deeply.

The situation passed so quickly that I didn’t know I had raised everything that had been stuck on the bottom to the surface.

The comfort Kang Yoon-soo provided was, how should I put it?

‘Like the comfort a grandmother would give… maybe like that.’

Well, I’m not sure.

I haven’t lived while receiving comfort from anywhere.

I had no idea where to compare this warmth.

I was just, like a plant meeting rain after a long time, unable to avoid getting wet and becoming moist.

I took several breaths in and out. To make the warm breaths ordinary.

While I tightly wrapped my emotions back up underneath, the others, including Kang Yoon-soo, waited without saying anything.

I didn’t know how much time had passed like that.

What?

“Oh, why is the atmosphere like this?”

It was Cha Jae-joon’s voice, who had come home after having a lively time playing with Arvani outside. Moreover, Arvani, whose size had become unnoticeable, was with Cha Jae-joon.

Kkiing…

Arvani immediately rushed towards me and vigorously rubbed my legs with his head. Perhaps, seeing that I didn’t look well, he seemed to be trying to comfort me.

Yeah, Arvani… You’re more perceptive than Mr. Cha Jae-joon. Yes, that’s how my companion should be.

Thanks to Cha Jae-joon, my senses returned in an instant. I pressed my face with my hands and lifted my head.

Then, I lightly stroked Arvani’s head, placing him on my lap.

“…Yes, I went through a bit of a tough time.”

“Yes, Ms. Yeon-oh has been through a lot. First, Seung-hoo has a nasty personality, and Tae-il doesn’t communicate well, right? That person over there seems oblivious. And I just showed up out of the blue.” 

Kang Yoon-soo looked around with a sigh, including Han Seung-hoo, Jung Tae-il, and Cha Jae-joon.

At his appearance and words, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Then, Jung Tae-il sighed and got up from his seat.

“Kang Yoon-soo, let’s talk.”

“Tae-il, I have nothing to say to you.”

“Anyway, let’s talk.”

“Our Tae-il really likes me. I haven’t finished talking with Ms. Yeon-oh yet, Jung Tae-il.”

As Kang Yoon-soo finished speaking, Jung Tae-il’s gaze reached me in a somewhat intimidating manner. It felt like pressure, but it wasn’t scary at all.

Sensitively, it seemed like he was trying to distance Kang Yoon-soo from me deliberately as if to make a place for himself.

Jung Tae-il was truly an unpredictable person.

“I’m fine, Mr. Kang Yoon-soo. Talk to me when you’re done, and let’s have a meal together. It’s time for breakfast now.”

“Oh, in that case, I’ll make it, and you stay put, Ms. Yeon-oh.”

“I, as the landlord, should treat you once. Instead, please go out and get something expensive for a meal. That should be enough.”

“Oh, then that works. I’ll go out, and I’ll make sure Ms. Yeon-oh doesn’t feel uncomfortable.”

For a moment, Kang Yoon-soo’s eyes twinkled. Of course, it was probably my imagination. A person who comforts others so well wouldn’t have bad thoughts.

I nodded and gestured to Han Seung-hoo. While the others might be considered guests, Han Seung-hoo wasn’t. He sighed and got up, heading to the kitchen first. Then, Cha Jae-joon, who had been standing roundly, approached me.

“Can I help with cooking as well?”

“Well, help within a non-disruptive range.”

“Thank you! I love cooking!”

With an excited expression, Cha Jae-joon followed Han Seung-hoo into the kitchen. I was left in the living room with Arvani.

Jung Tae-il and Kang Yoon-soo had already gone outside to talk.

“Arvani.”

Hmph!

“Yeah, you’re cute, so just stay there.”

Growl!

Well, I’ll go prepare breakfast.

Stretching my arms as I moved to the kitchen, I didn’t feel it—the two pairs of eyes following behind me. And the fact that one pair of eyes sparkled remarkably.