Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

After finally finishing dinner with Kang Yoon-soo, I was able to return home. 

Whether Kang Yoon-soo was determined to keep what he had said or not, he didn’t ask me anything personal while we were eating. He just chatted away by himself.

For example…

Earlier, he mentioned that the parents of Mr. Kim Chok he had met were responsible for the government hunter’s death incident due to an unreasonable order.

Or…

“I had a bit of a disagreement with the government, so our relationship isn’t good. Originally, I created the guild system myself, and bringing Tae-il and Seung-hoo along was also my decision.”

“Well, on top of that, I recruited quite a few government-affiliated hunters. Some under Mr. Kim Chok, too? Naturally, our relationship isn’t great.”

I also heard stories like that.

I was curious enough about the person’s past to wonder how it unfolded.

Information about Kang Yoon-soo was only known to the extent of having collaborated with the government during the early days of his hunter life, so it felt like listening to a classic fairy tale.

While enjoying what was called a dinner but felt more like Kang Yoon-soo’s TMI dinner show, the system was restored to normal.

The restored system was as unfriendly and unfortunate as before, and even the strangely kind feeling it had toward me seemed to have completely disappeared.

Although it was good that things had returned to normal, I needed to check if the skills I obtained before the error occurred were still intact.

If my speculation was correct, the error occurred due to receiving this skill.

‘…Most likely, if my hypothesis is correct, the <Mental Defense(??)> should be gone.’

If the error was caused by this, it would be appropriate to eliminate the cause.

However…

“…It’s still there?”

It was still there, prominently displayed in my skill window. However, I couldn’t access detailed information about the skill.

I unintentionally let out a small exclamation upon discovering the unexpected skill window while eating. Thanks to that, I received Kang Yoon-soo’s curious gaze, but with my excellent social skills, I managed to gracefully navigate through the situation.

While showcasing my talent for praising the food and using my impressive conversational skills, I skillfully escaped from the predicament.

However, Kang Yoon-soo was quite sharp as well. Seeing his eyes sparkle with certainty at the faint sound I made, I was confident that even a small scream held some significance.

In my estimation, Kang Yoon-soo probably had at least a nine-tailed fox hidden inside him.

Anyway, after finishing the meal and awkwardly stopping Kang Yoon-soo from escorting me all the way home, I finally managed to be alone.

Wait, I didn’t even know how to get back home myself, so why did Kang Yoon-soo offer to escort me? He seemed even stranger than Cha Jae-joon. Conflicting thoughts swirled in my mind – he’s weirder than Cha Jae-joon, yet I wanted to go home.

At that moment, a bright light suddenly appeared.

“…Ahh!”

A gate appeared beneath my feet, and in an instant, I plummeted onto a bed. Seriously?

Arvani, who had been lying on the bed, looking comfortable, started crying pitifully.

Sorry, Arvani, the system doesn’t take a day or two off. Please endure it.

And so, after just one day out, I find myself lying on the bed, turned into a puddle. Yesterday was like that, and today had its fair share of events as well.

I mumbled a few times, then stroked Arvani’s back as he peacefully slept beside me, organizing the events that occurred today.

Firstly, it seems like Kang Yoon-soo is trying to recruit me into the Janwol Guild… This is something I should observe a bit more.

“…It’s still just my speculation, and if possible, I’d prefer to go through Seung-hoo if I decide to join the Janwol Guild.”

If I were to join the Janwol Guild, it would be better to enter through an introduction from someone closer. And Master’s introduction feels like it’s dropped from the sky, while vice master’s introduction might at least have a bit of a skill-based entry feeling, doesn’t it?

Anyway, it’s no use worrying about joining a guild while just sipping tea. So, firm up the rear and…

“Well, let’s think about it once a scout comes in.”

It’s too early to worry about it. It’s like asking for an apartment in Gangnam without even thinking about giving a present to Santa Claus.

I sighed and shook my head. Now wasn’t the time to ponder over such trivial matters. There was a more serious issue at hand.

“It seems like the government has caught wind of something.”

…From where, though?

Suddenly, I realized I had been with Kang Yoon-soo. The sight of an insignificant FFF-level and an S-level having a conversation is not an everyday occurrence. It was something that could raise suspicions immediately, especially if the person involved was the one with the missing house in the gate. 

Damn, Kang Yoon-soo is the problem.

I let out a long sigh, rubbing my forehead with my hand. Figuring out how to solve this dilemma was now a complex challenge.

“…The government won’t let me off easily, that’s for sure.”

The government probably thinks there’s something about me, and they would want to keep me bound for a lifetime until they find out or if it proves useful afterward. If that’s the case, I need a revolutionary method or an equivalent force to make the government let me go.

“Force or method, method or force.”

Muttering these words alternately, I slowly closed and opened my eyes. First, let’s explore a groundbreaking method rather than force since I’m not strong enough for that level of confrontation. 

If rebellion through force was the plan, I would need overwhelming power to completely overwhelm the government. At least the level of top-ranking hunters would be necessary. So, trying to escape from the government alone wasn’t a good idea with force.

Then what method would be good?

Even after pondering over it, no suitable method came to mind. I looked through the contacts on my phone, considering it as a preliminary step to think about force as a last resort.

“Asking Kang Yoon-soo for help might backfire, as I have no idea what he’s thinking.”

It could end up putting bigger shackles on my ankles, rather than escaping from the government.

But then…

“Seung-hoo is too tricky.”

No matter how high his ranking or skill level is, Han Seung-hoo shows too many signs of someone unfamiliar with social life. He’s a true prodigy. So, let’s put Han Seung-hoo on hold for now.

“Well then… Jung Tae-il?”

Will I have a chance to meet Jung Tae-il again? That remains to be seen.

Certainly, he mentioned treating me well last time, but that treatment might not be the same as this one.

“Still, the power that comes with being ranked 1st is formidable.”

If the government knows that Jung Tae-il is on my side, it could lead to unpredictable consequences. Then again, the situation might be resolved more easily than expected.

“Hmm, it’s complicated.”

Damn, I decided to quit the company after working my bones off, but now it’s difficult to quit. Should I just keep working at the company instead of leaving because resigning once is difficult? 

Maybe I should just live inside the gate without leaving? Forced resignation due to unauthorized absence is still a resignation anyway!

I mumbled as I lightly touched Arvani’s tail with my finger. While I had considered pursuing the dream of an office worker since things turned out this way, I had to consider my social dignity, so I dismissed that option.

Then…

It was at that moment.

Ding~!

A notification sounded from my phone.

I probably wouldn’t get a notification right now, I thought, but when I checked, there was a YouTube notification at the top.

“Hmm, it’s my favorite vlog channel…?”

It seems like a new video has been uploaded today…

These days, uploading vlogs is trending…

It was at that moment.

A thought crossed my mind.

“…If I become famous, maybe the government won’t be able to treat me recklessly.”

Surely, fame would be a significant weapon to protect me outside my home.

However, there would be downsides.

“If I become famous, the threats will increase as well.”

There’s a high possibility that I might get involved in crimes, as I initially worried. However, my stats should be at least C-level by now. In other words, I’m no longer at the level where I just get victimized, quite different from when I first received my title. 

So… would it be okay?

Of course, it was still a somewhat complacent thought. However, in the current situation, it seemed like the most plausible option. It was something I could mostly do on my own, without relying too much on others.

“Plus, I can even use my phone inside the gate.”

The fact that I could capture the scenery inside the gate, unfamiliar to most people, on video was a significant advantage. People always have curiosity about worlds they don’t know, although it would only be a passing interest after the first or second time.

Tock tock.

I tapped the bed covers with my fingers and then got up from the bed. I picked up my phone and sent a text to someone.

“Okay, with this, I’ve cleared the first necessary step.”

Now, all that’s left is preparation.

I turned my head slowly, looking out at the yard, and a wicked smile formed on my face.