Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Just a week ago, the memory passed by like a fleeting breeze.

“Did you hear, Ah-young? Han Seung-hoo is going to be on today’s ‘Weekly Hunter’ broadcast.”

“They never reveal the guests there. How did you find out?”

“Well, I have some connections at the broadcasting station.”

“Really, Seung-mi? I’ll treat you to dinner later.”

I happened to overhear my colleagues’ conversation, and the memory of impulsively scratching my credit card for a 12-month installment and going to a hotel to watch Han Seung-hoo on the big screen came to mind.

It was a day when I had a tougher time than usual, and I couldn’t watch the broadcast on a large screen at home. It was an impulsive act, but I did it.

I had been quietly enjoying being a fan of Han Seung-hoo in my own way. 

Whenever I saw his fresh and handsome face smiling brightly, I could momentarily forget about the hardships of reality.

But what if my healing figure were suddenly in my own house? How would I react? 

First, I would openly declare myself as a fan and question why he came into my house. 

Second, I would hide my fan identity and still question why he came into my house.

Regardless of whether I was a fan or not, the current situation was that Han Seung-hoo had illegally entered my house, damaged my property, and even brought a hatchling along. 

I wasn’t the type of person to just let such things slide.

Upon closer inspection, wasn’t I the one who saved Han Seung-hoo’s life? 

Of course, thanks to him, I almost died.

I bit my lip and turned around.

‘But even if he was covered in blood, how did I not recognize Han Seung-hoo?’

No matter how casually I enjoyed being a fan, I should have been able to recognize a person’s face. 

And at this moment, the system window in my field of vision was more of a problem than anything else.

[There is an unauthorized intruder in your secure residence. 

Would you like to drive them out?

YES / NO

Note that there is a possibility of failure due to low proficiency.]

It seemed like the skill obtained as the ‘Owner of the Safe House Within the Gate,’ <Unauthorized Intrusion Not Allowed!>, was currently activated.

Unlike <Auto-Repair>, this one automatically brought up the system window, which was convenient. Moreover, it allowed me to immediately expel intruders, making it even more advantageous.

‘I can prevent others from taking over my house.’

Other hunters could easily overpower me, given my low level, and take possession of this house. So, I needed to be cautious of stronger hunters. 

Hence, the conclusion was, 

‘Han Seung-hoo is also a potential threat.’

I shouldn’t easily allow anyone, even with a sense of internal familiarity, to enter my home. If I viewed the world so beautifully and let my guard down, I might end up losing my home.

Even though my house had become a bit chaotic, it was my first home, and I had worked hard to save money to buy it. 

I had to protect this house no matter what.

‘But I still need to have a proper conversation with Han Seung-hoo.’

He was likely the one who knew the current situation outside, and if things went well, I might join his guild for protection.

‘Life consists of delays, connections, and gate connections.’

The fact that I now had Han Seung-hoo in my life would be very useful.

However, I didn’t plan to reveal to Han Seung-hoo that I was FFF-level. 

He would likely think I saved him, and there was no need to weaken my first impression by disclosing my low level.

Of course, there was a possibility that Han Seung-hoo might figure it out on his own.

The aura that higher-ranked hunters emitted was something I wouldn’t have. 

Still, just in case, I decided to show some confidence.

I equipped a common office smile often used with superiors and turned back to face Han Seung-hoo, who had been exploring my house.

Suppressing the trembling feeling at the corners of my mouth, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“Mr. Han Seung-hoo, I’m not curious whether you’re Han Seung-hoo or Han Sang-chu. Right now, you’re the person who intruded into my house without permission.”

“Oh… right, I’m sorry… I didn’t enter knowingly like that. Please believe me.”

“Of course, I don’t think Mr. Han Seung-hoo entered my house with malicious intent. At that time, you were about to be eaten by the hatchling, right?”

“Oh, right. What happened to that hatchling? I was running away because its level couldn’t be measured. I was really about to die, but thanks for saving me.”

Han Seung-hoo explained the situation at that time fervently, perhaps afraid I might doubt him. However, only one phrase echoed in my ears, and I couldn’t focus on his explanation.

‘The hatchling’s level couldn’t be measured…?’

Indeed, if not for this skill, I would have been nothing more than a corpse.

Sure, even an S-level couldn’t inflict a single wound on the hatchling and ended up unconscious in my house, but…

However, the most unfortunate fact in the current situation was that I couldn’t leave this house even if I wanted to.

Well, this had been a predetermined fact from the moment a monster slept in my yard.

I took a deep breath and spoke again.

“I didn’t save you because I wanted to. By the way, would you mind leaving my house now?”

“…What?”

“This is a private residence. If I decide, I can kick you out, you know.”

“I can’t leave now. My mana power hasn’t fully recovered, and I’m injured. I’m sorry, but can I stay until I recover?”

“…Alright, just until your injuries are healed, then.”

“Thank you, really. You saved my life… I’ll do anything I can for you.”

I smiled at Han Seung-hoo’s words. Because what I wanted to hear had finally come out of his mouth. 

Now, it was my turn to make those words effective.

“Then, please draft a contract based on that content.”

“…What?”

“I’ve seen many hunters who speak with double meanings. So, let’s make it clear.”

“Ah, something clear… Clear is good.”

I approached Han Seung-hoo and extended my hand. 

He looked at me with black eyes, then smiled brightly and shook my hand.

“Mr. Han Seung-hoo, I’m Seo Yeon-oh. Nice to meet you.”

“Ms. Yeon-oh, nice to meet you too.”

That’s how I thought I easily got the help of the 3rd-ranked hunter. 

Really.

* * *

[Welcome to the Safe House!]

“Wow, is this the Safe House?”

Han Seung-hoo, who was endlessly amazed, checked the system window and exclaimed even more. 

After looking around my house a couple of times, he brightly smiled at me.

“So, is Ms Yeon-oh the owner of this house?”

I continued to ignore him, pretending not to notice as he spoke to me.

Ignoring Han Seung-hoo, who was staring at my back as I sat at the table, was embarrassing.

No, is the gaze of an S-level also an attack? 

Ugh, it’s driving me crazy. 

I sighed deeply. Things were surprisingly easy to resolve this time.

As soon as the words about making a contract were finished, Han Seung-hoo’s attitude subtly changed. 

“Then, can I wash up here? I need to clean up the blood and check my wounds.”

“…Sure, Mr. Han Seung-hoo.”

“And which room can I use?”

“A room?”

“You said I could stay here until my injuries heal. It seems difficult to recover in just one day, considering my condition.”

With a bit of cheekiness, Han Seung-hoo requested me.

He kept asking with an expression that was hard to refuse, and if I didn’t comply, I felt like I would become a bad person.

It was only after I gave him the bathroom and an extra room that I realized Han Seung-hoo’s purpose was to stay at my house.

And I had made that purpose too easy for him to achieve. 

‘Damn, I should have just kicked him out back then.’

Whether that healing was truly immeasurable was a fact that I now knew.

There was a bit of trust that he was always a kind and good person when I saw him on broadcasts or other media.

Of course, my emotions were thoroughly removed before concluding. Really.

While contemplating why Han Seung-hoo wanted to stay at my house, he changed into different clothes and came out of the room.

And that’s how we got to this situation.

I held two teacups and headed towards the table where Han Seung-hoo was sitting. Placing one cup in front of him and one in front of me, I took a seat.

Upon doing so, Han Seung-hoo looked at me again with that bright and kind smile.

“How old are you, Ms. Yeon-oh?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Well, I want to get closer to Ms. Yeon-oh.”

“…You go first.”

Of course, Han Seung-hoo is 24 years old, two years younger than me, as I already know.

“Ah, I’m 24 years old.”

“Really? I’m 26.”

“You’re older than me? Ms. Yeon-oh, can I call you ‘sister’?”

“…We haven’t become that close yet.”

“Oh, that’s too bad, then we’ll get closer and I’ll call you sister.”

At my words, Han Seung-hoo furrowed his eyebrows and looked very sulky. The fact that I couldn’t capture this moment in a photo made me briefly sad.

“So, shall we proceed with the contract?”

“Before that, Ms. Yeon-oh, do you know about the current situation outside?”

“…I don’t.”

“Since I’m the one who will handle the contract, let me first tell you what’s going on outside.”

Han Seung-hoo smiled meaningfully.

For the first time, I suddenly felt uneasy at his expression.

Han Seung-hoo tapped the table with his finger and then looked at me with a serious expression. 

Although my anxiety increased with his focused attention, I didn’t show it intentionally.

Reluctantly, I bit my lip, and in that moment, Han Seung-hoo opened his mouth.

“Right now, Rankers are mobilizing to find you, Ms. Yeon-oh. If things go well, we might be able to have a gathering here.”

…What?

Did I hear that correctly?