Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Even though I stared at it like this, the system window that was already floating in front of my eyes didn’t disappear.
I couldn’t take my eyes off it for a while.
I could see the activation of the ‘Survival Instinct (B)’ window very often. Since acquiring this skill, it continued to appear… It was an advantage to be notified in advance when a stronger opponent approached me, but this skill had a fatal flaw.
The flaw was that it indiscriminately revealed everything, whether it be a person or a monster. So, to me, living within the bustling gate, it was no different from a malfunctioning cuckoo.
Because it kept bothering me, I changed the notification settings of ‘Survival Instinct (B)’—excluding monsters. I even tried setting the monster levels, but it was meaningless. Most of the monsters around my home were higher in level than me.
So, boldly, I set it to notify only about hunters. That’s why the system window that appeared now was a significant problem.
‘…No, seriously, who’s coming again?’
Even if the gates weren’t all connected, why do hunters keep popping out… It’s tough even now because there are so many people. It would be awkward even if I was alone with Jung Tae-il, but there are already three people I’ve never seen before.
Moreover, these people were sparkling with curiosity, bombarding me with various questions.
Especially Yoo Seol-ah was intense. During maintenance breaks, she would come up to me and either hand me the mana stones she had obtained earlier or recommend cosmetics, saying that skincare is important in this humid dungeon.
She even went so far as to praise the advantages of Overflow more enthusiastically than her guild master, trying to scout me. In short, I was thoroughly sucked into it.
Well… I understand that she’s doing this because she finds me attractive and wants to take care of me, but the problem is not just Yoo Seol-ah doing this…
‘…Ki Chan was annoying.’
Why are there so many unnecessary TMI? It seemed like Jung Tae-il knew why he should listen with one ear and let it pass through the other. Most of the conversations with him were more than 99% useless.
Among them, there was a frivolous story about Jung Tae-il reading a book to impress a girl.
That Jung Tae-il? Ah, no way.
Later, I planned to subtly tell Jung Tae-il that Ki Chan passed on some strange remarks to me.
Anyway, the addition of a new person in this situation was not good. It’s not that I am negatively thinking because I’m reserved.
‘This means the system keeps gathering higher-level hunters.’
No matter how the gates are connected, is it possible for a small number of high-level hunters to coincidentally gather where I am?
This is truly an unbelievable situation. So, suspicion is inevitable.
…Kang Yoon-soo reported that the boss monster he went to confirm was more dangerous than imagined. It’s to the extent that it can’t be handled even by two S-level hunters and three A-level hunters.
“…Hah.”
A sigh escaped involuntarily. …While I was silently wishing that this place wouldn’t become my battleground, Jung Tae-il walked somewhere, step by step. That place was the direction indicated by the <Survival Instinct> that there were hunters.
Even though Jung Tae-il moved, Yoo Seol-ah and Ki Chan paid no attention and continued with their tasks. It seemed they had already noticed who might be there.
Jung Tae-il, who approached closely, raised his sword and slashed through the dense grass.
Then, clang! The sound of metal clashing echoed loudly. Along with it, Jung Tae-il’s indifferent voice.
“Hunter Yoo Soo-hee, is it your hobby to secretly spy on others?”
“….”
“And next to you, someone I’ve never seen before.”
“…This is Kim Young-ji, a new hunter who joined Janwol this time. It’s truly an honor to meet you, Hunter Jung Tae-il!”
“…Hunter Kim Young-ji!”
Oh…
They’re a bit slow in grasping the atmosphere…
Kim Young-ji, who still seemed unaware of the rapidly chilling air, was looking at Jung Tae-il with sparkling eyes.
‘…Isn’t she afraid?’
It seemed like she was meeting Jung Tae-il for the first time. Given Jung Tae-il’s imposing presence, it was quite… fascinating.
There was a slight reasonable suspicion that included the condition of not being in the right mind among the conditions of a high-level hunter.
But that’s not the point….
Hunter Yoo Soo-hee…
She was the one who reported seeing an orange roof to Kang Yoon-soo.
‘…This smells fishy?’
I didn’t mean Yoo Soo-hee, but the system.
I perked up my ears, focusing even more on the conversation between Jung Tae-il and Yoo Soo-hee. Yoo Soo-hee tried to hide her embarrassment by biting her lip, while Jung Tae-il nodded, implying an explanation of how she ended up here.
“I came here after entering the gate to conduct rookie hunter training and got transferred here.”
“…Transferred?”
“Yes. I’m sure. Later, while investigating the gates, I came across Hunter Jung Tae-il.”
“After that, you just hid and observed the situation?”
“I’m not suspicious.”
“Understood.”
Yoo Soo-hee let out a relieved sigh and lowered her head for a moment.
“For now, it’s good that Hunter Yoo Soo-hee and Kim Young-ji join us. Kang Yoon-soo will be back soon.”
“…Is the master here? He suddenly went towards the west coast today.”
“He’s here, with Seo Yeon-oh.”
“Oh… So, he went to meet Seo Yeon-oh.”
…?
Did something happen?
With the new information about Kang Yoon-soo, my forehead remained furrowed. It’s hard to completely trust someone with a dark side.
But more importantly… Yoo Soo-hee’s words caught my attention.
‘…Transferred?’
This meant that there was indeed system intervention. Why did Yoo Soo-hee, of all people, gather here? Could this place become my grave?
But with this combination, can’t I have a bit of hope? The system might be intervening to prevent my death. My involvement in this gate might not be a mere coincidence but a deliberate act by the system.
Looking at the system so far, the probability is slim, but…
Well, for now, it’s a priority to return home safely.
While engraving a strong determination in my heart, Yoo Soo-hee approached me along with Jung Tae-il. Yoo Soo-hee extended her hand, asking for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Soo-hee.”
“Oh, Seo Yeon-oh.”
“These days, the master and deputy master must be bothering you a lot… I apologize on their behalf. They’re just so passionate.”
“Oh, it’s okay. It’s kind of… helpful, in a way.”
“Well, that’s fortunate. Oh, I’ll give you my contact later. If the master or deputy master ever bothers you, feel free to contact me anytime.”
Yoo Soo-hee jokingly said that suppressing those people was easier than eating a piece of cake for her, trying to ease my tension. Thanks to her, I relaxed and shook her hand. I could tell from her firm and large hand how much training she had undergone.
“I’m counting on you, Soo-hee.”
“I’m the one who should be counting on you.”
As she smiled coolly, I unconsciously made a shy expression. Due to the lack of female hunters my age, the desire to become friends with Yoo Soo-hee slowly surfaced.
At that moment, Jung Tae-il, who had turned his head towards the horizon where the sea was visible, furrowed his brows.
“…Kang Yoon-soo is coming back.”
“Already? That’s fast.”
“It seems like this side needs attention.”
“Why?”
“I’m worried he might roast you.”
Ah, even in this situation, the scout war isn’t over, huh?
I nodded slowly, as if understanding, and Jung Tae-il sighed. I didn’t bother to find out the meaning behind that sigh.
…It feels like there’s something related to me, you know.
“Oh, you’re here.”
As Jung Tae-il said, Kang Yoon-soo soon arrived at the place where we were. However, his expression was unsettling.
The always cheerful and laughing demeanor seemed to have disappeared, replaced by a completely stiff expression with even his lips being bitten.
Everything could be felt from his expression.
It seemed like everyone sensed the same thing, and the atmosphere instantly became heavy. Kang Yoon-soo quickly approached where Jung Tae-il and I were.
“…Everyone’s gathered. There’s some unfortunate news, but… Oh? Soo-hee is here?”
“…What did you see that you didn’t recognize?”
“…There’s something that could make you lose your composure.”
He gave a bitter smile and then quickly hardened his expression again.
“…I confirmed what the boss monster is.”
He paused for a moment and slowly began to speak.
And then, he uttered something that would drive us insane.
“Everyone, it’s a Lich… Ever heard of it?”
…A Lich?