[ OFF(1) ]
“The setup is complete.”
“Great job! Thank you!”
Finally, Peace’s new enclosure was finished. I couldn’t help but feel proud as I looked at the new home we’d made for him.
With its clean glass walls, air purification, temperature control systems, and a wooden resting area, it looked more like a luxurious smoking lounge than an animal enclosure. It took up nearly half of the living room, making it spacious. Peace shouldn’t feel cramped even when he’s alone.
Not only that, but we also replaced the entryway door with a sturdier one. The full-length glass window in the living room was specially made, so it should be fine.
As soon as the preparations were done, I went to Yuhyun’s greenhouse and brought Peace home. I put him down in the living room, and although he seemed awkward in the unfamiliar environment at first, he quickly started sniffing around, exploring the space.
“Don’t chew on the wires.”
The wiring was done so neatly that almost none were exposed.
“And later, when a guy comes by, don’t bite him.”
Yu Myungwoo had gone back to his house to grab some things. Peace may be the size of a cat, but with his C-rank stats and Myungwoo’s F-rank stats, if they fought, Myungwoo would be KO’d in no time. I’d have to be careful not to leave them alone together.
-Grrr!
After inspecting the kitchen, Peace seemed satisfied and rolled over at my feet. When I picked him up as he purred, he immediately clung to me.
“What makes you so confident that you’re this cute, huh?”
How am I supposed to starve you later? But I can’t stop your growth either… Maybe I should teach you Korean.
Holding Peace, I sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. The large wall-mounted television lit up, and a special broadcast began. The background was none other than the Hunter Association.
The reporter was loudly announcing that Korea’s newest S-rank awakener would soon appear.
“Looks like Yerim’s gone to register her awakening.”
It’s only noon, and she’s already there. Before long, the camera zoomed in on a car entering the association’s parking lot. The car stopped, and Haeyeon Guild’s A-rank hunter, Kim Jiyeon, got out of the driver’s seat. Then, Park Yerim appeared on the screen. (TL Note: Not sure if this needs to be said, but Kim, Park and Lee are EXTREMELY common surnames in Korea. As in, 45% of all Koreans have one of those three. Kim is the most common, with around 21% of Koreans have the surname Kim)
“She was sulky about me not coming with her, but she looks fine.”
Or maybe she just looks good on camera. The confident expression on her face was nice to see.
The camera doggedly followed her as she entered the association building and headed to the high-rank measurement room. Yerim’s demeanor during the pre-assessment interview was so natural, it felt almost professional. She was doing well.
“Peace, look at that. That’s Yerim noona. You’ll be seeing a lot of her from now on.” (TL Note: Noona is the term used by males to address older females, particularly older sisters or female acquaintances)
I said as I grabbed Peace’s two front paws and waved them. You’ll have to get along with her… Wait, is she really a noona?
‘…What gender is Peace anyway?’
I hadn’t checked if Peace was male or female. Yuhyun never mentioned it either. When I looked down at Peace’s face, his round, golden eyes looked up at me. So cute.
Can’t tell just by looking.
“Hmm… How about we check for a moment?”
I should be able to tell if I turn him over.
“Peace, be good~. Let’s lie down for a moment.”
I laid him on the sofa and gently turned him over. Peace, thinking it was playtime, wagged his tail without much resistance. Let’s see, this is the anus, and… um…
“…There’s nothing.”
Neither male nor female. What is this? Retractable, maybe? Are there even mammals with retractable parts? Then again, Peace is a monster, so I can’t rely on common knowledge.
“Well, whatever.”
Whether male or female, it doesn’t matter as long as he grows up strong. His small paws clung to my hand, gently nibbling without hurting. I scratched the fluffy mane around his neck and then stood up. (TL Note: I should tecnically be using the pronoun It, but pronouns are already annoying to translate, so I will do myself a favor and keep it He/Him for now)
It’s about time I start preparing for my retirement fund.
-Kiik
As I moved toward the room, Peace whimpered and quickly followed after me. I had no choice but to pick him up and turn on the computer.
I went to the bank this morning, organized my accounts, and opened a new stock trading account. I’ll leave about ten million won for the time being and invest the rest. I’ll start by buying shares in that pharmaceutical company that’s set to explode in two months, then use the profits to invest in other sure-fire opportunities.
Since the future isn’t guaranteed to be exactly the same, I should diversify.
‘The hair loss treatment should be properly developed, right?’
It’s only two months away, so it shouldn’t change, right?
After pouring money into the market, I browsed through portal sites. The emergence of a new S-rank was causing a stir everywhere. Among the articles, there were even some sleazy reporters spinning stories about Yerim’s deceased parents. Damn bastards. I immediately saved the PDF and reported it to Haeyeon Guild’s PR team.
-Grrr
After clicking away for a while, Peace started whining. I’d barely taken my hand off the mouse when,
Crack!
His little paw flattened the mouse like he was squashing a cockroach. …Peace, you must’ve been really bored.
“Even if you’re bored, you can’t go around breaking things. Daddy’s going to be poor for a while.”
Three million won a month isn’t a small amount, but I need to save just in case. After all, one trip to a dungeon could cut that amount in half. And that’s only if it’s a low-level dungeon. There’s no telling what other expenses might come up.
“The mouse isn’t much, but you absolutely cannot break the computer or the phone. It’s expensive to replace those with something decent.”
-Grrr
At my reprimanding tone, Peace cleverly showed some affection. He licked my hand and playfully wagged his tail. Looking at him, I couldn’t help but think he’d understand if I told him I loved him. I hope the keyword application works so I won’t have to starve him.
I went to the kitchen, fed Peace, and made myself some lunch. Despite never having cooked before, Yu Myungwoo had made some decent side dishes. Maybe it’s thanks to his natural dexterity. In a month or two, he might even become quite skilled.
[Park Yerim’s initial skills include three in total, one of which is an SS-rank.]
The TV in the kitchen was still broadcasting about Yerim. By now, her assessment must’ve been completed, with the large subtitle ‘8th S-rank Combat Hunter Born’ flashing on the screen. The announcer excitedly explained how Korea was now catching up with China, boasting the highest S-rank density per area, and how the citizens’ safety would improve.
At this point, China had nine S-rank hunters, and Japan had five. However, China also had many unregistered S-ranks who remained hidden. Who would want to be held hostage by the government with their family as leverage?
Eventually, not only the S-ranks but also A-rank and lower hunters began fleeing abroad one by one. As a result, four years later, China lost its ability to manage high-level dungeons.
‘Wait, since those hunters are going to leave China anyway, should I recruit a few?’
In half a year, the Awakening Center will open, so I won’t need to awaken them individually. For combat hunters, even without using the Promising Talent skill, they’ll likely achieve near-optimal awakening at the Center. My job would be done as long as I can bring the future A to S-rank combat hunters and their families to Korea.
‘In half a year, I’ll have enough funds to pull some people out, and once they awaken as A-rank or higher, the country or guild will handle the rest.’
There was definitely an A-rank healer among them. He’d be perfect for Haeyeon. The rest could be distributed among the government and guilds.
‘It’s not like I’m using a skill; I’m just helping people who are going to suffer anyway, so…’
I wouldn’t even need to get directly involved. Just hire a few brokers. Other countries also smuggled out Chinese hunters like that. Later on, the surveillance got so intense that it wasn’t a metaphor when they said blood was spilled.
‘It’s a brutal world.’
Then again, risking your life in a dungeon is the norm, so it’s to be expected. Still, there are about three years left before a full-scale war begins. When dungeon numbers increase, when uncontrollable monsters like the Lautitars start popping up, when we’re short on high-rank hunters and S-rank dungeons start exploding, that’s when things will get really brutal.
Korea was relatively peaceful compared to other countries, though.
But if I started traveling the world diligently, discovering one S-rank per month, and collecting A to B-ranks who haven’t had optimal awakenings yet, raising them…
Then the future could change significantly, and in a positive direction.
‘…Nah, no need to worry about other countries. Let’s just add a few more to Korea and be done with it.’
Who am I kidding? The high and mighty folks can handle it themselves. Even five years from now, things were tough but not to the point of collapse.
I cleared the table with Peace draped over my shoulder. Now there’s nothing much to do; it’s Monday, but it feels like the weekend. It’d be nice if things stayed this way.
Just then, my phone chimed with a message. It was Kim Seonghan.
[Since rookie hunter training starts tomorrow, I’d like to treat you to a drink today if that’s alright.]
Sure, the first day is just theory, but starting the second day, there’ll be practical sessions, so drinking the night before wouldn’t be great. I have over four years of field experience, but I can’t reveal that.
‘Should I use the keyword or not?’
I’ll have a drink and decide. If it feels right, I’ll say it; if not, I won’t.
[Sure. Text me in the evening. I’d prefer a casual place.]
It might be a hassle for Kim Seonghan since some people would recognize him, but I don’t like places where you have to wear a tie. Plus, those aren’t the right atmosphere for using the keyword.
If it’s a lively place where everyone’s chatting, my “I love you” nonsense will get drowned out easily.
[Understood.]
He replied quickly. Now that I think about it, is Hunter Talk up yet? The official name is H-Talk, but everyone calls it Hunter Talk, the messenger app specifically for hunters. Low-rank hunters without fixed parties often used it to form dungeon parties. I won’t have much use for it, though.
Maybe I should buy some stock in Hunter Talk too. Where was it developed again?
There was a bit of commotion when Yu Myungwoo returned, but our smart Peace quickly learned what was okay to eat and what wasn’t. And he didn’t leave a single bite mark on Myungwoo.
…Well, he left one. But it didn’t draw blood, just left a slight mark, so I’d say that’s pretty good.
Maybe our kid’s a genius.
Later, when Yerim returned in the late afternoon, there was a minor commotion as well. “The cat is so cute!” was yelled about thirty times, and Peace, irritated, scratched my shoulder. Poor Peace.
After sending Yerim back to her place and setting up a cozy spot for Peace to rest his stress away, I got a call from Kim Seonghan.
“I’m heading out, so don’t open Peace’s enclosure, and make sure Yerim doesn’t come in.”
At my words, Yu Myungwoo turned pale.
“M-me…?”
“She’s a reasonable person. Don’t be too scared.”
You’ll be dealing with tons of S-ranks from now on, so get used to it. You’re even going to be the boss someday, so stop being a wimp.
I patted his sagging shoulders and headed down to the parking lot where Kim Seonghan was waiting.
The place we arrived at was a bustling street not far from the Haeyeon Guild.
“…Here?”
I was slightly taken aback as I stared at the flashy sign of the bar Kim Seonghan had led me to. This place was… well, it was… clearly targeted at… very young people… those in their early to mid-20s. The patrons looked like university students. What exactly does he think of me…
…Oh, right, he thinks I’m in my mid-20s. I keep forgetting my age.
But even in my early 20s, I was more into grilling pork belly and drinking soju with factory workers. This bright and cheerful place is a first for me. Wow, look at the lighting. So colorful. And what’s with the hunting banners? Is this a club? The music seeping out sounds like it has that kind of vibe…
This isn’t it. This isn’t the right atmosphere.
“I’m not familiar with places like this, so I got a recommendation from another hunter,”
Kim Seonghan explained. A recommendation… sure… it does look popular.
“…Who recommended this place?”
“It was B-rank hunter Kim Minui. He’s three years younger than you and a university student. He said this place is moderately hot and casual.”
Well, that casual is probably based on student standards…
“Minui… He must be busy balancing his studies and hunter work, yet he knows the hottest spots these days.”
“If he weren’t a hunter, he would’ve been expelled.”
Kim Minui must’ve really worked hard to play. As a B-rank hunter affiliated with a guild, he was probably treated leniently, yet he was still on the verge of being expelled. Did he even go to school at all?
Now that I think about it, Yuhyun also got into college through a special admission, but his attendance was zero. Yerim won’t be going to school anymore either.
C-rank or higher awakened minors are either transferred to a specialized awakening school or receive home education for safety reasons. It’s risky in many ways to keep a super teen going through turbulent puberty with their fragile peers.
“Shall we go in?”
Kim Seonghan said nonchalantly. Sure, I may look like I’m in my 20s, but you’re in your 30s, right? With your stern face and sturdy build, you easily look six years older than you are, yet this doesn’t bother you? You don’t look like a customer; you look like an uncle here to find his wild nephew.
And that out-of-place pair of sunglasses you’re wearing to hide your face makes you look more like a debt collector. Look, the kids passing by are glancing nervously at you.
“Aren’t you coming?”
He turned back to me as I hesitated. What should I do? I mean, I’m fine, really. It’s just awkward because I’m still in my twenties. If I’d gone to college normally, I’d probably have hung out in places like this.
“…Let’s go.”
Swallowing my nervousness, I stepped forward. Might as well check it out while I have the chance. Now that I’ve regressed, maybe I should enjoy my youth a bit too…
–TL Notes–
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