Chapter 008: Home (2)

Thud, tap tap tap.

The female staff member, who had been checking the ID and typing on the keyboard, raised her head again.

"Mr. Han Yul, when did you discharge from the military?"

"A week ago... Huh? Discharge? Not awakening?"

"..."

"..."

"Ah, I'm sorry. When did you awaken?"

"A week ago."

"Hehehe. No, I mean, not discharge, but awakening."

"Yes, a week ago. It was on TV."

Han Yul pointed to the TV with his finger, making a self-deprecating joke. The female staff member, feeling awkward, smiled and asked the next question.

"What ability did you awaken?"

"Magic."

"..."

"Magic."

"Leviosa?"

Clearly, she thought of a movie before a game.

Han Yul created a Magic Missile for her and answered.

"Magic Missile. This kind of magic."

"Magic..."

"Yes, magic."

"Magic?"

"Magic."

"Multiple abilities?"

"Yes."

"Wow..."

There are people called multiple ability users or multi-ability hunters, but they are mostly those who have been hunters for a long time. While there are some who use multiple abilities from their first awakening, they are certainly rare.

The female staff member, who had let out an involuntary exclamation, regained her composure and continued her questions. As time passed, the moment came when all the questions were over and it was time to move on to the explanation.

"Let's see. The date of the rank evaluation is..."

"It's not necessary. Miss In-ae."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't get up. You're in the middle of work."

"Oh! Yes!"

A man standing behind Han Yul stopped the female staff member, who was about to stand up to greet him, with a gentle smile. He then turned his head and greeted Han Yul, who was wearing a discharge uniform.

"Hello. I'm Kim Joo-hyuk from the Hunter Association's Personnel Department."

"Um, I'm Han Yul, who just awakened."

"Pleased to meet you. I have something to talk about, so could you come with me for a moment?"

It was a series of head-scratching moments. Han Yul, who had been staring at Kim Joo-hyuk, stood up.

The place Kim Joo-hyuk led him to was a coffee shop on the first floor.

"Would you like to order something?"

"Are you buying?"

"Yes."

"I'll have an iced latte."

"Got it. Please wait here."

As Kim Joo-hyuk left to place the order, Han Yul looked around again. For a brief moment, people were glancing at him, probably because he had been on TV.

Thud, thud.

Click.

Kim Joo-hyuk returned with the ordered drinks. He placed an iced latte in front of Han Yul and, as soon as he sat down, took out a business card.

"Let me introduce myself again. I'm Kim Joo-hyuk, an assistant in the Personnel Department."

"I'm Han Yul. I don't have a business card yet."

"I understand."

"So, what brings you here, Assistant Kim?"

"Miss In-ae, ah, Mr. Han Yul, the female staff member who was in charge of you, was going to explain this. You don't need to take the rank evaluation."

"Huh?"

"You don't need to worry. It's because we have records from the Dohan Forest Gate in Daejeon and the Killer Bee Gate Break incident, so it's not necessary."

"Hmm."

He understood. But he only understood that he didn't need to take the rank evaluation.

"The female staff member was going to explain it, right?"

"Yes."

"But why do we need to have a separate conversation?"

"Ah, because you don't need the rank evaluation. Normally, scouting starts after the rank evaluation."

"Ah, I see."

He understood that Kim Joo-hyuk had come to scout him as a Hunter affiliated with the Association.

Han Yul, with a look of understanding, took the business card and asked Kim Joo-hyuk.

"Did you serve in the military?"

"Yes."

"Then you know what I'm going to say, right?"

"I do. First, take a good rest. When you start working as a Hunter, remember the Hunter Association, especially if you choose to be an affiliated Hunter rather than an independent one."

"Thank you."

Han Yul, slightly bowing his head, straightened up and looked at Kim Joo-hyuk.

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"No."

Kim Joo-hyuk wanted to ask why Han Yul was still wearing his discharge uniform a week after discharge. But he had learned the reason a few hours earlier.

The Hunters who participated in the Killer Bee Break suppression operation used the emotion system to confirm Han Yul's discharge uniform, and the information was posted on the internet.

"Can I go home now?"

"Ah, yes. If you're looking for a guild, please consider the Hunter Association."

"I will. Thank you."

"Thank you. And, Hunter Han Yul."

"Yes?"

Han Yul, who had naturally turned his body, only turned his head to see Kim Joo-hyuk standing up to say goodbye. Kim Joo-hyuk smiled and said goodbye.

"Thank you for your service."

"Thank you."

***

Thud, thud.

Clunk.

An old apartment building that made one seriously consider renovation.

A three-story building without an elevator.

Han Yul, who had been standing with his arms crossed, looking up at the building, narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm. Come to think of it."

It's different from before.

"I don't need to worry about finding a job."

He no longer needed to go to a different region to find a job.

"Let's see."

As the head of the household, he needed to think about what he needed to solve.

First, buying a house.

"Even if I work hard, I probably can't afford a place near City Hall."

The area around City Hall, where the Hunter Association is located, is the most expensive in Seoul, and it would be impossible to afford even if he worked extremely hard.

Starting from a few hundred billion.

"Still, it would be better to be near a guild."

The house prices are high, but it's safer to live near the Association or a guild.

"Second, Yura's tuition."

A body decomposition facility, one of the 3D jobs, pays well. But no matter how much it pays, college tuition is still a burden.

First, buying a house; second, preparing for his sister's college tuition.

"Third, starting a business."

He didn't put starting a business third because he wanted to manage it directly.

"My dad should live more comfortably. Yeah, that's right."

Dad.

Thank you for all your hard work.

Despite losing his wife early, Dad never shed a tear in front of his children after the funeral.

Dad, who quit his job to work at a body decomposition facility for his children.

"Convenience store? Cafe? Which one would be better?"

He could only think about starting a business after securing a house and tuition.

Let him play at home?

Han Yul knew his father, Han Guk-yeong.

If he quit the body decomposition facility, he would definitely find a security guard position in an apartment complex.

"Anyway, I need to work hard..."

"What are you doing?"

A girl's voice from right next to him.

Han Yul, who had been standing with his arms crossed, looking up at the building, turned his head.

A girl with a very suitable short haircut.

"Where have you been at this hour?"

"What are you talking about? It's not even six yet."

"..."

Han Yul, nodding his head, turned to look at his younger sister, Han Yura, who sighed.

"Hey."

"What?"

"Never mind. Why are you standing in front of the house?"

"Forgot the key?"

"How did you forget it?"

How did you forget it?

When did you lose it?

Han Yul, thinking for a moment, tilted his head.

"Was it when we were hunting Trini? Or during the Killer Bee incident?"

"Trini?"

"A monster."

"..."

Wasn't the Killer Bee incident the first time?

"Ha... Let's go inside and talk."

"Okay."

***

"Huff."

Han Guk-yeong, a middle-aged man, who had unknowingly patted his back as soon as he got off the bus, slowly walked.

Working at a body decomposition facility is very hard.

Experience?

It doesn't matter. If a job isn't hard just because you have a lot of experience, it's not a job.

"..."

He stopped in front of a convenience store without realizing it. He thought for a moment but then shook his head and headed home.

His daughter says it's okay to hang out with colleagues and come back.

But he always refuses because of the thought of his daughter being alone at home.

If his son were at home, he would at least stop by the convenience store to buy some soju, even if not for a drinking party...

"When is this kid coming home?"

Thinking of soju, he naturally thought of his son, and thinking of his son, he remembered the broadcast he saw at lunchtime.

His son, who announced his awakening on the day of his discharge.

His son, who stayed in Daejeon to confirm his ability.

His son, who used his ability in his discharge uniform to hunt monsters.

His son, known as the "Unjust Soldier."

Thud, thud.

Han Guk-yeong slowly climbed the stairs and took out his key from his pocket.

Click. Creak.

No matter how much the world changes, the most important time for a high school senior remains the same.

The door was so old that it couldn't help but make a sound. But Han Guk-yeong opened it as slowly and carefully as possible to avoid making noise.

-At 6 PM, a D-class gate...

The sound of the TV.

"Hmm?"

Unlike usual, when his daughter would greet him, the TV sound greeted him.

"Welcome back. Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten..."

His daughter in school sports uniform. And.

"Welcome back."

His son in military sports uniform.

"..."

He had a lot to say.

Why did it take a week to confirm his ability?

Why is he still wearing his discharge uniform a week later?

Why did he get the nickname "Unjust Soldier"?

But.

"Thank you for your service."

As a father and a discharged soldier, this was the first thing that came out.

"It's just the military everyone goes through."

"Hunters don't go."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul closed his mouth, and Han Yura burst out laughing.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After laughing heartily, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul was silent, and Han Yura laughed.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After a hearty laugh, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul was silent, and Han Yura laughed.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After a hearty laugh, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul was silent, and Han Yura laughed.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After a hearty laugh, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul was silent, and Han Yura laughed.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After a hearty laugh, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul was silent, and Han Yura laughed.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After a hearty laugh, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"..."

"Kekeke."

Han Yul was silent, and Han Yura laughed.

Han Guk-yeong was the same.

After a hearty laugh, Han Guk-yeong went to the bedroom to change and approached his children sitting in front of the TV.

"Go take a shower."

Han Yura, who pointed to the bathroom, made him change direction.

10 minutes later.

"Did you really take a shower?"

Han Guk-yeong pointed to his damp hair instead of answering, and Han Yura sighed deeply, then opened the refrigerator to check.

"Hmm?"

There was beer.

"I bought it."

Han Guk-yeong chuckled and took out two cans of beer, sitting next to his children.

Click.

"Son."

"Yes, Dad."

"What are you going to do now?"

Not everyone who awakens an ability becomes a Hunter. Some Hunters work regular jobs and only respond when the government calls.

"I'm going to be a Hunter."

"..."

"Don't worry. I awakened a pretty good ability."

"..."

Come to think of it, what ability did he awaken?

"Ability to create a police shield?"

Clearly, the Han Yul on TV had created something like a police shield.

"No. Magic."

"..."

Han Guk-yeong, who had been drinking beer, turned his head.

Han Yura, who had also been curious but planned to ask when the family was all together, turned her head.

"Magic?"

"Magic?"

"Magic."

"Leviosa... Oh, you said it's not that."

"Magic Missile?"

"Kya! My ability can also confirm preferences."

Han Yura thought of a movie first, and Han Guk-yeong thought of a game.

Han Yul, who couldn't help but laugh, picked up the remote control lying on the sofa and turned off the TV.

"Turn it on. Lower the volume."

"Yes, Dad."