Chapter 20

< Even cold water can't be drunk >

“Even though I spoke to him nicely, Uncle tried to use violence twice, you know. I was really shocked.”

“Eh... Oh, really?”

It’s true that Park Sung-tae tried to attack twice. Surely he couldn’t have missed me slamming his head into the door frame.

“Don’t do this again. I can’t bear to watch, feeling so anxious.”

Yerim grumbled. But was there anything to be anxious about in the situation just now? It wasn’t one-sided, was it? Is this kid’s eyesight off?

“Anyway, since the situation is sorted out, pack your things and come out.”

“Okay~.”

Yerim passed by me and entered the entrance. In the meantime, Park Sung-tae was getting up with his wife’s help. When Yerim saw him, the corners of her eyes slightly furrowed.

“Uncle, you really need to be more careful. You might trip and fall.”

Her calm voice made Park Sung-tae and his wife’s faces freeze. I was a bit surprised too. I made up excuses, but...

“You, you! Didn’t you see that just now!”

Park Sung-tae’s indignant cry made Yerim shrug.

“I’m saying it because I saw it. Or are you going to accuse our uncle of something?”

“What? Accuse?!”

“Yerim, what kind of habit is that!”

“Why, Aunt? You saw it too. Uncle fell and hit his head on his own.”

Her cold tone left Park Sung-tae and his wife speechless. What should I do? Should I just leave it or intervene?

“How can you say that! Look at the blood on your uncle’s head! That man just-.”

“Aunt.”

Her voice grew even colder.

“Uncle tripped.”

“No, no...”

“You keep lying. If I’ve said this much, you should understand.”

Yerim took out an expensive umbrella from the umbrella stand. Park Sung-tae and his wife flinched reflexively.

“I used to say I needed a sturdy umbrella like Su-chan’s. Remember? Last year, during the typhoon, the plastic umbrella you gave me flipped and broke. But you said you couldn’t give me another one, that breaking it was my fault, so I had to wear a large plastic bag over my head all through the rainy season.”

...Did something like that happen? Isn't that abuse?

“I don’t really care about it anymore. There were other things too, but I decided to let them go. They’re not worth the trouble. They’re too trivial.”

Her white, delicate hands held the umbrella horizontally.

“Remember this. It’s trivial. So, stay trivial. If you don’t, and if you try to cause trouble with our uncle by saying I fell on my own, then...”

Snap

The umbrella was folded in half. A strong adult man could probably do that. But then,

Crack

It was folded in half again. It crumpled as if pressed by a large press machine. Maybe it’s because we’re in an apartment entrance, but even knowing she’s an Awakened, the sight of her delicate hands crushing the umbrella like rubber clay felt surreal.

If I feel this way, they must feel even worse.

Thud, Roll

The shapeless lump was lightly thrown. Park Sung-tae and his wife’s eyes were fixed on it as it rolled on the floor.

“So... Wait, I won’t let this go.”

Yerim awkwardly finished her sentence. She couldn’t think of a convincing threat to wrap it up. But it should be enough for that couple.

Yerim turned to me and laughed.

“This is harder than I thought. But did I do okay?”

Okay or not, did she copy me? She seemed to be trying to say it was her own fault, then showed some strength, and finished by saying she would overlook the past if they kept quiet.

...That’s why they say you can’t even drink cold water in front of kids. Indeed, there’s no old saying that’s wrong.

“...You’re so kind.”

“Uncle, you really need to understand. If you act kindly here, you’ll just be a pushover.”

It’s not a wrong statement. If you’re going to be a Combat Hunter, it’s better to be tough rather than soft.

I nodded and glanced at Park Sung-tae and his wife. They looked completely dazed. You should have treated the kid better. At least you didn’t lose any limbs, and you made some money. No real harm done. Maybe you had good karma in your past life.

“Let’s go. Do you have much to pack? Need help?”

“No, not much. It’s better to buy new clothes.”

Her eyes went to the old sneakers again. She was wearing joggers too.

“I’ll buy you a new pair of shoes. A perfect fit.”

Yerim smiled widely. A perfectly beautiful smile.

“Are you overdoing it? You don’t have any money, right?”

Her smile cut deep.

“I have money. Do you think I’ve been playing around until this age without going to college? I have savings.”

“Okay. Then I’ll buy lunch.”

“You haven’t opened a bank account yet, and the bank is closed on Sundays.”

The deposit will be credited once the account is opened.

“Then, tomorrow! As soon as the bank opens, I’ll buy you something expensive.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Yerim excitedly went inside. It would have been a nice scene if not for the scattered people near the entrance.

Thud!

I loaded the luggage into the car trunk and got into the back seat. I nodded along with Yerim’s excitement about her new independence and took out a mana potion from my inventory.

“What’s that?”

Yerim tilted her head, looking at the 100ml drink bottle.

“Mana potion, apple flavor.”

There’s also an orange flavor.

“Mana potion? It looks like the energy drinks they sell at pharmacies.”

“It’s made from dungeon byproducts, even the bottle. That’s why if you bring the empty bottles to the association, you get points to use at the Hunter Shopping Mall.”

You can’t put them in your inventory in regular bottles, so the collection rate is low. There’s even a recycling campaign for mid-to-high-level Hunters.

Of course, I, an F-rank Hunter, bring them in regularly to save every penny.

“Do you have a life potion too?”

“Yeah. Want to see it?”

“Sure.”

I took out a life potion, which looked the same except for the color, and handed it to her. She examined it curiously.

“Does this really heal wounds instantly?”

“It’s the lowest grade, so it’s not very effective. It’s more for stopping bleeding and disinfecting wounds.”

“Just stopping bleeding?”

“Stopping bleeding instantly is incredibly useful. And it’s ten times more expensive than a mana potion of the same grade.”

Yerim’s eyes widened.

“Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

“Mana potions are factory-made with finely ground mana stones, but life potions are handmade by healers. Even then, it’s hard to fix the skill effect in a liquid, so they can only make up to mid-grade. High-grade life potions or elixirs can only be obtained as dungeon rewards.”

Especially elixirs, which are extremely rare, only a few are given as S-rank dungeon rewards. I explained while drinking the mana potion.

I kept using the promising skill, worried about running out of mana. The results weren’t great, with the best stat grade being C for a deliveryman. The skill was only D.

Finding Yoo Myung-woo was an incredibly lucky case. Usually, it’s like this. S-rank is rare, even B-rank is a minority.

‘I could end it with Yerim, but having a healer would be nice.’

Human desires are endless. Now that I have combat power, I miss having a healer. Even an A-rank healer would be great. If I find one, I won’t need anything else.

‘Future famous healers are all foreigners, so I can’t find them.’

Somehow, only B-rank healers have appeared in the country. Hae-yeon Guild also struggled with B-rank until they brought in a foreign Hunter.

But there must be some, right? Should I sit on a chair in a busy street for a few days?

We bought shoes, clothes, and other necessities, had lunch, and returned to the guild. Park Yerim was embarrassed and apologetic every time my wallet opened.

It’s not like I bought anything expensive. This much is fine.

“I’ll really pay you back!”

“It’s fine, I said.”

I checked my balance at an ATM on the way. It was more generous than I thought. After setting aside money for stocks, I had enough to live for about a year. After all, the most expensive things, food and lodging, are free. No need to commute, so no transportation costs, and all communication, gas, and electricity bills are free except for my phone bill.

My dissatisfaction with the 0-yuan salary seems to be fading.

That dissatisfaction completely vanished when we were shown the A-rank Hunter’s exclusive dormitory.

“Necessary items and food are provided up to 1 million won per month when requested by phone or in writing to the dormitory management office on the 15th floor.”

The female staff member smiled beautifully.

“Really? They provide that too?”

“Going out to buy them would be inconvenient, and quarantine is necessary for safety. You can increase the limit with your own money.”

A-rank really gets good treatment. After all, they generate a lot of revenue. It makes sense to check carefully to avoid any issues.

“Cleaning and laundry services are provided twice a week. Please separate dry and wet waste and dispose of it in the corridor. Of course, you can hire a dedicated housekeeper with your own money.”

They even provide cleaning and laundry. I must have been a thief, hoping for a salary and such good service. I thought I’d get a two-person studio apartment at best, with free utilities. I didn’t expect such good service.

“This is the A-15 room assigned to Han Yujin. Park Yerim will be staying in the A-16 room next door.”

Yerim didn’t come up with us. She was getting a coordination for her appearance for when we go to the Hunter Association tomorrow. They’ll match her appearance, personality, skills, and Hunter characteristics.

...Does Yoo Hyun get that too? He does dress well.

The staff member took out a card key and opened the door, then handed it to me.

“You will receive one card key. If you want cleaning while you’re out, leave it at the management office. The security system is currently in initialization mode. You can register your fingerprint and password to enter without the card key.”

I took the card key and went inside. The living room, the first thing I saw, was decorated like a high-end hotel or model home. The sunlight streaming through the large glass window was blinding.

“Please refer to this booklet for other usage instructions and precautions. The cage and safety facilities for the Flame Lion Cub will be installed on Monday. Please don’t bring it to the dormitory until then.”

“Understood.”

“Also, for safety, we’ve connected the door to A-16.”

“...What?”

I mean, we did sign a protection contract, but it’s not necessary to this extent, right? What about my privacy?

“...Can I lock it?”

“From A-16, yes.”

The staff member said it as if it was obvious. What about me? I’ll have to go to a hardware store and buy a hook or something.

“Ugh, I’m tired.”

As soon as the staff member left, I flopped onto the sofa. I thought I’d just relax after reincarnation, but I ended up running around.

But now, I’ve more or less settled in.

‘With no time limit on the A-rank dormitory, I don’t have to worry about the future.’

Unless the dungeons suddenly disappear and my awakening ability remains, of course. ...I should still prepare for retirement. They appeared suddenly, so who knows.

I lay there for a while, then slowly took out my phone. I need to contact Yoo Myung-woo about the new Hunter training date. I hope he hasn’t had any bad thoughts since then.

After a few rings, Yoo Myung-woo answered.

“Hello-.”

[The phone owner can’t answer right now.]

Huh? That’s not Yoo Myung-woo’s voice. And the call was cut off. What’s going on? Why can’t my precious SS-rank crafting skill answer the phone.

< Even cold water can't be drunk > End

ⓒ Geunseo

=======================================