Chapter 23

< My Person (3) >

After stopping by the hardware store to buy a hook, I headed to the Hunter Association to deal with the contract. The sales commission for the contract is 30%, and the proceeds are transferred to the registered account. For F-rank, it's just so-so, but C-rank and D-rank seem to bring in a decent amount.

I feel a bit uneasy about taking it all, but I could distribute it to the victims.

"Is it really okay to impose on you?"

Yu Mingwu, who had arrived at the guild and gotten out of the car, asked anxiously. It's fortunate that his SS-rank skill isn't combat-related. Otherwise, his personality might be more suited to a crafting skill.

"Didn't you hear our conversation earlier? They said it's okay for outsiders to stay in the dormitory."

Specifically, it's a rule for visits by relatives, friends, or lovers. There are restrictions on the number of people and the range of activities for outsiders staying in the dormitory, and they are allowed to stay for a maximum of one week per month. Additionally, a written commitment to take full responsibility if any problems arise is required.

"But I could just go home..."

"Why go through the trouble of coming and going? Just stay until the training is over. It won't take long."

Of course, I'll find some excuse to keep you here even after the training ends. I can't let you go if you're in plain sight. How can I squeeze you into the regular employee dormitory?

"Mr. Han Yujin."

As I was about to leave the parking lot, Kim Sung-han called out from behind. Turning around, I saw him with a slightly embarrassed look. What's up?

"Let me apologize first."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, what kind of apology? Did I do something to make him feel guilty without knowing? Did he grab me by the back of the neck? Was it the broadcast from the missing children center? Guarding the door was an order from Yu Hyun.

I couldn't think of anything that would require such a formal apology, so I tilted my head, and Kim Sung-han continued.

"I've been misunderstanding you, Mr. Han Yujin."

"...Misunderstanding?"

"Yes. To be honest, I thought you were an obstacle hindering the guild master's path, a useless stumbling block."

...Well, that's not entirely wrong. The original me did cause a lot of trouble.

"Don't worry about it. It could happen."

I changed things using the cheat of regression, but you had a good eye for people.

He smiled slightly at my words. Wow, this is the first time I've seen him smile at me. He used to glare at me as if he wanted to eat me.

"Please take care of me in the future."

"Ah, yes. I should be the one to..."

"Even if you say it's okay, a mistake is still a mistake. If you have any requests, please let me know."

"Then buy me a drink."

This is a good opportunity to pretend to be a drunk and bring up some keywords... Hmm... Should I say it? I was thinking of raising a monster, not a human. Still, getting to know each other over drinks isn't bad.

"Alright. Contact me whenever you want."

Kim Sung-han nodded with a much more cheerful expression and gave a light bow. I returned the gesture and turned around again.

It feels a bit strange. I don't really understand why he suddenly acted this way, but it's better than being treated like a thorn in the eye.

"That guy doesn't have a good eye for people, I guess."

As we left the parking lot, Yu Mingwu said with a tone of disbelief.

"How could Yujin think you were a useless stumbling block?"

That's because I really was a useless stumbling block, hahaha.

"I'm not as good as my younger brother, you know."

"That's just because your rank didn't follow. If you were S-rank, you might have been better. No, you would have definitely been much better."

What confidence. It's nice to have someone believe in me, but I wish this guy believed a bit less. He's not just A-rank, but now he's comparing me to S-rank.

"Please don't say that where others can hear. Especially here, where Yu Hyun's fans are everywhere. You might get stoned."

After the incident, I really didn't want to come here. The looks of disdain from all sides were unbearable.

Yu Mingwu shivered and looked around.

"Still, it's the truth."

What truth?

"By the way, aren't you going to take off your gloves? They must be tight."

"I'm fine! I'll keep them on until the training is over."

He answered with a wide smile. ...He's not going to use the bathroom with them on, is he?

I took Yu Mingwu to the security room in the corner of the lobby. Yelim and I were allowed direct access by the guild master, but ordinary outsiders need to pass a security check to enter areas other than floors 1-3.

"We're visiting the upper-level hunter dormitory."

As I opened the security room door, a female staff member asked us to come over.

"After the security check, you can apply for a visit at the dormitory management office on the 15th floor. Who is the subject of the check?"

"This one. He's an Awakened."

"Please provide your name, phone number, and if you are a hunter, your certification number."

Yu Mingwu gave his name and phone number. The sound of typing on a keyboard echoed for a moment, and another staff member brought a bracelet that could be locked with a key.

"This is an inventory sealing bracelet. If you remove it forcibly, you will be immediately evicted and must compensate for the costs. Please return it after you finish your business."

With the increase in Awakened, the biggest problem became inventory. Even F-rank can have an inspection-proof space just by awakening.

Fortunately, you can't put anything in it unless it comes from a dungeon, so it doesn't significantly affect daily life. However, in places requiring security, inventories are sealed as a precaution. A few years later, when the number of Awakened increased dramatically, entire buildings were cursed to seal inventories.

Thanks to this, the top earner among Awakened who didn't need to enter dungeons was the Cursed Hunter. They could do all sorts of things as long as they met the conditions. However, meeting those conditions was difficult, so their combat effectiveness was low.

After the security check, we went to the dormitory management office to apply for the visit and returned to A-15. Is Yelim still getting her coordination?

"Is this the dormitory?"

Yu Mingwu, who had entered the room, widened his eyes in amazement.

"The place is amazing. It doesn't feel like a dormitory; it's like a luxury apartment."

"The service is great too. They provide necessities up to one million won per month and do cleaning and laundry twice a week."

"Wow, really?"

Yu Mingwu looked at me with envy. No, look at the place, not at me. You weren't supposed to have the qualifications to enter in the first place.

"That's why everyone talks about ranks. Once you reach A-rank, the guild treats you like a VIP and gives you these luxury facilities."

"Even though I'm not A-rank, I can stay here. You really are amazing!"

"...No, it's just connections."

I'm going crazy. Someone should take the blinders off his eyes. He's acting like a teenage girl who met her idol.

I hadn't even toured the entire place yet because I went out to find Yu Mingwu as soon as we arrived. There were four rooms in total. It really is just like an apartment. Two of them were bedrooms, so there was no need to spread out a futon on the sofa.

The kitchen was spacious and stylish, filled with various kitchen appliances. That must be an oven, and what's this?

"Oh, the fridge is stocked."

It was filled with vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients, as well as orange juice and beer.

"What do you want to drink?"

I asked while taking out a bottle of orange juice. Yu Mingwu, who was lingering at the kitchen entrance, shook his head.

"No, just water is fine."

"It's free anyway. Have a drink. Orange juice is good, right?"

I took out two cups and poured the juice. Come to think of it, do I have to do the dishes? There's probably a dishwasher, but I don't know how to use it.

I handed Yu Mingwu a cup of juice and went to the living room. As I leaned back on the sofa, a sense of fatigue washed over me.

I'm not even getting a salary, and it's the weekend, yet why was I so busy today? Still, since things are roughly settled, I should do nothing until Monday.

"Yelim probably finished the contract, and the guild will take care of her. Once I give that guy a skill, it'll be all over."

I don't need a healer. I won't do it. I'm going to live a life of leisure. I'll become a well-fed sloth.

Ah, I need to feed Peace. I'll go up in a bit.

I sipped the juice absentmindedly and turned on the TV. Yu Mingwu was standing there, holding his cup, not knowing what to do. He should just sit down and drink, but do I have to tell him that?

"Come and sit down."

"O-Okay."

He came over and sat in the remaining spot. He listens well.

"If you're going to stay for a few days, you should pack some things. Are there any more thugs who might break down your door?"

"Huh? No, not really. I said I'd pay them back by going through dungeons after getting awakened and trained... But those guys transferred the debt to me. They said I can't earn money with F-rank and a support skill..."

I see. That's why a hunter suddenly appeared.

"Then rest today and go back tomorrow to get what you need. If you're nervous, wear your gloves."

It's too much trouble for me to go with him. Besides, he's just a naked body without equipment.

I put down my half-drunk juice and got up. I took the hook I bought from the hardware store and the tools I borrowed from the management office and approached the door connecting to A-16 in the living room.

Why did they have to put a door here? I might have a heart attack if I'm watching a horror movie and drinking beer, and the door suddenly opens. Yelim doesn't seem like the type to knock politely.

"Can I help?"

"No, it's fine."

I used a drill to nail the hook and lock it, then returned to the sofa and sprawled out. I'll feed Peace later and have a beer. Can you get food delivered here? I want to have chicken and beer for the first time in a while, but I'll have to go down to pick it up.

"...After the training is over, I won't have a reason to come here, right?"

Yu Mingwu, fidgeting with his empty cup, said with a regretful voice. Normally, that would be the case. A F-rank with only a buff skill wouldn't be accepted by the Hyeon Guild.

But I need to keep him here. What excuse can I come up with?

"You can always come to visit as a friend. As a hunter, it might be a bit difficult to enter, but I'm not a guild hunter; I'm a regular employee."

"Why not?"

Yu Mingwu looked confused. Well, because I'm F-rank. Of course, Seok Shimyeong wanted to bring me into the guild, but I would be demoted if I went through the formal procedures.

"The Hyeon Guild has only a few C-rank. It's mainly A-rank and B-rank. However, if you have a hunter certification, you get extra points as a regular employee, so who knows? If you do well in training, you might get a job offer."

Of course, that's not the reality. How can I keep Yu Mingwu here? ...Should I make a deal with Seok Shimyeong? Five hours a week... No, three hours... Damn.

"Can you do housework?"

"What? Oh, I can cook ramen well."

I can cook ramen well too. Well, you need to practice to get better, and you probably couldn't afford the ingredients.

"Apparently, you can hire a housekeeper at your own expense in the dormitory. Not a real housekeeper, but it takes time for F-rank to establish themselves after training. So, how about pretending to be a live-in housekeeper for a few months? There are extra rooms, and it's boring to live alone."

Yu Mingwu stiffened as if he had received a shock. I guess the idea of being a housekeeper wasn't appealing. But I can't think of a proper way to push him into the employee dormitory...

"Yujin!"

"What? Why-."

"You're really a good and kind friend!"

Mingwu hugged me again. Damn, this guy is so strong... Oh, I gave him the gloves. Should I just take them back?

"Get off! What kindness? I can't even pay you a salary because I don't have money!"

"Don't say that. The rent in this area is so high! Really... I don't know what to say."

...Well, if you consider the size and location of this place, you'd have to spend your entire salary. But let go. Let go of this...

Bang!

"Uncle!"

With a powerful shout, the hook I had carefully installed fell to the floor.

...It's fine. I expected it. I knew this would happen.

< My Person (3) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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