At the operations headquarters.
“Aish, tsk. Everything’s fine, but the cleanup is a mess.”
“Seems like they lack experience. It’s unimaginable even if there are no precedents. How can field agents leave without reporting?”
“Back in our days, we couldn’t even imagine such a thing. Times have changed, huh.”
There was murmuring among the command staff.
Hunter without a precedent.
Hunter with a botched cleanup.
Field agent hunter.
These terms referred to Dok Jong-sik .
Some blamed the absent Jong-sik for not attending the meeting. All’s fair in love and war. They wanted to hear many things from Jong-sik’s mouth. They wanted to resolve their doubts. But they weren’t given that chance. So, dissatisfaction was inevitable.
Where there’s dissatisfaction, there are also those who disagree with it. Like Kang Chang-soo.
“That’s right. You saved us, killed the boss alone, and even brought back research materials called demons.
“You handled an absurd task on your own.”
“Well, who doesn’t know that! Isn’t that what we’re talking about now?”
The strategy team members attending the meeting chimed in with their voices. Why wouldn’t they? Their benefactor had become the subject of gossip. Jong-sik had received a blank check from the strategy team. Of course, he himself was unaware.
“Do you mean those who know that are saying that?”
“The old sayings never lie.”
“Do you also think so?”
“You too? After rescuing someone drowning, they ask for their luggage. That saying comes to mind.”
“Yeah, that’s what I meant.”
The field agents who participated in the operation were not indifferent. If it were the Hunter Association Chairman, it might be different. They could easily stand up to the rest of the workforce. If they set aside etiquette and respect, they could even crush them. As a result, the members maneuvered the headquarters, giving and taking, while pushing back against the command.
“Are you saying we should listen to them now?”
“Yes.”
“Ha, the hierarchy is a mess!”
“I believe it’s because it’s been too long since you retired, and you’ve lost your touch.”
“We might curse the Chairman behind his back, but let’s be careful. Okay?”
“These brats, really-!”
At that moment, when the atmosphere in the conference room was overheated, the Hunter Association Chairman, Nam Woo-jong, entered. His secretary briefed him on the situation. Eventually, the Chairman waved his hand and shouted.
“What’s going on now? Can’t you all just stop?”
“Ha, but Mr. Chairman. They say Hunter Dok Jong-sik left the scene without reporting.”
“Who said he left without reporting?”
“Well, not necessarily anyone, but…”
“Seems like someone made baseless claims without proper investigation. Hunter Dok Jong-sik came to me directly to report before leaving. Besides, it was part of the agreement when we brought him along in the first place. So, let’s not lose focus on the upcoming meeting and follow-up discussions.”
And thus, the meeting began.
With each member starting with uncomfortable feelings, a heavy atmosphere prevailed. However, just for a moment. Everyone’s attention shifted to the topic of “Demons.”
At that moment, everyone came together to discuss the post-operation procedures.
Meanwhile, Kang Chang-soo took out his phone from his pocket and sent a text message.
[Commander, this is Kang Chang-soo. I have a report to make, so I’m sending you a text.]
[I’m listening. Go ahead.]
[It’s important… I’ll just convey this. The captured Demon will be immediately put into research starting tomorrow. Also, the research results will be shared at the World Hunter Federation meeting. Oh, and about the Ashen Rune…]
[Commander?]
[Hmm. You must be asleep. I’ll come see you after work then.]
On the other hand, Jong-sik, upon receiving the message, shook his head anxiously. It was all because of the sticky Kang Chang-soo. He had clearly said there was no need for a report, yet now he was reporting via text message.
“This guy, always causing trouble for nothing. Anyway, I’ll just listen to what Lamus has to say.”
With such thoughts, Jong-sik opened the front door. It was a return after just one day and a half.
***
Creak.
There was a small creature with a spring-like bounce opening the door.
“Big, Papa!”
It was Haeli. Despite being the early hours of the morning when everyone else was asleep, his eyes were wide open. Moreover,
‘Is there a problem in the room?’
In the middle of the living room, four people were lying down. Since it was the living room, there were no beds. Why were they all gathered here to sleep uncomfortably? While pondering over this, Haeli approached Jong-sik.
“Big Papa, you’re late.”
“I came early, though? Why are you still awake at this hour? Were you awake all alone?”
“…Yeah!”
There was no response. Instead, Haeli just snuggled his little nose. Eventually, he furrowed his eyebrows and asked an irrelevant question.
“Can I use this?”
Mana gathered on his small hand. It seemed like he was trying to cast magic. Jong-sik hesitated for a moment.
“What are you trying to do?”
“…Smell.”
Huh? Smell? That unexpected answer caught Jong-sik off guard. At that moment, the faint scent of the strategists disappeared from his body. It seemed that Haeli had used magic before Jong-sik could even permit it.
“Alright.”
Then, Haeli suddenly hugged Jong-sik’s leg tightly. Looking up at Jong-sik, he grinned and squinted his eyes. Then, he rubbed his head against Jong-sik’s leg as if trying to leave his scent on it.
‘I was about to say something…’
Since it wasn’t the type of magic to rapidly grow plants like last time, Jong-sik felt like he could let it go. Moreover, he didn’t want to spoil this direct display of affection.
“What are you doing? Stop and go sleep next to your sister, Yeona.”
However, the words that came out were rather unkind. Was it because of that? Haeli looked at him and asked.
“…Going out again?”
“No. I need to sleep too. Thanks to someone, I don’t even need to shower anymore.”
This time was no different. Jong-sik’s voice sounded stiff. He wasn’t used to dealing with children, so he couldn’t insert soft phrases like ‘Urrurkkakka.’
However, the moment his large hand touched Haeli’s forehead.
“Hehe.”
Haeli immediately regained his smile. He took Jong-sik’s hand and walked to the living room where the family was lying down. Then, he crawled under the blanket and patted the spot next to him.
That must mean to lie down next to him, right?
“Here, let’s sleep together.”
Sure enough, Jong-sik glanced between his room and the family lying in the living room. Eventually, he reluctantly lay down, unable to resist.
“…It’s best to sleep in a bed.”
Even as he muttered, Haeli’s small hand moved on top of Jong-sik’s chest, just like Yeona used to do.
Pat, pat.
‘Sleep well, my child.’
***
The next day.
Due to the guests who came from the morning, Dok’s Restaurant made ten thousand won.
Recently, the main customers of Dok’s Restaurant were local residents and academy students. However, for some reason, today seemed a bit different.
A few men in black suits were visible at the fully occupied tables. They seemed to have a different aura than ordinary office workers. And that wasn’t all.
“Huh? Isn’t that guy over there a Hunter from YM?”
“Wow, really? It seems like it.”
“They said the YM cafeteria is amazing… Is it true that people are lining up to eat at Dok’s?”
“Yeah, I see a Hunter over there too.”
“Aw man, this restaurant shouldn’t become famous. Who’s going to post this on the community again?”
Outside the door, the line stretched long.
Amidst the waiting line, some recognizable Hunters’ faces were visible. Most of them had some connection with the raiders.
“Hey, Jong-sik! Long time no see.”
“Oh, really? You’re here for a meal too? Are you a regular here?”
“No way. It’s my first time too. Someone recommended it to me.”
“Your first time? Did Do-seung contact you too?”
“Did he contact you too?”
“Last night.”
Most of them received similar messages. Essentially, it went something like this:
“Hey, it’s amazing. I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Are you okay? I was worried because I didn’t hear from you. Did you finish the dungeon raid?”
“Man, I can’t keep secrets. Anyway, watch the media announcement. It’s amazing. But more importantly, if you have time tomorrow, come here and have breakfast. Even if you’re short on time, go there and eat.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just go and try it out without asking questions. It’s better than your guild cafeteria. And just in case, since it’s a restaurant run by our leader’s family, don’t cause trouble, you know what I mean?”
“You’re treating me like a potential troublemaker. I’m not that kind of person.”
“Just be careful. Don’t underestimate just because it’s a food business. You could end up dead.”
“Nonsense. Let’s see if it’s really that bad.”
The messages from the raiders ignited their curiosity. They had to taste it themselves to see why there was such a fuss.
With that determination, the Hunters rushed here from morning. As expected, the restaurant didn’t look particularly special from the outside. But the line in front of it was enormous.
“Just be really bad.”
In their hearts, they wanted to just walk in and eat, but heeding their friend’s warning about the possibility of dying, they patiently waited in line.
Meanwhile, inside Dok’s Restaurant.
“Excuse me, can I see the owner?”
A man who had finished his meal grabbed a staff member and asked.
“Yes? The owner? Excuse me, but what’s this about?”
“Since it’s something difficult to discuss with the staff, I’d like to speak to the owner separately.”
“Um, well…”
The hall manager, Park Chang-mo, looked troubled. If it were a slower time, he wouldn’t hesitate. But now, it’s busy. So he can’t just summon the owner without knowing the reason.
“I’m sorry, but as you can see, it’s a busy time right now. If it’s something important, you can either contact the owner directly, or if you don’t have a personal connection, you can tell me, and I’ll pass it on.”
Upon hearing this, the man smirked as if it were pathetic. Then he took out his business card.
– Taehwa Guild
– HR Manager: Yoo Ho-young
“It’s a business matter, but should I tell the details to him? For now, just take my card. I’ll be waiting, so go ahead and sit down.”
Although it’s a small guild, the HR manager is from a fairly well-known guild.
Hence, the man’s attitude is quite confident.
“What’s this? You said you’d pass it on. Hurry up and go get the owner, or give me the card.”
The man, revealing his identity, raised his voice. This made Park Chang-mo even more uncomfortable. He could sense the customers glancing at them. Deciding it’s a problem he can’t solve within his capacity, Park Chang-mo headed towards the kitchen.
“Excuse me. Hold on a moment.”
“Uh, wait. Just wait. Take this too.”
Other men in suits, who were observing them, called over the staff, Park Chang-mo. Suddenly, Park Chang-mo found himself holding five business cards in his hand.
