Chapter 245
Chapter 245. Before the Destruction (3)
“You’re always wearing a suit.”
“Why, is that weird?”
“No, it’s not like that. To be honest, I was wondering if it might be uncomfortable to wear a suit, especially when you’re working. Suits can be a bit, well, uncomfortable, right?”
Jung Haseong quietly observed the awakened individual standing next to him. From the vest tailored perfectly to fit his chest, to the dark brown Oxford shoes, the cynical suit attire was ticulously formal. As Haseong searched his mories, he realized he had hardly ever seen the person stray far from this classic, formal style.
Of course, when an Awakened person cos into contact with an object, they basically follow the special law of ‘magic conduction,’ and can turn ordinary scissors into artifact-level weapons. Thanks to this phenonon, even wearing regular items ensures at least so degree of defense, preventing a disaster like being reduced to a naked wanderer by a re breath from a B-rank wind-elent monster. Fortunately, such catastrophes don’t occur.
No matter how much they advertise elasticity or comfort, in the end, it’s still a suit. Jung Haseong was curious about why soone who appeared to live a relatively laid-back life would insist on wearing formal attire, when options like sweatpants or casual wear were available.
y a re breath from a B-Rank wind elent monster. Fortunately, such catastrophes don't occur.
No matter how much they advertise elasticity or comfort, in the end, it's still a suit. Jung Haseong was curious about why soone who appeared to live a relatively laid-back life would insist on wearing formal attire, when options like sweatpants or casual wear were available.
For the past three months, the hero had rarely engaged in casual conversation, so it was surprising that he was now asking such personal questions. However, it wasn't too much to ask for a little bit of a response as a gesture of gratitude towards the Earthling who had even driven him all the way to Incheon.
"As expected, are you soone who prefers wearing suits after all?"
"Rather than saying I like them, they were clothes I personally wanted to wear."
"I'm sorry, but I think they an the sa thing."
"Is that so?"
Giryeo replied without turning his head, simply opening his mouth to answer.
"Actually, it's been my dream to wear a uniform and work for a while."
Anyway, it's not a lie.
"At one point, I worked in fields like a bathtub factory or delivery services, and sohow ended up preparing for the prison guard exam..."
"B, bathtub? A bathtub factory?"
"Just when I was younger. Anyway, it's common for a student to imagine what they'll look like once they pass the exam."
"...Right. I did the sa during my college entrance exams."
"My future dream was to wear a clean uniform and earn money as a prison guard, but that didn't work out."
The blond man continued his small talk in a dry tone, as if he were speaking about soone else.
"It's been tough in many ways. So now, instead of a governnt uniform, I'm wearing this just to make myself feel better. It's for my own satisfaction."
Whoosh.
It's been tough in many ways. So now, instead of a governnt uniform, I'm wearing this just to make myself feel better. It's for my own satisfaction.
Whoosh.
When he lowered his gaze, the white shirt imdiately ca into view. Just as he had said, after regaining the mories of the body's original owner, Kim Giryeo realized that the black suit the vessel had been wearing at the ti of death wasn't sothing he had liked. Even so, he still continued to maintain a certain style of dress.
'Actually, the main reason is that 80% of the clothes Esther gave as gifts are suits.'
Apart from the dream of becoming a correctional officer, the true owner of this body, the Earthling Kim Giryeo, had a strange yearning for white-collar jobs, perhaps because he started his social life in manual labor occupations. So, the alien decided to stick with the current formal style, as if to indulge in wearing the office attire that he had long admired in his previous life.
It was an Earth trend that he would never fully understand. From the perspective of an advanced jellyfish, any fabric would eventually be uncomfortable, but if that was the case, it was better to attach so small aning to this forced culture.
'It's efficient and good, isn't it?'
Giryeo fiddled with the silk tie on his neck.
However, at this mont, the primitive sorcerer, who usually rarely initiates conversation, spoke again.
"To think that working in a prison was your dream. I'm sure if soone like Hunter Kim Giyeo was guarding it, the prisoners would have felt at ease even in the middle of their confinent."
"Um, sorry, but are you implying that it's because my appearance is so intimidating that even the criminals would have been scared?"
"No. There's a much more accurate and positive way to express it. Why are you blaming yourself like that?"
"What is that expression?"
"Charisma."
Jung Haseong placed one of his wrists on the hilt of the sunset sword fixed to his belt. Then, while looking at Giryeo's black tie, he thought to himself. He was the type to sift thoughts through his mind repeatedly before saying them aloud, rather than speaking right away.
'Ah, so that's why he wears a suit like it's a uniform.'
d, rather than speaking right away.
'Ah, so that's why he wears a suit like it's a uniform.'
As expected, that's really unique.
Whenever he had conversations with Giryeo, there were often unexpected responses, and today was no different. Compared to the crashing waves of the sea in front of him, Giryeo was incredibly calm. In truth, this awakened individual was more like the deep, calm abyss of the ocean rather than its surface. So why, when actually speaking to him, did it always feel so unpredictable?
'Given that his hair is completely yellow, it must an he's dyeing it regularly. I thought he was soone who paid a lot of attention to his appearance and always dressed neatly, but it seems that's not the case...'
Haseong briefly glanced at his gray hairs, long overdue for a trip to the salon, before continuing to speak.
"Anyway, it must be disappointing that you couldn't achieve your dream. I feel disappointed too. I think you would have suited that job well, Hunter."
"Isn't that the sa for you too?"
It had only been a few seconds since he thought Giryeo was unpredictable, and already such an unfamiliar question had co.
“You were originally planning to beco a veterinarian, but you awakened and dropped out, right?”
When the conversation turned to specific careers, Jung Haseong pressed his lips together in a calm yet subtly strange reaction.
It was then. Giryeo began cautiously watching the hero’s expression and asked another question.
“Haseong, are you going to keep doing this job?”
“Yes?”
“Just wondering if you’re planning to stay in the Hunter line of work for life…”
It was a statent that contained many anings.
Sohow, Jung Haseong had ended up becoming one of the modern era’s most prominent heroes. However, his original dream had been to beco a veterinarian specializing in small animals like dogs and parrots. Even though that profession also involved wielding a blade, there was still a significant difference between performing surgery to save a life and making an incision simply to tear through flesh.
Sohow, Jung Haseong had ended up becoming one of the modern era's most prominent heroes. However, his original dream had been to beco a veterinarian specializing in small animals like dogs and parrots. Even though that profession also involved wielding a blade, there was still a significant difference between performing surgery to save a life and making an incision simply to tear through flesh.
“It’s a tough job.”
Moreover, unlike his strong physique, the young man’s ntal fortitude couldn’t keep up, and at one point, he even ended up in the hospital.
“Honestly, I think you, Jung Haseong, sotis feel way too much unnecessary responsibility.”
“Unnecessary?”
“As I’ve said before, what’s the big deal about Awakening...? If you search it up online, you’ll see that recent statistics on Awakening occurrences, according to foreign research, show a clear upward trend in the past few years.”
“....”
“Surprisingly, humanity is adapting to magic faster than expected. If we just wait another 10 or 20 years, the ratio of Awakened individuals will increase significantly. Then, the Hunter market will grow, and civilians will gradually be able to defend themselves autonomously.”
Surprisingly, humanity is adapting to magic faster than expected. If we just wait another 10 or 20 years, the ratio of Awakened individuals will increase significantly. Then, the Hunter market will grow, and civilians will gradually be able to defend themselves autonomously.
I see.
The conclusion is, no matter what you do from now on, the worst-case scenario where the world ends or sothing similar... probably won’t happen. If that’s what you want, honestly, just clearing the minimum necessary dungeon breaks would be enough, and society will continue to function just fine.
Giryeo carefully spoke to Jung Haseong, his voice cutting through the sound of the crashing waves.
Have you ever thought about quitting being a Hunter?
His tone was soft, as if he were genuinely concerned, but in truth, a thoroughly sly calculation was running through his mind. After all, the F-rank swindler standing here had already made a promise to Jung Haseong that he had no real way of keeping. However, if by any chance Jung Haseong decided to retire, he wouldn’t have to pay out the problematic reward for the lecture (a formal team) to him.
If I can’t retire, then you’ll retire too!
'Raising Jung Haseong could be considered an investnt for the future, so the ti spent wasn’t entirely wasted. But if it gets exposed that I’ve been running a scam worth 6 billion a month for a goal that was never going to be achieved...!'
'Raising Jung Haseong could be considered an investnt for the future, so the ti spent wasn't entirely wasted. But if it gets exposed that I've been running a scam worth 6 billion a month for a goal that was never going to be achieved...!'
Keugh.
The blond man waited anxiously for the other's answer.
"Thinking about quitting, you an? I think about it every day."
Ooh! Korea's fourth S-rank felt excited from the depths of his soul.
"But I'm not going to."
However, in just a brief mont, his spirits ca crashing down.
"Actually, I didn't pursue being a veterinarian with so grand sense of duty. It's just that my grades were decent... and I really liked dogs. Plus, on TV, they kept talking about how the pet market was going to grow bigger in the future."
"...."
....
Jobs like that usually make a lot of money, right?
Then, the black-haired pyromancer displayed a gesture that seed completely out of character for them. They ford a circle with their index and thumb, while the other fingers were lightly spread apart. This was a typical gesture representing money in this place.
It was a dream I chose based on percentages anyway.
Oh my.
So what if my job changes because of the superpowers that suddenly ca down from the sky? Well.
Haseong shrugged his shoulders. He had always been a person without much of a strong opinion, almost like water, and on top of that, his indecisiveness was strong. Given the current situation, however, he seed to find satisfaction in it.
A world where countless people would be in trouble just because I’m not around? When you think about it, there’s no life more fulfilling or important than that. Haseong didn’t even need to contemplate the kind of existential question that middle-aged office workers often ponder, “What is the aning of my life?”
A world where countless people would be in trouble just because I'm not around? When you think about it, there's no life more fulfilling or important than that. Haseong didn't even need to contemplate the kind of existential question that middle-aged office workers often ponder, "What is the aning of my life?"
'Still, becoming Korea's first S-rank, and awakening with such an imnse amount of mana that it couldn't even be properly controlled—those seem like a bit too much... But thanks to this person next to , I've improved a lot through training. Honestly, these days, I don't feel that much self-loathing anymore.'
Haseong stood with his hands behind his back in a composed manner. Then, with his usual clean and proper voice, he continued the conversation.
"Hunter Kim Giryeo."
"Yeah."
"But when I listened carefully, it felt like the things you've been saying since a while were secretly encouraging to retire."
"Huh?"
"As if you wouldn't have to deal with whining to be put on a regular team if I quit being a Hunter..."
"...."
“As if you wouldn’t have to deal with whining to be put on a regular team if I quit being a Hunter…”
“....”
“It’s just my imagination, right?”
Imdiately after, Jung Haseong widened his eyes and stared intensely at soone’s profile.
“It’s just my imagination, right? Hunter-nim?”
“M, mhm.”
“Thank you for your answer.”
Anyway, it was fine. Since the last al at the budae jjigae restaurant, Giryeo had noticed a clear change in Jeong Haseong’s attitude, but still, it was sothing to be thankful for that he wasn’t in the sa position as before, about to be roasted.
Kim Giryeo wiped the cold sweat from his hand, possibly due to temperature regulation or sothing else, and then spoke.
“By the way, Haseong, aren’t you getting hungry…? I brought you all the way here using gas, so I’ll buy you a al just to show my gratitude.”
By the way, Haseong, aren't you getting hungry...? I brought you all the way here using gas, so I'll buy you a al just to show my gratitude.
Ah, al?
Do you want seafood?
I'm sorry, but I forgot my magic consumption accessories today. I don't know if there's a restaurant that will accept S-rank Awakener at this ti.
Well, there are plenty of bakeries nearby. We could buy so bread and eat it by the sea...
Continuing their discussion, the two S-rank Hunters decided to grab so food from a nearby bakery and eat outdoors. During the process, Jung Haseong took out his phone and casually suggested, "By the way, we're in Incheon, so how about we break a gate after the al as a little keepsake?" However, his companion quickly shot down the idea with a dry remark, and the suggestion was imdiately dismissed.
You're crazy. This isn't going to work. Hey, Jung Haseong, since we don't have any set plans, you should take a break with for today.
Y, yes?
"Y, yes?"
"If you try to get back to work before I finish my break, just wait. I've told you before, getting too focused on work is a sickness, you know? Or maybe you're already sick."
Step, step.
Jung Haseong and Kim Giryeo went to the coast to gather new food. They had ventured into relatively rough terrain to avoid the general public, so it took a while to reach the sandy beach after stepping on rocks for quite so ti.
However, before they could fully leave the sandy border, a familiar yet puzzling piece of information approached them. Sothing heavy or sharp. Or the unique cold, bluish hair that always ca to mind when thinking of the word "Milky Way." Along with a tall figure.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
Giryeo combines the visual data coming into his field of view, piece by piece.
'It's Kang Changho, right?'
The subject of the oath appeared on the midday beach. Wearing a simple black short-sleeve t-shirt and long cotton pants, his outfit seed completely ordinary, with the exception of the sumr sunglasses perched on his nose, making him appear at first glance like a regular vacationer. However, it was hard to consider him an individual given the large assets he possessed—why would a wealthy person like him choose such a public place as a vacation spot this year?
“Kim Giryeo!”
As expected, the real intention from the other party soon beca clear. A large awakened individual, carrying a Boston bag with the logo of a golf equipnt company on his shoulder, approached. As he approached, Kim Giryeo imdiately expressed his doubts without even taking a breath.
“What are you doing?”
Though it was a sentence without even a proper subject, the contractor smoothly continued the conversation as he placed his sunglasses into the outer pocket of his bag.
“I thought the direction was strange, but it really was at the beach. Did I disturb the young people playing?”
“Hmm?”
I thought the direction was strange, but it really was at the beach. Did I disturb the young people playing?
Hmm?
Sorry about that. But lately, Hunter Kim Giryeo's been causing so much trouble. The truth is, I was busy with sothing else, so I only found out late that you left Seoul.
Ah.
So I rushed over, thinking you might be up to so weird sche and planning to enter a dungeon again. But looking at the situation, I guess that's not the case?
The national hero visibly reacted with displeasure to the word “nonsense” that ca up during the conversation, glaring with a hint of annoyance. However, Kim Giryeo’s response remained flat and monotone.
A dungeon?
During the Gampo Port incident, it was simply a matter of good luck. As long as that Korean stalker was around, it was no surprise that such situations could arise at any ti. There was no need to be surprised by the events that were so clearly predictable.
An accidental encounter like the one with the tentacle isn’t sothing that happens often. Why would I go to dangerous places for no reason?
clearly predictable.
“An accidental encounter like the one with the tentacle isn’t sothing that happens often. Why would I go to dangerous places for no reason?”
“Hmm.”
There is a third party next to him, but it is not a direct reference to the Improvent, so it is okay.
“Since the oath is already in place, what’s there to worry about?”
“I am worried that soone will use so strange trick.”
Kang Changho moved slowly and got a little closer to the group of top-ranking hunters in the industry. Seeing his calm attitude, Giryeo spoke with a much lighter heart.
“I have no intention of breaking the [Knight’s Oath], so please rest assured.”
Next, he was about to say sothing along the lines of how could a person possibly break a contract that involves their life from the start.
Thud.
ir life from the start.
Thud.
However, for so reason, as soon as the blonde man's words ended, an unknown noise echoed from nearby.
Thud? It happened so quickly that he's not sure, but this was like...
“Hmm?”
Kang Changho stopped walking toward this way and lowered his head. This ans that as soon as he heard the noise in question, he turned his gaze towards his bag.
“Oh, right. I totally forgot about this.”
He muttered a few incomprehensible words, then told them to wait for a mont. Saying he would show them sothing interesting, he opened the zipper of the bag he was carrying over one shoulder.
‘Could it be that there’s golf equipnt inside?’
It was around the ti when Jung Haseong was having this thought that a change occurred in Kang Changho’s direction. The corners of soone’s mouth, which had been subtly curved in a smile the whole ti, slowly turned down. Kang Changho beca quietly expressionless.
Could it be that there's golf equipnt inside?
It was around the ti when Jung Haseong was having this thought that a change occurred in Kang Changho's direction. The corners of soone's mouth, which had been subtly curved in a smile the whole ti, slowly turned down. Kang Changho beca quietly expressionless.
What on earth could be inside that bag that made an S-rank hunter suddenly react like that?
"...."
Kang Changho, with a calm expression and slightly widened eyes, stared inside the bag for a long while. He then briefly looked at the nearby blonde Awakened, alternated his gaze between them and the contents of the bag, and showed this reaction.
He was silent for a long ti, lost for words. Then, suddenly, he furrowed his brows and quietly burst into laughter. Although he didn't make a sound, it was the first ti anyone had seen the S-rank Hunter smile so widely, to the point where his lower teeth were fully exposed.
But why was that? On the surface, Kang Changho's laughter seed so positive, to the point it reminded one of his childhood. Yet, suddenly, a chilling warning light flickered in soone's mind. It strongly felt like sothing was wrong.
Author's Thoughts
Hi, from now on, I will update this novel 3 chapters/week. Thank you for all your support so far:)
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