But really, what business would this fire-elent mage have in contacting anyone else?
"Hello."
"Excuse ."
"It's not rude, so speak comfortably."
"I'm calling about the tutoring schedule you ntioned earlier in the hospital room."
He used to be such a workaholic that people once called him a machine. So, just as expected, he soon got straight to the point.
"Things kept happening one after another, so it ended up being delayed for too long."
It was already mid-autumn, yet the tutoring work still hadn't been wrapped up. So, after the call ended, Kim Giryeo made a brief appointnt with Jung Haseong—to settle everything before starting the long-awaited retirent life.
***
An ambitious business venture on an alien planet: teaching arcane magic.
A business ambitiously launched on an alien planet. Magical instruction.
Today is finally the day to put an end to that new challenge.
"Alright, then considering that there have been fewer classes recently, I'll reduce the amount you need to pay to about this much..."
I've thought this for a while, but now there's nothing more I can teach that student.
But for what was supposed to be our last lesson, this eting turned out to be a string of rather lackluster monts. It's not like colleagues in the trade would suddenly start singing songs of gratitude to their master over sothing like this. And there was certainly no question of pinning carnations on each other in so flashy ceremony. Maybe it's because I started this private magic tutoring without any formal teaching credentials to begin with, but everything about it—right down to the ending—felt a little sloppy.
"Make sure to keep practicing the techniques I taught you from ti to ti."
"Yes."
"Whether it's superpowers or studying, practice is always the key in life."
Rather than taking so grand test in the field, they rely sat down and wrapped things up by reviewing what they had learned so far.
"Oh, and about your [Sword of Sunset]."
"Yes."
"Since the blade's so sharp, you seem to try cutting down any monster that looks tough with it."
"Oh, yes."
"Now, Jung Haseong, you're not lacking in either skill power or control anymore, right? So try using that legendary weapon more often for defense instead."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"I think the [Destruction Immunity] item would be more useful in defensive situations..."
But from my perspective, this was the perfect way to wrap things up. That black-haired alien was a model student by nature, and it was clear from the way they moved that they had diligently absorbed everything I'd taught them.
"When you already know their academic performance, there's no real need to add on extra field practice. Besides, it's a hassle."
So, I killed ti by sharing small tips I hadn't had the chance to ntion before. Before I knew it, the morning had flown by surprisingly fast. That was it. The only noteworthy thing left for the day was the fancy sushi restaurant we'd be heading to in the afternoon to celebrate closing the deal.
"They say they also serve stead conch there. Co to think of it, I haven't really eaten mollusks much since coming to Earth."
But then, a sudden, urgent sentence ca from the other side.
"Hunter Kim Giryeo."
Jung Haseong spoke in a cautious tone.
"I don't know if I should ask this, but regarding our team-up..."
Well, on the other hand, I had wondered why this question hadn't co up sooner.
"I might have been a little disappointed if it hadn't been brought up."
Just as we were wrapping up and getting ready to leave, a young man sitting on a bench in the hunter-only gym spoke. Seemingly without much expectation that it would actually happen,
he asked if he should take it that the promise made back then had fallen through.
"It was originally agreed that once I had learned the techniques you were going to pass on and built up a certain level of skill, we would officially work together."
Of course, the topic presented this ti had a clear answer.
"Yeah, that's right. Haseong-ah, this tutoring was half a scam from the very start, so that was never going to happen."
Within the deal between Guild Master Garion and the fourth S-ranker was, in truth, the characteristic pettiness unique to the Alphaut, hidden in full.
"Judging by the accidents commonly reported in the local news, I'm like a luncheon restaurant owner who sold a one-year subscription at a super discount and then shut down the business the following month..."
It was an inevitable outco.
Back then, I was a genuine F-rank. I literally had nothing—no strength, no skills—making it impossible to team up with a hero.
But now? I simply don't want to work. At the core, I moved to Earth because of that very wish. So there was no way I could keep my promise to Jung Haseong.
"Hmm."
So now I have to announce my decision... At a mont like this, even I—a native of Alphaut—felt a twinge of guilt.
"Damn it. That mammal—why does his eyes look so watery today of all days?"
Bright and sparkling.
Jung Haseong looked at with innocent, clear eyes. That Earth-born life form was just a bit immature in controlling emotions due to age. Aside from his slightly hot temper, he was a genuinely good individual.
The rough leather with 100% opacity. The oddly warm apricot-colored skin. Anyway, judging by soul alone, Alphaut found it really hard to see these people as attractive. Yet, standing before such a mammal, I once again beca aware of the presence of my conscience.
"A mage who trusted enough to burn 8 billion won a month!"
I'm starting to feel sorry for scamming Jung Haseong. But on top of that, telling soone who's already disappointed that he's worthless and can't be part of the team anymore—how cruel would that be?
"No matter how strong I've beco, I shouldn't go that far."
Now ca the mont, like in a martial arts novel, to send the disciple off down the mountain. But since I'm an Alphaut with a fair amount of compassion, I hurriedly softened the excuse for breaking the promise and spoke kindly.
"...Hmm, yeah. Actually, just like you said, Jung Haseong, teaming up is going to be a bit difficult."
"It's because of the tumor... right?"
"That's right."
Looking at it this way, it was actually a blessing that the doctor misspoke. Thanks to that, a logical excuse beca possible.
"_ _"
"What I'm trying to say is that the reason I want to cancel our agreent is simply because I'm experiencing a slight decline in stamina."
"_ _"
"I've been feeling tired more often lately. Whether you're an office worker or a hunter, it's best to take a break when that happens."
He had already given his all to persuade Ahn Yoonseung. So here, it seed enough to wrap up the explanation like this. Jung Haseong was gentle enough not to pressure soone who said they were tired, even if the reasoning was a bit weak.
"Will this be enough?"
Glanced.
I studied the black-haired Earth creature.
"As expected, no imdiate rebuttal."
Just in case—though it's a cowardly trick—I fully unleashed my magic. Maybe that's the reason. The other person sat silently for a long ti with his hands clasped together. But before I could accept their deanor, the mammal's magic suddenly beca unstable. And at that very mont, sensing the ominous energy...
"Did sothing happen in the dungeon last week?"
The man next to asked.
What a random topic.
"From my perspective, it just seems like you must have definitely felt your health worsen in that dungeon..."
"Oh, that."
"I actually have no objection to you taking a break, Hunter. My only concern is that you seem to be worried about the gap your absence might create in the industry, and that worries ."
"What?"
"You recently forced Hunter Kang Changho to enter a dungeon, didn't you? Was that to tighten discipline and secure an S-rank talent replacent?"
No, really, what is this?
"But just how big-hearted can one person be, to accompany an esper with a criminal record of two counts through the entire dungeon just for fear they might get hurt?"
I was flustered and instinctively waved my hands to brush it off. This was the only Earth-style gesture I could reflexively make.
"That's not it."
But Jung Haseong paid no mind to my denial and instead stared into the void like soone caught in paranoia. Honestly, it was frightening.
And the conversation that followed didn't ease this chilling sense of unease at all.
"I understand perfectly well that the team-up isn't happening after all."
"Yeah."
"I didn't an to, but still, having fought alongside fake... beasts like that, we've already had each other's backs. I'm more than satisfied with that."
"Oh, really?"
"Actually, it's precisely because of that experience that I've co to accept it. Everyone clearly saw just how much stronger Hunter Kim Giryeo is compared to us."
No way. Jung Haseong was criticizing himself on his own.
"Is it really okay to leave it as it is?"
I tried to pause the rapidly progressing conversation for a mont. But before I could say anything, Jung Haseong cut off.
"That."
"But now that I'm saying this, I don't just an a short rest—I actually hope Hunter Kim takes this opportunity to retire."
"Re, retire?"
"You always gave good advice about not overdoing things. Why are you so harsh to yourself, Hunter?"
"Hmm."
"I know your skills are that good, so you always step up personally. But from now on, we'll also put in more effort."
"You're already doing well enough."
"Just take care of your health from now on."
He continued with a bittersweet expression.
"Even if we can't team up for jobs anymore, I'd be happy just to occasionally share a al with you as close friends."
There was definitely so misunderstanding mixed in. But when I glanced around cautiously, the current situation was clearly to my advantage.
"Yeah..."
I confidently declared in front of the alien.
"Yeah! I will."
Since I had no plans to tackle any raids regardless of anyone's encouragent, I didn't refuse the other person's concern to take a good rest. Instead, with a bold attitude, I accepted the advice wholeheartedly and announced my leave of absence.
Pay Company. Heayoung. And even this monthly 3 billion won scam.
With almost all the planned schedules settled now, then what's left to do?
"For the ti being, I should focus on taking care of my health, just like Hunter Jung Haseong said."
From now on, I plan to beco the second Kang Changho. Simply put, that ans I'll be living as a wealthy unemployed person, slowly spending down the money in my bank account.
"A house!"
But I'll be hard to keep living in the experintal studio apartnt I reserved in advance.
"I need to buy a house!"
The first priority is to find a new place to live. Planning a peaceful future can wait until after that.
I tried to organize my thoughts in my mind. Still, the luckiest thing recently was that I safely wrapped up this tutoring deal that I had always worried about since my F-rank days.
***
anwhile, 12 hours after so awakened ones held a farewell party at the sushi restaurant.
"Yes. Well, thank you for passing along the ssage."
This is the top-floor private room of the Magic Tower Guild.
"As expected, so that's how the issue among the S-rank group was settled after all."
However, the atmosphere around the glass table was tense. Except for the absence of yukgaejang, the room where people sat felt like a funeral parlor.
"But this is a bit surprising. Do Giryeo-ssi really say that?"
"Yes. Because Hunter Seo needs to improve your skill control so that I don't get hurt and we can work well as a team."
"Well, thinking back to when we faced the Beasts, it's obviously much better to prepare for division of labor than not to."
"He said he would take so ti later to share his know-how with Hunter Seo Esther as well."
"But soone as healthy as him, when would he ever take ti off again?"
"I'm not sure about that part..."
Slurp.
Soon, Jung Haseong took a sip of his coffee.
"But from what you're saying, it sounds like it's already decided that he'll be passing on his skills to Hunter Seo."
He continued speaking with hollow eyes.
"Maybe it's ti to start winding down Garion."
As this muttered to himself reveals, a certain one-person guild was currently at a crossroads.
[Garion]. Of course, that guild is a luxurious group of highly skilled elites who excel at their work, but........
"Oh, really? For an S-rank hunter like with high earnings, is it much more tax-efficient to set up a corporation?"
The hope of finding an equal peer had been thwarted for years. So, Garion was actually just a company kept alive mainly for the tax benefits under current law.
Even the profession of hunter nowadays benefits administratively from having a clear affiliation. However, according to the law, if Kim Giryeo had long insisted, in Korea, S-rank hunters were expected to be able to pair up and work together even if soone retired.
"Mr. Jung, are you really sure it's okay to proceed like that?"
"Yes. If I'm going to work with Esther, it would be more convenient to join the Magic Tower. It doesn't really matter much."
Seo Esther added.
"A star hunter who was called 'God Jung' or 'the national hero' is joining our company, can you believe that...?"
Needless to say, this was a trendous piece of good news. But for so reason, the owner of the company—which had nothing left to do but watch its stock price soar—repeatedly wore a gloomy expression, and then... the Hunter with the surna Seo finally spoke.
"I don't think Mr. Giryeo started his how-to with this intention from the very beginning."
It was clear that a man like Kim Giryeo—always serious and never uttering nonsense, at least according to Seo Esther's thoughts—had definitely broken his promise with Jung Haseong. That's why Seo Esther's expression stiffened even after hearing the good news firsthand.
"Yes."
"Perhaps at first, he genuinely hoped to collaborate with an S-rank hunter."
"Do you think Kim Giryeo ever knew the type to recklessly make empty promises? That man is the kind who, even if a beauty like asked him out for a al, would always be the first to admit he already ate."
"_ _"
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