Chapter 30
The first thing Lee Seong-jun did the next day was to prepare for the move.
In fact, there wasn't much to prepare.
Go Tae-hyeon hadn't just given him a real estate contract.
Everything from move-in cleaning to booking a moving company had been taken care of.
And that wasn't all.
The house was fully furnished with essential furniture and appliances.
It was literally a situation where they just had to move in.
Thanks to this, the move progressed smoothly, and they were able to complete the move-in just one day after receiving the house documents.
Of course, given how sudden the move was, at first, the whole family seemed a bit bewildered.
But faced with the flawless living environment, it didn't take long for smiles to appear on their faces.
Especially his sister, Lee Seo-yun, who kept expressing her joy with exclamations of amazement.
"Wow! Is this really our house?"
One's surroundings tend to have a big impact on one's mood.
The scenery around their previous villa consisted entirely of scattered trash and narrow, dark alleyways.
But inside the apartment complex they'd moved to, there were walkways filled with green trees and grass.
It was only natural for their mood to improve.
'This is definitely quite a nice place.'
Of course, it wasn't just the scenery that was satisfying.
Trained security guards were always stationed at the entrance.
Even in the unlikely event of a gate opening or a monster invasion, they could be assured of at least minimal safety.
"This house is really awesome! Oppa, you're the best!"
Seeing Seo-yun exploring every corner of the house with an excited expression, a proud smile spread across Seong-jun's face.
'The Hunter Association... it's a better place than I thought.'
Although they had made one mistake with the Frenzy Gate, that could be seen as an accident.
Looking at their actual capabilities, they were quite excellent.
They knew exactly what was needed and where it might itch, and solved it.
He had accepted the contract to use them as a sort of shield until he finished growing, but his judgment was gradually changing.
If they continued to work like this every time, he was willing to maintain a good relationship with them in the future.
While Seong-jun was organizing his thoughts about the association on his own,
Lee Su-hyeok and Kim Ji-young approached, wearing somewhat complex expressions that were happy but still unable to shake off their bewilderment.
"Son... where on earth did you get a house like this?"
Despite having a considerable sum of 4 billion won, there was a valid reason why they hadn't been able to move immediately.
It was the lack of available properties.
It had been 47 years since monsters first appeared and took over territory.
During that time, numerous awakened individuals and returnees had emerged, calling themselves hunters and hunting monsters, but they still hadn't reclaimed all the lost land.
It was frustrating, but there was nothing they could do.
The power possessed by the monsters was unimaginably strong, and they had created their own factions, settling in specific areas and ruling like kings.
Some of these monsters were even eyeing the land of humanity, known as safe zones.
Those living on the edges of what are commonly called safe zones never know when their homes might suddenly be taken away.
In fact, hadn't there been a precedent where Gimpo City, where Seong-jun and his family used to live, was taken by monsters?
Because of this, many people were trying to settle in the center of the safe zone, Seoul, making it extremely difficult to find proper housing even if you had money.
Yet he had managed to find a property in just a week, or to be precise, in just one day.
Naturally, from Su-hyeok and Ji-young's perspective, this was somewhat bewildering.
"...It's a welfare benefit I received for becoming B-rank. You all know how amazing the association's welfare is, right?"
As Seong-jun scratched the back of his head, Ji-young's eyes narrowed.
"Welfare?"
Of course, they knew that the Hunter Association's welfare was substantial.
In fact, they had heard several times that B-rank and above hunters received brand-name apartments in Seoul as part of their welfare.
But they had never heard of someone moving into an apartment just a day after being promoted to B-rank.
Seeing Ji-young's still suspicious gaze, Seong-jun hastily continued:
"Usually, you have to wait your turn, but the association seems to think highly of me, so I got it right away."
Come to think of it, the amount of money he had earned in a month was overwhelming compared to ordinary new hunters.
For parents, their child's success is the greatest source of pride, so the corners of Su-hyeok's mouth curved into a smile.
"That's my son alright. I'm proud of you. Really proud."
But unlike the smiling Su-hyeok, Ji-young's eyes were still narrowed.
However, the emotion contained in them was no longer suspicion, but worry.
"You're not... forcing yourself to do things the association tells you to do because of our family circumstances, are you?"
Having already pondered this countless times, he could answer immediately.
"Everything I'm doing is because I want to."
Seeing Seong-jun's unwavering eyes, a bright smile also bloomed on Ji-young's face.
"I'm glad. As I've always said, I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for the family. I want you to do what you want to do."
It was a sincere wish for happiness, without a trace of falsehood.
It wasn't new, but it reminded him once again of why he had so desperately wanted to return to Earth.
'It was because of family like this.'
No matter how much strength he gained, or how much wealth and honor he accumulated, he could never gain a family that sincerely cared for and looked after him.
Only his family's sincere hearts could fully fill his heart.
Was it because of the overwhelming happiness?
Words he had been too shy to say first naturally flowed from his mouth.
"And I love you."
Ji-young gently took Seong-jun's hand.
"I love you too, my son."
They don't take it for granted.
They silently support each other, but their hearts that always care for and worry about each other never change.
This is what family is.
His parents' warm hearts touched Seong-jun's heart.
Naturally, the brightest smile ever bloomed on Seong-jun's face.
"I really... really love you."
Indeed, for Seong-jun, his family was an irreplaceable precious treasure.
* * *
It had been a full 8 days, one day more rest than originally anticipated.
But there were no regrets.
'It was really fulfilling days.'
Not only had he lived the happy life with his family that he had longed for, but he had also taken care of moving, which was one of the major family plans.
Because of this, his steps felt lighter than usual as he set out for hunting at the gate early in the morning.
However, unfortunately, these light steps didn't last long before coming to an abrupt halt.
"Hello, might you be Returnee Lee Seong-jun?"
"Who are you?"
It was at the moment when Seong-jun's eyes narrowed.
"I apologize, I'm late with my introduction. I'm Lim Jae-hoon, working for the Hwanseong Guild. Here's my business card."
As if to prove his own words, Jae-hoon immediately took out a business card from inside his jacket and held it out.
-Guild 'Hwanseong' 2nd HR Team, Team Leader. Lim Jae-hoon.
Although it was a sudden encounter, he could immediately guess the reason for the visit.
'It must be about scouting.'
Normally, he would have simply refused without much thought and ended it there.
But there were too many unsettling things.
It hadn't even been a day since he moved, yet this person knew his address accurately.
If he had been living alone, he might not have cared much, but this was the precious home where he lived with his family.
"How did you know my home address?"
Despite clearly being shown the business card, Seong-jun's still sharp attitude made Jae-hoon flustered.
'Even after hearing that I'm from Hwanseong, he shows this attitude...?'
Sasin, Nuri, Bulssae, Baekho, and finally Hwanseong.
These were the top 5 guilds representing South Korea, and could be considered objects of aspiration for hunters.
In fact, most hunters would bow deeply and greet him as soon as he revealed his identity.
But Seong-jun's reaction was different.
His back was still perfectly straight.
Moreover, his voice was icy cold.
"Don't tell me a team leader from one of the top 5 guilds has been investigating me?"
"If I've offended you, I apologize. But I assure you, we didn't look into your information to harm you in any way, Returnee Lee Seong-jun. We just wanted to recruit you to our Hwanseong as quickly as possible after hearing about you..."
Constantly rolling his eyes and gauging Seong-jun's reaction, Jae-hoon carefully continued.
"I apologize again for not considering your feelings in my haste."
Seong-jun fell into thought for a moment.
It was certainly a reasonable point.
If they really meant to threaten him, they wouldn't have approached like this.
Moreover, they even offered a polite apology.
There was no need to react sensitively.
'There's no need to make enemies with one of the top 5 guilds unnecessarily.'
Seong-jun's stiff expression softened a bit.
"...I'm satisfied with my current contract terms, so there's a high probability I'll refuse your offer. Is that okay?"
"Why don't you listen to what we have to say before deciding?"
"Alright, go ahead. But I'm busy today, so I can't give you much time."
The moment Seong-jun gave permission, Jae-hoon opened his mouth as if he had been waiting for this.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Since you're busy, I'll get straight to the point. Our Hwanseong wants to recruit you, Mr. Lee Seong-jun. The contract period is 3 years, with a signing bonus of 100 billion won and an annual salary of 10 billion won. If you wish, we'll also lend you any artifacts you need for hunting free of charge. Of course, we'll cover any penalties for breaking your contract with the association."
Jae-hoon's voice, speaking without hesitation, was full of confidence.
This was inevitable because the amounts he was proposing were the same as what S-rank hunters typically received.
Moreover, they were even offering to lend artifacts needed for hunting free of charge.
'From the perspective of a B-rank hunter, these are conditions that can't be refused.'
However, contrary to Jae-hoon's expectations, an entirely unexpected answer flowed from Seong-jun's mouth.
"I decline."
"...We're offering you the same treatment as S-rank hunters. Wasn't this sufficient?"
Jae-hoon wore an expression that seemed to say he couldn't understand at all.