Chapter 68
From the beginning, Kim Ji-young wasn't asking about her own safety.
"I heard you fought an incredibly strong villain this time... You're not hurt anywhere, are you?"
Lee Seong-jun's eyes waver greatly at Kim Ji-young's words filled with sincere concern.
'...Even in this situation, you were worried about me.'
No, come to think of it, it wasn't just this time.
From childhood, which he barely remembers, until now.
His parents always prioritized their children over themselves, worrying about them.
It meant they had been sending endless love without any conditions or restrictions.
'Not knowing these feelings of my parents, I...'
He was trapped in his own imagination, only thinking about how to lighten the immediate mood.
'I was really foolish.'
He felt so sorry and grateful.
At the same time, a sense of pride began to well up.
'Indeed... I made the right choice coming back to Earth.'
Was it because he had experienced the people of the Thousand Continent and the immortals of the divine realm who always tried to use him?
The warm feelings filled with sincere concern and love touch his heart even more deeply.
Eventually, feeling his chest swell with happiness, a smile begins to form on Lee Seong-jun's lips.
"There's nothing to worry about, as you can see, I'm completely healthy."
Seeing Lee Seong-jun speaking in a bright voice while lifting his arm, Kim Ji-young slowly nods.
"Yes, I'm glad you look so incredibly healthy... But if you ever feel tired, remember you can always rest in your family's embrace, you know what I mean?"
"I'm really not tired at all, you just saw that I don't have a single scratch."
Kim Ji-young smiles warmly at the sight of her dependable son, Lee Seong-jun, trying to ease his parents' worries even a little.
"I'm very grateful and proud of your thoughtfulness for your family... But just don't forget that your happiness should always be the top priority."
It wasn't just a formal statement.
Lee Seong-jun's face naturally breaks into a bright smile at the sincere emotions contained in every single word.
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
"Good, you should always be happy, my son."
"...Mom should always be happy too."
"This mom is always happy thanks to our son who has grown up so wonderfully."
As Lee Seong-jun and Kim Ji-young wished for each other's sincere happiness, smiles formed on both their faces.
At that moment, subtle smiles appear on the faces of Lee Su-hyeok and Lee Seo-yun who were watching from the side.
"How unfair, are mom and oppa trying to be happy just by themselves?"
"Don't worry, our daughter has this dad."
"..."
Lee Seo-yun doesn't give any answer.
She just glances carefully at Kim Ji-young and Lee Seong-jun.
"Daughter, surely... not?"
As Lee Su-hyeok's voice trembles with surprise, Lee Seo-yun smiles mischievously and opens her mouth.
"You'll accept me, right?"
"Of course, come here my beautiful daughter."
As Lee Seo-yun nestles into Kim Ji-young's arms as if she had been waiting for this, Lee Su-hyeok's pupils begin to shake.
"Ah, but if you do this..."
Kim Ji-young laughs loudly and scolds Lee Su-hyeok.
"That's right, we're all family, why are you trying to take sides?"
As Lee Su-hyeok's shoulders droop with a dumbfounded expression at the unexpected situation,
"Then I'll switch to father's side."
Lee Seong-jun volunteers to take Lee Su-hyeok's side.
At Lee Seong-jun's sudden choice, the mother and daughter look at him with astonished eyes.
"S-Son...?"
"He really has changed."
It was a natural reaction.
This was a scene that could never have been found in the past, between father and son.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It's natural for a son to take his father's side."
"That's right, if mother and daughter unite, we father and son should unite too."
Lee Su-hyeok, who had been somewhat deflated, straightens his shoulders and a bright smile blooms on his face.
At this, the two women look at each other and give awkward smiles.
"Daughter, I think we've lost this time."
"Honestly, I went too far. Dad is part of our family too..."
Lee Seo-yun smiles broadly once again, spreads her arms wide, and hugs Lee Su-hyeok.
"Let's all be happy together."
All the family members who had achieved a pleasant harmony in a short time began to laugh.
"Haha-!"
"Hoho."
The loud laughter that had filled the house subsided, and the gazes toward each other were full of trust.
"I'm so grateful to our daughter for taking care of dad at the end, it feels good! Let's go on a family outing after a long time, what do you think? I'll treat you to dinner."
"Then I'll pay for the movie!"
"It's nice to have a family outing after so long."
Finally, Lee Seong-jun nods in agreement with Kim Ji-young's words.
"I like it too."
It was the moment when a happy outing with their precious family was decided.
* * *
Before lunchtime, they visited Han River Park after a long time to take a comfortable rest.
Perhaps because it was a rest they were taking after a long time, the scenery of the blue Han River spread out before their eyes, and the leisurely time spent lying on a silver mat made all family members feel abundant.
It's a pleasant and comfortable time even without anything special happening.
The ramen and snacks they bought for lunch were delicious as expected.
Although the slightly expensive price was a drawback, it wasn't a burdensome price for Lee Seong-jun, who had accumulated considerable wealth from his hunter activities.
After finishing such a satisfying meal, time flew by as they chatted while watching people walking around, eating mix coffee and ice cream sold at convenience stores as dessert.
Before they knew it, it was early evening, and they went to watch the movie Lee Seo-yun had reserved.
It was a common superhero story, but it was light and entertaining enough for all family members to be satisfied.
"Reclaiming our lost land... It would be nice if it could really happen like in the movies."
Kim Ji-young agrees with Lee Su-hyeok, who is immersed in his thoughts.
"It was nice in the old days when we could go sightseeing in various cities, holding hands with our parents."
"I saw it on YouTube too, the natural scenery in the Gangwon-do area up north is really beautiful... If we can push back the monsters, I want to go visit."
Even Lee Seo-yun, the youngest, was adding her thoughts, but Lee Seong-jun was still keeping silent.
'Actually, it doesn't seem that special...'
From Lee Seong-jun's perspective, who had seen numerous spectacular views in the Thousand Continent, it was hard to understand, but he didn't voice the thoughts he was having.
There was no point in ruining this good atmosphere unnecessarily.
Moreover, Lee Seong-jun also didn't think very highly of the monsters who had taken away human lands after the Great Cataclysm.
'Since they could potentially be a danger to my family... it would be good to take care of them when the opportunity arises.'
Of course, it was still premature.
Knowing well the strength of monsters who had their own territories, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
He would just leave it as one of the tasks to be dealt with in the future.
As Lee Seong-jun, who had organized his thoughts like that, was heading to a newly opened high-end Korean restaurant in the building where the cinema was located with his family, suddenly:
"Oh, Team Leader Lee?"
At the sudden call, Lee Su-hyeok's head turns immediately.
"President Hwang...?"
Despite Lee Su-hyeok's somewhat awkward appearance, President Hwang, Hwang Jeong-jin, approached without hesitation.
"I thought it might be you, and it really is Team Leader Lee. It's good to see you like this."
As the conversation continued, naturally the gazes of the family members, including Lee Seong-jun, turned towards the direction of the voice.
'Hmm...'
To be honest, Hwang Jeong-jin's first impression wasn't very good.
With a body that could be considered obese, sharp snake-like eyes, and an expression full of greed, it was like seeing the typical image of a vicious merchant often seen in the Thousand Continent.
'...His relationships with women don't seem very good either.'
The woman in her 20s linking arms right next to him was too young to be considered Hwang Jeong-jin's wife, who appeared to be in his late 50s.
And she didn't resemble Hwang Jeong-jin at all to be considered family.
As it was a relationship he had often seen in the Thousand Continent in the past, Lee Seong-jun could easily figure out the woman's identity.
'She must be the president's mistress.'
From Lee Seong-jun's perspective, who valued family, this wasn't a person he particularly liked, but he had no intention of commenting on it since everyone pursues a different life.
'Besides, it's not like I'll get directly involved with him anyway...'
As Lee Seong-jun, who had moderately organized his emotions, decided to quietly observe the situation and suppressed his presence, it was then:
"Are those people behind you Team Leader Lee's family?"
A smile that couldn't be hidden began to flow on Hwang Jeong-jin's lips as he confirmed the appearance of the family members while glancing sideways.
At the same time, lust filled his eyes as they scanned Lee Seo-yun.
"Since we've met by chance in a place like this, why don't we have dinner together?"
"I appreciate the offer, but... I'm afraid it won't be possible today, as I'm out with my family."
Even though Lee Su-hyeok carefully declined with a troubled expression, Hwang Jeong-jin didn't back down.
"That's why we should eat together. We can build connections with each other, it's all good. I'll even pay for it specially."
"Today I want to eat comfortably with my family, I'm sorry."
Lee Su-hyeok spoke in a firm tone, having made his decision, but from the beginning, Hwang Jeong-jin didn't care about his opinion.
He was only thinking about satisfying his own desires.
"Don't just keep refusing, think about it carefully. We might develop a good relationship that we never expected."
"...What do you mean by a good relationship?"
"Well, nothing definite, but you never know about human connections..."
Hwang Jeong-jin's eyes fix on Lee Seo-yun as he trails off.
Of course, that gaze was full of sticky and unpleasant emotions.
Although there were no direct words, Lee Su-hyeok, who had lived a considerable life, couldn't fail to notice Hwang Jeong-jin's desires.
"...!"
Lee Su-hyeok's face was turning so red it wouldn't be strange if it exploded right away, but Hwang Jeong-jin showed not the slightest sign of wavering.
Instead, Hwang Jeong-jin snorted and acted leisurely.
"I understand how you feel, but think about it realistically. I hear your wife is suffering from mana syndrome. If you lose your job, can you afford those hospital bills? Let's resolve this in a way that's good for both of us."
Having reached his limit of anger, Lee Su-hyeok clenches his fist tightly. His eyes looking at Hwang Jeong-jin were blazing with fury like an active volcano.
"Look at that expression? Are you going to hit me? Hey, Team Leader Choi!"
At Hwang Jeong-jin's call, Team Leader Choi, Choi Seung-hoon, who had been waiting behind, immediately rushes over.
"You've been listening to the conversation, right?"
"Yes, I'll make sure to teach him his place clearly."
"Don't go overboard like last time, just teach him enough about the fear of a C+ rank hunter."
No sooner had Hwang Jeong-jin's order ended than Choi Seung-hoon fixes his gaze on Lee Su-hyeok and moves towards him.
Following that, it was the moment when the intense killing intent flowing from Choi Seung-hoon's body shot towards Lee Su-hyeok.
"...So you're finally crossing the line."