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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“Maybe it’s because you take after your father.”
“To be precise, isn’t it a family trait?”
Lee Soo-hyuk couldn’t refute Kim Ji-young and Lee Seo-yoon’s following remarks.
It wasn’t just Lee Seong-jun.
Everyone in the family was stubborn as a bull.
They wouldn’t break, even if they were bent.
Once they set their minds on something, it was impossible to persuade them otherwise.
However, as a parent, he didn’t intend to just sit back and accept everything.
“But I won’t quit my current job right away. If I find something I want to do, I’ll discuss it with the whole family and then quit.”
It wasn’t the readily agreeable answer Lee Seong-jun had hoped for.
But it was the best compromise they could reach for now.
Lee Seong-jun, a smile forming on his lips, nodded.
“Okay, I understand.”
“And lastly, I’d like to use this money not just for us, but for the whole family, including you.”
“Yes…?”
“I want to use the money you gave us to move.”
It was the wisest way to spend the money.
They had been living there out of necessity, but the safety of their current residence was abysmal.
‘We’ve been lucky so far.’
In fact, ever since he returned, he had been uneasy about the safety of their neighborhood.
It was unavoidable, as their current residence was located at the edge of Gangseo-gu, on the outermost periphery of the safe zone.
Like when they lived in Gimpo, there was always the possibility of a monster attack.
Lee Seong-jun readily nodded.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll look into it right away.”
A bright smile spread across Lee Seong-jun’s face as he spoke.
‘We’ll change things one by one, little by little.’
Of course, today’s change was just the beginning.
Having longed for this life for a long time, even back in the Thousand Continents, he intended to enjoy it more than anyone else.
Lee Seong-jun’s eyes naturally turned towards a happy future with his family.
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At the same time, in the Hunter Association’s Returnee Management Team Leader’s office.
Jo Kang-hyun was busy as usual, swamped with a mountain of work.
It was unavoidable.
Having lived in another world for a considerable time, most returnees couldn’t properly adapt to modern life.
Therefore, incidents and accidents were constantly occurring.
-Bucheon District, Gyeonggi-do: The transport team reports that a new returnee, Kim Ji-hoon, is causing a disturbance, demanding treatment befitting a hero, and is currently detained. Requesting support from the Returnee Management Headquarters for a professional counselor.
-S-rank returnee Ryu Jin-hyun requests to declare the founding of a city. Returnee Management Team is requested to persuade him.
Jo Kang-hyun shook his head as he reviewed the work-related documents.
“They really do all sorts of things.”
When he was first assigned to the Returnee Management Team, he was so dumbfounded he doubted his own eyes.
However, after 18 years of service, he had become able to calmly accept most things.
‘Because most returnees are like this…’
They caused incidents and accidents incomprehensible by modern standards or, intoxicated by their past glory, made absurd demands.
‘How nice would it be if all returnees were like Returnee Lee Seong-jun?’
He could confidently say this because he had witnessed Lee Seong-jun’s actions firsthand.
Returnee Lee Seong-jun was someone who must have accumulated immense wealth and fame in another world.
The greater the height, the harder the fall; the sense of alienation he must have felt upon his initial return must have been immense.
Yet, unlike typical returnees, Returnee Lee Seong-jun didn’t feel alienated by modern life and adapted to modern society without any problems.
Moreover, when he made requests, he only asked for things that were reasonable and appropriate for his abilities.
Just thinking about it brought a smile to his face.
‘He truly is an amazing person.’
At the same time, he was also grateful.
If it weren’t for Returnee Lee Seong-jun, he wouldn’t have been able to open up his career path, which had been blocked by Director Kim Dong-jun.
‘Now, just a little… just a little more patience.’
He had received a certificate of commendation, along with a hefty bonus and vacation, for successfully recruiting Returnee Lee Seong-jun, a talent deserving of being called unprecedented.
However, these were all secondary.
Since receiving the commendation, rumors had been circulating within the association headquarters that he, Jo Kang-hyun, was a strong candidate for the next Returnee Management Director.
Of course, it was just a rumor for now.
But there’s no smoke without fire.
With sufficient justification and consistent performance like this, it was a matter that could soon become reality.
It meant he would no longer have to listen to the orders of that incompetent man, Kim Dong-jun.
Just as a satisfied smile spread across Jo Kang-hyun’s face as he imagined a happy future,
Buzz-
His smartphone in his pocket vibrated.
‘Who is it?’
The name displayed on the screen was all too familiar.
Han Seok-kyu, a childhood friend he had known since before elementary school, and a colleague who joined the Hunter Association on the same day 18 years ago.
He was also currently the team leader of Gate Management Team 1, a friend and colleague.
That’s why his question grew even larger.
‘Why is he calling me suddenly at this hour?’
Knowing that they were both busy, it wasn’t often that they contacted each other so abruptly.
‘…Could it be?’
Jo Kang-hyun, suppressing the unease that suddenly arose in his heart, cautiously pressed the answer button.
“Hello?”
-It’s been a while. How have you been?
“Since when did we exchange such formal greetings? Just get to the point.”
-You sharp-witted bastard… I’m sorry to ask this suddenly, but could you handle a Gate for me?
As usual, his uneasy premonition proved correct.
-There were a lot of injuries during a Gate raid in Team 2, who were originally in charge, so there’s been a disruption in the schedule…
Han Seok-kyu’s voice was filled with apology.
It was unavoidable, as the Returnee Management Team, where Jo Kang-hyun worked, was one of the busiest teams in the association.
Currently, there were a whopping 30,000 returnees on Earth, but the total number of Returnee Management Team members working at the association headquarters was only 100.
Each team member was responsible for 300 returnees.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that for every task they completed, two more arose due to the returnees’ tendency to constantly cause incidents and accidents.
Naturally, Han Seok-kyu wasn’t unaware of this.
The fact that he was asking for a favor despite knowing this meant…
It was highly likely that he had already requested support from other departments and been rejected by all of them.
Therefore, he couldn’t flatly refuse.
Jo Kang-hyun let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“Sigh… What kind of Gate is it?”
-Are you going to handle it?
“I’ll look into it. So tell me the Gate information quickly.”
-A D-rank Gate located in Gangseo-gu. According to the report, the terrain is a desert, the appearing monsters are Sand Thorn Man-Eating Flowers. It’s not time for the boss monster to appear, so you just need to reduce their numbers.
As soon as he heard the information, one person came to mind.
‘Returnee Lee Seong-jun.’
According to the contract terms, Returnee Lee Seong-jun had to clear one Gate requested by the association per month.
Of course, it had only been a week since they officially signed the contract, but it was a wise decision to quickly fulfill the quota before being assigned a troublesome Gate.
‘Since we signed the contract with the best conditions, I was worried about assigning him an ambiguous Gate, but…’
The management team had just requested support.
He could secure sufficient justification.
‘Moreover, safety is guaranteed.’
Sand Thorn Man-Eating Flowers were known as the weakest among D-rank monsters.
On the other hand, Returnee Lee Seong-jun had a record of hunting a Super Gorilla, a boss monster, just a week ago.
‘Besides, he’s grown stronger after monopolizing the E-rank Gate with Red Goblins for a week.’
Clearing a D-rank Gate without a boss monster wouldn’t be that difficult.
‘There’s just one thing that bothers me…’
The reason why Sand Thorn Man-Eating Flowers were avoided by Hunters despite being the weakest among D-rank monsters.
It was because the amount of experience gained was too low.
The hunting time versus efficiency wasn’t that good.
‘But a Gate where I can secure both safety and justification isn’t common.’
Of course, he didn’t intend to force Lee Seong-jun to clear the Gate.
To be precise, he couldn’t force him.
‘He’s someone who can leave the association at any time.’
The fact that the contract could be renewed at any time meant that it could also be terminated at any time.
He had to act as cautiously as possible, making sure not to offend him.
“Hold on a second.”
Just as Jo Kang-hyun busily typed on his screen and sent a message to Lee Seong-jun,
Buzz-
A reply arrived immediately as if waiting for him.
“You’re lucky. He said he’ll take care of it today.”
-Thank you! I really appreciate it! I’ll buy you a big meal later.
Han Seok-kyu’s voice over the phone was elated.
“Forget about me, and if you happen to see Returnee Lee Seong-jun later, please thank him.”
-Oh, is it the Returnee Lee Seong-jun I know? Did he take the request?
“Yes.”
-Okay, I’m good at repaying favors, so don’t worry. Oh, wait, I have another call coming in. I’ll call you back later!
“Alright, good work.”
A bright smile spread across Jo Kang-hyun’s face as he put down his smartphone.
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The next day, Lee Seong-jun arrived near the D-rank Gate he was requested to clear.
The flat sidewalk with evenly laid paving blocks was usually quite busy, but now there wasn’t a soul in sight.
It rather exuded a desolate atmosphere.
Woong-
The red aura and resonating sound emanating from the Gate emitted an ominous aura, preventing people from approaching.
Thud.
Thanks to this, a Hunter Association employee immediately recognized Lee Seong-jun as he got out of the taxi and quickly rushed over to greet him.
“I’ve been waiting for you. You are Hunter Lee Seong-jun, correct?”
Lee Seong-jun nodded lightly.
“I never thought I’d meet such a famous person in person. It’s an honor. My name is Ha Min-jae from Gate Management Team 4.”
Perhaps because he had been guarding the front of the unpredictable Gate?
Ha Min-jae’s smile wasn’t just a formality; it was filled with genuine welcome.
A smile naturally formed on Lee Seong-jun’s lips as well.
“Nice to meet you. Can I enter the Gate right away?”
“We would be grateful if you would.”
Ha Min-jae nodded, and the soldiers guarding the entrance to the Gate parted to the left and right, opening the way in preparation for any unexpected situations.
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