Chapter 359

In an ordinary apartment in Seoul, Seo Jung-Sook woke up early in the morning and sat up. Rubbing her eyes, she stepped into the living room and saw her husband, already dressed in his work attire.

“You’ve been waking up really early these days,” she said to her husband.

“

Haha

. You know I’m the Section Chief of the Fissure Management Division. I need to be diligent. The citizens are watching,” Cheol-Soo replied.

“Oh, listen to you. You get on TV once and act like a celebrity. People are going to think you’re

actually

famous or something.”

A news segment called

Guild Invitational Information Session

aired on a national broadcast station a few days ago. Jung-Sook had watched it, too, and the image of Cheol-Soo, giving an interview as Section Chief right after the orientation, was still vivid in her memory.

“Do you have any idea how many people recognize me on the street now? I’ve already signed so many autogr—”

Jung-Sook interrupted her husband’s boasting. “Okay, okay. That’s enough. You’ve told me this story at least twenty times now. My ears are about to fall off.”

Despite her words, a smile crept onto her face. Just two years ago, she had seen firsthand how hard her husband had struggled. Entertaining Hunters night after night, coming home at dawn only to vomit into the toilet.

“Honey, should I just quit?”

he had once muttered those words while stumbling in quite drunk.

It had pained her to watch him like that. She had gently suggested he take a break, but he had only smiled bitterly and said he didn’t mean it. He added that if the man of the house fell, everything else would all come crashing down.

“By the way, is it all right if I bring some of my team members over for dinner tonight?” Cheol-Soo asked, then glanced at her nervously and cleared his throat. Maybe he thought she wouldn’t be too thrilled.

But instead, Jung-Sook’s expression brightened. “Your team members? I’d love to meet them. Bring them over. I’ll put my cooking skills to work today.”

***

The Fissure Management Division at Seoul City Hall was experiencing a golden age. Dozens of Hunters reached out every day, eager to sign contracts. Media outlets constantly sought interviews or advertisement deals. Everyone in the office was busier than ever, yet no one showed even a hint of irritation. If anything, they were enjoying it. The Division’s reputation had skyrocketed to the point of near-untouchable status in the Hunter industry.

As the workday drew to a close, Cheol-Soo approached Do-Jun and Hyuk-Soo. They had just returned from a Fissure exploration.

“Good work. Anything major?” he asked the two.

“Only minor terrain changes in the Fissure, Chief. I’ll update the data right away.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Just give it to me. I’ll handle it tomorrow. It’s Friday. We should get out as early as we can. Wait, is Hunter Cha not here yet?” Cheol-Soo casually rubbed under his nose.

It was a habit of his, something he did when he was craving a drink. It was all too familiar by now. Do-Jun and Hyuk-Soo exchanged knowing smiles.

“Hunter Cha Ye-Ji is...”

Some things never change. Ye-Ji appeared at the entrance, dead last as usual.

Noticing Cheol-Soo’s gesture, she said, “Ah! You were going to invite us out for drinks, weren’t you, Chief Kang?”

“H-how did you know?”

“Every time you want a drink, your fingers go straight to your nose.”

Caught red-handed, Cheol-Soo twitched and quickly lowered his hand. He scratched the back of his head, letting out an awkward laugh.

Hyuk-Soo slipped on his jacket from the back of his chair and took out his phone. “Where should we reserve? The usual barbecue spot?”

“Nah, I’ve got a better place. The food is incredible. You’ll be amazed. I’ve been a regular there for twenty years.”

***

“Been a regular for twenty years, huh...?” Hyuk-Soo muttered as he watched Cheol-Soo punch in the apartment’s PIN. “You could’ve told us we were going to your place. I would’ve brought some fruits or something...”

“Nah, don’t bother. My wife gets uncomfortable with that kind of thing.”

“Still, though...” Hyuk-Soo grumbled.

Meanwhile, Ye-Ji leaned in and whispered to Do-Jun, “Mr. Administrator, this is my first time visiting Chief Kang’s apartment.”

“Same here.”

“Huh? Really?”

“I’m guessing it’s Senior Kwon’s first time as well,” Do-Jun remarked.

The door opened.

“I’m home!” Cheol-Soo announced his return.

“Daaad!”

“Dad! Mommy made a bunch of delicious foo—”

Two children, who looked to be in early elementary school, came running toward the entrance... then froze. A boy and a girl peeked cautiously from behind Cheol-Soo, eyeing Do-Jun, Hyuk-Soo, and Ye-Ji.

“Excuse me... who are you...?” one of the kids asked.

“S-stranger danger...” the other kid said.

Cheol-Soo laughed heartily. “They’re people who work with me. Come on, say hello.”

“H-hello...” The kids greeted them shyly, clearly wary of strangers.

Just then, Do-Jun pulled out two card packs from his briefcase, each one sealed in plastic.

The children’s eyes lit up. “Whoa... Hunter Battle Cards!”

“Are these really for us?”

“Yes, gifts for you guys,” Do-Jun said.

“Wow! Thank you!!” The kids gave Do-Jun a polite bow and ran off into the living room, thrilled.

“When did you even get those?” Cheol-Soo asked Do-Jun.

“I stopped by the convenience store on the way here. I thought I remembered you saying your kids liked Hunter Battle.”

“Mr. Administrator, when you said you were using the bathroom, you actually went to buy cards?” Ye-Ji asked, shocked.

“Seriously, Do-Jun... you’re really...” Cheol-Soo trailed off, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

How does he manage to be so thoughtful?

He wondered.

***

“I didn’t know what you all liked, so I prepared a bit of everything. I hope it suits your taste,” Jung-Sook said as she laid out the kind of meal where people said the table legs might snap under the weight.

Glazed short ribs glistening with juice, perfectly grilled hairtail, soy-marinated crab stuffed with roe, crispy fried shrimp, buttery grilled abalone, seafood hot pot, and a variety of seasoned vegetables—the side dishes alone were enough to leave anyone speechless, including Cheol-Soo.

“My goodness... Honey, what is all this? Did you really make all of this yourself?” he asked in amazement.

“When I say I’ll do something, I do it properly.”

The kids were already seated at the table.

“Mom started cooking at noon!” the daughter explained.

“But these three were bought from the sto—

mmph

!” Jung-Sook clamped her hand over her son’s mouth, preventing him from continuing.

“Hohoho. You kids are always so full of jokes. Come on now, don’t just stand there. Have a seat, everyone,” she said, removing her hand from her son’s mouth.

She looked around at the colleagues her husband had brought home. It was the first time she’d met his coworkers in person.

“I should’ve invited you all to a proper meal much earlier...” she said.

“Oh, no! We’re the ones who should apologize for showing up so suddenly. You must’ve gone through a lot to prepare this all by yourself...” Ye-Ji said.

“Goodness, not only are you beautiful, but your heart is so warm too.”

“You’re absolutely stunning yourself. May I call you unnie?”[1]

“Hohoho!”

The flattery flowed naturally. As Hyuk-Soo adjusted his glasses, he noted that Ye-Ji’s social skills seemed to improve by the day.

Then, Cheol-Soo stood up and retrieved a bottle of liquor from the cabinet.

“Wait, is that what I think it is?” Jung-Sook was visibly shocked.

What Cheol-Soo held in his hand was a Mana Elixir, purchased five years ago for a staggering 100 million won. He had said he’d save it for the day he retired, to toast his hard work. Even when he craved a drink, he would hold off, treasuring it as if it were his own life. But before she could say a word about that, Cheol-Soo popped the cork off the bottle and began pouring drinks for the team without an ounce of hesitation.

“Hyuk-Soo! You know you have to chug the first shot, right?

Hahaha

!” Cheol-Soo teased.

Jung-Sook knew how much he cherished his colleagues in the Fissure Exploration Unit, but to bring out such a precious drink... was unexpected.

Glasses clinked in the air, ringing with a crisp, clear sound. Jung-Sook didn’t drink, so she just sat and watched as the team downed one shot after another. Her husband, laughing and talking louder than ever, looked truly happy.

“So anyway, I signed five autographs yesterday, you know? Hyuk-Soo, you saw that,” Cheol-Soo stated.

“Yes, Chief. You’ve mentioned it about thirty times now.”

Jung-Sook couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed he boasted more about work outside the house than he did at home. But no one told Cheol-Soo to stop. In fact, if anything, they encouraged him.

“At this point, you should be practicing your autograph, Chief. It’s a bit too simple for someone who’s gotten decently famous.”

“Do you really think so, Do-Jun? It’s kind of exhausting being famous now. I think I’m finally starting to understand how tough it is for Hunter Cha.

Hahaha

!”

“Oh? Chief, you’ve got a long way to go if you want to catch up to me,” Ye-Ji teased.

Cheol-Soo burst into laughter.

To an outsider, he might’ve looked ridiculous... but no one here was an outsider. Everyone gathered here knew all about the time before Cheol-Soo had tasted glory, when he stood in a position where no one recognized or respected him, and the more he worked, the more it eroded his pride instead of boosting it. They knew the pain he’d carried through those days. So what if he got a little carried away now?

“Alright! Let’s drink like there’s no tomorrow!” Cheol-Soo declared.

Jung-Sook’s gaze turned toward one man who was watching Cheol-Soo, Hyuk-Soo, and Ye-Ji as they laughed together. Sipping his drink, he smiled quietly as he just watched.

Suddenly, she remembered some things her husband had said.

“Can people really change overnight? Huh? Oh, no... it’s nothing, really...”

“There was this F-rank Hunter contracted with our division, but she became a C-rank after just one evaluation! You have no idea how incredible that is!”

“You know, lately... work has actually become fun again.”

Based on what he said, it all started with this one man.

“There’s this guy named Do-Jun. He’s been doing great lately.”

It was two years ago that Cheol-Soo’s laughter began to return when someone reached out and caught his hand at the edge of the cliff.

“Yeong-Min, give Dad a kiss!” Cheol-Soo said.

“

Ugh

!”

“Yeong-Hee, you too!”

“Dad, you smell like alcohol!”

Cheol-Soo wrinkled his nose and tickled the kids as they covered their faces. They shouted for him to stop, then burst into laughter. Squealing, they ran into the bedroom, and Cheol-Soo chased after them, roaring like a dinosaur.

“

Raaawr!

Here comes the dinosaur!”

The door closed behind him, and laughter and shouts echoed from the bedroom, a warm blend of voices dancing in the air.

Ye-Ji chuckled and said, “So much for the kids not playing with him. He’s doing just fine.”

“He really is,” Hyuk-Soo said, smiling warmly.

Suddenly, they heard Cheol-Soo shouting, “Agh! I surrender! I surrender! Hyuk-Soo! Do-Jun! Hunter Cha! Somebody help me!”

At that, Ye-Ji grinned mischievously. “Rawr! Dinosaur Number Two, charging in!”

She dashed into the bedroom.

Hyuk-Soo hesitated for a second, then sighed. He followed after Ye-Ji. “Dinosaur Number Three is coming too...”

Jung-Sook turned to Do-Jun. She said, “He’s changed so much. He laughs more now... smiles more... and I’m truly thankful for that.”

“I didn’t do anyth—” Do-Jun paused, then corrected himself. “I’m grateful too.”

“Sorry...?”

“The reason Chief Kang was able to keep going...was that he had a family to return to.”

Jung-Sook had likely played a big role in the Fissure Management Division getting to where it was today.

“No matter how hard work gets, you can push through it... because someone is waiting for you at home. That’s what he always used to say,” Do-Jun said.

“My husband said that...?”

“Yes.” Do-Jun took a sip of his drink, sinking deeper into thought. It was just one of those nights.

1. Unnie means “older sister,” commonly used in a friendly way to older women who are relatively close to you in age. ☜