Meat Party
Chungcheongnam-do, Yesan.
He exchanged greetings as he walked among the gathered Zhouyou people.
'It's really incredibly close.'
A 20-minute walk from his parents' house.
With many people he knew nearby, his mind felt much more at ease.
"You never came to get it, so I thought you'd forgotten."
Yi Hwa unpacked the bundle she had brought out.
The Centipede Elder's scales, entrusted to her before the exchange meeting.
Those scales had been reborn as a complete set of armor.
"Whoa."
He examined the armor pieces, sorted by size.
[Centipede Elder's Scale Armor]
Armor made from the scales of a Centipede Elder, tempered for a long time in lava.
Extremely light, yet tough enough to deflect most slashing attacks.
Meticulous care by the blacksmith grants additional defense.
Defense 80 + 80 (Black Knight's Blessing)
Durability 100 + 100 (Black Knight's Blessing)
"Thank you, Yi Hwa."
"I'm the one who's thankful. Thanks to you, I leveled up a lot. I also learned many new blacksmithing techniques."
Armor imbued with a dedication even the system acknowledged.
He quickly picked out a piece that fit his size and put it on.
Despite having much higher defense than his old Ogre Breastplate, it was two or three times lighter.
"Well, the other sizes make sense, but why did you make these two small ones? They're totally baby-sized. One looks even smaller than a baby. Don't tell me you've hidden…?"
"No lewd thoughts allowed."
He neatly stored the armor in his inventory.
Even though they were centipede scales, their appearance wasn't bad; Kancho and Momo would probably like them too.
"How is it here? Livable?"
"Yeah. Everyone likes it. The air is good, the water is good. The people are good too. Ah, your mom gave me some dried persimmons."
"She didn't give me any?"
This won't do.
I have to go eat them all.
"I'm glad. That you like it."
"Come visit once we get settled. I'll make you something delicious. The Zhouyou people are really determined. They say they have to repay their debt to you."
"I'll definitely come. I can't resist good food."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he waved goodbye.
Leaving the Zhouyou house, Jin-hyeok stepped onto a farm path.
'Brings back memories.'
Back when he met up with friends, they'd run around the fields until sunset.
Even now, that time felt full of romance.
Ring ring. Ring ring.
"Yes, Team Leader."
A report came in from the Nonghyup audit team. The existing Yesan Nonghyup staff and the village chief will be in quite a bit of trouble.
"Thank you for your attention."
Not at all. I was nearby but didn't know such territorial behavior was happening. I'll be more meticulous from now on.
"Don't mention it. Territorial behavior harasses people in all sorts of petty, despicable ways, so unless you're on the receiving end, it's usually hard to know about it. I'm just thankful you handled it well!"
I'm relieved to hear you say that.
"Are you already back in Seoul? It's too bad you had to leave without any meat."
Haha, when the boss calls, you have to go. What can you do? Since you went through a lot, Jin-hyeok, please eat plenty of good food and get some proper rest.
"Thank you. Yes. Yes. Got it! Take care, Team Leader."
Jin-hyeok smiled as he ended the call.
Team Leader Jin Yun-ho, who now meticulously looked after even his family.
He'd probably have to treat him to a big meal someday.
"Something smells delicious!"
"You startled me."
Kancho, who had suddenly popped up, sniffed the air.
Come to think of it, it really did smell like something.
The savory scent of pork belly fat.
"Chief! You mustn't forget me! You have to bring me meat!"
"Of course. Just wait. I'll bring you a whole lot."
"Loyalty! I shall disappear!"
After waving, he picked up his speed.
His stats increased by his level, now reaching 80, and the Genius of Growth trait.
His body felt incomparably lighter than before.
Seeing no one around, he pushed off the ground with all his might, leaping into the air.
"Wow."
A gasp of admiration escaped him at the sight of the village below.
Even though it was a place he'd seen until he was sick of it, it felt strangely new.
After landing softly, he accelerated as much as possible.
Today was pork belly grilling day.
The front yard of the house.
Jin-hyeok, who had been eating meat, frowned.
Poke poke poke poke poke poke.
Normally, he would have thought it was Kancho.
But he had already delivered a large amount of meat to her.
There was no way she'd finished it already.
So whose annoying poking was this?
To find out, he turned his head.
Yoo Jin-hee was staring at him with wide eyes.
Jin-hee mouthed the question.
Is that person over there really Cheon Se-yeon?
"Of course it's the real Cheon Se-yeon, why would it be a fake?"
"Shhh!"
Yoo Jin-hee overreacted, shushing Jin-hyeok loudly.
Then she looked back at Se-yeon.
Even though she was seeing it with her own two eyes, she couldn't believe it.
That ranker Cheon Se-yeon, of all people, eating meat on the traditional Korean bench in our front yard?
If she told anyone, they'd curse at her, telling her to keep her lies somewhat believable.
"Oppa, did you get Hunter Cheon Se-yeon's weakness or something?"
"No."
"Then why did she come all the way here to eat meat? You're not holding something over her, are you? And who's that other sister?"
"Who?"
He pretended not to know, though he knew it was about Sera.
At first, he thought about just introducing her as a foreign friend, but currently, Sera had been promoted to Legendary and had become absurdly strong.
Cheon Se-yeon would never let that slide.
"Ooh, you bad boy."
"It's bothersome, go away."
He shooed Yoo Jin-hee away with a wave.
In the meantime, Mrs. Kim Min-ji walked toward Se-yeon with freshly grown lettuce wraps.
"You're so pretty when you eat well. I brought some fresh ones."
"Thank you, ma'am! I'll enjoy it!"
"Oh, what's there to thank."
Hoho, laughing, his mother walked over and poked Jin-hyeok's side.
"Huh?"
"Should I scold you or praise you for being admirable? This mother is confused."
"Don't do anything. It's neither."
"Where's the puppy? Was it a raccoon? A tanuki?"
"She's at home."
"How can you leave her alone? She'll be lonely."
"She's not lonely. She has lots of friends."
"Really? You must have brought many over, I see. Eat up quickly. I'll make some cold noodles for you later."
After giving a thumbs up, he glanced at Se-yeon's expression.
Se-yeon was cool and easy-going, but also had a sharp side.
Kancho, who looked neither like a raccoon nor a tanuki and barked 'Mung!', was something she would definitely not let pass without question.
"Oppa. Can I ask for a photo after we finish eating? Please? I'm a huge fan."
"Okay. Are you doing well in Tower climbing?"
"I am. My summons are really strong. If I just manage my mana well, it's a piece of cake."
"Mana?"
"Yeah. Usually, Summoner-type classes are always short on mana. Haah, if only my mana pool were bigger, I'd have no more wishes."
Jin-hyeok, remembering something, rummaged through his inventory.
"What is it? Do you have a gift?"
"Not a gift, but I have something I've been saving."
After rummaging for a while, Jin-hyeok pulled out a potion.
A potion in a dangerously purple color with unidentifiable black chunks floating in it.
Jin-hee, looking alternately at the potion and Jin-hyeok, spoke.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"The meaning is to drink it."
"Then I'll die."
"Hey. How would you know without trying it? I've verified it, so don't worry and drink it. Your total mana will increase a lot?"
"R-really?"
Tempted by the mention of increased mana, Yoo Jin-hee accepted the potion for now.
Without realizing it, her brow furrowed.
If it weren't from family, she would have swiftly thrown it away.
"Don't drink it now."
"Why?"
"I don't want to see you throw up while we're eating meat."
"Ugh, okay."
"Now, really, disappear. Little sis."
"Okay! Enjoy your meal!"
He watched Jin-hee walk away with the potion.
'Jin-hee, you know? What's good for you is worth using.'
He nodded with eyes full of melancholy.
He hoped she would drink it on an empty stomach.
"Mr. Jin-hyeok."
"Oh, yes."
As he approached, Se-yeon held out her glass.
"Pork belly calls for soju, right?"
"The national rule."
Sitting facing each other, they poured drinks for one another.
Jin-hyeok and Se-yeon lightly clinked glasses and tossed back their drinks.
"Ahh. Soju is indeed the way."
Se-yeon smiled faintly and leaned back against the bench, looking around.
"It's a really nice place. The air is good, it's peaceful. Much better than artificially decorated camping sites."
"It's too bad Team Leader Jin Yun-ho couldn't join us."
"Even if the director hadn't called, he probably wouldn't have eaten with us anyway."
Se-yeon lowered her voice.
"He said your parents still don't know. That you're a Runner."
"They'd throw a fit if they knew."
"Exactly. Team Leader Jin may seem like just an ordinary ahjussi, but he's quite a famous figure in Korea, you know. More than most named National Assembly members."
Jin-hyeok nodded.
Well, even if one were completely obtuse about this side of things, seeing Jin Yun-ho would probably raise suspicions.
"He said they think those two are just a young urban couple who moved to the countryside to farm."
He followed Se-yeon's pointing finger.
Gu In-jun and Min Yoo-kyung, clinking glasses with his father, Yoo Man-cheol.
Bodyguards plus untimely acting.
It made him think being a Hunter was an extreme profession.
"Isn't there one more? That ranker."
"Kang Seok? He went to Seoul for a bit. Said a teacher he knows called him urgently."
"I see. But, how should I put it, it feels somewhat awkward. Having rankers and high-level Hunters as permanent resident neighbors. It feels both grateful and excessive."
"Excessive, my foot."
Se-yeon, sipping her drink, shook her head.
"It's only natural you're protected. Even if your name isn't public, Mr. Jin-hyeok, you're truly world-class, right? On top of that, the scale of the things you've been through is absurd. Just look at the people who showed up at Incheon Airport."
"It's not intentional, but it always turns out that way."
"Is that good luck? Or should I call it bad? It's confusing. Ah, and, Mr. Jin-hyeok."
"Huh?"
"Even if you become more famous, don't you dare pretend not to know me. We're the ones who did late-night eating broadcasts together every night."
"Of course. How could I do that to someone who took me in when I had nowhere to go."
Once again, Se-yeon and Jin-hyeok clinked glasses and drank.
Jin-hyeok slowly swallowed the mouthful of soju and let out a soft sigh.
The faint mountain breeze and the sound of crickets tickling his ears.
In the past, he was so sick of it he wanted to escape quickly.
Maybe because he'd been living in such noisy places.
Today, these things felt incredibly comfortable.
'Hometowns are nice.'
He admitted it willingly and refilled his glass.
Tonight, the alcohol tasted sweet.
An hour before midnight.
Beep beep! Beep beep!
At the sound of the alarm starting to ring.
Flinch!
Jin-hyeok, who had been asleep, opened his eyes.
After coming to his senses a bit, Jin-hyeok got up.
Ddorong. Ddorong.
Kancho and Momo were in dreamland.
Sera and Ellia weren't visible either, so it seemed they hadn't manifested.
Following the energy he felt, he went outside.
And then lightly jumped up onto the roof.
"Hm? Weren't you sleeping?"
Dark, who still hadn't fallen asleep and was stargazing again today.
Jin-hyeok approached and spoke with a smile.
"Dark. Let's go to the Tower, just the two of us."
"You're addicted to the Tower."
Kicking, laughing, Dark got up and stretched.
"I was just feeling restless, so this works out. Let's go quickly and come back, excluding that monster knight."
[Entering the Tower of Despair, 59th Floor.]
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T/N:
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