Chapter 24

“What do you mean ‘wait a minute’?”

 

Wooong…

 

The Mana Gun resonated with Do-jun’s Inner Qi.

It made a loud, intimidating sound from condensing Mana as if it were to explode at any moment.

 

‘Scary!’

 

Izaas thought.

Even just a graze from that…

No matter how confident he was about his power and strength, he would surely die.

 

「I have a question!」

 

Do-jun nodded his head.

 

“I’ll answer only one.”

「Is there any way I can live?」

“Why are you asking me that?”

「B-because my life is literally in your hands right now!」

 

BAAANG!

 

Do-jun fired the Mana Gun.

The roaring bullet ripped through the air and narrowly missed Izaas’ body.

Moments later, a huge explosion occurred.

 

BOOOOOM!

 

Izaas looked back.

A whole mountain range was destroyed.

He swallowed his saliva and looked at Do-jun.

 

「This power… What the heck?! How can a mere human…」

 

Do-jun didn’t understand.

That attack just now was controlled to perfection so as to not hit him.

So why was Izaas trembling?

 

‘He’s stronger than the Ogre Leader.’

 

Do-jun recalled the boss monster, the Ogre Leader, which he had previously fought in the Dark Ogre’s Swamp.

And it seemed that this dragon is at least 10 times stronger than the Ogre Leader.

Then, the dragon in front of him is an S-class?

 

“There’s another way I can spare your life.”

 

At Do-jun’s words,

Izaas smiled brightly.

 

“First off, you’ll have to withstand 5 hits.”

「…Eh?」

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Seol Yoon-hee pinched her cheek.

The scene she’s seeing right now,

She had to confirm if it’s real or not.

 

“Position.”

「Yes, sir!」

 

Wobble. wobble.

 

The dragon, Izaas, looked distressed.

While Do-jun was sitting on top of his head.

A skill that transfers Inner Qi to the lower body and adds substantial weight. Thousand Hammer.

 

「Umm, how long should I do this…?」

 

At that remark.

Do-jun lifted the skill and lightly jumped and landed on the ground.

It was only then that Izaas was able to straighten his body.

 

“So, what’s your answer?”

 

Nod nod.

 

Izaas nodded his head violently.

If he refused, surely he wouldn’t live to see another day.

 

Wooong.

 

Izaas’ body began to shrink and became pet-sized.

Now, his appearance is that of a mini dragon with a cute tail and wings, and he’s a little bigger than the palm of a hand.

 

「Tsk. The world’s great Izaas… such an unsightly appearance…」

“What did you say?”

「It’s nothing, master.」

 

Do-jun walked towards Seol Yoon-hee, who was still on the ground.

Then he returned the Mana Gun he was holding and reached out his hand.

 

“Can you get up?”

“…Y-yes!”

 

Seol Yoon-hee got up instantly without taking Do-jun’s hand.

For some reason, she was quite nervous.

Do-jun reached out to Seol Yoon-hee as she returned his suit jacket and put it on.

 

“…Umm, Dad. No, I mean, Father.”

“Yes?”

“You’re… father, right?”

 

The Do-jun she knew was caring and considerate to everybody.

With little Mana, he was just an ordinary person.

But the Do-jun she’s seeing now was like a completely different person.

Do-jun noticed that Seol Yoon-hee was rather afraid of him.

Of course, that would be the case. Until now, he had tried not to let anyone know about his strength.

However, revealing it was inevitable as Seol Yoon-hee’s life would’ve been at stake had he still kept it a secret.

 

“Yoon-hee, this…”

 

As he tried to explain himself,

Seol Yoon-hee nodded as if she already understood.

 

“You want me to keep it a secret, right?”

“Uh… Yes.”

“Okay, I’ll keep it a secret.”

“Do you really understand that easily?”

“I’m sure you have your reasons… So as your daughter, I should be understanding to you.”

 

Do-jun was thankful to her. He then smiled and stroked Yoon-hee’s head.

Seol Yoon-hee smiled bashfully in return.

 

Stomp. Stomp.

 

Izaas, who already transformed into a cute pet, walked towards Do-jun.

 

Seol Yoon-hee flinched and stepped back, perhaps because she still had a lingering fear from earlier.

 

「Grrrr…」

 

The playful Izaas growled in mischief.

As Do-jun saw this, he picked him up and looked at him in the eyes.

Izaas started convulsing as he saw Do-jun’s cold eyes.

 

「I-I’m sorry!」

“Act cute.”

「Yes, sir!」

 

Then, Do-jun dropped Izaas to the ground again.

Izaas turned over and showed his belly.

This…

It meant surrendering oneself to an opponent in the world of beasts.

Seol Yoon-hee approached Izaas carefully and touched his stomach.

 

「…For me to have fallen this low.」

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Meanwhile,

Kang Chul-soo looked around while checking his watch from time to time.

It’s almost 12 PM already. They had to wrap up the Rift Tour now at this point.

 

“Why can’t I find him anywhere?”

“I’m sure he was just over there earlier. Before I knew it, he disappeared.”

 

Kwon Hyuk-soo stared at the place where Do-jun accompanied Seol Yoon-hee with her hunting.

Then, in an instant, Do-jun and Seol Yoon-hee appeared out of nowhere.

Kwon Hyuk-soo rubbed his eyes and looked at the area again.

 

‘What happened? It was dark and then it suddenly got bright, so I didn’t get to see anything.’

 

In any case, they were back.

 

“Chief, it’s Do-jun.”

“Where?”

 

Kwon Hyuk-soo pointed at Do-jun.

Kang Chul-soo then turned his head towards it.

There, he saw Do-jun walking with a student.

And a pet.

 

“Where have you been?”

 

Do-jun scratched his head when he was asked by Kang Chul-soo.

 

“Something suddenly came up.”

“We have to wrap up the Rift Tour now, so start preparing…  Oh?”

 

Kang Chul-soo tilted his head as he looked at Seol Yoon-hee, who was next to Do-jun.

 

“Do you know her?”

 

Kwon Hyuk-soo looked at Do-jun worriedly.

However, contrary to his expectations, Do-jun answered without hesitation.

 

“She’s my daughter, sir.”

“Oh, I see, your daughter… WHAT?!”

 

Kang Chul-soo was shocked.

Do-jun expected this response, so he continued talking.

 

“I can’t tell you the details since it’s a bit complicated. I’m sorry.”

“T-that’s alright. I guess it happens. Haha! Well, we all make mistakes when we were young.”

 

Although he said that, Kang Chul-soo still couldn’t believe it as he looked alternately between the two.

They didn’t have that much of an age difference.

Was it even biologically possible?

 

“H-hello. My name is Seol Yoon-hee.”

“Haha. Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Chul-soo. The chief of Rift Management… Seol?”

 

He looked at Do-jun again, dumbfoundedly.

 

“I can’t tell you the details.”

“…Ah, haha. I understand.”

 

Kang Chul-soo did not pry any further.

Kwon Hyuk-soo, who was next to him, smiled and reached out for a handshake to Seol Yoon-hee.

 

“I am Kwon Hyuk-soo, Do-jun’s senior.”

“Ah! I’ve heard a lot about you. Father said you help him a lot at work… Thank you for doing so.”

“Haha, not really. It’s actually Do-jun who’s been helping me out a lot.”

 

At that moment,

Kang Chul-soo pointed at Izaas, who was attached to Do-jun’s leg.

 

“But what’s that… A dog? A cat? Hmmm, I don’t think that’s it. Anyway, what is that?”

“It’s name is Izaa… his name is Yongyong.”

“Yongyong?”

 

Was it because of the name?

Izaas growled looking at Do-jun.

 

Glare.

 

「…Yongyong.」

 

Do-jun continued.

 

“It’s a pet that will help me from now on.”

“…Pet? You mean…?”

“I’ve awakened.”

 

At that remark,

Kang Chul-soo and Kwon Hyuk-soo were shocked.

To awaken without body strengthening.

One needs to be extremely lucky for it to happen to them.

 

“D-Do-jun. Is that true? Y-You’ve really awakened? So now…”

 

Kang Chul-soo couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

 

“Mr. Do-jun. Are you going to become a Hunter?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I think this pet will be quite helpful to me when I explore Rifts.”

 

Kang Chul-soo was relieved at his response.

Compared to a year ago, Do-jun skills were improving day by day.

And to lose a competent subordinate would be hard for the boss.

 

“Chief, let’s wrap up the Rift Tour first.”

 

Kwon Hyuk-soo said, looking at the place where the students were gathered.

Kang Chul-soo still glanced at Yongyong occasionally with a curious look.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Another professor named Lee Jin-hyung was seen resting among the students.

He immediately woke up upon seeing the Seoul City Hall officers approaching him.

Kang Chul-soo then shook hands with Lee Jin-hyung.

 

“You’ve worked hard, sir.”

“Not at all. Thanks to your help it ended without a hitch. You guys also did a great job.”

 

Lee Jin-hyung smiled and bowed his head.

At that moment,

Do-jun felt a burning gaze directed at him.

He turned his head towards the source.

 

“……”

 

Lee Eun-ju was staring at him intently.

To be precise.

She was staring directly at Do-jun’s feet, where Yongyong was.

Yongyong also growled at Lee Eun-ju, feeling the intense gaze.

But to Lee Eun-ju, he just looked like a little puppy acting cute.

 

Thump.

 

Lee Eun-ju got up from her seat and approached Do-jun.

 

“M-mister! What is this ridiculously cute animal?!”

 

She asked with great enthusiasm.

 

“It’s my pet.”

“Your pet?”

 

No matter how one looked at it, it wasn’t a normal pet.

Cute legs, wings, and a tail.

And lastly, the most adorable part is the small horn on its forehead.

 

“I’ve awakened.”

“A-awakened? Then, you’re a tamer?”

 

Tamer.

They are capable of summoning monsters and even enslaving them.

It’s a special class. As rare as a bean sprouting during a drought.

 

“B-but… during the preliminary assessment, you…”

 

Do-jun’s Preliminary Assessment Results.

No results were shown at that time.

 

“Is that even possible…? Then, are you going to be a Hunter?”

“No, I don’t intend to.”

“How come!? Tamers are treated like nobles and are given special treatment no matter which guild they go to!”

 

Same as healers.

Or even more so.

As tamers dealt with summoning and contracting monsters.

They could become a tanker or dealer or even both. It’s an all-rounder class wanted by many guilds.

 

“I’ll still use my skills though. In exploring Rifts.”

“But… you could make a lot more money.”

 

Lee Eun-ju stated, implying that it would be a real waste of his abilities.

Lee Joo-hyung, who was listening from the side, also sympathized with her.

 

“Of course, it’s your choice, sir. That being said, I agree with Lee Eun-ju. You’ll be more successful if you become a Hunter. Just by having that skill, you’ll immediately receive a downpayment of 100 million won, regardless of its rating when you join a guild.”

 

A successful career.

Do-jun smiled bitterly at those words.

Wealth, Power, and Fame.

It was something he’d already had a taste of back in Murim

Frankly, he could have it right away if he wanted to.

In terms of wealth, he already defeated the Ogre Leader. By selling its remaining Mana Stones, he could instantly receive two billion won.

Honor would automatically be attained once he’d start hunting for real.

 

Swoosh.

 

Do-jun smiled at Kang Chul-soo, who looked at him uneasily.

 

“Don’t worry. I’m not quitting my job. I already told you that earlier, chief.”

“W-what…? Ahem, who said what? I was just…”

 

Kang Chul-soo coughed and turned his head, hiding his embarrassment.

Kwon Hyuk-soo smiled as he looked at them.

Do-jun looked to where Seol Yoon-hee was.

When their eyes met, Seol Yoon-hee’s face turned red and lowered her head.

 

‘I’m happy now more than ever.’

 

Was what Do-jun honestly felt.