Even an S-Class Hunter Wants to Get Married - Chapter 14

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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14. Our Values!

 

Thump thump.

 

It seemed like I could hear Renea’s heartbeat from here.

 

Perhaps because of Photoshop, she couldn’t feel it when looking at the photo, but Han Hyo-jae was someone who gave off a cynical atmosphere.

 

Renea flinched.

 

Even though it was information she heard from me, there would be a difference between that and actually seeing him.

 

“Miss Renea?”

 

At Han Hyo-jae’s greeting, Renea hurriedly stood up from her seat and bowed her head.

 

“Ah, hello. I’m called Renea.”

 

“Hello, I’m Han Hyo-jae.”

 

The two people shook hands like business partners. Though the atmosphere was awkward, the first greeting went well enough to break the ice thanks to their practice.

 

They sat down and faced each other.

 

As I had said that usually the man would take the lead, Han Hyo-jae threw out the first topic.

 

“This might be rude, but I’d like to ask you something first. About your age-.”

 

“Yes, yes!”

 

Here it comes.

 

Renea was extremely nervous.

 

But he already knew everything when he came.

 

“I heard you’re 1,901 years old. Is that true?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

“I knew elves were a long-lived race, but I didn’t know it would be this amazing.”

 

“….”

 

“Did you perhaps come down to the 3rd Floor a few years ago?”

 

At the gaze full of anticipation from behind his glasses, Renea seemed flustered.

 

But even so, she began explaining while doing her best to make a good impression.

 

“Ah, this one- I mean. I came down less than a month ago. Since I’ve only lived in the Forest….”

 

“I see.”

 

Han Hyo-jae nodded and leaned back against his chair. The atmosphere became a bit more comfortable.

 

“You look exactly like in your photo. Personally, I thought the photo had a lively feel to it, so I found it appealing.”

 

“Appealing…! I, I also thought favorably of Hyo-jae’s photo.”

 

“Haha, I slathered on the Photoshop since I was going to try getting married once.”

 

“Pho, toshop?”

 

“It’s for making photos look better. Here, if you look at this-.”

 

Han Hyo-jae holds out his mobile phone.

 

“This is the original, and this is the photo retouched with Photoshop-.”

 

“Ooh, it’s, it’s definitely different.”

 

Their conversation is progressing better than expected. As I watch with satisfaction, Kim Yang puts another piece of cake in my mouth.

 

Sweet.

 

“B-Boss. He’s a good person.”

 

“Hyo-jae? Of course. I carefully selected him.”

 

I don’t just randomly match anyone with my problem inventory. Especially in Renea’s case, she’s a country mouse who’s only been down here for a month.

 

People who’ve been down from the 4th and 5th Floors for a short time, or those on short trips, are particularly prone to being scammed.

 

‘She’s an innocent person who hasn’t met a single man in 1,901 years. If she meets the wrong guy and gets led around by the nose, there’s no hope.’

 

In that sense, Han Hyo-jae was calculating but sincere.

 

He’s fundamentally good-natured and considerate, while also knowing exactly what benefits it brings him.

 

This type doesn’t treat others carelessly and always maintains a minimum level of respect.

 

If it weren’t for the M-shaped hair loss progressing on his head, he could have aimed a bit higher than B-grade.

 

“Actually, I’m very interested in different races. The beastkin of the 5th Floor are nice, but the orcs, dwarves, and elves of the 4th Floor’s Rajesta Continent have something that touches the heart.”

 

“It’s a good place!”

 

“Yes, I think so too. I’ve actually been interested in classic fantasy novels and comics since I was young. Oh, are elves really-.”

 

The conversation that followed was also smooth.

 

Old stories told by a 1,901-year-old elf. There was definitely an age gap that could be felt here and there, but it wasn’t to the level of causing discomfort.

 

After one topic ended, a brief silence settled. Both naturally brought their coffee cups to their lips while thinking of the next topic.

 

As always, Han Hyo-jae was the first to speak again.

 

“Um, Renea.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Anyway, since we met through a Marriage Information Agency, I think we need to consider the realistic aspects quite a bit.”

 

“Yes, yes!”

 

Renea nodded and clenched her fist tightly.

 

The fact that her partner was truly considering marriage with her seemed to give her hope.

 

Han Hyo-jae’s glasses glinted.

 

“What are your thoughts on work?”

 

“Pardon? Ah… I was thinking of being a full-time housewife.”

 

“My salary isn’t that generous. I also need to take care of my parents’ retirement. Actually, I heard you received a bounty for resolving that hunter incident this time.”

 

“Yes? Oh, that’s right! 100 million!”

 

100 million.

 

It certainly wasn’t a small amount.

 

Renea’s combat ability was one of the reasons Han Hyo-jae had come this far.

 

“To be honest, if I were to get married, I’d want both of us to work.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“Since you’ve even taken down the Elf Queen, low-grade hunter work wouldn’t be too difficult for you. It would be safe too.”

 

“Take up the bow again…”

 

A shadow crossed Renea’s face.

 

It seemed that in the married life she had dreamed of, she wasn’t holding a bow anymore.

 

“Even if not as a hunter, I’d hope you’d at least have a job. When we have children, we’ll have to think about that when the time comes, but until then it’s possible.”

 

Han Hyo-jae was calm.

 

His words were truly cold, but that didn’t mean they were bad.

 

On the contrary, because they were excessively realistic, they only served to remind her how cold reality could be.

 

“I heard you don’t have a house or other assets either.”

 

“I h-have one bow.”

 

“…That’s exactly why I think it’s right for us to both work.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

A brief response.

 

Han Hyo-jae stared intently at Renea before taking another sip of coffee.

 

“…Don’t you have anything you’re curious about regarding me, Miss Renea?”

 

At those words, Renea pondered for a moment before voicing the question she had kept deep in her heart.

 

“When married, what do you think is the ideal form of a couple? That’s what I’m curious about.”

 

“…The ideal form of a couple.”

 

Perhaps because it was an unexpected question, he pushes up his glasses and closes his mouth for a moment.

 

He calmly explains an answer he had pondered over and over again.

 

“I want a rational relationship. A companionship that doesn’t lean one-sidedly toward anyone. They say married couples don’t look at each other, but rather look at the same place.”

 

“….”

 

“Yes, that’s what I’m hoping for. We would run together toward one goal like a three-legged race.”

 

“As for the goal-.”

 

“It would change each time. Financial stability, raising children, caring for elderly parents, etc.”

 

Strangely, Han Hyo-jae’s answer seemed to weigh even more heavily on Renea, and he knew it too.

 

So he asks in return.

 

“What kind of marriage are you hoping for, Ms. Renea?”

 

“I… I want…”

 

She places her tightly clenched fist against her chest.

 

Her ideal that she had harbored deep within.

 

“A relationship where we laugh together, cry together, and support each other. A relationship where we’re happy just looking at each other without looking at anything else.”

 

Silence falls.

 

Slurp.

 

Han Hyo-jae takes another sip and asks calmly.

 

“Then you want to have a long dating period, Ms. Renea.”

 

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

 

“I’m the opposite – if our conditions and hearts align, I’d like to get married right away.”

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Their positions were parallel lines.

 

Before they knew it, the two were looking at each other.

 

So comfortably.

 

Without any flutter or heart-pounding.

 

“Am I chasing too much of an ideal?”

 

Renea asks while scratching her cheek. Like a student hoping to find areas for improvement.

 

“Yes, you are. Considering your age, Ms. Renea. Moreover, coming to a Marriage Information Agency in modern society means you intend to get married, not date. But you’re hoping for romance.”

 

“….”

 

“These days, it’s an era where people work until they’re 100. Those who don’t work inevitably appear incompetent. Moreover, when getting married, if you say being a full-time housewife is your dream, it might be seen as what people commonly call ‘marriage hunting.'”

 

Han Hyo-jae’s words, delivered point by point, were like a superior presenting revisions while reviewing a report.

 

“Furthermore, Ms. Renea, you don’t have any accumulated wealth. While you are beautiful, age is an aspect that cannot be ignored.”

 

“I, I suppose so.”

 

Silence fell once again.

 

Both of their coffee cups had become completely empty.

 

Han Hyo-jae glanced out the window for a moment, then uncrossed his legs and asked.

 

“Do you think I spoke too harshly?”

 

“A, a little?”

 

“I suppose you would. I know this might have been hurtful. But Ms. Renea, I came here to find a spouse suitable for me as well.”

 

“….”

 

“I used one precious opportunity on you, Ms. Renea. The same goes for you. There’s no need to be passive.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“The president of Meracle Company. That person named Kim Ju-seon. He’s a capable person. He definitely has a good eye for people. But he can’t judge everything for you.”

 

Kim Yang nudges my shoulder with her elbow and laughs.

 

Even amid this, their conversation continued.

 

“The many people who will stand before you in the future, not me. In the end, you’re the one who must judge them.”

 

Han Hyo-jae slowly rose from his seat.

 

He gathered his bag and looked down at her.

 

“Because you’re the one getting married.”

 

“….”

 

“I apologize if I hurt you today. But the next person will likely ask things not much different from what I did. Because that’s what marriage is.”

 

Han Hyo-jae bowed politely.

 

This would probably be their first and last meeting.

 

Renea, who had been staring intently at Han Hyo-jae, chuckled softly.

 

“Nay, I too… have learned quite a lot indeed.”

 

“…Is that your original way of speaking?”

 

“Mm, one could say so.”

 

“That suits you better.”

 

The two people chuckled softly.

 

“Thanks to this, I now understand how lacking I am as a person. And what efforts I need to make. Thank you.”

 

“…Me too.”

 

After hesitating for a moment, Han Hyo-jae smiled with an expression softer and more relaxed than before.

 

“Marriage isn’t business, but an exchange of emotions. Today was a day that reminded me of that truth.”

 

Though they didn’t achieve the results they wanted.

 

In the end, it was a day where they both learned something.

 

“I hope you find a good partner.”

 

“I hope you too will have the married life you’ve always wished for, Miss Renea.”

 

The two parted ways without any lingering attachment or wistfulness, simply blessing each other’s future.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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