I Became a Hunter with the Heavenly Slaughter Star Trait. - Chapter 53

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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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Episode 53

 

Episode 53

 

“Where are you going?”

 

As I prepare to go out early in the morning,

 

Do Sang-jin, who was cleaning, asks cautiously.

 

“Oh, I have an appointment.”

 

“An appointment…?”

 

“With a hyung I know.”

 

Since joining the Management Bureau,

 

I’ve never gone out except for work or company dinners.

 

In other words,

 

I’ve never once gone out for personal reasons.

 

So it’s not strange that Do Sang-jin finds it puzzling.

 

“Haha. Are you surprised?”

 

“Oh, no sir.”

 

“I do maintain some human relationships, you know.”

 

It’s just that those relationships are extremely narrow.

 

I barely have anyone I could call a friend.

 

And even the few I had,

 

I lost them when they went to the military and got caught up in the Babel Tower incident.

 

So,

 

the people I can call friends now number about two or three.

 

I’m not complaining.

 

I’m just grateful to have even two or three.

 

“The hyung I’m meeting today is a webtoon artist I met when I was working as an assistant.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I hadn’t heard from him for a while, so I wondered if something had happened…”

 

Then suddenly he contacted me like this.

 

After the webtoon he was preparing failed,

 

the last call was him drunkenly saying he might as well just enter Babel Tower.

 

‘…Come to think of it, he still owes me money.’

 

Back then, when hyung was saying he wanted to die,

 

I couldn’t bring myself to ask what he’d do about my money.

 

I just forgot about it, pretending it was never my money to begin with…

 

‘Still, should I be glad he’s alive and well?’

 

Whatever the case,

 

we spent quite a long time together.

 

I’m happy at the thought of meeting him again.

 

I’ve been too focused on Babel Tower lately.

 

I feel like I’ve grown too distant from ordinary daily life.

 

Meeting someone I know like this,

 

eating something delicious and chatting excitedly should be a good change of pace.

 

“Shall I drive you there?”

 

“No. I’m just going to take the bus today.”

 

“Then, should I pick you up when you’re coming back…?”

 

“I’ll take the bus back too.”

 

“Will that be alright?”

 

“What wouldn’t be alright about it? I used to take it all the time before.”

 

Actually, no.

 

Even the bus was a luxury back then.

 

I was so poor I’d walk everywhere to save on bus fare.

 

But now…

 

‘If I just asked, the Management Bureau would provide a foreign car with a driver.’

 

Or I could buy one myself.

 

Of course, I have no intention of doing that.

 

When the Management Bureau provides everything for free, why would I buy a car?

 

I’m never getting a driver’s license either!

 

“Kekeke…”

 

I chuckled to myself as I grabbed my transit card.

 

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

 

“Please be careful.”

 

“Hey, of course I’ll be careful. Do you think I’m a child?”

 

“It’s not that, but lately…”

 

I already know well that guilds have been trying their best to make contact with me lately.

 

Kang Min-a earnestly warned me to be careful.

 

“I know too. I’ll naturally be careful around strangers.”

 

“If anything happens, please contact…”

 

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

 

Leaving behind Do Sang-jin, who seemed restless for some reason,

 

I stepped outside in a good mood.

 

* * *

 

After riding the bus for a while,

 

I get off at the bus stop and familiar scenery welcomes me.

 

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here too.”

 

Still, this was a neighborhood I used to visit often until I lost contact with hyung.

 

Coming back after so long, many things have changed and it feels unfamiliar.

 

The meeting place is Kimbap Hell.

 

It’s a restaurant that sells cheap snack food, and it seems to still be holding its ground.

 

Ah,

 

I really loved the omelet rice here.

 

I’m excited thinking about eating it after so long.

 

I used to tremble even ordering a single roll of kimbap.

 

Now I can order anything.

 

I could even say “Give me everything on the menu!”

 

‘Though who would do such a thing at Kimbap Hell…’

 

-Ding.

 

I opened the door of the old restaurant and went inside.

 

“Oh, Tae-pyeong!”

 

A voice calling my name as soon as I open the door.

 

It’s Kim Je-sik.

 

Former webtoon artist.

 

Current unemployed person… probably.

 

“Je-sik hyung.”

 

I sat across from Kim Je-sik.

 

Just like a few years ago, Kim Je-sik was wearing shabby training clothes.

 

His messy beard and unkempt hair were the same too.

 

At this point, it’s actually nice to see him.

 

“Hey, long time no see!”

 

Not even thinking about the money he took and disappeared with,

 

Kim Je-sik grabs my hand with a bright smile.

 

“It really has been a long time, hyung.”

 

“You look so much better! I almost didn’t recognize you, man!”

 

I couldn’t say that I recognized hyung right away.

 

I smiled awkwardly.

 

“Should we order food first?”

 

Kim Je-sik picks up the menu.

 

After pondering for a while.

 

“Can I get cheese pork cutlet and kimchi fried rice?”

 

Huh.

 

Was I the one paying for this?

 

This hyung, he’s still naturally passing the burden like before.

 

“Yes. Order whatever you want.”

 

“Then, I’ll get tteokbokki too.”

 

Can he even eat all of that?

 

I ordered the food Kim Je-sik chose and my portion of omelet rice.

 

“Hmm…”

 

After looking me up and down for a while,

 

“Wow…”

 

Kim Je-sik grins.

 

“Tae-pyeong, looks like you’re making some money?”

 

“Huh? Well…”

 

Before I could even answer,

 

“You really became a Hunter?”

 

Kim Je-sik leans forward and asks in a lowered voice.

 

It’s true that I’m making some money,

 

and it’s also true that I became a Hunter.

 

The problem is,

 

“How did you know that?”

 

How does Kim Je-sik know about it?

 

It wasn’t on the news or in articles.

 

I didn’t tell him either.

 

How exactly does he know?

 

“Uhahahaha!”

 

At my question, Kim Je-sik bursts into laughter.

 

“Ah, I really couldn’t believe it!”

 

Almost to the point of shedding tears.

 

“That timid Lee Tae-pyeong is a Hunter?!”

 

Kim Je-sik still giggles as if he can’t believe it,

 

-Stop.

 

Then he stops laughing.

 

“This is amazing.”

 

He looks at me with a serious expression.

 

“Hyung, how did you know, I’m asking?”

 

“That’s not what’s important, man.”

 

Fiddling with the messy beard on his chin,

 

“I heard Hunters make good money, guess it’s true.”

 

Kim Je-sik falls into thought.

 

What does Hunters making good money have to do with him?

 

“Your pork cutlet is ready.”

 

Just as I was about to ask again,

 

the food we ordered came out.

 

Cheese pork cutlet, kimchi fried rice, and tteokbokki.

 

And the omelet rice I ordered too.

 

‘I’m hungry in the meantime…’

 

Well, there’ll be plenty of time to ask after eating.

 

I picked up my spoon,

 

and started eating the steaming Kimbap Hell omelet rice.

 

Mm.

 

This stimulating and cheap taste

 

that doesn’t even compare to Management Bureau meals.

 

Sometimes I miss this kind of taste.

 

Just as my mood was about to improve thanks to the nostalgic flavor.

 

“Being a Hunter doesn’t seem like much.”

 

Thud!

 

Kim Je-sik’s words hit hard.

 

“Should I try it too?”

 

“…”

 

“If I get a good trait too…”

 

“Hyung.”

 

Without realizing it, I let out a snicker.

 

Time had passed and I had forgotten.

 

This hyung was originally this kind of person.

 

“Go ahead and try.”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t just talk about it.”

 

“What?”

 

“Who knows? Maybe hyung will get a killer trait too.”

 

Though I literally got a ‘killer’ trait.

 

“You, man…”

 

“Je-sik hyung.”

 

“…”

 

“But why won’t you answer my question?”

 

“What, what question.”

 

“How did you know I’m a Hunter?”

 

Kim Je-sik’s expression gradually sours.

 

“There’s been no news, no articles, not even an announcement from the Management Bureau.”

 

“…!”

 

“How does Kim Je-sik, a shut-in, know that I’m a Hunter?”

 

This is definitely not information Kim Je-sik found out on his own.

 

I caught on from the moment it came up.

 

“You’re talking to your hyung like that…!”

 

“I’m holding back because you’re my hyung.”

 

Right.

 

I’m only letting it slide because of our past relationship.

 

Clearly,

 

there are definitely some shady people behind Kim Je-sik.

 

I’m gladly exercising patience right now.

 

“When did you ever withhold my salary and fire me.”

 

“Th, th, that!”

 

“I wondered why you suddenly contacted me.”

 

“Well…!”

 

“Was it because you were looking to see if there was something else to steal from me?”

 

I let out a deep sigh.

 

Because of Kim Je-sik,

 

the nostalgic taste of omelet rice was completely ruined.

 

“You, you’re showing off just because you’re a Hunter now…!”

 

Kim Je-sik tried to get up from his seat abruptly.

 

I struck the center of Kim Je-sik’s forehead with the spoon I was holding.

 

-Thwaaack!!!!

 

The sound of skull cracking.

 

Well, I controlled my strength so it wouldn’t actually crack.

 

“Kuh, kuaaaack!!!”

 

Hmm.

 

It’s definitely different from the screams of goblins or orcs.

 

More annoying, perhaps?

 

“That was for withholding my salary.”

 

“Kuuuuh…”

 

Kim Je-sik clutched his forehead and buried his face right into the kimchi fried rice.

 

That must sting his eyes.

 

“Now, let’s be honest while I’m giving you a chance.”

 

“Kuh…”

 

“Who told you that I’m a Hunter?”

 

It’s not like I don’t have any suspicions.

 

Definitely,

 

it must be one of the private guilds.

 

Since they couldn’t find any way to connect with me directly.

 

They must have dug and dug through the past until they reached Kim Je-sik.

 

So that’s why this bastard contacted me.

 

“Tsk.”

 

Right.

 

If it wasn’t that, why else would he have contacted me.

 

-Tap tap.

 

I tapped the table with the spoon I had used to hit Kim Je-sik’s forehead.

 

Then, Kim Je-sik quickly straightened up in surprise.

 

His face was covered in kimchi fried rice.

 

“G, GR! GR contacted me!”

 

GR Guild, I’ve heard of them.

 

A guild that shot up to 2nd place domestically,

 

but then fell to 9th place as hunters left due to various internal problems.

 

‘They approach in such a dirty way?’

 

What did they think would happen by contacting me through Kim Je-sik.

 

They’re completely looking down on me, these bastards.

 

“H, here!”

 

He frantically searched his pockets,

 

-Thunk!

 

Kim Je-sik placed a crumpled business card on the table.

 

“Th, they told me to give this to you…!”

 

[GR Guild – Team Leader Han Myeong-jin]

 

The name was written along with a direct phone number.

 

“…”

 

I examined the black business card from various angles,

 

-Rip, rip!

 

tore it in half a couple times, then handed it back to Kim Je-sik.

 

“If they contact you again by any chance.”

 

“Uh, uh…!”

 

“Tell them never to approach me in such a way again.”

 

-Nod nod!

 

Unable to even open his eyes properly,

 

Kim Je-sik nodded his head vigorously.

 

“Haah…”

 

They say some memories are better left buried.

 

Kim Je-sik must be that kind of memory for me.

 

Even though it felt a bit off, I thought he was a good person.

 

But seeing him like this,

 

it would have been better if he had just stolen my money and run.

 

Right.

 

If he had been a good person from the start, he wouldn’t have stolen money from a young kid and run away.

 

“Hyung.”

 

“Kuuuk…”

 

“I’ll pay for the meal, so make sure you finish everything before you go.”

 

“Kuk…!”

 

“And if you have time, definitely try becoming a Hunter too.”

 

Don’t just talk about being a Hunter all the time.

 

Tsk tsk.

 

I left Kim Je-sik, who couldn’t get his bearings, behind,

 

paid for the meal, and left Kimbap Hell.

 

-Whooosh…!

 

A lonely and chilly wind brushes past.

 

Damn it!

 

I was hoping to have a good laugh reminiscing about old times today.

 

I should just go home and have some chicken and beer.

 

“…Sigh.”

 

By the way…

 

‘I should remember GR Guild.’

 

‘I’ll have to remember the GR Guild.’

—————
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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