The Returned Hunter Has Awakened to a Hidden Class - Chapter 60

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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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60

 

Chapter 60

 

Sticky Rice Cake

 

“I’m dying…”

 

Ryu Ji-a staggered through the door crack and collapsed right onto the floor.

 

Her face was drenched in sweat, her hair scattered in all directions, and her usual lively appearance was nowhere to be found.

 

“You worked hard.”

 

Kim Jun said with a chuckle.

 

He could clearly see what had happened without even asking.

 

Adelaine had the personality of never leaving talented people alone once she discovered them.

 

She probably got carried away analyzing Ryu Ji-a’s mana circuits.

 

Whether Ryu Ji-a wanted it or not.

 

“That woman… she’s a demon, a demon…”

 

Ryu Ji-a muttered weakly.

 

“Even after the skill fusion, she wouldn’t let me go. ‘Learn this too’, ‘Master that too’, ‘Improve your mana circuits’, ‘Pathetic’ and so on… ugh…”

 

“But you did learn something, right?”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

Ryu Ji-a nodded slightly.

 

Though her expression was full of complaints, her eyes were different.

 

Even from the outside, there was definitely something that had changed.

 

He couldn’t feel the explosive mana like before.

 

Instead, there was a condensed, refined feeling.

 

‘She taught her well, as expected.’

 

Kim Jun smiled inwardly.

 

Besides, seeing Ryu Ji-a’s talent, she couldn’t have just left her alone.

 

If Olivia felt like a graduate student, Adelaine was the typical professor type.

 

With that personality, there was no way she’d let such excellent material slip by.

 

“Go quickly and warm yourself up. You’ll feel better soon after getting in the hot spring.”

 

“Oh, there’s a hot spring!?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Kim Jun grabbed Ryu Ji-a’s arm and helped her up.

 

“It’s called Olympus Paradise, the finest accommodation here. Everyone’s there.”

 

“Are you coming too, oppa?”

 

“I’ll take care of some business first and then come. You go ahead.”

 

“What business?”

 

“Getting a pet.”

 

Kim Jun answered with a grin.

 

*

 

20 minutes past the northern city gate of Artemis.

 

A sign reading “Pet Ranch” came into view.

 

‘Here it is.’

 

Kim Jun stopped walking.

 

There were several ways to obtain pets.

 

Directly capturing wild monsters, opening random boxes, or getting them from farms like this place.

 

Of course, getting good pets was difficult.

 

A-grade had low probability, and S-grade didn’t even appear here in the first place.

 

But Kim Jun didn’t want such things.

 

‘Just good utility is enough.’

 

He and his companions would handle combat themselves.

 

They weren’t weak enough to depend on pet performance.

 

All of his companions, including Kim Jun himself.

 

So pet functions like automatic loot collection and danger detection were sufficient.

 

And above all.

 

‘That guy I met before regression.’

 

A small, cute black cat.

 

It was the only pet Kim Jun had ever grown attached to.

 

‘I wonder if I can find it.’

 

“Welcome!”

 

The female owner guarding the ranch waved her hand cheerfully.

 

“How many times will you be drawing?”

 

“Five times!”

 

Including his companions’ shares.

 

The owner handed him five keys.

 

“Good luck!”

 

Kim Jun entered the grassland.

 

The Pet Ranch was structured with hundreds of boxes placed across a wide grassland.

 

Each box contained one pet, and opening it with a key would let you adopt that pet.

 

The problem was not knowing which pet was in which box.

 

Pure luck.

 

‘But for me.’

 

Kim Jun activated Ariadne’s Thread.

 

Twang-!

 

Ariadne’s Thread pointed in one direction.

 

The very end of the farm.

 

‘Over there?’

 

Kim Jun walked following the thread.

 

This ranch had a rule.

 

Pets that were born long ago were placed near the entrance, while recently born pets were placed deep inside.

 

Like how convenience stores display milk nearing expiration dates at the front.

 

‘Before regression, it was around the middle.’

 

Kim Jun tilted his head.

 

The black cat he met back then was definitely around the middle of the farm.

 

But now it’s at the very end?

 

‘Ah, it’s because of the speed.’

 

Compared to before regression, he had climbed the Tower at an absurd speed.

 

Naturally there was a time difference, and the cat would be in an even younger state.

 

‘So it’ll come out as an even smaller kitten? It was young back then too.’

 

Kim Jun’s lips curved upward.

 

That wasn’t bad at all.

 

As he approached where the thread pointed, there was one box that was notably smaller than the surrounding boxes.

 

‘Even the box is small.’

 

The moment Kim Jun opened the box.

 

[Not yet hatched]

 

[Time remaining until hatching: 25 hours 30 minutes]

 

[We recommend a different pet!]

 

“…What?”

 

Kim Jun’s hand stopped.

 

It hasn’t hatched yet?

 

‘At this level, it’s really like a newborn.’

 

The kind that can’t even open its eyes and needs to be hand-fed.

 

“This can’t be.”

 

Kim Jun looked down at the small box.

 

Before his regression, it had already grown to some extent, but this time it was still in egg form.

 

’25 hours and 30 minutes…’

 

Should he wait or not?

 

No, waiting was the right choice.

 

After all, Ariadne’s Thread had pointed to it, and if it was the same one from before his regression.

 

‘It’ll be troublesome, but.’

 

Raising a kitten didn’t seem too bad.

 

“Let me check the other pets first.”

 

Kim Jun looked around at the surrounding boxes.

 

There was no particular criteria.

 

Just whatever caught his eye.

 

The first box.

 

Click-

 

When the door opened, a small turtle appeared.

 

Blink-

 

Its shell looked as hard as rock.

 

—-

 

[Name]: Shelton

 

[Grade]: C

 

[Effect]: Owner’s Defense +5%, Health +5%

 

[Special]: Danger Detection, Auto Collection

 

—-

 

“This is obviously perfect for Min-su.”

 

The second box.

 

Swoosh-

 

A white bird spread its wings.

 

—-

 

[Name]: Rumi

 

[Grade]: C

 

[Effect]: Owner’s Mana Recovery Speed +5%

 

[Special]: Early Status Abnormality Detection, Auto Collection

 

—-

 

“For healers or mages, I guess.”

 

The third box.

 

“Meow~”

 

A white cat revealed itself.

 

Small but sleek build.

 

—-

 

[Name]: Blanc

 

[Grade]: C

 

[Effect]: Owner’s Agility +25%, Critical Rate +10%

 

[Special]: Auto Collection

 

—-

 

“Perfect for Su-in.”

 

The fourth box.

 

Flutter-

 

A colorful parrot flew up.

 

—-

 

[Name]: Echo

 

[Grade]: D

 

[Effect]: Owner’s Intelligence +5%

 

[Special]: Skill Cooldown -5%, Auto Collection

 

—-

 

“Hmm… the grade is a bit disappointing.”

 

Though it was D-grade, the skill cooldown reduction was useful.

 

For a mage with many skills like Ryu Ji-a, it would actually be quite handy.

 

“Now only mine is left.”

 

Kim Jun returned to the small box he had first discovered.

 

[Time until hatching: 25 hours 19 minutes]

 

“Still a long way to go.”

 

He thought he had spent quite a bit of time looking around, opening boxes, and checking pets.

 

But it was only about 10 minutes.

 

‘I can’t wait here for all of this.’

 

Kim Jun rested his chin on his hand and thought.

 

He had already gotten pets for all his companions, only his remained.

 

But he couldn’t wait here for over a day.

 

“Let me take it with me for now.”

 

He had accumulated fatigue anyway.

 

Couldn’t he just wait while soaking in the hot spring and resting?

 

He could take care of other business in the meantime too.

 

Kim Jun carefully picked up the small egg.

 

It was lighter than expected.

 

“Are you taking it with you?”

 

The Coachman approached and asked.

 

“Yes. It’s before hatching, so I need to wait a bit.”

 

“Ah, then take this.”

 

The owner handed him a small cloth bundle.

 

“Temperature is important for pet eggs. If you keep it warm, it will hatch faster.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Kim Jun wrapped the box in the bundle.

 

It felt cozy.

 

“Ah, wait a moment.”

 

The owner hurried inside and came out with a small basket.

 

“You’ll need this right after it hatches. I’ve put in a milk bottle, soft food, and a blanket too.”

 

“Even this?”

 

“It’s service. Baby pets require a lot of care.”

 

The owner smiled brightly and held out the basket.

 

Kim Jun accepted the basket.

 

It was packed more thoroughly than expected.

 

“Thank you for your consideration.”

 

“I hope you meet a good pet.”

 

Kim Jun gathered all the pets and supplies and left the ranch.

 

“….”

 

The Coachman silently watched his retreating figure.

 

His eyes held a melancholy look.

 

No, rather than sadness.

 

It was closer to wistfulness.

 

“Please reach it…』

 

Along with the murmur.

 

Blur-

 

The coachman’s outline began to fade.

 

*

 

“Phew…”

 

Kim Jun let out a deep sigh.

 

[Time until hatching: 23 hours 40 minutes]

 

He had deliberately walked slowly.

 

Looking around here and there, browsing shops, even buying snacks from street stalls to kill time.

 

But there was still nearly a full day left.

 

‘I want to see it soon.’

 

That companion from before his regression.

 

The small black cat.

 

Looking back now, it was nothing special as a pet, but to Kim Jun, it was the only existence in the Tower he had grown attached to.

 

‘This time I can raise it from the beginning.’

 

Kim Jun looked down at the small box.

 

The egg wrapped tightly in cloth bundles.

 

Following the coachman’s words to keep it warm, he had carried it in his arms.

 

“I should go soak in the hot spring first.”

 

Kim Jun entered his room and carefully placed the egg on the bed.

 

He covered it snugly with a blanket and surrounded it with pillows to keep it secure.

 

“Wait here for a bit.”

 

He felt silly talking to an egg.

 

But somehow it felt like the right thing to do.

 

Kim Jun undressed, wrapped a towel around himself, and headed to the hot spring.

 

The hot spring at [Olympus Paradise] was divided into men’s and women’s sections with just a bamboo fence between them.

 

Vision was completely blocked, but sounds could be heard to some extent.

 

‘Looks like everyone’s there.’

 

Laughter and conversation could be heard from the women’s side.

 

The voices of Ryu Ji-a and Lee Seo-yeon.

 

‘Su-in is probably sitting quietly without saying anything.’

 

Kim Jun chuckled and entered the men’s section.

 

The bubbling hot spring water.

 

Its steam enveloped his entire body.

 

“Phew…”

 

As he slowly immersed his body.

 

Splash-

 

The warm water embraced his entire body.

 

*

 

Bubble bubble bubble-

 

“Everyone except me was enjoying this?!”

 

“That’s why we came back in~.”

 

Lee Seo-yeon said as she immersed her body in the hot spring water.

 

“Hmph!”

 

Ryu Ji-a puffed out her cheeks.

 

Lee Seo-yeon and Han Su-in had already enjoyed the hot spring and left earlier, but they had come back in, unable to resist Ryu Ji-a’s insistence.

 

After all, the youngest’s tantrums couldn’t be ignored.

 

If they hadn’t given in… she might have stayed pouty until they cleared the Tower.

 

“But Ji-a.”

 

Lee Seo-yeon looked at Ryu Ji-a intently and spoke.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I can definitely see the change. Your mana is more stable than before.”

 

“Really?”

 

Ryu Ji-a’s eyes sparkled.

 

“Yeah. Before, your mana felt like it was bursting out everywhere, but now it feels solidly built up?”

 

“Really? Really? Even you think so, unnie?”

 

Ryu Ji-a grabbed Lee Seo-yeon’s arm and asked.

 

“Of course. I’m certain.”

 

“What about Su-in unnie? Do you think so too, Su-in unnie?”

 

Ryu Ji-a turned her head toward Han Su-in.

 

“…”

 

Han Su-in looked at Ryu Ji-a silently, then slowly gave her a thumbs up.

 

“Ehehehehe!”

 

Ryu Ji-a’s face brightened up.

 

The hard work had paid off.

 

Adelaine was truly like a demon, but it seemed she had definitely learned something.

 

“By the way, where did the guild leader go again?”

 

Lee Seo-yeon looked around and asked.

 

“He didn’t go to the next floor alone again, did he?”

 

“Oh, I met oppa.”

 

Ryu Ji-a answered while stirring the hot spring water with her hand.

 

“He said he was going to get pets.”

 

“Pets?”

 

“Yeah. He said he’d get them for all of us. He’s probably arrived by now.”

 

As soon as Ryu Ji-a finished speaking.

 

Splash-

 

The sound of water came from beyond the bamboo fence, from the men’s side.

 

“Looks like oppa’s back?”

 

“He came back quickly?”

 

Lee Seo-yeon nodded and said.

 

Then.

 

“Huh?”

 

Ryu Ji-a’s gaze stopped at one spot on the bamboo fence.

 

A very small hole.

 

Whether it had been there originally or formed as the wood aged.

 

It was about the size of a finger.

 

Gulp-

 

Ryu Ji-a and Lee Seo-yeon swallowed simultaneously.

 

And they looked into each other’s eyes.

 

‘Just once?’

 

‘We shouldn’t…’

 

‘What did you say?’

 

‘If you insist…’

 

They had a conversation with their eyes.

 

They were curious.

 

Kim Jun’s solid physique that was evident even through his clothes.

 

The distinct muscles and veins that showed whenever he rolled up his sleeves.

 

Just how well-trained was his body?

 

The moment the two slowly approached the hole.

 

“N-no, no way!!”

 

Han Su-in shot up and blocked their way.

 

She, who was usually quiet, raised her voice and strongly objected.

 

“Y-you can’t, c-can’t look…”

 

Han Su-in shook her head firmly.

 

And then.

 

Thud-

 

She blocked the hole with her own body.

 

With her back turned, pressed right against the hole.

 

*

 

“Hm?”

 

The moment he was soaking in the hot spring, relaxing his body.

 

He saw something by the Bamboo Fence.

 

A small hole.

 

And blocking that hole…

 

‘What is that?’

 

Something pure white.

 

Something that looked soft, like rice cake.

 

“Is it rice cake? Hmm, that can’t be right.”

 

But he decided not to think too deeply about it.

 

It seemed like something he’d be better off not knowing.

 

Kim Jun looked away and surrendered his body to the warm Hot Spring water.

—————
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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