Chapter 71
"You're saying you don't live together?"
"Yes."
The Association President blinked as he looked at Dohyeon, who answered calmly. He asked again, but the returning answer was the same, and this time it was even laced with a hint of annoyance. Staring blankly at Dohyeon lifting his teacup, the Association President picked up the remote.
—...If you look closely, a house is building itself. Netizens are unanimous in saying that Hunter Baek Eunseong's power is undeniable.
Frowning at the sudden noise, Dohyeon watched the news heavily focusing on footage of his house being built and let out a scoff.
"Even things like that make the news?"
"Of course, you punk. Do you have any idea how hard the newbie worked yesterday after someone reported a Gate breakout?"
Pointing to the collapsed employee on one side, the Association President lowered the volume with a sigh.
—Also, this place is famous as the area where Hunter Seong Dohyeon lived. The reason why Hunter Baek Eunseong built his house here of all places is still unclear. However, it is known that Hunter Baek Eunseong applied for a move-in here yesterday...
"Did you hear that? Everyone in the world thinks you two are living together."
"You can't say we live together when we don't."
"Oh, my? You live in the same building with only the unit numbers being different."
"Then do you live together with everyone in your apartment building?"
Momentarily speechless at Dohyeon's question, the Association President stared at the steaming teacup before shifting his gaze to look down at the move-in application.
'Seong Dohyeon, Unit 101'
'Baek Eunseong, Baek Hamin, Unit 102'
Whether they were next-door neighbors or across from each other, 'Baek Eunseong' lived in the same building as 'Seong Dohyeon'?
Baek Eunseong had subtly pressured him, saying he was sick to death of Dohyeon chasing after him and begging him to do something about it. Knowing how much Dohyeon had tormented Eunseong and how much Eunseong had loathed Dohyeon, the Association President couldn't help but find this situation questionable.
"Anyway, how did you two end up in such a relationship?"
So he asked.
He could see the employees, who had been pretending not to listen, pricking up their ears at the Association President's question. The Hunter world was already abuzz because of Eunseong and Dohyeon.
The two people who used to snarl at each other like cats and dogs whenever they met suddenly started living together? Eunseong gifted Dohyeon clothes, shoes, and even various defensive gear? Dohyeon, who used to tremble with disgust at the mere mention of Baekwoo, joined the Baekwoo Guild?
Were the two really in *that* kind of relationship?
There were many rumors, but with no way to confirm them, they were naturally curious. As bright, eager gazes gathered around, Dohyeon tilted his teacup for a moment before answering in his usual voice.
"Why pretend you don't know when you know everything?"
"Huh?"
"It's thanks to you, President. When Baek Hamin was kidnapped, if you hadn't mediated in the middle, I would never have seen Baek Eunseong's face for the rest of my life."
*Me?*
Looking around with a bewildered expression, the Association President realized that Dohyeon was being as sarcastic as possible.
That bastard. Who would believe that a guy who acted like he lived all alone in the world suddenly saved a kidnapped Hunter, and not just any Hunter, but the nephew of Eunseong, whom Dohyeon despised so much? He wouldn't have believed it himself.
Scratching his reddened ears vigorously, the Association President approved the move-in application and then pulled out another document envelope.
"You're definitely out of the Baekwoo Guild, right? Then do some work next weekend."
"What kind of work?"
"An affiliated guild's wedding. Don't make a mistake like you did the year before last."
"Why is it my fault that the groom secretly hid an artifact to impress the bride and accidentally detonated it?"
Dohyeon answered without being too unpleasant, as usual, and scanned the guest list for the wedding. Watching him, the Association President fiddled with the Association employment application form with his fingertips, trying to act as nonchalant as possible as if he hadn't prepared it in advance.
"The pay will be the same as last time, and, well, what was it... are you going to participate in the ranking tournament?"
"Ranking tournament?"
"If you're not going to enter, work as a judge for a bit."
"I'll think about it and let you know."
Cursing that "I'll think about it" inwardly, the Association President alternated his gaze between the secretly prepared application and Dohyeon, then discreetly wiped the sweat from his palms.
"S-so, what are you going to do now that you've left the Baekwoo Guild?"
"I plan to live like I did before."
"Like before? Not joining anywhere? As a Freelance Hunter?"
"Yes."
At the firm answer, he couldn't even bring himself to show the application. Watching Dohyeon stand up, he tightly clamped his mouth shut against the bitter feeling in his chest. He was leaving him alone to respect Dohyeon's wishes after he had thrown a fit about not being bothered, but inwardly, he hoped Dohyeon would slowly settle down somewhere now.
Since he had entered and returned from a dungeon, his insurance premiums were bound to go up even more, and there was no way he could afford all that while working as a Freelance Hunter.
No, honestly, setting all that aside, he just wanted Dohyeon to find companions. Whether it was the Baekwoo Guild, the Association, or the Center, he didn't care; he just wanted someone to grab hold of Dohyeon, who seemed to be drifting aimlessly in thin air.
He just didn't expect it to turn out like this.
"...If it comes to that, will I have to walk into the wedding hall with you?"
"Excuse me?"
"No, I mean, if you get married, I'd have to walk into the wedding hall with you, right? I am your guardian, after all."
"I guess... so?"
"Wait a minute! Hunter Seong Dohyeon is getting married!"
"What?"
"Seriously!?"
At that moment, heads popped up from all over the place. The people covering their mouths were all staring at one person. It was the newbie who had reportedly worked so hard to calm down the agitated Hunters yesterday when they thought a Gate had broken out.
"Ah, I'll just go get some water. Haha."
Flashing an awkward smile at the sudden attention, the newbie headed for the breakroom. Hearing regretful groans erupting from all around, the Association President looked for his secretary with a puzzled face.
"What's going on?"
"Didn't you know? He liked Hunter Seong Dohyeon. There's no one in the Association who doesn't know that."
"Why would anyone like that ruffian Dohyeon?"
Furrowing his brows tightly because he simply couldn't understand, a few employees bit their lips and let out laughs.
"He's handsome~"
"And his personality is good too."
"Him!?"
At the exclamation-like retort, the employees blushed and burst into laughter. Muttering that the world was ending, the Association President flopped into his chair and recalled how Dohyeon had softened up lately. He didn't slam doors anymore, and he greeted people when coming and going.
They say a person changes when their time comes. Dohyeon had changed so much that it made him wonder if the guy was seriously ill.
"Must have grown up late."
Scratching his chin roughly, the Association President muttered to himself and suggested a team dinner for the newbie who had been rejected without even confessing.
At that time, Dohyeon, who had returned home, stood with his arms crossed, staring at the house that Baek Eunseong had built—the house he would now live in.
* * *
'Hmm. No matter how I look at it, it looks like an overturned rock.'
The house that Baek Eunseong and Baek Hamin had ambitiously built was, unlike its neat interior, ridiculously crude on the outside. Clicking his tongue, I stared at the parking lot that was hastily dug out like a pit, as if a child had been playing in the dirt. Three of Baek Eunseong's cars were parked there.
"Hmm."
No matter how I thought about it, my old house seemed to have already crossed the point of no return. Well, nothing had changed for the worse, so I guess I have no complaints. It would be better for 'Seong Dohyeon' to return to his original world than to wander in an unfamiliar one. If the price for that is a closer relationship with Baek Eunseong, would I understand...?
I don't know. He'll manage well on his own.
I twisted my lips as I opened the door. It was probably because the structure was similar to Baek Eunseong's old house, but every time I opened the door, I felt a sense of familiarity along with a sense of alienation. Shaking my head, I stepped inside, only to clamp my mouth shut when I almost instinctively greeted that I was home.
Habits are terrifying. How many years have I lived alone, yet after living with someone for a short while, the silence feels awkward. Letting out a hollow laugh, I organized the groceries in the fridge and then pulled out a chair to sit down.
[Viewing Pass Used]
Then, I opened the skill window and flipped through the book filled with illegible text, as usual. Soon, I took out the Hawanu's seed that I had carefully stored on M's band repair page.
[Would you like to view the information?]
As I nodded, a golden window floated before my eyes.
[Hawanu's Seed]
Staring at the six letters for a long time, I pushed the status window away and brought Hawanu's seed to the book.
[Hawanu's Seed (0/1)]
Even though I carefully pushed it in to fit the slot, the seed, failing to be absorbed by the book, dropped to the floor with a *tok* and rolled away. Watching it blankly, I grabbed my hair as if tearing it out.
"Ah, what's the problem..."
Sighing deeply for a while, I leaned back with my arms crossed. Since it was a plant seed, asking Baek Hamin would be the fastest way, but...
'...Can I kiss you?'
Whenever I saw Baek Eunseong, the events of that day automatically came to mind, making it a bit awkward to face him.