Let's Choose a House
Creak… tap.
Jin Yunho watched Jin Hyuk head into the room.
In one of his hands was a booklet filled with housing listings.
"You're more cautious than I expected."
"Well, it's a place I'll be living in for a long time. I can't help it. Let's have some tea while we wait."
Jin Yunho picked up the fork on the table.
"Hunter Cheon Seyun. What happened to this…?"
"I know, right? How did the fork end up like that?"
Seyun quickly snatched it and tossed it straight into the trash can.
Returning to her seat, she squeezed her eyes shut.
She'd gotten riled up the moment she heard the name Jin Sehee and ended up making a fool of herself.
He must think I'm ridiculously jealous.
She leaned back in her chair.
Nothing ever went right whenever it came to that damn Jin Sehee.
At that moment, inside the room—
The group huddled together, poring over the booklet.
"Keep your voices down, okay?"
The three outside weren't particularly sensitive to noise, but just in case, caution was necessary.
"Got it, sir!"
"Yeah."
Kancho and Seira whispered in comically tiny voices.
Momo, chin propped on the table, began flipping through the pages.
"This looks smaller than here, does not?"
"Of course it's smaller. Miss Seyun is a verified Ranker. She's also part of the Hunter Bureau."
Most listings seemed to be around 42 pyeong.
Each one was only small when compared to this place—Jin Hyuk found them more than spacious enough.
They were high-security, state-of-the-art officetels.
Located in Hannam-dong, each had to be worth at least several billion won.
"How about this one? The marble room looks perfect as a tower-climbing chamber. Easy to clean, too."
After a clear, it wasn't uncommon for the room to be left a disaster.
A place like this would be great for maintenance after a run.
"I like it. The TV is big."
"Big TVs make games fun."
"Momo knows what's important."
"Not bad."
"I don't care where we live."
"Okay, then let's go with this one."
With unanimous approval, they took the booklet and left the room.
"Oh? You picked so fast. I thought you'd take longer to think things over."
"There was one place that felt just right. We'll go with this one."
"Great choice. This building is really popular lately. We'll get the contract started today and make sure you can move in as soon as possible."
It wasn't his house, but still—he'd suddenly end up living in an insanely expensive place.
He hadn't fought Jo Gangtae for this kind of reward, but it seemed good fortune had rolled in anyway.
"Oh, and we've stationed a reliable hunter team where your parents live. They're all Rank 3 hunters and 70-floor trial players."
"Thank you so much!"
Originally, the Hunter Bureau had offered to prepare a house for his family as well.
He'd asked carefully, but of course—his parents loved the countryside and flatly refused to ever move.
In response, Jin Yunho assigned a protection team instead.
"Oh, and you're currently climbing the 30th-floor section, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Do you have heat-resistant gear? If not, the Bureau can provide tower-specialized—"
Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.
Jin Yunho swallowed dryly.
Jin Hyuk's eyes made it blatantly obvious.
He needed it—right now, please.
"Let's head to the Player Hunter Bureau together. The equipment storage gets a lot of foot traffic, so no one will notice anything."
"You've already prepared a house for me, and now equipment too… I feel bad taking so much. I'm not sure I deserve it."
Even while saying he felt bad, Jin Hyuk grasped both of Yunho's hands tightly.
Watching from the side, Min Yugyeong and Cheon Seyun were certain.
He didn't mean a word of that.
"Hahaha. Once you have the time, just take on some Hunter Bureau requests now and then. That'll be more than enough."
Jin Yunho covered Jin Hyuk's hands again with his own.
He wanted at least some sort of ongoing connection with him.
"Of course. If I ever detect a Rift, I'll do my best to clear it!"
"Your enthusiasm is reassuring—but if you find a Rift, please don't enter it. Report it immediately. We're expecting 50-floor-class Rifts soon."
His expression turned grave.
While the monsters inside would be gone since the floor was already cleared, the layer itself was hazardous—filled with lethal poisonous gas and toxic flora.
If handled poorly, the Rift alone could cause mass casualties.
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
Nodding, Jin Yunho stood.
"Shall we head to the Player Hunter Bureau? I'll give you the heat-resistant gear and a quick tour of the facilities."
"Let's go."
Standing with Jin Yunho and Min Yugyeong, Jin Hyuk looked back at Seyun.
"I'll be back."
She clearly hadn't expected such a natural farewell.
"Oh… yes, yes. See you later!"
Seyun stuttered strangely out of character.
Ding-dong.
As the three entered the elevator and descended, Seyun let out a quiet groan.
"I'll be back, see you later… that sounded like a married—ack!"
She smacked her forehead.
"I'm losing it. Get it together, Seyun. You're not thinking straight."
After talking herself down, she spun on her heel.
Time for a quick refresh climb in the tower.
Player Hunter Bureau Equipment Storage.
Min Yugyeong scanned her access card.
Jin Yunho had already left—his presence might draw too much attention.
"The storage areas are classified from Wing F to Wing S. The closer you get to S, the higher the grade and performance. This is Wing D—mostly gear for the 20th–30th floors."
Jin Hyuk's eyes sparkled as he looked over the equipment filling his field of vision.
"Not many people here."
"It's cleaning and maintenance time. Think of it like a dining hall during break hours. Just pick what you need—I'll check it out under my name."
"Yes, thank you."
"This way is the section for the 30th-floor range."
There was no need for long deliberation.
He immediately pulled out a full set of heat-resistant armor.
He didn't forget to grab a fire-resistance necklace and ring either.
H-he really goes big, Yugyeong thought.
Before they parted, Jin Yunho had warned her—
He might take more than expected, so don't be surprised.
"Hm."
Jin Hyuk rubbed his chin.
Despite looking around, he couldn't find armor suitable for Kancho or Momo.
He'd have to settle for accessories.
"Hm!?"
He stopped in front of a display case.
Yugyeong followed his gaze and gave an awkward smile.
"That's the Pillar of the Spirit of Snow—Slitcher. It's big, but it doesn't have a grip. Calling it a weapon is a stretch since its attack and magic stats are low… it's kind of an odd item. The option itself is great, though. As its name suggests, it drastically lowers the temperature in a large area. It blocks most heat on a wide scale."
"Perfect. I'll borrow it too."
"Huh? This one?"
Yugyeong glanced back and forth between the massive pillar and Jin Hyuk.
"The effect doesn't activate unless the player is holding it. Are you sure?"
"Yes, that's fine."
She opened the display case, still puzzled.
Jin Hyuk's weapon as a Runner was a chain wrapped around both arms.
Suddenly choosing a giant pillar was completely unexpected.
"Thank you."
Jin Hyuk stored the pillar in his inventory with a satisfied smile.
He'd been worried about gearing up Kancho and Momo—this was perfect.
Placing it in the Weapon Collector would allow even cooler hunts.
After circling the display area once more, Jin Hyuk bowed.
"That's everything. Thank you for your help."
"You're very welcome. But, Jin Hyuk… one thing."
"Yes?"
"You must return everything when you're done."
"Of course."
"Promise."
She emphasized it again, and he gave her a thumbs-up.
Naturally, he planned to return them as soon as he finished the section.
That was the only way he'd be able to borrow new gear for the next tier.
Satisfied, Jin Hyuk inspected the equipment he'd gathered.
Goodbye, sauna-like torture.
From today on, he'd be clearing comfortably in the cold.
Four days later—
[You have cleared Floor 35 of the Tower of Despair!]
Jin Hyuk stepped out of the tower with a refreshing smile.
Heat-resistant gear plus the pillar's temperature-lowering effect—
Thanks to them, everything from Floor 32 onward had been a breeze.
[Player Yoo Jin Hyuk has leveled up! Current Level: 43. Strength and Agility increase!]
[Chain Combat has increased to Level 3!]
[Black Order Swordsmanship – Beginner has increased to Level 4!]
It wasn't just skill proficiency.
As his swordsmanship deepened, the aura around his blade grew thicker.
Where magma golems had once barely taken damage, he could now slice them cleanly in half.
[Seira Kincayten's EXP increases! Current EXP: 21%]
[Kancho has leveled up! Current Level: 75]
[Skill Unlocked: Explosive Conversion! Items with explosive properties can now be converted into Kancho's clay!]
[Darc Castro has leveled up! Current Level: 91]
[Momo has leveled up! Current Level: 81]
[Trait "Dexterous Hands" increases to Level 4! All components crafted by Momo will now be upgraded by one tier!]
"…What?"
Jin Hyuk's eyes widened at the last line.
Momo already had great craftsmanship—but now her work would increase in grade?
He could practically hear money jingling already.
The higher the floor, the faster the achievement gauge fills.
Five floors cleared, and the gauge was nearly maxed again.
He would likely get another perk box on Floor 36.
Stretching as he left the room, Jin Hyuk prepared for the day.
Seyun had gone ahead earlier for a broadcast interview.
He planned to attend the New Caliho event and then move into the new place.
Strange… feels like I'll miss it.
He looked around the house slowly.
He hadn't been here long, yet he'd already developed a routine.
Wake up and share breakfast with Seyun.
Tea time, then morning workouts together.
Lunch, then Seyun headed to climb the tower while he trained with Seira and Darc inside.
Dinner, a walk outside, then late-night snacks and beer before returning to their rooms.
It was fun.
He smiled.
His new home wasn't far—he planned to stroll through this neighborhood now and then.
All right, time to go.
After a quick shower and change, he stepped outside and headed to a nearby park.
Jin Sehee had insisted on picking him up despite his protests.
He couldn't reveal Seyun's home address, so he told her to meet him at the park.
"You're early."
The window of a white sports car rolled down.
A car straight out of the movies.
"Oh? You're already here?"
He jumped up and hurried over.
They were twenty minutes early—he hadn't expected her to arrive yet.
"Take your time. I just got here early. Open the door upward."
"Yes, ma'am."
He'd almost pulled the door; good thing she warned him.
He sat in the passenger seat of the luxury sports car.
"You live in a really nice area."
"It's a friend's place."
"I see."
Sehee shrugged and continued,
"Do you have a hair salon or mall you want to visit? I booked a place, but we can change it if you don't like it."
"No, let's go where you reserved. Please take good care of me."
He bowed slightly.
He wouldn't insist on something pointless.
He was clueless about fashion—he intended to leave all decisions for the New Caliho appearance to Sehee.
Vrooooom—
A deep, heavy exhaust note filled the air.
Sehee's sports car glided smoothly out of the park.
The journey to the New Caliho had begun.
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T/N:
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