Chapter 438. Don’t Adjust Your Shoes in a Melon Field, Don’t Fix Your Hat Under a Plum Tree (9)
Chapter 438. Don’t Adjust Your Shoes in a Melon Field, Don’t Fix Your Hat Under a Plum Tree (9)
‘Come to think of it, has that Earthling ever cried out this loudly before?’
At least in my memory, I had never seen such a scene. The black-haired Earthling continued to wail loudly, holding onto someone else even after several seconds had passed. He opened his usually tightly-closed mouth completely, letting out a full-blown cry, and even I was startled by how intense his reaction was.
‘It seems like he really cherished his mother, huh?’
Family. It’s a concept I’ve never had, and honestly, don’t really plan to have, so it doesn’t fully resonate with me.
‘Still, seeing the Earthling jump for joy… it’s not so bad.’
I quietly savored a small sense of satisfaction, positively appraising the unique family scene unfolding before me. It was around this moment, while I was lingering on someone else’s happiness…
“Huh?”
The Earthling, who had been sobbing while clinging to his mother, suddenly lifted his head with a stunned expression. A sudden, unexpected event had just occurred in the single-patient room.
“What?”
The two of us, both recognized as S-rank by the Hunter Association, turned our heads at roughly the same time. And at the spot where our gazes landed, there was a human radiating vibrant, bubbling magical energy—one who was seemingly “just generating” it.
“Oh, that’s right.”
In simple terms, Jung Haseong’s mother had awakened. Come to think of it, [Magic Addiction] was essentially also a [Failed Awakening Syndrome]. This condition occurred when individuals who had stumbled at the threshold of evolution fell asleep—either to recover from damage or to buy themselves time to adapt to magical energy. At least that’s how it appeared to me, and it wasn’t far off from what Earth’s medical experts were speculating.
So, that’s what it was.
‘Did they successfully awaken an insect that had failed to metamorphose, and artificially complete it into a mage…?’
The touching reunion ends here.
Immediately afterward, the newly awakened mage—still not fully conscious—recklessly unleashed their powers in every direction. As a result, Jung Haseong and I had to scramble to manage the situation. No, to be precise, it was mostly just me struggling. The top-ranked hunter of South Korea was, after all, a blazing embodiment of justice; if I let that fire-wielding human loose while a fellow Earthling was rampaging, things would only escalate further…
***
Anyway, what kind of mess was this?
“Haseong-ah. Your mother….”
Bang!
A short while later. Once the hospital room had been somewhat tidied up, and the medical staff were called in to check the patient’s condition one last time—Jung Haseong and South Korea’s fourth-ranked S-class Hunter finally managed to slip out into the corridor. There, the two began a brief conversation.
“Before she fell into a coma, what exactly did your mother do for a living? And for your information, I’m asking what her job was.”
A politely measured voice resonated in the air.
“She was a special effects makeup artist.”
“Ah.”
“Before I was born, she worked as a regular makeup artist, but most of her career was focused on high-difficulty projects—the kind used in films or on stage.”
“So that’s why.”
“Yes?”
“So that’s why her powers manifested in such an artistic way.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What was the proper term for that again?”
“Probably something like a created creature you’d see in horror movies… At least, as far as I know, there’s no monster that looks quite like that.”
For reference, the lines being spoken now were just small talk about the chaos from three minutes ago. A magical outburst so powerful it completely wrecked a hospital room that costs millions of won per day to stay in.
“An illusion-type skill, huh.”
“As expected, what we saw wasn’t real?”
Ssshk.
The blond man turned his head to the side. In the hospital room before them sat a Korean woman who appeared to be in her fifties or sixties.
-…! …!
She politely bowed her head to the doctor and obediently underwent the examination. At one point, she even looked over in their direction and waved, greeting everyone with the gentle demeanor of an undeniably kind-hearted Earthling.
“She doesn’t look like the kind of person who just scared us all by conjuring up a horrifying monster.”
“Ugh.”
“A special effects makeup artist… I wonder how many of those grotesque figures she saw on a daily basis for her subconscious to manifest an illusion like that.”
“I am truly sorry.”
“It’s okay. Of course I was joking when I said I was surprised.”
Jung Haseong wiped his face, which was a mess of cold sweat and tears.
“I never imagined my mom would awaken.”
How on earth did a beautiful reunion end up like this?
“Anyway, she woke up safely—that’s what matters.”
Judging from the commotion caused during her awakening, the family of the nation’s top-ranked Hunter was presumed to include an illusionist capable of creating phantasms. To be honest, it didn’t seem like a particularly practical ability for fighting real monsters — but at least she had acquired a measurable mana level, which meant the chances of her falling ill again were low.
‘No more colds, no more eye infections… from now on, she’ll stay healthy for good….’
Realizing the reality that had finally come true, tears welled up in his eyes once again.
“Hmm?”
Crying.
Jung Haseong bowed his head so deeply it nearly touched the floor. Without making a sound, he nodded and let his tears stream down freely.
“Really...”
His throat was too tight for him to finish a full sentence, but at the very least, he could still manage to say something as simple as this.
“Thank you so much.”
But... can today’s events really be brushed off with just a simple remark like that?
“How many times exactly are you going to save me unilaterally?”
“Hmm?”
“My mom... she’s really my only precious family. So honestly, I’d thought to myself that if things went any worse here... I might not be able to go on living alone anymore...”
Just a moment ago, it was “mother.” And now, it’s “mom.”
Around the time the alien being took notice of this series of name changes, Jung Haseong slowly lifted his head again and spoke to the awakened one before him.
“What on earth should I do next?”
There was considerable strength in the man’s tone.
“Of course, I remember that even when you, Kim Giryeo-ssi, shared important information… you never expected any great reward in return.”
‘Isn’t 3 billion a big price to pay?’
“But this time, I just really, really want to give you a proper reward! Truly, thank you so much!”
An internal objection from the alien flickered through midway, but it didn’t matter.
“Are you still not interested in the [Sunset Sword] at all?”
“What?”
“For now, of the things I have, this sword is clearly the most valuable.”
“No, that’s.”
“Moreover, I recently discovered a new feature of this [Sunset Sword]. It seems to help its owner when they’re in danger?”
Now, Jung Haseong was even willing to offer that national treasure–level item.
‘Exchanging Legendary and Elixir…’
The blonde alien thought for a moment, having never considered a deal like this before. After all, even on this planet, health was ultimately the most important factor.
If you want to obtain legendary-grade gear, healing someone like this is actually the orthodox way to do it.
“No, forget it.”
But the problem lies in the role of the weapon presented now. Unless it’s that greatsword sitting somewhere in Japan, the [Sunset Sword] had been personally modified by someone to protect a specific mammal. And now, for the original owner to just take it back… that’s a bit much.
‘It makes no sense at all. That weapon is only useful when it’s protecting Jung Haseong’s safety.’
Still, since it’s such a rare opportunity, should I take it and at least try disassembling it?
[;;]
The top-ranked hunter still had his customary one-handed sword hanging at his waist today.
If you fix your gaze on the sword for a while, you get the peculiar feeling that the hilt is quivering ever so slightly…
“That weapon is for you to use, Jung Haseong. Like I said before, I don’t like close-range weapons.”
The deliberation ended there. Kim Giryeo, guided by the Earthly sense of attachment he had gained after reincarnation, ultimately refused the reward. For an archmage, it wasn’t really an item of great necessity anyway, so even with the lofty title of “elixir of all cures,” it was a transaction he could carry out without lingering attachment. Yet, no matter how trivial it seemed from the giver’s perspective, the Earthling who had regained his mother could hardly take it lightly.
-Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if the problem was solved by luck.
Even the blond man who gave him the elixir said that he was doing all of this just because “Jung Haseong lived a good life.”
‘For the past few years, even when all I got online were insults, I just kept working while being constantly plagued by this strange sense of indebtedness…’
To think that an S-rank hunter would recognize the achievements of the number-one ranked person, whose efforts seemed unacknowledged even by the high heavens! And on top of that, to reward all the hardships endured so far in this way…
‘How did I end up meeting such benefactors?’
At this moment, Jung Haseong thought.
There’s a saying in this world that one shouldn’t take in a black-haired beast. In a way, it’s a natural expression. How could someone not be called a beast when they forget the kindness they’ve received?
‘Honestly, I still can’t believe this situation.’
Jung Haseong glanced once more at the hospital room door where his family was sitting.
‘Mom really, really woke up…’
No matter how many times he thought about it, it was a reality that filled him with emotion to the very throat. So instead of uttering a hundred shallow words of thanks, Jung Haseong decided to make one sincere promise.
“I will truly repay this kindness for the rest of my life.”
After all, he would probably just say it was fine even if he wanted to properly thank him right now. So he’ll think carefully each time about how to act in a way that benefits him. He’ll ponder every single day what he truly needs. Jung Haseong envisioned his plans for the future and nodded with a resolute expression.
“I will never forget what you did for me today, not even until the day I die. If there ever comes a time when you need my help, please don’t hesitate to contact me right away.”
“You don’t have to go that far.”
“I mean it, so please do! If you ever ask me to do something, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen!”
For reference, this hospital was also famous for letting sunlight pour in from anywhere. And at that moment, gentle sunlight quietly streamed in through the window beside Kim Giryeo. On any ordinary day, it would have been just a meaningless natural phenomenon. But to Jung Haseong, it looked almost like a halo radiating from a person. He then continued to show endless respect and gratitude toward the benefactor who had saved his mother.
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[Changes 3.5]
Acquired an S-rank subordinate
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Looking at the situation as a whole, there was really no argument to be made. After all, he had handed over a single item and, in return, had made the number-one ranked person voluntarily perform labor.
‘Since he wants to repay the kindness like that~ isn’t it also rude to refuse too much?’
The alien creature standing there couldn’t even bring itself to think of the word “inhuman.” And in that state, it managed to solve a few problems.
‘Well, with just Seonwoo Yeon, there’s a sense of unease. That person has a low rank and is in a position where she can’t really make use of her special status as a public official.’
The first thought that came to mind was about an acquaintance.
‘Besides, this time, because I thoughtlessly asked for the information to be corrected quickly, Seonwoo Yeon almost got punished. From now on, I’ll have to work through Jung Haseong, even if I have to force it.’
Somehow, the more he operates on Earth, the more awakened individuals he can make use of…But he’ll just chalk that up to his imagination for now.
“Anyway.”
Kim Giryeo finished organizing his thoughts and spoke lightly.
“Don’t be so desperately grateful just because you received an elixir. For now, just act as you normally do.”
“As normally do?”
“I ask you to protect the country while living in Korea. Even if I return, it’s not like I’ll be working much.”
“Ah.”
“If the number-one ranked person leads the way and does well, then I can finally relax and go eat galbitang on my days off without worry.”
“Do you need some galbitang?”
“Huh?”
“Should I order it by phone right now? No! I’ll just run out and buy it myself!”
But something seems a little wrong here.
“….”
Ssshk.
The blond archmage turned his head to glance at the nearby hospital room. As he directed his gaze that way, the patient inside the room responded with a bright smile, but the alien creature maintained a subtle, expressionless face while rolling his sambaegan eye.
‘Yeah. Well… anyway, that worked out.’
Even though this life will end in an instant anyway, Jung Haseong will be happy for a long time because of this.
‘Of course, fighting those cosmic monsters that have descended from the void is important, but that doesn’t mean my current life is any less meaningful.’
Just because he hadn’t answered for a moment, the top hunter of South Korea nearly stormed into the restaurant. However, since many procedures still remained before the patient’s final discharge, the alien with golden hair calmly held back the elderly awakened individual’s guardian.