Chapter 354

But really, what reason would this fire-element mage have to contact anyone else?

“Hello.”

“Excuse me.”

“You don’t need to be so formal. Speak comfortably.”

“I’m calling about the tutoring schedule you mentioned earlier in the hospital room.”

He had once been such a workaholic that people practically called him a machine. True to form, he got straight to the point.

“Things kept coming up one after another, so it ended up being delayed for far too long.”

It was already the middle of autumn, yet the tutoring arrangement still hadn’t been properly concluded.

So, after the call ended, Kim Giryeo arranged a brief meeting with Jung Haseong—to settle everything before beginning his long-awaited life of retirement.

***

An ambitious business venture on an alien planet: teaching arcane magic.

Today was finally the day to bring that challenge to an end.

“Alright. Considering how few lessons we’ve had lately, I’ll reduce the amount you need to pay to about this much...”

I’d been thinking this for some time, but there really wasn’t anything left for me to teach that student.

And yet, for what was supposed to be our final lesson, the meeting itself was remarkably uneventful.

It wasn’t as if people in the same profession would suddenly burst into songs of gratitude for their master over something like this. Nor were we going to pin carnations on one another and hold some grand ceremony.

Maybe it was because I’d started this private magic tutoring without any formal qualifications as a teacher in the first place, but everything about it—even the ending—felt rather sloppy.

“Make sure you keep practicing the techniques I taught you from time to time.”

“Yes.”

“Whether it’s supernatural abilities or studying, practice is always the key.”

Rather than putting him through some grand practical examination in the field, we simply sat down and wrapped things up by reviewing everything he had learned so far.

“Oh, and about your [Sword of Sunset].”

“Yes.”

“The blade is so sharp that whenever you see a monster that looks strong, you seem to default to trying to cut it down with that thing.”

“Oh. Yes.”

“Jung Haseong, you’re no longer lacking in either skill output or control, right? So from now on, try using that legendary weapon more often for defense.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I think an item with [Destruction Immunity] would be much more useful in defensive situations...”

From my perspective, though, this was the perfect way to end things.

That black-haired Earthling was naturally a model student. You could tell from the way he moved that he had diligently absorbed everything I’d taught him.

“When you already know how well a student performs, there’s no real need to tack on extra field practice. Besides, it’s a hassle.”

So I spent the remaining time giving him a few minor tips I hadn’t had the chance to mention before.

Before I knew it, the morning had passed surprisingly quickly.

That was it.

The only noteworthy thing left on the schedule was the high-end sushi restaurant we were going to visit that afternoon to celebrate the end of our arrangement.

“They say they serve steamed conch there too. Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten much shellfish since coming to Earth.”

But then, the other person suddenly spoke in a tense voice.

“Hunter Kim Giryeo.”

Jung Haseong sounded cautious.

“I’m not sure whether I should ask this, but... about our team-up.”

Well.

If anything, I’d been wondering why he hadn’t brought it up sooner.

“I might actually have been a little disappointed if he never mentioned it.”

Just as we were finishing up and preparing to leave, the young man sitting on a bench in the hunters-only gym finally asked the question.

He didn’t sound particularly hopeful.

Should he assume that the promise we had made back then was no longer valid?

“We originally agreed that once I learned the techniques you intended to teach me and reached a certain level of proficiency, we would officially work together.”

Of course, this time there was a very clear answer.

“Yeah, that’s right. Haseong-ah, this tutoring arrangement was half a scam from the very beginning, so that was never actually going to happen.”

Hidden inside the deal between Guild Master Garion and the fourth S-rank hunter was, in truth, the uniquely petty nature of an Alphaut in its purest form.

“Judging by the kinds of incidents that show up in the local news, I’m basically like a lunch restaurant owner who sold a one-year membership at a massive discount and then closed the business the very next month...”

It had been inevitable.

Back then, I had genuinely been F-rank.

I literally had nothing.

No strength. No skills.

There had been no conceivable way for me to team up with a hero.

But now?

Now I simply didn’t want to work.

That desire was the entire reason I had come to Earth in the first place.

So there was no chance I was going to keep my promise to Jung Haseong.

“Hmm.”

Which meant I now had to tell him my decision...

Even I, a native of Alphaut, felt a faint pang of guilt at a moment like this.

“Damn it. Why does this mammal have to look so watery-eyed today of all days?”

Bright.

Sparkling.

Jung Haseong looked at me with clear, innocent eyes.

That Earth-born life-form was simply a little immature when it came to controlling his emotions, probably because of his age.

Aside from his somewhat fiery temper, he was genuinely a good individual.

Coarse leather at one hundred percent opacity.

Strangely warm, apricot-colored skin.

In any case, from an Alphaut’s perspective, it was difficult to find these creatures attractive based on appearance alone.

And yet, standing before this particular mammal, I once again became painfully aware that I possessed a conscience.

“A mage who trusted me enough to burn eight billion won a month!”

I was already starting to feel bad about scamming Jung Haseong.

And now, on top of disappointing him, was I supposed to tell him that he was no longer useful and therefore couldn’t join the team?

Wouldn’t that be a little too cruel?

“No matter how strong I’ve become, I shouldn’t go that far.”

Now came the moment, much like in a martial arts novel, when the master sends his disciple down the mountain.

Fortunately, I was an Alphaut blessed with a reasonable amount of compassion.

So I hurriedly softened the excuse for breaking my promise and spoke as gently as possible.

“...Hmm. Yeah. Actually, just as you said, Jung Haseong, teaming up is going to be a little difficult.”

“It’s because of the tumor... isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Looking at it this way, the doctor’s slip of the tongue had actually been a blessing.

Thanks to that misunderstanding, I now had a perfectly logical excuse.

“......”

“What I’m saying is, the only reason I want to cancel our agreement is because my stamina has declined slightly.”

“......”

“I’ve been getting tired more often lately. Whether you’re an office worker or a hunter, when that happens, it’s best to take some time off.”

I had already poured everything I had into persuading Ahn Yoonseung.

Compared to that, this explanation should be enough.

Jung Haseong was kind enough not to pressure someone who claimed to be exhausted, even if the reasoning itself was somewhat flimsy.

“Will that do?”

Glance.

I studied the black-haired Earth creature.

“As expected, no immediate objection.”

Just in case—and admittedly it was a cowardly trick—I fully released my magic power.

Maybe that was why.

The other man remained silent for a long time, hands clasped together.

But before I could interpret his reaction, the mammal’s magic suddenly became unstable.

And at that exact moment, as an ominous energy flickered through the air—

“Did something happen in the dungeon last week?”

The man beside me suddenly asked.

What kind of random question was that?

“From my perspective, it seems obvious that you must have felt your condition worsening while you were inside that dungeon...”

“Oh. That.”

“I don’t actually object to you taking a break, Hunter. What concerns me is that you seem worried about the gap your absence might create in the industry.”

“What?”

“You recently forced Hunter Kang Changho to enter a dungeon, didn’t you? Was that because you wanted to discipline him while also securing another S-rank combatant who could fill the vacancy?”

No, seriously.

What was this?

“And just how broad-minded can one person be? You accompanied an esper with two criminal offenses through the entire dungeon simply because you were worried he might get hurt.”

Flustered, I instinctively waved both hands in denial.

It was about the only Earth-style gesture I could perform reflexively.

“That’s not it.”

But Jung Haseong ignored my denial entirely.

Instead, he stared into empty space like someone sinking into paranoia.

Frankly, it was frightening.

And what he said next did absolutely nothing to relieve that chilling sense of unease.

“I understand perfectly well that the team-up won’t be happening after all.”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t intend for it to happen that way, but after fighting alongside those fake... beasts, we’ve already covered each other’s backs in battle. I’m satisfied with that alone.”

“Oh. Really?”

“Actually, it was precisely because of that experience that I came to accept it. Everyone clearly saw just how much stronger Hunter Kim Giryeo is than the rest of us.”

No way.

Jung Haseong was criticizing himself without me having to do anything.

“Is it really alright to leave things like this?”

I tried to slow the rapidly escalating conversation down.

But before I could speak, Jung Haseong cut me off.

“That...”

Then he continued.

“But now that we’re talking about it, I don’t mean that I merely want you to take a short break.”

“I actually hope Hunter Kim takes this opportunity to retire.”

“Re-retire?”

“You were always the one giving me advice about not pushing myself too hard. So why are you so harsh on yourself, Hunter?”

“Hmm.”

“I know your abilities are exceptional, so you keep taking everything upon yourself. But from now on, the rest of us will work harder too.”

“You’re already doing well enough.”

“So from now on, please just take care of your health.”

He continued with a bittersweet expression.

“Even if we can’t team up for jobs anymore, I’d still be happy if we could occasionally share a meal as close friends.”

There was definitely some sort of misunderstanding mixed into all of this.

But after cautiously examining the situation, I realized that it was overwhelmingly in my favor.

“Yeah...”

So I made my declaration with confidence.

“Yeah! I will.”

I had no intention of participating in any more raids regardless of what anyone told me.

Naturally, I had no reason to reject his heartfelt advice that I get some proper rest.

Instead, I accepted his concern with open arms and boldly announced my leave of absence.

Pay Company.

Heayoung.

And even this monthly three-billion-won scam.

Now that nearly every troublesome obligation I had planned to settle was finally dealt with, what remained?

“For the time being, I should focus on looking after my health, just like Hunter Jung Haseong said.”

From now on, I intended to become the second Kang Changho.

Simply put, I would live as a wealthy unemployed person, slowly spending the money piled up in my bank account.

“A house!”

Although—

It would be difficult to keep living in that experimental studio apartment I had rented in advance.

“I need to buy a house!”

Finding a new place to live came first.

I could plan my peaceful future after that.

I organized my thoughts.

Still, one of the luckiest things to happen recently was that I had finally managed to conclude this tutoring arrangement—the very deal I had worried about ever since my F-rank days.

***

Meanwhile, twelve hours after a group of Awakeners held their farewell gathering at the sushi restaurant—

“Yes. I understand. Thank you for passing that along.”

The top-floor private room of the Magic Tower Guild.

“As expected. So that’s how the matter among the S-rank hunters was ultimately settled.”

The atmosphere around the glass table, however, was grim.

If only there had been a bowl of yukgaejang, the place could easily have been mistaken for a funeral parlor.

“But this is a little surprising. Did Giryeo-ssi really say that?”

“Yes. He said Hunter Seo needs to improve her skill control so that I won’t get hurt and so we can work together properly as a team.”

“Well, thinking back to what happened when we fought the Beasts, preparing for a proper division of labor is obviously better than doing nothing.”

“He said that later, when he has time, he’ll share his know-how with Hunter Seo Esther as well.”

“But someone as healthy as him... when is he ever going to take time off again?”

“I’m not sure about that part...”

Slurp.

Jung Haseong took a sip of his coffee.

“But from what you’re saying, it sounds as though it’s already been decided that he’ll be passing his techniques on to Hunter Seo.”

He continued, his eyes strangely hollow.

“Maybe it’s time to start winding down Garion.”

As that quiet remark revealed, a certain one-man guild had reached a crossroads.

[Garion].

Of course, the guild itself consisted of highly skilled elites who were excellent at their jobs, but...

“Oh, really? For an S-rank hunter like me with such a high income, setting up a corporation is much more tax-efficient?”

The hope of finding an equal peer had remained unfulfilled for years.

In reality, Garion had long since become little more than a company maintained primarily for the tax advantages permitted under current law.

These days, even hunters benefited administratively from having an official affiliation.

However, just as Kim Giryeo had insisted for so long, S-rank hunters in Korea were expected to be capable of pairing up and working together even if one of them retired.

“Mr. Jung, are you really sure you’re alright with proceeding that way?”

“Yes. If I’m going to work with Esther, joining the Magic Tower would be more convenient. It doesn’t matter much to me.”

Seo Esther spoke next.

“A star hunter once called ‘God Jung’ and ‘the national hero’ is joining our company. Can you believe it...?”

Needless to say, this was tremendous news.

Yet for some reason, the owner of the company—who now had nothing left to do but watch its value soar—continued to wear a gloomy expression.

Eventually, the hunter surnamed Seo spoke again.

“I don’t think Mr. Giryeo began teaching you with this outcome in mind.”

In Seo Esther’s view, Kim Giryeo was a man who was always serious and never spoke carelessly.

And yet there was no denying that he had broken his promise to Jung Haseong.

That was why Esther’s expression remained stiff even after hearing the good news firsthand.

“Yes.”

“At first, he probably genuinely intended to cooperate with another S-rank hunter.”

“Do you really think Kim Giryeo is the kind of person who would recklessly make an empty promise? That man is so straightforward that even if a beauty like me invited him to dinner, he’d be the first to tell me he’d already eaten.”

“......”