Moving Day Means Jjajangmyeon
High-end materials adorned the walls and floors. The modern, sophisticated interior design left them wide-eyed. The furniture blended vintage charm with contemporary flair, looking exorbitantly expensive at a glance.
"…Yes. So, considering you've lived in apartments before, I recommend this over a standalone house."
The association staffer glanced cautiously at me as he explained, but Mom waved her hands dismissively.
I'm innocent. I hadn't said a word.
"Oh, come on~ That's not it. We're just not used to places like this. Right, son?"
Mom's words weren't entirely wrong. My pre-regression newlywed home had been the height of luxury. From my perspective, having lived both extremes, it wasn't bad at all. Still, the awe was warranted. The maintenance allowance was one thing, but the building exceeded expectations in opulence.
"This place has a system that ensures privacy. The security office always has C-rank or higher hunters on standby. It's not on the level of what a major corporation like Cheonsu Guild provides, but it's suitable for temporary living."
It made sense for active guild hunters to command massive salaries—especially the higher-ranked ones.
"Oh, and not just hunters live here—some regular civilians do too. Mostly celebrities or entrepreneurs. A typical jeonse deposit is around 85 billion won. Of course, that's pocket change for hunters…."
"85 billion? And that's not even for ownership?"
Mom clutched her worn bag, her face etched with shock. Now that we had some financial breathing room, I should buy her a new bag. The marble floors felt unforgiving under my slippers.
"It's about 95 pyeong, with five bedrooms, a family room, and three bathrooms. If you request it, we can arrange cleaning services. No need to bring furniture from your old place—everything here is provided. You could move in with just the clothes on your back!!"
Perhaps he'd given up on me. The man eagerly pitched to Mom, who was responding enthusiastically. He raved about the well-designed kitchen and living room layout, pointed out the luxurious bathtub in the bathroom. The Japanese-imported temperature-maintaining tub kept water perpetually hot, he explained with spittle flying.
I listened idly, but it wasn't bad. Approaching Mom, whose eyes sparkled as she hung on every word, I cleared my throat.
"Mom, how about we take this place? Though, is there a subway station nearby…."
"Hunter-nim, no worries. There's a subway station close by, and more importantly, you'll have a personal driver."
Oh ho. Not bad.
"A subway station nearby is all I need. Assign the driver to Mom, not me."
"What? Son, that's not necessary. Mom's fine."
"Nonsense. Even if I beg, you'll still head to your usual market. Same with your friends—your knees aren't great."
In truth, my Heal skill would have her flying around soon enough. But more than that, this world could kill you in your sleep via sudden dungeons. I was an awakener, but Mom was just a regular person.
"No bodyguards, right?"
"Sorry. Per the contract, we don't provide personal security. But safety within this luxury villa is guaranteed. Instead, housekeeping is available if you need cleaning…."
In summary: Residents here—families of high-rank hunters—were mandatorily protected. That's why even non-hunters craved these ultra-secure homes.
"Mom, shall we sign?"
Mom nodded, her lips curving into an uncontainable smile. She signed with a casual flick of the wrist.
"Wow, thank you. You can move in right away."
After explaining the front door passcode change and minor details, the staffer left—clearly anxious I might change my mind.
"Whew. It's done."
"Son, you did great."
I hadn't really done much, but Mom patted my shoulder happily. Sinking into the plush living room sofa that came with the place, I asked,
"What about the old house?"
"We'll jeonse it out. Don't worry about the details—Mom's got it. Our hunter-nim."
Mom grinned mischievously, looking utterly satisfied. She seemed a bit out of place in her old clothes, but the vibe was good. The TV in front of the sofa was massive. You'd get used to luxuries like this eventually.
Turning, I gently stroked the marble wall.
"Oh right. Shouldn't we greet the neighbors? Market first, I guess."
Mom fussed about needing to share rice cakes with her new neighbors. Did people still do that? But seeing her beaming, we decided to grab fruit at least. The fridge had basics, but still.
We exited via the elevator. Each unit had its own for maximum privacy—satisfying. Outside, the building evoked Greco-Roman mythology. Our new home.
Even outdoors, CCTV dotted the beautiful landscaping. Passing a refreshing fountain, we spotted a black luxury car after a short walk.
As we approached, a suited man emerged. I tensed. A guild recruiter?
"Sorry, you didn't get the call. This is your ride."
"…Ah."
Tilting my head, the driver explained.
"I'm your assigned driver, Lee Seojun Hunter-nim. I just heard I'll be taking your mother instead. Please, get in."
Checking my phone revealed missed calls. He was right. I saved his number and synced schedules with Mom. After grabbing fruit and sundries from her usual market, we headed home. He said to call anytime—he'd be on standby. Mom looked apologetic, but he insisted it was his job, no burden.
"Ucha!!"
Back home, I flopped onto my new bed. So soft. The study was a dream too: sturdy wooden desk, high-spec PC that could run anything, ergonomic chair perfect for all-day gaming.
"Nice."
"Son, fruit!"
Mom called from the living room. But sleep's siren call was irresistible.
⁕⁕⁕
"Ugh."
Pushing off the blanket, I checked the clock—one hour gone. Lucky it was just a nap.
"Mom, whatcha watching?"
Mom lounged on the sofa with the TV on—a popular drama, I think.
"Awake? Oh, right—I went to greet the neighbors, but no one answered. Wasted money on the fruit basket."
She couldn't hide her disappointment. I grabbed a sliced apple from the table.
"Then I'll eat it. We probably won't run into them anyway. What's for dinner?"
"Whatever our hunter-nim wants."
"Jjajangmyeon. Double noodles. Tangsuyuk too. Moving day means jjajangmyeon."
Mom nodded, so I ordered via app. Post-order, I reread yesterday's email.
Cheonsu Guild was Korea's top guild, Pania second—but with a wide gap. I'd pondered it; a meeting couldn't hurt.
I replied carefully, checking for typos.
Seconds after sending, the intercom chimed. Mom rushed over, then called awkwardly,
"They asked if we ordered jjajangmyeon?"
⁕⁕⁕
The delivery was handled by a neatly uniformed security guard. Payment was done, so no issue, but surprising. Delivery folks stopped at the entrance; guards brought it up. Thanks given, I unpacked.
The glossy jjajangmyeon and crispy tangsuyuk made my mouth water. Long time no eat—the sauce and fried batter were divine. I dipped chewy tangsuyuk and popped it in.
"Son, can I ask something?"
"Shoot."
Her joyful face all day slowly stiffened.
"What do you think of Ha-yoon?"
"Why bring her up suddenly."
What's her angle? Awkward, but… not a bad kid. Good with children too.
"That little girl grew into a lady. Can't waste her prime in church. You two were close once. Your feelings matter most, but…."
Pre-regression, Park Ha-yoon doted on Mom especially. While I portered in dungeons, she nursed Mom.
"She and I might drift, but she's special to you. If needed, I'll find her a nearby officetel."
"Aigoo, I spoke out of turn. Sorry, son—don't overthink it."
I crunched a pickled radish with wooden chopsticks. Crisp snap, down the hatch. Then Mom startled, exclaiming,
"What do we do with these bowls after?"
"……."
⁕⁕⁕
The building's elegant curves housed sparse occupants despite its luxury. A woman with a bob cut to her neck—makeup slightly heavy for a sharp impression—read articles on her computer.
Yoo Chae-eun, Guild Master of Korea's #2 guild, Pania.
The article: An interview with Lee Seojun, the S-rank healer she'd emailed. Mosaic-heavy, barely confirming male—but mid-tier guilds knew via intel networks.
After her brother Yoo Jae-hyun's dungeon ambush left him comatose, A-rank Chae-eun took over. Not S-rank like him, but she tried. Pania clung to #2 status, far behind Cheonsu.
"Lee Seojun, huh. Hasn't joined Cheonsu yet…."
She'd offered top terms, no reply. Anyone would pick Cheonsu. Anxiety hit. Recalling her comatose brother steadied her.
Cheonsu hoarded strong hunters and rare healers. Mid-guilds had one or two; Pania had zero—all poached to Cheonsu. Stolen by Kang Ga-young, that damn woman.
Post-brother's coma, Cheonsu crushed Pania. Not bankrupt, but incomparable to his era. Guilt and helplessness gnawed. Remaining hunters stayed for loyalty or love—no healers, risking lives.
Chae-eun reread the article, savoring each word in desperation. Cheonsu-bound? A heavy sigh escaped.
Her phone lit up—a message.
Spam? No.