Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Too Revealing for the Office
-----------------------------------------------------------------
No matter what, this kind of outfit at the office...
Woooooong...!
The blaring siren rattled through the alleys of Bongcheon-dong.
Yet the street in front of Grumpy Grandma's Sundae Soup was eerily quiet.
The gray fences that had uglily surrounded the shop like a blight had vanished without a trace.
Not a single scrap of metal remained, as if someone had demolished them overnight.
But that didn't mean the customers who'd abandoned the place were flocking back first thing in the morning.
Grandma let out a sigh as she surveyed the empty shop.
"......"
Stepping into the kitchen, her eyes caught on a single framed photo.
Inside was a beaming picture of her only son.
"Seok-hoon-ah..."
Her voice trembled as she called his name.
Five years ago, her son had left home to become a hunter.
She'd begged him it was too dangerous, but he'd stubbornly insisted that in this world, you couldn't make money without being a hunter.
He never came back after that.
Not even his body was ever found.
She could still picture him wolfing down two bowls of rice, claiming her sundae soup was the best in the world...
That's why Grandma couldn't leave the shop.
She kept hoping someday he'd burst through the door shouting, "Mom, I'm hungry!"
But now, she'd reached her limit.
"Who has time to book a train? Just get in a car and drive anywhere!"
"An A-Rank gate..."
The murmurs of the neighborhood folks faintly reached her aged ears.
She'd heard that if an A-Rank gate broke, the whole area turned into hell.
Now, she really had no choice but to leave.
Grandma packed her few belongings into a worn cloth bundle.
A handful of clothes, her son's photo, and her well-worn passbook—that was all.
Creak. Clank.
Just as she lowered the shop shutter to leave...
"Where are you headed?"
Grandma whipped around in shock at the voice from behind her—a voice so like her son's.
But it wasn't him.
It was the delivery guy who always came for pig rice soup.
The damn stubborn one who'd insist on pig soup no matter how much she raved about her sundae soup.
The cheeky young man who'd ask for seconds even after she'd piled on extra rice.
"Closing up shop? I came for breakfast."
The young man grinned and peeked inside.
Grandma snapped back gruffly, more curtly than usual.
"Not open for business. I'm too old and worn out now."
She turned her head sharply away from the shop, as if severing ties, but tears still welled up in the wrinkles around her eyes.
"Guess I've been clinging to this place like a surrogate child since my son died. Shouldn't do that. The living have to keep living..."
Her wrinkled hand gripped the shutter handle tight.
"Didn't you hear the alert? Gate's broken open—go to your parents quick."
She waved him away urgently, but the young man stepped even closer.
"Nah, don't worry about the gate. It's all sorted."
"Sorted? What're you talking about? People were just saying..."
"Check this out."
The young man beamed and shoved his smartphone screen in her face, news playing loud.
"Ugh, get that away. My eyes are too cloudy to see."
"That's why they've got the announcer."
The anchor's voice brimmed with excitement.
On the news screen, a thug with a snake tattoo— the very one who'd tormented her—was being dragged away in handcuffs, head bowed.
"See? No more worries about the gate or thugs. This area's a safe zone again."
"Then... redevelopment...?"
"Canceled, obviously. It was all a scam to drive down land prices."
Grandma repeated the question in disbelief, over and over.
"For real? We really don't have to leave?"
"That's what I've been saying."
The young man answered patiently, without a hint of annoyance, no matter how many times she asked.
"So, if it's health reasons, fine—but don't toss away memories because of jerks like them, Grandma."
With hands in his pockets, he flashed a grin.
He didn't resemble her ugly son at all.
Yet his smile overlapped so perfectly—it was inexplicable.
"I really love the rice soup here. Anywhere else tastes bland after this."
Grandma's tension slowly melted away.
A single held-back tear finally rolled down her cheek.
"Not feeding me? I worked hard today and I'm starving."
"......A grown man whining for breakfast...! Fine, sit your butt down!"
Grandma wiped her tears with the back of her hand and yanked the shutter back up with vigor.
"Load it with meat!"
"You got it, punk! I'll fill that pot to the brim—dare leave any behind!"
Vitality returned to Grandma's voice.
Inside the shop.
Two steaming stone pots of rice soup were set on the table.
So packed with meat chunks, even the spoon barely fit.
I closed my eyes and sipped a spoonful of broth.
"Haa..."
Yes. This is the taste.
My stamina, drained from dashing around all night, felt recharged already.
Manager Park, seated across from me, lifted her spoon in admiration.
"Wow... the broth is so rich. Way better than a hotel breakfast."
"Told you I recommended it."
I scooped a big dollop of kimchi and dissolved it into the broth.
Watching it turn a spicy red made my stomach rumble for rice.
Slurp!
The warm broth slid down my throat, spreading comfort through my body.
Clatter of dishes echoed from the kitchen beyond.
Grandma was washing up, a pleased smile on her face.
The man in the framed photo on the kitchen wall seemed to smile too.
The red spray paint that had defaced the shop's glass window was gone now.
I'd wiped it clean in one second flat—it sparkled like new.
Grandma would never know who did it, but who cares.
As long as it made me feel good.
I polished off the entire bowl, broth and all.
"Delicious."
Manager Park's eyes went wide as she stared at me.
"Already done?"
"I eat efficiently—even rice."
"Can't argue with that."
She covered her mouth, bursting into laughter.
Belly full, back warm.
Could it get any more perfect?
"Manager Park, no requests this afternoon."
"Huh? Something come up?"
"Ate hearty—time for a nap."
One thing first, though.
Hand over the gate trigger to the Association Chairman.
Carrying around something dangerous that shady groups like the Abyss favored? Even with nine lives, I'd worry.
Who knows if there's someone who can stop time altogether, like I slow the world.
"Got it. Let's go. No. Re. Quests. To. Day. Right?"
Manager Park grabbed the car keys with an exasperated look.
"I'll drive you to HQ. Sleep comfy in the car, hero."
Hero, huh.
I sank deep into the seat and chuckled.
I just protected my favorite eatery, and the world calls me a hero.
But hearing it does feel nice.
Maybe because Grandma's smiling again.
I gazed at the Seoul scenery whipping by outside, then closed my eyes.
Today's nap would be pure bliss.
"Brought the item you asked for."
"Ooh...! Ooh!!"
Chairman Song Jin-woo snatched up the thing I casually pulled from my pocket, handling it like a sacred treasure with trembling hands.
"This... is the gate-creating device..."
His eyes gleamed not with greed, but scholarly fervor.
The chairman's build rivals a tank, but he's a renowned sorcerer.
Bet he's spearheading research on this gate trigger himself.
"Incredible tech. Such sinister, unstable mana stabilized into this form."
As I wondered how long I'd have to stand there, he sprang up and grabbed my hand.
"You've done a huge service. Analyze this properly, and our nation's magical engineering jumps ahead a decade at least."
He held the gem to the light, gasping in awe repeatedly.
"Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with America won't be a dream."
"Glad to hear. Can I go now?"
"Haha, impatient one. Sit down—important talk left."
His secretary timely brought fragrant black tea and premium snacks.
Mix coffee's the rule after rice soup, but fancy tea time's nice occasionally.
Bzzzzt.
My smartphone buzzed loudly.
"Check it."
"Excuse me."
My eyes bugged out at the deposit notice.
Someone wired 500 million won to my account.
"Association bonus. Blocked an unprecedented national terror, so the NIA'll toss in another 500 mil reward. Peanuts compared to your deed, of course."
500 mil is peanuts?
What nonsense is this guy spouting?
Wait—terror blocks come with rewards?
How many have I stopped so far...
"Normally you'd get a medal and pension, but since you hate revealing yourself... tricky to fob off the government."
Song Jin-woo grinned slyly, refilling my teacup.
"But who am I? I'll handle it. Let you suck honey in the shadows."
"Only you get me, Chairman."
Right.
Live as humble Lee Sang-hyuk daily, transform to Blue Vest for fame when bored.
Money flows, fame blocked.
Couldn't ask for more.
Chairman knows how to handle people.
"Now, to business."
"Business?"
"The international forum."
"Ah, I said I'd think about..."
Before I finished, Song Jin-woo cut in.
"Just hung up with the US forum host. Pulled off a game-changing deal with special begging."
"Game-changing?"
Song Jin-woo set down his cup and laughed heartily.
"Rules bar unidentified folks from the hall—diplomatic no-no. But I hyped your feats."
My feats.
Solo-cleared an A-Rank gate in one minute, recovered the trigger intact. Mysterious powerhouse.
Foreigners would be curious.
"They flipped, Americans especially. Desperate to host you. Wear a mask, vest—whatever!"
He was so thrilled, I nodded along pretending interest.
Honestly, zero care.
After billions talk, forum invite feels meh.
"Even anonymity pledge. Best terms you wanted, right? Mask up, hero worship on world stage, gourmet feasts. Triple win."
What.
I said no mask, no go.
Somehow it's shifted to mask OK.
'This sly old fox...'
Dangles 500 mil carrot first, seals escape naturally.
Chairman seat wasn't won at cards.
"English worry? Tutor's a stunner, as promised. You'll be shocked."
"That was a joke?"
"Hate jokes most. Classes start today."
Chairman hit the intercom.
"Come in."
Bang.
The office door flew open to clicking high heels.
I glanced casually—then froze solid.
"From today, I'll handle Lee Sang-hyuk's language instruction..."
The woman bowed with a bright smile.
Familiar voice.
Familiar face.
Outfit? Not at all.
Tight black skirt suit, white blouse.
Office look fine—till the blouse buttons, undone perilously low. What's the intent?
"......Manager Park?"
"Call me Teacher during lessons, Sang-hyuk student."
Manager Park—no, Park Seo-yoon—cleared her throat and swallowed hard.
You old coot.
500 mil peanuts, huh.
Skimping tutor fees?
"How's that? Your dedicated manager's a returnee. Special bonus got her all fired up—even dressed the part."
Chairman.
No matter what, this outfit at the office...
Thank you.