Meeting Sujin's Parents
"As expected of Master Kim's prized disciple. I thought Minami was unmatched among her peers—or even superior—but you've proven me wrong. I'll have to redouble my efforts."
Surprisingly, Smith wore a serene expression. A far cry from his earlier prideful demeanor. He'd clearly accepted his disciple's defeat after witnessing my skills firsthand.
"I'm sorry, Master!"
Minami bowed deeply toward Smith, but he waved her off dismissively.
"It's not a lack of skill on your part. Don't take it to heart. Use this loss as fertilizer to grow stronger."
"Understood!"
It felt like watching a classic master-disciple dynamic from the East. Mine with Master Kim Minyoung was far more straightforward, though.
"Any chance you'd really consider training at our dojo?"
Smith pressed the invitation to the end, but I shook my head. There was zero reason to abandon learning under Master Kim Minyoung for this place.
Well, unless I could fuck Minami. Damn, what a shame. Nah, now that we've crossed paths, an opportunity will come eventually. No point dwelling on it.
Laying the groundwork like this was key for now. My group wrapped up the final leg of our trip that way.
We flew back to Korea. Coming from America, everything here felt oddly small. The streets, the people, the food—America's massive scale was already missed.
On the flip side, the cozy charm of home soothed my eyes. Guess there's no place like it.
We took a taxi back to the party house. Dust had gathered everywhere in no time. We all pitched in for a deep clean.
"The others still aren't back, huh."
Jisu said it while mopping the empty floors.
"Yeonji's off traveling with her parents. Sujin's due back the day after tomorrow, and Rina... she's getting an earful at home. She vented to me over the phone."
"For real? Makes sense—parents worry about their daughters risking their lives. Kinda nice not having to deal with that sometimes~"
"Heh, glad you're staying positive. Though it's not the dungeon raids she's getting chewed out for—it's hanging around with a guy."
In short, me. Rina had mentioned her family was a martial house. Sounded like old-school strict parents. Wonder if Sujin's dad would give me the same cold shoulder?
"Home sweet home—wanna celebrate with a quick round?"
"Every damn day with you."
Jueun shot me a glare, but her body was honest as ever. Slipping my hand into her pants, I felt the slick wetness.
"Hehe. Nothing beats home cooking."
And so, I dove into another 3P. Felt a bit empty without Everett, but it was still the best.
Sujin returned to the party house two days later, as expected. But she wasn't alone. Trailing behind her troubled expression was a couple in their early thirties, by the look of them. Though they were surely much older. Both Sujin's parents were dungeon hunters, so appearances meant nothing.
"Hello. We should've met sooner, but better late than never. I'm Jang Yejeong, Sujin's mom."
The woman bowed slightly with a bright smile—a beauty on par with Sujin. No wonder she and her brother took after her genes.
If it weren't her mom, I'd have fucked her for sure. Wait, mother-daughter combo... Hmm. Filing that away for later.
"......"
Unlike her warm mother, Sujin's dad eyed me with stern scrutiny. Sharp eyes gleamed behind his glasses, piercing me with unspoken pressure.
"Come on in."
I guided them inside the party house.
"Seriously, you had to tag along and embarrass me!?"
Sujin pouted, lips pursed. Her dad showed no reaction.
Dad's 6-rank, mom's 5-rank dungeon hunters, right?
Given Sujin's age, they had to be at least in their fifties. Even starting at a generous thirty, hitting 6-rank was plenty feasible.
There was an invisible wall between 5- and 6-rank, they said. Mom reaching 5-rank marked her as no ordinary hunter.
"Coffee or tea—which'll it be?"
I played the polite host, though it grated. Focus on scoring points for now.
"Coffee for me, please. Ice water would be lovely."
Sujin's mom spoke refinedly. I set water boiling for the coffee pot.
"Ahem!"
Her dad cleared his throat awkwardly. Sujin glared, but he turned away impassively.
I served the coffee and water. First time in ages—hope it wasn't terrible.
"Thank you."
Mom expressed gratitude; Dad just took his cup. No complaints on taste. Good.
Sujin plopped beside me, deliberately clinging to my arm for show. Mom beamed at the sight.
"You two look great together."
"Right!? Everyone says Jaesung and I are perfect."
Truth was, people often said she was too good for me. Even I thought so. Glad Mom approved.
Dad slammed his empty cup down roughly—no manners in sight.
Mom finally shot him a sharp side-eye. He flinched visibly.
"Honestly, get a grip. Act with some dignity."
Dad ignored her, steeling himself.
"I'll be direct. What are your intentions with my daughter?"
"Mm... thinking about four kids, maybe."
"Oh my~ That many? Wonderful. Hehe, Sujin, I'll help raise as many as you can manage."
Mom lit up at my answer. Dad shook his head, yelling.
"N-No, that's not— Ahem! Right! So you're thinking marriage. Fine! She's a bit too good for you, but you're a hunter too, capable from what I hear. Impressed by that news clip. Honestly, you'd make a decent son-in-law. Buuuut!"
He emphasized the last word, syllable by syllable.
"First, explain your other party members! All beauties... What's your deal with them!? Even as hunters, I won't tolerate my son-in-law cheating."
"Not cheating. They're my girlfriends too."
"What!?"
"Oh my~"
Mom stayed surprisingly calm; Dad's shock was predictable.
"Damn it, Dad!"
Sujin flushed red.
"S-So polygamy, then!?"
"Yep. I'm a hunter, after all."
I stated it proudly. It'd come out eventually—no point lying and botching the start. Hunters could polygamize legally, no issue.
"Ugh! I didn't raise her to be some bastard's concubine!"
"Not a concubine. And Dad, you're getting too worked up."
"Who said you could call me Dad!?"
Irritation bubbled up. I was humoring him as Sujin's dad, but my twisted side made holding back the anger tough.
Mom, contrastingly soft-faced, addressed me.
"The brave claim the beauties, as they say. But Jaesung, you do take Sujin seriously, right?"
Her voice carried a subtle chill. Smile gentle, but dead serious about her daughter. Parental instinct, I suppose.
"Of course. I'd die for her."
"Oh? Really?"
Her smile deepened.
"Dead serious. Want a demo?"
"J-Jaesung~!"
Sujin pounded my chest playfully. Mom laughed brightly.
"No lies there. Good. If you're that serious, then... Please take care of our lacking daughter."
Sujin's mom bowed. Sujin whispered in my ear.
"Mom's ability is mind reading."
My body stiffened briefly.
Was that a test just now? Mind reading was a famed ability, mental-type alongside telepathy. Classified as special.
She'd likely gauged my truthfulness. Not full mind-read—victims sense total intrusion. With my secrets, caution around such types was wise.
Good thing "I'd die for her" was true—no bullshit.
"Ugh! I can't accept this!"
Dad kept whining. Mom sighed beside him.
"Sorry. He's stubbornly pigheaded. I'll talk him around. We'll head out now. Would love to meet your parents sometime, Jaesung."
Hmm...
My dad and hers meeting? Recipe for disaster.