Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Living Alone (1)
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"I've decided to live on my own."
It was the moment the idiot who'd only been mooching off the house and stuffing his face announced his bold independence as a full-fledged member of society. But my expression wasn't exactly thrilled. Senior Yu-jeong, sipping coffee across from me, widened her eyes in delight.
"Oh, really? Congrats! But this is kinda sudden. Something happen?"
I closed my eyes gently, recalling the events from a few days ago.
*********
Ever since that fountain show in front of Dad, we hadn't really talked. We'd exchange brief updates without even making eye contact, and breakfasts were nothing but awkward.
Dad would flinch every time I entered my room, giving me this weird look. I couldn't focus on meditation, paranoid he'd barge in again. In a way, living alone was inevitable. I needed uninterrupted meditation time, and that meant getting my own place. So last night at dinner, I said it.
"Dad. Mom. I'm thinking of moving out and living on my own. Now that I'm working as a Hunter, my schedule's gonna be irregular, and I need to do my 'training' at home alone..."
"Ahem!"
Dad choked on his food mid-bite, coughing awkwardly. Mom shot him a pitiful glare for interrupting her son's big announcement. He took a sip of water, calmed down, nodded, and let me continue.
"...With training and all, it'll just be inconvenient with everyone around. I think it's best if I move out."
"Yeah, good thinking, son. You're an adult now—you should try living on your own."
Behind Mom's cheerful voice, I could see Dad nodding silently as he ate.
*********
I opened my eyes again. Senior Yu-jeong and Ichie were staring at me. I spoke up.
"Nah, nothing major. I just do meditation and training at home, but with family around, it's awkward for everyone."
"You meditate at home too, Su-hyeon?"
"Yeah. Heard it's good for mind and body."
Senior Yu-jeong nodded again. Ichie glanced between us before asking me.
"Su-hyeon oppa. You live alone now?"
"Yeah, I'm moving out. Nothing bad happened—it's just independence. If anything, I think I was late to it."
"Where'd you find a place?"
Ichie asked. I shook my head.
"Haven't found one yet. Starting the search today. Already told my family I'm moving out."
Ichie perked up at that.
"Jangan-dong. Come to Jangan-dong. Great place to live."
"Jangan-dong?"
That was where Ichie lived. Senior Yu-jeong always dropped her off at the Jangan-dong turnoff. Yu-jeong chimed in carefully.
"Wouldn't it be better to check a few places? Maybe settle near the Academy. Easier for commuting."
"Jangan-dong's close."
Ichie kept pushing Jangan-dong. Was it really that great? Hunter subsidies were generous, so money wasn't an issue for a studio. Jangan-dong or near the Academy? Spotting my dilemma, Senior Yu-jeong pulled up an app, scrolled, and showed me a listing.
"Check this out. Right by the Academy. 300k won a month, 700k deposit. 15 pyeong. Nice, right?"
"Huh? Yeah, looks good."
"Wanna check it out now?"
"Sure, why not?"
Ichie fiddled with her phone, sneaking glances at me. She wasn't great at app searches yet. Yu-jeong and I stood up. Ichie trailed after us toward the crosswalk. I called the number from the listing.
"Hello? Saw your ad and wanted to check out the room. When are you free?"
The young landlord replied.
"Come now."
I hung up and said.
"Landlord sounds super young."
"Probably a Hunter. High-rank ones own multiple buildings. Especially near the Academy."
Yu-jeong said it casually. Higher-ranked Hunters got pricier drops, so they earned big. Some hit A-rank, cashed out, retired, and lived off rental properties.
I asked Ichie.
"Ichie, what do you check first when viewing a place?"
"Dad handled it when I moved here. Don't know much."
So she hadn't scouted it herself. I nodded, and Yu-jeong said.
"Ichie, next time do it yourself. You gotta see it in person to know the pros and cons of solo living."
Ichie nodded at Yu-jeong's advice. I called again at the building. It was a standard studio complex. Smooth gray concrete walls, clean windows without blemishes. It had that fresh new-build smell.
"Yeah, one sec. Coming down."
Footsteps echoed down the studio stairs. A neat-looking guy in a shirt and shorts descended, wearing slippers. Looked like he lived here too.
He eyed us and asked.
"All three of you moving in?"
"No, no. Just me."
Yu-jeong stifled a laugh. Ichie chewed her lip and looked away. The landlord whistled lightly and chuckled.
"Come up. Vacancies on 2F and 5F. 2F's under construction, so I'll show you 5F."
We followed him to the fifth floor. The stairs had a big window overlooking the Academy's edge. Ichie said.
"Fifth floor. Too high."
"You guys aren't Hunters?"
The landlord couldn't hide his amusement at her complaint. Hunters who slew house-sized monsters whining about five flights of stairs? Hilarious. Yu-jeong bit back a smile, lips twitching. Ichie clamped her mouth shut, realizing how silly she sounded.
Yu-jeong changed the subject.
"You a Hunter, right?"
"Yeah, retired at C-rank. Stocks blew up."
"Ah."
Yu-jeong nodded. Hunter guess was right, but not top-tier. Kinda jealous of the stock windfall. He glanced nostalgically at the Academy view and said.
"All Academy students?"
"Nah, I'm a D-rank mentor now. These two are current Apprentice Hunters."
"Whoa, Apprentices? What's your nicknames? Gotta remember—you might get famous."
"Ich(1)."
Ichie answered curtly. The landlord asked.
"Foreign?"
"From Japan. 'One' Ichigaya Ichie."
"Ah, Japanese. Explains the accent. And you?"
".....Bomber. Bomber Jeong Su-hyeon."
I mumbled vaguely. No pad in sight, so I'd explain later during contract. He nodded approvingly at "Bomber."
"Bomber! Cool nickname!"
He glanced at Ichie and Yu-jeong, then back at me with a smirk. Why the reaction just from "Bomber"? Yu-jeong gave me a wry smile.
The fifth-floor door had a keypad. He explained the lock and swung it open. Simple setup: TV, AC, washer, fridge. Clean and spacious. Sink and gas stove right by the door—plenty for cooking.
Large windows promised good ventilation, no noise from neighbors. Yu-jeong tested the bathroom faucet, sink, and flushed the toilet. No leaks, lights all worked.
Yu-jeong said.
"This place is solid."
Ichie scanned the room, lips pursed. She seemed to have something to say but stayed quiet. Meanwhile, the landlord checked his phone and told me.
"Take your time. Got a call."
As soon as he left, Ichie scowled.
"Shady guy."
"Shady?"
Yu-jeong looked baffled too. I tilted my head. He seemed totally normal. Ichie explained.
"That guy. Weird smell."
"Weird smell?"
Yu-jeong and I sniffed around, but nothing. Ichie clarified.
"Not a smell you sniff. That... vibe. The kind bad people give off."
"Ah, shady vibe?"
"Yeah. Shady vibe. He's hiding something."
Yu-jeong said.
"But location-wise, this is the cheapest. See, Ichie? Closest spot, best price. Others start at 2-3 mil deposit, 400k rent. This is 700k deposit, 300k rent."
And super close to her place too. She added.
"Hunters all have that shady aura. Ones who stay in Gates too long especially. Our guild master only relaxes in the training grounds. Private life's super picky. Probably just a feeling."
"Just a feeling?"
"Yeah. What do you think, Su-hyeon?"
Just a feeling. What should I do?