Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Picked Up a Cockatrice Egg (1)
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Today.
My first day on the job.
Finally wearing the badge that says "Hero."
"First day at work, so I should dress as sharp as possible."
First impressions are everything in human relationships.
Can't show up in my usual sloppy clothes.
I've got to set an example for the citizens now.
I opened my closet to find something clean.
Creak—!
It was full of worn-out sweats.
Not a single neat outfit in sight.
"Oh, right. All I have are sweats. Forgot about that."
Come to think of it, I'd never bought a shirt or slacks.
Never even had a situation where I needed them.
Just work, sleep, repeat every day.
"The cleanest thing I've got is this stretched-out white tee and baggy shorts. Can't wear that."
No choice.
Guess I'll just throw on what I always wear.
I decided to head to work in my comfy sweats like usual.
"Kids, Dad's heading out. Be good and no trouble."
"Dad, hold on."
I was about to step out the front door.
Suryeon grabbed me and asked.
"You're starting at your new job today, right?"
"Yeah, the Hero Association. First day."
"But why are you dressed like that? On TV, everyone wears suits to work."
Smart girl, hitting me with the sharp question.
That's my daughter.
I couldn't admit we were too poor for a suit, so I patted her head and said.
"Dad doesn't wear suits."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm cool without one."
"..."
Suryeon looked at me with utter contempt.
Staring into those eyes any longer might scar me for life.
I quickly looked away and headed out for work.
'First day on the job.'
Wonder what'll happen today.
I was kinda looking forward to it.
***
First day at work.
An hour and a half subway ride to the heart of Seoul-05 District.
The Hero Association building towered amid skyscrapers that started at thirty floors and up.
I took my first step into the place that reeked of money.
'Feels kinda tense.'
Hoo—
I let out a nervous breath as I walked through the Association's interior.
Hero achievements were displayed in dazzling splendor.
'Must've cost a fortune.'
Gawking around like a kid on a field trip, a female staffer who looked like Association personnel approached.
"Excuse me, are you Hero Lee Ha-jun?"
Hero Lee Ha-jun.
A title that swells the chest with pride.
I answered confidently.
"Yes, that's me, Hero Lee Ha-jun."
"Then please follow me this way. I'll guide you."
Guidance? Perfect.
I followed behind the staffer.
Got a good look at the interior along the way.
'As expected of a mega-corp.'
The workers, the decorations—everything screamed cash.
The money vibe wasn't just in the air; it was pouring down.
As we walked, she stopped in front of a door and said.
"Please go inside."
"But who's in there?"
"You'll see when you enter."
The staffer bowed and left.
Very professional.
I knocked lightly on the door.
Knock knock—
"Coming in."
I opened the firmly shut door and stepped inside.
There sat a familiar face in a black suit, lounging on a leather sofa, waiting for me.
"Oh, the one from the exam site..."
An A-rank Hero who makes bank.
What was her name again.
She frowned slightly and said.
"...Han Ji-soo. The one you punched in the gut."
"Right."
Too busy with parenting lately; slipped my mind.
Han Ji-soo straightened her jet-black bob and stood.
"And the one who's gonna be your mentor. I've been assigned as your mentor this time."
"Mentor...? Heroes have mentors?"
"Everyone below C-rank does. Think of it as your probation period."
She handed me the contract from the table as she spoke.
"Read it carefully and sign."
"Hmm, let's see."
I read through the contract slowly.
"D-rank Heroes are recognized as full Heroes after a one-year probation. If you rank up to C during probation, you're a full Hero immediately. After that, you can operate as an independent Hero, not tied to the Association."
Got the gist after skimming.
"So if I don't make C-rank, I'm stuck with the Association for a year."
"Exactly. After that, stay with the Association, join a company, go freelance as a Hunter—whatever. It's the rule for everyone."
"Got it."
I signed the contract right away.
Han Ji-soo took it, checked it, and set it on the table.
"Good. You're officially an Association Hero now."
So...
"Take off those ratty sweats right now."
"Huh?"
"You're heading into a Dimensional Gate immediately. Lee Ha-jun, do you know what they call you at the Association?"
Aging prodigy.
"No one's awakened after twenty and skyrocketed in mana like you. That's why the Association's watching you with interest."
"...I see."
"That's why an A-rank like me got assigned as your mentor. Plus, what you showed in the exam. I'm a little curious myself."
Curious about me.
Now I'm getting weird expectations too.
"I hope that performance shows in real combat."
She gave me a faint smile as she said it.
Watching her, I thought to myself.
'Good hire.'
She's pretty.
Corporate perks are solid.
***
I changed into the Association-issued gear and entered the Dimensional Gate alone with Han Ji-soo.
I looked around and gave my impression of the dimension.
"A forest. A really dense one."
Earthy smells and the scent of green leaves filling my nose.
Chorun would love this place.
Might drag me here for some eco-activism frenzy later.
As we walked through the forest, Han Ji-soo explained.
"This dimension is managed by the Hero Association for probation Heroes to use. Mainly for combat training against monsters."
"Combat with monsters."
Memories of that werewolf surfaced.
Back then, powerless, I nearly died and just ran.
But now, pure Dragon mana pulses in my heart.
If I fought it again, I wouldn't lose—no way.
As I mulled that over, Han Ji-soo stopped and called my name.
"Lee Ha-jun."
"Yeah?"
"I'm giving you a mission now. Until you complete it, I'll just watch."
Her usual clipped tone.
She pointed to a hill in the distance.
"There's an egg at the top of that hill. Bring it back."
"Egg. Right up my alley."
I already snagged a Dragon egg.
This should be a breeze.
But Han Ji-soo looked serious.
"It's not as easy as you think. There's a monster guarding it."
"What monster?"
"Cockatrice."
Cockatrice.
I'd heard of it.
Get hit by its attack, and you turn to stone.
Rumor has it a petrified Hero had to watch his childhood friend confess hardcore to another guy while frozen.
Urban legend territory, sure.
But no denying the Cockatrice has a deadly power.
"Not something a D-rank Hero should hunt, from what I recall."
"Who said hunt? I said bring the egg."
Dodge the Cockatrice and grab the egg.
That's the mission vibe.
Sounds a bit tricky.
But I headed straight for the Cockatrice nest on the hill without hesitation.
"What happens if I get the Cockatrice egg?"
"I'll give you a reward. Like that'll happen."
Her attitude screamed "expect failure."
But I had zero intention of failing.
'I'm getting that egg no matter what.'
Sell it for cash.
Cook it myself.
Can't pass up a free Cockatrice egg.
I approached the nest slowly.
Reaching the hilltop, the beast's massive form came into view.
'Chicken-lizard hybrid monster. Cockatrice.'
Up close, it kinda resembled a Dragon.
Maybe Cockatrices are like Earth's dinosaurs—embarrassing remnants of Dragon history.
Anyway, I crept toward the egg it was brooding, careful not to alert it.
Then.
Kyyyooo—!!
It sensed me and screeched.
It whipped its head around with a piercing glare.
"Damn, no weapons. Guess I'll have to punch it."
Where to hit for max pain?
I clenched my fist and waited for it to charge.
But all that prep went to waste.
Kk, kkkieee—
The Cockatrice started trembling at the sight of me.
'What's its deal?'
The shaking beast suddenly ditched its egg, screeched loudly, and bolted from the nest.
Kieeeek—!!
I'd geared up for battle.
Now I was alone in the nest.
"What the hell."
Unbelievable.
I walked over and scooped up the two Cockatrice eggs.
Got the spoils without a fight.
"Why ditch its own kid and run like that?"
Fled like it saw something horrifying.
Did it glimpse a Dragon's illusion or something.
Screamed and peaced out.
"...Dunno what that was about. But mission success."
Sketchy, but a win's a win.
I checked my reward: the Cockatrice eggs.
Plump and full.
Sell one, cook one. Perfect.
'Tonight, rolled omelets.'
Not sure if the Dragon kids'll like 'em.
But probably fine.
'If they don't, more for me.'
First day on the job, and I crushed it.