Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Nest-Protecting Dad (1)
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29. Nest-Protecting Dad (1)
Seoul-09 District.
The closer you get to the center from the edges of the district, the lower the quality drops.
Including quality of life, and even the quality of the people.
It changes to the point where it's hard to find someone who hasn't committed a crime.
"Damn it, why is this happening all of a sudden?"
"Sigh, I don't know. I'm tired."
Two men were walking through such a dark district.
One was so fat you worried he'd suffocate, and the other so skinny you worried he'd stop breathing.
They wiped cold sweat from their tattooed arms with fierce expressions.
"...Why did the boss call us?"
"Yeah. Did we mess up or something?"
"No. You didn't skim off the drugs, did you?"
"You think I'd do something like that and die? You know the boss's temper. We're not screwed, are we...?"
The two men were scared stiff.
Because they feared 'Angel Isaiah,' who supplied all the drugs in 09 District.
The nickname 'Angel' came from sending countless people to heaven, and it had quite the infamous reputation in the district.
Knock knock-
"...Boss, we're coming in."
-Come in.
With permission granted, the two men entered the room.
Isaiah, with his sturdy build, was checking completed batches of drugs.
A gun in his other hand.
"...You called for us, boss."
"Yeah, Tubby, Scrawny. Sit down and wait for now."
"...Yes, boss."
Nicknamed Tubby and Scrawny.
The two gulped and sat on the leather sofa that reeked of herbs, holding their breath.
For about an hour.
Then, Isaiah slowly turned his head and looked at Tubby and Scrawny.
"I forgot you were here. There you are."
"...Yes."
Isaiah placed his hands on the shoulders of the seated pair and said,
"The reason I called you isn't a big deal. I just want you to investigate the district a bit more thoroughly."
"...We'll do the investigation?"
Isaiah tapped the district map spread on the desk with his cigarette as he spoke.
"Yeah, especially check out this area in detail. The homeless guys seem to be seeing hallucinations from the drugs. But since everyone's saying the same thing, it might actually be real."
Someone shot fireworks into the sky.
Rain suddenly started falling from a clear sky.
Tree leaves grew thick on building rooftops.
"It's too consistent across testimonies to call it coincidence—the affected areas are always the same. So I'd like you two to look into it. What do you think?"
"O-Of course. We'll do it no matter what."
At Isaiah's question, Tubby and Scrawny nodded vigorously.
The area they were to investigate was the apartment where Lee Ha-jun lived.
It was none other than the Dragon's Nest.
***
My apprentice.
Han Ji-su was facing the scene before her in confusion.
"...This can't be happening. Why do the monsters keep running away?"
"...Yeah."
How did it come to this?
I sighed and recalled what had happened so far.
'I came because a dimensional gate appeared. Is this really okay?'
I'd accompanied Han Ji-su to the dimensional gate at her call.
To give me practical experience after last time's failure.
But again, like before, the monsters got scared before even fighting and hid in the far corner.
Whine- Whine-
'...How do I even explain this.'
I scratched my head and said to Han Ji-su.
For now, I'd play dumb.
"Uh... um... what should we do? They keep running whenever I approach."
"...Wolfdogs. They might be naturally wary, so that's why. Try approaching once more, Lee Ha-jun."
"Yes, got it."
I approached the wolfdogs without complaint.
Whine- Whine-
They immediately fled into the bushes.
Han Ji-su saw this and shouted loudly.
"...This can't be. Lee Ha-jun, chase after them quick!"
Too lazy to run.
Still, I had no choice but to chase the wolfdogs through the forest.
In the process, I cornered one against a wall.
Whine- Whine-
The cornered wolfdog frantically scratched at the wall to escape.
Han Ji-su witnessed this and fell silent.
"..."
"Ha, haha... this is weird... why are they acting like this...?"
"...We need to report this to the association."
Damn.
Looks like I can't hide it to the end.
Still, there was a silver lining that the monsters mistook me for a dragon.
"At least the monsters aren't charging, so it's easy, right, senior?"
"It is easy. But why the casual speech, Lee Ha-jun?"
"Thought about it, and I'm probably older."
Senior first?
Or age first?
If I had to pick one, I'd go with the latter.
I'm not used to polite speech anyway.
"Still, adding 'senior' makes it fine, right? Han Ji-su senior."
"...Sigh, that's why I said I didn't want an apprentice like you. Just focus on climbing."
Zap-
Han Ji-su glared at me and quickened her pace.
"Do whatever. I don't think I'll be seeing you long anyway."
"What do you mean, senior?"
"Monsters run when they see you. If that's your ability, you'll rank up fast. Your power is too handy for closing dimensional gates."
It was true.
To close a dimensional gate, you find the dimensional core.
That core is condensed mana, usually guarded by lots of monsters nearby.
But those monsters piss themselves and flee at the sight of me.
Even now, the wolfdog pack in the distance was looking at me with tails tucked.
'I'd look like a dimensional gate closing specialist.'
The industry might see me as a top-notch gate opener.
'Still, her face is pretty, so it's nice to look at. Shame if she ranks up quick.'
With those thoughts, Han Ji-su and I traversed the dimension and finally reached the core.
The dimensional core floated in the air, cube-shaped.
Han Ji-su handed it to me and said,
"You break it. Channel mana into your hand, and it'll shatter easily."
Still not used to it.
I gripped the cube tightly and shattered it.
Crash-!
At that moment, the dimension began to warp.
The ground shook and vibrated like seasickness.
"In 10 minutes, the gate will close completely. We need to get out before then. Don't ever forget."
"What if we don't make it?"
"You'll become a dimensional wanderer. Once a gate opens in a dimension, more will keep opening. If you're lucky, you might return to Earth. No one's come back yet, though."
Meaning a hellish chance of return.
Anyway, now I knew how dimensional gates worked.
After exiting, we watched the gate vanish.
"Close one like this, then wait for the next call."
"Not sure if I should say this, but this job's way too sweet?"
"...That's because we're not fighting monsters. Normally, you avoid combat. Sometimes it takes days to close one."
I see.
Didn't know that.
Made me realize just how cheat-like my body was.
'No choice. Gonna play lots when I get home today.'
Gonna do the belly-fart and cheek-slap combo.
With those thoughts, I said goodbye to Han Ji-su and headed home.
Checked the deposit on the way.
[Hero Association Deposit: 200,000 won]
"Sweet, so sweet."
200,000 won in under 2 hours.
Higher ranks or monster loot would earn more.
Sometimes I wished for more calls.
Selfish thought wishing for more incidents, so I dropped it quick.
With those thoughts, I got off the subway.
Passed through streets thick with ominous vibes toward home.
'What are those guys.'
Along the way.
Spotted two clearly suspicious guys.
One like a wild boar in fluorescent pants and tight tee.
The other an anchovy in fake luxury wear.
'Not even Tubby and Scrawny. What are they?'
Outdated fashion.
Tattoos suggest center district guys.
To avoid entanglement, I quickened my pace.
However.
"Hey, you there. Hold up, come here."
The tubby one called out to me.
Annoying.
I turned and replied.
"What, you come here."
"Ha, punk? You live around here?"
"So?"
"Then you know what this place is?"
He showed a smartphone photo.
'Our apartment.'
No reason for them to seek the apartment unless they caused trouble.
Guess I drew attention after all.
This is bad.
I thought of the dragons waiting at home.
"...I know it. Can guide you if you want."
"What, rude mouth but you're nice?"
"Hear that a lot. So you coming?"
Tubby nodded.
Scrawny still wary.
I led them from behind to the apartment.
"But why this place? Nothing special here."
"I think so too? But orders are orders. Something weird keeps happening..."
No way no one's seen.
Rumors must be spreading.
Good thing the tubby idiot spilled everything.
Scrawny had some sense, elbowing tubby to shut up.
"Here. The apartment you showed."
"What, it was right nearby."
"My guide job's done. I'm out. Do your thing."
"Yeah, thanks. Watch out on your way."
They waved tattooed arms to see me off.
Way dumber than expected.
'Who assigns jobs to idiots like them?'
Loose lips too.
I pretended to leave but hid nearby to watch.
They bickered and entered the apartment.
'Of course they go downstairs.'
Click-clack- Click-clack-
I followed their footsteps down to the basement.
Tubby and Scrawny were knocking on a front door.
"Hey, anyone home? Mind a quick chat?"
"...Doesn't seem like anyone's inside."
"Tch, next door then."
They went to the very next door.
"What, debt collector lives here? How many bills?"
"Pfft, this guy's life more wrecked than ours?"
...These bastards.
Laughing at my front door?
Do they know how hard it is to pay even one?
"Knock?"
"Yeah, quick."
Tubby raised his fist to knock.
That's when I sneaked up behind them.
'Scrawny first.'
Careful not to break his neck.
Thwack-!
"Urk-"
"What the fuck!"
Next, tubby's neck, harder.
Thud-!
Tubby and Scrawny hit the floor face-down.
From inside, the dragons' voices rang out, sensing the commotion.
-What's that noise! Heard something outside!
-Bad feeling. Should I open the door?
-No, we'll get scolded by Dad! No mischief, stay quiet!
Chatter chatter-
They were spooked by the noise.
They might open the door and come out.
I whispered to the door.
"It's me. Dad."
-It's Dad? What's happening outside! I wanna see! Lemme out!
"Nothing. Wait a bit. Be back soon."
I said that, then dragged the unconscious pair's clothes.
Destination: rooftop.
'How to grill these guys.'
To protect my kids.
I was prepared for anything.
'Me thinking like this.'
Still lacking a bit.
But I'm a full dad now.