Housewarming (1)
[Me: Yeah, just head to the address I sent you.]
I stepped into the house and fired off a reply to Yoo Seo-ah. Today marked the historic housewarming for my home's very first guest.
But it wasn't a celebration of my new place. Nah, the main event had a different purpose.
Just like what was playing on TV right now—a bash for Team Leader Yoo Seo-ah's entry into Cheongmyeong Guild. That was the real point of today's housewarming.
Having it at my place to celebrate someone else? Anyone else might laugh and call it lame, but I didn't give a shit.
Why? 'Cause it's Cheongmyeong Guild! One of Korea's top three guilds! Our team leader made it into that powerhouse?!
Ah, well, former team leader now. Anyway, I turned my housewarming into a stage to celebrate Yoo Seo-ah's fresh start.
See? Even in that elite Cheongmyeong Guild, our former team leader's flying high. Someone who's climbed that far—you gotta be grateful just to see her after retiring as a hunter.
"Can you believe I ran with a badass like that? Four whole years on the same team."
Of course, unlike Yoo Seo-ah who's on a rocket ride, I'm just a retired NEET dog now.
"...Hoo! Better get my ass in gear."
I shoved Safe House thoughts aside for later and dove into prepping for my VIP guest.
"Team Leader loves ready-made food despite being such a hard worker."
As the old baggage carrier for her team, knowing the boss's tastes was Hunter 101.
I fired up the delivery app and ordered her favorite sashimi platter from the priciest raw fish joint around. Pricey? Whatever.
I could host like this because of Yoo Seo-ah in the first place.
After a final spotless cleanup, the food arrived. I plated the sashimi platter pretty on the table and finished tidying up.
"Housewarming prep done! Just waiting on the guest now!"
Ordered right on schedule, so at 6:57 PM, it was perfect—wash hands, eat immediately.
"This is what being Yoo Seo-ah's baggage guy means. Nailed it like a pro, fucking genius."
Ding-dong—
Mid-self-high-five on my perfect execution, the doorbell rang.
She's here.
I hit the button to unlock the gate without checking the intercom.
Creeeak—clack. Clack. Clack.
The gate swung open, followed by light, crisp heel clicks crossing the yard toward the front door.
Footsteps so neat and airy they lifted my mood already. The person making them was approaching from outside.
Click—!
I flung the door open right as the steps hit the porch.
"Welcome, Team Leader."
I beamed at today's star—the number one reason I owned this house—Yoo Seo-ah.
"......"
Wait, what's with that face?
Her expression was dark as hell, like she'd fucked up big time. Anxious, fidgety. I dropped my smile.
"What's wrong? Something happen?"
At my worry, she bit her lip a few times before forcing words out.
"J-Jinseong-ssi, sorry I came alone......"
She sounded like she'd committed a crime against me. Those blue eyes held deep fatigue, worry, guilt.
Guilty over the team skipping my housewarming, probably.
I'd seen that face plenty back in her team. If those assholes ragged on me, she'd apologize more than I did, flustered as hell.
Me getting shat on? Ten years of that shit—I was numb to it.
But Yoo Seo-ah feeling bad for me? Never got used to it.
Still the same now. Her guilt over those pricks openly bailing? Couldn't get comfy with it.
Almost soured my mood, but today was a good day. No way I'd let those fuckers ruin it.
I smiled again at Yoo Seo-ah, who was gauging my reaction guiltily.
"I'm actually glad."
"Huh? Glad? What do you—"
"Those fuckers—er, those guys not coming means I get you all to myself today, Team Leader."
"Th-that...? D-does it work like...? Ahaha."
Seeing I was dead serious, she finally relaxed her frown and gave a small laugh.
Yeah, that's better. You look good smiling.
Those assholes weren't on my radar anyway. In Yoo Seo-ah's team, she was the only one who mattered.
So the rest ditching? Straight-up good news for me.
"Come on in. Food's all set."
"Ah, yes! Excuse me then......!"
Her face cleared up, guilt and worry gone from her voice. Relieved I liked her solo visit.
Just as all tension melted and Yoo Seo-ah crossed the threshold for a proper housewarming...
🚨 WEE-OOO-WEE-OOO-WEE-OOO!!!
Unauthorized outsider has invaded the Safe House.
'Safe House Security Protocol – House Owner Authority' available.
Eject the outsider?
A shrill siren blared in my head, and a Safe House system window popped up in my vision.
"What the—"
"Jinseong-ssi? What's wrong?"
My body froze at the sudden siren and screen-filling window. Yoo Seo-ah beside me tilted her head.
Guess she couldn't see or hear what I was getting. System windows aside, even the siren was just for me?
Weird-ass power... No time to marvel, though.
If no House Owner intent detected within 5 seconds, Security Protocol activates automatically.
To deny ejection, declare entry permission.
Ejecting unauthorized outsider in: 5. 4. 3.
This insane system started a goddamn ejection countdown.
Rumble-rumble-rumble—
2. 1.
The house shook like doom was coming, a chill crawling up my spine.
Let this slide and shit hits the fan for real!
"Entry permitted! I permit it!"
I blurted approval before zero hit.
House Owner intent confirmed.
Halting 'Safe House Security Protocol'.
The siren and shaking cut off instantly after my declaration.
"Phew......"
Only after the halt notice appeared did I exhale in relief.
What if I'd been late and the protocol kicked in? No clue mid-way, but it would've been bad news for sure.
Damn, what a feature. Safe House lives up to the name.
My unique ability Safe House felt seriously OP.
Like those celeb EX-rank holders, maybe I could cash in big with this?
Heart still pounding, I was geeking out over Safe House's performance when...
House Owner permission granted. Issuing temporary entry pass to outsider.
A new system alert popped up, and at the same time...
"Jinseong-ssi, what was that just now...... Huh?"
Whirr—snap.
Blue particles swirled into a nameplate-shaped pass that snapped onto Yoo Seo-ah's right chest.
"This is......?"
Unlike the siren, this pass was visible to her too. She stared at it on her ample bosom, then looked back at me.
"Jinseong-ssi, don't tell me."
I knew what she wanted to ask.
A pass materializing outta nowhere and sticking to her chest? Had to scream "my unique ability."
No plans to hide it anyway, so I answered straight.
"Yeah, spot on. Awakened my unique ability. Few hours ago."
"I knew it......!"
Her eyes lit up at the news, stepping closer.
Snap.
She grabbed both my hands—quick and gentle.
"T-Team Leader?"
Sudden hand-holding? Flustered as hell.
We weren't at grabby-touchy levels!
Embarrassingly, I was the only one freaking— she was cool as ice.
Squeeze.
Hell, she gripped harder, like she'd never let go.
Gazing up with sparkling, expectant eyes, she asked:
"So, does that mean... you can come back, Jinseong-ssi?"
Her plea was desperate, like someone hearing they might reclaim a lost treasure forever gone.