Chapter 187
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187
"Is this really okay?"
As Ju-hyeon squeezed into the back seat of the car, Gio met his question with one of his own.
"Is there a problem?"
"I have a few things I want to say, but…"
As Ju-hyeon trailed off, Yoo Seong-un, who was behind the wheel, offered a gentle smile.
"We are traveling without a single bag, after all. Don’t worry, I made special arrangements. Clothes and food will all be provided at the pension."
"That was one of my questions, but it wasn’t the only thing I was worried about."
"Are you surprised by the sudden trip? Well, if you’re worried about security, Ju-hyeon, that won’t be an issue either. We’re going to a place by the sea where there’s no one around."
Inside the smoothly moving car, Gio asked, "There are no people at the sea?"
"Usually, there aren’t many people at the sea."
"I suppose it isn’t used as a tourist destination."
"It’s more often a food source or a danger zone."
The sea in this era was not a very hospitable place for humans.
"But where we’re going, there will be even fewer people. Our destination is an Unreconstructed Zone."
"What is an Unreconstructed Zone?"
Ju-hyeon answered from the back seat.
"It’s exactly what it sounds like—an area that hasn’t been rebuilt. Simply put, it’s a place where the aftereffects of the Great Catastrophe are still so strong that it’s difficult for humans to stay."
"I see. Gangwon-do, which we visited just before, felt a bit like that."
"Ah, it’s a bit different from that," Ju-hyeon clarified for Gio, who was still unfamiliar with the human world.
"Samcheok in Gangwon-do, where we just were, had undergone minimal reconstruction. There was a hotel, even if it was just one, and a few restaurants, right? Of course, the restaurants felt like they were barely scraping by, like a seasonal street food stall in the city… but even so, it wasn’t an Unreconstructed Zone."
An area with even a little reconstruction was completely different from one that was entirely unreconstructed.
"Unreconstructed Zones are generally considered dangerous. The environment is unfit for human habitation. Since there’s no infrastructure, travel is a pain, and it’s definitely not the kind of place you’d go for a trip… at least, that’s what I know."
Ju-hyeon looked at Yoo Seong-un, who was driving.
"…But I guess the world of Hunters is different?"
"If you have enough money and power, what can’t you do?"
"So you’re saying there’s a pension in an Unreconstructed Zone? And by the sea, no less?"
Coastal areas, where any number of bizarre monsters could emerge, were designated as off-limits zones unless they were properly developed.
"How is that even possible?"
"With the money of a 1st-Grade Citizen and the power of an A-Rank Hunter…"
"As a 2nd-Grade Citizen, what kind of reaction are you expecting from me?"
"No reaction is needed, so what’s the problem?"
"I’m just worried people will think you’re obnoxious, Mr. Yoo Seong-un."
"I know how to act in public, you know. I’m only saying this because it’s just us."
Coming from Gita Orphanage, Ju-hyeon was surprisingly free of the usual bitterness or anger regarding social grades. Since he was someone who didn’t care about such things, Yoo Seong-un spoke freely; he, too, knew how to read a room.
"There are service zones where you can stay, on the condition that you take full responsibility for whatever happens. There’s a fair amount of risk, and it costs a pretty penny, but in return, we can have the sea all to ourselves in a luxurious environment without a single soul in sight."
At that, Ju-hyeon muttered softly, "Fucking rich people."
"Hey now."
How hard had he fought to squeeze this vacation out of their schedule, only for Ju-hyeon to talk such nonsense?
"Aside from the pension, there are no other buildings around. It’ll be that much more inconvenient to travel, but once we arrive, everything will be ready for us. Above all, the fact that we’re the only ones there is a huge advantage."
"That is certainly reassuring. I was actually worried because Mr. Gio has become so famous lately, but if we don’t have to worry about prying eyes…"
"Ah, so that’s what you were worried about?" Yoo Seong-un asked with his trademark gentle smile. "Like we’re skipping town after causing a scene?"
"To be honest, that’s part of it."
The internet communities were in an uproar over the rumors spread by the Collector. A Saint, an S-Rank Hunter, the hidden son of one of the Top 3 Guilds—every sensational detail imaginable had been dragged into the light.
"The city is in quite a frenzy."
"That’s precisely why we have to leave now. If you stick around and act diligent, they’ll just think, 'Ah, a willing worker,' and exploit you for all you’re worth. That’s the reality of South Korea. I have no intention of letting our Gio be run into the ground."
"I heard that the more competent a Hunter is, the more they get worked to the bone."
"I’ve thought about it, and does Gio really need to go through that? Of course, if he wants to, that’s fine, but he just finished a massive project. Besides, he’s already cultivated that mysterious persona, so it’s perfectly fine to vanish at a time like this."
In this world, it was practically a custom for Hunters to be given a vacation after finishing a major project. Of course, there were many situations where this didn’t apply—like with Yoo Seong-un himself—but they had everything they could want, so there was no need for them to walk on eggshells.
"You worry too much, Ju-hyeon."
"Well, that was one worry, but…"
"What else is there?"
“……”
“……”
"Whew…" Ju-hyeon asked with a resigned look on his face, "…I was just wondering if it’s really okay to be running off with a portrait as incredibly dangerous as Mr. Gio."
"I didn’t expect you to ask so bluntly."
"Then you shouldn’t have dodged the question when you knew what I was getting at."
"Right, my bad." Yoo Seong-un turned to Gio in the passenger seat. "What does the man himself think of this claim?"
"No one can stop me from going to enjoy the sea."
"There you have it."
"Indeed."
It was a strange dynamic, but the one with the final say in this group was, without a doubt, 'Gio’s Portrait'.
"It has been a very long time since I last saw Earth’s sea."
"Just don’t say things like that in front of other people."
"I’m not that dense."
At that, Yoo Seong-un thought to himself, So he does have a brain.
He was genuinely surprised that the organ known as a brain actually existed in him, but it wasn’t something he could say out loud. With his usual gentle smile, Yoo Seong-un pointed ahead.
"That over there is the Teleport Terminal. It’s your first time using one, right?"
"It’s connected directly to the road."
"You could say it’s for vehicles only. There’s a separate area for people traveling on foot."
"Convenient."
For a moment, Seo Gio was reminded of a drive-thru. He really liked that everything could be handled without getting out of the car. Sensing the magical energy, Honey popped his head out of Gio’s hood.
"Ggureuk?"
"We’re about to teleport."
"Ggur."
Honey quietly retreated. Unlike his father, who had a great interest in teleportation, he didn’t seem to care much. A son with no sense of wonder.
Yoo Seong-un checked the terminal signs.
"Now, since our destination is Jeju Island…"
"?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, did I not mention it?" he grinned. "We’re going to Jeju Island."
"Why are you only telling us now?"
"I was in such a rush to get us out that it slipped my mind."
"That’s your excuse…"
A fragile person like Ju-hyeon couldn’t bring himself to hit an A-Rank Hunter. Even if he tried, he’d be the only one getting hurt.
* * *
When they arrived at the pension, Aria was there to welcome them.
"It has been a while, gentlemen."
"?"
"??"
Leaving a thoroughly confused Yoo Seong-un and Ju-hyeon behind, Giovanni smiled brightly and hugged Aria.
"It has been a while, Aria! Have you been well?"
"For you, Teacher, I’d make sure everything was well."
"The humans killed by mermaids would weep to hear you say that."
"I’m glad you’re happy to see me, at any rate."
Ju-hyeon muttered, "What kind of conversation is this?"
Ignoring the bewildered humans, the conversation between Aria and Gio continued.
"I packed some food. May I join you?"
"Clams from Edlen Village! It would be nice to make tomato stew for the first time in a while."
"Grilling them would be good too. There were a lot of monsters around here that didn’t know their place, so I cleared them out. You can relax and enjoy yourself, Teacher."
"As expected of Aria, always thinking of her Teacher."
Yoo Seong-un thought to himself, Isn’t that just a monster’s typical territory marking?
In any case, neither of the humans objected to Aria joining their impromptu vacation. After all, Ju-hyeon was compassionate enough to pity even Gio, and Yoo Seong-un, as a Gardener, was used to dealing with non-human beings.
"There probably aren’t any women’s clothes at the pension."
"You didn’t think I would wear clothes made by humans, did you?"
"I was just curious how far you’d go to keep up appearances."
"My goodness, how incredibly considerate of you."
Ignoring whatever conversation Yoo Seong-un and Aria were having, Gio called out to Ju-hyeon.
"It must have been tiring traveling such a long way. Why don’t we enjoy some light grilled clams?"
"Anyone listening would think you made the whole trip by yourself, Mr. Gio. I’d love to, but aren’t you tired?"
"Perhaps teleporting agrees with my constitution, because I don’t feel particularly tired."
Some people couldn’t use teleportation due to their constitution. Fortunately, none of Yoo Seong-un, Ju-hyeon, or Gio had that problem. Ju-hyeon approached Gio with his characteristic grin.
"Then shall we prepare it together?"
At that, Aria chimed in, "I’ll light the fire, Teacher."
"Would you? The fire lit by Aria always feels warmer."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, you know."
Waving her hand lightly, Aria walked outside the pension. Seeing her look as if she was genuinely rolling up her sleeves to help, Yoo Seong-un blinked his wide eyes.
"Is she really going to light the fire?"
"The charcoal Aria prepares has a much better scent."
"But she’s a princess?"
"Do princesses not eat?"
"I thought mermaids might be a bit different."
"That sounds like a very human-centric statement."
"Right, my apologies."
Since it wasn’t a task that required much time, the preparations for the grilled clams were finished in no time.
Aria had indeed set up a small brazier outdoors and even placed an iron plate on top of it. While Yoo Seong-un prepared miscellaneous items like chairs and tableware, Gio and Ju-hyeon washed the clams.
"Do those clams not need to be purged?"
"Aria said she already did it."
"Ah."
And so, the four of them sat in a circle and truly enjoyed the grilled clams.
“……”
Ju-hyeon found the situation a bit absurd.
"Why does this feel so natural?"
"Is there any reason why simply eating a meal should feel unnatural?"
"Our group has a very unusual new member, yet here we are, just calmly grilling and eating clams."
"This is the power of a delicious meal, Ju-hyeon."
"I think you rely a bit too much on food to solve everything, Mr. Gio."
"I will reflect on my actions."
Aria, who was cutting and eating a clam’s long adductor muscle, spoke up.
"Ah, I found out about something recently."
"Do tell."
"Teacher, is the Saintess of the Moon Cult going mad your doing?"
Yoo Seong-un choked on his food.
"Cough!! Hack, wheeze, cough…!!"
Gio scolded Aria. "Why do you have to say things that make it impossible to eat?"
"I didn’t expect a supposed A-Rank Hunter to be so fragile."
"Even an A-Rank Hunter needs to eat to live."
"That’s why I said I didn’t expect him to be this weak."
Yoo Seong-un, who had suddenly been demoted to a fragile and weak Hunter, cleared his throat and spoke.
"Why are you suddenly bringing up the Saintess of the Moon Cult…? Gio, did you do something?"
"I didn’t do anything…"
"Right, I shouldn’t be asking you. Princess, would you care to explain?"
Aria shrugged.
"She seemed like the perfect fit for Teacher’s Demon King Project, so I was just wondering. Since she seemed so incredibly useful for it, I thought you might have done some groundwork beforehand, Teacher."
Gio looked aggrieved.
"This Teacher does not drive people mad."
"You often do when you’re bored, though…"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, nothing."
Aria smiled nonchalantly.
"So, when do you plan on becoming the Demon King?"
"Did you come all the way to Jeju Island just to ask that?"
"Did you think it would be difficult for me, who is the sea itself, to visit an island like this?"
"That makes sense. It must have been as easy as going to the convenience store down the street."
Gio flashed a cheerful smile.
"It will take some time."
After all, Arjio had not even returned to his hometown yet.