Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Housewarming Party
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After Yeon Sung-hun's family moved into their new house, they held a housewarming party.
They hadn't planned anything grand, just inviting a few close people, but word spread, and suddenly guild members poured in, along with Gye Cheong-san and his staff, and even the new pre-investigation team led by Yun Ji-su who'd just joined.
The house was plenty big, so space wasn't an issue, but the fact that the entire guild mobilized just for a housewarming gave Yeon Sung-hun a slight headache.
There had to be some who came along reluctantly because everyone else was going, right?
"You didn't all have to come..."
"I gave everyone advance notice. This isn't just anyone—it's the Guild Master. Everyone should come celebrate."
"...Don't do this next time."
"If you have no plans to move again, this won't happen."
Yeon Sung-hun gave a wry smile at Gye Cheong-san's chuckling face.
There wasn't even a polite promise not to do it again.
'Perfect people are only annoying at times like this...'
He was reliable with no shortcomings, but that didn't make the pressure any less real.
At least his family seemed to be enjoying themselves.
They'd been startled by the crowd at first, but now they were fully immersed in the moment.
Lee Hee-yeon was chatting animatedly with Choi Yeon-ah and Lee Ha-na, while Yeon Hae-eun was fawning over Urr with Han So-yul.
Urr had bared its teeth at the unfamiliar Yeon Hae-eun and Lee Hee-yeon at first, but a sharp 'Tsk' and glare from Yeon Sung-hun made it lower its eyes obediently.
What a smart little guy.
By the end, it was rolling on its back, acting all cute, which had Yeon Hae-eun absolutely delighted.
It was unexpected, but seeing his family happy made it all worthwhile.
This housewarming also saw Park Kwang-yeol in attendance, aside from the guild members.
The former raid leader of Park's Raid Team, which could be called the predecessor to the current Golden Guild.
He looked stunned yet immensely proud as he spoke.
"You've all made it big. I'm so proud of you all."
Yeon Sung-hun smiled quietly as Park Kwang-yeol patted his shoulder like it was his own achievement.
They'd kept in touch sporadically, but never delved into details, so Park only knew the broad strokes.
And who knew Yeon Sung-hun from his rock-bottom days better than Park Kwang-yeol, who'd been there from the start?
From his perspective, this transformation was bound to shock him.
Especially since he'd left behind a bunch of barely-adult kids and bailed—guilt or not, he couldn't help but feel proud now.
"You and the kids are all B-Rank now, huh?"
"Heard it from Jun-su? Not yet, but we'll head to the Hunter Association for evaluation soon."
"Incredible, just incredible. How'd you grow this fast in under a year..."
Park Kwang-yeol murmured in quiet admiration.
It was an astonishing growth rate.
As far as he knew, no one had ever progressed this quickly.
If it were strangers, he'd have called bullshit.
Yeon Sung-hun aside, the other two's rapid growth had solid reasons behind it—something he'd only recently discovered himself.
His potions had a growth-promoting effect.
Specifically, on awakened hunters who'd consistently taken both health-boosting and body-enhancement potions.
It was still a hypothesis, but it seemed like the body remembered the stat boosts from the potions and accelerated natural growth accordingly.
Park Kwang-yeol, oblivious to this, could only assume.
'They always had talent. Not just saying that 'cause they were my kids—they really did.'
Unbelievable speed, but joyful and impressive nonetheless.
Seemed like just yesterday they were scraping by, dragging clueless rookies into rifts to survive...
Yeon Sung-hun smiled quietly at Park Kwang-yeol's nostalgic expression.
"How about you, Uncle? Doing well these days?"
"Of course I am. Even bought a building. Was gonna keep quiet to avoid bragging, but now I can say it freely."
"Congrats. Starting that restaurant you mentioned?"
"Yeah, thinking barbecue joint or something. Turns out there's a lot to learn—might take time."
"Whatever it is, you'll nail it. Who else but you?"
To Yeon Sung-hun, Park Kwang-yeol was a benefactor.
Probably the same for Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su.
He'd looked after them when they had no experience or knowledge, blindly charging into rifts.
Sometimes like a friend or brother, sometimes a strict father, teaching them everything.
Without him, they might've died in some rift before getting this far.
Feeling grateful, he pulled out a few potion bottles and handed them over.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Health supplements. Good for the body."
"Aw, no need for this."
"Just felt like saying thanks again. Even big corp CEOs use these—take 'em."
"...Really?"
Hooked by the CEO mention, perhaps? Park Kwang-yeol's eyes sparkled as he pocketed them.
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled, then checked his phone at the ringing tone.
It was Seong A-reum.
"Uncle, give me a sec."
"Go on, Guild Master must be swamped. I'll hang with Jun-su. Don't mind me."
Leaving Park Kwang-yeol's casual wave behind, Yeon Sung-hun stepped out to the yard.
He'd made it spacious thinking of Yeon Hae-eun, who mostly stayed home.
Just overgrown grass for now, but with Lee Hee-yeon and Yeon Hae-eun tending it, it'd make a nice garden someday.
"Yes, Hunter Seong A-reum. Yeon Sung-hun speaking."
- Hello, Guild Master. I heard about the housewarming. I should've come, but work's been crazy... sorry.
"It's no big deal—just a housewarming. I'd have felt more burdened if you showed."
- But it's you, the Guild Master. Of course I should've...
Yeon Sung-hun let out a hollow laugh at Seong A-reum's playful whining.
Quite the contrast to their first meeting.
Never imagined she'd be like this back then...
He shook his head lightly.
"So, what's this about?"
- Oh? No chit-chat first? You're so cold.
"We're both busy, and we met recently anyway."
- Fair enough.
Seong A-reum quietly agreed, then continued.
- Potions have all been delivered. Hunter Yoo Jun-young was thrilled. Wants to meet you... but you're not interested, right?
"Yeah, no time."
- Probably only you could brush off Yoo Jun-young like that. I'll handle it smoothly.
"Thanks."
- No problem. That's the least. Anyway, the guild coalition's ramping up preparations.
"Hm. When's the expedition?"
- At least within a fortnight, no matter what.
"...That soon?"
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue mid-question.
Two weeks was too short for an S-Rank rift expedition.
- Plans were set long ago. Your potions were the key, and with this batch, they're all fired up.
Her voice carried a faint smile.
Listening quietly, Yeon Sung-hun spoke up.
"Results still as expected?"
- With so many potions, they might exceed expectations, but the outcome won't change. Rushing will just amplify failure. Don't worry.
"Hm. Got it."
He nodded slowly.
"Any chance of a break?"
- Not sure. That's why Dawn and some guilds will stand by outside, including other S-Ranks. Interested?
"All domestic S-Ranks? Thanks, but no—too busy."
- Figured. Better for me too, wanting you all to myself.
Yeon Sung-hun snorted at her subtle intent.
"That all?"
- Yeah, nothing else. I'll call with updates.
"Appreciate it."
- Anytime... between us. Oh, want a wreath as housewarming gift?
"Politely decline."
- Shame.
She sounded genuinely disappointed. He bid farewell and hung up.
"Hm."
Major guilds including three big ones, mid-to-small guilds, the Association, corporations—all backing the rift expedition.
Yoo Jun-young and many others would die or get hurt, but he didn't care.
It was their choice.
Yeon Sung-hun wasn't saintly enough to meddle in strangers' lives.
The ones he needed to protect were right inside.
"Oppa! Hurry! So-yul keeps...!"
"Oppa! Where's my room? Hae-eun says I don't have one!"
"Sung-hun! Come quick! Yeon-ah unnie's...!"
"Guild Master... no, Sung-hun! Ha-na, look at this! The kid's got real potential... Back in my prime...!"
"Sung-huuun...!"
"Guild Master...!"
Yeon Sung-hun smiled wryly at the chorus calling him and headed back into the chaotic, lively house.
After the boisterous housewarming, Yeon Sung-hun and the guild returned to routine.
They visited the Hunter Association for formal evaluation, and Yeon Sung-hun along with the other two all advanced to B-Rank.
During the process, a high-ranking Association official made discreet contact.
Seemed shady, so Yeon Sung-hun kept it to polite greetings.
He also ran into Na Seong-sil at the Association, who vented about missing the housewarming.
"Guild Master! Don't forget me? I'm family too! If I get fired, you take responsibility!"
Apparently swamped with work, but he'd transfer back to the capital region soon.
Yeon Sung-hun soothed the anxious Na Seong-sil as best he could.
Rift expeditions resumed normally too.
First up: B-Rank rift.
They'd cleared one before, so no complacency—same rank didn't mean same difficulty.
This time, Yun Ji-su's team handled pre-investigation, not the Association.
Veterans who'd surveyed up to A-Rank, they finished swiftly and accurately.
Reviewing Yun Ji-su's report, Yeon Sung-hun nodded.
"Any peculiarities?"
"Weather was odd. Heavy storms."
"Hm."
Weather was beyond even Yeon Sung-hun's control.
He was an alchemist, not a mage.
Maybe later, but not now.
Couldn't skip expeditions for rain though—weather was part of the rift, to endure.
Thus, Yeon Sung-hun and the raid team entered the second B-Rank rift.
As warned, the weather was bizarre above all.
Storms every half hour—rare even for him.
Like the inland regions of the Western Continent in his past life?
'Environment matches too.'
Suspecting ties between past life and rifts again, they pressed on.
Monsters weren't top-tier.
Similar or weaker than the last B-Rank.
No Titan Uros equivalents, so smooth sailing.
They encountered an A-Rank 'Turtle Bear' mid-way, but no issues.
Thanks to Yeon Sung-hun's new trump card.
A golem made from the auto-repair golem core from the previous ruins.
The massive golem hurled the Turtle Bear aside.
Raid members gasped involuntarily.
"Whoa—how'd you make that?"
"...Nothing you can't do anymore. Mass-producible? Lines would form overnight."
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head at Choi Yeon-ah's question.
He knew golems, but wasn't a specialist—limitations applied.
Possible with effort, but time and materials were steep.
And top-tier like this? Dream on.
This was only feasible using an existing core—from scratch, impossible at this level.
"Grrr!"
"──────."
With a short mechanical beep, the Turtle Bear and golem clashed again.
It took damage from the fierce attacks but repaired instantly.
As raid members admired again, Yeon Sung-hun spoke calmly.
"Don't just watch—move. Looks tough, but mana drain's huge."
The core provided base power, but repairs drew external mana.
A burden, especially for low-mana users like him.
Popping a mana recovery potion, he watched as Choi Yeon-ah and others finally assisted the golem.
With its bulk holding the line, even an A-Rank was manageable.
Confirming the Turtle Bear collapse under Yun Ga-ram's arrow, Yeon Sung-hun recalled the golem.
Its fragments crumbled down.
He pocketed the core quietly, downing another mana potion.
'Use sparingly till mana grows.'
Current limit: 4-5 minutes max.
Less if more repairs needed.
Others could use it once his mana rose, but not now—he'd bound the core to himself during creation.
Not intentional, just to boost output via restrictions or oaths.
Anyway, the golem's debut made conquest easier.
Adjusting for foul weather, after nearly a week, the expedition ended successfully.
Second B-Rank rift cleared.