Ch.106106. Savior (2)

Kellin, who was in my arms, lifted her head and spoke.

“I’ll give you anything. Whatever you want.”

Clay translated from behind.

I had said it half-jokingly, half-seriously, but she took it too earnestly, making me feel awkward.

I gently pushed Kellin away.

“I understand, but just a moment…”

I appreciate her gratitude, but with her chest pressed against mine, some inappropriate thoughts were starting to surface.

Having never embraced a woman except for my mother when I was little, this unfamiliar warmth was difficult to accept purely.

After all, I’m still a healthy 26-year-old man.

Despite my discomfort, Kellin hugged me even tighter and said something while in my arms.

“I thought I was going to lose my father soon as his condition worsened. Suhyun, you’re truly my life’s savior.”

“I saved your father, so why…”

Hmm. Whatever it is, she certainly gives proper compensation.

My clothes were wet with Kellin’s tears, but she eventually let go and, as I requested, wrote a document transferring ownership of the sacred ring to me.

On top of that, in addition to the promised 20 billion, Kellin’s father offered to add another 100 billion personally.

“Suhyun, I hear you’re called ‘Saint’ in Korea these days? Coincidentally, our guild is also named ‘Saint.’ I think this is a good connection. Please take care of our Kellin.”

“…Excuse me?”

Kellin’s father, patting my shoulder with hearty laughter, didn’t seem entirely sane either.

Or was he? Maybe he was saying this because he was sane.

Well, if anyone was indebted to me for saving a life, it would be this man rather than Kellin.

I hadn’t noticed when he was lying down, but he was truly massive in stature.

I’m not small at 183cm, but he was at least a head taller than me.

Now I knew where Kellin got her height from.

Thinking how fortunate it was that everything ended well, I was about to ask Clay to book a flight back when Kellin linked her arm with mine and pleaded.

“She says to go on a date and stay at her home for a few days before leaving.”

“…Is it appropriate for you to translate that, miss?”

“I think someone like you would be a good match for her, Suhyun-nim.”

“No, what…”

Is this really the reality I know?

Why would an S-class summoner from a wealthy family or an SS-class mage from the top-ranked guild, with countless possessions, try to seduce me?

I might be misunderstanding, but I’m not stupid—I recognize seduction when I see it.

Of course, I don’t take it naively.

I suddenly remembered that the American Hunter Association was targeting me.

Perhaps this was a scheme to lure me in and then keep me here.

Even so, when I objectively considered the sincerity I felt from Kellin’s touch on my arm, it didn’t seem so bad.

But I declined.

“I’m sorry. Let’s have that date another time. I have prior commitments.”

I don’t have time for romance or romantic scams.

I might consider brief enjoyment, but dark maps and quests await me at the farm.

Kellin looked disappointed but promised a next time.

“She says she wants you to show her around Korea.”

“Yes, let’s definitely have a meal together next time.”

“We’ll prepare a private jet for you.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“We insist. For our life’s savior. My father wouldn’t have it any other way.”

And so, less than a day after arriving in America, I departed for Korea again.

When I told Kim Sujeong I was leaving early, she didn’t seem interested in where I’d been having fun and simply said goodbye briefly over the phone.

By the time I returned from America, I had gained another SS-class ring on my finger.

And the auction had concluded.

————————

The right to purchase up to 500KG of 100% pure sound-absorbing stone was won by the U.S. government after fierce competition with an oil tycoon.

Both had money to burn, but what mattered was the ability to acquire this rare resource, and since no one knew how much was available, the bidding didn’t go too wild—still, it was sold for 450 billion.

They essentially bought the condition to purchase the sound-absorbing stone for 450 billion.

The price of the 100% pure sound-absorbing stone would be negotiated separately based on market rates, as I had already informed them.

That’s how I earned nearly 600 billion during this logout.

“It doesn’t feel real.”

I used to think there was no point in having money except to keep enough for necessities and buy good items when they appeared.

But after returning from America, my mindset had changed—I felt good about the idea of indulging a little as money accumulated.

Plus, beyond selling the sound-absorbing stone, the elixir that Lee Jihyun was creating could fetch an enormous price if completed.

However, it seemed she hadn’t yet succeeded in completing it.

“I’m sorry. I’m trying different combinations, but it’s not easy…”

“It’s okay. Take it and experiment. It’s not urgent anyway.”

I also asked the blacksmith woman who had made my gray wolf leather top to work on the ogre hide, and she enthusiastically promised to create another masterpiece while taking the materials.

When she saw the pile of black monkey hides I had accumulated, she couldn’t close her mouth in amazement.

While she was still excited, I casually proposed:

“Would you consider joining Farming Company?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s not easy to keep finding individual blacksmiths, and this back-and-forth help isn’t very professional. I know you benefit from the experience points, but I worry you might change your mind someday and stop accepting work. I’d like to secure this good relationship.”

“Hohoho. Young hunter, you certainly have a way with words.”

“Do I?”

“If you bring me leather of good quality and quantity that meets my standards next time, I’ll close my business and join you. How about it? Can you accept me and my employees?”

Seeing this, I realize there are many people like Jihyun who have pure ambition for hunter abilities themselves.

Just as I work hard to develop my rift dimension, they have similar motivations.

Still, it wouldn’t be easy to give up years of work and relationships to accept my offer.

While Jihyun’s situation was different, Lee Sumi, an A+ grade armor blacksmith, could earn plenty without accepting my proposal.

Anyway, it was a good opportunity for me, so I accepted.

I didn’t need to specifically complete this side quest-like mission—I could easily obtain B to A grade leather just by wandering around.

If necessary, I could hunt in level 2 biomes before logging out.

It feels like things are falling into place one by one.

When I returned home, Jihyun had finished preparing and was waiting.

“Is this all your luggage?”

“Yes. The CEO packed everything Sujeong told me to bring…”

“Shall we go then?”

When we return this time, spring will be ending and summer arriving soon.

Though we packed various items for summer, my expanded belt inventory had plenty of space left.

After gathering the carrier and luggage, I gestured for Jihyun to come to my room.

She followed me in, closed the door, and took my hand.

“You don’t need to hold my hand.”

“…Ah! Sorry…”

As Jihyun startled and tried to let go, we logged in together.

—————–

Slurp, slurp, slurp

How is it that the first thing I see upon logging in is Lulu sitting at the table, slurping cup noodles with chopsticks?

“Mmph. Mashhter! You’re back-slurp!!”

Even while slurping noodles, she waves at me without stopping—the picture of carefree living.

This is the first time I’ve seen such a scene when traveling between the rift dimension and reality.

This new sight is a good sign.

Usually when I returned, some accident would have happened, and Lulu would be dejected, anxiously wondering how to avoid being scolded.

This must mean everything went peacefully.

“Nothing happened?”

“Yep! I peacefully farmed, tended the land, and cleaned the yard. Hehe.”

After enjoying her ramen, she suddenly remembered my promise and quickly put down her chopsticks, flying toward me without even wiping the broth from around her mouth.

There seemed no need to check if anything had gone wrong.

“Oh… but… Sujeong-nim’s appearance has changed.”

Then she noticed Jihyun and hid behind me in surprise.

Jihyun also seemed startled by Lulu’s appearance and kept her distance.

An awkward meeting.

“This isn’t Kim Sujeong. This is Lee Jihyun, an alchemist.”

“Oh! An alchemist! Hello! I’m Lulu, an ancient fairy. I serve my master and help purify the rift dimension!”

“H-hello…”

Jihyun was also somewhat shy.

But the atmosphere quickly lightened thanks to Lulu’s enthusiastic greeting.

I took out the gift I had brought for Lulu.

“Here. Hamburger.”

“Wow!”

A hamburger and french fries were laid out next to the cup noodles.