Ch.110Chapter 110 – Eden (1)

– Thanks to the brilliant efforts of S-class Hunter Geomgwi and South Korea’s special forces, the second World Boss, Belphegor, has finally been defeated. Afterward, the military drove the remaining monsters into Pyongyang and bombed them. While the military explained this was the best decision to protect survivors and prevent monsters from spreading, they couldn’t escape criticism for the resulting cultural heritage losses and irreparable destruction of Pyongyang’s infrastructure…

– President Park Ju-gwan’s approval ratings have soared again following the inter-Korean war. Since Hunter Kim Jae-min was busy handling the Australian gate and couldn’t participate in the gate clearing, some expressed concerns about President Park’s decision to clear the Pyongyang gate with only the national army and foreign mercenaries. However, thanks to President Park’s cool judgment and the hunters’ outstanding performance, those worries have completely disappeared.

– At the memorial service for war veterans and the victory celebration, President Park Ju-gwan delivered a powerful speech, saying, “South Korea has proven its status to the world. We are not weak.” He also revealed his intention to support North Korea, stating, “The time has finally come to overcome the pain of division. We must not ignore the tragedy of our brothers.” In response, various religious organizations, including Paradise Church, are actively recruiting volunteers to participate in emergency relief efforts…

– Meanwhile, when asked whether there was a second S-class hunter from Korea, veiled in secrecy, among the special forces participating in the gate clearing operation, officials avoided answering, which has led to widespread speculation that this was an implicit confirmation.

– There was a commotion when the body of the Four Heavenly King Belphegor, stored in a military warehouse, was stolen, throwing the military into chaos. There were no CCTV cameras inside the ultra-low temperature freezer storage, making it impossible to identify the culprit, and surveillance cameras at the entrance didn’t capture anyone, resulting in what can only be described as a “locked room theft.” The military stated they are also considering the possibility that the monster’s body naturally decomposed rapidly, given the various phenomena monster corpses can cause…

– Meanwhile, with the death of the second World Boss, the civilization level has increased. According to information on the status window visible to awakened individuals, a mysterious reward called “Eden’s Passage” has been given, but the Hunter Association has not yet revealed what Eden’s Passage is or where it has appeared…

‘Hmm, Shin Jae-hyuk handled things well without me. I made the right decision letting him go back then.’

Kim Jae-min felt satisfied as he watched the news to catch up on recent events. He had made a deal with Shin Jae-hyuk in America, thinking it would be good to have one more powerful ally to protect his mother, and seeing the result—the death of one of the Four Heavenly Kings—confirmed it was a wise decision.

“Son, come eat!”

Beep. Kim Jae-min used the remote to turn off the TV. Heading to the dining table, he found his mother, Jeong Mal-suk, had prepared a feast. Kim Jae-min picked up his chopsticks with a faint smile.

“Thank you for the meal, Mother.”

Having returned from handling the gate in Australia, Kim Jae-min was spending time with his mother after a long while. It was one of the few times when Kim Jae-min, whose emotions had dulled over the years, felt distinct happiness.

“Did anything happen while I was abroad?”

“How could anything happen… I’ve just been staying inside this house.”

Since Kim Jae-min started working for Park Ju-gwan, Jeong Mal-suk had stopped going to her soup restaurant. There was no reason to work anymore since her son was earning astronomical amounts of money, and Kim Jae-min strongly opposed her working.

As a result, Jeong Mal-suk spent all day at home, which might have been fine for a day or two, but after years of this lifestyle, it felt suffocating rather than comfortable.

With slight dissatisfaction, but not enough to cause her son excessive worry or burden, she complained, “Being stuck at home makes me restless. Can’t I start working at the restaurant again, for exercise or as a hobby?”

“No. Please stay at home. Your son has returned after a hundred… ten years and wants to take care of you.”

But Kim Jae-min was firm. While his desire to care for his mother was sincere, that wasn’t the only reason.

“It’s dangerous to go out carelessly. In times like these. The news makes Seoul look fine, but the northern areas have terrible public safety. And since I’m a famous S-class hunter, someone might kidnap or threaten you for money. Or you could be attacked by monsters.”

The point was that it was too dangerous. His mother was Kim Jae-min’s sore spot—his most precious person and his greatest weakness. The reason he took on hunter work despite the hassle, and why he made deals with Park Ju-gwan and Shin Jae-hyuk, was all for his mother’s safety.

‘I can’t lose this happiness that I’ve regained…’

The hundred years apart from his mother in Eden had been long enough. Loneliness for a hundred years was sufficient. Kim Jae-min didn’t want to be separated from his mother forever. That was his greatest fear.

However, to Jeong Mal-suk, who had lived an ordinary life, her son’s concerns seemed like paranoid worries. Attacks, assassinations—these were things she had only seen in movies. It didn’t feel real to her.

“That’s why you assigned Ms. Eun-ji as my bodyguard, right? And when we moved into this grand mansion with an underground shelter, you bought up all the land within a 500-meter radius to eliminate risk factors… I don’t understand why you worry so much.”

“…Still, it’s not allowed.”

When her son wouldn’t budge, Jeong Mal-suk proposed a compromise.

“Then can you at least reduce your frequent trips abroad? You came home after ten years, but I barely see your face for two months a year… Always going far away to fight monsters. I’m afraid you’ll suddenly disappear again like that day…”

Her mother’s resolve was also firm. The recent North Korean incident had vividly reminded her of the dangers of monsters. And who fought those dangerous monsters daily. A mother naturally wants nothing more than her child’s safety.

“Hmm…”

This time, Kim Jae-min couldn’t firmly refuse. Indeed, while he had been busy running around for his mother’s sake, he hadn’t actually spent time with her. It seemed like a good idea to take some leisure time now that he was back in the country…

Finally breaking his stubbornness, he sighed.

“…Alright. I’ll contact the President and tell him I’m taking a break for a while.”

Once he made the decision, Kim Jae-min felt relieved. Yes, there was Shin Jae-hyuk who could replace him anyway. After fighting desperately for a hundred years in Eden, there was no need to live such a bleak life after returning to Earth. While taking a break, it didn’t seem bad to take a long rest for a few months, or even years.

‘Park Ju-gwan won’t like it, but… I’m the one in charge. How could he refuse my leave request?’

Strike while the iron is hot. Kim Jae-min picked up his phone and teleported to the garden.

“Oh my! You startled me! I told you to use the door… this boy, really.”

After Kim Jae-min disappeared, Kim Eun-ji, Jeong Mal-suk’s personal bodyguard, came to the kitchen.

“Oh, Eun-ji! Come here and have some food. I didn’t call you earlier because I thought you might feel uncomfortable eating with my son, but your timing is perfect.”

“You don’t need to take care of me… I’m always grateful. How did the conversation with your son go?”

“Ho ho, how did it go? It went very well! He finally said he’ll request a vacation!”

Jeong Mal-suk couldn’t hide her joy as she held both of Kim Eun-ji’s hands tightly. Although Hwang Hee-jong, the head of the Korean Hunter Association, had personally recommended her, Jeong Mal-suk had initially found this young woman strange and awkward. But now, she found this girl who had helped persuade her son very reliable.

“Eun-ji, thank you so much! I talked to him just as you advised, and it seems my son will stay in Korea for a while.”

“It’s nothing. I’m glad my small advice was helpful.”

Kim Eun-ji continued eating with a smile that seemed oddly artificial. Jeong Mal-suk watched her benefactor with a beaming smile.

“My goodness… even the way you eat is so pretty…”

The more she looked at her, the more she liked this woman. Always kind and humble. As a high-ranking A-class awakened, she earned good money too. Her only flaw was that she was devoted to a new religion called Paradise Church and attended services regularly, but such a minor drawback was overshadowed by all her other virtues. A perfect match.

Mothers are naturally enthusiastic about their sons’ love lives. Especially if their son hasn’t touched a woman’s hand for over ten years while living like a salt farm slave. Jeong Mal-suk asked subtly:

“Dear, what do you think of my son? Aren’t you interested?”

“Interested? Of course I’m very interested…”

Kim Eun-ji tucked her hair behind her ear. Her inverted cross earring sparkled. Jeong Mal-suk was too delighted by the green light from this potential daughter-in-law candidate to notice the strange smile on Kim Eun-ji’s lips.

***

“Attendance is a bit low today?”

Teleporter Adriano, attending the S-class meeting via video call, noted the empty screens. Three of the seven qualified seats were vacant.

“The Psychic is busy handling backed-up work after participating in the inter-Korean war, Skyscraper is absent due to ‘education’ from the US government, and the Hero has taken a vacation.”

Hunter Association President Viktor explained the reasons for the others’ absence.

‘Kim Jae-min on vacation?’

Adriano, who competed with Kim Jae-min in the mercenary world, secretly rejoiced. His earnings had been lackluster lately because of Kim Jae-min, but Kim Jae-min’s leave meant one less option for countries in crisis needing to hire an S-class mercenary. This was an opportunity to raise his price.

Zeus, Euphemia, asked with surprise:

“What’s up with Skyscraper? Haven’t seen him in a while. Wasn’t he famous for vigilante work at the Empire State Building? Seems like he’s taking a break from that too.”

“Guess he’s on vacation too. Zeus, why don’t you quit working and take an eternal break while you’re at it? If it’s hard to decide alone, I could help make it happen.”

“What? This woman…”

As usual, Adriano picked a fight with Euphemia. The two were famously incompatible, and childish arguments broke out whenever meetings were held.

Before the fight escalated, Association President Viktor intervened:

“Come now, both of you, stop fighting. Pharaoh has joined us after a long time; let’s not show unseemly behavior in front of someone we haven’t seen in a while.”

Geomgwi Takehashi welcomed him warmly:

“Oh, Pharaoh! I hear you finally brought down Nepenthes after a three-month war of attrition? Congratulations on your survival.”

“Thank you. It was a difficult battle even for me.”

Muhammad, famous for acting like a pharaoh (whether as a concept or sincerely), replied calmly.

The Sand Sorcerer Pharaoh had trapped the giant carnivorous plant Nepenthes in a sand dome and waited three months for it to wither and die.

Though victorious, Pharaoh himself had been in critical condition from extreme dehydration and malnutrition. He had been recovering and regaining strength, unable to participate in hunter activities until now. His attendance at the S-class meeting suggested he was finally over the aftereffects and ready to return to the front lines.

“More than that, I’m surprised to see you attending, Geomgwi. I thought you’d be struggling with the aftermath of the inter-Korean war, which ended not long ago, but you look quite lively. And I hear you’ve even taken on a disciple recently? A promising Korean named Cha Eun-kyung.”

“Heh heh, fighting strong opponents is medicine, not illness, for this old man. I’d like to hear directly from you later about how strong Nepenthes was.”

“Now that it’s time, let’s begin the meeting.”

As the small talk ended, Viktor proceeded with the meeting.

“Today’s agenda concerns the Four Heavenly King Belphegor and the civilization reward. First, I thank Geomgwi for defeating the Four Heavenly King. Through military data and reports, we’ve determined that Belphegor should be classified at least as SS-rate. It must have been a difficult battle.”

“But if Geomgwi took it down alone, wasn’t it just a pushover? The Psychic was holding the defense line, and Geomgwi was the only S-class who went to Pyongyang to close the gate, right?”

Adriano pointed out sarcastically. Geomgwi shook his head.

“Kekeke… ‘Officially’ there was one. Unfortunately, this old man didn’t do much in the fight against Belphegor. I merely cut down one sword wielder and one dragon to provide a good environment for focusing on the battle.”

“Could it be… that rumor was true?”

Viktor’s eyes widened. Euphemia, full of curiosity, asked:

“What rumor?”

“The rumor that Park Ju-gwan is hiding an S-class holy power awakened. I conducted my own investigation after the Belial incident but found nothing, so I thought it was just political bluffing by Park Ju-gwan. To think the person actually exists…”

“What kind of guy was he? Is he a man? Is he handsome?”

True to her high school girl nature, Euphemia bombarded him with questions, eyes sparkling. Geomgwi dodged the answer with a calm smile.

“That young man seems to prefer staying out of the spotlight. Since he helped me, I intend to respect his wishes.”

“But as Association President, I have a duty to know—”

“He doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble, so don’t worry. He seems to avoid attention because it might interfere with his monster-hunting work.”

“But—”

“Shh. This old man is making a ‘request.’ If you still insist on digging into his identity despite that,”

Geomgwi narrowed his eyes. His fierce gaze swept over the meeting participants.

“I won’t stand by idly.”

Faced with this clear threat, Association President Viktor closed his mouth. He couldn’t ignore Geomgwi’s words. His threats wouldn’t end with just words. Geomgwi was a battle maniac. Viktor thought this threat might even be a ploy to create an excuse to fight other S-classes.

“…Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Apart from Viktor, the Association President, the other S-classes’ reactions were lukewarm, showing little interest in “the guy quietly living in Korea.”

“…Hmph. As long as he doesn’t interfere with my money-making, I don’t care.”

“I too have little interest in a warrior from the distant East. I’m busy enough ruling my own country.”

“But I’m curious! Is he handsome? I asked if he’s handsome!”

Ignoring Zeus’s whining, Viktor moved on to the next agenda item.

“Then regarding the next agenda, ‘Eden’s Passage’…”

“But what does that mean? What is Eden, and what does ‘passage’ refer to?”

“Good question, Teleporter. Actually, we just recently discovered its meaning. Please take a look at this photo.”

Viktor snapped his fingers and displayed a photo. A city reduced to ashes by bombing. It was a photo of Pyongyang.

“This is the location where the Pyongyang gate opened. It’s a photo taken right after the bombing. And this is a photo taken a little later.”

Viktor flipped to the next photo. The same background. But there was one major difference.

“…A gate?”

In the place where the black sphere had once stood, a blue sphere now stood. Zeus expressed her confusion:

“But it’s blue? Is it not a gate?”

“It is a gate. However, what lies beyond is not a dungeon covered in dull gray fog.”

The world beyond the gate. The space called a dungeon was always surrounded by gray fog, preventing hunters from going beyond the mist. As if forbidding further exploration. So even if they wanted to extract infinite underground resources, they would eventually be blocked by the gray wall and deplete the dungeon.

This was common knowledge about gates.

But the other side of the gate wasn’t a dungeon? Intuitively sensing this was an important event, Adriano sat up straight. He could smell money. She expressed her curiosity:

“Then what’s there?”

The Association President Viktor answered in two words:

“Another world.”