Ch.6262. Seo Hyo-ju

Seo Hyoju is beautiful.

There are many pretty women out there, but few are as naturally beautiful as Seo Hyoju without having had plastic surgery since a young age.

A third-generation heiress of the Gold Group conglomerate.

She inherited all the good genes, with a cold yet dignified image that transforms into a strikingly vibrant appearance when she smiles—completely opposite to her usual demeanor. This has earned her countless fans as one of South Korea’s rare S-rank hunters.

Not just S- rank, but a full S-rank.

It would be even better if she were S+ rank, but even with just that, people envied and looked up to her.

She truly had everything.

Family background. Looks. Figure. Money. Ability.

She even has over 36 million subscribers on her personal YouToob channel.

While S-rank hunters worldwide receive a lot of attention, her YouToob channel, with its clean editing and various other elements, has gained love from fans around the world.

A celebrity more famous than most celebrities.

And now, Seo Hyoju, whom I’d only seen in videos, was sitting in our living room.

Though this is my first time seeing her, she must be quite extraordinary for Kim Sujeong to be so impressed.

“Wow! You’re so beautiful, unni. I’ve been your fan for a long time. I love all your PongPong and KkingKking videos.”

“Thank you.”

“You seem uncomfortable. Wouldn’t it be better if you just sat over there?”

“I’m sorry, unni. My brother isn’t very well-socialized, so he’s rough around the edges with people he’s just met.”

Well, she was genuinely beautiful.

Beautiful enough that if I had to pick the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, I could now choose Seo Hyoju.

Even her casual clothes matched perfectly with her black straight hair and slightly revealed figure, as if it were all part of a fashion statement.

A beautiful face and a perfect body maintained despite going into dungeons.

Why would a woman like her be here?

Of course, I’d heard from Dad that we’ve been maintaining good relations with the Gold Guild lately.

It’s not strange for guilds like Gold Guild to make efforts to maintain close relationships with companies that distribute hunter items, but that’s usually when the guild is the desperate party. Isn’t Gold Guild different?

Ranked 3rd among Korean hunter guilds with Gold Group solidly backing them.

Competing for 1st and 2nd place with Hansu Group and firmly holding various sectors of the hunter market, Gold Group would have hunter distribution companies lining up to do business with them, except for their competitor, Hyunjong Distribution.

And she came to see Dad when he’s not even home.

This means either there was no appointment or she just made one on her way here.

“Oh my! My husband says he’s on his way. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It’s fine. I apologize for intruding so late in the evening.”

“No, no. Please make yourself comfortable.”

Our house isn’t small, but it doesn’t look spacious either when this many people are gathered together.

Mom is in the kitchen cutting fruit to serve, while Kim Sujeong, Lee Jihyun, and I are awkwardly eating chicken in the living room with Seo Hyoju sitting behind us.

Fortunately, Kim Sujeong has a forward personality.

Seo Hyoju doesn’t show any discomfort in her expression, suggesting she has quite a solid poker face.

I would be very uncomfortable in her position.

“Would you like some chicken too?”

“Just shut up and sit down…”

How much must she have admired this star to not even realize what she’s saying?

“Aack!”

I grabbed Kim Sujeong’s hair and pulled her down to sit beside me.

Seo Hyoju laughed at the sight.

“I’m sorry. You siblings seem close.”

“Yes.”

Her smile didn’t feel artificial but genuine, giving me exactly the impression Kim Sujeong had described—that when Seo Hyoju smiles, she’s as radiant as a flower.

How could such a cold, dignified, ice-like face transform into something so pure and beautiful?

Not that she looked mean before—she just had an air of nobility that made her seem unapproachable.

And even when she smiled brightly, she didn’t seem any less dignified.

It’s just that when she smiles, she gives off such good energy that I can’t help but smile along.

Amazing that a face can do that without any effort.

Lost in these thoughts, I ended up giving a simple answer.

I couldn’t really say anything else.

I wasn’t so poorly socialized that I would tactlessly respond to a stranger’s compliment with “No, actually we fight like cats and dogs.”

Besides, we weren’t going to see each other again, so why continue the conversation?

She probably wasn’t interested in me anyway.

As I was thinking this and turning my attention back to the TV, Seo Hyoju spoke again.

“Is he your son?”

“Me?”

“…Yes.”

“Is there any other son here besides you, dummy?”

“Ah. Yes.”

“Your son is very handsome. Are you perhaps an entertainer? Or a model…?”

Her words seemed sincere, but I wasn’t fooled.

My appearance?

Sure, I must be handsome.

If it were my old appearance, I might have thought she was mocking me, but I know that after logging out of the Farming World, I have a face that I carefully customized to be good-looking.

But am I really at a level to receive such compliments from Seo Hyoju?

I looked at Kim Sujeong.

“Come on, unni. My brother isn’t that good-looking. You’ve seen much more handsome men. You’re being too polite. Hoho.”

With a visibly disgusting expression, she spoke, so I turned to Lee Jihyun.

“…Huh?”

“Am I that handsome?”

“Um…”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Lee Jihyun’s face reddened as she avoided my gaze.

Then she nodded.

“…Yes… Boss, you are handsome.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you. I was a bit surprised since I’ve never heard that before. It’s nice coming from a pretty person like you.”

“You’re quite amusing.”

Seo Hyoju continued the conversation with surprising friendliness, making the initial awkwardness seem unfounded.

It didn’t feel forced either, so despite my plan to just watch TV until Dad arrived, I found myself joining the conversation along with Kim Sujeong.

Nothing special was discussed, nor was it too personal.

Just appropriate topics mixed with the reasons for Seo Hyoju’s visit.

Perhaps that’s why I could respond without feeling uncomfortable.

“Gold Guild and CEO Kim Gwangjin… your father’s company have become quite close recently, so I came to express my gratitude. The potions you supplied exclusively to us have been a tremendous help.”

“Ah! Was it for the A+ rank dungeon conquest?”

“The news should have been released this afternoon…”

“Of course I saw it, unni. I told you I’m your biggest subscriber and fan!”

“Thank you. The intermediate healing potions your CEO provided were a huge help, and the quality of all the items you supply is excellent.”

“That’s right! My dad runs his business with integrity.”

After such casual conversation, Dad rushed in, looking flustered.

“I’m so sorry. The traffic was terrible.”

“No, it’s fine. I contacted you rather suddenly, didn’t I?”

“I apologize. Kids, could you go to your rooms for a bit?”

“No, that’s not necessary. I’m the one intruding, so that wouldn’t be right. It’s fine.”

I just wanted to go to my room and eat chicken.

In this awkward situation where leaving seemed inappropriate, Seo Hyoju and Dad sat at the kitchen table and began their conversation.

The content was simple.

The main point that hadn’t come up during our chat.

“I was wondering if you have plans for the next potion supply.”

“Ah, I was actually planning to get the details from our alchemist within a few days and inform you about the delivery schedule and contents… I didn’t expect you to come in person…”

“So you do have a contracted alchemist?”

“Yes. We only receive and distribute the products.”

Seo Hyoju’s gaze briefly turned in our direction.

Lee Jihyun seemed uncomfortable and turned her head away.

I remembered that traces of Lee Jihyun’s alchemy work were visible in Kim Sujeong’s room, which was open on the way to the front door.

She must have noticed.

“I look forward to working with you again.”

Her bright smile seemed a bit more artificial than her earlier laugh.

And that wasn’t the main point.

“Actually, the real reason I came is to ask if the Gold Guild could purchase the A-rank leather armor that’s coming up for auction tomorrow.”

“…Pardon?”

So this was it.

The real reason Seo Hyoju—the precious granddaughter of the Gold Group and an S-rank summoner—personally came to our house to see Dad.

For a reason like this, it made sense.

“I apologize. I know this is an inappropriate request. But I’m not making this proposal without compensation. These are the terms we’re offering.”

“…”

Dad picked up the contract with a stern expression.

After reading it briefly, he bowed his head in contemplation.

It’s an absurd proposal.

The auction is tomorrow, and countless hunters, even from foreign countries, have come to Korea for it.

Most of them are here to bid on this armor, and they want to pull it from the auction overnight?

Gwangjin Distribution’s credibility would hit rock bottom.

Of course, it’s Gwangjin Distribution’s choice.

Items being removed from or added to auction lists on the day of the event happens frequently.

That’s why Seo Hyoju is making this proposal.

I couldn’t see the contract details, but if Dad was considering it this seriously, the offer must be valuable.

It’s a choice between losing the trust of hunters he’ll never see again versus fully aligning with the Gold Group, with whom we’re beginning to form a close relationship.

The rewards written there must be sweet enough to make this a serious dilemma.

Dad pondered for a long time.

Seo Hyoju waited patiently until the end.

The auction is tomorrow.

There’s no time to wait.

“….Sigh… I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

Dad looked tormented.

I’ve never seen that look in his eyes before.

Dad called me over.

“Suhyun, let’s talk for a moment.”

In the room, Dad asked me:

“What do you think I should do?”