A talk show featuring celebrities was airing on television.
Quite a few celebrities had awakened and worked as Hunters alongside their entertainment careers.
Inviting Hunters onto television also made it easy to attract attention by discussing industry stories the public was curious about.
After chatting about various topics for a while, the host abruptly changed the subject.
[Come to think of it, the Hunter industry has been making quite a lot of headlines lately, hasn’t it?]
At the host’s remark, a popular actress who also worked as a Hunter nodded in agreement.
[Yes. Every Hunter I know was shocked because a Hunter named Jeon Jae-woo has been clearing Ruins one after another.]
[There is almost no information available about this Hunter Jeon Jae-woo, so a lot of people are curious about him. Ms. Ha-yeon, have you ever met him?]
The actress firmly shook her head.
[Not at all. I doubt even the Hunters I know personally have met him. I’m incredibly curious too…]
Watching the broadcast from one corner of the room, Jeon Jae-woo grinned.
‘This is insane.’
A top celebrity had actually mentioned his name on a popular television program.
For some reason, this thrilled him even more than seeing his name on the news after clearing an Ancient-grade Ruin.
Of course, Jeon Jae-woo’s influence had long since surpassed that of even a top actress who also worked as a Hunter.
Because he had never revealed his identity to the public, he did not usually feel it directly, but even Jeon Jae-woo could tell just how prominent he had become.
1st - Jeon Jae-woo
2nd – Jeon Jae-woo’s Identity
3rd – Ancient-Grade Ruin Rewards
4th – Underground Labyrinth Magic Stones
.
.
.
For days now, his name had refused to disappear from the top of the real-time search rankings on major portal sites.
[The Endless Underground Labyrinth. How Was It Cleared?]
[Underground Labyrinth Producing Far More Magic Stones Than Previously Jointly Owned Ruins.]
[Identity of Ruin Clearer Still a Mystery… Hunter Administration Remains Silent. Who Is Hunter Jeon Jae-woo?]
[China Offers to Reopen Joint Ruins in Exchange for a Share of Ancient-Grade Ruin Rewards… South Korea Says It Is Too Late for Such Nonsense.]
Even when he turned on the news, they spent practically the entire day talking about the Ruins he had cleared.
┗I am Hunter Jeon Jae-woo. Here is proof.
┗When will ordinary people be allowed into Underground Labyrinth to mine? When is the Hunter Administration going to issue permits?
┗Stop talking nonsense. This is not a Common- or Rare-grade Ruin. It is the Legendary-grade Underground Labyrinth. Do you really think private mining permits are going to be issued? The Hunter Administration will handle all of it.
┗If you want in that badly, ask Jeon Jae-woo above to throw the Hunter Administration people out for you. Hahaha.
Discussion about Jeon Jae-woo showed no sign of dying down on the online communities either.
Naturally, his money was piling up at an absurd rate as well.
It had reached the point where he wondered whether one person was even supposed to possess this much money.
After trading the Spiritual Elixirs from the Ancient-grade Ruin, he had stopped checking his bank balance altogether.
He had already earned so much that there was no real need to confirm the amount with his own eyes.
However, as he continued his activities as a Hunter, a new problem emerged.
‘This place really is too small.’
Jeon Jae-woo was still living in the same studio apartment he had rented back when he was an unemployed job seeker.
It had not been much of a problem when only Myeolgeop lived with him.
But now the Elder Lich and Novum were sharing this cramped space as well.
On top of that, the Elder Lich had summoned Skeletons to handle the household chores.
The already cramped apartment felt even smaller.
‘I really should move.’
He had no idea how many more times he would use Heaven’s Box in the future, and it was practically guaranteed that the number of members in his strange household would continue increasing.
“What does everyone think about moving?”
[I believe relocating to a more spacious residence would be preferable.]
“I, too, would prefer a larger mansion. It would be even better if there were enough grounds for a proper research facility…”
“I’m happy anywhere as long as I’m with you, Master.”
Good heavens. Just listen to how sweetly Novum spoke.
However, choosing a residence was surprisingly complicated for a Hunter.
The stronger the Hunter, the stricter the screening requirements became because no one knew when an accident might occur.
The government had even constructed residences exclusively for Hunters and actively encouraged them to live there.
As Jeon Jae-woo considered his options, Commissioner Yoo Jeong-tae suddenly came to mind.
‘If you ever need assistance, please contact me. I will do everything I can to help.’
But was it really appropriate to contact an official of vice-ministerial rank over something as personal as moving?
Then again, Yoo Jeong-tae might nominally hold vice-ministerial rank, but in practical terms, his influence was closer to that of the President.
After hesitating for a while, Jeon Jae-woo eventually called him.
[Why did you not tell me sooner if you needed something like that? I will send someone over immediately.]
Unexpectedly, Commissioner Yoo Jeong-tae was extraordinarily enthusiastic about helping him.
***
Commissioner Yoo Jeong-tae had not been speaking idly.
He really did send people immediately.
Officials from the Hunter Administration responsible for the residences of high-ranking Hunters arrived within thirty minutes and showed Jeon Jae-woo various property listings.
“This is currently the Hunter Residential District most favored by A-grade and higher Hunters.”
In the modern world, an area surrounding a Hunter Residential District was practically synonymous with an affluent neighborhood.
Wealthy people and politicians naturally gathered near places where powerful Hunters lived.
After all, living nearby offered protection from threats such as monster attacks or terrorism.
Jeon Jae-woo examined the photographs one by one and asked for details whenever something caught his eye.
“How much is this house?”
“Ah, you do not need to worry about the price. The Commissioner instructed us to provide any house you want free of charge, Hunter Jeon Jae-woo.”
Jeon Jae-woo stared at the employee in surprise.
“Are high-ranking Hunters normally provided houses for free?”
“No. But the Commissioner said this was a special benefit offered exclusively to you.”
A special benefit?
‘I am not even affiliated with the Hunter Administration.’
“So how much does this house normally cost?”
“Its sale price last month was 72 billion won.”
Jeon Jae-woo nearly choked and embarrassed himself, but quickly regained his composure.
‘Wait. Whether it is 70 billion or 700 billion won, why should I be surprised anymore?’
By now, he had already earned enough money to rival almost any wealthy person.
Spending around 70 billion won at this point was not even worth worrying about.
Jeon Jae-woo pointed to the house he liked.
“I’ll take this one. But I’ll pay the full sale price.”
“Ah…”
The employees looked troubled by Jeon Jae-woo’s firm tone.
Why did they look troubled when he was offering to pay with his own money?
“The Commissioner specifically instructed us to give the house to you free of charge…”
“I said I’ll pay for it. If you refuse to take my money, then I’m not moving.”
“……”
The Hunter Administration was desperate to earn even the slightest goodwill from Jeon Jae-woo whenever an opportunity arose.
If someone had already been living in the house Jeon Jae-woo wanted, they looked ready to force the resident out simply because he liked it.
But Jeon Jae-woo had no intention of becoming indebted to the Hunter Administration—or anyone else—over even the smallest matter.
Whether or not the debt existed on paper, accepting something from someone meant he would eventually owe them something in return.
In any case, the move proceeded with remarkable speed.
The Hunter Administration personnel thoroughly cleaned the vacant house and even moved all of his belongings for him.
All Jeon Jae-woo had to do was carry Novum in his arms and move himself.
“Wow…”
On moving day, Jeon Jae-woo’s mouth fell open at the sight of the enormous mansion, unlike anything he had ever seen before.
‘It is much bigger in person than it looked in the pictures.’
As expected of a residence designed specifically for Hunters, it was also equipped with numerous facilities that Hunters might need.
Living here with Myeolgeop, the Elder Lich, and Novum would not be a problem at all.
“Wow. The house is so big and nice.”
“Oh, really? I’m glad you like it.”
Novum, nestled in his arms, apparently liked the new house as well.
‘I should bring my parents here soon too.’
Even though Myeolgeop and the Elder Lich had taken appropriate measures to protect them, Jeon Jae-woo would still feel most at ease with his parents nearby.
He only hoped they would not be too shocked when they saw these creatures.
As the move was nearing completion—
“Hunter Jeon Jae-woo!”
Jeon Jae-woo looked puzzled when he saw Yoo Jeong-tae approaching.
“? Commissioner, what brings you here?”
“Goodness, Hunter Jeon Jae-woo. Of course I had to come when you were moving.”
Was it really only natural for the Commissioner of the Hunter Administration to personally show up simply because a Hunter was moving?
Yoo Jeong-tae put on a mildly disappointed expression.
“I really wanted to give you this house for free.”
“No. A house worth more than 70 billion won is not something I should simply accept for nothing. I am already grateful enough that you helped make everything convenient for me.”
It was not as though he lacked money anymore.
“In any case, if there is anything inconvenient about the house or anything else you need, please contact me at any time.”
“Thank you for taking care of everything.”
Just then, a clear voice came from nearby.
“Oh? Commissioner Yoo?”
Jeon Jae-woo turned his head and immediately froze in surprise.
A famous Hunter had just emerged from the neighboring house and called out to Yoo Jeong-tae.
It was Hunter Kim Yu-min, widely known as one of South Korea’s representative Hunters.
In fact, when people thought of Korean Hunters, Kim Yu-min was one of the first names that came to mind.
Her fame came partly from her abilities as an S-grade Hunter and partly from her beauty.
To Jeon Jae-woo, meeting her in person felt almost like meeting an actual celebrity.
‘Why did she come out of the house next door? Do not tell me she is my neighbor.’
Kim Yu-min approached naturally and greeted Yoo Jeong-tae with a bright expression.
“It really is you, Commissioner. What brings you all the way here?”
“Ah, Yu-min. Someone I know is moving in.”
Only then did Kim Yu-min turn her attention toward Jeon Jae-woo and greet him with a bright smile.
“Hello? I’m Kim Yu-min.”
“Ah… yes. Hello…”
Damn.
Had he gotten too nervous?
His response came out far more stiffly than he intended.
Meanwhile, Kim Yu-min looked at Jeon Jae-woo with curiosity.
‘Someone the Commissioner knows?’
He looked around her age, yet he was apparently acquainted with the middle-aged Commissioner Yoo Jeong-tae.
The Commissioner had even personally come all the way here just because this man was moving?
And considering that he was moving into one of the most expensive Hunter-exclusive residences, he had to be an exceptionally capable Hunter.
Yet despite Kim Yu-min having considerable experience in the Hunter industry, his face was completely unfamiliar to her.
“It’s nice to meet you. My name is Jeon Jae-woo.”
The moment she heard his name, Kim Yu-min could not help being startled.
‘Jeon Jae-woo…? Wait. Do not tell me he is that Jeon Jae-woo??’
As an S-grade Hunter, there was no possibility that she would not know the name Jeon Jae-woo.
In fact, even an ordinary Hunter or civilian would have difficulty not recognizing it.
Jeon Jae-woo was the name of the person who had suddenly appeared recently and proceeded to clear one Ruin after another.
‘If his name is Jeon Jae-woo, could he really be the same person?’
The terrifying Hunter who had single-handedly cleared Legendary-grade and Ancient-grade Ruins one after another?
If he were not a Hunter of that caliber, why would Commissioner Yoo Jeong-tae personally come all the way here just to see him move in?
Then she noticed Yoo Jeong-tae press an index finger to his lips, silently telling her to keep quiet.
That settled it.
‘…He really must be that Jeon Jae-woo.’
Kim Yu-min swallowed nervously before finishing her greeting.
“I live right next door, so I hope we’ll get along as neighbors from now on.”
“Yes. I look forward to it.”
Later, Yoo Jeong-tae summoned Kim Yu-min separately, only for her to receive another surprise.
According to his explanation, he had deliberately arranged for Jeon Jae-woo to move into the house beside hers.
Kim Yu-min stared at Yoo Jeong-tae in disbelief.
“Do not tell me you expect me to monitor him.”
“Come now. Why would you put it like that? I am not asking you to monitor him. Just keep an eye on him. And if anything happens to Hunter Jeon Jae-woo, you can help protect him.”
“……”
If he was going to make excuses, he could at least make them believable.
How was she supposed to protect someone who might be the strongest Hunter in the world all by herself?
He was probably powerful enough that a single S-grade Hunter would barely register as a threat.
Commissioner Yoo Jeong-tae placed a hand on Kim Yu-min’s shoulder.
“Your role is extremely important, Yu-min. And if any outside faction attempts to contact Hunter Jeon Jae-woo, inform me immediately.”
That was Yoo Jeong-tae’s true objective.
He wanted to prevent valuable talent from being recruited overseas before it could happen.
Although their relationship was not bad, Jeon Jae-woo was still unaffiliated, and now that his name was known worldwide, there was no telling what foreign power might approach him and try to bring him over to their side.
From the Hunter Administration’s perspective, Jeon Jae-woo aligning himself with any power outside South Korea was something they absolutely could not allow.
And Yoo Jeong-tae’s concern was not excessive in the slightest.
The United States had already drawn up a serious plan to recruit Jeon Jae-woo and was preparing to put it into action.