Chapter 20: Kang Woo-Hyuk (2)
June 20 was a very important day.
It was the day Ma Ak-Soo and his gang would start ramping up on their human experiments, and it was the day Kim Ji-Hee would be awakened.
If they had carried out the raid after June 20, some of the children in the orphanage would have become vegetables, and Kim Ji-Hee, trapped in the basement, would have awakened to become one of the most notorious villains. Therefore, they had no choice but to raid the orphanage before then.
Lee Ji-Yeon and Kang Woo-Hyuk looked at Kim Ki-Rok blankly as he feasted on the meat before him. Lee Ji-Yeon snapped out of her trance and asked, "What is her ability?"
Meanwhile, Kang Woo-Hyuk was still stuck processing it all. "A-awakening..."
"She has two awakened abilities or skills..." Kim Ki-Rok turned his head, his words trailing off, and stared intently at the people beside him who were grilling meat.
It was clear that Kim Ki-Rok's gaze was upon the onlookers. However, although the people felt Kim Ki-Rok's gaze, they did not raise their heads.
"I will tell you inside the guild building. There are too many people from other guilds here." Kim Ki-Rok said.
Someone grilling meat nearby had dropped their tongs. Another coughed with a mouthful of stew. A third who had been heading to the bathroom crouched down in an awkward, slouched position, neither sitting down nor standing up.
"Anyway, thanks to her Awakening, Kim Ji-Hee was able to become my family member without having to go through annoying and time-consuming sponsorship or adoption applications. Oh, by the way." Kim Ki-Rok interrupted himself again to fed Kim Ji-Hee the well-cooked meat, then turned to Kang Woo-Hyuk. "She's your senior."
"I'm sorry?"
"Your senior. Our Ji-Hee here is our second guild member."
Kang Woo-Hyuk was taken aback.
Technically, he wasn't wrong, but still, she's just a kid...
Kim Ki-Rok laughed exaggeratedly and grilled the meat again. "Haha! I'm just kidding."
"Anyway, there's no need to worry. Ji-Hee can move in with us because of this."
"But we would be taking her into the Gate." Lee Ji-Yeon protested.
"The Gate we are visiting this time is the Fortress of Living Armor, so don't worry. It's not going to be a bloodbath."
"Even so..." Lee Ji-Yeon trailed on.
Was it because she pitied that Kim Ji-Hee would have to work as a Hunter at such a young age?
Kim Ki-Rok nodded in understanding when Lee Ji-Yeon looked at him worriedly. "Well, I understand. But Ji-Hee needs to adapt as well."
"By adapting, you mean..."
"I'm talking about adapting to modern life and realizing what it means to be an Awakened."
Kim Ji-Hee had grown up in a dark prison, not even able to see the sky. As Kim Ki-Rok said, she needed to adapt to modern life. Furthermore, because she had awakened at such a young age, she needed time to realize her power.
"That's all for the briefing. To summarize, Miss Ji-Yeon."
"Yes."
"You will move to the dormitory within the guild tomorrow. You don't need to take a leave of absence from university. Instead, submit the Gate activity application form to the school because, in a week, you will be staying at the Gate for an extended period. Also, gather some information relating to the Fortress of Living Armor from the internet or the Hunters Association website."
"Yes. Understood."
"And Ji-Hee."
Kim Ji-Hee looked up when her name was called and nodded. "Yeees."
"Say ahhh."
"Ahhh."
Kim Ki-Rok watched her chew the meat and asked the other two, "Should I order more?"
"No, I'm full."
"I'm good too."
"Alright. Then Mr. Woo-Hyuk."
"Yes."
"Rest at the guild dormitory today and move in tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
"We will go to Shine Guild together after you finish moving in. You will stay there for a week and receive lessons from the craftsmen."
Although Kang Woo-Hyuk nodded solemnly, he couldn't hide his nervousness. He wondered if absorbing all the techniques in just a week was even possible.
Kim Ki-Rok seemed to have read Kang Woo-Hyuk's concerns.
"Even if you've only done odd jobs, you must have seen and heard stories. Think quickly. With hard work, you'll be able to learn the skills easily."
"Understood."
"Then, last but not least."
Kim Ki-Rok, who had placed the remaining raw meat on the grill, turned his head as he put down the tongs. At that moment, Kim Ji-Hee reached out with a fork skewered into a piece of meat.
"Hmm?"
"Mister. Ahh."
"Ohh! Ahh." Kim Ki-Rok ate the meat offered by Kim Ji-Hee with satisfaction. Looking at her satisfied smile, he called, "Ji-Hee."
"Yeesss. Guildmaster."
"Haha...."
Both Lee Ji-Yeon and Kang Woo-Hyuk called Kim Ki-Rok by his title rather than his name, and now it had rubbed off on Kim Ji-Hee.
"Yes. Ji-Hee, our guild member."
"Hehe. Yes."
"Guild member Kim Ji-Hee, you will visit Shine Guild with me tomorrow."
"Shine...?"
"A place with the pretty lady."
"Auntie Yeon-Hwa?" Although it had been a short time, Kim Ji-Hee remembered their conversation when they came to Seoul together.
"Yes. After we meet auntie Yeon-Hwa..." Kim Ki-Rok paused momentarily, turning to Lee Ji-Yeon and Kang Woo-Hyuk to ask, "What is your schedule for tomorrow?"
"Oh, I have a lecture in the morning. So, I'll be in classes throughout the morning and moving in the afternoon."
Kim Ki-Rok nodded at Lee Ji-Yeon's response and looked at Kang Woo-Hyuk.
"Oh, the only thing I'm doing is moving."
"I see. Then, should we go together tomorrow?"
"To Shine Guild?"
"Yes. Let's go there together. Now, Ji-Hee."
"Yeees. Guildmaster."
"Tomorrow, you'll visit Shine Guild with me and Woo-Hyuk first, and then we'll go to the department store to buy what we need."
"Department store?"
"Yes. The place we went to last night."
"Big market?"
"That's right." Kim Ki-Rok gently stroked Kim Ji-Hee's head and looked at her before speaking again. "After going to the department store, we will meet some people."
"Who?"
"Some interesting people."
Kim Ji-Hee tilted her head in confusion but soon followed Kim Ki-Rok while smiling shyly.
***
Kim Ji-Hee still craved the warmth and comfort of human connection, staying close to Kim Ki-Rok even in her sleep. Dressed in pink rabbit-patterned pajamas, she rested peacefully as Kim Ki-Rok quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her.
[The Time Rabbit looks at Kim Ji-Hee and says with a thumbs up, "Rabbits are the best, right?"]
"But isn't it too many rabbits?"
[The Time Rabbit exclaims with a pout, "That's not enough! Do you know how sad I was when you gave her a bear doll as a gift last time?"]
In his 76th Attempt, Kim Ki-Rok had given Kim Ji-Hee a stuffed bear instead of a rabbit as a gift. Although she had really liked the gift, the same couldn't be said for the Time Rabbit. From the moment she had received the stuffed bear as a gift up until Kim Ki-Rok had died in battle against the demon king, he kept shouting, "You should have given her a rabbit doll!"
Wearing an apron, Kim Ki-Rok arrived in the kitchen and stood in front of the refrigerator, contemplating. "What should I do..."
He would have eaten a piece of bread if he were alone. But he would be having breakfast with Kim Ji-Hee today. He had also suggested to the two who had admired the dormitory last night to join them for breakfast today.
"Let's keep it simple."
Bean sprout soup, fried eggs, corporate-branded kimchi, and a variety of seasoned vegetables sold at a side dish store should be more than enough.
"Should I make some sausage pancakes, too?"
Kim Ki-Rok stopped hesitating and took out a frying pan for the pancakes. He had lived alone for 750 years, and this was the testament of his life spent as a professional hermit.
Ding.
[A skill has been obtained.]
[Cooking (E)]
Description: Adds a time-limited effect to completed dishes
Cooking was an ability bestowed on the Awakened who had already possessed excellent cooking skills. Despite the new skill being created, Kim Ki-Rok immediately turned off the notification and focused on cooking.
"Alright, finally done."
[Sausage Pancakes]
Description: A stack of pancakes topped with sausages
Effect: Vitality +1
Duration: 10 minutes
He had just obtained the skill while making the sausage pancakes, so only one pancake ended up with the effect.
[The Time Rabbit laughs and says, "I see you're growing as a jack of all trades, master of none this time as well!"]
"You're being rude to every jack of all trades. Don't worry, I'm also preparing for the final stage."
Kim Ki-Rok headed over to the rice cooker, scooped some fluffy rice out, and placed it on the table alongside the soup and other side dishes.
Kim Ji-Hee was still lost in dreamland when Kim Ki-Rok returned to her room. Lee Ji-Yeon and Kang Woo-Hyuk arrived soon after he had woken her up. Once everyone was present, they all began eating right away.
Lee Ji-Yeon quickly finished her plate, leaving it inside the sink. "I'll be making my leave then."
Kim Ki-Rok was busy taking care of Kim Ji-Hee, so Kang Woo-Hyuk offered, "I'll do the dishes."
"It's fine," Kim Ki-Rok politely declined.
"No! I will do it!" Kang Woo-Hyuk shouted.
"Then I won't stop you."
"Oh, I'll do them next time as well. Guildmaster, you just focus on cooking."
Just like that, the morning dishwashing duty was assigned.
Kim Ki-Rok tended to Kim Ji-Hee while continuing with his meal. "Oh, Miss Ji-Yeon. Shall I give you a ride to school?"
"No, it's okay. I'm sure you're busy as well."
"I really am not. I just need to take Kim Ji-Hee to Woo-Hyuk's place, stop by Shine Guild for some business, and finish shopping at the department store."
"Sounds like you're busy to me," Lee Ji-Yeon said as she laughed unconsciously. "Well, Ji-Hee. Unnie is going now."
"You're not... coming with us?" Kim Ji-Hee asked.
"I want to go with you, but I have so much to do today, so it might be tough. Let's hang out together in the evening instead."
"Yeeess."
Feeling apologetic, Lee Ji-Yeon patted her cheek and then got up from her seat. "I'll be off then."
"Take care."
"Goodbye, senior!"
"Have a safe triiip."
"It's quite strange," Lee Ji-Yeon muttered, amused by the farewells that one would normally hear from family members.
She smiled faintly and went back down to the seventh floor.
***
Shine Guild was one of the A-Class guilds located in Seoul.
"D-damn, it's huge," Kang Woo-Hyuk said absentmindedly.
"Damn?"
"Oh, no, Ji-Hee. I meant, really."
"Okay. Damn is really."
"No. Damn is a dirty word."
"Damn means dirty?"
"No, no."
While Kang Woo-Hyuk was confused about how to respond to Kim Ji-Hee, Kim Ki-Rok had finished his call with someone.
"Thank you for waiting. Shall we go inside?"
"Mister."
"Yes?"
Kim Ji-Hee reached out her arms. "Uppies."
Accepting her request, Kim Ki-Rok hugged Kim Ji-Hee and headed toward the Shine Guild building. The Hunter guarding the entrance of the building was very familiar.
"Oh! Thank you for your hard work, Hunter Yoo Dong-Kwon."
"Oh? DG Guild's Guildmaster?"
"Yes. I am the Guildmaster of DG Guild."
"Have you come to see Guildmaster Lee Yeon-Hwa?"
"Yes. We just spoke on the phone until just now..."
Just then, a man in his mid-forties and a woman in her early thirties came out of the building. Kim Ki-Rok smiled at the two while Kim Ji-Hee tilted her head in curiosity, as she did not recognize the man beside the familiar auntie.
The same couldn't be said for Kang Woo-Hyuk. "Oh, oh. G-Guildmaster. Is that... Is that who I think it is?"
Surprised by Kang Woo-Hyuk's question, Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "Yes, anyone in Korea would know them."
And they slowly passed through the entrance and the distance between the two parties closed, Kim Ki-Rok approached with his characteristic warmth. "We've talked a lot on the phone, but today is our first in-person meeting. I am Kim Ki-Rok, the Guildmaster of the DG Guild."
The man in his late forties did not immediately respond to the greeting.
After a moment of silence, he slowly bowed his waist. "Thank you very much. I am truly grateful for saving our son."
"No, I just did what needed to be done."
"There are too many people who are unable to do what needs to be done," the man replied with a serious tone as he straightened his waist. "Let me introduce myself once more. I am Cha Min-Sung. I am the CEO of—"
"You're Cha Tae-Hoon's father, right?"
Cha Min-Sung, the CEO of the Il-Sung Corporation, looked at Kim Ki-Rok with widened eyes, then corrected his introduction with a smile. "Yes, I am Tae-Hoon's father, Cha Min-Sung."
Openbookworm & wonsuk's ThoughtsWonsuk: Ji-Hee is so cute sfjskldfklsdfn
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