Hero Hunter is on Parental Leave C20

Chapter 20

Two years after Yeongung’s disappearance.

Won Iheun, Guild Master of Tako—the man who had led the Final War two years earlier—appeared at the press conference hall.

Because he also served as a non-executive director of the Association, the journalists instantly flooded him with questions.

“Master Won Iheun, may we hear about your current health condition? We’ve heard rumors that you suffered partial memory loss due to post–Final War aftereffects. Will this affect future gate raids in any way?”

“We understand that Hunter Yeongung, the key combatant in the Final War, has already retired. Is a return realistically possible?”

“Is it true he disappeared? If an Absolute-level hunter chooses to vanish, is there even a way to find them?”

“When will the Association officially release information on the newly appeared Rift? Public anxiety is growing due to the fake news dominating social media platforms.”

Beeeep—

Standing at the podium, Won Iheun tapped the microphone twice to draw attention.

“We will take one question at a time. Once selected, please speak into the microphone handed to you.”

The low register of his voice, which overwhelmed the room, brought instant silence.

A bespectacled female reporter raised her hand and secured the next turn.

“This is Kim Haesoo from Awakening Daily. Could you first comment on the recently reappeared Rift?”

At her question, Won Iheun calmly explained the situation.

“It is true that a dimension similar to the one two years ago has opened. However, whether it is of the same nature as the Rift that appeared during the Final War remains under investigation. Once we obtain conclusive analysis, an official announcement will be made through the Association.”

Drawn-out wording—but ultimately, no information.

His formal response stirred small murmurs among the reporters, and some quickly submitted breaking headlines to their desks.

Expecting such reactions, Iheun continued unaffected.

“Next reporter.”

A broadcast journalist—who had been watching like a hyena for a chance—snatched the microphone.

He was the one who had always badgered Iheun with questions about Yeongung, and his obsession persisted.

“Is it true that Hunter Yeongung disappeared? Rumors say the retirement—or disappearance—was due to discord between the two of you. And isn’t it true that the Association still has no idea where Hunter Yeongung is?”

Iheun’s elegant brows twitched at the reporter’s pointed tone.

The word “discord” particularly grated on him.

“Isn’t it basically confirmed? The timing of his disappearance was weird.”

“There’s also talk of a dispute over guild shares.”

“Those with everything always want more. How much do they need to take before they’re satisfied?”

The public showed more interest in the missing Yeongung than in the newly appeared Rift.

And understandably so—after the Absolute vanished, the Management Bureau, the Association, and Tako Guild all failed to provide any official explanation satisfying enough for the public.

They behaved as if Yeongung had never disappeared at all.

But that silence only spawned more fake news, spreading “I heard from someone who heard from someone” rumors across social media as if they were facts.

The fake news multiplied endlessly.

Some claimed that Iheun and Yeongung had fought over a dangerously seductive Omega, others said it was a battle over Tako Guild’s equity—scandalous gossip spreading like wildfire.

Between anonymous online users who typed recklessly and the journalists shouting in front of him—was there even a meaningful difference?

Feigning pity, the beautiful man addressed the chattering troop of monkeys who babbled without fact-checking.

“Our dear journalists must be so busy every day—picking up rumors and turning them into articles.”

Several reporters leapt from their seats, shouting angrily.

“What did you just say?”

“Being Rank 1 doesn’t give you the right to look down on journalists! If you antagonize the press like this—!”

Tako Guild members stationed on both sides of the hall immediately moved in, dragging the unruly journalists out.

The unexpected use of force froze the air instantly.

“Much better now that it’s quiet.”

Satisfied with the restored silence, Won Iheun resumed.

“As for Hunter Yeongung…”

Beep—

“Abu? Byabya…!”

A tiny, downy hand pressed the TV remote.

The toddler accidentally turned the broadcast off, and when the man tried to turn the TV back on, the child burst into tears.

“Uwaaaaaah!”

Smelling the diaper, the man picked up the child and headed to the bathroom.

“Jaehee, you little rascal—you pooped.”

With practiced ease, he changed the diaper.

“They’ll never find us… No way. We’re hiding so well—how would they ever find us?”

Happy again, the baby stopped crying and giggled.

Yeongung gently pinched Jaehee’s cheek.

“My little prince, let’s go eat.”

While busy with childcare—forgetting completely about the news—Iheun offered the reporters an enigmatic smile in the conference hall.

“As for Hunter Yeongung… there is no need to worry. I’ve already found him.”

“Huff… hah…”

Jaehee, dressed in a bright chick-yellow daycare uniform, laughed as the cool wind brushed his cheek.

Yeongung ran like a madman while holding him.

It was only the distance to the apartment’s back gate, yet his breath climbed painfully up his throat.

Once, he would have flown there effortlessly using telekinesis.

But since disappearing after Jaehee’s birth, he had never once used his abilities.

His unique mana was too distinct—too dangerous to expose to any tracker.

Having relied all his life on mana and stats, Yeongung was, in plain terms, physically pathetic.

His basic stamina didn’t even match the average adult male.

Had he never awakened as a hunter, how would he have survived?

He regretted neglecting the fundamentals simply because he had powers.

“Kyaa—!”

Jaehee grabbed a fistful of his hair in delight.

“Ack—! Jaehee, Daddy hurts! It hurts!”

The baby’s unusual grip snapped Yeongung to clarity.

How would he survive?

He was a father—he would survive.

He gave himself another mental shove.

“Huff… I should’ve worked out with Won Iheun when he did.”

Ah, though they had exercised together—just not the kind that built stamina.

That man, so pretty-faced yet so vigorous, had taken him to the brink every day—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, all the way through Sunday, every day without fail.

Yeongung suddenly recalled Iheun’s intense gaze when they made love, and goosebumps crawled up his arms.

“…Why am I getting chills.”

Finally reaching the nearly-arrived back gate, Yeongung spotted the yellow daycare shuttle bus and shouted:

“Wait—!”

The bus was just about to leave after loading the children.

At the deafening shout, a teacher stepped off the bus.

Seeing Yeongung and Jaehee, she greeted them warmly.

“Good morning, Jaehee’s father! And good morning to you too, Jaehee!”

“Hehh—”

Recognizing his second-favorite person after his dad, Jaehee smiled softly, like melted marshmallow.

Unable to resist, Yeongung peppered his son’s cheeks with kisses.

“It must be difficult raising him alone. You’re doing an amazing job.”

She looked pityingly at his messy hair, unwashed clothes, and dark circles.

Yeongung scratched his bird’s-nest hair awkwardly before handing over Jaehee’s bag—packed with diapers, snacks, his pheromone-scented comfort toy, and blanket.

“Here’s his bag, teacher.”

The Tintinping character backpack passed from father to teacher, and Jaehee sensed separation.

He burst into loud cries.

“Oh dear. Then we’ll see you at pickup time!”

The teacher tried to restrain him, but Jaehee—famous for being glued to his father—struggled fiercely to return to Yeongung.

Yeongung and the teacher exchanged a knowing glance.

They’d learned the hard way over six months that hesitation made drop-off impossible.

“Jaehee, look here. Brave Tintinping just defeated the evil Demon King Ping—shwooong!”

Yeongung played a Tintinping YouTube video he rarely showed him.

Jaehee’s bottom wiggled in excitement.

“T… T-ping…!”

While the boy was utterly absorbed, Yeongung slipped away.

The daycare vehicle departed amid lingering fuss, and he watched, unable to walk away easily, thinking of his son crying so heartbreakingly.

Just then, his smartwatch alarm sounded.

It was already time for his part-time job.

Once the strongest hunter alive—an equal to even Won Iheun—

Now, he was broke. Completely penniless.

“Sigh… Time to go make money.”

Footnote

 

1. Tintinping (틴틴핑) — A popular children’s animated character, often used to soothe or entertain toddlers.