Hero Hunter is on Parental Leave C55

Chapter 55

In the end, it was all the same story.

Yeongung felt like he finally understood why the man kept firing off his ultimate moves so recklessly. Simply put, Iheun was desperate. Ever since the night Won Iheun first confessed about the prohibition (금제) using the child’s nullification ability, the two of them hadn’t been able to have any real alone time.

If one were to ask, “Don’t you have Sanghui and Hamgyeol around as babysitters?”

[Are the idiot duo still there?]

“Yeah.”

The problem was that Jaehee refused to let the two uncles handle him. Hamgyeol, who had been confident thanks to his experience caring for his niece, was struggling badly when it came to winning Jaehee’s heart.

The child had become even more of an ultimate dad-clinger than before, sticking to Yeongung’s side all day long. Even the separate sleeping arrangement in the rocking crib had gone completely out the window. Jaehee would only fall asleep if he lay in the middle of the queen-size bed, with both parents lined up neatly on either side of him.

[At this rate, I’ll have to cut their salary. What do they think we came all the way to the end-of-the-earth island for?]

“You can’t blame the kids just because our son’s picky. How did things go with the doctor?”

Switching the video call back to audio, Yeongung pulled out the handover binder from his office desk drawer. A sulky voice complained about not being able to see his face, but Yeongung ignored it.

To spend more time with Jaehee, Yeongung had decided to quit his part-time job. Today was his last day. After finishing training his replacement, he was carefully checking the list to make sure nothing had been missed.

[Actually, I was going to tell you—we’re coming down together with Richmond this time.]

“With the doctor?”

[Yes. Bertrand said he needs to closely observe Jaehee’s daily life. So we decided to give them apartment 301.]

Caught off guard, Yeongung asked again.

“So… Dr. Richmond and Bertrand are going to live in our apartment 301?”

[Only for a while. Is there a problem?]

If those two moved in, then apartment 301 would house a broker, apartment 302 would have Tako Guild’s elite—Hamgyeol and Sanghui, and apartment 303 would be home to Absolute-rank Yeongung and Rank #1 Hunter Won Iheun.

“That’s basically a hunter mansion.”

For a quiet island, it felt like an awfully conspicuous lineup. Beyond their abilities, their striking appearances alone made them stand out. Especially on Muhaedo—where outsiders were rare and foreigners even rarer—the doctor’s group would attract attention.

[If there’s anything you’re worried about, don’t hide it. Tell me everything.]

“They say the longer the tail, the easier it is to step on. One guy after another is coming down to Muhaedo—feels like the Association has already caught a whiff. Especially since they’ve been keeping a close eye on your movements.”

[Don’t worry about that. Officially, we’re moving under the banner of a Neutral State Project.]

At the unfamiliar term, Yeongung’s ears perked up. He’d thought things had been suspiciously quiet lately.

“Neutral State Project?”

[We needed a good excuse anyway, and the conditions aligned for both sides, so we accepted the deal. I’ll explain the details once I’m down there.]

It was almost time to get off work.

“Fine. Just hurry up and come back.”

He was about to end the call when the man’s sweet voice stopped him.

[I miss you.]

“…Me too.”

But the man teasingly pretended not to hear Yeongung’s rare show of courage.

[I can’t hear you well.]

“…I said I miss you too. I’m hanging up!”

It was stiff and completely unromantic, but Yeongung could picture Iheun smiling on the other end of the disconnected call. As he cooled his burning cheeks, Minseong opened the office door and stepped inside.

“Jun-i hyung.”

Minseong’s voice was unusually subdued—almost like he was holding back tears.

“Minseong.”

Yeongung pulled his mask down to his chin. Instead of the ordinary face of Youngjun, Yeongung’s true face was revealed—the one restored through the joint efforts of Sayoung and Won Iheun.

“I’m still not used to calling you by a different name.”

Unable to properly look at the handsome man before him, Minseong lowered his gaze.

“Thank you for everything. Even if you quit the part-time job, can we still stay in touch? And… can I see Jaehee sometimes?”

“Of course. Absolutely.”

Now back in his real face, Yeongung revealed his true identity only to Minseong. After watching him for years at the part-time job, Yeongung trusted him completely—and they were people who would stay connected.

“To me, you weren’t a hero because you’re Yeongung Hunter—you were a hero just as hyung. Taking down nasty villain customers like it was nothing.”

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Still, since I won’t be around anymore, make sure the store keeps some self-defense tools, okay?”

After Yeongung patted his shoulder a couple of times, Minseong clenched his fist tightly.

“Don’t worry. Ever since that harassment incident, I’ve been learning self-defense.”

Seeing how much Minseong had grown since their first meeting, Yeongung smiled with satisfaction. The kid who once couldn’t even express himself properly had become this solid.

“Yeah, you’ve grown up. The handover’s done, but if anything comes up later, call me. I should head out now—it’s time to pick Jaehee up.”

After saying goodbye, Yeongung adjusted his thick horn-rimmed glasses and put his mask back on. As Yeongung left the 7-Eleven, Minseong shouted after him.

“Hyung! Thank you!”

“Take care.”

Yeongung’s steps quickened toward the shuttle bus stop.

He missed his son, Jaehee.

“Teacher, thank you for everything until now. You’ve worked so hard. Jaehee, say goodbye too.”

“Heh…”

The child, still unaware of what parting meant, simply sucked on his fingers with an innocent expression. The teacher’s eyes reddened as she prepared to send off the little angel.

“Jaehee, sniff—stay healthy, okay? Don’t forget your teacher and friends. Live happily.”

As the farewell dragged on, Sanghui complained from the side.

“Anyone would think she’s breaking up with her boyfriend.”

“Please, read the room.”

Scolding Sanghui, Hamgyeol handed the teacher a small shopping bag in Yeongung’s place, since Yeongung was holding the child. Sanghui, with a Tintinping backpack slung over one shoulder, still stood with his usual delinquent posture.

Wiping her eyes, the teacher muttered, “I’m being silly,” as she accepted the bag.

“What’s this?”

“Nothing much—just a set of traditional sweets we bought in Seoul. It’s modest, but please accept it. I figured you’d refuse a big gift.”

Because she had been someone Yeongung could trust enough to leave Jaehee with while working, he’d wanted to buy her a luxury bag. But after being turned down several times before, he chose a carefully crafted wagashi set instead.

“Oh my, how thoughtful. How did you know I like sweets? I’ll enjoy them—thank you.”

Thankfully, the carefully chosen gift seemed to please her.

“But Jaehee’s father… are you feeling unwell?”

At her concern, Yeongung pulled his mask higher over his nose and coughed theatrically.

“I’ve got a bit of a cold, but it’ll pass. No need to worry.”

“That’s a relief, but…”

Watching Yeongung cough and turn his head away, the teacher tilted her head. For some reason, Jaehee’s father looked unfamiliar today. But when she tried to recall what he’d originally looked like, all she could picture was a bland white circle.

“Hey. The driver’s been staring for a while now. You should get going.”

At Sanghui’s irritated voice, the teacher snapped back to attention and hurried onto the shuttle bus.

“If anything changes and you need our help, please contact us anytime!”

With her warm words, the yellow daycare bus departed. Hamgyeol slowly approached Jaehee.

“Jaehee, do you recognize Uncle Hamgyeol?”

At the gentle voice, the child blinked his big eyes. Then Sanghui barged in with a voice several times louder.

“What about Uncle Sanghui! Hah! Surely you recognize this handsome Uncle Sanghui, right?”

“…Hic, hic.”

Startled, the child began hiccupping—and then burst into loud tears.

“Waaah!”

Yeongung channeled mana into his foot and kicked Sanghui’s shin with full force. It was a merciless use of violence.

“I told you so many times—kids get startled easily! Don’t scare him, handle him gently!”

“Vice Guild Master, I’m sorry. He’s only good at slaughtering monsters. No matter how much I make him study, he forgets every time. I’ve given up.”

Hamgyeol apologized with a gloomy face, but the contents of that apology were basically just insults toward Sanghui. Clutching his bruised shin, Sanghui glared at him.

“Ah! Hyung, that fucking hurts! And fuck—Hamgyeol, you think I don’t know you’re trash-talking me?!”

This time, Yeongung’s hand came down sharply on the back of Sanghui’s head.

Smack!

“Ah, hyung!”

“No swearing in front of Jaehee.”

Leaving the idiot duo behind, Yeongung entered the apartment’s shared entrance first. As Sanghui disappeared from sight, the child’s crying softened. Feeling Jaehee cling even closer to him, Yeongung let out a sigh.

“Won Iheun… at this rate, it’s going to take at least half a year before we can even share a bed again.”