Hero Hunter is on Parental Leave C64

Chapter 64

“Hyung, why was it a human crying sound of all things? It was creepy.”

As Yeongung waited for the elevator on the fourth floor to head down to the first, he answered in an even tone.

“They say it was imitating the last woman who lived on the fourth floor. I don’t know what kind of unfortunate life she had, but apparently she came out to this corridor every night and cried. Right where you’re standing now.”

“H-Hyung. Stop lying.”

“It’s true.”

“….”

Ding.

The elevator doors opened.

Won Iheun and Yeongung stepped inside first and turned back to look at Sanghui, who had frozen stiff like a statue. Under the moonlight, Sanghui’s face was pale as a blank sheet of paper.

“If you don’t get on, we’re leaving you.”

“I-I’m getting on!”

As Sanghui hurriedly boarded, Won Iheun spoke in a flat, serious voice.

“This is the height of pathetic. Perhaps it’s time we stripped him of his rank.”

Yeongung burst out laughing and continued explaining his familiar’s story.

“A woman with long hair loose, crying miserably late at night—anyone without nerves of steel would’ve run away screaming. Just like you.”

“I’d be scared enough to piss myself.”

“Pepper saw the neighbors run away after encountering that woman. So whenever people came toward where it was trapped, it made a similar crying sound. To protect itself.”

“A magical beast afraid of humans… Is it just because it’s still a baby?”

“It’s afraid of people… I think it was abused.”

“Fuck, abused? What kind of bastard—! No wonder it didn’t really feel like a monster.”

Sanghui swore violently. Now that he knew the whole story, he finally understood why Yeongung had looked so murderous earlier.

“Now that it’s part of our family, we can’t just let this go. Whoever did it will pay an appropriate price.”

Tracking down and dealing with the abuser was left to Won Iheun, a top-tier searcher. The three of them headed home, where their baby angel was waiting—along with a small creature beginning a new life.

After switching shifts with Hamgyeol, Yeongung kissed his son’s forehead as Jaehee slept deeply, then left the bedroom. Sanghui returned to Unit 302 with Hamgyeol, while Won Iheun busied himself in the living room, preparing a place for the magical beast to rest.

The black cat was grooming itself inside an empty cardboard box lined with soft cushions, diligently licking the newly healed skin restored by Yeongung’s healing.

“Let’s sleep here just for today. Tomorrow I’ll buy you a proper home in the city. A hideout bed, cat tower, scratcher, food bowl, water bowl… what else?”

As Yeongung counted items on his fingers, a man leaned in and bit his cheek.

“What about me?”

“Are you a dog?”

“I also require Hunter Yeongung’s care.”

Frowning dramatically, the man bit Yeongung’s other cheek.

“That hurts! Is this a protest because I called you a bastard?”

“I am a dog. Hunter Yeongung’s dog.”

At that moment, the cat—its tail fur neatly groomed—watched them with interest, then looked up at the towering Iheun.

[Who are you, sticking so close to my contractor? Oh, right. Tell me your name. I don’t want to call you ‘that guy.’]

“Yeongung. Short and easy.”

[Yeongung… Yeongung… Ung…]

“Or you can call me ‘butler.’ You’re a cat, after all.”

[Butler?]

“Well, I’ll be taking care of you, so it’s not a bad title.”

[Butler! I like it!]

The cat jumped out of the box and bumped its head against Yeongung’s leg.

“Your name is Pepper now.”

[Pepper! My name is Pepper!]

While the magical beast looked delighted, Won Iheun commented with a subtle grimace.

“Pepper? Sounds like you picked it on a whim.”

“On a whim? I thought long and hard! They say food-related names bring longevity. Superstition maybe, but still. Your fur’s black—Pepper fits perfectly.”

Yeongung passionately defended his naming logic as Pepper circled his legs energetically. After recovering with potions, the kitten had far too much energy.

[But who was that earlier?]

Yeongung’s eyes widened. That must have meant Jaehee, whom Pepper had seen briefly.

“My son. Yeong Jaehee.”

[A son? …I don’t like him.]

“Kyaooong!”

The once-gentle cat suddenly hissed sharply. Yeongung gently scratched its chin, calming it.

“Don’t be like that. When Jaehee grows up, he’ll become your contractor. I’ll transfer the contract then.”

[He’ll be my contractor? I hate that even more! No!]

“You’re being spoiled.”

[Contractors should be tall and cool—like a butler! Not some squishy dough!]

“Heh. One day, Jaehee will grow up bigger and cooler than me.”

[Hmph! I won’t fall for that. Dough stays dough even if it grows.]

Amused, Yeongung stroked Pepper’s tail and gave its rump a few firm pats. Just as expected, the cat shot its tail straight up and began purring loudly.

“Instead of that, cherish him. You’ll be one-of-a-kind friends—like brothers.”

[…Brothers? Then I’m the older one? We’re both kids the butler raises?]

“Of course you’re both my children. Want to be the big brother? Big brothers protect their younger siblings. Can you do that?”

[Yes! I’m Big Brother Dough! I’ll protect him!]

“Good. And when Jaehee grows up, he’ll protect you too. You’ll take care of each other.”

[…A caring bond.]

Won Iheun lifted Pepper by the scruff and smiled brightly.

“I sincerely hope both of you grow up fast and gain independence from this man.”

He placed the cat back on the cushion.

“Isn’t it too early to talk about independence? He hasn’t even started elementary school.”

The word alone made Yeongung gloomy. Iheun wrapped an arm around his waist.

“I want to monopolize everything about Hunter Yeongung. You should give up already. My jealousy won’t fade even when I’m a white-bearded old man.”

With his vampire-like beauty, the man was already imagining their old age together.

White-haired Won Iheun was hard to picture—but a dignified, mature version came easily to mind. Unfortunately, so did a very inappropriate image, which made Yeongung flush.

“You were thinking something dirty.”

“…No I wasn’t. Go away.”

“Definitely were.”

Iheun toyed with Yeongung’s flushed cheek.

“Don’t just think it. Let’s actually do something dirty.”

He had Yeongung pinned on the sofa in an instant. Just as he started pulling at Yeongung’s pants—

“Kyaaak!”

Pepper lunged forward, claws out, mistaking the scene for an attack.

“Pepper!”

Yeongung hastily dressed and soothed the cat.

“Maybe you’re sensitive because you’re hungry? You can’t just eat regular cat food… What do magical cats even eat?”

With yet another interruption, Iheun stared hollowly at his omega.

“Between Pepper and me, who’s more important?”

“Pepper.”

Yeongung answered instantly and vanished into the bedroom with the cat. Left alone, Won Iheun drowned his sorrow in a late-night aglio e olio piled high with black pepper.

“Dad. Food.”

Yeongung fed Jaehee another spoonful. With help from Dr. Richmond and Bertrand, Jaehee was growing rapidly.

Today’s meal was beef-enoki-mallow soup, mixed rice, mountain herbs, tofu, and carrots. Iheun personally managed Jaehee’s diet—balanced nutrition, mild seasoning, no picky eating. Thankfully, Jaehee ate well.

“Baby. Meat.”

“Yes—beef! Our prince’s favorite.”

Yeongung glanced at Pepper sprawled weakly on the sofa.

“It won’t eat monster feed either. What do I feed you…?”

It had been three days since bringing Pepper home. The kitten only drank water, refusing everything else—monster feed, processed prey, even frozen mice.

Just then, Jaehee finished eating and spotted Pepper.

“Meow!”

[Dough, go away. I don’t have energy to play today.]

The cat gently pushed the toddler away with a paw.

“Pepper, do you really not remember what you used to eat?”

[No. Mom chewed it for me and fed me, so I don’t know what it was.]

Yeongung’s expression hardened. A contractor who forced obedience like that… the relationship had been twisted from the start.