The afternoon sun slipped lazily through the curtains.
Kang Woo sat on the balcony floor, sipping cold barley tea. A small spirit beast — one he summoned for pest control — was chasing flies near the railing.
Ji Hoon sat beside him, rubbing sore shoulders from that morning's death training.
There was silence for a bit.
Then—
> "Hey, Dad."
> "Mm?"
> "Why don't you… become a Hunter?"
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow without looking at him.
> "Why?"
> "I mean, c'mon. You're like... broken. You could probably solo an entire raid."
Kang Woo smirked, sipping again.
> "And what exactly would I get from that?"
Ji Hoon scratched the back of his head.
> "Well... money. Lots of it. Fame. A private mansion. Fans. Cool sunglasses. Better tea."
Kang Woo gave him a flat look.
> "...You had me at tea."
They both chuckled.
But Ji Hoon leaned in a little more seriously now.
> "Also… y'know who the current Hunter Association chairman is?"
Kang Woo glanced at him.
> "Who?"
> "Uncle Min Seok."
Kang Woo froze mid-sip.
> "...That brat Min Seok?"
> "Yup."
> "The one who cried because a chicken pecked his foot?"
> "Yep. He's the top dog now."
Kang Woo blinked a few times.
> "You've got to be kidding me."
> "Nope. He's the one who gave me and Min Seo our licenses. He was in the hospital room every week checking on you."
Kang Woo stared at his teacup like it betrayed him.
> "Min Seok's in charge of Earth's Hunter system…? That explains why everything's still standing."
---
Ji Hoon leaned in closer
> "Dad, listen. He'd love to have you join. Even unofficially."
> "With your power, you could probably become a global SSS-rank overnight."
> "You could protect people. Or crush anyone who threatens us again."
Kang Woo didn't answer immediately.
He stared up at the sky.
A bird flew across the clouds — and for a second, he thought of the endless skies of Murim, where he flew as a monster, then a god, then something worse.
> "I've had enough of war…"
> "But if it means keeping this peace… this home… I'll consider it."
Ji Hoon grinned.
> "You saying that is already terrifying."
After dinner, Kang Woo stood in front of the mirror, buttoning up a crisp shirt.
Min Seo passed by and blinked.
> "Wait… are you dressing up?"
> "I'm going to meet someone."
Ji Hoon leaned over the couch.
> "Are you gonna tell Uncle Min Seok who you are?"
Kang Woo shook his head.
> "No."
> "Not yet."
> "I want to see his face first. That reaction—priceless."
Min Seo rolled her eyes.
> "You're more childish than your son."
Kang Woo flashed a proud grin.
> "Well, I am his dad."
---
Two Hours Later — Hunter Association HQ
The sleek marble floors gleamed.
Kang Woo stepped through the grand entrance of the Korean Hunter Association building, hands in his pockets, looking wildly underdressed compared to the suit-clad agents walking by.
He strode confidently up to the front reception desk.
Behind it stood a well-dressed, stern-looking woman with icy blue eyes and perfect posture.
> "Welcome to the Korean Hunter Association. Do you have an appointment?"
> "Not really. Just tell your boss the Demon of Murim's here to slap him back to his senses."
She blinked. Once.
Then slowly reached under the desk — probably for an emergency button.
> "...Sir, are you mentally stable—"
Just then, Ji Hoon rushed in, panting.
> "Ah—hey, Claire-ssi!"
> "It's fine! He's with me. He's my father."
The receptionist blinked again.
> "Wait... this is your father?!"
Ji Hoon nodded.
Kang Woo just gave her a toothy grin.
> "That's me. The disaster dad himself."
---
Top Floor — Chairman's Office
Without knocking, Kang Woo kicked the door open.
Inside, Min Seok — mid-sip of his fancy herbal tea — looked up.
Their eyes met.
> "Hey. Crybaby. How're ya?"
Min Seok choked violently.
> "PFFFFGHK—!"
Tea shot from his nose.
> "K-Kang… Kang WOO?!"
Kang Woo walked in, arms wide open like a thug reunion.
> "Long time no see, brat."
Min Seok stood frozen, face pale.
> "You were—dead! You were in a coma! You… you…"
Kang Woo casually sat down in his chair.
> "Turns out I went on a 1000-year soul vacation to a place with no plumbing."
> "You're welcome for surviving."
Min Seok stared at him like he was hallucinating.
Then, without a word…
> He burst into tears.
> "YOU BASTARD—!!"
And tackled Kang Woo into the chair in a teary hug.