Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 152

In the conference room at Seoul City Hall’s Fissure Management Division, two men sat across from each other, filling out a contract. One was Cheol-Soo, and the other was Yang Seung-Ho, a B-rank Hunter, soon to be a newly signed Hunter of Seoul City.

“Alright, please sign here...” Cheol-Soo said, grinning so widely it stretched from ear to ear. It was obvious to anyone that he was in a fantastic mood.

Even after returning from a two-year break, Seung-Ho remained a B-rank Hunter. Formerly a member of the Mejai Guild, Seung-Ho accepted a suggestion from Guild Master Dong-Hyun to work at Seoul City Hall for a while to ease back into things and decided to sign the contract.

At first, he wondered if his Guild Master had lost his mind, but the idea of working only once a week, or even once a month, to assist with Fissure exploration was surprisingly appealing. Having the city handle the sale of monster by-products instead of dealing with a management company on his own was an additional perk.

He signed his name at the bottom of the contract, which would be valid for three months. Normally, it would be for a year, but he had no intention of staying that long.

“Well then, I look forward to working with you over the next three months, Hunter Yang!” Cheol-Soo said happily.

“Yeah, me too,” Seung-Ho replied half-heartedly.

The civil servant before him was working hard to please him in every possible way. Seung-Ho found this sight all too familiar. In Korean society, a B-rank Hunter’s status was sufficient to overwhelm a mere government employee.

***

The sound of a soda can opening echoed on the rooftop of Seoul City Hall, where Seung-Ho and Dong-Hyun stood. The midsummer heat was in full force, and sweat was already trickling down their faces.

“You made the right choice. Being a contract Hunter isn’t all that bad, especially for someone who’s coming back after a break like you.” Dong-Hyun exhaled cigarette smoke as he spoke.

Initially, he had reluctantly signed a contract with Seoul City Hall under orders from the Hunter’s Bureau Chief. However, with decent pay, low work intensity, and ownership of by-products going to the Hunter, he discovered it wasn’t as bad as he had expected.

“But Dong-Hyun, it sort of makes sense for someone like me to sign a contract with Seoul City Hall, but you’re an active Hunter. I heard the news—didn’t you take down the boss in the Dark Ogre’s Swamp back in February? I know it’s been a while, but you were a superstar back then,” Seung-Ho asked curiously.

Dong-Hyun flicked the ash from his cigarette into an ashtray, lost in thought. It was just a memory now, but it had been a matter of life or death back then. If it hadn’t been for the mysterious masked Hunter named Kim Hyun-Woo, they would have been wiped out.

“Forget it. Just focus on getting back into the swing of things. You’re rejoining our guild, right?” Dong-Hyun said.

“Yes, you’ll let me back in, won’t you?”

“This guy...”

“Hehe.”

Dong-Hyun tapped his cigarette filter into the ashtray before lighting a new one.

After exhaling the smoke, he took a sip of iced coffee and spoke, “There’s one thing you need to know. There’s a supervisor named Lee Do-Jun in the Fissure Exploration Unit.”

“A supervisor? Come on, Dong-Hyun, why does it feel like you’re speaking with respect for him? Just call him a civil servant.”

With a sigh, Dong-Hyun asked, “You know Bureau Chief Jung?”

Why was the Chief of the Hunter’s Bureau being brought up? If someone were a Hunter in Korea and didn’t know who Jung Young-Chul was, they might as well be a spy. Young-Chul, a figure as powerful as the president—or perhaps even more so—was the ultimate authority in the Hunter world, and Korea’s top S-rank Hunters moved at his command.

“Bureau Chief told me this word for word: ‘If you ever inconvenience Supervisor Lee Do-Jun, I won’t let it slide.’”

Seung-Ho spat out his soda in shock. “W-what? Come on. Even a five-year-old wouldn’t believe that. Isn’t Lee Do-Jun just some guy sitting at the bottom rung of the Fissure Exploration Unit? Are you saying the Bureau Chief has his back?”

“It’s not just ‘having his back,’ idiot. It’s... something bigger. He feels superior. Just don’t annoy him. If you stay on his good side, he won’t bother you. He’s very rational.”

At that moment, Seung-Ho’s phone rang, and he answered right away.

“Hello?”

—Is this Hunter Yang Seung-Ho?

“Yes, who’s this?”

—This is Lee Do-Jun from the Fissure Exploration Unit. I have something to discuss. Could you stop by the office?

“I’m talking with Hunter Han right now.”

—Then please come by after you finish.

“Sure, sure.” Seung-Ho hung up and slid his phone back into his pocket.

“Who was that?” Dong-Hyun asked, dumbfounded.

“Actually, that was Lee Do-Jun. He wants me to come to the office.”

“Why are you still here...? Get going!”

“I told him I’d come after we’re done talking.”

Dong-Hyun dragged his hand down his face in exasperation, muffling some of his words. “...your ass down there.”

“Sorry?”

“Get your ass down there, now!” Dong-Hyun shouted.

“W-what? Just who is this Lee Do-Jun guy?”

Realizing that Dong-Hyun was genuinely angry, Seung-Ho awkwardly bowed and dashed for the emergency stairs. Left alone on the rooftop, Dong-Hyun recalled the Comprehensive Fissure Survey session where S-rank Hunters sat in disciplined silence, attentively listening to Do-Jun speak.

Dong-Hyun muttered to himself, “That’s what I want to know, too...”

***

The door to the Fissure Management Division’s office swung open with a bang as Seung-Ho burst in, panting heavily.

Seeing Seung-Ho struggling to catch his breath, Do-Jun smiled faintly and said, “Looks like your conversation ended quickly.”

“Ah... yes... we wrapped it up,” Seung-Ho replied, still panting.

“You’re sweating a lot. Would you like some cold tea?”

“N-no, I’m fine, thank you.”

“Hmm, alright, then. Let’s head to the conference room. This might take a while.”

Do-Jun picked up his notebook and SpacePad and led the way.

Once they were seated in the conference room, Do-Jun began evaluating the new Hunter’s profile and identifying any potential challenges that might arise while performing the job. Even though it was only a three-month contract, he was being paid, so Do-Jun needed to ensure the work would be completed effectively. Seung-Ho was no exception to this process.

He asked, “Hunter Yang Seung-Ho, I heard you’re personally acquainted with Hunter Han Dong-Hyun. You were in the same guild two years ago, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

Seung-Ho felt a bit stiff, and it wasn’t just because Dong-Hyun had been pressuring him. Sitting face-to-face with Do-Jun, he experienced an overwhelming sense of intimidation. It was as if he were standing before a towering mountain, making him feel small.

“I understand you left the work two years ago due to an injury and recently returned.”

“Yes. I completed my rehabilitation three months ago.”

“Are you ready for field deployment? For instance, if you were sent to a B-rank Great Fissure, would you be able to handle combat without issues?”

“I’m fine now.”

Do-Jun handed Seung-Ho a document containing information about a newly discovered C-rank Fissure at Oksu Station.

“What’s this?” asked Seung-Ho, having never seen such a document.

“It’s the Fissure we’ll be exploring together tomorrow. It’s not open to the public yet and is currently under restricted access.”

“Tomorrow...?”

“Do you have other plans?”

“N-no, nothing like that.”

It was sudden. Starting work the day after signing the contract? It didn’t quite match what Dong-Hyun had told him about the job. Still, there was no reason to refuse. If anything, it was an opportunity. After all, he had come here to prepare for his return to the Hunter society.

“But, Supervisor Lee... It’s just that...”

“Yes? Go ahead.”

Seung-Ho glanced at the calendar on the wall and said, “Tomorrow is... the weekend.”

Do-Jun smiled faintly. “Weekend pay is 1.5 times the usual rate.”

***

At 8 AM the next morning, Seung-Ho was already at Oksu Station, bright and early, standing next to his old suit-case. Unlike the latest models, this one was bulky and clunky, made from the exoskeleton of the B-rank monster “Iron Scorpion.” It was a suit he had once relied on in countless battles.

Although he was supposed to meet Do-Jun at 8:30 AM, he had arrived half an hour early.

Hoo, I’m nervous.

Even though it was only a C-rank Fissure, this was his first battle in two years. His skills had likely grown rusty. He slapped his cheeks with both hands to snap himself out of it.

That’s when he heard someone say, “You’re here early, Hunter Yang.”

“Whoa!” Startled by the voice behind him, Seung-Ho spun around to see who it was and found himself face to face with Do-Jun.

“Is that your suit?” Do-Jun asked him.

It was a PPR-type model that had been popular two years ago. Although now discontinued, it was widely used at the time. Not that the PPR model was bad—it was just out of style, like every trend that comes and goes.

“Yes.”

Seung-Ho pulled a red orb, about the size of a billiard ball, out of the case. He pressed it against his chest, and the orb expanded, wrapping around his entire body. He checked his combat belt, mana gun, and combat support artifacts.

One item stood out to Do-Jun—a curved blade, wrapped securely in bandages, likely for safety reasons.

A scimitar? he thought.

“Shall we head in?” Do-Jun asked, pulling out his SpacePad, while Seung-Ho, standing at the shimmering entrance to the C-rank Fissure, swallowed nervously.

However, the once-stable Fissure suddenly rippled violently, its colors shifting rapidly before glowing brilliantly. Then, a siren blared in the distance.

***

It was an unexpected turn of events.

The Fissure at Oksu Station had been a mere C-rank moment ago. Yet, within seconds, its wave levels spiked uncontrollably, stabilizing at 7,900. In the Fissure Control Room of the Hunter’s Bureau, Young-Chul urgently issued a summons for S-rank Hunters. If a boss monster existed, they needed to enter the Fissure before a breakout occurred.

7,900... This is the highest level we’ve ever recorded.

Previously, the S-rank Fissure at Umyeonsan Mountain had a wave level of 4,800. The S-rank Hunters who had dealt with that Fissure admitted they could not have handled the boss monster on their own. Young-Chul clenched his fists tightly and called Do-Jun, praying he would answer immediately.

***

The evacuation broadcast blared through the speakers.

⌜Dear citizens, this is the Hunter’s Bureau Fissure Control Room. A state of emergency has been declared due to the confirmed presence of an S-rank Fissure at Oksu Station. Please stop what you are doing and...⌟

Do-Jun’s smartphone buzzed, and he pulled it out to see that the call was from Young-Chul. The reason for the call was obvious.

—Supervisor Lee, I apologize for calling so early in the morning, but the situation is extremely urgent, and I had no choice but to reach out. A Great Fissure with a wave level nearing 7,900 has appeared at Oksu Station. Its rating is, of course, S-rank. I’ve already summoned the S-rank Hunters.

Through the receiver, Young-Chul’s voice sounded calm, yet Do-Jun could detect the tremor in his voice by listening closely.

“There’s no need to summon anyone,” Do-Jun said.

—Sorry? What do you mean?

“I can handle this alone.”

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦