Chapter 66: Hometown (4)

The situation ended quite quickly.

Cheol-gyu was happier than anyone to celebrate Jinwoo’s success.

How Jinwoo became an S-rank Hunter, why he hid his identity, what kind of relationship he had with the Private Hunter—Cheol-gyu didn’t ask about any of that.

He was just happy to know Jinwoo wasn’t a villain, and that he could live safely doing whatever he wanted.

“So basically, when something big happens, you handle it together with the Private Hunter, and usually, you travel around with your daughter?”

At Cheol-gyu’s question, Jinwoo nodded.

(Mara’s Returnee): That guy Cheol-gyu must really trust you. He believes everything you say and genuinely likes you without overthinking.

(Anonymous 1): Seriously, Jinwoo has great luck with people. After all, he met me! Hahaha.

Honestly, it was a difficult situation to understand.

A close hyung you hadn’t heard from suddenly appears, turns out to be an S-rank Hunter, and is friends with the Private Hunter? Who could make sense of that?

But Cheol-gyu decided to accept it. He didn’t bother with questions that might trouble Jinwoo. The only thing that mattered was that Jinwoo was happy.

Based on his experiences, there was never a good outcome from asking questions others weren’t ready to answer.

Of course, if pressed persistently, Jinwoo was the kind of person who would eventually tell you everything. Since he believed in human bonds, if you kept hanging on, he’d give in.

Knowing that, Cheol-gyu didn’t ask.

He worried that, if he ever got drunk, he might accidentally spill Jinwoo’s secrets.

“Hyung, this is great. You’re happy now, right?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“That’s a relief. Thanks for saving my life.”

“Me too. It’s so good to see you again after so long.”

The two clinked their glasses.

They shared stories about their lives.

From Cheol-gyu’s high school days to how he suddenly became a Hunter.

Jinwoo also talked about the people he’d met while traveling.

“Hyung, you met Bin Sejin?”

With Bin Sejin being such a sensation on NewTube these days, Cheol-gyu felt envious seeing that Jinwoo had a drawing from him.

Jinwoo told more stories about other people as well, and Cheol-gyu listened with great interest—from tales of spirits to various Hunters and ordinary people.

Jinwoo’s face was the same as it had been after all those years, but so much had changed. He smiled a lot more now, unlike before, when it was hard to catch him with a smile.

Cheol-gyu thought of his mother.

“My mom would’ve loved seeing you smile like this, hyung.”

“She did. I’m grateful to her.”

The reason Cheol-gyu followed Jinwoo, truthfully, was because his mother used to look after Jinwoo.

Thinking about how Jinwoo came back with a happy face, how that must have pleased his mother, and how he himself was alive thanks to Jinwoo’s return, filled Cheol-gyu’s heart.

(Mara’s Returnee): By the way, what do you think Cheol-gyu’s trait is?

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Should we guess?

(Anonymous 1): Okay, I’ll bet 200 coins on Swordsman.

(Father of Crops): 200 on Spirit Master! Jinwoo was especially bright when talking about spirits.

(Endless Waiting): I’ll put 200 on Swordsman too.

(Liberated Swordsman): In that case, I’ll cautiously put 200 on Swordsman.

(Last Smith): He seemed brightest when talking about Sangho, so 100 on Blacksmith trait.

(Deity of Blue River): Then I’ll put 200 on Mage. Mara’s Returnee, are you betting?

(Mara’s Returnee): I’ll put 2,000 coins on Mage.

(Anonymous 1): LOL, it’s a festival!

(God of Rain and Sunshine): A festival, indeed! I’ll do 100 on Swordsman!

(Father of Crops): So nobody for Spirit Master? Hehe, if all those coins come to me, I’ll have to think hard about what to do with them.

‘Can I bet too?’

(Anonymous 1): It’s a rare bet—go big.

Recently, he’d gathered elixirs and even extended his life.

Thanks to the Constellations, he’d earned a lot of coins, cleared an S-rank dungeon, met Eric, and even met Byul—all basically thanks to the Constellations.

Jinwoo was always grateful to the Constellations. In truth, he was only alive because of them.

‘I guess I should let myself lose this one.’

He thought about a trait Cheol-gyu probably wouldn’t have.

‘I’ll put 3,000 coins on Spearmaster.’

He planned to deliberately lose and give the Constellations some coins back.

(Anonymous 1): This punk… Don’t tell me…?

Since Spearmaster was an extremely rare trait, the Constellations caught onto Jinwoo’s intent.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Damn, Jinwoo! You’re really doing this for us!!

(Deity of Blue River): Truly, the heart of a descendant is vast. That’s why I like you.

(Mara’s Returnee): Now I see why you attract the attention of so many Constellations. Returning what you’ve received—what a fun way to do it.

Now it was time to reveal the results.

“Cheol-gyu, by the way, what’s your trait? I heard about your awakening, but not your trait.”

(Mara’s Returnee): If he was a sacrifice for demon summoning, it’d be a Mage trait for sure. And he’d have tons of talent.

(Anonymous 1): Whatever it is, it’s not Spearmaster, LOL. Thanks, Jinwoo.

“Spearmaster.”

“…What?”

“Spearmaster.”

“Your weapon?”

“It was at the guild… but it’s all smashed up, so I’ll have to get a new one.”

(Anonymous 1): What the hell, liar.

(Last Smith): Huff… Huff….

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Jinwoo, you crazy bastard!! Did you know this ahead of time or what?

‘…I really didn’t know, Constellations. I just chose Spearmaster to express my gratitude.’

(Anonymous 1): But he actually is a Spearmaster! What the hell are you, Jinwoo?

(Deity of Blue River): Whew, well, I received your sincerity, so I’m fine, descendant.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Sincerity? We just got our coins ripped off!

(Mara’s Returnee): …It can’t be helped. It’s a loss.

(Endless Waiting): ….

(Liberated Swordsman): I acknowledge it.

[Legendary Constellation, Mara’s Returnee has sponsored 2,000 coins!]

[Common Constellation, Father of Crops has sponsored 200 coins!]

And just like that… Jinwoo earned 3,200 coins.

(Anonymous 1): Argh! I’m pissed!

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Jinwoo, I know it’s shameless, but… can’t you give us the next tribute for free?

(Mara’s Returnee): How shameful.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Rich folks don’t understand the lives of commoners, you bastard….

After the drinking party ended, I looked up at the bright sky and entered Cheol-gyu’s house.

“You’ve been drinking until now? Get some hangover soup, then take a nap.”

The aunt had boiled bean sprout soup in anticipation of our arrival. Byul was still asleep.

“Thank you.”

“No, I’m the one who should be thankful.”

The aunt didn’t ask about anything she was curious about, just as before. Cheol-gyu would probably explain most things to her later.

Thinking so, I went into the room for a moment.

I’d earned a fair amount of coins this time, and I wanted to express my gratitude to the Constellations properly.

So I opened the system window.

(Anonymous 1): You going to give the coins back to us?

‘Not exactly.’

(Anonymous 1): …You got my hopes up.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): So how are you going to express your gratitude? I’m not as generous as Ha Baek. A few words won’t move my heart… unless you’re a woman.

(Anonymous 1): At least you’re consistent. Respect.

I checked the system’s skills.

Tribute Skill.

Since I’d used the Tribute skill many times, the experience bar was almost full, but there was still a bit to go before leveling up.

‘I only learned this last time while fiddling with the system window.’

You could make up the missing experience with coins.

For the Constellations’ streamer trait, coins were the most important thing.

So, I decided to use 2,000 of the coins I’d just earned to fill in the Tribute skill’s remaining experience.

[Congratulations! The Tribute skill has been upgraded by one level!]

(Anonymous 1): …No way?

(God of Rain and Sunshine): This madman!

With the Tribute skill upgraded, I could now use it twice a day.

That meant the Constellations no longer had to wait all day for just one meal.

‘Now I can make sure you’re fed twice a day.’

I smiled with satisfaction.

I’d unexpectedly won coins from the bet.

By using 2,000 of them to win over the Constellations’ hearts, I kept the remaining 1,200 in my wallet.

(Anonymous 1): Dae Jinwoo.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): I can’t help but worship him.

For Constellations living alone on their own stars, with nothing to enjoy but the community and watching streams, gourmet food was their only dopamine.

Now, being able to eat twice a day, how could they not be excited?

(Deity of Blue River): Now I don’t have to ration my meals anymore. What a relief.

(Mara’s Returnee): Feels good knowing my coins were put to good use. I acknowledge you, Jinwoo.

(Endless Waiting): As expected, Jinwoo.

(Liberated Swordsman): To think you’d thank us like this. Thank you, Jinwoo.

(Last Smith): You’re the best, Jinwoo.

Watching their chat, I grinned in satisfaction. I was grateful to the Constellations who understood my feelings.

“Dad!”

At that moment, Byul woke up and, surrounded by spirits, ran to hug me.

(Anonymous 1): Haha, our Byul is awake?

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Did you sleep well, Byul?

(Deity of Blue River): Did you sleep well, Byul?

“Hello!”

― BEEP!

― Constellations, did you rest well!

Byul greeted the chat window, and the spirits, sensing the Constellations watching them, bowed as well.

The Constellations accepted the children’s greetings warmly.

“Shall we eat, Byul?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Byul clung to the aunt like a grandmother, acting cute.

The aunt adored Byul, and in fact, this was Cheol-gyu and Byul’s first meeting.

“Wow… Jinwoo-hyung, you had such a pretty daughter and never introduced her to us? That hurts a little, you know?”

“Haha, I’ll visit more often from now on.”

“You’d better! Byul, come here and let uncle give you a hug!”

“Hehe, okay!”

Wherever she went, Byul got along well with people and adapted easily, even to someone with Cheol-gyu’s intimidating looks.

“So cute, so cute!”

Despite his scary appearance, Cheol-gyu doted on Byul.

Byul seemed to like Cheol-gyu and acted even cuter, making the Constellations envy Cheol-gyu for receiving her affection.

(Anonymous 1): Pay more taxes, Cheol-gyu.

(Deity of Blue River): I’m jealous, truly jealous.

While Cheol-gyu and Byul chatted away and the summons who came out late were also getting Cheol-gyu’s attention—

“Everyone, come to the kitchen!”

The aunt finished setting out bean sprout soup, rice, and various side dishes, and called us over.

“Wow—it looks so delicious. Thank you for the meal.”

“Hehe, thank you for the meal!”

“Mom, I’ll eat well.”

“Everyone, eat up. Cheol-gyu, Jinwoo, eat and then rest a bit.”

“Thank you, as always.”

I scooped a big spoonful of rice into my bean sprout soup.

As soon as it entered my mouth, the refreshing crunchiness of the bean sprouts greeted me.

The cool and warm broth instantly cleared my foggy, drunken head.

“It’s so delicious, thank you.”

“Hehe, I’m glad. Eat a lot.”

“Yes, I’ll have another bowl.”

I finished two bowls and, while eating, spoke to Last Smith.

(Last Smith): Jinwoo, what is it?

‘Could you make just one spear? I’ll pay you in coins.’

(Last Smith): Instead of coins, how about five free tributes?

‘Deal.’

I commissioned Cheol-gyu’s spear from Last Smith, Yulian.