I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 56

Light and Darkness (1)

 

He really liked the new house.

It was said to be a super-luxury apartment, and as an option, most of the furniture was already installed.

Since it had originally been an empty unit, he was able to move in immediately, but there was almost nothing Kang Ian could bring from his old studio apartment.

The things he used before didn’t really fit the new house.

In terms of practicality and interior design, none of them matched.

He would have to buy new ones anyway.

Thanks to that, the move finished quickly.

In fact, he practically just had to bring himself.

There were various documents and procedures to process, but Shim Junseok said he would handle all of that.

And the first guest to visit that house was his younger sister, Kang Isol.

 

***

 

“Welcome.”

“Wow… what is this place?”

Kang Isol blinked.

She stood there with her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

“This is your house, oppa? Really? Seriously???”

“Yeah. What, do you think I called you to someone else’s house?”

“No… I seriously can’t believe this…”

Kang Isol hurried into the living room.

When she saw the view of the Han River outside the window, she covered her mouth.

“Wow…”

It was a view of the Han River like something out of a painting.

“Seriously amazing…”

Kang Ian felt oddly proud.

They weren’t an extremely close pair of siblings, but still… they were family.

Being acknowledged by family felt surprisingly good.

‘I should bring Mom and Dad here later.’

No… he should just buy them a house too.

Of course, that would be after he paid off most of the 7-billion-won debt, but…

If he could, he wanted to be a good son.

Kang Isol kept staring at the river for a long time.

At first, he understood, but even with someone behind her, she kept staring outside.

As the silence dragged on, Kang Ian casually started a conversation.

“How’s studying these days?”

“The same as always. My wish is just to get a proper night’s sleep.”

The moment studying was mentioned, Kang Isol let out a long sigh.

“Wait a second. This isn’t the time for you to ask about my studies.”

“Then?”

“I should be asking you! What the heck is going on? You’re on the news and everything… When did you awaken?”

“Hmm. Not that long ago.”

“Then what about all this stuff about you being a hero? Explain properly.”

Seeing her impatient questions, Kang Ian began explaining step by step.

He told her that he had awakened only recently, but his ability and luck had been better than expected.

And that he had grown quickly based on that and reached where he is now.

“Honestly, the media calling me a savior or hero feels like they’ve forced that image on me. I didn’t really do anything that heroic… it just kind of turned out that way.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Hm?”

“Sure, it might be exaggerated, but you were always kind, oppa.”

They had lived together for over twenty years.

She knew him well.

Whether he was kind or not.

By that standard, Kang Ian was a kind person.

They had fought like enemies before, and they still weren’t especially close siblings, but credit where it was due.

“You’ve always had a bit of that thing… being considerate of others, wanting to help people.”

“…Me?”

“You didn’t show it openly, but you always had that kind of heart.”

“Isn’t that normal for everyone?”

Kang Ian tilted his head.

Wasn’t it natural to want to help when you saw someone pitiful?

Even just seeing a story online about abandoned animals made people want to help.

The only reason Kang Ian acted on those feelings was that he received the ‘Nobility’ reward for it.

“Thinking it is easy. Actually doing it is the hard part.”

Watching Kang Ian still not understand, Kang Isol shrugged.

“Whatever. But did you tell Mom and Dad?”

“No. Not yet.”

Kang Ian shook his head.

He hadn’t told his parents about awakening yet.

He wanted to tell them in person since they might worry, but he had been so busy with work lately that he hadn’t been able to visit home.

“Do you think they might find out accidentally as I did?”

“Hard to say. Fifty-fifty maybe. They don’t really watch the news.”

They said the news had too many negative and sensational stories, so they didn’t like watching it much.

They only occasionally checked truly important news.

And since new stories appeared every day, if they didn’t check during the few days when Kang Ian’s news was trending, they might have missed it.

Because it quickly got buried under newer news.

“But you should be careful telling them. I heard you ran into a burning apartment building and stuff. If they know that, they’ll worry a lot…”

“Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

Kang Ian was already halfway into the realm of superhuman ability, so a burning apartment wasn’t a problem for him.

It had been fine then, and it would be even more fine now.

But no matter how he explained it, his parents would still worry.

Looking globally, every month, there were news stories about hunters failing Gates and being wiped out.

What parent wouldn’t be anxious if their son had that kind of job?

“But it’s really manageable, right, oppa?”

“You’re worried about me, too?”

“What nonsense. Worry about what?”

“It’s fine. It’s less dangerous than I thought.”

“Well, if you say so.”

Kang Isol nodded.

“But seriously, oppa, you made it big. I heard hunters earn a lot, but you said you awakened not long ago… yet you bought a house like this?”

“This is all debt. My back is going to break. I have to work hard to pay off the loan.”

Kang Isol burst out laughing.

It had been a while since the siblings met, and they had plenty to talk about.

Stories about the hunter world, about medical school, and more.

As they chatted, time flew by.

Kang Isol checked the clock and jumped.

“Ah! Is it already this late? I have to go.”

“You’re leaving already?”

“I heard you’re doing well. And your house is amazing. That’s enough.”

She said as she walked to the shoe rack.

“Actually, I barely managed to come here today. I have to start studying again tomorrow, so I’m going back to prepare and maybe grab a short nap.”

“Wow, that’s tough.”

“Well, I’m the top student in medical school, you know. Later, when I start my internship, if you come to our hospital, I’ll give you VIP treatment. Actually… it’d be best if you never have a reason to come to a hospital.”

Kang Ian chuckled.

Medical students started hospital rotations in their third year, but what authority would she have then?

Besides, by that time, Kang Ian might receive VIP treatment even if he simply walked in.

It might already be similar even now.

Still, she said it because she wanted to take care of him in her own way.

Even if they weren’t that close, family was still family.

“Thanks for the thought. Here, take this.”

As he spoke, Kang Ian took out his wallet.

Kang Isol waved her hands.

“No, no. It’s okay. I have money too. Mom gives me an allowance. And I tutor sometimes.”

“That’s barely anything.”

“What are you talking about? Medical student tutoring is really expensive…”

Kang Isol stopped mid-sentence.

Because the amount of cash Kang Ian had taken out was enormous.

That thick stack.

It looked like at least hundreds of thousands.

“I pledge my loyalty, oh honorable brother!”

Her waist immediately bent at a perfect ninety-degree bow.

Kang Ian chuckled.

“Good. If you keep doing well, I’ll give you an allowance sometimes.”

“Yes!”

Kang Isol suddenly thought it might not be so bad to have a respectable older brother in the family.

 

***   

 

The next day.

Saturday.

Kang Ian woke up refreshed in his bed.

A new house.

A new bed.

The feeling was completely different from yesterday.

It felt like he could stay home all day and still be happy.

But he had an appointment today.

Kang Ian left the house and called a taxi.

‘I kind of want to buy a car soon, too.’

His first car.

In the past, he just wanted to buy a cheap domestic car once he got a job.

But now that his standards had risen, his thinking had changed.

He kind of wanted to try riding in a nice car.

Kang Ian chuckled.

‘If people knew I was thinking like this, they’d call me materialistic.’

Kang Ian knew well that the image the media portrayed of him was exaggerated.

They made him look like some kind of national hero, but he didn’t think of himself that way.

Wasn’t he just an ordinary person you could see anywhere?

If he were really such a hero, would he be thinking about wanting to drive a sports car?

Anyway.

The place the taxi brought him to was a hunter-exclusive fitness gym.

“Hyung.”

“Oh, you’re here, little brother?”

A huge, muscular man waved his hand.

A-rank hunter Taesan Kang Hoopung.

He had an appointment with him today.

More precisely, with him and his friends.

They planned to work out together first, then join his friends afterward.

“I heard you made a scene at the forum, too? These days, whenever I turn on the news, I hear your name.”

“Haha… It’s embarrassing.”

Kang Ian scratched his shoulder awkwardly.

“Alright. Let’s get started.”

“Yes!”

The two moved to a sturdy squat rack modified specifically for hunters.

Today, Kang Ian had some confidence.

The last time he defeated the Giant Mantis, he leveled up.

His physical abilities had improved another step.

And with constant requests and monster hunting, his body was developing more and more.

Hunters grew stronger endlessly the more they trained.

Kang Ian felt like he grew stronger every time he woke up.

‘At this rate, maybe I can at least keep up with hyung’s workout.’

That thought was shattered exactly ten minutes later.

“Oh? What’s this? You’ve improved a lot, little brother. Should we increase the weight today? let’s add a few more plates.”

“Ugh…!”

Since Kang Ian was keeping up fairly well, Kang Hoopung got even more excited and added more weight.

He sharply assessed Kang Ian’s limit and helped him reach exactly that level.

Minimal assistance, maximum workout.

Kang Ian was so exhausted he couldn’t even say he wanted to stop.

“Haah… haah…”

“Move aside if you’re done. My turn.”

As if he had no time to waste, Kang Hoopung stepped in and lifted more than double Kang Ian’s weight.

“Hup! Haaah!”

And it even looked easy.

So how could Kang Ian complain about being tired?

Especially with that monster performing like that beside him.

‘…I thought I’d gotten stronger lately. I should stay humble.’

The world was vast, and there were many strong people.

After finishing their workout, they took Kang Hoopung’s car to the meeting place.

His car suited his style perfectly.

A box-shaped car from a German company.

It looked like it cost several hundred million won.

‘For Hyung, that’s probably nothing.’

They drove out of the city.

Past Hanam and into an undeveloped area.

They stopped in front of a small mountain.

When they got out of the car, someone who had arrived earlier came into view.

“Hey. Muscle pig. I told you I’m busy these days, so why are you forcing me to come…”

A middle-aged man grumbled as he approached.

Seeing him, Kang Ian flinched.

And the other man did the same when their eyes met.

“Huh?”

“…Director?”

Director of the UHN Safety Council.

The mage Song Sangmin.

“…Hunter Kang Ian, why are you here?”

“…Hyung’s friend was Director Song?”

The two spoke at the same time and immediately turned to look at Kang Hoopung.

Kang Hoopung was grinning.

“Surprise!”

The huge man laughed loudly as if he found it hilarious.

“I saw in the news that you two met at the forum, right? So I kept it a secret. Surprised? Hahaha!”

“You crazy bastard…”

Song Sangmin looked dumbfounded.

“Alright, alright. Let’s stop talking here and get moving.”

Kang Hoopung wrapped one arm around Kang Ian and Song Sangmin’s shoulders and started dragging them along.