Chapter 100 – Hee-na’s Resolution

“Um… Well, I thought about a lot of things after being kidnapped this time.”

“What kind of thoughts did you have?”

“The thought that my life was never ordinary to begin with. That is… the thought that I have put a lot of effort into living an ordinary life?”

That was true. Originally, Hee-na’s life was not completely ordinary either.

On the contrary, because she did not enjoy an ‘ideally happy and ordinary life,’ she had been living so toughly.

In a way, it could be seen as having lived walking a tightrope within an unstable reality.

“May I ask in detail what you mean by that?”

“Meanwhile, I’ve worked hard to live normally and happily. In the past, I worked hard to earn money and live like others.”

Hee-na recalled her past life of working hard to earn money. Living expenses were tight, and owning a home was far, far away.

“…Of course, the situation has changed now. My circumstances are much more affluent, and I have awakened a special ability. To live the ‘ordinary life’ I want, a different kind of effort than before has become necessary.”

Therefore, Hee-na hid her ability and rejected Kang Jin-hyun’s proposal.

“What I felt this time is that no matter how much the Blue Dragon Guild protects us, my ability can be exposed in some way.”

This time too, rumors leaked from a completely unexpected place, and because of that, Hee-na was put in danger.

Hee-na thought for a long time after escaping from Won Deok-sam.

‘What should I do if this kind of thing happens often in the future?’

The conclusion was one.

“What my brother and I need is power and authority. We can no longer just avoid and hide.”

Power was needed. Sufficient power to overcome a crisis when faced with danger!

“I think we need to prepare items to protect ourselves. When I was kidnapped, I felt truly helpless. And I want to make as many people I can ask for help as possible. I don’t want to stamp my feet while waiting only for you, Jin-hyun, or Min-ah Eonni like this time.”

If she worked like an ant in the past to live ordinarily, now she had to build up strength.

Hee-na clenched her fist tightly.

“I hate being flustered when placed in a situation where I can’t do anything. I want to become a person who obtains information first, gains power, and can handle problems leisurely. That way, I can live the life I want.”

Clap, clap, clap!

Hee-won, who was listening beside her, applauded Hee-na’s resolution.

“I don’t know whose sister you are, but you are indeed sharp!”

He also agreed with Hee-na’s opinion.

Getting entangled with special people naturally caused complicated matters, and Hee-na and Hee-won had already stepped into such a world.

The siblings had to learn how to live while entangled with them. They could not be dragged along by the billowing waves forever.

“…Is that so? You want the power to protect your family, Hee-na.”

Kang Jin-hyun quickly understood Hee-na’s intention. Then he lowered his eyelashes.

“I hate to admit it, but it is true. It would be nice if I could become your sole shield and sword, Hee-na, but that would just be my greed.”

“You can’t always stay by my side, Jin-hyun.”

“That…”

Finally, with a sigh, he looked at Hee-na.

“If you wish to obtain the power to protect yourself, Hee-na… I understand.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Hee-na smiled softly.

“My head was complicated in many ways, but after sharing it like this, my thoughts are sorted out. I’m glad you asked, Jin-hyun. Otherwise, I might have spent the whole night worrying, ‘Did I make a hasty choice?'”

“Not at all.”

Kang Jin-hyun nodded quietly, and Hee-won patted Hee-na’s shoulder.

“My sister, you must have worried to the point of losing hair. Good job.”

Valiant Landlord!

Osaek-i also crawled over slowly and supported Hee-na, who had made a big decision.

‘To protect ordinary daily life, to protect myself and my family, I need power.’

Hee-na made a firm resolution in her heart. That she would no longer let this peace be disturbed.

“…So that’s why I’m asking, Jin-hyun.”

“Yes, Hee-na.”

Hee-na looked down at her hand covering the back of Kang Jin-hyun’s hand.

His hand looked ridiculously large and sturdy compared to hers. It was a strong and reliable hand.

“Speak.”

His gaze was warm enough to make her want to lean on him endlessly.

Empowered by his kindness, Hee-na opened her mouth very carefully.

“If your proposal back then is still valid… would you stay at our house longer? At-At least until we build up enough strength.”

Her earlobes flushed red.

It was only permitting what Kang Jin-hyun had requested first, but she didn’t know why she was this embarrassed.

At that proposal, Kang Jin-hyun’s face brightened.

“It is valid. If you permit, Hee-na, anytime!”

He smiled brightly like a child who received a huge birthday present. It was a broad smile from Jin-hyun that Hee-na was seeing for the first time.

Hee-na giggled toward him. Along with relief, a strange excitement welled up.

“Then Jin-hyun. I look forward to working with you.”

* * *

As soon as she entered the Blue Dragon Guild lobby after finishing her few days of vacation, all eyes gathered on her.

The Hunters who were loitering in the lobby clung tight to Hee-na like iron filings to a magnet.

“Long time no see! You don’t know how much I waited for you to come to work, Hee-na!”

“That guy Ki-hwan went on a dungeon raid yesterday crying while waiting for you.”

They each welcomed Hee-na and delivered someone’s news. Meanwhile, they whispered loudly as if wanting her to hear.

“Will we be able to eat Hee-na’s food around today or tomorrow?”

“Hunter Kang has returned, so might she not cook because she’s busy?”

“Damn it. Why did Kang Jin-hyun return so quickly? Tell him to do the dungeon rotation quickly!”

Wishing Kang Jin-hyun weren’t here, their inner thoughts were not just explicit but transparent.

Indeed. Everyone was burning with anxiety because they wanted to eat the food Hee-na had promised.

‘It makes sense.’

Since she promised to make something delicious and then suddenly took a whole vacation. Everyone ended up like a dog staring at a chicken coop.

Hee-na briefed today’s schedule while pushing through the Hunters gathered in crowds around her.

“I’m sorry. I promised to cook food last week, but a family emergency suddenly arose, so I took a long vacation.”

“We waited with our necks craned!”

“Instead, I’m going to make curry for lunch today. I think you can come to the Hunter lounge around… 2 o’clock.”

“Yahoo! Hit the jackpot!”

“Curry! Curry! Curry!”

Hearing Hee-na’s menu, all the Hunters began shouting ‘Curry’ in unison. The spacious lobby rang loudly with the Hunters’ voices.

Fortunately, as if the Hunters’ fussy behavior was not a new thing, the front desk employees showed absolutely no interest in them.

Hee-na barely made it through the cheering Hunters. Thanks to that, she looked half out of her mind when she arrived at the office.

“Goodness. What a fuss.”

With a sigh, she placed her bag on the desk and quickly equipped her apron and hairband. The equipment buff message popped up before her eyes and then disappeared.

“I did request a large pot… I wonder if it arrived properly?”

As soon as she passed through the entrance leading to the kitchen and dining room, she saw a large pot and a large commercial gas stove. It was more professional than she thought.

‘I did request facilities capable of cooking multiple portions, but I never expected them to prepare it to this extent.’

Hee-na fiddled with the new equipment. They looked sturdy and solid.

After examining the new utensils for a moment, Hee-na checked the clock and clapped her hands. It was already almost 10 AM.

“Now, I must make curry!”

The ingredients were stacked box by box in a corner of the kitchen. These were also ingredients she had requested and received from the company.

Hee-na pouted her lips and checked the state of the ingredients.

‘Originally, I wanted to go grocery shopping directly myself…’

Hee-na, who enjoyed grocery shopping, tended to buy ingredients and cook directly herself. However, she couldn’t do that because she faced an unexpected situation while grocery shopping last time.

‘I got kidnapped by Won Deok-sam while grocery shopping.’

Hee-na recalled the event that felt like the distant past.

‘All kinds of things happened in the meantime.’

Many things occurred within less than a single week.

Kidnapping, escape, blackmail, deal, and so on…

‘Anyway, it’s a relief that it was resolved well.’

Won Deok-sam was released from Hee-na’s house last night. It was thanks to the matter being resolved completely and cleanly when Kang Jin-hyun arrived.

Before leaving Hee-na’s ‘Home Sweet Home,’ he visited the restroom and enjoyed the performance of the A-rank bidet to his heart’s content until the very end.

Won Deok-sam said his goodbyes with a refreshed expression, although his face, beaten by Baduk-i, was still mottled.

‘Thank you for sparing my life. And also for treating me like a human being. I will make sure to keep the promise. There won’t be any danger for the two of you.’

Meanwhile, he flattered her by asking if he could occasionally visit Hee-na to make use of the restroom.

‘Sure. Call me first before visiting. Don’t show up suddenly like last time.’

Hee-na willingly nodded.

Of course, Won Deok-sam’s first impression was terrible, but that didn’t mean she had to maintain a hostile relationship with him.

If that opponent was a competent information broker, it was even more so.

“Let’s think of it as a blessing in disguise.”

Hee-na murmured four-character idioms like ‘blessing in disguise’ and ‘the silver lining’ while prepping the potatoes, carrots, and onions.

Thanks to the equipment buff, her speed was very fast.

The hand-taste skill was also naturally manifested. Hee-na’s hands began to move quickly.

The Homemaker of the Dungeon