Chapter 11
“Mom.”
I called her again, trying once more to persuade her.
She sighed, setting down her chopsticks.
“I was wondering why you were suddenly so polite. So this is what you wanted to say, huh?”
Her voice was heavy.
“Eat first. The food will get cold.”
Dinner was silent.
Normally, my mother’s cooking tasted incredible.
Tonight, though?
I couldn’t enjoy it.
Not when the atmosphere felt like a battlefield.
After dinner, I pressed the issue again.
But she wouldn’t budge.
No matter how much I tried to convince her—
Her decision was final.
It was clear this wasn’t going to be solved in a day.
I’d have to chip away at her resolve over time.
For now, I watched her peel fruit for me, looking around the house.
Everything was old.
The furniture, the appliances—
It was nostalgic.
Comforting.
But honestly?
It was falling apart.
“Mom, at least let’s replace the fridge. It’s been making that buzzing noise for years.”
She shook her head.
“It still works. Why waste money?”
“It’s not a waste. Think of it as a date with your son—just looking around.”
At the electronics store, my mother was instantly drawn to the latest models.
“Wow… These are so spacious inside!”
She marveled at the new smart refrigerators.
I waved over a salesperson.
“Replace everything. The fridge, washer, TV, rice cooker—all of it.”
“Sir?! Right away! Thank you!”
The sales clerk bowed so deep he practically folded in half.
“Wait—what did you just do?!”
Mom smacked my back and rushed to the counter.
“Cancel the order! I don’t need any of this!”
I sighed.
Before she could argue any further, I picked her up—
And carried her out of the store.
“W-What? How are you so strong?!”
“If you don’t accept this, I’m buying you a new house instead.”
She gasped.
“Threatening your own mother?!”
But she sighed in defeat.
“…Fine.”
Victory.
For now.
Back home, we took a walk around the neighborhood.
Watched TV together.
Before leaving, I slipped an envelope of cash into her closet.
I wasn’t giving up.
Bit by bit, I’d keep persuading her.
One year.
That’s how long I gave myself to convince her to move.
“Mom, I’ll visit again soon.”
“Already leaving?”
She looked disappointed.
“Be careful, okay? And no reckless fighting.”
Her words weighed on me.
But I had things to do.
I needed my own place.
Somewhere I could train freely.
Somewhere isolated.
A house far from neighbors, where no one would see what I was doing.
I headed to Hanam City.
It had survived longer than most areas in my past life.
A strategic location.
Perfect for my needs.
I met with a real estate agent and scouted properties.
Then—
I found it.
A large plot of land with an old but sturdy house.
It needed repairs, but that wasn’t a problem.
“Everything past this line is included. Even that mountain back there.”
Perfect.
“Let’s sign the contract.”
I didn’t have enough cash to buy it outright—
So I paid half upfront and took a loan for the rest.
The paperwork took all day.
By the time I was finished, the sun was already setting.
But there was still one last thing I needed.
A vehicle.
I headed straight to the dealership.
“Welcome, sir—oh.”
The salesman visibly deflated when he saw me.
I looked too shabby for his liking.
I ignored him.
“Pickup truck?”
“Feel free to browse.”
Without even listening, he walked away.
I smirked.
Typical.
I found another salesman and pointed.
“I’ll take that one.”
The young employee blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. That truck. Order it for me.”
“Right away, sir! Let’s get started!”
I sat down to sign the paperwork.
Then—
The first salesman returned.
“Hey, wait. I helped you first.”
He nudged the young guy aside.
“I’ll handle your purchase.”
Oh?
Now that he knew I had money, his attitude changed?
“Forget it.”
I waved him off.
“I’m buying a second car too, so I’m busy.”
The young salesman’s eyes widened.
The rude one?
His face turned pale.
I bought two cars.
One pickup truck for hunting trips.
One cheap sedan for everyday use.
No need for anything flashy.
Not yet.
I drove back to the apartment.
“Jaewon-ah~”
I called out as I entered.
“Yeah, yeah—”
He was glued to his computer.
Didn’t even look up.
“Screw that. Let’s drink.”
“What?!”
His head snapped up.
“Wait. What kind of drink?”
“Whiskey.”
“Give me ten seconds!”
While he finished his game, I ordered a ton of Chinese food.
We set up a proper drinking table.
“By the way, I’m moving out tomorrow.”
Jaewon frowned.
“Shit. I can’t afford the rent alone…”
I waved him off.
“Relax. I’ll cover my share until the lease ends.”
“You serious? Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Also—I bought a house in Hanam. Come visit sometime.”
“Fancy! To Ji-seok’s future as a badass Hunter!”
He raised his glass.
I chuckled.
“Cheers!”
The next morning—
I packed my bags and drove to my new home.
It was a mess.
Overgrown weeds.
Dust everywhere.
I spent the whole day cleaning, repairing, and setting up furniture.
When I finished—
I stood in my front yard.
The ground was covered in wild grass.
It’d need constant upkeep.
Too much hassle.
I had an idea.
I’d cover the yard with gravel—
And use the process as training.
I crouched down.
Sharpened my hand.
And stabbed the ground.
THUD.
Like plunging my fist into soft clay.
I ripped up the earth, clearing the area.
Then—
I climbed the mountain behind my house.
Found massive boulders.
And lifted them.
Hundreds of kilos.
[ Strength +1 ]
Carried them downhill.
Smashed them with my fists.
[ Strength +1 ]
[ Endurance +1 ]
I repeated this process for hours—
Until my entire yard was covered in crushed stone.
Then, I sat on the porch.
Pulled out a vial of poison.
Mixed it into my water.
Drank.
My body twitched.
Muscles stiffened.
Then—
The pain faded.
[ Poison Resistance Increasing… ]
At home, I’d train my body even while resting.
No wasted time.
Gates weren’t the only way to rank up.
There were Hunting Missions.
Monsters that escaped 18 years ago still lurked in the wild.
One mission caught my eye.
Hellhound Extermination – Next Week, Gangwon Province.
Perfect.
I signed up immediately.
A new challenge awaited.