The night's conversation had left the Lee family with a decision that felt both practical and hopeful. Though his parents had accepted Seong-jun's help, his father made it clear he would not abandon his own sense of responsibility. He promised to continue working until he truly found something better for their future. It was not the answer Seong-jun had hoped for, but it was a compromise, one born from pride and love.
More importantly, the family agreed on one step forward—they would move. Their current home, pressed against the borders of Gangseo-gu's safe zone, had always been dangerous. For years, they lived with unease, knowing that monster incursions were never far away. Though luck had protected them so far, the risk was undeniable. With Seong-jun's earnings, relocation was no longer a dream but a necessity.
As he listened, Seong-jun's heart grew lighter. Piece by piece, he could change their lives, shaping a safer and brighter future. This was only the beginning. After the hardships of the Thousand Continents, he had vowed that his family would taste joy without restraint.
Meanwhile, at the Hunter Association headquarters, Jo Kang-hyun, head of the Returnee Management Team, was buried under endless work. Incidents involving returnees piled high every day. Some were small disturbances—returnees demanding to be treated as nobles or warriors. Others were outrageous—an S-rank returnee even declared his intent to found a city of his own. To modern society, such demands sounded absurd, yet to those who had lived in other worlds, they felt natural.
Eighteen years of service had dulled Jo Kang-hyun's shock. He had seen every kind of arrogance, folly, and stubbornness returnees could bring. But one man stood apart—Lee Seong-jun. Unlike others, Seong-jun adapted to modern life with ease. He neither flaunted his past glories nor made impossible demands. His strength was unquestionable, yet he acted with reason. To Jo Kang-hyun, Seong-jun was not only admirable but a blessing.
His successful recruitment of Seong-jun had already earned him recognition, a commendation, and even whispers of promotion. For the first time in years, he could see a clear path forward for his own career. Yet that day, his old friend Han Seok-gyu, leader of Gate Management Team 1, called with a desperate request.
One of the teams had failed to manage a gate due to heavy injuries. A D-class gate in Gangseo-gu needed urgent attention, and no one else would accept. Jo Kang-hyun sighed but already had a solution in mind. By contract, Seong-jun was to clear one gate for the Association each month. Though only a week had passed since signing, this was a chance to fulfill that condition with minimal risk.
The gate itself seemed safe. It was a desert-type field crawling with Sandthorn Man-Eating Flowers, weak among D-class monsters. The only drawback was poor experience gain, which made it unpopular with Hunters. For Seong-jun, however, it would be little more than practice.
With a quick message, the matter was settled. Seong-jun agreed without hesitation. Jo Kang-hyun smiled, relief washing over him. Once again, the returnee had proven dependable.
The following day, Seong-jun arrived at the designated site. The once-busy street was deserted, the air thick with a faint crimson current that pulsed from the gate. Soldiers held their posts grimly, keeping civilians away from the ominous hum that surrounded the portal.
As Seong-jun stepped from his taxi, an Association staff member rushed to greet him. The man introduced himself as Ha Min-jae of Gate Management Team 4. His voice carried genuine respect, not the empty politeness of duty. It was rare for Hunters to inspire such trust, but Seong-jun's reputation had already spread.
With a nod, Seong-jun made his way forward. The soldiers at the gate parted, opening a path for him toward the swirling desert portal. Another hunt awaited, yet his mind was calm. This was merely another step, one among many, in the life he was building for his family.