Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 43

The fresh season of spring had arrived.

At the National Hunter Academy, the fragrance of beautifully bloomed colorful flowers wafted inside the classroom of Class 1-D from the well-maintained flower beds outside the window.

The sliding door at the front of the classroom opened with a slight grating sound, and Mr. Choi Yang-Rok, who was in charge of Class 1-D, entered.

He tapped the attendance book against the podium and said, “You’ve told your parents about the class observation day in two days, right? I need to know who all can attend, so when I hand out this paper, mark if they’re not coming and pass it along.”

Choi Yang-Rok handed the paper to the student sitting in the front row. The first student marked the attendance section with a circle and passed it to the next.

Yoon-Hee bit her lip as she received the paper. She had completely forgotten to tell Do-Jun about the upcoming parent observation class.

Her pen hovered over the box that said “Not Attending” and then moved back to the “Attending” box.

What should I do...?

If she told Do-Jun, he would definitely say he’d attend without hesitation. But recently, he came home late, around 8 PM, seemingly burdened with a lot of work.

Asking him to attend the class on such short notice felt like an inconvenience. Despite knowing all that, Yoon-Hee still wanted him to be there.

The observation class was a program only for first-year students, meaning that this would be the last observation class in her school life.

Yoon-Hee let out a deep sigh.

“What are you doing? If you’re done, pass it back,” a boy sitting behind her urged.

With her eyes tightly shut, Yoon-Hee drew her circle and passed the paper behind her.

***

“Chief, this... this is a non-smoking area.”

Near the emergency stairs between the seventh and eighth floors of the office building, close to the division, Cheol-Soo was crouching in a corner with a cigarette in his trembling hand.

Watching him from the side, Do-Jun sighed and opened one of the windows to let the cigarette smoke slowly drift out.

“I mean, why are three A-rank Hunters signing with us?” Cheol-Soo asked in confusion.

“Apparently, it was the work of the Hunter’s Bureau. It seems like their Chief pulled some strings because of Do-Jun’s outstanding performance as commander-in-chief in their last operation,” Hyuk-Soo explained to him.

“And just because the Chief says so, do you really think it makes sense for the Mejai Guild to contract with our division? Hyuk-Soo, how much do we pay A-rank Hunters? Just the contract fee alone.”

“Three hundred million won. Three hundred million for anyone B-rank and above. It’s the same for A-rank and S-rank.”

It didn’t make sense.

It was already strange that the Hunter’s Bureau had granted them three B-rank Fissures, but the fact that they went as far as to secure three elite A-rank Hunters from the Mejai Guild to help Seoul City Hall fulfill those conditions?

“Something smells fishy,” Cheol-Soo muttered.

“Then put out your cigarette, Chief.”

“No, not that smell, you dummy. I’m saying something’s off. I can understand B-rank Hunters, but A-rank? And do you think those monsters will even listen to us?”

He suddenly looked up at Do-Jun and asked, “Don’t tell me... Was the Mejai Guild part of the S-rank Great Fissure raid team at Umyeonsan Mountain?”

At that, Hyuk-Soo also gave Do-Jun a puzzled look.

“No, they weren’t,” Do-Jun answered.

“Then do you know them personally?”

“I briefly greeted them once during the Hunter Festival for an autograph, but we’re not personally acquainted.”

“Ah... anyway, Do-Jun will handle the Fissure at Daehyeonsan Mountain, while Hyuk-Soo will take care of the ones near Sangmyung University and Seongbuk Park. That’s all fine. But how are you planning to split up the newly assigned A-rank Hunters?” Cheol-Soo asked them.

Do-Jun and Hyuk-Soo exchanged glances.

***

Hyuk-Soo, Do-Jun, and Ye-Ji were gathered inside the Fissure Management Division meeting room.

“I don’t need them,” Ye-Ji said as she glared at Hyuk-Soo with dissatisfaction.

Do-Jun chuckled and added, “She says she doesn’t need them, Senior.”

From the three new A-rank Hunters from the Mejai Guild, Hyuk-Soo suggested that he take charge of Dong-Hyun and Yoo Mi-Ra while Do-Jun managed Yoo Jung-Ho.

But Ye-Ji was adamantly opposed to it.

“Hunter Ye-Ji... what is the reason? Are you trying to tell me that you want two of them?” Hyuk-Soo asked with a puzzled and slightly frustrated look.

“I’m saying that I can protect Mr. Administrator myself, so there’s no need for anyone else.”

Currently, Ye-Ji was the only Hunter under Do-Jun’s care, and he was in charge of one F and C-rank Fissure each, as well as a B-rank Great Fissure.

Hyuk-Soo scratched his head, clearly troubled.

“Hunter Ye-Ji, from B-rank onwards, we’re dealing with Great Fissures. They’re on a completely different level from C-rank. We don’t know what kind of dangers might arise,” he said, observing Ye-Ji’s reaction before continuing. “This isn’t about preference; it’s a necessity. Let’s think of the worst-case scenario here. What if Do-Jun gets into trouble?”

At that, Ye-Ji recalled the time on Saturday when Do-Jun almost died due to a PK.

Truthfully, Hyuk-Soo wasn’t wrong. Her desire to monopolize Do-Jun shouldn’t put him at risk.

“Honestly, Senior, I’m fine with it. Hunter Ye-Ji has grown to the point where her skills are almost comparable to an A-rank’s. As long as we’re cautious, there shouldn’t be any danger. Besides, the B-rank Fissures we’re handling have already been mapped. As long as we do a bit of diligent maintenance work, it should be fine... Right, Hunter Ye-Ji?”

Do-Jun’s warm smile caused Ye-Ji to lower her head to hide her reddened face.

He’s spoiling her, Hyuk-Soo thought with a mental shake of his head.

At twenty-one years of age, she was still quite young, but it was time for her to grow up.

Yet, in front of Do-Jun, she still acted like a child, and that was probably because Do-Jun treated her so kindly.

“Well, if that’s what you think, Do-Jun, then let’s do that. Besides, I’ll be the one managing those three, but they’re contracted with the Fissure Management Division as a whole, so if you ever need them during patrols, feel free to take them with you.”

Do-Jun nodded at Hyuk-Soo’s conclusion.

Moments later, they heard Cheol-Soo’s loud voice coming from the office entrance. “If I knew you were coming, I would’ve come to greet you. My apologies.”

“Looks like they’re here.”

***

As Do-Jun and Hyuk-Soo walked toward the Fissure Exploration Unit, they saw Cheol-Soo bowing repeatedly, fawning over the three newly contracted Hunters.

Do-Jun and Hyuk-Soo approached the members of the Mejai Guild.

Upon noticing Do-Jun, Dong-Hyun visibly trembled before lowering his head so deeply that it almost seemed to touch the ground.

He then spoke in a small, powerful voice. “Hello, sir!”

Standing beside him, Yoo Jung-Ho and Yoo Mi-Ra also bowed their heads deeply.

The staff of the Fissure Management Division, witnessing the scene, widened their eyes in shock.

Cheol-Soo pulled Do-Jun aside and whispered, “W-what’s going on? Didn’t you say you weren’t acquainted with them?”

“It’s true. I don’t know them well.”

“Then why are they acting like that?”

“I’m not sure either...” Do-Jun said.

“Ahem, why don’t you all have a seat over there? I’ll bring out some tea,” Cheol-Soo said after clearing his throat.

The Mejai Guild members sat on the sofa as Cheol-Soo suggested.

Since the administrative staff was out for training today, Do-Jun, being the junior, went to prepare the tea in the break room.

“Ah...!”

Fidgeting nervously in his seat, Dong-Hyun suddenly stood up and rushed toward the break room where Do-Jun was making tea.

“I-I’ll make the tea! Please, let me do this much, Supervisor Lee,” Dong-Hyun pleaded anxiously.

“Huh? No, please have a seat. It wouldn’t be right to make a guest brew the tea,” Do-Jun declined his offer, puzzled.

“No! I insist! I really want to make it.”

Dong-Hyun swallowed dryly as he recalled the words of the Hunter’s Bureau Chief, Young-Chul.

“Serve him with all your heart and soul!”

According to Young-Chul, Do-Jun was the one who took down the boss monster of the S-rank Great Fissure at Umyeonsan Mountain.

He also added that though this was classified information, he was telling them for precautionary reasons, emphasizing that they should never upset Do-Jun.

“If anything goes wrong between Supervisor Lee Do-Jun and I, I’ll hold you all responsible. So, make sure you handle everything properly. Do you understand?”

Dong-Hyun trembled with the recollection.

“Hunter Dong-Hyun, I appreciate the gesture, but you’re making things difficult for me,” Do-Jun said.

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“Huh? D-difficult... What should I do then?”

“Just go have a seat. That would make things much easier,” Do-Jun said with a sigh, and only then did Dong-Hyun quickly return to his seat.

It seems Chief Jung had a word with them.

The sudden change in attitude of the Mejai Guild Hunters made it clear that Young-Chul had given them a stern disclaimer.

Soon, Do-Jun brought six cups of tea to the table, and the Hunters, sitting with their backs straight with perfect posture, bowed their heads and said in unison, “Thank you for the tea.”

Witnessing this, Cheol-Soo and Hyuk-Soo stood there with their mouths agape, staring at Do-Jun.

“Is something wrong...?” Do-Jun asked.

“Oh, n-no, everything is fine,” Hyuk-Soo replied, laughing awkwardly.

***

The signing of the Mejai Guild Hunters was completed without issues.

After having them review the contents of the contract application received from the Hunter’s Bureau, they were asked to sign the acknowledgment, “I confirm there are no objections to the contract terms.”

Despite emphasizing that, even as A-ranks, they would receive the same 300 million won compensation as B-ranks, they didn’t seem to care at all.

Do-Jun turned the first corner and came to the villa building at the intersection. Checking his watch, he saw it was almost 8 PM.

Feeling guilty that Yoon-Hee was likely waiting for him without having dinner, Do-Jun took the elevator to the third floor, unlocked the door, and entered apartment 301.

“I’m back,” he called out.

A small dragon dashed out and slammed its head onto the floor.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Master!” Yong-Yong wagged his tail as its head remained pressed to the floor.

There was only one reason for this behavior: dinner.

I guess he thinks he can’t eat until I come home.

Unless it was an unusually late night, Yoon-Hee always waited to have dinner with Do-Jun.

Naturally, Yong-Yong’s mealtime got delayed as well, which led him to eagerly wait for Do-Jun to come home in anticipation of his meal.

“Ah, you’re home? Let me take your jacket.”

“Welcome home, Master.”

Soon, Yoon-Hee and Karsiel came out to greet him at the entrance as well.

The more Do-Jun observed the two dragons, Karsiel’s personality was quite the opposite of Yong-Yong’s.

While Yong-Yong was impulsive and acted on instinct, Karsiel gave off a more mature vibe.

“Thanks.”

Do-Jun took off his jacket and handed it to Yoon-Hee, then headed into his room to grab fresh clothes before making his way to the shower.

After showering and changing into clean clothes, Do-Jun walked out to see Yoon-Hee and Yong-Yong sitting at the dining table, still waiting to have their dinner.

“You must be hungry. You should’ve started without me.”

“Are you sure that’s alright? Haha! I’ll dig in then...” Yong-Yong said, just about to start eating.

He froze as he felt Yoon-Hee’s cold gaze.

“Ahem...” Startled, Yong-Yong coughed awkwardly.

Seeing this, Do-Jun chuckled softly and sat down.

“Thanks for the meal, Yoon-Hee.”

When Do-Jun took his first spoonful of rice, Yong-Yong gave Yoon-Hee a pleading look.

She finally nodded and said, “You can eat now.”

“Huff, huff, thank you!”

Then, Do-Jun’s attention was drawn to Karsiel, who was watching TV alone, and the dog bowl filled with kibbles sitting about a meter away from the sofa.

“It’s interesting how Karsiel is so different. Is Yong-Yong the odd one here?”

Unlike Yong-Yong, Karsiel only ate the kibbles, saying it was more to her liking.

“Nope, that one’s just weird.” Yong-Yong munched happily on a piece of kimchi from his own bowl.

“I see....”

Do-Jun decided not to pursue the topic any further.

“Anyway, Yoon-Hee, do you have something to say to me?” he asked, noticing that Yoon-Hee had been staring at him for a while.

“Well, um...” Yoon-Hee fidgeted with her fingers, hesitating before asking, “Do you have time the day after tomorrow?”

“The day after tomorrow? At what time?”

“At 10 AM... I’m sure you’re busy since it’s a work day.”

“That’s fine. Why do you ask?”

Hearing him say it wasn’t an issue, Yoon-Hee’s face lit up. She quickly ran to the living room and came back with a printed sheet from her bag.

“Parent Observation Class Notice”

“A parent observation class?”

“Yes. You can come and see what kind of classes we’re taking. And if you want, you can have a meeting with the instructor. The school will provide lunch too...” Yoon-Hee, now sitting right next to Do-Jun, excitedly pointed to the details on the paper and explained enthusiastically.

Watching her bright expression, Do-Jun smiled softly. How could I say no when she’s this happy about it... Ah.

He glanced over at Yong-Yong, who was still eating.

“Do they usually stay home all day?” he asked Yoon-Hee.

“Yes. I’m afraid they might cause trouble outside... When I get home from the Academy, I have to get right to the chores, so I don’t really have time to take them outside except on weekends...”

“Should we bring them along?”

At Do-Jun’s suggestion, Yong-Yong, who had his face buried in his bowl, perked up his ears and wagged his tail.

An outing!

The outside was full of delicious food.