Chapter 5
The sense of finance among the national guardian gods was so advanced that even billionaire tycoons would fall short by several moves.
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“The trade deficit this year has been calculated at 15 trillion. That’s not good.”
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“That’s pocket change. The national pension fund is on track for a 700 trillion deficit.”
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“Let’s use our spare points for <Resource Development>. If we can unearth resources worth about 100 trillion, we’ll be able to breathe again.”
But unlike when discussing state affairs, they knew they had to switch lenses when looking at individual lives.
10 billion won.
An astronomical amount.
Most people would never touch that in their lifetime — no, even if someone had been saving since the Korean Empire, they wouldn’t reach it with average wages.
Having that kind of lump sum meant more than just capital — it meant stepping beyond seed money or an income stream into true capital formation.
It also meant he’d already had the experience of grabbing windfall gains scattered everywhere.
Currently, the cryptocurrency market was valued at 100 trillion won, but in seven years, it would skyrocket to 3,500 trillion. It wasn’t going to slow down.
‘The last trade did affect the price, which skewed the chart a bit. But the big wave hasn’t changed.’
It would return to the original flow soon enough.
Until then, he’d wait and watch.
The gates would soon open and upheaval would follow — but money still had value.
Today’s gains would serve as a crucial foundation for those who needed it.
Do-yoon watched the bustling people crossing the intersection and was struck by mixed feelings.
Happy expressions, tired faces, expectant eyes.
It felt like he was sailing smoothly with the wind at his back — but at the same time, his chest ached.
Before long, these people’s daily lives would crumble in horrific ways.
He would protect this country, no matter what. But could he save them all?
‘…Why do I sense someone?’
Even with the [Limit Break] buff, Do-yoon’s “Perception” stat was only 6 — no better than the average person’s five senses.
So for him to notice something meant it wasn’t a crisis-level threat.
His survival trait hadn’t triggered, after all.
He eased his guard and walked up the stairs.
“…?”
He hadn’t been wrong — but what he found was completely unexpected.
Someone was crouched in front of his rooftop room.
Long hair draped down.
Slender arms wrapped around fragile shoulders and knees.
A woman. She looked to be in her twenties.
As he approached, puzzled, she looked up and brightened.
“Do-yoon! Where have you been?”
“…Who are you?”
“Pfft, stop joking. Did you stay out all night?”
“I asked who you are.”
Do-yoon kept his distance and maintained a wary gaze.
“I’ll ask again. Name, and your relationship to the current Hyun Do-yoon.”
“…Stop messing around.”
Her eyes wavered.
Her expression stiffened, the smile fading from her lips.
“…Seo, Seo Hye-jin. I’m your shift lead at the café!”
“Wait.”
Do-yoon pulled out his smartphone.
Several missed calls had piled up.
A string of messages in a chat app, the (1) still flashing unread.
All from one person.
[‘Hyejin Noona’: Please pick up the phone!!]
[‘Hyejin Noona’: I’m in front of your house.]
[‘Hyejin Noona’: Still no word after a whole day. Text me if you see this.]
[‘Hyejin Noona’: I heard you quit the café? The boss was furious… You’re okay, right?]
[‘Hyejin Noona’: Why’d you send it back? I said you could repay it after payday.]
[You received ₩100,000 from Hyun Do-yoon.]
‘Ah, the 100,000 won…’
He tapped her profile and checked the pictures.
Photos in front of a library, in lecture halls, parks.
They matched the woman in front of him.
“…Sorry. That joke went too far, huh?”
Seo Hye-jin looked dazed.
If that was a joke, she deserved an Oscar.
But a part of him wanted to feel relief — and that blew away the cloud of suspicion.
“You scared me!”
She stepped closer and lightly punched his shoulder.
Close enough for comfort.
Her annoyed tone, like she was offended but also flustered, hinted at a close relationship.
“What happened? You suddenly quit — do you know how worried I was?”
“What do you mean what happened? The boss told me to quit, so I did.”
“Does that guy ever stop nagging? You were handling it fine until now, so why now? …Did you find another part-time job?”
Do-yoon nodded.
After all, being a national guardian god was his main job.
Technically, living in the human world was like doing part-time work anyway.
“Oh, really? That’s great… Where did you move to?”
Her lashes lowered.
“Is it better there? I mean, anything’s better than working under that jerk. But still — you should’ve told me.”
Do-yoon quietly looked at her.
Hair cut just below the shoulders.
Clear, determined eyes.
But her lips curled up slightly, giving her an overall gentle impression.
She was someone admirable.
In the past, in the present — and in the future too.
“I’m Seo Hye-jin, Deputy Director of Strategic Support at the Korean Hunter Association. I’m standing before the camera today because…”
She kept talking, sounding a little hurt.
“And you didn’t even answer your phone, made me wait in front of your door…”
“…You should go.”
“Huh? Oh, right. You’re probably tired after work. Then maybe next time—”
“Sorry, but there won’t be a next time.”
“…What are you saying?”
“Don’t come here again.”
She raised a hand as if to brush it off.
“Jeez, stop joking.”
“I’m serious.”
“Cut it out. I’ll get mad.”
“I want you gone from my life. It’s better for both of us.”
“…!?”
He watched her expression change — the smile vanish, replaced by confusion, disappointment, and disbelief.
“W-What are you talking about all of a sudden? Did I do something wrong?”
‘No — it’s because you’ve been doing everything right.’
The guardian gods classified their descendants into five categories.
Great evil — to be rooted out.
Petty evil — to be despised.
Necessary evil — tolerated.
Then the small good and great good — to be loved and protected.
Everyone he’d encountered on his return home so far had fallen under small good.
People who prioritized personal and familial happiness.
Together, they made up the nation.
Do-yoon cherished and pitied the small good — but he held deep respect and admiration for the great good.
“Hunters are essential for public safety. But if their crimes are silently tolerated, or their wrongdoing is covered up by the Association, that is unacceptable.”
That was the role she would take on someday.
When the Hunter Association dissolved and the Hunter Administration Bureau was established, she was always the spark.
Seo Hye-jin was someone with a strong sense of justice.
Not just an idealist, but a competent, respected leader.
A “Midas’ hand” — every hunter she scouted experienced a miraculous leap in rank.
A globally renowned S-rank scout.
‘…But she’s still fragile. If she gets involved with me, she might get hurt.’
“You’re not really Hyun Do-yoon, are you?”
Her eyes suddenly sharpened.
“…What?”
“I mean, you’re not the same guy I know. You’re… on another level.”
The warmth in her eyes was gone, replaced by a sharp, penetrating stare.
“You crashed to rock bottom and now you’re rising fast. You’ve even bulked up. What, did a top-tier trainer pick you up or something?”
“…?”
“If you’re going to ditch me just because you’re doing better now — save it. Don’t bother calling me later!”
She stomped away, fuming.
‘What is with that instinct? She’s sharp as hell.’
Do-yoon watched her disappearing figure, then turned back.
He had work to do.
Starting with the easiest task — just a click away.
[Emergency loan repayment complete. Thank you for using SpeedCash.]
[Hyun Do-yoon, your loan has been repaid. Principal: ₩10,000,000. Interest: ₩7,640.]
Then he withdrew ₩50.5 million from the bank and dropped it on the now-wooden table.
“₩50 million principal, and I calculated the interest down to the day.”
“…”
Choi Ki-hyun was speechless.
What was the point of yesterday’s chaos then?
“Look, Mr. Hyun. We’re not a bank.”
“Oh? I didn’t realize.”
“We don’t sit on hundreds of billions and hand out loans. When you repay it in a day, it’s a loss for us.”
“Oh, so a victim came in and you had no ₩50 million to lend out?”
“V-Victim?”
His face twisted.
“Watch your mouth. Anyway, we’ll need to charge a prepayment penalty. ₩100 million.”
“I don’t have that kind of money.”
“You kidding me? Hey, Sang-il. Ever seen someone broke come to repay a loan?”
Crutch-wielding Han Sang-il grinned.
“Not once.”
“Coins spiked yesterday. Seok-jin says you made several thousand easy.”
Choi gestured.
All the men reached into their jackets.
Do-yoon might be terrifying, but even world champs go down if the gang decides to crush them.
This crew wasn’t your usual scare-and-slap loan sharks.
“Actually, just a penalty isn’t enough. Damaged property, medical bills… Let’s say an extra ₩200 million.”
Shhhk.
Knives glinted under fluorescent lights.
“Get him!”
As the men surrounded him, a message popped up.
[‘Killing Intent Detection (A)’ activated.]
[Detected: 7 unawakened individuals, all armed with blades.]
[Threat Level: F-rank]
Tic-tic.
The sound of a ticking clock echoed in his ears.
[‘Escape Compass (A)’ activated.]
[Escape range: 0㎡]
[Searching for safe zone… You are already in one. Ending search.]
Whoosh!
One man lunged with a kitchen knife.
Just as the blade neared his throat, Do-yoon grabbed his arm with lightning-fast reflexes and snapped it.
Crack!
“Aaaagh!”
He used the screaming man as a shield, kicked the wooden table forward to block the front.
Stunned by the sudden strength show and hostage situation, the men hesitated.
“Aw, brotherly love?”
Do-yoon tossed the man at his allies, grabbed the table, and charged like a battering ram.
“What the hell is this guy?!”
“Waaagh!”
They stumbled back in panic.
Do-yoon swung the table with all his might.
Crunch.
One man crumpled as his shoulder shattered.
Then he hit another.
Crack!
The second collapsed from a headshot.
“Sp-Spread out!”
He flung the table into the air.
Fwoooosh!
The 100+ kg table flew like a marble and flattened a fleeing thug.
Crash!
Through the glass.
“Aaaaaaaagh!”
He and the table smashed through the window and fell outside.
“W-What kind of monster…?”
The rest turned pale.
But strangely, their resolve hadn’t crumbled.
“He’s just strong. Once the blades start landing, he won’t last.”
“Y-Yeah! He’s got nothing to throw now.”
‘All at once.’
Three men charged.
Do-yoon narrowed his stance, dodging the blades with millimeter precision.
Clink.
“Want to see what ‘just strong’ looks like?”
“P-Please—!”
He yanked the first man’s wrist.
Crack!
“Aaaaaaagh!”
The knife dropped. Do-yoon kicked it into the second man’s thigh.
“Urgh!”
“Y-You son of a—!!”
The last one charged, Do-yoon tripped him and…
Boom! Crash! Slam!
The floor shook with the impact.
“…Is it over?”
He looked around.
Only Choi Ki-hyun and Han Sang-il were still standing.
“Ki-hyun.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
Choi scrambled over and bowed deeply.
“Look at all this blood. I need a hospital.”
Do-yoon pointed to his knuckles. Choi’s face twisted.
‘That’s YOUR blood?!’
“Hospital bill’s gonna be steep. What do you think?”
“Y-You don’t need to repay us! Take all the money back and use it for your treatment!”
“Seems a little unfair. You charged me ₩2 billion — but I only gave you ₩50 million?”
“J-Just kidding!”
“…?”
Do-yoon stared without a smile. Choi gave up and nodded.
“Bring it.”
Han Sang-il hobbled to the safe and brought back two boxes of “Vita 700.”
“There’s ₩1 billion in each. And keep the ₩50 million too.”
Choi sighed deeply.
“Please let us go now. We don’t want any more trouble.”
“Let you go?”
That’s when it happened.
Bzzzzt.
Choi’s pupils filled with fear.
“P-Phone! I need to answer…!”
“Give it.”
Choi handed over the phone.
[‘Demon Bastard’]
Do-yoon picked up. A cold voice spoke immediately.
— “…How did it go?”
“What do you think?”
A pause, then:
— “So you’re not Choi. You must be Hyun Do-yoon.”
“You’re quick.”
— “Things just got interesting.”
Laughter.
— “Looks like I lost my men. Sending more would just be a waste, huh?”
— “No point dragging this out. Shall we meet and talk?”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
— “Oh? Even if I do this?”
Footsteps.
And then a familiar voice cried out through the receiver:
— “D-Do-yoon…! Don’t come!”
‘…Seo Hye-jin!’
Do-yoon bit his lip.
He could feel cold fury rushing through his veins.
“Where are you right now?”
