One week before the arrival of the Second Calamity…
Pistachio chocolate bar.
That was Navi's new hyper-fixation.
She was munching on her nth pistachio chocolate bar while lying down on the sofa in her pajamas.
It had been a week since the last time she talked to Won Yiwon.
Ever since then, she locked up herself in her penthouse— living like a pig in a cage that only knew how to eat and sleep.
I miss Won Yiwon already.
That was why Navi ended up watching the Hunters Association's live press conference with Won Yiwon and Cha Hyein.
My modern Northern Duke looks good in a black suit.
Cha Hyein looked mature and chic in her black pantsuit, but Navi focused only on Won Yiwon.
Why does that jerk have to be so handsome?
It was hard to get mad at Won Yiwon because Navi was a sucker for good-looking men.
"For this year's Expedition, we're sending Hunter Won Yiwon and Hunter Cha Hyein to an undisclosed location."
Navi frowned while watching Ahn Sunja, her mother, lead the press conference.
"We will introduce a support team this time, not only to aid Hunter Won Yiwon and Hunter Cha Hyein, but also to raise a new generation that is equipped to catch Strays and destroy Lairs…"
Hmm?
Navi waited for Ahn Sunja to mention her as the leader of the newly created support team, but it didn't happen.
The press conference ended without a mention of her name at all.
Come to think of it, I haven't received the official documents for this Expedition yet.
***
<"JUST come to Japan— we'll welcome you with open arms, Navi-ya.">
Pfft.
Navi smiled at Sato Daiki's "joke."
I know he's not really joking, but let's play dumb.
Sato Daiki, a Japanese Hunter, was Navi's best friend outside the Elites.
The two of them met when she was sent by the Korean government to rescue the Korean delegates that got trapped in a giant Sinkhole that appeared in Japan.
It happened seven years ago.
She was only thirteen then.
Sato Daiki, who was three years older than her, was shocked that someone as young as Navi was already working as a Hunter.
Since then, he has become like a big brother to me.
That was why Navi was having a video call with Sato Daiki at the moment.
<"I hate how your government and the Hunters Association are treating you now that you can't raid dungeons or hunt monsters directly. And your mother? I'm sorry to say this, but President Ahn is such a cold witch.">
Navi clapped her hands. "Daiki Oppa, your Korean has improved so much."
She used to call him 'Daiki-san,' but when he started learning Hangul, they started talking in Korean more.
Hence, 'Daiki-san' became 'Daiki Oppa' and 'Navi-chan' became 'Navi-ya' eventually.
Of course, when the two of them were in Japan, they would talk in Japanese.
Yes, I can speak the language.
She was quick to learn other languages even without formal lessons.
"I've long accepted that Eomma doesn't love me anymore now that I no longer bring glory to her name," Navi said, shrugging. She could talk about it casually now that she had gotten over it. "She fell out of love with Appa when Appa's career declined due to his false drug scandal. So, I can't say I was shocked when she started treating me coldly when I lost half of my power."
"Navi-chan, you don't need other people's validation. You awakened as a natural S-Class Hunter when you were only eight years old. Then you saved the world alone when you were sixteen. That alone should be enough for people to kiss the ground you walk on."
Oh?
Sato Daiki started talking in Japanese.
Probably to express himself better.
"I don't understand why South Korea is trying to bury your name as if your country wants the world to forget about your sacrifice, but there are people who won't forget— and never will— that we're only alive now because of you. So, don't let your mother make you feel less."
"Thank you, Daiki-san," Navi said. She wasn't used to sentimental talks like that, so she changed the topic by joking. "I only care about Won Yiwon, though. That's why I feel hurt when he asked me to retire."
Sato Daiki rolled his eyes, and then he started talking in Korean again.
"Navi-ya, I'm sorry to say this. But Yiwon-ssi is like a male lead who only realizes that he's in love with the female lead once the female lead is dead."
Hmm?
Navi wanted to listen to her best friend's wise words, but his "spidey sense" tingled…
I have guests.
"Hold on, Daiki Oppa," Navi said, looking at the main door of her penthouse. "Eomma and our President are here."
***
NAVI wasn't surprised when she got a visit from her mother in her penthouse.
Even though the two of them were living separately now, her eomma would still drop by from time to time.
But the person who came along with her mother…
"President Jung Bin," Navi greeted her esteemed guest. "What a surprise."
The middle-aged man with a fox-looking face was Jung Bin— the South Korean President.
He's been the President of our country for the last four years.
Since Navi had another guest aside from her mother, she forced herself to change from her pajamas to one of her tracksuits.
I mean, this is my house, so I can wear what I want.
But she didn't forget her manners completely.
Hence, she ushered Ahn Sunja and President Jung Bin to the fancy drawing room. Then she served expensive tea and pastries for them.
After that, Navi went straight to business.
"So, what is the esteemed President doing in my humble abode?"
"Oh, please. Hunter Ahn Navi, your penthouse is anything but "humble,"" President Jung Bin said, flashing Navi his creepy, business smile. "Moreover, this apartment building is the safest building in the entire country, all thanks to your Terrarium."
Right.
Navi's Terrarium was a passive skill.
Since it was a skill as natural as breathing to her, she wouldn't run out of Mana even if the entire apartment building was inside her Terrarium all the time.
And her Terrarium could withstand attacks from S-Grade monsters.
"Hunter Ahn Navi, don't you think it's a waste that you're not selling the units of Terra Cheongdam to other people?"
Terra Cheongdam was the name of Navi's apartment building.
She lived in the penthouse, but the other units were empty.
Well, most of them.
Terra Cheongdam was a building with a total of 28 households with 4 basement floors to 20 floors above ground. The first floor was decorated like a hotel lobby, with 22 single-story households and 6 double-story households between the 2nd to 18th floors.
The double-story super penthouse on the 20th floor belonged to Navi while the double-story super penthouse on the 19th floor belonged to Won Yiwon.
They had a view of the beautiful Han River, hence the price of each unit would cost billions of won. But aside from the two penthouses, only three other units were occupied. And those units belonged to Kwon Junghwan, Lee Hansol, and Park Seokjin.
Yes, Navi only offered her apartment building to the Elites.
I didn't even offer one to Eomma.
"President Jung, I still have no intention of selling the other units," Navi said bluntly. "I won't get bankrupt for maintaining this luxury apartment building since I'm exempted from paying taxes for life."
Being exempted from paying taxes was one of the rewards given to her by the Korean government for saving the world in the past.
But I'm still obliged to share my loot and rewards with them.
Which hadn't happened in years since she couldn't raid dungeons anymore.
"President Jung, we're getting sidetracked," Ahn Sunja reminded the President. "We didn't come here to talk about my daughter's property."
"Oh, right. My greed came out for a moment," President Jung Bin said, and then he turned to Navi. "I'll get straight to the point, Hunter Ahn Navi. Please don't join the Expedition."
***
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