One month after receiving the campervan.
March, with its late cold snaps, had passed, and April had arrived.
The chilly winds disappeared, and a full-fledged spring arrived, warm and filled with the scent of vibrant, life-filled flowers.
I liked the fact that I could enjoy the feeling of traveling and going on expeditions compared to winter.
Sometimes, on the way to a Gate, we'd spot a place with cherry blossoms in full bloom and stop the campervan midway.
The campervan roof had a function to spread out an awning, so we set it up and enjoyed flower viewing.
We could cook right inside the car, so we made delicious food and had a really great time.
And after diligently going in and out of Gates for that one month, I filled the requirements to be promoted to B-Rank.
Oppa's help was a big part of this; I received information about Gates designated as "break risk" zones and focused my expeditions around those areas.
Since the campervan solved various problems, the expedition time naturally increased, and I made the most of that time to clear Gates.
Thanks to that, I accumulated achievements faster than expected.
When I came up to Seoul to get promoted to B-Rank, I had to sign a contract with the country, and the contents were a bit burdensome.
First of all, there was a clause that fundamentally prohibited changing nationality.
The civil servant in charge of my contract was threatening to give me various disadvantages; I was wondering if this was normal.
It was also funny that they were making threats when there was no way to stop me if I went abroad and gave up my nationality in the first place.
Would it work on someone who doesn't know much?
I came out saying I'd think about it for a while and met Shi-hyun in the lounge; when I told him the story, he tilted his head.
"You didn't get that?"
"They were practically begging me to sign the contract?"
Shi-hyun didn't have that kind of experience?
When I asked him in detail, he said they explained the benefits and even talked about the future while recommending the promotion.
"Why is it different?"
"Well, maybe it's because I have the potential to go up to A-Rank."
Well, they must have seen our ability measurement information, so the treatment for me, who's barely at the B-Rank level, and Shi-hyun, who's already reached the A-Rank level, would inevitably be different.
"I feel a little bad?"
"Should I say something?"
There was a mix of slight anger and playfulness in Shi-hyun's eyes.
"Yeah, I want to mess with them too."
While I was waiting in the lounge, Shi-hyun went back first and broke off the contract.
Shi-hyun would say that his wife, who came to sign the contract together, was treated poorly, so how could he believe in signing the contract? That would be effective.
They couldn't afford to lose a talent who could rise to A-Rank.
And then the civil servant came out of the room Shi-hyun had entered and headed to the room I had gone into for the contract.
Loud voices were exchanged a few times, and then the two civil servants came to me in the lounge and started apologizing.
It would have been fine if they had just talked smoothly from the beginning; I don't know why they had to try to scare me.
As expected, power is authority.
You guys should consider yourselves lucky that it ended with Shi-hyun.
You'd be even more scared if you knew who my Oppa is, right?
After that, they started showing their utmost sincerity to catch the future A-Rank Hunter.
It was fun to watch.
The person who had scolded and threatened me was kicked out, and the person in charge of Shi-hyun was now dealing with both of us at the same time.
"Haha, we're really sorry. Let's talk again now."
Sweat was glistening on his forehead.
I saw Oppa's name written on the document he pushed aside.
Ah, did they find out about that too?
"You two are a married couple and are both going up to B-Rank together."
"Yes."
"The benefits are the same as I explained earlier. We also offer more help with housing loans to promising Hunter couples."
A house, huh....
Normally, if you get a house, you'll settle down there, and if you get a loan, you'll work harder to pay it back.
Is that why they're recommending it?
"That's okay."
"So, do you both agree?"
"Yes."
When we signed the documents for the last time, we officially signed a contract with the country.
As B-Rank Hunters, we received special privileges, and we also had obligations, which was to achieve a certain level of performance each year.
It wasn't a big deal if we failed to meet this once or twice, and if we failed to meet the performance for more than three years, we would be demoted to C-Rank and lose our benefits.
Also, in the case of women, if they get pregnant, they get a grace period of about five years.
When all the procedures were finished, the civil servant finally looked relieved.
And he apologized to me again and kept bowing his head.
He said there were a lot of talks about the issue of A-Rank or higher Hunters being leaked to foreign countries.
There are quite a few B-Rank Hunters, but the number drops sharply from A-Rank.
It is known that there are less than 400 S-Rank Hunters even when you expand it to the whole world.
In that sense, Shi-hyun, who is an A-Rank (potential), could be said to be a specially managed target by the country.
Why else would that civil servant have asked if he was going to go up to A-Rank?
When Shi-hyun lightly replied that he was planning to do so someday, the civil servant's face lit up.
Then he gave him his business card and told him to find him when he got promoted later.
Is there a performance record for this too?
When I asked Shi-hyun out of curiosity, he said it does become a performance record.
If they acted recklessly like they did to me and a high-Rank Hunter was leaked to another country, it would be the same as threatening their own country's security.
"Is it that serious?"
I've only seen a Gate break once, so I couldn't really feel it.
"I'm also a bit skeptical, but isn't it because other Hunters are working hard that breaks don't happen?"
Shi-hyun's words made sense.
I've never even heard of a break in a B-Rank or higher Gate, especially an A-Rank Gate.
If that really happened, the damage would be great, and it would be on the news.
So, why weren't there any breaks?
Of course, it's because other Hunters are working hard to catch monsters and prevent breaks.
"I guess that's it."
"We're B-Rank now, so we have to work harder."
I had a strong feeling that it was to earn money.
After listening to Shi-hyun's story, I realized anew that the fact that we were working hard to catch monsters was also protecting other people.
The Hunter ID I received after being promoted to B-Rank was somehow flashy.
The Hunter ID changes like this too; will it change again when I become A-Rank?
After finishing the promotion, we decided to run errands in Seoul for the first time in a while.
We stopped by the studio apartment to organize our clothes and changed the bedding.
And in the evening, we came to my house.
My mom greeted us happily after we returned in a month.
"Are you going to sleep over today?"
I pondered at Mom's question.
Maybe it wouldn't be bad to rest at home today?
"Shi-hyun-ah, what do you want to do?"
"I should see my father-in-law and go back at night."
"Is that so?"
I have to see Dad's face, right?
"Do as you wish."
"I'm sorry, Jangmo-nim."
Mom just smiled.
"I can't say anything since you're working hard."
"Hehe, Mom, look at this."
I showed my B-Rank Hunter ID to Mom.
"That's amazing. You know that you're now subject to obligations, right?"
"Yeah, you have to accumulate a certain amount of performance every year, right?"
"That's right. It disappears again when you go up to A-Rank, though."
Wow, it disappears when you're A-Rank?
Well, A-Rank Hunters are a great force in emergencies, so there's no need to push them too hard, right?
I also started organizing my winter clothes and taking out my refreshing spring clothes since I came home.
After organizing my clothes, I prepared dinner with Mom.
Shi-hyun wanted to help with something, so I told him to help set the table.
When Dad and Oppa came home, the whole family gathered for dinner for the first time in a while.
Shi-hyun was restless, as if the seat was uncomfortable.
After dinner, Dad asked me about my recent activities.
"Are you working hard?"
"Yeah, I got promoted to B-Rank today."
I showed Dad my Hunter ID with B-Rank written on it.
"Oh, really?"
Oppa also looked at it with wonder.
"I went around the Gates based on the information Oppa gave me, and the achievements quickly accumulated."
"So, that's why you asked?"
"Good job."
Dad said that and stroked my head.
I was happy with that pure praise.
When was the last time I was praised by Dad?
I don't even remember well.
"Hehe."
When I hugged Dad with a happy heart, he tried to push me away as if he was embarrassed.
But I was stronger, so he couldn't escape.
"Shi-hyun, you worked hard too."
After that, Oppa and Dad said they wanted to see the campervan.
I felt embarrassed because it felt like I was showing them our newlywed home.
"It's definitely a house."
"It's wider than I thought."
Dad, who was looking around the inside of the campervan, started examining it in quite detail.
And after seeing the room with the bed, which could be said to be our inner quarters, he quietly closed the door.
"Is there anything uncomfortable?"
"It's annoying to receive and throw away water, but Shi-hyun does it all for me."
"Is that so? I was wondering if I should have bought you something better, but after seeing it in person, it's good enough."
When Dad and Oppa got out of the car after the tour, we prepared to go back down to the lower region.
"Why don't you rest for a day or so?"
"This is our home anyway."
I lightly kicked the campervan with my foot.
Dad started stroking me again.
"Don't overdo it."
"Okay."
I hugged Dad, who was feeling sorry, and prepared to leave.
"I'll come again next time."
I waved to Dad, who was standing in front of the gate.
Shi-hyun also finished greeting and slowly drove the campervan.
When I looked in the side mirror, he was still standing in front of the gate for a long time, watching us leave even after we had left.
Dad is really....
We drove the campervan and left Seoul.
"Shi-hyun, you're still awkward with Dad, aren't you?"
"Isn't that obvious? He's my father-in-law...."
"What can Dad do now? We're married."
Shi-hyun, who was driving, lightly flicked my head.
He controlled his strength, so it didn't hurt.
"That's why I have to do better."
"Hing. I'm just saying don't feel too pressured."
If I kept looking at Shi-hyun driving, I would get sleepy little by little.
Shi-hyun started worrying about me.
"You must be tired; just go to sleep."
I was a little sleepy.
I can endure it if I try to endure it, but....
"Okay, sorry."
I left Shi-hyun driving and went to the bedroom and fell asleep first.
*
When I woke up in the morning, Shi-hyun was sleeping next to me.
I liked this kind of daily life.
I gently kissed Shi-hyun's cheek, who was sleeping, and got up.
I suddenly felt embarrassed.
Why am I embarrassed about this when I usually bite and suck everything?
What should I make for breakfast? I opened the refrigerator to see what ingredients there were.
"There's nothing."
I should have gone grocery shopping yesterday, but something changed while going to our house, so I didn't expect to come back like this.
When I looked outside the window, it was the plaza in front of the Gate.
I can't help it. I'll have to have ramen for breakfast today.