“Chapter 319: What’s the trend in web novels?”

*

The extravagant interior decoration didn’t feel like a luxurious countryside house at all.

It seemed to subtly flaunt the owner’s wealth.

An outrageously large chandelier.

Various paintings hanging on the walls.

Additionally, numerous taxidermy pieces filling the gaps between the paintings.

[But why are all the taxidermy pieces corpses of monsters? That guy isn’t even a Hunter, right?]

‘Maybe they are the unfortunate souls raped by the Chief.’

[So this is that fleshy collection, huh?]

‘Don’t say it, f*ck. It smells like night-blooming flowers.’

But there was no time to worry about that.

“Get that dog out of here!!!”

“…….B*tch.”

Thanks to the Chief’s wife, who was pointing at me and screaming loudly.

The sharp, piercing voice amplified as it squeezed through the gaps.

It was far from acceptable to consider that a human voice.

If I had closed my eyes, I would have believed a monster roared.

[I have no idea who the real monster is here.]

‘No, f*ck. That’s not the important part.’

Thanks to that roar, perhaps.

The space, which had only contained me, the Lizard Beastman, and the Chief’s wife.

Suddenly began to fill with numerous people.

“What’s going on here!”

“Are you stuck again because of a dog?!”

“I told you to be careful when you were with a dog when it gets swollen, didn’t I?”

“Everyone gather quickly! Intruder!”

“””””””Yes!””””””””

They were none other than Hunters.

Each of them surrounded the Lizard Beastman and me in no time, wielding ominous weapons.

Even though their gear varied from person to person,

They had one thing in common.

They were all equipped in outfits reminiscent of special forces.

Pitch-black helmets, thick vests packed with who-knows-what, and black combat uniforms.

The fact that they were all wearing Defensive Coats gave away they were Hunters.

[Isn’t it illegal for individuals to have this level of armed forces?]

‘If you have money, you can do anything.’

Basically, Hunters were employees belonging to companies called Guilds.

As various Guilds exist, so do diverse operating methods.

There must be small-scale Guilds operating in such a way too.

However, looking at the level of their gear, it was evident they weren’t exactly on the clean side of things.

“If that b*stard received money, he should do the job!”

“Yes! Understood!”

“Uh? Captain!”

In the midst of this, one Hunter pointed a finger toward me.

“What’s up?”

“Isn’t that Kim Shinwoo? The student the employer mentioned.”

“……Huh?”

In that moment, I felt the gaze beyond the helmet growing more ferocious.

Until a moment ago, it was a mixed look of annoyance towards the intruder.

Now, it was a beast’s gaze targeting its prey.

[They recognize you.]

‘Seems like that bastard the Chief said something to them.’

Perhaps the Chief had given them some sort of order.

I don’t know the specifics.

But one thing is certain.

The content of that order wouldn’t be good for me.

“Should we capture him here?”

“I didn’t hear anything about that… but it can’t hurt to try.”

The distance between the Hunters and me started to close.

Slowly, but surely.

As I watched this scene, the Lizard Beastman cautiously spoke so only I could hear.

“Shinwoo, be careful. They are all skilled fighters.”

“Don’t worry.”

It was a crisis situation, yet I felt oddly calm.

Instead, the Lizard Beastman was sounding more worried.

“No, it’s not like you’re at a level to handle this alone!”

“Why would I use violence?”

“……Huh?”

This time, the Lizard Beastman placed a hand on my forehead.

Just like in the previous chapter.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, you dog!”

Anyway, I felt no pressure.

In fact, I started to walk slowly.

I even got rid of the sword I had conjured.

“Hey, don’t come closer!”

“I’m not trying to fight.”

They seemed a bit shocked by my unexpected reaction.

However, I paid them no heed whatsoever.

I was only focused on one person.

The Chief’s wife.

“Let’s talk for a moment, ma’am.”

“Get lost, you piece of sh*t!”

The first impression was terrible.

But I still had one ace up my sleeve.

[You’re planning to use seduction? No way! Is that ‘possible’ for you?]

‘That’s not it, you b*tch.’

That said, seduction was a hard pass.

If the Lizard Beastman hadn’t warned me.

No, even if he had, the grotesque appearance would lead to a misunderstanding of being a monster.

Just a slight misstep could lead to a swift extermination.

[So what will you do? You can’t use ‘Hyeji’, can you?]

‘There’s always a way.’

It might seem odd to bring this up suddenly, but let’s think it over.

Where is this novel being serialized, and on which platform?

It even passed through slightly crazy emoticons safely.

Despite never making it to the light, and occasionally having server crashes.

It’s the most lenient of dark places when it comes to restrictions.

It’s none other than Nopia.

[……Lenient?]

‘It’s still categorized as suitable for all ages; it hasn’t dropped yet.’

[Oh.]

Then what’s currently the most effective meta on that Nopia?

Any platform user could answer that right away.

It’s regret, obsession, despair, and transformation.

Even though this novel isn’t of the transformation genre, it can still be excluded.

There’s still room for the trio of regret, obsession, and despair.

Commonly known elements referred to as 4-Drones.

Though it unfolds without any buildup,

It has the advantage of capturing people’s interest.

I planned to use this on the Chief’s wife right away.

“How’s your relationship with the Chief?”

“Why’re you bringing that f*cker up? Just get lost!”

The Chief’s wife, who had given me a summoning spell earlier.

But seeing her eyes quivering nervously with thick flesh, I could tell for sure.

She didn’t harbor good feelings for the Chief.

“Get away from my employer’s sister-in-law!”

“I’m not on good terms with that person either.”

One Hunter growled at me, but I ignored his voice.

I continued to approach the Chief’s wife, dropping bait little by little.

Hoping she’d take the fishing hook.

“His sexual preferences are serious. He only keeps acting like an idiot at the Academy.”

“Don’t be deceived! I’ll subdue him right now!”

“…Wait a moment.”

It felt like the Hunters would rush at me any second.

But the Chief’s wife restrained their actions.

In other words, it meant she was starting to take the bait I tossed.

“And meanwhile, you don’t even care about your family, do you?”

“…….”

The Chief’s wife silently nodded in agreement to my words.

Without missing this chance, I continued once more.

“Look around. It’s clear as day that it’s only the Chief’s preferences. He doesn’t even know what his wife wants.”

“……”

“Is this what a family’s head should be like?”

I threw another sharp word towards the quietly listening Chief’s wife.

“Still, do you enjoy your married life?”

“……So?”

Finally, the Chief’s wife bit the bait hard.

However, as mentioned before, 4-Drones on Nopia can be effective,

Yet not all ages find the ‘aftermary’ appealing.

Thus, it’s necessary to slightly modify the ‘aftermary’ for that age group.

So, I decided to leverage the power of the ‘Mun’ platform here.

After all, the aftermary is thriving there too.

“How about a massive jackpot after divorce?”

[It’s a competitor, is that okay?]

‘Competitor? They’re casual commitment. We have subscription plans.’

[Ah, right.]

The aftermary called divorce stories.

Just in case, I approached the Chief’s wife closely.

And quietly spoke, making sure only she could hear.

“Besides, all assets will be under your name.”

Her narrow, slit-like eyes started to shake wildly, like crazy.

As if questioning how I knew her true feelings.

“I’ll apprehend that bastard right this moment!”

“No. Back off.”

“……Huh?”

Even one Hunter, who sensed something was off, shouted, trying to pull me away.

“Back off! Are your ears clogged?!”

“Ah, understood!”

The Chief’s wife, whose mind had already shifted, just scolded that Hunter.

Too obvious.

A husband failing to be devoted to family.

Naturally, everyone else would have built up resentment against him.

Thus, it’s only natural that the spouse would be overwhelmed with a desire for divorce.

[Chief’s wife. You’ve built it up, haven’t you?]

‘Is your mouth not working, dog?’

Suddenly, as another abyss threatened to surface, I quickly shook my head to push it down.

With the monster right in front of me already overwhelming me.

If I let that abyss come to mind, my SAN would hit rock bottom.

Soon, the Chief’s wife trembled and opened her mouth.

“Um, under ordinary circumstances…… that would be difficult.”

“There’s something certain. More so than just preferences.”

“……Really?”

Now, she was even speaking to me respectfully.

“If you feel fear…”

“……If I feel it?”

“Then you mustn’t!!”

One Hunter shouted anxiously.

But I didn’t care and reached out my hand to the Chief’s wife.

To cement that resolve.

“Let’s look at the Mun together.”

And when the fatty clutched my hand tightly,

An alliance between the Chief’s wife and me was forged.

[Do you really want to succeed in the aftermary?]

‘Of course. It’s time to ‘complete’ it.’

There’s a saying that aftermarys are ‘completed’ year-round.

Of course, it’s not always true,

But through numerous cases, there’s definitely some common assumption to it.

In other words, the point of not achieving a proper ending.

So, I too.

Would ‘complete’ the divorce between the Chief and his wife.

In a somewhat different manner.

*