History's Strongest Manager Chapter 16

Translator’s ramblings:

Here is the chapter for this week.

I decided to separate the character names with a hyphen whenever I feel they sound better that way. ‘Kang-Joon’ is an example of what I mean, it sounds way better than ‘Kangjoon’ (IMO of course).

That is because those two are different ‘blocks’ in Korean. And, although the blocks are written together, they really pa.s.s this feel that they aren’t a single word but a combination.

As always, remember the chapter is divided in 2 parts.

Thanks for reading!

There's Only a Paper-Thin Difference Between Red Ocean and Blue Ocean (2)

Kang-Joon wasn’t fond of open s.p.a.ces, he usually pa.s.sed most of his time on the room number 1 on the first floor. This single-room apartment building had a bas.e.m.e.nt floor as well.

He requested all items stored in the International Hunter’s Bank to be delivered to Korea, and those were now being stored in a safe inside the remodeled area Kang-Joon created on his room on the first floor bas.e.m.e.nt. The opposite wall was completely removed to create a fairly large underground training area. Although it was an illegal construction, there was no risk of collapse as the building he choose had a robust foundation without any big structural problems. He consulted the blueprints and also searched for advice from specialists a few times to guarantee the safety.

As he was meticulous about security as well, a security door was installed directly on the entrance to the staircase going down the 1st floor bas.e.m.e.nt itself. Nothing would be stolen unless somebody forcefully demolished the whole wall.

“You… What kind of war do you plan to start?”

“I just wanted to try doing something like this since it is the first time I had a house.”

Maria's jaws agaped seeing Kang-Joon’s studio which was practically a shelter. Buying the building itself wouldn’t be hard for her, but making a clean construction like this would. Hidden among the ordinary studio buildings, Kang-Joon’s building housed unused ether devices of the highest grade enough to arm a whole company of Hunters.

Selling any of those items could buy a site with a building like the one they are currently living in. Maria realized that Kang-Joon aim was definitely not money at the moment.

If his aim was money, Kang-Joon already had it and only by selling these devices he could get enough to live extravagantly for his entire life. But Kang-Joon never spoke of the most important things, therefore Maria pursed her lips knowing full well she wouldn’t receive any reply.

The top floor of the building consisted of only one house which took the whole floor, originally that was the place where the landlord and his family lived. Kang-Joon cooked for Maria there.

“Why don’t you live here and live in that box instead?”

“It is too big for my taste, it only felt uncomfortable.”

The reason Kang-Joon lived on the first floor is because living in that big apartment for a few days without any company made him feel lonely.

“You still make great food.”

“It's not like it'll go anywhere.”

Since he was very young Kang-Joon followed a Hunter team starting as an errand boy doing all sort of miscellaneous task all by himself. Naturally, as the youngest among the party, he was also in charge of cooking, and now, after doing it for hours without end, Kang-Joon cooking skill was of quite high level.

The Dish Kang-Joon made was soybean paste stew, Maria ate it well without showing any changes in her expression.

“I want to give cooking a try too.”

“Go Ahead.”

“When I do it, it's either salty or bland.”

“If it is bland add more salt, and if it is salty you simply add more water.”

“If I add more salt, it becomes salty, and if I add water, it becomes bland.”

“…You are destined to eat out for the rest of your life.”

“Isn't that a good thing?”

The two finished their meal amidst boring conversation. Maria came down to the room in-front while Kang-Joon slept in that same room.

—————————- // —————-

Monday,

They met not at the company, but at a café near Yangjae station.

[I have a Knight I know, so I am bringing her since she told me that she can help.]

[That sounds good.]

As he had told her he would be bringing one Knight beforehand Seol Yeong wasn’t really fl.u.s.tered. Seol Yeong only eyed the tall and attractive Maria and then greeted her with little spirit as if frightened.

“H-h.e.l.lo… I am Hero Management’s president Seol Yeong.

“I'm Maria. Nice to meet you.”

Maria extended out her hand while replying with a somehow dry voice, and the two shared a handshake. Then she stared at Kang-Joon for a little while with a strange gaze. However, Seol Yeong was surprised in a different way.