Chapter 9
After the deal between Si-hyun and Da-young was settled, they agreed to meet every afternoon to clear D-rank dungeons together.
Thus, the next day, in the early afternoon.
The two of them met in front of the D-rank dungeon gate to review their plan.
“I have most of the miscellaneous materials. But I’m missing the core mana stone.”
“You mean we’ll be farming that ourselves.”
“Exactly! I’d love to create the best item for you, but I’m sure you’re a bit short on funds, right?”
“…That’s true.”
“This is a business deal, after all. Let’s start by making a D-rank accessory!”
“Alright!”
Si-hyun cheerfully entered the gate with Da-young.
Da-young constantly emphasized that it was a business transaction, which made Si-hyun feel more at ease.
She wasn’t trying to make a great item just to burden Si-hyun with debt.
She aimed to do her best within Si-hyun’s current circumstances.
After all, she managed to have a B-rank hunter invest her time.
Si-hyun felt that she should put in as much effort as she was being shown consideration.
Thus, as soon as they entered the dungeon, she moved earnestly at what she considered the level of a C-rank hunter.
Thinking that the level she showed when she partied with Han-gyeol before would be appropriate.
Si-hyun’s control over her power was at an exceptional level.
The only problem was…
From an observer’s perspective, she didn’t look like a normal C-rank hunter at all.
‘I know she’s not at an E-rank hunter’s level. But even calling her a C-rank seems laughable…?’
Da-young stared at Si-hyun, unable to close her mouth.
Even though she saw it once yesterday, the sight still seemed unbelievable.
With every step Si-hyun took, the monsters were utterly smashed apart.
Even the monsters twice as tall as Si-hyun were no exception.
With just one punch.
It was as if their bodies were filled with holes of air.
You’d think her style focuses purely on offense? But that wasn’t it either.
She dodged every single attack the monsters threw at her.
She didn’t allow a single effective hit.
It was as if she had already fought these monsters many times before.
As if she knew exactly how each monster would act.
It didn’t look like she was using a skill either.
No matter how many times she watched, it was clearly just her physical ability.
It’s true that awakened hunters grow physically stronger due to mana.
But she’d never seen anyone be this monstrously strong.
If she’s already like this now…
What would happen if she became more experienced, levelled up, and gained more skills?
If her body became even stronger than it is now?
‘She’d be a complete monster.’
Da-young thought, her face dazed.
Perhaps right now…
She was witnessing the live history of a future legend.
At first, Da-young also participated in combat.
But she soon stepped back.
No matter how she thought about it, it seemed like she was getting in the way.
Da-young was sensitive to Si-hyun’s gaze and could tell.
Each time she joined the battle, Si-hyun would glance at her, keeping an eye on her.
That meant she was relaxed enough to worry about her in the middle of a fight.
If that’s the case, it’s more efficient for her to focus on collecting mana stones and other by-products.
Thus, when they had cleared about half of the dungeon, Da-young slowly approached Si-hyun to build some rapport.
I can’t miss out on directly witnessing a future legend, right? I’ll get closer.
I’m a rare B-rank craftsman hunter, so I think I have the qualifications.
Repeating these thoughts to herself, Da-young opened her mouth.
“By the way, Si-hyun.”
“Yes?”
“Where are you from?”
“I’m Korean.”
“…Naturalized citizen?”
“…Um.”
Si-hyun hesitated for a moment.
How much should she explain?
Honestly, she had a favourable impression of this woman even though they hadn’t known each other for long.
She didn’t consider herself someone capable of discerning good people from bad.
But Da-young’s gaze and demeanour gave off a feeling of warmth.
She could have answered that she was a foreigner, but she didn’t want to lie unnecessarily.
Maybe it’d be okay to say a little?
After sorting her thoughts, Si-hyun opened her mouth.
“Do you know what a returnee is?”
“…Huh? You’re a returnee, Si-hyun?!”
“Yes, the Management Bureau hasn’t disclosed the information yet.”
“Wow… There’s only one in the U.S., right? So there’s no proper information released!”
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
When Si-hyun nodded, Da-young’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward.
Her lips twitched repeatedly.
It was clear that she had a lot she wanted to ask, but was hesitating whether it’d be alright.
Watching her for a moment, Si-hyun smiled softly and spoke.
“If you’re curious about something, you can ask.”
“T-Then!”
With permission granted, Da-young hurriedly fidgeted her fingers.
One, two, three.
The most curious question would be…
“Is that your original appearance?”
“…It changed a bit when I went to the other world.”
“That’s crazy, I want to go to another world too…”
Si-hyun gave a bitter smile at Da-young’s envious gaze.
“How did you return to Korea?”
“I defeated the Demon King and came back.”
“…? Suddenly the scale of this conversation is wild.”
“The hero’s party was really strong. I just helped a little.”
Hero’s Party!
It sounded like a fantasy novel.
But Da-young didn’t pursue this line of questioning any further.
Because Si-hyun’s demeanour changed compared to before.
Her eyes half-closed, her eyelids slightly drooping.
A cold and somber expression.
It seemed like there was some story behind it.
Da-young decided to change the subject.
“That’s why you’re so strong! In that case, wouldn’t it be better to enroll in the Academy and quickly reach C-rank? That’s what I would do.”
“Hmm…”
Si-hyun took a moment to organize her thoughts.
There were some clear reasons, and some vague ones.
“The biggest reason is that I needed some rest.”
“Ah, rest.”
Da-young nodded.
If the story was true, then she was a hero who defeated the Demon King and returned!
It was only natural for her to enjoy some time off.
“The most important reason… Well, I guess I hadn’t really thought about it deeply.”
Si-hyun spoke with a bitter smile.
“I’m still not comfortable with relationships. I don’t want to meet a lot of people.”
“Ah…”
It was a sentence lacking much information.
Why was she uncomfortable with relationships, and why didn’t she want to meet people?
But Da-young thought she had a rough idea.
The woman before her… must have returned with many wounds from the other world.
She looked like a wounded kitten.
It made her want to comfort her.
“That wasn’t a boring story, was it? Shall we wrap up the dungeon?”
“Oh, no! I really enjoyed hearing about you, Si-hyun! Will you tell me more when we get closer?”
“…Haha, sure.”
As Da-young responded excitedly, Si-hyun showed a faint smile.
“When we get closer,” huh?
It felt pleasantly resonant.
“I still have plenty of stamina thanks to my Holy Knight skills. How about we finish here and go for another round?”
“Oh, so that’s why Han-gyeol was always so energetic. Let’s keep going until we’re tired!”
Da-young readily agreed to Si-hyun’s suggestion, who naturally framed her abilities as skills.
Afterward, the two began to clear the dungeon at a rapid pace.
Si-hyun thought to herself as she smoothly handled the monsters with skilled movements.
Unlike the temporary party she joined right after returning…
Dungeon diving with Da-young alone was more enjoyable than expected.
There was no sense of discomfort.
It really does depend on the person you’re with.
“But why does a Holy Knight fight like that? Aren’t knights supposed to use swords?”
“…”
…Now that you mention it, that’s true, isn’t it?
Should I get a sword or something?
* * *
Section Chief Jang Han-soo of the Hunter Management Bureau was wracking his brain again today.
He couldn’t comprehend the behaviour of a particular hunter he had been closely monitoring lately.
Returnee, Jeong Si-hyun.
During the first week, it seemed like she was emphasizing, “I’m just an ordinary person.”
Now it was more like she was insisting, “It’s not me; it’s my partner who’s amazing!”
With another hunter, she was clearing out every single D-rank dungeon in Seoul as a duo.
Decreasing the number of dungeons was fine. That was a good thing.
The issue was that the partner was a craftsman hunter.
He wasn’t sure how they got connected, but it was clear that the partner was just support.
It was obvious that Si-hyun herself was clearing out the dungeons.
‘She turned down the mentor offer…’
At this point, could it be that she disliked the idea of belonging to a state organization?
Maybe it was time to come up with a new plan.
Honestly, he wanted to apply exceptions to the rules and raise her rank.
But the problem was that she showed no desire for that herself.
What should he do?
How did Hunter Moon Da-young get connected to Si-hyun?
“Ah!”
A small realization flashed through Jang Han-soo’s mind.
Does he really need to rack his brain alone?
He was acquainted with Hunter Moon Da-young, so why not just ask her directly for help?
The Section Chief immediately called Moon Da-young of the Wings Guild.
-Yes, this is the Wings Guild.
“It’s been a while, Da-young. This is Section Chief Jang Han-soo from the Management Bureau.”
-Oh, it’s been a while. What can I do for you?
“I heard you’ve been diving dungeons with Si-hyun lately.”
-Yes, that’s right. So what?
“Could you tell me how you became acquainted with her…”
-No.
“…Pardon?”
Before he could even finish speaking, she flatly refused.
The Section Chief’s forehead twitched slightly.
“C-Could you at least tell me why?”
-Don’t harass our girl.
“…”
-Is that all you needed?
“…Yes.”
-Then I’m hanging up.
Beep— Beep— Beep—
The call ended abruptly without giving him any chance to say anything else.
“Don’t harass our girl,” she said.
He was thinking of treating her according to her abilities.
He was willing to respect her wishes as much as possible.
How did it come to this…
Feeling wronged, the Section Chief held his head in his hands.
It was the kind of day that made him crave a drink.
* * *
“Si-hyun, how about we go grab a drink today?”
“Hmm? A drink?”
After finishing the last dungeon for the day and stepping outside.
As I looked up at the darkening sky, Da-young suddenly proposed the idea.
A drink out of nowhere?
“I haven’t exercised this much in a while, so I’m craving some. Join me! We’ve gathered all the materials, haven’t we?”
“Well, um…”
We did gather everything we needed as of yesterday.
Today was just to earn some money and help out Da-young in the process.
“Ah, I see. So our friendship was just a facade. Fine, we’re nothing but business partners…”
“…”
“I know a place that’s quiet with few people but serves amazing food…”
“…It’s not too far, is it?”
“Hehe, not at all! If it comes to that, I’ll even pay for your taxi fare home.”
J-Just a little interested now.
It was a rather tempting offer.
Come to think of it, it’s been over five years since I had any alcohol.
I haven’t tried drinking since my body changed.
Who cares about the doctrines of the Order? It was purely because of the Hero.
If I got drunk, I didn’t know when I’d provoke the Hero.
So I just didn’t drink.
Now I’m free. Maybe I should give it a try?
I’m perfectly mature mentally, and my body is physically an adult as well.
“…Alright, let’s go.”
“Deal! No backing out!”
Da-young laughed heartily and patted my shoulder.
Honestly, we haven’t even known each other for a week.
But like attracts like, and Da-young seemed as genuinely good-natured as Han-gyeol.
Are all the Wings Guild members like this?
I’ve only met two of them, but I’m starting to like the guild itself.
I’m not thinking of joining, but I’d like to maintain contact.
“Let’s go!”
Da-young shouted excitedly and led the way.
She’s a truly energetic person.
With a wry smile, I followed behind her.
We arrived at a bar on a quiet street.
As Da-young picked out our food and drinks, a serious thought hit me.
Wait, I’m a spicy weakling now.
…What if I’m a lightweight drinker too?
I used to handle two bottles of soju easily.
Now I’m a little worried…
—
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