Chater 100
—
Early afternoon.
The sky near my house was like diluted paint, vaguely clouded.
Looking up at it gave off a dreary feeling.
The time was somewhere between late spring and early summer.
People on the streets had started wearing light and short clothing, such as T-shirts and shorts.
I headed to the subway station near my house to visit the Hunter Management Bureau.
Since the busy commuting hours had already passed, the scene was relatively quiet.
“Hm…”
Come to think of it, the first time I went to the Hunter Management Bureau, I met Han-gyeol at the station.
Back then, there were so many things I wasn’t used to.
Now, just a few months later, I feel like I’ve adapted a lot.
Swoosh—Clunk.
The train stopped, and the doors opened.
I stepped inside and casually took a seat nearby.
To pass the time, I calmly reflected on what had happened so far.
My beloved sister, Si-yoon, who helped me adapt to this new life.
My precious friend Ji-a, who taught me the diversity of life.
The cute and lively students I met at the academy.
And others, like the elder from the Knight Guild, who showed me an ideal way of life.
Even Yeo Do-hyung, who showed me what a real talk show, different from Kang Chul-min’s special lectures, was like.
So many events, so many people.
…Yes. I should act on what I’ve decided.
At first, all I wanted was to rest, and the future seemed vague.
But now, I have a clear goal, and the path leading to it is just as clear.
All I have to do is keep moving toward the path I want to follow.
“Hm…”
I arrived at my destination station and naturally looked up at the sky.
The sky was clear and transparent, without a single cloud.
The sunlight was warm, and the breeze was refreshingly cool.
The weather was perfect.
* * *
Hunter Management Bureau building.
Section Chief Jang Han-soo led Si-hyun, who arrived precisely on time, to the meeting room.
The team leader of the management department, who had been waiting in advance, greeted Si-hyun.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Hello.”
The team leader exchanged greetings with Si-hyun, his face visibly tense.
Meanwhile, the section chief, who had prepared some snacks and drinks, also took a seat.
“…So, could you explain in detail about the important matter?”
“Yes, I will.”
Si-hyun took a small sip of coffee to wet her throat.
Where should she begin to most effectively convey her intentions?
She calmly organized her thoughts and put on a serious expression.
“This might be a long story, so I’ll start with a summary. I’m preparing to reveal my identity.”
“Are… Are you serious?!”
“Oh my god. Finally!”
They had only half-believed it might happen, but now it was true.
Both the section chief and the team leader widened their eyes as they looked at Si-hyun.
Maintaining her serious expression, Si-hyun met their gaze.
“But, keep one thing in mind.”
“Y-Yes, please tell us.”
“I don’t want goodwill to be taken for granted.”
“…”
“I’m very satisfied with the current relationship I have with the Management Bureau. If there’s an urgent dungeon situation, I’ll clear it all for you. But I won’t tolerate being forced into anything. This also reflects the opinions of the public.”
The two men nodded slowly.
Here, Si-hyun was in the position of power, and they were subordinate.
“I won’t belong to any guild, nor will I be bound by anyone. I simply love Korea, where my beloved family is. That’s why I’m offering this.”
“Ah… I understand!”
“Thank you, Si-hyun!”
The section chief and team leader flared their nostrils as they smiled brightly.
Si-hyun’s proposal was the best answer for the Management Bureau.
It wouldn’t disrupt the balance between the guilds.
It would also ensure the nation’s security as she remained a Korean hunter.
And it would bolster the strength and honor of the Hunter Management Bureau.
Although Si-hyun spoke in a self-centered manner, the men weren’t oblivious to the meaning behind her words.
To them, she was like a powerful ally.
‘In the end, nothing has changed!’
‘We just need to avoid tying her down. As long as we don’t cross the line!’
Moreover, considering her modest actions so far?
Unlike other high-ranking hunters with endless demands, she would be a low-maintenance asset for the Management Bureau.
She was an ideal existence—the perfect hunter.
‘…It seems they’ve understood.’
Si-hyun observed their expressions and allowed them time to process her words.
Leisurely savoring the coffee’s flavor, she spoke again.
“No matter how powerful the Management Bureau is, it’s not easy to ignore the public’s demands. So, I won’t reveal my identity immediately.”
“Hm, do you have a specific plan in mind?”
“Yes, I’ll hold it tightly in my hands and use it boldly. Since it’s my business, I’ll take the blame. All I ask is for you to handle other nuisances.”
“T-That makes sense…”
Boldly hold it and use it? What could that mean?
The two men, unable to imagine her method, looked at Si-hyun with trembling eyes.
With an innocent smile, Si-hyun elaborated.
“Lately, there’s been a significant increase in the occurrence of high-ranking dungeons, right? I heard another S-rank dungeon recently appeared in Korea.”
“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”
The team leader stuttered as he replied.
Recently, two S-rank dungeons had been successfully cleared in Korea. One was handled by the elite party of the Dawn Guild, and the other was cleared through a coalition of guilds.
Both were close calls.
And now, just a few days ago, yet another S-rank dungeon had appeared.
They had yet to devise a clear plan for how to tackle this dungeon.
For now, the immediate solution was to let high-ranking hunters rest and then reattempt it.
But the real problem was the excessively frequent occurrence of such dungeons.
“This is happening overseas as well, isn’t it? The death rate of hunters is rising sharply in real-time, right?”
“Yes, that’s also true.”
“Then isn’t it enough to clear the dungeon before it spirals out of control? I’ll clear it in a grand manner and then take a vacation abroad.”
“…Excuse me?”
Why suddenly talk about traveling here?
The team leader, confused by the abrupt topic, instinctively asked.
Si-hyun gave a mischievous smile and said,
“I’ll reveal my identity dramatically in a critical moment, make a big splash, then head abroad to keep the nation guessing. And when the suspense peaks, I’ll return dramatically and shine again. What do you think? Sounds like a pretty good idea, right?”
“It… it seems… quite good, yes…”
The team leader stuttered again.
He couldn’t respond properly.
This was an idea that only someone extraordinary could conceive. It would undoubtedly be effective if executed well.
Above all…
‘Hunter Jung Si-hyun has the power and capability to actually pull it off.’
She was someone who could turn “not okay” into “okay.”
Her abilities, demonstrated in the Double Dungeon, were the real deal.
She had already transcended individual and national boundaries.
A hunter who was essentially a walking natural disaster.
A terrifying enemy, but an unparalleled protector if on your side.
She could truly become a guardian deity of the nation.
“Let me clarify before we go into more details. I love Korea, but I won’t be bound by anyone. Understood?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Understood!”
When Si-hyun emphasized this, the two men responded with determination.
For the next few hours, the three of them exchanged ideas and meticulously crafted plans.
Si-hyun’s personal requests were also part of the discussion.
Details like when, where, and how she would travel.
Her desire to move into a new home and entrust that to the Bureau, among other things.
Si-hyun casually handed over bothersome tasks.
Even so, the arrangement was a win-win for both parties.
* * *
After the meeting ended.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Yes, you don’t need to worry about it. Both of you are busy, after all.”
I politely declined Section Chief and the team leader’s offer to escort me.
They were already busy people, so there was no need to inconvenience them further.
“Then, I’ll see you next time.”
“Yes, see you next time!”
“Take care!”
After a brief exchange of farewells, I stepped out of the meeting room.
Crossing the quiet, empty hallway, I arrived at the lobby.
Just as I was about to leave the Bureau building, I happened to encounter some familiar faces.
“Oh, Professor Jung Si-hyun? Fancy seeing you here!”
“Hello, Professor. It’s been a while.”
“Oh, hello. It has been a while.”
It was Eun-byul, one of my students, and her older brother, Yeo Do-hyung.
After exchanging light greetings, Eun-byul brightly said,
“Professor! I got promoted to D-rank! I came here today to renew my license!”
“Wow, really? Congratulations!”
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you, Professor!”
Eun-byul, smiling brightly, bounced on her toes as she spoke.
Her face was brimming with joy, and it was absolutely adorable.
“It’s all the result of your hard work. Congratulations again, Eun-byul!”
“Hehe, thank you so much!”
Eun-byul cheerfully bowed her head in gratitude.
…How should I put it? Watching young students grow one by one gave me this warm, inexplicable feeling.
It felt like a happiness virus.
While basking in the warmth spreading through my chest, Eun-byul alternated her gaze between me and Yeo Do-hyung.
Then, as if struck by an idea, she clapped her hands and said,
“Oh, right. Oppa! I’ll handle my license renewal on my own, so escort our professor!”
“…What?”
“I’m off!”
Eun-byul abruptly declared her intentions and zipped away.
I watched her disappearing figure for a moment before turning back.
I made eye contact with Yeo Do-hyung, whose face wore an awkward expression.
…My face probably looked the same.
—
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