Chapter 13
The next morning.
I left home early with an excited heart.
I arrived at the Wings Guild building using public transportation.
When I entered the office, two familiar faces greeted me.
Da-young was comfortably sitting and drinking coffee, while Han-gyeol, who had been slumped over the table, got up.
“Si-hyun, welcome!”
“Oh, it’s been a while, Si-hyun.”
“Hello.”
After a light greeting, I sat down next to Da-young as she gestured.
“Want some coffee?”
“No, I’ll just take the items and leave right away.”
“No need to be in such a rush, is there?”
“…There’s nothing else I have to do, right?”
“Hmph… Well, I guess not.”
Da-young looked disappointed as she pulled up her status window.
Then, she took out two bracelets and handed them to me.
“Just like we discussed, these two make up a set. Do you want to check their functions?”
“Yes.”
I took the bracelets.
Since I don’t have a status window, I’d have to analyse the functions in detail to know for sure.
But I trust Da-young, so I just nodded and took the items.
“Right now, it only has an alarm function to indicate danger and location tracking, but let’s make a better one next time.”
“I’ll be counting on you then.”
“Of course!”
Da-young and I shook hands.
These items were designed to be used even by regular people.
I learned how to use them so I could show Si-yoon as well.
With my business done, I stood up, ready to leave.
At that moment, I happened to make eye contact with Han-gyeol.
He seemed to be hesitating, looking unsure.
“…Do you have something to say?”
“Oh, no. It’s just that….”
Han-gyeol’s lips moved slightly as if he wanted to speak.
I tilted my head, observing him, and suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Da-young at the bar.
“Han-gyeol.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Um, do you want to exchange numbers?”
“…!”
Han-gyeol’s mouth spread into a wide grin, as if it could reach his ears.
“Y-Yeah, sure!”
“Okay.”
“Pfft…”
I heard a chuckle and turned to see Da-young covering her mouth, laughing.
What’s so funny?
Anyway, I successfully exchanged numbers with Han-gyeol.
Maybe one day, when I have a lot of contacts, this won’t mean much.
But right now, I can’t even fill a single screen.
Just having one more contact…
It feels a bit exciting, like a tickling sensation in my heart.
I should keep increasing it. Hehe…
“See you next time then.”
“Yep!”
“See you again.”
We exchanged light farewells, just like when I arrived, and I stepped outside.
Instinctively, I checked my phone and saw a message from Si-yoon.
-Ji-a is coming up to Seoul today! She said she’ll stop by our place tonight.
It seemed I’d be meeting an old acquaintance after a long time.
***
The Academy.
A facility established to increase the efficiency and safety of hunters after the Great Cataclysm.
Most hunters are adults, so the Academy adopted many aspects of the university system.
Of course, being a different institution, there are significant differences as well.
One of the most notable differences is that many of the faculty members are active or retired hunters.
A car entered the grounds of such an academy.
It parked in front of a building used by the faculty.
The driver’s door opened, and a young woman with a clean-cut appearance stepped out.
Her shoulder-length, mid-length hair swayed softly over her neatly worn office attire.
She seemed familiar with the Academy as she confidently entered the building.
She stopped in front of a door with a nameplate.
[Academy Principal’s Office]
She knocked on the door and, hearing a response, entered.
A woman in her late 30s, who had been sitting in a work chair, stood up.
“Ji-a, you’re here?”
“It’s been a while, Principal.”
After exchanging greetings, the two moved to the consultation desk and sat facing each other.
“I heard the news. You cleared a medium-sized B-rank dungeon in the provinces all by yourself?”
“Well, I am an A-rank hunter after all.”
“But it’s still dangerous to go alone, isn’t it?”
The principal lightly shook her head.
The rank or size of a dungeon varies greatly depending on the type and the hunter’s profession.
Typically, considering both profit and safety, the most common setup is for four or more hunters of the same rank to team up.
This becomes even more important as the dungeon rank increases.
No matter how few A-rank hunters there are, it’s rare for someone to go solo.
“Why did you retire first, then?”
“Hey, is this really my fault?”
The two exchanged light-hearted jokes with playful smiles.
Before the principal retired as an active hunter, she and Ji-a had been partners.
The two women chatted lightly while drinking coffee, catching up.
They talked about Ji-a’s experiences in the dungeon.
And about the principal’s concerns while running the Academy.
Various topics were discussed.
“You’re short on faculty members?”
“Well, as long as they haven’t retired, active duty pays much better.”
“That’s true.”
“Mana research isn’t progressing well either. I wish we had a returnee like in America….”
“…Hmm.”
It’s been a little over five years since the Great Cataclysm occurred.
A period that can be considered short or long, depending on perspective.
Countries around the world are actively researching mana and status windows.
Various uses for mana stones are being discovered as a new resource.
However, it’s also true that the research is progressing slowly.
The principles of mana and status windows remain unknown.
Although the occurrence of gates can now be observed in advance, the cause is still a mystery.
Moreover, for certain irregular special dungeons, pre-emptive observation is sometimes not possible.
“Do you want to be a part-time lecturer next semester?”
“I’ll think about it then.”
“You’ll probably just be busy running dungeons again.”
“Haha….”
Ji-a awkwardly laughed in response to the principal’s grumbling.
Afterward, they continued with trivial small talk.
As the time drew near, Ji-a stood up first.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Alright, take care on your way back.”
After exchanging farewells and leaving the principal’s office, Ji-a checked the time.
If she left now, she would arrive at Si-yoon’s house right on time.
***
Ding-dong!
Ji-a, carrying a bunch of food items, rang the doorbell.
Moments later, the door opened, and a woman with a cold impression peeked out.
“Hmm?”
“Ah….”
Though they hadn’t seen each other for five years, both women instantly recognized each other from the conversations they had through Si-yoon.
“Are you really Si-hyun?”
“Um… Long time no see.”
With an awkward smile, Si-hyun stepped aside to let Ji-a in.
Si-hyun returned to the living room first, and Ji-a, while taking off her shoes, watched her retreating figure.
Even though she had heard about it beforehand, it was still a surprising sight.
“Unni, welcome!”
“Have you been well?”
Si-yoon greeted Ji-a warmly.
After Si-hyun, her older brother, disappeared during the Great Cataclysm, Ji-a was the one who supported and took care of the orphaned Si-yoon for the past five years.
The two became as close as real sisters.
Si-hyun watched as Ji-a put down the bags she had brought and then spoke.
“Um, Ji-a….”
“Yes?”
“Well, I just….”
Si-hyun hesitated for a moment.
The former classmate she hadn’t seen in a long time had turned into an elegant, refined beauty, far from the freshness of her youth.
She had a composed demeanour and a confident face.
Si-hyun had always liked this side of Ji-a.
“I-I just wanted to say thank you! You took such good care of Si-yoon, didn’t you? Really, thank you so much.”
Si-hyun bowed deeply and expressed her gratitude.
Ji-a’s eyes widened slightly.
Soon, she smiled brightly and replied in a calm voice.
“Pfft, I just took care of her occasionally. Right, Si-yoon?”
“Yeah, especially when I was settling down in Seoul, she helped me a lot!”
“Nowhere is completely safe, but in Korea, Seoul is the best place to be.”
After saying that, Ji-a held Si-hyun’s shoulders and helped her stand up straight.
Of course, it felt good to hear thanks, but Ji-a didn’t do it expecting any reward.
Right now, it felt like they were being too formal with each other.
“Wow, to be honest, it’s been so long that I don’t really remember how you used to look. But you’ve changed so much.”
“…I’m still not used to it myself.”
When Ji-a exaggeratedly expressed her amazement, Si-hyun gave a bitter smile.
Afterward, the three of them took out the contents of the bags that Ji-a had brought.
They set up the food on the table and put the drinks in the refrigerator.
Once they were done preparing and settled into comfortable positions, they began catching up.
Ji-a spoke to Si-yoon first.
“Si-yoon, these days, your room… Um! Um!”
“Hahaha! Is your room a bit messy?”
Si-yoon, moving like lightning, covered Ji-a’s mouth.
When Ji-a rolled her eyes to look at her, Si-yoon returned her gaze with a trembling look.
Ji-a nodded vigorously, finally freeing her blocked mouth.
“Haa… Do you really have to do that?”
“It’s embarrassing! …I’ll clean my room diligently.”
“Oh, okay. Your room, right?”
Si-hyun tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what was going on.
She thought, ‘Isn’t it clean enough?’
Seeing Si-hyun’s reaction, Si-yoon sighed in relief.
“By the way, no information about the Returnee has been released yet, right?”
“No, not yet.”
Ji-a looked at Si-hyun, deep in thought.
If the Academy Principal didn’t know, it must be something only those directly involved were aware of.
She herself only knew what little Si-yoon had told her.
“All I heard is that you returned and that you’re a hunter now. What’s your rank?”
“E-rank.”
“Ah, I see. What’s your class?”
“Holy Knight.”
After Si-hyun answered, she heard someone quietly giggling from the side.
Si-yoon was covering her mouth, laughing.
…Yeah, there’s no need to hide it anymore.
Changing her mind, Si-hyun spoke.
“…Actually, I was a Saintess.”
“Huh? Could you say that again?”
Ji-a’s sharp ears caught the word, but her perception couldn’t keep up.
So, Si-yoon repeated it on behalf of Si-hyun.
“Saint-ess.”
She emphasized each syllable of the word.
Only then did Ji-a finally understand and stared blankly at Si-hyun.
“…Why?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Ji-a’s mind wandered.
Indeed, Si-hyun’s current appearance suited the title of Saintess perfectly.
Her pure, pristine white hair.
Her beautiful golden eyes, gleaming as if they held radiance within.
Once acknowledged, her gentle smile even seemed like a compassionate expression.
“…Would blessings be granted if I prayed?”
“If you enter a dungeon, I’ll grant one.”
The two looked at each other and chuckled softly.
“So, E-rank was false information?”
“Yeah, it was.”
“Would it be okay to ask what your real rank is?”
“…It’s not B-rank, but probably around A-rank.”
Si-hyun calmly gathered her thoughts.
The higher the rank, the greater the disparity even among hunters of the same rank.
They say S-rank has transcended humanity.
Transcended humanity. That would be around the level of the Hero’s Party, right?
That’s why Si-hyun assumed she was somewhere around there.
The Returnee from the United States was also said to be B-rank.
So, it should be roughly accurate, she thought.
After all, it wasn’t fair to compare herself, who purely operated mana and holy power, to hunters who received bonuses from their status windows.
“Oh, now I’m curious. Did you hear that? I’m A-rank.”
“Yeah, I heard it from Si-yoon.”
“Wanna go to a dungeon together tomorrow?”
“Uh… Are you talking about D-rank?”
Since she was E-rank, D-rank would be her limit even with a companion.
Si-hyun pointed that out, but Ji-a shook her head.
“If we submit a special request, we can go higher. Have you been to a C-rank before? Let’s try that one.”
“…Should we?”
Si-hyun was curious to see how strong an A-rank hunter really was.
At the same time, Ji-a was also curious.
She wanted to know just how powerful Si-hyun, the Returnee and Saintess, really was.
Their curiosity aligned.
“Wow, leaving me out. It’s tough being a non-awakened person…”
“Pfft, Si-yoon, how about going shopping with me instead? How about this weekend?”
“Great! You’re coming too, right, unni?”
Si-yoon looked at Si-hyun.
But Si-hyun shook her head.
“Shopping’s a bit… You two have fun.”
“Jeez…”
Si-yoon pouted, but Si-hyun deliberately looked away.
It was obvious that it would be exhausting to go along.
“Let’s eat now before the food gets cold!”
Ji-a began unpacking the food she had brought.
The delicious scent of meat and seasoning filled the living room.
“Si-hyun, I remembered that you liked spicy food back in the day. So, I specifically bought this.”
“Oh, uh….”
It was spicy braised pork feet.
Si-hyun appreciated that Ji-a remembered this about her.
But she could feel her facial muscles twitching.
Upon unpacking all the food, there were also non-spicy salted pork feet.
‘Should I eat that instead?’
No, that would hurt her pride.
She didn’t want to give up before even starting.
Carefully, Si-hyun took a bite of the spicy pork feet.
“Cough! Cough!”
“A-Are you okay?!”
She surrendered immediately.
She vowed to get used to it and conquer it someday…
Even amidst the pain, Si-hyun made a firm resolution.
—
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