Chapter 92
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Saturday evening, the day of Kim Ji-a’s S-rank celebration party.
People began gathering one by one at the hotel’s banquet hall.
Prominent figures such as well-known high-ranking hunters, association officials, and key industry figures attended the event.
At the entrance, various media outlets and reporters swarmed, busily capturing the attendees on camera.
“P-Professor… I don’t look strange, right?”
“…No, you look great. Don’t worry.”
“Hehe…”
As they entered the banquet hall, Si-hyun gave a soft smile to reassure her student.
Then, turning her gaze forward, she exhaled quietly.
‘…It was a good decision to come together.’
She was just as nervous as anyone else.
But somehow, seeing Areum tense and on edge beside her strangely eased her own nerves.
It was as if a tightly pulled string had loosened slightly on one end.
Thanks to her student, who seemed to be bearing all the tension for her, Si-hyun felt lighter.
…Of course, the dress and heels were still uncomfortable.
“P-Professor, you look absolutely stunning today!”
“R-Really?”
“Yes! When I get home later, I’m going to look up the photos the reporters took of you earlier!”
“…Uh, hmm.”
For a moment, Si-hyun was at a loss for words.
She wanted to discourage her from doing that out of embarrassment but worried that doing so might make her seem petty.
In the end, Si-hyun awkwardly turned her head, trying to maintain her composure.
‘Ah, there’s Ji-a.’
A crowd had formed around Ji-a on one side of the banquet hall.
As the party’s main star, she was understandably busy.
Si-hyun quietly observed Ji-a’s outfit from afar.
A dark blue semi-dress.
The slim silhouette accentuated her waist, and the elegant design revealed her shoulders and neckline.
She looked stunning.
‘Hmm…’
Si-hyun subtly glanced down at her own attire.
Her dress was the same dark blue color as Ji-a’s and featured a very similar design.
The only noticeable differences were the accessories and hairstyle.
‘It looks fine.’
Just as Ji-a looked beautiful, Si-hyun thought she might look just as good.
Although the outfit felt awkward and uncomfortable, it wasn’t a bad feeling overall.
Lightly brushing her dress to feel the soft fabric, Si-hyun cautiously took a step forward.
With each step, the heels of her shoes echoed with a clicking sound.
She made her way toward the corner of the banquet hall, where food and drinks were displayed.
“Wow, everything looks delicious.”
“Y-Yeah! I feel like I have decision paralysis…”
“Same here. Oh, are you planning to drink?”
“Y-Yes! Should we try wine?”
“Do you know much about wine?”
“No! That’s why I’m going to look it up!”
Si-hyun chuckled softly at Areum’s confident admission of ignorance.
Her student was undeniably adorable.
Si-hyun leisurely browsed the selection of drinks.
At that moment, an elderly man with a kind laugh approached and spoke to her.
It was the master of the Knight Guild.
“Hoho, young lady, you seem to enjoy drinks.”
“Oh, good evening, sir.”
“Hmm. You shine so brightly when you’re dressed up like this.”
“Hehe…”
Blushing at the warm compliment, Si-hyun lowered her gaze shyly.
Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her and turned her head.
Areum, wide-eyed, alternated her gaze between Si-hyun and the elderly man.
Si-hyun smiled faintly and spoke.
“Right, sir, let me introduce you. This is my student, Areum.”
“Oh, ah, h-hello!”
Areum, visibly nervous, bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
Having studied diligently recently, she immediately recognized who he was.
An S-rank inspector and master of a major guild.
Though he had retired and now lived a quiet life, he had once earned the moniker “Sword Saint.”
‘I-Isn’t the professor scared…?’
The elderly man’s expression was warm as he greeted Areum.
But overwhelmed by his imposing presence, Areum couldn’t perceive it that way.
She subtly stepped back and hid behind Si-hyun.
Peeking out, she watched as her professor and the elderly man exchanged a friendly conversation.
To anyone watching, it was clear they were well-acquainted.
‘I don’t remember seeing this in the professor’s connections…’
Stealthily, Areum pulled out her smartphone and accessed the academy’s academic information system.
Moon Da-young and Kim Ji-a.
Only those two names were still listed in the “Connections” section.
Areum looked at her professor with a puzzled expression.
‘Now that I think about it, didn’t those two names get added late?’
The professor had mentioned being close to Kim Ji-a even before her Awakening, and her actions during the shopping trip confirmed that.
Considering the handcrafted models, the professor also maintained a deep connection with the master of the Wings Guild.
Based on all this, it seemed likely.
Could it be that the professor deliberately chose not to disclose certain connections?
Perhaps she was someone with far more extensive and solid relationships than anyone could imagine.
‘What if her international connections are even more impressive…?’
Given her professor’s exotic appearance, the theory seemed quite plausible.
Areum’s imagination began to run wild.
Naturally, her respect for Si-hyun reached its peak.
‘I’m so glad I made that decision back then!’
Areum silently congratulated herself on her choice and resolve.
“Hehe…”
With her nerves eased, Areum listened intently to her professor’s conversation.
“…So, I’ve been studying how to brew tea properly.”
“Hohoho, a young lady like you will master it in no time.”
A casual conversation!
Their exchange was easygoing and familiar, free of any burden.
Areum felt even more confident in her deduction.
My professor is a networking genius!
It was at that moment.
A group of burly men approached them.
“Master, may we have a moment of your time?”
“Hmm, sure.”
They were guild members and disciples from the Knight Guild.
The elder bid farewell to Si-hyun, promising to meet again, and his disciples politely bowed their heads as well.
Their demeanour reflected both caution and respect.
To them, anyone who received the master’s attention was clearly someone of great value.
Si-hyun took a sip of wine, watching them leave.
‘Everyone looked at the elder with eyes full of respect.’
As expected of the elder.
He truly lived an ideal life.
Si-hyun etched the elder’s presence into her memory.
“Should we head to a table and relax for a bit?”
“Yes, yes! If you sit comfortably, I’ll go grab a variety of snacks for you!”
They settled at a nearby table.
Areum eagerly took it upon herself to assist Si-hyun.
‘Areum seems much more relaxed now.’
Seated, Si-hyun tilted her head slightly and looked around the room.
Elegantly dressed people were engaged in lively conversations.
There were quite a few familiar faces.
Some of them had been with her during the Double Dungeon incident.
‘Oh, even the person I exchanged thumbs-ups with is here.’
That woman had such a pleasant personality. It made Si-hyun want to go over and say hello.
For a brief moment, she felt a surge of impulse.
‘Hmm, I didn’t think I’d feel the downside of hiding my identity here…’
With a wry smile, she took another sip of wine.
The wine spread sweetly across her palate, leaving a slightly bitter aftertaste that lingered.
“P-Professor! Do you need anything else?”
“No, this is enough. You’ve done well.”
“Hehe…”
Before she realized it, Areum had returned and set down a plate.
Si-hyun chatted with Areum while observing the people around them.
Her eyes landed on Ji-a, who was moving from table to table, engaging in conversations with everyone.
It seemed natural to wait here until Ji-a came by to greet them.
Si-hyun shifted her gaze to another group.
That’s when she spotted a familiar face.
“Areum.”
“Yes?”
“Look over there. Do you see Eun-byul’s older brother?”
“Oh, yes! I see him! As expected, Hunter Yeo Do-hyung is here too.”
“Do you know who he’s talking to?”
Areum shook her head.
In a room dominated by Koreans, the tall Western man stood out prominently.
Areum’s curiosity was piqued as well.
“W-Wait a moment! I’ll look it up quickly!”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Areum’s fingers moved swiftly across her smartphone screen.
Si-hyun blinked as she watched her.
‘She’s so much faster than me.’
She had thought she was fairly familiar with phones now.
It seemed she still had a long way to go.
Before her was a master of smartphone typing.
Si-hyun marveled at Areum’s rapid movements.
“I-I found it! Jason Turner. He’s an S-rank hunter from the United States.”
“Ah, so he’s from the U.S.”
“Uh… But he seems like a rather unique individual.”
“Hmm? What do you mean by unique?”
When Si-hyun asked, Areum glanced at her phone screen and replied.
“Well, to put it in gaming terms, he apparently enjoys PVP more than PVE.”
“He’s better at fighting people than monsters?”
“Y-Yes! Exactly!”
Areum had been parroting what she read online, but Si-hyun’s succinct summary made her grin bashfully.
“H-He’s also highly regarded for frequently going on international assignments and handling work efficiently.”
Areum read through the information at length.
“B-But there’s also a lot of controversy because he’s known as a battle junkie who often clings to high-ranking hunters from other countries.”
“…He does seem like an unusual person.”
“R-Right…?”
“He seems exhausting to deal with, so let’s make sure we avoid getting involved with someone like that.”
“Agreed!”
The two of them nodded in unison with identical expressions.
Like master, like student.
—
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