Chapter 48

The day after tomorrow morning.

Originally an early riser, Si-hyun started preparing to go out leisurely.

She takes out the new clothes that were delivered yesterday.

“Next-day delivery really is convenient, huh.”

“Right?”

Sitting on the sofa, Si-yoon yawns widely and agrees.

In the meantime, Si-hyun, who had already changed into her new clothes, stands in front of the mirror to check herself out.

She feels the pressure of the black leggings hugging her legs.

A loose gray oversized hoodie covers her down to her hips, minimizing exposure.

Since she’s never been particularly interested in fashion, Si-hyun finds even this simple outfit refreshing.

Watching from the side, Si-yoon smiles lightly and says,

“With your great figure, even a basic look shines!”

“Gee, really…?”

Blushing at her sister’s unexpected compliment, Si-hyun felt a little embarrassed but not unpleasant.

“If I come home late today, feel free to eat dinner without me if you don’t hear from me.”

“Got it!”

After exchanging goodbyes with her sister, Si-hyun stepped out the door with a light step.

She heads toward the meeting place with Ah-reum, planning to take public transportation.

They’d decided to grab a quick bite before the Wings Guild members picked them up.

Arriving slightly early at the cafe, Si-hyun spots Ah-reum waiting already.

Ah-reum notices her arrival too while loitering in front of the cafe.

Si-hyun greets her cheerfully.

“Hi, you’re early?”

“Ah, hello Professor!”

“Hmm…”

Ah-reum’s enthusiastic greeting makes Si-hyun scratch her cheek awkwardly, feeling a bit self-conscious being called “Professor” so loudly in a non-academic setting.

“Shall we go in?”

“Y-yes!”

Already conscious of people staring, they quickly enter the cafe together.

After settling into a seat, Si-hyun absentmindedly crosses her ankles, then looks down at her unfamiliar leggings.

She absently rubs her thighs together, feeling the texture before looking up again.

“What do you want to order?”

“I’ll have this!”

They each order their favorite sandwiches and start eating while chatting casually.

“Ah, the novel you recommended is quite long. I haven’t finished yet.”

“R-really…?”

“Yeah. Still, it’s super interesting.”

“Right…”

Taking a bite of her sandwich, Si-hyun gazes thoughtfully at Ah-reum.

She seemed unusually subdued today compared to her usual shy demeanor.

Had she done something wrong?

Looking at Ah-reum’s stiff posture, Si-hyun tilts her head curiously.

Unable to figure it out, she decides to ask directly.

“Ah-reum.”

“Y-yes?!”

“Is something worrying you?”

“Eh, well…”

At Si-hyun’s question, Ah-reum’s eyes dart around nervously.

Finally, she bows her head deeply and speaks hesitantly.

“It’s…the dungeon…”

“Hmm.”

Ah-reum lifts her head slightly to gauge Si-hyun’s reaction before falling silent again.

Watching her, Si-hyun absentmindedly strokes her chin in thought.

The dungeon, the dungeon. Was she scared because we suddenly got assigned to a C-rank dungeon?

I didn’t plan to have her participate directly, just wanted to show her around and explain things…

Reconsidering, Si-hyun realizes Ah-reum is still an E-rank freshman – it’s completely understandable she’d be scared.

Maybe I was too focused on my own efficiency…

It seems visiting E or D-rank dungeons for observation would have been more appropriate.

Feeling apologetic toward Ah-reum, Si-hyun considers how to proceed.

“Ah-reum.”

“P-professor!”

Both spoke simultaneously, so Si-hyun gestures for Ah-reum to go first as she smiles gently.

Despite her nervousness, Ah-reum gathers her courage to speak.

“A-about the rank thing…”

“Hmm, ranks.”

So that’s what this is about.

Si-hyun decides to apologize once Ah-reum finishes speaking.

“Uh, today’s dungeon… Isn’t it a bit too high for me…? P-professor is only D-rank…”

“…Ah.”

My goodness! That’s what this was about!

Si-hyun’s eyes widen in realization.

I thought she was afraid of the dungeon itself.

While that’s probably true too, the real issue was different.

With everyone else in the dungeon being strangers, and the one person she trusted being only a D-rank hunter…

No wonder Ah-reum was trembling so much!

Feeling guilty, Si-hyun gently pats Ah-reum’s trembling hand.

“G-Ah-reum?”

“Y-yes…”

Si-hyun thinks briefly about how much to reveal.

Simply telling her not to worry might backfire.

On the other hand, revealing too much could make her shrink away from the dungeon rather than me as a person.

Having sorted through her thoughts, Si-hyun speaks slowly.

“Actually, I’m C-rank but I haven’t taken the promotion test yet.”

“Eh, r-really?!”

“Yeah, you know professors are busy. I figured there was no rush.”

“Oh, I see…”

Using an excuse based on something the Wings Guild men had said earlier, Si-hyun watches as Ah-reum’s expression brightens instantly.

Looking at this, Si-hyun gives a wry smile.

Feels like I’ll only be telling more lies as time goes on…

But when we become closer friends, maybe we’ll have opportunities for more open conversations.

Better to think about that when the time comes.

Si-hyun does her best to ease Ah-reum’s worries.

Seeing Ah-reum’s stiff posture gradually relax, she lets out a quiet sigh of relief internally.

Afterwards, the two get into the Wings Guild van that came to pick them up after having a light meal.

* * *

As the van starts heading toward the gate location.

Ah-reum fidgets uncomfortably, scooting closer to Si-hyun.

She cautiously wraps her arms around Si-hyun.

Feeling the soft, rounded curves pressing against her arm, Si-hyun turns her head to look at Ah-reum.

“Hmm…”

She can see Ah-reum starting to tense up again.

Maybe it’s because everyone else in the van are strange men?

Si-hyun decides they need some light introductions.

“Everyone.”

“Yes?”

At the gentle call, all the passengers except the driver turn to look at Si-hyun.

She clears her throat lightly before continuing.

“This is Ah-reum, the student joining us today.”

“A, hello…”

Ah-reum gives a timid greeting.

The men’s attention shifts from Si-hyun to Ah-reum.

The most noticeable features are her large glasses and thick bangs covering her forehead.

Hiding behind Si-hyun’s arm, only those parts of her face are visible.

Still, her striking beauty shines through despite that.

The Wings Guild men feel the previously dull van brighten considerably.

Having two beauties aboard makes the air feel fresher somehow.

“Ah-reum, these are all hunters from the Wings Guild. Let me introduce them in order…”

Continuing, Si-hyun introduces the men.

Now calmer, Ah-reum recognizes them as people who appeared in the Monster Studies lecture videos.

After finishing the round of introductions,

Si-hyun tilts her head curiously and asks.

“Mr. Ji-han is here today too?”

“I insist you call me casually!”

Ji-han grins as he continues.

“Today’s a large dungeon, so I’m helping out before going on a business trip.”

“…Business trip?”

“Well, did you hear why we agreed to take this large dungeon today?”

“Dae-young just said ‘Perfect timing!'”

At Si-hyun’s response, Ji-han glances at Han-gyeol beside him.

It wasn’t exactly secret information, but also not something to spread carelessly.

Han-gyeol nods, so Ji-han continues.

“You’ve heard that most of our Wings Guild members come from the same large guild, right?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard that.”

“Feel free to speak casually. Anyway! Those guys, uh… They’re pretty stingy.”

Ji-han quickly adjusts his tone as he was about to swear.

“They don’t touch E or D-rank dungeons, but whenever someone requests a C-rank dungeon near Seoul, they somehow find out and snatch the reservation.”

“Is that allowed…?”

“The higher the dungeon rank, the more reliable party the Management Bureau wants to assign.”

“Ah…”

She’s heard that before.

Previously, Ji-a mentioned not being able to enter an A-rank dungeon because a large guild took it first.

Si-hyun nods in understanding as Han-gyeol and Ji-han take turns explaining.

“This has improved thanks to the Management Bureau’s mediation.”

“Subtly. They only meddle enough to annoy us, not taking everything.”

“Ah…”

So that’s why there were occasional changes to the request schedule.

Si-hyun understands the situation with the Wings Guild now.

“Don’t they bother with regional dungeons?”

“Yes, they seem to find it too troublesome.”

They’re complete bullies.

Si-hyun’s expression darkens in irritation.

Noticing this, Han-gyeol laughs and says to lighten the mood.

“You don’t need to worry so much! Who do we have as our Master?”

“B-rank Crafting Hunter Moon Dae-young!”

Ji-han whistles in agreement.

Han-gyeol nods and continues.

“Our Master has plenty of connections, and the Management Bureau pays minimal attention, so they can only cause minor trouble.”

“Besides, if our Master ever gets an A-rank!”

“Those guys would panic, right?”

“Haha, I’m really looking forward to that.”

“Right? I’m more excited about Master getting an A-rank than me getting a B-rank!”

“Hahaha!”

Ji-han shrugs and cracks a joke, making all the men laugh heartily.

That way, the atmosphere in the van becomes lively again.

Gradually adapting, Ah-reum peeks her head out and listens to the conversation.

Curious, she pulls out her phone to search online about Crafting Hunters.

“There aren’t many, almost as rare as Support-type hunters…”

The highest rank in Korea is A-rank.

But there are only a handful of them, all elderly.

An age where retirement wouldn’t be surprising.

That explains why B-rank Crafting Hunters receive attention.

Next, Ah-reum plans to search which large guild is connected to the Wings Guild.

She’s curious about how the current situation developed.

Perhaps it was covered in the news somewhere.

However, just as her fingers are about to move, the van stops.

“We’ve arrived!”

“Shall we go?”

“Y-yes!”

Can always search later if I remember.

As soon as Ah-reum steps out of the van, she sticks close to Si-hyun again.

Being near Professor Jeong Si-hyun emits a pleasant fragrance.

Somehow, smelling this scent is comforting.

Of course, if the professor finds it uncomfortable, she’ll step back immediately.

Until then, she plans to stay close with her arms linked.

The C-rank dungeon is that scary.

Si-hyun looks awkwardly at Ah-reum’s head.

Scratching her neck once, she follows the men.

“Ms. Si-hyun, today’s our last day. Thank you for all your hard work!”

“Please take care of me today too!”

“Hehe, I should be the one asking for your help.”

With the men’s energetic voices, Si-hyun smiles lightly in response.

Moving to the gate area, the group meets a cluster of men who arrived earlier.

As they approach, a man who appears to be the leader greets them with a friendly smile.

“Nice to meet you. Let’s do quick introductions before starting?”

The man introduces his party first.

All Melee-type hunters: himself is B-rank, one C-rank, two D-ranks, making a total of four members.

Interestingly, all of them have the job class “Thief.”

Aware of this peculiarity himself, he gives a wry smile while explaining.

“Thieves aren’t often included in parties, so we formed our own fixed group.”

That reasonable explanation earns nods of understanding from everyone in the Wings Guild.