Chapter 63

It was right when the hunters were resting and holding a meeting.

Outside the gate that served as the entrance, Director Jang Han-soo from the Management Division was talking with the team leader.

The director stared seriously at his phone.

After taking a sip of coffee, the team leader said,

“Everyone’s probably conquering it safely, right?”

“Yes. We’ve got the Dawn Guild party and the Master of the Knight Guild too.”

“There should be as few casualties as possible though.”

The team leader took another sip of coffee.

“So, about that returning hunter…”

Even amidst his busy schedule, he had prepared various things based on the trust in his subordinate.

Now that things had slowed down, it was time to hear the full story.

Since they were inside the car prepared for the returning hunter’s request, there was no one around to eavesdrop.

The team leader asked casually,

“What’s their real rank?”

“Well, the American returnee is B-rank, so this person must be at least B-rank or possibly an A-rank awakener, right?”

“If they’re S-rank, I’m planning to treat them royally.”

So much so that they’d never even think about leaving Korea.

The team leader looked at the director with anticipation.

The director calmly replied,

“I don’t know since they didn’t tell me their rank.”

“…”

The team leader’s face fell in disappointment.

The director quickly added more explanation.

* * *

Si-hyun glared at the man participating in the meeting a little ways away.

Do-hyeong.

That spicy stir-fried noodles which left her tongue in excruciating pain.

The instant ramen model was right in front of her eyes.

‘Who would’ve thought I’d meet him here…’

They say you meet your enemies on a narrow bridge.

With her hood concealing her face, she glared intensely at Do-hyeong.

He noticed her gaze for a moment before refocusing on the meeting.

Si-hyun clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to suppress the urge to lash out.

She wanted to use “Burning Tongue Punishment” on that hero-like guy.

In fact, she had created that magic specifically while vowing to teach him a lesson.

‘…Should I just do it?’

She felt a strong temptation…

‘…But probably not a good idea.’

She reminded herself of the need to separate work and personal matters.

She came here to help conquer the dungeon, not hinder it.

Harassing the apparent true leader of the vanguard would clearly be trolling.

Such intentional interference with allies shouldn’t happen.

Sighing deeply, Si-hyun suppressed the emotions trying to overwhelm her reason.

At that moment, Ji-a spoke up.

“Nun! What brings you here?”

“…”

Si-hyun silently turned her head and looked at Ji-a, communicating her thoughts through gestures.

Ji-a roughly understood the meaning.

‘This world…’

Ji-a was filled with conflicting emotions.

The pure joy of knowing Si-hyun worried enough to follow.

The confidence boost in conquering the dungeon with Si-hyun’s presence.

And conversely, the guilt of causing trouble and worry.

Though she did leave a message beforehand.

Still, it was predictable that Si-hyun might react this way to her actions.

Ji-a softly hugged Si-hyun and whispered,

“I’ve caused you worry. I’m sorry.”

Feeling the soft touch, Si-hyun shook her head and gently patted Ji-a’s back.

Ji-a hadn’t done anything wrong.

She simply followed out of concern.

What mattered was the determination not to regret coming.

Since she was here now, she intended to see it through clearly.

All or nothing.

After ending the hug, Ji-a stepped away from Si-hyun who was organizing her thoughts by looking around.

At that moment, Ga-eul, the female supporter from Dawn Guild approached.

“Miss Ji-a, do you know this person?”

“Yes, they helped us in a previous dungeon.”

“Hmm.”

Ga-eul narrowed her eyes and looked at Si-hyun.

“Are you by chance a support-type hunter, given the nun outfit?”

“…”

Si-hyun didn’t respond to the question.

She glanced sharply at Ga-eul, nodded briefly as a greeting, then turned away as if uninterested.

Ga-eul immediately felt irritated.

It wasn’t rude exactly, but it was strangely annoying.

“I didn’t introduce myself! I’m Ga-eul, an A-rank support-type hunter from Dawn Guild!”

“…”

Si-hyun turned back to look at Ga-eul.

Though uninterested in the other party, she couldn’t ignore someone initiating conversation.

She shook hands with Ga-eul who extended her hand.

An A-rank support-type hunter? That sparked a tiny bit of interest.

But naturally, their level would become clear during the dungeon run.

If any questions arose, she could always check with Areum.

Soon Si-hyun’s interest faded and she looked around at the other hunters.

Ga-eul honestly felt confused.

‘To completely ignore someone after being introduced?’

Who was she?

A top-tier hunter from one of Korea’s leading guilds, and the only A-rank support-type hunter in the country.

Looking globally, she ranked among the uppermost echelons of hunters.

Yet the other party seemed either unaware or uninterested.

She reacted completely differently from anyone else she’d met.

Normally people would be surprised and try to get close, flattering her.

Wanting desperately to join dungeons with her.

That’s what Ga-eul had expected.

But this nun showed absolutely no interest in her.

‘How strange…’

Ga-eul furrowed her brow.

Just what kind of person was this? Let’s at least hear their voice. Thinking this, she opened her mouth again.

“Excuse me?”

“……?”

Hearing her name called, Si-hyun quietly gazed at Ga-eul.

“Would you answer when someone’s talking to you?”

“…”

Ga-eul stared at the other person.

The hooded head tilted slightly as if asking “What’s the problem?”

Feeling somewhat offended, Ga-eul’s irritation began to rise.

Just then, a mage from the later group who had been resting nearby stood up.

Having recognized the sharp tone in Ga-eul’s voice and understanding the situation.

Approaching Si-hyun’s side quickly.

She stepped forward to help the nun who had reliably protected their rear today.

“This person was urgently brought by the director. They’re a foreigner!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes! They can communicate but apparently can’t speak.”

“Ah, that’s what it was.”

Her appearance calmed Ga-eul’s rising anger.

Though still somewhat dissatisfied, it wasn’t something she’d openly show.

Thanks to this, Ji-a who had been listening nearby accurately grasped the situation.

How the story developed and how Si-hyun entered the dungeon.

‘The director, huh.’

A foreigner… In a way, not entirely incorrect.

Ji-a nodded.

While others were chatting around her.

Si-hyun was idly thinking without any tension.

‘With an A-rank supporter here, I might just get to spectate.’

Rather conveniently, she thought.

Just watch over Ji-a comfortably.

Having boldly declared to the director, in case of emergency she’d help others too.

But otherwise, Si-hyun had no intention of stepping in at all.

Reaffirming to herself once more.

All or nothing.

As the short break passed.

The hunters lined up after completing preparations.

Facing the entrance of the double dungeon with tense expressions.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, we’re departing!”

“Let’s wrap this up cleanly till the end!”

With loud shouts, they entered the double dungeon one by one.

The place where the hunters arrived was a large cave-shaped dungeon much like before.

Torches hanging on pillars faintly illuminated the surroundings.

The space was quite wide, but there were no monsters nearby.

“Let’s advance!”

With powerful voices, the hunters started moving.

Carefully exploring the area as they walked.

Walking beside Ji-a, Si-hyun tilted her head slightly.

‘This is strange…’

Ever since entering the dungeon, she’d felt a sense of déjà vu.

Vague enough to dismiss as a mistake.

But entering the double dungeon made it feel increasingly clear.

‘Nah, surely not.’

Smirking slightly, she quickened her pace.

Soon, a group of undead appeared and battle commenced.

* * *

“Our Do-hyeong’s magic is so cool! Heehee!”

“…”

“Kyaa?! What’s that thing?!”

“…”

Again, Ga-eul’s chaotic racket began.

Standing firmly in front of the rear guard, Ji-a tried her best not to turn her head.

Someone’s intense gaze kept pricking at the back of her neck.

“Kyaaa! Some have slipped through! Ji-a-ssi, Ji-a-ssi!”

“…”

Ji-a skillfully defeated the few monsters rushing towards her.

Straightening her posture, she faced forward again.

The intense gaze still felt strong.

It gave her the illusion that the back of her neck was tingling.

It was definitely Si-hyun’s gaze.

Though saying nothing, Ji-a’s mind naturally replayed Si-hyun’s voice.

[Is that one portion, Ji-a?]

[Is this average for support hunters?]

[Are you just baggage?]

‘She must be thinking something like that…’

Ji-a sighed inwardly.

The two people behind her kept lowering her focus.

Actually.

‘What kind of cheerleader is this…?’

Si-hyun alternated her gaze between Ga-eul and Ji-a.

Thinking to gauge the level of Korea’s top supporter.

During combat, most of what she did was squealing.

Only after the fight ended could one see her skills.

Occasionally, she used magic from afar, but it was extremely rare.

‘[Is this elite support?]’

Is this girl special?

Or am I more exceptional than I thought?

The skill power seems impressive enough.

But even so, is this right?

Considering my own standards and A-reum’s educational direction, it’s quite important.

Feeling perplexed, Si-hyun looked at Ji-a.

The intense and fiery gaze continued.

* * *

As the hunters ventured deeper into the double dungeon, they gradually realized they were nearing the end.

Beyond the passage.

They spotted a massive gate that changed the entire atmosphere.

“The dungeon’s shorter than expected.”

“That’s true, it didn’t take long.”

Some hunters exchanged light conversation.

Hearing their talk, one hunter spoke softly.

“This might actually be dangerous…”

“Hm? Why?”

Asked by a relatively inexperienced hunter from the later group.

The man who had been staring at the gate answered without breaking eye contact.

“With such dense mana concentration in the dungeon, it doesn’t make sense for it to be short and easy.”

“…Seriously?”

“Yeah, there’s a high probability the boss will be insanely strong.”

“Shit.”

Muttering curses, they stared at the gate together.

This was already understood by the S-rank hunters.

“We need to be careful.”

“Hahaha! With me here, what’s there to worry about? Just watch my amazing performance!”

To Ye Do-hyeong’s muttering, Kang Cheol-min shouted arrogantly.

Stepping forward, he firmly gripped the gate handle.

All hunters focused on his movements.

Preparing for the final battle, they steeled their resolve.

Koo-goo-goo-goo-ng!

With a loud noise, the gate slowly opened.

Following Kang Cheol-min who entered first, the hunters lined up and entered the boss room one by one.

And soon after.

“Isn’t that Hunter Yu Byeong-jun?”

“Hey, the people beside him look like rescue hunters too?”

“What in the world is going on here…”

Faced with an unusual situation, the hunters stifled groans.

Hee-hee-hee——

An eerie and chilling woman’s laughter welcomed them.

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