Chapter 87

Right after wrapping up the talk show, Ye Do-hyeong walked over to a place he’d been keeping an eye on earlier.

Even from far away, the woman who stood out clearly was nowhere to be seen, seemingly already gone.

“Hmm…”

He pulled his cap lower over his eyes again and slowly looked around.

He resumed walking.

Gradually reaching the edge of the night market, he swallowed his disappointment.

Then, by sheer coincidence, he spotted a woman standing in a quiet shop at the very end.

Ye Do-hyeong quickly approached and stood next to the woman.

Casually ordering a beer and looking at her, their eyes met.

“……Hm?”

She had quite the expressive face. Her initially blank expression gradually furrowed into a frown before shifting into a playful grin.

“Uncle, another beer please.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Si-hyun refilled her beer.

Do-hyeong glanced at the menu to order some snacks.

After a moment’s thought, he ordered spicy skewers which seemed appropriately spicy but not too overwhelming based on the description.

After placing the order and having the food set before them…

With his mask off, Ye Do-hyeong naturally struck up a conversation with Si-hyun.

“Hello, Professor Jeong Si-hyun, right?”

“…Yes.”

“I heard from my younger sister. She says your monster introduction lectures at the academy are the most fun. I happened to see your picture out of curiosity back then, but I didn’t expect to meet you here like this.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Hem, my name is Ye Do-hyeong.”

“Yes, I just saw your talk show. Eun-byeol also told me about it.”

Both exchanged a light handshake.

Next, they enjoyed their respective drinks and snacks without making a toast.

When Do-hyeong put down his glass, Si-hyun slowly began speaking.

Her gaze was directed towards Do-hyeong’s spicy skewers.

“…Do you like spicy food?”

“Ah, yes. I do.”

“Hmm…I see.”

Si-hyun smiled prettily with her eyes closed.

The delicate look on her flushed cheeks from the alcohol captivated Ye Do-hyeong’s attention.

“Then, how about trying this?”

Si-hyun pointed at the menu with her finger.

It read “Bomb Skewer,” with a description warning it was extremely spicy.

“Since this is fate, let me get it. Uncle! One Bomb Skewer please!”

“Yay!”

While admiring Si-hyun’s appearance, Ye Do-hyeong unknowingly received a snack gift before he could react.

Seeing the new appetizer placed before him, he chuckled wryly and said,

“Well, I should return the favor then.”

“…Finish eating first.”

As if urging him to try it, Si-hyun picked up the last piece of fish cake, ate it, and took a sip of her beer.

Watching her for a moment, Do-hyeong bit into the Bomb Skewer.

It was pretty spicy.

He immediately chugged his beer.

Strangely though, the spiciness wouldn’t subside.

“…So this is why it’s called Bomb Skewer?”

Indeed, the name fit perfectly. His tongue tingled as if he’d eaten a super spicy fried noodles.

He took another sip of beer alone.

Looking beside him, he saw the beautiful smile of a cheerful woman.

Such a pretty smile that brightened anyone who saw it.

Do-hyeong found himself smiling along naturally.

His tongue still burned.

“Auntie, another beer please.”

Do-hyeong finished his remaining beer and ordered a new one.

Reaching for the spicy skewer instead of the bomb skewer, he suddenly felt someone’s gaze.

“…Hmm?”

Pretending to think, he slowly moved his hand between the spicy and bomb skewers.

Every time his hand hovered over the bomb skewer, Si-hyun’s smile grew even more beautiful.

Caught in that smile, Do-hyeong ended up putting the bomb skewer in his mouth.

For the second time, his mouth felt like it was on fire.

“Phew…”

“Here’s your beer!”

Unknowingly sticking out his tongue slightly, Do-hyeong chugged the fresh beer.

…Too spicy. Ridiculously spicy.

Even with the name “Bomb,” it was unrealistically hot.

‘Ugh…’

Do-hyeong struggled to maintain his composure.

Seriously, it felt like the shop owner was trying to assassinate him using the skewer.

No matter how much beer he drank, the pain in his tongue wouldn’t go away.

“Cough, cough… Eating this made me remember the instant noodles I advertised.”

“…Fried noodles?”

“Yes, looks like you’ve tried it.”

“The hunter Ye Do-hyeong’s cheerful smile on the lid caught my attention.”

“Hahaha!”

Do-hyeong laughed despite the pain.

Though it was getting hard to endure, he gritted his teeth.

He wanted to get closer to her since he finally got the chance to stand next to her.

Squeezing out every ounce of patience, he managed his expression as best as he could.

“It’s noodles my mom really likes. So I proposed modeling for them.”

“…!”

“When I have boxes at home, I can barely eat them. My mom eats almost all of them.”

“Uh…”

Si-hyun’s eyes widened dramatically.

Like a surprised kitten with round eyes frozen in place.

Finding her cute reaction amusing, Do-hyeong chuckled softly and chugged the rest of his beer.

“…Hmm?”

Finally, the pain in his tongue slowly subsided.

Now things were survivable.

“This is cheating…”

A soft mutter came from beside him.

“Cheating?”

“No, never mind…”

Si-hyun shook her head. Her long hair swayed gently.

Like a small bird lightly fluffing its feathers – an adorable movement.

Do-hyeong smiled faintly while watching her.

Later, Do-hyeong had a short conversation with Si-hyun until she finished her drink and left.

Ultimately, he successfully exchanged numbers.

He thought his status as Eun-byeol’s older brother played a big role in this success.

Buying snacks for his younger sister, he headed home.

* * *

Somewhere inside the Academy conference room.

While students enjoyed the festival, the professors gathered in the conference room to chat.

Official business had just concluded.

Now it was an informal gathering among the remaining professors.

“Are the students’ practical training preparations going well?”

“Haha, of course. These days there are many passionate students, so preparing feels rewarding.”

“Agreed. This year, we might have students achieving D-rank before the first semester ends. Hahaha!”

They exchanged various casual conversations about recent updates and future preparations.

Naturally, the topic of assignments came up.

“I saw a rather interesting group assignment recently.”

“Oh? What kind of assignment was it?”

“Made by four magic-class students. The content was truly excellent. Honestly, even I as a professor was impressed.”

“Hmm, you’re saying students prepared an assignment that good?”

“I thought the same. When I asked the students, they replied ‘Professor Jeong Si-hyun helped us.'”

“Huh? But isn’t that session instructor a close-combat hunter?”

The professor exchanging conversation couldn’t hide his surprise and questioned back.

The speaker also agreed with a wry smile.

“I had the same question… But I shrugged it off. Besides, I don’t know her personally.”

“Hmm… Ah, what do you think, Professor Roh? Since you share some general subjects.”

The professors’ gazes turned to a middle-aged man.

He was a B-rank magic-class hunter and taught a subject called “Understanding and Exploring Monsters” in addition to specialized lectures.

“Hmph. Not particularly interested.”

Professor Roh answered indifferently.

Considering he only gave permission through the president to use his materials for newly established courses, they weren’t really connected anyway.

Not even directly – it was done through the president.

“Speaking of which, did you hear? They say the quality of Monster Introduction lectures is exceptional.”

“…Hm?”

At the sudden comment, Professor Roh turned his gaze.

The professor who brought up the topic succeeded in drawing attention and smirked annoyingly.

“They say the session instructor’s lecture surpasses yours in ‘Understanding and Exploring Monsters.’ Isn’t it interesting that it gets such praise?”

“…Hmm, what is this…”

“Isn’t it using the materials you allowed to be referenced? It’s quite amusing how it receives such positive reviews. And that a close-combat hunter helped magic-class students with their group assignment is also noteworthy.”

“…”

Professor Roh’s eyebrows furrowed.

The professor who deliberately provoked his meticulous nature and pride shrugged nonchalantly and stopped talking.

‘The timing is perfect.’

This was especially true since the attitude during Hunter Kang Cheol-min’s special lecture bothered him.

With his usually picky and unpleasant personality, Professor Roh would surely react to this little spark.

As expected, Professor Roh left his seat with a stiff expression.

The professor who threw the spark watched him leave with a sly grin.

* * *

A few days after the Academy festival ended.

Having only morning lectures scheduled, Ah-reum headed straight to the Academy’s main gate after her class ended.

Because today was the day she had an appointment with Professor Jeong Si-hyun.

If the regional dungeon wasn’t cleared, they planned to go together.

“Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

Arriving at the gate, Ah-reum checked the time and looked around.

Professor Jeong Si-hyun has a striking appearance.

Since she wasn’t visible, it seemed she arrived first.

Ah-reum scanned the surroundings again.

Then, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Ah-reum, over here!”

“Aha!”

She was in the car!

Ah-reum quickly changed direction and approached the sedan.

“Ah, hello, Professor!”

“Hi. Get in.”

Once Ah-reum sat in the back seat, Si-hyun introduced the man in the driver’s seat.

“This is Director Jang Han-soo from the Hunter Management Agency. He happens to have business in the region today and offered to drive us.”

“Nice to meet you, Ah-reum.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

Director Jang Han-soo exchanged brief greetings with Ah-reum.

Gripping the steering wheel, he skillfully started driving.

Meanwhile, Si-hyun casually conversed with Ah-reum.

“What novel are you reading these days?”

“Eh… Would you like a new recommendation?”

“Yeah. I just marathoned one over the weekend.”

“Ah! Then…”

While driving, Director Jang perked up his ears.

There might be useful information exchanged after all.

“Um… Professor, may I ask something?”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Uh… Actually, I’ve been curious for a while… What’s the pattern on the back of your hand?”

“Ah, this?”

Si-hyun raised her hand for Ah-reum to see better.

Ah-reum’s gaze was drawn to the scar.

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