Chapter 92

Saturday evening, the night of Kim Ji-a Hunter’s S-rank promotion party.

People began to gather one by one in the hotel banquet hall.

Even just hearing their names, high-ranking Hunters and association officials, along with key industry figures, were present to grace the occasion.

At the entrance, various media and reporters swarmed around, busily capturing photos of the arriving guests.

“Pro… Professor, do I look strange?”

“…Yeah, it suits you perfectly. Don’t worry.”

“Hehe…”

Si-hyun gently smiled while calming her nervous apprentice, then turned her gaze forward and took a quiet breath.

‘…I’m glad I came with her.’

She was just as nervous as anyone else, but seeing her apprentice Ah-reum so tense strangely eased her own anxiety.

Like a tightly pulled string loosening on one end…

Thanks to her apprentice’s tension, Si-hyun felt her own worries lift somewhat.

…Of course, the dress and heels were still uncomfortable.

“Professor! You look absolutely stunning today!”

“R-really…?”

“Yeah! When I get home tonight, I’ll look for the pictures the reporters took of you!”

“Uh…”

Si-hyun momentarily lost her words.

Though she wanted to tell her to stop because it was embarrassing, she worried it might make her seem awkward instead.

Ultimately, Si-hyun quietly turned her head with an awkward expression.

‘Aah, there’s Ji-a.’

Off to one side of the banquet hall, people were gathered around Ji-a.

As befitting the guest of honor, she looked quite busy.

Si-hyun silently observed Ji-a’s attire.

A dark blue semi-dress.

A slim silhouette accentuating the waist, with an elegant style that subtly revealed the shoulders and neckline.

She looked absolutely beautiful.

‘Hmm…’

Si-hyun slightly tilted her head down to check her own outfit.

The exact same dark blue dress color. A very similar design too.

The only differences would be accessories and hairstyle, perhaps?

“Yep, this is fine.”

Thinking Ji-a looked beautiful, Si-hyun figured she probably looked just as good.

Though it felt awkward and uncomfortable to wear…

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Si-hyun lightly touched her dress, feeling the soft fabric, then carefully took a step forward.

With each step, her high heels clicked softly against the floor.

That way, she arrived at the food and drink corner set up in one part of the banquet hall.

“Wow, everything looks delicious.”

“Y-yeah! I think I might get selection paralysis…”

“That’s right. Oh, are we drinking?”

“Y-yes! Should we go with wine?”

“Do you know much about wine?”

“Nope! So I’ll just look it up!”

Watching her apprentice confidently declare her ignorance, Si-hyun couldn’t help but smile.

She was just so darn cute.

Si-hyun leisurely browsed the drinks section when a kind voice called out to her.

It was the Master of the Knight Guild.

“Ho ho, miss, I see you know how to enjoy your drink.”

“Ah, sir. Hello.”

“Hmm. You look radiant tonight, all dressed up like this.”

“Hehe…”

The old man praised her with the warm gaze one gives a granddaughter, making Si-hyun blush shyly.

Then she suddenly felt someone’s gaze and turned her head.

Ah-reum was looking back and forth between Si-hyun and the old man with wide eyes.

“Oh right. Sir, let me introduce you. This is my apprentice, Ah-reum.”

“A-ah, hellooo!”

Ah-reum deeply bowed at a 90 degree angle, completely tense.

Having recently studied various things, she immediately realized who this person was.

An S-rank swordsman and master of a large guild.

Though retired now, he’d been known as “Sword Saint” during his active years – a truly incredible person.

“Is Professor not intimidated at all…?”

The old man’s expression remained gentle as he greeted Ah-reum’s bow.

However, overwhelmed by the presence, Ah-reum didn’t perceive it that way.

She subtly stepped back and hid behind Si-hyun.

Watching the professor and elder chat comfortably, Ah-reum stared blankly.

They clearly had some sort of relationship.

“I don’t recall him being listed in the connections section though?”

She discreetly pulled out her smartphone to check the academy’s academic information system.

Moon Da-young, Kim Ji-a.

There were still only two names listed in the connections section.

“Come to think of it, weren’t those two names added later?”

The professor had said she’d known Hunter Kim Ji-a since before her awakening, which seemed true based on what Ah-reum had witnessed shopping together.

Considering the model making and such, she must also have close ties with the master of Wings Guild.

Based on these points…

Could it be the professor intentionally left them out for some reason?

Perhaps she has wider and stronger connections than anyone realizes!

“Foreign connections must be even more impressive, right?”

Considering the professor’s exotic appearance, it was a very plausible theory.

Various scenarios unfolded in Ah-reum’s mind.

Her admiration for the professor naturally skyrocketed beyond limits.

“Indeed, I made the right decision back then!”

She praised herself for choosing and committing to this path.

“Heehee…”

With her tension gone, Ah-reum grinned widely as she listened to the professor’s conversation.

“…So, you’re studying how to properly serve food?”

“Ho ho ho, someone like you will pick it up in no time.”

Such casual conversation!

Their familiarity and lack of pressure were evident.

Ah-reum became even more confident in her deductions.

Our professor is the ultimate connection queen!

Just then.

A group of burly men approached.

“Master, may we have a moment?”

“Hmm, yes.”

They were disciples and members of the Knight Guild.

After the elder exchanged farewells with Si-hyun, saying they’d meet again soon, the disciples respectfully bowed their heads.

Their attitude was filled with both caution and respect.

Meaning anyone the master showed interest in must be worth their attention.

Si-hyun took a sip of wine as she watched them leave.

“They all looked at the elder with such respectful gazes.”

Truly, he’s remarkable.

Living an ideal life.

Si-hyun etched his figure into her memory.

“Shall we head over to a table and relax?”

“Yes, yes! I’ll fetch various types of appetizers for you while you sit comfortably!”

They claimed a convenient spot near a table.

Ah-reum eagerly volunteered to attend to Si-hyun’s needs.

“Ah, she’s really relaxed now.”

Sitting in the chair, Si-hyun tilted her head slightly and looked around.

Beautifully dressed people chatted away cheerfully.

There were quite a few familiar faces.

Including those she’d encountered in the dungeon.

“Oh, that person I gave a thumbs up to is here too.”

That lady had such a nice personality. I should say hi.

Si-hyun suddenly felt an impulse.

“Hmm, feeling the drawbacks of maintaining anonymity here…”

She sighed wryly and took another sip of wine.

Its sweet taste spread across her mouth, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

“Professor! Is there anything else you need?”

“No, this is plenty. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Heehee…”

Ah-reum returned with a plate.

While chatting with her apprentice, Si-hyun casually observed the surrounding people.

Ji-a was making rounds between tables, conversing with everyone.

If I wait here, my turn to greet her will come naturally.

Turning her head, Si-hyun observed other groups.

Then she spotted a familiar figure.

“Ah-reum.”

“Yes?”

“Look over there. Do you see Eun-byeol’s older brother?”

“Oh, yes! Hunter Ye Do-hyeong is attending too.”

“Know who he’s talking to?”

Ah-reum shook her head.

Among mostly Koreans, the tall Western man stood out quite noticeably.

Ah-reum was equally curious.

“Alright, let me check quickly!”

“Okay, thanks.”

Ah-reum’s fingers danced rapidly across her smartphone screen.

Si-hyun blinked in surprise watching the display.

“She’s several times faster than me…”

I thought I’d gotten pretty good with phones.

Guess I still have a long way to go.

Right in front of me is a true typing virtuoso.

Si-hyun curiously watched the skilled finger movements.

“Found it! Jason Turner. He’s an S-rank Hunter from America.”

“Ah, so he’s American.”

“E-eh… Actually, he’s kind of unusual.”

“Hmm? Unusual how?”

When Si-hyun asked, Ah-reum glanced at her phone and explained.

“Well… Using gaming terms, he enjoys PVP more than PVE.”

“Fighting monsters less than battling other people?”

“Y-yes! Exactly!”

Ah-reum smiled brightly after Si-hyun neatly summarized the internet description she’d been reciting.

“Also… His foreign dispatch missions and clean job handling receive high praise.”

Ah-reum continued reading through the information.

“But… He has a controversial reputation for constantly challenging high-level Hunters from various countries because he loves fighting.”

“…He sounds like a unique character.”

“Y-yes…”

“Seems like someone who’d be exhausting to deal with. Let’s avoid getting involved with people like that.”

“Agreed!”

The two shared identical expressions and nodded.

Truly, the student reflects the teacher.