Si-hyun and Da-young’s deal was settled.
Si-hyun promised to team up with Da-young every afternoon to run through D-rank dungeons.
Thus, the next meeting was set for the following day after lunch.
The two met at the gate of the D-rank dungeon to go over their plans.
“I have a bunch of random materials, but I don’t have the essential magic stone.”
“So you’re planning to farm it yourself?”
“Yeah! Honestly, I want to make something really awesome, but Si-hyun, aren’t you a bit short on cash?”
“…That’s true.”
“This is a deal after all. Let’s start by making a D-rank accessory!”
“Sure!”
Si-hyun energetically stepped into the gate with Da-young.
Feeling reassured by Da-young’s constant emphasis on their deal, he felt at ease.
She was not trying to make him indebted by crafting something overly extravagant.
They would do their best with what they had.
And now, they were yanking the time of a B-rank hunter!
Si-hyun thought he should work hard since he was being so well taken care of.
Thus, upon entering the dungeon, he moved with the effort of what he considered a C-rank hunter.
BAM! WHAM!
Thinking the level he showed when partying with Han-gyeol should be just fine.
Si-hyun’s control over his strength was flawless.
One problem though.
From an observer’s point of view, it was hard to see him as a mere C-rank.
‘I know he’s not E-rank level, but that looks laughably weak compared to C…?’
Da-young stared at Si-hyun with her mouth agape.
She had seen it once yesterday but still could not believe her eyes.
With each kick, monsters crumbled to dust.
Even the monsters nearly twice Si-hyun’s height were no match for him.
With just one punch…
POW!
Air holes punctured their bodies!
Is he focusing only on attacks? Nope, not at all.
He avoided every single monster attack.
He didn’t allow a single hit from his opponents.
It was as if he moved like someone who had fought many battles before.
Recognizing every monster’s behavior as if he understood how they would act.
He didn’t seem to use any skills.
No matter how many times she looked, it was pure physical prowess.
It’s true that awakened hunters become physically stronger through mana.
But seeing someone that ridiculously strong was a first for her.
If he’s already like this…
What would happen when he became more skilled and leveled up? If he gained more skills?
What if he became even sturdier than this?
YIKES!
‘He’s practically a monster!’
Da-young thought, dazed.
Could it be that she was witnessing the vivid history of someone who would soon become a legend?
At first, Da-young had fought alongside him, but eventually, she slowly stepped back.
No matter how she thought about it, she felt like she would just be in the way.
Da-young was sensitive to attention and could feel that Si-hyun consistently focused on her whenever she was fighting.
That meant he had enough space in battle.
In that case, it would be more efficient to focus on gathering the magic stones and other byproducts.
So, half through the dungeon they were cleaning up, Da-young decided to build rapport and approached Si-hyun.
Legend’s intuition—I can’t resist that! Let’s get closer!
Since she’s a rare B-rank hunter in crafting, she felt like she had the qualifications.
Returning to herself, Da-young spoke up.
“But, Si-hyun…”
“Yeah?”
“Where are you from?”
“I’m Korean.”
“…Honorary citizen?”
“…Um.”
Si-hyun pondered for a moment.
Where should he start explaining from?
Honestly, they had only just met, but he felt drawn to this woman.
While he may not be able to distinguish between good and evil, he simply felt a sense of familiarity from her gaze and demeanor.
He could’ve just said he was a foreigner, but he didn’t want to lie.
Perhaps it’s okay to share just a bit?
As he organized his thoughts, Si-hyun opened his mouth.
“Do you know what a returnee is?”
“…Huh? Si-hyun, you’re a returnee?!”
“Yeah, the agency hasn’t released any information yet.”
“Wow… There’s only one in the U.S. So there’s hardly any information released!”
“That’s what they say.”
When Si-hyun nodded, Da-young’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward.
She was fidgeting her lips, clearly having many questions but still contemplating if she should ask.
Watching her intently, Si-hyun smiled lightly.
“Feel free to ask if you’re curious about anything.”
“Then!”
Once she got the green light, Da-young hurriedly twitched her fingers.
One, two, three.
This is the most she wanted to ask.
“Is this your original appearance?”
“…I changed a bit after going to another world.”
“Crazy, I want to go to another world too….”
Si-hyun couldn’t help but smile bitterly at Da-young’s envious gaze.
“How did you return to Korea?”
“I defeated the demon king and came back.”
“…? Suddenly the scale is insane.”
“The hero party was really strong. I was just helping.”
Hero party!
It sounded exactly like something out of a fantasy novel.
But Da-young didn’t press on with her questions.
Si-hyun’s demeanor had changed from before.
Half-closed eyelids, and a cold expression.
It looked like there was some backstory.
Da-young thought she should change the topic.
“Well, that’s why you’re so strong! Then wouldn’t it be better to join the academy and quickly level up to C-rank? I feel like that’s what I would do.”
“Uh, right…”
Si-hyun paused to gather his thoughts.
There were definitive reasons and vague ones.
“The main reason is that I need some rest.”
“Oh, rest.”
Da-young nodded.
If the story was true, wasn’t he a hero who defeated the demon king!
Of course, he deserved time to relax.
“What’s most important… is that’s true. To be honest, I hadn’t really thought deeply about it.”
Si-hyun spoke with a bittersweet smile.
“Honestly, I feel uncomfortable with human relationships. I don’t want to meet a lot of people.”
“Ah….”
It was a sentence with a lot of omitted information.
Why he felt awkward with human interactions and why he didn’t want to meet people.
But Da-young felt like she understood a bit.
This woman before her must have returned with many wounds from the other world.
She looked like an injured little kitten.
The impulse to protect her welled up within her.
“This must be a boring story, right? Shall we wrap up the dungeon soon?”
“No, that’s not it! I really enjoyed listening to Si-hyun’s story! Can we chat more once we get closer later?”
“…Hehe, sure.”
When Da-young eagerly replied, Si-hyun smiled lightly.
Getting close, huh.
A pleasant warmth washed over him.
“I have stamina thanks to my paladin skill. How about we do some more runs after finishing here?”
“Oh, so that’s why Han-gyeol was so full of energy! Let’s keep going till we drop!”
Da-young eagerly took up Si-hyun’s suggestion as he smoothly packaged his abilities as skills.
After that, the two began cleaning up the dungeon quickly.
As Si-hyun efficiently dealt with the monsters, he thought.
Unlike his first temporary party after his return, being in the dungeon with Da-young was surprisingly enjoyable.
He didn’t feel uncomfortable.
It seems the person you’re with really matters.
“But why does the paladin fight like that? Aren’t they knights?”
“…..”
…Now that she mentions it, that’s true, huh?
Should I get a sword or something?
*
Today, Director Jang Han-soo of the Hunter Management Agency was scratching his head.
Recently, he couldn’t grasp the mindset of the hunter he was closely monitoring.
Returnee, Jeong Si-hyun.
For the first week, he seemed to emphasize, “I’m just ordinary.”
But now, he appeared to be claiming, “No, my companions are amazing!”
He was in a duo with another hunter, grinding the D-rank dungeon in Seoul.
The decreasing number of dungeons was alright. That was a good thing.
The problem was that the hunter he was with was a crafting specialist.
How they even got connected was anyone’s guess, but it was evident that the companion was merely an assistant.
It was clear Si-hyun was sweeping through the dungeon himself.
‘Even though he turned down mentorship…’
At this point, wouldn’t he actually dislike the organization?
It seemed some new measures had to be devised.
Ideally, he would want to apply an exception to the regulations and boost her rank.
But it was a problem that she didn’t show any inclination for it.
What on earth should he do?
How did Moon Da-young hunter get connected with Si-hyun?
“Ah!”
A small realization flashed through Director Jang’s mind.
Was there really a need to struggle alone?
Since he had some acquaintance with Moon Da-young hunter, why not ask her directly for help?
The director immediately called Moon Da-young from the Wings Guild.
– Yes, this is Wings Guild.
“It’s been a while, Da-young. This is Jang Han-soo from the management division.”
– Yes, it’s been a while. What’s up?
“I heard you’ve been running dungeons with Si-hyun lately.”
– Yes, and so?
“Could you tell me how you two got close?”
– No thanks.
“…Excuse me?”
Before he could even finish his sentence, she flatly refused.
The director’s brows twitched slightly.
“C-Could you at least tell me why?”
– Don’t bully my kid.
“…….”
– Is that all you needed?”
“…Yes.”
– Then I’ll hang up.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
He didn’t even have the chance to say anything.
Suddenly, the call ended.
Don’t bully my kid, she said.
He was planning to treat her based on her abilities.
He wanted to respect her wishes as much as possible.
How did he end up receiving this kind of treatment…?
Feeling aggrieved, the director rubbed his forehead.
Today was a day he longed for a drink.
*
“Si-hyun, how about we grab a drink today?”
“Huh? A drink?”
After finishing their last dungeon of the day and stepping outside,
As the sky began to darken, Da-young made a sudden suggestion.
Where was this sudden offer for a drink coming from?
“I haven’t had a drink in ages since I just worked out for a few daysand it’s calling to me! Come hang out! We’ve gathered all the materials, right?”
“Uh, hmmm….”
He indeed gathered everything he needed by yesterday.
He had helped Da-young with the intention of earning some money today.
“Aaah, so our friendship was just a false friendship. Right, we’re only trading partners….”
“…….”
“I may have few friends and am quiet, but I know an incredible place for my snacks….”
“……It’s not far, right?”
“Hehe, it’s not far at all! I’ll even cover the taxi fare back!”
Just a little intrigued.
It was quite a tempting offer.
Thinking about it, he hadn’t drank anything for over five years.
He hadn’t even tasted it since becoming who he was now.
He didn’t care about the church’s doctrine.
It was purely because of the hero.
If he got drunk, who knew when the hero would come after him?
So, he had simply avoided it.
But now, he was a free man; wasn’t it time to drink?
Of course, he was of drinking age physically and mentally.
“…Let’s go.”
“Decision made! No backtalk!”
Da-young grinned as she patted him on the shoulder.
Honestly, they hadn’t known each other for even a week yet.
But birds of a feather flock together, and Da-young seemed to be a really good person like Han-gyeol.
Was everyone in the Wings Guild like this?
He only knew two members, but he was starting to build a fondness for the guild itself.
Though he had no thoughts of joining, he did want to continue interacting consistently.
“Let’s go!”
Da-young shouted cheerfully and dashed ahead.
What an energetic person.
With a wry smile, he followed behind her.
After arriving at a quiet bar,
As Da-young picked out some food and sides, a significant thought hit him.
Wait, I’ve become a wimp.
…What if I can’t handle even the lightest drinks?
I could easily down two bottles of soju before.
Now he felt a little anxious…?
