Chapter 20

A quiet park with people occasionally passing by here and there.

Han-gyeol was pacing back and forth in the same spot, lost in deep thought.

Recently, the elite party from Wings Guild that went on a business trip to the countryside has returned.

Most of them are D-rank Hunters like himself, but this party has one C-rank member.

There’s that guy, Seo Ji-han, who’s been making rapid progress as if he’s going to reach B-rank in no time.

Looking at that show-offy guy…

Han-gyeol started to feel an urge to quickly level up to C-rank Hunter.

But it wasn’t going to be easy.

To put it bluntly in today’s terms, since he’s such a beta male…

He’s indecisive and lacks initiative.

Prefers peace and quiet, so even though he’s a D-rank Hunter, he mostly goes to E-rank Dungeons.

Can’t even tear open a snack bag in one go.

Still… Still, he started to have these desires.

Back when he formed a party with Si-hyun and entered a D-rank Dungeon…

He still remembers vividly how his body moved smoothly as intended.

At the time, the situation was so intense that he didn’t realize it, but…

When he reflected on it later, he was definitely different back then.

Much stronger than usual.

“Must’ve been influenced by the Paladin’s skill…”

That’s the only explanation that comes to mind.

Don’t know the exact details…

But it’s definitely because of Si-hyun.

He wants to experience that feeling again, even just once.

Wants to feel his stronger self again.

Wants to become a C-rank Hunter.

Han-gyeol stopped in front of a park bench and sat down heavily.

With trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and opened the chat app.

Si-hyun’s automatically registered profile after exchanging numbers came up.

No background photo, just a simple image with a headband casually placed on her hair.

Definitely Si-hyun’s profile.

“I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.”

Tensely, Han-gyeol tapped on the 1:1 chat button.

The completely empty screen greeted him – they’d never messaged before.

That emptiness felt like the distance between him and Si-hyun.

“Maybe I should just give up…”

Han-gyeol hesitated again.

But immediately shook his head.

Even beta males need to step up sometimes!

He boldly typed out the message:

“Hello Si-hyun, this is Han-gyeol. If you’re not busy, could I ask for your help?”

Just typing it out…

He couldn’t bring himself to send it yet and kept wavering.

His finger kept hovering over the send button, moving up and down endlessly.

Just then…

Thud.

A single leaf drifted down and landed on Han-gyeol’s head in the wind.

Startled out of his phone staring, Han-gyeol jumped up.

“Ahh! It’s just a leaf!”

Annoyed, he brushed off the leaf and looked back at his phone…

“Holy shi-”

The message had already been sent.

Must’ve accidentally pressed it when he jumped up startled by the leaf.

Han-gyeol could feel his eyes twitching as he rubbed his face with his palms.

After doing some air face washing, he looked back at the screen.

Not read yet.

He set the phone down on the ground for a moment,

stretched his arms wide while doing some stretching.

Looked back at the screen.

Still not read.

Time passed with his body frozen stiff.

A cold breeze caressed past Han-gyeol.

Still not read…

“I’ll check again when I get home…”

Sighing deeply, Han-gyeol stood up.

He shoved his phone into his pocket.

That’s when it happened.

Bzzt.

The smartphone vibrated lightly.

Han-gyeol froze in place, startled.

What if it’s from someone else?

No, it must be Si-hyun’s reply.

If it is…

Acceptance? Rejection?

What if she says no?

Numerous thoughts raced through Han-gyeol’s mind in that brief moment.

With trembling fingers, he checked the message.

It was indeed from Si-hyun.

“Shall we meet tomorrow afternoon?”

A positively worded response.

“Niceeeeee!”

Han-gyeol jumped up and cheered, throwing his hands in the air.

It was like triumphant fanfare was blasting in his head.

He felt like he had the whole world in his hands.

Passersby stared at him strangely as they walked by.

“…Ahem.”

Embarrassed, Han-gyeol lowered his skyward-reaching arms.

* * *

At a certain jjamppong shop in Seoul.

The restaurant was quiet as it wasn’t yet lunch rush hour.

Ding!

The small bell jingled as the door opened.

The female server who had been wiping tables straightened up.

“Welcome!”

Approaching to seat the new customer, she unconsciously smiled upon recognizing them.

“Please take any seat you like!”

“Yes.”

A young female customer with exotic features.

The server remembered her face.

Once you see her striking beauty, it’s hard to forget – plus this was already her third visit, about once a week.

The customer chose a corner seat, and the server said:

“One order of jjamppong, right?”

“Yes.”

The customer nodded politely.

The server confirmed and headed to the kitchen.

“Chef!”

“What is it?”

The middle-aged chef turned at the server’s call, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“She’s here again!”

“Oh, really now?”

The chef smirked, nodding.

Though he’d only seen her face briefly when serving her food, she was a memorable customer.

During her first visit, she left behind slightly less than half of her meal.

Was it because the portion was too big? Didn’t suit her taste? Too spicy?

These thoughts had briefly crossed his mind.

She visited again a few days ago.

This time, the amount she left behind was slightly less than before.

He found himself rooting for her a bit.

And today, she’s come again.

The chef was excited to see what would happen.

He always puts his all into cooking, but today he was being even more careful.

The server delivered the jjamppong to the customer.

Together, they quietly watched her.

The customer looked at the bowl expressionlessly.

Then, naturally brushing her long hair behind her ear with one hand,

she carefully blew on the hot noodles before taking a cautious bite.

Hoooh… hoooh… slurp…

The server and chef’s gazes were focused on her cherry-like lips.

As soon as she took a bite, a reaction came.

“Hnnngh…”

It looked painful from the start.

Already delicate wrinkles formed on her fine eyebrows.

But the customer didn’t give up, picking up her chopsticks again.

One bite, another bite…

She savored the food carefully.

“She’s eating faster than last time!”

“Hmm! Maybe she’ll finish more today!”

The two quietly cheered her on.

“Cough! Cough!”

Choking sounds emerged as the customer gulped down water.

The chef’s hands unconsciously clenched tightly.

The customer started slurping again.

The two unconsciously encouraged her silently.

“Hang in there, keep going! Don’t give up, keep going!”

“Now’s the key! Focus, focus!”

Did their passionate encouragement reach her?

The customer, who had momentarily covered her tongue with her palm,

started rapidly slurping the noodles.

Slurp, slurp-slurp—

The noodles disappeared in an instant.

“Haaaahh…!”

The customer suddenly stood up.

Hurriedly approaching the server.

“Yes, let me handle your payment!”

After paying by card, the customer rushed out of the shop in a hurry.

The server followed to the entrance and watched her leave with a wry smile.

That adorable customer was dashing toward the nearby convenience store.

She must be going to buy something to soothe her burning mouth.

Watching her, she seemed even cuter every time.

“Ooh, she ate a little more than last time!”

“Really?”

The chef proudly nodded.

If she visits again next week, maybe he should offer her something as a gift.

Perhaps preparing some milk in the fridge wouldn’t be bad.

Would strawberry flavored work?

Various selfish thoughts crossed his mind.

* * *

“Haaah…”

Si-hyun sighed after taking a sip of banana milk through the straw.

Finally feeling somewhat revived, she shook her head.

She hadn’t originally planned to have spicy jjamppong for lunch.

But thinking of ‘Wings Guild’ naturally brings jjamppong to mind.

The memory from the first day must be strongly imprinted.

Spicy foods truly are terrifying creatures.

Even knowing full well that eating them will cause suffering…

Once they come to mind, saliva instantly gathers in your mouth.

An overwhelming desire to eat arises.

Ultimately, she ends up indulging and regretting it later.

Still, that very first bite when your tongue is still intact is absolutely amazing.

Could this be why she can’t quit?

Anyway, it was a great jjamppong shop.

Si-hyun took public transportation to the Wings Guild building.

Having visited a few times, it was a familiar location now.

She walked smoothly toward the office.

Soon reaching her destination, Si-hyun knocked and entered.

Han-gyeol, who had been standing rigidly frozen, greeted her.

“Er, please come in!”

“Hello.”

Si-hyun sat across from Han-gyeol.

Han-gyeol spoke enthusiastically.

“Oh, thank you so much for coming today!”

Si-hyun gave a small nod.

She took a sip of milk through the straw.

Han-gyeol’s gaze briefly fell on the straw tip but quickly shook his head and continued.

“The help I’m asking for is… if you could please join me just once on a dungeon run!”

“Yes, let’s go.”

“Wait, hold on… Really?”

Han-gyeol’s eyes widened.

He had spent the whole night thinking about how they could both benefit, but…

He didn’t expect her to agree so readily.

Si-hyun took another sip of milk through the straw.

She had sort of expected it might be something like this.

Not particularly difficult, and Han-gyeol seems like a kind person.

‘There’s no harm in helping out once,’ she thought lightly, suggesting they meet here after lunch.

“The dungeon rewards should be split according to the rules.”

“No, no! That wouldn’t be right. Please take all the rewards.”

Watching Si-hyun speak calmly, Han-gyeol vigorously shook his head.

In situations like this, changing the topic is best.

He brought up something from before.

“T-that Paladin skill was it, right? I distinctly felt myself getting stronger during that dungeon.”

“More or less, yeah.”

“Exactly! I want to experience that feeling again, just once. I think it’ll help me take that step toward C-rank! Please, I’m begging you!”

Looking at Han-gyeol passionately pleading,

Si-hyun gave a small smile.

His attitude of asking for help was admirable, and his motivation was appropriate.

The feeling of wanting to break through when you hit your limit…

Si-hyun herself had experienced it many times.

Ultimately, while realizing important things on your own is necessary, giving a little help shouldn’t be a problem.

Having made her decision, Si-hyun lightly exchanged opinions with Han-gyeol about which dungeon to go to.

Right at that moment.

“Master! Are you here?!”

Suddenly bursting in, a young man intruded into the office.

Si-hyun furrowed her brow at the noise, and Han-gyeol’s expression stiffened upon recognizing the youth.

Seo Ji-han, the ace of Wings Guild.

“Hey, Master isn’t here either. Big bro! Do you know where Master went?”

“Haa… Ji-han, there’s a customer here. What’s with this rude behavior?”

At Han-gyeol’s reprimand, Ji-han turned away indifferently.

Upon belatedly noticing Si-hyun, his mouth dropped open dramatically.

“Oh, hello?”

Because Ji-han had ignored her presence, Si-hyun reciprocated by not responding.

She frequently encountered this type of person in this other world as well.

Didn’t particularly feel like giving attention.

She sipped her banana milk slowly through the straw.

‘Maybe I should buy a few more on my way home?’ she thought idly.

Realizing she was being ignored, Ji-han’s eyebrow muscles twitched.

“H-ey, just because you’re kinda pretty doesn’t mean you can act all high and mighty, huh?”

“…”

Ji-han strode toward Si-hyun.

Si-hyun immediately slid away to maintain distance, bringing her milk along.

“Huh…?”

Ji-han’s facial muscles convulsed.

While Si-hyun ignored his reaction and spoke to Han-gyeol.

“…Who’s this person?”

“Ah… Sorry, Si-hyun. He’s a promising member of our guild. A C-rank Hunter. Let me apologize on his behalf.”

Han-gyeol bowed his head in apology then looked at Ji-han.

“Don’t be rude to the guest. You should apologize too.”

“Why should I listen to you?”

“…”

You, damn disrespectful bastard.

Han-gyeol swallowed back the curse rising in his throat.

Engaging in a battle of tempers wouldn’t lead to victory.

He was a beta male after all.

Watching this exchange silently, Si-hyun finally spoke.

“Han-gyeol.”

“Yes?”

Turning to look at Han-gyeol who wore an apologetic expression,

“You said earlier that there would be no conditions or rewards needed, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“?”

All of a sudden?

Though Han-gyeol was puzzled, he nodded.

It was strange in the first place that she’d agreed to help without any conditions.

She’s no saint after all.

“If you can deal with that guy quietly, I’ll help you.”

“Wha…?”

At Si-hyun’s words, Han-gyeol responded in confusion.

How could a D-rank Hunter like himself possibly defeat the guild’s ace, a C-rank Hunter?

“What kind of nonsense is this now?”

Ji-han also burst out angrily.

He didn’t like that the other party was relying on appearance and gender to act cocky.

However, Si-hyun smirked dismissively.

She actually thought this was convenient.

Han-gyeol’s request was to receive buffs and fight.

The dungeon was simply the most straightforward choice.

Why go all the way to a dungeon when a punching bag just showed up voluntarily?

“Hmm…”

Time for some education. Or rather, repentance.