Chapter 28

Two days later, morning.

Ji-a and Si-hyun started the day early.

The car smoothly sped along the highway.

Si-hyun indulged in admiring the fleeting scenery, lost in thought. It was her first time leaving Seoul since returning.

“Oh, Ji-a! Look over there. The clouds are incredibly beautiful.”

“Wow, they really are!”

The sky was covered in clouds, but a single spot was wide open. Light streaming through the hole created a breathtaking sight.

Ji-a glanced over briefly with a light smile, continuing to drive. While the sky was impressive, Si-hyun’s innocent gaze at the world outside was equally adorable.

The car kept moving at a steady pace. Before long, a hill blocked Si-hyun’s view.

She looked ahead. Hills stretched endlessly. Swallowing her disappointment, she turned her head toward Ji-a.

“We’re going to a dungeon out in the countryside, right? You said it’s for an Agency request?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Do you often get these kinds of requests?”

“Hmm…yeah, kinda. But to be more precise—”

Ji-a gave a brief explanation. Though she wasn’t officially part of any guild or the Management Bureau, she mainly handled shunned dungeons at the Bureau’s request.

Because of this, the Bureau provided many benefits, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

When the explanation ended, Si-hyun nodded lightly. She also remembered something Ji-a had told her before. The Management Bureau was pretty flexible.

‘Huh, that’s not bad.’

The realization that relationships could be negotiated was intriguing. If you had confidence in your own abilities, it seemed like a solid method.

“So that’s why you meet with your supervisor sometimes?”

“Exactly. Kinda like a quasi-public servant?”

“Aha.”

Si-hyun nodded repeatedly.

With examples, everything became much clearer. Listening to various stories from people truly seemed helpful in life.

Come to think of it, the Wings Guild led by a Master Artisan Hunter was quite unique. Not a guild for artisans, but one filled with combat specialists.

Si-hyun grew curious about hearing even more stories from hunters. If the opportunity arose, she wanted to listen to someone else’s tale. A small goal formed in her heart.

“Speaking of which, we didn’t buy drinks. Should we stop at the rest area?”

“Let’s do it! We should get some snacks too. There might be walnut cookies!”

“Hehe, who knows if they’ll have them? It’s one of the joys of traveling.”

“Right, right!”

It was technically a business trip rather than vacation, but neither of them cared about the details.

Soon, the car smoothly entered the rest area. After stopping, Si-hyun stepped out, stretching her arms high above her head.

“Phew—! Riding in a car for so long is such a rare thing for me.”

“Only an hour, and you’re already complaining?”

“…It felt like two hours.”

Ji-a teased her, and Si-hyun pouted as she responded. Her cute reaction caused Ji-a to instinctively move closer.

Sakurasakura—

Gently petting her head, the soft hair brushing against her fingers felt delightful.

Realizing it was an impulsive action, Ji-a quickly pulled her hand away.

“Ah, sorry. I don’t know what came over me…”

“It’s… fine.”

As Ji-a apologized, Si-hyun spun around sharply. Though Ji-a couldn’t see, Si-hyun’s face had turned bright red like a ripe apple.

Si-hyun stomped off briskly toward the convenience store.

Ji-a smiled lightly as she followed behind.

—

Meanwhile, back at the Wings Guild.

Ji-han and Han-gyeol were riding in a car driven by a fellow guild member, heading to their destination.

While the two planned to tackle a C-rank dungeon, the others in the guild were scheduled to explore nearby dungeons.

Entering the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province, Han-gyeol, feeling bored, glanced over at Ji-han sitting beside him.

He was enthusiastically watching something on his smartphone.

“What’re you watching?”

“This? It’s a channel that interviews famous Hunters.”

Han-gyeol adjusted the phone angle slightly so he could see better. A composed-looking beauty was chatting with the host.

“Kim Ji-a Hunter?”

“Ooh, you know her too! Isn’t she amazing?”

“She made big headlines during that A-rank Dungeon incident last time.”

“Right, that one! This is an interview after that event.”

“Whoa.”

Curiosity piqued, Han-gyeol watched the screen alongside Ji-han. Ji-han handed him one of his earbuds.

– We previously interviewed some civilians trapped in the dungeon with you. They mentioned you never took a single step back while protecting them.

– Yes, that’s correct.

– Wow, I would’ve run away scared stiff! What were you thinking at the time?

– Personally, I firmly believe in a principle: never retreat, no matter how afraid you feel. That’s what makes me…

Han-gyeol couldn’t tear his eyes away from the interview. Kim Ji-a’s words had an undeniable captivating power.

A few minutes passed. By the time the interview and subsequent casual conversation ended, Han-gyeol handed the earbud back to Ji-han and spoke.

“Principles, huh? That’s pretty cool.”

“Right? That’s why I think you need to be at least that level to be an A-rank Hunter.”

“She’s also the second strongest spear-wielding Hunter in our country.”

“Ah! I’d love to meet her someday. Do they ever do signing events?”

Immersed in the interview content, Ji-han continued to chatter excitedly with Han-gyeol, who also deeply resonated with the message.

Their conversation about the interview carried on until they reached the gate entrance.

Just before entering the gate, Han-gyeol voiced a late concern.

“But will just the two of us be enough?”

“Pfft, I’m here, bro! I’m almost B-rank!”

“Hmm… Okay, sure.”

Ji-han’s confident attitude made Han-gyeol chuckle. Until recently, that kind of behavior used to stress him out.

Same words, yet they sounded so different now.

Makes you realize how much longer life has to offer when you think about it.

“Alright, let’s go!”

“Got it!”

The two entered the gate.

In an instant, the landscape changed dramatically. They found themselves in a dense forest surrounded by towering trees.

Han-gyeol mentally prepared for whatever monsters they might encounter next.

Though it was his first time entering a C-rank dungeon, being an Academy graduate meant he had theoretical knowledge.

Ji-han charged forward with vigor while Han-gyeol walked alongside him.

“Bro, up front!”

“They’re coming! Get ready!”

Simultaneously, both shouted and prepared for battle.

There were a significant number of goblins. Just because it was a C-rank dungeon doesn’t mean only C-rank monsters appear. Sometimes, lower-ranked ones show up in large numbers.

Moreover, unlike E-rank dungeons, the weapons wielded by the goblins varied.

Han-gyeol tensely engaged in the fight.

“Kehrk!”

“Kekhehe.”

Goblins armed with clubs and swords rushed toward them.

“Where do you think you’re going, you little goblins!”

Ji-han roared loudly and charged ahead. Swinging his longsword forcefully, multiple goblins were instantly cut down. Like a raging bull, he unleashed explosive power, massacring the monsters.

Han-gyeol wasn’t idle either. He steadily dealt with the goblins charging at him.

Keek—!

Kiieek—!

The cries of dying goblins filled the forest.

After the commotion settled down…

“Grunn…”

Han-gyeol rubbed his lower back after collecting all the loot. He’d been hit by a club earlier.

Pressing it hurt; looks like a proper bruise was forming. No serious injuries, but it was already proving to be a tough start.

“Bro, let’s keep going!”

Energetic as ever, Ji-han took off again. Han-gyeol sighed wryly and followed behind.

Ji-han’s strength was clearly superior to his own. Even within the same rank, the gap was undeniable.

This realization struck him anew.

If C-rank was like this, then what about B-rank, A-rank, or even S-rank? The gaps between ranks must be far greater, perhaps making them no longer human.

Despite letting his thoughts wander, Han-gyeol quickly shook them off. You never knew when something might happen, so focus was key.

Han-gyeol scanned his surroundings.

And…

“Huh?”

Gluglug—

By sheer chance, he noticed it.

A massive slime towered over an adult male’s height, hiding among the trees above.

Cold sweat trickled down Han-gyeol’s back.

Shouting loudly, he shoved Ji-han aside.

“Shit, get out of the way!”

“Eh, whaaat?!”

BOOM!

The giant slime landed with a thud, kicking up dust everywhere.

Han-gyeol stumbled and fell on his butt.

Thankfully, he narrowly avoided disaster.

Had he not dodged in the nick of time, he would’ve been crushed under the heavy slime, sustaining fatal injuries.

“Argh, damn! That was scary!”

While Han-gyeol regained his footing, Ji-han immediately lunged at the slime.

Aiming for the core, he swung his sword.

But the slime wouldn’t cooperate easily.

Twisting its body and shifting the core position, it evaded Ji-han’s attacks.

Not stopping there, it deformed its body, using parts of itself as a whip-like weapon.

Swung threateningly in all directions, forcing both Ji-han and Han-gyeol to retreat.

In that short moment, the damaged portions of the slime regenerated.

“Ugh, I hate slimes so much!”

“…Agreed.”

The two sword-wielding men exchanged exasperated remarks.

Eventually, they successfully defeated the slime, though it consumed a considerable amount of time.

“This is why we need magic-type hunters or parties.”

“Relatively fewer in number, so it can’t be helped…”

Casual complaints ensued.

—

At the point where the two men from the Wings Guild had just defeated the slime, Si-hyun and Ji-a had just entered an A-rank dungeon.

It was a common type—a cave.

True to its A-rank status, the interior boasted an expansive space.

Si-hyun immediately began casting spells.

First, she conjured a floating orb of light to serve as illumination.

Next, she dispersed mana around her to gather information continuously.

Finally, using both mana and divine power, she layered buffs generously onto herself and her partner.

Once preparations were complete, Si-hyun nodded approvingly. Ji-a checked her condition by clenching and unclenching the hand not holding her spear.

“Even though you haven’t experienced it many times, this is incredible.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah! From the start, you’re already doing the work of several people alone, Si-hyun.”

“T-that’s not true…”

Direct praise from directly in front left Si-hyun blushing as she turned her head.

Praise always felt good, but since she wasn’t used to it…

Si-hyun scratched her cheek awkwardly as she spoke.

“Shall we go?”

“Yeah, let’s go!”

The two women marched forward confidently. Ji-a maintained an appropriate level of tension while scanning the cave interior.

A few minutes passed.

“Ji-a, wait a sec.”

“Hm?”

Si-hyun stopped Ji-a. When she tilted her head in confusion, Si-hyun pointed toward the ceiling a bit further away.

Following the direction of her finger, Ji-a’s gaze traveled upward. The light source illuminating their surroundings moved ahead, revealing the scene.

“Wow…”

Ji-a involuntarily let out a soft gasp. Over a dozen giant slimes hung from the ceiling, exhaling cold air. Had they ignored this and moved on, they would’ve been ambushed.

Of course, a hunter at Ji-a’s level could rely on her senses and reflexes to evade. However, knowing beforehand and preparing accordingly was far easier.

Impressed by Si-hyun’s detection ability, Ji-a murmured softly.

“Si-hyun’s skills are really versatile.”

“…Hmm.”

“But man, why attribute-based slimes? They’re such a pain for melee fighters.”

After muttering this, Si-hyun paused in thought before hesitantly speaking up.

“S-so… should I take care of them?”

“Huh? How?”

“It’s not my specialty, but… if you give me a moment, I can wipe them out with magic.”

Wipe them out? Sounds pretty intense just hearing it. After blinking a few times, Ji-a nodded.