Chapter 74

Two days later, lunchtime.

Eun-byeol, Ah-reum, and Jae-woo met up in front of the cafeteria.

After exchanging casual greetings, they started their lunch.

In between bites, random conversations flowed back and forth.

Suddenly, as if just remembering something, Eun-byeol spoke up.

“Hey guys, wanna come observe a guild training session after midterms?”

“Huh? Observation?”

“Yeah. I got invited to observe the Wings Guild’s new member training. If you’re interested, we can go together.”

“Hmm…”

Jae-woo took a sip of water while thinking.

‘Not a bad suggestion.’

Getting to observe a large guild’s training isn’t an opportunity that comes around often.

He definitely has good connections.

“Is it okay for us to join the observation?”

“Of course! I already asked the staff, and they said bringing friends is fine. Ah-reum, what about you?”

At Eun-byeol’s question, Ah-reum thought for a moment before speaking.

“Umm… it’s just observation, right?”

“Then what else would there be?”

Ah-reum’s question made Eun-byeol raise an eyebrow in confusion.

Ultimately, Ah-reum shook her head slightly and agreed to come along.

It’s fine as long as it doesn’t conflict with Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s schedule.

Ah-reum understood this was a rare opportunity.

“Decided! No changing your minds later!”

Eun-byeol smiled brightly.

As expected, it’s more comforting going with friends rather than being alone among strangers.

“Still, we’re ending up at a regular E-rank dungeon today.”

“Meh, probably for the best, right?”

“It is, but didn’t she say to keep tonight free? We’ll have some time left over, won’t we?”

“Ugh… professor probably has everything planned out.”

Eun-byeol and Jae-woo exchanged calm words about today’s schedule.

Though they came out of curiosity for Ah-reum’s personal guidance, something felt oddly unsatisfying.

We can handle an E-rank dungeon just fine on our own.

After finishing their meal, the three walked casually toward the meeting spot.

They joined up with Si-hyun, who was dressed in civilian clothes near the gate.

“Wow, Professor! You look amazing in casual wear!”

“…Thank you.”

Si-hyun blushed faintly at the sudden compliment.

She had noticed this student’s great social skills at the library and cafe too.

‘Hmm, now that I think about it, she definitely has that popular vibe.’

Si-hyun smiled softly and spoke calmly.

“I heard from Ah-reum – we’ll be clearing dungeons until evening today.”

“Yes!”

“First, I’ll check your skills, then we’ll continue with the guidance.”

“Understood!”

The students answered energetically, making Si-hyun nod in satisfaction.

Then Eun-byeol cheerfully requested, “And Professor, please speak freely!”

“Um, should I?”

“Yes! Looking forward to working with you today!”

Accepting Eun-byeol’s request, Si-hyun looked at Jae-woo.

Jae-woo bowed his head and said “Looking forward to working with you” in the same manner.

‘There’s no harm in getting closer.’

Since the other side approached first, it makes it easier to interact.

Nodding, Si-hyun started walking.

The students followed suit.

Soon after, the four entered the dungeon without incident.

A normal cave-type dungeon greeted the group.

“Consider me nonexistent and clear the dungeon.”

“Yes!”

The students answered energetically.

They prepared skillfully as they would during regular party sessions.

Ah-reum used her skills to strengthen all party members.

Eun-byeol floated a light source while Jae-woo stepped forward resolutely.

Unlike before, Ah-reum stood right next to Eun-byeol from the start.

While she still couldn’t step forward yet, at least she wasn’t stepping back or trembling anymore.

After observing with the Wings Guild, Ah-reum had improved.

Truthfully, she was already doing the work of an average supporter.

But Ah-reum’s dream reached much higher.

‘I need to show Professor how much I’ve improved…!’

Ah-reum looked at Professor with shining eyes.

Seeing her smiling gently, Ah-reum clenched her fists tightly and focused forward again.

Thus, the group advanced into the dungeon.

“Let’s go!”

With Jae-woo’s spirited shout, the first battle began.

“Keheheck!”

“Keruck!”

Being an E-rank dungeon, the number of goblins appearing at once wasn’t large.

First, Jae-woo, strengthened by Ah-reum’s skills, drew the monsters’ attention.

POW!

The party’s main damage dealer, Eun-byeol, steadily reduced their numbers with magic.

Any injuries were instantly healed by Ah-reum’s skills.

Combined with Jae-woo’s regeneration ability, they were practically immortal in this E-rank dungeon.

When the number of goblins decreased significantly, everyone joined in for the final blow.

It was textbook perfect combat.

Si-hyun watched this scene leisurely.

‘They’ve improved so much.’

Compared to when she first met them, they’ve really grown.

Even though it’s the first time seeing Eun-byeol fight, both Jae-woo and Ah-reum have clearly improved since their first meeting.

However, there were still many areas lacking.

‘Let’s evaluate after finishing this dungeon.’

Making decisions based on fragmented observations isn’t right.

Observing various aspects comprehensively and then judging is correct.

Si-hyun calmly observed the students’ performance.

As they advanced deeper into the dungeon, battles continued to occur regularly.

She mentally noted the students’ habits and quirks.

Even small mistakes or reactions they themselves might not notice.

After several hours of dungeon clearing ended,

Si-hyun handed out water bottles she had prepared in advance for the students outside the gate.

“Good job everyone. You all worked hard, huh?”

“Hehe…”

“Ah, thank you!”

“Phew, thank you.”

The students wiped the sweat from their foreheads and drank water.

Checking the time on her phone after chugging down water, Eun-byeol looked surprised when Si-hyun smirked and said,

“We need to go further into the dungeon, right?”

“Wha, what?!”

“Eh, again?”

“Umm…”

All the students stared at Si-hyun in shock.

Regardless, Si-hyun continued in a calm tone.

“We didn’t come here to sightsee today, did we?”

“…”

Everyone’s mouths formed straight lines.

Ignoring this, Si-hyun continued speaking.

“First, listen up. If Jae-woo can’t hold off all the monsters and some get through, what will you do?”

“I’ll use my staff to control them or attack with skills…”

“While your support is delayed, Jae-woo will have to endure longer, right?”

“…”

Ah-reum and Eun-byeol lost their words while Jae-woo awkwardly scratched his cheek.

While it rarely happens in E-rank dungeons now,

it will become more frequent in D-rank dungeons.

Next target was Jae-woo.

“Jae-woo, I know you feel the pressure, but you’ve developed bad habits.”

“Eh? Bad habits?”

“Yes. Don’t you learn swordsmanship in your major?”

“Yes, but…”

“You chose the sword as a weapon before being a regenerator. So you should properly utilize sword techniques. The way you’re fighting now, you’d be better off using a shield.”

“…”

Jae-woo fell silent as well.

As all the students quieted down, the atmosphere grew tense.

‘Did I say it too directly?’

Tilting her head slightly, Si-hyun looked at the students.

If they became dejected already, giving further advice would be difficult.

To judge how to proceed, she observed the students again.

‘…Hmm.’

“Uh, Eun-byeol, I’ll handle anything coming our way!”

“Are you sure? It’s tough alone.”

“No, no! I can do it!”

“Hmm, then let’s do this. First—”

Si-hyun’s expression softened.

They weren’t disheartened.

They were pondering how to improve based on her advice.

Such commendable behavior.

Si-hyun gave the students ample time to think things through themselves.

When their discussion concluded, she added supplementary explanations.

“Aha! That method definitely seems better!”

“Wow, you’re the professor after all…”

The students clapped their hands together in agreement.

There was no doubt or hesitation regarding Professor’s advice.

Especially Eun-byeol and Jae-woo reproached themselves for feeling vaguely dissatisfied earlier during lunch about the E-rank dungeon.

‘To hell with being disappointed! We couldn’t learn this kind of content at the Academy.’

‘Got pointed out on aspects we wouldn’t have realized ourselves.’

They somewhat abruptly asked for guidance together.

Gratitude welled up toward Professor who readily accepted and provided teachings.

The students looked at Professor with sparkling eyes.

That was enough for Si-hyun.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment from the students’ vivid reactions, she smiled and said,

“Shall we head to the next dungeon?”

Snap!

Si-hyun snapped her fingers.

At that moment, mana scattered around, gently enveloping the students.

Ah-reum had seen it before, but it was the first time for Eun-byeol and Jae-woo.

Seeing Professor Jeong Si-hyun use ‘skills’, their eyes widened as they felt their tired condition recovering.

Si-hyun said,

“Oh, one more thing. Think about whether you’re relying too heavily on your status screens.”

This unexpected additional advice made all the students tilt their heads in confusion.

However, Si-hyun just smiled mischievously without providing further explanation.

“I booked three dungeons for today. Let’s move on!”

“…”

Three? Not even two?

Stunned, the students followed behind Professor.

No one forced them, they willingly asked for guidance, so there was no room to complain.

That day,

they couldn’t possibly get tired.

Their physical and mental fatigue was forcibly restored.

Thanks to that, they truly slaughtered monsters to their heart’s content.

* * *

After really clearing three dungeons,

Si-hyun asked the students if they wanted anything to eat and treated them to dinner.

They enjoyed chatting casually while eating together before heading home.

Only the three students remained.

The night sky had darkened completely, lit only by streetlights and shop signs.

Eun-byeol shouted energetically,

“Let’s go for round two!”

They naturally moved to a nearby bar.

Ordering their favorite dishes and drinks, they began enjoying themselves.

Supporting her chin with one hand, Eun-byeol said,

“Wasn’t Professor’s expression strange during dinner?”

“Uhh, was it?”

“Something like… tearful. Maybe something touching happened?”

“Umm… don’t know…”

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion.

Recalling how she sniffled while wiping her nose and had red eyes,

and how she kept eating diligently with a smile throughout the meal.

Thinking about Professor’s appearance during dinner.

Jae-woo proposed a hypothesis first.

“Maybe she liked the dinner menu?”

“Aha! That could be it. Honestly, the stir-fried squid was delicious. A bit spicy though.”

“I liked it because it was spicy.”

“You like spicy food, huh?”

Eun-byeol chuckled while patting Jae-woo’s shoulder.

Ah-reum quietly sipped her drink while watching them.

‘Does Professor Jeong Si-hyun like spicy food like stir-fried squid?’

She lightly noted it in her mind.

She should find good restaurants whenever possible.

Since Professor personally invested time to provide personal guidance, she wanted to repay such small favors.

Imagining Professor’s delighted face made Ah-reum grin widely.

“Hey, look at that.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Eun-byeol pointed at a TV in the corner of the bar with her finger.

Everyone’s gaze turned there.

News updates played on the screen.

– Failed gate occurrences are increasing recently. The Hunter Management Agency keeps saying there’s no problem with the equipment…

Following the anchor’s explanation, an expert’s commentary continued.

– Since dungeon generation relies on the American returnee’s invention, it’s true that equipment improvements are needed. Moreover, the frequency of high-rank dungeon appearances has been sharply increasing lately.

The expert’s expression was very serious.

“What if something really happens later?”

Eun-byeol muttered while furrowing her brows.

Jae-woo frowned too.

“We seriously need to level up.”

“That goes without saying!”

As Eun-byeol sipped her drink, the other students also took big gulps.

---