Chapter 8

“So, I was thinking of trying out YouTube in this direction.”

“…Really?”

The next day.

After finishing school, Ji-eun and I went to the company café to talk.

Remembering her saying yesterday that she wanted to do YouTube, I spent the day researching and came up with content ideas suited to her profession.

“Here’s the material.”

“The scroll seems endless.”

When I handed her the company-issued laptop, she scrolled down with wide eyes.

“I didn’t expect you to take it so seriously.”

“It’s work. If Ji-eun wants it, it’s our job to help.”

I also didn’t forget to ask the team leader beforehand about Ji-eun’s YouTube plans.

Permission was granted.

As I expected, unless she’s a Hunter ready for immediate deployment, it’s better to build her recognition beforehand rather than just training her.

After scrolling for a while, she suddenly chuckled.

Having just finished school and still in her uniform, she looked every bit the high school girl as she rested her chin on the table.

“Brother Ha-chan, you’re totally the serious, studious type, right?”

I couldn’t deny it.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror with glasses, I definitely fit that type.

At least I got the genes for height, standing at 180 cm.

The rest wasn’t particularly impressive.

“Brother, you know you have a nerd vibe? Totally that feel. Maybe some college juniors secretly liked you once.”

Her teasing tone was evident as she giggled and winked.

Sadly, nothing like that ever happened to me.

Instead, some bitch tried to frame me for sexual harassment.

Unable to say that, I just gave a bitter smile.

“I’ve got the team leader’s permission to set up the YouTube channel, tailored to Ji-eun’s profession. Anything catch your eye?”

“Hmm, my ability is Bonding, right?”

Ji-eun’s ability isn’t combat-oriented.

As she said, it’s Bonding.

From situational briefings to the strong mental resilience typical of psychic ability users, just bonding with her greatly helps in maintaining mental stability.

Of course, that doesn’t mean she can’t fight at all.

Hunters have superior physical abilities from the moment of awakening, making them excellent against Dimensional Beings even without their abilities.

Plus, with her potential at A-rank and currently B-rank, she has the physical specs to achieve results against Dimensional Beings right now.

That’s likely why the team leader assigned her to my team initially.

Ji-eun, with her Bonding ability, is perfectly suited to be the team’s spiritual leader.

“This Bonding thing works with animals too. There are probably many pet owners curious about what their pets are thinking. How about content that helps with that? Maybe even help someone like President Kim Hyung-wook later!”

This was something I hadn’t considered.

Clearly, her own ideas, having thought about it longer, were more important than my quick research.

“That’s good. You’ve really thought it through. Let’s proceed in that direction.”

If she’s motivated, we just need to support her.

I readily accepted her suggestion and decided to prepare accordingly.

With such solid content, we might even get company funding.

“Let’s discuss more. There might be other good ideas. Anything else come to mind?”

“Ah, well, there is!”

After that, I spent a long time talking with Ji-eun.

Thanks to our conversation, the content we created together seemed much more promising than if I had struggled alone.

Though the conversation ran late, the gains were worth it.

‘This feels rewarding.’

It’s been years since I’ve done proper work, so it’s secretly enjoyable.

After paying with the company card and stepping out, the dark sky greeted us.

No stars were visible in the city sky, but it was still quite a sight.

“Ugh, Brother Ha-chan, thank you. I really think I can succeed on YouTube because of you!”

“Not at all. I’m just here to help. It’s all up to you, Ji-eun.”

“Heehee, that’s why I’m grateful!”

Suddenly, Ji-eun grabbed my arm.

As I tried to pull away, she just tugged harder.

The sweet scent of a girl tickled my nose.

“Ji-eun, please don’t do this.”

“Why not? I don’t do this with just anyone. I’m doing this because I’m grateful to you.”

Despite her young age, she knows well how to use her looks as a weapon.

Scary high school girl.

“No. I’ll get in trouble. You’re a minor.”

“Does that mean it’s okay after a year?”

“Even then, please don’t.”

“Wow, this is the first time I’ve been so clearly rejected. Brother Ha-chan, do you not like me?”

Her teasing intent was obvious.

This type actually enjoys it more if you get flustered, but I foolishly reacted without immunity.

The bigger issue here is that Ji-eun is a Hunter.

Much stronger than me, a regular person, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t break free from her grip.

“Hey, isn’t that Ji-eun?”

At that moment, I heard whispering voices.

Looking up, I saw some girls and boys in the same uniform as Ji-eun.

“Wow, skipping study sessions to meet a guy?”

“But he looks like an uncle. Could it be that?”

“Ew, gross.”

Wait, why am I an uncle?

More importantly, this is bad.

They might pull out their phones any second.

Ahhh, if this continues, I’ll get sued and socially obliterated!

As I thought about quickly shaking Ji-eun off, I felt a small tremor through my arm.

Without looking in their direction, Ji-eun, who had been so lively, now seemed to have lost all her spirit.

“…Ji-eun, let’s go to the company.”

Realizing the reason was them, I grabbed her shoulder and quickly left the scene.

Whatever the reason, her pale face as she was dragged along only relaxed once we were inside the company.

‘My suit sleeve is all wrinkled.’

Seeing the state of my suit sleeve, I gave a bitter smile before looking back at Ji-eun.

Unlike usual, she had lost all her brightness and looked haggard.

“Ji-eun, is something going on at school?”

When I asked, she flinched.

Her first impression was that of a tough girl, but now she seemed like someone putting on a brave face to avoid being preyed upon by others.

“Ah, this is embarrassing. I showed you my weak side, Brother.”

Suddenly, she fanned herself, pretending to be nonchalant.

“I’m a bit pretty, so some girls spread rumors that I flirt with guys. I have a sharp personality, so in a fit of anger, I accepted a confession from a guy a girl who badmouthed me liked. Of course, we broke up the next day.”

Clearly, Ji-eun isn’t an ordinary character.

“So I acted tough. To keep the weak ones from messing with me. After awakening as a Hunter, no one could touch me.”

Ji-eun slowly lowered her head.

“…Once, I got so angry during a fight that I pushed someone. Hunter violence laws are really strict. I shouldn’t have done that. My parents knelt before their parents, begging for leniency.”

She looked out the window with a bitter expression.

As if recalling that terrible memory, she tightly closed her eyes.

Despite her strong mental resilience as a psychic, it seemed unbearable for her.

“But because of what they had done, it was settled through mediation. Still, I think I’m a bit tired. Even a porcupine can’t keep its quills up all the time. It’s tiring for me too.”

She gave a small, bitter smile and hugged her arms.

“Maybe I’m just tired. Honestly, wanting to make money through YouTube or succeed was also about showing them that no matter what they say, I can succeed.”

She couldn’t lift her head until the end.

Though she spoke calmly, the rot inside her was palpable.

“Am I being foolish?”

Seeing her self-deprecating, I immediately voiced my thoughts.

“Ji-eun, if you don’t want to go to school, just don’t go.”

At that moment, she looked up at me.

Though extreme, I continued nonchalantly.

“High school? If you need the diploma, just take the GED. Ji-eun, you don’t even need to go to college; becoming a Hunter is enough. High school seniors in humanities don’t do much besides studying for the college entrance exam, right?”

Studying for the exam is solely for getting into college.

Ji-eun, with her promising future as a Hunter, has no reason to do such studies.

If Ji-eun didn’t have talent as a Hunter, I wouldn’t have suggested this.

But talented individuals shouldn’t waste time on meaningless struggles.

“From what I saw today, whether it’s bullying or ostracism, I don’t know how much Ji-eun has suffered.”

But I can say this for sure.

“If it sucks, quitting is also an option.”

A bit harsh, but it’s the truth.

If the temple is bad, the monk should leave.

Of course, I’m not Ji-eun’s parent.

Just a business partner.

But I can say things her parents can’t.

“Don’t worry about regretting it later. Regret is yours, not others’. As you said, just succeed and show them, right?”

Saying that, I bowed my head.

“Sorry for being blunt. Just know that this opinion exists.”

Hearing my words, Ji-eun slowly started to smile.

Relieved by her laughter, I looked at her as she spoke with slightly teary eyes.

“Brother Ha-chan, can I succeed as a Hunter?”

“Yes, absolutely. I’ll do everything to help you.”

If Ji-eun succeeds as a Hunter, I’ll get a bonus too.

Ah, I can’t resist a bonus.

“Haa, that feels refreshing. I couldn’t even tell the team leader or the training manager.”

“Usually, it’s easier to tell new people than those you’ve known for a long time.”

“Thank you. If I succeed, I’ll treat you first, Brother Ha-chan!”

Seeing her finally smile, I nodded.

As it was getting late, I sent her off and stretched.

Now, I should head home and play some games.

Vrooom!

At that moment.

As I was about to cross the street after leaving the company, a car blocked my path.

Though I know nothing about cars, this one looked ridiculously expensive, making me hesitate.

The aura of wealth was overwhelming.

Just then, the passenger window rolled down.

Inside was a woman I recognized, wearing sunglasses.

“Mr. Ha-chan, heading home?”

It was none other than Baek Seol-hyang.

As I stood there stunned by her sudden appearance, the car door opened.

“Get in.”