Chapter 85

A new week began.

The news that had been the talk of the weekend continued to capture the public’s attention even on Monday.

[Kim Ji-a Hunter unofficially achieves S-rank!]

[Turning the impossible into reality! Kim Ji-a Hunter’s endless challenges and glory.]

[The sacred figure of the Hunter world, Kim Ji-a! A new legend begins at S-rank.]

[Kim Ji-a, now Korea’s pride and a global Hunter icon.]

Various news articles kept flooding in with updates about Hunter Kim Ji-a.

The online community was no different.

[Title: “Hearing Kim Ji-a is still clearing dungeons in the provinces.”]

[Anon]

If I were her, I’d totally take a break after hitting S-rank… She’s insane, lol!

– She’s just god-tier

– Pfft

– Damn, is it you again?

– Big sis, kill me

[Title: “Is Kim Ji-a still unaffiliated?”]

[Anon]

Her value must be insane…

– It’s like they’re asking for whatever price she wants, hahaha.

– Isn’t she practically under the Management Bureau already?

└ Pretty much, yeah.

– Don’t tell me she’s gonna go abroad or something?

└ No way, Ji-a wouldn’t do that.

[Title: “I wonder what will happen next?”]

[Anon]

Will she solo high-level dungeons now?

– She was already doing B-rank dungeons alone before.

└ That’s why everyone’s saying this, haha. She’s crazy!

└ Seriously, she’s just a monster.

– Even so, A-rank and S-rank dungeons are probably impossible…

└ True, A-rank dungeons are said to have a completely different difficulty level.

└ Still, it’s hard not to hope, right?

└ Yeah, that’s true.

– If she teams up with that mysterious nun from before, maybe they could tackle an S-rank dungeon?

└ Still, that’s pushing it even for them…

└ Remember how even four S-ranked Hunters struggled in that double dungeon?

└ Just stop overthinking things, guys…

└ Hahahahaha

└ Hahahahahahahahaha

Korea was literally buzzing with excitement.

And the ripple effect of Ji-a achieving S-rank didn’t stop there.

The news quickly spread overseas.

In one office building in the U.S., a plain Western man with light skin, brown hair, and slightly blurred eyes sat talking to a well-groomed man named Jason.

“…We need you to go on a mission to Korea.”

“Hmm, Korea, huh?”

Jason, who had a neatly trimmed beard, lightly stroked it. He was an S-ranked Hunter while his counterpart was only B-rank. But he couldn’t ignore the request.

This wasn’t just any B-ranked Hunter—this was Evan, the world’s sole Returner and creator of several revolutionary Hunter inventions. An irreplaceable key figure who had helped Jason countless times.

“Evan, if it’s your request, I’ll have to accept. What’s the reason? Is it because of the new S-ranked Hunter?”

“Not exactly, though that’s part of it. I’m trying to locate someone who’s hiding. It’s been bothering me.”

“Someone hiding?”

“Yes, I’ll arrange the method quickly. Please clear your schedule.”

“Understood.”

Jason nodded briefly, understanding roughly why Evan had chosen him. Someone skilled enough to handle the job who also spoke fluent Korean.

‘…This is getting interesting.’

For Evan, the busiest person around, to be concerned meant whoever this person was, they weren’t ordinary. Jason smirked faintly, intrigued.

Afterward, the two men shared details about their target and the mission plan.

* * *

Lunchtime came a little early.

I had a quick meal with my younger sister Si-yoon at home.

Today was a day when lectures overlapped with the Academy festival.

With the atmosphere bound to be chaotic, I planned to wrap up class quickly depending on the students’ situation. Then I’d hang out in my office until evening since I wanted to check out the festival vibe too. Maybe if there’s something good at the night market, I’ll enjoy it personally.

“Hmph…”

“Do you really like it that much?”

“Of course!”

After enthusiastically answering my sister, I picked up my smartphone again. Fiddling with the keychain hanging from it made me grin uncontrollably.

Finally, finally, I’ve collected all kinds of Momobin merchandise.

…I never expected it would come to this, but hey, I got everything.

Even if it did feel a bit like using cheats?

Meh, good enough is good enough in my book.

“Si-yoon, any plans to make new goods?”

“You mean custom-made stuff like last time?”

“Nah, not necessarily. Now that you’re basically official, can’t you just make some cool stuff?”

“Uh… Well, sure?”

“I’ll support you directly in real life, no fees! Let’s create something!”

As I clenched my fist and shouted, Si-yoon awkwardly scratched her cheek.

“If you give me a wishlist, I’ll consider making something from it…”

“Calendars, sticky notes, acrylic stands, and tumblers.”

I immediately replied without hesitation—I’d thought it through already.

“Especially the tumbler. I want that the most.”

“Alright.”

Seeming to sense my sincerity, Si-yoon widened her eyes. After a moment, she grinned mischievously.

“Lately, viewers keep asking about you. How about appearing on the show once?”

“Really necessary?”

“C’mon, I helped you out. That’s kinda cheap, isn’t it?”

“C-cheap?! What are you talking about…”

“Hey, it’s fine! Sure, let’s do it.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

“That’s your rejection line, isn’t it?”

“…”

…She knows me too well. Feels like I’m stuck in a rigged game where I’ve already lost, but I guess it’s just my imagination.

There’s no way they’d really bring an ordinary person onto the show.

It wouldn’t make the broadcast any more entertaining just because I appeared.

Still, I should choose the best option among what’s available.

“…Ah! Time to head to work! See you later!”

“Wow, running away so obviously.”

Ignoring Si-yoon’s mutterings, I stood up. Quickly gathering my things, I headed toward the front door.

Oh, one more thing.

“Momo! Fighting for the broadcast!”

“Ugh… Y-yeah…”

A sharp response came back immediately.

Hehe, I can’t always be the one taking hits.

* * *

When I arrived at the Academy, the festive mood was palpable everywhere. People were bustling around setting up booths and preparing performances.

This energy carried over even into the lecture.

Everyone seemed distracted by the festival, their excitement evident on their faces.

“Let’s wrap things up quickly today? Looks like that’s what everyone wants.”

“Yeah!”

“Okay!”

Exactly as expected.

No student showed any negative reaction.

It was just casual theory anyway, and we’ve been repeating similar content lately. Once in a while, speeding through is fine.

Besides, next week will force focus regardless since the VR visual materials are almost complete.

“So, I’ll skip the break and continue straight to Period 6.”

“Got it!”

“Understood!”

With the students’ agreement, I sped through the lecture faster than usual.

When the lecture ended earlier than normal…

“…?”

I thought the students would rush out, but they didn’t.

Instead, quite a few stayed seated, staring at me intently.

That stopped my steps as I was about to leave.

“Hm? Any questions?”

“Professor! What’s your relationship with Hunter Kim Ji-a?”

“How did you two meet?”

“Aha.”

So that’s what you’re curious about.

I chuckled softly before answering.

“I knew her before my awakening.”

“Ohh!”

“Next question?”

“Me! Me! Professor, do you often meet with Hunter Kim Ji-a?”

The students bombarded me with enthusiastic questions.

More passionate than during actual lectures.

Just having Ji-a’s name in my connections sparks this much interest, huh?

Feels kind of like borrowing the tiger’s power to intimidate others.

…Not that it’s bad, I guess.

“Alright, that’s enough questions! Thanks for attending today’s lecture. Enjoy the festival!”

“Yesss!”

“You too, professor!”

I exchanged farewells with the disappointed students.

They clearly wanted more, but there’s a limit.

Too personal topics aren’t appropriate.

After leaving the classroom, I immediately headed to my office.

The models I’d worked so hard on greeted me warmly.

Their quirky individuality created a strangely amusing scene.

First-timers might freak out?

Not that many people visit anyway.

Even I don’t come here often, so nothing feels particularly fresh anymore.

“Hmm…”

Pulling out my laptop, I searched the festival lineup online.

Hmm…

Names of regular entertainers, singers, and even high-ranked Hunters scheduled for talk shows appeared.

Checking which Hunter they invited…

“…Do-hyeong?”

Why are you here?

Aren’t S-ranked Hunters supposed to be busy?