Chapter 95

Elsewhere, at a certain café near the Hunter Management Agency in Korea…

Director Jang Han-soo was drinking coffee with Hunter Kim Ji-a.

They were adjusting upcoming schedules and such.

“Are you saying you’ll be going on a trip this summer?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“May I ask if you’re going with anyone?”

“I’ll be going with Si-hyun.”

“Aha… I see.”

The director slowly nodded his head.

Now it makes sense why Si-hyun mentioned making a passport not too long ago.

The pieces of information clicked together. This meant that Hunter Kim Ji-a would also be traveling abroad.

The director quietly added this to his mental notes.

“Have you decided where you’re going? If you’d like, the Management Agency can arrange transportation and accommodations for you.”

The director cautiously suggested this.

For high-ranking hunters dispatched overseas, this was a standard benefit.

But since this trip was purely for rest and relaxation…

It was essentially an unofficial offer of support.

Especially since Si-hyun was involved.

Ji-a hesitated for a moment before slightly shaking her head.

“It’s still unclear, so we’ll discuss that part.”

“I understand.”

The director nodded and took a sip of his coffee.

This response was more than enough.

The relationship between the Management Agency and the two women was proceeding smoothly.

Right then…

Ziiing—

A small vibration rang out from inside the director’s pants.

His smartphone had received a message.

He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the contents.

Soon, his expression stiffened.

Ji-a, who was drinking coffee across from him, asked curiously,

“Director, is it bad news?”

“It seems like Si-hyun is about to cause some trouble…”

“What? Si-hyun?”

Director Jang Han-soo instinctively glanced around.

Since they were in a quiet private room, there was no one to eavesdrop.

He explained quietly,

“She got into a spat with Jason Turner from the U.S.”

“What? Why would he pick a fight with Si-hyun?”

“That much I don’t know… but apparently, she’s going to beat him up near the outer gate. They said they’d notify us just in case…”

“…”

Ji-a lightly opened her mouth in surprise, while the director furrowed his brows deeply as he thought.

Almost simultaneously, the two stood up.

“We should go check it out.”

“Yes, that would be best.”

After sharing their locations, the two drove their respective cars.

Sweat gathered on Director Jang’s hands gripping the steering wheel.

He knew that Si-hyun was strong.

He’d heard stories about the mysterious nun here and there.

But he didn’t really know how strong she truly was.

She claimed to be a Holy Knight, but according to rumors from the Double Dungeon, she was a Supporter skilled with swords. And also a mage.

The mixed-up information all pointed to one thing: she was strong.

It was just… messy.

‘Her opponent is Jason Turner from the U.S…’

That’s why he couldn’t help but worry.

For various reasons.

* * *

“Hahahaha!”

Jason laughed heartily as he deflected Si-hyun’s punch and sent her flying back.

Si-hyun lightly stepped back.

“What a delightful woman!”

Who would’ve guessed she’d initiate the first attack?

And at close range!

When his reinforced arm felt no significant impact from her punch,

it confirmed that her physical strength wasn’t enough to harm his toughened body.

But Jason could feel his blood boiling with excitement.

‘A magic-type hunter trying close combat!’

Never seen before!

An opponent this arrogant against him!

“Let’s see what you’ve got!”

Jason channeled mana through his battle skills, further enhancing his body.

With explosive force, he lunged forward.

KUUNG!

Leaving a crater in the ground, he charged at Si-hyun.

His massive fist aimed straight for her face.

Si-hyun easily tilted her head to dodge.

“Oh ho!”

Jason was impressed.

If it were a normal magic-type hunter, giving him distance would immediately put them at a disadvantage.

They’d use every trick in the book to avoid it.

But this woman was different.

She avoided attacks with minimal movement, using only her physical prowess.

It made him question whether she was truly a mage.

Bwuung—!

Jason’s relentless attacks continued.

Si-hyun didn’t retreat, evading them with minimal effort.

Attacks she couldn’t avoid, she blocked cleanly.

Though she didn’t gain the upper hand, she held her own without being pushed back.

“Aren’t you really a mage?!”

Jason stopped his assault momentarily to catch his breath and ask.

Curiosity bubbled uncontrollably.

Si-hyun relaxed her muscles and gave a short reply.

“…Former Holy Maiden.”

“Hahaha!”

Joyful laughter erupted.

A completely unexpected answer.

A former Holy Maiden!

Not an awakened trait or her current job.

Such a whimsical response.

“Here I come again!”

“…”

Excited by the battle, Jason slipped into casual speech as he charged forward.

Though his opponent kept doing unpredictable things,

that was all.

Occasional punches and kicks weren’t very strong.

At most, A-rank level, maybe even B-rank.

Certainly impressive, but nothing compared to his enhanced body.

‘Let me see how you handle this!’

Jason gathered power into his fists with his battle skill.

He slammed both fists down with all his might.

KUUUNG—!

“Oh?”

He was surprised again.

If the opponent hadn’t dodged, it would’ve been over.

Even if she dodged, the massive force from the ground would’ve disrupted her stance.

But his fists never touched the ground.

As if predicting his move, a transparent barrier blocked his path.

Magic.

KUUNG! KUUNG! KUUNG! KUUNG!

Jason unleashed countless punches and kicks at the wall.

Cracks slowly began to form.

“Come on, show me that move again!”

What a laughable barrier.

I’ll shatter it right away!

Jason had faced this pattern countless times before.

Victory was already forming in his mind.

Just then…

“…Analysis complete.”

A soft mutter from the opponent reached his ears.

Jason frowned and looked at Si-hyun’s face.

The beautiful woman stared back at him expressionlessly.

From this moment on,

the battle dynamics changed drastically.

PUENG!

“Huh?!”

A sudden explosion of air beside his ear!

Jason barely dodged the magic.

In that instant, Si-hyun, having dropped her shield, threw a punch.

He crossed his arms easily to block it.

To him, it was nothing.

But Si-hyun’s attack wasn’t over yet.

Sharp thorns emerging from the ground.

Explosions appearing whenever there was an opening.

Fiery blasts shooting out when distance widened.

Each attack wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful but couldn’t be ignored either.

Jason found himself constantly restrained.

“Hmph!”

Being no ordinary S-rank hunter excelling in melee combat,

Jason successfully closed the gap again using his superior physical abilities.

However, the situation didn’t improve much.

He couldn’t dominate Si-hyun in close combat.

True, he had the advantage in melee, but lacked the power to break through.

He couldn’t deal meaningful damage.

Variables created by his battle skills were consistently blocked by instantly generated barriers.

It was as if she predicted his moves.

The former Holy Maiden was truly versatile.

‘How can this be?!’

Jason’s mind filled with confusion.

No matter how many tricks he threw, there was no sign of breaking through.

Her attacks weren’t particularly strong individually,

but due to absurdly high proficiency, the battle naturally dragged into a prolonged fight.

“…Getting quieter?”

“Cough!”

“Tanker, why are you charging in?”

Si-hyun teased lightly.

Indeed, Jason was sturdy, and his physical-based attacks weren’t bad.

But his opponent sucked.

“…Don’t you feel your body getting sluggish?”

“Huh!”

Jason’s pupils dilated.

‘W-Wait a second…’

Somehow, his enhancements had weakened.

His body felt heavier, speed decreased, and strength waned.

BUUUNG! PAK!

“Guh!”

Si-hyun’s kick struck Jason’s side.

Jason gritted his teeth as he was pushed back.

A tingling pain ran through his waist.

“Puppy, let’s have a repentance session.”

In an instant, Si-hyun’s fist shot toward Jason’s chest.

Jason hastily crossed his arms to block the attack.

DRRRR——

Jason’s body slid back, dragging his feet along the ground.

Si-hyun kicked off the ground and charged at him again.

“Guh!”

Already, the advantage had shifted to Si-hyun.

All that remained was a fun beating in close combat.

‘Why did you even bother sticking around?’

There was no way a tanker could deal significant damage to her.

Minor injuries would heal eventually.

Thus, it became a prolonged fight.

Long fights? That’s my domain, Jeong Si-hyun.

The winner was decided from the start.

PAK! PAK! PAK! PAK!

At first, Jason managed to hold his ground.

Gradually, it turned into a one-sided beating by Si-hyun.

“Khuk!”

Struck in the abdomen, Jason fell to the ground.

He tried to get up immediately,

but Si-hyun’s speed was now faster.

A powerful punch smashed into his nose.

Drip—!

“Guh…!”

Jason clutched his nose as he groaned.

Si-hyun didn’t stop.

She plunged her fist into Jason’s chest. When he bowed his head struggling for breath, she struck his forehead with her elbow.

Immediately after, she delivered a powerful kick to his falling head.

KWACH—!

The sound of bones cracking.

“…”

“Just getting started.”

Si-hyun healed Jason, who could barely speak properly, then hit him again.

Before the barely standing Jason, she lightly jumped.

“Kueeeeh!”

She executed a spinning roundhouse kick into his skull.

Jason tumbled and rolled before collapsing.

“Still far from done.”

“Khk!”

Si-hyun pummeled Jason like a dog on a hot day.

Sturdy little bugger; hits nicely.

Perfect stress relief.

* * *

“Let’s hurry!”

“Yes, let’s go!”

Ji-a and Director Jang arrived at the gate entrance.

For outsiders to enter an already approved gate, identity verification was required.

However, Director Jang bypassed the cumbersome procedure by flashing his Management Agency ID.

This was possible because it was a low-level dungeon.

The two quickly entered the dungeon.

The sight that greeted them was…

“Huh? What brings you here?”

PAK! PAK! PAK!

Si-hyun was thoroughly beating up a Western man.

None other than Jason Turner, the famous combat enthusiast and S-rank hunter.

Ji-a covered her mouth with one hand, while the director gaped at the scene.

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