At first, Yeo Dohyung’s awkward smile lingered, but soon he relaxed his expression and spoke naturally.
“...With all the commotion about dungeons lately, how have you been holding up?”
“Oh, I’ve been fine. Nothing much has happened.”
“That’s good to hear. If you’re okay with it, would you like a ride home? Please don’t hesitate to let me know if it’s uncomfortable.”
“Hmm...”
I hesitated for a moment.
We weren’t close enough for me to accept such an offer without second thoughts.
...But then again, rejecting him outright felt unnecessary.
We’d likely run into each other often in the future, so there was no need to put up walls. Perhaps this was an opportunity to build some rapport.
Besides, I found myself curious about him.
Sensing my hesitation, Dohyung softened his voice even further.
“If not, I can call a taxi for you. What do you think?”
“...No, it’s fine. If I’m going to accept help, I might as well ride with you. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”
When I nodded slightly and replied, Dohyung paused briefly, then smiled faintly.
“Shall we, then?”
“...Yes, thank you.”
“Haha, it’s nothing. If I’d failed to escort you, Eunbyul would’ve been disappointed and probably scolded me relentlessly. Honestly, I should be the one thanking you for sparing me that.”
With an exaggerated shrug, Dohyung lightened the mood.
Something about his deliberate attempt to make me feel at ease was oddly endearing. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
***
Yeo Dohyung gripped the steering wheel as the car smoothly pulled away from the curb.
The atmosphere between Dohyung and Si-Hyun remained somewhat awkward. Dohyung focused on driving, while Si-Hyun gazed out the window, watching the scenery pass by.
“...This wasn’t what I had in mind when I agreed.”
Si-Hyun pondered for a moment, wanting to break the silence but unsure of how to start a conversation.
Fortunately, Dohyung spoke first.
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“Professor Si-Hyun, how’s life at the Academy treating you?”
“Hmm...”
Si-Hyun thought briefly before answering.
“...It’s enjoyable. The students are so earnest and adorable. It’s rewarding.”
“Ah, I see. You must be really busy.”
“Not really. I’m just a part-time lecturer, so it’s not that hectic.”
“Is that so? Still, that’s impressive. For me, just working as a hunter is exhausting enough—I can’t imagine balancing that with teaching at an academy.”
Dohyung transitioned the conversation smoothly, his tone natural. Si-Hyun narrowed her eyes slightly, studying him. He seemed skilled at keeping the dialogue flowing.
Noticing her gaze, Dohyung smiled lightly.
“It seems like she’s relaxing a bit.”
When the car came to a stop at a red light, Dohyung turned slightly to glance at her.
Si-Hyun, who had been lightly fiddling with the hem of her jacket, now rested her hands neatly on her lap. She adjusted her posture and leaned comfortably against the seatback.
With a calm smile, Dohyung opened his mouth again.
“You’re still tackling dungeons as a hunter, right?”
“Yes, whenever I have time.”
After answering honestly, Si-Hyun hesitated briefly before asking a question of her own.
“May I ask you something?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“You’ve tackled multiple S-rank dungeons, haven’t you?”
“Ah, yes. Though, since they’re so rare, it’s not like I’ve experienced a huge number of them.”
“Then, among them, you’ve been to an undead-themed S-rank dungeon before, right? How did its difficulty compare to others?”
“Hmm, difficulty...”
Dohyung took a moment to reflect on his past experiences. It didn’t take long for him to answer.
“Difficulty can vary depending on the person, but for me, the double dungeon back then was the toughest.”
“...I see.”
“Yes. Honestly, it made me think we might need to introduce a new ranking system for dungeons in the future.”
“Ah, I see. That’s helpful to know. Thank you for the detailed answer.”
“Haha, it’s nothing.”
When Si-Hyun smiled warmly and thanked him, Dohyung responded modestly and turned his focus back to the road.
The light changed from red to green, and he began driving again.
Even as he focused on driving, Si-Hyun’s serene smile lingered in his mind. It was the kind of smile that could make a person’s heart flutter, almost to the point where he worried it might leave lasting aftereffects.
“Do you have any other questions? I’d be happy to answer them for you.”
Dohyung’s tone was eager, clearly hoping to see that smile once more.
“...Hmm, let me think. What else could I ask?”
Si-Hyun glanced at Dohyung briefly, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she tilted her head slightly.
Her delicate neckline became visible as her long hair cascaded naturally over her shoulder.
“There’s no reason not to make use of this opportunity.”
Si-Hyun mentally checked to see if there was any other information she might need for her plans. She continued the conversation with a calm demeanor, keeping the discussion flowing naturally.
By the time the car reached Si-Hyun’s neighborhood, the sky had cleared.
What had been a gloomy, overcast day earlier had transformed into bright, clear weather.
The clouds had passed, leaving behind a radiant sky. Warm sunlight bathed Si-Hyun gently, as if bidding her welcome.
***
The Hunter Academy was a specialized institution for nurturing aspiring hunters. It offered a wide range of facilities for students, from libraries and cafes to parks and auditoriums, ensuring they had everything they needed.
Among these was the gym, where Go Areum, the academy’s top rookie, had been showing up daily. Her goal was to build a solid foundation of physical strength. Although she was still a novice when it came to exercise, her passion was unmatched.
“...Let’s do this! One step at a time!”
Areum’s greatest motivation was her admiration for Professor Jeong Si-Hyun.
She dreamed of becoming just like her—a figure to aspire to and follow. That dream drove her forward with unwavering determination.
Before taking the Monster Studies 101 class, Areum had never seriously exercised in her life. Yet now, she made it a point to visit the gym every day. Her encounter with Si-Hyun had completely transformed her outlook on life.
“...What else do I have to do today?”
As Areum focused on her foundational strength training, she mentally reviewed her schedule.
There was the magic coursework she had to study, the divine energy techniques she was practicing under Professor Jeong’s guidance, and, of course, dungeon raids.
Despite her packed days, Areum made sure not to neglect a single task. She didn’t want to disappoint the professor who had taken the time to mentor her.
“Hey, Areum! Still going strong, I see.”
“Oh, hey, Jae-Woo! Yeah, I’m trying my best!”
Jae-Woo, whose class ended later than Areum’s, had just arrived at the gym. The two naturally fell into conversation.
“Once we’re done with our first joint class, let’s set a date for a D-Rank dungeon run!”
“Sounds good! We’ve prepared enough in advance, anyway.”
The academy encouraged teamwork by arranging interdisciplinary joint classes, ensuring that students could form cohesive parties. Their schedules were designed with this in mind.
As for Jae-Woo, he had recently been promoted to D-Rank, just like Eunbyul. This meant that Areum, Eunbyul, and Jae-Woo were now all D-Rank hunters, ready to form a party together.
Typically, students would spend the entirety of their summer vacation delving into dungeons to gain real-world experience and gradually earn their promotions.
The pace at which Areum and her peers achieved D-Rank was unprecedented in the academy’s history.
These exceptional rookies all attributed their success to Professor Jeong Si-Hyun, whose reputation and value soared with each passing day.
“Whew... Jae-Woo, I’m heading out first.”
“Alright. Great work today.”
After finishing her workout, Areum exchanged farewells with Jae-Woo. She took a refreshing sip from her tumbler before heading to the showers.
As she was changing after her shower, she overheard a conversation between two other female students.
“Hey, did you see the news earlier?”
“Huh? What news?”
“They’ve already cleared the S-Rank dungeon that appeared a few days ago.”
“Seriously? That’s insane! Which guild did it?”
The second student looked shocked, prompting the first to smile mischievously.
“They’re keeping it a tight secret at the Bureau. No one knows.”
“Why would they keep it secret?”
“No clue. My guess is that it might’ve been that ‘mysterious nun’ people were talking about a while back.”
“Oh yeah, I remember hearing about her.”
The two students, clearly fans of gossip, were absorbed in their discussion.
However, the topic of the mysterious nun didn’t last long, as there was too little information to keep the conversation going.
“Oh, by the way, did you hear about the World Hunter Association’s announcement? They’re adding a new tier above S-Rank dungeons because of those new ones popping up.”
“Yeah, I heard! It’s terrifying.”
The two naturally transitioned to the new topic.
Areum, meanwhile, paid only half attention to their chatter and continued on her way, focusing on her own goals.
***
In the quiet morning hours, Jeong Si-Hyun was relaxing at home. After a simple breakfast, she sat on the sofa with her younger sister, Si-Yoon, watching the news on TV.
“Si-Yoon.”
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“I think it’s about time I made you another accessory.”
“Out of nowhere? The bracelet you gave me is still perfectly fine.”
Si-Yoon lifted her wrist and shook the bracelet to demonstrate, but Si-Hyun shook her head.
“No, it’s not enough. I need to make something that can keep you safe even if you get thrown into a dungeon until I come to get you.”
“...Wouldn’t something like that be ridiculously expensive?”
“Heh.”
Si-Hyun put her hands on her hips and struck a triumphant pose.
“If I reveal my identity, the Hunter Management Bureau said they’d throw hundreds of billions my way in an instant!”
“Whoa...”
Si-Yoon’s eyes widened in amazement. She knew her sister was well-off these days, but the sheer scale of what she was talking about was beyond her imagination.
At home, Si-Hyun seemed like just an adorable and lovable older sister.
But outside, she was something extraordinary, beyond what Si-Yoon had ever envisioned.
“What should I make for you this time? Another bracelet? Or maybe a necklace?”
“Uh... I’m not sure...”
Si-Yoon awkwardly scratched her cheek, unsure of how to respond to Si-Hyun’s enthusiastic questioning.
Meanwhile, it occurred to her that she should probably finalize the designs for the summer-themed MomoBin merchandise she’d been planning.
***
In the break room for the cleaning staff at the academy, several women were getting ready to head back to work.
“Whew, is it the auditorium's turn this time?”
“Yeah, let’s clean up the areas the students use first and take our time with the rest.”
“Sounds good! This building hasn’t been cleaned in a while. It’ll take all day to finish!”
Equipped with the keys to the auditorium from the management office, the cleaning crew made their way to the multi-purpose training hall.
This auditorium was only used for joint classes, so it was typically locked and maintained until needed.
The cleaners entered and quickly got to work, tidying the large space before the lecture began. They swept, mopped, and dusted, ensuring everything was spotless.
By the time they were done, one of the women, drenched in sweat, sighed with relief.
“Phew! Just barely made it. The students will be here soon. Let’s take a breather, shall we?”
“Let’s head to the waiting room in the back and catch our breath.”
As the cleaners packed up their equipment, students began to trickle into the auditorium.
With their tools in hand, the women quietly moved to the designated waiting area within the auditorium, giving space to the arriving students.