While studying alone in her room, Eunbyeol suddenly received a phone call.
It was from the employee who had suggested a tour of the Dawn Guild.
“Yes, yes.”
...After the call ended,
Eunbyeol tilted her head slightly but continued typing diligently with her fingers.
The most important thing at the moment was finishing her exams neatly.
***
Another week passed, and it was Tuesday, just before lunchtime.
I was sitting at the dining table with Si-Hyun, eating lunch together.
“...You’re going to attend a special lecture?”
Si-Hyun mumbled as she chewed her food.
“Yeah, that’s the only thing I have to do, so I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Aha. What’s the lecture about?”
“Something like the virtues of a tank, or maybe a similar topic.”
“Virtues? Like how you have to be tough and all that?”
“...Hmm, probably? Honestly, I’m not that interested in the topic.”
At my answer, Si-Hyun blinked for a moment before asking again.
“Why go if you’re not interested?”
“Umm... I just want to see what it’s like when someone else gives a lecture.”
“Aha, yeah. There’s definitely a unique atmosphere when you’re actually there.”
“Exactly? I want to feel the vibe of the place, like how they control the students and all.”
The lecturer was none other than an S-rank hunter from a major guild.
There had to be something they could show, like leadership and other qualities, right?
Thinking back to the Double Dungeon incident, they did seem a bit arrogant.
But what would a special lecture be like?
“Hmm? Sis, did you get that again?”
“Huh? What?”
Si-Hyun pointed at my smartphone with her finger.
“The sticker. The sticker. You didn’t forget the one for storage, right?”
I turned my head to check under the TV and then looked back at her.
I nodded.
“The Hunter Management Bureau employee got me another one! You have to get three of everything—one for use, one for display, and one for storage. Hehe...”
“Ah... I see...”
Si-Hyun scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Hmm, did I come off too much like an otaku? Oh well. As long as I’m happy, it’s fine.
In that case, should I ask Si-Hyun’s opinion on watching Momobin together?
“About Momobin... I’m thinking of having some custom merchandise made for personal collection. What do you think?”
“...C-custom-made?”
“Yeah, yeah. If you’re interested, I’ll make one for you too!”
“Uh... uh, well...”
Suddenly, Si-Hyun’s eyes started darting around, lost in thought.
Is she wondering what to get?
After a moment, Si-Hyun finally spoke up, having sorted through her thoughts.
“I-I don’t mind! Ahaha...”
“If you think of anything, just let me know. It’s not something we’re doing right away.”
“Uh... sure...”
Si-Hyun mumbled and then furrowed her brows in deep thought, looking like she was solving a complex math problem.
It was oddly funny and cute in a way.
Having finished my meal first, I leisurely began getting ready to go out.
***
At the Academy Auditorium.
Cars began to trickle into the parking lot.
The students, who had been scattered attending their respective lectures, started to gather.
The staff at the entrance of the auditorium guided the participants in an orderly fashion.
As the time for the special lecture approached, the auditorium filled with students and related personnel, creating a bustling crowd.
At the very front of the auditorium, the academy’s faculty members, including the president, and key staff had already taken their seats.
“S-rank Hunter Kang Cheol-Min’s special lecture, huh? That’s quite rare.”
“That just means the Cheongrim Guild is desperate.”
“From the academy’s perspective, it’s not a bad thing, though.”
People whispered quietly among themselves.
Students also chatted with their acquaintances.
“Look at the white-haired person in the front. That must be Professor Jeong Si-Hyun, right?”
“Ah, yeah. Professor Jeong is here too.”
Most of the students had black hair, with only a few having brown or blonde hair, so the white hair stood out clearly to those sitting in the back.
“Seems like being an S-rank really carries weight. The auditorium is packed.”
“Yeah, looks like most of the professors are here too.”
“You can’t miss this kind of opportunity.”
With his large build and broad shoulders, his presence immediately filled the auditorium.
He took the microphone confidently as he walked up.
“Ah, hello! I’m Kang Cheol-Min, an S-rank Hunter representing the Cheongrim Guild.”
Clap, clap, clap—
Thunderous applause echoed in response to Kang Cheol-Min’s greeting.
He nodded in satisfaction and continued his self-introduction.
“Well, I’m sure you all know who I am already! An S-rank Hunter with a focus on blunt weapons. I play the role of a tank in the dungeon.”
He chuckled softly and added.
“Because of my undeniable charisma, I often end up taking charge of the party. Hahaha!”
Kang Cheol-Min’s confident, booming laughter filled the auditorium through the microphone.
When the laughter stopped, the auditorium grew quiet again.
There was no immediate response.
Kang Cheol-Min, trying to lighten the mood with humor, glared at the moderator when he noticed the lack of response.
The moderator, holding a script, trembled in fear as Kang Cheol-Min’s glare was directed at him.
After venting his frustration on the moderator, Kang Cheol-Min resumed the lecture.
“Today’s lecture is about the virtues of a tank! The warrior who holds the front line! The most important thing, as you all know, is silence. Staying calm, analyzing the situation, and focusing on protecting the party—that’s the primary role.”
Kang Cheol-Min’s explanation began, following the prepared script.
“Hmm...”
Si-Hyun, sitting in the front row, watched the lecture with a blank expression.
...The lecture was far more boring than she had anticipated.
‘Maybe I had too high expectations?’
The content of the lecture was based not on his own opinions but on the script, with much of it boasting about Kang Cheol-Min’s achievements.
She had come hoping to see a skilled speaker, but instead, the content and delivery were subpar.
She even began to feel that her time was being wasted.
“Yawn...”
Si-Hyun covered her mouth with her hand, quietly stifling a yawn.
She tried to hide it as much as possible, but it was futile.
Kang Cheol-Min’s piercing gaze was directed at Si-Hyun.
‘How dare she yawn during my lecture?’
The beautiful woman sitting in the front row had been in his sight from the start.
He had been consciously aware of her presence throughout the lecture.
But how dare she yawn in front of him!
Kang Cheol-Min tensed his cheek muscles and spoke.
“Hahaha! Let me tell you a funny story, everyone.”
Si-Hyun, who had been checking the time on her smartphone, now turned her attention back to Kang Cheol-Min.
“The biggest advantage of the Cheongrim Guild! It’s all about supporting the top-tier hunters. Anyone with the ability can become a main character in their own right.”
He paused for effect before continuing.
“Of course, there were some who opposed this. They were demanding that the exploitation of new recruits stop. What do you think happened to them?”
Kang Cheol-Min slowly scanned the audience.
“The guild said it politely, but they just ended up deserting the guild. After that, they tried to establish their own small guild, but it ended in complete failure. This proves that Cheongrim’s policies were right!”
Kang Cheol-Min’s gaze turned back to Si-Hyun.
Si-Hyun, with a stoic expression, listened intently to his words.
His intention to provoke her worked in a way.
He had wanted to capture the attention of the beautiful woman in the front row, and Si-Hyun was indeed focused.
It was an oddly familiar story to her.
‘...No way.’
Si-Hyun frowned as she pulled out her phone and quickly searched for information about the Cheongrim Guild.
She skimmed through a list of incidents and scandals and found what she was looking for.
‘The founding of the Wing Guild.’
The guild founded by some hunters who had left the Cheongrim Guild.
They had opposed the guild’s exclusive management methods and founded their own guild.
Wing’s master, Moon Da-Young, criticized the Cheongrim Guild for excessively exploiting new recruits, but Cheongrim insisted it was a “voluntary participation and choice” of the hunters.
‘...It was Cheongrim?’
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The article wasn’t long, so Si-Hyun quickly read through it.
After finishing, she looked up again.
One of the enemies of the Wing Guild was standing right in front of her.
‘Huh...’
Si-Hyun swallowed her rising anger.
She had decided to live her life her own way, but there was still a clear line between public and private matters.
She wanted to scream “Revenge for the Wing Guild!” but she knew she couldn’t do that in front of an invited guest giving a special lecture at the academy.
However, she no longer had any desire to continue attending the lecture.
‘...I’ll let it slide today.’
If they crossed paths again, she would make sure to give them the “Pain of the Burning Tongue” first.
After silently bidding goodbye to Professor Park, Si-Hyun quietly stood up from her seat.
Without making a sound, she climbed the stairs peacefully.
Just then.
“Ah! Young lady! The special lecture is still going on, where are you going?”
Kang Cheol-Min grabbed Si-Hyun’s ankle as she tried to leave.
Si-Hyun slowly turned around and calmly stared at him.