The traffic light turned red.
The department chief, Jang Han-Soo, brought the car to a stop and glanced toward Si-Hyun.
On the back of Si-Hyun’s hand was an unusual mark, unlike anything he had ever seen before.
Noticing his gaze, Si-Hyun lightly waved his hand and spoke.
“This is the mark of a god whose existence I believe in.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“...Professor, are you religious? Oh, wait! You were a Holy Knight, weren’t you?”
“Hmm, it’s a little different.”
Si-Hyun gave a wry smile at Areum’s curiosity.
“It’s not about believing in religion. I believe in the existence of gods themselves.”
“Uh, uh... Isn’t that the same thing?”
“...Maybe it is.”
There wasn’t any need to explain in detail.
Si-Hyun waved his hand dismissively, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
Besides, much of what he knew was based on speculation and assumptions anyway.
‘Ah, that’s right.’
Now that the topic had come up, this might be a good time to try a small experiment.
Back when he had first thought about becoming a proper professor, he had decided that if he ever pursued research, this would be the subject.
At that time, he was on his own, but now he had Areum.
“Areum, since we’re on the topic, how about we run a little experiment today?”
“An experiment? What kind of experiment?”
“Something related to the research I’ll be conducting in the future.”
As Si-Hyun elaborated, Areum’s face involuntarily took on a strange expression.
Whenever Professor Jeong Si-Hyun spoke like this, it always led to the same outcome.
‘It’ll definitely be beneficial... but it’s going to be exhausting.’
A mix of anticipation and apprehension swirled within Areum’s chest.
She quickly steeled herself.
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“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
“Good, good.”
Satisfied with her enthusiastic response, Si-Hyun nodded approvingly.
The traffic light turned green, and Jang Han-Soo started driving again.
‘Looks like Areum’s in for a rough day.’
With a faintly regretful expression, he focused on the road.
Although the dungeons Si-Hyun had reserved for today were all low-tier...
...there were five of them.
***
The group arrived at the first gate.
After parking the car nearby, all three stepped out.
Jang Han-Soo checked the time and spoke.
“Si-Hyun, please contact me as soon as you exit the gate.”
“...Huh? Why?”
“Well, my business is nearby, and I should finish it soon. It’d be inconvenient for you to deal with public transportation, so I’ll help you get around.”
“Oh... I appreciate it, but are you sure that’s okay?”
“Yes, of course. It’s no trouble at all.”
Si-Hyun looked slightly bewildered, unsure of how to respond.
The chief repeated his reassurances, sending Si-Hyun and Areum off with a smile.
With that, the two women entered the gate.
Jang Han-Soo let out a deep sigh as he watched them disappear.
‘Guess I’ll head to a nearby café.’
There wasn’t anything pressing on his schedule.
However, as his top priority was assisting a state-level figure like the "sister" accompanying them, he simply attached a plausible excuse.
[“Make sure the sister experiences no inconvenience whatsoever!”]
Recalling the instructions from the management department’s team leader earlier, Jang Han-Soo walked away at a leisurely pace.
***
Meanwhile, Inside the E-Rank Dungeon
As Si-Hyun and Areum entered the E-rank dungeon, they strolled leisurely, chatting along the way.
“Where should I start... Areum, you can use mana without relying on a status window, right?”
“Uh, yes! To some extent.”
“I’ve always found it curious—why and how does the status window differentiate between support and magic types?”
“...?”
At Si-Hyun’s question, Areum looked puzzled.
Until now, she had simply accepted the supernatural mechanics without question.
She’d never thought to dig deeper.
“You know how I said I believe in gods? The truth is, I can manipulate a separate power called divine energy. Watch this.”
Si-Hyun raised her hands, palms facing upward.
In one hand, mana shimmered faintly, while in the other, divine energy glowed softly.
Areum tilted her head, examining the phenomenon with a curious expression.
‘Hmm...’
She could recognize the mana in one hand.
The other, however, was unfamiliar.
‘Isn’t it just a slightly different type of mana?’
To Areum, the energy felt alien.
After all, even mana itself still felt new to her.
“What do you think of this energy? Do you recognize it?”
“Uh, hmm... I’m not sure. It just feels... unfamiliar?”
“Hm. So it really doesn’t exist for you...”
Si-Hyun waved the hand bearing the stigmata and rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
Just then—
“Kreek!”
“Ki-hee-hee!”
A group of goblins appeared, drawing the women’s attention.
“P-Professor!”
“Hold on.”
Areum called out, her guard immediately going up, but Si-Hyun, still deep in thought, walked forward unhurriedly.
The goblins seized their chance and lunged at her—
“Kraack!”
“Kreeeh!”
—but Si-Hyun waved her hand as if brushing off dust, and the goblins collapsed lifelessly.
It was the end of the line for monsters who had chosen the wrong target.
“Wow...”
To Si-Hyun, it was as simple as breathing, but for Areum, it was nothing short of extraordinary.
Clasping her hands over her mouth, Areum watched her professor’s performance with sparkling eyes.
Having swiftly dealt with the goblins, Si-Hyun turned to Areum.
“Oh, right. Areum?”
“Yes!”
“Try giving me a buff.”
“Got it!”
Areum used her skill on Si-Hyun, who observed the flow of energy and noted the changes in her body.
“You can heal even without any injuries, right? Try that too.”
“Okay!”
Whatever Si-Hyun asked, Areum complied without hesitation.
This allowed them to use their time efficiently.
A short while later, Si-Hyun’s expression turned contemplative.
“When you cast a shield versus when you heal, there’s a noticeable difference. What do you think?”
“A d-difference?”
“Yes. Let’s test each one together. I’m not entirely sure myself.”
“Understood.”
The two repeated the process over and over.
Countless iterations followed until Areum finally surrendered.
“P-Professor... I’ve run out of mana...”
“Have you? Then rest and recover while I clear the dungeon, and we’ll try again afterward.”
“...Okay...”
Exhausted, Areum nodded weakly.
The two quickly cleared the dungeon.
They contacted Jang Han-Soo and moved to the next one, repeating the same experiments.
They cleared the second dungeon.
Then swept through the third.
Without rest, they pressed onward to the fourth dungeon.
As Si-Hyun returned after dispatching a group of monsters, Areum suddenly shouted in surprise.
“P-Professor!”
“Hmm? Did you figure something out?”
“I-I just had a feeling! And now it’s on my status window! I have a new stat—divine energy!”
“Oh, finally!”
Overjoyed, Areum squealed and jumped around.
Si-Hyun, equally thrilled, approached, and the two high-fived excitedly.
Areum, still marveling, widened her eyes.
“Now that I have divine energy, my mana stat has been adjusted. This is fascinating...”
“Hm. Want to try using divine energy?”
“Yes! Look at this!”
Smiling brightly, Areum manipulated her divine energy.
Si-Hyun watched her with interest until his expression hardened.
When her professor’s face turned serious, Areum hesitated, her tone turning timid.
“I-Is my control that bad...?”
“No, no. It’s not that. It’s just... it’s different from mine.”
“Different?”
“Here, watch.”
Si-Hyun demonstrated his own divine energy.
Areum tilted her head, confused.
Her grasp of both mana and divine energy was still rudimentary.
Si-Hyun read her thoughts from her expression alone and gave a wry smile.
“Anyway, let’s assume the principles are the same. I’ll explain it to you.”
Si-Hyun began to explain, outlining the similarities and differences between mana and divine energy, as well as the limitations inherent to each.
Areum instinctively realized something important—
These insights were not something anyone else in the world could teach her.
Professor Jeong Si-Hyun was likely the only “Holy Knight” in existence.
She made sure to memorize every word.
When the explanation was over, Si-Hyun grinned and said,
“Now, I should give you an assignment.”
“...!”
“By the next time we meet, you must become more proficient with divine energy.”
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
Areum, initially startled at the mention of an assignment, sighed in relief.
This was something she would have done regardless.
But that wasn’t the end.
“You’ll also wake up early every day to pray. As for who to pray to... well, pick whichever god you want to believe in.”
“...I’m an atheist.”
“Really? Even so, it’s worth trying. I pray every morning, and it rapidly restores my divine energy. If it doesn’t work for you, you can stop.”
“...Well, in that case...”
Hearing his explanation, Areum fidgeted with her fingers and murmured.
“My heart’s god is... Professor Jeong Si-Hyun.”
“...Ahem! T-That’s flattering, but I’m just a person.”
“Hehe...”
Si-Hyun’s cheeks flushed bright red as he turned his gaze away.
Areum giggled bashfully.
It may have been a lighthearted comment, but it was half-serious as well.
***
The five dungeon clears were finally complete.
Si-Hyun and Areum boarded the car driven by Jang Han-Soo to head back to Seoul.
The first to get out of the car was Areum.
“Thank you for everything...”
Dragging her feet, she trudged toward her house, looking utterly exhausted.
Anyone could tell at a glance that she had been pushed to her limits.
‘I... I thought I was going to die...’
It had truly been a Spartan experience.
At first, she was tasked with handling a single goblin. Then, the numbers steadily increased.
By the time they reached the final dungeon, Areum found herself battling like a close-combat hunter, exchanging blows in intense fights.
She had never fought so fiercely in her life.
‘I’ll sleep first... I’ll pray tomorrow...’
As soon as Areum entered her house, she collapsed into bed and was out like a light.
Meanwhile, in the car, Jang Han-Soo and Si-Hyun chatted as they drove.
“Areum seemed pretty exhausted.”
“She’s grown a lot. I thought I’d test her in combat, and she did surprisingly well.”
“Hm, but she’s a support. Wasn’t that risky?”
“Oh, come on, I was there.”
“Ah, I see...”
Jang Han-Soo chuckled wryly.
Inwardly, he offered a quiet prayer of encouragement to Areum.
“By the way, Chief, can you drop me off at the district office?”
“The district office?”
“Yes, I thought I’d use the time to apply for a passport. I already have everything prepared.”
Si-Hyun’s tone was casual, almost nonchalant, but Jang Han-Soo felt his hands trembling on the steering wheel.
“You must be tired too, so once I’ve submitted the application, I’ll find my own way home.”
“N-No, that’s fine! Um, may I ask... why the passport?”
“I’m thinking of traveling with my sister during summer vacation after the semester ends!”
“Ah, I see, a trip. Yes, that sounds like a good plan.”
Jang Han-Soo forced himself to continue the conversation, sweat dripping down his back.
This wasn’t the time to worry about Areum.
His real problem was the way Si-Hyun’s innocent and casual remarks kept throwing him off balance.
***
A few days later, on the day of the Introduction to Monster Studies lecture, Eunbyul, Areum, and Jae-Woo gathered for lunch.
It was during this time that Areum revealed some shocking news.
“What?!”
“A-Are you serious?!”
“Heh-heh!”
Eunbyul’s jaw dropped, unable to close her mouth.
After a moment, she quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
Jae-Woo wasn’t much different.
He craned his neck forward, staring at Areum in disbelief.
“Ha-ha-ha!”
Areum puffed out her chest proudly, exuding confidence.
It had been excruciatingly difficult to hold back this secret until now.