Saturday evening, the day of Hunter Kim Ji-ah's S-Rank promotion celebration party.
Guests began to gather one by one at the hotel banquet hall.
Famous high-ranking Hunters, officials from the World Hunter Association, and major figures in the industry illuminated the event with their presence. At the entrance, reporters and media swarmed, frantically capturing photos of everyone attending the party.
“P-Professor... Do I look strange?”
“...No, you look great. Don’t worry.”
“Hehe...”
Entering the banquet hall, Si-Hyun offered a soft smile to calm her anxious student. Then, turning her gaze forward, she let out a quiet breath.
‘...It’s good that I came with her.’
She herself was just as nervous as Areum, but somehow, seeing her student practically vibrating with nerves relaxed her.
It was as if the taut string of tension in her chest had been loosened from one side. Thanks to Areum, who was nervous enough for both of them, Si-Hyun felt much lighter.
...Of course, the dress and heels were still unbearably uncomfortable.
“P-Professor, you look so, so beautiful tonight!”
“I-I do...?”
“Yes! When I get home today, I’m going to look up the pictures the reporters took of you earlier!”
“...Uh, hmm.”
Si-Hyun was momentarily speechless. She wanted to tell Areum not to do something so embarrassing, but it felt petty to protest. Instead, she awkwardly turned her head.
‘Ah, there’s Ji-ah.’
A crowd had gathered around Ji-ah in one corner of the banquet hall. She was the star of the evening, and naturally, she looked busy.
Si-Hyun’s gaze lingered on Ji-ah’s outfit.
A dark blue semi-formal dress. The slim silhouette emphasized her waist while elegantly revealing her shoulders and neckline. She looked stunning.
‘Hmm...’
Si-Hyun glanced down at her own outfit.
Her dress was exactly the same color as Ji-ah’s, with a very similar design. The only differences were her choice of accessories and hairstyle.
‘Not bad.’
If Ji-ah looked beautiful in her dress, didn’t that mean she looked just as good? The fabric felt strange and the heels made her wobble, but... she didn’t hate the way it made her feel.
Si-Hyun brushed her fingers over the soft fabric, savoring its smooth texture before carefully stepping forward. With each step, the heels clicked rhythmically against the floor.
Eventually, they arrived at the corner of the hall where food and drinks were arranged.
“Wow, everything looks delicious.”
“Y-yeah! I think I’m going to get decision paralysis...”
“Right? Oh, are you going to drink?”
“Y-yes! Shall we have wine?”
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“Do you know much about wine?”
“Nope! That’s why I’m going to look it up!”
Si-Hyun couldn’t help but chuckle at Areum’s honest response. Her adorable student always found ways to amuse her.
As Si-Hyun casually browsed the drinks, a gentle, hearty laugh interrupted her. It was the Knight Guild Master.
“Well, young lady, I see you enjoy a good drink.”
“Oh, hello, sir.”
“Hmm. Dressed up like this, you’re positively radiant.”
“Hehe...”
The old man smiled warmly at Si-Hyun, like a grandfather admiring his granddaughter. Her cheeks flushed red as she accepted the compliment. Then, sensing a stare, she turned her head.
Areum stood frozen, eyes wide, darting her gaze between Si-Hyun and the elderly guild master.
Si-Hyun smiled faintly.
“Ah, sir, let me introduce you. This is my student, Go Areum.”
“H-Hello, sir!”
Areum bowed at a full ninety degrees, her body stiff with nerves. She quickly realized who she was addressing.
An S-Rank swordsman and the former master of a major guild. Although now retired, he had been so powerful in his prime that people had given him the title Sword Saint.
‘P-Professor isn’t afraid of him at all...?’
The old man’s expression was gentle as he acknowledged Areum’s greeting, but Areum, overwhelmed by his presence, instinctively stepped behind Si-Hyun.
Watching her professor and the old master chat casually, Areum’s mind raced.
‘Wait, I don’t remember this connection being listed anywhere?’
She discreetly pulled out her smartphone and opened the academy’s records.
Moon Da-young, Kim Ji-ah.
Those were still the only two names listed under Professor Jeong Si-Hyun’s connections. Areum’s brows furrowed in confusion.
‘Come to think of it, those two names were added pretty late too...’
Professor Si-Hyun had mentioned being close with Kim Ji-ah before her Awakening, which she’d already seen evidence of during their shopping trip. Considering Si-Hyun’s history with the Wing Guild Master and model creation, it wasn’t a stretch to think she had deeper connections elsewhere.
Taking all this into account...
Could it be that Professor Si-Hyun was intentionally leaving connections unlisted? In truth, her network might be far larger and more powerful than anyone realized!
‘What if her connections overseas are even more impressive?’
Given Professor Si-Hyun’s exotic features, it seemed plausible. Areum’s imagination ran wild, and with it, her admiration for her professor reached unprecedented heights.
‘I’m so glad I made the right decision back then!’
Areum silently congratulated herself on her choice to follow Si-Hyun.
“Hehe...”
Feeling relaxed now, she smiled as she listened to Si-Hyun’s ongoing conversation.
“...And so, I’ve been studying how to brew tea properly.”
“Haha, I’m sure you’ll master it in no time.”
It was an ordinary, easy-going exchange—one that spoke of mutual familiarity. Areum’s suspicions were all but confirmed.
‘Our professor is the networking king!’
Just then, a group of well-built men approached.
“Master, may we speak with you for a moment?”
“Hmm, of course.”
They were guild members and disciples of the Knight Guild Master. After exchanging farewells with Si-Hyun, the old man left with his guildmates, all of whom bowed politely to Si-Hyun before departing. Their respectful behavior implied that Si-Hyun was someone of considerable worth.
Si-Hyun watched them leave, sipping her wine.
‘They all looked at him with such reverence.’
As expected of the elder. His life was one to admire. Si-Hyun etched his image into her memory.
“Shall we grab a table and relax now?”
“Y-yes! I’ll bring a variety of snacks for you!”
They settled at a nearby table, and Areum eagerly set about serving Si-Hyun.
‘Areum’s really loosened up now.’
Tilting her head slightly, Si-Hyun scanned the room. Elegantly dressed guests mingled and chatted in small groups.
She recognized quite a few faces, including some who had been with her during the double dungeon incident.
‘Oh, the woman I exchanged thumbs-ups with is here too.’
She remembered how pleasant that woman’s personality had been. For a moment, Si-Hyun considered going over to say hello.
‘Hiding my identity has its drawbacks, I suppose.’
With a wry smile, she took another sip of wine. Its sweet aroma filled her mouth, leaving a subtle bitterness on the finish.
“P-Professor! Do you need anything else?”
“No, this is enough. You’ve done well.”
“Hehe...”
Areum placed down a plate she’d brought over, beaming as she sat. Si-Hyun continued chatting with Areum while casually observing the room.
Eventually, her gaze settled on Ji-ah, who was moving between tables, greeting everyone in turn.
‘She’ll probably come this way soon.’
Turning her attention elsewhere, Si-Hyun spotted another familiar face in the crowd.
“Areum.”
“Yes?”
“Look over there. Do you see Eunbyul’s brother?”
“Oh, yes! Yeo Dohyung Hunter is here too.”
“And do you recognize who he’s talking to?”
Areum shook her head.
In a room full of Koreans, the tall Western man stood out clearly. Areum was just as curious as Si-Hyun.
“W-wait a second! I’ll look him up quickly.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”
Areum’s fingers danced rapidly across her phone screen. Si-Hyun blinked, watching her in amazement.
‘She’s at least ten times faster than me.’
Si-Hyun had thought she’d gotten decent at using her smartphone, but clearly, there was still a long way to go.
“F-found him! Jason Turner. He’s an S-Rank Hunter from the U.S.”
“Ah, so he’s American.”
“Uh... but he’s kind of unusual.”
“Hm? How so?”
Si-Hyun raised an eyebrow as Areum continued reading.
“Well, to use gaming terms, he apparently enjoys PVP more than PVE.”
“He’s better at fighting people than monsters?”
“Y-yes, exactly!”
Areum smiled sheepishly as Si-Hyun summarized it so neatly.
“And... uh, while he’s well-regarded for handling assignments overseas and working efficiently, he’s also... controversial.”
“How so?”
“Well... He’s a battle maniac. He’s notorious for challenging high-ranking Hunters wherever he goes.”
“...What a peculiar person.”
“R-right?”
“He sounds exhausting. Let’s make sure we steer clear of someone like that.”
“I agree!”
Teacher and student exchanged identical expressions, nodding in perfect sync. Truly, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.