Early Afternoon
The sky near my ho was like a diluted watercolor painting, hazy and clouded in an unremarkable way. Just looking at it could dampen anyone's mood.
It was that in-between ti, straddling the end of spring and the beginning of sumr. On the streets, more people were wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts, embracing lighter, cooler clothes.
I was on my way to the Hunter Managent Bureau, heading to the subway station closest to my ho. With the morning rush hour long gone, the station was relatively quiet.
“Hmm…”
Now that I thought about it, the first ti I visited the Bureau, I t Han-Gyeol at this very station. Back then, so much felt unfamiliar and new to .
But now, just a few months later, it felt like I’d adjusted to this life remarkably well.
Whoosh—Clunk.
The train ca to a stop, and the doors slid open. I stepped inside and casually took a seat near the door.
With ti to spare, I let my mind wander, reflecting on everything that had happened so far.
My beloved sister, Si-Yoon, who had helped adjust to this new life.
My dear friend, Ji-Ah, who taught the diversity and richness of living.
The cute and lively students I t at the Academy.
And then, there were others.
The wise elder from the Knight Guild, who showed what an ideal life could look like.
Yeo Dohyung, who turned what could have been a bland lecture into sothing that felt like a real talk show.
So many events. So many people.
…Yes, I’d made my decision, and now I would act on it.
At first, I only wanted to rest, and my future seed vague and uncertain. But now, my goals were clear, and I could see the path ahead, connecting to where I wanted to go.
All that was left was to take the steps forward.
“Hmmm…”
When I arrived at my destination, I instinctively looked up at the sky.
Unlike the gloomy atmosphere from earlier, it was now crystal clear, without a single cloud in sight.
The sunlight was warm, and the breeze carried just the right amount of coolness.
The weather was perfect.
***
Hunter Managent Bureau
The building of the Hunter Managent Bureau stood tall, and Section Chief Jang Han-Soo greeted Si-Hyun, escorting her to a eting room right on ti. Inside, the team leader from the Bureau's managent departnt awaited them.
“Oh, you’ve arrived!”
“Hello,” Si-Hyun greeted calmly.
The team leader, visibly nervous, exchanged pleasantries with her. anwhile, Jang Han-Soo sat down after preparing snacks and drinks for the eting.
“…So, could you explain in detail the important matter you ntioned?”
“Yes, of course.”
Taking a small sip of coffee, Si-Hyun moistened her throat. She pondered how to convey her intentions most effectively. After organizing her thoughts, her expression turned serious.
“This might be a long story, so I’ll start with a summary. I’m preparing to reveal my identity.”
“R-Really?!”
“My goodness, finally!”
Both the section chief and the team leader widened their eyes in shock, staring at Si-Hyun in disbelief.
Maintaining her composure, Si-Hyun t their gaze and continued.
“However, there’s one thing you must keep in mind.”
“P-Please, go ahead.”
“I don’t want goodwill to be taken for granted.”
“…”
“I genuinely like the relationship I have with the Bureau right now. If an ergency dungeon situation arises, I’ll help as much as I can. But I won’t tolerate being forced into it—this goes for both you and the public.”
The two n nodded slowly, realizing that Si-Hyun was firmly in control of the situation, and they were on the receiving end of her terms.
“I won’t affiliate myself with any guild, nor will I allow anyone to bind . I love Korea because my family is here, and that’s why I’m offering this. Like Ji-Ah, I’ll act as though I’m semi-affiliated with the Bureau.”
“Ah, I see… Understood!”
“Thank you, Si-Hyun!”
The section chief and team leader bead, their noses practically flaring with joy. From the Bureau’s perspective, Si-Hyun’s proposition was ideal.
Her plan didn’t disrupt the balance of power between guilds, safeguarded Korea’s national security as a Korean hunter, and bolstered the Bureau’s authority and reputation.
Though Si-Hyun presented it as self-centered, the two n could see the underlying brilliance of her intentions. It felt as though they had just gained an unparalleled ally.
All we have to do is not overstep our boundaries!
Just don’t try to control her, and everything will be fine!
Moreover, considering her humble behavior up until now, she wasn’t like the other high-ranking hunters who often ca with endless demands. Supporting her would be relatively low-maintenance for the Bureau.
She was, in every sense, an ideal existence. A perfect hunter.
“…It seems they’ve understood,” Si-Hyun thought, observing their expressions. She gave them a mont to process, savoring another sip of coffee before speaking again.
“Even as part of the Bureau, you can’t ignore public opinion, right? That’s why I won’t reveal my identity right away.”
“Hmm, so you have a plan in mind?”
“Yes, I’ll create a dramatic mont to reveal it. It’s my business, so I’ll take the criticism that cos with it. All I ask is that you handle the other nuisances.”
“W-We understand.”
She’ll take on public criticism herself?
The two n couldn’t quite imagine what she had in store, their eyes trembling with anticipation. Si-Hyun smiled innocently and elaborated further.
“High-ranking dungeons have been appearing at an alarming rate recently, haven’t they? I heard Korea just got another S-rank dungeon.”
“Y-Yes, that’s correct,” the team leader stamred.
Recently, Korea had successfully cleared two S-rank dungeons—one by an elite party from the Dawn Guild, and the other by a coalition of various guilds. Both were perilously close calls.
Now, yet another S-rank dungeon had appeared, and the Bureau hadn’t devised a clear plan to tackle it yet.
While it was feasible to let high-ranking hunters rest and then launch another attack, the real concern was the increasing frequency of these dungeon appearances.
“This isn’t just a problem in Korea. Globally, hunter mortality rates are skyrocketing. Isn’t that right?”
“T-That’s true as well.”
“Dungeons only need to be dealt with before they go out of control, right? I’ll clear it in style, then take a little trip abroad.”
“…Excuse ?”
A trip? Out of nowhere? The team leader blinked, bewildered by the sudden turn in the conversation. Si-Hyun grinned mischievously.
“I’ll reveal my identity with a dramatic flourish, showcase my skills overseas to keep people on edge, then return in another grand mont. How does that sound? Pretty good, right?”
“…I-It sounds… good, I suppose…”
The team leader stumbled over his words, struggling to form a coherent response. The idea was beyond anything a typical person could co up with. But if executed correctly, it would undoubtedly be effective.
More importantly…
Jeong Si-Hyun has the power and ability to make it happen.
She was the kind of person who could turn “impossible” into “possible.” Her strength, as demonstrated in the double dungeon, was no joke. She had already surpassed the concept of individual versus state.
She was a walking natural disaster. Terrifying as an enemy, but as an ally, she could beco nothing less than a national guardian deity.
“Let summarize before we get into the details. I love Korea, but I won’t allow myself to be bound by anyone. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Understood!”
With her point firmly made, the two n answered enthusiastically. Over the next few hours, the three of them discussed and refined a detailed plan.
The conversation also included so personal requests from Si-Hyun—like the timing and destination of her proposed trips abroad or her wish to move into a new house, which she wanted the Bureau to arrange for her.
Si-Hyun had no hesitation about offloading the tedious tasks onto them, knowing it was a mutually beneficial arrangent.
In the end, it was a win-win situation for everyone involved.
***
After the eting
When the eting concluded, I prepared to leave.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, please don’t worry about it. Both of you are busy, after all.”
I politely declined the section chief and team leader’s offer to see off. There was no need to trouble them further when they had more pressing matters to attend to.
“Then, we’ll see you next ti.”
“Yes, see you next ti!”
“Have a safe trip ho!”
After exchanging simple farewells, I exited the eting room. I walked through the quiet, sparsely populated hallway, making my way to the lobby.
Just as I was about to leave the Bureau building, I ran into so familiar faces by chance.
“Oh! Professor Jeong Si-Hyun? Fancy seeing you here!”
“Hello, Professor. It’s been a while.”
“Oh, hello. It really has been a while.”
It was Eunbyul, one of my students, and her older brother, Yeo Dohyung. After exchanging light greetings, Eunbyul bead brightly and said:
“Professor! I got promoted to D-Rank! I’m here to renew my license today!”
“Wow, really? Congratulations!”
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you, Professor!”
Eunbyul, her smile as radiant as ever, bounced slightly on her toes as she spoke. Her face lit up with joy, making her look utterly adorable.
“It’s all the result of your hard work. Congratulations again, Eunbyul!”
“Hehe, thank you so much!”
She bowed cheerfully, her movents full of energy.
…How should I describe this feeling? Seeing young students grow and achieve their goals brought a certain warmth to my heart—a sense of pride and fulfillnt. It was like being touched by a happiness virus.
Lost in the pleasant warmth spreading in my chest, I smiled to myself. Eunbyul, anwhile, alternated her gaze between and Yeo Dohyung. Then, clapping her hands together as if struck by an idea, she said:
“Oh, right! Oppa, I’ll handle my license renewal and head ho on my own. You should escort our professor!”
“…What?”
“See you later!”
Before either of us could protest, Eunbyul spoke her piece and dashed off in a blink.
For a mont, I watched her retreating figure, then turned back to et Yeo Dohyung’s gaze.
He wore an awkward expression.
…I had a feeling my face probably looked just as awkward as his.
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