A calm question was asked, the words carrying an unsettling quietness.
Isabelle, slowly regaining her senses, let out a mocking laugh before responding.
“Why? I ca to kill you, of course.”
“That’s your goal, I’m sure.”
“…You’ll find out soon enough.”
Isabelle’s face twisted with a sneer as she continued.
“In truth, you know exactly what’s going on, don’t you?”
“…Shut up.”
“Why? Do you want to deny reality?”
Isabelle chuckled, her amusent evident in her tone. Then, suddenly, her eyes glinted sharply, and she swung her arm toward Si-Hyun.
Her razor-sharp nails aid directly at Si-Hyun’s neck.
Thud!
With a swift motion, Si-Hyun grabbed Isabelle’s wrist with her empty hand, squeezing with all her strength.
Crack!
The sound of bones snapping echoed. Isabelle, her body weakened by the accumulated debuffs, couldn’t withstand Si-Hyun’s powerful grip.
“Ugh… I thought… I thought if I just killed you, everything would be okay…”
Tears stread from Isabelle’s eyes as she struggled in pain. Her eyes, now filled with venom, glared at Si-Hyun.
“I’ll see you in the next world.”
Her voice was cold, tinged with bitterness.
The surrounding mana began to distort, swirling ominously. Si-Hyun, sensing the impending danger, kicked Isabelle away with all her might.
Wham!
Boom!
Isabelle’s body slamd violently into the cave wall, collapsing into a limp heap.
Then—
KABOOM—!
A massive explosion erupted as Isabelle detonated herself in a desperate final act.
Si-Hyun, having raised a protective barrier, withstood the blast and remained unfazed, her expression unreadable.
Isabelle, the assassin who had been discarded by the ideal party composition the hero had envisioned, t her end in a way that seed almost pitiful.
“You’ll find out soon enough…”
Si-Hyun turned without a second thought, her steps leisurely as she returned to her waiting party mbers.
‘I wasn’t completely caught off guard.’
From the mont she had dealt with the necromancer, Si-Hyun had suspected that this possibility could arise. She had dismissed it, thinking it would be absurd for it to happen, but in the back of her mind, she knew.
‘Let them co, then.’
Whether it was status, appearance, ability, or the empty words of love and admiration—whatever reason other won might fall for him, it wouldn’t change the fact that she would never bow down to him.
Her heart was firm, unyielding. She had no interest in those who were rotten at the core, with their false virtues and decayed ideals.
***
Hunter Bureau Building, South Korea - Conference Room.
The faces of Manager Jang Han-Soo and Team Leader Ko Jae-Yoon were clearly tense.
The focus was on Japan’s SS-rank dungeon raid.
Two of the main raiders, Jeong Si-Hyun and Kim Ji-Ah, were South Korean hunters, and their success was eagerly awaited.
And then—
“We’ve received word! The SS-rank dungeon raid was a success!”
“As expected!”
“Haha! It only took half a day!”
“Incredible!”
Manager Jang Han-Soo could hardly contain his excitent.
“To them, even SS-rank dungeons must feel like S-rank!”
“There were other countries involved, but I think that’s still a fair point. Hahaha!”
Team Leader Ko Jae-Yoon responded with equal enthusiasm.
This raid wasn’t just any success—it held massive significance. The stakes were far more than just a title.
The world’s first successful SS-rank dungeon raid.
Accomplished by a party of just five mbers.
It wasn’t even a fixed party; it was a multinational team.
And the leader of the party? A South Korean hunter!
This was truly an extraordinary event!
“Now, if an SS-rank dungeon appears in our country, we won’t have to worry!”
“As long as they keep their promises, they’ll handle it!”
The two n couldn’t stop laughing, caught up in the joy of success.
The excitent wasn’t limited to the Hunter Bureau.
News outlets, the dia, and internet communities were ablaze with discussions.
[Korean Pride! Jeong Si-Hyun and Kim Ji-Ah, Perfectly Clear SS-Rank Dungeon!]
[The Miracle of Korean Hunters, Making the Impossible Possible.]
[SS-Rank Dungeon Cleared in Half a Day... A New Chapter in History.]
[“They’ve surpassed the limits of humanity.” The world is stunned by the achievent, Global Sensation!]
The reactions were explosive.
And this wasn’t just about Si-Hyun’s personal success.
Korea began to reap substantial rewards from Japan, as agreed in prior negotiations.
The ti had co to fulfill those promises.
A complete lifting of the export restrictions on magic stones.
Easing of restrictions on Korean companies’ investnts in Japan.
A promise of technology sharing for new weapon and equipnt co-developnt.
All of these were the fruits of Si-Hyun and her team’s miracle.
Koreans were proudly basking in the glory.
[Title: Wow, the level of national pride is insane]
[ㅇㅇ]
Every ti I talk to my foreign friends, the conversation always turns to Jeong Si-Hyun.
too, lol.
└ Just say "Jeong Si-Hyun!" and they all know who she is, lol.
This raid? No way I couldn’t feel the national pride rising.
Honestly, isn’t this more than just national pride? It’s elevating our country’s status, lol.
[Title: A true global hero]
[ㅇㅇ]
Right now, in Japan, Jeong Si-Hyun and Kim Ji-Ah are being hailed as heroes, lol.
I get it, lol.
The dopamine is off the charts, lol.
Global heroes, wow.
I’m even warming up to Jason Turner, lol.
└ He’s basically Si-Hyun’s subordinate now, lol.
└ Haha, yeah, lol.
[Title: Has anyone seen Kurosawa Takeru’s interview?]
[ㅇㅇ]
This guy is a completely different person.
Did he have a mont of reflection with the Saint in the dungeon or sothing?
Seriously, lol. He was the poster boy for villainous charm, now he’s giving a proper apology, it’s strange.
└ I haven’t seen it yet, but give the spoilers.
└ Summary: “She is truly the goddess of the battlefield. A true leader.”
└ Wait, Kurosawa said that?
└ Yeah, everyone’s surprised, lol.
The fever that started from the academy dungeon continued to rise.
From the beach dungeon suppression to the world’s first SS-rank dungeon raid.
The heat generated by Si-Hyun’s achievents was still burning strong.
Across the globe.
***
Screech—Screech—
The rhythmic sound of the subway running gently brushed against my ears. Inside the train heading to Hakone-machi, famous for its hot springs, we had diligently packed our lunch and began eating on board.
“…Hey, unnie.”
“What? You don’t like the lunch? Should I switch it out for you?”
“Nooo! It’s not that...”
Si-Yoon shook her head vigorously.
“The, the figurine, you know... don’t you think it’s a bit too big?”
“Really? I thought, if we’re going to make one, it’s best to have a master craftsman handle it.”
“That’s true, but... it feels a bit overwhelming...”
“Hmm...”
It was ant to be a surprise event, but... did I push it too hard?
Well, it’s a little disappointing, but it can’t be helped.
“Then, just turn it down.”
“Huh? Is it really okay to do that?”
“Isn’t it a good idea to be a bit bossy in Japan like that?”
“Ugh...”
Si-Yoon looked at with a slightly unfocused expression.
It was the kind of look that might be called ‘bittersweet.’
I guess it wasn’t the answer she had expected.
I smiled brightly as I looked at my younger sibling.
After a mont, she sighed quietly and responded.
“No, I’ll try my best...”
“That’s the spirit! Strike while the iron’s hot.”
“It’s not just water, it’s a tidal wave, so it might turn everything upside down...?”
“I believe in our Momo!”
“Right...”
She answered in a small voice, burying her face in her hands.
Her flustered and shy actions were actually quite cute.
Especially the happy, flushed expression that peeked through her fingers.
Though she tried to act like that, it seed like she was still excited.
Yes, I believe in my little sister!
With her national treasure-level voice, she has to make it known to the world.
I enjoyed Si-Yoon’s reaction as I picked up my chopsticks.
The rolled olet in the lunchbox was the first thing to catch my eye.
As I took a bite, it lted softly, and a gentle sweetness filled my mouth.
I nodded in satisfaction, then gazed out at the window.
At that mont, I heard Si-Yoon mumbling quietly.
“…Should we just do a collab now?”
...Oh my god.
Did this conversation really just lead to that thought?
My Si-Yoon is really sothing else.
She’s not just your average person...
I felt a little overwheld.
***
...We arrived at the destination.
As expected, being a famous spot, it was bustling with tourists.
I fiddled with my wide-brimd bucket hat, which had beco an essential item, and surveyed the surroundings.
Rows of souvenir shops lined the streets.
There were unique food stalls in line with the sumr the.
I walked around, checking out the area as we went.
"Look! Let’s try the honey ice cream! Ji-Ah, you’re having so too, right?"
"Shall we try it?"
"Yes, yes! What about you, unnie?"
"Looks delicious. Jason! Do you want so too?"
"Haha! I’ll have so, thanks."
We all happily enjoyed our trip together.
It didn’t take long to reach the hot spring inn.
After checking in, we just dropped our bags in the room and headed right back out.
Jason, who calmly checked the ti, spoke up.
"Hmm, the timing’s a bit off."
"Really? Then, how about we take the cable car and just check out the gorge and the dock?"
"Good idea. That’ll give us just enough ti to return by dinner."
Ziiing—
"Excuse , just a mont."
Jason, holding his smartphone to his ear, walked off to a quiet spot.
He was quietly conversing with soone in a low voice.
A little while later...
"Hmm, this is interesting."
"Who was it?"
Jason returned and acted as if he wanted to ask.
So, I did.
And then...
"It’s Evan. He told to let you know that he’s finished the improvents on the asurent device."
"Hmm, faster than I expected."
"And he wanted to pass on a ssage to the Saint."
"What’s that?"
I tilted my head, asking, and Jason stroked his beard, his face full of curiosity.
"He says that when we return to Korea, he’ll give you an answer to the previous question about the Returner. He wants to discuss it in person for more details."
...This guy.
Is he telling to co back if I’m curious?
"And then, is he going to talk about evaluations or sothing?"
"Haha! Evan is definitely not the type to lie. You can trust him. Honestly, I’m curious about what the content might be too."
"Hmm..."
I knew Jason had been in regular contact with Evan.
It seed like he had finished the evaluation for so reason.
From what he said, it sounds like he passed.
Since our trip was nearing its end anyway,
I’ll make ti to et up with him when we return.
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