"Oh, I see. Fascinating."
The tall Western man, Jason Turner, road the banquet hall with a sociable smile, effortlessly mingling with the guests. If Kim Ji-ah was the busiest person in the room, Jason was undoubtedly the second. He approached his task with utmost diligence.
“Hmmm...”
Having finished his conversation with Yeo Dohyung, Jason glanced at the watch on his wrist with a peculiar expression.
‘Still no reaction from Hunter Yeo Dohyung.’
What criteria had Evan used to set the paraters for the artifact? Yeo Dohyung was Korea's, if not the world’s, top-tier magician, yet the watch remained utterly silent in his presence.
Jason felt his heart pounding with excitent. There was no way Evan had made a mistake in creating the artifact—it simply wasn’t possible. Evan was a perfectionist through and through.
That left only one conclusion:
‘The target is definitely here, hiding sowhere in this hall.’
What kind of person could it be? How powerful were they? Jason was dying to find out and, above all, to face them.
His eyes scanned the room incessantly—people he’d already spoken to, those he hadn’t yet approached, and the newcors trickling in. Not a single face escaped his ticulous observation.
Jason possessed an exceptional mory, one that allowed him to master multiple languages with ease. This sa skill now enabled him to commit every face in the hall to mory.
“Ah, Jason Turner, isn’t it?”
“It’s been a while, Hunter Kang Cheol-min.”
After exchanging polite greetings with Kang Cheol-min, Jason reflexively glanced at his watch again. Naturally, there was no reaction.
Jason wrapped up his conversation with Kang Cheol-min rather quickly. After all, they had already clashed once before, and Jason found him to be a dull opponent.
“Now then, who’s next…”
As he continued moving through the crowd, Jason’s gaze fell upon a particular woman.
‘Oh, up close, she’s even more stunning.’
The woman’s radiant beauty naturally drew the attention of those around her. Her elegant movents exuded grace, and her soft, white hair shimred with every turn of her head.
Moreover, her outfit caught Jason’s attention. It was so similar in color and style to Kim Ji-ah’s that they could easily be mistaken for a coordinated pair.
‘Heh, interesting.’
Jason felt his curiosity piqued in more ways than one. Reordering his priorities, he began making his way toward her.
However, Kang Cheol-min reached her first.
‘Hmm?’
Jason stopped in his tracks and observed the interaction with interest.
Kang Cheol-min, his face already twisted in a scowl, pointed a finger at the woman as if accusing her of sothing. She, in turn, flicked her finger nonchalantly in response.
What happened next was utterly bizarre.
Kang Cheol-min, now wearing a strange expression, chugged the drink in his hand in one go. His face contorted further, becoming almost unrecognizably grim.
The tension between them was palpable, as if the situation might explode at any mont. But then, unexpectedly, Kang Cheol-min panicked and fled.
‘What was that…?’
Jason’s gaze followed Kang Cheol-min, who hurriedly guzzled water as if his life depended on it. His behavior was incomprehensible.
Tilting his head in confusion, Jason turned his attention back to the woman. This ti, he saw her conversing with Kim Ji-ah, the star of the evening. Their interaction was lighthearted, punctuated by laughter, suggesting a close relationship.
Jason resud his approach, steadily closing the distance.
And then—
Ziiiiing—
The watch on his wrist vibrated, emitting a faint hum.
Jason froze in place.
‘Finally…!’
The artifact, which hadn’t reacted even to Yeo Dohyung, had co alive at last.
‘Hahaha! So, it’s her!’
A wide grin spread across Jason’s face, nearly splitting it in half. His excitent threatened to overwhelm him, but he stopped in his tracks and placed a hand over his chest.
His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. He needed to calm down. Evan had explicitly instructed him to handle this quietly and discreetly.
***
“Wow, really? You’re sure it’s okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. Even if I have to rearrange things, I’ll make it work.”
“Promise!”
When Ji-ah nodded with a smile, Si-Hyun’s face lit up with a radiant grin. While they hadn’t finalized the plans, their sumr trip together was now a certainty. Ji-ah’s positive response had sealed the deal.
‘Si-Yoon said she’d adjust her streaming schedule if we finalize the dates…’
With only the details left to arrange, Si-Hyun felt a sense of satisfaction as their plans gradually ca together. She was already looking forward to it.
“P-Professor…”
“Hmm?”
As Si-Hyun sipped her wine, lost in thought, Areum, who sat beside her, called out nervously.
“L-look over there…”
“...?”
Si-Hyun followed the direction of Areum’s pointed finger.
Behind Ji-ah stood a tall Western man.
Jason Turner.
He was gazing in their direction with a soft smile, but his eyes betrayed an unusual intensity. Si-Hyun frowned slightly and turned back to Areum.
“...He’s definitely looking this way, right?”
“Y-yes… Why do you think he’s doing that?”
“Hmm, no idea….”
Not even minutes ago, they’d resolved to avoid any association with him, and yet here they were, already entangled. Lowering her head slightly, Si-Hyun fiddled with the hem of her dress, deep in thought.
‘Could he be interested in Areum?’
After all, Areum was a rising star and looked stunning tonight, easily drawing attention.
‘…But he’s a battle maniac, isn’t he?’
No, it didn’t seem like Areum was the target. A high-ranking Hunter harassing a D-rank supporter seed unlikely.
‘Then, could it be ?’
That didn’t make sense either. Even though she’d dolled up in a dress and heels tonight, she was still only a C-rank Hunter.
Which left one possibility…
‘Ah! He must be after Ji-ah!’
This theory felt the most plausible. Ji-ah, Korea’s undisputed top spearmaster and a newly-minted S-rank Hunter, was precisely the type of opponent soone like Jason would target.
Si-Hyun glanced at Ji-ah with a look of pity.
“Ji-ah, you’re in trouble.”
“Huh? What kind of trouble?”
“Don’t turn around, but there’s a maniac targeting you from behind.”
“…What?”
Ji-ah let out an involuntary noise, startled by the absurdity of the claim. Soone targeting her—at her own S-rank promotion party?
“His na’s Jason Turner, an Arican Hunter infamous for being a battle fanatic.”
“Oh, that guy.”
Ji-ah had heard of him. Stories of his relentless challenges to strong Hunters had reached even her ears. She’d never imagined she’d beco his next target.
“So, is he right behind us?”
“Yeah, watching and waiting with a creepy look on his face.”
“I see…”
The ntion of a "creepy look" made Ji-ah grimace as she imagined Jason’s face. anwhile, Areum, who had been quietly listening, cautiously offered her thoughts.
“P-Professor… Isn’t he looking at you?”
“Huh? No way.”
“I-I think he is…”
“…Hmm.”
Si-Hyun glanced back toward Jason. He stood still, alternately glancing at her and Ji-ah. When their eyes t, he smiled politely and gave a small bow.
Returning the gesture, Si-Hyun turned back to Areum.
“No, it’s because our dresses are similar. That’s why he’s staring.”
“That… might make sense? Now that you ntion it…”
“There’s no reason for him to care about us otherwise.”
“Y-yeah, that’s true!”
Areum tilted her head in thought before taking another sip of her drink, feeling the effects of the alcohol creeping in. Watching her, Si-Hyun also took another sip of her wine.
“I think he’s just waiting his turn to talk to Ji-ah. You haven’t spoken to him yet, right?”
“No, not yet.”
“What will you do? Want to help?”
“…Hmm.”
After a brief mont of thought, Ji-ah replied.
“I’ll handle it myself. I’ll politely turn him down—we’re both busy people.”
“If you need help, just say the word.”
“Thanks, Si-Hyun.”
Ji-ah glanced at Si-Hyun’s flushed face, her expression softening. The slightly exasperated yet endearing look on Si-Hyun’s face was oddly charming.
“Well, I’ll get going.”
“Good luck!”
Ji-ah slowly stood and began making her way toward Jason. Though reluctant, it was ti for her to speak with him and the other guests.
As Ji-ah approached Jason, Si-Hyun watched their interaction for a while. Surprisingly, it seed peaceful.
‘Looks like it’s going well.’
Satisfied, Si-Hyun nodded and motioned to Areum. Together, they discreetly left the banquet hall. They moved quickly—both the alcohol and the discomfort of the dress and heels had taken their toll.
***
After Ji-ah’s promotion party concluded, Si-Hyun spent her weekend lounging on her comfortable sofa. Except for Si-Yoon’s casual suggestion for a joint livestream, it was a peaceful weekend.
Then, Monday morning arrived. A ssage from Areum lit up Si-Hyun’s phone.
- Professor! There’s a Western man wearing sunglasses and a hat wandering around the academy!
- Huh? A Western man?
Jason Turner’s face flashed in her mind. Surely, it couldn’t be… right? There were plenty of Westerners in the world.
- It looks like Jason Turner!
- Seriously?
- Oh no, he’s coming toward !
- Areum?!
The ssages suddenly stopped. Si-Hyun debated whether to call her, but a new ssage ca through shortly after.
- He was asking about you, Professor. He was surprisingly polite, though.
- Why?
- Maybe it’s your uncontainable presence, Professor…
- …At least nothing happened. That’s a relief.
- Don’t worry! I didn’t give him any information. Hehe. But I did take his business card!
Areum uploaded a picture to their chat. It was a photo of Jason Turner’s business card resting in her palm. Si-Hyun clicked on it and imdiately spotted the stalker-like Hunter’s phone number.
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