Chapter 132

The four headed to the Paehyeok underground training room. Although the training room only had test levels up to A+ Rank, it was useful for getting a feel for working together. In fact, the four easily passed the tests without any particular problems. Suui Kim said with a relieved expression,

“With this, there shouldn’t be any problems clearing the dungeon.”

“What were you worried about, anyway?”

Suui Kim looked at Cho-i Hyeon and Taeyang Kang in turn, then shook her head as if to say no.

“It’s nothing.”

“You just answered, didn’t you?”

“I answered with my eyes.”

“No, not at all.”

While Suui Kim was playing innocent, Nara Shim, who had been providing support from the very back, scurried over.

“There was no problem even when I watched from behind. As long as you don’t go too wild.”

Nara Shim pointed directly at Cho-i Hyeon.

“Me? What did I do?”

“Well, you keep rushing into the middle of the monsters! You shouldn’t leave my sight!”

“Does the buff turn off if I leave your sight?”

“It doesn’t turn off, but you have to be in my sight when I first cast the buff.”

“Oh, an A-Rank buffer isn’t that great after all.”

“It is great, it’s amazing! Many other buffers even require physical contact! So, they can often only work with long-range dealers!”

“Huh.”

“In my case, I used to have to be within a 10-meter radius, but now that restriction has been lifted.”

“So it has gotten better.”

“Of course!”

Nara Shim proudly straightened her shoulders. Cho-i Hyeon patted her shoulder, walked up the stairs, and went outside. Suui Kim watched Cho-i Hyeon’s retreating figure, then looked at Taeyang Kang. Taeyang Kang, whose gaze met hers, squinted one eye as if to ask what she wanted.

“You were too protective of Cho-i Hyeon during the battle.”

“Me?”

“Yes. He’s a tank meant to lead the charge, not someone to be protected.”

“…I know that much.”

“I’m glad you do.”

Suui Kim offered light advice and then stepped back. She figured Taeyang Kang probably already knew. After all, the person they needed to protect was the healer. While Cho-i Hyeon didn’t need a healer, it didn’t mean the healer’s presence was entirely unnecessary. It wasn’t a battle Cho-i Hyeon was facing alone. Suui Kim left the training room after Cho-i Hyeon. They had time anyway. Minor discrepancies could be smoothed out slowly. All the party members were high-ranked and had good instincts. Taeyang Kang and Nara Shim, in particular, who were working together for the first time, were better than expected. Taeyang Kang had a natural combat sense, and Nara Shim was quick-witted.

‘Is it because she’s always been observant, living by watching others…?’

Suui Kim thought this as she watched Nara Shim, who had come up next and was immediately clinging to Cho-i Hyeon, bickering. But seeing them get along better than expected, Suui Kim shook her head.

“So, how about we meet again tomorrow?”

“Sounds good, I have nothing else to do.”

Taeyang Kang nodded with satisfaction, seeing that Cho-i Hyeon seemed willing to come.

“Great.”

“Nara Shim, mandatory attendance!”

“Hey!”

“You’re not coming?”

“I… I guess I have to come.”

“When should we call Hunter Myeongok Shin?”

“She’s… well. I don’t have a personal connection with her.”

“But if we don’t call her, it’ll seem like we’re excluding her.”

“How old is she…”

“I’ll find her!”

Cho-i Hyeon stepped forward confidently. Cho-i immediately called Taehyeok Sa, who answered the phone as soon as it rang.

-What is it?
“Give me Hunter Myeongok Shin’s phone number!”
-Why?
“Why? Aren’t we going into the dungeon together this time?”
-You’re not usually one to put so much effort into socializing.
“We were just practicing together. If we don’t include her, it’ll seem like we’re leaving her out.”
-That’s a new perspective.
“Anyway, are you going to tell me or not?”
-I’ll send it by text.
“Okay.”

The text arrived immediately. Cho-i Hyeon called the number from the text. The phone rang a few times before the other person answered.

-Hello?
“Oh! Hello!”
-Hmm? Hunter Cho-i Hyeon?
“Oh, you recognized me right away!”
-What’s going on?
“It’s nothing really~ We’re going into the dungeon together this time, right? So we were all gathered for a simulated battle. Want to join?”
-That’s the first time I’ve heard such a proposal.

A faint laugh was heard from the other end. Cho-i Hyeon tilted his head, not understanding what was so funny about the proposal.

-I’ll participate. It’s been a while, so I don’t know if I’ll be any good.
“Oh! Great! Then tomorrow…”

Cho-i Hyeon looked around, searching for Suui Kim. Suui Kim pointed to herself with her finger, asking, “Me?”

“What time are we meeting again?”

“Hmm, two o’clock?”

“Okay, two o’clock. They said we’re meeting at two o’clock.”
-Then I’ll see you at Paehyeok at that time.
“Yes~ Goodbye!”

Finally, Myeongok Shin’s laughter was heard again. Cho-i Hyeon hung up the phone and threw his hands up in the air.

“She’s coming!”

“I can’t tell if you’re good or bad at socializing.”

Hearing that, Cho-i Hyeon twisted a bit of Nara’s side hair and pulled it, complaining.

“Hey! That hurts, that hurts!”

“You always just insult me.”

“And with you acting like this, how could I not insult you!”

“Ahahaha.”

Cho-i Hyeon laughed and let go of Nara Shim’s hair. Nara Shim huffed, fixing her messy hair.

“So, Hunter Myeongok Shin is coming tomorrow, too?”

“Yeah, it’s just practice, so there’s no risk of injury, but just watching them practice will help in real combat.”

“Good, good. Maybe I can make some connections while I’m at it…”

“Your eyes are full of evil spirits.”

“You shouldn’t say that when you’re surrounded by S-Ranks!”

“Ahaha. It wasn’t my intention.”

Cho-i Hyeon raised one hand high.

“Who wants to go to dinner!”

Nara Shim next to her was, of course, dragged along. And if Cho-i Hyeon goes, what happens? Taeyang Kang is also dragged along. Suui Kim sighed and shook her head. Then she approached her. Taeyang Kang naturally sent him a wary look, and Suui Kim had to take a couple of steps back without even being able to sigh.

“Too much jealousy is ugly.”

“…Alright.”

Taeyang Kang replied in a subdued voice. Suui Kim shot her a look as if to say it wasn’t necessary, but Cho-i Hyeon laughed, pretending not to know.

***

The next day, everyone gathered. Cho-i Hyeon appeared at the guild today in particularly fresh clothes. Taeyang Kang blushed, and Suui Kim asked where she was going afterwards.

“Those are my clothes.”

And Nara Shim was full of dissatisfaction. No, why is she wearing my clothes so naturally? But she couldn’t complain. If she complained, who knew if she’d be strangled with those very clothes?

“It’s the first day we’re with Hunter Myeongok Shin today~”

“Seems like favoritism, doesn’t it?”

Nara Shim said, looking at Taeyang Kang and Suui Kim. Suui Kim shook her head as if to say it was fine.

“It suits you well.”

Taeyang Kang had an expression that said it didn’t matter. As if seeing her in a fresh dress and shorts that went above her thighs was enough. Nara Shim glanced at Taeyang Kang. She wondered if it was okay to be so pleased just by a face, but then she realized that countless people followed Ansta just to see Cho-i Hyeon’s face and quietly shut her mouth. While they were gathered in the first-floor lobby, chatting about this and that, Hunter Myeongok Shin appeared. And next to him was an unexpected person.

“Oh! Shaman Mister!”

“I’m not a mister yet!”

It was Eunbeom Jeon. Myeongok Shin, who was right next to him, stepped forward and spoke.

“If it’s practice, shouldn’t we also watch the person we need to protect?”

“Really?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Suui Kim briefly broke out in a cold sweat with a face that said she had forgotten. Taeyang Kang also seemed to have just remembered, judging by his expression. Eunbeom Jeon was wearing sunglasses, and he lifted them to complain.

“Anyway, I’m the client, and you all forgot.”

“Hey, it’s fine as long as you remembered now, isn’t it?”

Cho-i Hyeon went next to him and subtly poked his side.

“Anyway.”

Eunbeom Jeon looked over the composition, then folded his arms and nodded.

“Everyone’s in good shape.”

His gaze was particularly fixed on Suui Kim. When Suui Kim pointed to himself with a face that said, “Me?”, Eunbeom Jeon approached him, patted him on the shoulder, and said,

“I look forward to working with you.” “Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you too.”

When Eunbeom Jeon offered a handshake, Suui Kim politely took his hand. Eunbeom Jeon held Suui Kim’s hand with both hands and shook it.

“Let’s do well, young man.” “Huh?”

Cho-i Hyeon watched this and chuckled, then asked Myeongok Shin, who was standing beside her,

“Why is he like that?” “Well, he’s a Celestial Maiden Bodhisattva, isn’t he?” “What does that have to do with anything?” “That Celestial Maiden Bodhisattva really likes men.” “Ah…”

Cho-i Hyeon nodded with an understanding expression. It seemed not all Celestial Maiden Bodhisattvas were like that, but he particularly liked them. And now he was completely smitten with Suui Kim. Indeed. Cho-i Hyeon looked at Suui Kim with a fresh perspective. S-Ranks don’t need to train their bodies. Their very existence is superhuman, so they always maintain the best physical condition as a Legacy. However, Suui Kim, being an A+ Rank, always had to train his body, so his physique felt a bit larger through his clothes. When Eunbeom Jeon smiled good-naturedly and released his hand, Cho-i Hyeon subtly approached and poked Suui Kim’s waist. Her finger didn’t go in. Oh my, he’s grown well.

“What?” “It’s nothing.”

Cho-i Hyeon grinned and pretended not to know. Eunbeom Jeon, still captivated by Suui Kim, stood beside him and said,

“So, where are we going for training?” “Ah, it’s in the guild basement.” “Then let’s go quickly.”

Eunbeom Jeon linked arms with Suui Kim and pulled him towards the elevator. The good-natured Suui Kim was pulled along, saying, “Uh-oh,” and Cho-i Hyeon and the others followed right behind him.