Chapter 59

“Director?”

The word sent murmurs rippling through the crowd. Joo Yian clamped his mouth into a tight line.

He had never even breathed the first letter of “director” back at the Hunter Association.

Someone must have recognized his face from the news and started talking about his background.

Only then did he notice his own image reflected on the massive screen across from him.

[(Breaking News) Korea’s First S-Rank Healer: Joo Yian]

The title sat in the upper left corner, alongside a live feed of himself and the headlines scrolling below.

[Lost family in childhood accident… Life turned around in an instant]

[Orphanage Director: “I knew Ian would turn out like this”]

[Director: “Joo Hunter Yian’s contract must be discussed with me”]

Joo Yian narrowed his eyes.

The director spouting that nonsense was the same man he’d clashed with constantly right up until his independence.

He was the classic corrupt type—neglecting sick kids with a “they’ll get better on their own” attitude while siphoning off government funds.

“For now, the director has nothing to do with me. My contract is my own prerogative.”

Joo Yian spoke up. Camera shutters exploded in response.

[Joo Yian: “Director claims are baseless”]

The headline updated in an instant.

“He was really an orphan?”

“Whoa…”

His newly enhanced S-rank hearing picked up the whispers too. That was when he narrowed his eyes again.

“Joo Yian!”

An unfamiliar voice called out abruptly.

He turned to see a complete stranger—a woman waving enthusiastically, her face lit up like they were old pals.

“What are you doing just standing there!”

She leaped lightly, bounding off the statues around the Hunter Association, and landed right beside him.

“Shin Yuri?”

“That’s me, Shin Yuri!”

“Are you acquaintances with Hunter Shin Yuri?”

“She’s using informal speech—are you classmates?”

“I heard you went to different high schools…”

“Aren’t you two years apart?”

The reporters’ shutters fired even faster, turning the area into a frenzy.

Shin Yuri.

Joo Yian’s mouth fell open slightly. He didn’t know her face, but the name was familiar.

Korea’s first S-rank hunter. The hero who adapted to the gates the moment they appeared, saving countless lives.

Even the hunter info he’d heard at the association had mentioned her.

‘…As for S-rank dealers, Hunter Shin Yuri comes first. She’s unaffiliated, though—the reason is a bit much.’

‘She wants to join a guild with her friend, but since he’s C-rank, the terms get downgraded, so she hasn’t committed anywhere.’

‘Even we at the Hunter Association have approached her steadily, but hiring a C-rank is a big loss from our side…’

‘She’s still young.’

The association staffer hadn’t looked pleased saying it.

The cheerful woman before him didn’t seem like the type to warrant that gossip.

No, that was secondary.

“You’re good at— ”

—spotting people? Joo Yian’s words were cut off as Shin Yuri barreled ahead.

“You said you were sick—why come to the Hunter Association?”

She glanced at the big screen and her eyes widened.

“What the— that S-rank healer… Jackpot!”

She threw an arm around his shoulder.

“You can just raid dungeons with me!”

Anyone would think they were decade-long friends. As Joo Yian froze,

“Are the two hunters acquaintances?”

“How do you know each other?”

“Does that mean Joo Hunter Yian has connections in the industry?”

the reporters grew louder. Shin Yuri bellowed,

“Ugh, shut up already!”

—Crunch!

She crushed a camera shoved in her face with her bare hand.

Joo Yian stared wide-eyed at the dough-like mangled metal.

Only after she wrecked it did the reporters falter.

“If you want compensation for the camera, come to my place. And don’t you know people get sensitive right after awakening?”

Having tamed the mob in seconds, she pointed at Joo Yian.

“He’s putting up with a ton right now, okay? Don’t think he’s some saint just ‘cause he’s a healer.”

The reporters coughed awkwardly—cough, cough.

Truth was, they’d figured a healer wouldn’t cause much damage even if they snapped.

“Request formal interviews a few days from now.”

Shin Yuri patted Joo Yian’s shoulder.

“Let’s go!”

Then she whispered very quietly,

“Hurry up. They won’t let you go even if you just stand there.”

She pushed through the crowd first.

Joo Yian followed in her wake.

“Still tough to jump high, right?”

Once they were away from the people, she asked. Joo Yian replied without thinking.

“How high…?”

“Hm, like that.”

Shin Yuri eyed the ten-plus-story building next door, then

“Ah, right, you’re a healer.”

pointed to the five-story one beside it.

“Around that height?”

“?”

Of course, even that five-story building looked impossibly tall to Joo Yian, who’d been a regular person just hours ago.

“You haven’t adjusted yet. What did you do before?”

“I was a college student.”

“Ah.”

Shin Yuri nodded and rubbed her chin.

“I was eating at a nearby restaurant and stepped out for a bit? I’d like to take you there quick.”

“If it’s not too much trouble.”

Joo Yian smiled a bit more relaxedly.

She was a stranger either way, but better than the swarming reporters.

Shin Yuri scratched her cheek.

“Two ways to get there. Fast and simple, but might draw some public side-eye. Or slow and roundabout, but good for your image.”

She rattled it off quickly.

Image making? Joo Yian had no interest, so he chose lightly.

“Then the first method—”

“OK. ‘Scuse me.”

The moment he picked, his view flipped.

His feet left the ground—he was scooped up princess-style.

And the one holding him was, naturally, Shin Yuri.

“Sh-Hunter Shin Yuri?”

She gripped him tight as he yelped.

“You said easy and fast~”

Not that he wanted to be carried…!

In the instant he squeezed his eyes shut, she kicked off the ground.

“!”

Watching a five-story building drop below him in a flash was surreal.

And then.

—Click!

The window of some fancy-looking restaurant slid open.

A man stood inside.

[C]

His hunter rank floated above.

C-rank… Joo Yian recalled what he’d heard about Shin Yuri.

That must be the hunter she hung around with.

As he thought that, his shoes touched the restaurant floor.

“You’re quick.”

“Luckily, he’s the reasonable type.”

Their voices drifted over.

“First time meeting. I’m Shin Jae-heon.”

The man in the restaurant, Shin Jae-heon, greeted the awkward Joo Yian readily.

Joo Yian reached for a handshake but hesitated.

“Can’t shake right now.”

Ah, right after awakening. Shin Jae-heon withdrew his hand. Joo Yian bowed politely.

“You’re Joo Hunter Yian, right?”

Shin Jae-heon asked. Joo Yian paused.

How’d he know?

As if reading his mind, Shin Jae-heon pointed to the TV in the corner of the room.

[Joo Yian & Hunter Shin Yuris: Acquaintances Suspected]

[Korea’s First S-Rank Healer Joo Yian: Who Is He?]

His and Shin Yuri’s faces were plastered all over it.

“…Ah.”

Without her, he’d probably still be standing out there.

Shin Yuri must’ve seen the breaking news and come to “rescue” him.

“I chased off the crowd, so eat and head home.”

Shin Yuri plopped into a chair at the table.

“Thank you.”

Joo Yian bowed to both of them. She shrugged.

“Just helped ‘cause I hate reporters. No big deal.”

Then she scowled fiercely.

“No, seriously—how do you just stand there listening to all that? Ugh, so frustrating.”

Thump thump! She pounded her chest like food had gone down wrong.

“Doesn’t it piss you off? If it were me, I’d have split the place in half and walked out.”

Joo Yian gave an awkward smile.

“I can’t go hurting people.”

Shin Yuri looked impressed.

“Gotta have that level of chill to awaken as an S-rank healer.”

“Pardon?”

As Joo Yian blinked, Shin Jae-heon took his seat.

“Like fried rice?”

He slid over a fresh-looking plate. Shin Yuri paused.

“That’s mine.”

“Order more later.”

He waved at Joo Yian.

“Eat up, make yourself at home.”

But she said it was hers… As Joo Yian hesitated, Shin Jae-heon pointed at her.

“That’s her third bowl.”

“Busted.”

Shin Yuri grumbled as she pushed the fried rice over.

“Eat. Quick.”

In the end, Joo Yian sat down awkwardly. Meanwhile, she continued,

“Tell guilds you’ll join in… a month or so. Right now, it’s all just scammers trying to snag an S-rank healer in the chaos.”

Watching her, Joo Yian suddenly recalled the rumors about her.

“…I heard you don’t have a guild, Hunter Shin Yuri. Is that right?”

Not expecting the question, she widened her eyes, spoon midway to her mouth.

“Yep. Guilds are nothing but hassle for me.”

She wrinkled her nose.

“I never do anything I hate. Even if they meet my terms, I’m iffy—and no way I’m joining some guild that acts all high and mighty.”

She shrugged.

“I’m planning to make a team. With him.”

She jabbed a thumb at Shin Jae-heon.

“Ah…”

The C-rank who trailed after Shin Yuri.

He vaguely remembered hearing about it when leaving the association.

That friend—called “Shin Yuri’s baggage” instead of by name.

An anchor dragging down an S-rank.

“You’re Joo Yian, right? Anyway, say no to what you hate, go for what pulls you. Otherwise, you’ll end up stuck there like a statue for a million years.”

She held up her hand, fingers splayed.

“Being an S-rank healer means they’ll come running with offers. But don’t jump anywhere!”

Her finger pointed at the TV.

“Everyone’s gonna try squeezing you dry, so limit dungeons per month first. Otherwise, you’ll be a heal shuttle all day.”

She rapid-fired advice.

“Most importantly, demand everything you want. Items, people—they’ll bring it all. They’re desperate to lock down Joo Hunter Yian.”

She shoveled in a bite of fried rice and shrugged.

“Take it all then pick later—it won’t be too late. With you, their guild’s value skyrockets, so they’ll promise the guild, the country, anything—”

She talked as much as the association folks. But unlike them, it didn’t grate.

That was why Joo Yian spoke up abruptly.

“You said to name my wants.”

Shin Yuri blinked.

“Yeah. They’ll match anything, whoever it is.”

Joo Yian asked,

“Then… could I join your hunter team, Hunter Shin Yuri?”

It was an impulsive question.