Chapter 85

While the two hunters delved deeply into Count Tenchia’s background,

So Yeri, waiting in the magic tower, let out a short sigh.

“Aigoo, they’re really going all out over one person.”

Of course, Hunter Shin Yuli probably had no idea.

And that was the most frustrating part.

Rubbing her forehead, So Yeri finally pulled an item she’d been saving from her inventory.

Crunch.

When else would you eat this if not now? Right?

Her eyes sparkling, So Yeri couldn’t tear herself away from the constantly updating hunter chat.

As for why Shin Jae-heon and Joo Yian knew so much about this out-of-nowhere Count Tenchia—it was obvious to So Yeri.

Crunch crunch.

“Our young friends’ love rivalry is fierce~”

In the meantime, So Yeri sent her sympathies… no, her joy to Count Tenchia, who had unwittingly gotten caught up in it.

This is fun! Skip the fire-watching; peeking at someone else’s love fight is the best!

She was genuinely interested in the sealing skill, but she wasn’t indifferent to safety either.

So Yeri had already set up every barrier she could around the area and was waiting.

Shouldn’t we detect the guy first when he shows up?

Hunter Shin Yuli said she’d come, but that didn’t rule out trouble beforehand.

“Hmm…”

Letting down her red hair, which she’d had tied up, So Yeri narrowed her eyes.

The thought of “trouble” brought to mind Shin Jae-heon’s pursuit of the one targeting Hunter Joo Yian.

A few years ago.

She now understood the fate of the thugs who had targeted her back then.

‘Why were you so late?’

‘They were too good at running.’

That was Hunter Shin Jae-heon’s response to Hunter Shin Yuli’s question.

All the others had been caught, and when they entered the dungeon, four remained.

They’d said one each, but despite having tracking skills, Shin Jae-heon came out last.

Which shouldn’t have been possible.

She’d been puzzled at the time but let it slide amid the chaos.

‘I’d appreciate it if you kept it secret.’

After this incident, she thought she understood.

“Not that he was late…”

Propping her chin, So Yeri recalled the hunter team members one by one.

After the gate incident.

People closer than family after fighting for their lives.

It was only natural to get revenge on someone targeting such a person’s life.

Some say revenge is meaningless, but So Yeri disagreed.

Once you avenge and eliminate the threat, others won’t see you as easy prey, and one danger is removed.

So she thought just taking their lives would suffice.

‘Sorry I’m a bit late.’

But Hunter Shin Jae-heon, who rejoined so casually, seemed to have other ideas.

‘Run.’

When she heard him say that to the one targeting Hunter Joo Yian, So Yeri was a little surprised.

Letting him go? Her face lit up with brief hope, but So Yeri saw it.

The suppressed killing intent surrounding Shin Jae-heon.

He was punishing him. Making him suffer in terror.

As if mercifully granting death cleanly would be too kind.

“Probably the same with me back then, huh?”

So Yeri tilted her head slightly. It must have been.

‘I’d appreciate the secret.’

Shin Jae-heon, looking at the sky as he said it, was clearly looking at her.

“Whose secret, I wonder~”

Humming a tune, So Yeri smiled.

If it had been Hunter Joo Yian chasing with her instead of Hunter Shin Yuli, Shin Jae-heon probably wouldn’t have asked to keep it secret.

That was when So Yeri thought that.

Rustle.

A strange presence came from outside.

“?”

So Yeri raised an eyebrow. Closing the chat, she focused all her senses outward.

Nothing on the barriers?

The presence was so faint it had to be at least an A-rank assassin or S-rank plus.

“A mage come to seal?”

An A- or S-rank assassin hiding their presence this flawlessly?

The moment she sensed something wrong,

The windows on So Yeri’s floor were completely shrouded in shadow.

“…!”

Turning to the window, So Yeri muttered with a troubled face.

“Oh, dear.”

No time even for chat—the window burst open.

Why is everyone so obsessed with other people’s love lives? It’s not like it’s their business or failed crushes.

Thanks to that, at least the bumpy carriage ride wasn’t boring.

Whether I said it or not, the two guys were now reciting Count Tenchia’s past.

Why do those guys know more about some allied noble’s past than I do?

Only after I said that did the two guys’ chat stop.

Who’d live in an RP dungeon forever?

They finally got it. No, these guys just don’t get it where it counts?

Bump!

As I shrugged, the carriage entered the Shin Pearia territory where the magic tower stood.

“Milady, this is Shin Pearia territory.”

“Yeah, I see.”

I replied curtly and chatted.

Right away, a response came from the hitherto quiet Hunter So Yeri.

I could almost see her excitement.

How long did we ride like that?

“Are you the Edelweiss Countess’s party?”

A voice called from a distance.

The carriage slowed gradually.

What now?

Peering out the window, I saw magic tower folk flying over.

“Whoa.”

The magic tower even sends people flying to greet you?

The knights with me looked surprised too.

“Yes, this is Countess Edelweiss.”

As I opened the window and greeted them, the mages’ faces lit up.

Should I get out? While hesitating, the mages bowed.

“If the Countess permits, we have orders to escort you courteously.”

Courteously? Isn’t that code for “threateningly polite” usually?

Verification time.

Hmm, definitely magic tower people.

Nodding to the knights who seemed to ask “What now?”,

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

The moment I spoke, the mages moved swiftly.

They blindfolded the carriage horses with black cloth and soothed them.

Whinny…

Hey, are they putting the horses to sleep?

It’s a carriage—who’s pulling it if the horses are off to dreamland? You guys flying it?

As I raised an eyebrow,

Float.

“Whoa.”

The carriage started moving.

The knights, now atop some log, looked flustered as they lifted into the sky.

The mages tending our horses on the ground receded into the distance.

“Th-this is…”

The knights were panicking. I’d be too.

Brooms or carpets are basic, but what’s this massive log?

A multi-person broom?

While I gawked, the log with knights and the carriage flew toward the magic tower.

So this is the magic tower’s people-transport method?

I could almost hear the cheerful laugh of the upbeat Hunter So Yeri.

Flying to the magic tower, we arrived in no time.

Looking up at the towering spire, I felt the carriage slowly descending.

“Knights, please lift your legs so they don’t get caught.”

What now?

Looking back, the knights were awkwardly extending their legs during descent.

Ah, don’t let your legs get caught on the log?

He was definitely picturing standard mage transport(?).

No, it’s different—totally different!

Too bad hunter chat has no photo function.

“The tower lord awaits at the topmost floor.”

Stepping down from the carriage, a mage beckoned me.

“Thanks.”

I walked lightly, then paused.

Wait. Isn’t this the ridiculously tall tower from earlier?

I didn’t expect to fly the carriage straight in, but…

As I walked, my knights were being stopped.

“This area has restricted entry… even we can’t enter freely.”

They added that apology, probably worried we’d be offended.

Seeing the mages bow apologetically, I gestured to the knights.

“I’ll head up. Rest here. The magic tower will take good care of you, right?”

The mages bowed repeatedly.

“Of course. The tower lord ordered the best treatment.”

Only then did the Edelweiss knights step back from me.

Meanwhile, I gazed up at the daunting tower, easily over 20 stories.

“Is there an el—”

Whoops. My vision flashed, and I clamped my mouth shut.

I asked, risking a penalty, but the reply was:

“Is something the matter?”

Then a mage cautiously asked. Probably caught my slip.

“El…?”

They heard that much! Waving it off at the mage’s puzzled look,

“Elegantly built tower!”

What am I even saying?

“Ah, thank you.”

Leaving the bizarre mages who knew “elegance” but not elevators, I entered the tower.