NOVEL NEXT Chapter 100
Early afternoon.
The sky near my house looked like a blend of murky paint, with clouds scattered in a half-hearted way.
As I stared at it, the sky gave me a gloomy feeling.
It was that time of year, caught between late spring and early summer.
People strolled around in thin and short clothes like T-shirts and shorts.
I had come to a nearby subway station to visit the Hunter Management Agency.
Since the rush hour had passed, it was relatively quiet.
“Hmm…”
Now that I think about it, I met Han-gyeol at the station the first time I went to the Hunter Management Agency.
Back then, there were so many things I wasn’t familiar with.
It feels like I’ve adapted a lot over these past few months.
Swish—clunk.
The train stopped and the doors opened.
I stepped inside and sat in a random seat nearby.
To kill some time, I slowly recalled what had happened during that period.
My beloved family member, Si-yoon, who helped me adjust to this new life.
My precious friend, Ji-a, who helped me learn about the diversity of life.
The cute and charming students I met at the Academy.
In addition, the elder from the Knight Guild who showed me the ideal picture of life.
And Ye Do-hyeong, who demonstrated what a real talk show was, unlike Kang Cheol-min’s special lectures.
So many events and so many people.
…Right. Let’s act as I’ve decided.
At first, it was just a desire to rest, and my future seemed vague.
Now, my goals are clear, and the paths leading to them are distinctly visible.
I just need to move forward on the road I want.
“Hmm…”
Upon arriving at my destination, I naturally looked up at the sky.
A clear, transparent sky greeted me, devoid of any clouds.
The sun was warm, and the breeze was pleasantly cool.
The weather was really nice.
* * *
Inside the Hunter Management Agency building.
Manager Jang Han-soo guided Si-hyun, who arrived right on time for their appointment, to the conference room.
The team leader from the administration department, who had been waiting in advance, welcomed Si-hyun.
“Oh, you’ve come?”
“Hello.”
The team leader greeted Si-hyun with a tense expression.
In the meantime, Manager Jang, who had prepared snacks and drinks, took a seat as well.
“…So, can you explain the important matters in detail?”
“Yes, I will.”
Si-hyun took a sip of coffee to wet her throat.
Where should I start to convey my intentions most effectively?
Organizing her thoughts calmly, she wore a serious expression.
“It seems like this will take a while, so I’ll summarize first. I’m going to start preparing to reveal my identity.”
“Are you serious?!”
“My goodness. Finally!”
They were incredulous, but it was true!
Both Manager Jang and the team leader stared wide-eyed at Si-hyun.
Si-hyun maintained her serious expression and faced them.
“However, please remember one thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“I don’t want people to think it’s a given that I’ll receive kindness just because it continues.”
“……”
“I genuinely like my current relationship with the agency. If it’s a really urgent dungeon, I’ll back you up completely. However, I will never be forced. I’m speaking with the public’s opinion in mind.”
The two men nodded slowly.
At this point, Si-hyun was in the dominant position, and they were in the submissive position.
“I won’t belong to any guild, nor will I be tied down to anyone. I just like Korea because I have my loving family here. So, I’m suggesting this: I’ll act like I’m partially affiliated with the agency, just like Ji-a.”
“Oh, I see! I understand!”
“Thank you, Si-hyun!”
Manager Jang and the team leader smiled brightly with flaring nostrils.
The proposal Si-hyun was suggesting was the best answer for the agency.
It wouldn’t disrupt the balance among the guilds.
As a Hunter affiliated with Korea, she would also take responsibility for national security.
It meant that she would bring along the strength and prestige of the Hunter Management Agency as well.
While Si-hyun spoke in a self-centered manner, the men were sharp enough to catch the deeper meaning behind her words.
They felt a sense of security, as if they had gained a powerful ally.
‘After all, it’s the same as before!’
‘As long as we don’t bind her down, it’ll be fine! We just need to stay within limits!’
Moreover, given her humble demeanor so far?
Unlike the picky high-level Hunters, from the agency’s perspective, they could comfortably provide her benefits.
She was, quite literally, an ideal existence. She was the best Hunter.
‘…I think I understand well.’
Si-hyun watched the expressions of the two men, giving them time to think it over.
After savoring her coffee leisurely, she opened her mouth again.
“No matter how much it’s the agency, it won’t be easy to ignore the public’s demands. So, I won’t reveal my identity right away.”
“Hm, you have something in mind?”
“Yes, I will boldly take control. After all, it’s my business, so I’ll take the flak. You just need to take care of the trivial stuff.”
“R-right…”
Taking control of the public so openly?
The two men looked at Si-hyun with trembling eyes, unable to fathom that method.
Si-hyun, with an innocent smile, added some explanation.
“I hear the occurrence of high-rank dungeons is skyrocketing lately? There’s even been news of another S-rank dungeon appearing in Korea.”
“Y-yes, that’s correct.”
The team leader stammered in response.
Recently, there had been two successful S-rank dungeon raids in Korea. One by the Dawn Guild’s elite party, and the other was done by a coalition of guilds.
Everyone was on edge.
Days ago, yet another S-rank dungeon had suddenly appeared.
They still hadn’t formed a clear plan on how to tackle this dungeon.
Right now, all they could do was let high-level Hunters take a breather and attack again.
However, the real problem was the increasing frequency of occurrences.
“This is the same overseas, right? The Hunter mortality rate is skyrocketing in real-time. Am I wrong?”
“Th-that’s correct.”
“If we just raid the dungeon before it goes out of control, can’t we just push right through and go on a vacation abroad?”
“……Huh?”
What was with the sudden talk of travel?
The team leader subconsciously questioned the unexpected intrusion.
Si-hyun said with a mischievous smile, “I’ll reveal my identity dramatically during the crisis and make my move overseas while the citizens are reeling? Then I’ll come back dramatically and act again. How about it? Sounds like a pretty good idea, right?”
“Uh-uh, it sounds… reasonable…maybe?”
The team leader was stammering once more.
He couldn’t respond properly.
This was an idea that a perpetrator would never think of. If they did it right, the effectiveness would definitely be certain.
More than anything…
‘Jeong Si-hyun Hunter can actually pull that off.’
She was someone who could turn “not okay” into “okay.”
Her power revealed in the double dungeon was genuine.
She had already transcended individuals and nations.
A Hunter who was like a walking natural disaster.
If she were an enemy, she would be pure fear, but as an ally, it was different.
She would literally become the guardian deity of the nation.
“Before we delve into the details, let me reiterate. I love Korea, but I don’t want to be bound to anyone. Understood?”
“Y-yes!”
“Understood!”
As Si-hyun emphasized, the two men replied vigorously.
Afterward, the three of them spent several hours exchanging conversations and elaborating on detailed plans.
Within the discussions were Si-hyun’s personal requests too.
What time to go on a trip, where to go, and how to go about it.
She expressed wanting to move to a new house, wanting to leave it to the agency, and so forth.
Si-hyun was passing the tedious tasks onto them comfortably.
Even so, it was a win-win situation for both parties.
* * *
…After the meeting.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Yes, you don’t need to worry about it. Both of you are busy, right?”
I politely declined Manager Jang and the team leader’s offer to send me off.
They were all busy people, so there was no need to bother them further.
“Well then, see you next time.”
“Yeah, see you!”
“Safe travels!”
After exchanging simple farewells, I stepped out of the conference room.
Crossing the quiet and serene hallway, I reached the lobby.
Just before I was about to exit the agency building.
I unexpectedly came face to face with familiar faces.
“Oh! Professor Jeong Si-hyun? What a surprise to see you here!”
“Hello, Professor! It’s been a while.”
“Oh, yes. Hello. It’s been a while.”
It was my student Eun-byeol and her older brother Ye Do-hyeong.
After exchanging light greetings, Eun-byeol brightly said, “Professor! I’ve been promoted to D-rank! I’m here today for my license renewal!”
“Wow, really? Congratulations!”
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you, Professor!”
Eun-byeol, with her refreshing smile, jumped up on her toes as she spoke.
Her face, beaming with joy, was just too adorable.
“It’s all thanks to your hard work. Once again, congrats, Eun-byeol!”
“Hehe, thank you so much!”
Eun-byeol cheerfully bowed her head in gratitude.
…How should I put it? Watching these young students grow up one by one somehow warms my heart? That’s how I felt.
It was like catching a happiness virus.
As I smiled contentedly, feeling warmth in my chest, Eun-byeol looked back and forth between me and Ye Do-hyeong.
Then, she clapped her hands and said, “Oh right, oppa! I’ll renew my license and head back on my own, so please escort our professor!”
“……Huh?”
“I’ll see you guys later!”
Eun-byeol, who had bombarded us with her words, vanished in an instant.
After gazing at her disappearing figure for a moment, I turned my head.
I met eyes with Ye Do-hyeong, who wore an awkward expression.
…I suppose my expression looked just as awkward.