Chapter 1 - Ch 171: Scenario Gate （5）

Anyway, you can never know what will happen in life. Even before my reincarnation, I never thought I'd become an F-rank hunter, let alone a con artist.

'Maybe I should cut down on the lies from now on.'

Just as the great magician was sinking into belated repentance.

The next prey was already within striking distance.

━Thud, thud.

This forest was the territory of those creatures called giants.

◈◈◈

◈◈◈

◈◈◈

How many minutes had passed?

"Uh, um."

"Hmm."

First of all, to cut to the chase, we finished all the exploration in one fell swoop.

The giants in this forest were so weak that even Seon Uyeon could wipe them out alone, so there was no crisis.

'The treasure hunters who went in first were defeated because their awakening ranks were low, as expected of a team that only targets EX-rank.'

So, now that we've killed all the enemies, shouldn't we just leave?

"This is a pain in the ass."

I raised my head and looked at the gate in front of me again.

I never dreamed that the escape route the fairy mentioned would be something like this.

The madohakjeok passage was so narrow that we had to bend over to enter, and the surroundings were completely engulfed in thick thorn bushes.

If it were just ordinary thorn bushes, I wouldn't be so angry.

But what the heck did this thing grow on? It was so heavy and sturdy that it wouldn't budge even with a B-rank's grip.

'With this much strength, even Hydra's blade wouldn't work.'

I pretended to touch the thorn bushes and then quickly turned my head.

When I looked at them as if saying they were ridiculous, the fairy finally opened her mouth.

"Oh, right, this is a plant that shrinks in size every dawn. There are about 20,000 seconds left."

"Why are you telling us now!"

"Are you angry? Why? I kept all my promises."

The fairy explained that she had only said she would tell us where the path was, and that she didn't know if the passage was in a usable state right away.

But our anger wasn't relieved by just that one sentence.

It was like suddenly getting extra work right before you were about to leave work.

'Damn it.'

We were suddenly forced to wait for dawn in the Fairy Kingdom.

At this time, the wingless fairy adjusted her altitude and entered the Earthlings' field of vision.

"Everyone, this place is damp and uncomfortable for camping. So, would you like to go back to my house and rest until dawn?"

"What?"

"We killed all the giants, so it's okay now. They won't appear again! Don't worry about the fairy powder either. It will stay on as long as you don't wash it off."

Well, it's true that sleeping outside is a bit…

"Wait, your house is just that palm-sized structure. How are we supposed to rest in a place like that…"

I thought of Apa's dwelling and had a moment of doubt, but soon another raider explained this part.

"Ah, Hunter-nim. We know because we received the same offer from another fairy during the festival. It's not that they're inviting us into their house, but that they're offering us a place to sleep."

"A place to sleep?"

"Um… they'll probably give you something like big, furry leaves as bedding, and they're quite warm. Thanks to that, we were able to sleep on the first day."

"Ah."

If that's the case, then it's fine.

'I wonder what kind of plant it is.'

I became interested in the fairy's hospitality and raised my gaze. But before I could say anything, another hunter's shout was faster.

"N-no, I'm fine! I'd rather wait here without sleeping. I can't trust the fairy's words!"

That C-rank hunter who passed the tag to me.

He was hostile to the fairy, as if he was still bitter about being tormented by the dungeon's inhabitants.

When the C-rank came out strongly, one or two people in the group soon agreed with his opinion.

"You're not coming to my house?"

"N-no, I'm not going! You monster!"

"Even though I invited you?"

In the midst of this, we were able to easily gather our opinions because of one action the fairy showed.

"What should I do? Guests who refuse my invitation must be punished. That's the rule of the kingdom…"

Sob, sob.

Apa was sad with a cute voice, but then she turned her face inside out and revealed three layers of teeth.

We quickly agreed as we saw the fairy's red insides.

"Let's go."

"It's better not to argue."

"Ah, I'm suddenly so sleepy."

If only discussions were this easy in the outside world.

◈◈◈

"You are my ■■."

A few minutes later.

We headed to the kingdom's hill according to the other party's suggestion.

But on this journey, the fairy kept talking.

"What?"

"■■. You guys caught the blue giant I was talking about!"

A word that was difficult to understand because it was mixed with all sorts of noise, like a broken speaker. But in context, it was probably something like benefactor or hero.

'Yeah. I thought it was too natural all this time.'

I let the Gishimche's mistake slide.

The fairy in the air continued to chatter as if trying to make up for my silence.

"Do you know? Actually, the blue giant you killed ate my family."

"What?"

"Our kingdom decided to offer one fairy to the giant every year. So my family was eaten by him. But you guys killed my enemy. And all of them!"

It floats in the air, leaving a sparkling afterimage.

"Now everyone doesn't have to tremble with fear. It's thanks to you! Wow, if you stayed in the kingdom, we would be grateful for generations to come…"

"Hmm."

"It must be hard, right? You guests want to go home quickly, right? Then I'll keep a secret. I'll make sure the kingdom people don't hold you back with the festival."

The wingless fairy's cheeks were even flushed red as she was busy praising us.

The others seemed to have developed a liking for the fairy's attitude and gradually relaxed their expressions.

"Looking at it, it might be a little cute?"

"It's definitely cute."

I still get chills just thinking about those three layers of teeth…

"━?"

Blink.

The fairy felt the gazes of the humans on her and flew to the side.

And she stuck to Seon Uyeon's shoulder and said this.

"Everyone, but I have a very small wish. Can you grant it?"

This guy, who caused that mess with just one wish a few hours ago, is making such a statement?

"I want to know your names."

But this time, the situation was a little different. She revealed the nature of her wish first.

"I will never forget this meeting for the rest of my life. And your heroic story of bravely defeating the giants."

"Ah."

"And… and… if I become the first friend to hear your names, I can brag to the village fairies!"

"Brag."

"Can't I?"

What's the big deal about that?

Most of the raiders granted the fairy's earnest request.

"My name? I am…"

"So, you are called 'My Name' nim."

"No, that's not it!"

"Yes. I'm listening. 'My Name' nim."

In this process, Seon Uyeon failed to register due to a small problem.

"Guest, what is your name?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"So, you are 'Why do you need to know' nim."

I just didn't say anything.

Anyway.

And so, after introducing ourselves, we lightly climbed the hill. After that, we received a lavish treat from the fairy Apa.

'These fruits are delicious.'

Now that we were full and warm, all that was left was to rest and wait for dawn.

"…Giryeo-ssi."

Soon, in the pitch-black darkness that came.

"Giryeo-ssi, Giryeo-ssi?"

I opened my eyelids at the sound of my name being called.

Since I was just pretending to sleep anyway, I wasn't upset about being suddenly woken up.

"Is it already my turn for night watch?"

I just rolled my eyes while lying in my spot and stared at the other person's face.

"No. It's not that… but the situation is strange. That fairy suddenly disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"Yes! No one saw her leave from here. The analyst-nim who was awake with me said that no mana was felt inside the hut. The fairy disappeared."

Is it because we're inside the dungeon? Seon Uyeon shows great anxiety even with minor changes.

"What should we do? Should we use a searcher skill?"

I reluctantly got up at her urging, and at that moment, an unknown light burst out from beyond the dark void.

It's a light that spread from the plaza.

'Blue…?'

Looking at the shadows reflected in the light, it seems like there are quite a few fairies gathered in that spot right now.

'No, wait a minute.'

But then, I felt a familiar mana within my senses, which had become sharply honed while searching the hut.

This is the mana of the wingless fairy. And the current location is…

"Seon Uyeon-ssi, please stay here."

"Yes?"

"I think it'll be okay, but just in case. I'll just go check it out."

I jumped up from my spot and headed to the plaza. The closer I got, the warmer the heat felt on my skin.

The central flame burning brightly. Many fairies sitting in a circle, holding hands.

It was just like the festival during the day.

━Crack, crack.

The identity of the campfire in the center of the plaza was somewhat different from a friendly festival.

What was burning there was none other than that wingless fairy.

"Oh? It's a guest. You were still in the kingdom?"

Soon, a fairy who recognized my presence approached me.

"We are having an execution ceremony right now."

"Why."

"Because she did something bad."

It flaps its wings and expresses its dissatisfaction with the breeze.

"No, you see, that kid went into the forest in the afternoon? You know, right? You were the ones who were guided by that fairy!"

"…."

"You guys are guests, so it doesn't matter. But that fairy shouldn't have done that. Apa was this year's sacrifice."

Crack. Crack.

While we were talking, the creature in the pile of firewood had its cute face covered in ash.

"How dare a ■ without wings forget her role and go into the forest? What are we supposed to do if she gets eaten by the giants?"

"That's right."

"That's right!"

"We have to kill her today to prevent any unnecessary accidents. Let's burn the sacrifice to a crisp and store it until next winter!"

I see.

"Stupid fairy. Anyway, when it was time to be punished, she made up ridiculous lies that all the giants were dead!"

"According to her, you guys killed all the giants."

"Is that true? That would be nice."

At this moment, I understood a part of the dungeon's mechanism.

Perhaps Apa was set up to be burned at the stake after guiding the raiders into the forest.

That's why the Apa we met didn't remember the advance team.

'Because the previous entity died.'

Then why does this dungeon keep repeating this burning ritual, even supplying new wingless fairies?

The answer to that could be replaced by their expressions.

"Kim Giryeo Hunter! What the heck is going on here… Huh."

Seon Uyeon's group entered the plaza, worried that the S-rank hadn't returned for a long time.

They gasped when they found the wingless fairy burning in the center.

"Oh? It's a guest. You were still in the kingdom?"

After that, the fairies in the plaza explained the execution ceremony again.

Then, sentences that were not much different from before flowed into the air of the plaza, but instead, the reactions of the people were different.

"Oh my god."

"Ugh…"

It was a crude method, but still, some of the raiders had their emotions changed because of this situation.

'Sadness, or anger.'

There is a reason for everything.

That fairy was unusually friendly.

The only escape route opened at dawn.

Seon Uyeon had a troubled expression, not knowing that she had been artificially guided, but I coldly scanned the fairies with a face that was the opposite of theirs.

"Oh, right! Come to think of it, that sacrifice said she had something to reward you with before she died."

But fortunately, it seems like we won't be forced to accept it.

"I kept the gift for you. It's for you. Do you want to check it?"

As we waited quietly, the fairy in the plaza brought up the topic we were waiting for first.

Ch 172: The Choi Sisters （1）

That guide who was burned at the stake was from a few hours ago.

I did say that if you defeated the blue giant who was my enemy, I would reward you separately.

Until now, I thought that the promise made directly by a resident of the gate would be kept, so I didn't bother to rush things.

Fortunately, even though the promised fairy disappeared, our contract remained in effect.

"Here, take this!"

The fairy in the plaza then laid out the reward the guide had mentioned on the lawn.

A small cube, about the size of one's hand.

This is a material that no hunter would be unaware of.

"An item box?"

A magic storage box that can separately store equipment with mana. I never expected they would suddenly produce something like this!

General grade.

This reward was, at best, the lowest grade among item boxes.

A humble internal capacity compared to a rare grade. But even this is quite amazing.

This magic tool, no matter how small the space it contains, is something that starts at a base price of hundreds of millions of won.

So, we discussed what to do with the given item box, and soon people began to conclude that it was right to give the reward to the S-rank hunter who led the attack.

That's right.

I had made an enormous windfall that exceeded expectations.

'Originally, I was looking for an EX-rank item to get stronger, but with this, I should just accept whatever they give me!'

Well, now that the story is over and I've received what I was due, shall we get out of this bait box?

"The sky has become a bit brighter."

Looking around, the survivors had different expressions on their faces.

Some were happy to have survived, while others were frightened by the bizarre customs of the fairies killing their own kind.

But the most common emotion was pity, bordering on sadness.

Several people, including Seon Uyeon, were silent as they looked at the burning corpse of the executed person.

'It's dawn.'

Clap.

I gathered the attention of the raiders with a light clap and directed them to the direction we should head.

"By now, the vines in that passage should have receded, let's go check."

The exit in the forest, which we reached soon after, was clear of the obstacles that had blocked our path, as if they had never been there.

◈◈◈

A little while later. The Korean Hunter Association.

"Hmm...."

Seon Uyeon tapped on the keys of her cheap membrane keyboard before leaning back in her chair for a moment.

The missing people who had been swallowed by the white gate had safely returned. It's now about two days after the incident ended.

It's been a busy few days.

Because she had witnessed the first appearance of a dungeon creature that perfectly spoke the language of humans.

She had stayed in the Fairy Kingdom for another 4 hours after consulting with the Association employee who came with her.

Since dungeons don't collapse if there are survivors inside, they preserved the site of the attack in that way.

But that's finally over.

Because the Association ultimately failed to find a way to enter through the one-way exit.

'Still, I worked hard because I wanted to be helpful, but it's a bit disheartening if there's no gain.'

Seon Uyeon, the last returnee, fought back the fatigue that spread through her body and put her hands on the keyboard.

Now, she had to write a report before the memories of the attack faded. Why is this society so harsh on worker ants?

"Phew...."

Still, this time, the higher-ups even gave me a special vacation for my hard work.

If I just hold out today. Seon Uyeon quickly typed away, thinking of that one sentence.

'I want coffee.'

But then.

"Um, excuse me...."

It was clearly just a thought in my head, but before I knew it, a cool Americano had appeared next to my desk.

"Investigator-nim. It's still lunchtime, but could you spare a moment to talk...? Maybe over a cup of coffee."

For reference, the term "investigator" is Seon Uyeon's current official title.

She stopped writing her report and looked up at the voice calling her.

As expected, there was a colleague from the organization she always faced.

"Yes. Just let me save what I was working on."

A C-rank Awakened One who was trapped with her in the Fairy Kingdom. Chief Lee.

They don't usually meet privately, so what wind blew to bring him here with coffee all of a sudden?

◈◈◈

◈◈◈

◈◈◈

A little while later.

'So, that's what the coffee was for.'

As soon as she got to the rooftop, Seon Uyeon confirmed that her prediction was correct.

Because Chief Lee bowed his head deeply before even starting the conversation.

"I'm really sorry about what happened last time!"

"Hmm."

"U-um, that is. Like I said back then, I couldn't make a normal judgment because I thought I might die if 10 minutes passed."

"Yes."

"W-well, also, our team leader passed away like that not long after we entered the dungeon."

The team leader of the investigation team who became the first victim after attacking the fairy, thinking it was a monster.

Come to think of it, there's a funeral on Wednesday. Seon Uyeon recalled her schedule in her head and made a gloomy expression.

It was after that when her junior spoke.

"I'm really…. sorry. If I hadn't done that, Investigator Seon Uyeon wouldn't have gotten hurt."

But I need to address this. Seon Uyeon stopped sipping her coffee and said.

"I'm okay. More than that, isn't this an issue that you should apologize to Hunter Kim Giryeo-nim?"

That employee clearly passed the tag to some S-rank, right?

"Haha, Hunter Kim-nim? Yes. Of course, I don't think that a brief apology when I came out of the gate is enough. But...."

The Awakened One on the rooftop smiled bitterly as he recalled his mistake.

"How can someone like me go and talk to an S-rank like that again. Someone like me."

He said that and took a sip of the coffee in his hand.

"Honestly, right after I did that, I didn't even dare to think about being forgiven by Hunter Kim-nim."

"...."

"I thought he would be really angry. Or maybe, he would just give the tag back to us?"

"Is that so?"

"With someone like Kim Giryeo right in front of us, what could we do? It was just passing the choice to the S-rank hunter. If a person became the tag, then at least it wouldn't feel so absurd and unfair."

The C-rank Awakened One, who was explaining his feelings at the time, gradually lowered his voice. The words that would come out next would only place a greater burden on his mind.

"...But I never expected that he would just take the tag as it is."

Seon Uyeon also remembered the situation at the time. Her heart really sank when Kim Giryeo said he wouldn't give up the tag.

Especially since she had witnessed the end of the humans who had been harmed by the fairies.

"And he did that to reassure people...."

If Kim Giryeo hadn't volunteered to take the bomb, the attack team would have experienced a living hell during those 10 minutes.

They were ingrained with the idea that if they became the loser, they would die soon because of the balloon game that had happened before.

In this situation, if they became the tag, they would have used any means necessary to get out of that state.

Perhaps violence targeting the weak would have occurred.

Wouldn't the cruel act of breaking the legs of a fellow human to get rid of the tag have become rampant?

"We were able to get out of the dungeon without seeing a dirty sight thanks to him."

The black-haired woman also agreed with this thought.

"No, but even when I think about it again… how could he not pass on the tag? Was he really thinking of hunting the fairy or something?"

Around the time he was muttering in a pensive tone, Seon Uyeon casually dropped a sentence.

"He's always been like that."

"Yes?"

He's always been like that.

Kim Giryeo would sometimes do things that were bold and incomprehensible with a nonchalant expression.

Knowing that, Seon Uyeon took the tag from him.

If she didn't do at least that, the man really wouldn't have given up the tag until the end.

"Always like that? Ah, come to think of it, Investigator-nim, you were close to the Hunter-nim, right?"

"Just a little."

"Anyway, it's amazing. I didn't know he was so considerate. Wow, how can he take care of everyone else even in that situation...."

The C-rank hunter was busy praising the blond man, but for some reason, Seon Uyeon showed an ambiguous reaction only at this part.

'Considerate?'

Somehow, this expression didn't seem to fit the man very well.

Unfeeling.

Seon Uyeon thought that such a word suited him better, even after experiencing the tag game.

Because, Kim Giryeo ended up showing that side of him in the latter half of the attack.

'....'

Seon Uyeon still remembered it vividly.

The expression that man had when he looked at the burning fairy.

━Tap, tap….

Giryeo showed no agitation even after seeing the guide who had been burned at the stake for helping him.

If he had some dissatisfaction with the tag game, and had some antipathy left towards the wingless fairy, it would have been understandable.

But what Kim Giryeo showed was neither displeasure nor relief. Just colorless and odorless.

Only a rigid and ordinary reaction.

But how could you expect compassion from such a man?

'....'

Even butchers are said not to look at the eyes when slaughtering cows.

Somehow, Kim Giryeo seemed like a butcher who would cut flesh without batting an eye, and that's why Seon Uyeon felt awkward whenever she experienced his kindness.

She also wanted to believe in his goodwill. She just wanted to.

But that overly competent hunter kept evoking a chilling awe.

'No, let's not think unnecessary thoughts. That person is a good person who even took on danger for others.'

Seon Uyeon tried hard to think positively. But she couldn't suppress all the worries in her heart.

'Really....'

When she had collapsed after receiving the fairy's punishment. What kind of expression was that hunter wearing?

'It's really an unnecessary thought.'

Perhaps even at that moment, he had the same gaze as when he looked at the fairy in the ashes.

If it weren't for this anxiety, she wouldn't have felt distant from Kim Giryeo either.

◈◈◈

'Yay! Now I don't have to carry things around in my pockets like a peddler!'

A quiet afternoon. Kim Giryeo's one-room.

I sat in the corner of the room, reveling in my joy.

I had always secretly envied the kids who carried item boxes, but now I also have that high-class magic box.

"Besides, to think I'd get such an expensive magic tool for free!"

An item box that still has plenty of empty space even after storing the 『Hydra』 and the 『Surprise Box!』.

I hummed a tune as I checked the remaining space.

"Perfect~"

And as this saying goes, the item box is a very timely item that has come into my hands.

Actually, I haven't given up on getting the Dragon's Lung yet, and I was thinking of challenging a dragon raid again for that.

To be honest, even now, I have excessive power for an F-rank.

'After being overworked my whole life, I'm overworking again....'

I decided to be a little more greedy. And about 10% of this choice was caused by yesterday's gate.

The appearance of a being that imitated intelligence.

The appearance of that scenario gate was not a good sign.

Going back to the topic from before, I was looking for a new dragon hunt.

I wanted to increase the probability of obtaining the Dragon's Lung by even 1%.

Of course, this time, it's not like the fate of a country is at stake like in Japan. It would be better to take some time and calmly start with data research.

But dragons always appear at a high rank, and the gates themselves are rare, so there is almost no information available on the internet.

"Hmm."

Therefore, I decided to meet an expert in that field in preparation for the Dragon's Nest that would appear someday.

And surprisingly, I can use my connections for this.

Korea's best Dragon Slayer. Furthermore, the world's first owner of the 『Dragon's Heart』.

That celebrity happens to be a distant relative of my acquaintance.

Ch 173: The Choi Sisters （2）

South Korea has established strong diplomatic ties with a country since the Dungeon Shock. That country is Singapore.

There was a time when a vast and troublesome gate called the 『Ice Palace』 flourished in this world.

Its appearance was limited to only Singapore and Korea.

As they exchanged information to clear this dungeon, they naturally developed a sense of cooperation.

Although South Korea and Singapore had a good relationship before, they were able to become much closer thanks to the 『Ice Palace』.

And how close are they?

They are close enough to send hunters to each other's countries when a troublesome gate appears.

The hunter dispatch system between the two countries.

The most famous example is Jeong Haseong's clearing of the 『White Tower』.

And the next most notable example was Choi Jin's dragon hunting. Singapore has been known for frequent appearances of dragon species.

'A dragon hunter, huh.'

Choi Jin, the star of the "Faith" Guild, which has its office in Chuncheon.

A first-generation hunter who was active in the recapture of northern Seoul. The person who has hunted the most dragons.

Anyway, the rumors about that hunter were varied and glamorous, but none of them were as intriguing as this sentence.

『A tearful awakened one in the bottom 90%....

A story about a metamorphosis into an 'A-rank' overnight? Jeongseong Ilbo: 20XX-12-22』

As you can see from an article a few years ago, she was the first case of a 'changed birth rank'.

'Oh ho.'

I watched the awakened one approaching from the opposite side.

A stylish short cut that completely exposes her ears. A large scar across her chin.

And a woman who is tightly wrapped in lizardman leather clothing up to her neck.

Judging from the current situation, the other party is probably someone who dislikes wasting time or a simple slacker.

The fact that an A-rank hunter who makes good money hasn't removed an old scar means there's no reason other than laziness. And if you assume that, then the short hair can also be interpreted in a similar vein.

"Nuna! Over here. Over here!"

An Yunseung, who was next to me, waved his hand to greet the other party as soon as he spotted her.

That's right. Today, I borrowed the power of this A-rank.

It was a story that came up casually in a conversation, but in fact, An Hunter-nim here is a cousin of that dragon slayer over there.

'Good bloodline. So many excellent sorcerers coming out of this family.'

The woman approaches this way, making the sound of her loafers. I gave a polite first greeting to the awakened one who had come closer.

"Hello. Choi Jin Hunter-nim."

Then, the person named Choi Jin stopped nearby, a couple of steps away.

'Hmm.'

By the way, is this what the 『Dragon's Heart』 looks like when applied?

I scanned the state of the person in front of me. Certainly, the other person's heart was radiating an extraordinary mana that was rampant.

'This is more like a… than a dragon hunter.'

A half-human, half-dragon.

I was reminded of a certain word when I saw that woman, and then a new shadow suddenly appeared at the edge of my vision.

"Hello!"

An awakened one with very long straight hair, as if she had stolen Choi Jin's hair and attached it.

That person, with her sharp fangs, was almost clinging to Choi Jin, with her arms around her.

And in that state, she peeked out her face and spoke.

"I'm Choi Jinhee!"

"Choi Jin… is it? Do you two have the same name?"

"No. Choi. Jin. Hee. I said."

Why did they name their children so confusingly?

Anyway, they look similar and have the same surname, Choi. That woman is probably the awakened one mentioned on the internet.

'The younger sister, then.'

It's already a well-known story in the industry that Choi Jin works with her sister.

After hearing the other party's introduction, I belatedly revealed my own name.

"Yes. Choi Jinhee-ssi. Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Giryeo."

But when I reached out my hand to shake hands, Jinhee's eyes suddenly widened.

Red eyes like crushed pomegranates.

Come to think of it, can such a color appear in an Earthling's iris?

"What is it?!"

Thud. Soon after, Jinhee grabbed my wrist and shouted.

"Why do you look so delicious? Wow, you look really delicious… Awesome, can I just have one sip?"

"Uh, what?"

"Oh my god. Oppa, your blood looks incredibly delicious!"

"What are you talking about…"

"Jinhee-ya! Stop it!"

Just as I was getting flustered by the sudden situation, Choi Jin Hunter was startled and stopped her.

She pulled her younger sister away from me.

"It's rude to a person you've just met. Have you already forgotten what happened last time you got scolded?"

"No…"

"Why are you like this. Seriously!"

Choi Jin seemed quite flustered by her sister's sudden behavior. As I was watching it quietly, An Yunseung soon started to explain the situation.

"Hye, Hyung-nim. I'm sorry. It seems that Jinhee Hunter has a bit of a vampiric urge because of her awakened ability. But it's definitely not dangerous…"

"Awakened ability?"

"You didn't know?"

Sharp teeth and red eyes.

I'm an alien, so I didn't find this much of a difference in appearance particularly strange. But it turns out that it was her unique ability.

"Jinhee Nuna is a transformation-type awakened one. Like a werewolf, she has two forms?"

"Ah ha."

"In reality, she looks exactly like a vampire."

So there was transformation magic here too.

I showed great interest in the fact that there was a sorcerer who imitated fictional beings.

But as soon as I fixed my gaze to observe her, a murderous aura started flowing from the opposite side.

'Huh?'

Choi Jin Hunter is glaring at me.

It's not like she should be giving me such a death glare just because I glanced at her sister for a moment, right?

"Kim Giryeo Hunter, excuse me for a moment. Anyway, you said you had something to ask me today."

I was quietly holding my breath, intimidated by the dragon slayer's glare, but then a noise suddenly broke the silence.

━Beep beep~ Ring ring.

It was the alarm sound coming from Choi Jin's smart watch.

"Ah, damn it."

Is it a call from the guild?

"I told them to check properly, why do they keep calling me to come and go with this…"

Choi Jin checks the message she received and frowns deeply.

And then, she apologized to us, saying that she had to leave for a while because of company business.

"An Yunseung. Take good care of your nuna until I come back. Don't leave her alone, okay?"

"Yes!"

Choi Jin said that and turned to walk away. It's a bonus that she glared at me again in that short time.

It's so puzzling. I really don't know why that hunter is so hostile.

'Is she just bad-tempered?'

Well, but this kind of senseless power struggle was a daily occurrence on Alpha Uri.

We who remained decided to have a drink in the nearby lounge until Choi Jin came back.

For reference, this is the lobby on the first floor of the Faith Guild.

And there is one very good culture on Earth. Most guilds of this size have vending machines inside the building.

◈◈◈

Soon, we arrived at the lounge.

━Clatter, clatter. Thud!

Giryeo takes out his cider from the vending machine, and then presses the button for the sugary coffee that An Yunseung will drink.

"Oh no!"

"Why?"

But before the purchased coffee could even fill the paper cup, An Yunseung suddenly shouted.

"I think I left my cell phone in the car."

"Really?"

"Hyung-nim, I'm sorry, but can I go to the parking lot for a moment?"

"Why are you asking for permission for something like that? Go ahead."

Drip drip drip.

While Yunseung left the room, Giryeo collected the coffee from the vending machine and went to sit down.

Choi Jinhee, with her thin straight hair, was already sitting at the round table.

"Hmm."

A situation where he was suddenly left alone with someone else's relative.

In the awkward atmosphere, the other party was fidgeting with her empty hands, and seeing that, Giryeo suddenly had this thought.

'The act of changing and fixing the body into a different form requires a rather complex spell formula. How can a mammal naturally be born with such magic…'

Is she a genius?

Giryeo highly valued the other party's talent.

But he had no choice but to put aside his thoughts because of the loud voice that followed.

"Hey!"

Jinhee, who first started talking and then hesitated for a long time while choosing her words. I wondered why she was hesitating so much.

"I didn't have lunch today."

"Yes?"

"So I'm tired. Can I just have one sip of your blood?"

"Blood?"

"I'm hungry. Really."

Gulp.

The modern-day vampire disguised as an awakened one was now even drooling while looking at the other party.

'Is there some kind of smell coming from me?'

It's only natural to be bothered when someone suddenly treats you like food.

Giryeo belatedly raised his arm to check if there was any scent coming from his body, but he didn't feel any particular characteristic.

That's why it's even more questionable. Why does she only ask for my blood when she didn't say such things to Yunseung, who came with me?

"Is it because An Yunseung is family, so you don't touch him?"

"Yes?"

Since there was nothing else to do, Giryeo decided to take this opportunity to satisfy his curiosity.

"You keep saying that my blood will taste good, but what exactly is the standard…"

When he asked the question, the transformation sorcerer answered immediately.

"I don't know."

It was a somewhat embarrassing answer, but.

"But I just have a feeling that it'll be delicious? The feeling is different for each person. An Yunseung, for example, is terrible."

"Terrible, huh…"

"My unni says that I seem to like higher ranks. But last time, the B-rank was more delicious?"

The woman tilts her head to the side.

"It's hard to explain. Anyway, oppa's blood will definitely be delicious."

It's not a very pleasant assessment.

She soon mumbled, looking sulky.

"Ah, but can't I really just have one sip? Anyway, because of that scary ajusshi, what is it. Now unni is always scolding me."

It was almost a monologue, but it was still audible at this distance.

"Scary ajusshi?"

Giryeo was about to drink the canned drink he had taken from the vending machine, but his actions stopped for a moment because of the name that followed.

"The awakened one named Changho."

The transformation sorcerer continued.

"I met that person a long time ago! I had the most delicious feeling I've ever had. So I bit his arm without even realizing it."

"No way."

"I got beaten up so badly."

I knew it.

That guy is not the type to let a hunter who bared their teeth at him go.

"And oppa is the same as Changho!"

But I didn't expect the conversation to go this way.

"The same?"

"I can't stand it either."

"Uh, I'm just asking, but do you get a similar feeling from Jeong Haseong or Esther?"

"Jeong Haseong? A little. And I don't know who the person you mentioned later is."

It wasn't related to rank, as Choi Jin had guessed.

Jeong Haseong, who has nothing to envy in terms of awakening power, only got a slight feeling, while Kang Changho, who is at the bottom of S-rank, received a generous evaluation.

It's impossible to grasp. But that's how people's tastes are anyway.

Giryeo pondered about the vampire's taste, but soon changed the topic of conversation.

'Right. People have to eat what they want to survive.'

It was because he couldn't bear to ignore the desperate gaze he had been feeling since a while ago.

"Choi Jinhee Hunter, can you show me your wallet for a moment?"

What followed was a rather abrupt request.

The other party reluctantly took out her wallet at Giryeo's words, and inside the leather, yellow bills were peeking out.

One, two, three…

About 150,000 won in cash.

"Let's see, if you give me all that cash, I'll give you one sip of blood."

"Yes?"

"This is, in a way, providing a meal, so you have to pay for the meal."

He, who is excellent at restoration magic, could quickly replenish the lost blood, but he didn't bother to refuse the opportunity to benefit from it.

Is it because he's been spending all the money he earns on mado tools? Lately, he really has to save even his lunch money.

'Should I buy some beef with that?'

Giryeo decided to receive a small reward while he was being compassionate.

Of course, Choi Jinhee was very happy and accepted this offer. Honestly, 150,000 won is nothing to a B-rank hunter.

"Really? Can I really drink it?"

Thud!

Choi Jinhee's eyes lit up as she got up from her seat. Seeing that, Kim Giryeo nodded and rolled up the sleeve of his forearm.

A magician who sacrifices himself for the hungry. If you only look at this, it's a very heartwarming scene…

"First, bite as hard as you can. I'm having a bit of trouble controlling my defense right now."

For reference, South Korea strictly prohibits the sale of blood under Article 3 of the Blood Management Act.

But since he's an alien, he doesn't know those laws very well.

"Heuk, thank you!"

Again, this country prohibits the sale of blood. Violators are subject to imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

But there was no one here to point that out.

Ch 174: The Choi Sisters （3）

*Tap!*

Soon after, white fangs make small holes in the skin.

Hunter Choi Jinhee buries her face in Giryeo's arm, her Adam's apple bobbing dramatically.

At first, he thought she would just lick the blood flowing from the torn wound.

'Oh.'

It's as if there's a separate blood-sucking tube in her fangs. Choi Jinhee drinks the bodily fluids like a syringe, without losing a single drop.

The way she's eagerly quenching her thirst looks almost gluttonous.

"Puhah!"

What a stroke of luck after all this time!

She raises her head, looking very satisfied, and then Giryeo, who was stopping the bleeding from the wound, continues the conversation.

"Is my blood really that tasty? Was there anything weird about it?"

He had been careful with his diet all this time.

Strictly speaking, his body is one that came back from the dead, so it's slightly different from a normal Earthling.

"It's delicious!"

"Ah, I see."

"And it's kind of cold?"

*Pause.*

Giryeo adjusts his sleeve, looking down at her clear eyes. But he doesn't add anything else.

There's no need to fix it, as the topic of conversation has already changed on its own.

"Oppa. By the way, when Unni comes later, don't tell her that I drank your blood."

"You want me to keep it a secret?"

"Yes, yes."

*Shhh.*

The B-rank hunter brings her index finger to her lips, asking for silence. Giryeo nods in response.

It's only a small amount of money, about 150,000 won, but still, it wouldn't look good to take money from a friend's relative.

Perhaps he might even get scolded for not doing even that for free.

"Promise? When Unni comes later, promise!"

Giryeo gave a short reply to her words.

"She's not coming later, she's here now."

"Huh."

As if in response to this statement, Hunter Choi Jin appeared in the lounge, and An Yunseung returned from the parking lot at almost the same time.

Now that everyone's here, Giryeo begins a serious conversation with the Choi sisters…

◈◈◈

Kim Giryeo.

What the S-rank hunter wanted to hear was Choi Jin's experience.

Red Dragon, Green Dragon, Black Dragon.

The dragons that have appeared on Earth are largely divided into these three types, and he knew nothing about them except for the Black Dragon, a new species that uses poison.

Attack methods. Weaknesses. Effective attributes, etc.

Giryeo wanted to learn how to fight the other two types of dragons.

In return, he was willing to answer her questions sincerely.

"If it's about dungeon items, I can probably tell you everything you want to know. I've been studying that field for a long time."

Plus, he could also share information about the Black Dragon. There were plenty of ways to repay the debt.

"It's alright."

"Ah… is that so?"

However, the hunter named Choi Jin rejected it outright.

She didn't add any words, but her gaze alone clearly showed that she was displeased with this situation.

After the information exchange.

Choi Jin, Choi Jinhee, and An Yunseung left the S-rank in the lounge and went up to the building's rooftop separately.

*Chiiik.*

As soon as Choi Jin opens the rooftop door, she lights a cigarette.

But when her cousin just stands there blankly, she speaks in a questioning voice.

"Didn't you used to smoke too?"

Yunseung replies that he quit smoking a while ago. Choi Jin tilts her head in confusion.

"No, how can an Awakened One quit smoking…"

"My Hyung-nim told me to."

When someone who isn't here is mentioned, the woman becomes visibly uncomfortable.

What follows is a barrage of irritable scolding.

"Okay, whatever. An Yunseung, you know how busy your Nunas are, how could you suddenly make an appointment like this? It's putting people in a difficult position."

It's true that the appointment was made relatively suddenly, as they were contacted just two days ago.

"But I did ask if you were available…"

From An Yunseung's perspective, there were many unfair points. Choi Jin wasn't this cold when they talked last week.

"You said it was too much trouble to organize it by email, so you told me to just come and listen to the story?"

"That was because I thought it would be nice for relatives to see each other after a while. Who knew you'd bring such a burden with you."

*Sigh.*

As Choi Jin sighs heavily, Yunseung expresses his bewilderment and defends himself.

"Burden? I brought the S-rank here because I wanted to introduce him to you with good intentions, why are you being like this? And honestly, what's wrong with getting to know a high-rank hunter within the same industry?"

"What?"

"No, he's an S-rank, after all. So I thought you'd be happy to meet Hyung-nim."

But all that came back was an angry voice from a certain hunter.

"Aish!"

Choi Jin slaps her cousin on the back.

『As a hunter who gained A-rank mana with the item [Dragon's Heart]』, the force was enough to make Yunseung gasp.

"Happy about what? You brat. Do you really not know why I'm so angry?"

"Unni, don't fight…"

"Jinhee-ya, it's okay, just stay still for a moment."

Choi Jin ignores her younger sister who is trying to stop her and raises her voice.

"Hey, An Yunseung. How can you be so blind? Come to think of it, you teamed up with Kim Giryeo Hunter temporarily back in January, didn't you?"

"Mermaid Pass?"

"Yeah! So you should know! Who that guy usually works with!"

At this point, the reason why Choi Jin had been so hostile to Giryeo was revealed.

She was someone who had a very negative view of the connection between Kim Giryeo and a certain hunter.

"If he's a bastard who hangs out with that dog-like Kang Changho, his intentions are obvious. So please, from now on, don't associate with people like that!"

When Changho's name came up, even her younger sister, who was standing behind her, was disgusted.

She really didn't want to think about what happened in the past.

That's because they had experienced being assaulted by the same humans because of that hunter named Changho.

"If you just do a little search, you'll find articles about it! Seriously, how can you work with someone like that…"

Usually, when an assault case happens.

On the internet, people often make irresponsible assumptions, saying that there must have been something wrong with each other. They say, how could a fight break out without any reason?

Choi Jin was a truly innocent victim with no backstory.

She had just gone to work at the gate like she always did.

—Ah, you're the ace of that Faith Guild?

That was it. She was beaten by a freelancer hunter she met there. That was all.

'Come to think of it, it was weird from the start when he offered to help our small guild.'

Kang Changho had a history of attacking Choi Jin under the guise of an accident.

There were no accurate witnesses due to the S-rank's transcendental physical abilities.

But at least the person who was attacked knew that it was intentional.

'Because the angle was aimed directly at me.'

That attack, which pierced through the monster's body and reached Choi Jin, caused a major injury that could not have been done with bare hands.

The news just glossed over it with the word 'serious injury'.

But in reality, it was a terrifying incident where she was bleeding profusely and almost had her organs exposed.

'I'm stressed.'

Moreover, she didn't know at the time because she was flustered, but later she found out that it was a kind of attempt to steal someone else's power.

Some time after that, a major incident occurred in a foreign country where another owner of the 『[Dragon's Heart]』 was murdered.

The perpetrator said that he did it because he thought the heart would return to its original pure item form. But as a result of the verification, the reality was completely different.

"Huuu…"

Kang Changho's persistent interest suddenly stopped after that foreign news report.

How chilling was this experience? He had dared to evaluate others as prey.

And what was more terrifying at this moment was that a certain hunter was giving off a similar vibe to Kang Changho.

'Disgusting.'

Treating people.

With a look that seemed to treat them as if they were not human.

Choi Jin intuitively realized that Giryeo was looking down on them. Even to a level that could not be compared to that third S-rank hunter.

But only An Yunseung stubbornly denied it.

"Hey, Hyung-nim isn't like that. I think you're misunderstanding because he has a strong impression, but Hyung-nim is actually bringing him along to punish Kang Changho."

Bringing Kang Changho along to punish him? Did this guy drink instead of smoke?

"I saw it clearly. That Kang Changho is just Hyung-nim's lackey in the dungeon!"

Yunseung continued to argue passionately.

But the things he said were all hard to believe.

That Kang Changho had cleared away the mobs that flew around him.

That he had praised a certain blonde S-rank for being far more skilled than himself.

Moreover, it seemed to him that Kang Changho had already been trampled by Kim Giryeo, and that's the only reason why Kang Changho would be so obedient.

"Did you hear that from Kim Giryeo directly?"

"No. But I'm almost certain. When I asked what kind of relationship he had with Kang Changho Hunter, Hyung-nim said that there were some complicated circumstances, but they were definitely not close."

Yunseung clenched his fist and said triumphantly.

"So don't worry!"

Choi Jin, who was standing opposite him, had a subtle expression that contrasted with this.

"I'm an idiot for taking him seriously…"

She then put a cigarette in her mouth and took a deep breath until the flame reached the filter.

Honestly, it's hard to believe that the fourth one suppressed Kang Changho with his skills.

Kang Changho was an Awakened One who was full of pride. You could feel that he inherently disliked anyone challenging his position.

Therefore, if the fight that An Yunseung mentioned had happened, one of them would have been finished.

"Tsk."

Seeing that her cousin still looked upset, An Yunseung said that he would go down first and tactfully left the spot.

Now, only the sisters remained on the rooftop.

"Jinhee-ya, are you cold? Shall we go down too?"

Choi Jin, who had finished her cigarette, spoke softly, completely different from before.

Her younger sister looked up at her sister's face and said hesitantly.

"Unni, do you dislike that Oppa?"

The man whose name her younger sister still didn't remember.

The Oppa she just mentioned was obviously referring to the fourth S-rank of Korea.

"Yeah. I dislike him. So Jinhee, don't get close to that person carelessly in the future. Okay?"

"..."

"It's dangerous. You remember when Unni got hurt by an S-rank before, right? That person is the same as Kang Changho. He's an incredibly strong and scary hunter. You'll get hurt again if you mess with him."

"..."

"Unni, Unni will always protect you at other times, but… S-ranks are really hard. Jinhee-ya."

Choi Jin advised calmly. Of course, her younger sister seemed to be ignoring her.

"I wish Unni didn't dislike that Oppa."

Right.

Actually, she didn't want to be this hostile either. But there were circumstances.

Because if she didn't stay on guard like this, she wouldn't be able to fully protect what was precious to her.

"...You want Unni to like him?"

Choi Jin asked with a complicated face. Her younger sister soon replied in a high and quick voice.

"Yeah!"

"Is that so?"

It's a smile that looks like an angel, no matter when you see it.

"That Oppa is tasty and kind!"

"What?"

"Ah."

The fact that she's honest can also be seen as angelic in a way.

Ch 175: FavorabilityMeter （1）

The next day.

"Alright, I'll give you gas money. Get lost quickly."

An Yunseung was chased out to Seoul without even having a meal with his relatives. It was because they were all busy with their own work.

And the Choi sisters quickly returned to their usual routine…

Choi Jin. As a hunter who maintains a high ranking even among A-ranks, she immediately went to clear a Blue Gate after her relative left.

It was evening by the time she cleared the dungeon she entered during the day.

After eating dinner, she started working overtime.

Today, a Red Gate presumed to be high-rank appeared nearby. Since her guild was also in charge of handling Red Gates under a contract with Chuncheon City.

"Unni, this is huge!"

"Yeah, it must be A-rank."

The scene they arrived at.

The gate was still unopened.

Choi Jin rechecked her equipment during this short waiting time. At that moment, a man walked towards them from a distance with heavy footsteps.

"Oh, hello."

A man with a popsicle in his hand, with his hair dyed blonde.

"We meet again?"

Isn't that the uninvited guest from earlier today!

'What, what is it?'

Choi Jin was so surprised to see Giryeo, who had approached without a sound, that her eyes almost popped out.

Of course, she thought that man had returned to Seoul with Yunseung.

"No, Hunter-nim. Why are you still in Chuncheon?"

Choi Jin unintentionally questioned him. Then, the blonde hunter said.

"This is my first time visiting Chuncheon today. I was wondering if the dakgalbi here is really that delicious."

"Excuse me?"

"I was just going around to find good restaurants by myself."

Rustle.

Giryeo said that and showed the dakgalbi takeout he was holding. He said he didn't go home until this time because he was curious about the local specialties.

Honestly, it made her wonder if he was crazy.

"Oh! That smells good!"

In the midst of all this, her younger sister smelled the food in the plastic bag and begged them to buy dakgalbi when they got off work, but…

Choi Jin was not in the mood for such small talk.

How unsettling.

No matter how much he was still around for sightseeing, how difficult is it to run into someone like this by chance in the city? Could it be that this S-rank has been tailing them this whole time?

'Annoying…'

She wanted to withdraw immediately, no matter what, but that was difficult given the circumstances.

"Listen, Kim Hunter-nim. I'll tell you in advance, don't even lift a finger in this gate. Unlike Seoul, this place has ownership rights even for Red Gates."

Choi Jin threatened him, pointing her finger.

"Yes."

Then, Kim Giryeo nodded and continued eating his popsicle.

Choi Jin had mixed feelings. Kang Changho at least gave off a dangerous vibe, which was better.

"Haa."

That man is even scarier because you can't tell what he's going to do just by looking at him…

"Unni, the gate!"

Choi Jin, who was frowning, turned her head at the voice calling her. Soon, the monster wave had begun.

Clack, clack, clack.

A monster that looked like a twisted bundle of wires appeared on the ground.

That kind of non-living thing probably wouldn't be affected by the Hydra's poison, regardless of its rank. But it was okay.

Because he wasn't the one who would be clearing it today.

Whoosh…

A wide range of flames soared in the open space.

The light that suddenly appeared pressured the enemy from all directions, like three snakes flicking their tongues.

A awakened one who swallowed the Dragon's Heart and can freely create fire.

Isn't it like a mythical being that puffs up its lungs and spews out a fire demon?

'The most common type on Earth.'

Kwaaaaaa.

This powerful heat was Choi Jin's awakened ability. At the same time, this was also a factor that made them realize how much she had grown.

Choi Jin was once a borderline hunter who was in the bottom 90% of the B-rank.

However, after she acquired the 『Dragon's Heart』 by chance, everything changed. This hunter has now risen to a firm position of power that no one can deny.

"Right side, monster outbreak!"

"I'll block them!"

The hunters dispatched from Chuncheon's Faith Guild moved in perfect order.

Finally, the monster's advance was blocked. It was a smooth sailing as usual. Things were going well.

"Ugh."

But…

Why is her heart so uneasy since earlier?

'Damn it.'

Swish.

Choi Jin turned her head to check something.

Then, through the shimmering heat haze, she felt an unknown gaze quietly watching her.

'Damn it, he's watching!'

S-rank hunter, Kim Giryeo.

He was watching the battle from a slightly distant location.

For reference, Giryeo really wanted to learn more about how the Dragon's Heart affects a sorcerer, so he deliberately stayed in Chuncheon.

His thoughtless actions were a nightmare for a certain A-rank.

'He's not close to Kang Changho my ass. His actions are exactly the same!'

It was a terrible thing for Choi Jin that an S-rank hunter was showing interest in her.

Since she had gone through all sorts of hardships because she caught Kang Changho's eye with her outstanding abilities, she had a great aversion to being observed.

Her body automatically stiffened.

If she showed even a little bit of 'decent' talent here… Could it be that she'll get targeted again like back then?

Her actions gradually became passive.

Choi Jin had no choice but to continue subjugating the monsters using only simple, basic techniques. It was because she somehow wanted to avoid revealing her full power to Kim Giryeo.

'This is why I hate Red Gates! It's not my land, so I can't even tell them to get lost. Ugh, annoying.'

Crack!

Choi Jin struck a nearby iron-clad monster with the end of her weapon.

Still, as she gradually reduced the number of enemies, she was able to reach the boss without much difficulty using only her basic skills.

—Squeak, squeak…

The boss of this Red Gate was a bizarre giant with a huge bell embedded in the center of its body.

As soon as the boss appeared, the hunters fired all at once as if they had been waiting for it. But that's where the problem arose.

The boss here had a defense power befitting its hard joints.

Thanks to that, it endured the hunters' skill barrage and launched a counterattack.

—Ding, ding, ding!

Soon, the huge bell rang.

Choi Jin had faced that monster before, so she knew what that action meant.

'It's a mental attack!'

But, rather, that was a relief.

Unless it was a special case like a Siren, a monster's mental attack would hardly affect a hunter of the same rank.

Whoosh.

Choi Jin aimed her skill at the monster's weak point. The thick steel bar connecting the huge bell and its head.

After a while, the flimsy structure melted and broke off from the fire, and the boss collapsed like a creature that had lost its spine.

Since it was a monster she had faced before, she finished the hunt with minimal mana.

'Finally, it's time to go home.'

Rustle.

The red gate closed, and soon, the death of all the monsters was confirmed.

Choi Jin took out a hunter's chisel and scissors from her pocket. Since the clearing was over, it was time to recover the loot.

"Jinhee-ya, can you move away from there? This monster is tough, so Unni will dismantle it alone…"

But at that moment.

"Ah!"

Choi Jin, who was approaching the boss's corpse, was attacked by a completely unexpected attack.

Her younger sister, who was standing in front of her, suddenly scratched her unni with force.

"Ji, Jinhee-ya?"

Choi Jin grabbed her torn nose bridge with a surprised expression. But the other party was just as shocked.

"—Aaaah!"

"Jinhee-ya!"

Whoosh!

Soon, wings made of a membrane of blood spread on the person's back.

The transformation-type awakened one screamed and activated her skill, moving her changed body and quickly flying into the air.

It was a reaction as if she was terrified and running away. But why would the other side be in fear?

"Ah!"

Only then did Choi Jin realize the situation. This was the aftermath of the boss monster's bell ringing earlier.

Her sister was completely affected by the 『confusion』 status ailment that the monster gave!

'This didn't happen last time? Wha, was it because I held back my skills? So I couldn't stop the monster's bell ringing quickly?'

This was the danger of an A-rank gate.

Even with a little bit of complacency, the damage can change in any way.

Moreover, when she turned around to ask for help, the situation on the other side was a mess. There was a healer with a status ailment removal skill here, but…

"Waaah, don't come near me!"

"Wow, this is crazy."

"What kind of healer doesn't do the healing and gets affected herself!"

As you can see, that B-rank healer also became a slave to 『confusion』 after breaking through the low probability.

Soon after, the team's healer wildly swung his staff at his colleagues.

He was an awakened one who only had healing skills, so fortunately he was easily subdued.

But the real problem was her younger sister.

If Jinhee unleashed her talent to the extreme, wouldn't she be a capable person with a flight speed comparable to that of a bullet?

"No way."

When she looked up, the shapeshifter had already flown to such a high altitude that it was difficult to see her.

A mental attack and then a runaway. What if she goes down to the city and hurts a citizen?

Or if she flies in front of an airplane or helicopter and gets hit…

"Jinhee-ya, Jinhee-ya! Come down right now. Quickly. Please!"

A few seconds later.

Choi Jin shouted loudly, looking pale. At this rate, she felt like she would go crazy with worry for her younger sister.

But, whether she knew her burning heart or not. The shadow in the distant airspace was just flapping its wings aimlessly.

"Come down. Choi Jinhee!"

The hunters on the ground were at a loss and just stomped their feet.

But somehow, as time passed, something felt strange.

Unlike their worries, the shapeshifter had been circling repeatedly above their heads since earlier.

"What, why is she like that?"

"Isn't it because her unni is here?"

The hunters from the Faith Guild speculated. Isn't it because she can't leave this area because of her family?

Of course, that was a wrong hypothesis. Currently, that hunter was so severely out of her mind that she couldn't even recognize her own parents.

So that action should be interpreted as follows.

In this park.

There was something else that was stimulating the desires of that vampire.

◈◈◈

This is a big problem.

I don't know how many times this has happened this year, but anyway, it's a big problem.

'I just wanted to observe the Dragon's Heart a little more.'

Crunch.

I put the last piece of the popsicle in my mouth.

Even now, a human who had lost her mind was continuing to circle in the sky.

'In a state of confusion.'

First of all, let me explain that Choi Jinhee is a mutant sorcerer with a bloodlust due to an awakening side effect.

If her judgment has dropped to that point, she will no longer abide by social norms.

'That Earthling… She hasn't left my head since earlier…'

Shiver.

Is this how a field mouse feels when it meets a hawk?

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have given her blood during the day. Looking back, it was like a tasting event that whetted her appetite.

That hunter is now being lured by a delicious snack and is staying within this radius.

'Magician, save me.'

Of course, as long as the 『Sacred Tree Sapling's』 defense increase effect is applied, a B-rank's attack would be easy to handle.

But the problem was my feelings.

I know in my head that the shield is strong, but…

When my life is actually threatened like this, I can't help but worry about whether something like a natural disaster might suddenly go wrong. That's just how a person's heart is.

'Ummm.'

Should I ask Choi Jin for help, just in case?

But this idea was not implemented.

As if she had the same thought, rather, that woman rushed over and shouted.

"Ki, Kim Giryeo-ssi! Just for a moment, can you help me? I'm worried something might happen… You're an S-rank hunter! I'm sorry. Please, please catch Choi Jinhee Hunter!"

She wants me to catch her when she's clearly 100m away?

'Is that possible?'

If I was a real S-rank.

Yeah. I could have jumped on the surrounding buildings and somehow caught her.

Honestly, everyone at that rank is a monster beyond common sense.

But even if that was possible, would there be a need to go through all that trouble?

In a short time.

I used the brain of the corpse to figure out a way to use it. And this was the final judgment of the Great Magician.

"Ki, Kim Giryeo-ssi?"

Thud. I unbuttoned the button on my left sleeve and rolled up my arm.

"There's an easier way."

After that, I gave a simple explanation and held out my right hand to Choi Jin.

"I'll just call your younger sister down. But when she gets close, you have to take responsibility and catch her. Since she's your family."

"Excuse me?"

"And lend me your scissors for a moment."

"Scissors?"

"Yes. Those well-sharpened dismantling scissors you're holding in your hand."

Ch 176: Favorability Meter （2）

Is there a culture of keeping pets on Earth, perhaps?

Of course, there is. After all, related information is flooding out of Kim Giryeo's brain right now.

So, what I'm saying is, what I have to do now is like… dealing with a pet rodent that escaped into the living room while cleaning its cage.

━Crack!

The idea is to lure and capture them with the scent of their favorite food.

"Huk!"

"Kyaaaaak!"

"Wait a minute...!"

Thud.

I slammed the dismantling scissors I received from Choi Jin into my left wrist. Then, I evenly scattered the gushing blood around.

She's a vampire who can recognize the state of someone else's blood even in a sealed state without a single wound. Surely, she won't be able to resist this.

━!!

As expected, there's a reaction in less than a few seconds.

The shapeshifter's wings flapped twice as fast, as if she was excited by the smell of her favorite blood.

At that rate, it's only a matter of time before she rushes towards us.

"Gi, Kim Giryeo Hunter! N-No. What on earth is that!"

"Calm down and watch your sister."

Wobble, wobble.

Immediately after, I took out a bottle filled with crimson liquid from my pocket and drank the contents in front of Choi Jin.

At the same time, the bleeding from my wrist stopped abruptly.

Actually, this is just grapefruit juice I bought from the convenience store… but I have at least some sense.

'It would look weird if I regenerated my wound alone when I'm not a healing-type awakened one. I have to at least pretend to drink a potion when I'm recovering.'

While I was thinking about this and that, the predator in the sky finally took the bait.

"Aaaaaaak!"

Choi Jinhee screams and flies towards us. Her speed was comparable to that of the infamous Beginner Killer.

Indeed, by the time I turned my head after hearing that scream, she was already right in front of me.

A swarm of flying creatures.

The vampire fiercely descended to the open space where the blood was scattered.

At the same time, Choi Jin recognized her sister's charge and quickly grabbed one of her wings, but…

The problem was the acceleration.

Jinhee's kinetic energy, which had been accelerating repeatedly, was formidable. Even if an A-rank blocked it with their entire body, she could easily knock down her prey.

"Ugh."

Crrrrrrunch!

What followed was the sound of asphalt grinding.

I was grabbed by Choi Jinhee by the neck and slammed into the ground. The road cracked, and the streetlights were uprooted.

Thanks to that, I was pushed back at least 30m from my spot, but the damage was negligible compared to the flashy attack.

This side didn't even get a scratch on my skin in the chaos thanks to the coating effect of the Sacred Tree Sapling.

'Whew.'

Item power is the best!

I held my breath for a moment, waiting for the dust around me to settle.

But looking at the situation, it seems like I'd suffocate to death faster than the dust would disappear.

"Haaak! Uwaaaaak!"

"Jinhee, stay still!"

"Ugh, how can she be so strong…!"

Soon after, the A-rank hunters from the Faith Guild began a fierce battle with the vampire on top of me.

Choi Jin and her teammates were doing their best to subdue Jinhee, who was in 『confusion』.

It wasn't an easy task. In the first place, how could a B-rank hunter like Jinhee be part of this team?

The hunter society is thoroughly meritocratic. They can't just take care of the weak just because they're sisters.

"Aaaaaaak!"

"Jinhee, please...."

"Let go of me! Let go of me!"

She was already strong enough, but when she lost her reason due to the status ailment, the shapeshifter's monstrous strength soared to an unmanageable level.

Crunch! Choi Jinhee roughly bites down on my wrist where the bloodstains remained.

If it weren't for my enhanced defense, my wrist would have been torn off at this point.

Attacked by a crazy vampire, the dakgalbi from the restaurant I waited 30 minutes for was swept away by a gust of wind.

Anyway, it's just another day where nothing goes right, but I guess this is the end of it.

"Aaaaaaak!"

Soon after, the vampire was grabbed by her sister's hand and fell backward.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh...!"

She finally fell off.

Even after being subdued, the shapeshifter twisted her body and struggled, but Choi Jin suppressed her with her entire body.

'Oh, the Dragon's Heart is different after all!'

Then, shall I slowly get up too?

I had been lying under Choi Jinhee like a corpse until now.

With my flimsy F-rank strength, I couldn't even twitch a finger in the situation just now…

'Did dust get in my eyes? I suddenly feel like crying.'

I swallowed a secret I couldn't tell anyone and got up from my spot.

"Please use your skill quickly!"

"Ah, yes!"

And by the time I was brushing off my dirtied suit jacket…

Judging by the sounds, it seemed like the situation over there was settled as well.

While we were going through that mess, thankfully, the healer, who had a high resistance to status ailments, was the first to break free from the confusion.

The healer immediately cast a spell to awaken Choi Jin's sister.

"Huk!"

Soon, all the team members returned to their normal state.

Jinhee, whose status ailment had been lifted, suddenly slumped down, as if the aftereffects of her rampage were catching up to her.

"Jinhee, are you awake?"

Thud.

But it seems she hasn't grasped the situation yet. Her younger sister only blinked at her sister's question.

"Sister.... I'm sorry."

It was a while later that Jinhee spoke again.

She hid the deformed organs she had created with her skill and apologized with her softly returned hands and feet.

Then her sister said it was okay. Rather, she said it was her own mistake this time and hugged and comforted her sister tightly.

It was a rare display of sisterly affection.

'Hmm?'

But then…

'What is it?'

While I was observing the Earthlings without much thought.

Somehow, a strange reaction came back to me.

Choi Jin suddenly raised her gaze while patting her sister's back, and for some reason, from the moment our eyes met, she didn't move her black pupils and stared intently at me.

'A long eye contact.'

Come to think of it, whenever I did that, the Earthlings would get angry, saying that I was picking a fight with them.

'Huh? Picking a fight?'

I was briefly taken aback by the other party's hostile expression. But no matter how much I pondered, I couldn't easily guess the cause of her actions.

◈◈◈

A-rank hunter Choi Jin.

That person thought while stroking her sister's back.

Trying to hide her strength in front of a monster was really foolish.

Because of her recklessness, even her colleagues had to go through all sorts of hardships.

"Ha."

Choi Jin constantly unleashed self-criticism.

There were times when the blade of that criticism turned outward.

In a way, wasn't there someone else who was the cause of this?

If it weren't for that S-rank hunter, she wouldn't have decided to hide her skills.

'....'

Choi Jin closed her eyes tightly.

Yes. She actually knows everything.

The thoughts just now were just pathetic excuses, and this situation was actually resolved safely thanks to that hunter.

Choi Jin opened her closed eyes and looked at the park floor. There were still blatant red bloodstains there.

'Crazy bastard.'

She usually avoided using the expression that someone was out of their mind towards people.

But this time, she really had no other words to say.

━You even lent me the scissors for a moment.

━Scissors?

━Yes. The well-sharpened dismantling scissors you're holding in your hand.

Thud.

The reason that person cut his own flesh was simply to call Choi Jinhee to the ground. Who wouldn't be shocked by this?

There was no time to stop him.

As soon as Kim Giryeo received the dismantling tool, he did that without a moment's hesitation.

'Crazy....'

Choi Jin repeated the profanity she had been avoiding.

But on the other hand, she was also convinced that Kim Giryeo was more clear-headed than anyone else.

Top-tier awakened ones don't get drunk on alcohol. Unlike ordinary people, those hunters rarely lose their ability to think.

'It's even more chilling to think that he did that while sober.'

Then why did Kim Giryeo choose such a bizarre act among so many solutions?

"Sister, are you okay? Does your sister hurt too?"

Choi Jin somehow felt like she knew the reason.

Kim Giryeo is an S-rank hunter.

And he's a skilled S-rank that her cousin praised to the point of exhaustion.

But if such a person had tried to capture the vampire awakened one directly according to someone's hasty request…

Her sister might have been seriously injured by now.

That's what S-ranks are like.

A B-rank hunter's bones can be broken like a straw with just a small carelessness.

'I know that power well because I've been hit directly by an S-rank hunter.'

Perhaps Kim Giryeo also knew this fact, so he used the method of calling Jinhee with blood?

Thinking about it again, that's the mildest capture method.

And it seems that even when the awakened one who landed on the ground attacked, that S-rank hunter thought of the other party's safety first.

'He waited like a corpse for Jinhee to calm down.'

If it were Kang Changho, he would have already slapped the rude B-rank who grabbed his neck, and even Jeong Haseong would have struggled to get the vampire off even in that situation.

'....'

Choi Jin, who was organizing the incident, ultimately interpreted the actions of an S-rank hunter like this.

'He held back.'

He held back for my sister.

So that she wouldn't get hurt, even by any chance.

'How can he be like this....'

In fact, Giryeo was naturally unable to do anything because he had the body of a weak trash awakened one, but there was no way she would know the truth.

Soon, Choi Jin got up from her spot and bowed deeply to the hunter who approached her.

"Thank you for your help."

Her eyes no longer held the venom from before.

"It seems like you couldn't eat the meal you packed because of us, so I will definitely compensate you for the dakgalbi."

"Really?"

"And also for the potion you used earlier. If you just tell me what rank it was, I'll get you the same one immediately..."

Well, I was a little doubtful when I heard my sister say that Kim Giryeo willingly fed her his blood.

When I tried to exclude the first impression that was belatedly hammered in…

Choi Jin slowly grasped the essence of the hunter named Giryeo. He was more generous and amicable than she thought.

"No. You don't have to worry about that."

"Pardon?"

"Please don't worry about the potion. By the way, is your sister okay?"

With that cold face, he had a personality that could even be felt as kind.

This must be why Yunseung kept praising him as a noble person.

"Yes. Thanks to you, Hunter-nim, no one was seriously injured, so we're all fine."

Choi Jin continued the conversation with a much softer attitude. Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, she had something else she wanted to say to him.

"But Kim Giryeo-ssi, this is just out of concern, but..."

"Yes?"

"You usually go on raids with Kang Changho Hunter, right? Um, please don't take this the wrong way. I don't know why you maintain a friendship with someone like Kang Changho, but personally, I hope you never trust that hunter."

Soon, Choi Jin mentioned Kang Changho in a small voice.

If a normal person had such a hunter as a colleague, there was a high probability that Giryeo was being deceived in some way.

Choi Jin began to explain Kang Changho as she knew him, using words like 'opportunist' and 'personality disorder'.

Then, Kim Giryeo also resolved his past questions.

He finally realized why the dragon hunter had been hostile to him.

"Ah, you've been uncomfortable because of that all this time?"

I was wondering what it was.

Giryeo then stated clearly. He wasn't going along with that human because he liked him either.

"That guy is a son of a bitch to me too, so don't worry about it."

"Really? No, then why did you even think of going on raids with such a person? How could you trust him?"

Choi Jin asked back with a surprised look, but what came back was the S-rank shrugging his shoulders indifferently.

"It's a bit complicated to explain."

"Ah...."

"Maybe it's for a similar reason as you guys."

Huh?

But what does this mean?

Choi Jin raised her head as if she was puzzled by the sentence the other party had uttered, and Giryeo quietly looked down at her.

"Hmm, it was a bit ambiguous until the afternoon, but..."

The conversation continued a few seconds later.

"Choi Jin Hunter, I'm just asking just in case, but are you acquainted with Esther of the Korean Magic Tower?"

"No?"

Giryeo started with a somewhat sudden question. However, every statement had its own meaning.

After a long observation, he noticed another characteristic of the Choi sisters.

"Aha."

In fact, the sisters were both cursed.

And with a curse that was quite high-level.

But based on his experience so far, there were only two cases where a curse of this intensity manifested on Earth.

"Then, I guess you're in a state where you've signed the Knight's Oath?"

Giryeo mentioned the other possibility he had thought of. And immediately after this, the atmosphere in the open space changed rapidly.

Ch 177: Black Market （1）

Choi Jin said with a stiff face.

"…You're suddenly saying strange things. Anyway, I understand about Kang Changho, so please leave now, Hunter Kim. We also need to start preparing to leave work."

That's a strange reaction. So, Giryeo repeatedly delved into the topic.

However, that action only ended up eroding the favorability he had worked so hard to gain.

"I said, leave! How many times does a person have to say it before you understand! I'm already exhausted because it's late at night!"

The dragon slayer eventually refused to talk and even yelled.

'Goodness. I was trying to be considerate since he's Yunseung's relative, but….'

Everyone has secrets they don't want to talk about.

Besides, the curse that has taken root in his body is a problem that we can't solve anyway.

'Hmm. Well, nothing can be done about it.'

Giryeo thought for a moment, then accepted the situation. He received the money for the dakgalbi that Choi Jin gave him and left Chuncheon.

◈◈◈

━Whoosh.

…The heat, which is incomparable to what Choi Jin was emitting, stimulates the skin.

About 3 hours after returning to Seoul.

I was teaching Jeong Haseong basic madohak as usual. After this is over, I'll probably go home and eat the leftover dakgalbi.

It was the same daily routine as always.

"Hunter-nim, how was it just now?"

"Huh?"

"The skill I used to the side. I tried to concentrate my mana as much as possible as you told me."

"Ah, yes."

"...But I'm still a bit nervous. When you were acting like an F-rank, you still had me shoot the skills from a distance. Now, I have to practice with you right next to me."

First of all, Jeong Haseong didn't think it was too strange that my defense had drastically increased thanks to the 『Sacred Tree Sapling』.

Besides, it's almost next month, so I can get another 3 billion won for the lecture fee.

As you can see, my bank balance is rapidly increasing.

In addition, the item box I got recently has greatly improved the convenience. Where else could there be a better flow than this?

'Hmm....'

But.

In fact, even in this presumptuous peace, I was still uneasy.

The cause is someone's gaze that is still watching me from somewhere.

Kang Changho. After the last warning, we have been spending days that are too quiet....

'Damn it, this is so unsettling!'

It's just that there's no immediate problem.

Frankly, he was a ticking time bomb, who could cause an incident at any time for any reason.

Even if I listen to him obediently, he might suddenly change his mind and try to activate 『Enhancement Skill』.

'I regret the contract now.'

When I signed the oath, I didn't know that the handling of the troublemaker would be this slow.

A black, ruined lung. Moreover, the mana in his body is at a level that is embarrassing to even call him a magician.

'There's nothing I like about it.'

I had to get out of this shabby body somehow. That fact was always clear.

Increasing power and changing my body.

These are both goals that I must achieve, even if there is a slight difference in speed.

After finishing all the schedules.

As soon as I returned home, I checked the listings for the item I wanted again. It was a daily routine that I hadn't missed a single day.

◈◈◈

◈◈◈

◈◈◈

...To be precise, it used to be a routine.

『Search term: Dragon's Lung』

How many minutes had passed since then?

I sat alone in Kim Giryeo's one-room apartment, staring at my phone.

『Search result: 1 item』

Just so there's no misunderstanding, this doesn't mean that an item has been listed for sale, but that someone has expressed their intention to buy a 『Dragon's Lung』 on the purchase bulletin board.

Then, what is the desired purchase price that this someone has offered?

『76,800,000（USD）』

When I copied that unit and put it into a currency converter on a portal site, this was the result.

『102,924,288,000 Korean Won』

Ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million....

I repeatedly reviewed the number of digits I had just checked, but no matter how many times I checked, the result was.

"102 billion."

...I forgot to say this first. Actually, while I was in Chuncheon that morning, this news broke on TV.

『（Breaking News） The hidden function of the 'Dragon's Lung' is revealed.... Can you use Dragon Breath with just one potion?』

So, the market price of the despised item skyrocketed.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Why...!

How could such a terrible thing happen!

I collapsed, letting out a scream that sounded like my intestines were being ripped apart.

I can't believe it. When I first discovered that purchase post, I denied reality, thinking, 'Something must be wrong. Someone must have just scribbled down any number as a joke.'

Yesterday's news seems to have been quite famous overseas already.

A foreign hunter accidentally sneezed while drinking a potion that increased elemental resistance and discovered the hidden function of the lung.

That function is none other than the manifestation of Dragon Breath.

When it was revealed that the owner of a Dragon's Lung could emit the elemental attack of a dead magical beast if the conditions were met with a specific drug, the world was turned upside down.

'Damn it! Moreover, the power of the breath that comes out like this follows the rank of the dead dragon, not the user!'

And in the midst of all this, the biggest influence on the market price was the old oil tycoons of the Middle East.

Rumor has it that they jumped into the competition because they were curious about the fact that the owner of the lung could use superpowers even if they were not awakened?

Anyway, thanks to the interest of those Middle Eastern tycoons, the Dragon's Lung became a precious item belatedly.

The asking price is gradually increasing, and now it has reached a crazy price of 102 billion.

Experts explained that this was a temporary phenomenon since the number of times the breath could be used per day was low, but no one knows when the market price will drop.

I calmly scanned the opinions of people on the phone screen.

And with my face buried in the blanket, I shouted again.

"Oh, God!"

Honestly, how can a person not go crazy right now?

If you think about it calmly, dragons haven't appeared on Earth since the last Kagoshima Gate.

Even those Middle Eastern tycoons haven't been able to buy the lung yet, so there's a high probability that there aren't any extra organs in this world. Therefore, even if I had posted an unreasonable purchase offer of about 10 billion before the new effect was announced, there would have been no variables.

In other words, this means that it was a disaster that could not be prevented even if time was turned back.

It seems that this is the will of this world telling me to give up on the 『Dragon's Lung』.

Then what am I supposed to do from now on?

Should I pull out the lungs of a living person and stick them in my body?

But to do such a major surgery, I would have to go through the same kind of hell as when I was trying to gather 3 billion from the bottom.

"Why is this happening to me!"

It's a natural disaster. After thinking about it for a long time, I came to the conclusion that I had to scrap most of my plans.

'Somehow, somehow, I must at least move my soul....'

But what can I do? If they tell me to do it, I have to do it.

I shut my mouth and wracked my brain.

My heart was still bursting with anger, but there was no point in wasting emotions on something that couldn't be solved, so I soon calmed down that despair.

◈◈◈

100 billion.

At first, I thought about borrowing money, but it turns out that this world is quite strict with hunter loan applications.

'They say my credit is low because they don't know when I'll die.'

Then, should I diligently try to gather the target amount?

If I simply calculate with the lecture fee I receive from Haseong, it will take about 33 months to complete 100 billion.

But the problem is that the curriculum I created for Haseong is only for a maximum of 6 months.

'It's a bit much to extend it to 33 months.'

Besides, that plan to raise the lecture fee after the initial 3-month trial period.

That was also deemed half impossible at this point.

━Hunter Kim, by the way, about the tax treatment of the lecture fee I'm paying....

━Huh?

━You asked me to keep this transaction a secret, so you won't be registering a business separately. Then, since the scale is so large, it seems that the amount deposited will be considered a gift.

━....

━It's money that I'll be paying anyway, so is it okay if I handle the tax processing on my end?

The 3 billion I receive is.... not just a simple 3 billion.

In a world that has developed this much, there must be various taxes for politicians, but I had been short-sighted.

So, to get to the conclusion, the actual amount of money that Jeong Haseong is spending, including taxes, is a whopping 6 billion won in cash.

To be honest, even for an S-rank, it's a bit much to be taking this much every month. But if I get greedy here and try to raise the cost further, wouldn't the end be obvious?

'It's like the story of the goose that lays golden eggs.'

But if I sell the Epic-grade Hydra I have now.... I don't want to do that either.

Even I can see that the current lung price is too inflated.

It's a waste in many ways.

It seemed that the plan to buy a dragon's organ would be difficult to achieve for the time being.

So, I had no choice but to re-examine the backup plan that I had been avoiding.

That backup plan is this.

━—————–=

Extract the lung of a living human being

And transplant it in a fresh state.

Preparation 1. Lung donor

Preparation 2. Body to transfer into

Preparation 3. A total of five spell formulas needed to activate....

━—————–=

My head is already throbbing.

In this world with such strict laws, how am I supposed to catch a living person, and with my measly mana, what kind of guts do I have to use high-level magic?

'Besides, I haven't fully grasped the environment of Earth and the structure of Earthlings. Huh?'

I touched my temples with a hollow laugh.

"Haha...."

But well, as I said again, there's nothing that will change even if I fret alone.

If you think about it, it's not like the world is going to end today. Now, I decided to just have a cool and relaxed attitude.

'Well, there has to be this much of a variable for life to be interesting.'

Click.

I stopped thinking about miscellaneous things and pressed the square button in front of me. Then, a clear, song-like sound flowed from the distant air.

Looking at that, it seems that what I just pressed is indeed a doorbell.

"Hmm."

Looking around.

This was a detached house with monochrome walls. And there was only one reason why I came to such a remote building.

『Calling … Kang Changho ☎』

Before moving on to future plans, there was something I wanted to ask an S-rank hunter.

So, I've come all the way to his house. The topic I'm curious about is too ambiguous to discuss over the phone.

Ring ring ring. Ring ring ring.

After a few rings, the connection tone finally rang on my phone.

"Ah, Hunter Kang Changho! I've arrived now, so could you possibly...."

━Just open the door and come in.

The phone screen goes dark again. The other person said what they wanted to say and hung up.

Seeing that, I cautiously added 'execute the primitive sorcerer' to my future plans.

But that's something that will happen in the future, and today I should follow today's flow.

'Oh.'

Creak.

When I opened the large iron gate and entered, a green garden unfolded.

I proceeded in the direction where I could feel Kang Changho's mana, and then, when I crossed the front door, an unimaginable interior structure was revealed.

A spacious and open, antique space like an artist's atelier.

'Is this a place where people live?'

My eyes widened involuntarily.

Until now, I thought the house where Kim Giryeo lived was good enough, but now that I see it, it's not even as good as a dog house.

Kang Changho's residence was truly on a scale that couldn't be compared to someone's one-room apartment.

'Wow, he decorated his house like a resort.'

I walked down the quiet hallway.

After walking for a while, I finally saw the shadow of the awakened one I had been looking for through the window. An Earthling lying on a long, white chair placed outdoors.

It's Kang Changho.

"Hm?"

But if I'm not mistaken, he seems to be a bit wet....

'Huh. The building is so nice, but is the bathroom inconveniently outside?'

I tilted my head and approached where he was. And as I got closer to the place that was presumed to be the terrace, it gradually became clear why Kang Changho was in that state.

"A swimming pool?"

A structure filled with blue water.

I know that this is called a swimming pool. But I didn't expect it to be right there in a private residence.

"Why did you suddenly want to see my face?"

Kang Changho, who was lying on the sunbed, didn't even bother to get up and started talking.

The achromatic gown and the brightly shining Dragon's Eye are in stark contrast.

Then, since the homeowner asked the reason for the visit, I should naturally reveal it.

Glancing.

My eyes keep going to the private swimming pool, a possession of the rich.

My mouth is also slightly watering. To be honest, the words that I want to stay here for two days and play are coming up to my throat.

"First…. shall we go inside and talk for a bit?"

For the sake of the dignity of the Great Magician, I tried hard to hide my true feelings and held up the box in my hand.

[Fresh Fresh Orange Juice]

It's a national fruit drink set sold by Neo Sisters' parent company.

I recently found out that this country has a culture where visitors to a residence have to bring a gift.

As expected, since I'm from another planet, I'm still lacking in common sense.