When the doorbell rang, Lee Seong-jun hadn't expected to see a familiar face. Standing beyond the intercom screen was none other than Anna Faris, smiling awkwardly as she waved.
He immediately understood why the guards hadn't stopped her. They wouldn't dare. Anna Faris wasn't just a prominent figure in the Overlord Guild—she was a symbol of peace, a hunter revered worldwide for her efforts to protect humanity.
Still, the visit was… strange.
'Why come here in person?' he wondered. They'd just spoken at the Hunter Association not long ago, and nothing she'd said had hinted at urgent business.
"What's going on?" he asked, stepping to the door.
"There's nothing serious," she replied quickly. "I just… need to buy a few things, but I don't really know where to go."
Seong-jun blinked. "Didn't the Association assign you a guide? Hold on, I'll call them now—"
"No!" Anna interrupted hastily. "I, um… I'm a little shy."
"…Shy?"
That didn't match her public persona at all. The woman known for boldly facing dragons and leading missions across continents was now too bashful to go shopping? Still, Seong-jun decided not to press.
'Actually, this might work out,' he thought. He'd been planning to discuss some matters related to the World Returnees' Association anyway. This would be a good chance.
"Alright," he said with a small smile. "I'll be your guide."
"Thank you so much!" she beamed.
"I'll get ready. Wait a moment."
"Sure! Take your time—I'll wait as long as you need!"
In the mirror, Anna tilted her head, studying her reflection. "Martial arts really are amazing," she murmured.
Seong-jun glanced over. "Can't you do something similar with magic? You already use polymorph, don't you?"
"It's possible," she admitted, "but it's much more complex. Altering the body itself is harder than you think. I'd rather freeze an entire street than tweak a face."
"I see. So martial arts affect the body directly, while magic influences the world around it…"
"Exactly."
Her words stirred something in him. Could martial arts evolve by borrowing elements from magic? The idea stayed with him even as Anna approached with a bright, genuine smile.
"Thank you for doing this. Thanks to you, I can finally enjoy shopping without worrying."
She wasn't exaggerating. As a world-renowned hunter, her mere appearance in public usually caused chaos—crowds, cameras, endless attention. Shopping freely was a luxury she hadn't known in years.
"I'm happy to help," Seong-jun said, though her radiant smile made him avert his gaze awkwardly. "Let's go. You said there's a lot to buy."
"Right!"
The two set out together. Thanks to his reverse technique, Anna's magical disguise was flawless—yet she still drew stares everywhere they went.
"Did you see her?" someone whispered. "She's gorgeous."
"Even prettier than a celebrity."
"I'd marry her on the spot."
Seong-jun sighed inwardly. 'Even disguised, she still stands out.' No spell could mask the natural grace of a dragon.
"She really is… striking," he muttered without thinking.
Anna's ears perked up instantly. "What was that?"
Her cheeks flushed red as she turned toward him.
"Ah—sorry," he stammered. "That might've been rude. I didn't mean to offend—"
Dragons were proud beings, and though Anna appeared human, her dignity was that of a monarch. The word "pretty" might have sounded patronizing.
"I only meant that your human form is beautifully refined," he added quickly. "It wasn't meant as mockery."
Anna's brow twitched. "Stop talking before I actually get angry."
The chill in her voice froze the air between them.
Moments later, she stormed ahead, arms crossed.
"Was I too harsh?" he asked quietly.
"It was really bad," she replied flatly without turning around.
He followed a few steps behind, guilt gnawing at him. 'I should've kept my mouth shut.'
For several minutes, silence hung heavy. Then Anna slowed, her shoulders relaxing. She looked back with a faint sigh.
"I'm sorry. I overreacted."
"No, I was careless," he said quickly. "I forgot you're—well, a dragon."
Her lips twitched. "That makes it worse, you know. But fine. You came out to help me, right?"
"I did," he nodded.
"Then let me treat you to dinner. I know a great restaurant!"
"I thought you didn't know your way around."
"I remembered that one easily," she said with a proud grin. "You'll love it!"
The restaurant, unfortunately, didn't live up to its fame.
"It doesn't taste good," Anna muttered after the first bite.
"It's not that bad," Seong-jun offered.
"But the reviews were amazing online."
"Where did you see them?"
"Here." She handed him her phone.
"…Treewiki?" His expression darkened. "You got your info from Treewiki?"
"Is that bad?"
"You've been fooled."
Still, the food was edible, and after eating, they continued their errands, buying magical supplies and everyday items until the sun began to set.
When they were nearly done, Anna brightened. "Let's stop by the department store. I want to buy some clothes."
"Sure."
They entered the building, stepping into an elevator. Anna pressed the button for the third floor without hesitation.
Seong-jun blinked. "That's the women's section."
She stared straight ahead, her voice calm. "Among dragons, it's tradition. When we reach adulthood, we choose our gender."
"Wait—what?"
She stepped out as the doors opened, leaving him speechless behind her.
Her words replayed in his mind. After adulthood, they choose… their gender. Judging from her appearance and behavior—
'She's female,' he realized.
And when he recalled their day—shopping, dining, walking side by side—it all resembled something else entirely.
'Was this… a date?'
He shook the thought away, flustered. Anna, on the other hand, was cheerfully holding up a dress. "Wow! This one's so cute!"
By the end of the day, the tension between them had vanished. They parted with smiles, their errands complete and their business regarding the World Returnees' Association settled for now.
Yet, long after she left, Seong-jun found himself standing by the Imjin River, the moonlight shimmering on the water's surface.
'Martial arts and magic,' he mused. 'They're born from the same energy—then why are they divided?'
He closed his eyes, letting the night wind wash over him as he sank deeper into thought, unaware that his next breakthrough was already stirring within him.