Park Hee-Young. A senior member of the <Silver Guild> and a B-rank tank, she was the shield for Kwon Ji-Woon.
Park Hee-Young was dedicated to protecting Kwon Ji-Woon, a healer, and tried to block anything that interfered with him, both inside and outside the dungeon.
For example... me, a regular relative who was no help at all.
"Mr. Kwon, don't you understand the situation? Hunter Kwon Ji-Woon is one of the top healers in the country. He doesn't have time to deal with trivial matters."
"But I need to pass this on..."
"Give it to me. I'll pass it on."
"Please tell him to contact me."
"Stop nagging. He'll contact you when he has time."
Because of such treatment, I naturally visited the guild less often. Well, Kwon Ji-Woon didn't contact me either, so Park Hee-Young was right.
The last time I came, she happened to be absent, which was good, but this time my luck was bad.
Sure enough, when she saw me, Park Hee-Young frowned. She was skilled at showing her displeasure just through her expression.
"What do you want now?"
I didn't want to come either.
"Didn't you know that a rift opened a few days ago, and the hunters are busy? The deputy guild master has a schedule today and isn't here."
I came because Kwon Ji-Woon called me, but being treated like an uninvited guest made me angry. I didn't hide my displeasure and spoke bluntly.
"What does it matter to Hunter Park Hee-Young if it's a family matter? I'll decide whether to meet or not."
"He's not here, I told you."
"Who would come here willingly? I wouldn't come even if I didn't want to see you."
"Mr. Kwon!"
Her loud voice made the door to the guild master's office open. Kwon Ji-Woon saw me and asked with a puzzled look.
"Kwon Ji-Woon, if you came, why didn't you come in? What are you doing out there? What's going on, Hunter Park Hee-Young?"
The stiff Park Hee-Young immediately looked flustered. Of course, he wasn't there. She was lying.
"I was just about to guide Miss Lee-wool in."
What a smooth talker. Seeing her polite and kind attitude, which was different from before, was astonishing.
"Why didn't you guide her inside? Didn't you say you had a schedule today?"
"Well, it changed suddenly..."
"Whatever. I'll hear about it later. Kwon Ji-Woon, come in."
I glanced at Park Hee-Young with a sidelong glance and followed Kwon Ji-Woon into the reception room.
* * *
Something felt off.
I couldn't pinpoint it, but the atmosphere was strange.
I sat on the sofa in the reception room, and a staff member brought tea and snacks. I chewed on the crispy snacks and waited for Kwon Ji-Woon to speak.
"......?"
But he didn't say anything. Surprised by the unexpected silence, I looked up, and saw Kwon Ji-Woon moving his lips.
After I ate two more tasteless snacks from the plate, Kwon Ji-Woon finally spoke.
"How have you been lately?"
"Um, well..."
I spoke awkwardly. Hearing such an out-of-place greeting made me feel uncomfortable. I felt like the snacks I just ate would come back up.
"Didn't you get a shock before? Are you feeling well? If you have any pain, don't hold it in and tell me."
"Um, I'm fine."
I thought he would immediately ask, 'You awakened, right?'
Kwon Ji-Woon continued to beat around the bush.
"Lee-wool, you're 23 this year, right?"
"Um..."
"It's been over three years since you moved out."
"..."
It's not like we met on a holiday... If I let him continue, he would probably start talking about trivial matters. It would be better to take the hit first.
"What do you want to say?"
"I'm against you becoming a hunter."
"What?"
I doubted my ears at his sudden statement. However, Kwon Ji-Woon looked serious.
"They are arrogant and self-centered. I don't want you to get involved with such people."
"Um... I don't particularly like hunters either."
I just happened to awaken.
"Good, you've thought it through. Even though you're an adult now, Lee-wool... It's still too early for you."
What is he talking about? Is there such a thing as being too early or too late to awaken? There are many awakeners who are elementary school age. I was puzzled.
However, Kwon Ji-Woon seemed lost in thought and then suddenly changed the subject.
"I didn't agree with you opening a cafe in that place. How about coming to the first floor of our guild? It would be much better than there."
"......What?"
Is this what it was all about?
I don't want to.
Although I suddenly awakened and entered the dungeon, and things took an unexpected turn, I've been preparing to open the cafe little by little.
Moreover, if I stay on the first floor of this guild, I would have to keep seeing people like Park Hee-Young. I think she treats me poorly because she's doing it for Kwon Ji-Woon.
I don't want to keep confirming that I'm a burden to Kwon Ji-Woon. I want to run the cafe leisurely, but not with his money.
Feeling that my efforts were being negated, my mood quickly sank.
I had hoped that he called me to talk about something different, something more family-like.
But that was unlikely.
"I'll handle it myself. Did you call me just to say that?"
I stood up, indicating I didn't want to hear more, but Kwon Ji-Woon held me back. He seemed to have more to say and spoke quickly and urgently.
"I met Hunter Han In-Sung and heard everything."
"So what?"
"He said a hunter from his guild is hitting on you."
"......What?"
Could he be talking about Ki Yu-Hyun?
"Does he come to your shop every day? If you don't like it, tell him. I'll make sure he doesn't come near you."
Only then did I realize Kwon Ji-Woon was misunderstanding.
Hitting on... what?
At first, I thought I had misheard.
"Could it be... Mr. Yu-Hyun?"
"Are you already on such familiar terms?"
"Then what should I call him... I can't call him 'hey' or 'you' or 'that guy'..."
I mean, I can't call him that.
So, in other words.
He didn't realize I had awakened but thought Ki Yu-Hyun had ulterior motives.
It's fortunate that he didn't find out about my awakening...
I shook my head in disgust.
"Are you crazy? That's not it. Stop saying nonsense."
Ki Yu-Hyun has come to my shop a few times recently to drink coffee.
But he really comes to drink coffee.
He acts strangely familiar and smiles broadly every time he drinks coffee, but...
"Then it's not true?"
"Of course not."
I wonder what Hunter Han In-Sung said to cause such a ridiculous misunderstanding.
"Well, I thought it was strange."
"Right?"
I was relieved that the misunderstanding was cleared up, but...
"Someone like that is not suitable for you."
What...?
I was so surprised by Kwon Ji-Woon's sudden outburst that I almost fainted.
Objectively, isn't Ki Yu-Hyun handsome to the point of being intimidating?
"Wait, what kind of person would be suitable?"
"If it's a hunter, they should be... strong, first of all."
"How strong?"
"Strong enough to not lose to anyone."
"......"
"But it's not good to be strong and use that strength recklessly. They should quietly fulfill their role."
"......"
What is this, did he watch a movie about a dark hero last night?
Besides, isn't there only one person in Korea who fits that description?
Well, let's respect his taste...
I felt a bit deflated and took out the thermos I had brought.
I had brought it, so I might as well give it to him.
"Stop talking nonsense and try this."
"What is this?"
"It's coffee I made."
"You made coffee? Forget it, take it back."
"Throw it away if you don't need it."
"......No."
Kwon Ji-Woon took the thermos with a complicated expression but didn't seem to want to throw it away.
There's really nothing else to say. I immediately left the guild master's office.
* * *
I was about to leave the <Silver Guild>.
Thud.
My body swayed after colliding with a solid object. I had bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction while not looking ahead.
"Oops, sorry."
I bowed and tried to continue walking, but someone blocked my path.
"Ji-Woon?"
"Yes?"
I looked up and saw... a man who looked like he enjoyed sports.
He had wavy golden hair, a sun-tanned brown skin, and thick, muscular arms.
He seemed to recognize me, but I couldn't place where I had seen him.
Despite the warm weather, he was only wearing a thin tracksuit and smiled, trying to be friendly.
"Can't you recognize me?"
Hearing his voice, a name popped into my head.
"Um, could it be... Choi E-Chan?"
"Yep, that's me! I didn't expect to meet you here. It's been a while!"
I was so surprised that I just stared at him blankly.
Choi E-Chan was my high school friend. We often bought snacks together from the school canteen.
'He used to be so small...'
He was small and quiet, often a target for bullying.
Now, I had to tilt my head back to see his face. His shoulders were broad, and his arms were muscular and solid.
No wonder I didn't recognize him right away.
"Hey, wait a moment."
Choi E-Chan suddenly ran off to help someone.
He helped an old lady with her bags on the other side of the crosswalk. Then he helped someone with a stroller, a person with a walking difficulty, and a child who almost fell on the crosswalk...
It took a while for him to return to me.
It really is Choi E-Chan. He's always been the type to help people in need.
But if my memory serves me right, Choi E-Chan should be in the military service around this time.
And after he was discharged...
My heart started pounding heavily.
A buried memory began to sting in my mind.
After he was discharged, it was certain...
"Hey! Haven't you heard the news yet?"
Choi E-Chan smiled brightly.
"News? What news?"
"Shin Mi-Ra said she told you."
I took out my phone. In the meantime, Shin Mi-Ra had sent a reply via KakaoTalk.
[Shin Mi-Ra: Who do you think it is?]
[Shin Mi-Ra: Choi E-Chan.]
[Shin Mi-Ra: Choi E-Chan awakened and was immediately discharged. He wants to meet up sometime.]
"Awoke...?"
"Yep, so I was discharged recently. Haha."
...He's still alive.
I couldn't voice the thought that came to mind and swallowed it back.
The buried memory suddenly surfaced, like a fog lifting.