"Since the 'Hunter's Night' event is coming up, there will be an award ceremony. I should quickly check with the responsible person."
"What? Brother, I appreciate it, but responding to the rift as a hunter isn't part of the criteria, right?"
It might sound strange, but that's how it is. The reason is that, until ten years ago, a lot of rewards were given under the pretext of honoring brave hunters.
Since hunters frequently enter dungeons, the reasons for rewards were often fabricated. This led to widespread arbitrary reward distributions.
After that, simple reasons like "responded well to the rift" or "diligently cleared the dungeon" were banned. Specific reasons and strict reviews became mandatory.
Every rule has its reason...
"That's not the case. Even though you're an Awakened, Lee, you're not affiliated with any guild or public institution. Taking action in a situation where you had no obligation is a significant achievement."
"Well, I just did it because I was worried about the part-time workers at our store."
"That makes it even more impressive."
"Hmm."
Now that I think about it, Kwon Jiwoon seems quite resourceful.
Why didn't I notice it before? Or did I just not want to notice?
Feeling embarrassed, I opened my mouth to speak, but the door to the reception room opened after a knock.
"You're right, Hunter Kwon Jiwoon."
"Uh... Jina? You were here?"
"I just heard the details from Hunter Gi Hyun. It seems you deserve a reward. I'll inform the responsible person."
"But... it's fine, really... Jina, aren't you busy?"
"No, it's no trouble at all. Please leave it to me."
...
...
The review process went smoothly.
And today has finally arrived.
Receiving the reward and the bonus (a meal voucher for the <Dungeon Management Agency> cafeteria and a fee discount voucher for the <Hunter Market>) is good, but it's more embarrassing than I thought.
"Since it's this late, how about lunch?"
Kwon Jiwoon asked me.
Well, I fed the animals generously before leaving and prepared As's lunch, so it should be fine.
"Sure, sounds good. Where are we going?"
Just as Kwon Jiwoon and I were about to leave the event venue, Jina approached me from the opposite direction.
"Lee, congratulations."
"Ahaha, thank you."
As expected, Jina's brother, Ji Joon, was immediately arrested after returning to his original form.
It wasn't for attempted murder. Regarding the incident where Grandma Kim Deok's shop was set on fire, Ji Joon was no longer a suspect and was only a key witness.
However, even considering the circumstances, there are suspicions of his involvement in various illegal activities. It's hard to avoid punishment, but we'll have to wait for the investigation results.
"Well, that man's actions are his own doing. It's fortunate that he saved his life. I hope he reforms after being punished."
Jina said this, but...
She looks tired, but her expression is more relaxed. I felt relieved seeing her.
The family of a public official affiliated with the main office was a key witness in a major case. Because of this, Jina decided to quit the <Dungeon Management Agency>.
She had her reasons, and there was probably pressure from her surroundings.
However, the person who unexpectedly stepped forward was her superior, the emergency dungeon response team leader, Hunter Kang Hyun Woo.
"We cannot afford to lose an excellent assistant like Jina."
"Please stay with the main office. Jina hasn't done anything wrong."
Thanks to his full support, she decided not to quit.
I'm very curious about this part. I want to hear the details.
"Jina, are you going for lunch? Want to join us?"
"I'd love to, but... I'm just out for a short while today to see you receive the award. I need to go back soon."
Oh...
Jina was holding several folders in one hand and a book in the other.
The title caught my eye.
"<Dungeon Management Agency> Non-Awakened Promotion Exam Preparation: The Final Complete Guide in One Book."
That's it. A very slow, one-hit blunt weapon. It looks like it could send someone flying with one swing.
It seems Hunter Kang Hyun Woo's words left a strong impression on Jina. She left with a determined step, carrying the one-hit blunt weapon, or rather, the book.
...Next time I meet her, I'll make a strong cup of coffee for her.
* * *
After parting ways with Jina, Kwon Jiwoon and I were walking to the restaurant he had reserved.
"......?"
I encountered a child wearing a well-fitted black suit.
His hair was neatly combed, revealing his forehead, and his face was expressionless. He seemed indifferent to the surrounding adults and had a cold, bored look in his eyes.
A chilly atmosphere made it hard to approach him.
I saw a few people try to talk to him but back off due to his cold response.
He looks familiar. Is it just my imagination?
"Lee, what's wrong?"
"Ah, nothing. I'm going now."
Kwon Jiwoon called me from five steps ahead. I quickly tried to follow him.
"......Ah."
However, I met the child's eyes as he turned his head this way.
His cold face suddenly turned red.
"Hey! Come here quickly!"
"What? I told you not to call me for trivial things because it annoys me."
"Idiot! This isn't the time for that!"
He grabbed another child, who looked exactly the same, from a short distance away. Then they both started running towards me.
Could it be... those kids are...
"Hello, sister! What's going on here? I was surprised!"
"Idiot! Didn't you know I was receiving an award today? I knew!"
"Who said you could call me sister, idiot!"
"You can call me sister..."
"What? You said it's fine!"
"I wanted to see you receive the award too! I had some really annoying things to do today. Congratulations. You look really cool."
"Congratulations!"
Before I could finish my sentence, their cheerful voices poured in.
They were Joo Shin Woo and Joo Shin Hee, the twins. Their appearance in suits was so different that I didn't recognize them at first.
No, it wasn't the clothes... it was that cold expression that was so different.
"Wait! Hunter Joo Shin Hee, we need to finish our conversation."
At that moment, the person who had been persistently talking to Joo Shin Hee earlier shouted and tried to grab her shoulder...
"......Get lost."
She glared at him, and he backed off.
Right, that's how it used to be before the regression.
Hmm. I need to detox from dungeons more seriously...
I didn't see the figures of Gi Hyun or Han In Sung nearby.
We were in front of the main conference room of the <Dungeon Management Agency> main office. Did they come here for some business?
"Where are you going, sister?"
"I'm going to have lunch now."
"......Lee."
Kwon Jiwoon, who hadn't seen me for a while, came back from the front.
"Ah, I just met some acquaintances."
"Is that so?"
"......!"
The twins looked at Kwon Jiwoon with wide eyes.
Their eyes darted back and forth between me and Kwon Jiwoon, and they seemed tense. Why? Are these kids wary of other hunters?
They turned to each other and whispered for a moment. Then Joo Shin Hee spoke up first, determinedly.
"Gi... Hunter Gi Hyun really wanted to come today!"
"Y-Yeah! He really wanted to come and congratulate you!"
"Sister, he didn't intentionally skip it."
I know. I already received his congratulations over the phone.
Since I saved the long-tailed phoenix and helped Kwon Jiwoon, it felt awkward to receive the award alone. Gi Hyun, being a guild-affiliated hunter, wasn't eligible for the award.
He seemed to not mind it much...
"Why do you think that? It's a legitimate reward for what Lee did. Accept it with peace of mind. It's a shame he couldn't attend in person."
"Ah, he was busy that day?"
"Yes, he had some annoying things to deal with. And there are people at the main office who might find it uncomfortable to see me."
"What did he do to end up like that..."
"Ha ha, it just happened... I congratulate you in advance."
That was the conversation we had.
"Yeah, I heard. He said he was busy?"
It seemed Joo Shin Woo wanted to defend Gi Hyun and quickly nodded.
"Yes! If that old raccoon had just spoken up earlier, it would have been fine... Ouch! Ouch!"
Joo Shin Hee pinched Joo Shin Woo mercilessly and lowered her voice.
"Idiot! What if you tell that story! He said it was a secret."
"But, if that old raccoon hadn't been so stubborn, it would have been fine. He said you were having lunch with that white-haired guy."
"It's okay. From what I see, Gi... Hunter Gi Hyun still has the upper hand."
"Really?!"
"Yes, it's lunch, not dinner, so there's still a chance. Dinner is risky, though!"
Kids, I can hear everything...
I get the gist of the misunderstanding, but this could go on forever.
I swallowed a bitter smile and introduced the twins to Kwon Jiwoon.
"Brother, you probably know these kids. They are Joo Shin Hee and Joo Shin Woo from the <Cheongra Guild>."