“Hmm.”

The class leader of Division 5 approached quietly and secretively.

“Hey, Manager Cha.”

His voice was very cautious and low.

“What on earth is going on? How did things come to this?”

He looked at Manager Cha with eyes like a snake.

“Hehe. Manager Baek.”

The two had been long-standing rivals for years, constantly bickering and arguing.

“What’s going on? How is this situation unfolding?”

“What do you mean? Our Division 6 is about to become an elite group.”

Manager Cha had a smug grin on his face, appearing quite pleased with the current situation.

“What? What do you mean? Why is Lee Sooah Hunter suddenly stepping up like that? And why is she concerned about Division 6?”

“Why do you call us ‘Division 6’? What’s so great about Division 5?”

“Hehe. We’re obviously far better, right?”

They glared at each other.

“I heard the pay is increasing suddenly? Is that true?”

“Yep. Gradually, rank by rank.”

“Are you kidding? Then what about us?”

Manager Baek furrowed his brow, feeling not just competitive but struggling to understand the situation.

“Hehe… there’s no Baek Jihoon Hunter in Division 5, you know?”

“Baek Jihoon? Oh, you mean that new guy who’s rumored to be liked by Lee Sooah Hunter? That guy’s an E-Rank, isn’t he?”

“Hehe. I trust my discerning eye…”

“Ha. What a joke.”

Manager Baek of Division 5 grumbled and walked away.

“No, Manager! But really, what happened with Lee Sooah Hunter? What did she say that led to all of this?”

“No. I just casually made an excuse for Baek Jihoon. After that, Lee Sooah Hunter took the lead herself~”

“Lee Sooah Hunter? It seems like she hasn’t taken a stand like this in years… This is impressive, isn’t it? Almost newsworthy!”

“Yeah, especially since the S-Rank Hunters have been worried.”

The members of Division 6 wore expressions that seemed unable to adapt to the sudden changes. However, they were also filled with hopeful anticipation for the future.

“Oh ho ho. Speaking of Baek Jihoon, honestly, I underestimated him when I heard he was an E-Rank Hunter, right? I thought he was just being sent here for disposal.”

“Exactly. It felt like all the better talents were being taken by Divisions 1, 2, and 3, while we were left with the scraps. That side wouldn’t even take less than a C-Rank…”

“Ugh. Could it be that the days of sunshine are finally coming for Division 6?”

“Indeed! We should give it our best! I wonder if Baek Jihoon Hunter is doing well on his dispatch…”

“Yeah, I’m worried unnecessarily. Surely, he’s not quitting? He wouldn’t get caught by Yoo Hana Hunter…”

Everyone’s expressions grew slightly dark at this thought.

“Let’s all pay a bit more attention to Baek Jihoon Hunter. He might just become our lifeline.”

Manager Cha wore a look that suggested he was plotting something new.

*

“Hmm.”

Yoo Hana continued to look at me with a strange expression.

“What’s up…? Why does she keep looking at me like that?”

“Hmm. Baek Jihoon? Were you originally a Hunter? How long have you been a Hunter? Why are you still E-Rank?”

She seemed genuinely curious and had many questions.

I calmly answered her inquiries, avoiding the topic related to Chae Suhyeon.

There was no point in recounting bad past experiences.

“Hmm… So you volunteered to come here? Why are you here as an E-Rank Hunter? The Guild Master of the Blue Guild is definitely not an easy person to deal with, you know? There must be a reason for sending you, Baek Jihoon…”

She kept speaking without pause, glaring at me intently.

It felt like she had many suspicions.

“No, I don’t even know. I was just sent here. Besides, I’ve never met the Guild Master before.”

What I wanted to say was almost at my throat, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“Let’s not create unnecessary chaos. If I just keep my head down and return to the Blue Guild quietly, everything will be fine.”

This ridiculous dispatch.

Of course, meeting that famous top star like this was a pleasant surprise, but…

I couldn’t understand the current situation.

“Why is the Guild Master sending me? Is it just because I’m E-Rank and disposable bait?”

Being in a position where I didn’t know the backstory was just confusing.

“Ugh, I should’ve asked Hyungseok for more information.”

Hyungseok had said he was busy with a meeting concerning undersea realm hunters. After heading down to Busan, he went completely off the radar.

“Nowhere to ask and feeling awkward.”

I sat idly, feeling somewhat pointless. Yesterday, they had me doing various useless tasks, and today, all they did was stare at me and ask pointless questions.

“Ha… Hey? Is there any chance we could look at the next schedule…?”

Yoo Hana’s manager cautiously spoke up, appearing wary and concerned.

“Hmm. Yeah, alright. I’m fine with the schedule. Let’s go.”

“Huh? You’re okay…? Why? Why are you okay?”

“What?”

Yoo Hana glared at her manager.

“No, you usually reschedule when things get tough, saying you’re unwell. But now you’re okay…?”
“Oppa, when did I ever do that? Aren’t you being too harsh on me?”

“No… clearly… until now… you have…”

The manager’s voice trailed off like an ant scurrying.

“Oppa, stop talking nonsense and hurry up and prepare the car.”

“Yeah. Hey, Baek Jihoon, you’re going to drive the car now…”

“Oppa?”

“Yeah?”

“You do it.”

Yoo Hana was crossing her legs and flicking her fingers.

“Uh? Here, the slave… I mean, Baek Jihoon…”

“O-ppa. Do it.”

She said this in a very cold and intimidating tone.

The manager went to do his job without a word.

‘Sigh… the atmosphere is really bad. I’d rather be in the Blue Guild…’

I felt an inexplicable pressure fill the space. It reminded me a bit of when I met Lee Sooah. Of course, I felt that Yoo Hana was on another level than Sooah.

Lee Sooah was somewhat intimidating, but perhaps because there were many other people around, it wasn’t quite like this. However, Yoo Hana had a demeanor and posture that made her seem quite difficult to handle.

“Hmm. Baek Jihoon?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever thought of being a manager?”

“Uh…? What?”

I unintentionally blurted out a “huh” because the statement felt so out of context.

‘Manager? What on earth is this about all of a sudden?’

“No, Baek Jihoon. I feel like you would do well as a manager.”

She was looking at me with a rather complex expression.

Her eyes were sharp, yet there was a strangely wavering feeling.

“I belong to the Blue Guild, you know?”

“Ha. So, it seems you really can’t comprehend what I’m saying. I’m asking if you’d consider working under me, not in the Blue Guild~ that’s what this means.”

She rested her chin on her hand, appearing to ponder various things.

“It’s alright. I haven’t really gained enough guild experience yet. I’ve only just joined.”

“You just joined? Really?”

She furrowed her brow.

“Hmm. What’s this? Do you have some grudges against the Blue Guild? Shouldn’t you be groveling at my feet instead? What is this…”

She had a very displeased expression as she pouted.

“Anyway, what would it take for you to become a manager?”

“Excuse me?”

The conversation seemed to be drifting into a strange direction.

‘Why does this keep happening?’

“Well, I’ve never thought about it. I don’t know enough to be a manager.”

“Isn’t that the point? A manager doesn’t have to know everything. You just need to be beside me and manage well!”

It seemed my answer didn’t satisfy her, and she began to sulk.

‘Isn’t there already a manager doing well? I don’t see any shortage of help.’

“Hey, Hana. The car’s ready. Let’s go.”

The manager returned with a cheery smile, looking very pleased that Yoo Hana wasn’t postponing her schedule.

“Okay, let’s go. The next shoot is the photoshoot, right?”

Yoo Hana stood up with a haughty demeanor and stepped out the door.

*

“Ah~~ Yoo Hana, you look amazing!”

“Why do you look so beautiful today?”

“Give us a look here too.”

“Wow, incredibly sexy. I’m really looking forward to the results today!”

“Now look this way a bit. Could you slightly tilt your head? Lifting your left leg a little would be great.”

“Ah~~ perfect! You’re stunning!”

The photographer continued to shower Yoo Hana with compliments.

He seemed to be in a very good mood, just like her manager.

Yoo Hana’s manager was clapping his hands from a distance, looking delighted.

“Yoo Hana! Just keep doing this! If you did this every day, wouldn’t it be great? No tardiness! Work hard on the shoot! So beautiful~~”

“I was already beautiful, you know, photographer.”

“Oh, who doesn’t know how beautiful Yoo Hana is? It’s the attitude that’s the problem!”

“Ha, why me? I’ve been working hard until now!”

“We know you’re working hard, but you’ve been late and said a lot of things, haven’t you?”

“When did I ever do that? I’m not that kind of person!”

Yoo Hana quickly glanced in my direction.

‘Hmm. Is she really that kind of person?’

Of course, I wouldn’t know how she normally acted, being just a regular public person.

But seeing her joke around with the photographer didn’t seem like she was a bad person.

Her professional demeanor somewhat overlapped with Lee Sooah’s.

“Alright, everyone. Now that we’ve all rested, let’s move on to the next shoot~~”

“Yes!!”

The staff started to move busily.

“Excuse me… um… photographer?”

Someone rushed in, looking flustered.

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“Lee Sooah has arrived…”

“Wait?? Lee Sooah? The S-Rank Hunter from the Blue Guild?”

“Yes….”

The photographer dashed out in a frenzy.

‘Huh? Lee Sooah? Why is she here?’

I felt a mix of delight and confusion.