The next morning, I left the house early, feeling excited.

After taking public transportation, I arrived at the Wing Guild building. As I entered the office, two familiar faces greeted me.

Ms. Dayoung was comfortably sipping coffee, while Mr. Hangyeol, who had been slumped over the table, quickly sat up.

“Sihyun! Welcome!”

“Oh, long time no see, Ms. Sihyun.”

“Hello.”

After a quick greeting, I sat down next to Dayoung as she gestured.

“Want a cup of coffee?”

“No, I’ll just take the items and head back.”

“No need to rush, you know.”

“…I don’t really have any other plans.”

“Heh, that’s true, I suppose.”

Looking a bit disappointed, Ms. Dayoung opened her status screen and took out two bracelets, handing them to me.

“These two make a set, as we discussed. Want to test their functions?”

“Yes.”

I took the bracelets. Without a status screen, I’d have to analyze them closely to understand their details.

But since I trusted Ms. Dayoung, I nodded and pocketed them.

“For now, it’s just an alarm function and location-sharing, but we’ll make an even better one next time.”

“I’ll be counting on you then.”

“Of course!”

We shook hands. The bracelets were designed for general use, so even non-hunters could wear them. I learned how to use them so I could explain it to Si-yoon as well.

With everything taken care of, I stood up, ready to leave.

Just then, my eyes met Hangyeol’s, and he seemed hesitant, like he wanted to say something.

“…Is there something you need?”

“Ah, no, it’s just…”

Hangyeol opened his mouth, then closed it, looking unsure. Watching him, I suddenly remembered something from that night with Ms. Dayoung.

“Mr. Hangyeol.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Would you… like to exchange numbers?”

“……!”

Suddenly, his smile spread so wide it practically touched his ears.

“Yes! Sure thing!”

“Alright.”

*Pfft…*

I heard a laugh and glanced over to see Ms. Dayoung covering her mouth, grinning. What was so funny?

Anyway, I successfully exchanged numbers with Hangyeol.

Maybe someday it won’t feel as special, but… right now, I don’t even have enough contacts to fill a single screen, so even just one more feels exciting. My heart felt a bit warm and tingly. I should keep expanding this list. Hehe…

“Well, see you next time.”

“Yep!”

“Catch you later.”

After a quick goodbye, I stepped outside. Almost unconsciously, I checked my phone and saw a message from Si-yoon.

- Ji-a is coming up to Seoul today! She’ll stop by our place tonight.

Seems like I’ll be seeing an old friend again.

---

The Academy. Established to improve the efficiency and safety of hunters in the aftermath of the Great Cataclysm.

Since most hunters are adults, the Academy borrows a lot from university systems. Of course, as a specialized institution, there are also significant differences.

One of the most notable differences is that many of the professors are either current or retired hunters.

A car pulled up on the Academy grounds, parking in front of a building used by faculty members.

The driver’s door opened, and a young woman with a delicate appearance stepped out. Her medium-length hair fell just past her shoulders, and she wore a neat office outfit.

She walked into the building confidently, as if she’d been here many times. Soon, she stopped in front of a door with a nameplate.

*Academy President’s Office*

After knocking, she entered upon hearing a response. A woman in her late 30s, seated in an office chair, stood to greet her.

“Ji-a, you’re here?”

“Good to see you again, Madam President.”

After exchanging greetings, the two moved to a table and sat across from each other.

“I heard the news—you cleared a mid-sized B-rank dungeon by yourself?”

“Well, I am an A-rank hunter, after all.”

“Still, it’s risky to go alone.”

The president shook her head lightly.

While dungeon rank and size vary depending on a hunter’s profession, it’s generally best to have at least four hunters of the same rank to maximize safety and profit.

The higher the dungeon rank, the more important it becomes to have a group. Even though A-rank hunters are rare, it’s unusual for one to go solo.

“Well, you’re the one who retired early.”

“Hey, don’t blame that on me!”

The two shared a lighthearted laugh, exchanging playful banter. Before retiring, the president had been Ji-a’s partner in the field.

The women sipped coffee, catching up on recent events.

Ji-a recounted her experiences in recent dungeons, while the president discussed the challenges of running the Academy. Various topics came up.

“You’re short on faculty?”

“Well, active hunters earn much more than retired ones.”

“That makes sense.”

“Research on mana is also progressing slowly. I wonder if we’ll ever get a returnee like the ones in the U.S….”

“…Hmm.”

It’s been a little over five years since the Great Cataclysm. Short for some, long for others.

Countries worldwide have been actively researching mana and status screens.

While new uses for mana stones are constantly being discovered, progress in understanding mana itself is slow.

There’s no understanding of the principles behind mana or status screens. Gates can now be predicted, but their causes remain unknown.

Furthermore, anomalies in special dungeons sometimes go undetected.

“Want to guest lecture next semester?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“You’ll probably be busy dungeon-running again.”

“Haha…”

Ji-a responded with an awkward laugh to the president’s grumbling.

After chatting about various trivial matters, Ji-a eventually rose to leave.

“I’ll head out now.”

“Take care.”

Exchanging farewells, Ji-a checked the time after leaving the president’s office.

If she left now, she’d arrive at Si-yoon’s place right on time.

---

*Ding-dong!*

Loaded with snacks, Ji-a pressed the doorbell. A moment later, the door opened, and a woman with a cold expression peeked out.

“Hmm?”

“Oh…”

Though they hadn’t seen each other in five years, both women recognized each other instantly, having been updated by Si-yoon.

“It’s really you, Sihyun?”

“Yeah… Long time no see.”

Sihyun offered a somewhat awkward smile and stepped aside to let Ji-a in.

Returning to the living room first, Sihyun looked back as Ji-a took off her shoes. Though she’d been forewarned, seeing it in person was surprising.

“Come on in, Sis!” 

“How’ve you been?”

Si-yoon welcomed Ji-a warmly. 

After her brother, Sihyun, went missing in the Great Cataclysm five years ago, it was Ji-a who had supported and helped her as she became an orphan. They had grown as close as sisters.

Sihyun watched as Ji-a put down the bags she’d brought and spoke up.

“Um… Ji-a…”

“Yes?”

“Well, I… just wanted to say thank you! I heard how much you helped Si-yoon, and I really… I’m very grateful.”

Sihyun bowed, expressing her gratitude.

Ji-a’s eyes widened for a moment, then she chuckled softly, responding with a calm voice.

“Haha, I only helped a little now and then, right, Si-yoon?”

“Yes, she helped a lot, especially when I was settling in Seoul!”

“Nowhere is completely safe, but Seoul is still one of the better options.”

After speaking, Ji-a placed a hand on Sihyun’s shoulder, encouraging her to straighten up.

While the gratitude was nice, Ji-a hadn’t done it expecting anything in return. Being so formal felt a bit stiff.

“Honestly, I can hardly remember how you looked back then, but you’ve changed so much.”

“…It’s still strange for me too.”

Seeing Ji-a’s exaggerated reaction, Sihyun gave a wry smile.

Then, the three of them unpacked the bags Ji-a had brought. They set the food on the table and placed drinks in the fridge.

Once everything was ready, they each got comfortable and began catching up.

Ji-a started by talking to Si-yoon.

“Si-yoon, these days, how’s your ro—uh, ro—oom cleaning going?”

Si-yoon, moving at lightning speed, clapped a hand over Ji-a’s mouth.

As Ji-a rolled her eyes at her, they exchanged a look of mutual understanding. Si-yoon shook her head fiercely, eyes pleading.

When Ji-a finally nodded, she released her hand.

“Ugh… Did you really have to?”

“It’s embarrassing! …I’ll be better about cleaning.”

“Yeah, sure, cleaning your room.”

Watching them, Sihyun tilted her head in confusion. *“Isn’t it already clean?”* she wondered.

Seeing her reaction, Si-yoon let out a sigh of relief.

“By the way, still no updates on returnees?”

“Not yet.”

Ji-a looked thoughtfully at Sihyun.

If even the Academy’s president didn’t know, it had to be classified information. Ji-a herself only knew the basics from what Si-yoon had told her.

“I know you returned, and you’re a hunter now. What’s your rank?”

“I’m E-rank.”

“Ah, what’s your class?”

“Holy Knight.”

After answering, S

ihyun noticed soft laughter from her side. Si-yoon was stifling a laugh with her hand.

…Well, there was no need to keep it hidden. Changing her mind, Sihyun spoke up.

“…Actually, I’m a Saint.”

“Sorry, could you repeat that?”

Though she’d heard the words, Ji-a’s brain couldn’t quite process them. Si-yoon repeated it for her.

“S-a-i-n-t.”

Emphasizing each syllable, Si-yoon spelled out the class title. Now understanding, Ji-a stared at Sihyun.

“…Why?”

“No reason.”

Ji-a thought blankly, *Sure, I guess she does look like a Saint.*

Pure white hair, as clean and clear as freshly fallen snow. Gorgeous golden eyes that seemed to gleam with radiance.

Now that she thought about it, Sihyun’s gentle smile did carry an air of grace.

“…So if I pray, will I receive blessings?”

“If you’re heading into a dungeon, I’ll bless you.”

The two women shared a quiet laugh.

“So, the E-rank is a cover, right?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Would it be rude to ask your real rank?”

“…I’d say I’m not quite B-rank but probably around A?”

Sihyun thought about it calmly.

As the ranks go up, the gap between hunters of the same rank widens significantly.

I’d heard that S-rank is almost superhuman. Basically like a party of heroes, right? That’s why I estimated myself to be somewhere around A-rank.

The American returnee was also B-rank, so it felt like a reasonable guess.

Besides, comparing someone like me, who purely uses mana and divine power, to hunters with status screen boosts doesn’t make much sense.

“Ooh, now I’m curious. Heard that, Si-yoon? I’m an A-rank.”

“Yeah, she told me.”

“Why don’t we try a dungeon together tomorrow?”

“Uh… Do you mean a D-rank?”

Since I’m E-rank, I can’t enter anything above D-rank, even with a companion. I pointed that out, but Ji-a shook her head.

“If I make a request, I can access higher ranks. How about a C-rank?”

“…Sure, sounds good.”

I was curious to see just how strong an A-rank hunter really was.

At the same time, Ji-a seemed curious about me, a returnee and a Saint.

Their shared curiosity aligned.

“Wow, so I’m the only one left out? It’s sad being a non-awakened…”

“Haha, then how about a shopping trip together, Si-yoon? How about this weekend?”

“Sounds good! You’ll come too, right?” Si-yoon looked over at Sihyun.

But Sihyun shook her head.

“Shopping isn’t really my thing… You two go have fun.”

“Aww…”

Si-yoon pouted, but Sihyun looked away, determined. She knew she’d just get exhausted tagging along.

“Enough chat; let’s eat before the food gets cold!”

Ji-a unwrapped the food she’d brought.

The living room filled with the delicious smell of meat and spices.

“Sihyun, you used to love spicy food, right? I got this with that in mind.”

“Oh, uh…”

It was spicy pork feet.

Sihyun appreciated that Ji-a had remembered, but she felt her facial muscles twitching slightly.

Fortunately, there was some non-spicy salt-seasoned pork feet as well.

*Should I go for that?*

No, that would be giving in too soon. She didn’t want to surrender before even starting.

Sihyun cautiously took a bite of the spicy pork.

“Cough! Cough!”

“Are you okay?!”

She surrendered instantly.

*I’ll build up my tolerance… one day…*

Even in her agony, Sihyun firmly resolved to conquer it.