The morning two days later.

Already accustomed to waking up at dawn, Si-hyun began her preparations for the day with a leisurely pace. She took out the new clothes that had been delivered yesterday.

“Same-day delivery is really convenient.”

“Isn’t it?” 

Si-yoon, sitting on the sofa, responded with a huge yawn. Meanwhile, Si-hyun finished changing and stood in front of the mirror to inspect her outfit.

She felt the snug fit of the black leggings that hugged her legs, while the oversized gray sweatshirt draped down to cover her hips, reducing any exposure. Not usually one for dressing up, Si-hyun found this outfit surprisingly fresh.

Si-yoon, observing from the side, let out a small laugh.

“With a figure like yours, even this casual look shines.”

“Oh, really…?”

Si-hyun’s cheeks flushed at her sister’s unexpected compliment. Though it felt a bit embarrassing, it was far from unpleasant.

“I might be home late today, so if you don’t hear from me and it’s getting late, go ahead and have dinner without me.”

“Got it!” 

After exchanging goodbyes, Si-hyun stepped out the door with a light-hearted stride.

She headed toward the meeting point with Ah-reum, using public transport. They’d decided to have a light meal together before the members of the Wing Guild picked them up.

Si-hyun arrived a little early at the cafe. Soon, she spotted Ah-reum waiting outside, who quickly noticed her arrival.

“Hey, you’re here early?”

“Oh, good morning, Professor!”

“Uh…”

Si-hyun scratched her cheek awkwardly at Ah-reum’s loud greeting. Being addressed as “Professor” in such an unrelated setting felt oddly embarrassing.

“Shall we go in?”

“Yes!”

Though Si-hyun was already aware of the attention they were drawing, her discomfort increased, prompting her to make a quick retreat inside.

After finding a table and settling in, Si-hyun glanced down at her legs, crossing her ankles absentmindedly. The snug feel of the leggings on her thighs still felt unfamiliar. She lightly brushed her thighs together, getting used to the texture, and then looked up.

“Have you decided what you want?”

“Um, I’ll have this!”

They each ordered sandwiches to their taste and started their meal, making light conversation.

“Oh, I haven’t finished the novel you recommended yet since it’s a long one.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, but it’s quite engaging so far.”

“Isn’t it, though…”

As Si-hyun took a bite of her sandwich, she glanced at Ah-reum. She seemed more withdrawn than usual today, almost stiff. Had she done something wrong?

Watching Ah-reum’s rigid posture, Si-hyun tilted her head slightly, puzzled. In the end, she couldn’t pinpoint a cause, so she decided to ask directly.

“Ah-reum?”

“Y-yes?!”

“Is there something on your mind?”

“Um, it’s just…”

At Si-hyun’s question, Ah-reum’s eyes darted around nervously before she finally dropped her head and hesitantly spoke.

“The… dungeon…”

“I see.”

Ah-reum briefly lifted her head, stealing a glance at Si-hyun, before lapsing back into silence.

Watching her fidget, Si-hyun rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

A dungeon, huh? Was she frightened by the sudden decision to visit a C-rank dungeon? Si-hyun had no intention of having her participate directly; she only planned to let her observe and learn.

Then again, considering Ah-reum was a new E-rank hunter, it was understandable for her to feel scared. Perhaps Si-hyun had been too focused on efficiency.

Starting with an E- or D-rank dungeon might have been a better approach. She felt a pang of guilt toward Ah-reum.

“Ah-reum?”

“Y-yes, Professor?”

They both called out at the same time, prompting Si-hyun to smile gently and gesture for Ah-reum to go ahead. Ah-reum hesitated but then gathered her courage to speak.

“It’s… about… ranks…”

“Right, ranks.”

So it was about the sudden jump to a C-rank dungeon. Si-hyun resolved to apologize once Ah-reum finished speaking.

“Isn’t… isn’t today’s dungeon a bit… too high? Especially since you’re… also D-rank…”

“…Oh.”

Oh, that’s what it was!

Si-hyun’s eyes widened.

She’d assumed Ah-reum was frightened by the dungeon itself, and while that was partly true, it wasn’t the main issue.

Ah-reum didn’t know anyone else in the group, so Si-hyun was the only person she could rely on. But hearing that she was a D-rank hunter had only added to her fears.

Feeling sorry, Si-hyun gently patted Ah-reum’s trembling hand.

“Ah-reum?”

“Y-yes…”

After a brief moment of thought, Si-hyun decided not to divulge everything. Fully explaining things could backfire and make her even more intimidated by Si-hyun herself.

She carefully chose her words.

“I’m actually a C-rank, but I haven’t taken the promotion exam yet.”

“Oh… really?”

“You know how it is—professors get busy. I didn’t think it was urgent.”

“Oh… right!”

Using the Wing Guild members’ earlier excuse as her own, Si-hyun watched as Ah-reum’s expression brightened instantly.

Looking at her relieved face, Si-hyun let out a small, bittersweet smile. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was getting better and better at lying.

Perhaps one day, once they became closer, there’d be an opportunity to talk openly. That would be a matter for the future, though.

Si-hyun did her best to ease Ah-reum’s worries, and her efforts seemed to pay off. Ah-reum’s stiff posture gradually relaxed, allowing Si-hyun to breathe a sigh of relief.

After their light meal, the two boarded the Wing Guild’s van that had arrived to pick them up.

---

As the van headed toward the gate location, Ah-reum scooted closer to Si-hyun, wriggling as she settled beside her, and cautiously slipped her arm around Si-hyun’s.

Feeling the soft pressure against her arm, Si-hyun looked over at Ah-reum.

“Hmm…”

She seemed to be nervous again. Maybe it was because all the other people in the van were unfamiliar men.

Si-hyun thought it would be a good idea to introduce everyone.

“Everyone?”

“Yes?”

Hearing her clear voice, everyone except the driver turned their attention to Si-hyun. She cleared her throat lightly before continuing.

“This is Ah-reum, a student who’ll be joining us today.”

“H-hello…”

Ah-reum’s voice was barely a whisper as she greeted them, prompting the men’s gazes to shift from Si-hyun to her.

Her oversized glasses and thick bangs that covered her forehead were the most noticeable features, along with the fact that she was partially hiding behind Si-hyun’s arm.

Despite her shy demeanor, her natural charm lit up the once gloomy interior of the van, lifting everyone’s spirits. With two beautiful women onboard, the atmosphere seemed fresher and more vibrant.

“Ah-reum, these gentlemen are all hunters from the Wing Guild. Let me introduce them to you…”

Si-hyun introduced each man in turn, and Ah-reum, a bit more at ease, began to recognize them as hunters she had seen in her monster studies lecture videos.

Once all introductions were finished, Si-hyun turned, tilting her head in slight surprise.

“Mr. Ji-han, you’re here today too?”

“Feel free to speak casually!”

Ji-han grinned, continuing the conversation.

“It’s a large dungeon today, so I thought I’d lend a hand before going on a business trip.”

“Business trip?”

“Right. Didn’t you hear? Why we agreed to take on a large dungeon today?”

“Ms. Da-young just said, ‘Perfect timing!’”

Hearing her reply, Ji-han glanced at Han-gyeol sitting beside him. Although it wasn’t exactly a secret, it wasn’t something they usually discussed openly.

With Han-gyeol’s nod, he continued.

“You know that most of us in Wing Guild come from a larger guild, right?”

“Oh, yes, I heard about that.”

“You don’t need to be so formal! Anyway, those jerks—ah, sorry, those guys are really petty.”

Ji-han quickly corrected his tone.

“They usually don’t interfere with E- or D-rank dungeons, but if we try to book a C-rank dungeon near Seoul, they somehow always swoop in and snatch up the reservations.”

“Is that allowed?”

“The Bureau prefers to assign higher-grade dungeons to more established groups.”

“Ah…”

She remembered hearing from Jia that her own guild had missed out on an A-rank dungeon when a larger guild claimed it first.

Seeing Si-hyun nod, Han-gyeol and Ji-han explained in turns.

“It’s actually improved a bit, thanks to the Bureau’s intervention.”

“They’re sneaky—they only mess with us just enough to annoy us, but not too much.”

“Oh…”

So that’s why their mission dates and times sometimes changed. Si-hyun began to understand the Wing Guild’s position.

“And they don’t bother with rural areas?”

“Right. That’s probably too much hassle, even for them.”

They really were shameless bullies. Si-hyun frowned at the thought

.

Sensing the mood, Han-gyeol laughed, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

“Don’t worry too much! Who do you think our master is?”

“B-rank production hunter, Moon Da-young!”

Ji-han chimed in with a grin, to which Han-gyeol nodded, continuing.

“Our master has plenty of connections and at least some support from the Bureau. They can only pick petty fights.”

“And once our master hits A-rank, they’ll definitely be in for a shock!”

“Ha, I’m really looking forward to that.”

“Right? I’m more excited for our master to reach A-rank than I am about reaching B-rank myself!”

The men laughed heartily, and the atmosphere in the van grew lively again.

Ah-reum, who was gradually adjusting, leaned out a little to listen in. Curious, she took out her phone to search for information on production hunters.

*They’re rare, though not as rare as support hunters…*

The highest-ranked production hunters in Korea were all A-rank, but there were only a handful, all elderly and nearing retirement age.

No wonder B-rank production hunters attracted so much attention.

Intrigued, Ah-reum started to search for information on the large guild associated with the Wing Guild.

Maybe there was a news story that could explain their current rivalry.

But just as her fingers hovered over the screen, the van stopped.

“We’ve arrived!”

“Shall we?”

“Y-yes!”

She decided she’d look it up later if she remembered.

As soon as she stepped out, she gravitated back to Si-hyun, who emanated a comforting scent that put her at ease.

Of course, if her professor found it uncomfortable, she’d let go immediately. But until then, she was determined to stick close, as the C-rank dungeon loomed intimidatingly.

Si-hyun glanced at Ah-reum clinging to her with an awkward smile, scratched the back of her neck, and followed the men toward the gate.

“Ms. Si-hyun, today’s the last day, right? Thank you for all your hard work!”

“Yes, we’re counting on you today, too!”

“Oh, please, I should be the one saying that!”

With a warm smile, Si-hyun responded to the men’s cheerful voices.

They walked up to the gate, where another group of men was already waiting.

The apparent leader greeted them with a friendly smile.

“Nice to meet you. Shall we all introduce ourselves briefly before we start?”

The man introduced his party first. They were all close-combat hunters: he himself was B-rank, with the rest being one C-rank and two D-ranks, making up a four-person team.

Interestingly, all of them were rogues, a fact he acknowledged with a wry smile.

“Rogues don’t get invited to many parties, so we ended up forming our own.”

It seemed reasonable, and the Wing Guild members nodded in understanding.