While driving with Si-hyun in the car, Manager Jang glanced at the navigation system.  
They were nearing the area where the gate was located.  

Realizing there was still some time to spare, he decided to pull over on a quiet road.  
It was time for a serious conversation.  

"Si-hyun."  
"...Yes?"  

Since she was wearing her seatbelt, Si-hyun only turned her head to look at him.  
Manager Jang calmly brought up the thoughts he had been processing.  

"I’m sure you realize that this dungeon is no ordinary one."  

Si-hyun nodded.  

Seeing this, Manager Jang continued.  

"If you participate, the information about you, specifically the one in the nun’s habit, will spread."  
"...Yes, that’s likely."  
"And as you know, I don’t know much about you. I can only make assumptions."  

Manager Jang paused for a moment before continuing.  

"The bigger this becomes, the harder it will be to handle on my own. To keep information about you under wraps, could you share a bit more with me?"  
"...?"  
"I think it would be better to share some of this with the team leader of the management department and a few others."  

Manager Jang was careful with his tone, making sure not to give the wrong impression.  

"As you’ll soon be taking C-rank quests, they’re people you can trust."  
"Mm..."  
"Trust me. I’ll make sure to maintain confidentiality and keep your identity hidden."  

With a serious expression, Manager Jang spoke directly to Si-hyun.  
Si-hyun looked at him, lost in thought for a moment.  

Given that she had been raiding dungeons with Gia, he was probably aware that she was at least a B or A-rank hunter.  
He might not know her exact abilities, but...  

In any case, she had received help from him a few times.  
She didn’t have deep trust, but she considered him someone reliable.  

What mattered most was that his request was respectful.  
The people from her past world always made demands, as though it was their right, often forcing her into things.  

Si-hyun thought for a moment, then nodded and spoke.  

"I understand that as my activities expand, it’s inevitable that my information will come to light eventually."  
"Yes, that’s true."  
"But I’d like to delay it as much as possible. I want to take things slow for now. So..."  

She fiddled with the veil that rested on her lap.  
After a brief hesitation, she made a firm decision and spoke.  

"Today, I’ll mostly remain passive. But if I have to step in, I’ll reveal everything."  
"Re-reveal everything?"  

Manager Jang blinked in surprise as he responded, and Si-hyun smiled slyly.  

"I mean, if things go wrong, I might just leave the country. So, you better handle things carefully."  
"Mm..."  

Her pure smile was at odds with the weight of her words.  

Manager Jang remained silent, processing their conversation.  
How much would she reveal? What did she mean by “leaving the country”?  
Was this a warning to him, or others?  

Too many questions had surfaced after just a few exchanged words.  

While Manager Jang contemplated, Si-hyun continued.  

"So, when the backup team departs today, please make arrangements."  
"...What do you mean?"  
"I mean, I want a way to secretly return home. Whether by car or whatever. That’s it. End of story."  
"Ah, that’s definitely something I can arrange."  

Manager Jang nodded and organized his thoughts again.  

The plan was set, but she still hadn’t given him more than the bare minimum of information.  
It seemed like this was all the trust they had between them so far.  

*‘No, that’s not it.’*  
Manager Jang shook his head and switched his thinking.  
He recalled Si-hyun’s actions since her return.  

Initially, she had refused his requests for consultations and had rejected being a mentor.  
She seemed irritated just receiving messages.  

But now?  
If asked politely, she’d at least consider helping.  

So, this conversation wasn’t about drawing a line with the Bureau.  
It was about steadily building trust between them.  

There’s a saying: "It’s the tone that makes all the difference."  

He still didn’t know how today’s dungeon would turn out, but  
no matter what happens, having clear post-incident measures would only strengthen their relationship.  

Manager Jang smiled faintly, looking at Si-hyun.  
He was waiting for her to speak again.  

*‘Well, it’s no different from before.’*  

His usual approach with Si-hyun had always been to respect her wishes and build trust slowly.  
The more capable she was, the more this strategy made sense.  

Manager Jang smiled, saying,  
"I’ll handle it properly."  
"...Heh, thank you."  

The two of them exchanged a glance and shook hands.  

---

#### Gia’s Dungeon Experience

Gia, having joined the raid on the dungeon, let out a long sigh.  

The raid itself had been progressing smoothly so far.  

Thanks to the outstanding efforts of two S-rank hunters from the Dawning Guild and an S-rank hunter who was the master of the Night Guild, things were going well.  

Of course, the situation might change once they entered another dungeon within,  
but for now, everything seemed fine.  

However,  

"What happened to that person?"  
"...A skeleton mage used magic."  

A woman who had been chatting non-stop while watching the raid.  

"Wow, that person’s equipment is really bad. Do they not have any money?"  
"..."

She kept talking.  

"The hunters from the mid-tier guilds can’t fight at all."  
"..."

It was all meaningless chatter.  

Gia tried to focus on the battle ahead and didn’t look at the woman.  
Every time the woman spoke, Gia felt the urge to say something.  

"Oh, wow, our guys are amazing, right?"  
"...Yes, it’s definitely the Dawning Guild."  
"Gia, do you want to join us? I’ll recommend you!"  
"...I’ll think about it."  
"Great!"  

Gia unconsciously replied just like Si-hyun would.  
The other person didn’t seem to have much meaning behind their words, and they went back to watching the fight.  

This situation continued for half a day after they entered the dungeon.  

Sometimes, when the monsters came in waves,  
if the hunters didn’t manage to take care of them quickly,  
they would get overwhelmed.  

"Ah?! Eek!"  

The scream hurt Gia’s ears.  

"Attack! Get out of the way!"  

It was completely useless.  

Gia shook her head silently.  

Of course, if she were just another woman with no ability, she wouldn’t even have made it into the raid.  
She was a support-class A-rank hunter from the Dawning Guild.  

She didn’t do much in combat, and was required for escorting,  
but the buffs she cast beforehand had raised the other hunters' level.  
And after the battle, her healing magic fully healed all the hunters' wounds.  

Her skill in healing and buffs was remarkable.  

Watching the scene, Gia couldn’t help but think of Si-hyun.  

Si-hyun’s healing and buffs were of course much better,  
and just being with her made you feel protected and mentally refreshed.  
Even during the tense battles, Si-hyun would always provide timely support.  

Was that all? No, Si-hyun was also great at combat.  
Of course, it was Si-hyun’s versatility that made her so impressive.  

Still, after experiencing it firsthand, Gia couldn’t help but make comparisons.  
The difference was overwhelming.  

*‘I miss Si-hyun... I wonder if she’s starting her class at the academy now?’*  

As she defended the supporter from the undead monsters’ next wave,  
Gia quietly sighed inwardly.  

Another round of battle passed.  
Gia quietly listened to the conversation of the S-rank hunters.  

"Those monsters couldn’t possibly come from an A-rank dungeon."  
"Stronger monsters are appearing."  
"...Hmm, this doesn’t feel good."  

When the master of the Night Guild murmured, Gia nodded without thinking.  

Although the escort was going smoothly,  
the deeper they went into the dungeon, the stronger the monsters became.  

It felt like they were walking into the mouth of an alligator, waiting for prey.  

---

#### Final Preparations

“It might be time to put the veil on.”  
"...Yes, I’ll do that."  

As the car approached the signal and slowly started moving,  
Si-hyun adjusted the veil, looking around as she followed Manager Jang’s suggestion.  

She noticed soldiers starting to appear.  
Manager Jang had finished the procedures and the car reached the area near the gate.  

“Si-hyun, here’s what I think.”  
“Yes, go ahead.”  

After parking, Manager Jang unbuckled his seatbelt and continued,  
"The team leader of the management department is someone you can trust. I’ll share what I know with them first, and we’ll see how things go from there."  
"Yes."  
"And today, let’s say you’re not a D-rank hunter but someone who wants to naturalize as a hunter in Korea. I’ll take full responsibility for everything."  
"...Hmm."  
"Lastly, let’s make sure the compensation is routed through Hunter

 Kim Gia. That should make everything clearer."  
"Sounds good."  

Si-hyun nodded in agreement.  
Manager Jang’s words were all satisfactory, though he might have phrased some things a bit suspiciously.  

She liked his approach. If they kept going like this, their relationship would continue to grow.  
She wasn’t interested in hunter fame or achievements, but rather in being a respected professor.  

*‘Well, maybe adding dungeons to my career wouldn’t hurt, huh? Later, I’ll think about it. Plenty of time for that.’*  

For now, the dungeon took priority.  
But something about this new goal felt exciting.  

"Manager Jang."  
"Yes, do you need anything else?"  
"Heh, not from you."  

Si-hyun smiled briefly and continued,  

"Today, if I need to use my power, I’ll make sure everyone is saved unless they’ve already died."  
"..."

Manager Jang gave a strange look, but Si-hyun continued.  

"...That’s no joke."  
"Hahaha! I trust you."  
"No, I’m serious."  
"Yes, I trust you sincerely."  

As Manager Jang turned to exit the car,  
Si-hyun grinned and followed, ready for the next steps in the dungeon.  

Suddenly, Manager Jang turned around and said,

"Looks like this isn't enough. Si-hyun, is there anything else you'd like as compensation?"
"...Well?"
"Anything. Just let me know. I’ll do my best."
"Anything... Ah! Then..."

Si-hyun clapped her hands lightly and replied.

"Please get me some MomoBin merch. Different kinds!"
"...Excuse me? Merch?"
"It’s sold out everywhere, and I can’t get it even if I want to."

If he became interested in it while getting the merch, it would be nice if Manager Jang also became a fan of Momo.
She kept this thought to herself.

"Hmm... Alright! I'll look into it and make sure to get it for you."

Manager Jang answered with a determined expression.
It looked like he would even make the merch himself if it didn’t exist.

‘...Huh, that sounds like a good idea.’

If only there was money, it should be doable, right?

First, they needed to resolve the dungeon situation.
But somehow, it felt like a new goal had emerged.