Days passed since then.

Shin Se-hee nodded, her arms folded, as she observed the scene before her.

‘Yes, Do-hee has definitely fallen for him now.’

Kang Do-hee was now following Jin Yuha around like a lovesick puppy. Of course, they weren’t yet comfortable enough to have casual conversations.

But everything was clear to her eyes.

Whenever Jin Yuha trained, sweating profusely, Kang Do-hee would gaze at him with a longing look. And whenever Jin Yuha sensed her gaze and turned his head, she would quickly look away, pretending as if nothing had happened, like a scene out of a cheesy drama.

‘Hmm, it’s a bit disappointing. I wish I could see that ferocious dog squirm a little more.’

Shin Se-hee touched her lips.

“It’s faster than I expected…”

Kang Do-hee’s attitude towards Jin Yuha had changed drastically over the past few days. At first, she glared at him with such hostility that even she was taken aback. But the very next day, her gaze had softened.

Of course, it was partly intentional.

On the first day, she had only shown Kang Do-hee the scene of Jin Yuha swinging his sword at the Academy students. On the second day, she revealed the reason behind it.

It was all for a more dramatic effect.

‘Well, after seeing that, it’s no wonder she’s acting like this.’

In fact, Shin Se-hee thought that there was nothing left to surprise her about Jin Yuha. He had already proven his exceptionalness with his looks and strength alone.

But on the day he participated in the joint training for the first time…

It was a day of shocks, one after another.

Shin Se-hee was surprised three times that day.

First, when she witnessed Jin Yuha’s leadership skills. Second, when he was suspected of being a Demon. And third, when Jin Yuha demanded party rights as compensation.

The second incident, the suspicion of being a Demon, was ridiculous from the start, as it was instigated by the incompetent Hunter Management Bureau.

‘But that leadership skill and the demand for party rights…’

Shin Se-hee licked her lips, which had suddenly gone dry.

Judging from Jin Yuha’s demand for party rights, it seemed that he wanted to form his own team as soon as possible. Given his exceptional leadership skills, it was only natural.

Even Shin Se-hee herself had formed her own team before entering the Academy and had conquered numerous Gates.

That was why she knew.

She knew how absurd Jin Yuha’s judgment was.

‘He instantly synthesized information about the enemy and our team, grasped the battle situation, and instructed the party members’ skills and movements in seconds.’

And during all of this, Jin Yuha wasn’t just staring blankly at the board. He was actively engaging in combat as a dealer while simultaneously giving instructions as if viewing the battlefield from a third-person perspective.

‘Of course, it was possible because the battle was on a small scale… But even so, it’s not something an ordinary person can do.’

There were many people in this world who were only skilled in combat.

Kang Do-hee was one such example. But those who possessed both exceptional judgment and combat skills were few and far between.

It was beyond shocking; it was downright ridiculous.

Who would’ve thought that beneath that delicate appearance lay such a terrifying ability, even more fearsome than his swordsmanship?

‘Without a doubt, the team he will form will soar higher than any other party…’

She glanced at Kang Do-hee, who was training while stealing glances at Jin Yuha.

One of the spots in his party would undoubtedly go to that foolish girl. After all, he had shown interest in her from the beginning.

‘And the other spot will be mine.’

No matter how good his judgment was, it was limited to small-scale battles. If he wanted to expand the scale of the battlefield, he would need someone to manage and support the overall situation from behind the scenes.

“Fortunately, setting up the stage and managing the party is what I do best.”

Now that she had proven her capabilities through this incident, it was only a matter of time before Jin Yuha offered her a spot in his party. Helping him selflessly this time had been the right decision.

At first, he had shown resistance towards her, but now they were partners who helped each other.

Her heart fluttered at the thought.

‘Haa, I can’t wait… The day I slowly taint Jin Yuha’s soaring party with my own color.’

Shin Se-hee smiled at the rising anticipation.

.

.

.

In the evening, after the joint training had ended, Shin Se-hee called me aside, saying she had something to discuss.

Although she looked tired from the rigorous training, she wore a captivating smile as she ran her hand through her hair.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve come to collect the reward for our deal.”

“Ah, the deal.”

I nodded. Indeed, Shin Se-hee had delivered on her part of the bargain.

At first, I was a little taken aback by Kang Do-hee’s hostile glares, but that only lasted a day. The next day, the hostility in her eyes had vanished without a trace.

‘Of course, the direction of her affections is a bit overwhelming, but…’

During personal training sessions, her gaze felt uncomfortably sticky, and during the joint training, she followed my commands too zealously, requiring me to rein her in several times.

‘But that’s something we can work on gradually. And I might be able to propose forming a party soon, so Shin Se-hee has held up her end of the deal.’

I opened my mouth, meeting her eyes that sparkled in the moonlight.

“Alright, I understand. You’ve definitely been a great help this time. Thanks to you, I think I’ll be able to get Kang Do-hee into my party.”
“Huhuhu. So it’s settled, huh? This is what happens when I show my true self.”

She said arrogantly with a haughty expression.

“Well, the deal was that I would tell you who took your necklace in exchange for you connecting me with Kang Do-hee, right?”
“Hmm? Yes… Wasn’t that the deal?”

Shin Se-hee furrowed her brows, looking confused.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘I knew she would try to play it off like this. Pretending to be confused, huh? Anyone would think it’s genuine if they didn’t know better.’

This was typical of Shin Se-hee—creating more entanglements and debts instead of resolving them.

‘Since she figured out that someone stole the necklace, she probably thought she could handle it herself. Loss and theft are different matters, after all.’

The more I got involved with her, the more troublesome things would become. It was best to quickly wrap up the deal and cut ties with her. With a cold tone, I said,

“Among the party members you gathered that day, do you remember the one with a scar on his left eye?”
“Ah, yes. I remember him.”
“He’s the culprit. He has the skill to steal items.”
“……Oh, I see.”

Shin Se-hee nodded, looking dazed.

“Well then, I’ve fulfilled my end of the deal by telling you the culprit, so I’ll be on my way.”
“……What?”
“It’s getting late, and we have a sparring session with another group soon. I need to rest.”

I ended the conversation and turned to leave for the dormitory.

And behind me,

“Huh……?”

Shin Se-hee stood frozen, her hand outstretched towards me.

“Is that it……? What about the party……?”

.

.

.

The next day, during lunch break.

I was waiting for Lee Yoo-ri at the entrance of the training ground. Soon, she finished her training and approached me.

“Jin Yuha, what’s up? You said you had something important to discuss today?”

‘Even if I talk to Kang Do-hee later, I need to secure Yoo-ri first.’

I had planned to ask Lee Yoo-ri to join my party after the Academy’s entrance ceremony.

“Yeah. Let’s go talk somewhere. Today, I’ll treat you to anything you want to eat. Just name it.”
“……How about some beef soup?”

Despite my offer to buy her anything, Lee Yoo-ri cautiously suggested beef soup. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Sure, let’s go.”

We headed to a beef soup restaurant in the shopping district and placed our orders. As we waited for our food to arrive,

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Shin Se-hee walked in. She approached us and plopped down in front of me, burying her face in her hands.

“……Hey, Jin Yuha. What’s this? I thought you weren’t eating together today?”

Lee Yoo-ri crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Shin Se-hee’s sudden appearance.

I know, right? I’m a bit surprised myself.

‘Why is she butting in now? I thought we settled this yesterday.’

And whenever she sees Soup, she seems to lose her sanity. What’s going on?

Well, if I don’t understand, I should just ask.

“Shin Se-hee, why are you here? I thought we weren’t eating together.”

At my question,

“How can I not come!”

Shin Se-hee exclaimed, her eyes tightly shut.

“What……?”
“I, how can I not come after seeing such an amazing display!”
“Amazing display?”

Lee Yoo-ri asked, and Shin Se-hee quickly continued,

“The way you forcefully gave commands!”
“Commands…?”
“When we had the restraint bracelets on, like that!”
“Restraint bracelets……?”

Lee Yoo-ri’s voice turned icy cold.

“Why only Do-hee… Only Do-hee……!”

Something felt very wrong.

“Me too, please include me!”

Se-hee, what are you talking about?

What do you mean by last night?

What do you want to be included in?

You forgot to specify the object, you idiot.

“Is this the important thing you wanted to discuss, Jin Yuha?”

Lee Yoo-ri’s eyes, now dangerously gleaming, turned to me.

‘Shit……?’