LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 59
The department head, driving with Si-hyun in the car, glanced at the navigation.
They were almost at the area with the gate.
Confirming that they still had time to spare, he pulled over to the side of a quiet road.
They needed to have a serious discussion after all.
“Si-hyun.”
“…Yes?”
Buckled in, Si-hyun only turned her head to look at the department head.
He calmly gathered his thoughts in his mind.
“I think you know that this dungeon is quite unusual.”
She nodded.
As Si-hyun moved her head, he continued.
“If you participate, there’s no doubt that information about you, Si-hyun, the one in the nun outfit, will spread.”
“…Yes, that would be so.”
“And as you know, I don’t really know much about you. I can only make guesses based on what I’ve seen.”
He waited briefly before speaking again.
“There are limits to handling this with just my authority as things get more serious. To conceal information about you, could you give me some more details?”
“…….”
“I think it would be better to reveal this to a few others, like the team leader in the management department.”
He spoke carefully, trying to avoid misunderstandings.
“Since you’ll soon be facing a C-rank dungeon, they are all trustworthy individuals.”
“Hmm….”
“Please trust me. I will do my best to keep things confidential and to disguise your identity.”
He spoke to Si-hyun with a serious expression and tone.
Si-hyun gazed at his face, lost in thought for a moment.
Having tackled the dungeon with Ji-a, they would have gathered that she was at least B to A rank.
They might not know exactly what abilities she possessed.
Nevertheless, it was true she had been of some help at times.
Although it wasn’t deep trust, she thought he was a reliable person.
Above all, she appreciated his polite way of asking.
Those from the other world seemed to demand things as if it were a given, no, they practically forced requests upon her.
Given his sincerity, wouldn’t it be alright to share at least minimal information?
Having sorted her thoughts, Si-hyun nodded and spoke up.
“I understand that as I expand my range of activities, eventually, more about me will be revealed.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I just want to delay that as much as possible. I want to relax for a while. So…”
Si-hyun fiddled with the veil resting on her lap.
After a brief hesitation, she made up her mind and said.
“Today, I’ll basically be on the sidelines. If I must step in, I’ll reveal myself completely.”
“R-reveal completely means…?”
The department head widened his eyes in surprise as Si-hyun grinned and replied.
“If things go awry, I might just scram overseas. You should handle yourself accordingly.”
“Hmm….”
Her innocent smile came with a rather grave implication.
The department head swallowed hard, mulling over their recent conversation.
What exactly did she mean by completely revealing herself?
Was her statement about escaping overseas for real?
Was the advice to handle things well directed at him, or to others?
There were so many questions that had arisen from just a few exchanges.
Regardless of whether the department head was deep in thought or not, Si-hyun continued.
“So, once the later group departs today, please get ready.”
“……What do you mean?”
“Prepare a way for me to sneak back home today, whether it’s a vehicle or something else. That’s it. Done.”
“Oh, that’s something I can certainly assist with.”
The department head nodded as he structured his thoughts again.
While a policy had been set, she ultimately hadn’t provided him with more than necessary information.
It might imply that their mutual trust was just at this stage, after all.
‘No, that’s not right.’
The department head shook his head and shifted his thinking.
He retraced her actions since her return.
At first, she had refused counseling and turned him down as a mentor.
She had seemed annoyed even at just receiving contact.
But now?
She would respond favorably if asked politely.
So, this conversation wasn’t about drawing lines with the management department.
It should be seen as a process of solidifying trust between them.
There’s a saying, “Different words, same meaning.”
Although it’s uncertain how today’s dungeon will conclude.
The more preparation there is, the clearer it becomes.
It could also imply a stronger trust between them.
He’d leave the work to her, promising to reassess trust later based on the results?
Having sorted his thoughts, the department head looked at Si-hyun again.
She was waiting for his words with a slight smile on her face.
‘Well, this is no different from before.’
It was the approach he had always taken with Si-hyun.
Respecting her wishes while steadily building trust.
The more extraordinary an ability she had, the more correct this approach became.
The department head lifted the corners of his mouth and said.
“I’ll handle myself well.”
“…Haha. Thank you for that.”
The two exchanged glances and shook hands.
* * *
Having joined the advance team and entered the dungeon, Ji-a let out a deep sigh.
So far, the dungeon clearing was progressing smoothly.
Thanks to the standout efforts of two S-rank hunters from the Dawn Guild and the Master of the Knight Guild, an S-rank hunter.
Of course, things might change if they entered another dungeon within this one.
But for now, the clearing was proceeding without any problems.
However.
“What happened to that person?”
“……That skeleton mage cast a spell.”
A woman continuously chattered while watching in a daze.
“Wow, that person’s gear is really trashy. Are they broke?”
“…….”
She kept blabbering nonsense.
“Those mid-tier guild hunters over there really can’t fight.”
“…….”
Most definitely a useless jab.
Ji-a made sure to keep her head straight and not turn away.
Every time the woman caused the tension to drop, Ji-a wanted to chime in.
“Oh, our big brothers are doing great, right? Isn’t that right?”
“…Yes, the Dawn Guild is amazing.”
“Ji-a, do you want to join? I can recommend you.”
“…I’ll think about it.”
“Great!”
Without realizing it, Ji-a had responded just like Si-hyun.
The other didn’t seem to mean anything significant either and returned to watching the fight.
This sort of situation continued for half a day after entering the dungeon.
Even occasionally, due to sheer numbers attacking at once, monsters they hadn’t dealt with would rush at them.
“Eek?! Ahh!”
The scream definitely hurt Ji-a’s ears, and
“Attack! Avoid it! To the side!”
Didn’t help at all.
Ji-a shook her head silently.
Of course, if she were just some ordinary woman, she wouldn’t have even made it into the advance team.
She was a Hunter under the Dawn Guild, the only A-rank Support Hunter in Korea.
Though she didn’t do much during battles and required protection, the buffs she had cast ahead of time boosted the level of the hunters in the advance team.
And the skills used after the fights healed all the hunters’ wounds completely.
Her skills were remarkably strong.
Seeing that, Ji-a couldn’t help but think of Si-hyun again.
Recovery and buffs were obviously far superior.
Just being around her felt reassuring and mentally healing.
Even during tense battles, she delivered timely support every time.
Was that all? She was also quite adept at direct combat.
Of course, Si-hyun was extraordinary in every way.
But after experiencing that once, it was only natural to draw comparisons.
The sense of disparity was painfully obvious.
‘I miss Si-hyun… I wonder if she’s started teaching at the academy by now?’
As she defended herself against the undead monsters launching an onslaught,
Ji-a silently sighed inwardly.
After yet another battle ended, Ji-a quietly listened to the conversations of the S-rank hunters.
“The monsters just now were definitely not those that would appear in a A-rank dungeon.”
“Stronger monsters are coming out, huh?”
“…Hmm, this feels ominous.”
As the Master of the Knight Guild muttered, Ji-a inadvertently nodded along.
Currently, there were no major issues with protection, but.
The deeper they progressed into the dungeon, the evidently stronger the monsters became.
It felt like stepping into the wide-open maw of an alligator, waiting for its meal.
* * *
“It’s about time you should put on the veil.”
“…Yes, I will do that.”
At the intersection, the car received the signal and began to move slowly.
Following the department head’s instructions, she slowly lowered the veil and glanced around.
Soldiers were beginning to appear one by one.
The department head completed the simple procedures, and the car moved closer to the gate.
“Now, Si-hyun, here’s what I think.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Having parked where the cars gathered and unbuckling his seatbelt, the department head spoke.
“You can trust the management team leader. I’ll share the information I have about them. As for the higher-ups, we’ll wait and see.”
“Okay.”
“And today, let’s say you’re not just D-rank Hunter Jeong Si-hyun, but a Hunter wanting to naturalize in Korea. I’ll take full responsibility for that.”
“…Hmm.”
“Lastly, today’s reward will go through Kim Ji-a Hunter. That’ll be the most certain route.”
“Sounds good.”
She nodded satisfactorily.
While he intentionally tried to be ambiguous at times, every one of the department head’s words was satisfactory.
It would be nice to continue this kind of relationship moving forward.
After all, she wasn’t interested in honor or achievements as a hunter at the moment.
Unless it’s for a fantastic professor respected by students.
…Would adding this dungeon to her career make her a fantastic professor?
No, she should think about that later. There’s plenty of time.
In any case, while there might be some exaggeration regarding responsibility, given the other’s sincere demeanor, she should provide a word of confidence in return, right?
“Department Head Jang Han-soo.”
“Yes, is there anything else you need?”
“Hehe, it’s not that.”
After a small laugh, she continued.
“If I use my powers in today’s dungeon, I’ll ensure that everyone comes back safely, unless they die before I get there.”
“…….”
What’s this? It wasn’t anything strange, yet the department head wore an odd expression.
“…Excuse me?”
“Hahaha! How reassuring! I’ll trust you on that.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“Yes, I genuinely believe in you.”
The department head turned to exit the car.
As she lightly grumbled and tried to follow him out,
Suddenly, the department head turned back and said.
“Seems like this isn’t enough. Si-hyun, do you desire any specific rewards?”
“…Well, I’m not sure?”
“Say anything. I’ll do my best.”
“Anything… Oh! How about this?”
She clapped her hands lightly as she replied.
“Please get me Momobin merchandise. All kinds!”
“…Excuse me? Merchandise?”
“It’s sold out, and I want it but can’t get it.”
If she could get it while piquing his interest, it would be even better if he became a Momobin fan too, but she swallowed that thought.
“Hmmm… Understood! I’ll look into it and make sure to get it for you.”
The department head replied with a determined expression.
He looked as if he would get it for her even if he had to create it himself.
‘…Hmm, this seems like a good idea, doesn’t it?’
If she had the money, it should be totally feasible, right?
She needed to resolve the dungeon issue first.
But it felt like she had spawned a new goal.