LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 93
“Hoho, that’s quite interesting.”
The lanky Western man, Jason, busily roamed the banquet hall with a sociable smile.
If Ji-a was the busiest person at the banquet, the second busiest was definitely Jason.
He was that dedicated to his task.
“Hmmm…”
After wrapping up a conversation with Ye Do-hyeong, he glanced at the watch on his wrist with a peculiar expression.
‘It doesn’t react to Ye Do-hyeong, either.’
Just how did Evan set his standards?
Even in front of Ye Do-hyeong, one of the top magicians in Korea, or even the world, it’s silent!
Jason felt his heart racing with rising excitement.
There was absolutely no chance Evan made a mistake with the artifact.
He was always perfect.
That’s why he was sure.
‘The target must be hiding somewhere in this place.’
What kind of person could it be?
How strong are they?
I’d love to test my strength against them!
Jason quickly scanned the room.
Previously met people, those he hadn’t met yet, newcomers.
He registered each one in his mind without missing a single person.
His memory was quite impressive.
Thanks to that, he could communicate freely in multiple languages.
“Hey, hey, isn’t that Jason Turner?”
“It’s been a while, Kang Cheol-min Hunter.”
As he exchanged greetings with Kang Cheol-min, Jason instinctively checked his watch.
Of course, there was no reaction.
Jason wrapped up the conversation with Kang Cheol-min rather slackly.
He had already fought him before.
To be honest, he was a really boring opponent.
“Now, who’s next…”
One by one, he met people.
While he was busily mingling, Jason’s gaze got fixed on a woman.
‘Wow, she’s even more beautiful up close.’
A woman with dazzlingly exquisite beauty caught the attention of those around her.
Noble grace flowed naturally from her dignified gestures, and every time she turned her head, her white hair cascaded gently.
Moreover, her outfit.
It was almost like a matching couple look with the party’s main guest, Kim Ji-a Hunter.
“Hehe, this is getting interesting.”
His curiosity was piqued in many ways.
Jason changed his priorities.
He walked toward the woman.
But Kang Cheol-min approached her first.
‘Hmm…?’
Jason stopped in his tracks and watched the encounter with interest.
Kang Cheol-min, frowning heavily, pointed at the woman.
She glanced at him lazily and flicked her finger.
Suddenly, Kang Cheol-min made a strange face and gulped down the drink he was holding.
His expression grew more and more contorted.
It was as if it couldn’t get any weirder, turning into quite a menacing look.
The tension was palpable.
At that moment, Kang Cheol-min hurriedly fled.
‘What’s happening…?’
Jason’s gaze followed Kang Cheol-min as he rushed off.
He kept gulping down water.
It was such an inexplicable action.
Perplexed, Jason looked back at the woman.
This time the party’s main guest, Kim Ji-a Hunter, started a conversation.
They seemed to be having a relaxed exchange with mixed laughter, suggesting they had a friendly relationship.
Jason made his way toward them.
He slowly closed the distance.
Right at that moment.
BZZZZ—
What’s this?
Finally, finally, the watch reacted!
The watch that didn’t respond even to Ye Do-hyeong was reacting now!
“Hahaha! So it’s this woman!”
Excited Jason felt his mouth stretching into a wide grin.
He paused for a moment, placing a hand on his chest.
His heart was racing like crazy. Maybe he should calm down a bit.
After all, his client Evan requested a discreet operation.
* * *
“Whoa, really? Are you really okay with this?”
“Yeah, if there’s no time, I’ll make it work.”
“It’s a promise!”
As Ji-a nodded with a smile, a bright smile bloomed on Si-hyun’s face.
Although they hadn’t set an exact schedule yet, it was now confirmed that they would travel together in the summer.
Ji-a’s reaction was extremely positive.
‘And Si-yoon said she’d arrange her break schedule once plans are set…’
Now they just needed to finalize the details.
Si-hyun smiled contentedly at the plan gradually taking shape.
He was already feeling excited.
“Prof, professor…”
“Yeah?”
While Si-hyun sipped his wine, sorting through his thoughts, Ah-reum seated next to him spoke up.
“Look over there…”
“…?”
Si-hyun glanced in the direction Ah-reum was pointing.
It was behind Ji-a.
A tall, lanky man.
Jason Turner.
He was looking this way with a deliberately soft smile.
But there was something unusual in his gaze.
Si-hyun frowned and turned back to look at Ah-reum.
“…Is he looking this way?”
“Y-yeah… Why is he doing that?”
“Hmmm, I don’t really know…”
It had only been a few minutes since he suggested they not get involved due to his exhaustion.
Now they were getting tangled up without doing anything.
With his head slightly bowed, Si-hyun fiddled with the soft fabric of his dress, sinking into thought.
‘Could he be interested in Ah-reum?’
She was a super rookie.
Dressed beautifully right now, she was enough to catch anyone’s eyes.
‘…But he’s a fighter, isn’t he?’
Indeed, he seemed unlikely to target someone like Ah-reum.
A high-ranking hunter wouldn’t bother with a D-rank supporter.
‘Then, could it be me he’s after?’
But that also seemed strange.
Although she had dressed nicely in a dress and high heels, she was only a C-rank hunter.
Then what was left…
‘Aha! He’s targeting Ji-a!’
That seemed most plausible.
The self-proclaimed top spear master in South Korea.
S-rank hunter Kim Ji-a.
She was definitely a target enough to grab the attention of a perverted fighter.
Si-hyun looked at Ji-a with a pitying gaze.
“Ji-a, you’re in trouble.”
“Huh? What do you mean, in trouble?”
“Don’t turn around, just listen. There’s a creep behind you eyeing you.”
“Eh…?”
Ji-a let out a strange sound without realizing it at those sudden words.
A creep targeting her?
At a banquet celebrating her S-rank promotion no less! What could possibly…?
“His name is Jason Turner, an American hunter known for being a fighter.”
“Oh, that guy.”
Ji-a had heard rumors about him.
That he relentlessly clings to strong hunters, persistently challenging them to battles.
She never thought that she would become the target.
Who would have thought she’d realize in such a weird way that she was S-rank?
“Is he really behind us?”
“Yeah, he was lurking with a creepy look, waiting for the right moment.”
“R-right…”
A creepy look, huh?
Imagining Jason Turner’s face made Ji-a’s expression turn sour.
At that moment, Ah-reum, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, cautiously offered her opinion.
“Prof, um… Isn’t that guy looking at you?”
“Huh? No way.”
“I think he really is…”
“Uh…”
Si-hyun turned again to glance at Jason.
He was standing still, alternating his gaze between Ji-a and himself.
Upon locking eyes, he offered a sociable smile and nodded.
Si-hyun nodded back as he greeted him, then turned back to Ah-reum.
“Nope, he’s just looking at me and Ji-a because our dresses are similar.”
“Is that so…? Now that you mention it, it kind of seems that way?”
“We’re not someone he should be interested in, right?”
“Yeah, that’s true!”
Ah-reum tilted her head and took a sip of her drink.
Feeling the effects of the alcohol, Si-hyun also took a sip of his wine.
“Looks like he’s just patiently waiting to talk to Ji-a, right? He hasn’t chatted with him yet, has he?”
“Seems so, not yet.”
“What are you going to do? Do you need help?”
“Um…”
Ji-a thought briefly before answering.
“I’ll try talking to him nicely. Both of us are busy anyway.”
“If you need help, just say so, okay?”
“Sure, thanks Si-hyun.”
Ji-a momentarily admired Si-hyun’s flushed face.
The pitying expression looked oddly cute for the situation.
“I’ll go check it out now.”
“Okay, good luck!”
Ji-a slowly rose from her seat.
It was a bit sad, but she had to start talking to Jason and others.
After exchanging goodbyes, Ji-a walked toward Jason.
Si-hyun watched them chat for a moment.
…They looked pretty peaceful.
‘Seems like it’s going well?’
Nodding, Si-hyun turned with Ah-reum and left the banquet hall.
That motion was rather quick.
With her tipsy state and a desire to quickly shed her uncomfortable dress and high heels.
* * *
…After Ji-a’s promotion celebration was over, I spent the weekend lounging in my cozy sofa at home as usual.
All was peaceful except for Si-yoon, who was subtly proposing a live stream session.
That was just how the weekend was.
On Monday morning, I received a message from Ah-reum.
– Professor! A Western man with sunglasses and a hat is wandering around the Academy!
– Huh? Western man?
The image of that guy popped into my mind. No way… right?
There are plenty of Western guys out there.
– I think he’s Jason Turner!
– No way for real?
– Oooooo? He’s coming my way?!
– Ah-reum?
Suddenly the messages stopped.
Should I call her?
Luckily, after a bit, Ah-reum sent another message.
– That guy is asking about you, professor…? He seemed gentler than I expected.
– Why?
– Maybe it’s because of your undeniable presence…?
– …Well, I’m glad nothing happened.
– No worries! I didn’t spill any info! Hehe, but I did take his business card.
Ah-reum posted a picture in the chat.
It was a photo of Jason Turner’s business card resting in the palm of her hand.
When I clicked the picture, I could see the number of that creepy stalker.