Chapter 18: Chapter 18

After clearing the A-rank dungeon and returning home, I spent my days practically fused with the couch.

Honestly, this couch was more comfortable than any bed I’d seen in that other world.

When Si-Yoon asked if I found it uncomfortable, I couldn’t help but wonder if buying a bed was even necessary.

I mean, it might be a different story once we move to a new place,

but for now, I’m perfectly satisfied with this.

As I was, once again, watching a livestream of V-tuber Momobin on TV,

the doorbell rang, and when I checked, it was Ji-Ah.

Oh, right. She did message me that she’d be coming over for dinner tonight.

I’d forgotten while I was so engrossed in the stream.

“Hey!”

“Welcome!”

As we walked into the living room together, Ji-Ah’s gaze drifted to the TV.

《Aaaargh...》

There was Momo, back at square one in the game again.

I’d been cheering her on, but she still didn’t seem close to finishing it.

Taking a seat on the couch, I glanced at Ji-Ah’s expression.

She was still watching the TV. Hmm...

“So… should I change it? Anything you’d like to watch?”

“No, it’s fine. I watch her sometimes, too.”

“…! Really? For real?”

“Yes.”

I was genuinely surprised.

I never imagined Ji-Ah would also be a fan of Momo.

I hadn’t expected to find a fellow fan so close by.

My embarrassment disappeared, replaced by a rush of excitement.

“Hehe… Isn’t Momo just the cutest?”

“Oh my.”

Ji-Ah covered her mouth with a smile.

That was definitely a sign of agreement, right?

“I like Momo more than the big-name streamers. She should be way more popular.”

“Does it bother you?”

“Of course! Good things are meant to be shared.”

《Why won’t this work…?》

On screen, Momo let out another frustrated sigh.

Back to the starting village, again. Poor thing.

Ji-Ah chuckled softly.

Meanwhile, I pulled out my phone to check the chat.

《Ugh…》

- LOL

- Hahaha

- Back to square one

- Time wasted, lol

- hahahahaha

I joined in.

- (rip in happiness)

《Aaargh!》

Watching Momo struggling was, as always, so entertaining.

When I looked back up, Ji-Ah spoke up.

“Si-Yoon’s working, right?”

“Yeah, she made me promise not to disturb her. Absolutely no entry.”

“Hehe, of course.”

Ji-Ah gave a playful smile.

When I looked at her questioningly, she just shrugged it off.

Then, she started unpacking the things she’d brought and putting them in the fridge.

It was various types of alcohol.

“Drinks?”

“Oh, did I not tell you? We planned to have a drink together.”

“…I didn’t hear about it.”

“Ah, I only mentioned it to Si-Yoon, I guess. Still, you used to enjoy drinking, right?”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t that I disliked it—my tolerance had just dropped.

“When was the last time you drank?”

“With someone recently. About two or three beers, and that was my limit. Any more, and I’d probably black out.”

“Wow, you’ve really become a lightweight compared to before.”

“…I’ll build it back up.”

Everyone starts out light, right?

It’ll come back with time and practice, surely.

While I was firming up my resolve, Ji-Ah had already finished putting things away and was settling into the couch.

“Oh, by the way, Si-Hyun. Do you know Manager Jang Han-Soo in the administrative department?”

“Yeah, I know him.”

“I met with him today. During our conversation, I realized a few things.”

“…?”

Ji-Ah looked at me intently.

After a moment of silence, she spoke.

“You’re planning to keep things under wraps, like now, right?”

“Yeah… for the time being?”

“Got it. Then, keep a few things in mind.”

“Hmm?”

When I tilted my head in confusion, Ji-Ah raised one finger.

“First, using the Hunter app logs everything—every dungeon you clear is recorded.”

“…Hmm?”

“That includes how often you go and who you go with.”

“…Ah, right! I hadn’t even thought about that part…”

“It’s understandable. You’ve only been back a short while, so it’s natural to overlook things like that.”

I’d thought I was being discreet, but apparently, it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

That explains why Manager Jang had been extra helpful with advice.

“So… how much do they know about me?”

“You’ve done a good job staying under the radar.”

“Really?!”

I blurted out, surprised, and Ji-Ah smiled.

“They suspect you’re not ordinary, but they don’t know any details.”

“Oh, I see.”

“He hasn’t reported anything specific to his higher-ups either. So, you’re safe.”

“Wow…”

It was good news.

My trust in Manager Jang went up a notch.

While I nodded, Ji-Ah raised a second finger.

“Next, Si-Hyun, how much do you know about online communities?”

“Here and there?”

“Have you seen anything about a mysterious person in a nun’s habit showing up at the A-rank gate?”

“…No.”

Now that she mentioned it, I hadn’t seen anything like that.

Even if they didn’t know it was me, you’d expect posts like, “Mystery Nun Enters Gate!”

“Well, Manager Jang covered that up within his authority.”

“Wow…”

Another point for Manager Jang.

He might be a better person than I thought.

Next time he calls, I should answer promptly.

Thank you, Manager Jang.

“He asked me to tell you that he’ll respect your wishes but hopes you’ll stay in Korea.”

“Huh? Of course, I’m staying in Korea. I am Korean, after all.”

“He probably said that because he’s a bit of a protective older brother type.”

“…”

No need to phrase it like that; it sounds odd.

I just happen to have a strong sibling bond.

“Hehe, no offense intended. By the way, why not ask him to assign you a D-rank? Just a thought.”

“Is that even possible?”

“The Bureau’s surprisingly flexible. They might make an exception.”

“Hmm…”

“Or I could ask for you.”

Letting her do it…

It wasn’t a bad suggestion, honestly.

“No, I’ll handle it myself if I decide to.”

“Hehe, fair enough. Good call.”

Ji-Ah nodded approvingly.

At that moment, we heard the door open, and Si-Yoon walked into the living room.

“Unnie, you’re here?”

“Yeah. If you’re done working, should we order something to eat?”

Si-Yoon nodded and plopped down on the floor.

Momobin’s livestream had ended by then, so I handed her the remote.

“…Unnie.”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“Were you watching Momo’s stream with Ji-Ah?”

“Yeah. Turns out Ji-Ah watches her, too.”

“Haah…”

Si-Yoon let out a deep sigh.

She must be exhausted.

“It’s too much happiness at once…”

“…?”

Somehow, that sounded familiar.

Hmm… I can’t quite place it. Maybe it’s just my imagination.

“Oh, how about this?”

“Let me see.”

When Ji-Ah held out her phone, Si-Yoon leaned in eagerly.

I decided to leave the menu selection to them and leaned back on the couch to relax.

“Think Unnie can handle this?”

“Is it too spicy?”

“…”

Wait, what are they looking at?

“What are you two considering?”

“Fried stuff! And we’re thinking about ordering tteokbokki, too.”

Si-Yoon answered energetically.

Tteokbokki? Not a bad choice.

“Order it as spicy as you like.”

“Really? You’re sure? You won’t regret it?”

“I can handle fried udon now, you know.”

I’ve been working on training my taste buds daily.

Don’t underestimate me.

“True, but you’ll just heal yourself with that holy power or whatever if you struggle. It’s a cheat.”

“Hey, call it the spirit of resilience.”

“Right, right. Very impressive! Now, drink some milk to start with.”

“…Fine.”

Even if her praise felt half-hearted,

I took her advice and started with a small carton of milk.

After a short while, it seemed like the order was complete, and Ji-Ah and Si-Yoon were chatting happily.

I sat on the couch, listening to their conversation.

Before long, the food arrived.

They arranged the dishes neatly on the table.

When Ji-Ah went to the fridge, she called out.

“I’m going to have some sake. What about you two?”

“Oh

? You bought that too?”

“I saw it at the store and couldn’t resist.”

She held up a round, dark bottle, giving it a little shake to show us.

Junmai Daiginjo?

I’d only ever had beer and soju, so I wasn’t quite sure what it was.

“Guess I’ll give it a try.”

“Hehe, if you don’t like it, you can switch to beer. Just give it a taste.”

Ji-Ah placed the bottle on the table.

I glanced at the label; it said 16.5% alcohol content.

“That’s not too high, is it?”

“It’s like a Japanese rice wine.”

“Oh, got it.”

Si-Yoon quickly set out some glasses.

Ji-Ah poured drinks for all three of us.

“Cheers!”

We each took a sip.

Hmm… it was both sour and sweet, mingling together.

Not bad.

“Seems like you enjoyed it?”

“Yeah? Oh, yeah. I like it. I’ll probably have it again if I see it around.”

It’s nice to change things up once in a while.

I took another sip, savoring the warmth of the alcohol spreading through me.

I really did like this feeling.  @@novelbin@@

As I contentedly examined my glass, I looked up.

Si-Yoon was eagerly chatting with Ji-Ah.

“Unnie, you’re so famous now! What are you going to do next?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like joining a big guild! Or teaming up with other famous Hunters?”

“Oh, that.”

Ji-Ah nodded thoughtfully in response to Si-Yoon’s question.

“I’m just going to keep working like I have been. Taking jobs from the Bureau, like a semi-government agent.”

“Why? Is there a reason you have to?”

“Hmm…”

When Si-Yoon pressed for a reason, Ji-Ah’s gaze shifted in my direction.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, maybe from the alcohol.

Then she looked back at Si-Yoon and said,

“Working with people I don’t get along with constantly would be exhausting.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

“Until I find someone I can really rely on, I’ll probably keep working solo.”

“Oh!”

Si-Yoon nodded vigorously in understanding.

Then she turned to me.

“When are you moving out?”

“…!”

“Oh, no! Don’t look at me like that! I didn’t mean it badly…”

She fidgeted with her fingers as she continued.

“It’s just… you always sleep on the couch, and it seems uncomfortable…”

“This couch is seriously amazing. Why doesn’t anyone appreciate it?”

“…Fine.”

Si-Yoon shook her head, taking another swig of her drink.

Watching her, Ji-Ah chuckled softly.

“By the way, Si-Hyun.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you free tomorrow?”

“I’ve got nothing but time. Why?”

When I replied, Ji-Ah smiled and clasped her hands in front of her chest.

“Well, I have to visit the Academy to see the director. Would you like to keep me company? It’s a bit lonely going alone.”

“Hmm… I don’t need to do anything, right?”

“Of course not! Just think of it as a day out.”

“In that case, sure.”

Pleased with my answer, Ji-Ah gave a bright smile.

I’d heard so much about the Academy here and there.

It wouldn’t hurt to finally see what it’s like.

“Another toast?”

“Sure.”

“Cheers!”

With Ji-Ah’s words, we all raised our glasses.

Drinking with friends was, as always, a warm, happy time.

“Cough, cough!”

“Oh, Unnie! Here, water!”

And the tteokbokki was spicy.

D-damn it…