Chapter 24: Chapter 24

The subject Ji-Ah recommended was…

Monster Studies 101.

This was definitely something Si-Hyun felt confident about.

“How did you come up with that?”

“Remember when we went to that C-rank dungeon together?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“You mentioned that the monsters there were identical to the ones from your original world, right? So I figured it would be a good fit for you.”

“Oh…”

She nodded as she took another sip of her coffee, almost finished.

“As dungeon levels increase, there’s less information available online. That’s why the Academy’s teachings are so valuable.”

“Really? I noticed it’s hard to find certain information on my own.”

“Sometimes it’s just because the data doesn’t exist, but other times it’s because someone’s monopolizing it. There are various reasons.”

“That makes sense…”

No wonder information was scarce—most of it was controlled by the management bureau. Now it all made sense.

“That means you’ll need to be cautious, Si-Hyun.”

“You mean I shouldn’t share high-level information lightly?”

“Exactly!”

Ji-Ah grinned, and Si-Hyun matched her smile.

“Ha, it’s not too hard.”

“…Really?”

“What’s with the sudden lack of trust?”

“I don’t know, you just had that kind of look on your face.”

What kind of look was that? She unconsciously raised her hand to touch her cheek. It felt smooth, but her expression was still a mystery to her.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll handle it fine. Do you have clothes for this job?”

“I need to buy some new ones. I was actually looking for some yesterday.”

“Really? Want to go shopping with me? It’s always better to see things in person.”

“Hmm…”

She wasn’t wrong, but Si-Hyun hesitated a little.

“Oh, don’t worry! I won’t be pushy. Just something like what I’m wearing now. How about it?”

“Uh…”

Ji-Ah’s outfit was a neat, office-style look. It definitely looked nice and professional, but…

“...I’m okay with the top, but I think pants would be better on the bottom.”

An H-line skirt felt… a bit too much. Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable to walk in that?

“Alright, let’s go!”

Ji-Ah quickly finished her drink, sipping through the straw. Si-Hyun took the last of her coffee and stood up.

They soon arrived at a shopping mall in Ji-Ah’s car, and before long, Si-Hyun sighed deeply.

“…Everything was part of your plan, wasn’t it?”

“You’ll wear it someday.”

“Right…”

“The length isn’t that different from what you’re wearing now.”

“...You’re just trying to persuade me.”

“Hehe.”

In the end, they bought an H-line skirt as well.

She had to admit it was stylish and pretty, but when she tried it on, the feeling of fabric tightly hugging her legs felt so foreign…

Whatever. For now, she’d stick with pants. Future me, you can handle it.

“Do you have stockings?”

“...No.”

Shopping through an app sounded more appealing to her.

---

Getting advice from Ji-Ah had indeed been a wise choice. She helped with everything, from arranging another meeting with the headmaster to drafting her course syllabus.

Feeling like she was only receiving, Si-Hyun asked if there was anything she could do to repay her.

“How about joining me for a dungeon run sometime?”

“That’s all?”

“I want to experience your buffs again.”

“Deal!”

The discussion wrapped up nicely.

But still, between Han-Gyeol and Ji-Ah, everyone seemed to love her magic. She’d read about it in the news, but were magical Hunters really that rare?

Well, that worked out just fine for her.

The Academy’s program was structured as a one-year course over two semesters. Hunters could choose between basic and intermediate courses for each semester depending on their growth rate.

Most students graduated at D- or C-rank. That meant the students she would meet were likely E-rank Hunters.

Now, all that was left was to create material for the class. She wanted to do it properly, tailoring it to match the students' level.

A course from the student’s perspective, at their level! Hmm, hmm. This sounded perfect, even to her.

Which meant she needed a clear understanding of an E-rank Hunter’s level! She’d need to work diligently for her future students.

She quickly posted a recruitment ad for a two-person run in an E-rank dungeon. Soon after, she met up with a man in front of the gate.

Subject of Observation #1.

---

Before they entered the gate, the man, Kwon Jae-Woo, quietly observed the beautiful woman standing in front of him.

She had such a unique appearance that he recognized her immediately. She was the same woman he’d seen outside the Academy restroom.

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

Even after their greeting, Jae-Woo continued to look at her. But it seemed she didn’t recognize him, tilting her head curiously without any other reaction.

Given her flustered state back then, she probably hadn’t even seen him properly. Jae-Woo understood that on his own.

Bringing it up might make her uncomfortable, so he decided not to mention it.

“Shall we get going?”

“Yes.”

After a brief introduction, they stepped into the gate. The air grew stale, and the surroundings shifted.

A dark cave. Being an E-rank dungeon, the chances of encountering goblins were high.

Jae-Woo looked at Si-Hyun and said,

“I’ll handle the light—”

Pop!

Before he could finish, a ball of light appeared, illuminating the surroundings.

Jae-Woo widened his eyes, staring at Si-Hyun.

“It’s a Paladin skill.”

“Ah, I see.”

Jae-Woo was slightly surprised but nodded.

The two of them had entered as a pair to increase their profit despite the reduced safety. Now that the light source was easily handled, the fights ahead would be simpler.

They moved forward slowly into the cave.

Nervous as he pressed on, Jae-Woo soon felt something odd.

The ball of light seemed to be centered on him, brightening his path. And, oddly enough, Si-Hyun seemed to keep glancing at him.

“Is there something you wanted to say?”

“…No?”

Then why does she keep looking at me? Is it just my imagination? Jae-Woo felt puzzled, but he didn’t have time to think further.

They had encountered monsters.

“Keerk?”

Just as expected, two goblins. Ideally, they could each take one.

“There aren’t many of them. Let’s go!”

The battle began.

Jae-Woo, though recently awakened, had been tackling E-rank dungeons daily.

Though he couldn’t handle the goblin with expert skill, he managed to take it down without much trouble.

Turning to Si-Hyun’s side, he saw she had already taken care of her goblin and collected the loot, watching him.

“You’re quick. Let’s keep going.”

“Yes.”

They continued deeper into the cave, encountering more monsters along the way.

This time, four goblins.

“Let’s each take two. Here we go!”

Jae-Woo charged forward, drawing the goblins’ attention. Three of them came charging toward him.

“Hm…!”

Jae-Woo tensed a bit, but that was all. His awakened trait was regeneration.

While Si-Hyun took down one goblin at a time, all he had to do was hold out. Any injuries would heal over time.

This was why he chose a two-person dungeon run.

“Keerk!”

“Ugh!”

A goblin’s club hit his side, making him stumble briefly, but he quickly regained his stance, enduring their attacks with a defensive posture.

Though he hadn’t fully adapted to the pain, he was much better than when he’d first awakened.

Keeping calm, he held out until Si-Hyun had defeated all the monsters.

“Your trait is regeneration, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

As Si-Hyun curiously observed him, he extended his arm. The shallow cuts gradually faded, albeit slowly. It still felt strange to him.

“I’m sturdy, so just keep reducing their numbers like before.”

“…Alright.”

The two continued their journey through the dungeon.

Si-Hyun kept observing Jae-Woo. He was fascinating.

Regeneration ability? Not a monster or some other species but a human with such power? It felt almost like a superpower.

While they shared mana as a common trait, awakened beings on Earth seemed different from those in her world.

Most awakened individuals had talents tied to tools or weapons, but some had unique abilities like his. No wonder awakened occupations and skills were so varied.

If I awaken one day, will I get a unique ability like that?

Hehe…

“This is nice…”

“Pardon?”

“…Oh, nothing.”

When Si-Hyun murmured to herself, Jae-Woo looked over. But she only tilted her head curiously, as if nothing had happened.

"Nice?"

What’s so nice? He furrowed his brow slightly.

Could she mean his ability? But with it being E-rank, the recovery speed was slow, so it must be something else.

…Could it be?

No, no way.

He shook his head, trying to banish the silly thoughts creeping in. Her appearance was beautiful enough to make him imagine things.

But his ordeal wasn’t over.

“…I look forward to this.”

“…?”

Around halfway through the dungeon, she murmured again. Every time he glanced over, she just tilted her head in confusion.

Her expressions were cute, but… what was she looking forward to?

Jae-Woo felt as if he were sinking into a deeper mystery

, with his thoughts wandering in unintended directions.@@novelbin@@

After clearing the dungeon and settling the rewards, Jae-Woo turned to Si-Hyun.

“Are you planning to join the Academy this semester?”

“Hmm, yes.”

“I’m also enrolling this semester.”

“…Oh.”

Si-Hyun’s response made the corners of Jae-Woo’s mouth lift slightly.

It seemed they were both new students. Maybe he’d see her again.

With his heart beating a little faster, he bid her farewell.

---

As for Si-Hyun, she felt very pleased with the first observation subject—he was an ideal sample.

A very novice-looking E-rank Hunter, and considering what he’d mentioned when they parted, an Academy freshman.

She’d been wondering how to create materials that would genuinely help her future students, eagerly planning and preparing.

Thanks to Jae-Woo, she now had a better grasp of her students’ general skill level.

It was time well spent.

Humming happily, she walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. She licked her lips in excitement and picked up her smartphone.

– Han-Gyeol, are you free tomorrow?

She sent a message to her next observation subject, and the reply came quickly.

---

The next day, at the D-rank gate.

“…Why did he come along?”

One person would’ve been enough, but there was a tag-along.

Si-Hyun looked at him with a blank expression, and Ji-Han shuffled over sheepishly.