Chapter 91: Chapter 91

The world's geopolitical landscape continued to shift, like ink spreading on water, gradually coloring the world.

[Breaking News: Gate Outbreak near Arctic, Observation Failure by Russia.]

[Steady Increase in High-Rank Dungeon Occurrence Rates.]

[B-Rank Hunter Kim Wan Announces Decision to Naturalize in China.]

[Japan Successfully Conquers S-Rank Dungeon, Suffers Heavy Hunter Casualties.]

News outlets flooded daily with reports about gates. In such a volatile world, countries and guilds were scrambling to secure talent.

And in South Korea, a rising star had appeared.

Go Areum.

She was still ranked D, but her promotion speed was astonishing. And she was a support mage.

Rumors of her abilities spread like wildfire, igniting interest from numerous guilds.

Many attempted to reach out to her, but...

[“I-I’m already under Professor Jeong Si-Hyun’s tutelage!”]

She refused every offer with precision. At the same time, curiosity about this "Professor Jeong Si-Hyun" also began to grow.

“Wasn’t she the one at Hunter Kang Cheol-min’s special lecture?”

“I heard her lectures are incredible, too.”

There was little publicly available information, but a few consistent details emerged:

Her strikingly exotic appearance and exceptional abilities.

Many couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

And then, Monday came.

“Wh-what?! A-a party invitation?!”

While lounging around at home, Areum received a special invitation from the Hunter Bureau. It was none other than an invitation to Hunter Kim Ji-ah’s promotion celebration party.

The event was both to encourage and spotlight Areum as a promising young talent.

Hanging up, Areum stared blankly, her thoughts swirling.

Hunter Kim Ji-ah's celebration party.

A party. A party. A party.

She had absolutely no suitable clothes to wear.

And the only person who might help her... Professor Jeong Si-Hyun!

Since the professor was also acquainted with Hunter Kim Ji-ah, it was the perfect choice.

Areum hastily began typing.

- Professor! Please help me!

The response was quick.

- Hm? What’s the matter?

- Professor, you’ve been invited to Hunter Kim Ji-ah’s party too, right? I just got invited, but I don’t have anything to wear!

The "read" mark vanished immediately. But unlike before, the reply didn’t come instantly.

- Are you busy...?

- No, I’m free.

- Can you help me shop for clothes...?

- Oh, I see. Hold on a moment...

Areum anxiously watched her phone, her fingers trembling.

An S-Rank Hunter's celebration party. She didn’t own a single outfit suitable for such an occasion.

Having neither the experience nor the wardrobe, she desperately needed someone to guide her.

One minute. Two minutes.

Time crawled by.

After five long minutes:

- I’ve called in reinforcements! Let’s go together tomorrow evening.

- Waaah! Thank you so much, Professor! You’re the best!

The positive reply left Areum cheering into the empty air.

***

Tuesday evening arrived.

Areum, having arrived early at the meeting spot, hunched her shoulders and nervously glanced around. People dressed in beautiful outfits passed by, making her feel strangely out of place.

“…Even if I buy new clothes, will they suit me at all?”

Her self-doubt began to creep in, and she shrank into herself.

And then, suddenly—

“Areum-ah, hello!”

A melodious voice called her name.

Areum’s face lit up as she turned toward the voice.

“Wait… huh?”

She blinked, taking off her glasses to rub her eyes before putting them back on. Her gaze zeroed in on the person standing next to her professor.

Someone wearing a cap pulled low over their face. That person was unmistakably...

“…Hunter Kim Ji-ah?!”

The so-called "reinforcements" turned out to be none other than the star of the promotion party!

It was beyond anything Areum could have imagined. She froze, her eyes widening in shock.

“Is this the famous disciple you were talking about?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

With a gentle smile, Si-Hyun introduced Areum to Ji-ah.

Once the introductions were done, Ji-ah spoke with a friendly tone.

“Already D-rank? That’s impressive.”

“N-not at all! It’s all thanks to Professor Jeong Si-Hyun! A-and please, feel free to speak casually!”

Flustered by the compliment, Areum’s face flushed red, and she stumbled over her words. Ji-ah chuckled softly and nodded before turning to Si-Hyun.

“Why couldn’t Si-Yoon make it today?”

“It’s her punishment stream day, apparently.”

“Ah, I see. But honestly, I thought she’d keep her identity hidden forever.”

“It wasn’t revealed willingly—it was uncovered.”

“Right, right.”

The two exchanged familiar banter with an ease that spoke of a long friendship.

Areum, watching them from the sidelines, stood in awe, her mind blank as she took in the scene.

***

“How about this one?”

“I-I think it’s nice!”

“Areum, you look good in everything because you’re so pretty.”

“Hehe…”

The group had entered a brand-name store and were leisurely shopping. Ji-ah and Areum browsed through the clothes together, chatting animatedly, while Si-Hyun stood slightly apart, quietly observing.

‘Thank goodness Ji-ah came to help.’

Fashion had never been Si-Hyun’s strong suit. While she’d never been particularly interested in it, ignoring a student in need wasn’t an option. Ji-ah had saved the day.

When Areum’s shopping had wrapped up, Ji-ah turned to Si-Hyun, her voice filled with expectation.

“Si-Hyun, aren’t you going to pick something out for yourself?”

Si-Hyun’s face stiffened slightly.

“…Do I have to? I was just going to wear a suit.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. Let’s pick something new, okay?”

Ji-ah quickly read Si-Hyun’s hesitation and played her cards skillfully.

“I want to coordinate outfits with you. Please? Won’t you indulge me?”

“…Hmm.”

“Matching colors would make it even better! Parties like this don’t happen often, so let’s enjoy it properly.”

“…Alright.”

The mention of “enjoying the party” was too persuasive to resist. Si-Hyun sighed and surrendered.

“Hehe, good decision! Areum, do you want to keep browsing with us?”

“M-me? Yes, I’d love to!”

“Perfect. Let’s go!”

The three of them piled into Ji-ah’s car and headed for a high-end boutique. Without hesitation, Ji-ah chose the store.

Because the Bureau transferred funds to Si-Hyun through Ji-ah, she was fully aware of Si-Hyun’s financial capabilities. Splurging wasn’t an issue.

Si-Hyun, too, wasn’t worried about the money. The real problem lay elsewhere.

“How about this?”

“…A bit too revealing.”

“Then how about this one?”

“…Does it have to be a dress?”

Ji-ah’s suggestions were bold. The outfits were stunningly beautiful—at least to look at. But the idea of actually wearing them?

‘…This is embarrassing.’

Si-Hyun glanced nervously at Ji-ah, who smiled brightly back at her.

‘I get that she’s trying to be considerate, but…’

The dresses weren’t overly revealing, but they were far outside Si-Hyun’s comfort zone. It wasn’t about the clothing itself; it was about how unfamiliar it felt.

Turning away from Ji-ah, Si-Hyun looked at Areum, who was staring at her with wide, sparkling eyes.

‘Is she more excited about this than I am?’

The intensity of Areum’s gaze was almost overwhelming. Had she already imagined Si-Hyun in the dress? The thought made Si-Hyun chuckle awkwardly and redirect her attention back to the clothes.

“…Phew.”

Fine. Let’s just try it on!

She’d been working on stepping out of her comfort zone, so why not? She’d worn bright dresses before—what was stopping her now?

Si-Hyun steeled herself. She wanted to be someone her students could admire, someone who always shone in their eyes.

“Ji-ah, what does your outfit look like?”

“Want me to show you a picture?”

“Yeah.”

With Si-Hyun’s shift in attitude, the shopping trip gained momentum. They chose sleek accessories to complement the outfits.

And then—

‘…I didn’t see this coming.’

They even added a pair of high heels to the mix.

Back home, Si-Hyun set down the shoebox with trembling hands. Exhausted from the shopping spree, she collapsed onto the sofa.

She decided to leave tomorrow’s challenges for tomorrow. For now, she just wanted to rest.

***

A week flew by in an instant.

Kim Ji-ah's S-rank promotion ceremony, attended by representatives from the World Hunter Association, concluded without incident. Ji-ah was officially registered as an S-rank Hunter, solidifying her position as South Korea’s strongest spearmaster. This status was undeniable, acknowledged by all.

Meanwhile, Si-Hyun was busy preparing for the party she was attending the next day.

“Pffft! Unnie, what is that?”

“Ugh, stop laughing already! I’m serious here.”

Si-Hyun’s expression grew stern, but Si-Yoon couldn’t stop herself from clutching her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.

“Unnie! How can I not laugh at this?”

“Oh, come on…”@@novelbin@@

Si-Hyun’s face turned as red as a strawberry as she cried out. Carefully, she moved the tips of her feet, trying to take a step. Even just a few steps were a struggle as she wobbled, fighting to keep her balance. The culprit was the thin, 8cm heels of her high-heeled shoes.

“Unnie, why are you walking like a patient? You’re not planning to walk like that at the party, are you?”

“I-I’ll get used to it soon! Just wait and see!”

Si-Yoon kept teasing her sister. She knew Si-Hyun would adjust quickly, but now—while she was still struggling—was the perfect time to poke fun.

“Careful, unnie! You’re going to fall like that!”

“…If you’re so worried, why don’t you help me instead of just sitting there?”

“Pffft, haha!”

Si-Hyun shot her sister a sharp glare, but it didn’t faze Si-Yoon in the slightest.

Sighing lightly, Si-Hyun took another step. Once again, her feet faltered, and she wobbled precariously.

“…The moment this party ends, these are going straight into storage.”

“Aw, what a waste! Look at your legs, unnie—they look amazing! The heels really make them look long and slender.”

“What good is that if they’re this uncomfortable?”

“You’ll get used to it soon enough anyway.”

“Of course, I’ll get used to it eventually…”

Si-Hyun pouted, her lips jutting out slightly as she carefully moved her feet again. Her petulant expression only made Si-Yoon burst out laughing all over again.