Kang Tae-woo was curious.
Did the Association even know about this?
And how would they react?
He thought about it.
His plan to pull her into the guild so she could live comfortably hadn't gone well.
Plus, he found out she didn't meet the updated Hunter standards.
Maybe he could use that to make sure she wouldn't have to struggle anymore.
No matter how much the country values each S-rank Hunter.
For someone without magical sensitivity, being a Hunter was like walking on thin ice.
"Huh...?"
Of course, it wasn't like he intended for the Association to find out he met Hwang Eun-ha.
He just happened to stop by the Association for some guild business.
When he saw the screen showing the test room, he got curious if another S-rank would appear and watched for a bit.
That curiosity quickly turned to shock.
"Are you kidding me?"
Han Se-ra, the guild master standing next to him who had seen it all, said that, and Kang Tae-woo nodded in agreement.
On the screen was a person in black clothes, short-haired or maybe long-haired—it was hard to tell.
No one knew how they did it, but the way they pressured the Ghost Iron Bone was unbelievable—like, did Korea really have such a powerful Hunter?
"Is there an S-rank Hunter in Korea who can take down Ghost Iron Bone alone?"
"There, that one. Whoever's taking the test now."
"No one else?"
"...Probably not. Maybe only that guy from the US could handle it solo."
Could they really beat Ghost Iron Bone?
Everyone waiting, including the three of them, held their breath watching the scene inside the test room.
Could they really win?
Maybe Korea finally had a Hunter strong enough to rival the US.
[Thud!]
[Ha!]
With a fierce shout from the woman, the test room door shook violently, and the tremor spread through the Association building.
There was a sound like something breaking, and the grotesquely twisted leg of Ghost Iron Bone, which had been struggling to escape, suddenly went limp on the screen.
"Whoa."
"Did she just break that?"
The three were speechless at the power shown by the mysterious woman in black.
They all shared the same thought.
She's strong.
Overwhelmingly so.
Could she really be a Hunter like them?
"She actually won..."
And when Ghost Iron Bone collapsed like a deflated balloon, the three finally exhaled.
'She's gotten stronger.'
He instinctively knew there was no one else in the country with such strong psychokinesis.
He recognized who she was inside.
That's why Kang Tae-woo felt chills all over.
She seemed like she wanted to quit, but was it really right for someone that strong to stop being a Hunter?
"Hwang, Hwang Eun-ha?"
He stammered as he saw her force open the test room door, which was bent and wouldn't open.
Awe for a Hunter on a whole different level.
But when she came out and looked embarrassed seeing everyone staring at her, Kang Tae-woo tilted his head.
'Why?'
Someone who has nothing left to fear—what could possibly embarrass her?
Just as he was about to ask, a loud bang sounded and someone rushed past him like the wind.
Only then did he snap out of it.
And when he saw the spot where Hwang Eun-ha had been standing was empty, he realized she had run away.
*
What should I do in a situation like this?
Seeing the shocked faces of the people looking at me, I finally realized I'd really messed up.
The one I just took down was manageable from my perspective.
But I'd forgotten that to others, that thing was like a grim reaper.
"Hwang, Hwang Eun-ha?"
Alright.
This is the only way.
"Hunter, where are you going!"
Ignoring Kang Tae-woo's voice, I made up my mind and quickly ran away from where I stood.
I tried to ignore Yu Ha-young's voice calling from behind.
If people see my face outside, will they notice?
I didn't wear a mask because I needed to film, but that turned out to be a mistake.
"Hah, hah."
After escaping the Association building and running a bit, I leaned against a wall, catching my breath.
Once my breathing calmed, my mind cleared enough to think.
'Did I really have to make a fuss just to film?'
I wanted to prevent annoying complaints by filming.
But now I'd only shown how strong I'd gotten.
"Ugh..."
Calling myself an idiot, I sat on a nearby bus stop bench.
I buried my face in my knees and sighed deeply.
Why does everything I do just push me further from living an easy life?
"Ugh, I don't know anymore."
Damn it.
I don't care.
Whatever happens, it'll work out somehow.
It's normal for Hunters to fight monsters, so why should I get noticed for it?
"...Let's just go home."
Then a thought hit me.
If that had been a real dungeon, not a test site, it might have been easier to clear.
But if it was easier, wouldn't that be a problem too?
'Damn. Am I really okay with this?'
In this messed-up situation, I found a tiny bit of hope and laughed bitterly before standing up.
I fought so hard, my whole body was drenched in sweat—I just wanted to get home and shower.
Taking a bus felt off, so maybe I'd grab a taxi.
"Please take me to XX-dong Garden Apartments."
I got in the taxi and said that, watching the scenery blur behind as the engine started.
If I want to avoid causing trouble, nothing beats having my own car.
'Come to think of it, Kang Tae-woo seems to drive his own car too.'
Hunters seem to make some money.
Back when I was breaking dungeons without proper support, I didn't know how much Hunters make these days.
I only occasionally go to dungeons near me.
And even then, only if Ha-young really asks.
I usually give all the dungeon loot to my party members.
"Hmm. Sir?"
"Yes?"
"How much do cars like this cost these days?"
I wasn't great with money.
I was more comfortable thinking about how many upgrade items I had in a game than actual cash.
I was a total game nerd.
"This car?"
"Yes. I'm thinking about buying one, but I don't know the price or where to look."
"Oh dear, young lady, cars aren't something you just buy on a whim. It's not just the price—you gotta think about how much it costs to maintain."
Costs money?
Isn't it just buying and filling gas?
"Costs money?"
"Yes. Are you a college student or working?"
"I'm a college student..."
"Then don't buy one. Study hard instead. Don't suffer later because you bought a car now. If you get a good job, you can drive a nice car comfortably."
"Okay..."
Damn, so how much is it?
The taxi driver started lecturing just because he heard "college student."
"So about 100 million won?"
"100 million? Domestic cars don't go that high."
"How many dungeons do I have to break then..."
So it's less than 100 million?
I started calculating in my head.
But I couldn't focus long because of the taxi driver's words.
"Breaking dungeons? Are you a Hunter?"
"Yes. I'm a Hunter."
"Ah, that changes things. What rank? B-rank?"
"I'm S-rank. Why?"
He suddenly asked my rank after hearing I was a Hunter.
It's not rude to ask a high-rank Hunter, but when I said S-rank, his eyes widened.
"Oh my, then you're not a college student but a Hunter. I didn't realize. S-rank? I don't think I've seen one before."
"You can look me up in the Association database later. I don't do much activity, but I'm registered."
"That changes things. S-rank Hunters make good money, so..."
* * *
The taxi driver seemed to really like cars.
As soon as he heard my rank, his attitude changed and he started teaching me about cars.
Of course, I barely understood since I knew nothing about cars.
But chatting with a Korean uncle was way more fun than the lectures I got from my master in the other world.
So I enjoyed the taxi ride.
[Insufficient balance.]
When I tried to pay and get off, I forgot my support money hadn't come in yet, and the meter's cold voice sounded.
I wasn't completely broke though.
"I have money in another account. Can I do a transfer?"
"Heh, you must have good gear."
"Yeah, well..."
I did buy gear.
A cool sword my game character would carry.
"Instead of money, can I get your autograph?"
"Huh?"
"My grandson loves Hunters. I want to give him an S-rank Hunter's autograph. Can you?"
"If that's okay, sure. But I'm not famous like Cha Young-woo, so he might not like it."
"He'll love it. It's rare to meet an S-rank Hunter."
"Oh, then..."
So I got the autograph with the grandkid's name, and a photo holding it.
That covered the fare.
Even though I looked like a mess after the Association incident.
Apparently, the grandson likes seeing me after a fight.
"What?"
After paying with the autograph and photo and getting out of the taxi, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
It was Jin-wook, probably just finished school, looking at me with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you getting off here?"
"Ah, I had some business at the Association."
"You, a total homebody?"
"Well, I go out sometimes."
We waited for the elevator.
When it arrived and we got in, Jin-wook frowned at my sweat-soaked smell.
"Ugh, shower as soon as you get home."
"Why, smelling that strong?"
"Want me to hit you?"
"If you can, try it."
I stuck my tongue out to tease him, but he grabbed it and wouldn't let me pull it back.
"Ha-oh! Ha-oh! Ah-ha-ge!" I said, and he finally let go.
"How can you grab a tongue?"
"If you don't like it, don't do it~."
I wanted to say more, but the elevator dinged at our floor, so I had to stop.
Instead, I said to Jin-wook as he opened the door,
"Wanna grab a drink later tonight?"