episode_0060

Clank, clank.

Inside the red tent-covered food cart.

“…Excuse me.”

Moon Bora slowly entered, uttering polite words.

Her frozen cheeks warmed up at the gentle heat.

“…It’s cozier than I thought.”

The daughter of the Hunter family…

No, the daughter of the former , Moon Bora, a promising talent and one of the few C-rank Hunters with a prestigious title, “Seolbing.”

That was Moon Bora’s social reputation and image.

In other words, she was what people commonly referred to as a “silver spoon.”

Naturally, Moon Bora had never been to a place like this before.

It wasn’t that she disliked it or anything. It was just that she never had the opportunity.

In reality, when her grandfather was alive, she used to go to a local restaurant with him often.

“…I would just quietly have a couple of drinks in the study.”

And that was only by herself.

For Moon Bora, who had past memories engraved like trauma, a “drinking session” was a top priority.

Alcohol was like a devil’s temptation that clouded the mind.

For someone like Moon Bora, who always maintained a cold rationality, alcohol that could reveal her true feelings was a dangerous thing.

So, she would have normally declined. But the person who contacted her was insistent.

If it was someone she felt guilty towards and needed to apologize to, it was a different story.

“…I actually don’t mind.”

Being sorry and even bowing down to the ground due to drunkenness.

Well, whether she liked it or not.

“Great…!” Smiling brightly, Moon Bora looked around.

No, there was no need to look around.

There was only one team at the table.

“Meow~~~”

She couldn’t help but smile at the familiar cute voice.

She walked towards the handsome man sitting next to her.

“Hello, Miss Bora Bora~.”

“…It’s Moon Bora. Please don’t give me strange nicknames.”

Moon Bora politely replied and quietly sat next to the insistent person.

He poured her a drink with a smile.

“Thank you.”

As she held the glass with both hands and turned her head, he looked at her with a concerned expression.

“You don’t have to be so formal in a place like this.”

“It’s just my habit.”

Moon Bora replied casually and glanced at the insistent person.

He was wearing a simple black knit and was chewing on a snack, looking slightly tired from recent intense training.

Now, it may seem belated, but…

“…He’s beautiful.”

A sharp nose.

Straight eyebrows.

Fair and white skin.

Cherry red lips.

Even the subtle muscles that were slightly visible due to recent intense training.

It felt like looking at a piece of art.

“Meow~”

For a moment, a single cry was heard.

However, it was different from the usual tone she heard from her.

“Meow. What’s wrong?”

“Meow~”

Drunk, Mahana didn’t even realize Moon Bora was there and happily purred like a cat, leaning on the insistent person.

She rubbed her body against him like a cat.

And the unique sounds of “gorong-gorong” and “whyayong” could be heard.

It was quite an impressive scene for Moon Bora.

“…Ah, so this is the drinking habit of the Miao tribe.”

She had read about it in a dictionary.

When the Miao tribe gets drunk, they release their deepest desires.

They particularly rub against someone and nuzzle their chin.

It seemed like he had a strong desire to be petted.

“Meow~”

“Congratulations. Meow.”

“Meow?”

“Yes, yes. You did great! Pushing back in reverse. I bet no one else among the freshmen can do that except you.”

“Meow~”

“Um… Excuse me, Mr. Insistent.”

“Yes?”

“Do I only hear ‘meow’ with my ears… Will it be translated?”

As if it were obvious, she shrugged in response to the question.

Then, while saying, “So, how long have you and Meonyangi known each other!” she rambled on a bit, which seemed a bit awkward.

“…I envy you.”

“Huh?”

Munbora thought she had made a mistake by speaking.

She never reveals her true feelings.

But…

“…Then it should be fine.”

The three or four glasses of alcohol had loosened her frozen heart a bit.

“I… have never trusted anyone before.”

“……”

“When I see the two of you, it makes this world look beautiful. I think to myself, how nice it would be to be that pure… you know.”

“……”

Surprisingly, Yuseha didn’t say anything else in response.

She silently listened to Munbora’s confession as if she knew everything that Munbora had been through.

“…Oh, I’m sorry. I kept rambling on. And I really wanted to say this.”

“What is it?”

With a bashful smile, Munbora pushed a glass towards Yuseha.

The slight intoxication brought a subtle blush to her cheeks, enhancing her beauty even more.

“Congratulations on both of your admissions.”

“Miss Bora also congratulates you.”

“Oh, I didn’t mention the results yet?”

“We feel the same way.”

A mutual confirmation of each other’s admissions.

Munbora and Yuseha both smiled lightly, without needing to say who went first.

“…It’s proven.”

“Meonyangi said so?”

“Yes, I was wrong. Yes… I was foolish.”

“Oh, why are you saying that?”

“…I was a fool…”

*

The drinking session continued calmly, quietly.

And it led to a not unpleasant atmosphere.

Various trivial conversations soon turned to the topic of admissions.

And then to the schedule right after admission.

“They said we have 3 days of rest… So we’ll receive our first class after the break. We need to prepare for course registration.”

“…Is that so?”

“…Yes?”

Munbora chuckled at my question.

“There is still the . Of course, it will be considered as one month since you were admitted during that period, but proper course registration and classes will be held after that.”

… ?

What’s with this strong smell of duty?

When I looked at her with a questioning gaze, Munbora shook her head as if surprised.

“…Do you even know what that is?”

Hmm, I have nothing to say.

“…Listen well. I’ll explain it to you.”

Munbora said.

After being admitted to the academy, there is a basic obligation for ‘Awakeners’ for about a month.

More accurately, it is part of the ‘military service’ obligation that must be fulfilled.

It includes training the mind and body through basic training prepared by the academy.

“No, we did that already. We cleared the gates, didn’t we?”

“That’s an extension of it. To put it simply, clearing the gates is like being in the reserves, and what we are doing now is part of active duty military life.”

Clearing the gates is something all Awakeners do.

What we are doing now is part of the military service required when entering the academy.

“…Do women have to do it too?”

“Of course. In the first place, in a world where monsters appear and threaten, there is no point in distinguishing between men and women. In fact, most women are stronger than men, so it’s disgraceful to push them aside.”

If you have strength, you must bear the corresponding responsibility.

Hunters don’t receive the money and benefits that ordinary people can’t afford for nothing.

“Contributing to the country’s safety in exchange for rewards. It’s a duty that Awakeners must fulfill.”

“Ugh…”

Geez, she speaks so impressively.

But as for me, it felt like she was telling me to re-enlist, so I didn’t feel too good about it.

“The period is a total of 4 weeks. For the first 1 to 2 weeks, you will receive basic training prepared by the academy. Most of it will be evaluating basic physical training and the application of skills. At the same time, three people with similar intentions will be grouped together.”

“A team?”

“Yes, it’s true that the standard party size is 5 members, and I’m sure Yuseha knows that too.”

I understand that as well.

Two warriors in the front line to tank and deal damage.

Two main dealers in the middle.

One support/healer in the back.

Depending on the situation, we may reduce the number of tanks or add another healer, but we never stray too far from this basic structure.

“However, it’s difficult for someone with no party experience to carry their weight in a team of 5. That’s why the minimum size for this is 3.”

Front line, dealer, support.

The simplest and most cost-effective combination.

I also tend to organize small parties like this.

“So, the purpose of this training is to increase party experience by forming teams with the minimum size.”

“I see… So are we just forming teams for the sake of it? There must be some purpose behind it.”

“Of course. In the third week, there will be team vs. team matches.”

I understood what Moon Bora meant.

‘Tutorial…’

The beginning of Gosa starts with three characters assigned to fight against another three under the guise of a “Basic Duel.”

‘Ah… so the story progresses from there.’

Wait, what about the last week?

“The fourth week involves clearing the gate.”

“…Again?”

“Yes, again. But it’s not just clearing. There’s a closure process involved.”

Closure.

Simply put, it means completely closing and eliminating the dungeon itself.

Usually, this judgment is made on gates that are deemed ultimately harmful.

It’s nothing special.

Just defeat the boss and use a special artifact to initiate the closure process.

“…So, we’re just being used as disposable labor for this?”

“…Yes.”

Hmm, as expected…

It didn’t feel great.

After the discussion about the schedule ended, we silently tilted our glasses.

Or more accurately, Moon Bora was drinking as if she was on a rampage.

“…Bora, you’re drinking too much…”

“It’s okay…”

With a flushed face, Moon Bora took another sip.

Just as I was about to intervene, she suddenly spoke with a serious tone.

“…Yuseha.”

“Yes?”

“…I’m sorry.”

It was a sudden apology, but I wasn’t surprised.

From not taking off her gloves at the shrine, I had some idea.

For Moon Bora, taking off her gloves is a habit of showing trust to others.

She must be suspicious of me…

I guessed.

That suspicion turned into certainty during the entrance exam.

“In truth, I… doubted you.”

“…” (Sips from the glass.)

“Ah, you knew?”

“Yes, well… with Professor Pang Jin, right? I vaguely noticed when you exchanged glances.”

“…You have a really good intuition.”

After hesitating, Moon Bora continued.

“I… was about to-”

“-It’s okay.”

“…What?”

“The misunderstanding is cleared up, right? Isn’t that so?”

I smiled warmly at Moon Bora, who looked puzzled.

‘It must be that.’

The cheat user investigation event.

Sometimes, when a player shows unbelievable growth by excessively using paid items, an event is triggered.

Basically, the suspicion index for being a or increases dramatically, causing NPCs to become suspicious, creating a malicious event.

It’s something all hardcore players experience at least once, so it’s not that surprising.

And if it was Moon Bora who had doubts, then it must have been a valid suspicion.

Even though she may seem cold on the outside.

She’s a character who cares more about the safety of others than anyone else.

“…”

Moon Bora’s expression didn’t expect a response.

This won’t do.

I stood up and took her hand.

“Yuseha?”

“It’s getting late, and Meung-i is getting restless…”

Should we walk together?

The three of them finished their calculations and slowly made their way out of the food cart.

Maha, swaying from the alcohol, clinging onto Yuseha’s back.

Yuseha looking at Maha as if he were cute.

And lastly, Moonbora still looking at him with a remorseful expression.

“Sigh…”

Moonbora felt like there were big boulders rolling around in his mind.

He knew from the beginning.

This fact weighed heavily on his heart once again.

“I have to apologize…”

Yuseha brushed it off, saying it was okay, but he couldn’t let it go.

If you make a mistake, you should face the consequences.

As that thought filled his mind, his words struck his ears.

“Anyway, smart people look like fools in times like this.”

“…What?”

“Are you apologizing? You can’t figure out what to say?”

He hit the nail on the head.

As expected of this man…

Sometimes he seemed like a fool, but at times like this, he was incredibly sharp.

“Then let’s do this. If you grant me two requests, I’ll forgive you.”

“……! What, what are they?”

At the mention of requests, Moonbora felt a slight sense of relief.

Alright. If it’s a material reward, they can cleanly resolve it.

But this man, who was so unpredictable, brought up an unexpected request.

“Let’s be friends. Let’s drop the formalities.”

“…What?”

“Let’s be friends. We’re both first-year students anyway. How long are you going to use honorifics? It’s tiring.”

“I, I’m two years older than you? I’m 21!”

“So what? Or should I call you Bora noona?”

“…Noona…don’t use such a cringy title!”

“Why~ Bora noona~”

“Eek!”

What is this rude man saying now?

And why is he speaking as if it’s obvious?

Yuseha continued to insist on being friends, laughing and narrowing the distance between them, even patting him on the shoulder.

In the end, after a heated discussion, they came to a conclusion.

“I will still maintain formal speech. It’s more comfortable for me. You can call me however you like, Yuseha.”

“Tsk~”

“Mew~”

“Don’t be cheeky! But…thank you.”

…Seha.

“…!”

With just one letter, he looked at her with a surprised expression, conveying warmth.

On the other hand, Moonbora, whose face had turned red, simply bowed his head deeply.

“…Anyway…what’s the other request?”

“Oh, that’s simple.”

He looked at Maha, who was meowing behind him.

“Be friends with Meung-i.”

“…Again, that? Don’t you want something else besides that? Even though I look like this, I have my own influence-”

“Don’t ask for things between friends. Just be friends with Meung-i. That’s my request.”

Yuseha smiled broadly after speaking.

That bright smile from back then, with the promise.

Trust me. I’ll make you follow me no matter what.

He hadn’t changed a bit, looking at her with the same unchanged appearance.

“…”

Moonbora couldn’t understand.

The traumatic experience from her childhood had become a shackle, preventing her from ever building a relationship where she could call someone a friend.

She had been betrayed by the family she trusted.

This fact had become a shackle, making her unable to trust anyone.

Therefore, she had kept a distance from others.

The employees who respected her were there, but they were just a calculated relationship based on money between employer and employee.

So for her…

She didn’t know what to do in times like this.

“What’s this.”

At that moment, Yu Se-ha revealed the answer.

“Are you not even going to shake my hand?” He shook the hand that was extended for a handshake.

“Ah, I-I’m sorry.”

Slowly, Mun Bora held his hand.

Soft yet firm…

Above all, a warm sensation flowed through Mun Bora’s hands.

“I’ll be counting on you. Mun Bora.”

“…Yes, I’m the one who…”

I’ll be counting on you. Mr. Se-ha.

* * *

Three days later.

I whistled beside him and slowly opened my mouth towards Mun Bora, who was avoiding eye contact.

I deliberately raised my voice.

“Mun Bora?”

“…Yes?”

Mun Bora swallowed dry saliva at my words.

Her face was filled with confusion, as if saying, ‘Why… is this happening?’

“I told you to stay in your accommodation for at least a day or more because you’ll be struggling for a while. But why… nothing happened? Thanks to that, we couldn’t even take our Meonyangi out to play, you know?”

“…Is that so?”

“…No way.”

Are you trying to deceive me?