Chapter 161: More Than Friends, Less Than Lovers (1)

That dawn, after Kang Hye-eun finished an unexpected night shift and emerged from the dungeon.

Inside the Hunter’s lounge of Eun & Ok Co., Ltd., four women were seated around a table.

As it was still early, other hunters were gathered in small groups of one or two at the remaining tables, waiting for their party members, or else grabbing a quick rest before heading straight into a dungeon.

The four female hunters sitting around one round table were organizing the exploration data from that day’s dungeon run.

Starting with Kang Hye-eun, the leader of Sky Blue Shield and an A-class Hunter, they were arranged clockwise: Cheon Jihee, Cha Yuri, and Han Min-ah.

Except for Cheon Jihee, seated to Kang Hye-eun’s left, leaning slightly closer to her, the other members were positioned facing the four directions of the table.

“Based on what we confirmed during this expedition, tackling the Wasteland Desert seems like a tough challenge for us still.”

The other three nodded in agreement following their party leader Kang Hye-eun’s words.

“Honestly, A+-class dungeons are still too much for us. We managed to finish this one by tagging along with the S-class Sunbaes’ party, but if it were just us, it wouldn’t be strange at all if someone had died.”

“I agree.”

“Don’t push yourself next time, Hye-eun. What would we do if something happened to you by mistake?”

Cheon Jihee said, stroking her own hair from the left with a worried expression, but Kang Hye-eun, accustomed to such things, dismissed it and continued her assessment.

“Even considering the fatigue from the consecutive day and night expeditions, it probably would have been difficult even if we were thoroughly prepared and in peak condition. At our current level, we could barely handle one Giant Red Scorpion.”

The Wasteland Desert, where they had to face three or four A+-class monsters at once, was a considerably overwhelming stage for Sky Blue Shield, composed of four A-class Hunters.

Since all the members had been maintaining peak condition daily lately, Kang Hye-eun, as party leader, had gained a bit of confidence, but the reality they faced was truly a dangerous expedition in itself.

If they hadn’t been accompanied by the S-class Hunter, Magic Swordsman Jung No-eul, and the S-class Hunter, the Scorching Citadel Sung Chae-eun, a major accident would undoubtedly have occurred.

Not to mention the possibility of severe injuries requiring days of intensive care.

It wouldn’t have been strange even if one of them, either herself or Cheon Jihee who was at the forefront, had lost their life inside the dungeon.

“I’ll have to judge more carefully next time. I thought it was a good opportunity to test our skills since two S-class Hunters were accompanying us, but I almost put all of you in danger due to my mistake.”

As Kang Hye-eun spoke, lowering her head, the other three members offered comfort in their own ways.

“D-don’t worry about it, kid! Hunters always put their lives on the line, right? We’ve been A-class for quite a while, so what’s wrong with trying to leap to the next level? I think it was a good choice!”

“…I agree. Actually, it’s fortunate we confirmed our current abilities now. If Sky Blue Shield had entered alone, letting our guard down… the outcome probably would have been much worse.”

“…We all agreed to Hye-eun’s proposal to participate, so don’t worry too much about it. If Hye-eun looks so down, Unnie gets sad too…”

Cheon Jihee said that, subtly hugging her.

Although she felt burdened by Cheon Jihee’s attitude, Kang Hye-eun felt a certain gratitude, sensing the genuine care behind it.

At the same time, she was formulating a new plan as the party leader for Sky Blue Shield to rise to the ranks of S-class Hunters.

‘We need reinforcements.’

Originally, she hadn’t planned to add any more strength, as she expected retirement to be nearing for herself and others one by one. But with the retirement timeline confirmed to be delayed for some reason, Sky Blue Shield naturally needed a new operational strategy to match.

The best scenario would be for Sung Taekyung to quickly complete his transfer to the company and join her party.

However, there were too many variables involved in vaguely waiting for him when no clear plan was set.

The most prominent variable was the presence of Cheon Jihee, the eldest sister of Sky Blue Shield.

Four years older than herself, she was already twenty-six this year, making it a time when her retirement wouldn’t be surprising at all.

Of course, judging by her current momentum, retirement might seem far off for her….

‘Who knows. She might suddenly find her awakening ability weakening, just like Yuri Unnie.’

Since there was another case witnessed firsthand within the party, it was only natural to feel rushed.

If someone were to leave Sky Blue Shield, where every member was crucial, the balance would undoubtedly collapse.

To prevent that, a new strategy was needed.

Either recruit new A-class level Hunters to Sky Blue Shield.

Or, employ that sure-fire method to postpone Cheon Jihee’s retirement.

‘…Honestly. What am I thinking all by myself without even asking Jihee-ssi or Taekyung for their opinions.’

Of course, the second method that had inadvertently crossed her mind was immediately suppressed in her head.

Overcome with guilt for having such a thought, which she shouldn’t have as both a party leader and Sung Taekyung’s lover, she shook her head and cast the idea aside.

“Ah, speaking of which, Jihee Unnie, didn’t you say you had to go somewhere by 8 AM today?”

“…Ah.”

At Han Min-ah’s voice, Cheon Jihee checked the clock, which read 7:40 AM, and quickly rose from her seat.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay until the end of the meeting. It’s time for me to go…”

“It’s okay, Jihee-ssi. You were already off today, and you stayed for the night shift because of my request. I’m grateful just for that.”

“Alright, see you in three days then.”

“G-go home safely, Jihee Unnie~.”

“…Take care.”

After the eldest sister of Sky Blue Shield left early due to personal matters, the remaining three continued their debriefing session from the last expedition.

They briefly organized the knowledge learned from observing the S-class seniors and the terrain and characteristics of the A+-class Wasteland Valley dungeon, and after concluding the review session that confirmed it was still too challenging for them…

“…Alright, let’s wrap up the work talk here.”

The conversation took a new turn with the party leader’s next words.

“Min-ah. Your next heat cycle is coming up soon, right?”

“…”

“I already know your heat cycle schedule, so there’s no point staying silent like that.”

Han Min-ah’s slightly flushed face quietly nodded.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“When exactly does it start?”

“Just based on feeling, I think it’ll be in about two or three days…”

“Then take leave starting in two days, no exceptions. This is a party leader’s order.”

“What…?”

Han Min-ah immediately tried to protest the sudden leave order given to her.

“W-what is this! Why are you deciding my leave arbitrarily!”

“You know that resting properly boosts efficiency, right? Did you forget how you almost collapsed after working 150 consecutive days last time?”

“T-that was then! And I haven’t worked that long consecutively since then?! It’s only been about three weeks since my last break…”

“Hunters usually rest two to three days a week. You’re too much of a workaholic.”

“…”

Workaholic.

It wasn’t a title she had sought, but the label pierced through her, and Han Min-ah fell silent, unable to retort for a moment.

“And I’m not just telling you to rest. While you’re on leave, go and relieve your heat cycle with Taekyung.”

“…S-so, why with him…”

“Because it’s good for you and good for Taekyung. Didn’t I say that last time?”

“Well, yes, but…”

Han Min-ah, glancing at Kang Hye-eun, carefully continued.

“Hye-eun, are you, uh, really okay with me mixing bodies with Sung Taekyung…?”

“…To be honest, I don’t feel particularly great about it either.”

“…”

“If it were up to me, I’d want Taekyung to stop this nonsense, give up on being a hunter or anything, and just stay by my side.”

“…Then I should just…”

“But Taekyung wants it. That alone is enough.”

“…”

“Taekyung said he wants to become stronger using his awakening ability, become the strongest hunter, and achieve his dream. He also said he needs Min-ah’s help in the process. So, I’ll just endure it. That’s what I can do for Taekyung.”

Han Min-ah, having confirmed the profound love of her childhood friend, thought quietly to herself.

Running away now would only leave a bad impression on both Kang Hye-eun and Sung Taekyung.

Besides, the process of sexual release itself with Sung Taekyung wasn’t something she disliked. Weighing the various factors, Han Min-ah finally nodded.

“O-okay, fine… It does save me money on heat suppressants, so that’s good…”

“But no getting pregnant. That’s absolutely my priority.”

“O-of course! I wasn’t even thinking about that! It’s impossible anyway if I’m hunting, and I-I don’t exactly like him that much…”

“You don’t like Taekyung? Why ever…? What does he lack…?”

“I-I never said he lacked anything?!”

Kang Hye-eun’s suddenly chilling gaze and voice sent a warning through Han Min-ah’s primal senses.

‘Damn it, make up your mind already! Which side am I supposed to be on…!!’

Cursing Kang Hye-eun’s unfathomable psychological state internally.

…Though she lacked the courage to say it out loud.

“Yuri Unnie doesn’t mind you having relations with Taekyung freely either. But please always use protection.”

“I know. …As long as he’s satisfied with me holding him, that’s enough.”

It was a fitting response from Cha Yuri, who possessed the least sexual desire and possessiveness towards Sung Taekyung among the three.

Ironically, she was the one most dependent on him among the three.

Cha Yuri hadn’t yet grasped her own feelings clearly.

Therefore, for now, she was content maintaining her awakening ability through sexual release with Sung Taekyung and the pleasant experiences gained in the process.

“Should I tell Taekyung? That you’re going into heat in two days and he needs to take responsibility?”

“I-I’ll handle it myself! I can manage that much, you know?!”

“Alright, Min-ah. Then we’re dismissed, Yuri Unnie.”

“Good work, both of you.”

Eun & Ok Co., Ltd.’s A-class Hunter party, Sky Blue Shield.

Three women harboring slightly different feelings for Sung Taekyung. Their impromptu meeting concluded like this.