episode_0069

The dagger appeared ordinary and dull at first glance, making me hesitate for a moment.

‘…It definitely looks like the game icon, but…’

Since I hadn’t actually seen it in person, I wasn’t sure if it could be something else.

I asked Junayong for permission and examined the information window.

―――――――――――――――

◉Name: Pilgrim’s Dagger

◉Type: Dagger

◉Grade: Rare

◉Special Effects

: Requires a minimum [Holy] value of 1 to use.

: Seals all ‘recovery’ effects on the target hit.

: Can only be activated when the boss’s health is below 50%, in which case it always applies a weapon destruction effect.

◉Detailed Information

: A dagger said to have been used by a saint alongside a sword.

―――――――――――――――

‘…Is this for real?’

[Pilgrim’s Dagger].

As a Rare grade dagger, it had poor durability. However, it was a powerful sub-weapon that sealed the recovery abilities of the target hit.

Even though the recovery reduction only applied when the boss’s health was below a certain level due to the dungeon’s power, it was still a great weapon considering it affected bosses.

The reason I noticed this was because it was an item that frequently appeared in ‘Gosla.’

‘…I’ve seen this a lot in PVP.’

As it was a commonly seen item in battles between map managers, I knew how useful it could be.

While I was staring blankly, Junayong, who had been watching me, chuckled and asked teasingly, “Do you like it?”

“Like it? What are you talking about?”

I had checked the price of [Pilgrim’s Dagger] through the Hunter App, and it was at least 100 million. Due to its low supply compared to demand, it could even reach 1 billion at auctions.

In simple terms, it was too expensive to just accept it as a gift.

‘…No, this is a bit…’

I put the dagger back into the cylindrical case with a stiff expression.

“Hey, hey Junayong. I can’t accept this. It’s too expensive.”

“It’s fine. I want to give it to you. I can’t use it anyway since I don’t have any Holy attribute. It’s better to meet an owner like you who can use it than let it rot in the warehouse for years.”

…Did she just say that I and Myeong-i have the Holy attribute?

“…No, hey, still…”

“I don’t know. If you don’t take it, I’ll just throw it away here and leave.”

“…”

I was involuntarily confused by her stubborn insistence.

‘…Is this kid really a diamond spoon?’

Although I had mentioned it once, Junayong did not reveal detailed information about her family or background in her personal story.

She followed the Hunter she admired and enrolled in the Gones Hunter Academy.

There was never a description of her struggling financially, so I could only speculate that she was wealthy among the map managers.

In the midst of my confusion, Junayong, who had been hesitating behind me, suddenly ran away, shouting, “Yongdada-!”

“Hey, hey Junayong!”

As if she wouldn’t take it back, Junayong ran far away. I shouted hastily towards her.

“Thank you!”

Thanks to her, I’ll make good use of it!

* * *

A few hours later.

“Hehe~”

Junayong, who had left the lodging, felt that her steps were unusually light today as she walked.

She stopped for a moment.

The scene at the training ground.

More precisely, she thought about Yuseha’s bewildered expression.

‘…Did he like it?’

Although he was extremely flustered, his smiling lips seemed to indicate that he liked it.

And then, he shouted, “Thank you! Thanks to you, I’ll make good use of it!” while waving his hand.

The warm laughter and bright smile were deeply engraved in Junayong’s heart.

“…Yonghahi.”

Of course, I understand your request well.

It was an expensive item to give as a gift.

But for Junayong, it was not just about displaying it, but about it being used in the hands of the right owner, which he considered to be valuable.

‘…Instead of it just rotting away in the warehouse…’

Wouldn’t it be better for it to be in the hands of someone qualified?

Just in case…

He also wanted to see her reaction, the way she liked it.

‘…It seems like she’s seeing it for the first time.’

The way she smiled so happily.

Junayong, acting shy like a child.

“Um… huh?”

And then, that familiar feeling of tingling came back again.

The feeling he had when he was helped by Yuseha during the first week’s test, a feeling of something bubbling up inside him.

“……?”

Junayong hesitantly touched the space between her slightly raised breasts.

He shook his head slightly and brushed it off as nothing.

‘…Alright, with this, I’ve paid off the value of the kkaenip mint-choco series I received for the past few days.’

Now, he just had to prepare with all his might.

For the upcoming third week’s competition.

Junayong was confident that Yuseha would definitely make it to the finals.

Of course, he felt the same way.

There was no way he would lose.

Well, whether he liked it or not…!

‘…That’s where the real battle will take place.’

To take the place of Professor Baek Jin-ah’s exclusive disciple!

It was a time when he was crossing the street with such a pleasant feeling.

‘…Huh?’

At that moment, he witnessed someone leaning on the railing, looking up at the night sky.

Their eyes naturally met.

And it led to a mutual surprise.

“……?”

“……Yong-ah?”

A tall figure of about 165cm.

Flowing purple hair that reached down to the waist.

Combined with white skin as clear as snow, it was clear that she was a beauty.

“Junayong?

“ ?”

Sulbing Moonbora.

It was an unexpected late-night encounter.

*

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence quietly flowed between the two.

For about 1 to 2 minutes…

Neither of them spoke first.

‘Awkward…’

Eventually, unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Junayong tentatively asked.

“Um… why are you out at this hour?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I thought a walk might help. What about you, Junayong?”

“I… I couldn’t sleep either.”

“I see.”

After that, no further conversation followed.

Junayong and Moonbora.

Promising newcomers with the nicknames and .

Despite whatever the evaluations of the other students may be, the two of them had no connection with each other.

Of course, with Yuseha, who was so good at bringing everyone together.

And with the soft and soothing adhesive Mahana, they had been hanging out together for the past few days.

However, the two of them had never had a private conversation.

It was like the kind of relationship where it’s fine with three people, but awkward with just two.

‘Awkward…’

Junayong felt awkward in many ways.

Not having talked to before, he had nothing to say.

Adding unexpected awkwardness to the mix, he was on the verge of going crazy.

Should he just leave first? At that moment, a voice came from Moonbora.

“That…”

“Huh?”

“Did Yuseha give this to you?”

Moonbora pointed to the kkaenip mint-choco Mentos.

It seemed like she had noticed it as he took it out of his pocket.

She offered him one with a curious look.

“Would you like to try it?”

“Thank you, I’ll gladly accept.”

Chomp chomp.

Surprisingly, she ate it without any change in expression.

Junayong thought she was a truly fascinating woman.

“…At first glance, they seemed like they only frequented high-end restaurants…

Eating hearty beef soup together, sprinkling sesame seeds on the stir-fried pork belly, they enjoyed their meal…

Even this difficult mentor savored the flavors well.

Every time, Junayong would look at Jang Bora with a puffed-up face.

On the contrary, nodding as if she knew about the campaigning.

‘…Could they have been friends with Yuseha for a long time?’

It’s possible…

Despite the difficult atmosphere, Yuseha casually exchanged words.

“…Indeed, it seems to have a taste that fans would appreciate.”

“Is that so? Everyone seems to be quite satisfied even though they’re picky eaters?”

A mentor’s unexpected compliment.

It opened the floodgates of conversation between the two.

Junayong and Jang Bora had unknowingly started sharing stories about each other.

“Oh, I see. [Flame] requires special attention to its explosiveness.”

“Is [Frost] different?”

“I think it’s because you have to use the heat energy in reverse due to the magical backlash. It focuses more on sustainability… and maintaining magic steadily to draw in the energy.”

Although their were different, they shared a common story about handling attributes.

“Ah, personally, I wish it was something cooler than …”

“I also don’t find … it’s not even a popular bingsu brand… I wonder what the system’s criteria are?”

“…They don’t even answer anyway.”

“That’s the problem… sigh.”

They even went on to discuss their respective nicknames.

In the end, the one who opened up the conversation, the center of attention.

At the same time, someone who was rude yet captivating to both of them.

The conversation led to discussions about Yuseha.

“Sometimes, his quality is just not good enough.”

“Yes, yes! That guy is definitely a nine-tailed fox from a past life.”

“I agree. He may use his appearance to get closer… but it’s not good for the heart. Really?”

“Yes, yes!”

Junayong and Jang Bora surprisingly got along well with each other? That was the thought.

Was it the thought that gave Junayong courage?

He cautiously asked Jang Bora.

“Hey, Jang Bora.”

“Just call me Moon Bora.”

“Uh, yeah. So… I was just wondering…”

“Hmm?”

“You and Yuseha…”

Are you… involved?

“…?”

For a moment, Moon Bora didn’t understand the meaning of his words and stared blankly at Junayong.

‘Uh… me?’ she thought, pointing to herself with her finger.

Then, she started to blush and stutter.

“Uh, uh, uh, uh, wh-what is that-!”

Just as she was about to protest.

A ringing phone interrupted their conversation.

The owner of the sound was Junayong.

She looked at the caller ID, feeling apologetic, she answered the call.

It seemed to be a very important call.

Moon Bora couldn’t help but suppress her boiling emotions and felt incredulous.

‘Oh, come on!’

No matter how close they had been recently, to misunderstand like that…

‘Come to think of it…’

She had seen posts on the academy bulletin board questioning their relationship.

‘I ignored it at the time…’

The rumors about them seemed to have spread far and wide.

‘…Should I do something about it?’

While pondering this, she suddenly heard a shout.

“…What the hell is that supposed to mean!”

Junayong seemed quite angry, even mixing in curses as she shouted.

Lowering her phone and switching to speaker mode, she shouted even louder at the person on the other end.

“At least he’s probably a villain, right?”

Confused.

Moon Bora reflexively shivered at the name that followed.

“Accomplice? Yuseha… what?”

Mahana?

What the hell kind of nonsense is that!