A mont later, I stepped outside, following Esther’s text to et at the large intersection. However, as soon as the guild leader of the Magic Tower spotted my face, she imdiately said,
“We’re going shopping for spring clothes!”
Last winter. As you know, I frequently wore the suit I received from her. To say I “frequently wore”—truthfully, it was the only thing I had in my closet, so I was practically forced to wear the clothes she gave whenever I went out. Strangely, this behavior seed to be quite a happy thing for the Earthlings, and Esther kept emphasizing this fact and willingly bought new clothes.
“Kiryeo, you’ve been using the gift so, so well that I felt really grateful! This ti, let’s go to a tailor for a custom suit.”
A white shirt. A navy vest. And various other things. TThe clothes the other person bought were still incredibly expensive, but now I just accepted it and moved on.
‘I’ve co to understand now that becoming an S-rank Hunter ans this is probably just pocket change for Esther.’
However, not feeling burdened and becoming indifferent to soone’s kindness are two separate issues. If I don’t want to leave any regrets, I should at least show a minimum level of sincerity in return.
“I feel bad just receiving like this… Would it be alright if I treated you to a al as a way to repay you?”
I wasn’t sure what she liked, but since Esther is human, she must eat food, right? After making my calculations, I made a suggestion to her.
“A al?!”
But her reaction was quite intense. The mont I ntioned treating her to a al, her voice shot up by about two octaves. It seed that Esther was particularly hungry today.
***
Next, we arrived at a nearby restaurant. I left the choice of the place and the nu to her preferences. Esther chose a sky-view restaurant in a tall building.
‘Huh?’
However, even though it was lunchti, there were no custors.
As I looked around, Esther, who was next to , explained.
“Ah, don’t be surprised. I reserved the whole place in advance so I could have a cozy al with you, Kiryeo.”
“Yes?”
“I contacted a friend in a hurry, and luckily, there were no reservations today.”
A full reservation. So, does that an I had to pay for all those seats?
I felt a mont of panic, but fortunately, my fears didn’t co true. Esther led to a table by the window and told to pay for just two als. She casually added that she preferred to have the space around her empty because she liked to eat quietly, so I shouldn’t worry about it.
‘That’s a relief.’
Since we finally arrived at a nice restaurant, I decided to enjoy the culinary culture of this planet today.
Esther and I ordered the sa course and took our seats. It wasn’t long before the appetizer arrived. The colorful food was served in a small dish. Was that… shrimp on the bottom?
‘How do you eat it?’
I curiously examined the unfamiliar food in front of . And then, the friendly voice of my companion began to flow in from the other side.
“Kiryeo-ssi, by the way, do you rember the promise we made before?”
The promise she was referring to was probably that one.
「Alright. I’ll help you deal with Su Yehwi. But can I consider this as a debt?」
In fact, the help she provided last ti wasn’t entirely a free service.
‘In return for helping , Esther asked to do sothing for her later.’
I nodded, indicating that I rembered our past agreent. Then Esther smiled and said,
“I’m glad you haven’t forgotten. Since we’re on the topic… Actually, there’s sothing I’d like to ask you today, Kiryeo-ssi.”
Rustle.
The sorceress pulled sothing out of her bag. She slid the object across the table, and upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a thick sheet of paper with a gold border.
“Hunter Kim Kiryeo. By any chance—.”
I had declared that I would do anything I could, but honestly, I was worried about what she might ask.
“Could you go sowhere with next week?”
A few seconds later, Esther brought up the topic she had prepared, asking for compensation for helping with the handling of the Rakshasa Temple.
“It’s a party organized by a specific guild.”
With a light tap, Esther pointed to the paper on the table and added,
“The largest hunter guild in the United States, ‘Gate Star.’ It’s celebrating its 5th anniversary this month.”
Gate Star? As I listened more closely, it seed that the guild was hosting a large-scale event to celebrate the anniversary of the company. Moreover, this year, they were uniquely inviting S-rank Hunters from various countries. Since top-tier Hunters are few in number, it’s often hard to see each other, so the purpose of this gathering was to co together and interact, even if just for a short while…
“There’s no harm in making connections with foreign S-classes.”
Esther said she personally didn’t think Gate Star’s offer was bad.
“So, I plan to accept this invitation. But the problem is…”
She leaned over and made a troubled expression.
“I haven’t found an escort yet.”
“Escort?”
“As you can guess from the explanation, it wouldn’t be right to go to an event like this alone, would it?”
That’s certainly true. If Hunters from various countries are gathering, the party will likely be filled with foreigners.
“So, in conclusion, I wanted to ask Kiryeo-ssi to be my partner.”
I accepted Esther’s request without much hesitation. I had been worried about what would happen if a request ca in that revealed my abilities, but if I could settle my debt just by attending this banquet, then that was great for .
‘I can take this opportunity to see a foreign place as well.’
Huh? The more I think about it, there are only advantages to this!
“Okay. I’ll do that.”
“Oh my, really?”
With that, I gladly agreed to accompany her to the Gate Star’s anniversary event. Esther then continued the conversation with a joyful expression, discussing details like the departure date and the dress code….
***
‘4.’
It’s typically regarded as an unlucky number. In hospitals, they sotis skip the fourth floor altogether because the character for “four” is associated with death. However, perhaps because she awakened in the curse-related field, it felt like those symbols of misfortune often approached as signs of good luck.
‘The fourth.’
Kim Kiryeo. It’s truly a fortunate thing that soone like him has appeared as an S-rank in Korea.
In the mind of the Korean Magic Tower guild leader, Kim Kiryeo was actually held in quite high regard. It was only natural; thanks to him eliminating all the Sirens last January, she was able to celebrate the Lunar New Year for the first ti in years.
[(Breaking News) Kim Kiryeo, along with Kang Changho and Ahn Yoonseung, embarks on an expedition to conquer the rmaid Pass…]
‘What? Of all people, I have to work in a team with soone like Kang Changho, a known criminal!’
Of course, she was briefly disappointed when she saw the report about the rmaid Pass incident… But fortunately, those negative feelings were quickly resolved.
As winter was coming to an end, Kim Kiryeo ca to the top floor of the Korean Magic Tower and said this.
– Can you help ?
– I want to deal with the Awakener who created [Inevitable Malice].
That day, Esther felt a sense of emotion she hadn’t experienced in a long ti as she watched the S-rank Hunter bow his head to her.
– Please.
Not only was he the first to uncover the secret of the vanished Imoogi, but he also possessed information about the identity of soone with an invisibility skill and the background of the Rakshasa Temple. When she thinks about it, S-rank Hunter had known quite a bit about Awakener’s cris, to the point of raising suspicions. Moreover, it later ca to light that there were rumors circulating within the association that Kim Kiryeo had frozen and neutralized the boss stealers…
‘Hmm.’
Seo Esther knew that the association president’s official announcent was false. However, given the circumstances so far, she suddenly felt a suspicion that Kiryeo might actually have been serving as a true judge behind the scenes, regardless of that false declaration.
– We can’t solve this with public power. In any case, the quickest way to break Su Yehwi’s control is to shatter his consciousness with your abilities.
That’s how Kim Kiryeo was ruthless in punishing criminals.
‘That hunter would personally do sothing like that…’
The mindset of stopping evildoers even if it ant getting blood on their hands. Isn’t this too similar to the leader of a certain guild? Furthermore, recalling the conversation held in an abandoned factory, Esther now felt a vague sense of thirst arise within her.
– I’m saying that Su Yehwi is going to beco a cripple and die, but your reaction is surprisingly boring, huh?
– Then how should I react here?
His expression was stiff. The vacant eyes that looked down at the crawling Su Yehwi revealed nothing. Kiryeo showed no rcy in response to the death of the cult leader who had ruined hundreds of families.
He consistently maintained an indifferent attitude toward criminals, as if even the slightest emotion was a waste. Esther felt this kind of Kiryeo’s appearance was ideal. That’s why she felt this impulse rising within her.
‘Really.’
If only she could have soone like him in her grasp, she would have no other wishes. However, that kind of wish would be hard to co true.
Not to ntion, it was already difficult to recruit him to the Magic Tower; he had even refused a request from Jung Haseong’s team, which indicated just how difficult his personality was.
‘Such a person tead up with Kang Changho? I wonder why. Could it be that their skill combinations are particularly good?’
Anyway, it’s not easy. Esther rolled her eyes while wiping her mouth with a napkin. Even at this mont, a man with a sambaegan eye was sitting across from her. He had previously expressed a desire to make a good impression on her, but honestly, now that she thought about it, she wasn’t sure if he was being sincere.
‘He often avoids dinner invitations and even went missing for three months at one point…’
Esther decided to be satisfied with maintaining a decent friendship with the fellow S-rank Hunter. Unlike so fire-attribute workaholics, that guy at least replied to texts. Moreover, thanks to their steady communication over ti, she could also bring up requests like this.
“Hunter Kim Kiryeo, could you go sowhere with next week?”
Esther paused her al and got to the point. In fact, the spring clothes were an excuse, and she ca out today to make this proposal.
“It’s a party organized by a specific guild.”
She looked down at the invitation from the United States. Building relationships with the new S-rank Hunters at this party could be beneficial in various ways. Of course, they were smart enough not to be easily used, but… how to leverage these connections for gain would depend on individual capabilities, and Esther believed this social engagent was worth it.
“I plan to accept this invitation.”
However, there were still reservations about readily accepting the invitation from Gate Star. The reason why the status of the S-class was threatening was because they had few opponents. However, when the sa-class Awakened people gathered in one place like this, their value would fade.
‘What if sothing happens among the S-rank Hunters I don’t even know…? Can I really handle it all on my own?’
Esther, who unexpectedly has a very cautious personality, opens up all possibilities and prepares for everything. She tried to prevent various threats by taking out insurance to accompany other S-class mbers of Korea.
‘The Gate Star Guild sent only one invitation per country, prioritizing the safety of each nation. It’s rare for soone like to find an S-rank companion.’
In that sense, Kim Kiryeo was the perfect choice. She had a valid reason to invite him, and she wouldn’t have to worry about causing any collateral damage when using her curse skills in front of him.
‘Hmm, to be honest, this is a bit of a blow to my pride.’
Esther thought about sothing else for a mont, but quickly returned to the topic. Anyway, there was only one thing she wanted.
“So, in conclusion, I wanted to ask Kiryeo-ssi to be my partner.”
However, she never thought that a problem that had been bothering her for so long would be solved so easily.
“Okay. I’ll do that.”
Hmm? Esther flinched at the man’s response. Kiryeo imdiately accepted the request as soon as the guild leader of the Magic Tower finished speaking.
A response without hesitation. Oh my, doesn’t he feel burdened about going into a den of monsters filled with S-rank Hunters?
‘Wow!’
As soon as she received his acceptance, a smile spread across Esther’s face. Ah, it was wise to maintain a good relationship with Hunter Kim Kiryeo. With him by her side, there was no longer anything to worry about. After all, he was the one who had killed the Imoogi.
‘According to the testimonies of witnesses, he fought with my cursed sword, so Hunter Kim Kiryeo must be strong in close combat, right?’
A proven predator! Esther felt greatly relieved at the fact that the fourth S-rank was coming along with her. It truly felt like she had gained an army.
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