Chapter 9

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 9

Chapter Title: Heading into the Gate, Just Us Two

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“Wow...”

A soft gasp drifted from across the table.

But right now, it didn't reach my ears.

No, I heard it, but I deliberately ignored it as I demolished my burger.

“Hayang eats so well? I don't think even I could down three burgers alone.”

I flinched. Was she annoyed that I was scarfing down too much without noticing?

Yeah, considering it was free grub, and this was already my third.

I'd even ordered an extra one just in case it wasn't enough.

Meanwhile, the one footing the bill had only polished off one combo meal and finished ages ago.

“S-Sorry. I'm pigging out too much even though you're treating...”

“No, no. I meant it's great to see you eating your heart out. You're growing like a weed, so chow down. Should've taken you somewhere nicer knowing you'd pack it away like this.”

“It's fine. I've hardly ever had burgers, so I really wanted to try.”

“You like burgers?”

“Yeah, I do. I'm not picky.”

Truth be told, it wasn't so much that I wasn't picky—I just hadn't tried much.

But I was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sure I wouldn't turn my nose up at stuff.

Pat pat.

Once I was done, my belly poked out just a bit.

I patted it happily and let out a satisfied hehe.

How long had it been since I'd eaten my fill like this?

Ah, well, two days ago I'd stuffed myself silly too.

“Like last time, I'm always freeloading. Sorry. I'll pay you back next time for sure.”

“It's cool. I'm a B-Rank Hunter, after all—I make okay money.”

“Isn't B-Rank Hunter super impressive already?”

There were only seven S-Rank Hunters in all of Korea.

That made A-Rank the realistic pinnacle.

And B-Rank right below? Sky-high in my book.

“Ahaha, happy you see it that way. But B-Rank isn't all that special. Plenty of 'em out there. Even in our guild, I've got superiors coming out my ears.”

Jeong Yujin's words carried a touch of pathos.

It might look lofty to outsiders.

But if she wasn't satisfied, that gap stung.

“I think you'll get even stronger, Yujin unnie. So it's okay.”

“What? Pfft! Aigoo, thanks. Never thought I'd get pep talk from a kid twenty years my junior.”

“I-It's true...”

My words were pure truth—no exaggeration.

Because...

I could see not just her current stats, but her potential too.

A while back at the café, I'd checked Jeong Yujin's stats.

Got curious about her skills, and another window popped up.

Of course, I had no way to confirm if those were her fully grown stats.

Even so, I decided to believe it.

No real reason. I just wanted to.

That she could get stronger.

“Alright, I've got your cheer, Hayang. Time to head out?”

“Yeah. Ah, can I take the fries?”

“Sure, take 'em. But where'll you put them?”

“I'll finish them before the gate.”

In case she'd snatch them, I snatched up two fries and nommed them quick.

Jeong Yujin went pfft and burst out laughing again.

Why's she laughing?

She sure laughs a lot.

'What an unusual kid.'

Jeong Yujin smiled, glancing back at Hayang huffing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and puffing with short strides, chasing after her.

That she'd get stronger.

Had anyone ever said that to her?

'It's been three years already.'

Hunters were generally considered to hit their growth ceiling after three years.

Not scientifically proven or anything.

But from year three on, growth slowed or stalled for most.

Maybe they'd hit their personal limit.

Or perhaps the so-called hunter slump kicked in—they lost the drive or got comfy with reality.

So Jeong Yujin had quietly given up on herself early on.

Didn't seem like she could climb higher, but current spot wasn't that bad.

Just hop into gates as they popped up, snag mana stones.

Sell 'em for cash.

Do guild missions now and then.

She'd grown used to that hamster-wheel routine.

- I think you'll get even stronger, Yujin unnie. So it's okay.

But weirdly, this girl's baseless, vague encouragement felt like it strapped a tiny booster to her stalled steps.

'No way this counts as a buff, right?'

Probably not.

But with this pure kid, she wondered if it could buff not just visible stats, but heart and spirit too.

With that in mind, Jeong Yujin resolved to push a bit harder starting tomorrow—and stopped before the gate.

“Alright, let's go? Hayang.”

“Y-Yes...!”

Her frozen reply was so cute, a smile spread across her face.

Where'd that cocky confidence from earlier go?

Well, can't blame her.

Hayang's first gate just days ago was an Omen Gate.

Today's with her was a step up: Rift Gate.

Piece of cake for a B-Rank like Jeong Yujin—even solo.

“Don't stress too hard. Stick behind me, you'll be safe.”

“Got it! I'll do my best too!”

“That's the spirit.”

Freezing up in a dungeon meant death.

Overthinking was bad too.

Dungeons demanded balanced nerves to survive.

Tap. Jeong Yujin patted Hayang's shoulder lightly, took her tiny, baby-like hand, and led her inside.

Woooong—

The familiar gut-churn of passing through the gate hit.

Then the other side unfolded, and Jeong Yujin narrowed her eyes.

'First time here.'

Stone walls like a medieval underground prison or storeroom.

Pretty dim inside.

Torches lined the walls, but their light was too faint to illuminate the whole passage.

A thin layer of water pooled on the floor.

Seemed like wine leaking from nearby oak barrels.

The boozy scent hung faintly in the air.

For Hayang's safety, she'd hoped for a familiar dungeon.

But this worked too—perfect to test Hayang's action prediction skill.

If it'd been one she'd cleared before, she knew the monsters' habits cold.

No need for Hayang's help at all.

“...Huh?”

Right as she drew her dagger to gear up.

Jeong Yujin tilted her head—no weight to it.

Usually had a slight heft, but now it felt like fluff.

'Come to think of it, my body too...'

Hop, hop.

Feeling the change, she tested a jump.

Definitely lighter than usual.

'No way... Status.'

'...Insane.'

She hurriedly opened her status window, pinpointing the odd sensation, and blinked hard.

'The buff talk was real?'

Not total disbelief.

Just figured kids puffed things up a bit.

But this?

She hadn't sensed Hayang casting a thing.

Just stepped inside the dungeon, and boom—buff active.

A juicy one even Titan Guild, number two in the country, hadn't tasted.

“Whoa, Hayang! That buff is nuts... It was real...”

“...Shh. Hold on, Yujin unnie. We'll talk later.”

“Huh? Oh...”

She'd been about to bounce around in excitement.

But Hayang pressed a finger to her lips, staring up with cool, sharp eyes—froze her solid.

'Did the vibe shift?'

More precisely, her eyes and aura puzzled Jeong Yujin.

Until moments ago, pure and innocent—maybe even more than most kids her age.

A plain 12-year-old.

Now? Like...

'A party leader.'

Cold. Cerebral.

Dungeon nerves? Nah, eyes steady as steel.

Like a commander reading the battlefield, forecasting what came next.

Refreshing in its own way—nice, even.

“Yujin unnie, over here! Watch the water! Three slimes!”

“Wha—?!”

Hayang's sudden shout startled her; eyes dropped to the wine puddle at her feet.

Splash!

Sure enough, exactly three purple slimes erupted from the wine.

Everything as Hayang called it.