New Sword and Sushi Reunion
The skill training center—honestly, I really did need a proper new weapon. The bastard sword I'd been using before was just forged from ordinary iron, so it had taken a serious beating in the fight with Brina. A D-rank weapon would hold up just fine even in 6th-grade dungeons, so as long as I didn't abuse it, I wouldn't have to worry about gear for the foreseeable future.
After leaving the workshop, I stowed the bastard sword Abigail had given me in my inventory for now. Carrying a bastard sword down the street wouldn't raise too many eyebrows, but since I wasn't dungeon-diving today, there was no point dragging it around. I tossed the dagger case in there too. Handing it over the moment we met might not hit as hard as slipping it to her after a few drinks.
I stopped by a salon for the first time in forever and got a fresh cut, and by then it was nearly lunchtime. I was just wondering when Jeong-hwa might text when the notification popped up.
She even used cute emojis in the chat—it was a far cry from her usual vibe. It wasn't easy for someone to act and look so different. What was her deal? I hadn't paid much attention before since I didn't expect things to turn out like this, but now that the situation had changed, I'd take my time figuring her out.
For now, though, lunch first. After a 30-minute walk, I arrived at the sushi joint I'd ordered delivery from constantly back in high school. Decent taste, decent price—perfect for filling up. I'd scarfed it down almost every night as a teen... but this was my first time actually stepping inside. Nearly four years since I'd last craved it, and it was still kicking, which was a relief.
Ding~ The little bell on the door jingled as I entered, signaling a customer. A staff member hurried out to seat me.
"Welcome! How many—huh?"
"Jeong-hwa-ssi?"
There she was, in uniform, staring right at me. I took a seat first, got the boss's okay, and chatted with her briefly.
"You said you had work during the day—part-time gig, huh."
"Ah, yeah... I've been working here since before awakening. Just holding on till I find something new. I owe them too much to quit cold turkey..."
Jeong-hwa sounded almost apologetic, like she was making excuses to me.
"No need to explain to me. If anything, it's impressive—shows real responsibility."
She stared at me for a second, then let out a soft hee~ and smiled. What was so funny? Did I say something weird?
"When does your shift end, anyway?"
"Mornings and lunch, so 2 PM."
"If you're free after, wanna hit somewhere with me before drinks?"
"Uh... I'd need to swing home, change into going-out clothes, fix my hair. This uniform's not cute at all..."
"It's fine. You're plenty cute as is."
"Ahh..."
Her face flushed bright red again. Does she have rosacea or something? Jeon So-young only turned that color when pissed, but Jeong-hwa didn't seem mad. Hard to read.
"O-Okay."
"Cool. I'll wait at the café across the street."
We wrapped up, I ate lunch, and then I killed time at the café with coffee till her shift ended. Around when I left the sushi place, the lunch rush hit, and she was running ragged. It wasn't till a bit past 2, post-rush, that she finished up and made it over.
"Over here, Jeong-hwa-ssi."
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting long?"
She'd changed somewhere—walked in with a different outfit. Jeans were the same, but swapped the plain tee for a cropped top and casual jacket over it. The baggy work clothes had hidden it, but that crop top highlighted her slim waist. She'd even done light makeup. Shift just ended—how'd she pull all that off so fast? Some skill for it?
"D-Don't stare like that... it's embarrassing."
"Sorry. Just thought the outfit suits you perfectly."
"Heehee..."
She gave a pleased little laugh at the compliment. My flattery, which even worked on that prickly Jeon So-young, was still a winner. Praise a girl when she dresses up for you... I'd doubted it'd be useful beyond her, but seeing it land here proved she had her sharp side publicly.
"Must be hot after work. Didn't know your taste, so I got you an iced Americano. Oh, here it is."
"Ah, thanks."
She slurped it down eagerly—yeah, she was parched. I asked,
"Eaten lunch?"
"Yeah, early at 11."
"Perfect. You into working out?"
"Exercise? Not really, but if I'm gonna hunter, I figure I should."
Good, she knew her physical stats were lacking. That's why the spot I had in mind fit. I'd planned solo, but bringing her along would be even better.
"Wanna sign up at the skill training center with me?"
"Skill training center?"
She looked puzzled, so I explained step by step.
"There's one nearby for awakeners. You handle a sword, so you get it—swordplay against humanoids is totally different from monsters. This place teaches practical techniques for all kinds of beasts. Taught by active high-rank hunters or retirees, so the instruction's legit."
"Something like that around here? I only knew the basic awakener boot camps."
"No ads, members-only. Civvies or fresh hunters don't know it. I learned through my parents."
"Can we even join?"
"Haven't been in nearly 10 years, but I'm still on the rolls. I'll re-register first, recommend you, and we should be good."
She hesitated at the sudden pitch, then asked cautiously,
"Uh... how much are the dues?"
"Referred members get the first month free, I think. No pressure—let's just check it out."
"Free? Let's go!"
Her face lit up at "free"—I stifled a laugh. She was definitely strapped for cash. Gloomy at dues, beaming at freebies. Obvious. If money was tight, it was actually good news. Hook her now, before she learns how much talent like hers can rake in. Everyone knows top hunters make bank, but not how much. Deeper dungeons turn what I'm investing now into pocket change. Without my 4th-grade hunter parents, I'd be clueless too. She'd follow me into dungeons thinking it's big bucks. Desperate for cash? She'd party up naturally. Snagging frontliner talent like this for chump change? Bargain. Bit shady for a fresh grad, but I'd treat her right. Not guild-level perks, but my connections? All hers. That's why the white lie about the free month—she couldn't even use the place without a referral. Plus, E-rank dagger gift incoming, generous raid splits, personal tips. Solid deal, right?
"This the place? No sign."
"Told you, zero promo. No intro, no one knows. Head underground."
Ten minutes from the café brought us to a basement under a plain commercial building. Looked like a storage level to outsiders, but past the door lock...
> Hm? Nobody comes this hour. Who referred you?
Lucky—it was someone I knew. I hit the call button.
"Ah, Master Hose. Han Yeoul here."
> Han Yeoul? ...Ah! That sassy little brat? Come on in.
He remembered me—the door unlocked. Though "sassy brat"... Fair enough back then.
"Let's head in."
I ignored Jeong-hwa's weird look at his words and stepped into the skill training center.