Why Is Being Born Wrong?
Kim Min-jun, the dungeon manager, couldn't close his gaping mouth. He knew the kid was under the protection of Yeomyeong Guild, but Kang Jin-ho? Even Han Yeoreum, who usually came with her, was an outstanding hunter, but the man standing before him was on another level entirely. He was always mentioned whenever people debated the strongest hunter in the world.
The mere fact that he'd come to a goblin dungeon to protect a child was big news in the hunter world. Even the few beginner hunters nearby the gate seemed to know about it, starting to murmur as they glanced at Kang Jin-ho and Winter.
The rumors are gonna spread.
Maybe it was a good thing he'd made even this tenuous connection. As Kim Min-jun thought that to himself, Winter tapped on the table in front of him.
"Um..."
"Hm?"
"There sure aren't many people today."
Wow. It was such an everyday conversation. Winter felt proud of herself for managing it, but Kim Min-jun just sighed.
"Park Min-gyu's in the dungeon right now."
"P-Park Min-gyu?"
Who was that? The name rang a vague bell, and Winter tilted her head.
"He's the younger brother of an executive in Legion Guild."
"Legion Guild?"
At Winter's question, Kim Min-jun glanced around. Confirming no Legion Guild members were nearby, he lowered his voice just enough for her to hear.
"It's a famous guild, but the brother's seriously lacking in skill."
"That can happen. Not everyone's a genius."
"Right. The problem is Park Min-gyu's rotten personality..."
"Ah."
A guy who throws his weight around using his guild executive family. Winter wasn't stupid; she caught on quick.
"Well, Winter should be fine."
"Yeah. I'll still steer clear and be careful."
"Can't hurt."
No matter how great Legion Guild was, Kang Jin-ho was right there. No confrontation was even possible. Kim Min-jun granted entry without further warnings. He just hoped the kid wouldn't lose her innocence because of Park Min-gyu.
They entered the dungeon and hunted goblins. By now, she could handle a whole squad on her own. En Sia and Argo just trailed behind without offering much advice.
"You could really solo a goblin dungeon now."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. Goblins won't be a threat to you anymore. And with all the eyes around here..."
Eyes? She looked around, but there was nothing—just dense forest blocking every direction. Still, she didn't doubt En Sia. The wolf beastkin wasn't one to lie casually.
"So, can I come to the goblin dungeon alone from now on?"
"No problem!"
"Yeah, doesn't seem like an issue. The area's all watched anyway."
"Okay. Thanks."
She'd been worried about taking up their precious time. Top hunters' time was money, after all. Now she could monopolize the goblins solo. If she kept growing like this, she'd pay off her debt in no time, right? Full of hope, she moved to find the next goblin—then her ears perked at nearby footsteps. Heavy ones—not goblins, but people. She loosened her grip on her bow.
...Maybe say hi since we're bumping into them.
She knew greeting a stranger felt as daunting as taking down a boss horn rabbit. But it was practice for her social skills. No harm in pushing through.
"There are people up ahead."
"Yeah, I hear them too."
"Let's go check it out."
She led the group toward the sounds. And there, she spotted a familiar man—one who'd relentlessly tormented her in the Beginner Hunting Ground.
"Gah...!"
The moment she saw his face, she ducked behind a tree. Master reacted first, slipping behind the tree with her. En Sia and Argo hid behind nearby rocks a beat later.
"......"
Master looked down at her with impassive eyes. What are you doing? That's what his gaze seemed to say. She wanted to explain he was a scary guy, but opening her mouth would give them away, so she stayed silent. The others respected her cue, not even breathing loudly. Her stealth and agility were specialized for this, and theirs was just superior skill overall. They stayed undetected.
"Fuck, who the hell swept all the goblins?"
His familiar voice made her body tremble involuntarily. She clamped both hands over her mouth.
"It's a public hunting ground. Other hunters must've gotten them."
"That's why I said control the damn hunting ground!"
"State-managed dungeons can't be controlled by our guild either..."
"Ah, shut up. Just stay quiet."
"......"
A taciturn guy like En Sia stood beside the nasty one. Definitely the same punks from the Beginner Hunting Ground. Why were they here? Close by and matching the level, obviously. As she puzzled it out internally, they finally moved off into the distance.
"H-Haah..."
She exhaled, sliding down the tree. En Sia and Argo rushed over.
"Boss!"
"Winter, you okay?"
"Y-Yeah. Let's head back."
"...Got it."
She grabbed En Sia's hand and stood. Even then, Kang Jin-ho just gazed down at her with that blank expression.
Back home, she showered in warm water and sat on the floor to rest. Just as she was about to flop down flat, Han Yeoreum approached.
"Winter, you went to the dungeon with Master?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Hunt go well?"
"Well... kinda...?"
She'd barely snagged a few goblins before fleeing like a coward. Hardly a success.
"Hm... Didn't go great, huh?"
"Yeah... Missed a bunch."
"I see."
Han Yeoreum scratched her cheek and plopped onto the nearby sofa. Staring at Winter, she patted the spot beside her.
"Winter, why sit on the floor? Sofa here's fine."
"I'm good. Floor's comfier for me."
"The f-floor?"
"Yeah."
Wasn't sitting on the floor despite having a sofa a Korean thing? Did people in this world not do that? These little cultural gaps always surprised her. Han Yeoreum must think she looked like some primitive. Time for an excuse—couldn't say she was from another world.
"I-I'm still not used to sofas... They're for rich people, y'know? Not for me yet..."
"Uh, yeah, sure."
Han Yeoreum waved it off, then slid off the sofa to squat beside her, hugging her knees in a oddly defensive pose.
"Sorry."
"Nah, no need to apologize. Floor's not bad."
"...Yeah."
Sofas are hard? Lame excuse, but what could she do? She'd blurted it too fast. Should've thought longer. Regretting it too late, Han Yeoreum patted her shoulder.
"Winter. Sis wants to ask something sensitive. That okay?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
How sensitive could it be to make her act like that? Tension crept in anyway.
"You got bullied before, right? Bad guys hitting your head and stuff."
"...Yeah."
Asking about bullying right after running into that guy. The timing was eerily spot-on.
"Must've hurt a lot? You had no mana back then."
"...Dunno."
"Dunno?"
Getting hit but not knowing the pain? Yeah, that'd sound weird. Her wide eyes said it all.
"I'd pass out every hit. Brain shake, probably."
"P-Pass out?"
"Yeah. But it'd throb when I woke up. Big lumps too."
"Uh..."
Han Yeoreum's pupils shook hard. Maybe she'd shared too much grim stuff. No intention of bragging about suffering, so she put on a confident face for her.
"But I'm fine now."
"Fine...?"
"Yeah. Don't get hit anymore."
Shorter, but better physical abilities. Enough to protect herself. Couldn't fight back, but she could run. Proud of her changed body, but Han Yeoreum's face darkened further.
"Winter, I'm really sorry."
"For what...?"
Didn't she apologize ages ago? All misunderstandings cleared. This was baffling.
"I was too indifferent to you..."
"It's fine. This was all my fault."
"Your fault?"
"Yeah. My fault for being born weak."
Indifference as a fault? Impossible to care for everyone. She waved it off, but Han Yeoreum just buried her face in her knees.
"Why is being born wrong..."