Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Main Event (3)
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The Director of the Hunter Management Bureau.
"Ahem. Hm."
Oh Geon-sik, who had taken the stage, delivered a congratulatory address to the fresh-faced awakeners who had just completed their training.
It was standard fare, but his voice carried a power that commanded the attention of the entire room.
In truth, his imposing physique and rugged, warrior-like image were quite striking.
At the very least, it was clear he hadn't risen to the position of director just by pushing a pen.
The only regrettable thing was how his constant shoulder rubs—likely from frozen shoulder—betrayed his age.
Anyway.
Everyone in the banquet hall hung on his every word.
Until he finished his lengthy speech extolling the noble spirit of hunters.
"Well then, I hope you all enjoy yourselves."
Having fulfilled his role, Oh Geon-sik quickly stepped aside.
Thud.
Along with the guild leaders of the major guilds seated in a row behind the stage.
Now it was time for the young ones.
Ding—.
As the middle-aged and older adults exited the banquet hall and headed to the business center on one of the hotel's floors, classical music began to flow as if on cue.
Roll—.
White keys danced up and down, producing a clear, crystalline sound like jade beads rolling.
The people who had newly taken the stage naturally began their own private concert, and with them as the backdrop, the young men and women dove into the party in earnest.
The atmosphere was overall elegant, exuding a refined, old-world charm.
Bustle, bustle.
But the banquet hall, fueled by drinks and food, soon grew lively and noisy.
"Is that really true?"
"Of course."
Mid-level guild managers circulated among the tables, striking up conversations.
"Our Carpediem Guild is incredibly free-spirited. Great base pay, and we spare no support for our members."
The undercurrents of recruitment were underway.
Bustle, bustle.
Guild representatives hustled about, eager to scout talent.
Similar scenes unfolded throughout the banquet hall.
"Congratulations on completing your training. So many drop out each class—you must have worked really hard."
"Oh, no big deal."
"Shall we have a toast together?"
"Sure."
And it wasn't just them.
Being at the peak of their youth, not everyone stuck to business talk.
"Hey, did you see that new movie that came out?"
"Ah, that one...?"
"If you're free sometime, want to go see it with me?"
"Hmm, I'll think about it."
Men and women backed by their guilds' prestige mixed personal interest with business, mingling and building rapport.
The awkwardness between people melted away like snow under the influence of drinks, food, music, and conversation.
Yet there were those who couldn't fully enjoy the party to the end.
"Haa..."
Cynthia, seated in one corner of the banquet hall, let out a deep sigh.
"Still tense?"
Kim So-yeon, sitting beside her, asked.
"The tension's eased a bit, but I still feel uncomfortable. Guess these kinds of events just aren't for me."
Cynthia shook her head.
Given her naturally sociable nature, she could have enjoyed a pure party.
"Honestly, it's a bit overwhelming."
But she glanced down at the stack of business cards piled up(?) before her and let out another small sigh.
"Just enjoy it, Sia. It means people think highly of your abilities."
Kim So-yeon patted her shoulder—now even closer than before—and added.
"Look at the others, I mean the people around. Even Aunt Hyo-jung and Uncle Min-woo over there are having a blast. They were all nervous at first, but now they're really getting into it. When else would we get a chance like this?"
"I want to, but I don't know how."
Cynthia looked at her classmates who had blended into the party and sighed again.
"Don't worry about me—just go mingle, So-yeon. That guy from Carpediem earlier seemed really interested in you."
"Can't leave my Sia alone. That'd be disloyal. Besides, he's not interested in me—he's just handing out cards left and right."
Kim So-yeon giggled and explained.
"It's a smaller guild, relatively speaking. Probably 'hook one and win' mentality."
"I see. I thought the free vibe there would suit you."
"Nah, enough of that. Let's have some more wine?"
"Yeah, let's."
"Hungry? Should I order some food?"
"I'm good on food."
Kim So-yeon nodded and raised her hand slightly to call a server.
"Two more glasses of wine here, please. Red. Not sure what to pick, so anything's fine."
She also asked the masked server for some simple snacks with the wine.
"Oh, do we need to tip or something?"
At her follow-up, the server clearing their empty glasses and plates gave a silent smile and turned away.
It was a truly captivating smile.
Even though the mask hid half his face.
Staring at his retreating figure, Kim So-yeon wore a dazed expression for a moment before exclaiming.
"...Sia, Sia. That guy—doesn't he seem super handsome?"
The server's slicked-back hair made even the visible third of his face evoke a complete picture of striking good looks.
But unlike Kim So-yeon, Cynthia showed no interest.
"Yeah... maybe."
While waiting for the wine, she was completely absorbed in her phone.
'Why hasn't Woojin replied?'
She had sent Kang Woojin a photo of herself all dressed up in her party outfit.
'Busy?'
Yet hours had passed with no response.
"Ahh, right. You've got your handsome crush, huh, Sia?"
Kim So-yeon teased at Cynthia's reaction, feigning hurt.
"No other guy even registers for our Sia~?"
Her tone carried more playfulness than actual offense.
"I-it's not like that."
Cynthia, ever fun to tease, flushed red immediately.
Thud.
Right then.
A man with pomaded hair approached and sat down with the two women enjoying their leisurely, peaceful time.
"Long time no see, Sia."
He greeted casually, wine glass in hand. It was none other than Choi Si-hyeok.
"Enjoying the party?"
Dressed to the nines for the occasion, Choi Si-hyeok played the gentleman with a sweet demeanor.
"...Long time no see."
In stark contrast, Cynthia looked distinctly uncomfortable.
The two had no real closeness—their relationship was frankly poor.
No, it couldn't be good.
Choi Si-hyeok was one of those who had relentlessly bullied Kang Woojin.
Considering his role in Stella Academy's delinquent crew, calling him the main perpetrator wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Cynthia had witnessed him tormenting Kang Woojin multiple times in the past.
She'd intervened more than once or twice to stop his "pranks" disguised as bullying.
There was no room for good feelings.
Though surprisingly, whenever Cynthia—Kang Woojin's self-appointed "mom"(?)—flared up, Choi Si-hyeok would back off meekly.
"Who's this, Sia?"
Kim So-yeon, unaware of the history, glanced between the two.
"...Choi Si-hyeok. A student from my academy."
Cynthia introduced him as dryly as possible.
"That's true, but from now on, we'll be classmates studying together."
"Who said anything about friends..."
Ignoring Cynthia's coldness, Choi Si-hyeok flashed a bright smile.
Wealth, fame, family, looks, talent—he had it all, like a character straight out of a comic.
The only flaw, if any, was his trash personality.
But personality doesn't show on the surface, making his outward perfection feel almost inhuman.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kim So-yeon."
Staring at him curiously, she introduced herself.
"I got to know Sia through this mandatory training. Awakeners come in all ages, as you know."
"So you bonded quickly because you're the same age. Anyway, nice to meet you too, So-yeon."
Choi Si-hyeok offered a handshake, his smile deepening.
"I'm Choi Si-hyeok."
Kim So-yeon shook his hand and nodded.
"Age is part of it, but Sia's so kind. It just naturally triggered my protective instincts."
"I see."
"So, Si-hyeok, are you here to scout Sia too? Be honest."
Kim So-yeon revealed subtle wariness through her playful tone, and Choi Si-hyeok shook his head.
"Nothing like that. I'm still just an academy student. Not in a position to recruit anyone."
"Really? That's surprising. You're Choi Si-hyeok, son of the Hwaryeong Guild Leader, right? Pre-approved as an A-rank hunter."
"Hm, it's not that impressive."
"Still, with your guild in mind, wouldn't you want Sia's abilities too?"
Kim So-yeon had a point.
Cynthia's A-rank ability, considering its healer specialization, warranted S-rank treatment without question.
In short, she was prime talent everyone coveted.
Choi Si-hyeok's interest in her stemmed largely from that ability.
Without superhuman powers, just a pretty face as a regular person, she'd be outside his radar—or groveling at his feet for attention.
"I get why you'd misunderstand, So-yeon. But I'm really not here for pre-recruitment."
Choi Si-hyeok waved his hands exaggeratedly, feigning utmost harmlessness.
"Everyone's in this mood, so I haven't said it, but I think it's way too early for us students to be talking futures."
His impressive acting softened Kim So-yeon's suspicious gaze slightly.
"......"
And Cynthia was no different.
"I just came to get friendly with a classmate. Don't want things awkward after the new semester starts."
Delivering his prepared lines naturally, he slyly tapped into their empathy and understanding.
Having awakened early himself, he knew their positions and worries intimately.
'A bit annoying. These bitches wouldn't budge if I just fucked them senseless.'
Moreover, Choi Si-hyeok was all too familiar with situations like this.
Pretty girls always had clingy friends hovering.
With his wealth of experience with women, he was toying with them from far above.
"On that note, shall we have a drink together? You too, Sia?"
Steering the mood, Choi Si-hyeok glanced around once.
Swipe.
Just as he scanned the servers scattered throughout the hall for their wine...
"Whoa!"
The slicked-back server bringing Cynthia and Kim So-yeon's wine suddenly let out a startled yelp.
Wobble—.
It happened in the blink of an eye.
The tray slipped from the man's palm, separating from the wine glasses as bright red wine arced through the air.
And then.
Choi Si-hyeok got drenched head to toe.
Splash!
An unexpected silence fell around the four of them.
As if time had frozen.
"......"
"......"
His head newly stained crimson, Choi Si-hyeok turned to the server with a rigid expression.
The server then said,
"My mistake."
Bowing his head slightly, a secretly smiling man—Kang Woojin himself.