Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Graduation Conditions
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After finishing about two hours of gallery lurking in that state, Do-yoon stepped outside.
He'd learned far too much in such a short time.
The Boss Mob Gallery, Ejection, and even Gate Breaks.
His head spinning, Do-yoon ended his gallery session under the excuse of mental recovery.
「Hunter Exclusive Physical Training Room」 The place he'd arrived at was one of the association facilities where Han Ji-hyeok was.
"Huff, huff..."
Inside the facility.
A man, the air thick with iron and sweat just from looking at him, was diligently hoisting a barbell.
"Oh, Do-yoon."
"Hyung-nim. Working out?"
"Yeah. The 1st floor alone doesn't give much pump."
Just those two words made it clear where Han Ji-hyeok's mindset was rooted.
Do-yoon went momentarily speechless, then barely managed to open his mouth again.
"Hyung-nim, Hidden Pieces are good, right?"
"Huff, what? Hidden Piece?"
Han Ji-hyeok, mid-lift on the barbell, glanced at Do-yoon.
-Clunk!
He roughly racked the bar, then wiped the sweat from his neck with a towel from the rack.
"Where'd you hear that? A sponsor?"
"Ah... just the internet."
"Hidden Piece... yeah, they're great. Only ever seen hunter community posts claiming someone got one—never found one myself."
"Must be insanely hard to find."
"Easier to assume they don't exist. Beats losing your mind roaming stages for 'em—instead, just smash the boss mob quick."
"Ah."
Pretty harsh take.
But he had the feeling that if he snagged one, he'd love it more than anyone.
The subtle glint of expectation in Han Ji-hyeok's eyes backed that up.
"Just a lump of luck from start to finish, anyway."
"...."
"Still, it'd be nice to try one. They say it's pretty juicy."
In Do-yoon's head, the gallery convo from earlier replayed automatically.
— Paper Enthusiast*) If you help us, we'll tell you the 'Hidden Piece' location too, newbie. "Hmm..."
"What's up? Something wrong?"
"Nah, hyung-nim. Thanks for the info."
"No biggie. Better you ask right away on stuff you don't know."
Han Ji-hyeok smiled warmly, then eyed Do-yoon slyly.
Those eyes, like a wild predator spotting herbivore prey, felt pretty unsettling.
"Oh, right. Wanna work out? Essential for tower ops going forward."
"Uh, yeah, sure."
"Good choice. I'll show you."
Just like that, Do-yoon got roped in by Han Ji-hyeok for about an hour of gym time.
"...Ugh, damn."
Emerging from the gym shower, Do-yoon kneaded his throbbing muscles.
Sure, he'd strained hard moving in the tower, but outside, most fatigue melted away.
To the point gym was no issue right after.
He'd heard this was another tower quirk.
"Hmm."
Do-yoon checked his phone for the time.
A little past five.
Quitting time soon, so he headed for the exclusive lounge to gear up.
"Ah, Do-yoon-ssi!"
Until a voice called from the exclusive cafe—one of the internal spots.
"A-hyeon-ssi?"
Turning, he locked eyes with Jeong A-hyeon and her bubbly smile.
And Cha Yun-ha right beside her.
They always radiated celebrity aura, naturally drawing his steps their way.
"First time here, huh!"
"Yeah."
"The coffee here's legit—way better than outside...!"
"And it's free. Totally free."
Oh, free?
Do-yoon's interest piqued.
That killer perk had his eyes scanning the setup naturally.
For on-site busybody Do-yoon, coffee meant instant powder mixes only.
"Ah, first-timer special—I'll get it for you."
Jeong A-hyeon hopped up brightly, heading to the machine.
"Machine-brewed, but no different from barista-made, swear?"
-Vrrr...
Thus, an Americano landed before Do-yoon.
Slurp.
He took a cautious sip of the steaming cup.
'Bitter.'
Not his taste.
"...How is it?"
"Yeah, really different."
"Right?!"
But to Jeong A-hyeon's subtly hopeful gaze, that's what Do-yoon said.
"Unnie, see? Me and Do-yoon-ssi got stuff in common?!"
"We just met, what're you on... Do-yoon-ssi, bear with her. Zero personal space."
"Ah, unnie!"
Cha Yun-ha sighed helplessly, while Jeong A-hyeon puffed her cheeks beside her.
"Bright vibe's nice to see."
Do-yoon didn't mind it one bit.
Way better than desperate, trash-talk brawls.
Thinking back, they hadn't chatted proper before dungeon dive.
Do-yoon sat naturally, sharing a brief talk with them.
"Where's Jo Ha-rin-ssi?"
"Ah, Ha-rin unnie skips spots like this."
"Ah..."
"That unnie's pure solo, solo. All single-target max-damage skills..."
"A-hyeon-ah, mouth. Mouth."
"Ah."
Spilling skills without the owner present? Major faux pas.
Hunter world took it bad.
Pure slip from Jeong A-hyeon.
"Anyway, hit me up on anything! I'm your direct senior here!"
Jeong A-hyeon beamed with full-on excitement.
"Got it."
"On that note."
"....?"
Suddenly closing in, Jeong A-hyeon leaned toward Do-yoon.
Whoosh—the sweet scent made him freeze.
"Drop the formal with me. We'll see tons from now on."
Hehehe.
Her bold ask drew a smile from Do-yoon—he accepted.
"Sure."
"Yup."
Jeong A-hyeon, zero compromise, stared Do-yoon down firmly.
"Take care of me going forward."
"Hehe! Take care of me, oppa!"
He'd figured it'd stay awkwardly distant.
But the vibe inside was way friendlier, warmer than imagined.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Do-yoon returned to his lounge.
Time to head home straight, no issue.
"Maybe just move my gear here."
Far as he knew, the room was fully his now.
Cafe chat confirmed: other hunters used theirs that way.
Tempted to crash on that bed from exhaustion, but nah—sleep at home.
"..."
Do-yoon fired up Boss Mob Gallery one last time.
💬 Boss Mob Gallery — So that graduation thing earlier real? — No armband? Charging in — But what happens leaving the tower? — Surprisingly popular tower rankings among hunters.jpg —strategy team season soon? — Newbie