Korea's Strongest: Kang Sung-gi (1)
"Hello."
Choi Yunmi and one other woman I hadn't met before were sitting at the appointed spot. It wasn't some fancy restaurant, and on top of that, it was a lunch meeting. We'd gathered at a burger joint near Kim Yeonhwa's lab.
Kim Yeonhwa wore round glasses, her hair tied up in a messy bun, dressed in simple clothes. There was no way this looked like someone heading out to meet an S-rank hunter. Even Choi Yunmi, who was a big shot in her own industry, probably wouldn't show up like this for a meeting with her.
I got the impression she was an utterly unique character all around. You could call it the typical vibe of a researcher, but the obvious takeaway was that she was a hunter herself.
"You're as unique as they say."
While I was lost in those thoughts, Kim Yeonhwa spoke up first from across the table.
"Pardon?"
"You don't seem remotely annoyed that I suggested a burger place. And you greeted me so politely the moment you saw me."
Curiosity sparkled in the twin pupils behind her glasses.
"Oh, uh..."
I'd just reacted normally, so it felt a bit awkward. Even if I was an S-rank hunter now, it wasn't like this was some brand-new status for me. I'd spent far more years living as an ordinary awakened than as one of the elite. If I'd awakened as a high-rank hunter from the start, I might have turned out more arrogant and cocky than I was now.
For the past ten years, I'd always lamented not being a hunter, but at least this was one silver lining. I hadn't gotten swept up in the hunter world's vibe and turned into one of them without realizing it. If I'd awakened young, the odds of that happening would've been even higher.
"Have you ordered?"
I asked Choi Yunmi, and she replied.
"We just got here too. Yeonhwa's so busy. She only had about thirty minutes for us—twenty, originally, but I insisted."
Kim Yeonhwa ignored Choi Yunmi's words. She called over a server and placed the order: three of the same set menu from this handmade burger spot.
"This is the best thing here. Comes out fast."
It seemed less about the taste and more about the speed. I liked burgers anyway, so no complaints there. Plus, I hadn't had one in ages lately—made it even better, really. As an ordinary awakened, places like this were off-limits anyway. Even if it was a burger joint, it wasn't some cheap franchise. A set menu pushing 20,000 won? Pretty upscale for fast food.
I'd had hotel breakfast that morning, but it hadn't filled me up. I waited happily for the burgers to arrive.
"Sorry to treat someone of your stature like this."
Kim Yeonhwa said it without a hint of actual apology on her face. Like with Choi Nari, she was another eccentric one. Though, to be fair, she had no reason to grovel before an S-rank hunter. Same as Choi Nari—probably had skills on par with S-rank herself. Different field, but no need to bow in terms of pure ability. The public might undervalue them, but in the industry, they got equal respect. Rarer than S-rank hunters, even—should command premium treatment.
"Not at all. I'm grateful you made time for me."
My plain response seemed to land well again. Those round eyes behind her glasses lit up once more. Dealing with techies, probably best to pique their curiosity. Not that I'd meant to.
"So, you want to recruit me?"
She'd clearly heard from Choi Yunmi already and cut straight to it.
"Yes. If you're open to it."
"We'll see. I'm getting offers from foreign companies left and right. Of course, I'd prefer to stay in Korea if the terms match. But how could they? Capital, support, top-tier colleagues to work with—no comparison."
"Ah, I see..."
Her directness planted a seed of doubt. Just like Choi Yunmi had warned. Choi Nari had her vulnerabilities, but Kim Yeonhwa? Nothing. She struck me as the ultra-rational type. No room for emotional appeals like with Nari.
"But with active backing from S-rank hunters, Korea's gear industry could see some real innovation."
After dashing my hopes, she tossed out a glimmer of possibility.
"That I can promise. Choi Nari agreed to join us yesterday. I guarantee treatment that won't fall short of any foreign offer—for both of you."
"Choi Nari?"
That caught her off guard. Kim Yeonhwa looked genuinely surprised. Yunmi must not have mentioned it—probably figured dropping it here, from my mouth, would hit harder.
"How'd you snag her? She was dead set against making hunter gear ever again."
I glanced around. The popular burger spot was packed, as expected. Not the place for this conversation.
"Got lucky."
"Luck, huh..."
She murmured skeptically just as our burgers arrived. They looked mouthwatering, especially those thick patties—juices practically begging to burst out with one cut.
But this was business. No greed for seconds. Then Kim Yeonhwa grabbed fork and knife, sliced hers up like a pro, picked up a piece by hand, and popped it in her mouth. She chugged her cola and eyed me curiously.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"Oh, right."
She kept defying expectations. But as time passed, one thing became clear: Kim Yeonhwa was stunningly beautiful. The messy hair and casual clothes hid it, but dolled up, she'd be a knockout. Flawless skin, and even in loose attire, her figure had serious curves. After sleeping with so many women, I could map a body under clothes easy. And her chest? Buttons done up to the neck, yet it strained naturally. F-cup potential, easy.
Business talk secondary, she dug in aggressively. Remembering her original twenty-minute slot, she must eat fast always. Time sliced into minutes, seconds. Ten minutes probably felt eternal to her.
I figured we'd talk post-meal, so I focused on eating. Choi Yunmi followed suit, cutting her burger.
Crunch crunch crunch.
Kim Yeonhwa had zero intent to look dainty. Fork and knife for the first cut, then fingers only for the rest—burger and fries alike. Seeing my business contact chow down so casually put me at ease too.
Meal done in fifteen minutes. I was still hungry, and damn, these burgers exceeded expectations—but no time for refills.
"Ahh, delicious. Worth living for."
She said it sucking sauce off her fingers. Watching that sleek digit slide between red lips? Other things came to mind unbidden.
I couldn't be sure. Had my ability snagged her unknowingly, like with Nari? No signs. Didn't seem the high-libido type either. Devouring a burger by hand on first meet? Brutally honest personality.
I shelved any hopes it had triggered.
"Even with Choi Nari on board,"
Kim Yeonhwa wiped her fingers on a napkin.
"that doesn't solve everything. Foreign firms have dozens of top designers each. I rate Nari's work sky-high—best I've seen. But without the rest matching up, just us two won't cut it. You say top treatment? Every other offer says the same. I want something else."
There it was. What Kim Yeonhwa really wanted. This would decide if recruitment succeeded.
"An SS-rank dungeon..."
The words I'd half-expected slipped from her parted lips.