Dinner with the Sister of Korea's Strongest
The dinner atmosphere flowed cheerfully. The food was truly delicious, and just as Jo A-young had mentioned beforehand, the dessert quality was exceptionally outstanding. The main dish hardly seemed important—the courses that followed felt like the real stars.
They even moved us to a new spot for dessert: the top floor, where a stunning, breezy view unfolded. The staff seemed almost stiff in their formality, excessively polite to the point of overkill. The manager stopped by several times to ask if everything was to our liking. A glance at where his eyes kept drifting made it clear what was behind it all. Just like at the Hunter Management Office, it was all because of Jo A-young.
Over the meal, our conversation revealed a few key facts. Jo A-young was an A-rank hunter like Kim Eun-bi, having awakened just a few months earlier. The two had been thick as thieves back in high school, but Jo A-young's awakening and the busyness that followed had kept them apart lately.
Both were beautiful, young A-rank hunters—just barely adults, freshly awakened. They were the promising stars poised to carry Korea's hunter world on their shoulders.
But being promising stars alone wouldn't explain why everyone treated Jo A-young with such deference. Kim Eun-bi wasn't exactly a household name either. Strip away her cousin's S-rank status, and she was just one of hundreds of A-rank hunters in Korea. Impressive, sure—but not everyone knew every A-rank hunter's face.
During the meal, Jo A-young would sometimes stare right at me, drilling into my face. When our eyes met, her cheeks would flush red, and she'd look away. I had a gut feeling something was brewing. This was the fourth time already—if I hadn't noticed, that would be weird.
I couldn't be one hundred percent sure, but a thought crossed my mind: maybe Jo A-young had been exposed to my skill, Unreasonable Favor, too.
Kim Eun-bi seemed oblivious to Jo A-young's behavior. She was too busy catching up with her long-lost friend, chattering away nonstop. With delicious food and me by her side, she must have been having the time of her life.
"So, what's the deal with you and my oppa, anyway?" Jo A-young finally asked, her tone bursting with the question she'd clearly been dying to voice.
"Huh?" Kim Eun-bi blinked, caught off guard. Brushing it off as "not boyfriend" was easy enough, but specifics? She looked lost, glancing up at me wide-eyed.
I stepped in. "I'm her cousin. I only awakened recently myself, so Eun-bi's been helping me out."
"Ohhh, I see~ What's your rank, then?"
Both she and Kim Eun-bi were obvious A-ranks, which made admitting mine a bit awkward. Still, no choice but to be honest. "C-rank."
"Ah, gotcha~~"
Jo A-young didn't seem disappointed at all. The hunters I'd seen at the Dungeon Management Office treated lower ranks like inferiors or servants, but this pretty girl showed no such prejudice. Maybe Kim Eun-bi being there softened things? Nah, didn't feel like it.
"I've only been awakened a short while myself, so I've been practicing in low-rank dungeons. I was gonna ask you anyway, Eun-bi—wanna raid together sometime? This works out perfect."
She addressed us both. "How about we hit a dungeon next time? C-rank should be just right."
"Great idea!" Kim Eun-bi lit up.
No downside for me raiding with those two, so I nodded easily. "Sure. Hope I don't hold you back."
"Hold us back? Oppa, you're older than us—you'll probably teach us a ton. We're newbies too, y'know."
Pretty and sweet personality? If she were my little sister, I'd spoil her rotten. I could understand the brother who'd gifted her that sturdy SUV.
Speaking of, the vibe suggested her brother wasn't your average guy. A hunter, maybe? A newbie like Jo A-young wouldn't draw this much attention on her own. I figured the secret lay with her brother.
And my hunch proved spot-on.
As we savored dessert and the mood warmed up, we even ordered a bottle of wine. The two were fresh adults with little drinking experience, but the manager himself brought it over.
"We have a special guest today and would like to treat you to a bottle of wine, if that's alright?"
No reason to refuse free wine. And so, even in broad daylight, we clinked glasses.
The talk deepened, and I learned how Kim Eun-bi and Jo A-young had grown close.
"We were in the same class in high school, but we both hid our connections to hunters. I had my S-rank cousin, A-young had her hunter brother—didn't want it messing up school life if word got out."
"Really? Your brother's a hunter too, A-young?"
I'd pegged him as no ordinary hunter. Jo A-young hesitated. "Yeah..."
She clearly didn't love talking about him. Kim Eun-bi jumped in. "It's fine, A-young. Oppa knows about my S-rank cousin—what's the big deal? He doesn't judge."
Only then did Jo A-young speak cautiously. "My brother's Jo Dong-geun."
"Pardon?"
The name rang a bell, pulling a reflexive double-take. Jo Dong-geun... No way—the Jo Dong-geun?
They say even folks who can't name the Korean president know Jo Dong-geun. He was undeniably Korea's most influential figure. He'd led the first clears of every S-rank dungeon, and fellow S-rank hunters unanimously praised him as the best—no foreign S-rank could touch him.
Hunter skill is tough to quantify objectively. But when raid partners all agreed? No one in Korea topped him.
Plus... I recalled Kang A-jin's words during the lion-dog ritual. She'd planned to meet Jo Dong-geun to settle the Park Hyun-jun issue. Come to think of it, Kim Eun-bi knew his little sister all along.
She probably couldn't mention it then—lingering feelings about Kang A-jin, and judging by today's Jo A-young, she wanted no part in her brother's drama.
"I see."
My serious tone drew a sigh from Jo A-young. "Ever since I awakened, rumors spread online: 'Jo Dong-geun's sister is a hunter too.' A few photos leaked, and now I can't go anywhere without people bringing him up. It's a hassle."
Made sense. Not just any hunter—an S-rank, andthat one. If S-ranks are clouds above, Jo Dong-geun was the sun in Korea. No exaggeration.
"Yeah, I get it."
I sipped my wine, masking my surprise. No need to dwell when she clearly disliked it. She caught my tact and smiled, raising her glass.
"I'm so glad I ran into you today, Eun-bi. Nice meeting you too, oppa. We have to raid together next time."
Our three glasses chimed. It had been a blast. My old self could've never dreamed of luxury like this—dinner with two beauties, both A-rank hunters, fresh-faced young adults.
Suddenly, Jo A-young checked her phone. "Oh! Time flew—I've got an appointment, so I should head out."
She looked genuinely reluctant. "Text me. Dungeon soon!"
"Yeah, definitely!"
Despite saying she had to go, Jo A-young lingered in her seat, hesitating. Wondering why, I saw her shyly extend her phone toward me.
"Oppa... could I get your number?" Her face flushed as she hurried to add, "Y'know, for planning the dungeon raid. Gotta discuss details..."
"Ah, sure."
I took her phone quick, before she got more embarrassed, input my number, and handed it back.
"Thank you..."
Oppa a top hunter, herself a pretty A-rank—and yet so innocent. Like a total angel.
"Great meal."
Dinner was done anyway, so we all stood. As we headed out, sure enough, the manager rushed over, asking Jo A-young if she'd enjoyed it.
I reached for my wallet, but he cut me off firmly. "No, no—it's our boundless honor to treat such guests. Please let us cover it."
I glanced at Jo A-young. She sighed and shrugged. What could I do? I pocketed my wallet.
Whether paid or not, before parting, Jo A-young bowed deeply to me. "Thanks for the meal."