Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: A-Rank Hunters Lack Romance (3)
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- Sounds good. So when and where should we meet?
The voice, still dripping with bluntness, spat out only the bare essentials. Time and place—that was all the info needed, as if anything else was superfluous. That walled-off tone actually came off as likable.
"Hmm, I hardly ever go into gates, so feel free to decide whatever works for you."
- Ah, right, you're a new hunter. I'll pick and send you a message then.
"Sure. I'll hang up now. See you soon."
- Yeah.
The call ended after just a few curt exchanges, leaving the phone in my hand as nothing more than a lukewarm hunk of metal. Once the business was done, it reverted to being a useless ornament, and I mindlessly sorted through the mail.
Today had at least yielded one intriguing scrap of paper, so I half-hoped there might be something else fun amid the pile.
Guild offers, more guild offers, and yet more... Nothing but the same old boring recruitment pitches.
Ah, so this is what it takes to catch my eye without even trying.
The days as midsummer approached were sweltering. The breeze wrapping around me carried no coolness, just blistering heat, and the cloudless sun relentlessly scorched the asphalt.
I'd been cooped up inside for days, so I hadn't noticed, but now that I had to step out, it was pure agony.
"Bro, you heading out somewhere?"
Sihyun, sprawled out at home for the weekend, lifted her head to ask. Her eyes half-closed, she still seemed groggy from sleep, even though it was well past morning and the sun hung high overhead.
"Gonna hit up a gate and come back."
"A gate? Out of the blue?"
"Yeah, someone sent a letter inviting me to raid one together."
"...? Am I the weird one here? The one inviting and the one going both seem off. What's the deal?"
"Nah, she didn't seem weird. How to put it... Yeah, just like a machine."
She was exactly like a machine. That colorless, odorless tone devoid of any human warmth. Not lazy or spaced out—just someone who didn't bother thinking too much about others.
"Like a machine...?"
"Just emotionless speech. Made her trustworthy, actually. And you know your bro here's strong, so what's the worry~?"
That's precisely why she inspired misplaced trust. She didn't seem the type to use me or stab me in the back. A good person, through and through.
"Well, that's true, but... So what does she do? An A-rank hunter?"
"Dunno. Only gave her name. Yuna something."
"Yuna?"
"Yeah."
"Yuna... Yuna...? Isn't she an S-rank hunter...?"
"Eh, no way, that can't be~ Anyway, I'm off!"
Of course it was.
I had no choice but to halt as I approached the meeting spot—the café near the A-rank gate. The area around it was already a mountain of people, and inside the café sat just the barista and one customer.
The sight of folks snapping photos through the window and waving placards with fervent writing left me awestruck. No way I could push through that, so I just stood there dumbfounded.
With the sun now high at midday, the relentless rays beat down mercilessly. Sure, the heat wasn't targeting just me, but how were those crowds enduring it?
This way, I'd collapse from heatstroke before even entering the gate. I edged toward the throng. The cheers grew clearer, the placard messages enveloping me.
- Waaah! Unnie, you're so pretty!!
- Can't you look this way just once?
- Hunter Yuna, I'm a huge fan!!
『I love you, Yuna~』
『Korea's hope, Yuna!』
What is this, scary...
"Excuse me... Coming through... Sorry."
I timidly wormed my way in, mumbling apologies nonstop. The packed crowd stood firm like a barricade, but unlike my meek posture, I subtly applied force to carve a path.
- Hey, who is it? Who's shoving!
Sorry. Coming through.
I simply parted the sea of people and slipped into the café. Unlike outside, a cool breeze greeted me inside. Cooler than even home—blissful.
"You're here."
I turned at the voice, cool as the AC. She sat sipping coffee, ignoring the commotion outside, eyes fixed on me. I took the seat opposite and gulped down the pitch-black coffee before me.
A week after our call, this was our first face-to-face. The common black hair rare in Pretoria caught my eye first. Her pale face, untouched by sunlight. Half-lidded sleepy eyes stared blankly at me; her perky nose twitched like a cat's. Her lips quietly sucked the last drops through the straw.
Despite the dazed vibe, she exuded maturity. Not jaded by society, yet that ripe aura brushed my senses. No hunter gear—just casual clothes and a bow. Maybe that's why. Armor and such always looked embarrassing anyway.
"Uh... You're super popular. Famous, huh."
I glanced at the folks still going wild outside—worse now that I'd entered. Felt like they were glaring at me. Kinda terrifying.
"Dunno. I don't pay attention. More importantly, we're heading into the gate—where's your gear?"
She spared not a glance sideways, focused solely on checking my state. Refreshing how she ignored others' stares. Enviable, too.
Probably an S-rank. The placards screamed popularity, yet she felt no pressure.
"Planning to equip once inside. It's embarrassing around people."
"Joking...?"
No, for real. Pulling out a vibrating sword in public? It'd hum nonstop. Couldn't say that, so I just smiled.
"Straight to the gate then? Curious about your skills."
No small talk at all.
She stood first.
Hey, I barely sipped my coffee...
Before I could rise, she grabbed her gear and headed out. Words failed me.
Guess I'll finish it inside the gate.
- S-rank Hunter Yuna, A-rank Hunter Ansiu. You're cleared. You may enter.
We passed the bowing association staff and stepped into the gate. The landscape shifted to a dank, gloomy cave. Squishy mud welcomed our feet.
"Equip your gear."
She nocked an arrow ahead and ordered me to gear up. I naturally extended my hand.
"Beatrice."
Light flowed from my fingertips, soon forming shape. My holy sword, gleaming white. Hadn't summoned it lately—nice to see the blade again.
"A sword appears out of sudden light...? Magic sword?"
She tilted her head, eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity—the liveliest expression yet. Made me chuckle a bit.
"Nah, just a special skill I have with my sword."
I shook off the divinity flowing along the blade and stepped beside her.
"Hmm, should I call you Hunter Yuna?"
"Skip the formalities. Yuna's fine."
"Cool, you too then."
"Sure, Ansiu."
- Arsiu...? Arsius? Nice name~
That name stirred memories of someone who couldn't even say mine right. She'd insisted on Ansiu back then too. Hearing it after so long brought it flooding back.
Such an easy name, yet she couldn't manage it. Even after ten years, it was Arsius. Made my real name feel awkward now—like Arsius was the true one.
A sigh escaped as nostalgia swelled. What was Seren up to? Eating properly? In that peaceful world, she was probably resting easy. Was Sio still training relentlessly? His wooden sword from the demon realm must still thrust straight and true.
Feeling pangs of longing even here—regret for returning? Inside the gate, I chided my pathetic self. Cleared my mind, thick with memories, scattering their images.
After all, I might see them again now.
"Ready to clear the gate~?"
I flashed a grin and moved forward.