Chapter 020: Huh? No, why?

"Huh? No, why?"

"No, Goddess, you've been getting a lot more twisted lately than before."

"Ah, is it because of me?"

I shot back like that while wolfing down a honey bread topped with honey and fresh cream alongside my warm Americano to roughly get through lunch. Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten lunch yet, so chowing down this heartily felt ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a bit off, and I figured maybe it'd be better to fill up on meat for dinner instead.

'It's normal to eat ramen when gaming gets annoying, and grill meat when you're peckish. That's the standard homebody routine.'

That's just how a homebody's lifestyle works. I attend classes diligently and study at the library like a good student on weekdays. Weekends? Isn't it fine to slack off like this sometimes?

"Doesn't it feel a bit off to take action helping right after that little conflict?"

"No, why are you prying like this?"

It's been twenty years since I met the Goddess, so I roughly knew what mindset she was coming from. But just as the Goddess has her own circumstances, I have mine. The present issue was settled for now, but jumping straight to helping someone who cursed me out earlier felt too obvious. They didn't even say they were hurting, so it'd look like I was interested and trying to flirt.

No, why? If I suddenly get medicine for someone who hasn't even said they're a patient and go, "I'll cure your constitution," doesn't that scream busybody? Sure, if it gets properly fixed, she'd be thrilled and no issues, but.

'Worst case, she falls for her savior, they get married, have kids—the classic redemption arc.'

'Not me—I'm saying redemption arcs are like that.'

'Man, she doesn't believe me.'

Is it okay for the Goddess and hero to distrust each other like this? Sighing deeply at this regrettable reality, I downed the rest of my Americano like a tonic and stood up.

"Sigh, more work piled up."

I bickered with the Goddess over this, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠our little spats were a regular event. The process to resolve it was a hassle, but I planned to look into it anyway. It still felt nosy to fuss over something the other side hadn't mentioned, though.

'I've seen constitutions like hers a few times before.'

Dry mana veins, body freezing up, constant burning pain like being on fire—constitutions that could unlock amazing talents if overcome. In folk remedies, incurable diseases impossible to treat. Devil's curse. Evaluations varied by region and era, but they all shared one thing: they gradually ate away at your lifespan.

In short: 'Terminal.'

At this rate, she'll die in a few years.

"Okay, stop glaring already."

Even after making up my mind, she was making a fuss. It wasn't like deciding meant I could fix it right away anyway. From a rough look, I'd need certain materials from a dungeon, and to enter one, I'd need qualifications and passes. All sorts of prep was required, but whatever—I'd tackle it like overdue homework.

'I wanted to procrastinate it like vacation homework...'

For now, there was someone I needed to visit.

"You finally came."

The moment I entered the professor's office, sparkling eyes greeted me.

"I've been waiting to see when you'd drop by. You always keep up so well, even today, so classes shouldn't be hard for you. But I have so much more I want to teach you."

Plus lines cranked to max affection. Professor Shin Arin of the Combat Department smiled broadly, fidgeting with her hands. It was like she couldn't contain herself, wriggling like live octopus—mad vitality pulsing.

'Kinda pervy in a weird way.'

Classes just ended, yet she brimmed with energy—truly superhuman. What drive. Every time I felt her gaze and turned, she'd be smiling at me. Sometimes it scanned my body, but it was analytical, dissecting muscles and bones—not predatory. Still, knowing that didn't stop the chills sometimes.

'That's why I kept putting off coming here.'

I subtly rolled my eyes, scanning the mostly empty office since I traveled light. Just the two of us. No prying eyes—would she push grad school or apprenticeship? With my experience, becoming anyone's disciple felt off. How to turn that down? I came inwardly worried, but.

"Ahem, so what brings you here?"

Thankfully, no job offers yet—just the kind, passionate professor vibe. Though her hands still wriggled like she was restraining herself.

Ugh... I averted my eyes from the sight, flashing a model student's clear smile as I got to the point.

"I was wondering if I could get a dungeon pass."

To hunt officially, you needed to be an adult and pass the license exam. But the bureaucracy was annoying, and re-verification for upgrades sucked. Getting an S-rank or higher outright would draw too much attention. For various reasons, I didn't have one, but there was a way in without: authority granted to prestigious institutions like Seoul Superhuman Ability Academy.

The dungeon pass. Professors could judge a student's level and issue experiential permits at their discretion. From what I'd heard, first-years got E-rank for sure, second-years D, third-years C.

For reference, C-rank dungeons had trolls and orc chieftains; D-rank had elite orcs and lizardmen. Below E: goblins, gnolls, slimes—the classic weaklings. No real fights against goblins; pure beginner zone.

'So I'd like a D-rank pass or so.'

Not long since enrolling. Strictly speaking, maybe just E, but with built-up goodwill, I could negotiate.

That faith brought me here, but.

"Ooooooh."

Why was she staring even more sparkly-eyed? Half-covered by her eyepatch, yet her gaze pierced.

Professor Shin Arin fidgeted her hands again, lips curling up as she asked.

"Want to hit a dungeon? Which one? Up to what rank?"

If I said A-rank, she'd drag me into her team without hesitation. I shook my head vigorously and hurried with my target.

"Uh, C to D-rank is enough. Planning to gather herbs inside."

"......Ah."

Trolls, orcs, lizardmen—all casual hunts for me, but tricky for a professor with responsibility. Yet.

"Well, C to D... You could go solo, no problem."

No worry—instead, a hint of disappointment.

Eh... no, why? Weren't you concerned about accidents and liability?

'I could get captured by a troll or orc chieftain.'

I knew it was impossible even as I thought it, but after just two ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠weeks, her trust was too much.

Professor Shin Arin fiddled sulkily and said,

"Then a C-rank pass should do?"

"Ah, yes."

"It's not me issuing directly—I apply and get it approved, so probably four or five days. I'll let you know the second it arrives."

"Yep, thank you so much."

Easier and cleaner than expected. Business done, I angled to leave, but.

"Um, hey..."

"Yes?"

"If you have any questions, even right after class or anytime, come to the office. Got it? Yeah?"

"......Yes."

Unbelievably clingy for a top-tier social elite, high-ranker S-rank hunter.