Grow Up, Grow Up!

-Beep, beep, beep, beep.

-Ding-dong♪

"Good work, sis."

"Ugh……."

The moment Kim A-rin opened the front door for her, she trudged straight into the living room and collapsed right in the middle.

I've had way too much going on today.

This is exhausting for real.

Is getting a hunter ID photo taken really this hard?

I don't remember it being like this for my regular ID photo.

-Swish.

"Look at yours too, sis... It came out super cute."

"Gaaah!"

Her whole body shuddered at the sight of her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠own photo, which Kim A-rin proudly shoved in her face.

She'd thought the plain white tee and jeans were safe enough, but then they slapped a teddy bear beanie on her head.

The ultra-cute fuzzy hat was too much for manly Lee Ji-woo to handle—she straight-up ascended to enlightenment.

All that was left was the adorable little kid Lee Ji-woo, who had caved to the promise of a shiny new computer.

"Look, sis. There's even one where your eyes are closed."

"D-delete it! Delete it, I said!"

"Yeah, you're right. It's a Ji-woo pic."

"...Don't play word games with someone else's name—!"

Anyway, wasn't this supposed to be a hunter ID?

A hunter ID is basically like an ID card, right?

Can you really take an ID photo wearing a hat?

Doesn't that violate some regulation or something...?

She blurted out all her nagging doubts, only to get a casual "doesn't matter" in response.

"There's no rule against hats. ...Probably."

"Is there a rule requiring a teddy bear hat?"

Kim A-rin invoked her right to silence at the pointed question.

Her shamelessness pierced the heavens.

When Ji-woo glared at her, she slowly backed away.

Then, she deployed her go-to skill for when she had nothing to say: changing the subject.

"H-hungry...? Let's eat, sis."

She even offered to cook dinner herself tonight.

But Ji-woo just tilted her head.

"Uh.... You got something?"

This was a massive penthouse, sure, but she'd just moved in today.

There were fancy fridges as standard fixtures, but they hadn't gone grocery shopping yet.

She'd even left all the side dishes from the store manager back at the rooftop room—what was she supposed to cook with?

-Click.

"We've got all the ingredients we need."

"Huh? What?"

Kim A-rin flung open the fridge door, revealing it stuffed to the brim with food.

Green onions, onions, all sorts of fruits.

And pork belly, pork shoulder, beef skirt steak....

Anyway, there was a ton of stuff. What the heck?

"I had them stock it up before you got here."

"The... fridge?"

"Yup."

Since when did fridges fill themselves just because you asked?

Fancy penthouse fridges must be a whole different breed from the ones she knew.

"If you ask nicely, they'll stock anything else too."

"Huh? Like what?"

"Just call and request it—staff will bring snacks or whatever."

"What?!"

Kim A-rin explained the penthouse services in more detail: regular laundry and cleaning handled for you, and so on.

It was like stepping into a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠whole new world.

"Hunters are busy. Think of it as the guild hiring a housekeeper for you."

"...They called you a hunter dragon for a reason. You really are one."

"Hun...ter dragon? What's that?"

"It's a thing."

Anyway, if they delivered anything just by asking over the phone—with staff on duty 24/7—why not test it out?

She had just the thing she needed, after all.

"Just use the intercom?"

"Yeah. Tell the staff what you need when they pick up."

"Hmm...."

She tapped the intercom buttons as Kim A-rin instructed, and it rang through: rrrring.

It really connected to some management office.

-Click.

They really delivered anything.

Haetae Guild's perks were way better than she'd imagined.

"...You like books, sis?"

"Gonna give 'em to Hwaran."

"...Ah...."

Kim A-rin finally nodded in understanding.

She'd been there when Ji-woo promised Hwaran she'd come back.

But why did that leave a bad taste? Was someone trash-talking her on Hunter Gallery?

"By the way, sis."

"?"

"You really going back to the Haeinsa Gate?"

"Gotta. I promised."

She'd ordered the books specifically to bring to Hwaran, after all.

She planned to swing by with Kim A-rin as soon as she had time.

Had to snap a pic of Hwaran buried in the full Lord of the Rings set, grinning ear to ear.

Going alone would've been ideal, but walking to the Haeinsa Dungeon Gate was a hike.

To deliver the books, she'd have to bum a ride from Kim A-rin.

"Or you could buy me a bus ticket?"

"...Just come with me. No going alone."

"Kabedon."

Having Kim A-rin watch would make photo time awkward, but oh well.

Her car beat the bus for comfort, at least.

She decided to think positive.

"Anyway, so. What's for dinner?"

"Spam fried rice. Don't skimp—load it up."

"......... "

"Whole can. That's an order."

"...Got it."

The finished spam fried rice (one full can dumped in) made her truly grasp the terror of capitalism.

No luxury like this existed in the world.

-Waddle, waddle.

-Waddle, waddle.

"Kim A-rin, you're way better at cooking than I thought...."

"...Was it good?"

"Yeah. Michelin three-star level."

Two heaping bowls of Kim A-rin-brand spam fried rice had her struggling to walk.

Had her kid stomach shrunk too? She felt full so fast.

Nothing beat rolling around with her phone until she passed out.

Too bad she still had business to attend to.

Time to grill Kim A-rin about her skills.

"Kim A-rin. About my skills."

"...Yeah."

"There's something weird."

"Weird...? Like what?"

She slowly explained to Kim A-rin.

Her passive skill, Let's Be Friends, seemed to affect humans too.

"Humans too?"

"Yeah.... Earlier, I got a popup saying the guild master's favorability went up."

Recalling her chat with Yoo Do-ah, she pulled up her skill window again.

-Ding.

The description read "entities of sufficient caliber."

"Entities" apparently included humans, not just monsters.

If it were monsters only, it'd probably say "monsters" specifically.

She had a ton of other questions anyway.

She was only three days awakened—more unknowns than knowns.

"Turns out my passive can be toggled. Can yours?"

"I... can't. Yours must be one that can be toggled."

Kim A-rin explained that passives varied.

Some like hers could be turned on/off; others were permanent.

"There are hunters stuck transformed forever because their transformation passive won't turn off."

"So they live transformed for life?"

"Probably...."

"...That's kinda sad."

But not her case.

She chalked it up to good luck.

One big question remained, though.

"So, what now?"

She was registered as a transformation hunter.

But no one knew about the hidden boss transformations.

Only Kim A-rin knew she could use hidden boss skills.

So she had to hide her Manifestation skills from everyone else.

If they found out, it'd be hunter subjugation squads or a solitary cell with no internet.

Horrifying just to imagine....

"For now, the wolf... hidden boss?"

"Fenrion."

"Just use Fenrion's skills in front of others. Best for now."

"Hmm."

Fenrion's Manifestation was plenty strong—no real issues.

But she wanted to use Hwaran's too.

Or meet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more hidden bosses for new Manifestations.

More Manifestations meant getting stronger.

Was there a way?

"......Too dangerous, sis. The first two were luck."

"Is Kim A-rin afraid of Lee Ji-woo's growth?"

"Yeah. Scared you'll get hurt."

"Whoa, getting serious on me."

She took the joke straight.

Feeling awkward, Ji-woo scratched her neck.

"No matter how strong you get.... I don't want you hurt."

"Agh, got it. Drop the serious act."

What, the world wasn't ending tomorrow.

No need to rush power-ups.

But.

"I do wanna hit a dungeon."

No stopping now.

Needed to raise her Assimilation proficiency.

To evolve it into Manifestation.

Her current Manifestations were just 10-minute demos despite the name.

For full versions, evolve Assimilation itself into Manifestation.

"...You'll go anyway, even if I say no. Behind my back."

"Ahem."

She couldn't flat-out deny it.

She had a conscience.

With S-rank passive invincibility, she wouldn't die easy anyway.

"Like you said, two hidden bosses down and I'm still kicking."

"...Result bias."

"But I'm alive."

Her conclusion stood.

She'd get stronger.

She burned to make S-rank like Kim A-rin, shake the world.

Power up her skills.

Earn more cash.

"...I'll look into it. Stabilized gates should be fine."

"!"

"But no unstable ones. Not yet."

Two gate types.

Unstable—like Gangseo-gu—freshly spawned, pre-core recovery.

Monsters fiercer, more violent.

News gate stories? Usually unstable.

Stabilized—like Haeinsa post-core—safer.

Even rookies like her could enter.

Pros cleared regularly; monsters tame.

"But not alone."

"Why?"

"You're a minor now. Need a guardian for dungeons."

"...No fast-age spell?"

"Ah, no!"

Kim A-rin sounded weirdly panicked.

No need to freak that much.

-Fidget, fidget.

-Fidget, fidget.

"It's just...."

"What about me."

"...You're cute right now."

"...Is that the issue?"

This hardcore kid-lover.

Kim A-rin always liked cute stuff, but come on.

"Agh, anyway, no. Never heard of such a spell...."

"...Shoulda led with that."

For now, kid life it was.

No big letdown—she hadn't expected much.

Being young had perks.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Skin like new, energy overflowing.

Transit discounts.

Kid advantages galore.

Exactly ten minutes later.

"Ji-woo-ya, Ji-woo-ya. Bought pajamas in every style—pick one."

"...Can I just sleep naked?"

Late evening, Yoo Do-ah burst in, and Ji-woo felt the downside of being a kid.

Faced with piles of kiddie pajamas thrust at her, she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Wear this and sleep will come easy."

"Liar."

"Even if it is, try it—you'll see."

"N-no! Don't wanna! Stop!"

"...You won't die from pajamas, sis. Try 'em."

"K-Kim A-rin, you too...! Traitor!"

No one on her side.

Life was pointless.

"See? Sleep's creeping in."

"...Shh. You'll wake sis."

-Blink, blink.

-Blink, blink.

"...Mmm...."

Eyes fluttering open, she saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

Way up high.

"Where am I, who am I...."

Rubbing her eyes, she escaped the bed into an alien landscape.

Still so amazing, she forgot this was home now.

"Kim A-rin, Kim A-rin...? ...Gone?"

Just her in this huge place.

Tried reaching the intercom for Kim A-rin's place outside, but too short.

No phone answer—must be out.

"Moving in today, but, hmm...."

Wandering the vast house, she spotted unfamiliar stuff on the table.

Cute proof photo on her hunter ID.

And Kim A-rin's short note: Got something—be back soon. Watch TV or whatever. P.S.

Who you calling a kid.

-Blink, blink.

-Blink, blink.

"...Anyone can see I'm a kid."

TV reflection: just a little girl.

Knew it, still not used to it.

But no kiddie cartoons.

Tastes hadn't kid-ified.

"Anyway, she's out...."

Pondering till Kim A-rin returned, a thought struck.

Current spot: Haetae Guild dorms.

Haetae HQ next-next door.

All this land Haetae's.

Including.

"They said there's a training gate."

An old stabilized gate Haetae bought ages ago.

For guild hunter training, per Yoo Do-ah yesterday.

Decision took under ten minutes.

Nothing to do—check it out.

Test some skills too.

"Uh, um.... How may I help you?"

"Going in the gate. Here's my hunter ID."

Finally at the gate, she flashed her ID at the access staff.

No rank measurement yet, but registered as Haetae hunter.

Should get her into the training gate, right?

"S-sorry, but you're... a minor?"

"Ah."

Denied entry.

Minors needed guardians—right.

"B-but I'm an adult? Got my regular ID too."

"Sorry, please head back, Hunter Lee Ji-woo."

Staff firm.

But she wouldn't back down easy.

One thing she could do only while Kim A-rin was out.

"...Assimilation."

Hiding behind a tree near the gate, she activated Assimilation, transforming into Hwaran.

Recalled meeting Hwaran: using her Manifestation on bad smuggler hunters with help.

Instinctively grasping Hwaran's skills during Manifestation.

"......Feel the flow, A-haya. You can surely do it."

Like Hwaran said then—she had used Hwaran's skills.

The sensation lingered perfectly in memory.

For perfect use, Manifestation—but that'd tire her out fast.

If it worked, great; if not, oh well.

Worth trying.

"...Come forth, clone."

Hand outstretched, faint mana leaked from her.

Mana gathered in the air.

Hwaran made clones instantly; hers took time.

But.

-Step.

-Blink, blink.

-Blink, blink.

"It... it worked!"

About 20 minutes later, her clone formed.

Problem: identical to her—still a kid.

Send it to the gate staff? Instant rejection.

No fooling anyone like this.

"Hmm.... Can I age it up?"

She fed mana bit by bit to the blankly staring clone.

Imagining the kid turning adult—anyone could see it.

"Grow up, grow up, grow up...!"

Chanting while recalling Hwaran sensations.

Eventually, the clone aged up a bit—from kid.

"...Why the peace sign."

Excited about aging? Who knew.

But not "kid" anymore.

If she was 11, clone looked high school sophomore.

"Alright, Ji-woo Number Two."

-Blink, blink.

-Blink, blink.

"Deploy."

-Step step.

-Step step.

Sent Ji-woo 2 ahead to the gate, following slowly behind.

Basically a moving doll now.

Unlike Hwaran's self-acting clones—needed constant commands.

"Um.... How may I help?"

Gate staff tilted head at Ji-woo 2.

Seizing the moment, she used Hwaran's skill again.

"Uh......... um......"

Staff's eyes glazed over in seconds.

To the dazed staff, she made Ji-woo 2 whisper softly.

-Whisper whisper.

"You need the bathroom.... You need the bathroom...."

"N-no...... can't......"

"A quick break's fine.... You head to the bathroom.... Go on now...."