Retired S-Rank Hunter (1)
By the time I finished all three requests and emerged from the dungeon, it was 7 p.m. Compared to the previous completions, this was nearly half the time—a sign of growth in its own right. Of course, excluding the Milky White Desert, the others were dungeons I'd tackled before, so the layouts were familiar. Above all, Esila's occasional helpful advice inside had shaved off a lot of time.
She truly was a useful SI.
On top of that, she seemed oddly excited—maybe because she liked the new name I'd given her. With how much I'd rely on her help going forward, a good rapport wasn't a bad thing. I could only hope this dynamic held.
The schedule had wrapped up earlier than expected, but I still had things to handle. Even just settling the requests at the counter would take thirty minutes to an hour. I figured I'd knock them out leisurely and wait for the client, who was due at 8 p.m. Not that I knew how busy they were—maybe they wouldn't show today.
With those thoughts, I approached the request counter and slid my hunter ID tag first thing. The clerk confirmed it and spoke at the same time as me.
"Completions for requests 120012, 140127, and 149932..."
"Ah, Hunter Kim Sungcheol. We've been expecting you."
"Pardon?"
"Your client is waiting in the VIP room. This way, please."
"The client—you mean the one for the Black Slime materials?"
"Yes, that's right."
What? Weren't we set to meet at 8 p.m.? It was barely 7, so had they arrived over an hour early on purpose?
"The client has been waiting since three hours ago."
"...Three hours?"
"Yes."
Apparently, I had a destined talent for keeping women waiting. Just days ago, I'd been late for my date with Hyeun, making her wait before she showed up at my place. Now even a stranger had waited three hours.
No matter that I'd cleared the low-priority requests— for them to need me this badly and wait like that. Even if her looks fell short for point-farming potential, her request suddenly seemed worth considering seriously. After all, client-hunter was practically seller-buyer, and they'd waited because they needed my skills.
"Right this way, Mr. Kim Sungcheol."
"Ah, yes."
"The client is inside. Please have a comfortable talk."
"Thank you."
Guided to one of the association's VIP rooms, I opened the door and stepped in. Cool AC air washed away the post-dungeon swelter. A long wooden table with modest refreshments. Comfy sofas on either side. Water cooler, mini-fridge—the setup evoked a celebrity lounge, though I'd never been in one to compare.
Everything a reception room needed. Except one thing.
"Where's the person who was supposed to be waiting?"
They'd said she was already here, so she should be on one of the sofas across the table. But the room was empty—no sign of anyone.
Maybe a quick bathroom break? I sat on the nearest sofa to wait, but then...
"Suuuup... fwwwuuu..."
A small, rhythmic breathing sound from somewhere.
"Suuuup... fwwwuuu. Suuuup... fwwwuuu."
A woman's steady inhales and exhales. Suspicious, I edged toward the sofa—and spotted the source.
"...Ah."
Buried perfectly against the bedhead, fast asleep. This had to be the client eager to meet me. A red heart floated by her face, marked 80—matching Esila's description of the client.
Messy, unkempt hair. Panda-like dark circles under her eyes. She probably skimped on sleep regularly—passionate about her work, no doubt. Makes sense she'd catch up here.
First impressions weren't bad, even if she was asleep for our debut.
"Suuuup... fwwwuuu..."
"......"
Waking her felt rude, so I took the chance to observe. Esila's intel: Choi Hwayoung, retired former S-rank hunter. Slightly disheveled waist-length hair, cute eyes despite the circles. By my standards, she passed with flying colors.
The only quibble? Shorter than expected. Shorter than Yuri's 160 cm by nearly 10 cm. But her chest... rivaling Hyeun's in size. That contrast was Choi Hwayoung's standout feature.
Maybe crass, but visually, she topped every woman I'd met so far. My gaze lingered on her body, hard to pull away. What would those huge breasts feel like under the white gown? Hyeun's were firm from muscle, but this woman's looked like pure softness, all nutrients funneled there—
"Suuuup, fwww... Nngh?"
Her eyes fluttered open, oblivious in sleep.
"Nngh... Ah, hnng?!"
Spotting me inches from her face, she panicked outright. Scrambling to sit up—
Thwack!!!
Our foreheads collided dead-on. I couldn't dodge.
"Kuhak!"
"Aaaah!!"
Our screams echoed through the room.
"Ugh..."
"Ow ow..."
We turned away, rubbing our foreheads. At least it wasn't a rom-com lip bump. My trained body took it better; she must hurt more. I checked on her first.
"Your forehead—okay?"
"Y-yes, it's fine..."
"I thought you might be asleep and was checking—sorry."
"No, I fell asleep after setting the meeting... Uh, wha—?"
What was that reaction? Staring at my face, she looked shocked and surprised, then sat straight and reached for her round glasses on the table.
"Huh? What... no, not seeing things...?"
"What'd you think you saw wrong?"
"Well, it's rude for a first meeting, so..."
Glasses on, she met my eyes but averted hers oddly.
"It's fine. Say it."
"No, you might find it offensive..."
"We're talking requests anyway—better clarify. Go on."
"Okay, but don't think it's weird..."
Avoiding my gaze till the end, she finally looked at me, voice hesitant.
"Um, Hunter Kim Sungcheol. The name seemed odd, but... you're really a male hunter...?"
"......Pardon?"
My hand flew to my face. Something that should be there... wasn't.
"...Ah."
The Mystery Mask that'd hidden my manhood lay rolling on the VIP room floor.