Meat Grows When Shared
Meat grows the more you share, right?
"Today's guest is the talk of the town! Introducing Kang Cheol-min, the A-rank hunter from Baekrang Guild!"
[Hello, I'm Kang Cheol-min.]
With our bellies full, Ra-yoon and I were lounging on the living room sofa, watching TV together. We'd naturally ended up hanging out until her study hall break was over... but honestly, it wasn't boring at all—in fact, I was loving it. And true to Korean form, coffee was a must after every meal. I was finally cracking open the pack of iced Americanos I'd bought online cheap—10 packs for 10,000 won.
What we were watching was a popular variety show called Hunter Encounter, where they invite famous hunters for intros and interviews. Ra-yoon said she caught reruns all the time.
"Whoa, Kang Cheol-min's on?"
Ra-yoon, gulping her coffee straight from the cup since we had no straws at home, piped up.
"He's famous?"
"Yeah, I heard Baekrang Guild scouted him recently, and looks like he finally accepted..."
I'd learned this over dinner, but Ra-yoon was super into hunters—total die-hard fan level. She said it started as her dream job, so she naturally picked up all the knowledge.
"Ra-yoon, you gonna become a hunter right after graduation?"
"Kinda... but my parents are against it..."
"Huh? Why?"
"It's dangerous, sure, but the big reason is my rank's too low. Two years ago, right after awakening, I begged my parents to take me to the Seoul Hunter Management Bureau for a test? But they said I'd top out at E-rank at best."
"Ah..."
E-rank—the lowest hunter rank. Awakened with mana, so stronger and tougher than normals, but they struggle against monsters. Most hunters start at E and climb, but Ra-yoon's case? The Bureau had already slapped an E-rank cap on her. She'd be lucky as dungeon baggage carrier at best.
Ra-yoon let out a bitter sigh after downing her coffee, lamenting her fate.
"Sigh... If only I were strong like Kim Se-ah, I could've been hunting since high school..."
"Kim Se-ah? Who's that?"
"Huh?! Sis, you don't know Kim Se-ah? The S-rank hunter Kim Se-ah?!"
"...Nope?"
I seriously didn't. Was that a problem?
Ra-yoon stared at me like I was some noob gamer.
"I figured since you're an awakener too, you'd know..."
"Wait, did I ever tell you I was awakened?"
"Pfft, it's obvious. With that unique hair and eye color, who'd think you're normal?"
Just like she said, awakeners' hallmarks were funky hair and eye colors. Mana awakening tweaks the body, starting with hair—the most sensitive part. Once the body adapts, eyes change, and you can wield mana.
Take my sister Yoo Ji-na: black eyes originally, now red like mine. So-hee unnie had that natural red ponytail too. Come to think of it, everyone around me has some red? Was red common here?
Anyway, it meant awakeners could get "Hey, awakener!" shouts just walking down the street. Ra-yoon's hair was dyed blonde now, but her deep brown eyes screamed awakener.
Ra-yoon eyed me curiously.
"Sis, you a recent immigrant or something?"
"Nah, born and bred pure Korean."
Well, technically—died once, turned girl, lived 200 years in Triia, but before that, 22 years as a guy in Korea. Pure enough, right? Sigh... on second thought, it's iffy. Second-hand Korean?
"But how do you not know Kim Se-ah? One of only five in Korea!"
"Not into that stuff. Though I have met an S-rank hunter."
"Whoa?! For real?! Who?!"
Ra-yoon scooted right up, her ponytail ponytail wagging like a puppy tail.
I'd tossed it out to build rapport so she wouldn't think I was boring, but she lit up. Who knew that damn abandoner would come in handy? I felt a twinge of gratitude imagining my blood sister who'd exiled me here.
"Yoo Ji-na the hunter. You know her?"
Family bragging felt awkward, but hey, blood's blood. Ra-yoon's face froze the second I said it—like rushing for pizza only to find pineapple.
"Ah... Yoo Ji-na...?"
"What's with the reaction?"
"Um... sis, you close with her?"
Close? Blood sister? Families aren't always tight, but yeah, close. Still, our sibling secret stays secret.
"N-not really. Met once, chatted a bit."
Ra-yoon exhaled in relief.
"Phew, good. I thought you were her 'girlfriend' or something."
"Haha, what the—wait, what?"
Girlfriend? Me? Back when I was a guy, maybe, but now? Brain full of question marks. Had to ask.
"What do you mean?"
"Sorry if that offended..."
"No, genuinely curious."
She'd shrunk, thinking she'd insulted me, but perked up at my reassurance.
"You might not know, but Yoo Ji-na's got a bad rep. Beats up anyone who annoys her on sight. From early days, she's left handsy guy hunters half-crippled. Rumor has it two years ago, she blacklisted the Hunter Bureau itself for pissing her off."
What the hell had that abandoner been up to without me? I knew she was rough, but this? Hearing my only family's infamous deeds drew a hollow laugh, but I soothed myself with iced Americano.
"No one approaches her. Only ones who do? Guild master Cheon So-hee and other women hunters. Hence the lesbian rumors."
"Pfft!"
Coffee shot back into the cup. Lesbian? My sister? No way.
This world wasn't my old one, but that was too much.
"Nooo way."
"You never know. No scandals yet, but totally possible!"
"So why'd you think I was her girlfriend?"
"You said you met her smiling—sounds more than casual. And sis, you're pretty even to me."
"Heh, don't fall for me now."
Her casual compliment tugged my lips up. Damn, 'pretty' never gets old. Next time Ra-yoon visits, flower sirloin steak it is. Pretty girl who feeds you well? Irresistible.
Not chasing popularity—just habit. I love food, fed folks back in that world too. Meat's leftover anyway. Definitely not dumping scraps.
#
Time flew chatting—already 9 PM. Fun times always do. Watching Ra-yoon prep to leave, I felt a pang.
"Leaving already?"
"Yup! Leisurely pace gets me home perfect."
At the door, one hand on the wall, slipping into sneakers. No bag—not studying, huh? Just her uniform blouse in hand. Still too hot for it.
"Want me to walk you? It's dark..."
"Sis, I'm awakened, remember? And nothing happens in this countryside—don't worry."
Flag planted... Rare here, sure, but uneasy. Weak awakener or not, Ra-yoon hiked mountains solo—tough enough for creeps.
"See ya, sis! Thanks for the grub!"
"Anytime—come eat again."
"For real?! Tomorrow then!!"
She waved, beaming, grabbed the doorknob.
"Bye, sis~!"
Screeech—click.
Ra-yoon was gone, but I lingered at the door.
"..."
Hate being alone... Great food in a great place means nothing solo. Pathetic, I sighed.
"Haa... Am I an introverted extrovert now? Can't eat or chill alone like a total loser..."
Need to stream to kill the loneliness. But cams ordered today—three days minimum. Ra-yoon tomorrow? Friday. No school weekends, so week's last visit. Alone till package.
"Two days? I've survived worse."
Slap! Cheeks stung, feet finally moved from the door.
Phone blared in the living room like it'd waited. Knew who—plopped on sofa, grabbed it, answered.
"Hello? So-hee unnie?"
"In-ah~ You holding up?"
"Yup~ Doing great~"
My words barely out, familiar voice from the phone: 'Those two get along like a house on fire.'
"So-hee unnie, you with sis?"
"Yup, in my office—no one's allowed in."
"Yeah? Hey~ Abandoner~ I'm fine~"
"Kekeke, abandoner? Got a boyfriend already?"
"P.S. My name's Abandoned Pup~ Same surname, so we're sisters for real~"
Heard sis say something over the line, but So-hee unnie's laughter drowned it out.