After Six Years of Fangirling, It's Time to Quit the Fan Club
After the Kraken subjugation.
The fainted Joo Young and Sae-byeok Bich were immediately transferred to the Hunter Management Bureau's dedicated treatment center. There, they received reports from bureau-affiliated hunters on the dungeon's actual measured rank.
"Ah, turns out the rank wasn't B after all..."
"Doesn't matter."
"Pardon?"
"She was there anyway."
Upon hearing it had actually been A+, both gave the same response.
"What use is a rank in front of her?"
Both Joo Young and Sae-byeok Bich.
The sight of Yul they'd witnessed that day left an immense impact on them. An impact that would shape the paths they chose, right up until they ranked 2nd and 5th domestically.
The most surprising verdict went to Joo Young of all people. Everyone had assumed the selfish bastard would form his own guild to monopolize dungeons, but that prediction missed the mark spectacularly.
But the reason he remained unaffiliated was his own little secret.
"Why... did you save me?"
He'd cornered Yul at the shop, where she was selling off that day's dungeon rewards alongside Ham-su-kkun, and asked her point-blank.
Joo Young couldn't comprehend why one hunter would save another.
'A hunter's power is purely their own luck and talent.'
That was fate, destiny. So what reason was there to save civilians—or even other hunters?
Yet the world's strongest, Yul, had saved him and the others.
Yul answered with her usual impassive expression.
"Why let them die if I can save them?"
Even if he couldn't quite picture her face clearly, even if her voice was distorted.
"I'm no volunteer, but I'm not some cold-blooded psycho who leaves people to die either."
The exact same stance as when she'd stood in front of him on that beach.
"Let's just save 'em roughly and live roughly."
That's plenty for a hunter.
That utterly simple final line had been intense enough to redefine his values as a hunter.
There was no obligation to save anyone.
But if so, there was no obligation to let them die either.
He'd been redeemed by that mindset, the creed of the one who'd saved him...
'...If I can save lives, might as well try.'
One could say he'd since strived to walk a similar path.
That was the kind of existence Yul was—and now she'd called him over.
"You're... Joo Young, right?"
Joo Young nodded immediately.
"I was planning to meet you anyway."
"...Me?"
"To say thanks."
There was a reason Yul had come all the way to the dungeon as evening approached past 6 p.m.
Even if he'd volunteered without compensation and accepted the request with burning passion, she was still grateful.
Two days until the concert. Yul finally felt like the world was giving her fangirling a break.
Though truthfully, it was the hunters' manpower that had made it happen. Still, things proceeding according to plan felt like a stroke of luck.
'Considering my usual luck, something would've gone wrong by now.'
Which was why she'd planned to meet him face-to-face and express her thanks.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' throws a tantrum, saying our Yul has no need to thank anyone.
"Must've been a hassle. Thanks for your hard work."
"...No big deal. Closing the gate wasn't hard. If anything, he's the problem."
Joo Young pointed at Ryu Shin-ah.
Ryu Shin-ah, standing with his arm linked through Yul's, blinked. He eyed Joo Young's hand curiously before pointing at himself and asking:
Me?
"Things would've been smoother without that shut-in NEET."
"Haha, this fanatic."
"I get what you're saying."
"Hey, Your Majesty? Come on now?"
Ryu Shin-ah turned to Yul. Betrayal colored his face.
Joo Young folded his arms, contempt unfiltered.
"Am I wrong? He's useless. Couldn't even turn down the bureau's request, so now we're stuck babysitting."
"Babysitting? You mean..."
Joo Young tsked in frustration.
"That concert crap."
"...Ah. That."
"If you couldn't even guess the bureau's angle, rip off that thick skull. Why lug it around?"
"No, this is... hmm."
"Using the world's rank 1 as a prop for some promo concert? Hunters as propaganda tools?"
Ryu Shin-ah trailed off. Sure, he was Joo Young's case officer, but this was awkward to defend.
It was Yul's idea from the start, after all!
But explaining that would blow her civilian cosplay cover.
Ryu Shin-ah and Yul exchanged subtle glances.
General, doesn't he look like he's misunderstanding?Yeah.But we can't just tell the truth.Obviously.You joking?Yup, General's outing as a fangirl ain't ready yet.Damn straight.
Finishing their quick exchange, they turned back to Joo Young with their usual faces, as if nothing happened.
"It's not like that."
"It's not."
They chimed in unison.
Joo Young opened his mouth to retort, but Ryu Shin-ah beat him to it.
"Harsh words, fanatic. By your logic, that makes Her Majesty one of those 'useless' types?"
"That's not—!"
"I'm sure our queen decided wisely on her own. I get your intent, but butt out already, kid."
Ryu Shin-ah grinned.
Yul poked his side—gently—and said flatly,
"Well... I agreed 'cause I get something out of it too. No need for you to worry."
"...Sorry."
"Nah, then I'd feel bad."
Yul scratched her head awkwardly.
Nothing for him to apologize for.
Joo Young clamped his mouth shut. His black cape hid his expression, but clearly, he still hated seeing his idol dragged into this.
And with the idol saying she was fine, he couldn't push further.
Yul smoothly changed the subject.
"Anyway... let's head out. Time limit's almost up."
"Oh, right. Hey, fanatic, open a portal?"
Ryu Shin-ah tossed it out casually.
Treating the domestic rank 2 like a short-range teleporter, but Joo Young silently warped space without complaint.
Grk.
They emerged at the dungeon entrance.
Ryu Shin-ah pulled out his terminal to check the time. Nearly 7 p.m.
"What? It's this late already? Whole day gone."
"Go home and eat dinner. You too, have something tasty."
"...Yes. Thank you. Slayer of Lee Sun-ja too—have a tasty dinner..."
Pfft.
The hesitant line cut off.
Ryu Shin-ah burst out laughing, burying his face in Yul's shoulder with choked sobs.
"That personality-wreck going on about tasty dinners... Ugh."
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' rages that how dare that thing touch our Yul, and strongly petitions to judge its face right now.
"Ham-su. I still have my staff out."
Yul raised her weapon, Judgment.
Ryu Shin-ah instantly retreated five steps.
Vrrr.
His terminal buzzed then.
He checked the caller and grimaced.
Hunter Management Director Jeon Se-han.
He glanced at Yul while checking the message irritably.
"Hey, Your Majesty."
"What."
"Message from the director. Probably about the concert. What now?"
"What else? Tell him to summarize the important bits and send it."
"Mm... Let's talk at my place first. Kinda public here."
Yul nodded.
Ryu Shin-ah pocketed the terminal and waved loosely at Joo Young.
"Anyway, good work. See you soon."
"Bullshit."
"Like the queen said—go home, eat tasty food, and crash."
Ryu Shin-ah stepped toward the dungeon entrance, feigning nonchalance.
Not that it was anything they couldn't discuss here, but...
'...Can't spill it for the general's civilian cosplay.'
How could he mention Double Black's agency looking for her in front of that fanatic?
He'd flip out the second he heard.
He was the virtuous friend who'd block Yul's fangirl outing.
Two days later.
The morning of the long-awaited concert dawned.
Domestic news and global media spotlighted the rank 1 hunter's nation's bold move, all eyes on whether the show would proceed safely.
This event symbolized South Korea's chosen path.
While most nations mobilized top hunters for tower assaults, this was the opposite: prioritizing civilians' peaceful daily lives.
Debates raged on whether tower pushes or status quo maintenance was safer long-term, but...
"Ah, damn it, I'm late...!"
-Sleeping in on a day like this, General? Grab breakfast and fly!
The parties involved were peacefully oblivious as ever.
Two days prior, after returning from the dungeon, Ryu Shin-ah relayed Jeon Se-han's meeting request.
"Says he wants a quick word due to scheduling. Wanna go see him, General?"
"Why would I go to him? Tell him to send it in writing."
"Don't we need to coordinate with the agency?"
He mentioned the agency's request too, but.
"Dragging them out for something this minor is rude."
"..."
"What if they hate it? Calling them out at night for this..."
Yul's firm opposition—anything that might inconvenience Double Black—killed it dead.
With concert prep in full swing two days out, her fan heart wouldn't allow bothering them.
To him, it seemed Double Black would welcome it with open arms, but...
No convincing her otherwise.
In the end, Ryu Shin-ah only got the schedule and main arena map from Jeon Se-han.