34
The last day of May.
*Ding.*
Baek Woojin, who was lying in bed, reached out for the smartphone on his nightstand. The sender of the message was Jang Hyena.
"That was fast."
Reading the text saying she had entered Seoul, Woojin got out of bed, pulled out his pre-packed luggage, changed into comfortable clothes for moving around, and headed to the living room.
"Are you leaving already?"
"In a bit. But why is she acting like that?"
"I wonder? More importantly, are you okay skipping breakfast?"
"Yeah. We'll stop by a rest area on the way."
"I see."
Ending the conversation with Mrs. Jang, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, Woojin approached Baek Ayeon, who was sprawled face-down on the living room sofa, and placed his foot on her butt.
"Don't do iit..."
"Blegh~"
"Geez... I'm tired because I studied late last night, so just leave me be."
"Studying? What studying?"
"It's a thing..."
Since when were only Korean, English, math, and certificate studies considered studying? If you learn something, it's all studying.
Moreover, already knowing what Baek Ayeon wanted to do most, Woojin playfully ruffled his prone younger sister's hair.
"Hehe, I haven't washed my hair in two days~"
"That's nothing to brag about, you brat."
Pulling his hand away from the snickering Ayeon's head, Woojin took out his smartphone and transferred an amount slightly larger than typical pocket money to her.
"Your older brother is going on a business trip, and you're just going to lie there like that?"
"Yeah, bring me something delicious when you come back."
"Sometimes I get confused whether you're really my sister or some stray animal I picked up somewhere."
"Woof woof, arf arf."
While playing with Ayeon, who despite claiming to be tired, faithfully replied whenever he spoke to her, a new message arrived from Jang Hyena.
"I'll be going now."
"Don't get hurt."
"It's not like I work in the field, what's there to get hurt over? Anyway, I'll be going now."
"Have a safe trip."
Ayeon's mumbled voice could be heard from the end of the living room, and Woojin finally couldn't hold back a snort of laughter as he stepped outside.
"Over here."
The driver's side window of the pure white SUV parked right in front of the house rolled down, revealing Jang Hyena wearing sunglasses that suited her incredibly well, wondering where she got them, as she waved her hand.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing."
Getting into the passenger seat, Woojin buckled up and entered Yongsan Artisan Guild into the navigation.
"She's really skilled, right?"
Is she skilled? Knowing the future, Woojin simply smiled silently and leaned back against the seat.
"Let's get going."
"...Make sure you get your license before the end of this year."
"I was already planning to."
There were limits to the places he could reach using public transportation or taxis, and he couldn't always rely on others' help when he had to travel far like today. So, once he conquered the Tower and came out, he planned to buy a decent, reasonably running car. Of course, getting his license came first.
"Wow, our place is no joke either, but I really despise Seoul."
"Why else would people say it's faster to run during rush hour?"
Listening to currently popular music and making small talk, they arrived at their destination, the Artisan Guild.
"Wel—"
Geum Nahee, who had been waiting after receiving prior notice, was about to welcome Woojin warmly as he opened the door and entered. However, the moment she spotted Jang Hyena following behind him, her face stiffened and she slowly closed her open mouth.
"Welcome."
"Yes."
Woojin walked comfortably toward the counter, while Hyena, who followed behind, looked around Nahee's workshop—which was much smaller than she had expected—and trailed after him.
"Who is she?"
"She's a companion I'm conquering the Tower with this time."
"I'm Jang Hyena of Black Bear."
"I'm the Alchemist Geum Nahee. But if you're Black Bear, then from Busan, that...?"
"Yes. There."
"......"
Hyena smiled sweetly, while Nahee, who was clasping her hands together, seemed slightly displeased as the corners of her eyes drooped a little.
"How have you been lately?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. No, actually, it's incredibly good. I guess they liked my potions, because the Association has been steadily increasing their orders. So much so that I'm even thinking about moving the workshop somewhere else lately."
"Congratulations."
"It's all thanks to you, Woojin."
After exchanging just a few words with Woojin, Nahee's drooped eyes returned to their original position, and then went a step further to form a soft, curved smile.
"I packed some mana potions and a few other things that might be personally helpful, okay? Read the notes inside and don't get confused; make sure to use them properly."
"I'll make good use of them."
"I haven't repaid my debt yet, so come back safely after conquering it."
"Yes. I'll contact you once I'm out."
"No, well... okay then. I'll be waiting, so have a safe trip."
Carrying the bag full of potions, they left the workshop and headed toward the parking lot.
"You two seem quite close?"
"It's a business relationship."
"Really?"
As Jang Hyena pressed closer, subtly brushing her shoulder against his, and asked again, Woojin gently pushed her away and answered seriously.
"I have no intention of dating right now."
"Hmm~ 'Right now,' huh. So that means you do have thoughts of dating later?"
"I can definitely say I have no intention of staying single for the rest of my life."
"Okay."
Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Hyena took a step back and hummed a tune.
"Do me one favor."
"I'm driving, you know?"
"You're much strong—"
"What are you talking about."
In the end, Woojin had to carry the bags to the car by himself.
**
"Wow, I must be really crazy to ever drive into Seoul again."
"Good work."
"I know, right!!"
Roughly six hours of driving from Seoul to Paju.
Considering the actual distance, it was an absolutely ridiculous amount of time, but whether it was bad luck or just absurd circumstances, Hyena had been plagued by all sorts of ridiculous situations.
Of all things, a Hunter crime occurred right on the route they had to take, blocking the road for a while. Just as they thought they could finally pass, they were delayed again by an illegal protest from some unheard-of human rights or whatever group, blabbering about how monsters were living creatures too.
Because of this, four out of the six hours were spent just getting out of Seoul.
The remaining two hours included stopping at a rest area to have a quick brunch and a cup of coffee for dessert, plus the time spent actually driving on the highway.
"Ah, whatever. Let's just order something decent for dinner."
"Let's do that."
"Look up roughly what to eat, okay? I'm going to shower first."
Carrying a bag about half the size of a regular one, Hyena disappeared into the area with the bathroom.
'I feel a bit bad about this.'
From the car ride to the accommodation. He ended up benefiting entirely from Hyena's help.
Since it only opened once every half-year, he figured there wouldn't be that many people swarming in, so he didn't bother looking for separate accommodations. As a result, if he hadn't come with Hyena today, let alone taking a shower, he wouldn't have even been able to unpack properly.
That was how many Awakeners had flocked to Paju.
"Phew, I feel a bit better after washing up."
Now wearing slightly thinner clothing, Hyena sat on the edge of the bed with a towel draped over her wet hair.
"Did you figure out what to eat?"
"Let's just order some chicken."
"Deal. But didn't you say you were a civil servant, Woojin?"
"Technically, yes."
Hyena, who had been sitting on the edge of the bed, suddenly hopped down and shoved her face right next to Woojin's. Perhaps because she had just stepped out of the shower, a cozy warmth and a subtle scent of lavender tickled his nose.
"Why is your armor so low-level? Where are you even going to use this?"
Woojin felt unnecessarily stung by Hyena's criticism.
He had wanted to make something proper when he forged it, so he had overextended himself a bit when commissioning the Blacksmith Guild to craft his halberd.
As a result, almost all the money he earned from hunting bosses and selling other monster byproducts up until May went into paying off the debt he owed to Heo Sangmin.
And since he bought his armor with the remaining pocket change, it was inevitable that Hyena's evaluation would be harsh.
"I still spent a decent amount on the gloves, though."
"Sure you did."
Taking out a pair of black half-gloves from the box she had personally loaded into her car and brought all the way from Busan, Hyena examined them this way and that before making a thoroughly dissatisfied face and handing them back to Woojin.
"Hunters need balance, don't you know? You should have invested at least half the money you spent on your weapon into your armor."
"Yes."
"Don't just listen half-heartedly."
"I'm listening properly. More importantly, you're too close..."
"So what? We're sleeping in the same room tonight anyway."
"Please add that there are two rooms."
The two chatted about Woojin's equipment for a while before ordering chicken. Then, while eating the chicken, Hyena shared information about the unconquered Tower online for Woojin, who was entering the Tower for the first time.
"Read it later."
"Yes."
Although it was a bit early to sleep, the two quickly lay down on their beds.
This was because the Tower's opening time was exactly at midnight.
**
"Haaahm~"
"I'll drive next time."
"Thanks for at least saying that."
A Tower existed in each country, and in the case of the Korean Peninsula, its location was near the Demarcation Line.
Not Korea, but the Korean Peninsula.
In other words, it meant that North Korean Awakeners also crossed the Demarcation Line to use the Tower.
Of course, this was already politically agreed upon, so there was no risk of it leading to a conflict. However.
"Please park over there."
Following the guidance of the armed soldiers, they parked the car, stepped outside, and grabbed their respective weapons and bags from the trunk.
"The atmosphere isn't as tense as I thought it would be."
"Because there's no reason to be. They're busy conserving energy to use inside the Tower; starting a war of nerves here only benefits the other competitors."
"That's true."
"As for the soldiers and dispatched Hunters, they're stationed here because it's the Demarcation Line, after all."
Chatting as they walked, the two underwent a simple identity check and arrived in front of the Tower, which stood looming right ahead of the Demarcation Line.
"Wow, no way."
Walking while looking at her smartphone, Hyena poked Woojin's arm with her elbow and showed him her screen.
"Hong Yeonha also came here today, apparently."
"I see."
"What? Why are you so lukewarm about it? We might meet her in the same zone!"
"I see."
"......"
"That hurts."
In the end, Woojin got smacked on the back by Hyena.
-Will the Awakeners entering please get ready.
As the Tower's opening time approached, Hyena tucked the hammer she was holding into her waistband and grabbed Woojin's hand.
"After all this, if we don't end up in the same zone, I'm going to make you pay for everything I suffered today, you hear me?"
"I suppose I'll have to pray that we drop into the same zone."
"Hurry up and pray."
Unlike Hyena, who genuinely seemed to be closing her eyes and praying, Woojin briefly glanced at her before turning his gaze back to the Tower.
'I'll have to repay her big time later.'
He felt truly sorry for Hyena, but no matter how much she prayed, they wouldn't drop into the same zone. How could they drop into the same zone when their average ranks were different?
Knowing this fact alone, Woojin silently conveyed his apologies to Hyena as he watched the Tower's blue barrier fade away.
-Please do not push and enter slowly!!
The line shrinking rapidly.
"What do I do? I'm nervous!!"
"You'll do great."
"Ah, whatever! Let's just go in!!"
Woojin was dragged by Hyena as they ran toward the Tower's entrance, which shimmered with a white light.
Along with that, the scenery changed.
He thought he'd be briefly enveloped in a bizarre sensation, like when entering a dungeon, but the scenery changed in an instant, as if he had simply leaped over a thresho—
"Yes!"
Just as he thought he heard Hyena's voice—a voice that absolutely shouldn't be heard right next to him—his body instantly tilted to the side.
"No way! We're starting right next to each other? Then all that grueling driving I did today wasn't for nothing~!!"
Every time she hopped with joy, holding her massive shield in one hand like it was a paper bag, Woojin's head tilted slightly in bewilderment.