Geuru was glad she could maintain their bond through a skill like this. It felt like proof that they were tied together tightly, even without blood ties.
“Unnie. Can an A-rank take on an S-rank too?”
“Hmm… I heard there were many such people among the first generation. They say it still happens in other countries from time to time. It’s not completely unheard of, right?”
“Then, unnie, you can’t fight an S-rank either?”
“Me?”
Nayeon giggled.
“Hmm, can I just do that as I please? If it happens, I guess I’ll do it, but. Well~ I’m perfectly fine as I am.”
She spoke lightly and turned the steering wheel.
“I’ve never once wanted to become that amazing, so I don’t really know.”
Nayeon shrugged and smiled.
“Nyeh?”
At that answer, Geuru’s eyes widened.
Weren’t obsession with levels, ranks, and rankings fundamental to being a Hunter?
Seeing Geuru’s reaction, Nayeon smiled.
“Everyone’s surprised when I say that.”
In truth, Nayeon had never been desperate in her entire life. An affluent family, a beautiful face, a gentle disposition. She hadn’t been good at studying, but she’d always excelled at using her body. Her parents had worried that she was born with too many innate blessings, but once Nayeon became an A-rank Awakened, they accepted it as her fate and let it go.
Even Nayeon’s best friend used to say similar things…….
“You can open the door just by pulling the handle.”
“What does that mean?”
“I have to bang on it just to maybe get it open, but you just turn the doorknob and it opens. Well, it means I’m jealous.”
Recalling the social media account her friend had blocked her on, Nayeon gave Geuru a slight smile and turned the steering wheel.
*
Soon, the two arrived at their destination, exited the car, and entered a massive building that looked like a shipping container.
Several figures busy moving lighting equipment, cameras, and other gear began looking Geuru and Nayeon up and down.
‘……?’
Geuru grew nervous at why people were looking at them like that, but Nayeon was quite composed.
“Uju!”
Then, spotting Uju, Geuru waved her hand. At that, Uju, who was prettily made up, ran over in quick strides.
Uju’s face brightened as if delighted, and she fixed her gaze on Nayeon, who had come with Geuru.
“Ah, they said I couldn’t come alone, so I came with Nayeon unnie. Is that okay?”
“Uh, it’s fine.”
Uju scrutinized Nayeon for a good while before whispering.
“Is this noona also in the industry?”
“Uh-huh.”
Geuru nodded proudly.
Uju nodded slightly and bowed to Nayeon.
“Hello.”
“Hello. I didn’t know our Geuru had such a cute friend. Thank you for inviting me.”
Nayeon bent at the waist, met her eyes, and greeted her warmly. Uju cleared her throat with an ‘ahem’ and spoke.
“Umm, would noona also like to greet the Director?”
“Huh? Me?”
Nayeon pointed at herself with her index finger and tilted her head.
At the vivid *Why on earth?* expression on Nayeon’s face, Uju faltered.
Uju had figured she was an industry insider because she was far too striking to be an ordinary person, but how could she not know about this?
She should be leaving her mark everywhere she went, yet seeing her so clueless, Uju felt stifled inside.
With only such people around her, no wonder Geuru couldn’t find any work.
Still, it wasn’t as though she could proudly boast about offering her industry connections to an adult. Uju opened her mouth in a small whisper.
“That, Director Hwang Uncheol, he’s a famous person…….”
It was at that moment.
“Excuse me, are you Hunter Shin Nayeon?”
A staff member cut in over Uju’s small voice.
“Yes, hello.”
When Nayeon gave a short bow, the staff member’s eyes began to sparkle.
“Oh my! I didn’t expect to see you here! Do you remember me? I was staff during the last raid filming. I even got your autograph on my clothes during the pre-interview!”
As the staff member made a fuss in a loud voice, all eyes gathered on them.
“Hunter?”
“They say it’s Hunter Shin Nayeon.”
“Oh my, what is this. Hunter Shin Nayeon!”
Director Hwang Uncheol also approached and offered his hand for a handshake.
“I’m Director Hwang Uncheol. Wow, you’re even more beautiful in person. Is Guild Master On doing well?”
“Of course. He’s still handsome and lazy.”
“Hahaha! When you came for the interview last time, I saw you at the broadcasting station, and you cut such a striking figure. Both Guild Master On and Hunter Nayeon—I don’t know why all these faces that should be in the entertainment industry end up in active duty instead. Isn’t that so?”
At Hwang Uncheol’s jest, laughter burst out among the staff.
Watching the scene, Uju carefully asked.
“Uh, what just happened?”
A Hunter? All of a sudden?
Failing to read Uju’s flustered expression, Geuru said proudly.
“Uh-huh, Nayeon unnie is ranked ninth!”
“What?”
Just as Uju looked at Geuru with a face asking what that meant.
“Ms. Romi, the setup isn’t done yet!”
At the name Romi, Nayeon’s gaze fixed on one spot. Soon Nayeon broke into a broad grin and approached a woman with bleached blonde hair and flashy makeup.
“Wow, it’s really been a while. I missed you so much, Romi!”
“You…… why are you here…….”
“Wow, Ms. Romi, you knew Hunter Shin Nayeon? You should have told us. Why were you keeping your lips sealed?”
“Uh, well…….”
Iromi fidgeted, clenching and unclenching her fists.
“Having good connections is nothing to sneeze at. You could brag about it a little. If you have time, it’d be nice to appear on a program together. It’s a win-win.”
As praise for Nayeon continued from those around them, Romi’s complexion grew worse and worse.
Biting her lip, Romi strode away, leaving Nayeon behind.
“Wait, Ms. Romi! Where are you going!”
“……I don’t feel well. The filming preparations aren’t done yet, so I’ll go lie down for a bit until then.”
She gave Nayeon a meaningful look.
“It’s okay if I step away for a bit, right?”
While Romi smiled bitterly, Nayeon’s face was full of worry.
“Are you feeling very unwell?”
“No. It’s nothing serious, so enjoy yourself.”
With that, Romi turned on her heel.
Watching Nayeon stare intently at her retreating figure, murmurs were heard from the people around them.
“Did the two of them know each other?”
“Then did she come to see Ms. Romi?”
“You guys didn’t know? Hunter Shin Nayeon was an idol trainee. She was famous for being so pretty when she Awakened. Photos from her trainee days even circulate.”
“So she quit being a trainee after Awakening?”
“I don’t know the exact details, but wouldn’t that be the case?”
“Well, anyone would do the same.”
*Oing!*
Geuru’s eyes widened.
*Iromi!*
If it was Romi, Geuru had seen her on TV too. She had been introduced as a rising actress, but to think she knew Nayeon unnie.
*Hmm…….*
More than that, there was something nagging at her, so Geuru opened her bag and rummaged through it. A small egg had been trembling ever since it spotted Iromi.
She felt that it was somehow reacting to Iromi.
Then Uju gave Geuru’s hand a small tug and asked.
“Nayeon noona is…… a Hunter?”
“Uh-huh. I told you before.”
“But earlier you definitely said she was an industry insider…….”
Only then did Uju feel a sense of incongruity and whipped her head around.
“That’s a Hunter?”
“Uh-huh.”
Uju continued in a trembling voice.
“Then…… are you a Hunter too?”
“Uh-huh.”
Geuru grinned and held up her Hunter license from her small bag.
Uju took it with both hands and gaped.
“How? Did you Awaken?”
Geuru laughed, making a small noise as if she had heard something amusing.
“Of course you have to Awaken to be a Hunter.”
Past events suddenly flashed through Uju’s mind. Conversations that hadn’t quite added up, and items that were clearly Awakened goods.
Realizing she had acted not cool at all but rather foolish in front of Geuru, her face began to burn bright red.
Uju covered her mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
“……I feel like I’m going to vomit.”
“What?!”
Bathroom! A flustered Geuru grabbed Uju and moved toward the bathroom.
“Let’s go to the bathroom, okay?”
“No, I’m fi-”
Just as Geuru was patting Uju’s back to calm her down.
Ding!
[Emergency! A Caregiver Quest has occurred! Would you like to check?]