Chapter 21
Thump thump. Sori’s heart raced. Somehow, she was very nervous. She didn’t want to be found out.
The guild that Gijun belonged to was the Seohan Guild, the most influential hunter guild in Korea. They were always wary of and critical toward unregistered hunters operating inside dungeons. And soon, Sori herself would be active in the dungeon as an unregistered hunter. She didn’t want to create more problems on top of an already awkward relationship.
“There’s a size that fits you, young lady. Are you going to buy it?” the old woman asked.
“Ah… the price…”
“It’s only 2,000 gold,” the woman said, pretending to be generous.
“Even with 2,000 gold, I won’t make any profit anyway.”
This was a place where they would say they didn’t make a profit even after charging 2,000 gold.
“Ah… hahaha…”
What should I do? Sori’s cash in hand was exactly 2,000 gold.
Should I just buy it?
After all, she could earn more money later. Her confidence had grown since she no longer feared making money. At that moment, she remembered she had a 20% discount coupon. That meant she could buy it for 1,600 gold.
“I’ll take it,” she said, keeping her voice as small and quiet as possible so Gijun wouldn’t hear.
“Good. Here you go, young lady.”
The old woman handed her a completely black envelope. It seemed to be sealed with a simple skill; from the outside, there was no way to know what was inside.
Used the first-time visitor 20% discount coupon at Agora Market! 1,600 gold has been withdrawn!
Not bad.
“Thank you,” Sori said in a voice barely louder than a mosquito and quickly left.
That could have been a disaster.
Luckily, Gijun didn’t seem to notice. He had briefly turned his head when Sori left but soon returned to talking with the old woman while looking straight ahead.
“Well, I guess sightseeing’s over for today,” she thought. She didn’t know where she might run into Gijun again.
“Next time I come, I’ll wear what I bought today.”
Even so, her first visit had been a success. For the first time, Sori felt her heart race at having purchased a magical item offline.
Returning to the restaurant in a cheerful mood, there were still no customers that day. After work, Sori spent a little time in the tutorial dungeon and earned some money.
“Gotta earn something for the byproducts.”
Sold: Frozen Goblin (F) x10! 1,000 gold has been deposited. Balance: 1,410 gold.
She had been saving money little by little by selling frozen goblins. She wasn’t planning anything reckless yet—she didn’t want to faint again. She planned to buy potions after finishing off the remaining Slime Roast.
“Now that 1,000 gold doesn’t feel like much, I must be a legend.”
1,000 gold was equivalent to ten million won. She had succeeded.
The next day, Sori received an unexpected message and immediately pressed the call button.
“Minjeong, it’s Sori. Remember the matchmaking I mentioned? Are you free today?”
“Uh, Minjeong? Matchmaking? What?”
—I said I’d set up a blind date for you. Didn’t you say you understood?
“Oh… did I?”
—What, you don’t remember?
“Hmm… I think I do… or maybe not…”
—No! You have to remember! I already arranged everything.
Minjeong was panicking, insisting that she remember.
“Ah! Wait a minute.”
Sori recalled receiving a message the night she collapsed after trying to fight a dungeon boss. She had been so tired that she must have fainted while typing something. She opened the messenger.
“Wow. It’s real.”
Minjeong arranged a blind date, right? Okay?
“Hmm.” There was evidence that she had fallen asleep while typing.
“I only sent one circle?”
—That means you agreed, right?
“Well, that’s how it’s written…”
—Just go out and have a meal at least. You’ve been holed up at the restaurant lately anyway.
“Oh, really? But who is it?”
She needed to know who she would meet.
—He’s from the Blue Guild, about your age, 28 I think. He’s not a hunter, does something else. His name is Cha Yunmin.
“Oh, I see.”
Not particularly interested, she nodded along.
—See? He’s a good person.
“Okay.”
—Really? I’ll set the time then.
“…Okay, send me the details later.”
Click. Sori was suddenly going on a blind date.
Minjeong personally brought clothes for Sori that afternoon and tried them on repeatedly, insisting what was best for a blind date.
“Bravo! Gorgeous! My eye’s spot on, as usual.”
The final choice was a pink tweed outfit. Reflected in the mirror, Sori looked like perfect spring. Her wavy hair neatly fell to her shoulders. Her slightly reddish, plump lips highlighted her face beautifully.
“She said she wanted to try your restaurant because you run it.”
“But… did you tell him it’s expensive?”
No way he would try to eat for free…
“Uh, I told him. He said he could pay for two portions easily. Don’t worry about that.”
“Really?”
“He’s a trust fund kid,” Minjeong whispered with a gesture.
“Don’t be too fussy. Got it?”
“Okay. Don’t worry.”
The blind date was at Haengbok Restaurant. The man came at closing time.
Ding dong. The door opened right on time.
“Hello,” the man greeted.
“Ah, hello,” she said awkwardly.
“I’m Cha Yunmin. I heard about you from Minjeong.”
“Yes, I’m Kang Sori.”
“Yes. Minjeong told me about you.”
“Oh, I see.”
He had dyed brown hair. His face looked soft, rounded rather than sharp, giving him a kind image. His neatly dressed appearance for the blind date enhanced this impression.
“The restaurant’s interior is unique,” Cha Yunmin said, looking at the carved decorations around the door.
“Ah… haha. Yes, it’s a bit unique… It’s my taste…”
Actually, it was more the system’s taste. He smiled with a long eye-smile.
“Where should we sit? Is that spot okay?”
“Oh, anywhere is fine. How about here?”
Sori guided Cha Yunmin to a window seat.
“Oh, this is a good spot.”
“Yes, customers like it too.”
Then an unexpected visitor appeared at Haengbok Restaurant again.
“Are you closed?”
A familiar voice.
“…It seems a customer has come?” Cha Yunmin whispered.
“Ah… wait a moment!”
Why is he here again? Flustered, Sori jumped up.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed today.”
Her professional, businesslike tone made the customer frown. This tall, neatly dressed man with a navy sweater, white shirt, and black slacks was Gijun—encountered not in a dungeon, but at Agora Market yesterday. Yet he still carried the aura of a hunter. His eyes subtly scanned the surroundings before landing on Sori.
“Then I guess I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Sori’s eyes widened. Why the casual speech? Cha Yunmin also glanced between the two.
“Oh, interesting,” Yunmin smiled.
Gijun’s gaze stayed on Sori’s face, but his eyes took in her entire form, as if silently questioning why she, who said she worked, was dressed like this. Sori wondered why he had suddenly appeared at closing time, frowning. Did she leave something behind? Come to make a reservation? Is that why he said he’d come tomorrow?
It had been nearly three years since Sori and Gijun were on neutral terms, yet she felt uneasy being seen with another man. Somehow, it seemed Gijun felt the same. Is that why he spoke casually? She silently questioned.
Instead of answering, Gijun glanced at Cha Yunmin. The man, who had just been sitting like a normal customer, eventually stood up.
“Long time no see?”
He acknowledged Gijun. Gijun reluctantly returned the greeting, displeased.
“Yes… long time no see, Cha Yunmin.”
Cha Yunmin lightly bowed.
“……”
An awkward silence fell between the three. Gijun broke it.
“Well, then…”
He turned and left as if he had finished everything. Silence returned instantly.
“Is he really coming back tomorrow?”
Sori hesitated to believe Gijun. Cha Yunmin, noticing her staring after Gijun, asked:
“Shall we continue the blind date?”
Sori replied, flustered but calm:
“Ah, yes. Sorry, I didn’t expect a customer at this time…”
“No problem! Someone might come not knowing we’re closed.”
Cha Yunmin smiled, emphasizing customer at the end.
“That customer earlier… are you acquainted?”
Sori asked quickly. Cha Yunmin smiled calmly.
“Yes. Not the same guild, but we often run into each other.”
“Oh, I see.”
Sori replied absentmindedly, thinking their relationship seemed tense.
“He’s very enthusiastic, trains often… as you know, Sori.”
“Yes?”
“You know, Kang Sori. That’s Gijun Hunter.”
Sori hesitated. Should she say she didn’t know? But Cha Yunmin’s gaze was so obvious…
He laughed.
“He’s everywhere. TV, radio, you name it.”
“Oh… yes, of course. He’s an amazing hunter…”
Sori swallowed hard, embarrassed. She had momentarily forgotten that Gijun was an S-rank hunter, thinking only about personal matters. Her cheeks flushed.
“You’re surprisingly bad at lying,” Cha Yunmin said with a chuckle.
Clack. Sori furrowed her brows and set down her cup.
