CHAPTER 15
Everything in the dungeon—every living thing, even the air—tends to react with suspicion and hostility toward intruders.
So anyone entering would inevitably feel uneasy, even more so if they’re a high-ranking Awakened.
But right now, everything was different.
All life in the area seemed to show goodwill toward Kang Morae. Even Suho could sense it.
It had to be because of her energy radiating outward.
Her aura was gentle—soft, tender, utterly devoid of aggression.
In stark contrast to the high-pressure, intense energies from the Tamers who tried to tame Suho a few days ago.
A warmth, not a storm, makes a traveler remove their cloak on their own.
Suho felt that subtle touch of energy graze his body and slowly closed his eyes.
His excruciating headache was easing—just being near her aura was enough.
He felt thirsty—for that gentle energy. He wanted to seize it.
Then Morae blinked and looked at a specific spot. Suho followed her gaze.
What was she seeing? Suho tilted his head in curiosity, and Morae spoke into the air.
“In there… do we need to go deeper? I’m a little scared. Can you come with me?”
The glowing lights floating around her pulsed in response, as if answering her.
Could she communicate with them?
With that thought, Morae began to walk. Miraculously, the lights formed a guard around her, guiding her deeper.
Following their lead, she wound through the forest without even glancing at Suho—she seemed to forget he was there entirely.
Like a squirrel gathering supplies for winter, she hopped along until she crouched before dense weedy undergrowth.
Container in hand, she took out a small hand trowel and began to dig carefully.
Why is she gathering that?
This dungeon had already been picked over. The seventh wave was the last, and no further gathering teams would be called for a while.
So nothing valuable should be left—she was basically collecting weeds.
Still, Suho watched quietly. He let her carry on, whether she found nothing or gathered worthless plants—it wasn’t his concern.
He remained silent, focusing on the way she crouched.
She’s tiny.
Kang Morae had a small body, small face, small hands, and small feet.
Yet she trod the forest floor so surely.
Definitely rabbit-like. Just then…
“Oh? I see it!”
She exclaimed in surprise. In the loose earth, the root of a weed was half-exposed.
It looked disturbingly like a humanoid root—with tattered leaves at its head like hair.
Morae tilted her head.
“But what is this?”
“A mandrake.”
“Huh?”
From behind, Suho stepped beside her.
“Don’t you know mandrake?”
Morae’s eyes grew as big as fists.
“I do know… but I mean—this is…?”
“Congratulations, Morae. You’ve found an elixir ingredient.”
Mandrake resembles a weed at first glance, but no two look alike, and they’re found in different settings.
Those characteristics made them rare—mandrake was considered an S-tier item.
And S-tier items, as expected, were incredibly expensive.
Among them, mandrake was the core ingredient for elixirs that healed any injury instantly—it sold for astronomical prices.
…Or so she’d heard.
For an E-rank Awakened like Morae, S-tier items felt like tales from another world. Honestly, she’d even hesitated to look in item shops.
One bottle of elixir went for billions. If that’s the case, mandrake must be worth—
Her citizen-hands trembled. She felt instantly rich, even though she hadn’t sold it yet.
How do I store something like this?
After a moment of thought, she pulled out a zip-lock bag. She emptied out some cookies from her pocket, then placed the mandrake root inside.
Carefully preserving it, Suho watched closely.
“You’ve done a lot of gathering, I suppose?”
“No, this is only the third time.”
“But how did you find a mandrake? It’s not something a detection skill will detect.”
“I just followed the lights. I guess I got lucky.”
Excitement was clear on her cheeks. Suho propped his chin on his hand and asked:
“You’re really that happy?”
“Yes. This is the first time I’ve ever gathered something this precious.”
“And me?”
“What do you mean?”
“How much do you like me?”
Morae’s smile froze.
“…Uh, I don’t really—?”
“You’re my fan, aren’t you, Morae?”
“I… no, I’m not?”
“You are.”
“……”
Back when Suho was nineteen, his fanbase had been bigger than a sheet of tissue paper.
As an SS-rank Awakened, he began coalition raids around that time and started getting serious media attention.
Every outlet followed him—every item he owned sold out, even his yawns made the news.
Then… one incident happened.
After a ten-day overseas mission, he came home to find an obsessive fan waiting in his bedroom.
A 40-year-old stalker woman lay in his bed in nothing but his shirt, greeting him:
“Welcome home, honey~”
And in the living room, there was a photoshopped wedding portrait of Suho and her.
From then on, Suho hated his fans more than anything.
It’s sad as a fan, but nobody would blame him.
“I… am a fan of yours, but not in a weird or obsessive way. More like a comrade, since we share the same job.”
“If I died, would you be sad?”
Shocked, Morae’s voice rose.
“What are you saying? Die? Why would you—Hunter Suho—die? That’s ridiculous! Never think like that! I’d rather die in your place—”
“……”
Oops.
As soon as the silence hit, a sweet smile spread across Suho’s lips.
“You really do like me a lot.”
“……”
She was done for.
As he pulled his mask down around his chin, his stunning facial features were revealed.
Eyes with deep shadowing, a nose perfectly angled, lips exuding enigmatic emotion.
How could someone exist like this? Seeing him in person left her utterly shaken.
Subconsciously, her gaze traced down his fine features and stopped at a small beauty mark beside his smooth lips.
So sensual…
Lost in that thought, she almost got caught looking again—so she quickly averted her eyes.
“Finished looking?”
“Yes. Thanks—oh, sorry.”
“You can look more if you want.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Suho stepped closer. Her heart raced again, ready to burst.
If this keeps up I might get arrhythmia.
“Uh, it’s okay. I have to… get some work done.”
Morae pretended to store the mandrake in her bag pocket while subtly stepping back to create distance.
That’s strange…
She thought he would be disgusted the moment he found out she was a fan—but Suho’s attitude didn’t change.
At least, he didn’t bare his usual obvious disgust.
Could it be… he actually likes it?
The smile playing on his lips looked… satisfied.
Maybe that is how he expresses disgust?
Ah—it’s clear now.
Suho needed Morae’s ability.
Why he specifically targeted an E-rank, she didn’t know—but clearly he wanted to recruit her.
So even if he hated it… he was holding back.
Morae gave him more space.
A quiet way to say: *Yes, I am your fan—*but—I have zero plan to trespass into your home.
Suddenly, Suho’s smile vanished. He looked emotionless and resumed watching her.
Is he mad?
But she didn’t speak to avoid making him more upset.
Morae crouched and resumed gathering.
She forced herself to not think about him, and it helped—she became focused. The plants were strangely beautiful and enjoyable to gather.
I wonder if these would grow in a home garden?
She carefully uprooted a cloud-like flower and another spiky, lightning-like plant, and placed them in her bag.
Suho, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke:
“You said you liked me.”
“Yes?”
“But why do you keep running away?”
“…”
“You make me want to chase after you.”
