HBWnovel Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Early Afternoon
The sky near my home was like a diluted watercolor painting, hazy and clouded in an unremarkable way. Just looking at it could dampen anyone's mood.
It was that in-between time, straddling the end of spring and the beginning of summer. On the streets, more people were wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts, embracing lighter, cooler clothes.
I was on my way to the Hunter Management Bureau, heading to the subway station closest to my home. With the morning rush hour long gone, the station was relatively quiet.
“Hmm...”
Now that I thought about it, the first time I visited the Bureau, I met Han-Gyeol at this very station. Back then, so much felt unfamiliar and new to me.
But now, just a few months later, it felt like I’d adjusted to this life remarkably well.
Whoosh—Clunk.
The train came to a stop, and the doors slid open. I stepped inside and casually took a seat near the door.
With time to spare, I let my mind wander, reflecting on everything that had happened so far.
My beloved sister, Si-Yoon, who had helped me adjust to this new life.
My dear friend, Ji-Ah, who taught me the diversity and richness of living.
The cute and lively students I met at the Academy.
And then, there were others.
The wise elder from the Knight Guild, who showed me what an ideal life could look like.
Yeo Dohyung, who turned what could have been a bland lecture into something that felt like a real talk show.
So many events. So many people.
...Yes, I’d made my decision, and now I would act on it.
At first, I only wanted to rest, and my future seemed vague and uncertain. But now, my goals were clear, and I could see the path ahead, connecting me to where I wanted to go.
All that was left was to take the steps forward.
“Hmmm...”
When I arrived at my destination, I instinctively looked up at the sky.
Unlike the gloomy atmosphere from earlier, it was now crystal clear, without a single cloud in sight.
The sunlight was warm, and the breeze carried just the right amount of coolness.
The weather was perfect.
***
Hunter Management Bureau@@@@
The building of the Hunter Management Bureau stood tall, and Section Chief Jang Han-Soo greeted Si-Hyun, escorting her to a meeting room right on time. Inside, the team leader from the Bureau's management department awaited them.
“Oh, you’ve arrived!”
“Hello,” Si-Hyun greeted calmly.
The team leader, visibly nervous, exchanged pleasantries with her. Meanwhile, Jang Han-Soo sat down after preparing snacks and drinks for the meeting.
She was the kind of person who could turn “impossible” into “possible.” Her strength, as demonstrated in the double dungeon, was no joke. She had already surpassed the concept of individual versus state.
She was a walking natural disaster. Terrifying as an enemy, but as an ally, she could become nothing less than a national guardian deity.
“Let me summarize before we get into the details. I love Korea, but I won’t allow myself to be bound by anyone. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Understood!”
With her point firmly made, the two men answered enthusiastically. Over the next few hours, the three of them discussed and refined a detailed plan.
The conversation also included some personal requests from Si-Hyun—like the timing and destination of her proposed trips abroad or her wish to move into a new house, which she wanted the Bureau to arrange for her.
Si-Hyun had no hesitation about offloading the tedious tasks onto them, knowing it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
In the end, it was a win-win situation for everyone involved.
***
After the Meeting
When the meeting concluded, I prepared to leave.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, please don’t worry about it. Both of you are busy, after all.”
I politely declined the section chief and team leader’s offer to see me off. There was no need to trouble them further when they had more pressing matters to attend to.
“Then, we’ll see you next time.”
“Yes, see you next time!”
“Have a safe trip home!”
After exchanging simple farewells, I exited the meeting room. I walked through the quiet, sparsely populated hallway, making my way to the lobby.
Just as I was about to leave the Bureau building, I ran into some familiar faces by chance.
“Oh! Professor Jeong Si-Hyun? Fancy seeing you here!”
“Hello, Professor. It’s been a while.”
“Oh, hello. It really has been a while.”
It was Eunbyul, one of my students, and her older brother, Yeo Dohyung. After exchanging light greetings, Eunbyul beamed brightly and said:
“Professor! I got promoted to D-Rank! I’m here to renew my license today!”
“Wow, really? Congratulations!”
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you, Professor!”
Eunbyul, her smile as radiant as ever, bounced slightly on her toes as she spoke. Her face lit up with joy, making her look utterly adorable.
“It’s all the result of your hard work. Congratulations again, Eunbyul!”
“Hehe, thank you so much!”
She bowed cheerfully, her movements full of energy.
...How should I describe this feeling? Seeing young students grow and achieve their goals brought a certain warmth to my heart—a sense of pride and fulfillment. It was like being touched by a happiness virus.
Lost in the pleasant warmth spreading in my chest, I smiled to myself. Eunbyul, meanwhile, alternated her gaze between me and Yeo Dohyung. Then, clapping her hands together as if struck by an idea, she said:
“Oh, right! Oppa, I’ll handle my license renewal and head home on my own. You should escort our professor!”
“...What?”
“See you later!”
Before either of us could protest, Eunbyul spoke her piece and dashed off in a blink.
For a moment, I watched her retreating figure, then turned back to meet Yeo Dohyung’s gaze.
He wore an awkward expression.
...I had a feeling my face probably looked just as awkward as his.