HBWnovel Chapter 87
Chapter 87
As soon as Yeo Dohyung finished the talk show, he headed toward a place he had scouted beforehand.
The woman he had clearly spotted from afar seemed to have already left, as she was nowhere to be seen.
‘Hmm...’
He pulled his cap lower and slowly glanced around.
After taking in his surroundings, he started walking again.@@@@
Reaching the far end of the night market, where the crowd thinned out, he sighed in disappointment.
Just then, he happened to spot a lone woman at a quiet stall at the very end of the market.
Yeo Dohyung quickly moved toward her and stood beside her.
He casually ordered a beer and glanced over at her.
His eyes met Si-Hyun’s.
‘...Hmm?’
Her expressions were incredibly vivid.
At first, her face was blank, but then her brows furrowed slightly, only to soften with a playful gleam moments later.
“Mister, one more beer, please.”
“Sure thing! Thanks!”
Si-Hyun refilled her beer.
Meanwhile, Yeo Dohyung looked at the menu to order something to snack on.
After a moment of deliberation, he decided on spicy skewers, figuring they’d be moderately spicy and flavorful based on the description.
Once his food arrived, Yeo Dohyung removed his mask and spoke naturally to Si-Hyun.
“Hello. You’re Professor Jeong Si-Hyun, correct?”
“...Yes.”
“I’ve heard about you from my younger sister. She says your Monster Studies lectures at the academy are her favorite. Out of curiosity, I saw a photo of you once. I didn’t expect to meet you here like this.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Ahem, I’m Yeo Dohyung.”
“Yes, I just watched your talk show. Eunbyul also mentioned you.”
Si-Hyun and Dohyung exchanged a light handshake.
Afterward, they quietly enjoyed their respective drinks and snacks.
They didn’t bother with a toast.
As Yeo Dohyung set his glass down, Si-Hyun slowly spoke, her gaze fixed on his spicy skewers.
“...Do you like spicy food?”
“Oh, yes. I’d say I do.”
“Hmm, is that so.”
Si-Hyun’s eyes curved gently as she smiled.
The faint blush on her cheeks, likely from the alcohol, combined with her delicate expression, captured Dohyung’s attention.
“Then how about trying this as well?”
Si-Hyun pointed at the menu with her finger.
The item she indicated was called Bomb Skewers, described as extremely spicy.
“Since this feels like fate, it’s on me. Mister, one Bomb Skewer, please!”
“Coming right up!”
Caught off guard as he admired Si-Hyun’s appearance, Dohyung suddenly found himself being treated to an additional snack.
As the new skewers arrived, he let out a wry smile.
“Well, I suppose I should order something for you too.”
“...Let’s finish what we have first.”
Si-Hyun picked up her last piece of fish cake and took a sip of beer, as if signaling him to dig in.
Dohyung hesitated briefly, then took a bite of the Bomb Skewer.
It was quite spicy.
He quickly gulped down his beer.
However, the spiciness refused to fade, clinging stubbornly to his tongue.
‘...So this is why they call it Bomb Skewer?’
The name lived up to its reputation.
It felt like eating fiery noodles, leaving his tongue tingling.
Dohyung took another sip of beer on his own.
When he turned his head, he was greeted by Si-Hyun’s radiant smile.
Her cheerful expression was so beautiful that it lifted his spirits just by looking at her.
He found himself smiling back without even realizing it.
Yet, his tongue still burned.
The professor listening couldn’t hide his surprise and asked again.
The one who had brought it up chuckled wryly and replied.
“I found it curious as well, but... well, I didn’t dwell on it. I don’t know him personally.”
“Hmm... Ah, Professor Noh, what do you think? You share a general education course with him, don’t you?”
All eyes turned to a middle-aged man.
Professor Noh, a B-rank magic hunter, was responsible for not only specialized lectures but also the Understanding and Exploration of Monsters course.
“Hmm. I don’t really care.”
Professor Noh answered indifferently.
The only connection he had with Jeong Si-Hyun was granting permission to reference materials for a newly established lecture. Even that had been handled through the dean, not directly.
“By the way, have you heard? The Introduction to Monster Studies course is said to be of very high quality.”
“...Hmm?”
At this sudden remark, Professor Noh turned his attention to the speaker.
The professor who had brought it up smiled slyly, pleased to have drawn attention.
“Some even say the part-time instructor’s lectures are better than Understanding and Exploration of Monsters.”
“...What is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, it seems he used materials from your course. Isn’t it amusing that his lectures are receiving such praise? Not to mention how a close-combat hunter helped magic students with their group project.”
“...”
Professor Noh’s brows furrowed.
The sly professor, having intentionally provoked him, shrugged nonchalantly and stopped talking.
‘Perfect timing.’
Professor Noh had already been irritated by Jeong Si-Hyun’s attitude during Hunter Kang Cheol-min’s special lecture.
With his notoriously strict and irritable personality, even a small spark like this was enough to ignite a fire.
As expected, Professor Noh left with a stiff expression.
The instigating professor watched him leave with a smirk.
***
A Few Days After the Academy Festival
Areum, who only had morning lectures that day, headed straight to the academy’s main gate after class.
Today was the day she had promised to meet Professor Jeong Si-Hyun.
They were supposed to visit a dungeon in the provinces together if it hadn’t already been cleared.
‘He’s not here yet?’
Arriving at the gate, Areum checked the time and glanced around.
Professor Jeong Si-Hyun was someone whose appearance naturally stood out.
Since she couldn’t spot him, he had likely arrived earlier and was waiting somewhere nearby.
Areum looked around again. That’s when a familiar voice called out to her.
“Areum, over here!”
“Ah!”
So he was waiting in the car!
Areum quickly walked over to the parked car.
“Ah, hello, Professor!”
“Hi. Get in.”
Once Areum sat in the back seat, Si-Hyun introduced the man in the driver’s seat.
“This is Jang Han-Soo, a department chief from the Hunter Management Bureau. He happened to have business in the provinces today, so he offered to drive us.”
“Nice to meet you, Areum.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you very much.”
Jang Han-Soo exchanged polite greetings with Areum before starting the car.
Meanwhile, Si-Hyun casually chatted with Areum.
“What novels have you been reading lately?”
“Oh... um, would you like me to recommend something new?”
“Sure. I finished one over the weekend.”
“Ah! In that case...”
The department chief, focused on driving, perked up his ears.
He thought he might catch some useful information.
“Um, Professor, can I ask you something I’ve been curious about for a while?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Well... I’ve always wondered—what’s that mark on the back of your hand?”
“Ah, this?”
Si-Hyun raised his hand so Areum could see it clearly.
Areum’s gaze landed on the stigmata etched on his skin.