Chapter 188. Daily Life

"Hmm."

A few minutes later, after I had recovered enough, I finished a brief farewell with Esther and stepped out. By the time I was about to step onto the stairs of the main gate of the Korean Magic Tower, a familiar sensation flowed into my senses.

An intense magical energy that could easily overpower an ordinary, faint-hearted person.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

An SUV parked in front of the main gate turned on its turn signal, signaling its presence. Soon after, a large man sitting in the driver's seat leaned over and opened the passenger window, speaking.

"Hello, Kim Gryeo."

"..."

"It's been exactly four days and five hours since I sent the message saying, 'I'll just take a quick look at the Blue Gate that appeared at the Magic Tower Guild. Since it's F-rank, there's no need for you to come.'"

"I'm sorry."

"Do you want to leave for now? If you haven't had lunch yet, we can grab something to eat."

"I'm sorry."

"Is sushi okay for the menu?"

"It wasn't intentional, so please, just let it be a lesson..."

***

Saturday afternoon. In a quiet gym, two people are having a conversation.

This was a training facility exclusively for Awakened individuals, located in Seoul. To be honest, calling it a training ground wasn't entirely accurate, as it wasn't equipped with anything particularly extraordinary. However, the fact that one could use magic without worrying about others' eyes was a significant advantage. Because of this, the place had been a popular spot for Awakened individuals for a long time.

For example, like the famous hunters present here.

"This is almost the end of our time for the day."

Jung Haeseong and I were currently going through our usual schedule at the gym we had rented.

However, by the time the skill training had reached its 6th week, we faced our first small problem. The reason was that Haeseong had been struggling to master the application of the Full Combustion technique, which he had taught during the 4th week.

"Something feels a bit off."

Fire magic can increase its power not only by consuming mana but also by altering the combustion process itself to raise the flame's temperature. Jung Haeseong surprisingly struggled with the process of changing the magic to a blue color. But that was fine. In fact, I welcomed this stagnation.

"I might be able to charge for lessons longer than I expected."

However, unlike the instructor, who thought positively about the situation, the primitive magician in front of me grew more and more dejected as the days passed.

"Ha..."

Now, seeing that he couldn't even hold back the sighs coming from within, it seemed like his situation was quite frustrating for him.

"Hmm."

I know from having met many students like him in my past, but Jung Haeseong, being someone who had achieved high success in the past—something I found out recently, he dropped out of veterinary school—seemed vulnerable to such trials. When you've lived a life like that, it's almost inevitable to subconsciously learn that you're superior to others. But when you suddenly face repeated failures, you end up being hit harder than most by the shock of unfamiliar defeat.

A stiff expression. Tensed shoulders. Even a national hero is still human, and if results don't come, there might come a day when he loses interest and considers quitting altogether. So, in order to secure future job stability, I knew I had to flatter him with some praise in this situation.

"Jung Haeseong."

In fact, despite everything, that S-rank was always a kind-hearted person who stood up for the weak, so I couldn't help but feel concerned. That's why I spoke with consideration for Haeseong.

"You know that?"

"Yes?"

"Your awakening ability. It's called Pyrokinesis."

"Yes."

"The media often underestimates it, saying it's the most common type on Earth."

Fire. An primordial concept that symbolizes the origin of civilization on Earth.

People here could at best play around with small flames, but having witnessed the pinnacle of ignition magic in my past life, I could say this with certainty.

"But from my perspective, for someone with enough mana, it's actually one of the best abilities out there. If you keep training, you might not even need armor in the future."

Jung Haeseong tilts his head when he hears that.

"Armor?"

Saying that an ability seemingly focused entirely on offense could eventually make armor unnecessary must sound absurd.

But one day, even the people here will come to understand. No matter how worthless an attribute may seem, if you hone and refine it, it will eventually achieve a perfect balance of offense and defense. Throwing stones at the sun won't change anything. I'm not sure if Jung Haeseong can reach the level I'm thinking of, though.

"Anyway... you still have a long way to go with your potential. So don't get too caught up in every little success or failure—just take it easy and keep going."

I did my best to encourage him, patting his shoulder. But Haeseong was someone whose expressions were as rare as mine, so his face remained rigid. Just looking at him like this, I had no clue what he was thinking.

"Anyway, should we start wrapping things up and head out?"

Still, this was quite the progress. Honestly, I could still vividly recall the moment when our dear hero swung [Sunset Sword] straight at me. But after all my struggles, I'd somehow ended up face-to-face with the number one hunter like this.

"Yes. Thank you today."

But suddenly, I had a thought—when the day comes that my hidden rank is revealed, this guy will probably tear me apart, right? Not only have I been slowly taking away his wealth, but I've also been pretending to be an S-rank while slandering him in every way possible, right?

"I hope the day never comes when I have to experience the sharpness of a legendary weapon..."

I glanced at the red sword hanging from my disciple's waist before stepping out of the gym.

But what is this? If it were any other day, an empty lot would have come into view, but today, an unexpected picture unfolded outside the back door.

"Hmm?"

A human was standing blankly at the exit.

"Um, excuse me."

It looked like he was just waiting for us to come out...

"What is it?"

The person who spoke was an unfamiliar human from Earth. A woman in her 30s wearing glasses. Curious about her identity, I fixed my gaze on her, and soon she spoke the next words.

"What is this..."

"I'm sorry for showing up unannounced. But since I couldn't get in touch with you at all, I heard that you usually train here on weekends, so I had no choice but to come in person."

I hadn't received any calls? Hearing that, I took my phone out of my pocket. But there were no missed calls. If a new call had come in, I would have seen it for sure.

"I haven't received any calls."

"Pardon? I left a message—did it not come?"

"It didn't come."

"Oh no, then did the agency give me the wrong number...?"

Anyway, the woman promptly took out a business card from her wallet and showed it.

[Korea Dungeon Resource Research Institute]

[Kim OO]

[Senior Researcher / Doctor of Science]

But before I could even finish reading the words, an additional explanation burst out.

"Anyway! The reason I've come all this way is none other than... to request national research cooperation from you, Hunter Gryeo! Specifically, it's a security detail!"

This situation is just absurd. The Earthling who suddenly appeared claims to be here to entrust me with a security detail request. Of course, it wasn't hard to guess the underlying intentions behind it.

Dungeon Resources. If an ordinary person wanted to study such otherworldly materials, they would naturally need someone to protect them.

"Our research institute recently began studying a high-difficulty A-rank gate called [Sanctuary of Verdure]. I am the project leader."

"So?"

"So we're in need of an awakened individual to assist with the research, but the A-rank hunters we previously hired faced significant difficulties. It seems that the strength of an S-rank hunter is necessary."

The researcher continued.

"We weren't originally planning to contact you so urgently and were going to inform you more gradually through official documents. But, ah, it's just that the monster reproduction in the dungeon we had scheduled is progressing faster than expected..."

Alright. I've understood everything up to this point without issue. But the problem is what comes next.

"Yeah, but why exactly did you specifically come to find me?"

I understood that you wanted an S-rank bodyguard to safely explore the dungeon. But aren't there plenty of better choices among Korea's S-rank hunters besides me? For example, the Rank 1 hunter standing right next to me, or the purple-haired sorcerer living in the Tower. Well, as for the other one...

"Right. Let's just pretend that one doesn't exist."

Although there are some flaws.

Anyway, I couldn't quite understand why this person had skipped over the rank 1 and 2 hunters and specifically sought out the 9th rank. Shouldn't they have tried reaching out to Jung Haeseong first?

"His public image is good too."

I turned my head to look at the S-rank standing idly behind me. The national hero, with his neatly parted hair and likable features, seemed slightly flustered as he awkwardly observed the situation.

"If you needed a strong Awakened, wouldn't Hunter Jung Haeseong also be a good choice?"

However, when I made the suggestion, the Earthling shook her head.

"We can't."

"Yes?"

"That dungeon has a structure where small rooms, about 4 pyeong in size, are attached like train cars, so it's rather difficult to cooperate with other classes whose awakened abilities have significant secondary damage."

"Hmm."

"Besides, I heard that Hunter Kim is already very capable in VIP protection. Moreover, I heard that your actual personality is very good too. "

Wait, what's that?

"What? Where on earth did you hear that?"

I've never done human escorting in my life, so where did that suspiciously good reputation come from?

"Uh, uh, well, if I had to say, it's my father. Actually, my father has a wide network in the hunter industry, and he said he's been hearing a lot of good things about you lately, Hunter Gryeo? So, he suggested that if I'm looking for a bodyguard, I should talk to you about it..."

"What's your father's name?"

"It's Kim Beomsik."

Who is Kim Beomsik anyway...? Every time I get an answer, I just fall deeper into the mystery. Someone has been going around saying my personality is very good.

"Is it a distorted version of the strange rumors Ahn Yoonseung spread?"

I tilted my head. However, the middle-aged man in front of me just gave a bright, hearty laugh even at this moment.

"Actually, whenever I saw your impression, Hunter, I imagined you'd be very meticulous in handling tasks, but to have such a widespread good reputation even in the difficult bodyguard industry..."

"..."

"No matter how many times I think about it, I want to ask Hunter Kim, who has expertise, for cooperation! If it's alright, could you make time around Monday for negotiations?"

It's a bit uncomfortable because it seems like I'm spitting in a smiling face...

"I'm sorry, but I'll decline."

"Yes?"

Still, it was about time to make things clear. I firmly declined their request.

Why? Well, because I'm a discarded-grade ability user who can barely take care of myself, let alone provide protection.

In reality, I'm the one who should be receiving protection, so to suddenly hear a request to protect a researcher is absurd.

"Yeah? But Hunter, you're involved in investigations at the national level..."

"I don't know where you heard what, but."

?uk.

I cut him off mid-sentence and continued speaking.

"I've never done anything like protecting researchers before. Besides, my awakened ability isn't even suited for that kind of work."

In fact, I'm just an F-rank, so I can't do it.

"I, is that so?"

Soon after, the researcher looked visibly startled. Judging by that reaction, it seemed she had been completely convinced that I would accept the request.

"Uh... I see. It seems there was some kind of... misunderstanding on my part. I think I need to double-check things. Um, well, thank you for taking the time. Have a nice afternoon."

Tak, tak.

I looked at the researcher's back as he turned around weakly and said.

"Jung Ha-seong, have you heard any strange nonsense lately, like people saying that I'm good at bodyguard work?"

The great wizard's disciple answered in a straight voice.

"...No. But I have heard rumors that you used to be a loan shark."

Yeah. If it was something like that, I could have at least predicted it.