First, lets answer the phone.

Ooh, Yoonseung-ah. Thanks to you yesterday, I got out safely. Me? Im healthy. There are no injuries.

Swoosh. I turned my gaze out the window and began the operation cautiously.

So, Im so grateful that I want to buy a meal

My alien neighbor. Hunter Ahn Yoonseung naively took the bait.

Do you want to come out for a moment? I have something to talk to you about.

***

A glass of iced Americano.

Why on earth are you drinking something like that?

After a while.

Ahn Yoonseung and I went to a nearby franchise cafe.

It was because Ahn Yoonseung refused my sincerity and dragged me here, saying there was no need to buy me expensive meals.

I just need you to buy me a cup of coffee like this. I will enjoy it! Hyung-nim.

The problem is that some aliens get sick just by smelling the coffee beans that come from here.

Im with the BEST menu here Please give me something called a vanilla latte.

I had a hard time choosing a menu after looking at the list of complicated names.

Vanilla. The reason was that I vaguely remembered the meaning of this word.

Hyung, I guess you like sweets?

It looks like the drink I just ordered was sweet.

I lightly shook my head as I calculated.

Its more that I cant drink coffee.

Huh? Theres a shot in the vanilla latte.

What did you just say?

Wait. What?

That menu also includes caffeine

Excuse me! Please make sure to leave out the coffee when I order it. Everything that smells like coffee!

Tak. I quickly told the person who was making drinks while I grabbed him. The clerk then vaguely replied that he understood.

Damn it.

Its creaking from the start.

Even so, I took the time to calm down and sit down. Now all that remains is to talk calmly with Yoonseung.

Anyway, I was surprised yesterday. You were suddenly kidnapped Kiryeo Hyung, are you really okay?

Ooh, yes.

Shortly after we sit down at the table, Yoonseung, who looks worried, asks me a question.

I answered that question calmly and thought about how to throw the bait.

I heard about you. I heard you subjugated the dungeon break at 12 yesterday?

Yes. Something happened last night.

First, lets take a quick look at the beginning.

I was truly sorry. To be honest, the situation there was very bad. I really wanted to go help in person, but I had no choice but to go to Hunter Seonwoo Yeon first.

I brushed aside Ahn Yoonseungs apology and took the lead in the conversation.

Its alright. You worked hard until late at night.

First, lighten the mood by giving him a light compliment.

By the way Yoonseung, I think you keep going to dungeon break training these days?

Yes?

How long has it been since you havent entered the gate?

Thats

Except for the one who went with me.

Ahn Yoonseung closes his mouth.

I said the following words while observing the A-Class Hunters reaction.

As expected, is it still difficult? Because of what happened last time.

So are you afraid to go through the gate?

Drrrk, drrrrk.

A small vibrating bell rang on the table while Yoonseung hesitated.

You sit down. Ill take it.

I left the room for a moment to give the other person time to prepare an answer.

Even when I brought him the drink, he was having trouble opening his mouth.

Yes. A bit. I think it will still be difficult to return.

A high-ranking A-Class monster that he suddenly met.

The betrayal of trusted colleagues. The fear of death that was very close to him.

It was a huge trauma to overcome for a college student who had just turned 20. I understand.

But Yoonseung-ah.

Still, Ill have to tell him this.

But that doesnt mean you can follow me around forever. Im an F-Class Hunter

Yes

You need to either form your own team again, or prepare to work as a solo hunter. You understand this, right?

With a depressed face, Ahn Yoonseung just nods his head.

His complexion looks pale, as if he thinks Im going to abandon him right away.

Am I stupid?

Why am I throwing this guy away?

So, Ive been thinking about it.

I brought up the main point in a tone that was as kind and careful as possible so as not to offend Ahn Yoonseung.

If its okay with you, Id like to train you during this leave period.

! Yes?

I can show you how to use skills and control magic power to some extent. This change will make you stronger than before.

R, really?

It shocked Ahn Yoonseung so much that he spilled half of the coffee he was drinking.

Although you will have to give me permission to some extent.

I, I, I would definitely love it! Its not anyone else but Hyung-nim who will give me training. Its really more than that. Can I get that kind of undeserved help?

Yeah. Of course.

Its a big fish. It feels good to catch it so obediently.

If you become stronger than now, you will naturally gain confidence and quickly get rid of your anxiety about the gate.

I came up with a series of excuses to lure Yoonseung, then drove in the final wedge.

Well, now that were talking, if theres a suitable gate nearby, shall we stop by for a bit?

Aah! I understand!

As soon as Ahn Yoonseung heard my suggestion, he started searching for the gate without any hesitation.

I cant believe he likes it so much without knowing what Im doing.

Hoho.

I took a sip of the drink in my mug to celebrate the smooth progress.

Huh? This is pretty good.

The vanilla latte without a shot

It didnt taste bad, even though it was half-cold.

And a few minutes later.

Kkk its just as planned

I headed straight to the gate after successfully luring Ahn Yoonseung.

D-Class gate near the coffee shop. Temple of Maximus.

It is reported that a gate with the same scenery as this one has occurred countless times before.

Maybe thats why there was a lot of information on the Internet.

This gate was famous for being an unpopular gate due to its poor probability of dropping magic stones.

Thanks to that, we were able to almost rent out the temple.

Lets see

Eventually we arrived at the outskirts of the temple.

I talked to Yoonseung right away after we stopped on a quiet street that wasnt packed with monsters.

You said the attribute you awakened is defense, right? Can you show me your main skills first?

I understand! B, but if youre teaching me how to use skills, could Hyung-nim possibly have the same defense field?

Its not like that, just try to use something for now.

Its been a while since Ive demonstrated a skill like this, so Im a little nervous. Haha.

Then Ahn Yoonseung demonstrated his skills.

According to a search on a site called pixywiki, it was a magic with this name.

[Shield of Protection (Active)]

[Description: Creates a shield made of magic power in front of the user. The greater the mana consumption, the larger the size.]

Now that I think about it, the term used by Hunters is very similar to the game term on Earth

Anyway, enough with that.

Hap!

I caught a glimpse of the magic performed by Ahn Yoonseung.

From my perspective, the magic he unleashed with a short burst of energy was clearly a defensive technique.

A blue film that shines and looks like a shield wraps around the front. Is the magicians unconsciousness reflected in the wings drawn on the shield?

H, how is it?

Ill just say one thing first.

I quickly spoke the thought that came to mind as I looked at the protective shield.

Why are you only blocking the front?

I expected it, but there were too many things to fix!

Yes? T, thats obvious because its a skill like this, right? It has been activated like this since I first awakened.

This looks like chimpanzees clumsily chopping a banana with a knife and eating it. This means that the bananas are being mashed and crushed.

Thats not how you hold it, thats not how you use it!

I tried to hold back my frustration and continued speaking.

Yoonseung-ah, that skill is one that requires protecting all directions, not just the front.

Yes? f𝚛e𝐞𝐰𝚎b𝚗o𝚟𝚎l.c𝗼m

Its not spread out flat across the front. Cover your body in the shape of a glass dome. Because the mana consumption is the same anyway.

However, Ahn Yoonseung tried the skill several times after that and said in a puzzled voice.

Im sorry, I can increase the size, but the shape doesnt change? Its impossible.

I would have twitched one of my eyebrows right now if I knew how to control my facial muscles well.

Why is it so difficult to do something as easy as this?

I walk up to Yoonseung and place my fist on his abdomen.

And I gave him advice by putting pressure on the so-called solar plexus.

That shows your bias. Its definitely possible. Think of your solar plexus as the center of your skill and spread your magic in a circle like a crystal ball.

C, circle?

The boundary may be a bit blurry, so lets start by releasing magic power. Hurry up.

The somewhat strong tone seemed to surprise Ahn Yoonseung for a moment, but that didnt stop me from giving advice.

Keep your back straight! Exhale. Dont lose sight of the image in your head. No, Im not saying you should let your magic flow like that!

And after 20 minutes of Spartan training, we saw results.

T, this way? Heuk! I, I can do it? Hyung! This is it, right?

Yeah. What did I say?

But I cant move even one step, ugh! Its broken.

Thats okay. The more you do it, the better it gets.

It is considered a low-difficulty level of corrections.

Although it was in an unstable form, Ahn Yoonseung succeeded in changing his skills.

He will soon be able to use a shield that doesnt have any weak spots if he keeps doing this well.

No way. Seriously, I cant believe this skill had a way to use it hidden in it.

Ahn Yoonseung was out of breath due to the rapid consumption of magical power, but his face was full of excitement.

I looked at Yoonseung and spoke slowly.

Skill ultimately depends on mindset.

The magicians imagery has considerable influence on their mana. So, a slightly pretentious and arrogant type is more likely to become a good magician.

I remembered common sense from my hometown and kept my mouth shut.

Uhm, shall we do it anyway? Lets practice using it in actual battle this time.

After returning from a brief moment of reflection, I immediately proceeded with my next schedule.

I have to focus now. Because it is the highlight of this plan.

As expected, you have to use the skill often on monsters to increase your proficiency.

In the name of training, I instructed Ahn Yoonseung to use his skills to deal with the enemies at this gate.

After that, Yoonseung did what he was told and began fighting the monster.

This is easy!

Tak, crash!

Monsters that look like moving plaster statues break apart helplessly. As expected, the overwhelming power difference made his soul excited.

Good. Its finally time.

Y, Yoonseung-ah~ You have to look ahead and hunt~ Okay~?

Secretly.

I got close to the monsters dead body that he had killed.

Then I quickly bent down and started packing the remains into the messenger bag I had already brought with me.

Im sure they said that the magic stone and forehead gem can make money, right?

In other words, Im secretly stealing other peoples items.

There were a lot more magic stones than I thought, right?

This was my true intention.

Under the pretext of training his skills, I want him to go hunting and pick up the miscellaneous items that A-Class has dropped!

Its a genius business. Why bother catching monsters myself?

This alone will last for a month.

Of course, there were many more simpler methods other than these trivial things.

Ask for cash or ask to catch a monster.

But this is an idea that only a get-rich-quick attitude people have.

If I honestly ask for money and offend an A-Class, wouldnt it be the end?

I cant talk about money to Ahn Yoonseung. Just take the amount that cant be seen, so he doesnt find out as much as possible.

I cant kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

While that hunter was concentrating on practice. I took the appropriate amount of magic stones and stood up.

Ahn Yoonseung, how is it? Do you get the hang of it now?

However, Ahn Yoonseungs reaction right after that was a bit strange.

He must have said something discreetly. But for some reason, he didnt answer this natural question for a long time.

He just looked back at me with thoughtful eyes.

In a very serious way.

Hmm.

It feels like my fixed right foot is numb again for some reason.

Is it because Im a thief?