Two days later, Seonwoo Yeon and Kim Kiryeo really arrived in Hadong.

Did I ask for no reason?

However, this B-Cass hunter was immersed in shallow regret as soon as she set foot in her hometown.

Should I take care of the gate properly?

Yes

They had to go into the dungeon from now on because accidents could happen if she trained outside.

To be honest, she wasnt happy about it. Having to enter a mysterious world where even making a phone call was impossible, alone with a registered user hiding their awakened abilities in disguise. Is this really the right thing to do?

Ugh

But there is no choice.

This person is right. It would be a big deal if a passerby were hit by the skill.

They then arrived at a nearby F-Class gate. Inside the gate was a vast plain perfect for training, but she didnt feel at ease.

Will I really be able to use the skill in just three days?

Shes still skeptical about everything

Wait.

Kim Kiryeo glanced at the nervous Seonwoo Yeon and took out an object from his jacket. It was an unexpected item.

Alcohol cotton and phlebotomy machine?

Why are things they can buy at a pharmacy here? She tilted her head and accepted the bloodletting needle.

However, the sentence that followed was somewhat creepy.

Disinfect your wrist.

Yes?

Disinfect this area well, and then pierce it yourself. Now.

As soon as it starts, she immediately draws blood.

W, why?

Seonwoo Yeons eyes widened. Even after seeing this, Kim Kiryeo only spoke dryly.

Do you know what your biggest problem is?

Problem?

Its your magic management. Its not just at a novice level; youre completely clueless about it.

So Ill use the fastest method.

Up until this point, Seonwoo Yeon couldnt understand what the other person was saying.

What are you doing? Hurry up and dont just stand there.

But can she really do anything about it? Nevertheless, Seonwoo Yeon eventually started extracting blood as instructed. At the same time, Kim Kiryeo seemed to be drinking some kind of potion or something, but he was so focused on the phlebotomy machine that he couldnt see it clearly.

Is this enough?

Click!

Pressing the bloodletting device, the needle pierced the skin. Seonwoo Yeon revealed her wrist, where the blood began to well up.

Yes, good job. Now, we need to start by getting a sense of handling magic

But why did she disinfect her hands while Kim Kiryeo was there?

He then firmly grasped the injured area on Seonwoo Yeons wrist.

Look carefully. Im only going to demonstrate it once from now on.

Seonwoo Yeon, whose wrist was firmly held, was startled and tried to say something, but the sensation that followed made her lips seal shut.

Ugh!

Whoosh.

Like being forcibly dragged by someone, the mana inside the body swirls roughly. A foreign substance that is clearly different from blood. Moreover, the sharp sensation of mana lingering in the heart and passing through the lungs is undoubtedly something she has felt before.

At the B-class gate, when I used the skill for the first time

Seonwoo Yeon bit her lip, not knowing what to do as the flow of magical power was felt so vividly.

Then, a few seconds later, all sensations abruptly ceased. It was because Kim Kiryeo had released her hand.

Are you okay?

Heuk!

As soon as she heard those words, a cold sweat broke out.

She doesnt know how he did it, but it feels like this hunter is holding and shaking her mana as he pleases right now.

Anyway, try using your skill again now.

Yes?

Just like the sensation you felt earlier. Come on, quickly.

The mans tone of voice asking her to use her skills was so light that it was hard to believe. Still, Seonwoo Yeon thought she was being fooled and followed his advice.

If I were to follow the sensation I felt earlier.

But it was that moment.

In clear, windless weather, a gust of wind suddenly blows.

Hwiiing.

The B-Class hunter with her hair flipped forward widened her eyes. Huh? This is

Skill!

Its an awakening skill. She felt stupid for not trusting him until now. Who would have thought that a problem that could not be resolved even after visiting a leading expert would be resolved so quickly!

Did you see? The skill came out!

Seonwoo Yeon shouted with joy. But the other person didnt seem particularly impressed.

Of course it will come out, right? To be honest, it was rather strange that a talented Awakened like you hadnt used your skill until now.

Is that so?

As Kim Kiryeo spoke calmly, Seonwoo Yeons excitement subsided and she became a little glum.

Anyway, come this way. From now on, I will teach you how to use these skills.

However, at this statement, she raises her head again.

Are you going to help me more?

Rather than helping, you have to use a lot of skills to solidify your sense anyway

Since shes already using her mana anyway, why not do two things at once?

Kiryeo spoke in a passing tone as if it was no big deal. However, the training that followed was definitely not something trivial

Hunter Seonwoo Yeon, breathe, breathe. Holding your breath while using your skill is a bad habit.

Kiryeo understood Seonwoo Yeons problem at a glance and gave her appropriate advice. Even abstract concepts became clear after his explanation. With this, she could sense the depth of knowledge Kim Kiryeo possessed.

Why is there a saying like this? That one cant teach what they themselves do not understand.

Amazing.

At this point, she could understand Ahn Yoonseungs belief in Kim Kiryeo. He was definitely on a different level from the average awakened person.

Are you feeling out of breath?

Yes. I think Ive run out of mana.

Lets call it a day for today then. We cant afford to waste millions of won worth of potions on practice sessions.

So, this is a question that arises.

That, wait a second

She stopped Kim Kiryeo, who was preparing to leave. Since there were only two of them inside the gate, it was a good opportunity.

Hunter Kim Kiryeo. I have a question.

Ah, yes.

Seonwoo Yeon paused for a moment, then spoke with a serious expression.

No matter how much I think about it, I still dont understand. Why does someone like you pretend to be F-Class?

Kiryeo was silent.

If you put your mind to it, you could be treated better than this.

Why are you trying so hard to hide your abilities?

Manipulating the awakening rank means deceiving the association. This served as a decisive reason why Seonwoo Yeon couldnt trust Kim Kiryeo. Therefore, Seonwoo Yeon wanted to hear an accurate explanation.

Why is he hiding his skills? Is there a good reason for that?

Can I trust you?

Can you tell me?

Seonwoo Yeon asked a question with complicated feelings.

At this moment, what might the person who received the question be thinking?

In the hunter industry, unusual treatment is given to hair coloring. And the man with the cold impression calmly closed his eyes.

Uh, what are you talking about

Honestly, from this point of view

He is just wondering why Seonwoo Yeon is acting like that.

I cant understand Earthling thinking. Why bring up the subject of grades out of nowhere?

Considering his opponents serious attitude, he decided to answer somehow.

But does the answer really need to be true?

Hmm.

Since his reincarnation, Kim Kiryeo has experienced many different human experiences. Among them were good earthlings like Ahn Yoonseung. However, what remained in his mind were powerful crimes like kidnapping and terrorism. If he thinks about it carefully, the reason he was kidnapped and almost robbed was because he was a powerless F-Class person.

Its not good to be looked down on by Earthlings.

So now, shouldnt he at least put on some appropriate airs to survive? Of course, lying wasnt difficult for him. He already had useful excuses.

Alright. Just do as I planned with that A-Class Hunter.

Indeed shamelessly.

He reused the repertoire he used on Ahn Yoonseung entirely.

What do you think about awakening, Seonwoo Yeon-ssi?

Awakening is not a product of effort.

Its just something that was suddenly given.

So I feel uncomfortable with this power. If it appeared for no reason, it could disappear in an instant.

I dont usually rely on abilities like an awakening. I believe things that can be naturally resolved should be handled accordingly

What and so on. As Kiryeo spoke naturally, Seonwoo Yeon looked surprised.

So, thats why you dont use your awakening ability.

Isnt this a very rare idea in todays age of skill-centeredness?

So, is that why you hid your abilities when you and I fell into the B-class gate?

Seonwoo Yeon pondered his words for a moment before asking the question. At that moment, Kiryeo busily turned his head.

Ah, even if I had come forward, it wouldnt have been of much help

Why is that?

My ability, well Its somewhat difficult to use in places where there are people

If he brags recklessly about being strong, he might end up taking on troublesome tasks later. Kiryeo brushed it off carelessly, sensing the urgency of the situation. However, Seonwoo Yeon interpreted this sentence quite differently.

You say you cant use it in front of people? Are you saying there are strong skills that even such an excellent hunter cant fully control?

She was very nervous. Is Kim Kiryeo the type of person who leaves a wide impact on those around him, like the guild leader of the Magic Tower? If thats the case, then its only right that he voluntarily restrains himself from using his abilities.

First of all, he understands

But isnt deceiving the Hunter Association a separate issue?

Seonwoo Yeon, feeling a sense of duty as a member of the association, persuaded him unavoidably. Why not reveal his true grade now? Then, Kim Kiryeo seemed to ponder for a moment before lowering his gaze and quietly speaking.

Im sorry, but that might be difficult.

Yes?

Once Im recognized as a high-level awakened person, there will be more moments where I have to use my abilities even if I dont want to.

Whoo.

I dont want that. Please. I just want to live quietly if possible.

The setup is that he hides it out of fear that the world will bother him because he is so famous. Its clich, but theres nothing better when it comes to bragging.

I see.

The effect was indeed remarkable. At least, Seonwoo Yeon fell for the lie without hesitation.

Ahn Yoonseungs guess that he was hiding his abilities because he was worried about the associations interference was correct.

Well, if someone as talented as Kim Kiryeo were revealed to the world, not only the association but all guilds would be in an uproar.

Rather than cause an accident with that kind of force, Id be grateful if you stayed quiet.

Seonwoo Yeon looked much more relieved.

Furthermore, rather than just being passive about the worlds affairs, there are some actions he has been showing recently

Yeah. It seems like she can trust that hunter.

Thank you for telling me.

With a satisfied expression, Seonwoo Yeon exited the gate and made a suggestion.

Oh, right. You must be getting hungry by now. How about we grab a meal first?

Do you know any good places?

Theres a restaurant I used to go to when I was younger

Does she know? Actually, Kim Kiryeo dominated the conversation the whole time.

But theres nothing to worry about. In the end, the one who will suffer the most from this conversation is this hunter. f𝗿e𝗲𝘄𝗲bn𝐨𝚟𝚎l.com

If you can buy anything, Id appreciate it. Ill enjoy the food.

Kim Kiryeo seemed pleased at Seonwoo Yeons offer to treat him to a meal.

The future execution ceremony.

He didnt even know that the press conference in question was being held in real time.

***

-Driiing, driiing!

Argh, so loud!

The second day dawned in Hadong.

I woke up to the loud alarm and immediately started getting ready to go out. Theres a schedule planned for today too.

Heh.

The air in Hadong is clean. After coming this far, I somehow dont feel the stalkers gaze. Anyway, I feel like things are going well.

Its smooth sailing.

I headed straight to the meeting place after getting ready. When I arrived, I saw a familiar signboard hanging there.

[15m ahead Killer Bees Nest (C)]

Thats right. Today is the day to collect the ingredients for the magic booster. And the agent who will help me clear out the troublesome monsters is none other than this person.

Hunter Seonwoo Yeon, are you ready?

Uh, uhm. For now.

I spoke confidently to the hesitant B-Class.

Then go in now.

This was todays task. In the name of learning how to use the skills she learned yesterday, I entrusted Seonwoo Yeon with clearing the gate solo.

Do I really have to do this alone? Would it be okay?

In any case, Seonwoo Yeon lacks confidence despite being a high-ranking magician. With her abilities, she could easily overpower even higher-ranked hunters, so why is she making a fuss?

If we clear all the gates, make sure to collect all the killer bee stings. We will use it to check how many monsters we have caught.

Yes

Dont worry too much.

I pointed to the gate entrance with my chin.

This is just a C-Class gate. What could possibly go wrong?