Solo leveling vol 7, p.7
Solo Leveling, Vol. 7, page 7
“Pardon?”
When had Jinwoo and Haein become friends? Haein looked up at him as she tried to recall, and Jinwoo smiled mischievously when their eyes met.
“That’s what you said to that weird statue, right……?”
Oh, that. The day she had entered the double dungeon to save him, she’d said something to that effect to the angel statue inside.
“What is your relationship to Jinwoo Sung?”
“……We’re friends.”
Jinwoo was most likely referring to that.
“You were listening to us?”
“More like, I overheard you. My hearing is better than most.”
It was slightly mortifying that instead of helping him, he’d ended up coming to her rescue. That was one of many times he’d saved her life.
“By the way…… What was the deal with that strange dungeon?”
Jinwoo had promised to explain it to her someday, but he didn’t think the time was right just yet. “I need to process some of my thoughts first. I still don’t fully know what’s what right now, but I’ll tell you once I do.”
Haein nodded in understanding. As the conversation came to a lull, Jinwoo looked around them.
“Over here! Please look over here, too!”
“I’m a big fan, Hunter Sung!”
People had gathered around the couple like a swarm of bees, holding up their cell phones as if they’d run into celebrities on a busy street. In fact, most of them were more familiar with Jinwoo’s face than they were with most of the A-list celebrities out there, since he had been shown on every TV channel after the appearance of the monolithic gate.
Normally, Jinwoo would’ve shrugged it off with a smile, but he didn’t want anything to interrupt this day off with a friend.
Come out.
His hardworking, unpaid bodyguards, Igris and the thirty elite knights, emerged from the shadows and surrounded Jinwoo and Haein in a circle. Igris especially got to work, admonishing individuals taking flash photography with a wag of his index finger. Haein was flustered by their escort of knights.
“Doesn’t this just draw more attention?”
“As long as we can’t see the crowd, you know?”
Haein found herself nodding at the strangely persuasive logic of his statement. She did feel more relaxed shielded from the mob.
When was the last time she’d left her house to do something fun? Haein had become a hunter two years ago, and she had never felt fully comfortable with taking a day off in that time. Mostly, she worried that her colleagues would get hurt when she wasn’t on the job. At the same time, she worried about doing a bad job on every raid she participated in. Haein was always nervous and tense in some way. However……
It’s different when I’m with this man.
She could depend on him. When Haein was with Jinwoo, she could forget about work and her colleagues’ expectations, and she felt like she could go back to being a regular woman living her life.
Haein took a step closer to Jinwoo without realizing it and blushed.
He smells nice……
Looking at Haein’s content expression, Jinwoo had just one regret.
I should’ve done this sooner.
He scanned the various attractions and pointed at a drop tower.
“Do you wanna go on that?”
“Sure.”
At the quick agreement, Jinwoo pointed at another ride.
“What about that one?”
“Okay.”
“Or the one beside it?”
“That looks good, too.”
“Are you up for all of them?”
“Yes, I am.”
Jinwoo gazed down at the blushing woman next to him and chuckled.
Huh, I guess I wasn’t the only one who wanted to come here.
He was relieved that she seemed to be enjoying herself. He gently grabbed her by the wrist and led her to the nearest ride.
“Then let’s go on all of them.”
Unfortunately, the ride wasn’t as fun as he had hoped.
“Eeeeek! Eeeek!”
“Ahhh!”
Jinwoo had snagged a front seat, but while everyone behind him screamed their heads off, he watched the goings-on of the park as it zipped by.
Hmm? That kid’s gonna drop his ice cream. Oh dear, I knew it. Wait, is the food court over there? But it’s too early to eat dinner……
Jinwoo was bored. As soon as the roller coaster started going at full throttle, his surroundings began to move like a slow-motion video. He could probably ride this roller coaster standing up if he wanted to.
……
He tried very hard not to yawn as he looked over his shoulder. Behind him were Igris and a few other soldiers who had wanted to go on the ride, and behind them were civilians screaming with glee. Their facial muscles expressed their thrill and enjoyment. He could hear their hearts beating so hard, they sounded like they were about to explode.
Jinwoo put his hand on his chest to feel his own heart. He gave a wry smile as he felt his usual heartbeat. Leaping up with all his might to smash his fist into the humongous stone statue—now, that was thrilling.
And that time I was chased by those centipedes in the Penalty Zone?
That had been ten thousand times scarier than this. Jinwoo shook his head to get rid of these thoughts.
Look at me thinking about monsters when I came all this way to have fun.
He couldn’t believe himself. And judging by the expression on his companion’s face, she was in the same predicament. Jinwoo chortled and pulled Haein out of her thoughts.
“You aren’t enjoying this, are you?”
“Oh…… No, I am.”
He appreciated that he didn’t have to yell, since she also had heightened senses.
“So how come you didn’t scream once?”
This was the fifth ride they had been on. Every ride had claimed to be full of thrills, but Haein hadn’t even let out a surprised “oh.” Haein was an S-rank hunter as well, and though she wasn’t as powerful as Jinwoo, she was above and beyond ordinary people.
Jinwoo was relieved to see that it wasn’t just him. At that moment, he was filled with a desire to show her the world through his eyes. Beru detected Jinwoo’s intention and tried to stop him.
My king…… That might be dangerous for this woman.
It’s okay. If Haein falls, you make sure to catch her no matter what. And if you miss her……you know what’ll happen, right?
……As you wish, my liege.
With no one else to stop him, Jinwoo turned to Haein. “Never mind these rides. Do you want to try something super fun?”
“Something……super fun?”
As soon as the roller coaster stopped, Jinwoo led an intrigued Haein to the main plaza.
“Wow!”
People were amazed by the sight of the black knights guarding the couple, but their exclamations soon turned to screams.
“Ahhh!”
“What is that?!”
The shadow soldiers pushed back the crowd to make space for a huge black magic beast that rose from the ground. It flapped its wings and roared at the sky.
“Kreeeee!”
It was the first time Haein had seen a winged dragon this close. Her reaction wasn’t much different from the onlookers’.
“O-oh my goodness……!” Haein stared at the creature in front of her.
Jinwoo gestured to her. “Quick, hop on.”
She seemed thrown for a loop as she spotted him already astride the winged dragon.
“You……you want me to get on that?”
“Mm-hmm.”
He impatiently lifted her up using Ruler’s Authority.
“Oh!” Haein was caught off guard by the pull of the invisible force.
But that was only the first of the reactions Jinwoo was expecting from her. It was merely the beginning. Haein’s jaw hung open as she was situated behind Jinwoo.
He gave an order to the dragon. “Let’s fly.”
“Kreeee!”
As if he had been waiting for this moment, Kaisel flapped his enormous wings and launched into the sky. Haein gulped as she looked down at the people getting farther and farther away. This sensation was incomparable to riding a roller coaster.
Her arms naturally wrapped around Jinwoo’s waist. When they were high enough that the onlookers were out of view, Haein yelled.
“O-over there!”
“Pardon?”
“Why is that ant following us?”
Jinwoo craned his neck down and saw that Beru was closely following behind Kaisel. Jinwoo could’t help but laugh at seeing Beru’s face scrunched in concentration.
“He’s a lifeguard!”
“Sorry?”
“Hang on tight. The real ride starts now.”
“What?!”
But there was no need to explain further. Jinwoo felt Haein’s arms tighten around his waist.
If I was an ordinary man, she would’ve folded me in half.
It was a testament to how frightened she was. On the other hand, Jinwoo was excited that his plan was going swimmingly so far.
“Kaisel! Maximum speed!”
“Kreeee!”
As Kaisel shot off, Haein screamed for the first time that day.
The small dragon split the air as he sped along.
Whoosh!
Kaisel took the couple to places only S-rank hunters could go. They ventured inside a rainy, windy storm cloud. They flew dangerously close to a high mountain and over an endless field of snow. Of all the places they went, the best by far was watching the sun set over the ocean. Kaisel slowed down, and the ocean breeze caressed their cheeks as the two watched the sun disappear into the horizon against an orange-colored sky. Haein’s eyes shone like the crimson-tinged sky as she took in the marvelous sight.
A question suddenly struck her. “Jinwoo.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you even bother with the amusement park?”
“That amusement park……” Jinwoo took his time in collecting his thoughts. “That’s where I lost my father to a gate.”
“Oh.”
If Jinwoo’s father had failed to close the gate and a dungeon break had happened, the amusement park would no longer be there, but thanks to his sacrifice, it was open and thriving. At first, Jinwoo had resented his father for leaving his family behind. But somehow, seeing other families having fun there was comforting. And that was good enough for him.
“I always wanted to go there at least once.”
In response, Haein simply hugged him without saying a word. He could feel her warmth on his back.
“Thank you.”
Surprised, Jinwoo tried to look back at Haein, but she was clinging too closely to him.
“What?”
“I wanted to……make sure to properly thank you. You’ve helped me in so many ways.”
Jinwoo could sense her sincerity as her body rested on his back, her breath ghosting over his neck and her heart causing a ruckus.
Yes, that was good enough.
Jinwoo smiled softly as he directed Kaisel to reverse course.
“Where are we going now?” Haein sounded disappointed that they were heading back.
Jinwoo answered, “There’s something I want to show you.”
After flying a great distance, they landed in Japan. It was a restricted area, so not only were there no humans around but there were also no animals, as they’d fled from the presence of magic beasts. Kaisel landed in a wide, forested location where they couldn’t hear even the tiniest creature breathing.
“Kreeee!”
Kaisel lay flat on the ground to let them dismount. Jinwoo landed on the ground and turned around to help Haein.
“Be care—”
Haein gently landed next to him and rolled her shoulders back before he could extend a helping hand. Jinwoo laughed at himself for having forgotten what she did for a living.
“Where are we……?” Haein had just experienced something beyond her wildest dreams, so she looked around with heightened expectations. However, there was nothing to see other than an endless expanse of trees.
Jinwoo placed on the ground a blanket he had purchased from the system shop. “It won’t be any fun if I tell you, so come here and lie down first.”
“I’m sorry?”
Had she misheard? But there’s no way she, an S-rank hunter, could’ve heard wrong. Plus, Jinwoo himself had already sat down.
“C’mon, hurry.”
Jinwoo rushed her as if there was nothing odd about this, but Haein’s heart felt like it was about to explode out of her chest.
“Are……you serious?” She checked again.
Jinwoo nodded without a moment’s hesitation. He made sure Haein was reluctantly approaching before fully lying down. Soon, she made up her mind and lay down next to him, ramrod straight.
“I’m……ready.” Haein had her eyes squeezed shut.
“Then open your eyes.”
Haein cautiously opened her eyes at Jinwoo’s instructions, and he wordlessly pointed at the sky…and the stars.
“Oh……”
Haein unconsciously let out a sigh as she gazed at the sea of stars above her. Beautiful. There was no other word to describe it.
Pleased with her reaction, Jinwoo explained. “I saw this night sky when I came here to deal with a dungeon break.”
Tired, he’d lain down to get some rest, but he couldn’t fall asleep because it had been too bright. Annoyed, he had opened his eyes to this array of starlight, his chest welling with emotions.
“I thought about how nice it would be if I could stare up at this night sky with someone.”
That night, it had been just him and the stars in the quiet of the forest. He had hoped to share this sensation, this moment with another.
And now……he felt at ease having someone close to him who felt the same way he did. Jinwoo felt like a blight that had been in his heart was gently melting away.
Hmm……?
Haein placed her hand on top of his.
“May I……hold your hand?”
As if she wasn’t already. A smile bloomed on Jinwoo’s face, and he turned his hand over to interlock his fingers with hers. Her hand, cold yet soft to the touch, fit perfectly inside his.
Countless stars shone down ever so quietly over the entwined couple.
3
THE KING OF BEASTS
The next day, a tabloid that had long since replaced their coverage of celebrities for gossip about hunters printed a rather provocative headline.
Jinwoo Sung and Haein Cha Spotted at Theme Park—Birth of the Ultimate Power Couple?
Accompanying the article were pictures taken by cell phones of Jinwoo and Haein at the amusement park and riding off to an unknown destination on the back of a magic beast.
Because Jinwoo and Haein had requested that their private lives be protected by the association, newspapers weren’t normally allowed to report such information. However, considering the size of this scoop, this particular tabloid decided to publish the article regardless of the consequences.
The article blew up. The public had grown tired of the nonstop news about the monolithic gate, but the gossip involving two prominent S-rank hunters revived them. People were keen to read more about the best male hunter in the world and the best female hunter in Korea, and news about the couple traveled like wildfire online.
LIf Jinwoo Sung and Haein Cha get married and have a kid, Jinwoo Jr. should be able to defeat all the magic beasts, right?
LJinwoo Jr. LOL
LThey haven’t officially announced that they’re dating. You’re jumping the gun SMH
LBased on your logic, Jinwoo Sung’s parents would be superpowerful. OP is just a troll who doesn’t know how a person awakens as a hunter.
LYeah, but who isn’t hoping that they’re really dating?
LI hope it’s real. Their surroundings would be destroyed if they ever got into an argument. LOL
LI live in a suburb of Seoul and I thought the world was doomed when I saw that gate hanging over Gangnam. But hearing about hunters going out on dates and having fun is reassuring and makes me think we still have hope.
LSame.
LI wish they’d stop reporting about the gate at this point.
LHunter Sung and Hunter Cha, please do something about that massive gate or monolithic gate or whatever it’s called!
“Tsk, tsk.” President Yoonho Baek of the White Tiger Guild clicked his tongue as he set down the tabloid.
That explained why he’d noticed a difference in the way Haein looked at Jinwoo versus others. The news itself wasn’t why he was irked.
“This headline is totally stupid. What do they mean by the ‘ultimate power couple’?”
Manager Sangmin An noted the president’s displeasure. “What’s wrong with it, sir? I would think those two are more than qualified for that title.”
“It doesn’t matter which woman Hunter Sung has by his side. They’d still be the most powerful couple! This headline is pointless.”
After contemplating Jinwoo with other partners, Sangmin had to concede that point. Even if Jinwoo went out with that one female hunter still in high school, they’d be unbeatable, in large part because Jinwoo himself was overwhelmingly strong.
“You’re right, President Baek.”
“I told you.”
Sangmin nodded as he took a sip of his instant coffee. He turned his gaze out the window. “Oh geez, the air pollution from fine dust keeps getting worse. I’m scared to even open a window these days.”
Sangmin frowned and went to close the half-opened window, but President Baek held out a hand to stop him.
“Wait.”
“Pardon?”
President Baek opened the window all the way and stuck out his hand. “This…… This isn’t fine dust.”
The smog that covered Seoul wasn’t the usual fine-dust pollution but a bone-chilling mist.
“How strange.”
It was the middle of fall, so it shouldn’t be nearly this cold.
President Baek shuddered, and he stared out the window with Eyes of a Beast activated. “I……I have a bad feeling about this.”
When had Jinwoo and Haein become friends? Haein looked up at him as she tried to recall, and Jinwoo smiled mischievously when their eyes met.
“That’s what you said to that weird statue, right……?”
Oh, that. The day she had entered the double dungeon to save him, she’d said something to that effect to the angel statue inside.
“What is your relationship to Jinwoo Sung?”
“……We’re friends.”
Jinwoo was most likely referring to that.
“You were listening to us?”
“More like, I overheard you. My hearing is better than most.”
It was slightly mortifying that instead of helping him, he’d ended up coming to her rescue. That was one of many times he’d saved her life.
“By the way…… What was the deal with that strange dungeon?”
Jinwoo had promised to explain it to her someday, but he didn’t think the time was right just yet. “I need to process some of my thoughts first. I still don’t fully know what’s what right now, but I’ll tell you once I do.”
Haein nodded in understanding. As the conversation came to a lull, Jinwoo looked around them.
“Over here! Please look over here, too!”
“I’m a big fan, Hunter Sung!”
People had gathered around the couple like a swarm of bees, holding up their cell phones as if they’d run into celebrities on a busy street. In fact, most of them were more familiar with Jinwoo’s face than they were with most of the A-list celebrities out there, since he had been shown on every TV channel after the appearance of the monolithic gate.
Normally, Jinwoo would’ve shrugged it off with a smile, but he didn’t want anything to interrupt this day off with a friend.
Come out.
His hardworking, unpaid bodyguards, Igris and the thirty elite knights, emerged from the shadows and surrounded Jinwoo and Haein in a circle. Igris especially got to work, admonishing individuals taking flash photography with a wag of his index finger. Haein was flustered by their escort of knights.
“Doesn’t this just draw more attention?”
“As long as we can’t see the crowd, you know?”
Haein found herself nodding at the strangely persuasive logic of his statement. She did feel more relaxed shielded from the mob.
When was the last time she’d left her house to do something fun? Haein had become a hunter two years ago, and she had never felt fully comfortable with taking a day off in that time. Mostly, she worried that her colleagues would get hurt when she wasn’t on the job. At the same time, she worried about doing a bad job on every raid she participated in. Haein was always nervous and tense in some way. However……
It’s different when I’m with this man.
She could depend on him. When Haein was with Jinwoo, she could forget about work and her colleagues’ expectations, and she felt like she could go back to being a regular woman living her life.
Haein took a step closer to Jinwoo without realizing it and blushed.
He smells nice……
Looking at Haein’s content expression, Jinwoo had just one regret.
I should’ve done this sooner.
He scanned the various attractions and pointed at a drop tower.
“Do you wanna go on that?”
“Sure.”
At the quick agreement, Jinwoo pointed at another ride.
“What about that one?”
“Okay.”
“Or the one beside it?”
“That looks good, too.”
“Are you up for all of them?”
“Yes, I am.”
Jinwoo gazed down at the blushing woman next to him and chuckled.
Huh, I guess I wasn’t the only one who wanted to come here.
He was relieved that she seemed to be enjoying herself. He gently grabbed her by the wrist and led her to the nearest ride.
“Then let’s go on all of them.”
Unfortunately, the ride wasn’t as fun as he had hoped.
“Eeeeek! Eeeek!”
“Ahhh!”
Jinwoo had snagged a front seat, but while everyone behind him screamed their heads off, he watched the goings-on of the park as it zipped by.
Hmm? That kid’s gonna drop his ice cream. Oh dear, I knew it. Wait, is the food court over there? But it’s too early to eat dinner……
Jinwoo was bored. As soon as the roller coaster started going at full throttle, his surroundings began to move like a slow-motion video. He could probably ride this roller coaster standing up if he wanted to.
……
He tried very hard not to yawn as he looked over his shoulder. Behind him were Igris and a few other soldiers who had wanted to go on the ride, and behind them were civilians screaming with glee. Their facial muscles expressed their thrill and enjoyment. He could hear their hearts beating so hard, they sounded like they were about to explode.
Jinwoo put his hand on his chest to feel his own heart. He gave a wry smile as he felt his usual heartbeat. Leaping up with all his might to smash his fist into the humongous stone statue—now, that was thrilling.
And that time I was chased by those centipedes in the Penalty Zone?
That had been ten thousand times scarier than this. Jinwoo shook his head to get rid of these thoughts.
Look at me thinking about monsters when I came all this way to have fun.
He couldn’t believe himself. And judging by the expression on his companion’s face, she was in the same predicament. Jinwoo chortled and pulled Haein out of her thoughts.
“You aren’t enjoying this, are you?”
“Oh…… No, I am.”
He appreciated that he didn’t have to yell, since she also had heightened senses.
“So how come you didn’t scream once?”
This was the fifth ride they had been on. Every ride had claimed to be full of thrills, but Haein hadn’t even let out a surprised “oh.” Haein was an S-rank hunter as well, and though she wasn’t as powerful as Jinwoo, she was above and beyond ordinary people.
Jinwoo was relieved to see that it wasn’t just him. At that moment, he was filled with a desire to show her the world through his eyes. Beru detected Jinwoo’s intention and tried to stop him.
My king…… That might be dangerous for this woman.
It’s okay. If Haein falls, you make sure to catch her no matter what. And if you miss her……you know what’ll happen, right?
……As you wish, my liege.
With no one else to stop him, Jinwoo turned to Haein. “Never mind these rides. Do you want to try something super fun?”
“Something……super fun?”
As soon as the roller coaster stopped, Jinwoo led an intrigued Haein to the main plaza.
“Wow!”
People were amazed by the sight of the black knights guarding the couple, but their exclamations soon turned to screams.
“Ahhh!”
“What is that?!”
The shadow soldiers pushed back the crowd to make space for a huge black magic beast that rose from the ground. It flapped its wings and roared at the sky.
“Kreeeee!”
It was the first time Haein had seen a winged dragon this close. Her reaction wasn’t much different from the onlookers’.
“O-oh my goodness……!” Haein stared at the creature in front of her.
Jinwoo gestured to her. “Quick, hop on.”
She seemed thrown for a loop as she spotted him already astride the winged dragon.
“You……you want me to get on that?”
“Mm-hmm.”
He impatiently lifted her up using Ruler’s Authority.
“Oh!” Haein was caught off guard by the pull of the invisible force.
But that was only the first of the reactions Jinwoo was expecting from her. It was merely the beginning. Haein’s jaw hung open as she was situated behind Jinwoo.
He gave an order to the dragon. “Let’s fly.”
“Kreeee!”
As if he had been waiting for this moment, Kaisel flapped his enormous wings and launched into the sky. Haein gulped as she looked down at the people getting farther and farther away. This sensation was incomparable to riding a roller coaster.
Her arms naturally wrapped around Jinwoo’s waist. When they were high enough that the onlookers were out of view, Haein yelled.
“O-over there!”
“Pardon?”
“Why is that ant following us?”
Jinwoo craned his neck down and saw that Beru was closely following behind Kaisel. Jinwoo could’t help but laugh at seeing Beru’s face scrunched in concentration.
“He’s a lifeguard!”
“Sorry?”
“Hang on tight. The real ride starts now.”
“What?!”
But there was no need to explain further. Jinwoo felt Haein’s arms tighten around his waist.
If I was an ordinary man, she would’ve folded me in half.
It was a testament to how frightened she was. On the other hand, Jinwoo was excited that his plan was going swimmingly so far.
“Kaisel! Maximum speed!”
“Kreeee!”
As Kaisel shot off, Haein screamed for the first time that day.
The small dragon split the air as he sped along.
Whoosh!
Kaisel took the couple to places only S-rank hunters could go. They ventured inside a rainy, windy storm cloud. They flew dangerously close to a high mountain and over an endless field of snow. Of all the places they went, the best by far was watching the sun set over the ocean. Kaisel slowed down, and the ocean breeze caressed their cheeks as the two watched the sun disappear into the horizon against an orange-colored sky. Haein’s eyes shone like the crimson-tinged sky as she took in the marvelous sight.
A question suddenly struck her. “Jinwoo.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you even bother with the amusement park?”
“That amusement park……” Jinwoo took his time in collecting his thoughts. “That’s where I lost my father to a gate.”
“Oh.”
If Jinwoo’s father had failed to close the gate and a dungeon break had happened, the amusement park would no longer be there, but thanks to his sacrifice, it was open and thriving. At first, Jinwoo had resented his father for leaving his family behind. But somehow, seeing other families having fun there was comforting. And that was good enough for him.
“I always wanted to go there at least once.”
In response, Haein simply hugged him without saying a word. He could feel her warmth on his back.
“Thank you.”
Surprised, Jinwoo tried to look back at Haein, but she was clinging too closely to him.
“What?”
“I wanted to……make sure to properly thank you. You’ve helped me in so many ways.”
Jinwoo could sense her sincerity as her body rested on his back, her breath ghosting over his neck and her heart causing a ruckus.
Yes, that was good enough.
Jinwoo smiled softly as he directed Kaisel to reverse course.
“Where are we going now?” Haein sounded disappointed that they were heading back.
Jinwoo answered, “There’s something I want to show you.”
After flying a great distance, they landed in Japan. It was a restricted area, so not only were there no humans around but there were also no animals, as they’d fled from the presence of magic beasts. Kaisel landed in a wide, forested location where they couldn’t hear even the tiniest creature breathing.
“Kreeee!”
Kaisel lay flat on the ground to let them dismount. Jinwoo landed on the ground and turned around to help Haein.
“Be care—”
Haein gently landed next to him and rolled her shoulders back before he could extend a helping hand. Jinwoo laughed at himself for having forgotten what she did for a living.
“Where are we……?” Haein had just experienced something beyond her wildest dreams, so she looked around with heightened expectations. However, there was nothing to see other than an endless expanse of trees.
Jinwoo placed on the ground a blanket he had purchased from the system shop. “It won’t be any fun if I tell you, so come here and lie down first.”
“I’m sorry?”
Had she misheard? But there’s no way she, an S-rank hunter, could’ve heard wrong. Plus, Jinwoo himself had already sat down.
“C’mon, hurry.”
Jinwoo rushed her as if there was nothing odd about this, but Haein’s heart felt like it was about to explode out of her chest.
“Are……you serious?” She checked again.
Jinwoo nodded without a moment’s hesitation. He made sure Haein was reluctantly approaching before fully lying down. Soon, she made up her mind and lay down next to him, ramrod straight.
“I’m……ready.” Haein had her eyes squeezed shut.
“Then open your eyes.”
Haein cautiously opened her eyes at Jinwoo’s instructions, and he wordlessly pointed at the sky…and the stars.
“Oh……”
Haein unconsciously let out a sigh as she gazed at the sea of stars above her. Beautiful. There was no other word to describe it.
Pleased with her reaction, Jinwoo explained. “I saw this night sky when I came here to deal with a dungeon break.”
Tired, he’d lain down to get some rest, but he couldn’t fall asleep because it had been too bright. Annoyed, he had opened his eyes to this array of starlight, his chest welling with emotions.
“I thought about how nice it would be if I could stare up at this night sky with someone.”
That night, it had been just him and the stars in the quiet of the forest. He had hoped to share this sensation, this moment with another.
And now……he felt at ease having someone close to him who felt the same way he did. Jinwoo felt like a blight that had been in his heart was gently melting away.
Hmm……?
Haein placed her hand on top of his.
“May I……hold your hand?”
As if she wasn’t already. A smile bloomed on Jinwoo’s face, and he turned his hand over to interlock his fingers with hers. Her hand, cold yet soft to the touch, fit perfectly inside his.
Countless stars shone down ever so quietly over the entwined couple.
3
THE KING OF BEASTS
The next day, a tabloid that had long since replaced their coverage of celebrities for gossip about hunters printed a rather provocative headline.
Jinwoo Sung and Haein Cha Spotted at Theme Park—Birth of the Ultimate Power Couple?
Accompanying the article were pictures taken by cell phones of Jinwoo and Haein at the amusement park and riding off to an unknown destination on the back of a magic beast.
Because Jinwoo and Haein had requested that their private lives be protected by the association, newspapers weren’t normally allowed to report such information. However, considering the size of this scoop, this particular tabloid decided to publish the article regardless of the consequences.
The article blew up. The public had grown tired of the nonstop news about the monolithic gate, but the gossip involving two prominent S-rank hunters revived them. People were keen to read more about the best male hunter in the world and the best female hunter in Korea, and news about the couple traveled like wildfire online.
LIf Jinwoo Sung and Haein Cha get married and have a kid, Jinwoo Jr. should be able to defeat all the magic beasts, right?
LJinwoo Jr. LOL
LThey haven’t officially announced that they’re dating. You’re jumping the gun SMH
LBased on your logic, Jinwoo Sung’s parents would be superpowerful. OP is just a troll who doesn’t know how a person awakens as a hunter.
LYeah, but who isn’t hoping that they’re really dating?
LI hope it’s real. Their surroundings would be destroyed if they ever got into an argument. LOL
LI live in a suburb of Seoul and I thought the world was doomed when I saw that gate hanging over Gangnam. But hearing about hunters going out on dates and having fun is reassuring and makes me think we still have hope.
LSame.
LI wish they’d stop reporting about the gate at this point.
LHunter Sung and Hunter Cha, please do something about that massive gate or monolithic gate or whatever it’s called!
“Tsk, tsk.” President Yoonho Baek of the White Tiger Guild clicked his tongue as he set down the tabloid.
That explained why he’d noticed a difference in the way Haein looked at Jinwoo versus others. The news itself wasn’t why he was irked.
“This headline is totally stupid. What do they mean by the ‘ultimate power couple’?”
Manager Sangmin An noted the president’s displeasure. “What’s wrong with it, sir? I would think those two are more than qualified for that title.”
“It doesn’t matter which woman Hunter Sung has by his side. They’d still be the most powerful couple! This headline is pointless.”
After contemplating Jinwoo with other partners, Sangmin had to concede that point. Even if Jinwoo went out with that one female hunter still in high school, they’d be unbeatable, in large part because Jinwoo himself was overwhelmingly strong.
“You’re right, President Baek.”
“I told you.”
Sangmin nodded as he took a sip of his instant coffee. He turned his gaze out the window. “Oh geez, the air pollution from fine dust keeps getting worse. I’m scared to even open a window these days.”
Sangmin frowned and went to close the half-opened window, but President Baek held out a hand to stop him.
“Wait.”
“Pardon?”
President Baek opened the window all the way and stuck out his hand. “This…… This isn’t fine dust.”
The smog that covered Seoul wasn’t the usual fine-dust pollution but a bone-chilling mist.
“How strange.”
It was the middle of fall, so it shouldn’t be nearly this cold.
President Baek shuddered, and he stared out the window with Eyes of a Beast activated. “I……I have a bad feeling about this.”
