Chapter 31: I'm Glad You Are My Friend

"My body doesn't hurt anywhere, so why make a fuss about getting a check-up?"

Jin-wook sat on the hospital bed and sighed softly.

Today, a Dungeon Break occurred at the Design Department building where Jin-wook attends.

Hunters like me would be fine, but for civilians, there’s no telling what part of their body might be affected by mana, so a comprehensive hospital check-up was mandatory.

Not just for survivors at the scene, but for everyone in the vicinity.

"Still, you have to get checked. You might have been affected in places you don't know."

"I'm telling you there's no effe—"

"What are you going to do if you don't get checked and become impotent?"

"Hey."

"Kik-kik, just kidding. At that distance, there shouldn't be any major problems."

I smirked at Jin-wook, who reacted quite intensely.

Well, whether one becomes a 'seedless watermelon' is a serious issue for a man.

"They said it was the basement."

"What was?"

"The Gate spawn location. According to the investigation team, the Gate spawned in a corner of a warehouse storing unused equipment, so no one knew."

"There are mana detection sensors."

"If those worked, would the Break have happened?"

Sometimes things like this happen.

The mana detection sensors installed throughout the building fail to operate, so no action is taken even when a Gate generates.

Then, an emergency situation where many people die, like today, occurs.

"You really don't see anything strange or feel anything, right?"

"I'm really okay. You... well, since you're an S-Class Hunter, nothing would have happened, but you're not hurt anywhere, right?"

"Me? Are you worrying about me right now?"

I smiled at Jin-wook's words.

Usually, for an S-Class Hunter, "What did you break?" fits better than "Are you hurt?"

Being worried about like this feels a bit strange, but the mood isn't bad.

"If I had gotten hurt, I wonder how many survivors there would be among those people."

"That's true."

"Of course, I would have definitely saved you though."

When I said that with a laugh, Jin-wook said, "That is tearfully grateful," as if dumbfounded.

Anyone else would have told me not to overdo it and die in vain.

But since it seems like I would actually save him no matter what, he reacts like that.

"If I can't protect you, I should take off my S-Class label."

"You already took it off, didn't you?"

"For someone who did, you were strong."

"You're stating the obvious."

I'm someone who survived through hell and high water from the times when there were no strategy guides.

You know too, that I have big scars on my body.

"You looked kinda cool."

Jin-wook-ah.

If you're going to say things like that, could you give me a hint beforehand?

Hearing things like "You look cool" from you... it feels somewhat unfamiliar.

"Thanks for saving me."

But before the aftereffect of saying I was cool could pass.

Jin-wook held my hand as if I had become his or something, and spoke in a soft voice I was hearing for the first time.

"I'm glad you are my friend."

"Hmph. Did you think I'd fall for that?"

"I didn't say it to make you fall for me, what are you thinking?"

If so, you should have just said thanks briefly like usual.

Why are you suddenly giving thanks in that kind of voice, unlike Jung Jin-wook?

"Ah, by the way, when are we going home?"

"Before that, did you call home? You didn't tell them you were okay?"

"Ah, right. But it hasn't been on the news yet."

"It already popped up while you were sleeping at the hospital."

I took out my phone, searched the internet for news, and showed the screen to Jin-wook.

News that retired former S-Class Hunter Hwang Eun-ha personally blocked the Dungeon Break that erupted at Cheoeum University.

As soon as I saw the content, a sigh burst out naturally.

The cringe-worthy article filled with "national pride," claiming I proved the strength of Korean Hunters once again, was a bonus.

"What the, why is your name here?"

"Well, I blocked it, so isn't it obvious?"

"Wow. Our Eun-ha wanted to stay obscure, but she became famous just like that?"

"Damn it, I don't know. I stepped up out of useless justice and now my daily life is about to be completely destroyed."

I flopped down on the seat and buried my face in the bed where Jin-wook was sitting, making a crying sound.

The S-Class Hunter license was annoying, so I even threw it away giving up the benefits it provided!

"Hah, I really want to cry."

Fuck.

Curses came out naturally.

I wondered if the peaceful, ordinary daily life I wanted was over forever like this.

I didn't renew the information protection application with the Association every 3 months for nothing!

"Excuse me, guardian."

"Yes?"

"Um, the test results came out... shall I tell you in a bit?"

Just as Jin-wook was sighing "Phew" and trying to organize his messy hair.

The nurse's voice came from behind, and I raised my head.

When I raised my head, the nurse's gaze went to the bedsheet, wondering if makeup had rubbed off.

But since I'm too lazy to wear makeup at all, nothing like that happened.

Receiving her strange gaze, I shook my head.

"Please tell us now."

"Originally, the doctor should explain it, but he's too busy so I'll convey it instead. According to the test results, there are no abnormalities with the patient, so you can be discharged immediately. However, if there are any symptoms, you must visit again."

"Understood."

Fortunately, since Jin-wook hadn't changed into a patient gown, I presented my ID to pass the medical bill to the Association.

We were able to leave the hospital right away.

Actually, since it was late at night, it wouldn't have mattered if we stayed a day and left.

But I really hated staying there even a little longer due to the gazes of people around who seemed to recognize me.

"But how are we getting home?"

"We have to take a taxi."

But how many taxis would be roaming around at this late hour?

Where did all those taxis go? Today of all days, there wasn't a single taxi at the stand.

I'd be happy to pay the late-night surcharge just to get home and rest.

"Jin-wook-ah, should I buy a car?"

"Why a car all of a sudden?"

"Just, I thought it wouldn't be bad to have one in situations like this. Since I'm a 'capable woman' who earns a lot, maybe a very expensive one."

"You'd probably throw the car in a fit of rage when it breaks down."

"Are you crazy? What do you take me for?"

Actually, I want to replace my father's old SUV first.

But Father always tells me the car he drives now is fine.

Since I know nothing about cars, there was no way for me to do anything.

And I'm too scared to go alone because I feel like I'd get ripped off.

"Sigh, taxis really aren't coming."

"Yeah."

"Ah, can't handle this. Jin-wook-ah, stand up for a sec."

I wrapped my arms around the waist of Jin-wook, who stood up with a puzzled expression.

As I lifted him up in a princess carry in an instant, Jin-wook was startled, shouting, "Wh-What are you doing!"

But Jin-wook-ah, I want to go home quickly and get into bed right now.

"Jin-wook-ah, hold onto me tight."

"What?"

"I'm going to run from now on, so you really have to hold on tight."

"Hey, w-wait...!"

I knew it was a nuisance, but without listening to Jin-wook's answer to the end, I jumped up into the sky riding the waves of telekinesis.

I began to walk in the sky, looking at the city night view from a position no one could see.

Unless they were Hunters with wind abilities capable of aerial combat, they couldn't see this.

Especially civilians could absolutely never see this city night view without looking through a camera or glass like me. It was sparkling as if jewels were embroidered everywhere.

I suddenly wanted to show Jin-wook the sight where people and cars looked like tiny miniatures.

"Jin-wook-ah, open your eyes!"

"Wh-What kind of bullshit is this."

"I won't drop you, so open your eyes! You can never see this scenery unless it's with me. It's spectacular. Really."

"...I'm really trusting you."

Saying that, Jin-wook slowly opened his eyes.

Then, looking at the beautiful night view of the city spread out before him, he burst out an exclamation, "Wow..."

I've seen it a few times so I'm not that moved, but Jin-wook must be different.

Unlike me, he is an ordinary civilian with no abilities, so he can't do things like walking in the sky.

"It's damnably pretty."

His bitter voice reached my ears.

Due to the unprecedented situation of a Dungeon Break, Jin-wook experienced the Design Department he aimed for being completely destroyed.

But it seemed the world was turning just the same as before, as if it knew nothing about it. That must be why.

"It will be okay."

Jin-wook nodded at my words.

Damnably pretty.

That phrase seemed to contain so much meaning that I was cautious about how to comfort him.

Jin-wook worked so hard to enter the Design Department of this top university, even sacrificing his time for me.

But now, it was as if that effort had turned into bubbles.

"Eun-ha-ya."

"Yeah."

"Comfort me a little."

"How?"

"...Could you do it like a girlfriend?"

Girlfriend.

I felt how hard it was for Jin-wook to make such a request to me, who had drawn a line saying 'more than friends, less than lovers.'

Using telekinesis as a backrest like a cushion, I tilted my body back slightly to make it easier to hold Jin-wook.

Then, I buried Jin-wook's face deeply into my chest, which I had never given to anyone before.

"Okay, like a girlfriend."

How long did I hold Jin-wook tightly in my arms like that?

As if feeling that the time he spent trying to achieve his goal had turned into bubbles.

Jin-wook soon began to shake his shoulders, and my clothes started to get wet little by little.

"I, seriously, worked so fucking hard to get in here..."

Actually, if the building and equipment hadn't collapsed, there might have been a way to rebuild.

Of course, even if it were me, I wouldn't have destroyed the building if the dungeon rank was low.

But the dungeon that erupted this time, even if it was low-tier A-Class, spewed out mana capable of melting a civilian's body.

I had no choice but to sacrifice a building as a shield.

If there was bad luck, it was just that it happened to be the Design Department building Jin-wook worked so hard to get into and proudly attended.

"I split my nonexistent time and drew until my wrist felt like breaking..."

I quietly stroked the back of his head.

Seeing Jin-wook show such a weak side for the first time—something he never showed in front of me—I quietly embraced him without saying anything.

Like that, the eventful day ended.

When the next day came.

"Hey."

"Huh?"

"You, you... what in the world is that outfit..."

"Huh? This?"

Looking at Jin-wook blushing at me from the morning.

I wore a playful smile and walked carefully closer to him.

Then, recalling what Jin-wook said yesterday in his unstable state of mind, I grinned and whispered to him in a suggestive voice.

"One-day Girlfriend?"