CH 86

Award, that was quite out of the blue.

“Huh, what … award?”

“Just in time, there will be a commendation ceremony for the Hunter’s Night event, so I need to contact the person in charge right away.”

“What? Oppa, thank you for your consideration, but isn’t a Hunter responded to rift out of its scope?”

It’s a ‘Hunter’s Night Celebration‘, so it may sound strange, but it actually is.

That’s because, until a decade ago, they had made a lot of rewards in the name of awarding a commendation to a brave Hunter.

As a Hunter, it is not uncommon to enter the dungeon, so the reason depends on the attachment. There was a wide range of awards that were given out in a rotating manner.

Since then, rewarding Hunters for simple reasons such as ‘they responded well to the rift’, ‘they attacked the dungeon faithfully’ were prohibited. Specific reasons and strict screening have became mandatory.

They say that there is a reason for all the rules…..

“That’s not true. You said that you’re an Awakened, but Rieul, you don’t belong to a guild or a public institution. It’s great enough to step up in a situation where you’re not obligated to.”

“That … I was just worried about the part-timer at my store.”

“Then it’s even more amazing.”

“Eww.”

Now that I look at it, Kwon Jiwoon looks like a dull fellow.

Why didn’t I realise it before? No, I was just trying not to realise it.

My mouth puffed at the embarrassment. Then, the door of the drawing room opened after a knock.

“Yes, Hunter Kwon Jiwoon is right.”

“Huh … Jina-ssi? You were here?”

“I heard about the circumstances from Hunter Ki Yoohyun earlier, and I think you deserve a commendation. I will pass it on to the person in charge.”

“No, it’s okay … Jina-ssi, aren’t you busy with your work?”

“Ah, not that much. Leave it to me.”

…….

…….

The screening process went on like flowing water.

In the end, today has come.

It’s nice to receive the award and the prizes (it’s <Dungeon Management Office> cafeteria meal ticket and <Hunter Market> fee discount coupon.…), but it’s more embarrassing than I thought.

“Now that the time has come, how about lunch?”

Kwon Jiwoon asked me.

Well, before I left, I gave the animals plenty of food, and I also prepared a lunch for them, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.

“Okay, that’s great. Where are we going?”

I was about to leave the venue with Kwon Jiwoon, but someone passed by from the opposite side and approached me.

“Rieul-ssi, congratulations.”

“Ahaha, thank you.”

As a matter of course, it is said that Jina’s brother, Jijon, who returned to his original form, was immediately arrested.

It’s not because of the attempted murder charges. When it comes to the case where Grandma Kim Deokyi’s workshop burned down, Jijon is out of the list of suspects and is only an important witness.

However, even if the circumstances are taken into account, there are suspicions that he has been involved in various illegal activities. It will be known only when the results of the investigation come out, but it seems difficult to avoid punishment.

“Well, who can blame that man for his own gain? I’m glad you saved his life. I hope he comes to his senses after being punished.”

That’s what Jina said….

She looks tired, but her expression is more relaxed. I was relieved to see it.

The family of a public official belonging to the main office is an important witness in a large case. Due to this reason, Jina decided to quit the Dungeon Management Office immediately.

She had her thoughts, and there must have been some unspoken pressure around her.

However, it was Kang Hyunwoo, the head of Emergency Dungeon Countermeasures Team, her boss, who unexpectedly stepped up.

“We can’t miss an excellent assistant like Jina-ssi.”

“Please stay at the main office. Jina-ssi didn’t do anything wrong.”

She finally decided not to quit thanks to his full support.

I’m very curious about this part of the story. I want to hear it in detail.

“Jina-ssi, I’m going to have lunch now. Do you want to join?”

“I would very much like to do that, but what a pity … it’s the day Rieul-ssi receives the commendation, so I came out for a while. I have to go back soon.”

Oh dear…..

Jina was holding several file folders in one hand and a book in the other hand. The letters on the cover caught my eye.

『 <Dungeon Management Office> FINAL preparation for the non-Awakened person screening promotion test with a complete summary in one book. 』

That’s it. A slow one-hit shot. If she swings it, I think she can send her opponent away in one shot.

It seems that Kang Hyunwoo’s words impressed Jina. With an energetic gait, she left with the deadly weapon, no, the book.

… Next time we meet, I’ll make you a strong cup of coffee.

***

After separating ways with Jina, I was walking side by side with Kwon Jiwoon to go to the restaurant he had reserved.

“……?”

I ran into a little boy in a black suit that fitted him perfectly.

His hair was neatly combed to expose his forehead, and his face was expressionless. His cold eyes, seemingly indifferent to the adults around him, even showing signs of boredom.

He has a cold atmosphere that is hard to approach. I could see a couple of people around him trying to talk to him, but they’re backing away at the cold reaction.

Strangely, he looks familiar. Is it just my feeling?

“Kwon Rieul, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing. I’m coming.”

Five steps ahead, Kwon Jiwoon called me. I quickly tried to follow him.

“……Ah.”

Then, I happened to make eye contact with the child who turned his head in my direction.

His cold face turned bright red in an instant.

“Oh! Hey, hurry up and come here!”

“What’s wrong? I told you not to call me for something that wasn’t a big deal because it’s annoying.”

“You idiot! This is not the time for that!”

Whoops, he snatched a child with the same face in the same outfit that was a little far away. Then, they both started running this way at the same time.

Don’t tell me, those kids…….

“Eonni, hello! What are you doing here? I was surprised!”

“You idiot! Didn’t you know that Noona was getting a commendation today? I knew about it!”

“Who allowed you to call her noona, you idiot!”

“You can call me noona….”

“What did you say, she said I can!”

“I also wanted to see you receiving the commendation, Eonni! I couldn’t go because I had a really annoying job today. Congratulations. You’re so cool.”

“Congratulations!”

The cheerful voices pouring in before I could even finish a word.

They were the twins, Joo Shinwoo and Joo Shinhee. Their atmosphere changed so much when they were wearing a suit, I couldn’t recognize them at once.

No, the clothes aren’t the problem … the cold expression from before was so different.

“Wait! Hunter Joo Shinhee, we have to finish our conversation.”

At that time, the person who was persistently talking to Joo Shinhee earlier got angry and tried to grab her shoulder….

“……go away.”

He caught her gaze and backed away.

That’s right, they used to be like this before the regression.

Hmm. I need to work harder on Dungeon Detox….

There was no appearance of Ki Yoohyun or Hunter Han Yiseong next to the twins. This is in front of the main hall of the Dungeon Management Office. Did these kids come here to do business alone?

“Where are you going now?”

“I’m going to have lunch now.”

“….Rieul-ah.”

When I didn’t come, Kwon Jiwoon came back to find me.

“Ah, I’m meeting my acquaintances for a second.”

“Is that so?”

“……!”

The twins looked very surprised when they saw Kwon Jiwoon.

Their eyes alternately looked at Kwon Jiwoon and me, and somehow they looked nervous. Why? Are these kids wary of fellow Hunter?

They turned around and whispered to each other in a low voice for a moment. Among the twins who came back to face me, Joo Shinhee was the first to exclaim resolutely.

“Lead … Hunter Ki Yoohyun-nim also wanted to come today!”

“Tha-that’s right! He was going to come and congratulate you!”

“Eonni, it’s not that he didn’t come on purpose.”

I know. I already got congratulatory messages on the phone.

I was very embarrassed to receive the commendation by myself, as I did the work of saving the Long-tailed Phoenix and saving Kwon Jiwoon with Ki Yoohyun. Since Ki Yoohyun was a hunter belonging to a guild, he was not eligible for the commendation

He didn’t seem to care, but…….

“Why do you think so? It’s a fair reward for what Rieul-ssi has done, please take it easy. It’s a pity I couldn’t attend in person that day.”

“Ah, are you busy that day?”

“Yes, I have to deal with a little troublesome work. There are a lot of people in the main office who will feel uncomfortable when they see me.”

“What on earth did you do….”

“Haha, somehow it just happened … congratulations in advance.”

We had that conversation.

“Yes, I heard. I heard he was busy?”

As if he wanted to defend Ki Yoohyun, Joo Shinwoo quickly nodded.

“Yes! The old raccoon could have just opened his mouth quickly … ouch! Ouch!”

Joo Shinhee pinched Joo Shinwoo mercilessly and lowered her voice.

“You idiot! You can’t talk about that! He said it was a secret.”

“But, I hope that old raccoon doesn’t interrupt. In the meantime, Noona said she’s eating with that white hair.”

“It’s all right. I think lead … Hunter Ki Yoohyun-nim still has an advantage.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah, it’s lunch, not dinner, so there’s still a chance of winning. Dinner is dangerous!”

Guys, I can hear you…….

I understand roughly what the misunderstanding was, but there is no end to this. I swallowed a bitter smile and first introduced the twins to Kwon Jiwoon.

“Oppa, I think you probably know, but these children are Hunter Joo Shinhee and Hunter Joo Shinwoo of Cheongna Guild.”

“…….”

They bowed their heads slightly with a wary look.

Translator’s Corner:

dull fellow: 팔불출 (it usually translated to good-for-nothing, but I think dull is better), mainly used to refer to people who constantly brag about their family members.

Ki Yoohyun, fighting!!! LOL