Monster Summoning Exam (1)

It was right after Ju Yuri had left.

I stood there, dazed, as I watched the whirlwind of events unfold before me.

‘What on earth is going on?’

The appearance of a hunter who resembled Ju Na-young, someone I’d never seen before…

The talk about scouting…

Suddenly, the two started fighting each other…

And then they left, angrily mumbling something.

I would have tried to deal with the situation if I’d had even a moment to process it.

I couldn’t step in because I knew nothing.

I stared blankly at the road they had left.

Her retreating figure still lingered in my mind.

‘Wasn’t she called Ju Yuri…?’

It was a name I heard for the first time.

From her appearance to her name…

But there was no doubt—she had to be connected to Ju Na-young in some way.

‘…Sigh, this is troublesome.’

I’d said it often enough before.

I was a Supervisor who trained Ju Na-young to the end.

So, I had seen all of her personal stories and even her sub-stories.

However, in ‘GAL,’ there was no mention of Ju Na-young’s personal family history.

It was only assumed that she was wealthy because she never appeared to be in financial need.

Therefore, I couldn’t make any guesses about the character Ju Yuri.

‘But…’

This was just my intuition.

It was just something close to a gut feeling.

Recently, I’d been feeling something akin to foresight because I turned off [Unprecedented Sense].

Surely, in the not-too-distant future.

‘…I feel like I will meet her.’

I had such a bad premonition.

Should I run after her and try to have a conversation? I pondered such an intrusive concern.

“Yu Seha?”

But soon, I couldn’t, as the Team Leader approached and spoke to me.

“Oh, well…”

“I apologize once again for my rudeness. Though it’s late, let me formally introduce myself. I am Cho Seol-hwa, the leader and captain of the team, affiliated with . As a hunter, I am classified as Grade A.”

“Oh, yes. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“You remembered.”

I nodded.

A farcical test held to dismiss Noh Kyung-wan.

She was the leader of a team within who attended.

Though we hadn’t exchanged words, she was someone who came to help me at Ju Na-young’s request.

In a way, she was a benefactor.

I bowed my head in gratitude.

Cho Seol-hwa waved her hand.

“Think nothing of it. It wasn’t something worthy of gratitude in the first place. To be honest, we also found Noh Kyung-wan’s blatant advances disturbing and were considering taking action against her ourselves.”

It was merely to take the opportunity to break her down upon hearing about Yu Seha’s situation.

“It was all for personal reasons, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Ah, I see… Still, thank you. She wasn’t someone I could handle on my own…”
“Thank you for saying that.”

After each had spoken, an awkward silence followed.

“……”
“……”

A suffocating stillness.

Barely ten seconds had passed, but to me, it was long enough to hesitate even to swallow.

‘Hmm…’

I couldn’t just stay like this.

I tried to muster up some words, even if I had no talent for it.

And then it happened.

Cho Seol-hwa abruptly interjected.

“…The lady– oh, I mean, Ju Na-young, our clanmate, is a good person.”
“…What?”

What…?
Suddenly?

I blinked in surprise at the out-of-the-blue statement.

Whether or not she was listening, Cho Seol-hwa continued to speak only her own thoughts.

She subtly closed the distance step by step, as if to pressure (?) me.

“She is kind, gentle, and pure. Her unique smile, showing her canines, heals the hearts of those who see it. I believe Yu Seha, who has watched over her for almost half a year, understands what I mean.”

“Ah, yes, well, Yong-Yong is indeed kind.”

“…Yong-Yong?”

In a moment, I realized my mistake.

I was so flustered that I accidentally uttered the nickname I used when we were alone.

―Isn’t it too old-fashioned? Are you okay with that?
―It’s fine!

It was from a month ago when we went to the amusement park together.

The nickname was hastily made up in response to a request for one on the Ferris wheel.

Ju Na-young personally didn’t mind, so I let it go, but thinking about it now, it was too insincere.

And I ended up telling that to someone who seemed to be her superior…

I pondered how to handle the situation.

However, Cho Seol-hwa didn’t seem to think much of it.

In fact, she seemed to like it…

“It seems like a nickname. That’s nice. It means you two are close enough for such familiarity. As someone who has observed Ju Na-young for a long time, I’m very pleased.”

“…Uh…”

“Let’s continue. Ju Na-young has never had any male experience. Even during her common kindergarten days, she never held hands with the opposite sex. She is undoubtedly a virgin in heart, skill, and body.”

A sudden declaration of lifelong singlehood.

This woman seemed crazy, to the point of making an unrestrained statement about virginity.

Cho Seol-hwa, who revealed information I wasn’t even aware of, insisted that this was rather an advantage.

“In fact, Yu Seha is the first and only man she has ever been in contact with and maintained a long-term relationship with. Her first man. And probably her last.”

“Uh, uh, is it, is it to that extent?”

“Yes, to that extent. To Ju Na-young, Yu Seha means so much.”

Uh, um…
Is that so?
Hmm, is it to that extent?
Does it mean that much…?
Really…?

“Mr. Yu Seha.”

“…Yes?”

“Once again, Ju Na-young is an incredibly charming woman.”

Cho Seol-hwa slowly closed the distance.

So close that her chest was touching me.

Contrary to her cold appearance, she was a woman as hot as fire.

In her almost maddening desire, I felt the emotion of fear for the first time in a while.

“As a bride, she’s an ideal choice. Beautiful face, well-proportioned body, loyal and devoted, wealthy, talented, and only two years younger than you. Not to mention, she has a hidden sensual side. With the right guidance—”

“W-w-wait a minute! Hold on!”

What is this woman saying right now?

And since when did she have this kind of personality?!

At the silent pressure of Cho Seol-hwa’s ‘Ju Na-young is a good woman~,’ Yu Seha broke into a cold sweat.

The distinct, swift, nimble, and daring footsteps resounded.

A loud scream of ‘Yooong-aaaaahhhh!’ erupted as well.

The identity was none other than Ju Na-young.

She dashed between them like a red flash.

“Ju-Ju Na-young?”
“Yu Seha. Just a moment!”

Then she grabbed Cho Seol-hwa’s shoulder and swoosh, dragged her to the corner.

Cho Seol-hwa, lifted as lightly as a parcel, was dragged away without resistance and slammed against the wall.

“T-T-Team Leader S-S-Sister, are you crazy?!”

Ju Na-young flailed in front of her, waving her arms wildly like an enraged dragon.

Cho Seol-hwa, seemingly accustomed to it, brushed the dust off her shoulder and replied.

“What are you talking about? Oh, and don’t worry. I made sure not to expose your successor status—”

“Th-that’s not what’s important…! Wh-wh-what kind of embarrassing things are you saying?!”

As expected of a <Hunter>, Ju Na-young’s physical abilities were excellent.

Even though she had only caught the tail end of the conversation, she had still heard enough about the bride talk to grasp the situation.

For Ju Na-young, it was an incredibly embarrassing situation.

Luckily, she had missed the utterly jaw-dropping ‘pure in heart, skill, and body’ remark.

In response, Cho Seol-hwa shook her head as if she found it too soft.

“You must continue to express your feelings whenever you have the chance. Wasn’t it you, Lady, who vowed to enter deep into Yu Seha’s heart?”

“Ugh.”

Indeed.

After the amusement park date, Ju Na-young had somewhat confessed her true feelings to Cho Seol-hwa.

She had admitted that she liked Yu Seha, loved him even, and… that she wanted to be with him.

This was a confession Ju Na-young made out of desperation, feeling like she was so bad at romance that she’d even borrow a cat’s paw for help.

Of course, after discovering Cho Seol-hwa’s true nature belatedly, she regretted it deeply.

“Miss, didn’t I tell you? Love is a competition, and the winner takes it all.”

Cho Seol-hwa looked at Yu Seha.

She recalled the many female cadets who, knowingly or unknowingly, gazed at him with affectionate eyes during the exam.

“No matter how confident you are, there’s no guarantee you won’t lose him.”

“…Yong… ugh!”

“Especially, is dangerous in many ways.”

Cho Seol-hwa once again confirmed Moon Bora this time.

Just as she remembered, Moon Bora was stunning—like a flower blooming on the edge of a cliff.

Moreover…

“…As a fellow woman, that figure of hers—there’s no way a girl her age should have such curves.“

“What kind of harassment are you throwing at my friend?!”

“Miss, though you are quite something, there’s still a difference in size and hip volume—”

“Yong… ahhh!”

“Anyway, please try your best. If you don’t want to regret it for life.”

“I-I’ll handle it on my own!”

Ju Na-young pouted her lips.
Then she made a remark that left Cho Seol-hwa speechless.

“Y-you’re one to talk… you haven’t even dated once!”

“…!!!“

Cho Seol-hwa trembled as if struck by lightning.

Indeed.

Of course, being stylish and popular, it was assumed that Cho Seol-hwa would have many romantic relationships, but she was equally clueless about romance.

Then, what exactly was all the professional(?) knowledge about?

“I-it was all from comics and novels!”
“Miss! Do not underestimate those two. They are reports compiled with all the big data.”
“I don’t know, I don’t know! I’ll handle it myself! Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid! Dragon fool!!!”

Ju Na-young shook her head vigorously.

She threw a ‘Yong-ah Punch!’ at Cho Seol-hwa’s shoulder.

“…Miss.”
“Yong-ah?”
“Hit a bit harder, please. It’s good for a massage.”
“Yong-ah roooar!”

Time passed quickly.

The evening of that bewildering day.

After chattering for a while, Ju Na-young introduced Cho Seol-hwa to the others with the words, “Oh, she’s a friend I know.”

And instead of going to a local soup restaurant, as originally planned, Choi Seol-hwa had insisted on treating us to dinner.

We parted ways happily after eating our fill at the high-end restaurant she guided us to by car.

Moon Bora mentioned that it was such an expensive place that you need a reservation to get in.

Oh, by the way, before Cho Seol-hwa left.
She held the girls’ hands and bowed her head.

―Ma Hana, Moon Bora?
―Meow? Yes?
―Please take good care of our Ju Na-young. She is a good child.
―Yong-ah! Don’t embarrass me like that!

Well, it ended in that kind of atmosphere.

‘Thus came the final exam…’

In the whirlwind of passing time.

Before we knew it, we were on the verge of the final gateway, the exam.

Defeating a boss-level monster manifested by the power of the illusion magic circle created by Amelia.

The raid was conducted in a format that required a party of at least four members.

On a side note, this exam was not disclosed to outsiders, considering the confidentiality of the system and the stress management of the cadets.

“Meowi, they’re coming from above. Be careful!”
“Meow!”
“Na-young, the tree roots are approaching. Please stop them!”
“Leave it to me!”

And so, currently…

Everyone, including myself, was taking the exam.

The team was the usual group of four.

Me, Meowi, Moon Bora, and Ju Na-young.

The exam determined the boss level based on the average level of the participating cadets.

It wasn’t just about recruiting strong party members.

‘…Therefore, I considered cooperating with others, but…’

It was bothersome, and…
Besides, I wasn’t particularly close with anyone outside of my group, so I let it slide.

It seemed like I had to pay the price for a bit of complacency.

Kwa-kwa-kwa!
Bang! Kwaduduk!

A massive roar.
The trembling ground.
Even the menacing tree roots bursting out.

Tak!

Ju Na-young, who quickly dodged with [Reckless Dash], shouted at me.

“Yu Seha! Let’s use [Burning Flames] after all! It’s dangerous like this.”

“No!”

That wasn’t an option.

Sure, fire could burn away these troublesome roots…

But that would only make things even more difficult.

To tackle that beast in front of us most safely, we had to proceed with the first plan.

-Kuiiiiiiiik!!

Oh no, is it getting ready to crush us for real?

The monster, resembling an ancient tree, inflated its already large size even more.

From the tree branches, several ominous reptilian shapes resembling snake heads emerged.

<Trent Hydra>.
Unlike the <Twin Head Troll>, which barely made the A-grade cut, this was the emergence of a boss with unmistakably mature A-grade strength.