Yong-ah

“I still remember it vividly.”

The image of Ju Yae-yong, the <Dragon of Annihilation>, rampaging in madness and destroying the world behind…

“Cho Seol-hwa also caught and killed villains and demons indiscriminately, just like her.”

However…

Sadly, the real mastermind was nowhere to be found.

“During that time, the second daughter was born. Now, that child is known as the only daughter. Also, though it’s uncertain… it’s understood that the second daughter knows nothing about her sister either. Whether it was intentionally kept as a secret… or simply overlooked, I don’t know. Anyway, this is why the second child is overly protected and kept under close watch for them.”

Because of fear…
Fear of losing another child, the heir they cherished.

“…Ah.”

“In truth, even the second child faced several life-threatening situations. 15 years ago, the sudden <Breakout> that occurred in the city. It was likely an attempt to kill that child. Additionally, it might have been to weaken the then-powerful <Association>.”

“…Was that disaster a man-made event?”

“Most likely. Though it’s hushed up, there are records of some corrupt employees being bribed to allow the gate to break open.”

“……”

“Ironically, I also benefited from it. Because of my Elven blood, I was repeatedly rejected… but with so many deaths and a shortage of talent, I was able to join.”

“Ah, I spoke too much. Anyway, on the day when the city underwent ‘dungeonization’ due to the <Breakout>, a hero appeared like a comet. That hero was none other than <Overlord Sword> Peng Jin-ah.“

“It was also an opportunity for her fame to truly soar. If it weren’t for her… Even the second daughter would have died miserably atop a tall building.”

“…I see. Uh, what?”

It was when I was nodding to the past of ‘GAL,’ which I didn’t know at all.

Suddenly, a familiar name was heard.
Huh? What?
Why is Peng Jin-ah mentioned here?

And…

‘She saved…?’

This must be a story about Ju Na-young…

“…Aha!”

“Haha, that’s all. I can’t really blame Team Leader Cho Seol-hwa. I spoke out of turn. Still, the successor must also be very anxious.”

“Probably thinking: When’s the right time? I don’t want to hide it… But what if I’m hated for it…?”

“Because she’s a good kid.”
“…Yes, with that personality, she must be in Yong-ah state now.”
“Haha. Then I’ll really head to the meeting now.”

Su Ok-bin winked charmingly.

I bowed my head slightly with a hint of regret.

“…Thank you for sharing so many good stories. It’s a bit of a shame.”

If only we had more time, I would’ve liked to sit down for drinks and catch up properly.

To my words, Su Ok-bin laughed brightly.

“Anyway… we’ll meet again soon.”
“Uh, what?”
“I heard from the <Guild>. You requested the exam to raise your <Hunter> grade this time.”
“Oh, yes, I made a reservation. I’m not sure exactly how far they’ll evaluate.”
“If it’s you, Yu Seha… you’ll definitely pass up to B grade. Actually, considering your strength, A grade is more than possible.”

It was a very high evaluation.

Honestly, it was an unbelievable statement.

Before entering the <Academy>, I barely managed to reach D grade…
Reaching a B-grade, considered a mid-level hunter, in just half a year?
And with actual strength comparable to A-grade?

It’s literally absurd.
But now, I know.
As embarrassing as it is to admit, I am a total cheat…

The [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] are one thing…
But even more so, my growth potential.

‘…Just how amazing my innate talent is.’

I’ve come to understand it quite well now.

Su Ok-bin looked at me, seemingly finding my embarrassed expression cute.

She passed by slowly.
With lightning-fast movements, she slipped something into my front pocket.

“What?”
“A parting gift.”

She walked away with a brisk stride.
I watched her back for a moment before carefully taking out the item she had placed.

“…Crazy.”

And then, I was so shocked my eyes almost popped out.

A liquid contained in a uniquely crafted glass bottle.

With a color so beautiful it seemed as if stars had melted into it.

It was unmistakable.

Unmistakably!!!

Oh my…
Oh my…!
Oh holy shit!

‘Th-this is…’

Isn’t it a cash item sold for premium currency?

I saw one in the <Academy> second warehouse too…

But I couldn’t choose it because I was upgrading [Slasla]…

“Th-thank you!”

I bowed my head towards Su Ok-bin.

She waved her hand as if telling me not to worry about it.

I stood there, dazed, until I could no longer see her retreating figure.

So ended my long-overdue reunion with Su Ok-bin noona, who truly lived up to the title of “noona” in every sense of the word.

Several days passed.

Near the <Gonis Hunter Academy>, inside a famous café.

I couldn’t conceal my excitement as I looked at the sparkling <Information Window>.

‘Oh, oh…’

I barely managed to control the corners of my mouth rising in joy.

I felt the power immediately after drinking.

As expected, it was worthy of the difficult-to-obtain <Elixir>.

I might not have become stronger instantly, but perhaps the vessel, as they call it, had expanded.

I nodded to myself.

‘Indeed, even if it’s not urgent, raising the star level is important.’

I was already thinking of raising the star level somehow during this vacation.

This was something the girls had long discussed among themselves.

In the case of Meowi, she was clearly feeling the limits of 3★, so she planned to raise it to at least 4★.

Ju Na-young also planned to fill more than one of the possible 5★(☆☆☆☆☆) with black.

“Did Moon Bora say she would move up to 5★?”

Currently, Moon Bora had filled 3 out of 4 stars.

She didn’t say how she filled them, but it was likely she did it with something like Zero Two.

Moon Bora’s dancing skills were in a class of their own among the characters in ‘GAL.’

“…It’ll be tough.”

It wouldn’t be easy.

In fact, this wasn’t the first time Moon Bora was attempting to reach 5★.

They held the test every six months, and I had heard she’d failed every time.

Now, she was trying again since another opportunity had come.

Anyway, I was simply happy to have gained one star without needing to take the test.

Sure, I still had three left…
But still, that was one less test I had to take.

“…Me wearing a fluttering outfit like Meowi and dancing Zero Two?”

Ugh…
Just the thought of it was horrible.

“Meow? Seha?”

At that moment, a cute voice suddenly called out.

I looked down.

“Meow?”

My angelic Meowi.

She was looking up at me with a ‘meow’ and ‘meow’ and a ‘meow-meow’ look.

As expected, she was sitting on my lap, holding sweet cocoa in her hand.

With whipped cream on her mouth, she reminded me of Natsu with a fake mustache.

Meowi tilted her head at my gaze.

Blinking her bright yellow pupils, she made ‘??’ with her two tails.

“Meow?”
“Khehe…”

Really, she’s so, so cute.
How can such a creature exist?

I wiped Meowi’s mouth with a tissue, trembling with her cuteness.

Currently, Meowi was wearing two ribbons and had braided hair.

She was dressed in denim overalls shaped like a cat.

I was convinced.

Both the hairstyle and the fashion sense…

This must be the work of a god, no doubt.

“Meowi.”
“Meow?”
“Too cute, really…
“Meow~”

I looked at Moon Bora, who was sitting beside me.

Currently, Moon Bora was wearing something that clung to her body, not her usual kimono or dress…

A daring outfit commonly referred to as a Dongtan one-piece.

She had a cardigan over her shoulders…
Finally, she accentuated her chic beauty with sunglasses.
Was it because she had such a great sense of style?
Even dressed like that, she looked beautiful without any discord.

“Moon Bora, thank you!”

“…I appreciate the thanks, but this time it’s not my doing.”

“Huh…?”

I blinked in surprise at the unexpected response.

Seeing my reaction, Moon Bora gave a small laugh and glanced over.

“Yo-Yong-ah… Yo-Yong-ah… Yo-Yong-ah…”

Right in front of me, Ju Na-young bowed her head shyly.

She fidgeted with her fingers and glanced at me nervously.

Her clear green eyes wavered like a child seeking praise.

“Ju Na-young? Is this your handiwork?”
“Uh-huh… I-I learned it from a book.”

Ah, upon closer inspection, Ju Na-young’s hairstyle was also braided like Meowi’s.

With the addition of a girl’s unique gothic fashion…

It truly was Ju Na-young’s creation.

“Meow~ Na-young and I braided each other’s hair.”
“Aha~”

I looked at Ju Na-young with a satisfied expression.

Thanks to this, it seemed like we could start off in a joyful mood.

I clapped my hands lightly to get everyone’s attention.

Oh, and I didn’t forget to pinch Meowi’s cheeks after a long time.

“M-m-m-m-meeow! Meow…”

“Alright, alright, then let’s slowly start the first. <Vacation> discussion meeting on what everyone will do.”

Shall we begin?