Guru liked being able to maintain these connections, even through her skills. Even if they weren’t blood-related, it felt like proof that their bond was just as strong.
"Unnie, can A-rank people also become S-rank?"
"Umm... I’ve heard that was pretty common among the first-generation Hunters. Even now, it happens sometimes in other countries. So, I guess it’s not impossible."
"Then, unnie, could you become S-rank too?"
"Me?"
Nayun chuckled.
"Hmm, do you think that’s something you can just do whenever you want? If it happens, it happens. But honestly? I think I’m fine as I am."
She said it casually, steering the wheel as she spoke.
"I’ve never really wanted to be that amazing, so I wouldn’t know."
Nayun shrugged, flashing a lighthearted smile.
"Huh?"
Guru’s round eyes widened at that response.
Wasn’t an obsession with levels, ranks, and rankings supposed to be a basic trait of all Hunters?
Noticing Guru’s reaction, Nayun laughed.
"Everyone’s always surprised when I say that."
In truth, Nayun had never lived desperately.
She came from a well-off family, was naturally beautiful, and had a kind temperament.
She wasn’t particularly good at studying, but she was always physically gifted.
Her parents used to worry, saying she had been born with too many natural advantages, but when she awakened as an A-rank Hunter, they simply accepted it as her fate.
Even her closest friends used to say the same thing.
"For you, all you have to do is turn the doorknob to open the door."
"What does that mean?"
"For me, I have to bang on the door just to maybe get it to open. But you? You just twist the knob and walk right in. Basically, I’m jealous."
Thinking about how that same friend had later blocked her on social media, Nayun gave a soft smile and turned the wheel.
When they arrived at their destination, the two stepped out of the car and entered a massive container-like building.
Inside, people bustled around, moving lighting equipment, cameras, and various gear. Several staff members gave Nayun and Guru a once-over.
Guru tensed under their stares, unsure why they were looking at her like that. But Nayun seemed unfazed.
“Wooju-ya!”
The moment Guru spotted Wooju, she waved excitedly. Wooju, who was dressed up nicely, ran over with a bright expression.
When he noticed Nayun standing beside her, he locked eyes with her for a long moment.
“Oh, I wasn’t allowed to come alone, so I came with Nayun unnie. Is that okay?”
"Yeah, of course."
Wooju studied Nayun intently before whispering,
"Is she in the industry too?"
"Mm-hmm."
Guru nodded proudly.
Wooju gave a small nod before bowing slightly to Nayun.
"Hello."
"Hi there. I didn’t know our little Guru had such a cute friend. Thanks for inviting us."
Nayun bent down slightly to meet his gaze and greeted him warmly. Wooju cleared his throat and asked,
"Um... would you like to meet the director as well?"
"Huh? Me?"
Nayun pointed to herself, tilting her head.
The puzzled expression on her face screamed Why would I? making Wooju hesitate.
She was far too pretty to be just some regular person, so he had assumed she was an industry professional. But was she really this clueless?
This kind of networking was essential, yet she seemed completely uninterested. It was frustrating.
No wonder Guru wasn’t getting any opportunities with people like this around.
But it felt weird to outright tell an adult to start making connections, so Wooju mumbled,
“Well... Director Hwang Uncheol is kind of a big name...”
Just then—
"Wait... are you Shin Nayun Hunter?"
A staff member suddenly cut into their conversation.
"Yes, hello."
Nayun greeted them with a polite nod.
The staffer’s eyes lit up.
"Oh my god! I didn’t expect to see you here! Do you remember me? I was on the shoot for the last raid coverage! I even got your autograph on my jacket during the pre-interview!"
The staffer’s excited voice drew everyone’s attention.
"Hunter?"
"Did they just say Shin Nayun Hunter?"
"No way. Shin Nayun Hunter?"
Even Director Hwang Uncheol approached, reaching out for a handshake.
"Hwang Uncheol, director. It’s an honor. You’re even more beautiful in person. How’s Guildmaster On doing?"
"He’s still as handsome and lazy as ever."
"Hahaha! I met him once at the broadcast station for an interview, and man, he was striking. I don’t know why all the ridiculously [N O V E L I G H T] good-looking people—Guildmaster On, you—end up in Hyeonak Guild instead of the entertainment industry. Don’t you all agree?"
At Hwang Uncheol’s joke, the surrounding staff burst into laughter.
Watching the scene unfold, Wooju cautiously asked,
"W-wait... what’s going on?"
Hunter? All of a sudden?
Completely missing Wooju’s baffled reaction, Guru proudly declared,
"Uh-huh! Nayun unnie is ranked #9!"
"...What?"
Just as Wooju was staring at Guru with a What do you mean by that? expression—
"Romi, the set isn’t ready yet!"
At the mention of the name Romi, Nayun’s gaze immediately locked onto someone.
Her face instantly brightened into a wide smile as she strode toward a woman with bleached blonde hair, dressed in an extravagant outfit.
"Wow, it’s been so long! I missed you so much, Romi!"
"You... why are you here...?"
"Whoa, Romi, you know Shin Nayun Hunter? Why didn’t you say anything? Keeping secrets, huh?"
"Uh, well..."
Lee Romi fidgeted, clenching and unclenching her fists.
"What’s wrong with having good connections? You should brag about it a little. If you have time, maybe you two should do a show together. Win-win, right?"
As people continued to shower Nayun with compliments, Romi’s expression grew increasingly tense.
Biting her lip, Romi suddenly turned and walked away.
"Wait, Romi! Where are you going?"
"I don’t feel well. Since the shoot hasn’t started yet, I’ll just lie down for a bit."
She glanced at Nayun.
"That’s fine, right?"
Unlike Romi, who forced a strained smile, Nayun looked genuinely worried.
"Are you really feeling that bad?"
"No, it’s nothing serious. Just go ahead and have fun."
And with that, Romi briskly walked off.
As Nayun watched her retreating figure, murmurs spread among the people around them.
"They knew each other?"
"Did she come here just to see Romi?"
"You didn’t know? Shin Nayun was an idol trainee. She was super famous because she was ridiculously pretty after awakening. Even her past trainee photos were all over the internet."
"So she quit being a trainee after awakening?"
"I don’t know the exact details, but probably."
"Honestly, who wouldn’t?"
"Oing?"
Guru blinked in surprise.
"Lee Romi!"
She’d seen her on TV before.
She was often introduced as a rising star, but who would’ve thought she knew Nayun unnie?
"Hmm..."
More than that, something else caught Guru’s attention.
She unzipped her bag and rummaged inside. The small egg inside had been trembling ever since she spotted Romi.
It was... reacting to her?
Just then, Wooju tugged lightly on Guru’s sleeve.
"Nayun noona... is a Hunter?"
"Mm-hmm. I just said so earlier."
"But just now, you called her an industry professional..."
For the first time, Wooju felt an odd sense of disconnect.
"That counts as a Hunter?"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."
Wooju’s voice trembled as he spoke again.
"Then... are you a Hunter too?"
"Mm-hmm."
Guru grinned and proudly pulled a small license from her bag.
Wooju took it with both hands, mouth agape.
"How? You awakened?"
Guru chuckled as if she had just heard a funny joke.
"Of course! You have to awaken to become a Hunter."
Suddenly, memories from the past flashed through Wooju’s mind.
Those strange conversations that didn’t quite fit. The items that were obviously meant for Awakened Hunters.
Realizing that instead of being impressed by Guru, he had actually made a fool of himself this whole time, Wooju’s face flushed bright red.
He slapped a hand over his mouth.
"What’s wrong?"
"I... I think I’m gonna throw up."
"What?!"
To the bathroom!
Panic-stricken, Guru grabbed Wooju and started leading him toward the restroom.
"Let’s go to the bathroom, okay?"
"No, I’m fi—"
Just as Guru was patting Wooju’s back to calm him down—
Ding!
[Emergency! Guardian Quest Activated! Would you like to check it?]

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