Chapter 131: Party
A while later.
I stepped outside according to Esther’s text to meet at a big intersection.
As soon as the Magic Tower Guild Master saw my face, she said,
“Let’s go buy spring clothes!”
Last winter, as you know, I had quite the affinity for the suit I received from her.
Though I say ‘affinity’, it was really the only suitable outfit I had, so whenever I went out, I was forced to wear the clothes she gave me.
Strangely enough, I guess this act delighted Earthlings quite a bit, because Esther kept emphasizing that fact and seemed more than willing to buy me new clothes.
“Mr. Gi-ryeo, you looked so good in the gift that I just had to! This time, we’re going to a tailor for a custom suit.”
A white shirt. A navy vest. And various other items.
Though the clothes selected by the other party were still ridiculously expensive, I’d just have to accept it.
‘Now that I’m an S-Class Hunter, I get it. This must be pocket change for Esther.’
But feeling no burden and becoming indifferent to kindness are two different issues.
To not leave any aftermath, I had to show at least some sincerity.
“I’m sorry for just receiving things like this… Could I treat you to a meal in return?”
Not sure what she likes, but she must eat since she’s also an Earthling, right?
After my little calculation, I proposed to her.
“A meal?!”
But the reaction was quite intense.
The moment I mentioned treating her to a meal, her voice shot up about two octaves.
Seems like Esther was really hungry today.
*
Next, we arrived at a nearby restaurant.
I left the choice of the place and menu entirely up to her preferences. Esther picked a sky restaurant in a tall building.
‘Huh?’
But despite being lunch hour, there were no guests.
As I looked around, Esther explained.
“Oh, don’t be surprised. I booked the whole place in advance so we could eat together comfortably.”
“Excuse me?”
“I rushed to contact a friend, and thankfully there were no reservations today.”
Booking the whole place.
So do I have to pay for all those seats?
I felt a moment of horror, but thankfully, my fears turned out to be unfounded.
Esther led me to a window seat and instructed me to only pay for two meals.
She added that she just liked to eat quietly by herself, and not to worry about it.
‘Phew, what a relief.’
Since we were in a fancy restaurant, I decided to enjoy the local cuisine.
Esther and I ordered the same course and sat down.
Before long, the appetizer was brought out.
Colorful food served in small bowls. The base looked… like shrimp.
‘How do I eat this?’
I examined the unfamiliar dish with interest.
That’s when, from across the table, Esther’s sweet voice started to flow in.
“By the way, Mr. Gi-ryeo, do you remember the promise we made before?”
The promise she referred to was probably this.
“Alright. I’ll help you deal with Su Ye-hwi. But this will be counted as a debt, right?”
Truth is, the last time she helped me, it wasn’t entirely free labor.
‘Esther asked for help in return for her assistance.’
I nodded, acknowledging I remembered our past transactions.
Then Esther smiled and said,
“I’m glad you didn’t forget. Speaking of which… actually, today I wanted to ask you for a favor.”
Rustle.
The Curse Mage pulled something from her bag.
She slid it across the table, and upon closer inspection, it was a thick sheet of gold-edged paper.
“Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter. Could you—”
I promised to help with anything I could, but honestly, I was worried about what she would say next.
“Can you go somewhere with me next week?”
A few seconds later, Esther brought up the favor she prepared in return for helping with the Nachalsawon.
“It’s actually a party organized by a specific guild.”
Tap. Esther pointed at the paper on the table to explain further.
“It’s the ‘Gate Star’ Hunter Guild, the largest in America. They’re celebrating their 5th anniversary this month.”
Gate Star?
Upon further inquiry, it sounded like they were throwing a massive event to commemorate their guild’s anniversary.
Moreover, this year uniquely invited S-Class Hunters from various countries.
Since top Hunters are few in number, they have a hard time meeting each other, so it’s a chance to gather and network…
“It wouldn’t hurt to connect with S-Class Hunters from abroad.”
Esther personally thought the Gate Star’s invitation was quite decent.
“So I’m planning to accept this invitation. But the problem is…”
She leaned slightly, looking troubled.
“I haven’t found someone to escort me yet.”
“Escort?”
“As you know, it’s kind of awkward to go alone to such occasions, right?”
Certainly, it’s true. If Hunters from each country are gathering, the party would likely be filled with foreigners.
“So in conclusion, I wanted to ask you to be my partner.”
I accepted Esther’s request without much thought.
I had been worried about showing my shortcomings in front of others, but if I could clear my debt just by joining a party, then that suits me perfectly.
‘Plus, I can sightsee abroad.’
Wait? The more I think about it, the more benefits there are, right?
“I understand. I’ll do it.”
“Really?!”
Just like that, I willingly agreed to accompany her to the Gate Star’s anniversary event.
Then she continued the conversation with a cheerful face, talking about the departure date, dress code…
*
‘4.’
This number is typically viewed as unlucky.
Hospitals often avoid using the number 4 entirely, as it is associated with death.
But perhaps because I awakened with the curse system, that symbol of misfortune often approached me as good luck.
‘Fourth.’
Kim Gi-ryeo. The fact that someone like him appears as an S-Class in Korea is truly fortunate.
The Korean Magic Tower Guild Master held a fairly high evaluation of Kim Gi-ryeo in her mind.
That’s only natural. Thanks to him wiping out all the Sirens last January, it was the first time in years I’d celebrated the Lunar New Year.
[(Breaking News) S-Class Kim Gi-ryeo joins in on the Mermaid’s Cove operation with Kang Chang-ho and Ahn Yoon-seung…]
‘What? Why do I have to team up with a criminal like Kang Chang-ho?!’
Of course, I briefly felt disappointment when I saw the news about the Mermaid’s Cove incident…
But thankfully, the negative feelings were soon resolved.
As winter was coming to an end.
Kim Gi-ryeo came to the top floor of the Korean Magic Tower and said these words.
– Can you help me out a bit?
– I want to deal with the Awakened who created ‘Unavoidable Malice’.
That day.
Esther felt an unprecedented emotion when she saw the head bowed S-Class before her.
– Please, I beg you.
The one who first discovered the secret of the vanished Imugi was also him.
The identity of the one with the invisibility skill. The Nachalsawon’s backing.
Thinking back, this S-Class Hunter had been suspiciously informed about awakening crimes for quite a while.
Moreover, upon further investigation, rumors had circulated among the Guild about how Kim Gi-ryeo had frozen and incapacitated boss stealers…
‘Hmm.’
Seo Esther knows that the Association President’s official announcement is false.
However, considering the circumstances so far, a sudden doubt arose whether Gi-ryeo had indeed been the true judge behind the hidden motives.
– Public authority cannot resolve this. You’ll need to shatter Su Ye-hwi’s consciousness with your abilities to free the brainwashed.
In fact, Kim Gi-ryeo had been unrestrained in his pursuit of punishing criminals.
‘I can’t believe that Hunter would personally intervene in such matters…’
A mindset that calls for stopping evil, even if it means getting his hands dirty.
Isn’t that quite similar to the way a guild leader would think?
Moreover, recalling their conversation in an abandoned factory had stirred up a vague thirst within Esther.
– I’m saying that Su Ye-hwi is going to become a vegetable and die, but your reaction seems a bit dull?
– What would you like me to respond with?
A stiff expression.
The empty gaze staring down at the writhing Su Ye-hwi.
Gi-ryeo had shown a scathing reaction to the death of the cultist who shattered hundreds of families.
For him to remain indifferent, treating even the slightest emotional response towards a criminal as a waste…
Esther found that side of Gi-ryeo to be idealistic, thus the impulse arose within her.
‘Really.’
How wonderful it would be if someone like that were within her grasp.
But such wishes are unlikely to be fulfilled.
Forget about recruiting from the Magic Tower, that Hunter over there had even rejected Jeong Ha-seong’s team request.
‘That kind of person teamed up with Kang Chang-ho. Why could that be? Perhaps their skill combinations are good?’
It’s not something to take lightly.
Esther dabbed her mouth with a napkin and cast her eyes around.
At this moment, across from her sat a man with tri-colored eyes.
He had claimed earlier that he wanted to make a good impression on her, but honestly, thinking back now, I don’t know if it was sincere.
‘He keeps dodging meal appointments and once disappeared for three months…’
Esther decided to be content that she managed to maintain a decent relationship with an S-Class Hunter.
Unlike that flame-attribute man, at least this guy responds to texts.
Furthermore, with the ongoing exchange of messages, I could make such a request.
“Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter, could you go somewhere with me next week?”
Esther paused her meal and got to the point. In truth, the spring clothes were merely an excuse, and today she came to make this proposal.
“It’s actually a party organized by a specific guild.”
She gazed down at the invitation from America.
If she could build friendships with new S-Class Hunters at this party, it would be useful in various ways.
Of course, they would be smart enough not to be taken advantage of, but…
How personal contacts could be advantageous was left to individual capacities, and Esther believed that this social engagement held great value.
“I plan to accept this invitation.”
However.
There were still issues holding her back from readily accepting the invitation from Gate Star.
The reason why S-Class status is threatening is because their adversaries are few.
But if all these Equal Awakened appeared in one place, that value would dull.
‘What if an incident occurs among S-Class Hunters whom I’ve never met before…? Can I really manage it on my own?’
Esther, quite cautious by nature.
Therefore, she aimed to cover all bases.
She sought insurance by going with another S-Class from Korea to prevent various threats.
‘Gate Star only sent one invitation per country for safety reasons. It’s rare for someone like me to come looking for an S-Class companion.’
In that sense, Kim Gi-ryeo was simply the perfect choice.
He came with a solid reason for being invited, and in front of him, she could freely use her curse skills without causing secondary damage.
‘Hmm, honestly, that’s a bit of a blow to my pride.’
Esther momentarily got lost in thought before quickly returning to the topic. Regardless, she wanted one thing.
“So, in conclusion, I wanted to ask you to be my partner.”
But who would have thought the long-standing dilemma would unravel so easily?
“I understand. I’ll do it.”
Huh?
Esther was taken aback by the man’s quick response. Gi-ryeo accepted the request without a moment’s hesitation.
An immediate reply without any hesitation.
Oh my gosh, does he not find it burdensome to go to a den filled with monsters called S-Class?
‘Wow!’
As soon as she received his consent, a smile spread across Esther’s face.
Aah, I’m so glad I maintained a good relationship with Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter. With him accompanying me, I have nothing to worry about.
That person was, after all, the one who killed the Imugi.
‘Witnesses said he did so wielding my cursed sword. That means Kim Gi-ryeo must be strong in close combat, right?’
A proven predator!
Esther was greatly relieved that the Fourth S-Class would follow her.
It truly felt like winning the lottery.
