Though privately finding Castorice's temperament a bit... out there, on second thought, aside from her clear dislike for close contact with others, this newly-minted S-Rank didn't seem to have any other real issues.
She was quite polite, and in terms of being low-maintenance among S-Ranks, she was arguably second only to Cha Hae-in.
'If only we had more steady S-Ranks like her…'
He sighed inwardly, but Woo Jinchul's face remained its usual unreadable mask. Except for when Go Gunhee had invited Castorice to join the Association, he hadn't let a single inappropriate expression slip.
"Castorice-ssi, if you could please wait here, a staff member will be with you shortly."
After leading her to a reception room, Woo Jinchul spoke.
"Thank you. Um… I also have a friend who should be arriving here soon…"
Seeing Woo Jinchul prepare to leave, Castorice spoke up somewhat apologetically.
"May I ask roughly how long the hunter identification process will take?"
She really wasn't accustomed to this sort of 'pulling rank to pressure someone' behavior.
"Hmm… It shouldn't take too long. Perhaps around ten minutes?"
Woo Jinchul was rather surprised by the young woman's attitude.
In this era, power and uniqueness were taken for granted. To feel apologetic about wielding such privilege… it was a purity that was almost unsettling.
It was as if she'd never truly interacted with society.
"If my friend arrives, may they wait here with me?"
Castorice pressed.
"Of course. I'll inform the staff. Is your friend also a hunter, Castorice-ssi? What is their name?"
"Han Song-Yi. She's a hunter as well."
"Understood."
Woo Jinchul took a business card from his inner pocket, placed it on the table in the reception room, and with a slight push, slid it over to Castorice.
"If anything comes up, you can call my private number. I'll handle it as quickly as possible."
"Alright. I'll trouble you with it then."
Castorice didn't refuse, picking up the card.
Only after Woo Jinchul left the room did she take out her phone and send a text to Han Song-Yi: 'Song-Yi, it seems the ID will take about ten more minutes.'
Han Song-Yi: 'Huh? That fast? Are you an A-Rank, Castorice-unni?'
She wanted to ask if it was S-Rank, but afraid of both dashed hopes and making Castorice uncomfortable, she lowered the rank by one.
Castorice: 'It's S-Rank. While there was no formal test, the chairman said if one exceeds the branch's testing limits, it's undoubtedly S-Rank.'
Han Song-Yi: 'Wow! Unni really is an S-Rank!'
Han Song-Yi: 'Let's go eat barbecue together later! My treat, to celebrate for you!'
Castorice: 'Song-Yi, you're still a high school student, right? It's better to save your living expenses. Also… places like restaurants aren't really suitable for me.'
Han Song-Yi: 'I see… Then let's find another way to celebrate!'
After sending the barbecue invitation, Han Song-Yi remembered Castorice disliked crowded places. She'd gotten carried away and forgotten.
Worried her attempt to get closer might backfire, she was scrambling to backtrack, but hadn't expected this reply.
It left her both relieved and conflicted.
It was true, she was really short on money right now… But being able to use money to maintain a relationship with an S-Rank was practically a steal.
Considering Castorice's 'keep your distance' attitude, Han Song-Yi was momentarily at a loss on how to increase her favor.
But then she realized something else.
Castorice-unni mentioned a specific time… she probably also wanted to know how much longer I'd be, right? But…
Glancing at the congested lane ahead, Han Song-Yi's eye twitched.
Han Song-Yi: 'Sorry, unni! There seems to have been a traffic accident up ahead. Everything's completely gridlocked now.'
Castorice: 'The traffic jam isn't your fault, Song-Yi. There's no need to apologize to me.'
Is her personality just that good!? Are foreigners all this gentle? No, no, it's not like I've never met foreigners before.
Han Song-Yi stared wide-eyed at the message on her phone, feeling briefly dazed.
Powerful but not arrogant, instead consistently considerate and amiable.
Aside from not liking to get close to people, Castorice-unni was practically like a hero from a comic book.
--+--
Meanwhile, in the office of the central building within the guild district's forest of skyscrapers, a man with neatly styled red hair in a 70/30 part, wearing black rectangular glasses, held a phone to his ear, a smile of keen interest playing on his lips.
The voice on the phone continued: "Her name is Castorice. A young woman with long white-purple hair, just 18 years old. Her student ID is from XXX University. It seems she's an international student who hasn't been in Korea for long."
"Castorice… or should I say, Thanatos Castorice Polyxia… To think an international student from Country Y would awaken in Korea, and… as an S-Rank."
The red-haired man twirled a pen in his hand.
Though he hadn't hung up, he was already pondering what terms to use to recruit yet another S-Rank hunter.
"Y-Yes! Chairman Choi Jong-In, she just left my office not long ago. She should be on her way to the Hunter Association headquarters now. She'll likely receive her identification very soon!"
"I believe you said you were the head of the Rating Department at the B City branch?"
"That's correct!"
"I see. Do not inform other guilds about this."
Hearing this, the department head knew he had been noted. He could likely expect some benefits.
"Yes, yes! You were the first I told. I absolutely will not disclose it to anyone! But… there were quite a few people present at the time…"
"Don't worry about that."
Choi Jong-In's tone was unhurried. So what if a bunch of people saw?
Once the others found out, they'd have to start by gathering information based on her appearance. That alone would put them a step behind him.
After hanging up, Choi Jong-In stood and immediately put on his jacket.
For an S-Rank, it was better to extend the invitation in person.
--+--
'So slow… Why isn't it resolved yet? What are the traffic police even doing…'
Leaning back in her seat, Han Song-Yi yawned boredly when her phone suddenly buzzed with a notification.
Hunter Association (B City Branch):
[A Gate has appeared on Hangang Bridge. Detected rating: D-Rank. It is currently severely disrupting traffic. All nearby hunters are requested to form attack squads in accordance with regulations to clear it.]
[Temporary Squad Rules]
Hangang Bridge… Isn't that right here? No wonder there's a traffic problem—it's because of a Gate? Doesn't that mean I'll be waiting forever?
At that thought, Han Song-Yi's expression instantly fell. Castorice-unni is still waiting for me…
Wait! Instead of sitting here waiting slowly, wouldn't it be better to help clear the Gate quickly? It's just a D-Rank Gate, after all. Being one rank lower isn't a big deal, right?
And if I can clear a dungeon, Castorice-unni might look at me in a new light! Then I'd be more qualified to stay by her side, wouldn't I?
With that thought, Han Song-Yi's enthusiasm ignited instantly. Grabbing her phone to send a message to Castorice, she then directly opened the car door and jumped out.
[Castorice-unni! The reason for the traffic jam here is a Gate! I'll take care of it right away and come find you even faster!]
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.