TSOT#1 Chapter 38
by Ren[Community for All]
[When writing posts and comments, please respect and consider others.]
Did you know the third tower gate closing time broke the record yesterday? (27)
The previous record for clearing the top floor was 27 hours and 30 minutes, but yesterday, the gate closed in just two hours.
—LOL, yeah, it caused a stir on the community board yesterday.
—Totally! My friends and I talked about it too. It’s crazy cool!
—Haha, amazing. Team B from the elite group was called out yesterday, right?
—Whoa, impressive.
—But I saw an unfamiliar face in Team B. Does anyone know who they are?
┗ Someone new? There are usually only three people in Team B.
┗ The info post mentioned a fourth member. Surely they aren’t a permanent addition, right? Their level is way too low.
—To us, it’s just two hours, but it must’ve taken much longer in the tower.
┗ True… Our Hunters work so hard.
Did you see the last info post from yesterday?
A picture of Hunter Choi Yeon-joo was posted. She looked so cool! It only took her 11 minutes to clear the boss!
—I saw it too! She’s amazing.
—The post got so many comments as soon as it went up. Choi Yeon-joo’s water and ice abilities suit her so well. She’s incredible!
—Choi Yeon-joo! Please marry me!!!
┗ What? Get in line! She promised to marry me first.
┗ Nope, she already proposed to me.
┗ Guys, stop. She’s been my girlfriend since yesterday.
┗ sigh Why do I have so many rivals? ヾ( ·`⌓´·)ﾉﾞ
Who was the Hunter with Team B yesterday?
Their rank was ridiculously low. Know your place and stay out of it.
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“You’re on vacation starting today. Why are you at the training center?”
At Joo-ah’s question, Jae-rim, who had been gazing out the window, replied simply, “I was just passing by and decided to stop in.”
It didn’t seem like he had any specific reason.
Joo-ah nodded and sat down on the sofa, opening an item box.
Jae-rim’s gaze returned to the window. Outside, a minor commotion was unfolding as the gate of the second tower had opened that morning.
However, it wasn’t long before all the monsters on the roadside disappeared. The Hunters who had deployed must have taken down the boss.
Jae-rim turned his head to look at Joo-ah.
She was holding something in her hand, which made him look surprised.
“Is that…?”
Joo-ah lightly waved the object in her hand and said, “It’s a Flower of Magic Power.”
“Did you get that during the 103rd-floor quest?”
“Yes.”
Her straightforward answer left Jae-rim with a subtle expression.
The Flower of Magic Power, given as a bonus reward, was meant to increase the quest’s difficulty.
In fact, as soon as the flower appeared, Joo-ah had been attacked by monsters and fallen off a cliff.
How had she managed to grab it amidst such chaos?
Tilting her head, Joo-ah asked, “Oh, was I not supposed to take it? Because I’m a rookie?”
Her question hinted at the unspoken hierarchy often present in Hunter teams, where low-ranking members had to get permission even for their own rewards.
“No, it’s yours since you obtained it,” Jae-rim replied.
Thankfully, Team B didn’t seem petty about such matters.
Joo-ah smiled brightly and said, “Thank you.”
She infused a slight amount of energy into the Flower of Magic Power, which quivered faintly before crumbling into black ashes.
Magic Power: 323 (+30)
Her stats increased. She quickly cast a healing spell, though her HP was already full. Instead, a faint scar on the back of her hand disappeared.
Jae-rim, who had been silently observing her actions, frowned slightly.
He had momentarily forgotten that the scar was from the monster attack at the banquet hall.
The Flower of Magic Power didn’t just boost stats—it amplified the effect of specific spells upon use.
Joo-ah had clearly been aware of this.
“Hunter Shin Jae-rim,” she said softly, gazing at her now-smooth hand.
“Did you stop by the Special Awakener Association before coming here?”
Jae-rim’s eyes widened slightly.
Meeting his gaze, Joo-ah continued, “Were you reporting about me to Chairman Yoo Tae-jun?”
Chairman Yoo Tae-jun had set conditions for Joo-ah’s reassignment: five tower calls and comprehensive reports about her.
Jae-rim had agreed to personally update the chairman about her performance.
“…You knew?”
With a smile, Joo-ah explained, “I saw you leaving the Association through the window before you came here.”
Her first tower call had been the day before, and Jae-rim had visited the Association the very next day. It wasn’t hard to deduce why.
“I reported to the chairman as promised. He didn’t say much,” Jae-rim admitted.
“Of course. I haven’t done anything noteworthy enough to meet his expectations,” Joo-ah shrugged.
Looking at her steadily, Jae-rim said, “I don’t think you’ve been lacking at all.”
“…Really?”
“Despite it being your first tower experience, you adapted quickly and handled crises calmly.”
Joo-ah frowned slightly. “You didn’t tell the chairman that, did you?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I reported the truth.”
She let out a dry laugh. “If I don’t get reassigned, I’ll assume it’s because of you.”
Jae-rim seemed flustered, realizing the implications of his report.
Amused, Joo-ah teased, “If I stay with Team B, I’ll consider it your doing.”
His ears turned red as Joo-ah laughed at his uncharacteristic awkwardness.
Getting up, she said, “Anyway, I’ll head to training now. Hunter Yoo Chan-hee said a pathetic D-rank like me doesn’t deserve a break.”
Without a word, Jae-rim watched her leave.
Before stepping into the training room, Joo-ah glanced back and smiled. “Take care, Hunter Shin Jae-rim.”
The door closed with a soft click, but Jae-rim lingered, quietly watching her through the glass.
[The Anonymous Constellation grumbles about how unfair it is that only Joo-ah doesn’t get a vacation, criticizing Yoo Chan-hee.]
Joo-ah exited the training center, cracking open a can of soda. The cool drink soothed her throat.
“Refreshing…”
She glanced up at the sky, the twilight reflecting in her eyes.
[The Anonymous Constellation gifts 10 ‘Energy Drink’ coupons, saying, ‘To someone who works so hard.’]
Smiling faintly, Joo-ah muttered, “Thanks. You’re the only one who notices my efforts.”
After finishing her drink, she tossed the can into a nearby bin and began walking.
“Honestly, I think it’s too much. Who expects someone to train the day after climbing a tower?”
She pouted, thinking of Yoo Chan-hee. His face gave the impression of a carefree playboy, but his training methods were meticulous and relentless.
In many ways, he reminded her of Yoo Tae-jun.
Joo-ah paused, noticing a familiar figure not far ahead.