How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 16
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 16】
‘Everyone just believes these baseless rumors and looks at people with such uncomfortable eyes.’
Anyone watching would think Lee Hyun-woo was some kind of monster. The Shop Owner earlier, the people around us—it was really too much.
I noticed him standing alone looking somewhat lonely, so I quickened my pace and positioned myself beside him. Perhaps startled by my sudden approach, he glanced at me briefly.
“…You told me to hurry. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
He averted his gaze, turned his body, and began walking.
‘Is he in a good mood?’
The people’s stares hadn’t changed at all from before, yet he seemed oddly lighter on his feet. He appeared to be in high spirits from coming to the Hunter Market.
—Bzzzzzzzz.
“…Mm.”
“What is it? A call from the Director?”
Kang Min Hunter tilted his head upon hearing the vibration.
“Yeah. I need to head out first.”
Lee Hyun-woo checked his watch and left immediately.
“Lee Hyun-woo isn’t buying any items? We came all this way…”
“The Reader was never particularly interested in items anyway. His body is already S-rank, after all. Plus, he absolutely hates crowded places, so the fact that he came here today is a miracle. A genuine miracle.”
Then why did he come today? I shook my head, thinking of the shopping bags overflowing with items.
No way—he didn’t come here deliberately because of me, did he?
“Sis! Come quick! I found an item I want!”
“I’m getting this one.”
“What! I was going to buy that! That’s cheating!”
“I picked it up first. Choose something else.”
I shook off my thoughts and approached the two of them, who were already bickering. The way they growled at each other over a single item made them look like siblings.
‘Like an irresponsible older brother and a top-of-the-class younger sister?’
I smiled inwardly at such a frivolous imagination.
“Should we really settle this with a match!?”
“No, I’ve told you—you can’t beat me.”
“Ugh, this guy…!”
As their intensity grew alarming, the Shop Owner rushed out from the storage room searching for something.
“We have one more here! Please, don’t fight!”
Fortunately, there was another similar item available, so the two of them stopped fighting and were able to hold their desired items side by side.
* * *
“Sis, how was the Hunter Market? It was super fun, right?”
“It really was. More enjoyable than I expected. And there were so many people.”
“Exactly! There are so many items too, and it’s fun choosing from them all.”
After finishing our shopping spree, we visited a nearby Cafe. I ordered an iced tea, Soo-hyun ordered sparkling water, and Kang Min ordered an Americano with a whopping five extra shots.
Wouldn’t that taste bitter? Kang Min sucked the Americano through the straw with a slurp and drooped his shoulders.
“…I can’t taste anything.”
“Sigh, you still haven’t given up? Just drink plain water instead.”
“Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll actually taste something!”
Kang Min Hunter downed his Americano in large gulps, his expression a portrait of indignation.
“I don’t see what’s so delicious about Americano….”
Soo-hyun Hunter muttered while watching him.
As someone who considered iced Americano a modern potion, I shook my head with a sympathetic expression. It was a shame they couldn’t experience that bitter, refreshing taste that cleared the mind.
“By the way, you two haven’t tried the pastries from my shop yet, have you? I’ll give you some as a gift next time you visit.”
“Wow! I’ve really been curious about that! Do Awakened Ones actually taste it? Since Lia says it’s delicious, does that mean it works on A-rank too? I’m so excited! When can we go?”
“…Ha, just let me know in advance.”
I instinctively avoided eye contact as the barrage of questions came at me suddenly. Kang Min Hunter was great in every way, but he really did talk a lot….
Fortunately, Soo-hyun Hunter stepped in to mediate.
“Why do you talk so much? You know she hates it.”
“Noona, do I talk a lot? No, right? Everyone said I’m cute?”
“Ah, well…. It’s fine.”
Kang Min Hunter, with his finger under his chin and a wink, was truly a born idol. I, lacking immunity to such idol-style aegyo, could only nod awkwardly.
Just then, the cafe entrance became unusually chaotic.
“Kyaaaaa!”
“Oh my god, this can’t be real!!”
When I turned my head, someone was entering the cafe surrounded by a crowd of people.
Numerous cameras and bodyguards too. It was clearly someone from the Broadcasting Station.
‘Who is it? Someone famous?’
I tried to crane my neck to see who it was, but with so many people crowded around, I couldn’t see their face. However, I could guess from the screams erupting from the crowd.
“Kyaa! Is it really Beyoud?”
“They said there’s a performance nearby!”
“Oh my… I really love them!!”
Beyoud. The very group Kang Min Hunter had belonged to before his Awakening.
Even he seemed caught off guard by this situation.
“Huh? Min! We can see everything from here!”
They finished their orders and were about to leave when they spotted Kang Min Hunter in the cafe and approached him warmly.
“Who—oh, it really is Min!”
“How are we running into you here? This is so crazy.”
“Ah! You must be here to check out items at the Hunter Market.”
Kang Min Hunter, who had been quietly stirring his coffee, broke into a bright smile.
“I can’t believe I’m seeing you here! Are you here for filming?”
“Yeah. We’ve got a performance nearby today, so we’re filming some behind-the-scenes content.”
“Your new song is really good this time. The lyrics really hit home.”
At Kang Min Hunter’s words, the members of Beyoud exchanged meaningful glances and grabbed his forearm.
“Then hey, could you film the challenge with us?”
“Challenge?”
“Yeah!!! The complete version! Just once, please?”
Kang Min Hunter’s expression turned uncertain, as if asking ‘right here, right now?’ Though he was a former member of the group and had inevitably left after his Awakening, it seemed their relationship wasn’t strained.
“Ah, wait a moment.”
In that instant, Kang Min Hunter urgently checked his watch. His eyebrows furrowed as he reviewed the message.
“Oh no. What do I do? I need to head back now….”
Who could possibly stop an A-rank Hunter when he received an urgent call?
The members all wore disappointed expressions, but none of them could bring themselves to ask him to stay.
“This is such a shame…. We just got to see you after so long!”
“Min’s an A-rank Hunter, so there’s no helping it. Let’s definitely film together next time!”
“Hyung, I’ll reach out to you!”
Kang Min Hunter made a sorrowful expression and waved his hand frantically, as if equally disappointed.
It felt odd for only us to remain at the cafe, so Soo-hyun Hunter and I followed him as he moved away.
“Of all places to run into them here….”
Once we were distant from the others, Kang Min Hunter muttered quietly. His mood seemed noticeably different from before.
I followed behind him, carefully reading the atmosphere.
‘His watch didn’t seem to go off….’
Though I could be mistaken, the Hunter watch on his wrist appeared silent the entire time.
Could he have lied? But why?
I stared intently at his retreating figure as he walked briskly, when he suddenly spun around to face me.
“Noona! Our members are really handsome, right?”
“Huh? Yes??”
“Beyoud members! You don’t know them? They’re super famous! The global popularity is insane!”
“Of course I know Beyoud.”
He seemed to be in a bad mood, but was that just my imagination?
Kang Min Hunter, who had returned to his usual demeanor, turned on his phone and explained each member one by one.
This one dances well, that one speaks foreign languages….
“Ah, I really had so much fun back then….”
He shrugged his shoulders while explaining enthusiastically. Now that I think about it, I’d heard that Kang Min Hunter had debuted as an idol before awakening, which forced him to leave the group.
‘Does he still have lingering regrets about idol activities?’
Most people described awakening and becoming a Hunter like winning the lottery. They’d shout “No more tedious commutes!” and throw in their resignation before joining the Management Bureau.
But what about Kang Min Hunter? Did he truly want to quit being an idol and become a Hunter?
“Kang Min Hunter, are you alright?”
“Me? Ah, I just have to leave suddenly? It’s unfortunate, but there’s no helping it!”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Besides, if I film a challenge, the views would be insane. They must be really disappointed too, right? I had so many fans back then! Hehe!”
He laughed with a “hehe” sound, his smile playful. Yet it seemed somehow insincere.
At that moment, ding! A familiar blue window appeared above his smiling face. It was the mission window I’d seen before when dealing with Lia Hunter.
*MISSION*
: Beneath the Hollow Flame
Unlock a special effect for the Hunter who has lost the passion that once burned bright
-Target: Kang Min
-Status (Danger): Stress, Anxiety, Emptiness
-Required Materials: Bugglam Powder 200g
Reward: 1,000P
Failure: Special Effect Unlock Permanently Unavailable
‘…Stress, anxiety, emptiness.’
The Kang Min Hunter standing before me seemed like someone utterly distant from melancholy.
Had I not witnessed his sunken expression today, I might have doubted the mission window itself.
Yet the smile he wore now appeared fragile—as though a single touch would shatter it into pieces.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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