How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 70
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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 70】
Though the weather had warmed considerably, spring was still in its infancy. The lake water was bitterly cold. And on top of that, I was afraid of water.
‘Ugh, I can’t breathe…!’
I thrashed upward, but the more I struggled, the deeper I sank into the murky depths. Fear accelerated my oxygen deprivation, my lungs burning with urgency.
Through my blurring vision, I saw someone plunge into the water. It was Lee Hyun-woo.
I blinked slowly as he extended his hand toward me. Something about the moment felt hauntingly familiar.
‘This scene… I feel like I’ve seen it before somewhere.’
But my thoughts couldn’t develop further. My oxygen-starved brain was sending out distress signals.
Fortunately, Lee Hyun-woo reached me quickly, hooked my arm over his shoulder, and pulled me toward the surface.
“…Gasp!”
The moment I broke free from the lake, I collapsed onto the ground and coughed violently. I’d swallowed so much water that my nose burned and stung.
“Are you alright?”
Lee Hyun-woo, his wet hair swept back neatly, patted my back gently. Once my coughing subsided somewhat, I sprawled out on the dirt ground.
“Phew… I really almost died there, didn’t I?”
“Not at all. I would have saved you no matter what.”
“Haha! I suppose that’s true. So I wouldn’t have died.”
I burst into laughter, forgetting the gravity of the situation entirely. I was genuinely grateful Lee Hyun-woo had been there. He looked at me with concern and asked carefully.
“Are you afraid of water? Your body went rigid—it seemed like a fear response rather than simple panic.”
An S-Rank Hunter’s perception truly couldn’t be fooled. I swept my wet hair back and nodded slowly. Wading in shallow water was fine, but whenever I tried to enter deeper water, my body would stiffen involuntarily.
“According to my parents, I fell into water when I was young. Though I don’t remember it clearly.”
“So you have water-related trauma. I’ll remember this going forward and make sure we never go near water again.”
“Well, it’s not quite that serious…”
I was about to say there was no need to remember since I just wouldn’t enter the water, when a gust of wind swept past. It should have been a warm spring breeze, but after being soaked, it felt as biting as a winter wind.
‘Ugh… I’m freezing.’
Seeing me shiver, Lee Hyun-woo slipped his hand behind my knees and lifted me effortlessly. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his shoulders. Wait, this position was…?
“W-wait a moment!”
“Your body temperature is dropping rapidly and you’re beginning to shiver. We need to move indoors quickly.”
“I understand, but…! Do we really have to go like this?”
Wasn’t this the classic princess carry? I pounded his solid chest with my fists, signaling him to put me down. But he simply continued walking without hesitation.
“Since you mentioned being afraid of water, your muscles are likely still tense. Right now, Ha-neul needs rest.”
“…F-fine then. Please move quickly indoors.”
It was better to get inside quickly than to keep arguing. Passersby were already glancing at us. A soaking wet man carrying a woman—it spoke for itself.
‘Fortunately, they don’t seem to know this man is Lee Hyun-woo…’
They probably thought he was just someone who resembled an S-Rank Hunter. Or at least, I desperately hoped they did. I lowered my head so my face wouldn’t be visible to anyone.
As we entered through the back door we’d exited from, Kang Min spotted us and raised his voice.
“Huh? You and the Leader… Did you two go swimming in the lake? That’s illegal!”
“How unfair! You two are having fun without us!”
Ari, that’s not what happened—I fell in. But I didn’t have the energy to explain, so I just waved my hand dismissively.
Once inside Kang Min’s villa, Lee Hyun-woo handed me a large towel.
“Go wash up first. I’ll have fresh clothes prepared for you.”
“…And you, Hunter?”
“There’s another bathroom on the second floor. I’ll just grab some clothes for you and then wash up myself.”
After thanking him once more, I hurried my trembling body under the shower, letting the hot water cascade over me. My body, which had been submerged in the icy lake water, gradually thawed.
After changing into the clothes left by the door, I found Lee Hyun-woo already sitting on the living room sofa. I shook my hair dry as I sat down beside him.
“I feel so much better after washing up in warm water! Thank you again for helping me.”
The borrowed clothes belonged to Kang Min Hunter, so they were far too large for me. I’d had to fold the pants several times—need I say more? The logo on the sweatshirt even looked like it was from an incredibly expensive brand.
‘I should definitely take this to the dry cleaners.’
I couldn’t risk washing it myself and ruining it. While I was thinking about such practical matters, I suddenly noticed what Lee Hyun-woo was wearing.
‘Wait. A character hoodie and training pants?’
Unlike his usual appearance in Hunter gear, he looked quite unfamiliar in casual clothes. Even his sleeves had ridden up slightly, as if the shirt was a bit too small.
“…I don’t usually wear clothes like this.”
He kept pulling his sleeves down, apparently self-conscious about my gaze. For some reason, a mischievous urge bubbled up from deep within me. I broke into a grin and started making a big fuss.
“Wow, Hunter! Anyone would think you were a college student!”
“No, that’s not—”
“So that’s why you don’t wear clothes like this! Because you look too young, right?”
Realizing I was teasing him, he frowned in exasperation.
“…Please don’t tease me.”
“Haha! You’re just too cute! This style really suits you, you know.”
It was true—the style suited him well, even if it was different from his usual appearance. His hair, left unstyled and lying flat, really did make him look like a college student.
‘…If he had been a college student, he would definitely have been top of his class.’
With that characteristic cool gaze of his, he looked like a composed honor student. I shook my head, trying to dispel the strange thoughts forming in my mind.
“Oh! So you were taking a walk by the lake?”
I quickly changed the subject. He, who had been lost in thought for a moment, slowly nodded.
“Yes. And if I were there, other people wouldn’t be able to enjoy themselves comfortably.”
“Ah…”
Only then did I realize why Lee Hyun-woo had kept his distance from the group. He had been considerate, ensuring that others could enjoy the picnic without discomfort.
‘So Yoon Kang-hyuk came to today’s picnic.’
The Team 1 members, having worked with Lee Hyun-woo, would already be accustomed to him. But Yoon Kang-hyuk was different. Lee Hyun-woo had chosen to stay away out of concern that the S-Rank Hunter might feel uncomfortable around his mana.
‘I didn’t even think about that and just assumed everyone going together would be fun…’
When Shin Hye asked if it was okay to invite Yoon Kang-hyuk, I should have thought more carefully. I had suggested the picnic to him, only to create an uncomfortable situation for him instead.
“…I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“It’s not your fault, Ha-neul. Strictly speaking, it’s mine.”
“How could that possibly be your fault! You didn’t choose to awaken as an S-Rank Hunter!”
He laughed and shook his head.
“Sometimes I have to take responsibility for things I didn’t choose.”
“…But I was the one who insisted on going to the picnic.”
“I find it more than enough to simply talk with you like this, Ha-neul.”
My ears suddenly felt warm, and I hung my head. After clearing my throat awkwardly a few times, I spoke to him carefully.
“Should we go on another picnic sometime? Um, if possible… just the two of us?”
“I’d like that. I’ll be looking forward to that day.”
After drying my hair completely, I stepped outside to find the Front Yard already filled with delicious aromas.
“Shop Owner! Come quickly. The meat is grilled and ready.”
“Wow, is this a barbecue?”
Kang Min Hunter had specially prepared a charcoal grill for this occasion, and pork belly and sausages were sizzling to a golden brown.
“Even if the taste isn’t quite there, isn’t this kind of thing meant to be enjoyed for the atmosphere anyway?”
“Oh, you’re ridiculous!”
Yoon Kang-hyuk Hunter picked up tongs and burst into hearty laughter at Shin Hye’s jab. Ari and Soo-hyun Hunter were swallowing hard beside him.
I prepared a spicy fish cake soup with finely sliced green peppers for the other Hunters. With the warm broth complementing the meat, a perfect spread came together.
“Wow…! The meat is really delicious!”
“Soo-hyun, can you taste it?”
“That’s just what I’m saying, Lia….”
Soo-hyun Hunter laughed sheepishly. Lia Hunter nodded with an amused smile, finding her endearing.
“It’s a shame Ha-nyang isn’t here.”
“That chubby cat! All he ever wants to do is lie around at home…. Next time I’ll definitely bring him along, okay?”
I couldn’t mention that Ha-nyang had left for an interim report, so I’d said he was resting at home. I nodded with a smile, though a part of my heart felt oddly empty.
‘It’s fine. He said he’d be back in a week.’
After that, I spent hectic days opening the Shop, attending to customers, and conducting shooting drills. Today too, I’d returned to the Dormitory with my exhausted body after finishing training.
―Beep beep.
“Why are you only coming now?”
The enormous cat I’d missed so much was lying on the Bed, greeting me. I rushed over with a beaming smile.
“Ha-nyang!!!”
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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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