As I stepped into the hall, all eyes swarmed toward me. I should have gotten used to this attention by now, yet I still felt my skin prickling. Honestly, without some resistance to fear, I couldn’t wander around alone like this.

‘…Not a single bodyguard in sight.’

I decided to let yesterday’s paparazzo incident slide. I did call to complain about the lax security, but all the operator said was, “We’ll keep you perfectly safe, so don’t worry.”

Unlike yesterday, the use of force was prohibited in the hall to keep things running smoothly. That didn’t mean I could relax—someone could still decide to storm off and ruin the party.

With a hundred people gathered, there were a hundred personalities. Too many variables. Especially with the powerful ones—brakes were often weak or nonexistent. They could recover easily from mistakes or failures, unlike weaker folks who plummet all the way down when they lose.

“Sir!”

I heard Yerim’s voice. I turned to answer her cheerfully, then bit my tongue.

‘What… is that…?’

Yerim was waving a magazine high above her head. On the cover—my photo, plastered right in the center. Calm down, act natural, it’s just another day. It’ll really become that common. …So embarrassing.

“The photo came out amazing!”

Yerim beamed. Yuhyun arrived beside her, astral-form Peace perched on his shoulder. My brother held the same magazine in his hand—a thin, hastily printed special edition.

“Hyung, you look so cool.”

“…Thanks.”

It was the picture the paparazzo took yesterday—he’d even handed me a business card that looked like it belonged to some spider-themed Disney knockoff. The photo was good, though. I noticed Director Song’s hand empty just behind Yerim, too.

“That guy’s over there, but he can’t lay a hand on you now.”

Yerim grumbled in disappointment.

“Leave it to me. I’ll deal with him if I have to.”

I reflexively turned toward the spot Yerim had pointed—and locked eyes with Cowboy. …He was supposed to be a popular Hunter. Not wearing a full-body spandex suit already set him apart. He grinned under his mustache, showing dazzling white teeth. Oh, great…

‘At least those Hunters have good reputations.’

At least publicly—they’re known for good fan service.

“Yujin.”

Noah and Hyuna approached, holding up their copies of the magazine. Both covers featured big photos of me.

“I bought it too.”

“Thanks…”

Why did everyone act like the magazine was their ticket in? I forced a laugh and glanced away—only to meet another Hunter’s eyes. He grinned and raised his copy in greeting. What is this, candid camera? Were they selling these at a stand outside? A New York Times–style must-buy?

“Ms. Han Yujin, your hand.”

Hyuna said. I offered my hand without thinking; she took it like an escort and bowed at the waist. Her red-dyed hair slipped down as she looked up at me. Then she pressed a quick kiss to the back of my hand and lifted the corner of her lips.

“For sanitation.”

…What…

“…Hyung?”

“Unni, you’ve got him all flustered! Tone it down, will you? At this rate he’ll never get married.”

“Your reaction was so cute, sorry—not sorry. But isn’t it adorable?”

“Hyung, am I visible? Hyung?”

“Uh, yeah.”

My brother’s face swam into view—always handsome.

“Right, um.”

He stepped back behind Hyuna. I had to calm down. It’s just a joke. …On my hand, my hand!

“Hyung?”

“…I’ve calmed down. But Hyuna, stuff like that should be reserved for someone you’re dating.”

“Then shall we date?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

She draped her arm around my shoulder and squeezed me close. Then she whispered very softly:

“You’d say no even if I asked you out.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Even if I really did say that, you’d turn me down.”

“I—well.”

“Dating is about taking care of yourself, too.”

She said that people tend to put family and work first and neglect themselves. That—well. …Even if someone loved me now and I loved them back, it would end there. Given the circumstances, anyway.

“If you ever seriously think about it, just let me know!” Hyuna tapped me on the back. Yerim teased, “If Unni dates someone, she’ll have to get rid of Yuhyun first.” I had no intention of dating anyone.

“A celebrity has arrived.”

At Hyuna’s words, I looked up to see Seong Hyunjae approaching through the crowd. Most here were S-rank Hunters, yet they parted politely. If it weren’t me, Hyunjae would be the star of this event—he probably would’ve been on the magazine cover, too.

I thought things had improved, but suddenly I felt intimidated again. Gyeol on Hyunjae’s shoulder shimmered from ghostly silver to pink when he saw me. He pawed the air in excitement. Hyunjae raised his own magazine in greeting, offering the perfect shot. Maybe I should send one to Myungwoo, too.

“There are quite a few.”

Suddenly, Chatterbox’s voice cut through the air like a blade. The hall fell silent as everyone turned toward the stage. Chatterbox appeared, mask smiling broadly, and continued:

“So, let’s shrink the festivities and get started.”

Before I could wonder what he meant, my vision blurred and I felt my body lift.

“Ugh.”

Scorching sunlight poured down. I opened my eyes to find an endless wasteland before me. Thick black lines marked off areas ahead—no entry beyond them, I guessed. Looking around, I saw Yuhyun and Peace not far off. Had they been teleported, too? Everyone stood frozen in confusion.

“Hello, everyone~!”

A cheerful voice rang out. On a tall pillar stood someone in T-shirt and shorts, flanked by four cameras humming on gimbals. They must be the event MC.

“We’ll begin with a warm-up run! The rules are simple: when the signal sounds, sprint to the finish line! You may use items, skills, anything—just no deliberately hindering others!”

A running event. A few Hunters glanced my way, pity mixed with their looks.

“Prizes go to those who cross the line first; the lowest finishers will be eliminated! It’s a long run, so pace yourselves~”

“The last place is predetermined.”

One Hunter sneered at me—and at that moment,

Thud!

A jeep appeared beside me: off-road, top speed over 250, dungeon byproducts installed, open-top. I cocked an eyebrow at the sneering Hunter.

“Want a ride?”

The proud S-rank ground his teeth. Normally I’d have to reach into a drawer and pull out an item, but thanks to Myungwoo’s lessons on channeling forge magic—only on a few objects—I could summon them instantly. It costs less mana than entering and exiting, but I can’t spam it.

“Team members may help each other! Assisting another team costs one gold coin per team! And helping another team automatically places you behind them!”

Unlike us, many Hunters probably hadn’t earned any coins yet. Even if they had, they’d be reluctant to waste a mystery bonus item. Who knew—they might be able to trade coins for SS-rank weapons at the end.

Ping!

A gold coin spun through the air toward me. I caught it, and Evelyn opened the passenger door:

“May I?”

“By all means, honored guest.”

Evelyn, in an elegant party dress, climbed in. Her teammate took the back seat. From afar came rumbling—when I turned, a massive dragon rose like a hill.

“Gold coins! Hand them over!”

It was Liet. The jet-black dragon roared, horns gleaming as Kang Soyeong rode atop, waving her arms.

“Sister, let’s run!”

“First ten only! Others left behind!”

She seemed thrilled. Every ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) time Liet swung her tail, surrounding Hunters dodged in disgust. Four legs, massive build, superior stamina—few could hope to outrun her. Then Noah transformed into a smaller golden dragon, carrying Hyuna as he took to the air.

Flying types really are the best.

“Running? Isn’t that cheating?”

Someone complained to the MC.

“Skills and items are all allowed! Feel free to use whatever you like!”

Krrng.

Peace grew larger as Yuhyun climbed on. Now that’s a solid combo. Though—

“Sir, trust me!”

“I’m fine.”

“He said he could carry you lightly! Even an S-rank isn’t that heavy!”

“I’m fine.”

Yerim fluttered her hands, offering to carry me aloft. I politely declined. But Yerim wouldn’t give up.

“It’s a long run. I’ll carry you at first, then you carry me the rest of the way! We’ll place high!”

With S-rank strength, carrying another person doesn’t slow you much, so it might work.

“I think Yerim’s right, Director Song.”

“As for me…”

“Look—just hold still like this!”

Yerim tried to scoop me up. I resisted.

“Just from behind, hold my arm—”

“That’s uncomfortable.”

“It’s not uncomfortable.”

Director Song looked to me for help. He really did spoil the kids. I wanted to see him carried like a princess, though.

“Yerim, support him from behind.”

“Fine.”

Yerim pouted but nodded. He really was a prankster. Well, the broadcast would catch it, so I’d help. Then a shadow fell over us.

“Is this seat taken?”

It was Hyunjae, fairy-dragon Gyeol perched on his shoulder, offering a gold coin.

“There’s exactly one seat left.”

If it weren’t for Gyeol, he might have told me to run in the blazing sun. Hyunjae climbed into the remaining back seat, and I pulled sunglasses from the car’s compartment and put them on. I gave the Hunter glaring at us a thumbs-up.

“S-rank and sturdy, nice. Now go run your legs off~”

I was taking the car. Air conditioning and all. The Hunter feigned stepping back, then—

“Oops, my foot!”

He staggered, stamping his foot on the ground. The earth caved beneath him and shot upward, rock and soil hurtling toward me and the car. That bastard! A flat tire now—

Shrrk—

A long golden chain wrapped around the jeep, sparks dancing along it, perfectly blocking the flying debris. Then—

Thoom!

“Ugh!”

—grr.

A fire-horned lion plummeted onto the Hunter. Yuhyun called out in a flat tone from atop Peace:

“It was a mistake—Peace only recently learned Flight.”

“Get out of the way!”

Peace crushed the Hunter underfoot, then unfurled his wings and flew up again. The Hunter, clothes scorched, gnawed his teeth and stumbled backward—

“Argh!”

He slipped on suddenly formed ice beneath his feet.

“Sorry! It’s hot today, right? But refreshing, no? One gold coin per ice cup!”

Hyuna laughed atop Noah. Noah flapped his great wings and peered down at the Hunter rising to his feet.

“I could lift one more person, if needed.”

“Need a hand?” Noah offered kindly, claws gleaming. The Hunter scowled and skulked off. I’d avoided outside help, but it felt good all the same. This was nothing. Hyunjae was with me in the car, after all.

“Get ready!”

The MC raised an arm triumphantly. I slipped off my coat into the back seat and started the engine.

“Go!”

S-rank Hunters, dragons, and off they sped.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep