Chapter 9: Her Point of View
When Seo Ieung first saw Kang Hawi.
She thought to herself.
Insanely handsome.
More striking than any guy sheâd ever seen.
But she didnât react like the other girls.
Honestly.
She wasnât particularly interested in him.
Handsome or not.
It didnât matter to her.
Her life had no room for guys.
She believed thereâd be no connection with Kang Hawi either.
Later.
His silent scribbling of his name on the board to end his introduction.
The displeased expression he wore during group talks.
Seeing this side of Kang Hawi.
Instead of a negative impression, Seo Ieung felt a sense of kinship.
Like looking at herself.
Realizing they might be similar.
Her interest in him began to grow.
Still, she couldnât openly show it.
After observing him closely.
She concluded he seemed to hate women.
At least, thatâs how it looked to her.
Even after being paired with him.
She only said, âLetâs get along,â and they didnât talk after that.
She secretly hoped heâd start a conversation.
But, as expected, it was a vain hope.
He didnât even glance her way.
Still, she didnât give up.
She subtly tested him.
Asking if chasing off those flirting girls was a bother.
It was to figure out if he really disliked women.
ââŚIt wasnât a bother. Thanks.â
His response confirmed it.
He definitely disliked women.
This would probably just fizzle out.
Bitterness crept in.
Why did she even get interested?
Heâd never care about her, no matter how much time passed.
Seo Ieung quietly regretted her feelings.
After lunch.
Seo Ieung stepped away to the restroom.
On her way back, she saw it.
Kang Hawi petting a cat, grinning ear to ear.
âHe likes animals?â
She tried to lose interest.
But it only grew stronger.
âI love animals tooâŚâ
Another thing in common.
Maybe they were more compatible than she thought.
She wanted to know more about him.
Seo Ieung held onto hope.
Could they get closer with effort?
From that moment.
She started bombarding him with questions.
Trying to bridge the gap.
And then.
What if he preferred guys?
Worried, she cautiously asked.
His answer was a no.
Relief washed over her.
He didnât like guys.
But he definitely seemed to dislike women.
âThereâs got to be a story behind it.â
Curious, but she couldnât ask.
She wasnât close enough to pry into his past.
She had to avoid crossing that line.
âAt least heâs not into anything weird⌠I shouldnât rush to get close. If I take it slow, maybe weâll click someday.â
Clinging to hope.
She resolved to approach him carefully.
Her interest in Kang Hawi.
Her feelings grew stronger.
When she tried to pay the dungeon fee.
His urgent slap of her hand and paying instead.
Seo Ieung was flustered.
No guy had ever paid for her before.
A completely new experience.
For a moment.
She wondered if she was an exception.
Maybe he didnât hate her?
That fleeting fantasy shattered when she learned he just believed in repaying debts.
Kang Hawi activated his Mystery.
Transforming into a different form.
âWhat⌠is that?â
Her jaw dropped.
His appearance was otherworldly, like it shouldnât exist.
He was already impossibly handsome.
But now?
It felt like approaching him was unthinkable.
Beyond handsome.
An indescribable, divine beauty.
âDid he transform into some kind of godâŚ?â
Before, she nearly fell for him after just one day.
Now, seeing this, she felt foolish for even thinking it.
Me, with Kang Hawi?
A mere human like me?
Blasphemous.
And dangerous.
His shirtless state was dangerous.
His enhanced beauty was beyond dangerous.
If other girls saw him like this?
Unthinkable.
Theyâd lose their minds and try to kidnap him for unsavory things.
Not a fantasyâit could actually happen.
His appearance was that mesmerizing.
She didnât want her Kang Hawi stolen.
Absolutely unacceptable.
âI have to protect him.â
She needed a way to shield her Kang Hawi from those filthy girls.
In a short time.
A lot happened to Seo Ieung.
Kang Hawi suddenly closing in on her face.
Her nosebleed and fainting.
Learning he wasnât a god but an angel.
His unexpectedly powerful angelic abilities.
And now.
They were searching for the boss together.
âIs he going to be okayâŚ?â
Worry crept in late.
What if dying to the boss gave him trauma?
Sheâd be fine.
But what if Kang Hawi gave up his Hunter dream because of this?
Still.
It felt too late to turn back now.
âIf he gets traumatized⌠Iâll stay by his side and help him overcome it. If he drops out, Iâll find his address and take care of him.â
As she thought this while talking with him.
ââŚWhatâs that?â
The boss appeared.
Not a monster, but a demon.
Seo Ieung froze momentarily but quickly regained her composure, activating her transformation magic and preparing for battle.
âIâll attack first, so stay backâŚâ
She wanted to look cool, even if theyâd die.
âHuh? Whereâd he goâŚ?â
Kang Hawi vanished.
She frantically looked around.
When she turned back.
There he was, behind the demon.
Holding its heart in his right hand.
Its head in his left.
ââŚHe killed a demon that easily?â
Unbelievable.
Was Kang Hawi secretly a powerhouse?
âNot just handsome, but insanely skilled tooâŚâ
His looks caught her eye.
Their common interests sparked curiosity.
His actions deepened her affection.
His angelic form inspired awe.
Her possessiveness grew from anxiety.
And now.
His astonishing skill made her fall completely.
*
When I came to.
I held the demonâs head and heart in my hands.
ââŚWhatâs this?â
No memory.
I mustâve taken down the demon unconsciously.
It seems I go berserk against demons in angel mode.
âI didnât know I had this ability⌠Maybe Iâm actually pretty strong, not just cockyâŚâ
The thought crossed my mind.
But I decided not to get arrogant.
Itâs just an F-rank demon.
Nothing impressive compared to high-ranking Hunters.
For an ordinary student, itâs an incredible feat.
But not impossible.
There are probably plenty of stronger students.
Like those at the First Academy.
âStill, howâd I kill it so easily? Does this mean angels are strong against demons?â
It seemed plausible.
Itâs a common belief, even if not confirmed.
âAnyway, coming to this illusion dungeon was worth the cost.â
I was satisfied.
This experience taught me a lot.
Like how seeing a demon in person stirs intense negative emotions.
Photos never did that.
âLetâs see, my wingsâŚâ
I glanced back.
Still too small to see.
âNo change, as expected.â
One way angels grow stronger: slaying demons.
The more demons you defeat, the stronger you get.
But this is an illusion dungeon.
The demon was just a mirage.
No growth from a fake makes sense.
âStill, I hoped a little. Shame.â
Swallowing my disappointment.
Seo Ieung cautiously approached.
âI didnât expect you to take down the boss⌠Youâre amazing. You moved so fast I couldnât see.â
As she praised me sincerely.
[Attention: Students Kang Hawi and Seo Ieung, currently in the F-rank illusion dungeon, please report to Professor Santototoâs office immediately.]
A mechanical voice echoed from the sky.
Title for Chapter 9: Bonds Forged in Battle and Unseen Strengths