STC chapter 27

“Whoa…”

Even though I was tired from sparring twice, I was surprised at how easily Chae Goya pulled me.

Was he always this strong? Now that I think about it, he often approached hesitantly, so I hadn’t realized his strength.

He wasn’t just big for nothing.

All the side characters were tall, but Chae Goya stood out the most.

Despite his timid personality, he was the largest and sturdiest among us.

Unable to resist, my face ended up buried in Chae Goya’s chest. I reflexively pulled away, feeling his firm muscles through my cheek.

“Sorry!”

“No, it’s… I just didn’t want you to go, so I held on…”

Although it was me who caused the situation, Chae Goya started to tear up, looking like he had done something terribly wrong.

Why is this happening?

I hurriedly patted Chae Goya’s back to comfort him.

His huge body, which seemed immovable like a rock, gently followed my touch.

“Let’s eat first. We can talk while we eat. I might have a more efficient way to defend.”

“Yes, yes… Sounds good, hyung. Like last time… eating together…”

Chae Goya, who had been drooping like a flower soaked in morning rain, suddenly smiled shyly.

But soon, his expression cracked slightly. As we exited the training room, Ye Ilhu was still standing there.

Ye Ilhu, with arms crossed, looked at us with a displeased expression.

“Did you really wait?”

At my question, Ye Ilhu raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly.

“I said I would wait.”

Well, he did say that. I didn’t think he’d actually wait.

“Chae Goya will join us for the meal.”

“Why? You promised me first.”

“You’re not strangers, why be awkward?”

Ye Ilhu had been strangely picky with Chae Goya.

I nudged his shoulder, puzzled. Chae Goya looked like he wanted to say something but only moved his lips.

In this slightly uncomfortable atmosphere, we headed to the cafeteria together.

Jeong Yeonji and Heo Taekgyun, who had arrived early expecting us to eat together, looked wide-eyed at the sudden appearance of famous hunters.

“Sorry, let’s eat separately today.”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

Jeong Yeonji, looking displeased, dragged out her words.

Although hunters were rare among humans, there were plenty of troublesome ones.

It was better to be like Ye Ilhu, who balanced a difficult personality with excellent skills.

Many hunters looked down on and belittled civilians.

How could the office staff feel?

Heo Taekgyun was less so, but Jeong Yeonji detested hunters, considering them rude, impudent, and foul-mouthed.

If I weren’t the weakest and in the support team, it would have been hard for me to get close to Jeong Yeonji.

She was good at distinguishing between work and personal life, so she didn’t show it in the guild.

With Ye Ilhu on my right and Chae Goya on my left, we approached the serving area. The hunters in the cafeteria parted like the Red Sea.

This was what they called using someone else’s power. It wasn’t intentional.

Idea’s staff cafeteria was famous for being cheap and delicious, used by both office staff and hunters.

Office staff and hunters used their phones or watches to download the Idea app and pre-purchase meal tickets.

Standing at the end of the long line, I accessed the app on my watch and scanned the barcode.

Ye Ilhu, behind me, naturally turned on his watch too.

“What’s on the menu today?”

At Ye Ilhu’s question, I tiptoed to look ahead.

Every Wednesday, a special meal was served, and today it was samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). I felt hungry.

“Hot and delicious samgyetang.”

“…”

Ye Ilhu frowned slightly, not particularly liking the menu.

But I suddenly didn’t feel Chae Goya’s presence.

I turned around and saw him standing still, not knowing what to do.

Then I remembered that he lived in a fancy villa his brother had arranged for him, not the guild dormitory.

“Hey Goya, is this your first time using the guild cafeteria?”

“Yes? Yes…”

Then you probably don’t know that you need to download a separate app on your watch.

Ye Ilhu’s face lit up with a victorious expression at Chae Goya’s dejected response, as if finally realizing they could dine alone together.

Ah, how childish.

So childish. Does it feel good to beat your sibling?

You wouldn’t even make that face after returning from slaying the boss monster in an S-rank gate.

The problem was surprisingly easy to solve. I reopened the app and brought the barcode close to the scanner.

Chae Goya gently grabbed my wrist and shook his head.

“No, no, you should eat next time.”

“Come on, it’s just one meal. It’s not expensive, so don’t worry and just accept it.”

After saying that, Chae Goya didn’t stop me anymore. I chuckled and firmly scanned the barcode. Chae Goya hesitated and said to me,

“…Next time…I said I’d pay.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Then just pay twice next time, Goya.”

I’m not usually this generous, but for some reason, I always ended up giving a bit more to Chae Goya.

Maybe it was because he reminded me of the younger siblings I used to go to the gym with.

Ye Ilhu, who had been watching us from behind, pouted and said sulkily,

“Buy me coffee too.”

“What?”

“Why do you only buy for him, Kang Balbal?”

Ye Ilhu, why do you keep acting like a seven-year-old?

He’s rich enough to fill a bathtub with money and shower in it, so it’s not like he’s asking me for coffee because he’s short on cash.

It seems he felt unfair because I started sharing things with Chae Goya that used to be just between us, like today’s sparring.

See, it’s not just me who gets reminded of childhood best friends.

“Okay, I’ll buy it for you.”

“With strawberry syrup and lots of whipped cream.”

“…”

Just try not to finish it.

While I was counting how long until my salary would come in this month, Chae Goya suddenly interrupted in a way that wasn’t like him.

“T-then I’ll buy Ilhu’s coffee.”

“Huh?”

“Today… I owe Baram-hyung for the meal…”

Even while Ye Ilhu was glaring at him from the side, Chae Goya finished what he was saying while glancing at him.

A strange tension lingered, but the line had shortened. Ignoring the two glaring at each other behind me, I quickly held out my tray at the serving counter.

“Hello!”

“Oh, Baram’s here? You’re always so energetic.”

“You look even better today, Ma’am. Please give me a lot.”

At first, I found it hard to adjust to the small stomach of this Kang Baram’s body, but now I know its limits.

How can a young man in his early twenties eat only one serving of rice? I still don’t get that part.

Smiling slyly, I spoke, and the lady happily added another chicken drumstick, whispering that it was a special treat.

Ye Ilhu, who saw this from behind, laughed in disbelief.

“You charm everyone you meet.”

What charm? This is all about social skills, kid. You wouldn’t understand.

When I sat at the table, once again the hunters around us quietly moved away. Experiencing Moses’ miracle twice in one day.

“Gulp, gulp!”

Some of them who were already eating started pounding their chests as they choked on their food. Hey, slow down. You’ll get sick. No one’s going to steal your food.

“Hyung, are you feeling better now?”

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

Oh, right. I was sick the day before yesterday.

It was literally thanks to Chae Goya.

More precisely, thanks to all the supporting characters.

Then someone boldly approached us. A man pulled out the chair next to me and asked,

“Can I sit here?”

Ryu Min was looking down at me with a bright smile.