“They requested multiple enchants from production guilds. Moreover, they issued summons not only to S-rank hunters but also to A-rank or higher hunters with dark and fire attributes.”

“…”

Siwoo’s gaze changed slightly. After resting his hand that had been resting on his knee on his lap, he leaned back loosely in his chair.

Enchanting involves imparting specific attributes or resistances to equipment. If the Association, working with hunters of various attributes, deemed that there was a shortage of manpower, there must be a reason.

As if suggesting to elaborate more, Jehwi cleared his throat and spoke again.

“My assumption, but I expect that a summons will soon be issued to this hunter as well… considering that you use ‘Dark Flame,’ and the Association is looking for hunters with dark and fire attributes.”

Swallowing his dry saliva with a gulp, Jehwi added with a creeping voice.
“Is there anyone more suitable than Hunter-nim…?”

“…”

Siwoo remained silent. There could be no more chilling silence in the world. Did he say something unnecessary? Jehwi regretted it belatedly.

“I-I’ll get rid of it.”

It would be better to burn it now. Jehwi tried to hurriedly pick up the documents and turn away.

“─Wait.”

Siwoo suddenly grabbed him.

“Leave it there.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll check it later.”

Siwoo tapped the tablet on the desk while saying that. Jehwi, who had been staring absentmindedly at the side, soon gently lowered the documents he had been holding.

“Ah… Yes, understood.”

Ttok, ttok, ttok.

The sound of tapping the tablet echoed in the silence. Perhaps some urgent work had come up. Maybe he was just messing with it for no reason.

“Hasn’t Senior received a summons yet?”

While keeping his gaze fixed on the tablet, Siwoo suddenly asked, throwing it out as if.

“Yes, because Hunter-nim was officially measured as F-rank, it seems that even if a summons is issued, it won’t be until the last moment…”

To put it bluntly, he would be a buffer or makeshift solution. Jehwi didn’t bother adding that part.

“Oh, really?”

Siwoo, who replied vaguely, closed his mouth again. Ttok, ttok… Siwoo, who had been tapping the tablet a few more times, suddenly changed the subject.

“How about Senior’s refrigerator?”

“Yes? R-refriger…”

Jehwi blinked.

“Uh, a refrigerator.”

It seemed he didn’t mishear.

…Wait a minute. Why out of the blue like this? Jehwi quickly recalled the inside of Eunha’s officetel refrigerator.

“Um, I’m filling it up little by little. Since I checked the inventory a while ago, I don’t think the food has run out yet.”

“I told you to cut down on beer and the internet, right?”

“Yes, I mentioned it.”

“Do you still watch old broadcasts these days? Like a special feature on popular songs or something like that.”

“Well… Yes, I do…?”

Jehwi, who was stammering in his response, looked directly at Siwoo.

Whether he felt an odd gaze or not, Siwoo, who had been fixing his gaze on the tablet, suddenly raised his head with an irritated expression.

“What are you looking at?”

“N-nothing…”

Jehwi quickly lowered his eyes.

‘It seems he’s curious.’

However, opposite to the gaze thrust into the floor, Jehwi’s mouth corner tried to rise subtly.

Without a doubt, the boss was curious. Quite, no, very curious about how Eunha was doing.

Suppressing the unaffected mouth corner, Jehwi opened his mouth with as nonchalant a tone as possible. It’s not because you’re curious, but because I remembered it, that I’m talking about it.

“Right, that’s true. Recently, Hunter-nim’s favorite side dish changed from dried fish to chicken feet.”

“…”

“He prefers boneless ones.”

“…”

“By the way, he eats them at about level 3 spiciness.”

It was an unexpectedly uneventful story. Siwoo showed no particular reaction.
However, Jehwi understood. His ears were perked up, directed towards this place. As evidence, Siwoo never interrupted Jehwi’s words even once. Empowered, Jehwi no longer glanced at Siwoo and continued the story.

“Well, and last week, you also registered at a dog grooming academy.”

“A dog grooming academy?”

Siwoo, who had maintained an unresponsive attitude until now, slowly raised his head.

“It seems you’ve been interested in dog grooming for a long time. Originally, you were planning to go to college for that.”

“I see.”

A short and indifferent reply as if uninterested. However, Siwoo’s fingers, which had been tapping on the tablet, abruptly stopped.

Although his gaze was fixed on the tablet, it was assumed that Siwoo was thinking about something else. It was definitely such a look. Beside him, Jehwi hesitated but cautiously continued.

“It’s Kang Haengwook Dog Grooming Academy.”

Swiftly, without changing his raised head toward him, Siwoo, who was tapping on the tablet, seemed to have different thoughts. There was a certain look in his eyes. Jehwi, by his side, smiled faintly and added.

“It’s the academy Hunter-nim attends. Just, you know, just in case.”

“…Quite presumptuous.”

“I think he has become more competent… Haha.”

“Get out.”

“Yes.”

Finally being chased out. Did he say something unnecessary? Jehwi quietly closed the door after leaving the place.

Click─

Only after Jehwi left did Siwoo finally lift his gaze from the tablet.

‘Kang Haengwook Dog Grooming Academy.’

‘You’ve been interested in dog grooming for a long time.’

“…”

Turning the tablet upside down on the desk, this time Siwoo turned his eyes towards the materials placed nearby.

Confidential.

Staring at the red letters at the top of the document for a while, Siwoo eventually reached out slowly towards it.