Or perhaps they just came for an inspection since the dungeon got new facilities?

Amid suspicion, the two entered the tent and had an intimate conversation. After that, they acted as if they were looking out for each other in a strange way.

Although it looked more like politeness bordering on kindness, Mo Gyeon could sense that there was some bond between them that he didn’t know about.

That bond evoked a strong sense of discomfort in Mo Gyeon.

‘Even if Bom is like that, Ju Cheong Yeon isn’t usually that type of character.’

Mo Gyeon originally knew Cheong Yeon. Cheong Yeon is a senior researcher affiliated with the Dungeon Management Center.

Among hunters, he was called the Dungeon Management Director. The position of Dungeon Management Director was a high position that had influence over the distribution of expedition rights.

Having risen to such a position, he could have delegated minor tasks to other researchers and just looked at data in the office to make judgments, but he didn’t do that.

He was diligent enough to personally visit guild headquarters to thoroughly check if they were stable guilds that could be trusted with expeditions.

The most important condition he reviewed was ‘whether they handled things emotionally, prioritizing only combat power’.

‘That’s why there was a lot of talk about him.’

Mo Gyeon also agrees that hunters, being inherently physically superior, should be more careful to prevent accidents and carry out expeditions stably.

After long periods of expeditions, there are many occasions for hunters to clash, and fights occur frequently.

Still, the most important thing for expeditions is combat power.

However, due to Cheong Yeon’s uniquely stubborn standards, many guilds failed to obtain expedition rights even when their combat power was sufficient.

For example, Mo Gyeon also had a record of the entire Hwarang being suspended from expeditions for 6 months because he had previously destroyed a journalist’s camera.

Since his words could have a big impact on guilds, hunters couldn’t help but be tense when Cheong Yeon appeared.

Moreover, his standards were even higher for guilds with high-ranking hunters. He disliked high-ranking hunters showing off their abilities, or in vulgar terms, acting arrogantly based solely on their abilities.

So rumors circulated that Cheong Yeon must have been badly hurt by a high-ranking hunter before becoming a hunter himself.

It wasn’t unreasonable since his family history was openly known among hunters. Whether that was really true, no one knew.

Anyway, why would such a cold and picky guy be kind only to Bom?

Does he really have some connection to Reconnaissance Team 7?

The reason Mo Gyeon thought of Reconnaissance Team 7 was partly because of Director Yu Myung Hyun’s story, but also because Tae Rim’s name was often mentioned.

‘Unlike Tae Rim, you cook well. Tae Rim used to mix in a lot of strange things that could be considered somewhat grotesque food.’

That statement made it sound like Bom had some connection to Tae Rim.

Although Mo Gyeon and Tae Rim couldn’t meet often due to being busy, they were close enough to eat meals and drink together when their schedules overlapped.

At first, Mo Gyeon felt distant and couldn’t get close because Tae Rim was ranked number one. However, after a few conversations, he thought this person would get along well with him, and sure enough, their values and tendencies matched well, so they naturally became close.

Whenever Mo Gyeon ran into Tae Rim, he jokingly asked when he would join Hwarang, and Tae Rim would lightly respond that he was keeping a spot open in Reconnaissance Team 7…

Tae Rim might not have known, but Mo Gyeon always meant it sincerely.

Tae Rim was more than capable of watching Mo Gyeon’s back, and he was a special person who filled him with a sense of anticipation just imagining roaming the battlefield together.

‘After he went missing in the Blue Starlight Valley, even if something came to mind, I didn’t mention it often…’

It was an unspoken rule tacitly observed not only by Mo Gyeon but among hunters.

But Ju Cheong Yeon casually mentions Elder Brother Tae Rim. And Bom responds without showing any discomfort…

“It’s strange, strange. There’s something…”

It feels like his mind is enveloped in a thick fog, about to remember something but not quite.

“Ah!”

Then suddenly something flashed through his mind. The hoe dug deep into the ground with a sharp gasp.

“Oh, Hunter Seol Mo Gyeon! If you do that, you’ll damage the sweet potatoes!”

“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

Teddy, who was helping with the work beside him, jumped up with surprised eyes. Hearing that he was distracted, Teddy fretted about what if he had hurt his hand.

No, the hand isn’t the issue right now.

‘Could Bom be Tae Rim’s secret girlfriend?’

If so, everything fits. High-ranking hunters were often treated like semi-celebrities and secretly dating was commonplace, and Cheong Yeon was close with Tae Rim.

Since they were both affiliated with the Association, they probably had more opportunities to talk than Mo Gyeon did.

That’s why Cheong Yeon knows about Bom and Tae Rim’s relationship!

It made sense that they talked just the two of them, excluding him. Even if something happened related to Tae Rim, Mo Gyeon wouldn’t be of help, so she probably asked Cheong Yeon!

That parasite-like guy gives off the aura of an expert in that field at first glance!

If Bom is Tae Rim’s girlfriend, it also makes sense that the Director cares about Bom.

Of course he’d be concerned about his own son’s girlfriend!

No, does that mean their relationship was deep enough for even the families to know?!

“Huh… What should I do.”

Mo Gyeon’s strength left his hands at the truth revealed after long deduction. The hoe plunged into the soil with a thud, pitifully.

The collapsed appearance seemed to represent Mo Gyeon’s state of mind.

I shouldn’t have been wary of that Chae Dong Hwa guy. I was completely barking up the wrong tree.

Now that I think about it, Dong Hwa must have known about their relationship and that’s why he took care of Bom.

“Argh! No!!”

Mo Gyeon cried out vehemently, stopping midway through digging sweet potatoes.

“Hunter, what’s wrong!”

“It’s over, Teddy…”

“Are you hurt somewhere?”

“My chest… It feels like my chest is being torn apart…”

“Bandages! Should I bring bandages to wrap around your heart after taking it out?!”

“No, it’s just a figure of speech. An expression for how sad I feel!”

Teddy looked ready to tear out Mo Gyeon’s heart with his sharp claws right then and there. Mo Gyeon calmed Teddy down while also composing his own emotions.

‘Right. Maybe this is an opportunity. Elder Brother Tae Rim hasn’t returned yet!’

It’s been 5 years since Tae Rim went missing. Although the prevailing opinion is that he won’t return, Mo Gyeon believed he would come back.

When Mo Gyeon was an ordinary person, Tae Rim was an idol and a god. There’s no way such a strong hunter would disappear from the world so vainly.

It’s regrettable for Tae Rim, but I’ll try until he returns and give up if it doesn’t work out. Instead, I thought I’d hide the fact that Tae Rim and I know each other, since Bom might feel awkward if she found out.

‘Normally, I would have gracefully backed off without question…’

His own change surprised him anew. It was the first time he’d liked a woman, and even more so that the woman was the girlfriend of a hyung he knew.

What surprised him most was that he had no intention of giving up even in this situation.

If friends asked for fun whether you’d choose love or friendship, he would have chosen friendship without hesitation, as it was a relationship that couldn’t even be compared for Mo Gyeon.

‘I guess I really like her a lot…’

Realizing that fact made him want to see Bom even more.

If lucky it would take a day, if unlucky it could take up to 3 days, but today was the second day since Bom left the campsite.

Is she eating well? Did Cheong Yeon do anything improper, is she hurt anywhere? Is she thinking of Mo Gyeon waiting at the campsite?

Tumultuous thoughts filled his mind.

“Oh? Looks like we have a guest.”

Teddy said, straightening his back.

Bom had said not to let Teddy greet guests alone.

“I’ll go, Teddy.”

Mo Gyeon headed towards the campsite entrance instead of Teddy to greet the guest.

“That person is…”

It was a familiar figure recognizable even from afar. Mo Gyeon’s steps gradually slowed at the unwelcome guest.

It took longer to find the Silver Tree this time. Hearing Hunter Ju Cheong Yeon say that it usually takes this long to find the Silver Tree, it seems yesterday we were really lucky.

“It’s already midnight.”

Hunter Ju Cheong Yeon said, looking at his wristwatch.

We’ve only pitched the tent and caught one fish, but it’s already this late. Today too, the music box sound was faintly filling the inside of the Silver Tree.

“Let’s eat first.”

“Let’s do that.”

Having eaten fish porridge for brunch before departing, my stomach emptied quickly. I was planning to make spicy fish stew again today with the leftover ingredients from yesterday’s stew.

“Hunter Ju Cheong Yeon. Shall we make it spicier today?”

“Sounds good.”

As I was about to make the spicy fish stew sauce, he was cleaning the fish we just caught nearby.

We worked well together even though we’ve only coordinated for a day.

‘This much radish should be enough. Two spoons of red pepper powder?’

Adding a lot of red pepper powder makes it spicy and refreshing. But it can get a bit thick, so you need to add just the right amount.

I made the seasoning by adding gochujang and doenjang that I brought in advance, along with minced garlic and black pepper powder. I also added about a spoonful of salt to adjust the taste.

‘Ah, I need to do the backpacking quest too.’

− Use natural materials as tableware.

− Reward: 6 hours of invincibility] [Invincible Backpacking Quest

− Gather and cook with dungeon plants.

− Reward: 6 hours of invincibility]

Use natural materials as tableware? What, am I supposed to carve wood to make plates or something?

‘I’ll pass on this one…’

I do have a knife and machete used for carving wood, but I’m not skilled enough yet to carve plates delicately.

As for cooking with dungeon plants, I brought ‘Lilien’ which can remove the fishy smell from the spicy fish stew, so I think I can use that.

Just then, I heard something like a warning beep.