Chapter 65 – A Bouquet of Roses

To think a person could change this much just by sleeping soundly a few times thanks to Hee-na. First of all, she found it fascinating.

‘Usually, when people are tired, they lose their strength, but conversely, they become unable to control their overflowing power. The strength and stamina of an S-class are truly amazing.’

Hee-na only thought of it lightly like this, but in fact, Kang Jin-hyun was saying something tremendous right now.

Even without this, he was a Hunter with immense military power. But now, did this not mean he had gained delicate control in addition to his great destructive power?

Kang Jin-hyun was one of the few S-class Hunters in the entire world. Since such a Kang Jin-hyun had climbed to an even higher level, it was certain that he would now become a Hunter strong enough to be counted within the top three.

This was also the reason why the Blue Dragon Guild Leader had personally stepped forward to recruit Hee-na.

However, Hee-na’s ordinary and peaceful way of thinking did not reach that far.

She only considered it a relief that Kang Jin-hyun would now spill less coffee and break fewer things.

“It must have been inconvenient in your daily life all this time, so it’s great that it has improved.”

Hee-na sincerely congratulated Kang Jin-hyun. At the same time, she wagged her finger with a stern expression.

“But doing the dishes is only for today. This is strictly my job. Besides, I am a Homemaker who builds proficiency through this kind of housekeeping. If you do my work for me, Jin-hyun, it might interfere with my skill rank-up.”

In fact, it was clear that doing the dishes a few times would not even affect her skill proficiency, but Hee-na threatened him as if he were interfering with something huge.

This was because she felt like Kang Jin-hyun would volunteer to do the dishes every single day otherwise.

Although he seemed gentle, he had a surprisingly stubborn side. She had to speak up beforehand.

“By the way, why did you buy roses of all flowers for the bouquet?”

Fearing he might argue, Hee-na quickly changed the subject.

“Do you not like roses?”

Kang Jin-hyun asked with an ‘oops’ expression. However, that was not the important part.

“No. I like receiving flowers. But it’s not common to give bright red roses as a congratulation or an apology.”

Hee-na also had common sense. Such a lush bouquet of roses was something only used in dramas when the male lead confessed his love to the female lead.

It was just that because the person who gave her these roses was Kang Jin-hyun, she did not harbor any romantic suspicions.

This was because he had been courting her cooking skills in bizarre ways since a long time ago.

At Hee-na’s remark, Kang Jin-hyun let out a regretful sigh.

“I got advice from the florist on what flowers would be good, but it seems the advice was wrong.”

“What did you tell them?”

“I said it was a flower to give to a precious person who would never come into my life again.”

“Ah…”

She could clearly picture in her mind what kind of expression he wore and how he had spoken.

‘A precious person who will never come into my life again…’

No matter who heard it, it was a line that seemed to require passionate red roses.

Hee-na chuckled.

“You really… have a great way with words, Jin-hyun.”

If she had not fallen for this way of speaking several times before, she might have unwittingly been swept off her feet.

“I have often heard that I lack eloquence, but you are the first to praise my speech, Hee-na. I am glad.”

Kang Jin-hyun shyly accepted Hee-na’s praise.

Hee-na looked at the clock while sharing this and that with Kang Jin-hyun. It was already 1:00 PM.

Feeling like she had taken up too much of a busy person’s time, she stood up, brushing herself off.

“Jin-hyun, I have things to do, so I think I should get going first.”

“Do you have work to do? May I ask what it is?”

Kang Jin-hyun showed curiosity about Hee-na’s upcoming schedule. Hee-na replied casually.

“It’s nothing grand, I just want to do some quick grocery shopping. Basic ingredients are equipped in the kitchen, but I see quite a few things that need to be filled.”

In addition, she also wanted to buy some fruits or drinks to serve after a meal. It was because her mouth felt lonely after eating lunch well.

“Oh, by the way, is there anything you want to eat? If you tell me the dish, I will buy the ingredients and cook it for you.”

Hee-na scribbled down the things she needed to buy on a piece of paper. In fact, most things could be brought in if she submitted a purchase request through the company.

However, Hee-na liked grocery shopping in person. Looking at items she wouldn’t use, comparing prices, and buying good quality things were all things Hee-na liked.

Therefore, unless there was an exceptional reason, Hee-na planned to buy groceries in person and prepare meals from now on.

‘I also received a corporate card, so I can swipe it to my heart’s content for whatever I need.’

She also planned to use the corporate card handed over by HR Team Leader Kang Mok-hyun diligently.

The Blue Dragon Guild was not stingy like her previous company, which was sensitive over even 1,000 or 2,000 won.

Hee-na had been shocked when she heard the maximum limit of the corporate card she received and the expenditure details of each department.

The level of expenditure resolution was different. It was a scale where, rather than going to a mart to shop, she could buy the mart itself.

Meanwhile, Kang Jin-hyun naturally tagged along beside Hee-na as she prepared to leave.

“You’re going to a mart? May I accompany you?”

He was so natural that she almost replied, “Of course,” unconsciously.

“Of course… not!”

“Pardon?”

“Jin-hyun, don’t you have a schedule this afternoon? You should prepare in advance.”

Hee-na pointed out his 3:00 PM schedule, but Kang Jin-hyun shook his head.

“It is fine. There is nothing in particular to prepare, and it is a place I can reach quickly. I want to buy groceries with you, Hee-na.”

“But… you are too famous, Jin-hyun, so everyone will recognize you…”

When she hesitated, Kang Jin-hyun took something out of his inventory. It was a piece of cloth with tattered sleeve edges.

“I can just wear a robe. It blurs my presence, so ordinary people won’t notice.”

For reference, this robe was an item Hee-na was acquainted with.

It was the robe that Kang Jin-hyun had put on Hee-na when they fell into a dungeon together because of a Piece of Space.

Since its length had been shortened to fit the length of Hee-na’s limbs, it looked comical and short on Kang Jin-hyun.

“If you go out wearing it like this, it seems your social standing will be severely crumpled, Jin-hyun.”

The top S-class Hunter in South Korea looking this ridiculous. She feared someone might take a photo.

“It is fine. Even so, I want to go out with you, Hee-na. I will carry the bags for you.”

However, Kang Jin-hyun begged Hee-na until the end, like a puppy with separation anxiety.

“Well, if you want it that much…”

In the end, Hee-na had no choice but to give in to Kang Jin-hyun’s stubbornness.

* * *

Hee-na stopped at the seafood section.

“Do you like cuttlefish? This is delicious.”

When she asked the preference of the companion who followed while rolling the cart, he nodded quickly.

“I have never eaten it, but I think it will be delicious.”

It was Kang Jin-hyun, wearing a black brimmed hat pulled low and a mask.

“Then try it this time. If you dip it in sweet and sour red chili paste or wasabi soy sauce, it’s tender and delicious.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I will make it for you.”

Hee-na and Kang Jin-hyun bickered over wearing the robe, but in the end, they reached a reasonable compromise.

Instead of wearing a robe that looked like a beggar chief’s rags, they decided to cover his face completely like a celebrity.

Dressing Kang Jin-hyun in a casual hoodie and jeans made him look like a famous model or actor out for a stroll, not an S-class Hunter coming to a mart to buy groceries.

Every time Kang Jin-hyun, who possessed a tall height, pushed the cart and passed by, people’s eyes gathered to steal glances.

The hat and mask could cover Kang Jin-hyun’s identity, but they were insufficient to hide his handsome looks.

It was a great relief that people did not cling to him because of the unique S-class aura.

Kang Jin-hyun trailed after Hee-na while pulling the cart.

Except for attracting a few glances, Kang Jin-hyun was a very good shopping mate.

In crowded places, he stepped forward first to clear the way, and he passed through narrow corners nimbly.

He volunteered to lift and move heavy things first, and he rarely interfered by telling her to buy this or not buy that.

He was a silent porter. Very reliable.

It was around the time they had slowly circled the mart once. Kang Jin-hyun’s footsteps stopped dead somewhere.

Hee-na realized too late that the presence behind her back had vanished, and took a step back.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

He was staring blankly at something. No, he was not just staring. The gaze revealed beneath his hat was burning.

“What are you looking at like… Do you want to eat ramen?”

Hee-na discovered the corner at the end of Kang Jin-hyun’s gaze. It was a promotional display stand selling ramen in bundles at a discount.

“Yes. I want to eat it.”

He was someone who used to reply that anything was fine whenever Hee-na asked what he wanted to eat. It was the first time such a Kang Jin-hyun expressed his desire to eat something so intensely.

Even if it was instant ramen, it was quite a welcome thing. Hee-na turned the cart and pulled it.

“Shall we go buy some ramen?”

“Yes. I would like that.”

There was an unmistakable excitement mixed in Kang Jin-hyun’s voice.

The Homemaker of the Dungeon