Honeybee, South Korea's 5th-ranked hunter, and the advertising model for CyC, a hunter-exclusive dye made from dungeon byproducts, was busy giving fan service while flaunting her shiny blonde bleached hair in a traditional hangover soup restaurant.
When Cha Eui-jae, channeling the excitement of meeting a star hunter, responded enthusiastically, the other hunters, caught off guard, also clapped along. Honeybee withdrew her fierce aura and bowed politely.
"I'm sorry for startling you. I didn't mean to intrude so suddenly."
"It's alright."
"No, really, I'm sorry. I lost my temper for a moment..."
She laughed heartily with Cha Eui-jae, but while her face bore an elegant smile, the hunters' eating pace quickened. Among the clattering noises, a familiar voice broke through.
"Who parked a motorcycle like this? Ugh."
All eyes turned to the newcomer, Bae Won-woo, who was blinking while holding Honeybee's motorcycle overhead. Honeybee gasped.
"Are you crazy? Put that down right now!"
"Honeybee? What are you doing here?"
"First, put down my bike."
"Your bike? You should park it properly then. Blocking the entrance like that."
Bae Won-woo grumbled as he gently set the bike aside. Honeybee, who had been massaging her temples, looked up with a start.
"Hey, Shield Guy. Did you come alone? Where's Lee Sa-young?"
Having earned the nickname "Shield Guy," the epitome of manliness, Bae Won-woo shuddered.
"I told you, don't call me by my hunter name. Please use my real name."
"Where's Lee Sa-young? Didn't you come together?"
"Huh? Sa-young? I don't know. Why are you looking for him?"
Bae Won-woo asked, puzzled. Instead of answering, Honeybee scanned the area. It wasn't common to witness conversations between top 10 hunters, so the other hunters were all ears. But as Honeybee shot them a sharp look, they quickly pretended to be preoccupied.
At that moment, a thunderous stomach growl echoed through the restaurant. Rubbing his belly, Bae Won-woo muttered pitifully.
"I'm curious about your story too, but can we order first?"
"...Sure. I need to cool down a bit anyway."
Honeybee fanned herself. Just then, two hunters who had devoured their hangover soup tossed 30,000 won on the counter and hurried out. Bae Won-woo skillfully picked up a rag and waved it at Cha Eui-jae.
"I'll clean up and sit down. One hangover soup with plenty of cheongyang pepper. Honeybee, what do you want?"
"What do they have here?"
"hangover soup."
"...Only hangover soup?"
"Yep. But it's good."
Bae Won-woo flashed a toothy grin and a thumbs up. Honeybee, massaging her temples and shaking her head, answered reluctantly.
"Alright, hangover soup for me too."
"Great."
Bae Won-woo flashed a V-sign at Cha Eui-jae, who responded with an okay sign before filling a bowl with kimchi and radish kimchi. He set the table quickly, and Bae Won-woo, who had even brought his own soup spoon, clapped his hands.
